14 Sports Tuesday, June 29, 2021 Brains behind the brawn: Germany’s Goretzka hopes to make impact against England

BERLIN: Having used last year’s COVID-19 lock- games with a different feeling,” he told the down to pack muscle on to his frame, Leon Deutsche Bahn magazine. “It literally made me Goretzka is set to bulk up Germany’s midfield stronger, you could call it a protective coat.” against England in tonight’s blockbuster last-16 Off the field, the 26-year-old has shown the same clash at Euro 2020. Germany coach Joachim Loew heart he puts into tackles by throwing himself is under pressure to shake things up in the middle of behind good causes. Last year, Goretzka and the park for the knockout stage after neither Toni Bayern team-mate donated a total Kroos nor Ilkay Gundogan impressed in of one million euros ($1.2 million) to found the Wednesday’s nail-biting 2-2 draw with Hungary. “WeKickCorona” campaign and help charities dur- Bayern star Goretzka has been limited to ing the pandemic. cameo roles at this European Championship after He also uses his profile to fight racism and xeno- recovering from a torn thigh in May, yet he has still phobia, describing nationalist right-wing party AfD made an impact. He came within a whisker of scor- as “Germany’s shame”. After scoring Germany’s ing in the 4-2 drubbing of Portugal as a second-half equalizer last Wednesday, Goretzka made a heart substitute, then equalized with a thunderbolt strike shape with his hands during his goal celebration in against Hungary. “We have no doubts now and are response to taunts from Hungary fans. full of confidence,” Goretzka told German television The game was overshadowed beforehand after after the final whistle in a warning to England. UEFA refused to allow Munich to light up the in the rainbow colors in what would ‘Protective coat’ have been a show of solidarity towards Hungary’s HERZOGENAURACH: (From left) Germany’s , Joshua Kimmich, , , Loew was certainly impressed with his “great” LGBTQ community. “Spread love, Wembley call- and warm up during a training session at the team’s base camp in performance against Hungary. “He brought in a lot ing!” Goretzka later wrote on Twitter with a rain- Herzogenaurach Sunday. —AFP of pace and made deep runs”, the coach said. After bow emoji alongside a picture of him making the matches were halted in March 2020, as heart gesture. There are plenty of brains behind Goretzka’s brawn. Germany’s provisional squad for the 2014 World Germany went into lockdown due to COVID-19, Before the European Championship started, he Born in February 1995, he turned pro at 18 with Cup, but was injured in a warm-up game and missed Goretzka returned from the two-and-a-half-month made his politics clear. “If I’m allowed to play for home-town club VfL and earned high being part of the side that won the trophy. Two years break noticeably much more muscular. our country, I want to play for our values and con- marks for his ‘abitur’ - Germany’s University later, Goretzka captained Germany at the Rio de He says bulking up paid dividends. “I can safely stitution,” Goretzka said. “Black, red and gold are entrance exams. Janeiro Olympics, but was injured in the first game say that since I have had these muscles, I go into the the colors of our democracy — not of the far right.” In 2013, he moved to Schalke 04 and made as the team eventually won the silver medal. — AFP Verstappen cruises in Styria, leaving Hamilton ‘powerless’ SPIELBERG: Max Verstappen dominated the Styrian Grand Prix on Sunday, as reigning cham- pion Lewis Hamilton rolled in a distant second in his Mercedes, complaining that the Red Bulls are “faster, they’re just faster.” The Dutchman start- ed from pole in his Red Bull, led throughout and finished more than 35 seconds head of Briton Hamilton. Even though Finn Valtteri Bottas, who started from the pit lane, was third, edging out the second Red Bull of Mexican Sergio Perez, it was a day that suggested momentum has shifted from Mercedes. “That is the most dominant win we’ve had so far this SPIELBERG: Red Bull’s Dutch driver Max Verstappen is congratulated by his team as he crosses the finish line to Jack Grealish season against Mercedes,” said Red Bull team prin- win the Formula One Styrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring race track in Spielberg, Austria, on Sunday. — AFP cipal Christian Horner after his team’s fourth straight victory. Verstappen, who has claimed three of those lead in the constructors’ championship to 40 points. they’ve obviously made some big improvements. Cult hero Grealish victories, agreed. “Looking at the gap in the end, “Unbelievable. The car was on fire,” Verstappen on Impossible to keep up.” yes,” he said. “But above all, the overall balance of team radio at the finish. “Another win at home feels “They continue to keep pulling out those laps - the car was the best so far.” really good.” “It’s looking really good.” he said after and on the straights we lose a lot. Nonetheless, we vows to emulate Mercedes have won the constructors’ title the climbing out of his car. “We just have to keep push- got good points as a team today and we’ve just got last seven seasons. In that span Hamilton has won ing really hard and I’m confident we can do a really to keep pushing. They’re faster, they’re just faster. England legends six driver titles, interrupted only by then team-mate good job again.” There’s not a lot I can do in that respect. I’ve just Nic Rosberg in 2016. A fourth straight race without Hamilton spent much of the race expressing got to keep trying to do the best I can do each LONDON: Jack Grealish wants to go from a victory represents a significant drought. “It’s been frustration on his inability to cut into Verstappen’s weekend.” Bottas, who started from the third row cult hero to England legend as the Aston Villa the first race in eight years where we were lacking lead as once again Mercedes were not quite as after a three-place penalty for spinning in the pit eyes a leading role in tonight’s Euro pace,” said Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff. quick as Red Bull, although he did pick up a bonus lane, was happy with his finish. “I think from where I 2020 last 16 clash with Germany. Grealish gave On Sunday, Verstappen dominated and increased point for the fastest lap time. “It was a bit of a lone- started, this was the maximum today, so it’s good,” a tantalizing glimpse of his ability in his first his lead over Hamilton to 18 points while Red Bull, ly race really,” Hamilton said. “I was trying to keep he said, adding that it was “important be in start of the tournament against the Czech sponsored by an Austrian company, increased their up with those guys but, the speed they have - between” the Red Bulls. — AFP Republic last week. The 25-year-old’s nimble footwork and per- fectly-flighted cross opened up the Czech defense, with Raheem Sterling the beneficiary Middleton pours in 38 points, as he headed the goal that sealed England’s 1-0 win. It was the kind of influential moment that underlined why Grealish has such vocal back- Bucks grab 2-1 series lead ing from England fans urging Gareth Southgate LOS ANGELES: Khris Middleton loss. John Collins (13) and Kevin to pick him more often. and Giannis Antetokounmpo com- Huerter (11) also scored in double dig- With a reputation as a head-strong charac- bined for 71 points as the Milwaukee its. The Hawks offense started to wilt ter off the pitch, Grealish struggled to earn Bucks rallied to beat the Atlanta after Young appeared to reinjure his Southgate’s trust until the final months before Hawks 113-102 in game three of the right ankle when he stepped on an the Euro. He eventually forced his way into the Eastern Conference finals on Sunday. official’s foot and headed to the dress- squad but had to wait for his maiden tourna- Middleton scored 20 of his 38 points ing room late in the third. He returned ment start after making one substitute appear- in a blistering fourth-quarter per- with about three minutes gone in the ance against Scotland in England’s first two formance and Antetokounmpo fin- final quarter. Young is averaging 9.9 group matches. ished with 33 points and 11 rebounds assists in the postseason but had just With Phil Foden rested and Mason Mount in as the Bucks grabbed a 2-1 series lead four on Sunday as he did not get as self-isolation, Grealish was promoted to the in front of a crowd of 16,600 at State much help from his supporting cast. He starting line-up against the Czechs and deliv- Farm Arena in Georgia. Middleton said his ankle was “hurting”, but added ATLANTA: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks and Khris Middleton #22 of the ered a superb first-half display. He faded in the also had 11 rebounds. that he hoped it would be fine for Milwaukee Bucks look on during Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals of the second half as England went into their shell to “What I saw today was unbeliev- game four after seeing team doctors. “I 2021 NBA Playoffs on Sunday at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. — AFP protect the lead and Southgate has to decide able. It was greatness,” am going to get as much treatment as I whether to keep faith with Grealish or restore Antetokounmpo said of Middleton. can,” he said. “That’s the plan.” loud how many seconds it took him to three-pointer from the corner after Mount and Foden to the team. Game four is Tuesday in Atlanta, where Milwaukee improved to 3-0 in game shoot a free throw. He shot an impres- taking a pass from Jrue Holiday. Befitting his confident personality, Grealish the Hawks are now 3-3 at home in the threes during the postseason. They sive 13 of 21 from the floor. Young led all scorers with 17 has no doubts he would prove his worth if he playoffs. The Bucks were down by 15 cruised to a 113-84 win over the Miami points at the break. The Bucks finally starts against Germany at Wembley. Name- points in the first quarter and did not Heat en route to a four-game sweep in Fast start for Hawks grabbed the lead late in the third checking England icons Paul Gascoigne and take their first lead until the third, but the first round, and held on for an 86- The Hawks started quickly, jumping when Portis made a basket to make it Wayne Rooney, Grealish has his sights set high they finished with a 25-7 scoring surge 83 win over the Brooklyn Nets in game out to a 25-14 point lead with just 82-80. Antetokounmpo sparked the as he prepares for a potentially career-defining as Middleton led the charge. “Shout three of the second round to jump-start under four minutes left in the first quar- comeback by scoring 11 points in the moment. “I’ve spoken about how big these out to Khris for the fourth quarter. He a series comeback. ter, Young with 10 points. Atlanta car- second quarter, which set the stage tournaments are in people’s careers. You think went crazy,” said Bucks’ Bobby Portis. The Bucks won despite ried the play for almost the entire first for Middleton to shine down the back and look at Gazza at Italia ‘90, where he “He did his thing, that’s for sure.” Antetokounmpo making just six of 12 half, leading by 15 points in the first. But stretch and seal the victory. “We just was well known before but everyone remem- Trae Young led the Hawks with 35 from the free-throw line. The Atlanta the Bucks tied it 56-56 on their final had to stay with it. We didn’t play our bers that tournament,” Grealish said. “You look points and Italy’s Danilo Gallinari came crowd tried to distract Antetokounmpo possession of the second quarter when best basketball at the start,” at Wayne Rooney at Euro 2004 when he set his off the bench to score 18 points in the throughout the game, counting out Pat Connaughton nailed a 23-foot Middleton said. — AFP marker to be one of the best in the world. I’ve got a bit to follow in their footsteps but hope- fully I can do that if I get more chances in the and goals for our franchise.” tournament.” Trail Blazers name Billups has served since November 2020 as an Grealish’s desire to tease and torment assistant coach with the Clippers, who are currently defenders with his clever flicks and deft passes battling the Phoenix Suns in the NBA’s Western mark him out as something different to the oth- Billups head coach Conference finals. The Suns had a commanding 3-1 er options available to Southgate. That crowd- lead before last night’s game five. pleasing quality makes him the darling of Villa’s LOS ANGELES: The Portland Trail Blazers have The 44-year-old Billups is a five-time NBA all- Holte End and an English icon in waiting. turned to Los Angeles Clippers coaching staff to star as a player. In 2016, the Detroit Pistons retired Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is find their new head coach, agreeing a deal with his No 1 jersey. “I’m very excited and humbled to be convinced of Grealish’s class and is reported- Chauncey Billups. Billups is the 15th head coach in the next coach of the Trail Blazers,” said Billups. ly ready to pay £100 million ($138 million) to Trail Blazers franchise history, the team announced “Portland is a special place and a unique franchise.” sign the for the Premier League in a news release on Sunday night. Portland has made the playoffs in eight consecu- champions. Yet to make his Champions “Chauncey is a proven leader with an elite bas- tive seasons, the longest active streak in the NBA, League debut, the European Championship is ketball IQ that has won everywhere he has been,” but has been knocked out in the first round five Grealish’s biggest stage in a career that fea- said president of basketball operations Neil times. In 2019, they advanced to the conference tured a spell in the Championship with Villa Olshey. “He is prepared for the challenge of devel- finals but were swept by the Golden State Warriors just three seasons ago. — AFP oping the Championship habits and strategic in four games. Portland has suffered first-round Chauncey Billups approach we need to achieve the expectations losses in four of the past five seasons. — AFP