Friday 47 Sports Friday, September 13, 2019 ‘No regrets’ but US suffer second loss in as many days at World Cup

DONGGUAN: Deposed champions the United the US were still shell-shocked from the France States lost 94-89 to Serbia in a dead-rubber at defeat in the first quarter. the Basketball World Cup yesterday, a day after Gregg Popovich’s team failed to score a point surrendering their 13-year unbeaten run. during one barren five-minute period. A rout A young Team USA made up of second-tier was on the cards for Serbia, whose tournament NBA stars were defeated 89-79 in the quarter- also came to a surprise quarter-final end, at the finals by France on Wednesday, bringing a pre- hands of Argentina. mature close to their World Cup defence. More The 70-year-old Popovich chewed his lip and significantly, it was the reigning world and brooded. But the US fought back in the second Olympic champions’ first defeat in a major com- quarter and reduced the gap to just four points petition since the semi-finals of the 2006 World at half-time. Going into the fourth quarter, Serbia Cup. Yesterday’s “classification” game in Dong- — led once more by the Sacramento Kings’ guan was the final that never was: the holders Bogdan Bogdanovic — were only three points against the favourites. The US were down a ahead. But the US comeback fell narrowly short scarcely believable 32-7 after the first quarter and they have another classification match on and headed for a big defeat, before clawing back Saturday to decide who finishes seventh and some of the deficit and a degree of pride. eighth. Bogdanovic, who has been one of the Harrison Barnes of the Sacramento Kings, the players of the tournament in China, led all scor- only remaining member of the triumphant 2016 ing with 28 points. Rio Olympic roster, said: “There are no regrets Barnes had 22 points and said that the Amer- from our group in terms of what we’ve given, icans would give it their all in their tournament what we’ve sacrificed. closer, when they will face the loser of the Czech “The commitment everyone has made away Republic versus Poland. from their families, their teams, their organisa- “Tomorrow we have that opportunity to go tions.” There was no medal up for grabs and the out once again, play a game, represent our coun- US have already qualified for next summer’s try,” he said. “For some of us — potentially all of Tokyo Games. But there was added spice after us — it could be our last time we wear a USA Serbia’s coach said prior to the World Cup that jersey, or the beginning of many. if the Americans met his team, “May god help “We will just savour that opportunity.” In Fri- DONGGUAN: Harrison Barnes #8 of USA goes to the basket against Serbia during the 2019 FIBA World them”. Sasha Djordjevic dismissed the comment day’s semi-finals, Spain play Australia and France Cup yesterday at the Dongguan Basketball Center in Dongguan, China. — AFP as motivational irony but said that he could see take on Argentina. — AFP Spurs disappointed UEFA report shows by timing of Lo Celso record spending in injury: Pochettino summer transfer window LONDON: ’s injury on international duty was a LAUSANNE: A new report from UEFA, published yester- huge blow to both Tottenham Hotspur and the Argentine mid- day, showed record spending in Europe during the recently fielder as he was just starting to adapt to his new surroundings in closed summer transfer window with the majority of all the , manager Mauricio Pochettino said yesterday. money spent on transfers coming from clubs involved in ei- Lo Celso, signed on loan by Spurs on transfer deadline day from ther the Champions League or Europa League group stage. Spanish side Real Betis, suffered a hip injury during Argentina’s LOS ANGELES: File photo shows Giovani Lo Celso of Argentina (C) For the whole of Europe, transfer spending was 29 percent 0-0 draw with Chile last week and the club confirmed on Tuesday vies for the ball with Oscar Opazo of Chile during their interna- up on last summer and 19 percent higher than the previous that he would be sidelined until the end of October. tional friendly football match between Argentina and Chile at the record 2017 summer. “It’s a sad situation. I’m very disappointed because Giovani LA Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. — AFP The 80 clubs involved in the group stages of this year’s had the first month to adapt to the club. Everything was going in Champions League and Europa League accounted for 58 a good way,” Pochettino told reporters ahead of Saturday’s home percent of all money spent globally on transfer fees. game against Crystal Palace. The 32 clubs in the Champions League and 48 in the Eu- “Now we have to wait for him... Nothing is going to change the MATCHES ON TV ropa League spent a combined 3.98 billion euros ($4.39 bil- reality. We are all disappointed, the national team are sad too. We LOCAL TIMING lion), an increase of 55 percent from the summer window of cannot change the situation and that is why it is so important to 2018. Forty-three percent of the clubs broke their record anticipate these things.” SPANISH LEAGUE transfer signing. The 23-year-old was Spurs’ third close-season recruit to be Real Mallorca v Athletic de Bilbao 22:00 The study does not include commissions paid to agents. sidelined with injury after midfielder Tanguy Ndombele missed beIN SPORTS HD 3 The 80 clubs, who also received 3.72 billion euros in fees the last two games with a thigh problem while Ryan Sessegnon is paid, reported combined revenues of 11.7 billion euros and yet to make his club debut due to a hamstring issue. GERMAN BUNDESLIGA profits of 193 million euros in their most recent reporting. “We need to assess (Sessegnon) tomorrow. The same with Forwards and defenders were the most transferred play- Tanguy Ndombele and Kyle Walker-Peters (hamstring),” Pochet- Fortuna Dusseldorf v VfL Wolfsburg 21:30 beIN SPORTS HD 5 ers this summer, combining equally for 70 percent of all tino added. “We’ve got seven games in 21 days. It’s going to be transfers, while clubs showed a marked preference for youth. tough and we need everyone at their best.” FRENCH LEAGUE Players aged between 21 and 24 accounted for almost half Spurs midfielder Christian Eriksen was heavily linked with a of all summer transfers at 47 percent while only seven per- move away from the club in the close season but eventually stayed LOSC Lille v SCO Angers 20:00 beIN SPORTS HD 4 cent were of players aged over 28. A FIFA report, also pub- put and Pochettino said it was important to put the transfer ru- lished on Thursday, showed that 75.7 percent of the global mours behind them and focus on the months ahead. “He (Eriksen) Amiens SC v 21:45 beIN SPORTS HD 6 spending on transfer fees came from clubs in England, Spain, has always been happy here,” Pochettino said. “Everyone has their France, Germany and Italy. — AFP aims and challenges but I told you before the Arsenal game that he was in the right mind, that’s why I selected him. — Reuters