ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021 SPORTS 15

Slovakia again pin ‘hopes’ on Hamšík LONDON, June 2, (AP): After Lightning edge Canes for 2-0 lead reaching the last 16 at the European Championship five years ago, ’s hopes for Vasilevskiy the hero success at this year’s tourna- ment will be pinned on the same player as last time. RALEIGH, N.C. June 2, Five different coaches have been in charge and a handful of (AP): Andrei Vasilevskiy regulars have retired since Euro has spent two games turn- 2016, but captain Marek ing nearly every shot away Hamšík remains the team’s fig- urehead. for the Tampa Bay Now without the likes of Lightning. A couple more, Martin Škrtel, Stanislav Šesták, and the reigning Stanley Adam Nemec and Ján urica, Milan Škriniar leads the defense Cup champions could be while the team relies on headed to the next round. Hamšík’s creativity and vison Alex Killorn and Anthony for their attacking game. Cirelli scored while Vasilevskiy carried a shutout into the final SOCCER minutes, helping the Lightning beat the Carolina Hurricanes 2-1 on Tuesday night for a 2-0 lead in No one has played more their second-round series. games (126) or scored more As in the first round against Florida, goals (26) for Slovakia than the Lightning have opened a best-of- Hamšík, who made his interna- seven series with a pair of road wins. tional debut in 2007. This time, it comes against the Central The big question for Slovakia Division champion and a team that coach Štefan Tarkovi, however, was in the Presidents’ Trophy hunt is whether Hamšík can still pro- until the final week of the regular sea- duce on the biggest stages. son. The attacking midfielder, who turns 34 in July, disap- peared from the spotlight after ending his 11-year stint at Napoli in early 2019 to join Chinese club Dalian. “We’ve been through (road playoff Travel issues amid the coro- games) before,” Tampa Bay coach Jon navirus pandemic and his aim Cooper said. “And we’ve got a group to get playing time ahead of that believes in how to play and what Euro 2020 prompted him to you need to do to shut a game down. ... return to European soccer this I think when you just have that overall year. mentality and everybody puts the team Carolina Hurricanes’ Dougie Hamilton (19) works for the puck against Tampa Bay Lightning’s Blake Coleman (20) during the second period of Game 2 He joined IFK first, good things and magical things of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series in Raleigh, NC. (AP) in March on a half-year con- can happen. And that’s what these tract. Gothenburg hoped guys are doing.” Now Tampa Bay Both games ended the same way, when he whipped a straightaway shot legs as they skated by each other. ing with Vasilevskiy’s stick out of his Hamšík would bring the club heads home for two games, with Game with Carolina down 2-1 and spending past Alex Nedeljkovic. The goaltender Trocheck put little to no weight on his hand and spinning on the ice as he closer to its first domestic title 3 on Thursday, and a chance to sweep. the final minute with the empty net was shielded by teammate Jaccob right leg as he skated to the bench, slam- flailed at the puck. since 2007, but a calf injury “It was rocking these last two and extra attacker in a desperate tying Slavin tussling with Cirelli and didn’t ming his stick along the way before “I think we as forwards, including forced him to sit out the start of games,” Lightning captain Steven attempt. appear to see the puck until it was past heading to the locker room. myself, we’ve got to get in front of this the Swedish league season in Stamkos said of PNC Arena with more Andrei Svechnikov got Carolina on him in the net. He played one short shift in the third guy and get around the net and get April. than 16,000 rowdy fans. “To come in here and get both wins was huge. We the board with 1:30 left, taking a feed Cirelli added to Tampa Bay’s lead but didn’t return. more guys there when the puck’s Slovakia will face Poland from Jordan Staal and finishing from by taking Victor Hedman’s stretch Tampa Bay was without defense- going there,” Staal said of creating and in St. Petersburg know how hard it is to win this time of the year, period.” Vasilevskiy finished the top of the crease. pass and shaking free from Brady man David Savard for a second traffic around Vasilevskiy. and Spain in Sevilla in Group E. Carolina had a 32-15 edge in shots Skjei before converting a backhand to straight game due to an upper-body Killorn’s marked the seventh Euro 2020 marks Slovakia’s with 31 saves after being named one of three finalists for the Vezina Trophy on goal, but it also had more than make it 2-0 at 8:06 of the third. injury. time in eight playoff games, and sixth in third appearance at a major double the giveaways (23-11) while The Hurricanes took a significant hit The Hurricanes’ chances included a row, that the Hurricanes have surren- tournament since becoming presented annually to the league’s top goaltender. That came two days after Tampa Bay blocked 16 shots. in this one when Vincent Trocheck was Martin Necas going wide of the net on dered the game’s first goal. The excep- an independent country in Killorn got the Lightning on the hurt late in the second when the center a short-handed 2-on-1 breakaway in tion was a shutout win against Nashville 1993. he made 37 stops in Game 1, including 15 saves in the opening period. board 7:09 into the second period and teammate Warren Foegele banged the second period, with that play end- in Game 2 of the first-round series. Russia dominate Belarus Title candidates US win group, Canada reach quarters Ronaldo backed by talented RIGA, Latvia, June 2, (AP): Kevin Portugal squad at Euro 2020 Labanc and Conor Garland scored two goals apiece and the United States won ‘Right move for me at this time’ LONDON, June 2, (AP): A record- their sixth straight game with a 4-2 vic- chasing Cristiano Ronaldo won’t be tory over Italy in their final preliminary the only attraction for Portugal when game at the world hockey championship . they try to win a second straight With the victory, the U.S. clinched Real hire Ancelotti to replace Zidane European Championship title. first in Group B and will play Slovakia Ronaldo will attempt to become the in the single-elimination quarterfinals, MADRID, June 2, (AP): Real during his first spell in the Real “I would like to thank Everton all-time leading scorer with a national which start Thursday. Madrid picked an experienced for- Madrid hot seat,” Madrid said in a FC, my players and the supporters team, but this time there will be a lot “Seventeen days ago, we came mer coach instead of another former statement. “The new coach boasts for giving me the opportunity to more to watch for in Portugal’s squad. together some of us not knowing each player to try to put the team back on vast experience and an impressive manage this fantastic and historical The defending champions are bring- other, and to now be sitting here in track after a disappointing season. trophy haul.” club,” Ancelotti said on Twitter. “I ing one their most talented teams in first place, we’re a proud group,” Madrid hired Carlo Ancelotti on He will take over a squad that decided to leave as I have a new years to Euro 2020, loaded with play- coach Jack Capuano said. to replace Zinedine Zidane, who was marred by injuries this season. challenge with a team that was ers who can support Ronaldo and Jake Oettinger made nine saves in quit last week after the team’s first It was unclear if some key players always in my heart, Real Madrid.” make Portugal a contender again. winning for the third time in the tour- trophyless season in more than a will return, including Sergio Ramos. Zidane was Ancelotti’s assistant The talent pool is arguably greater nament. Brian Boyle took over as cap- decade. Many expected the job to There’s also uncertainty about when Madrid won their 10th than it was five years ago in France, tain with Justin Abdelkader sidelined go to former Madrid great Raúl whether players like Gareth Bale European trophy. Zidane eventually when Portugal won the title with a with an injury. González, who like Zidane had will be back after being away on led Madrid to consecutive squad that succeeded with efficiency Italy lost all seven games in the been coaching the team’s “B” squad loan. Big signings are not expected rather than extraordinary play. The tournament. Italian goaltender Davide before taking over the main squad. as the club continues to struggle Portuguese earned the trophy with Fadani made 39 saves. But club president Florentino financially. SOCCER only one victory in 90 minutes during In this Sunday, Nov 17, 2019 filer, , and Canada also Pérez instead went with the coach Ancelotti joined Everton in the entire tournament. Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo cele- advanced in Group B. Russia, who led the team to their 10th December 2019, taking over from At Euro 2020, Portugal will play in brates his team’s 2-0 victory at the , the and European title back in 2014, signing Marco Silva. The club finished 12th Champions League titles from a difficult Group F that also includes end of the Euro 2020 Group B Slovakia advanced to the quarterfinals him for the next three seasons. The 2016-18, but he quit last week say- Germany, France and Hungary. Both qualifying soccer match between in the Premier League last year, ing he didn’t have the support of the Luxembourg and Portugal at the in Group A. 61-year-old Ancelotti coached the before a 10th-place finish in Germany and Hungary will have home Spanish powerhouse for two sea- club for a long-term project. He led Josy Barthel Stadium in The Canadians had to sweat out the Ancelotti’s only full season in games against Portugal in the group sons from 2013 to 2015, winning a Madrid to 11 titles in two different Luxembourg. (AP) final hours of the preliminary round charge. stage. after dropping a 3-2 shootout decision total of four titles. stints. “I have great confidence in my play- to Finland earlier Tuesday. They Ancelotti also won two In this last one, which began in ers and I have the conviction that moved on after Germany edged host Champions League titles with AC March 2019, Madrid fought for the Portugal is a title candidate,” Portugal Latvia 2-1. Milan and boasts success coaching Spanish league title until the final coach Fernando Santos said. Canada, which had never missed the clubs in all five top European round but finished two points The 36-year-old Ronaldo will be playoffs at the world championship or leagues. He arrives at Madrid after behind city rival Atlético Madrid, backed this time by the likes of João Olympics, will face Group A winners leaving Premier League club failing to defend their title and lift Félix, Bernardo Silva, Bruno Russia in the quarterfinals. The other Everton, where he had been since back-to-back league trophies for the Fernandes, Rúben Dias and Diogo quarterfinals on Thursday will have late 2019. first time since 2007-08. Jota. Finland face the Czechs and “While I have enjoyed being at In the Champions League, Zidane Switzerland taking on Germany. Everton, I have been presented with led the team to the semifinals, but it The semifinals will be played on an unexpected opportunity which I was eventually eliminated by SOCCER Saturday and gold and bronze medal believe is the right move for me and Chelsea. In the Copa del Rey, games on Sunday. my family at this time,” Ancelotti Madrid lost to third-division club Canada were within four minutes of said in a statement on Everton’s Alcoyano in the round of 32. Many of those players will be in advancing outright to the quarterfinals, website. Other coaches who had been position to thrive in large part because but Arttu Ruotsalainen scored his sec- Ancelotti is Madrid’s coach with touted to replace Zidane included of the tournament’s postponement ond goal of the game to force extra the most wins in his first 100 com- Antonio Conte, Mauricio Pochettino caused by the coronavirus pandemic. time. petitive games at the helm of the In this file photo, Everton’s man- and Xabi Alonso. Jota was a Wolverhampton player who hadn’t played much for his coun- Spanish powerhouse, with 78. His ager Carlo Ancelotti waves after Ancelotti replaced José Mourinho Russia’s Roman Zobnin, (left), and other titles with Madrid came in the their English Premier League at Madrid in 2013, taking over a try last year but is now a regular for Poland’s Mateusz Klich, (right), ICE HOCKEY Copa del Rey, the Spanish Super soccer match against team that still had Cristiano Ronaldo Liverpool and his national team, scor- challenge for the ball during the Cup and FIFA’s Club World Cup. Wolverhampton Wanderers at and Bale at their best, and also ing six goals in 12 international games. international friendly soccer match Ruotsalainen also had the winner in “The Italian returns to our club Goodison Park Stadium in included the likes of Ángel Di Rúben Dias has improved after his between Poland and Russia in first season at Manchester City, while the shootout. Finnish goaltender Jussi after rewriting the history books Liverpool, England. (AP) María and Alonso. Warsaw, Poland. Poland rested Fernandes has established himself as Robert Lewandowski for a 1-1 draw Olkinuora had 32 saves in regulation one of Manchester United’s top play- and two more in the shootout, stopping with old rival Russia on Tuesday in makers. João Félix earned an extra a warmup for the European Connor Brown on the final attempt. year of experience with an Atlético Championship. Poland took the Brandon Pirri and Maxime Comtois Madrid team that thrived in the lead in the fourth minute when scored for Canada. Darcy Kuemper Spanish league. Przemyslaw Frankowski got in had 29 saves. Also included in the Euro 2020 behind the Russian defensive line All Canada needed to reach the squad was 22-year-old forward Pedro and laid the ball off for Jakub quarterfinals after that was to have Gonçalves, who has never played for Swierczok to score his first interna- either Germany or Latvia win in regu- the senior national team. Gonçalves tional goal. Russia hit back in the lation. 21st when Vyacheslav Karavaev was key in helping Sporting Lisbon sneaked in at the far post to score The Germans got goals from John win its first Portuguese league title Peterka and Marcel Noebels in the off Alexander Golovin’s cross from since 2002. deep. (AP) opening 6:40 and 23 saves from “The list is not the result of an Mathias Niederberger in prevailing. analysis of two or three days,” Santos Rodrigo Abols scored for Latvia. said. “If I called up these players, it’s round of 16. Russia captured Group A with a 6-0 because they all have great quality.” The defense again will be led by win over Belarus. Nikita Nesterov There could have been even more 38-year-old Pepe, the most valuable ignited and capped a five-goal first talent in Portugal’s squad had young- player in the Euro 2016 final, when period with tallies. ster Pedro Neto not been ruled out Portugal defeated host France. Christoph Bertschy scored twice in because of a knee injury. He was one Ronaldo will be playing in his fifth a four-goal second-period outburst that of the best players for Wolverhampton straight European Championship and carried Switzerland to a 6-3 win over in his first year as a regular starter and will be looking to add yet another Great Britain. Tristan Scherwey had also had established himself in record to his name. He is six goals three assists for the Swiss. Portugal’s squad. from tying the all-time scoring record Filip Zadina, Michael Spacek, Libor Dias and Silva, another key player for a men’s national team. The record Sulak, Matej Stransky, and Libor for English champion Man City, are of 109 goals is held by former Iran Hajek each had a goal and an assist as some of the players who will be return- striker Ali Daei, the only other male the Czech beat Slovakia 7-3 to secure Wolfsburg’s players celebrate during the award ceremony after their victory against Frankfurt, during their German ing from the 2018 World Cup squad soccer player to surpass the 100-goal third place. Women’s DFB Cup Final match, in Cologne, Germany . (AP) that was eliminated by Uruguay in the milestone.