Predators shoot So long, Wayne? down Ducks to Cup final may be reach Stanley Rooney’s last Cup Finals United game

WEDNESDAY, MAY18 24, 2017 19 Panik homers as Giants overpower Cubs Page 15

SAN ANTONIO: Manu Ginobili #20 of the shoots the ball against Draymond Green #23 of the in the second half during Game Four of the 2017 NBA Western Conference Finals at AT&T Center on May 22, 2017. —AFP Warriors sweep into NBA Finals

LOS ANGELES: Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant understanding following the mid-season injury dent and ready to go.” Spurs fans meanwhile ter team overall,” Popovich said. “He’s a big Boston 2-1. The Spurs were always struggling led the way as the Golden State Warriors sealed a that sidelined him for around 20 games.”Our bade what looked like a farewell to 39-year-old reason for our success. He deserved to have after an early points blitz from the Warriors that clean sweep of the San Antonio Spurs to reach chemistry is getting better and better and we’re Argentinian legend Manu Ginobili, who was giv- that night of respect so that he really feels saw the visitors power into a 31-19 at the end to their third consecutive NBA Finals berth on going to need it even more whoever we play in en a rousing ovation as he left the court. “He’s that we appreciate everything he’s done for us silence the AT&T Center crowd in Texas. Monday. Curry scored 36 points and Durant the finals,” Durant told an interviewer. “It’s great somebody I grew up watching,” Durant said. “An over the years. “If he decides he’s going to The writing was on the wall from the weighed in with 29 as the Warriors powered to a to be one of the last two teams standing-we’ll amazing competitor. I got nothing but love and play again that’s up to him,” said Popovich. moment the Warriors reeled off 13 unanswered 129-115 win to complete a 4-0 victory in the see what happens,” he said. Curry meanwhile respect for him.” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich “Manu is a grown man. He’ll figure out what is points to grab a 21-7, giving the contest an omi- best-of-seven Western Conference finals series. It admitted he was relishing his partnership with meanwhile spoke admiringly of the Warriors. best for him and his family.” nously familiar pattern. Thereafter the Warriors was the third consecutive series sweep of the Durant. “It makes the game fun,” Durant said. “They were fantastic. To all of them. From owner- comfortably kept the Spurs at arm’s length, with 2017 postseason for the Warriors, who are now “The way we play the game and move the ball. ship, to the coaches, the players. WARRIORS DOMINATE their multifaceted offense proving too much for 12-0 in the playoffs heading into the finals. Watching him do what he does. It’s a fun way to They play a great brand of . Hats The depleted Spurs, missing the injured San Antonio. The Warriors maintained a 14- Durant, who attracted controversy after his play and we want to keep that up. I’m having fun, off to them. Great job,” said Popovich, who and , were always point cushion at half-time to lead 65-51 and blockbuster move from enjoying what I do. also saluted Ginobili in what might have been chasing the game as the powerful Warriors opened the second half with a 25-foot three- last year to the Warriors, was delighted to be his final game. Popovich said Ginobili had offense dominated almost from first to last. The pointer from Thompson to make it 68-51. They back in the NBA Finals once again. ‘THINGS ARE FLOWING’ been handed a starting berth “out of respect.” Warriors win keeps them on course for an remained 96-78 ahead at the end of the third The 28-year-old forward, who also pulled “Things are flowing. It’s a part of our identity “This is a hall of fame player who allowed me unprecedented third consecutive NBA Finals quarter and there was only going to be one down 12 rebounds and contributed four assists, to get that mojo going. I think we’re prepared for to play him off the bench for the last decade meeting with the Cleveland Cavaliers, who lead winner from there, with the Warriors keeping admitted he and Curry had rediscovered their pretty much anything. We’re going to be confi- or something because it would make us a bet- their Eastern Conference finals series against the score ticking over to the buzzer.— AFP Manchester clubs pay tribute to terror victims Terror attack scars Beckham speaks of his ‘heartbreak’ MANCHESTER: Football star David Beckham spoke nights attack on this beautiful city. We will stand erately driven on to a city street killing five people).” Europa League final of his “heartbreak” as former club Manchester United together in this dark hour.” The statement urged fans to get to the stadium as and local rivals Manchester City came together yes- United were due to train yesterday at their early to allow time for “detailed checks”. Amsterdam MANCHESTER: Manchester United’s prepa- intelligence” suggesting the Europa League terday to pay tribute after 22 people including chil- Carrington practice ground ahead of travelling to club Ajax sent their own message of support, saying: rations for today’s Europa League final were final would be targeted by attacks. It said dren were killed in a suspected suicide bombing in Stockholm, where they will play Dutch side Ajax in “From Amsterdam with love to Manchester. Our plunged into sadness yesterday after a bomb security arrangements had already been the northern English city. Britain’s deadliest terror the Europa League final today. UEFA, European foot- thoughts are with the victims and the loved ones of attack at a Manchester pop concert killed 22 beefed up following last month’s truck attack attack in 12 years took place when a bomb went off ball’s governing body, said “tight security arrange- those affected.” people and injured dozens more. United in the Swedish capital, which claimed five shortly after the end of a concert by US pop star ments” had already been put in place for the final but United were due to have a routine pre-match manager Jose Mourinho led his players in a lives and injured around 15 people. UEFA Ariana Grande at the Manchester Arena on Monday. added they had no knowledge of any direct threat to meeting with UEFA yesterday at which it is under- solemn minute’s silence on the club’s urged fans to arrive at the stadium “as early Former England captain Beckham, who made his the match. “There is currently no specific intelligence stood they will now ask if their players can wear black Carrington training pitches to the west of as possible” on Wednesday as “detailed (secu- name as a global superstar at United after coming which might suggest that any of the UEFA Europa armbands in the final as a mark of respect in response Manchester city centre. United were due to rity) checks will be made at the entrances”. through the club’s youth system, expressed his con- League final activities in Stockholm may be the target to an attack that also left 59 people injured. The fly to Stockholm, scene of the final, later, but UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said: “I dolences via an Instagram message, saying: of attacks,” said a UEFA statement. England Under-20s side, one of the first football the club cancelled their pre-match press con- am deeply saddened by the horrible terrorist “Heartbreaking news from Manchester. As a father & a “UEFA has been closely working with local authori- teams from the country in action after the attack, con- ference scheduled to take place at the city’s attack in Manchester last night. “It shocks me human what has happened truly saddens me. My ties and the Swedish FA (Football Association) for firmed they would wear black armbands in their jun- Friends Arena. that so many innocent people lost their lives thoughts are with all of those that have been affected many months and the terrorist risk had been taken ior World Cup clash with Guinea in Joenju, South “Due to the tragic events in Manchester and I would like to send my condolences to by this tragedy.” Gary Lineker, another former England into account since the very beginning of the project. Korea yesterday. “Our #YoungLions will remember the last night and the effect that this has had on the families of those affected.” England’s international and now a television presenter, “Furthermore, a number of additional security meas- victims of the attack in Manchester when we take on everyone here at our club and within our Football Association said “robust security summed up a mood of widespread revulsion when ures were implemented following the attacks in Guinea at the #U20WC this morning,” said a message city, we have decided to cancel this measures” would be in place for Saturday’s he tweeted: “To target children at a concert is beyond Stockholm last April (when a hijacked truck was delib- on the official England Twitter account.—AFP evening’s pre-match press conference in FA Cup final between Arsenal and Premier comprehension. Beyond lunacy. Beyond evil. Heart Stockholm,” United said in a statement. “We League champions Chelsea at London’s goes out to all those who’ve lost loved ones.” are sure that, in the circumstances, you will Wembley Stadium. It comes just over a A help centre was opened at City’s Etihad Stadium all understand our position on this matter. month after the team bus of German side for those affected by the blast, while the United club “Our thoughts are with the victims at this Borussia Dortmund was targeted by three flag at their Old Trafford ground was flown at half terribly difficult time.” United’s opponents in roadside bomb blasts prior to a Champions mast. Both Premier League clubs posted short state- the final, Dutch club Ajax, tweeted: “From League home game with Monaco. ments yesterday on their Twitter accounts, with Amsterdam with love to Manchester. Our That attack, which left defender Marc United saying: “We are deeply shocked by last night’s thoughts are with the victims and the loved Bartra with a fractured wrist, is believed to terrible events at the Manchester Arena. Our ones of those affected.” have been carried out by a man who hoped thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected.” Ajax Peter Bosz was sched- to profit from a fall in Dortmund’s share Meanwhile, City said: “It’s with great sadness we uled to hold a pre-match conference at the price. United club captain Wayne Rooney hear of the terrible events at the Arena. Our hearts Friends Arena. The suicide bomb attack in expressed his shock on Twitter, writing: go out to all affected and to our city’s emergency Manchester, which claimed the lives of chil- “Devastating news this morning. Thoughts services.”Current players from both clubs also sent dren and also injured 59 people, struck after and prayers are with all those affected.” Twitter messages of support, with City captain a concert by American pop star Ariana Former United player Cristiano Ronaldo pub- Vincent Kompany saying: “I would like to express my Grande at the Manchester Arena. It was the lished a picture of a British Union Jack flag deepest condolences to the families of the victims. deadliest attack to hit Britain since the July bearing the word “MANCHESTER” on his 2005 attack on the London transport net- social media accounts. “So sad to hear the It’s a sad day for the great city of Manchester. MANCHESTER: Manchester United’s players inspect the pitch at the Friends Arena in Solna outside work, which left 52 people dead. European news from Manchester,” the Real Madrid #Unity’.” United’s Jesse Lindgard wrote: “My thoughts Stockholm yesterday on the eve of the UEFA Europa League football final between Ajax Amsterdam governing body UEFA said it had “no specific superstar wrote on Instagram. —AFP and prayers are with everyone affected by last and Manchester United. —AFP