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BHUBANESWAR SUNDAY, JULY 1, 2012 | 15 Sports SNIPPETS BLAKE BEATS BOLT AZZURRI BETWEEN SPAIN & HISTORY Kiev, June 30: Soccer’s aristo- crats will compete for the con- FACTS AND FIGURES tinent’s crown tomorrow n If Spain win, they will equal Germany’s record of three (Sunday) when Spain seek to ex- European titles. They had won the Euro Cup in 1964 tend their domination of Europe and in 2008. against a revitalised Italy who n Italy’s only previous European title was as hosts in 1968 threaten to end their reign. when they beat Yugoslavia in the final. Between them Spain and Italy n The European championship final has never been decid- have produced 25 European ed by a penalty shootout in 13 previous tournaments. champions at club level but this n Spain have met Italy seven times before in major tour- will be the first time their national naments and never managed an outright win. teams are meeting for the n Spain, the World and European champions, have European Championship. Few remained unbeaten in their last 19 matches winning 17. however, would question their places in the final. “The winners will be deserv- have reached the final of three Del Bosque acknowledged fatigue ing champions,” said Spain mid- major tournaments in a row. was an issue. “The players are fielder Cesc Fabregas. “I think But they have to cope against tired. We’re at breaking point. But Usain Bolt (L) congratulates Yohan Blake Friday PTI PHOTO we’ve been the two most con- a surprisingly exciting Italian they are used to this all season sistent teams at the tournament.” side in the final. and I hope they get in shape World champion Yohan Blake edged world record holder Usain Bolt to win the men’s 100-metre in 9.75 seconds at the Jamaican Olympic While Vicente Del Bosque’s The teams arrived in the for the final,” he said. Athletic Trials in Kingston Friday. Blake became the fourth-fastest success with Spain has been Ukrainian capital in differing The Italians came into the man ever in the event as he ran a personal best and the fastest time built on a water-tight defence moods Friday. While Spain tournament with few expecta- in the world this year. “Coach (Glen) Mills told me I can do it and I and impressive possession foot- scraped into the final via a penalty tions after their dreadful early believed,” he said. “The Olympics is the focus right now.” Reigning ball, Italy have reached the final shootout win over Portugal, exit from the World Cup in Olympic champion Bolt was second in 9.86 seconds after a poor start, thanks to positive, dynamic Italy are on a high after their sur- South Africa and some patchy Spanish footballers have a chance to create a name for themselves by winning three finals and Asafa Powell snatched the third Olympic spot in 9.88s in a star- play and a potent attack led prise 2-1 victory over a highly- pre-tournament displays. But studded final. “He’s a class runner without a doubt and I have said it by the temperamental talent fancied Germany. coach Cesare Prandelli has man- “We have nothing to be afraid Spain have always dominated ters in the centre of the park in over the years that he is one of the best. So for me it’s just one of of Mario Balotelli. Following their European and aged to do what every national of ” said Prandelli noting his rivals because of their control of Italy’s Andrea Pirlo. “We have those bad days,” Bolt said of Blake and the race. He added that he Spain’s, tikitaka method has World Cup successes, Spain have team coach hopes for in the team was stronger than they the middle third thanks to the to try neutralise their midfield was distracted in the blocks, which affected his start. brought remarkable results - no more experience at this level short time-frame of tourna- were for the opener in Gdansk. majestic Xabi Alonso, Andres as Pirlo is the player that al- SPORTSPERSONS RESCUED European team since West and more quality on paper but ment football - develop a club “We have improved, both phys- Iniesta and Xavi but they will ways takes control of the match,” Ninety-two veteran Indian sportspersons stranded in Sweden are Germany in the early 1970’s they have looked a little jaded and team spirit. ically and psychologically.” be up against one of the mas- said Fabregas. AGENCIES returning home after the Indian Embassy came to their rescue and asked their travel agency to arrange for their return journey Saturday. The contingent, including 58 sportspersons from Andhra Pradesh, left Stockholm for Milan, Italy, for their return journey to India. They are Beckham expected to reach India July 4. The Indian Embassy intervened in the matter when the group got stranded in Stockholm as the hotel they Result depends on not missed were staying in asked them to check out Friday after their travel agent failed to make payment. According to information available in London, June 30: David New Delhi, the sportspersons agreed to make an additional payment Beckham’s absence from of 300 euro each to the travel agency for arranging their homeward Britain’s Olympic team will journey. The contingent had left India June 24 to participate in a table Balotelli brilliance have no impact on ticket tennis championship. Sisir Ganguly, a participant from Bhubaneswar whose job is to score. Does a for rash driving on Milan roads. fused to meet with his original sales for the soccer tourna- is also in the squad. Every member of the contingent had paid postman celebrate when he They found 5000 pounds in car. ones, Rose and Thomas Barwuah. ment starting in a few weeks’ Rs125,000 to the travel agent for the entire tour. Other contingent delivers letters at home?” When questioned about it prompt After Balotelli had become time, London 2012 Chief members are from Manipur, Andhra Pradesh, Goa and West Bengal Celebrate or not, Italy’s hopes was the Balotelli reply “I am famous, the Barwuahs had Executive Paul Deighton DAR HONOURED of joy depend on the legs and rich man. I will always have wanted him back in 2008. stated here Saturday. International Cricket Council (ICC) has honoured Pakistan’s Aleem Dar head of this enigmatic Ghanian more cash than you guys will ever Balotelli flatly refused and stated Former England captain for becoming only the seventh cricket umpire to officiate in 150 one- who grew up in Italy. have.” The same man however, that he had no wish to go back Beckham, 37, has not found day internationals when he took the field for the five-match series There is one similarity be- after winning in a bout of gam- to his biological parents as they a place in the England squad opener between England and Australia at Lord’s in London Friday. To tween Steve Jobs and Balotelli. bling in a Soho night club in had never cared for him when selected by Team Great Britain mark the achievement, ICC Match Referee Javagal Srinath handed Like Jobs, Balotelli’s parents London came out and saw a he was a kid. manager Stuart Pearce and over a memento to the umpire at the post-match presentation ceremo- gifted him to another family group of beggars. Without a Modern football depends British soccer officials. ny Friday. The 44-year-old, who won the David Shepherd Trophy for the when the footballer was a kid. moment’s hesitation he handed on two Ps -- pace and pas- “Even though David third successive year by winning the ICC Umpire of the Year award at There is also a similarity be- them over 15,000 pounds, his en- sion. Balotelli has changed the (Beckham) is a great asset to the ICC Awards in London in 2011, made his umpiring debut in tween Lionel Messi and Balotelli. tire winnings of the night. There concept of Ps. It is now pace the Olympic cause, I would like February 2000 when he umpired in an ODI between Pakistan and Sri Messi, while growing up had to are so many stories, so many and power as demonstrated to inform the media that the Lanka in Gujranwala. Dar has also officiated in the 2007 and 2011 World Balotelli (with earphones) arrives at Kiev Saturday PTI PHOTO Cup finals. Reflecting on his achievement, Dar said: “I am honoured constantly suffer from hormonal plot-lines, so much drama - by his two goals and against tickets for the matches fea- and humbled to join the exclusive 150-ODI club which includes some of Bhubaneswar, June 30: After even though his teammates problems. Balotelli had chronic tragedy and surreal comedy - Germany. He wants four goals turing Great Britain are pretty the most respected gentlemen in this noble profession. scoring the second goal against went berserk with joy. But then gastric issues for which he un- surrounding this most precious, in the final, this time to ded- much exhausted. So we do Germany in the semifinal of Balotelli has always been dif- derwent a number of surgeries. and precocious, of young men. icate all to his foster father. not think his absence will SANIA-MAHESH CRASH OUT the Euro Cup last Thursday, ferent. In an interview after the But one can’t really predict But there are also Silvia and But will the ‘postman’ be able have a negative impact,” ‘Super Mario’ (Balotelli) just game, comparing himself to a the man Balotelli.