Italy Reach Semis with 2-1 Win Over Belgium

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SATURDAYS 3 JULY 2021 EnglandEn hot favourites against Ukraine ThisTh is a big challenge for us. We’ve got to go away from WeWembley, to somewhere where there might not be many fans, it’sit’s quite hot, and play an opponent where not many of their pplayersla are known to us. So there is total focus now on Saturday, we nneede to prepare the right way, and our mentality will be critical.

GarethG Southgate Sport |11

TOUR DE FRANCE - Stage 7 Winner: Matej Mohoric, Slovenia, 5h 28m 20s. Overall Leader: Mathieu van der Poel, Netherlands, 25h 39m 17s. Spain prevail in penalty shootout against 10-man Switzerland Italy reach semis with 2-1 win over Belgium

REUTERS — MUNICH Italy’s players celebrate 77th minute, yet they held on to their ﬁrst goal. force the extra period and Italy set up a Euro 2020 semi- somehow survived a Spain final clash against Spain after first onslaught to make it to half goals from Nicolo Barella and spot-kicks. Lorenzo Insigne led the Azzurri Despite beating France 5-4 to a 2-1 win over Belgium on penalties in the last 16 by yesterday in an entertaining scoring all their kicks, only encounter in which both sides Mario Gavranovic could beat created a number of chances. Simon and the Swiss were left heartbroken, still waiting to win a European Championship quarter-final. "I knew I couldn't miss and luckily the ball went in. On the way to the spot many things went through my head but I knew exactly what to do," said Spain forward Oyarzabal. "I told Simon it was going to Unai Simon celebrates after be his day. When Busquets winning the penalty shootout. missed I told Simon that he was going to save three." Keeper Simon added: "Football has Italy -- who will face the goal back for Belgium from the decisive spot-kick after Gerard and went into the net. It was the been fair to us as we are the Spaniards on Tuesday in penalty spot just before the Moreno and Dani Olmo had 10th own goal of the tour- deserved winners." Quarter-finals London -- opened the scoring break after Giovanni Di Lorenzo converted for Spain and Sergio nament - more than at all the While Spain prevailed, this in the 31st minute when Barella put an arm on Jeremy Doku and Busquets and Rodri squandered other Euros combined. was an extraordinary effort picked up the ball, forced his pushed him to the ground. their kicks. Hoping to win their first of from Switzerland, who ended Spain bt Switzerland 1-1 way past defenders in the area Earlier, Spain reached the Spain keeper Unai Simon four quarter-final appearance the game without their three (3-1 on penalties) and fired home. Euro 2020 semi-finals after saved from Switzerland's in major tournaments, Swit- best midfielders as Granit Xhaka Italy bt Belgium 2-1 Insigne doubled the lead in prevailing 3-1 in a nervy penalty Manuel Akanji and Fabian Schar zerland deservedly levelled in was suspended, Freuler had Today's quarter-ﬁnals the 44th minute after collecting shootout against dogged Swit- while Ruben Vargas hammered the 68th minute when Xherdan been sent off and then Shaqiri the ball on the left and skipping zerland who were reduced to his shot over the bar. Shaqiri cashed in on a mix-up hobbled off injured. 7pm: Czech Republic vs beyond a defender before ten men by a sending off but still In normal time, Spain took in the Spain defence. "I’m so proud of the team, Denmark unleashing a long-range shot clung to a 1-1 draw after extra an eighth-minute lead when a The Swiss cause was com- what we’ve achieved here with 10pm: Ukraine vs England that flew past Thibaut Courtois. time. Jordi Alba strike took a heavy plicated by Remo Freuler being the whole country behind us," Romelu Lukaku clawed a Mikel Oyarzabal struck the deflection off Daniel Zakaria shown a straight red card in the said Swiss keeper Yann Sommer.

RESULTS (SELECTED) Wimbledon: Brilliant Djokovic storms into Men’s Singles (Third Round) Andrey Rublev (5), Russia, def. Fabio Fognini (26), Italy, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2. last 16; Tunisia's Jabeur downs Muguruza Roberto Bautista Agut (8), Spain, def. Do- minik Koepfer, Germany, 7-5, 6-1, 7-6 (4). Novak Djokovic (1), Serbia, def. Denis Kudla, LONDON REUTERS — the pair shook hands at the net. United States, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (7). It had been an otherwise Sebastian Korda, United States, def. Daniel Novak Djokovic roared into the dominant display from 23-year- Evans (22), Britain, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. fourth round at Wimbledon, old Belarusian Sabalenka, who Women’s Singles (Third Round) raising his game, and occa- broke Osorio Serrano’s serve six sionally the decibel levels, on times to reach the fourth round Iga Swiatek (7), Poland, def. Irina-Camelia Court One to dispatch plucky at Wimbledon for the first time Begu, Romania, 6-1, 6-0. American qualifier Denis Kudla in her career. Karolina Pliskova (8), Czech Republic, def. 6-4, 6-3, 7-6(7) yesterday. Meanwhile, Tunisian Ons Tereza Martincova, Czech Republic, 6-3, 6-3. World number one Djokovic Jabeur cast a spell over former Aryna Sabalenka (2), Belarus, def. Maria spent much of the third-round champion Garbine Muguruza Camila Osorio Serrano, Colombia, 6-0, 6-3. encounter cruising on auto- and dazzled the Centre Court Ons Jabeur (21), Tunisia, def. Garbine pilot but there were moments crowd to reach the fourth round Muguruza (11), Spain, 5-7, 6-3, 6-2. when the going got tough for with a 5-7, 6-3, 6-2 victory. Order of play the Serb against the 114th- Jabeur dipped into her box CENTRE COURT ranked Kudla. of tricks to outflank the pow- Serbia’s Novak Djokovic in action during his Kaja Juvan (Slovenia) v 20-Coco Gauff (US) Djokovic, however, knows third round match against Denis Kudla of the US erful 11th seed who was slowly 6-Roger Federer (Switzerland) v 29-Cameron how to turn up the volume, lit- yesterday. INSET: Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur in action. driven to distraction by an erally at times, and accom- opponent who gave a master- Norrie (Britain) panied by a few chest-thumping class in angles and spins. 1-Ash Barty (Australia) v Katerina Siniakova shouts, he dug deep to subdue same score in the tiebreak, he Camila Osorio Serrano to reach victory with her opponent “This is the best day of my (Czech Republic) the fiery Kudla and continue showed a stubborn determi- the fourth round although a late winning just a solitary game. career,” Jabeur, a role model for COURT ONE (1200) onwards in his quest for a sixth nation to hang tough. stutter took the sheen off what She was made to wait, Arab sportswomen, said on Sorana Cirstea (Romania) v Emma Raducanu Wimbledon title. “I spent a lot of time in the had been an otherwise ruthless however, after being broken in court to an appreciative crowd. (Britain) Djokovic upped the ante at mountains with wolves and this 6-0, 6-3 display. her penultimate service game “I was a bit nervous today. 16-Felix Auger-Aliassime (Canada) v Nick Kyr- key moments in the first two is wolf energy there. I am not Sabalenka, who had been and while Sabalenka’s celebra- She plays unbelievable on grass, gios (Australia) sets to take the match away kidding,” said Djokovic. given a scare by lowly ranked tions were somewhat muted it was difficult in the first set but from Kudla and when his back Also yesterday, second seed Briton Katie Boulter in the pre- when she eventually finished after that I stayed more calm. 32-Marin Cilic (Croatia) v 2-Daniil Medvedev

(Russia) was against the wall in the third, Aryna Sabalenka crushed vious round, romped to the first the job, her 19-year-old When I play loose and good trailing 4-1 and then by the Colombian teenager Maria set and looked set to wrap up opponent wore a big smile as everything gets better.”

Qatar's El Seify books Olympic ticket Dhabyah sparkles on Ireland debut

THE PENINSULA — DOHA Al Wasmiyah Stud-owned by James McAuley and was Dhabyah in action. ridden by Lisa O’Neill. On her first start in Ireland, the However, when asked for Qatar’s hammer thrower Al Wasmiyah Stud-owned an effort, the 4-year-old Ashraf El Seify has Dhabyah (GB) (Australia x Sola Dhabyah extended readily to go qualiﬁed for this month’s Gratia) won the Western Motors on and win very comfortably Tokyo Olympics. The Drogheda (Q.R) Race at Bellew- by three lengths at the line. 2018 Asian Games gold stown (Ireland) late on Bred by Gestut Karlshof, medalist sealed his spot Thursday. Dhabyah is out of the unraced for his second Olympics Having her first start for mare Sola Gratia (Monsun), via world rankings. Thirty Joseph Patrick O’Brien, who is a daughter of Sacarina two athletes will compete Dhabyah recorded a second (Old Vic), the dam of dual- in hammer throw in Tokyo, success in just five career starts. purpose stallion Schiaparelli with 26 of them qualifying Dhabyah broke sharply (Monsun) and also champion through entry standard from a wide draw and was German racehorse and sire of 77.50m. El Seify, who quickly switched across by Samum (Monsun), who stood has a personal best of jockey John Gleeson to take a at Karlshof. 78.19m and season’s best prominent position on the rail. Dhabyah’s sire Australia of 74.51m, is 30th in world Having taken the lead soon in front. As the field turned for the 7-year-old gelding Big Chal- stands at Coolmore Stud and is rankings. after, Dhabyah set a steady pace home, Dhabyah was pressed lenge (IRE) (Sea The Stars x out of top-class racemare Oujia and always looked comfortable strongly by the eventual second, Something Mon), who is trained Board. Sport SATURDAY 3 JULY 2021 11 In-form England hot favourites against Ukraine REUTERS — MANCHESTER Czech Republic ready for This time England expects. Whereas Gareth Southgate’s team went into their last-16 tie fired-up Denmark in with Germany amid relentless reminders of historic failures against their old rivals and the Euro 2020 quarter-final fear of yet another, they are REUTERS — BAKU fired-up Denmark team, simply expected to beat Ukraine scoring four or more goals in in Rome today. Czech Republic expect a tight consecutive matches - the It is not only the media and match against Denmark first time that has happened fans in England, buoyed by which can be decided by one in European Championship Tuesday’s victory at Wembley, small mistake when they history. that makes the Three Lions clear meet in today’s Euro 2020 The Danes have ridden a favourites -- any objective quarter-final, coach Jaroslav wave of emotion and support analysis of the two teams would Silhavy said yesterday. into the quarter-finals since reach the same conclusion. The Czechs are Christian Eriksen suffered a England are ranked third in embracing their underdog cardiac arrest in their the world while Ukraine are status, according to team opening match. 24th. captain Vladimir Darida, who “One small mistake can The average player value of will be back from injury. But decide the match flow in a the England team is €57.8m -- they are aiming to take moment,” Silhavy said. while Ukraine’s is €6.6m. England’s Kalvin Phillips and Harry Kane (right) during training yesterday. advantage of their first “They have many good England’s captain Harry quarter-final appearance players in their team that can Kane is valued at over €100m since 2012. decide a match, but I believe and Ukraine’s top player Ole- “It’s pretty clear [that England for whom defeat would on Saturday, we need to prepare Darida’s return - along we will be able to take ksandr Zinchenko is worth less England are favourites] - you’ve mean the tournament is viewed the right way, and our mentality with left-back Jan Boril advantage of any of their than a quarter of that amount. seen them, the players they as a failure and they will leave will be critical,” he added. coming back after a sus- mistakes. In the group stage of the have, and the level they play at,” their home turf for the Stadio His counterpart, Andriy pension - leaves coach “I think it will be a very tournament, England were said Ukraine defender Mykola Olimpico where the crowd will Shevchenko, is relishing the Silhavy with tough choices even match, and competitive, unbeaten and finished top of Matviyenko. be smaller but probably backing chance to take on England at a on whether to tweak a squad and the little things will be their group while Ukraine lost “So, yes, it will be difficult their underdog opponents. ground where he played against that looked crisp in stunning decisive.” twice and finished third, the only but I’ll say it again: anything is “This is a big challenge for Roma and Lazio during his years favoured Netherlands 2-0 in The Czechs advanced last team with three points to make possible at this stage, and we us. We’ve got to go away from as a prolific goalscorer with AC their last-16 match. Sunday with a pair of it to the knockout stage. This is believe,” he added. Wembley, to somewhere where Milan. “It’s not simple but I second-half goals, the first their first Euro quarter-final While Southgate’s men go there might not be many fans, “They are incredibly difficult believe we will make the from defender Tomas Holes match while it will be England’s into this game still buzzing from it’s quite hot, and play an to score against but their strength right choice,” Silhavy said before he then set up Patrik sixth. the electric atmosphere at opponent where not many of shouldn’t scare us,” he said. about the line-up yes- Schick for the second. Ukraine have conceded six Wembley, Ukraine are also on their players are known to us,” “It should motivate us terday, adding he was still The winners of today’s goals in their four matches while a high after Artem Dovbyk’s Southgate said. because everything is possible undecided and would match will meet either England have let in none and in header at the end of extra-time “And then there is this per- in football as in life and we will weigh things after a final England or Ukraine in the seven meetings between the two gave them a 2-1 win over ception now that all we’ve got play our hearts out to give our training session. semi-final at Wembley on nations, England have won four Sweden. to do is turn up and we’re on our fans even more to cheer about,” The Czechs are facing a Wednesday. times and Ukraine just once. The pressure is all on way. So there is total focus now he said.

Roglic cracks, Van der Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton during practice yesterday. Richardson suspended for Poel keeps yellow after one month, to brutal seventh stage miss Olympic

REUTERS — LE CREUSOT, FRANCE 2014 champion, featured in the 100m event 28-man breakaway with Primoz Roglic suffered a yellow jersey holder Mathieu REUTERS — KINGSTON, JAMAICA major meltdown as Ecuador’s van der Poel and seized the Ricard Carapaz potentially opportunity to move up in the American sprinter Sha’Carri emerged as the only rider rankings before the race hits Richardson has accepted a able to challenge defending the moutains in the Jura and the one-month suspension after champion Tadej Pogacar for Alps today. testing positive for cannabis, the Tour de France title at the Overall, Van der Poel leads Hamilton on top after first the United States Anti-Doping end of a brutal seventh stage Belgian Wout van Aert by 30 Agency said yesterday, ruling yesterday. seconds with Slovenian her out of the 100 metres in Last year’s runner-up Pogacar in fifth place, 3:43 off day of Austrian GP practice Tokyo although she may yet Roglic cracked in the last climb the pace and Nibali in sixth, 29 be able to run in later relay of an undulating stage in seconds behind Pogacar. events. central France, which was won Carapaz, whose move sug- REUTERS — STYRIA, AUSTRIA think they still have the two construction, after high-speed The positive test came at by his fellow Slovenian Matej gested he has the legs to chal- tenths or maybe it’s a tenth failures in the Azerbaijan the US Olympic trials last Mohoric from a big breakaway lenge Pogacar in the moun- Seven-times Formula One and a half. We’ve definitely Grand Prix on June 6. It could month where Richardson group. tains, is in 12th position, 5:19 world champion Lewis made some small steps be introduced at this month’s established herself as a gold Roglic finished the behind Van der Poel. Hamilton unlocked some pace forward but not enough, it’s British Grand Prix if approved. medal contender by winning 249.1-km ride from Vierzon His Ineos-Grenadiers team and led a Mercedes one-two not the two tenths. Pirelli have also brought the 100m in 10.86 seconds. almost four minutes behind the mate Geraint Thomas, the 2018 on the first day of practice for “I just expect them to turn softer compounds for this “The rules are clear, but peloton, which featured the champion, managed to finish the Austrian Grand Prix up (the engine) a little bit more weekend, which should mix this is heartbreaking on many other top overall contenders in the main bunch but struggled yesterday. tomorrow,” he added. up the strategy. levels; hopefully, her with Carapaz launching a late in the last ascent - a worrying Red Bull’s championship Verstappen will be chasing Verstappen’s Mexican acceptance of responsibility attack before eventually being omen before today’s eighth leader, Max Verstappen, had his third win in a row, and team mate Sergio Perez, and apology will be an reined in. stage, a mountain trek to Le been quickest in the opening fifth of the season, this winner in Azerbaijan, ended important example to us all Italian Vincenzo Nibali, the Grand Bornand. session at the Red Bull Ring, weekend with plenty of his the day 11th fastest. that we can successfully where he won the Styrian Dutch fans cheering him in the Several names more overcome our regrettable Grand Prix last Sunday, with biggest crowd of a season familiar to Formula Two fans decisions, despite the costly a time of one minute 05.143 restricted by COVID-19 also appeared on the morning consequences of this one to seconds. precautions. timing screens, with Chinese her,” USADA CEO Travis Hamilton clocked a best The 23-year-old is 18 test driver Guanyu Zhou Tygart said. lap of 1:04.523 in the points ahead of Hamilton after making his first Friday Richardson said in an NBC afternoon, with team-mate eight races. appearance in Fernando interview on the Today Show Valtteri Bottas second in “I expect more engine to Alonso’s Alpine. yesterday that her action came 1:04.712 and Verstappen third, come from these guys (Red Israeli Roy Nissany took during the trials while she was but the Briton was not Bull) tomorrow, but we’ve George Russell’s Williams for dealing with the news of the celebrating. improved in some of the the session, and Britain’s death of her mother. “They’ve definitely got corner sequences so that’s Callum Ilott took a turn in “Like I tweeted yesterday, Bahrain Victorious something extra in their bag, encouraging,” said Mercedes Antonio Giovinazzi’s Alfa I’m human. We are human, I rider Matej Mohoric I already know that,” he said team boss Toto Wolff. Romeo. want to be as transparent as of Slovenia celebrates of Red Bull. Teams were in the Formula Two leader Zhou possible with you guys after winning stage 7. “But I think we’ve made morning session testing a new was the quickest of the stand- whether it’s good, whether it’s some small progress today. I Pirelli tyre with a stronger ins, with the 14th-best time. bad,” the American sprinter said. PCB contracts: Rizwan, Hasan named in top category Pollard leads from the front as WI beat SA REUTERS — LAHORE PCB CENTRAL COCONTRACTSNTRACTS CategoryCategory contract. The PCBPCB categories,categories, while intro- announcedannounced a 25%25% inincreasecrease ducingducing eequalq match Category A: Babar Azam, Hasan Ali, Mohammadohammad RizwanRizwan,, Shaheen Afridi to level T20 series Fast bowler Hasan Ali and inin retainers in AA,, B and C feesfees acrossa all vice-captain Mohammad Category B: Azhar Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Fakharhar Zaman, Fawad Alam, ShadabShadab Khan, formats.formats. REUTERS — GRENADA Rizwan were placed in the Yasir Shahah “The equalisation top category in the Pakistan Category C: Abid Ali, Imam-ul-Haq,aq, Haris RauRauf,f, Mohammad ofof matchmatch fees means Captain Kieron Pollard impressed with bat and ball

Cricket Board’s (PCB) new Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Naumanuman Ali,Ali, Sarfaraz Ahmed thatthat all pplayers who as West Indies defeated South Africa by 21 runs to list of centrally contracted Emerging Category: Imran Butt, Shahnawazhnawaz DahanDahani,i, Usman QadirQadir walk outout together to level the five-match Twenty20 series at 2-2. players announced representrepresen Pakistan After being sent in to bat at the National Cricket yesterday. willwill receiverecei the same Stadium in Grenada, the home side posted 167 for Ali had missed out on a of the 20-member list that ooff the selectorsselectors,”,” PCB matchmatch fees irre- six in their 20 overs, before restricting South Africa contract last year after an includes eight new faces. cchiefhief executiveexecutive WWasimasim sspectivepective of which to 146 for nine in reply on Thursday. injury-marred season, Teenage fast bowler KhKhanan ssaid.aid. categorycategory they are in, Pollard produced a late onslaught to smash 51 while wicketkeeper- Naseem Shah and fellow FormerF o rme r oror whetherwheth they have from 25 balls, including five sixes, to boost the West batsman Rizwan was quick Mohammad Abbas TTestest spinnerspinner a cecentralntral contract or Indies total after they had again been slowed by South rewarded for his consistent are among the nine players AbduAbdull not,”not,” KhanKha added. Africa’s twin spin threat of left-armers Tabraiz performance across who lost their PCB QQadir’sadir’s son Shamsi (2-13 in four overs) and George Linde (2-16 formats. contracts. UsUsmanman is in four overs). Captain Babar Azam “The door remains oonene ooff tthreehree MohammadMo Brief scores: WI 167/6 in 20 overs (L Simmons and speedster Shaheen firmly open for these pplayerslayers to RizwanRiR z 47, K Pollard 51; G Linde 2/16, T Shamsi 2/13) beat Afridi are the two other players and they will con- wiwinn an South Africa 146/9 in 20 overs (Q de Kock 60; D Bravo players in the top category tinue to remain in the plans EEmergingm e r gig i ng 4/19, A Russell 2/30) by 21 runs.