16 SPORT SATURDAY 1 JULY 2017 'Brilliant' can win Confed Cup: Loew

Sochi goals, our single-minded goal AFP CONFEDERATIONS CUP was to reach the final so (Tomorrow's fixtures - Qatar time) we're delighted," said oachim Loew hailed Ger- From the Goretzka. many's "brilliant" 4-1 win Third-place play-off beginning, we "There is only one match over Mexico in the Con- PORTUGAL VS MEXICO to go. federations Cup (3.00pm) did exactly what "We're looking forward Jsemi-final and said his Final we set out to do, to playing Chile again, youthful squad are ambitious CHILE VS GERMANY we were very because in the second half (of enough to beat Chile in the (9.00pm) the group stage match) we final. dominant and had the feeling the draw was Loew opted not to bring "They pushed us back a brilliant in the not enough. Now we have his World Cup winning stars bit in the second phase of the opening stages: another chance against this to the Confed Cup, but Ger- first half, which was to be top flight team." many's young guns booked expected, and we gave up a Germany's head "In the first few minutes, their place in Sunday's final lot of ball. All in all, 4-1 is a coach Joachim we didn't do so well against in St Petersburg after a dev- great result. Chile, so (against Mexico) we astating opening spell in "We wanted to go far, but Loew really wanted to get down to Sochi. this is nothing that we could brass tacks and the two quick Attacking have expected at the start of goals really calmed the team. , 22, hit two the tournament." "We now need to reward goals in the first eight min- After Germany drew 1-1 ourselves for our hard work utes to stun Mexico. with Chile in the group stages Goretzka and Werner are and we want to get the title." , 21, made it last Thursday, Loew says his now the tournament's joint After rallying from 2-0 3-0 midway through the sec- team is hungry enough to top-scorers with three goals down, Mexico are justified in ond half, then Marco Fabian beat the Copa America cham- each. After scoring twice in being unhappy with the scored Mexico's late stunning pions in the final. Sochi, Goretzka says the Ger- unflattering scoreline after consolation with a thunder- "Chile is the most power- mans have a score to settle having twice as many shots bolt free-kick before ful opponent in this against Chile. on goal as the Germans. Germany's substitute Amin tournament, we know them equalised in The Mexicans play Por- Younes, 23, netted Germany's pretty well and we expect the second-half of the group tugal in Sunday's third-place fourth. them to go for it in the final," stage draw in Kazan last play-off in Moscow. "From the beginning, we said Loew. Thursday after Alexis With 15 minutes left did exactly what we set out "They will be trying flat Sanchez rattled the Germans against Germany, Raul to do -- we were very dom- out to pull it off, as they are by poaching an early goal for Jimenez headed against the inant and brilliant in the coming to the end of their the South Americans. crossbar as Germany's goal- opening stages," said Germa- season, and we will have to "I was really happy to keeper Marc-Andre Ter ny's head coach Loew. try and counter that. help the team with the two Stegen made a string of saves. Germany's head coach Joachim Loew.

Al Arabi placed second in Group C in Vietnam Ninh Binh, Vietnam together to tactically match kills, two blocks and two as we would like to play in The Peninsula the last year’s silver medal- aces, while Vitaliy Vorivodin the final round.” lists. Their utmost efforts contributed 10 points. The Altay and Al Arabi have atar's Al Arabi went worked out pretty well as the Germany-import Gyorgy already paraded to the round down fighting to Kaza- Kazakhs took 27-25, 26-24 Grozer scored 15 points for of the last eight teams as both Qkhstan’s Altay VC for a commanding 2-0 lead. Al Arabi Sports Club. recorded straight two wins. during the SMM 2017 Asian Al Arabi improved their Altay’s head coach Rafail Altay, which defeated Hong Men’s Club Volleyball Cham- first-ball reception, hoping Gilyazutdinov commented Kong’s Yan Chai and Can- pionship at the Ninh Binh to make amends in the third after the match, “Al Arabi berra Heat from Australia in Gymnasium yesterday. set. Nonetheless, Altay were Sports Club are a strong team straight sets in their previous In a hard-fought three-set- just in terrific form, coming with many good players. But matches, topped Pool C with ter, Altay VC prevailed 27-25, up with exceptional tactics today maybe they had some nine points from straight 26-24, 25-22 over the Qatari including Vitaliy Vorivodin’s problems. It was not their three wins. side to make a perfect sweep spectacular attacks and best day. I am quite satisfied Al Arabi Sports Club in Pool C. splendid teamwork to cap- with my team’s secured the second place Altay VC, the fifth place ture the set 25-22 and performance. with six points from two wins at the previous edition in match. They did a good job on against one loss. Myanmar last year, faced a Hard-attacking Vasyl attacks and defense. We pre- Yan Chai finished third, Sha’Hir (Amer), owned by H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al tough task against Al Arabi, Tuphii scored a match-high pared intensively about one with winless Canberra Heat Thani gets ready for the race during the DIAR Stockholm Arabian but tried to put their acts 17 points for Altay from 13 month for this championship in fourth place. Cup (Gr3 PA), at Bro Park in Sweden. Sha’Hir and Rawah Djokovic marches into emerge victorious final at Eastbourne

The Peninsula are aiming for Newbury, and we Eastbourne a nasty fall in Thursday's quarter- will see how he is. We never know; AFP final win over world number one ha’Hir (Amer), owned by H E he might go; who knows! We will Angelique Kerber and was subse- Sheikh Mohammed bin Khal- think about it when it’s the right ovak Djokovic eased into the quently diagnosed with a thoracic Sifa Al Thani, won its second time.” Eastbourne final yesterday spine injury. Group title by imposing itself in the On the same day, H E Sheikh Nafter beating Russia's Daniil Djokovic's match yesterday was DIAR Stockholm Arabian Cup (Gr3 Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani’s Medvedev, but Johanna Konta's delayed by rain, but the Serb gained PA), at Bro Park in Sweden. Rawah (Amer) was also a winner. Wimbledon participation is in doubt control when he broke his fellow Ridden by Mickael Forest, Trained by Rohaut and ridden by after the Briton withdrew from her wild card to take the opening set, Sha’Hir won the 1,800-metre race Forest, as well, she won the DIAR women's semi-final. with an early break in the second easily. Maria Hagman-Eriksson’s Arabian Fillies and Mares Turf. Al Top seed Djokovic, playing the steering him through to just a third Jaldi Karo was the runner up. Jaldi Nujaifi Racing LTD’s Hurra came week before Wimbledon for the final of the year. Karo was trained by Hagman- second. She was trained by Pia first time since 2010, brushed aside The world number four is Eriksson and ridden by Per-Anders Hoiom and ridden by Shane Karls- Medvedev 6-4, 6-4 and will face seeded second at Wimbledon on Graberg. Landgoed Waterland’s son. Yas Horse Racing Management either Gael Monfils or Richard Gas- the strength of three titles at the All Athlete Del Sol, trained by Karin R LLC’s Maolie was third. She was quet for the men's title today. England Club but is looking for his van den Bos and ridden by Carlos trained by Van den Bos and ridden But British hopes were extin- first trophy since winning at Doha Lopez finished third. by Fanny Olsson. guished as a back injury forced in January. “He was very impressive”, said The three winners of the Pure- Konta to pull out of her clash against As for Konta, the 26-year-old Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates Sha’Hir’s trainer François Rohaut, bred Arabian races held last Karolina Pliskova, with Heather is Britain's best hope of ending a victory over Russia's Daniil Medvedev “I don’t think he will go to New- Tuesday at Bro Park qualified for Watson then falling in three sets, los- long wait for a women's Grand Slam after their men's semi-final at the ATP bury because I have better horses the Dubai International Arabian ing 6-2, 3-6, 7-5 to former world champion that dates back to Vir- Aegon International tennis tournament in for the month of July. Sha’Hir will Races to be run at Newbury on July number one Caroline Wozniacki. ginia Wade winning the 1977 Eastbourne, southern England yesterday. go to Deauville, like the horses who 30. Seventh-ranked Konta suffered Wimbledon singles title. SATURDAY 1 JULY 2017 SPORT 17 Australia pay dispute set to miss deadline

Sydney player payments model." firing line, with its fate unknown AFP Ashes threat if a new accord is not struck. Fixtures at risk Players were due to assem- ricket Australia said it had include Test tour to ble in Brisbane for training on failed to strike a new pay Bangladesh in August, Monday ahead of the South deal with the players' Africa trip. The first tour match C the India ODI series in union ahead of yesterday's is supposed to start on July 12. September and the deadline, leaving players unem- Reports said CA could hand ployed and threatening fixtures home Ashes series out-of-contract stars like Glenn including this year's Ashes against England. Maxwell and Usman Khawaja series. tour contracts to play the series, CA said there was no pros- although there is also the pos- pect of a new Memorandum of sibility of a boycott. Understanding (MoU) being Along with the players, fix- Australia's women's team resolved with the Australian tures are also at risk including are currently competing in the Cricketers' Association before Australia's Test tour to Bangla- World Cup in England, but they the current deal expires at mid- desh from August, the one-day have a special contract that will night local time (1400 GMT). international series in India in run until the tournament is The impasse, following September and the home Ashes complete. weeks of acrimonious dispute, series against England later this The ACA board and execu- throws into question the imme- year. CA and the players' union tive are set to hold a meeting in diate future of almost 230 men have hit an impasse after the Sydney tomorrow where they Zimbabwe's Solomon Mire (right) plays a shot next during the first one-day international and women players at domes- board attempted to scrap the will consider the players' tic and international level, most 20-year-old arrangement of response to the lapse of the (ODI) matchagainst Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium in Galle, yesterday. of whom are now out of giving players a fixed share of agreement. contract. revenues, in favour of dividing CA's updated offer, made "Cricket Australia today surpluses amongst elite players last Friday, was rejected by the acknowledged that a new Mem- and offering a pay rise. ACA which remains staunchly Mire shines as Zimbabwe orandum of Understanding Leading players have hit out opposed to any move away from (MOU) will not be agreed before at the move to scrap revenue- a revenue-sharing model. 1 July," the statement read. sharing, with Australia batsman The players' union released "And repeated its call for the David Warner insisting they its own proposal last March thrash 'pathetic' Sri Lanka Australian Cricketers' Associa- "won't budge" and threatening under which the definition of tion to come to the negotiating strike action during the Ashes. revenue is broadened and play- Galle, Sri Lanka SCOREBOARD table and show genuine flexi- Following the missed dead- ers receive a smaller (22.5 AFP Sri Lanka Zimbabwe bility in the best interests of the line, players who are on percent) share. N Dickwella c Burl b Chatara ...... 10 H Masakadza c Dickwella b Malinga ...... 5 players and the game. multi-year contracts that go That was rejected by CA, olomon Mire smashed his M Gunathilaka c Ervine b Williams ...... 60 S Mire c and b Gunaratne ...... 112 "CA has been disappointed beyond June 30 will continue to which said it retained the maiden one-day century B Mendis c and b Cremer ...... 86 C Ervine c Tharanga b Dananjaya ...... 18 by the ACA's unwillingness to be paid, and will be required to "inflexible", income-based rev- Syesteray to take Zimbabwe W Tharanga(not out) ...... 79 S Williams b Gunaratne ...... 65 consider the sensible and nec- play and train as before. enue model. Since then, to a historic six win over A Mathews b Mire ...... 43 S Raza (not out) ...... 67 essary change CA has proposed The Australia A tour to South negotiations have remained at Sri Lanka and pile pressure on D Gunaratne c Waller b Chatara ...... 28 M Waller (not out) ...... 40 to the fixed share of revenue Africa in July is the first in the a virtual standstill. the beleaguered Asian nation. L Madushanka (not out) ...... 1 Extras (LB 5, W 9, NB 1) ...... 15 Extras (B 1, LB 2, W 6) ...... 9 Total (4 , 47.4 overs) ...... 322 Mire hit 112 off 96 balls as Total (5 wickets; 50 overs) ...... 316 Did not bat: P Moor, R Burl, A Cremer, D Tiripano, T Zimbabwe reached 322-4 to Did not bat: D Malinga, N Pradeep, M Aponso, A Chatara. pass Sri Lanka's 316-5 with more Dananjaya Fall of wickets: 1-12, 2-46, 3-207, 4-220 than two overs to spare. It was Fall of wickets: 1-16, 2-133, 3-180, 4-254, 3-310 Bowling: Malinga 9-0-51-1, Pradeep 9-1-52-0, Dan-

the first time in more than 200 Bowling: Chatara 9-1-49-2 (1w), Tiripano 6-0-45-0, anjaya 10-0-61-1 Aponso 8.4-0-77-0, Gunathilaka

Williams 9-0-57-1, Cremer 10-0-57-1, Mire 7-0-47-1 2-0-13-0, Madushanka 2-0-18-0, Gunaratne 7-0-45-2 one day internationals in Sri Lanka that a visiting team has (2w), Raza 9-0-58-0(2w) Sri Lanka won toss scored more than a 300 run tar- get to get a victory. international to be held in Galle Raza claimed the winning runs Sri Lanka have been criti- for 17 years. with a six to compound the cised in recent days by the The day did not start badly humiliation. country's sports minister for for the home side. Kusal Mendis Raza praised Zimbabwe's being overweight and unfit. blasted 86 off 80 balls as Sri selectors for keeping faith with Angelo Mathews also Lanka plundered runs off the the squad. laid into his players after the Zimbabwe attack on a slow "A lot of cricket behind us defeat. pitch. has helped us pull off this fan- "Having 315 on the board, I Upul Tharanga hit 79 and tastic win," he said. thought it was enough," he said. Danushka Gunathilaka 60 after "I kept telling myself that "Our bowling was poor and our Mathews won the toss and chose this had to be for Solomon. For fielding was pathetic. It was a to bat. someone to play in this kind of good batting effort by them." From there, Zimbabwe, one heat after bowling his heart out, Mire, known for his quick- of the minnows of world cricket, that was sensational. I wanted fire hitting, was twice dropped went off script. to do it for him." as Sri Lanka virtually gave the Mire, who also bowled seven Zimbabwe captain Graeme game away. overs before coming out as Cremer said the win was a huge hit an opening batsman, hit 14 fours confidence booster. unbeaten 67 and Sean Williams and his third-wicket stand of 161 "To chase down a score like South Africa's Temba Bavuma plays a shot during their tour match against England Lions at 65 as Zimbabwe stunned the with Williams put the African that, to post our first win here Worcester, Britain, yesterday. home side in the first one-day side well on the way to victory. was amazing."

Hughie Fury Bolt seeks quick title fight at fix for back issue Manchester

London ahead of the championships but London Reuters is not worried about of lack of AFP activity. amaican sprinter Usain Bolt "I tell you guys year after ughie Fury will bid to believes his German doctor year, one run doesn't really emulate troubled JHans-Wilhelm Mueller- matter to me -- it always comes Hcousin Tyson Fury and Wohlfahrt will fix the retiring down to the championship," he become a heavyweight world world record holder's back added. "For me it is all about boxing champion as yester- problems in time for the August getting myself into great shape day it was confirmed he will world championships in and that is the focus for me right fight New Zealand's WBO London. now." titleholder Joseph Parker on Bolt will see his long-time Bolt, who has eight Olym- September 23rd. physician after suffering a stiff pic golds and 13 world It will be a doubly emo- back in the build-up to his 100 championship medals, is sched- tionally-charged night as the metres run at the Ostrava uled to retire after the world title fight will be at the Man- Philippine boxer Manny Pacquiao (left) talks to boxing promoter Bob Arum at Suncorp Golden Spike meeting on championships. chester Arena, where a Wednesday, a race he won in a Meanwhile, British long- Stadium in Brisbane in this file picture. suicide bomber blew himself modest 10.06 seconds. distance runner Mo Farah up on May 22nd after the end "I am going to see my doc- acknowledges he needs to be of an Ariana Grande concert tor now so I know he will fix in a better shape to defend his Pacquiao looks beyond Horn resulting in 22 dead and every problem," Bolt told 5,000 metres and 10,000m scores injured. reporters. titles at London's world cham- The 22-year-old Hughie "Then all I need to do is pionships in August. Melbourne pay-per-view royalty. Pacquiao, martial arts champion Conor -- who like Tyson faces a train hard and get myself into Running his first 10,000m Reuters one of the finest boxers of his McGregor, a match-up dis- hearing with UK-Anti Doping some shape." race since claiming a gold at generation, was defeated by missed by boxing purists as a over allegations they tested Bolt also went to Mueller- 2016 Rio Olympics, Farah tri- hile Manny Pacqui- Mayweather in an unanimous circus. Speculation of a poten- positive for the steroid nan- Wohlfahrt with a hamstring umphed in Ostrava on ao's upcoming fight points decision in Las Vegas two tial Pacquiao-Mayweather drolone in 2015 -- said he injury before winning three Wednesday but fell short of Wwith unheralded Aus- years ago but the 38-year-old rematch has rumbled in the would prove the sceptics gold medals at the Rio Olym- breaking his own British record. tralian Jeff Horn is a world wants another shot at the background, with the Filipino's wrong. "I've waited so long pics last year. The double Olympic cham- away from his blockbuster American. long-time trainer Freddie Roach for this chance and my team The Jamaican is scheduled pion hopes he has enough time bouts against Floyd May- Mayweather retired in 2015 saying that Mayweather had have worked very hard to get to feature in only one more to improve before the world weather Jnr and Oscar De La with a 49-0 record but the paid several visits to his Wild me this fight and I'd like to event at next month's Diamond championships starting on Hoya, the 'Battle of Brisbane' 40-year-old has agreed to a Card Boxing Club in Los Ange- thank everyone involved," League meeting in Monaco August 4. may help return the Filipino to 12-round fight against mixed les in recent months. said Fury. 18 sport SaturDAY 1 July 2017 Tour favourites expect exciting battle Düsseldorf, Germany course as well. "I'm here with AFP all the motivation I had before." Froome and Porte have Cavendish our de France favourites been taking turns this week to Chris Froome and Richie proclaim the other as the race TPorte believe this year's favourite but Porte did admit looking for race will keep fans enthralled that he doesn't feel Froome's right to the end. Sky team is the "steamroller" it With a limited number of once was. high mountain summit finishes "Sky is probably not as luck to win and only 36.5km of time-trial- strong as it was in the past, but ling, Australian Porte says the how it affects their tactics I other stages will be a "free for don't know," he said. Tour stage all" that could "turn the race The Australian warned upside down" while Froome against focussing on a straight Düsseldorf, Germany insisted it will "favour more battle between him and his old AFP aggressive riders". team-mate, though. Briton Froome is aiming for "I don't think it's just going ark Cavendish admitted a fourth Tour title having won to be between Chris and I, on Thursday he'll need already in 2013, 2015 and last there's so many brilliant bike Mto get lucky to win a year, while Porte, his former riders here, you can't just focus stage at the Tour de France, Team Sky domestique, is look- on two guys," he said. which starts in Dusseldorf today. ing to deliver on his strong "It's more than a two-horse Cavendish is second only to pre-Tour form. race." Belgian great Eddy Merckx in Throw in the likes of last Certainly, Colombian Quin- Riders of the Great Britain's Sky cycling team training ahead of the 104th Tour de France number of Tour stage victories year's Vuelta a Espana winner tana will be aiming for overall cycling race in Dusseldorf, Germany, yesterday. and said in a recent interview he Nairo Quintana, Spanish vet- victory having finished second believes he can overtake the five- eran and two-time former to Froome in 2013 and 2015 and performs better in his second His best Tour finish since season revolves around the time Tour winner's mark of 34. champion Alberto Contador, third last year, when Bardet Grand Tour of the year than the being stripped of a third win in Tour while Dauphine winner But, having suffered from French hope Romain Bardet took second. first. 2010 for doping was fourth in Fuglsang could be a dark horse. glandular fever earlier this year, and Criterium du Dauphine He's changed his prepara- Contador knows how to 2013. Twice in the last three Quintana's Moivistar team- Cavendish acknowledged that winner Jakob Fuglsang, and a tion this year by riding in May's win the Tour, although his best years he's failed to finish due mate Alejandro Valverde has he is not in the best form to major battle is expected over Giro d'Italia, believing he years are probably behind him. to crashes. Bardet's entire been the stand-out rider this tackle the world's toughest bike the next three weeks. year, winning the tours of Cata- race. With 3,540km of racing lonia, Andalusia, Murcia and "Hopefully I'm not sick (any ahead, starting with Saturday's Stage NETH. GRAND DEPART: the Basque Country, as well as more), I don't think I'm sick. My July 1, Düsseldorf 14km time-trial around Dus- Stage start the two Ardennes Classics in blood results show I'm over the seldorf, much will happen Stage finish Liege-Bastogne-Liege and worst of that," said the 32-year- before the Grand Boucle arrives Stage Fleche Wallonne. old Briton, a former world start / finish in Paris on July 23, but Froome's BELGIUM He wasn't at his best in the champion. Sky boss Dave Brailsford Rest day Dauphine but showed he's not "In terms of fitness, you have Liège GERMANY believes no-one can afford to Individual lost any of his attacking flair as maybe a month off in winter time-trial Verviers simply sit back and wait to see LUXEMBOURG he launched a daring bid for then three months to prepare for what others are doing. Mountain victory on the final stage climb the season. I had two months off stage "It's pretty obvious that FINISH: July 23, to the finish alongside Fabio and then about seven weeks to whoever's going to win this Transfer Paris Champs- Mondorf- Aru, the 2015 Vuelta winner get ready for the Tour de France. les-bains race is going to have to be Élysées Longwy from Italy and another strong "Obviously I'm not in the pretty offensive," said outsider. ideal condition but the good Brailsford. La Planche Meanwhile, Froome has thing of being a sprinter is that Montgeron des Belles "It's going to be a pretty Filles signed a contract extension that sometimes you can win on luck. open and exciting race, one Troyes Vittel will keep him at Team Sky until "If you pick the right wheels and where you've got to be on the the end of 2020, Sky said. get the right run, there's a chance front foot. It's not going to be a Stage July km The 32-year-old Briton, you can win. defensive race, it's going to be Vesoul who was under contract until "So it's worth coming here 1 1 14 an aggressive race." 2 2 203.5 Station des the end of next year, has been with that chance as a sprinter for Despite having already won 3 3 212.5 Nuits- Dole Rousses with Sky since they started up the sprint days -- there are a lot three Tours and having become 4 4 207.5 Saint- SWITZERLAND in 2010 and the extension is a of sprint days." a father since his last success, 5 5 160.5 Georges vote of confidence in a hugely Cavendish, who has 30 stage Froome insists he hasn't lost 6 6 216 successful team that has also wins to his name and claimed Nantua any of the desire that took him 7 7 213.5 b e c o m e m i r e d i n four last year, admitted he will 8 8 187.5 ITALY to the top in the first place. 9 9 181.5 Romans- Chambéry controversy. be trying to keep up with Ger- ATLANTIC Périgueux "The hunger hasn't got any 10 11 178 sur-Isère Serre- "I’m really happy here and man powerhouse Marcel Kittel OCEAN less for me, I'm as motivated as 11 12 203.5 Le Puy Chevalier excited that I’ll be with Team in the sprint finishes. 12 13 214.5 en Velay Briançon ever as I've got so much more Bergerac Sky for at least the next three "For sure Marcel Kittel is the to race for now," said Froome, 13 14 101 years," Froome said. man to watch in the sprints. He's Eymet Rodez La Mure Izoard who like Porte is 32."This is 14 15 181.5 "It’s been a really success- got the strongest team, we've 15 16 189.5 Laissac- potentially my fourth Tour de 16 18 165 ful partnership and I think one seen he usually wins when he's Sévérac Embrun France title I'm here to try to 17 19 183 l’Eglise of the big reasons for that is the got the strongest team. get. 18 20 179.5 Pau Blagnac stability of the team. As a rider "That pressure is on him to 19 21 222.5 "It's massive, the challenge Peyragudes Saint-Girons Salon-de- that is really important as it deliver, especially with the start 20 22 22.5 Marseille is even bigger this year. I feel Foix Provence means you can just get on with in Germany. He looks in good 21 23 103 as if the level of my rivals is Total: 3,540km SPAIN MEDITERRANEAN SEA your job and focus on winning form for that." even higher, on a difficult Source: Le Tour Picture: Getty Images © GRAPHIC NEWS bike races." Absent stars toast Germany's Confed Cup success Sochi, Russia While Germany's young Germany's forward Timo Werner (left) celebrates with team-mates Lars Stindl and Leon that they can defend as well as AFP guns were over-powering Mex- Goretzka after scoring during the 2017 Confederations Cup semi-final match on Thursday. attack. ico, their stars watching at For 89 minutes, they shut bsent World Cup-win- home hailed the Sochi victory out Mexico's attack, which ral- ning stars have toasted and urged their stand-ins to lied using nearly 60 percent AGermany's Confedera- win Sunday's final. possession to create 25 shots tions Cup success in Russia "Fiiiiiiinnaaaaall! 4:1. Very on goal, compared to Germa- with a 4-1 semi-final win over well done @DFB_Team! #let- ny's 12, after Goretzka's early Mexico sealing tomorrow's sdoit," tweeted Thomas Mueller goals. final against Chile. as Timo Werner filled his spot Marco Fabian's thunderbolt With a year to go before up front and scored Germany's free-kick gave the Mexicans a they defend their World Cup third goal. consolation goal just before the title, Germany's head coach Werner, 21, who also net- final whistle. Joachim Loew opted to rest ted twice in Sunday's 3-1 win "No one knew what to most of his Brazil 2014 winners over Cameroon in the group expect when we first met up a and blood the next stages, joined Goretzka as the few weeks ago," said Germa- generation. Confed Cup's top-scorers with ny's midfielder Lars Stindl, who Eyebrows were raised three goals each. has scored two Confederation when Loew picked an inexpe- Germany's World Cup-win- Cup goals. rienced squad with captain ning centre-backs Jerome "We managed to dominate , 23, the most Boateng and a difficult group and came capped German in Russia with were equally enthusiastic. through some difficult situa- only 34 appearances. "YES! #ConfedCup final! tions, now we deserve to be in The gamble paid off as Ger- Proud of you boys," wrote the final." many won their group and Boateng on Twitter while Hum- Now the Germans are rel- Leon Goretzka, 22, scored twice mels posted a pictures of hands ishing tomorrow's rematch to blitz the Mexicans in the clapping alongside the German against Chile in the final in opening eight minutes of flag on his account. Saint Petersburg. Wednesday's semi-final in only With Draxler leading Ger- Stindl's equaliser in Kazan his eighth international. many's attack, Arsenal's Mesut cancelled out Alexis Sanchez's "Now we want to win the Ozil, Loew's first-choice "Yeees! Final! Really happy of the current German team -- Loew's first-choice team if the early goal from a mistake in the title and reward ourselves for attacking midfielder, was also for you guys! Enjoy your win defenders and World Cup were to start now. German defence when the our performances so far," said quick to offer his today," wrote Ozil. , plus Draxler, Nevertheless, Germany's teams drew 1-1 in last week's man-of-the-match Goretzka. congratulations. Yet the truth is only three would be sure of places in young guns proved in Sochi group stages. SATURDAY 1 JULY 2017 SPORT 19 Murray determined to make Wimbledon

LondonLono d session at the All England Club However, whilst some in turning out for his first round both his preparation -- his only AAFPFP on Friday. the media who watched the match with Russian-born competitive outing saw him The 30-year-old Scot -- session said he was limping and Kazakh lucky loser Alexander beaten by journeyman Austral- imbledon title- who is top seed for the first time grimacing Murray himself said Bublik on Monday. ian Jordan Thompson in the first holder Andy in his career at Wimbledon -- nothing had changed regard- "I'm practising again later. round of Queen's last week -- WMurray (pictured) is battling a niggling hip ing his participation at the I just had a light practice this and his fitness to defend the title. saidsaid hhe hopes to be fighting problem which forced him to Grand Slam which he has won morning to see how I feel and "Not at all. Unlike before fitfit forfor his first round match withdraw from playing a cou- twice. I'll practise again later." Paris, he is hitting the ball really onon MondayM after he negoti- ple of exhibition matches this "I hope so, that's the plan," Murray's coach Ivan Lendl well. Practice has gone well," atedated a 90 minute practice week. said Murray in answer to his also struck a defiant note as to said Lendl.

Dramatic double Favourite Federer for Konta as Halep's No.1 faces tough task hopes dashed Australia's London Eastbourne Reuters Tough task for Reuters Kyrgios feels Federer ournament favourite To win his eighth ritain's Johanna Konta enjoyed an extraor- Roger Federer will Wimbledon title, dinary day, beating French Open champion have to do things the Jelena Ostapenko then overcoming a bad he can win though, Federer may B hard way if he is to win fall to defeat world number one Angelique Ker- have to beat London a record eighth Wim- ber and reach the semi-finals of the Aegon Reuters Tbledon title, after he was handed Alexander Zverev, International at Eastbourne on Thursday. the toughest draw of the big Grigor Dimitrov, last With Kerber losing, Simona Halep could ick Kyrgios (pictured) names at the All England Club year’s finalist Milos have taken over the German's top spot in the is confident he can yesterday. Raonic and three- world rankings if she had gone on to reach the Novercome his injury But defending champion times champion final of this event but the Romanian missed woes and win his first Wim- Andy Murray, struggling to reach Novak Djokovic just out by losing to Caroline Wozniacki in three bledon title next week, the 100 percent fitness because of a to get to the final. sets. 22-year-old Australian said sore hip, was given a boost as he Konta, Britain's big hope in the women's after winning an exhibition will avoid most of the more dan- draw at Wimbledon starting next week, proved match at the Boodles tourna- gerous opponents in the first London’s Queen’s Club last the main attraction as she beat two grand slam ment on Thursday. week. weekend. winners in the space of a few hours. Kyrgios is yet to win a title The 35-year-old Federer, The Scot will open his title Two days of rain delays at the south coast grass this year, losing out to Roger who is also trying to become the defence against a qualifier on court event had left a punishing two-match sched- Federer in the quarter-finals oldest winner in the open era, is Monday and could play Dustin ule for most of the players but Konta rose at Indian Wells and the semi- the bookmakers’ favourite, hav- Brown of Germany in round two, brilliantly to the challenge, first overcoming Ostap- finals at the Miami Open. He ing won the warm-up event in with the big-hitting Nick Kyrgios enko 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 before later eclipsing Kerber also failed to make an impact Halle last weekend. a potential fourth-round 6-3, 6-4. at the Madrid Open and To win his eighth title, opponent. Konta's victory over top seed Kerber, though, French Open. though, he may have to beat If he gets through that, Stan was accompanied by high drama when, while The Australian has strug- Alexander Zverev, Grigor Dim- Wawrinka, who beat him to holding match point, she slipped and fell heavily gled with a recurring hip itrov, last year’s finalist Milos reach the French Open final ear- on to her back while also hitting her head on the injury that forced him out of Raonic and three-times cham- lier in the month, would be his ground. the Italian Open in May and pion Novak Djokovic just to get likely seeded quarter-final Lying on the turf and initially sobbing from the Queen's Club Champion- to the final. opponent, followed by fourth the shock and the pain, the British number one ships earlier this month. Speaking before the draw, seed Rafael Nadal in the semi- needed treatment as the match was halted for 10 The world number 20 is, former world number one Mats finals. Nadal, the winner in 2008 minutes amid fears she might not be fit to however, hopeful of winning Wilander said Federer, who won and 2010, has not been past the continue. his first ever grand slam event. his 18th grand slam title at the fourth round at Wimbledon since Kerber was so concerned that she came "I honestly do think I can Australian Open in January, had 2011 but will fancy his chances. around the net to help her distraught opponent win it. Might need a bit of luck to watch out for some of the The Spaniard plays Austral- yet, remarkably, the groggy Konta rejoined the – and everything to fall into younger guns. ia’s John Millman, ranked 137, in fray and won the next two points to set up a semi- place – but I do believe I can “I think Federer’s the favour- the first round, with young Rus- final on Friday against Czech third seed Karolina win," Kyrgios told reporters. ite but there are a lot of young sian Karen Khachanov (30) his Pliskova, who beat Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-7(7), "Some would say I'm prob- guys that are very fearless of the first seeded opponent in round 6-2, 6-4 in their quarter-final. ably not in the best shape this older guys these days,” he said. three and seventh seed Marin Konta, set to become the first British woman year... but I feel like if I'm serv- Murray looked to be walking Cilic a potential quarter-final foe. ranked in the world's top 10 at Wimbledon since ing well and I'm playing the with a limp after practice at Wim- Djokovic, the champion in 1984, had earlier rallied from a break down in the right style of tennis, the sky's bledon on Friday, having missed 2011, 2014 and 2015 and looking deciding set to end newly-crowned French Open the limit at Wimbledon." two days of preparation because to get back to his best after a loss champion Ostapenko's eight-match winning of the sore hip. of form, plays world number 44 streak. Beaten in the first round at Martin Klizan in round one. Fifth seed Konta then won the final four games Queen’s Club last week, the two- The Serb could play Del Potro and saved a break point in the tense last one, in Venus time champion will be thankful in the third round, Gael Monfils which the 20-year-old Latvian also saved two to be avoiding Raonic, Dimitrov, in round four and eighth seed match points, before clinching victory in two hours allegedly 'at Zverev, Juan Martin Del Potro, Thiem, who ended Djokovic's 18 minutes. Dominic Thiem and Feliciano French Open title defence this Wozniacki fought back from a set down Lopez, the Spaniard who won the month in the quarter-finals, again against Halep to win 5-7 6-4 6-1 and reach the fault' in fatal Aegon Championships at in the last eight. last four, where the Dane will meet another Briton Roger Federer Heather Watson, who beat Czech Barbora Stry- car crash cova 6-1 1-6 6-4 in the other quarter-final.

Miami AFP ennis star Venus Wil- Muguruza expects tough Wimbledon liams was "at fault" in a TFlorida traffic accident that resulted in the death of a London tournament, even thoughough maymaybebe 78-year-old man, police said Reuters the major names aree not heherere in a report obtained on this year." Thursday. he 2015 Wimbledon runner- There are a lot of Ahead of her returnrn to SW19, Williams, 37, slowed in up Garbine Muguruza players who are taking two-time Wimbledonn champion the middle of an intersection Tbelieves there are plenty of that (Serena and Petra Kvitova has saidd it is ononlyly when her vehicle was hit by players who could make an impact Sharapova's) spot and it the beginning of herer "second a car driven by the man's at next week's championships career" after recoveringering fromfrom 68-year-old wife, the report despite the absence of last year's is going to be just injuries to her playingg handhand sus- said. winner Serena Williams and former another tough tained during a knife attackattack in her The accident occurred on champion Maria Sharapova. tournament, even home last December. June 9 in Palm Beach Gar- Williams, who confirmed in though maybe the major "I am calling this a secondecond career," dens, a small city north of April that she was expecting a baby, names are not here this the 27-year-old Czech saidaid at tthehe WTA Miami. is on maternity leave for the year: Muguruza players' party in London.on. The winner of seven remainder of 2017, while 2004 "And I do see thingsgs differently, Grand Slam championships Wimbledon champion Sharapova not only tennis, but momentsoments in tthehe was not using her phone and has pulled out of the grass court life when I realised itt is much had not taken drugs or alco- season with a thigh injury. more nicer than I saww hol at the time of the crash, Asked whether it would be a it before. So I am reallyy police said. different championship without the in the final for I don't know how grateful that I am stilll No charges have been two former champions, Muguruza many years. here and to live thee filed, although Palm Beach said: "Not really, I think Serena is "But there are a lot of players moment." Gardens police said the crash going to make a bigger impact who are taking that spot and it is Kvitova is the 11thh Garbine Muguruza is under investigation. because, you know, she has been going to be just another tough seed at Wimbledon.