I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 14 WORLD SPORTS NOVEMBER 18, 2019

Youth team win 27-0, coach sacked for ‘disrespect’ Clippers post 49-point win

A youth coach in Italy was sacked after his side won 27-0 on Saturday as the president of the club criticised him for disrespecting the team’s opponents. over struggling Hawks Under-18 side Invictasauro, based in the Grosseto region of Tuscany, faced Marina Calcio and racked up the huge Paul George delivered 37 points in his home range and the team shot 19 of 49 on threes scoreline, only for coach Massimiliano Riccini to lose his debut as the Los Angeles Clippers scored the overall. He added six assists and five rebounds job afterwards. second most points in franchise history with in 39 minutes of playing time for his fifth Tiberio Pratesi, the sporting director of bottom side Ma- a 150-101 rout of the short-handed Atlanta 40-plus game during the current win streak. rina Calcio, complained after the match that league leaders Hawks on Saturday. “We wanted to come here and win this Invictasauro had disrespected his side. Marina Calcio suffered This was expected to be the first game game and we showed them,” Harden said. from a string of injury problems and had to field an outfield together for Kawhi Leonard and George, who Point guard Ben McLemore carried over player in goal for the match, which featured two Invictasauro was making his much anticipated home debut the momentum of his season-high 21 point players scoring six goals each, and one netting seven. with his new team, but Leonard sat out with performace on Friday by scoring 20 against Pratesi received a phone call from a representative of a nagging knee problem. the Timberwolves. McLemore nailed a pair of Invictasauro after the match in which the club apologized George, who scored 25 points in the first free throws with 1:29 remaining in the third for the result. half, converted 10 of 17 shots from the field to give Houston their first double-digit lead Paolo Brogelli, the president of Invictasauro, released overall, including six of 11 three-pointers in of the contest, 89-79 a statement and said the junior team decided to part ways the wire-to-wire victory in front of a crowd of Austin Rivers and Chris Clemons scored with coach Riccini. 19,000 at Staples Center Arena. He also made 19 points apiece for the Rockets, who also “We were stunned and deeply regretful when hearing that all 11 of his free throws in just 20 minutes received a career-best 16 rebounds from our Juniores team had beaten Marina Calcio 27-0,” President of playing time. centre Isaiah Hartenstein. Brogelli said in a statement. George scored 33 points in his season “This game was very, very important for “The values of youth team football are antithetical to such debut Thursday in a loss to the New Orleans us,” said Harden. “In the first half we gave a thing. The opponent must always be respected and that Pelicans. them too many points, in the second half did not happen today. George, who missed the initial 11 games we locked back in. The guys manned up and “As president, I sincerely apologize to the Marina club. I rehabbing from offseason surgery on both got a win.” announce that our directors decided, unanimously, to sack his shoulders, is 21 of 21 from the line in Clippers, who bounced back after losing their struggling Hawks who have been besieged Minnesota missed the offence of second coach Riccini. two games. previous two matches. by discipline and injury problems this season. leading scorer Andrew Wiggins, who sat out “Our coaches have the duty to train young players, but “It means everything,” said George, who The Clippers led throughout, including In Minneapolis, James Harden scored his second consecutive game with an undis- above all to educate them. That did not happen today.” grew up in Palmdale, California, 100 kilo- a 12-point cushion at the half. They seized 49 points on a career-high 41 shot attempts closed problem. (Source: ESPN) metres northeast of Los Angeles. “I couldn’t command in the third quarter by outscoring as the Houston Rockets won their seventh Karl-Anthony Towns tallied 27 points with wait to get in front of this crowd. the Hawks 38-20 and their biggest lead of straight game with a 125-105 victory over 15 rebounds to pace the Timberwolves, while Lou Williams, who made 15 of 15 free the game was 52 points. the Minnesota Timberwolves. Jake Layman scored 21. Benzema to Graet: let me play throws, had 25 points off the bench for the Trae Young scored 20 points for the Harden shot eight of 22 from three-point (Source: AP) for another national team

Karim Benzema has been quick to hit back at French Football Loew running out of time to rebuild ‘Dark horses no more’: Croatia cap Federation (FFF) president Noel Le Graet, demanding to be Germany before Euro 2020 finals resurgence with Euro 2020 spot allowed to play for another national team. Following his alleged part in blackmailing fellow France international Mathieu Valbuena, Benzema hasn’t played for Les Bleus since 2015. And Graet, speaking to RMC Sport said: “Benzema is a great player, I have never questioned his quality. At Real Madrid he is proving to be one of the best in his position. But his adventure with France is over.” With Benzema responding on Twitter, asking to be al- lowed to turn out for another international side, so he can show what he can do. “Noel, I thought you wouldn’t interfere with the coach’s decisions,” Benzema wrote on Twitter. “Bear in mind that it’s only me that will decide when to end my international career. “If you think I’m done, let me play with one of the other countries I am eligible for and we’ll see.” During the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, Benzema never hid his affection for Algeria, the nation of his parents’ birth. (Source: Marca) Germany has secured qualification for Euro “That was one of four games until the World Cup runners-up Croatia rounded off a petitive outing since the World Cup, Dalic 2020, but coach Joachim Loew is running out squad for the European Championships is rebuilding mission by booking their place at spoke of the need for “fresh blood” to reju- Yellow card turns to of time to mould his fledgling team into title announced, so it was important that we showed Euro 2020 with a 3-1 win over Slovakia but venate his side. six-month ban for contenders before next June’s finals. the character that we need, and want to see, at they are unlikely to sneak under the radar Incorporating the likes of Petkovic, Josip Despite dominating possession in Moe- next year’s tournament,” was Loew’s verdict. again at next year’s finals. Brekalo and Vlasic, Croatia began their quali- South African nchengladbach on Saturday, Loew’s young Loew knows there’s still a lot to work to be Croatia secured top spot in Group E, a fying bid with a difficult 2-1 victory against team struggled against minnows Belarus before done if Germany is to challenge for the Euro- section also including Hungary, Wales and Azerbaijan at home in March. Cape Town City midfielder Mpho Makola has been banned two Toni Kroos goals sealed a 4-0 win which pean title at the finals from June 12 to July 12. Azerbaijan, with five wins and two draws from They slumped to a defeat by the same for six months after shoving a referee -- an offence for which confirmed their Euro 2020 qualification. “In some phases we allowed one or two their eight qualifiers. scoreline away to Hungary days later, but he was only yellow carded. As magazine Kicker pointed out, the victory chances too many,” he admitted. Coach Zlatko Dalic, who masterminded victory over Wales in June and a 4-0 win The 33-year-old former international used both hands to highlighted the “many obvious sites” under After one of his best displays for Germany, the run to last year’s World Cup final, has away to Slovakia rebuilt fragile confidence. push referee Abongile Tom last month after opponents Kaizer reconstruction. Kroos echoed Loew’s comments that “at the gradually reconstructed a squad that lost A disappointing 1-1 draw in Azerbaijan Chiefs were awarded a penalty during a League Cup match. By Loew’s pre-match admission, “many moment I don’t include us among the favorites Mario Mandzukic, Danijel Subasic and Ve- was a setback but Croatia recovered to dismiss Although a red-card offence, Tom only cautioned out-of- players still need a few more years to develop”, for the European title”. dran Corluka to retirement in the wake of the Hungary 3-0, before a point in Cardiff left control Makola, who had to be dragged away from the match yet the Euro finals start in seven months. The Germans’ finishing often let them 4-2 loss to France in Russia. them on the brink of qualification. official by teammates. The Germans and Dutch have now quali- down at Borussia Park. The “Vatreni” -- Croatian for “Fiery Ones” For the former Yugoslav republic, inde- The Makola ban has shocked many South African football fied from Group C but Tuesday’s final game Top teams, such as Belgium, world champi- -- needed only a point in Rijeka on Saturday pendent since 1991, it is the sixth time it will followers used to offenders receiving light sentences for seri- against Northern Ireland in Frankfurt is far ons France, England, Spain or the Netherlands, to ensure a spot at the 24-team event, which play at the European Championship. ous acts of ill discipline. from meaningless for Loew. all currently ranked above them, would have kicks off in Rome on June 12. “We are getting young players who today Match bans and fines are often conditionally reduced, A victory will put Germany, who won the not allowed Germany 31 shots on goal. After a shocking start for home fans when played like veterans. Vlasic and (Dino) Peric leading to criticism that the lenient approach encourages last of their three European titles in 1996, At the back, Ginter was outstanding, but Robert Bozenik scored in the 32th minute, played superbly,” Dalic said Saturday. bad behaviour. in the pot of eight group winners when the fellow defenders Nico Schulz and Robin Koch Croatia’s qualification was never in doubt Croatian papers Sunday echoed his view, When a top-flight footballer was handed a 12-month sen- draw for the finals is made in Bucharest on looked unsure on occasion against a side ranked once Nikola Vlasic drilled home the leveller praising the squad and Dalic who became just tence for spitting at a referee, it was slashed to six matches 30 November. 86 places below the Germans. in the second half. the second coach to take the country to two and a suspended 100,000 rand ($6,800/6,150 euro) fine “Now we have a chance to win this group, Koch clumsily gave away the second-half Bruno Petkovic headed the hosts in front successive major tournaments. on appeal. it’s our goal to win on Tuesday and end up penalty on Pavel Nekhaychik before Neuer and Ivan Perisic sealed the three points with The legendary Miroslav Ciro Blazevic After another spitting incident, this time between players, top,” said Loew. spared blushes by saving Stasevich’s spot kick. a thumping finish with 16 minutes left. was the first, leading Croatia to the Euro ‘96 a 10-match ban was cut to six after the offender appealed, “I think I’ll make one or two changes, one or After Tuesday’s home game, the Germans “I’m relieved ... proud and happy,” Dalic quarter-finals and a third-place finish at the and no fine was imposed. two players who didn’t play (against Belarus) have just two matches in March -- against as said after the match. 1998 World Cup in France. With the Makola ban effective from November 15, he will will get a chance.” yet unconfirmed opponents -- before Loew “These boys deserved the European Cham- The nation of 4.2 million people reached miss the rest of the 2019/2020 season unless Cape Town A deft back-heeled flick into the Belarus must name his squad for the Euro 2020 finals, pionship. This is the crowning moment for the World Cup final last year for the first time, reach the FA Cup final, scheduled for May 23. net by centre-back Matthias Ginter, a Leon which start in Rome on June 12. all that we have done in this year and a half inspired by captain Luka Modric, but eventu- (Source: Goal) Goretzka strike into the bottom corner and The debacle at last year’s World Cup, since the World Cup.” ally fell to a heavily fancied France. two goals by Toni Kroos sealed Saturday’s win. when Germany finished last in their group, But the path through qualifying, preceded “In a bit more than a year Croatia formed However, captain and goalkeeper Manuel badly tarnished Loew’s golden reputation in by a poor showing in the Nations League, where an excellent ‘make up’ and that is why we are Former world number Neuer twice came to the rescue, parrying a Igor Germany, which peaked in winning the 2014 Croatia finished last in their group behind looking forward to the European tournament,” Stasevich shot, then producing a fine save to World Cup. Spain and England, was far from plain sailing. the Sportske Novosti daily commented Sunday. four Berdych announces deny the Belarus striker’s late penalty attempt. (Source: AFP) Thumped 6-0 by Spain in their first com- (Source: Eurosport) retirement

Former world number four and Wimbledon runner-up Tomas Berdych announced his retirement from tennis on Spanish first division female footballers conduct first ever strike over pay Saturday. The first-ever strike in Spanish women’s top-flight football the €20,000 they originally demanded. The Czech, who won 13 ATP singles titles in a 17-year- went ahead on Saturday after failed negotiations for a first The biggest stumbling block was whether to consider long career, was a fixture in the world’s top 10 between collective agreement. players as full-time professionals and not employed on a 2010 and 2016. The players’ union (AFE) and clubs’ associations (ACFF) part-time basis, as clubs want. Berdych’s one Grand Slam final came in 2010 when he were locked in talks for 13 months without success. Players also want to be covered in the event of an injury was beaten by Rafael Nadal at the All England Club. Players demanded improved conditions and pay but clubs and pregnancy. He was part of the Czech team that won back-to-back argued they could not meet the players’ terms, claiming An AFE statement said: “Right now they are the only Davis Cup titles in 2012 and 2013. they could not afford it and that a consequence would be workers in their companies that don’t have a collective agree- The 34-year-old Berdych, who has not played since losing the disappearance of several teams. ment that protects them like their colleagues, a situation in the first round of the U.S. Open in August, announced The indefinite strike, the first since the league’s creation that in the 21st century is incomprehensible.” his decision at the ATP Finals. in 1988, was voted on by a majority of players in October The appetite for the women’s game has grown in re- Berdych said it was his defeat by qualifier Jenson Brooksby and affects the domestic league but not the UEFA Women’s cent years in Spain and sporting results have been good. A in New York that convinced him it was time to quit. Champions League or the national teams. crowd of 60,739 turned up to watch Atletico Madrid host “I don’t know exactly the day and date, but it was very The ninth round of the Primera Iberdrola, which is made Barcelona in what was a world record for a club match in soon or very quickly after the U.S. Open this year, because of 16 clubs, was due to kick off on Saturday with Espanyol the aim of avoiding the strike while the ACFF has shown a women’s football in March. really, just the feeling that I went through on my last official hosting Granadilla Tenerife at 1 p.m. local time. Six matches stagnancy, without offering alternatives or position solutions A Spanish club reached the Women’s Champions League match, it’s been just one that told me, that’s it,” he said. on Sunday were also postponed. to unblock the conflict,” read an AFE statement. final for the first time in the 2018-19 campaign with Barce- “You tried absolutely everything and the result is how it Despite mediation from the Royal Spanish Football The players’ union was willing to accept on Tuesday lona progressing to the title game against Olympique Lyon. is. I was always chasing the top results and being in the top Federation (RFEF), Spain’s Sports Council (CSD) and the a proposal made by the ministry of work for a collective Spain reached the knockout stages of the 2019 World positions, and then you are almost really fighting for the country’s ministry of work, all efforts to prevent the strike agreement that was hours later turned down by the clubs. Cup for the first time in their history before being eliminated first match to win, really like badly, fighting with yourself.” failed. In that agreement, players were willing to compromise by USA in the Round of 16. (Source: Reuters) “The footballers have conceded on several issues with and accept a minimum annual wage of €16,000 and not (Source: ESPN)