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Sunday, June 27, 2021 FOOTBALL Dhul-Qa’da 17, 1442 AH Denmark outclass GULF TIMES Wales to reach Euro quarter-fi nals SPORT Page 2 LOSS Team Qatar 400m world medallist Haroun dies in a traffi c accident

By Sports Reporter of the deceased, the Qatari and programme after recovering to hear that Qatari sprinter Ab- tle before claiming his fi rst global ple of lanes up the order. championship has been a dream, Doha international Olympic fam- from an injury (in preparation) dalelah Haroun – 2017 world medal at the World Indoor Cham- Haroun found enough focus, and it feels great that I have done ily, and we ask God to bless him to qualify for the Tokyo Olym- 400m bronze medallist and a pionships in Portland, where he and strength to pick up Qatar’s that.” with his forgiveness and accept pics. Qatar sports and athlet- former world junior champion – secured silver. fi rst medal at the championships, A torn hip tendon hampered atar’s 400m Asian him into heaven,” Qatar Olympic ics, on a global level, lost a great has died in a car crash at the age He went to the World U20 fi nishing behind Van Niekerk and his preparations for the 2019 Games gold medal- Committee (QOC) President HE hero,” Qatar Athletics Federa- of 24.” Championships in Bydgoszcz Gardiner, with a season’s best World Athletics Championships list and 2017 World Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Tha- tion secretary general Moham- The national record-hold- as favourite for gold, which he time of 44.48 seconds. on home soil in Doha, where he Championships bronze ni posted on Twitter yesterday. ed Issa al-Fadala was quoted as er with his best of 44.07 run achieved in a time of 44.81, and A man of few words but many raced in the heats. medallist,Q Abdalelah Haroun, QOC secretary general Jassim saying by AFP. in 2018, Haroun made his big made his Olympic debut in Rio beaming smiles and a warm per- Back in 2018, after winning died in a traffi c accident in Doha al-Buenain too mourned the loss Condolences poured in breakthrough in 2015 when the following month, reaching sonality, Haroun was gushing on two golds – 400m and 4x400m yesterday. yesterday: “Sincere condolenc- from fellow Team Qatar he won the Asian 400m the semifi nals. his return to Doha after the med- relay – at the Asian Games in Ja- “Today, with great sadness es and sympathy to the Qatari athletes Mutaz Barshim title at the age of 18 At the 2017 World Champion- al. “It feels so good, the medal karta, Haroun was asked about and sorrow, we lost the hero Qa- sports family on the passing away and Abderrahman and set an Asian U20 ships in London, the then 20-year- is a diff erent feeling… nothing his plans for the next Asiad in tari runner Abdulelah Haroun, of the runner Abdalelah Haroun, Samba, and also from record of 44.27. old had Steven Gardiner of Baha- like I have experienced before, 2022 by a television channel. He who died in a tragic accident. the world 400 metres bronze World Athletics, who The following mas for company on the lane to his at such a big world stage,” he had replied: “We don’t know, af- Our condolences to the fam- medallist.” tweeted: “World Ath- year he won the right, with South African sensa- had told Gulf Times then. “Win- ter 4 years, whether we will be in ily and friends “He was in a rehabilitation letics is deeply saddened Asian indoor ti- tion Wayde van Niekerk just a cou- ning a medal at the world the game or not.”

TENNIS CRICKET India set to Federer ready to get on shift T20 WCup to UAE due to pandemic: a roll at Wimbledon sources ‘I’m ready, I’m excited, I’m pumped up. I know I can do so much better’ Reuters Mumbai, India Reuters London, England his year’s Twenty20 World Cup is set to be shifted to the United Arab Emirates due to the oger Federer may be clos- Covid-19 situation in India, Indian cricket ing in on his 40th birth- board sources told Reuters yesterday. day, but he said he still be- TThe pandemic swept the world’s second-most popu- lieves he can challenge for lous nation last year, resulting in a lengthy shutdown. Ra ninth Wimbledon title if he gets Infections have rocketed again in another wave this on a roll when the grasscourt Slam year as the country scrambles to curb a more transmis- starts next week. sible variant of the virus, hitting plans to ease lockdown The All England Club is as famil- measures. iar to Federer as his own backyard, India’s offi cial total for infections has risen to more but he has played only a handful of than 30.18mn, with 394,493 deaths. tournaments in the past 18 months The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), because of knee surgery. the local organisers for the 16-team tournament, was His loss to Canadian youngster forced to suspend the Indian Premier League in May as Felix Auger-Aliassime at Halle last cases surged in the country. week, a venue where he has won 10 The remaining matches of the world’s richest T20 titles, raised valid questions about league were moved to the UAE, where it was also held his form. last year, and will be completed ahead of the World Cup, Federer expressed his own dis- which is scheduled to start from mid-October. appointment with that match and “Even if we go ahead and host the World Cup in the his attitude on court, but he said safest possible manner, some countries might ban travel yesterday that there will be no re- to India in view of the third wave (of coronavirus infec- peat of that at Wimbledon. tions). That makes the whole thing untenable,” a board “There’s ways to lose and a source, who did not want to be identifi ed, told Reuters. standard I set for myself how I go “A decision will be taken in the next couple of days about things,” Federer told report- and will be conveyed to the International Cricket Coun- ers in a pre-tournament media cil.” conference conducted via Zoom Sourav Ganguly, the BCCI chief and former India – one of the many changes as the captain, told Reuters in a text message that a fi nal deci- tournament returns following last sion had yet to be made. The ICC did not want to com- year’s cancellation because of the ment. coronavirus pandemic. UAE, which has international standard cricket “The good thing now looking grounds in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, has been the back is I know it will not happen preferred venue for both India and Pakistan to stage the here because I’m ready, I’m excited, fi nal leg of their domestic T20 leagues this year. I’m pumped up. I know I can do so Switzerland’s Roger Federer attends a press conference at The All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, London, yesterday. (AFP) Abu Dhabi hosted the remaining 20 matches of the much better.” Pakistan Super League, including Thursday’s fi nal, af- “I don’t know what it was, to be Despite being the king of Wim- to three people, including coaches does it work? By now I’ve gotten lege that I’m actually able to play ter the Pakistan Cricket Board was forced to suspend honest,” Federer added of his Halle bledon, Federer has found him- and physios. used to it. I’m embracing it. I’m OK Wimbledon. I’m not going to be the league in March. setback. “But I think I’ve got to self in the same strict bubble as “It’s the bubble. It doesn’t mat- with it. complaining. Wimbledon tries to World governing body ICC had set a June 28 deadline take the positives out of these last every other player in the draw this ter what the (hotel) room size is, “It does feel totally diff erent put on the best bubble possible.” for the BCCI to take a decision on hosting the tourna- few weeks, that I’m actually here at year, rather than in his usual plush whatever, it’s just living the bubble than the last 20 years here since Federer’s last match at Wimble- ment. The Indian board will retain hosting rights for the Wimbledon right now and I have a rented house with his family a stroll life is diff erent,” the 20-time Grand I’ve been coming here. We would don was a heart-breaking defeat event regardless of where the tournament is played. chance. away from the grounds. Slam champion said. arrive with the family, kids would by Novak Djokovic in an epic fi nal Cricket website ESPNcricinfo.com reported that the “I know if I get rolling, I get into Like all the players he will be “Took me some getting used to be running everywhere. in 2019. World Cup will kick off from Oct. 17 in UAE. the second week, which is the goal staying in the Park Plaza hotel in the fi rst day or two, understand- “We organised the grocery shop- The sixth seed will open his The fi rst round of the T20 World Cup is expected to here right now, that I get stronger central London and will have to ing where we’re allowed to go, what ping, get the house set up and all record-extending 22nd Wimble- be played in the UAE and Oman and will be contested and stronger as every match goes by, abide by the strict Covid-19 pro- we’re allowed to do. Same thing that stuff . don campaign against Frenchman between eight lower-ranked teams, four of whom will I believe it’s very much possible.” tocols which limit their entourage with the on-site protocols. How “But look, I still feel a big privi- Adrian Mannarino on Tuesday. join the top eight sides for the Super 12 stage. Gulf Times 2 Sunday, June 27, 2021 EURO 2020

MATCH REPORT Denmark outclass Wales to reach quarter-fi nals Dolberg struck in each half while Maehle and Braithwaite also got in on the act late on as Danes overpowered Wales

AFP They were rewarded when Dolberg, Amsterdam now of Nice in France and selected ahead of Yussuf Poulsen in attack, col- lected the ball just outside the area and enmark marked the 29th an- unleased a superb strike into the far niversary of their greatest corner of the net. For Wales, the signs triumph by marching on to that it was not to be their night kept the quarter-fi nals of Euro coming, as right-back Connor Roberts 2020D yesterday as Kasper Dolberg suff ered a groin injury and had to come scored twice in an emphatic 4-0 win off . Then giant striker Kieff er Moore over Wales before an exultant travelling was booked for a foul on Danish cap- support in Amsterdam. tain Simon Kjaer, meaning a suspen- In the city where Christian Eriksen sion for the next round if Wales made it made his name, it was Dolberg — an- through. other former Ajax player — who opened Robert Page’s side would not make the scoring with a fi zzing strike in the it through as they fell further behind 27th minute. That came after Wales three minutes into the second half. had started so well but Denmark never Neco Williams, the Liverpool full- looked back and Dolberg struck again back who had replaced Roberts, tried to just after the restart before Joakim clear a Braithwaite cross but only suc- Maehle and Martin Braithwaite added ceeded in playing the ball straight to more goals late on. Dolberg who seized the chance to make Carried by a wave of emotion, Dan- it 2-0. Bale and his teammates felt there ish dreams are still intact in a tourna- had been a foul on Moore at the start of ment that began in such traumatic the move but the German referee waved circumstances for them with Eriksen’s away the complaints and the only sur- collapse in their opening match against prise was that it took until the dying Finland in Copenhagen. They now go minutes for more goals to come. on to a last-eight tie in Baku against the Mathias Jensen picked out the un- Netherlands or the Czech Republic. marked Maehle to score the third in the Eriksen, still recovering at home af- 88th minute, before Wilson saw red for ter his cardiac arrest, was present in a foul on Maehle and Braithwaite made everyone’s minds at the home of Ajax, it 4-0, a goal given after a lengthy VAR and that combined with a vast Danish review. support inside the one-third full Johan Wales captain Gareth Bale said: Cruyff Arena made this occasion really “It’s not how we wanted the game to like a home game for them. go, from our point of view we started European champions against all odds very well and then the game changed. when they beat Germany in the fi nal on We tried to play in the second half but this day in 1992, Denmark fi nally have made a mistake to concede which killed their fi rst win in the knockout phase of the momentum on our side. a Euro since then and it would be a truly He added: “To fi nish how we did is extraordinary story if they could repeat disappointed but the boys are frus- the feat this time. trated and angry understandably, I’d Nobody in Denmark will want to get Wales’ goalkeeper Danny Ward (left) reacts as Denmark’s forward Kasper Dolberg celebrates after scoring during the Euro 2020 round of 16 match in Amsterdam. (AFP) prefer us to go out that way. If you play ahead of themselves but Wales — who the ball through the back of someone fi nished with 10 men after Harry Wil- from captain Gareth Bale or Aaron United Kingdom entering the Nether- Parken Stadium in Copenhagen when ple in the early stages. it’s a foul, I felt the ref was infl uenced son’s late red card — could certainly Ramsey which never came, but in truth lands meant there were very few Welsh they beat Russia to qualify for the last He crashed a shot just wide in the by the supporters here. It’s disappoint- have no complaints about the outcome they were up against it from the out- supporters inside the stadium. 16 — even the Danish Prime Minister, 10th minute, but then Chelsea’s An- ing that’s all I can say. We’ve missed an and there will be no repeat of their run set. Aside from the universal goodwill Danes, in contrast, descended in Mette Frederiksen, was in attendance. dreas Christensen — Denmark’s third opportunity but I can’t fault the eff ort to the semi-fi nals at Euro 2016. towards Denmark following Eriksen’s their droves on Amsterdam, creating an To their credit Wales started well, centre-back — stepped up into midfi eld and that’s the minimum requirement, They needed a moment of magic collapse, a ban on travellers from the atmosphere not far off that seen at the with the probing Bale leading by exam- and they took control. I’m proud of them still.”

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Mueller declares himself fi t England’s Kane dismisses criticism Reuters for England showdown London ngland striker Harry Kane has had a disappointing start to the Euro- pean Championship, but said he isn’t worried by a lack of goals in the groupE stage and hopes to peak in the knock- out rounds, starting with Tuesday’s last-16 clash with Germany. Kane, England’s skipper, faced criticism of his form after below-par displays led to him being substituted in both the 1-0 win over Croatia and the 0-0 draw with Scot- land. “It’s defi nitely not the fi rst time people have doubted me,” Kane told British media. “People are quick to change their mind.It wasn’t too long ago when I won the Golden Boot (as Premier League top scorer) and I was the best thing in the world. I’ve always believed in myself. I could go 10-15 games without scoring but give me a chance and I’d back myself to score it. Going into Tuesday, physically, I’m in the best shape of the tour- nament so far. I felt in Russia (at the 2018 England’s Harry Kane (left) trains as his teammates watch on at the St. George’s Park, Germany’s Thomas Mueller (right) and Jamal Musiala attend a training session in Herzogenaurach. (AFP) World Cup) I started on fi re, scored loads of Burton Upon Trent, Britain, yesterday. (Reuters) goals, then didn’t have my best performanc- AFP “We are looking forward to play- ing captain quiet at Wembley. es in the most important games. So coming stage and that will help the team.” end of the season. That’s football. But for Herzogenaurach, Germany ing a big name in England. Both “Great strikers are the best at into this, physically, I wanted to make sure I Meanwhile, England manager Gareth Gareth I’m sure he’s ready and of course he’s teams had convincing perform- being patient,” said Mueller, who was peaking at the right time.” Southgate can gain his “own revenge” going to set us up for us to go out there and ances in the group stages, but has scored 39 goals in 105 inter- The 27-year-old looked sharper in Eng- against Germany after the pain of his penal- win and I hope we can do it for him as well so ermany forward Tho- also had games where they were nationals since his Germany de- land’s fi nal Group D game, a 1-0 victory over ty miss in the Euro 96 semi-fi nals, midfi eld- he can get his own revenge.” mas Mueller insists his criticised. We were hoping to but in 2010. Czech Republic, and backed himself to prove er Declan Rice said. The West Ham player, Rice, who started all three of England’s knee injury will not stop play better against Hungary, but “A striker is always waiting for the critics wrong in the latter stages of the 22, said he had seen Southgate’s miss, which group games, said he had deleted his Twitter him facing England in now it’s a knockout game.” his chances. He usually has the tournament. “I know, especially the fi rst led to England’s exit in a shootout against account so he could focus fully on Euro 2020, GTuesday’s blockbuster Euro 2020 Yesterday was the 25-year an- least contact with the ball, but two games, I could have played better. For the eventual winners. with the last-16 match against Germany. “I last 16 clash at Wembley. “If I it niversary of Germany’s Euro 96 the biggest picture in the news- me, it’s about trying to peak at the right time “I’ve obviously seen that one from the like Twitter, I’m like a fan, I read stuff but was a problem, I wouldn’t have semi-fi nal win over England at paper after the game. I don’t and the right time in tournament football is past,” said Rice. “Yes, it’s tough. I’m sure for this tournament it was just best to come trained today,” Mueller said yes- Wembley where current Three know why he hasn’t got into the the knockout stages,” Kane added. Gareth is going to want to get his own re- off it and focus fully on the tournament and terday at Germany’s base camp Lions manager Gareth South- fi nal positions that he usually “I feel good, I feel sharp. I felt good, defi - venge in that aspect as well. Obviously he myself,” he said. “Sometimes you can read in Bavaria. “The capsular injury gate missed the crucial penalty gets into. For us, it would be no nitely in the third game... hopefully I can missed a penalty but everyone’s missed a things and it puts doubts in your mind about does not hold me back and I am in the shoot-out. It was the fi rst problem at all if the discussion come into my best form into the knockout penalty. I missed one two days before the our ability but I had to come off it.” experienced enough to deal with tournament that I was really (about Kane’s form) lasts until it. I’m convinced it won’t be a aware of,” said Bayern Munich Wednesday and we don’t con- problem for Tuesday.” star Mueller, who was six years cede a goal.” Mueller is expected to start old at the time. “But even then The Germans have won the FA want England manager Southgate to stay beyond 2022 World Cup against England having been left it was a close result. Personally, last four meetings between the out of the line-up for Wednes- I have a good experience of play- countries in the knockout stag- London: The English Football Association “Gareth knows exactly how we feel signed a new four-year deal in 2018 to take day’s 2-2 draw with Hungary, in ing at Wembley Stadium having es of major tournaments. Yet want manager Gareth Southgate to remain about him. He knows we think he’s doing him through next year’s World Cup but the which he came on as a second- won the Champions League fi nal Germany winger Serge Gnabry in the job beyond the 2022 World Cup in a great job and we’d like him to carry on. FA would like him to extend the contract. half replacement. The 31-year- there in 2013.” talked up England’s chances. Qatar, FA chief executive Mark Bullingham We’ll get into that formal conversation “Every game we go into we want to win old Mueller and Germany captain This is Mueller’s third Europe- “England have great players told British media on Friday. The 50-year- after this tournament. But if you ask me and we think he gives us the best chance Manuel Neuer, 35, are the only an Championship, yet he is still in their ranks,” said the Bayern old Southgate has steered England to the now, I’d say yes, we’d like him to carry on,” of doing that. It’s easy to say that off the survivors from the team which waiting for his fi rst goal at the Munich forward who began his last 16 at the European Championships, added Bullingham. “Has he indicated he’d pitch he’s been brilliant, but on the pitch beat England 4-1 in the last 16 of tournament. “It would be nice to career with Arsenal. “We have where they host Germany on Tuesday. like to do that? We haven’t got into that he’s been brilliant as well,” said Bullingham. the 2010 World Cup. score on Tuesday, but the most a lot of respect, no matter what He also led his country to the World Cup level of conversation yet. He’s got our “Semi-final in the World Cup, fantastic Today marks exactly 11 years important thing for me is that we the media reports are. We want semi-finals in 2018 and a third-place finish unwavering support because we think he’s performance in the Nations League, some since that match. “We won go through,” he said. to play and beat them with a in the inaugural 2019 Nations League. doing a brilliant job on and off the pitch.” absolutely brilliant games. And even in the against England in 2010 — that Like Mueller, England striker performance like the one we “We would love him to carry on, for sure, Former England defender Southgate games where we haven’t quite got what has nothing to do with Tuesday, Harry Kane has yet to open his had against Portugal,” referring beyond this contract,” Bullingham was was given the national team job in 2016 we wanted, there have been extenuating but it might give some of you a goal account at the fi nals and the to Germany’s 4-2 win over the quoted as saying by the Daily Mail. after the departure of Sam Allardyce. He circumstances.” good feeling,” he told reporters. Germans aim to keep the oppos- holders in the group stage. Gulf Times Sunday, June 27, 2021 3 EURO 2020

PREVIEW Czechs miss training in Budapest Relentless Ronaldo over bizarre plane defect

Prague: A plane door defect involving an inflated evacua- tion slide stopped the Czech Republic on their way to a makes Portugal believe Euro 2020 knockout game against the Netherlands in Budapest, the team yesterday. The Czechs, who quali- fied as the third best team in Group D, are facing Group C winners the Netherlands at the Puskas Arena in a last-16 before Belgium clash tie today evening. The players were already sitting on the special plane yesterday morn- Ronaldo leads the scoring charts on five goals with Belgium’s Lukaku not far behind on three ing, but they had to get off over the defect. AFP in six meetings with France but his two “I have experienced Madrid Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo trains at the La Cartuja penalties means he has already achieved delayed flights, postponed Stadium in Seville, Spain, yesterday. (Reuters) his best Euro tally, after scoring twice in flights, even cancelled flights 2004, once in 2008 and three times in because of the coronavirus,” ortugal felt the full range of both 2012 and 2016. tweeted midfielder Alex Kral. emotions during the Euro 2020 He has pulled fi ve clear of Michel “But this is my first flight that group stage and with Cristiano Platini’s previous record of nine goals didn’t happen because of an Ronaldo in the groove again, in total at European Championships evacuation slide inflated by Pthey can really begin to believe. After and became the fi rst ever to score in fi ve mistake,” said the Spartak scoring three late goals to beat Hun- diff erent editions of the competition. Moscow player. gary, Portugal were shaken by a 4-2 loss Against France, Ronaldo also equalled He added photos of the to Germany, only for a 2-2 draw against the world record for international goals slide from inside and outside France to restore morale and ensure held since 2006 by Ali Daei, who has the plane, complete with a they snuck out of Group F in third place. 109 for Iran. “slidesandjumpingcastles” The result is a last-16 clash with Bel- There may be an added personal in- hashtag. National team gium in Seville today, when one of the centive for Ronaldo to outshine Lukaku, spokesman Petr Sedivy tournament favourites will bow out in who pipped the Juventus striker to Se- said later the flight was “not what is surely the blockbuster tie of the rie A’s player of the season award last cancelled over an evacuation round. One of the frontrunners for the season despite scoring fi ve fewer goals. slide inflated by mistake but Golden Boot will fall too, with Ronaldo Lukaku’s 24 goals were fundamental to over technical problems with and Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku both in Inter Milan’s Scudetto success but the the plane door”. contention. 28-year-old’s work rate, pressing and “The Czech national foot- Ronaldo leads the scoring charts on link-up play meant he was more of an ball team will fly to Budapest fi ve goals with Lukaku not far behind on overall contributor than Ronaldo. In in the afternoon,” Sedivy three. Portugal may have taken only a contrast, Ronaldo is all about the end- added. Based in Prague after point from a sweaty contest with France game — the goals, the victories and the having to move its base camp at the Puskas Arena in Budapest but the trophies, with Portugal hoping to follow from Edinburgh over strict belief and confi dence gained from go- his lead. coronavirus rules in Scotland, ing toe-to-toe with the world cham- the team held the off icial pions could be pivotal for the rest of PORTUGAL’S COACH SANTOS training session at a local sta- their tournament. After chaos against ‘CONVINCED’ OF WIN dium. The winners of today’s Germany came concentration against Meanwhile, Portugal coach Fernando game will face Denmark in the the French, a committed, organised Santos said he was “fi rmly convinced” quarter-finals on July 3. and aggressive performance which was the reigning champions have what it a reminder of what carried Portugal to takes to beat Belgium “I look at the team VAN NISTELROOY WARNS success at Euro 2016 and in the Nations as whole and try to fi nd the opposition’s DUTCH AGAINST League three years later. fl aws. Teams like Belgium and Portugal COMPLACENCY “We were strong and consistent. The don’t have many,” Santos told a virtual The Netherlands’ assistant players helped each other, we had pos- press conference. “We know our oppo- coach Ruud van Nistelrooy session, we attacked well. We improved nent is capable and very competent but said the team cannot aff ord to a lot from the game against Germany,” I’m fi rmly convinced we’re going to be take its foot off the accelera- said Portugal’s coach Fernando Santos better than they are.” tor in the European Champi- afterwards. Santos had responded too, “We had a very, very strong group, onship after topping Group C, reacting to criticism by reverting to his so we know we can score and create and must learn from mistakes traditional 4-3-3 system of the past two chances. We just need to keep doing it,” made in major tournaments in years and making some bold changes to Moutinho, who both rose to the chal- tion they had lacked against Germany. The principal threat against Belgium said Santos, who led Portugal to the ti- the past. his starting line-up. lenge against Paul Pogba and N’Golo “We can fi ght against the best teams,” will be Ronaldo who, at 36, is sparkling tle at Euro 2016. “When you fi nd a team The Dutch began their William Carvalho and Bruno Fern- Kante. Sanches brought some much- said Santos. “Either we believe or we again on the biggest stage, delivering that’s as strong defensively as up front campaign with a 3-2 victory andes, who both struggled in the fi rst needed dynamism to the team while the don’t because we can beat anyone and goals and breaking records from the then they (Belgium) have very a strong over Ukraine, going on to win two games, made way for the young 34-year-old Moutinho’s surgical pass- I’ll keep saying it — no team thinks they outset. chance of winning, but we want to be as all three group matches to set Renato Sanches and the veteran Joao ing gave Portugal the guile and direc- will have an easy time against Portugal.” Ronaldo had never previously scored strong as we can be.” up a last-16 clash with Czech Republic. Former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker SPOTLIGHT van Nistelrooy was part of the Netherlands side that was knocked out of the 2006 World Cup in the last 16 by Lukaku says he is world class striker but still chasing Ronaldo Portugal and suff ered a simi- lar fate in Euro 2008, when Reuters I’m going to try and get as close to his ultimate recognition for this team. If I the Dutch lost to Russia in the Brussels achievements as possible,” Lukaku said play badly I will be really disappointed first knockout round. of his Portuguese rival, who he added in myself and the team, because now is Both those exits followed was a major source of inspiration and the right time to harvest.” impressive group stage elgium’s Romelu Lukaku be- motivation. “Oh, I need competition. Belgium’s golden generation have displays and van Nistelrooy lieves he should be classifi ed When someone says he’s better than been top of the FIFA rankings for al- warned his team against now as a world-class striker me, I want to transcend him. Ronaldo most three years but are without a ma- complacency. “I talked about and says everything fell into wants to be the best at everything, jor tournament triumph, losing in the it with the group. That’s why placeB for him in the season just fi nished, (France striker Kylian) Mbappe also semi-fi nals of Russia 2018 to France it was important not to loosen as he looks ahead to meeting Cristiano wants to win everything,” Lukaku told three years ago. “We were not ma- the reins too much after Aus- Ronaldo’s Portugal in the European reporters. ture enough at the World Cup against tria,” van Nistelrooy told re- Championship today. “I’ve taken a big step. (Robert) France. We tried too hard to do well and porters , referring to their 2-0 The comparison with the two has Lewandowski, (Karim) Benzema and were beaten. Now we know how to win victory in their second match. dominated the build-up to the last-16 (Harry) Kane used to be talked about as in many diff erent kinds of ways.” “Because then it’s diff icult to clash between holders Portugal and top- world-class strikers. For me, those sort Lukaku said success at Euro 2020 get back into the flow.” ranked Belgium in Seville, in what could of comment was always limited to: ‘He would cap a dream season. “Everything The Netherlands finished be the clash of the round. Ronaldo is one is in shape’. Well, now I’m world class, has fi nally fallen into place this season. their group stage campaign goal away from setting a new record for too. That was my personal goal. It was I have worked very hard in recent years with a 3-0 win over North most national team goals, while Lukaku important to start winning trophies, and worked under the right coach at the Macedonia, but van Nistelrooy is Belgium’s top scorer with 63 in 96 in- and the Serie A title with Inter gave me right time. I analysed myself a lot, and expects a diff erent type of ternational appearances. motivation and now I also want to win that really made a diff erence in playing challenge in the knockouts. “At his age, he continues to shine and Belgium’s forward Romelu Lukaku is all smiles at a press conference. (AFP) with the Red Devils. It would be the better,” he added.

FOCUS Czech Republic face Netherlands with history on their side AFP says Vladimir Smicer, the former Lens van Persie scored a bizarre own goal to the underdogs, as so often in the past Prague and Liverpool winger, who scored the help the 10-man Czechs advance to the against the Dutch. “We consider the decider after a selfl ess pass from Karel fi nals while the Dutch stayed at home. Netherlands one of the top teams, one Poborsky. In that game, the fi rst goal was scored of the favourites of the tournament,” he Czech Republic will enter Aside from those two, the star- by Pavel Kaderabek, who may appear in he said. “But if we give our best, we are today’s last-16 game against studded Czech team comprised Petr the Czech line-up on Sunday as a re- able to face anyone.” the Netherlands at Euro 2020 Cech, Pavel Nedved, Tomas Rosicky, placement for Jan Boril, ruled out by Meanwhile, Netherlands coach Frank as the odds-on favourites, at Jan Koller, Milan Baros and Tomas Ga- suspension. “Every player remembers de Boer said his sights are set on win- Tleast when it comes to the history of lasek, who spent a decade playing in his national team goals, so I can still ning Euro 2020. “Our goal is not only to their head-to-head encounters. the Netherlands. Galasek is now an as- recall that game,” said the Hoff enheim reach the fi nal but to win it, that’s the Since the Czech Republic emerged sistant to Czech coach Jaroslav Silhavy, defender. “It was a pretty crazy game. objective, then the tournament will be as an independent state in 1993, its who was in turn an assistant to coach But if people ask me to pick one special judged a success for us,” De Boer said. national team has won fi ve games and Karel Bruckner in Portugal. game against the Netherlands, I won’t “But there are six or seven teams who lost three against the Dutch, on top of “The team was really fantastic. We all say 2004 but 2015,” Kaderabek added. also think about it this way and they three draws. Before that, Czechoslova- played in top clubs. It was the most total Boril’s place may also be taken by have a lot of quality as well. You don’t kia memorably beat the Netherlands on football we ever played,” said Smicer, Brescia defender Ales Mateju, who become a European champion easily the way to their only European Cham- who now works as a pundit. “Everyone spent half a season at PSV Eindhoven as but I think we have the quality to do so.” pionship title in Belgrade in 1976, hav- at home went crazy after the comeback. a youth player in 2014. After failing to qualify for Euro 2016 ing edged Johan Cruyff and company People started to believe we could win “I remember meeting Memphis or the 2018 World Cup, the likes of 3-1 after extra time in the semi-fi nal. the whole Euro,” Smicer added. Depay on the pitch, but it’s been a re- Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben and Czechoslovakia were not there to stop Both teams went on to reach the last ally long time,” Mateju said, refusing Wesley Sneijder have all gone and a the Dutch when they won the 1988 title four at the 2004 tournament, with the to view the history as an advantage. “I new Dutch generation embodied by in West Germany. trophy lifted by Greece who beat the The Netherlands’ players take part in training session at the Puskas Arena in guess we have a better head-to-head Barcelona playmaker Frenkie de Jong But Czech fans cherish above all the Czech Republic on a silver goal in the Budapest yesterday, on the eve of their match against Czech Republic. (AFP) record, but time has passed and we are has emerged. memory of an epic battle at Euro 2004 semi-fi nals. The fi rst win by an inde- now facing a really strong team. They De Boer is optimistic that repeating in Portugal, won by the Czechs who pendent Czech Republic dates from and fi nished as runners-up. paign. The Czech Republic beat the won the group so easily.” the famous Marco van Basten-inspired came back from 2-0 down to win 3-2. Euro qualifying in 1995 — the Czechs The latest sweet memories are as re- Netherlands twice, 2-1 at home and 3-2 Assistant coach Jiri Chytry said triumph at the 1988 Euro may not be “People still remember that one best,” won 3-1, advanced to the tournament cent as the Euro 2016 qualifying cam- in Amsterdam, the latter when Robin the Czechs would go into the game as beyond his side. Gulf Times 4 Sunday, June 27, 2021 SPORT

FIG ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS WORLD CUP Yonekura and Ferrari book Tokyo Olympic berths in Doha

By Sports Reporter ished fi fth, and Ukrainian Diana Varin- Doha ska (seventh) have already qualifi ed for the Olympics before the Doha event. Turkey’s reigning European cham- apan’s Hidenobu Yonekura yes- pion Ferhat Arican won parallel bars terday qualifi ed for the next event after scoring 15.566 points. month’s Tokyo Olympics by Petro Pakhniuk, who won a gold winning the men’s vault fi nal with the Ukraine team at the European Jduring the 13th FIG Artistic Gymnas- Championships last December, fi n- tics World Cup at the Aspire Dome ished second followed by Brazil’s Caio yesterday. The Doha leg was specifi - Souza. cally designed by FIG for individual specialists and was applicable to those RESULTS (ALL FINALS) who couldn’t qualify to the Olympics Men’s Vault: Hidenobu Yonekura (JPN) through the 2018-2019 World Cham- 15.016; Igor Radivilov (UKR) 14.744; pionships. Andrey Medvedev (ISR) 14.733 Before heading into the vault fi nal, South Korea’s Shin Jeahwan led the Men’s Parallel Bars: Ferhat Arican overall rankings. But Yonekura over- (TUR) 15.566; Petro Pakhniuk (UKR) took the Korean with a score of 15.016 15.000; Caio Souza (BRA) 14.633 in the fi nal yesterday that earned him Men’s Horizontal Bars: Marios a ticket to Tokyo. Igor Radivilov and Georgiou (CYP) 14.466; Arthur Mariano Andrey Medvedev fi nished second and 14.400; Milad Karimi (KAZ) 14.366 third respectively on the podium. Italy’s 2006 world all-around cham- Women’s Balance Beam: Diana pion Vanessa Ferrari fi nally grabbed the Japan’s Hidenobu Yonekura scored 15.016 points to win the vault final at the 13th Balance Beam gold medallist Diana Varinska (centre) poses with runner-up Zsofia Varinska (UKR) 13.200; Zsofia Kovacs opportunity to win the women’s fl oor FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup at the Aspire Dome yesterday. Kovacs (left) and third-placed Diana Rebeca Andrade. (HUN) 13.166; Diana Rebeca Andrade fi nal which also earned her a ticket to (BRA) 13.133 the Summer Games next month. The and compatriot Lara Mori. win the fi nal, or place second but ahead 30-year-old collected 14.266 points for while Brazil’s Lorrane Oliveira (12.633) Women’s Floor Exercise: Vanessa Fer- fl oor Olympic qualifying spot was up Mori led the fl oor rankings ahead of of Mori with a score higher than 13.266 her rhythm and acrobatic style on the came third. rari (ITA) 14.266; Lara Mori (ITA) 13.633; for grabs, and the race was between her the fi nal, and Ferrari needed to either to secure the top fl oor ranking spot. The fl oor. Mori fi nished second (13.633) Hungarian Zsofi a Kovacs, who fi n- Lorrane Oliveira (BRA)

EURO 2020 Maradona psychiatrist denies blame in star’s death San Isidro, Argentina: The Eternal Modric awaits psychiatrist who was treat- ing Diego Maradona when he died last November has denied any responsibility for his demise, which an expert panel has blamed on neglect, her lawyer said on Friday. Agustina Cosachov “pro- Spain in round of 16 vided evidence that she did not commit a homicide,” her lawyer said after the 36-year- Captain Modric led Croatia into the next round with a sumptuous goal in the 3-1 win over Scotland old was questioned at the San Isidro Prosecutor’s Off ice Reuters academy to Dinamo in 2015 before sign- outside Buenos Aires. Copenhagen ing for Bundesliga outfi t RB Leipzig in “There is no suspicion 2020, also revealed that the Croatian to say that the psychiatric federation had tried to get him to switch medication (that Cosachov pain have fi nally clicked into nationalities. “There was some interest prescribed) and in those gear after a sloppy start at Euro and I have a lot of aff ection for Croatia, doses could have caused 2020 but will face their ster- but it was always my dream to play for a deficiency in the heart,” nest test yet in the last 16 from Spain,” he said. Vadim Mischanchuk added. Croatia,S led by a sensational Luka Mo- Spain may benefi t from a smoother The 1986 World Cup- dric who keeps raging against the dying pitch at Copenhagen’s Parken Stadium, winning captain died of a of the light. after complaining about the surface at heart attack at the age of The champagne football certainly Seville’s La Cartuja. Being away from 60, weeks after undergoing fl owed in Spain’s 5-0 win over Slovakia a sometimes impatient home crowd brain surgery for a blood clot. as coach Luis Enrique had promised af- could also be a boon. Cosachov and psychologist ter dull draws with Sweden and Poland Spain were beaten 2-1 by Croatia in Carlos Diaz found Maradona but his side had the luck of facing an the Euro 2016 group stage and then dead in bed in a rented house accommodating opponent and Croatia hammered them 6-0 in the UEFA Na- in an exclusive Buenos Aires will not be so generous. tions League in 2018, only to lose 3-2 neighbourhood where he “In every sport they play, Croatians away from home two months later. was receiving home care. are always very competitive, they are The 2018 World Cup runners-up will Cosachov was questioned lion-hearted and give everything for be missing centre back Dejan Lovren for more than six hours at the their country,” said Spain forward Dani through suspension, with Duje Caleta- prosecutor’s off ice on Friday, Olmo, who spent fi ve years at Croatia’s Car set to take his place. Caleta-Car and presented a voluminous premier club Dinamo Zagreb. said Croatia must improve defensively letter before leaving without “They really appreciate every objec- after conceding in each of their three speaking to the press. “She tive they achieve. They have proven group matches. was a psychiatric doctor,” themselves in this Euros and in other “We’ve let in some soft goals as we Mischanchuk had said as they tournaments, they thrive in diffi cult haven’t been compact enough. Against entered the off ice. “She had situations. There’s no favourite in this Spain we have to keep it airtight in the nothing to do with the clinical fi xture, it’s anyone’s game.” midfi eld and at the back in order to close management of the patient.” Modric, 35, led Croatia into the next Spain’s players attend a training session at Ciudad del Futbol in Las Rozas de Madrid yesterday. (AFP) them down,” he told reporters. The addiction specialist is round with a sumptuous goal in the 3-1 Midfi elder Mateo Kovacic added: one of seven medical profes- win over Scotland while also setting up too well after nine magical seasons with “He is their motor, the heartbeat of Poland and Slovakia, Croatia are likely “They know we are a good team too so it sionals under investigation Ivan Perisic’s headed goal with a deadly Real Madrid although they will not be Croatia who conducts their orchestra. to come out and attack Spain and not should be a cracking encounter. for manslaughter over Ma- corner. The 2018 Ballon d’Or winner able to count on any inside informa- All their play goes through his feet,” just defend, which could play into their Spain have phenomenal midfi eld radona’s death in a case that is Croatia’s talisman and arguably the tion on the midfi elder as Luis Enrique Olmo added. “But Croatia is not just hands after struggling in their fi rst two players, but we can match them in every has gripped Argentina. Ac- most talented player in tomorrow’s decided not to include any Real players Modric.” group games. department. We have to take the game cording to the investigation game. Spain’s players know Modric all in his squad. Olmo also said that unlike Sweden, Olmo, who moved from Barcelona’s to them.” record, Cosachov and neu- rosurgeon Leopoldo Luque, 39, were the key personnel in SPOTLIGHT PREMIER LEAGUE charge of Maradona’s care. The phase of question- ing suspects will finish next Monday with Luque appear- Tottenham step up ing before prosecutors. He Injuries pile up in France squad has also repeatedly denied any blame. In the next phase Reuters Nuno talks and target of the investigation, a judge Bucharest will decide whether or not to order a trial. If found guilty at defender Kounde the end of the process, which orld champions France are fac- could take years, the seven ing mounting injuries ahead By Fabrizio Romano Tottenham, who have seen risk between eight and 25 of their Euro 2020 Round of The Guardian their pursuit of a number of years in prison. All are barred 16 match against Switzerland candidates come to noth- from leaving the country Wtomorrow, with coach Didier Deschamps ing, have also sounded out the pending the outcome. struggling for options. ottenham have former Barcelona manager Prosecutors opened an The French qualifi ed less convincingly stepped up talks with Ernesto Valverde to gauge his investigation after a board than initially expected after drawing 2-2 Nuno Espirito Santo interest. of experts looking into the against Portugal in their fi nal group game, over their manager’s Former player Jurgen Klins- footballer’s death found he having won one of three Group F games. Tjob in a move driven by Fabio mann too has declared his in- had received inadequate care France left-back Lucas Hernandez had to Paratici, the managing director terest in becoming Tottenham and was abandoned to his be taken off with a knee injury after the rstfi of football. manager after the club broke fate. Last week, a lawyer for half and remains doubtful against Switzer- Paratici is an admirer of the off talks with Gennaro Gat- co-accused nurse Dahiana land. His replacement Lucas Digne is also former Wolves manager and a tuso, who left Fiorentina last Madrid, 36, told prosecutors nursing a hamstring injury and looks un- year ago, in his previous role week after a disagreement over the doctors in charge had likely to be fi t for tomorrow, forcing poten- at Juventus, he included Nuno transfer policy, having been in “killed Diego.” “In the end, tial changes to Deschamps’ defensive plans. France’s forward Antoine Griezmann arrives for a training session in Bucharest. (AFP) on his shortlist of candidates to charge there for just over three there were many warning Digne’s replacement in the game against succeed Maurizio Sarri as head weeks, and entered discussions signs that Maradona was go- Portugal, midfi elder Adrien Rabiot, has the clear favourites for the game against the tournament in 67 years, ever since the 1954 coach of the Serie A club. That with Spurs. ing to die, give or take a day. himself been dealing with a nagging ankle Swiss. World Cup which they hosted. Switzerland job went to Andrea Pirlo, who Meanwhile, the club want And none of the doctors did injury since the end of the season and is not Deschamps, attempting to become the qualifi ed as one of the best third-placed lasted one season before being to sign at least one central anything to prevent it,” attor- yet at 100%. To make matters worse, Tho- fi rst man to win World Cups and Euros both teams. sacked last month. defender and have included ney Rodolfo Baque said at the mas Lemar suff ered a leg injury and Marcus as player and coach, may be struggling with “Anything can happen in a tournament,” Nuno was not under serious Sevilla’s Jules Kounde among time. Psychologist Diaz, 29, Thuram hurt his right thigh in training on fi t defenders but he has won back a striker. said Switzerland defender Ricardo Rodrigu- consideration by Spurs until their targets. has — like Cosachov — denied Thursday, hobbling off the pitch with the Karim Benzema, who was recalled to ez “We are fi t and ready. We have to be com- the arrival of Paratici, whose The 22-year-old, part of the psychiatric medication support of medical staff . France are already the national team for the tournament af- pact in defence and use our few chances. We appointment was confi rmed France’s Euro 2020 squad, is Maradona was taking had without Ousmane Dembele after the for- ter a nearly six-year absence, scored twice know the French have a fantastic bench as just under a fortnight ago. expected to be sold for less worsened his heart condition. ward had to be taken off injured in their sec- against Portugal. The French have also never well. We will give it all we have. We have al- Nuno left Wolves at the end of than his €80mn (£69mn) As well as Diaz and Cosa- ond group game against Hungary. lost to the Swiss in a competitive game. ready trained penalties and almost everyone last season after four years and release clause. Joachim An- chov, four other people under Demebele has been ruled out for the rest While they are very familiar with the lat- scored,” he smiled. recently held advanced discus- dersen, who spent last season investigation have given of the tournament and will require knee sur- ter stages of a tournament, their opponents The winners will play the winners of the sions with Crystal Palace and on loan at Fulham from Lyon, testimony so far. gery. But despite the injuries France remain have not reached a quarter-fi nal of a major Round of 16 tie between Spain and Croatia. Everton. is also on Tottenham’s list. Gulf Times Sunday, June 27, 2021 5 SPORT

CYCLING/TOUR DE FRANCE GOLF Day grabs Travelers lead despite sore back Alaphilippe in lead with Bubba one back

AFP Korda fi res 63 to grab New York Women’s PGA Championship lead ustralia’s Jason Day, Nelly Korda birdied her last six aft er opening stage chasing his fi rst US holes to shoot a nine-under PGA victory since 2018, par 63 and seize a one-stroke fi red an eight-under lead over fellow American FOUR-TIME CHAMPION FROOME AMONG RIDERS HURT IN CRASH 7.5KM FROM LINE parA 62 despite a sore back to Lizette Salas after Friday’s seize a one-stroke lead on Friday second round of the Women’s Reuters at the Travelers Championship. PGA Championship. Landerneau, France The former world number one, Korda, the 22-year-old daugh- Deceuninck-Quick-Step rider Julian who last won three years ago at ter of retired Czech tennis star Alaphilippe of France celebrates as he Quail Hollow, fi red eight birdies in Petr Korda, stood on 11-under renchman Julian Alaphilippe re- crosses the fi nish line to win the fi rst stage a bogey-free round to stand on 131 133 after 36 holes at Atlanta covered from a crash to win the of the Tour de France yesterday. (Reuters) after 36 holes at TPC River High- Athletic Club in quest of her fi rst stage of the Tour de France, lands in Cromwell, Connecticut. first major title. “I guess I just an incident-strewn 197.8km ride Day was one stroke ahead of two- blacked out out there,” Korda fromF Brest, to take the inaugural leader’s time Masters champion Bubba said of her run, which she said yellow jersey yesterday. Watson and fi rst-round co-lead- was helped by having specta- The world champion burst away from er Kramer Hickok with England’s tors for the event. the main pack with 2.3km left of a bru- Justin Rose and South Korean Lee “It helps to have a crowd here,” tal climb up to the Cote de la Fosse aux Kyoung-hoon in a pack on 133. she said. Loups, and none of his rivals could match Day, the 2015 PGA Champion- “I feel like when the crowd his power. Australian Michael Matthews ship winner, missed three con- is here, they get behind you, took second place, with Slovenian Primoz secutive cuts before sharing 44th they kind of give you a lot of Roglic coming home third, eight seconds at the PGA Championship then energy, as well.” behind, with most of the top favourites withdrew from the Memorial with Salas fired a second straight including defending champion Tadej a back injury earlier this month. 67 to stand on 134 with Pogacar and 2018 winner Geraint Tho- Back-nine starter Day birdied the France’s Celine Boutier, mas on their wheels. par-3 11th and par-5 13th from in- Canada’s Alena Sharp and “I really wanted to win this stage, my side fi ve feet and holed a 12-foot American Cydney Clanton (Deceuninck-Quick Step) team believed birdie putt at the 18th to start a sharing a distant third on 137. in me and protected me all day long, I run of three in a row. had to fi nish it off in the last ascent,” said Day dropped his approach Alaphilippe, his knee bloodied from an inches from the cup at the fourth National in 2012 and 2014, be- earlier crash. for a tap-in birdie then rolled in gan on the back nine and sank a “I attacked far from the line to test my a 36-foot birdie putt at the par-3 10-foot birdie putt at the par-5 rivals but when I saw there was a gap I fi fth and added another from 14 13th hole and another at the par- thought I should continue.” feet at the seventh before sink- 4 second. Watson then charged Hot favourite Mathieu van der Poel, ing a 10-foot par save putt at the with three birdies in a row, mak- who was out to take the storied “Mail- eighth. Watson shot 66 despite ing putts inside fi ve feet at the lot Jaune” on his debut - a feat never snapping his pink driver, which par-3 fi fth and par-5 sixth before achieved by his French grandfather Ray- snapped apart during his swing rolling in a 50-foot birdie putt at mond Poulidor in 14 participations de- on the second tee. Watson, who the seventh, but missed a 3-foot spite eight podium fi nishes - had too won green jackets at Augusta par putt at the ninth. much of an eff ort to make at the foot of the last climb after being held up, and the Dutchman had to settle for 20th in the end. The stage was hit by two massive crashes that brought down numerous riders. Among them were four-time champion Chris Froome, who looked in pain as he climbed on his bike again af- ter being sent down in the second crash Overall contenders Miguel Angel 7.5km from the fi nish. Lopez of Colombia and German Emanuel RESULTS The Briton, who has little hope of win- Buchmann, among the riders held up, ning the race after failing to rediscover crossed the line one minute 49 seconds Stage Thomas (GBR/INE) 8, 11. Esteban Chaves top form following a horror crash two behind Alaphilippe, who bagged a career 1. Julian Alaphilippe (FRA/DEC) 4hrs (COL/BIK) 8, 12. Peio Bilbao (ESP/BAH) years ago, ended the stage almost 15 min- sixth Tour stage win despite also being 39min 05sec, 2. Michael Matthews (AUS/ 8, 13. Jonas Rasmussen (DEN/JUM) 8, 14. utes off the pace. involved in the pile-up. Briton Tao Ge- BIK) at 8sec, 3. Primoz Roglic (SLO/JUM) Alexey Lutsenko (KAZ/AST) 8, 15. Enric In the fi rst crash, German Tony Martin oghegan Hart fi nished the day 5:33 off the 8, 4. Jack Haig (AUS/BAH) 8, 5. Wilco Kel- Mas (ESP/MOV) 8, 16. Rigoberto Uran was sent tumbling when he rode straight pace after being caught up in the crash. derman (NED/BOR) 8, 6. Tadej Pogacar (COL/EF1) 8, 17. Nairo Quintana (COL/ into a cardboard sign being held out by a The incident also claimed the race’s (SLO/UAE) 8, 7. David Gaudu (FRA/ ARK) 8, 18. Vincenzo Nibali (ITA/TRE) fan looking the other way at a television fi rst victim, with German Jasha Suet- FDJ) 8, 8. Sergio Higuita (COL/EF1) 8, 9. 8, 19. Kasper Asgreen (DEN/DEC) 8, 20. Jason Day of Australia reacts in pain on the ninth hole during the camera, creating chaos with 47 kilome- terlin of Team DSM abandoning the Tour Bauke Mollema (NED/TRE) 8, 10. Geraint Mathieu van der Poel (NED/ALP) 8. second round of the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands tres left of the stage. due to the injuries he sustained. in Cromwell, Connecticut. (Getty Images/AFP)

CRICKET RUGBY Injured Lions captain Jones England wrap up series win out of South Africa tour

AFP over SL with 89-run victory Edinburgh, United Kingdom Reuters Southampton he British and Irish Lions suff ered a major setback ahead of their ngland won the fi nal tour of South Africa Twenty20 match against Twhen captain Alun Wyn Jones Sri Lanka in handsome was ruled out of the trip after fashion with a dominant suff ering a shoulder injury in 89-runE victory, giving the hosts yesterday’s warm-up match a 3-0 series sweep in Southamp- against Japan in Edinburgh. ton yesterday. Veteran lock Jones, 35, went Chasing 181 to win after Eng- off just eight minutes into a land’s openers stitched together 28-10 win over Japan at Mur- a century stand, Sri Lanka col- rayfi eld, a curtain-raiser for an lapsed and lost wickets at regu- eight-game tour of South Af- British and Irish Lions’ Alun Wyn Jones with a trophy after their lar intervals as fast bowler David rica that culminates with three win over Japan in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Reuters) Willey fi nished with 3-27 while Tests against the world cham- fi ve others picked up at least one pion Springboks. astating news.” The Lions are are among the candidates to wicket. Earlier, England fi nished “He’s dislocated his shoul- due to leave for South Africa take over the role. This was set their innings on 180-6 after der,” said Lions head coach War- on Sunday, with former Wales to be Jones’ fourth Lions tour opening batsmen Dawid Ma- ren Gatland, with Jones appear- boss Gatland now having to following a 2009 series loss in lan (76) and Jonny Bairstow (51) ing to suff er the injury when he name both a replacement and a South Africa, the victorious built a 105-run stand. Malan had was cleared out at a ruck. “Prog- new captain. 2013 trip to Australia and the come into the side as a replace- nosis is best case scenario is he Wales hooker Ken Owens, drawn 2017 campaign against ment for Jos Buttler who was might be okay for the fi rst Test who led the side initially when New Zealand. ruled out with a torn calf muscle. (at Cape Town on July 24). Jones left the fi eld at Mur- The Lions’ fi rst game in The pair smashed fi ve bound- England’s Eoin Morgan and teammates celebrates with the trophy after winning the Twenty20 International “However, we’ve had a chat rayfi eld, as well as England South Africa is against the aries each while Malan also Series against Sri Lanka at the Rose Bowl in Southampton yesterday. (Reuters) and it looks like we’re going to captain Owen Farrell and Red Emirates Lions in Johannes- cleared the rope four times, have to replace him. It’s dev- Rose team-mate Maro Itoje burg on July 3. with Isuru Udana and Wanindu Bangladesh add Mahmudullah to squad for Zimbabwe Test Hasaranga taking the brunt of the devastating blows, conced- Bangladesh yesterday included batsman Mah- series in Zimbabwe in more than eight years. NBA: Bucks dominate game two to even East fi nal series 1-1 ing 55 and 42 runs respectively. mudullah Riyad in their Test squad for next Seamer Dushmantha Cha- month’s one-off series against Zimbabwe. Herath, Prince join Bangladesh coaching staff Giannis Antetokounmpo from the field and Holiday as the Tampa Bay Lightning meera was the only Lankan The national Twenty20 skipper makes a return to Bangladesh yesterday appointed former Sri Lanka scored 25 points and Jrue went nine-of-14 for the Bucks, booked their spot in the NHL bowler who could walk back to the Test team after 16 months, having played his spinner Rangana Herath and South Africa batsman Holiday delivered 22 as the who shot 52 percent overall. finals with a 1-0 victory over the pavilion with his head held last Test in February 2020 against Pakistan. Ashwell Prince as consultants for the national third-seeded Milwaukee Bucks Both Antetokounmpo and the New York Islanders. high after fi nishing his spell with The only Test of the series against Zimbabwe will men’s cricket team. The appointments come ahead crushed the Atlanta Hawks Holiday rested in the fourth Vasilevskiy stopped 18 shots a career-best 4-17, dismissing begin on July 7 at the Harare Sports Club. of a tour of Zimbabwe in July when Bangladesh will 125-91 to level their Eastern quarter. Game three is Sunday to earn his fifth career playoff Malan as well as cleaning up the Mahmudullah has been included as a back-up to play a Test, three one-day internationals and three Conference final series at 1-1. in Atlanta. Brook Lopez scored shutout and fourth of these middle order. Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim, who have some Twenty20 internationals. Milwaukee used a 20-0 run in 16 points and Khris Middleton playoff s as the defending The two teams will move on injury concerns, said Bangladesh Cricket Board Herath, the most successful left-arm spinner in the the second quarter to seize added 15 points and eight as- Stanley Cup champion Light- to a three-match one-day inter- cricket operations chief Akram Khan. Bangladesh history of Test cricket with 433 wickets, replaces command, outscoring the sists in the win. ning edged the Islanders in national series which begins on will also play a three-match one-day international New Zealand’s Daniel Vettori. Batting consult- fifth-seeded Hawks 43-17 in the game seven on Friday. Tuesday. series and as many T20 internationals in Zimba- ant Prince, replacing Englishman Jon Lewis, was quarter to grab a 77-45 halft- TAMPA OUSTS ISLES, TO The Lightning will now square bwe. The three ODIs are part of the ICC Cricket capped 119 times for South Africa in the three ime lead in front of a crowd of FACE CANADIENS IN FINAL off against the upstart Mon- BRIEF SCORES World Cup Super League. Mahmudullah, who is formats. The 44-year-old left-hander previously 16,400 at the Fiserv Forum in Forward Yanni Gourde scored treal Canadiens in the NHL England 180 for 6 (Malan 76, also a member of the ODI squad, will lead the team worked as batting consultant for the South Africa Milwaukee. a shorthanded goal and Andrei best-of-seven championship Bairstow 51, Chameera 4-17) beat in the three-match T20 series. The Bangladesh A team and had also been the A side’s interim head Two-time league MVP Antetok- Vasilevskiy recorded his fourth series which begins Monday Sri Lanka 91 (Binura 20, Willey team will leave home on June 29 for their first coach. ounmpo made 11 of 18 shots shutout of the postseason in Florida. 3-27, Curran 2-14) by 89 runs Gulf Times 6 Sunday, June 27, 2021 OLYMPICS

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT All smiles for Biles, as Tokyo comes into Fraser-Pryce wins focus at US trials

Reuters on the fi ve years since her previ- New York ous trials. “I’m a lot more emo- tional this time around which is so crazy. Even walking out I was our-time Olympic gold tearing up and crying.” 100m Jamaica medallist Simone Biles By the end of the night she backed up her reputation had topped the fi eld with a total as the world’s greatest score of 60.565, followed by Su- gymnastF on Friday, dominat- nisa Lee and Jordan Chiles, who ing the fi rst day of the women’s fi nished 2.899 and 3.422 points competition at the US Olympic off the lead, respectively. gymnastics trials, less than a MyKayla Skinner (56.598), 24, month before the Tokyo Games. an alternate at the 2016 Olym- Olympic trials While Biles can boast one of pics, fi nished the evening fourth the most decorated careers in in the standings, months after the history of the sport, the 25- recovering from pneumonia and ‘The aim is definitely to stand on top of the podium in Tokyo’ time world medallist must earn a Covid-19 diagnosis. her ticket to Tokyo this weekend The top two fi nishers will earn Reuters in St Louis, as Olympic hopefuls spots on the team, while two Kingston, Jamaica vie for a spot on Team USA. members will be determined by She made clear that would be a selection committee with one no problem. more individual quota spot to be wo-time Olympic Competing in front of a fi lled. Champion Shelly-Ann packed crowd at the Dome at Lee, 18, widely considered a Fraser-Pryce, the fast- America’s Center, the 24-year- frontrunner to make the team est woman alive, sped to old put on a show in her fl oor after a strong performance at the Ta 10.71 second (wind +1.0 m/s) routine, unleashing her signa- US national championships last win in the women’s 100m on ture triple-twisting double back month, put up the top score on Friday, the second day of Jamai- manoeuvre to pick up a top score the uneven bars (15.300), after ca’s national athletics champi- of 15.366 – an improvement over picking up bronze in the event at onships. her best of 14.95 at nationals – the 2019 World Championships. With her trademark rocket with a 6.800 diffi culty. The women will return to the start, Fraser-Pryce separated from “Going into this one, I know dome today for the second and the fi eld at 50 metres and closed exactly what to expect,” said fi nal night of their competition, out the win to book her ticket to Biles, a seven-times all-around as the men wrap up their compe- a fourth consecutive Olympic national champion, refl ecting tition yesterday. Games in Tokyo next month. Rio Olympic 400m bronze medallist Shericka Jackson produced a late burst to take second in 10.82secs, ahead of reigning Olympic Cham- pion Elaine Thompson-Herah with 10.84. Fraser-Pryce, a four-time world 100m champion, told Reuters she was excited to beat a tough fi eld in a quick time just a few weeks after setting a Jamai- can national record with a blis- tering 10.63secs. “It’s amazing and I think all credit goes to my Simone Biles celebrates after competing on the floor at the US coach (Reynaldo Walcott). You Women’s Olympic Gymnastics trials in St Louis, Missouri. (Reuters) know he’s such a fi rm believer in what I can do and what I’m ca- pable of,” she said. “After the 10.63 (June 5) it was Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Aussie equestrian veteran Hoy qualifi es rough! My hamstrings were just Fraser-Prycer celebrates for record eighth Olympics giving problems after that run, aft er winning the women’s but I said champions show up no 100m at the JAAA National Veteran equestrian Anthony to become just the 13th person matter what, you always show Senior Championships Hoy will compete in a record- in Olympic history to contest up and you just have to make in Kingston, Jamaica. extending eighth Olympics eight Games. sure that when you get to the (Reuters) after being named on the Hoy will be joined by grand- line you deliver,” Fraser-Pryce Australian team Friday, 37 years mother Mary Hanna, 66, aboard added. after his debut at the 1984 Los mare Calanta after qualifying “The aim is defi nitely to stand Angeles Games. for her sixth Olympics, the first on top of the podium in Tokyo,” to who wants it more, so that’s The three-time gold medallist Australian woman to do so and said Fraser-Pryce who bat- Dawson breaks leg ahead of Olympics been the change for me this sea- will stretch his own record of the oldest ever. tled through a toe injury to take son,” the Rio Olympic fi nalist the most Olympic appearances Equestrian Australia chief bronze at the Rio Games fi ve New Zealand sailor Erica Dawson broke her leg Friday that was accompanied by a picture of her said. by an Australian athlete, while Darren Gocher said the record- years ago. in a training accident in Australia this week and in a hospital bed. “On Tuesday in Mooloolaba In the men’s 400m Jaheel at 62 he becomes the oldest setting Hoy and Hanna were a “I mean, 2016 was bittersweet faces a race to be fit for her Olympic debut in I came off the boat and got hit by the rudder Hyde also claimed his ticket to male competitor ever from his testament to the longevity of and it happened and I think I Japan next month. breaking my fibula. “... There have been many a second straight Olympics by country. the sport. want to see what I’m able to do Dawson, who has been working with skipper tears, but also managed many laughs despite clocking a career-best 48.18secs “To represent Australia at in- “Today we welcome not only healthy and fi t and ready to go, Micah Wilkinson alongside the Australian team the situation we’re in. I’ll do my absolute best for to win. His time ranks 5th fastest ternational level over so many the selection of a diverse and so I’m looking forward to that in Mooloolaba, fell off her Nacra 17 catamaran on a speedy recovery to be on that start line with so far this year. years has been the greatest talented team of athletes, but opportunity.” Tuesday and broke her left fibula after hitting the Micah and come out stronger.” “It’s been a long time coming. privilege and honour of my life,” we also celebrate the core Shericka Jackson, who had rudder of the boat. Dawson and Wilkinson are scheduled to begin I haven’t run a pb (personal best) he said. values of our sport, where men set a lifetime best 10.77secs in “Not ideal situation five weeks out from the their Olympic campaign at Enoshima on July 28. since 2017. So all of that emotion “I have never set out to break and women compete on equal the semi-fi nals, was elated to Olympics,” Dawson said in an Instagram post on The Tokyo Games will begin on July 23. (AFP) at the end was because of that,” records on my number of Olym- terms and age is no barrier to take second in 10.82secs and said Hyde who punched the air pic Games participations – I am achieving success at the high- also punch a ticket to Tokyo. She and roared in celebration. just a country boy who loves his est level,” he said. moved up to joint 13th on the all 10.00secs (wind 0.6 m/s). Whyte ended second in 54.94, down to improving her psycho- In fi eld events, Chanice Por- horses, has a huge passion for Australia’s equestrian team also time list. Meanwhile Commonwealth ahead of Leah Nugent with logical game this season. ter cut the sand at 6.32 metres our sport and thrives on being boasts Rio bronze medallists In the men’s 100m, Tyquendo Games champion Janieve Rus- 54.97secs. “I’m really working on my to win the women’s long jump, competitive at the top end.” Chris Burton and Shane Rose Tracey produced a late charge sell scooped her third national Delighted to be making her state of mind and I’m physi- while Jordan Scott won the He will ride Vassily de Lassos, and debutants Simone Pearce to overtake 2012 Olympic silver title in the 400m hurdles with second Olympic team, Russell cally ready. I’ve put in the work men’s triple jump with 16.50 a 12-year-old gelding, in Tokyo and Kelly Layne. medallist Yohan Blake to win in a season-best 54.07secs. Ronda told Reuters her good outing was at training, so it will come down metres.

ATHLETICS Swimming Australia says ‘unacceptable Farah fails to qualify for Olympics in last-gasp bid behaviour’ a decades-long problem Swimming Australia admitted “unac- A chair of the independent panel is AFP Despite having the help of pace- ceptable behaviour” in the sport set to be announced within days with London makers in Manchester, his time im- dated back decades yesterday after the governing body having already proved by only three seconds to reports that six more elite athletes spoken to a number of parents and remain well off the pace needed to plan to make complaints about swimmers and asked them to make our-time Olympic champion qualify. After his Belgian training misconduct. submissions. Mo Farah’s hopes of ending partner Bashir Abdi peeled off the The governing body has been under Swimming Australia has previously his track career at the Tokyo front with nine laps to go, Farah stead- the gun since dual Olympic silver- announced a separate strategic re- Games ended as he fell short ily started falling behind the required medallist Maddie Groves pulled out view across the organisation, led by ofF the qualifying mark for the 10,000 time and he wore a pained expression of the Australian trials this month, new chief executive Alex Baumann, metres in Manchester on Friday. as he came down the fi nal straight on blaming “misogynistic perverts” and a two-time Canadian Olympic gold The 38-year-old won a special- the last lap. That contrasted sharply “their boot lickers”. medallist. ly-arranged race to give him a fi - to the kick Farah had in his glory years In response, it announced plans to set Groves, who came second in the nal chance to qualify at the British to become an Olympic great. up an independent female panel to 200-metre butterfly and 4x100 med- Championships, but his time of 27 He famously capped “Super Satur- investigate issues relating to women ley relay at the 2016 Rio Olympics, minutes 47 seconds was nearly 20 day” on the track for Team GB at the and girls and held a “productive” sent shockwaves through the sport seconds off the time required to qual- home games in 2012 as Jessica Ennis- meeting with Groves on Friday. with her allegations. ify. Farah won the 5,000m-10,000m Hill claimed heptathlon gold and “We acknowledge some members The target of her comments was double at the London Olympics in Greg Rutherford won the long jump of the swimming community have not clear, but she said: “Let this be a 2012 and repeated the feat four years in the space of 44 minutes. experienced unacceptable behaviour, lesson to all misogynistic perverts in later in Rio de Janeiro. Farah also won six world champi- some of this dates back decades,” it sport and their boot lickers. “You can He then turned his attention to the onship gold medals and two silvers. said in a statement yesterday. no longer exploit young women and marathon, but after mixed results re- However, his success has been “The work to address and remedy girls, body shame or medically gas- turned to the track in the hope of one dogged by his links to banned Ameri- this has been ongoing.” light them and then expect them to fi nal shot at Olympic glory. can coach Alberto Salazar. Farah was Local media reported another six represent you so you can earn your “I’ve been lucky enough to have coached by Salazar at the Nike Or- former swimmers had come forward annual bonus. Time’s UP.” had the long career I’ve had. I’m very egon Project from 2011 to 2017. with new complaints, at least one of Former elite swimmer Jenny McMa- grateful but that’s all I had today,” said Salazar is serving a four-year ban which was of a sexual nature. hon, a Commonwealth Games gold Farah, who refused to confi rm if he for breaking anti-doping rules fol- The governing body said it had not medallist who is now a senior aca- had just run his fi nal track race. lowing a probe by the US Anti-Dop- been formally notified and was not demic at the University of Tasmania, “It’s a tough one. I always said if I ing Agency (USADA). Farah has never aware of the specifics, but that it was subsequently claimed the sport had can’t compete with the best I’m not tested positive for any banned sub- “deeply concerned and understands long suff ered from a “degrading and just going to go there to fi nish in a stance, but admitted last year to have the gravity of such claims”. abusive” culture. fi nal. Tonight it shows it’s not good suff ered “fi nancially and emotion- “Swimming Australia has ethics and McMahon said she had spent 14 years enough.” ally” from the backlash to his asso- integrity processes in place, including interviewing hundreds of swimmers Farah was blighted by an ankle ciation with Salazar. Born in Somalia, independent avenues,” it said. “We and coaches, uncovering a pattern of problem when he fi nished eighth at Farah arrived in England at the age of will always investigate any complaint “toxic” coaching habits. the British 10,000m Championships eight and was knighted in 2017 for his Britain’s Mo Farah during the British Athletics Championships’ 10,000m race at the with rigour.” (AFP) on June 5 in a time of 27:50.64. services to athletics. Manchester Regional Arena in Manchester yesterday. (Reuters) Gulf Times Sunday, June 27, 2021 7 TENNIS

EXPERIENCE TO CHERISH SPOTLIGHT Inspired by former Returning Murray great Goolagong, Australia’s Barty ready for action

Reuters face despite winning her maiden savours Wimbledon major on Parisian clay in 2019, London arrived in London with a lack of match practice on grass and a orld number one worrying string of injuries in the Ash Barty yester- past one month. day declared her- Her Roland Garros campaign self fi t and ready was curtailed in the second hit-out with Federer Wto launch her Wimbledon cam- round when she had to retire paign as she looks to emulate due to a hip injury she suff ered fellow Australian Evonne Gool- in training while a muscle strain ‘GETTING TO PLAY WITH ROGER WAS REALLY COOL FOR ME’ agong by winning the grasscourt in her serving arm forced her to major 50 years after her idol quit during the quarter-fi nals in just being a practice session achieved the feat. Rome. pre-major with a top player, Barty, who is the fi rst indige- “Now I feel like I’m fi t, I’m and focusing kind of on my- nous Australian since Goolagong ready to play, I’m excited to play,” self. to top the world rankings, will who will kick off proceedings on “I’m appreciating those mark the golden jubilee of the centre court on Tuesday in the things more. When I take a victory by wearing a dress in- absence of defending champion step back from that, as a ten- spired by the 69-yar-old’s 1971 Simona Halep, who withdrew nis fan, getting to play with Wimbledon outfi t. this week with injury. Roger Federer two days before “It’s a really special anniver- “My preparation has been as Wimbledon, it’s really great. sary for a lot of Australians, but good as it could be. I couldn’t ask I haven’t had the opportunity for indigenous Australians in anything more of myself to give to do that sort of stuff over the particular I think this is a really myself an opportunity to play last few years.” special one,” a beaming Barty here at Wimbledon. While Murray has proven told reporters, adding that Gool- “Yes, I haven’t played a tour- pedigree at Wimbledon, ex- agong’s iconic dress was an in- nament leading in, but it’s not pectation will be lower than spiration for her. something that I focus on, not the last time he played there “For me to be able to wear an something that I’m concerned and even a run to the second outfi t inspired by Evonne’s icon- about. I’ve done everything that week would be considered a ic scalloped dress is really amaz- I possibly can to be here.” worthy achievement. ing. Before we had put in the It will be an emotional fi rst- Ranked 119th in the world, process of creating my version round match for Barty against Murray has won only two of her iconic dress, I wanted to Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro, Tour-level matches this year make sure she was okay. Called who recently returned to com- and was overpowered by her and asked her. She was really petitive tennis after battling Italian Matteo Berrettini at excited. cancer. Queen’s Club last week. “I hope that my version of it, Suarez Navarro, currently He will open with a first- my outfi t, can do the same for ranked 138th in the world, said round match against Georgian the next generation of indig- she intended to quit at the end of 24th seed Nikoloz Basilashvili enous youth coming forward.” the 2020 season but now hopes – a player he has never faced. Goolagong said the scalloped to retire after the Tokyo Olym- While the true test of Mur- dress was her favourite and pics. ray’s physical shape will come Barty’s tribute was a “wonderful “It’s incredible to have Carla in the heat of battle, he is up- honour” for her. back. When she came back on beat about his practice level. Barty, 25, will be hoping to be- tour, it was just a sense of excite- “I’ve been performing in my come only the third Australian ment from everyone,” Barty said. practices with top players, I’m woman to win Wimbledon after “I think for me to be able to ex- not going out there and getting Margaret Court and Goolagong perience opening Centre Court whacked. I’m competing well Cawley, who also won a second on Tuesday with her is going to with all of the players that I All England Club title in 1980. be really cool. practiced with,” he said. The Queensland native, who “I hope that we have a great “I’ll just go out there and picks grass as her favourite sur- match.” I’ll compete for every point. Reuters show he can still compete at If my body hurts afterwards, London the highest level. fine. It’s more the build-up Murray beat Federer to win that’s the hard part, knowing the 2012 Olympic gold medal how much to push, having the ndy Murray has on Wimbledon’s Centre Court, mentality to really go for it in played Roger Federer a few weeks after losing to the training.” Eight-time Wim- 25 times in his glit- Swiss in the Wimbledon final. bledon champion Federer said tering career includ- They have contested match- it was good to see Murray back Aing Grand Slam and Olympic es on the world’s biggest stag- on the grass. finals, but he admits that get- es, but Murray said hitting “It was very nice sharing ting to practice with the Swiss with Federer this week made the court again with Andy. We great ahead of this year’s tour- him realise how great it was were trying to think when the nament felt extra special. to be back on the Wimbledon last time was when we shared British favourite Murray, lawns. a practice court together,” Fe- Wimbledon champion in 2013 “Getting to play with Roger derer said. and 2016, has not played a sin- was really cool for me. They’re “I thought he looked good. gles match at the All England the sort of things that prob- To be honest, you can see how Club since 2017 and has also ably like six, seven years ago comfortable he is on the grass. undergone two hip surgeries. I wouldn’t have given any Clearly it’s just practice, we’re But the 34-year-old returns thought to it,” Murray told re- trying things. But I hope he as a wildcard this year hop- porters. Britain’s Andy Murray (also caricatured) attends a press conference can go deep here, have a nice Australia’s Ashleigh Barty attends a press conference at The All ing to turn back the clock and “I would have seen that as at The All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon. run. Same for me.” England Tennis Club in Wimbledon.

BOTTOMLINE ROUND-UP Medvedev warms Tsitsipas: Greek star who was up for grass major with Mallorca win ‘just a few breaths from dying’ 6-3, 6-2 in the fi nal. AFP a two sets lead in the fi nal over Djokovic orld number two “Everyone knows I love to play London before the world number one mounted an Daniil Medvedev on grass, and I really feel well,” epic comeback to claim victory. warmed up for next Kerber said after her fi rst title Tsitsipas has seven titles including a week’s Wimble- triumph since winning her third f Stefanos Tsitsipas becomes fi rst Masters at Monte Carlo in this year’s Wdon in style, taming big-serving Grand Slam, at Wimbledon in Greece’s fi rst Grand Slam champion clay court swing. American Sam Querrey 6-4, 2018. at Wimbledon, his fi rst thoughts will While he was still 21, he captured the 6-2 in the Mallorca Open fi nal “Of course, to play the fi nal be for his father Apostolos whose 2019 season-ending ATP Finals title, yesterday to win his maiden ti- here, with this atmosphere and Isplit-second bravery once saved his son becoming the youngest champion since tle on grass. The second-seeded these fans, it’s great. I love to from drowning. Lleyton Hewitt in 2001. Russian, a two-time Grand Slam play on this surface. Let’s see and There are not many athletes whose ca- Proving he has nerves of steel when the fi nalist, beat Querrey for his 11th hope if I can continue this next reers and outlooks have been forged by pressure is ramped up, Tsitsipas saved 12 ATP Tour title with all his previ- week (at Wimbledon).” near-death experiences, but the 22-year- of 12 break points to defeat Federer on his ous titles coming on hardcourts. Kerber, who produced two old world number four is an exception. way to the 2019 Australian Open semi- Medvedev broke Querrey’s comeback wins on Friday to In 2015, while taking part in a third-tier fi nal. serve once in the opening set and reach the fi nal, was in command- Futures event in Crete, a teenage Tsitsipas Blond-haired and standing 6ft 4ins twice in second while allowing ing form and won 77% of points and a friend went swimming but almost (1.93m) tall, Tsitsipas is the sport’s pic- no breakpoint opportunities to when returning the second serve fatally misjudged the strength of the cur- ture-perfect public face and seen as the the American on his own serve. of her Czech opponent. rents. natural heir to Djokovic, Nadal and Fed- He sealed the match in 62 Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko The two boys were just moments from erer. minutes with his 10th ace. warmed up for Wimbledon by being swept away until quick-thinking Forty years on from Bjorn Borg mania at Medvedev is seeded second winning an all-Baltic battle Apostolos dived in to guide them back to Wimbledon, he is likely to fi nd himself in at the grasscourt Grand Slam against Anett Kontaveit to claim safety. the crosshairs of the British tabloids over and will begin his campaign on the Eastbourne title yesterday, “We couldn’t breathe, I felt awful to be the next two weeks at the All England Tuesday against Germany’s Jan- crowning an impressive week inside the water and was terrifi ed. I didn’t Tsitsipas shares the same birthday with career has been on a steadily upward Club. Lennard Struff , who ousted him with a 6-3, 6-3 victory at Dev- know how all this was going to end,” Tsit- Pete Sampras, who is also of Greek origin, curve. He is also developing rivalries which in his opening match in Halle last onshire Park. sipas recalled. and is studious, contemplative. He was ranked 210 in the world in his will keep fans engaged. week. The 2017 French Open cham- “My father saw us from afar and he He speaks Greek, English and Russian fi rst season but was inside the top 100 by Current world number two Daniil Germany’s Angelique Ker- pion has struggled in recent jumped in, started swimming towards us and when he is not producing his own the end of 2017 and as high as fi ve in 2018, Medvedev, who the Greek comfortably ber stepped up her Wimbledon years to match that form but the and pushed us towards the beach. I was on-the-road podcast is trying to master the fi rst Greek to achieve such a status. defeated in the quarter-fi nals in Paris, preparations by winning her fi rst Latvian’s fourth career title will just a few breaths away from dying.” Spanish and Chinese. By the time he was 21 he had already once described Tsitsipas’s game as “bor- tournament in three years yes- send her to the All England Club “If we were supposed to die and lose Sport is in his genes. Life-saving Apos- swept wins over the sport’s three biggest ing”. terday, when she claimed the in- full of confi dence. our lives that day, we would have to do it tolos is his coach while mother Julia Saln- beasts – Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal Tsitsipas called Medvedev a “bullshit augural Bad Homburg grasscourt “I’m really happy with the way together. My father was a hero. ikova is an ex-tennis pro. and Roger Federer. Russian” in a fi ery encounter in Miami. title. Back in a fi nal for the fi rst I played the whole week,” Ostap- “That was the day I saw life with a dif- His grandfather, Sergei Salnikov, was a Tsitsipas was the fi rst Greek man to win Djokovic, no stranger to controversy time in two years and playing enko told reporters. “There were ferent perspective. I remember after that 1956 Olympic gold medallist in football a tour title. himself, is a fan. on home soil, the former world some close matches, but I was how much psychologically it changed playing for the Soviet Union. This month he came agonisingly close “He is a hard worker, dedicated, nice number one broke Katerina Sini- fi ghting until the last moment. me.” Since turning pro in 2016, Tsitsipas’s to the French Open crown, racing into guy,” said the Serb. akova’s serve six times to win Reuters

Sunday, June 27, 2021 GULF TIMES SPORT

HORSE RACING Al Shaqab Racing’s Al Wakrah completes a double in France

Agencies drew clear under hands and heels Le Lion D’Angers, France to win easily by one and a half Osama al-Dafea’s Nrgizing races to third straight win lengths. Answer Me fi nished sec- ond for trainer JM Lefebvre and Agencies he Al Shaqab Racing- jockey Ludovic Boisseau. The F Warsaw, Poland bred and owned Al Monnier-trained and Maryline Wakrah notched up a Eon-ridden Acoustic fi nished second consecutive vic- third as she was further three- sama Omer al-Dafea’s Ttory when winning Prix de Vern quarters-of-a-length behind. Purebred Arabian Nrgiz- d’Anjou at Le Lion D’Angers yes- “She has left a very good im- Oing got the better of terday. pression there,” Veron said in a the field to take the fifth race Simone Brogi’s trainee started post-race interview on Equidia. on the card, the El Paso Stakes her career in early May. Seventh “Looking towards the future with over 1,800m, in Warsaw, Poland, on racecourse debut over 1,100m her, I think that a straight 1,400m yesterday. Trained by Macief at Tarbes, she quickly got her would be perfect.” Kacprzyk, and ridden by his act together and easily won her Bred by Al Shaqab Racing, Al regular partner, jockey Konrad maiden over the same distance at Wakrah is a daughter of Al Wu- Mazur, four-year-old Nrgizing Châteaubriant just before the end kair, who stands at Haras de Bou- recorded a third straight victory Konrad Mazur (right) rides Nrgizing to victory in the El Paso Stakes of the same month. Yesterday, the Fabrice Veron rides Al Wakrah to victory in the Prix de Vern d’Anjou in quetot and she is out of Al Tha- and remains unbeaten. in Warsaw, Poland, yesterday. bay fi lly clearly benefi ted from Le Lion D’Angers, France, yesterday. (Jean-Charles Briens) khira. She is the fourth produce Breaking on terms with the field, a step up in trip, to 1,400m, and of her dam and the second to win. Nrgizing was taken back by jockey the outside of the field and he be- Nrgizing pulled clear of his rivals managed to land the spoils of the stalls, Sam Blaster took the fi eld elled well throughout and was Al Thakhira, who was trained by Konrad Mazur as the field set a gan to close on the leader around to win by a length at the line and Class 2 contest for two-year-olds along in the early part of the settled behind the leader. As the Marco Botti and won the Rock- strong gallop. Turning for home, 400m from home. Switched inside score his third win over the dis- with Fabrice Veron in the saddle. race. Al Wakrah was always in fi eld swing for home, Al Wakrah afel Stakes (Group 2), also has a Nrgizing was asked for an eff ort on the long-time leader 200m out, tance of 1,800m in as many starts. Having broken well from the the leader’s slipstream. She trav- was asked to quicken and quickly yearling fi lly by Shalaa.

FORMULA 1 FOCUS Russia’s Artemiev wins Katara Verstappen on pole International Chess in a thrilling fi nish

By Sports Reporter at Red Bull Ring Doha

ussian Grandmaster Hamilton qualifies third but will start on the front row after a penalty to Bottas Vladislav Artemiev emerged as the Katara Reuters International Chess TournamentR 2021 champion late London, England on Wednesday defeating Ameri- can GM Andrew Tang in a grip- ed Bull’s Formula One champi- ping fi nal. Artemiev won 7.5-6.5 onship leader Max Verstappen via a thrilling ‘Online Bullet’ secured pole position for his tie-breaker while playing from team’s home Styrian Grand Prix their respective countries and yesterday,R with title rival Lewis Hamilton watched live by over 4,000 spec- joining him on the front row. tators. lowing the state’s precautionary Seven times world champion Hamilton The former young prodigies measures to prevent the spread qualifi ed third at Austria’s Red Bull Ring played a total of 11 Bullet games of the coronavirus (Covid-19) but moved up because Mercedes team- in total with both winning fi ve and the 2nd edition of the tour- mate Valtteri Bottas, second fastest, has games each and scoring two nament has shown its popular- a three-place grid penalty from Friday draws each to be locked at 6.5- ity and stature as a world-event practice. 6.5 forcing the tie-break. once again,” he added. Verstappen leads Hamilton by 12 points The 23-yr-old Artemiev has Mohamed al-Mudahka, Presi- after seven rounds, with three wins each, been one of the best young chess dent of Qatar Chess Federation, and today’s race promises to be another players, ranked fourth in the who interacted with all the par- thrilling battle between the champion- world for all players aged 25. A ticipants before the fi nal during ship’s two outstanding drivers. chess prodigy much like his fi nal the live broadcast, said, “The The pole was Verstappen’s second in a opponent the 21-year-old Tang, huge response from world play- row after France last weekend, and third Artemiev broke into the upper ers and the excitement during of the season. It was also Red Bull’s fi rst echelon of elite chess in 2019 be- their participation and interac- at the Spielberg circuit. coming one of the top-10 chess tive response of the chess com- “I’m sure again tomorrow it will be players in the world. munity from across the globe very tight,” said the Dutch driver after Artemiev received USD 4,000 has underlined the stature of posting a fastest lap of one minute 03.841 in top prize while Tang fetched this tournament. The smooth seconds. “Hopefully again it will be as in- USD 2,000. conduct of the event highlights teresting as in France,” added Verstappen, Defending champion and the great co-operation between who won at Le Castellet after overtaking 7-time world champion Magnus QCF and Katara Cultural Village Hamilton on the penultimate lap as part Carlsen of Norway was beaten Foundation. of a bold two-stop strategy. by Tang in the semis (7-4) while “We are thankful to Katara for Hamilton said he had done all he could Artemiev beat compatriot Alex- their gracious support in con- but his second run had not been one of his Red Bull’s Dutch driver Max Verstappen gets out of his car after claiming the pole position for the Styrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull ander Grischuk (7-1). tributing to the spread of sport best eff orts and he made mistakes on the Ring in Spielberg, Austria, yesterday. (AFP) The $12,800 event had a total and the culture of chess in par- fi nal run. of 15 qualifi ers, including wild- ticular in Qatar.” “Nonetheless it’s still on the front row The Japanese rookie was handed a ment at missing out by a mere 0.008 of 2. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) card entrant Grischuk making Hussain Aziz, the Tournament after the penalty,” said the Briton. three-place grid drop, however, for im- a second on a fi rst appearance in the fi nal 2nd row the Knockout Finals of the tour- Director, said the participation, “We go into the race tomorrow for a peding Bottas. phase of qualifying. 3. Lando Norris (GBR/McLaren) nament which began on June 20. dynamic play and involvement fi ght.” That lifted Spain’s double world cham- Red Bull are chasing their fourth suc- 4. Sergio Perez (MEX/Red Bull) Applauding the success, HE of chess lovers was electrifying. McLaren’s Lando Norris will start third pion Fernando Alonso to eighth with cessive victory after winning in Monaco, 3rd row Prof Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Su- “The fi nals lasted over four and with Red Bull’s Sergio Perez fourth fol- Alpine, ahead of Aston Martin’s Lance Azerbaijan and France. The team last won 5. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Mercedes) laiti, General Manager of the a half hours. The time-control lowing the grid drop imposed on Bottas Stroll. four in a row in 2013, before the V6 turbo 6. Pierre Gasly (FRA/AlphaTauri) Cultural Village Foundation – format contests were thrilling to for dangerous driving when he spun his Britain’s George Russell, the main con- hybrid era ushered in seven years of Mer- 4th row Katara, said: “We are delighted watch. There was a lot of interac- car across the pitlane on Friday. tender to partner Hamilton at Mercedes cedes domination from 2014. 7. Charles Leclerc (MON/Ferrari) with the exciting fi nish and the tion between the chess commu- AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly qualifi ed next season if they decide not to extend 8. Fernando Alonso (ESP/Alpine) worldwide participation of top- nity and the expert commenta- sixth with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc sev- Bottas’ contract, will move up to 10th STYRIAN GRAND PRIX GRID (top 10) 5th row ranked players in the Katara In- tors as they discussed moves and enth and AlphaTauri’s Japanese rookie with Williams. Front row 9. Lance Stroll (CAN/Aston Martin) ternational Chess Tournament details,” he said. Yuki Tsunoda in eighth. He had earlier expressed disappoint- 1. Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull) 10. George Russell (GBR/Williams) 2021. Katara as a cultural institu- A total of 5,143 entries including tion has always been to support the world’s top FIDE-rated players and which also refl ect the State were received with the four-day MOTOGP of Qatar’s interest in sport. tournament attracting a world- “The organisation of this wide audience live on YouTube tournament online emerged fol- and other social media channels. Vinales smashes Assen lap record to take pole St Petersburg to host Russian F1 Reuters of LCR Honda’s Takaaki Nakagami and Bengaluru, India Q1 pacesetter Johann Zarco of Pramac Grand Prix from 2023 Ducati. Six-times world champion Marc he Russian Grand Prix licence in 2020. amaha’s Maverick Vinales edged Marquez, who won his first race last will move from Sochi’s The circuit would have hosted out teammate Fabio Quartararo week since his injury comeback, will TOlympic Park to a new a round of the German Touring in a late shootout to claim his start in 20th after crashing out in the Q1 purpose-built circuit outside St Car championship, as well as the maiden pole position of the sea- session. Petersburg from 2023, Formula all-female W Series, last year but sonY after both riders smashed the lap Heading into today’s race, Quartararo One announced yesterday. those races were cancelled due record in qualifying at the Dutch Grand leads the championship table with 131 The race, first held in 2014 af- to the Covid-19 pandemic. Prix yesterday. points, 22 clear of Zarco in second place. ter the Black Sea resort hosted “I am impressed by St Peters- World championship leader Quartararo the Winter Olympics, will burg and believe that the Rus- looked set to take pole for the sixth time DUTCH GRAND PRIX MOTOGP GRID switch to the Igora Drive circuit sian Grand Prix at Igora Drive in seven races when he set a lap record of (top 12) located 54km from the Baltic will be an incredible event,” one minute, 31.922 seconds at the TT Cir- Front row Sea port city of St Petersburg. said F1 chief executive Stefano cuit Assen also known as the ‘Cathedral 1. Maverick Vinales (ESP/Yamaha) “We are looking forward to rac- Domenicali. of Speed’. 2. Fabio Quartararo (FRA/Yamaha) ing in a hugely exciting location This year’s race in Sochi, which But Vinales, who fi nished 21st in his 3. Francesco Bagnaia (ITA/Ducati) that includes 10 professional had a contract until 2025, is worst-ever MotoGP qualifying round in 2nd row tracks for racing and testing scheduled for September 26. Germany last week, turned on the style 4. Takaaki Nakagami (JPN/Honda-LCR) over approximately 100 hec- Champions Mercedes have as he breached Quartararo’s early bench- 5. Johann Zarco (FRA/Ducati-Pramac) tares,” F1 said in a statement. won all seven Russian GPs to mark to fi nish in 1:31.814 seconds and Yamaha rider Maverick Vinales (right) and Honda’s Pol Espargaro ride around the 6. Miguel Oliveira (POR/KTM) Igora Drive is some 150km date, with seven times world grab front place on the grid. TT Circuit Assen during the qualifying session for the Dutch Grand Prix in Assen, 3rd row from the Finnish border, and champion Lewis Hamilton Quartararo came through the fi rst two Netherlands, yesterday. (Reuters) 7. Alex Rins (ESP/Suzuki) should be more accessible triumphant four times. sectors of his fi nal lap with a slender lead 8. Jack Miller (AUS/Ducati) than Sochi for Russian and St Petersburg is the birthplace on his team mate but made an error at “Our biggest problem has been that bike has been fantastic. We’ve been fastest 9. Aleix Espargaro (ESP/Aprilia) international fans alike. of Russian president Vladimir Turn 10 to almost slip out of track limits, when we don’t have the grip, we don’t in practice and tomorrow we have an op- 4th row The new circuit was designed Putin, who has regularly attend- forcing him to settle for second place. have the ability to make a good start,” portunity to fi ght for the podium.” 10. Joan Mir (ESP/Suzuki) by German architect Hermann ed the race in Sochi to hand out It will be Vinales’ fi rst pole since the Vinales said. Ducati’s Francesco Bagnaia surged up 11. Pol Espargaro (ESP/Honda) Tilke and received a Grade One the winner’s trophy. (Reuters) Emilia Romagna GP last year. “But I’m really happy this weekend. The to third in the closing moments, ahead 12. Valentino Rossi (ESP/Yamaha-SRT)