ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, AUGUST 27-28, 2021 SPORTS 14

Eiking keeps lead Czech Republic dominate Germany to Cort Nielsen bags another stage win CÓRDOBA, Spain, Aug. 26, (AP): Mag- nus Cort Nielsen earned another sprint win Group B in women’s world hockey victory at the Spanish Vuelta on Thursday to win a hot and hilly 12th stage, while Odd Christian Eiking kept the race lead. Cort Nielsen was launched by an EF Education teammate down the final stretch of the 175-kilometer (109-mile) route and stayed ahead of Andrea Gagioli to beat the Italian by almost a wheel length. It was the Dane’s second win at this year’s edition of the Vuelta and his fifth career stage victory at the Cort Nielsen Spanish race. “The whole team did a great job to- day,” Cort Nielsen said. “I managed to get over the two climbs and my team did a great job delivering me for a the sprint.”

CYCLING

With temperatures above 36 de- grees Celsius (96 degrees Fahrenheit) at times, riders tried to stay cool as possible with the help of water bottles supplied by their teams. The route that started in Jaén traversed the medieval city of Córdoba before it went up and over two climbs and looped back to a finish in the southern city. The results left the overall standings untouched. Eiking, a Norwegian rider for Intermarche-Wanty, leads Guil- laume Martin by 58 seconds. Two-two defending champion Pri- moz Roglic, who is considered the race favorite given the number of mountain stages ahead, is third at 1:56 behind. Roglic was involved in an awkward group crash on a flat stretch when sev- eral riders tumbled into one another on a sharp corner. But he was quickly Russia’s goalie Valeria Merkusheva, (left), stops a wrap-around shot from Finland’s Emilia Vesa during first period in the IIHF Women’s World Championship hockey tournament in Calgary, escorted back to the peloton by his Alberta, on Aug. 25. (AP) Jumbo-Visma team. Finland shutout Russia 4-0 Juventus host Empoli in what CALGARY, Alberta, Aug could be Ronaldo’s last match 26, (AP): Dominika Las- kova scored twice and the MILAN, Aug. 26, (AP): Once joined from Brazilian club Santos. again, Cristiano Ronaldo could be “Cristiano Ronaldo has always Czech Republic beat Ger- playing his fi nal match for Juven- been a source of inspiration for many 2-0 in the women’s tus. me. I will be by his side every day world hockey champion- The Portugal great’s departure to learn as much as possible from has been rumored for months, with him.” ship to win Group B and Paris Saint-Germain - and a dream Ronaldo didn’t start Juve’s avoid having to face the team of him and Lionel Messi - or opener against Udinese last week, United States or Canada in Manchester City the likeliest des- amid reports he had asked to be on tinations. the bench. When he did come on the quarterfinals. Juventus met with Ronaldo’s in the second All five teams in Group A - with agent, Jorge Mendes, on Thurs- half, his inju- the five-time defending champion day. The talks lasted about an ry-time goal hour and a half but little reportedly was ruled United States (3-0) and Canada came out of them. (3-0) set to play for the pool title out and the Thursday night - and the top three match fi n- SOCCER ished 2-2. in Group B will advance to the Both the quarterfinals. club and Ronaldo ripped off his shirt in ICE HOCKEY celebration last weekend after coach Mas- scoring what would have been similiano the winning goal, only for it to be Allegri in- Klara Peslarova made 12 saves to Ronaldo sisted it help the Czech Republic fi nish 4-0 in ruled out for offside. He’ll get an- other chance on Saturday against was a coaching decision to keep group play. Empoli. Ronaldo on the bench at the start. Laskova tied teammate Alena The 36-year-old Ronaldo has Ronaldo hurt his arm in training on Mills for the tournament goal lead only one year left on his contract, Wednesday but is still expected to with four. Laskova opened the scor- and with no apparent offer on the start against Empoli. ing at 4:28 of the second period and table, Juventus is eager to settle Ronaldo’s time at Juventus will struck again at 9:09 of the third. Britta Curl (center), of the United States, celebrates her goal with teammates Megan Keller (left), and Kendall the matter one way or another. be judged with mixed feelings. Franziska Albl stopped 27 shots Coyne Schofield during the first period of a match at the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Women’s World The transfer window closes on The fi ve-time Ballon d’Or winner for Germany (2-1). Championships in Calgary, Alberta, on Aug 24. (AP) Tuesday and even his teammates was signed from Real Madrid in Germany will fi nish group play say they have no idea whether 2018 for a club-record fee of more Thursday night against Japan (2-1). over Russia. Susanna Tapani and In the late game, Hungary beat Den- Josefi ne Jakobsen scored for Den- Ronaldo will be with them past than 100 million euros ($119 mil- The winner will face the U.S.-Can- Jenniina Nylund also scored and and mark 5-1 to fi nish fourth in Group B in mark (0-4). that date. lion) with the aim of winning the ada loser, and the loser will play the Anni Keisala made 13 saves. its fi rst appearance in the event. Canadian captain Marie-Philip “He has not told me anything Champions League. But Juventus U.S.-Canada winner. On Thursday, Finland (1-2) will Alexandra Gowie and Fanni Gas- Poulin will sit out the showdown about his future and we don’t has not gone past the quarterfi nals face Switzerland (0-3) for third place parics each scored twice for Hungary against the United States after block- know if he will stay, but I hope since his arrival and was eliminat- In Group A, Petra Nieminen he will stay for a long time,” said ed in the round of 16 the past two scored twice in Finland’s 4-0 victory in the group. Russia completed the (1-3). Kinga Jokai-Szilagyi also scored ing a shot with her chest Tuesday preliminary round 1-3. and Aniko Nemeth made 10 saves. against Switzerland. 19-year-old Kaio Jorge, who just seasons. Bottas and Russell waiting to see where they will drive next Verstappen focused on catching Hamilton after losing F1 lead SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium, Aug 26, The 23-year-old Dutchman can count on make a move for him. (AP): Max Verstappen had a few weeks to pon- huge support Sunday from orange-clad fans “We both trust (Mercedes) to look after our Diggins-Smith, Griner star der how his sizeable lead in the Formula One who will make the short trip from nearby Neth- futures one way or another. Whether it’s tomor- championship was eaten up by Lewis Hamilton erlands. Last year the stands were empty be- row, whether it’s after (the last race in) Abu in just two races. cause of coronavirus regulations. Dhabi,” Russell said. “It’s better to do things Now the Red Bull driver must focus his mind “It will be cool to see so much orange in the right rather than quickly.” Mercury top Liberty on checking the Mercedes star’s momentum, grandstands again,” he said. “I also think it is a But the British driver would relish the chance starting at this Sunday’s Belgian Grand Prix, good place to re-set our championship fi ght and to test himself against Hamilton, who is chasing where a thrilling season resumes following its I’m well prepared.” a record-extending 100th F1 win on Sunday. for 5th straight win mid-season break. He will need to be. “Any drivers would want to go against the NEW YORK, Aug. 26, (AP): Skylar Diggins- Hamilton leads Verstappen by eight points For Hamilton has renewed momentum as he best and Lewis is probably the greatest of all Smith scored 27 points, Brittney Griner added after 11 races of a season which has produced bids for a 100th career GP win, and a record time. You would want to pit yourself against 26, including her third dunk of the season, and the best wheel-to-wheel him and see how you fare,” Russell said. “It’s eighth F1 title to pull ahead of Michael Schum- Phoenix beat the New York Liberty 106-79 for racing for years and a acher and stand alone among F1 greats. obviously hypothetical at the moment. As I said thorny rivalry between three years ago, if I could choose to race against the Mercury’s fifth straight victory. two gifted drivers. anybody as my teammate, Lewis would be the Griner also had nine rebounds and six assists Hamilton clawed back MOTOR RACING one.” before getting helped off the court with 1:38 a 33-point defi cit but the Bottas and Russell sat next to each other as left in the fourth with a left ankle injury. manner of his comeback But Hamilton has been pushed harder than they spoke on Thursday. In April, they were Diana Taurasi added 21 points with five angered Verstappen. He at any time since his then-Mercedes teammate involved in a high-speed crash at the Emilia- 3-pointers for Phoenix (14-10), which made 12 was leading the British Nico Rosberg won the 2016 title. Romagna GP. of 25 from distance. Brianna Turner had 10 points GP from pole position Red Bull’s speed allied to Verstappen’s re- Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of The Both drivers were furious in the aftermath and 15 rebounds. Griner dunked for the 15th time and was sent fl ying off lentless intensity have tested the resilience of a Netherlands attends a media conference with Bottas fl icking his middle fi nger at Rus- in her regular-season career - and the rest of the track by a risky Hamilton Mercedes team long used to dominating. prior to the Belgian Formula One Grand sell, who responded by swatting the Finnish WNBA has combined for just three in 25 seasons. overtaking move at the Hamilton “This has been one of the most intense F1 sea- Prix at the Spa-Francorchamps racetrack driver on the helmet with his hand. in Spa, Belgium, on Aug. 26. (AP) lightning-fast Copse corner that led to a time sons that I can remember. The battle is far from Russell said he had put the incident behind BASKETBALL penalty. over,” Mercedes head of motorsport Toto Wolff replacement. him. Verstappen was unlucky in the following said. “The W12 (car) feels in a better place, after “Our personal relationship is fi ne. It’s rare “There’s no news to share. I don’t need to race at the Hungarian GP, where he was one the upgrades introduced at Silverstone and an en- that two competitors are best friends,” he said. The Mercury dominated the first quarter, of several drivers to go off track following a couraging showing in Hungary.” clarify any reason for that,” Bottas said curtly at “But we’ve moved on from everything in the building a 35-19 lead behind 12 points from clumsy fi rst-lap mistake by Hamilton’s Mer- Hamilton’s lights-to-fl ag win here last year the Belgian GP on Thursday. “It is nothing new past. From my side at least.” Diggins-Smith and 70.9% shooting. Phoenix cedes teammate Valtteri Bottas. was his fi rst at the circuit since 2017. to me. Things will eventually sort themselves Hamilton has formed a strong working re- led 55-42 at the break with 40 combined points He recovered to eighth place despite driving It was his fourth overall at the famed track, out and then we’ll see.” lationship with Bottas since the Finnish driver from Diggins-Smith, Griner and Taurasi. a damaged car, but Hamilton fi nished second putting him level in third place for most wins The 23-year-old Russell has been part of the joined in 2017, following 2016 F1 champion Taurasi and Diggins-Smith each made a and moved ahead overall. with the late Jim Clark and 2007 F1 champion Mercedes young driver program since 2017 and Nico Rosberg’s unexpected retirement. 3-pointer on consecutive Phoenix possessions to Understandably, Verstappen may feel an- Kimi Raikkonen - who is still driving at age 41 is highly rated within the team. He was allowed “I’ve obviously been vocal in the past about extend the lead to 71-49 early in the third. New noyed considering he leads Hamilton 5-4 in with Alfa Romeo. to sign for Williams, but Mercedes can bring my loyalty to Valtteri,” Hamilton said. “I think York cut its deficit to 10 points in the fourth, but wins, 5-3 for pole positions and 4-3 for fastest Valtteri Bottas and George Russell are still him back for next season if they want. our working relationship is better than ever.” the Mercury closed on a 17-0 run. It was the first laps so far. waiting to fi nd out who will be driving along- He impressed when he replaced Hamilton at But Bottas has not won a race this season and time this season that the Mercury had scored 100 Yet, for reasons largely out of his control, he side Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes for one race last season after the F1 is only fourth in the standings. or more in a game. Betnijah Laney led New York trails in the standings. Mercedes next season. champion contracted the coronavirus. Russell “At the end of the day it’s down to him (team (11-15) with 20 points. Rookie DiDi Richards “It’s a lot of freak moments which cost us a Bottas’ contract with the team hasn’t yet fi nished second at the Sakhir GP and even came principal Toto Wolff) and the (Mercedes) board scored a season-high 14 and Sabrina Ionescu add- lot of points,” he said. “I will be there again, I been renewed for 2022, while Russell, who close to victory. to make that decision,” Hamilton said. “I’m a ed 10 points and seven assists. The Liberty made will try my very best, and of course I hope my drives for Williams but came up through the The way he outperformed Bottas in that race part of the team and support them whichever three 3-pointers in the first quarter to set a fran- car is going to be competitive.” Mercedes system, is being touted as a possible raised questions as to whether Mercedes should way they go.” chise record for makes in a season.