RUGBY UNION
Olympics pools drawn
New Zealand and Britain were put on a collision course on Tuesday after being drawn to face each other in the opening round of the Rio de Janeiro Olympics rugby sevens tournament. The powerful Kiwi side were drawn in a “Pool of Death” in Pool C, which includes Britain, rising sevens force Kenya and Asian champions Japan. In other pools, top seeds Fiji were handed what should be a relatively straightforward route into the quarter-finals in Pool A, where their opponents are the US, Argentina and hosts Brazil. Pool B sees southern hemisphere rivals South Africa and Australia vying for supremacy alongside France and surprise qualifiers Spain. In the women’s tournament, top seeds Australia are to play the US, Fiji and Colombia in Pool A, while New Zealand, France, Spain and Kenya contest Pool B. Canada, Britain, Brazil and Japan complete the field in Pool C. The top two teams from each pool qualify for the knockout rounds, along with the two best third-placed sides. Rugby is returning to the Olympics after a 96-year absence from the Games.
SOCCER
Gascoigne to stand trial
Former England player Paul Gascoigne is to stand trial after pleading not guilty to a racially aggravated public order offense. The former Tottenham Hotspur and SS Lazio midfielder is alleged to have directed the abuse at a black security guard in November last year at his stage show, “An Evening with Gazza,” in Wolverhampton, England. The 49-year-old Gascoigne yesterday appeared at nearby Dudley Magistrates’ Court, signing autographs for fans outside the court. A single charge alleges Gascoigne “used threatening or abusive words or behavior or disorderly behavior within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress” and that the offense was racially aggravated. Gascoigne was granted unconditional police bail ahead of a trial scheduled for September. Once one of England’s most talented players, Gascoigne has faced years of alcohol and mental health problems.
SOCCER
Portugal duo return
Portugal have been boosted by the return of Andre Gomes and Raphael Guerreiro to training ahead of their Euro 2016 quarter-final against Poland. The two players joined the main group in a morning session yesterday after sitting out two days of practice. Defender Guerreiro and midfielder Gomes started Portugal’s 1-0 extra-time triumph over Croatia in the round-of-16, but sustained minor muscular problems. Portugal coach Fernando Santos is expected to have all his players available to face Poland today.
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SOCCER
Dembele move ‘massive’
Moussa Dembele has said he is privileged to be the first signing of coach Brendan Rodgers’ tenure at Celtic, after the striker joined the Scottish champions on a four-year contract on Tuesday. The 19-year-old Dembele, who came through the ranks at French champions Paris Saint Germain, joined Celtic from English second-tier side Fulham, where he scored 17 goals to secure the club’s survival in the Championship. Rodgers joined Celtic on a 12-month rolling contract in May after he was sacked by Liverpool in October last year. “It is a massive thing to come to this club and to be Brendan Rodgers’ first signing is something unreal for me,” Dembele told the club’s Web site.
BOUNCE BACK: Curry scored 46 points in the Warriors’ victory over the Spurs, after ‘everybody stepped up’ following Tuesday’s blowout loss to Oklahoma City Nikola Jokic scoring 50 or more points had never been enough for the Denver Nuggets to win — until now. Jokic on Wednesday night tied the highest-scoring performance in the NBA this season with 55 points, as the Nuggets beat the Los Angeles Clippers 130-116 for their sixth straight victory. The Nuggets were 0-4 in his previous 50-point outbursts. “It’s a good feeling,” the three-time NBA Most Valuable Player said. He equaled Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who had 55 in a double-overtime game at the Indiana Pacers on Oct. 23. Jokic has been on a roll during Denver’s winning streak. He is the
The tri-nation Twenty20 international series featuring hosts Pakistan, as well as Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, is to be played entirely in Rawalpindi from Tuesday next week, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said yesterday, after this week’s suicide bombing in the capital, Islamabad. The change came after at least eight Sri Lankan players asked to leave over security fears following Tuesday’s bombing that killed 12 people and wounded 27. Their country’s cricket board issued a stern directive to the team to stay put or face consequences. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said the decision to stay was taken after “close consultations” with hosts Pakistan who
France’s Kevin Aymoz snatched the men’s title at Skate America on Saturday, winning his first grand prix title with a battling free skate, while short program leader Kazuki Tomono faltered. It was an emotional triumph for Aymoz, who made his grand prix level debut in 2017, with seven prior podium finishes, but no gold. He had struggled with a painful foot injury since a disappointing 10th-place finish at Skate Canada last month. “It was so difficult,” the 28-year-old said. “After Skate Canada I wanted to give up so much and today I’m here and it’s so beautiful to be with my friends competing
Australian restaurant chain Grill’d has made a cheeky apology for putting a “curse” on Oscar Piastri’s Formula One title hopes with their offer of a free burger for every time the McLaren driver gets on the podium. The Melbourne native has not finished in the top three since the promotion relaunched five races ago, losing the championship lead to teammate Lando Norris and now 24 points behind. Online conspiracy theorists have been quick to put two and two together. The chain’s Piastri 81 Burger debuted ahead of the Australian Grand Prix in March, with his endorsement, and was relaunched in September after he
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