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TENNIS | Page 7 NNHLHL | Page 8 In-form Pittsburgh Thiem wins Penguins To Advertise here fourth title claim fourth Call: 444 11 300, 444 66 621 of the year Stanley Cup Tuesday, June 14, 2016 EURO 2016 Ramadan 9, 1437 AH Minnows Iceland GULF TIMES out to shock Ronaldo’s Portugal SPORT Page 2 FOCUS Pique’s header gives Spain win over resolute Czechs Czechs’ stubborn defence frustrates Spain before Barcelona defender breaks deadlock in 87th minute AFP Toulouse arcelona defender Gerard Pique headed a late winner as defending champi- ons Spain overcame a resolute and de- termined Czech Republic 1-0 in their BGroup D opener in Toulouse yesterday. Spain’s build-up to the tournament was rocked last week when reports claimed goal- keeper De Gea had been involved in a sex scan- dal. But coach Vicente del Bosque showed his faith in the Manchester United shot-stopper by handing him the gloves ahead of legendary Iker Casillas. Czech coach Pavel Vrba had suggested his men could produce a trick or two to counter the “genius” of Del Bosque’s side, who are desper- ate to make amends for their fi rst-round exit, as defending champions, at the 2014 World Cup. But after a nervous opening period on a rain- soaked pitch, Vrba’s men had Arsenal ’keeper Petr Cech to thank for saving them during a Spanish masterclass. Spain were frustrated throughout by the Czechs’ stubborn defensive game, which fi nally fell apart when Pique got his head to Iniesta’s cross towards the back post where he beat Cech in the 87th minute. “We struggled a bit during the fi rst half and we’d already had a lot of chances,” Pique told journalists. “In the second half, we were lucky to score,” he added, before paying tribute to his brilliant teammate with the observation: “Iniesta’s pass was incredible.” “We took the initiative throughout the match,” added Del Bosque. “We dominated.” It took Spain until the 16th minute to fash- ion their fi rst real chance, right-back Juanfran sending David Silva through on the right fl ank for the Manchester City man to fi re in a perfect delivery for Morata. Cech, however, was well positioned to block the Spain’s Gerard Pique (right) heads to score past Czech Juventus striker’s fi rst-timer from close range. Republic’s goalkeeper Petr Cech (left) during the Euro The Czechs were defending with plenty of 2016 Group D match in Toulouse yesterday. (AFP) heart and only a desperate sliding tackle from centre-back Tomas Sivok stopped Juanfran’s Cech was forced into action twice before the Cech came under more intense pressure in And after Athletic Bilbao striker Aritz Aduriz Minutes later Silva was the welcome recipient short delivery reaching Morata as the Spaniards interval, the ’keeper diving to parry Jordi Alba’s another one-sided half after the restart, the came on to replace the misfi ring Morata, De Gea as Spain zipped the ball around the area but the edged closer. angled shot from the left side of the area then ’keeper desperately turning the defl ection from had Cesc Fabregas to thank when he produced a City forward sent his left-foot eff ort wide of the When Iniesta picked up a mis-hit clearance rushing out to block at the feet of Silva as he a Morata pass around the post before blocking spectacular overhead kick to keep Theodor Ge- target. just outside the area to set up Morata, the Ju- prepared to pull the trigger after being set up by Ramos’s eff ort from inside the area from the re- bre Selassi’s header out following a corner. Aduriz’s fi rst real touch came on 76 minutes ventus striker feinted before fl ashing a low drive Juanfran. sulting corner. Fabregas was replaced by Thiago Alcantara but his spectacular overhead kick was wide of wide of Cech’s far post on the half hour. A counter-attack involving Czech captain The Czechs were given a sniff when Roman soon after, and Spain’s pressure intensifi ed. the target. Spain fi nally made the breakthrough Iniesta recovered from a knock on the ankle Tomas Rosicky gave Tomas Necid the chance Hubnik got his to Ladislav Krejci’s free kick A delightful chip from Silva found Jordi Alba three minutes from the end, but at the death and, with Cech off his line, sent an audacious to test De Gea from the edge of the area but the from outside the area, but De Gea got down well unmarked but his mis-hit shot was bundled out they had De Gea to thank for keeping out a dan- chip from 35 yards metres wide of the post. ’keeper saved comfortably. to save. for a corner. gerous shot by Vladimir Darida. MISSED OPPORTUNITY Sweden fi ghtback holds Ireland aft er Hoolahan beauty AFP frustrated at leaving with only a point. for Ireland, crashed a rising right- The sea of Irish fans behind the Paris “It was a fantastic set up by Seamus foot shot inches over, and in the 32nd goal, bedecked in green, erupted, but Coleman, I caught it on the half volley minute Hendrick played a one-two having created almost nothing them- and was delighted,” Hoolahan told the with Shane Long before curling an ef- selves, Sweden were nearly level barely es Hoolahan’s brilliant fi n- BBC. fort from 25 yards onto the bar. a minute later. ish was not enough to give “To get a goal for Ireland in the Euros Meanwhile, former Paris Saint-Ger- Clark turned a corner towards his the Republic of Ireland a is a great achievement. The boys were main star Ibrahimovic was unable to own goal but Randolph made a superb winning start to Euro 2016 unlucky but we’ll take the point. trouble Irish goalkeeper Darren Ran- save, diving low to his right to scoop the Was Ciaran Clark’s own goal ensured a 1-1 “We created a lot of chances. In the dolph from a long-range free-kick. ball away. draw with Sweden yesterday. fi rst half we were excellent and at the Sweden were dealt a blow right on Ibrahimovic fi nally came to life on Hoolahan met Seamus Coleman’s start of the second half as well. The half-time when right-back Mikael the hour, fi ring just wide with his back fl ighted ball with a controlled fi rst- boys should be proud of themselves.” Lustig came off with what appeared to to goal following a Martin Olsson cen- time strike three minutes into the sec- Ibrahimovic was attempting to be- be a groin injury. tre. He had a new partner in attack by ond half at the Stade de France to give come the fi rst player to score in four Coach Erik Hamren was forced into that point, with John Guidetti having Ireland a lead they fully deserved. separate European Championships, but a defensive reshuffl e as substitute Erik replaced Marcus Berg in a switch which However, having been kept quiet for the Sweden captain was a peripheral Johansson came on in central defence proved pivotal as Sweden dug out the long spells by the Irish defence, Sweden fi gure in a fi rst period in which Ireland and Victor Lindeloef moved out to the equaliser. captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic created the were the better team. right. Guidetti’s fl ick released Ibrahimovic, equaliser in the 71st minute when his Martin O’Neill’s men played with That defence was fi nally breached and his ball from the left was headed past cutback was turned into his own net by far greater intensity and were fi rst to Ireland’s midfielder Wesley Hoolahan (centre) shoots to score a goal during the three minutes into the second period. Randolph by the unfortunate Clark. Aston Villa defender Clark. threaten from a Jeff Hendrick shot nine Euro 2016 Group E match against Sweden in Saint-Denis, France, yesterday. (AFP) Coleman did superbly on the right Ibrahimovic then came within a It is a result that keeps both sides minutes in that was well struck but and lifted the ball towards the far post whisker of converting a low driven in the running in Group E, which also was turned around the post by Andreas corner and veteran captain John goalkeeper beaten. where Hoolahan, all alone, smashed cross by Olsson, but a point was the contains Italy and much-fancied Bel- Isaksson. O’Shea, stretching at the far post, was Robbie Brady, an attacking player at home a delightful fi rst-time shot be- very least Ireland deserved as the match gium, but the Irish will be especially Then Clark headed on a left-wing just unable to turn the ball in with the club level but deployed as a left-back yond Isaksson. ended all square. Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, June 14, 2016 EURO 2016 PORTUGAL VS ICELAND 10PM AUSTRIA VS HUNGARY 7PM Austria look to Minnows Iceland lay down marker against old foe out to shock Hungary AFP wearing tracksuit trousers on Bordeaux the pitch and set to become the oldest ever player at a European Ronaldo’s Portugal Championship if he starts at the een by many as danger- ripe old age of 40. ous dark horses at Euro “I’ve always told him that age ‘You can expect the best from him (Cristiano Ronaldo) — but not against us’ 2016, Austria have an isn’t important for me,” Hunga- early chance to under- ry’s German coach Bernd Storck Sline their credentials when they said of Kiraly.