MONDAY 16 SEPTEMBER 2019 SPORT 07 At the end I just decided to go Marc Marquez says FOOTBALL FOOTBALL for it. Having lost two races on after winning the San AFC Champions League Premier League: Aston the last corner burned a bit. Marino Grand Prix. Quarter-final, 2nd leg: Villa vs West Ham United ACTION Al Sadd vs Al Nassr TODAY’S at Villa Park World Cup in ‘beautiful’ Qatar will be unique: Eto’o THE PENINSULA launched the Official Emblem their holidays in a very beau- I was delighted to see the Middle like us Africans – a warm sense home, a successful World Cup DOHA for the FIFA World Cup 2022 a tiful country. East given the opportunity to of hospitality and keenness to is mostly linked with the quality major milestone in Qatar’s Q: What makes the FIFA host in 2022 – it is an oppor- welcome others, wherever they of football. The drama, the Former Cameroon international journey on the road to 2022. World Cup so special to you per- tunity I know it will make thethe are from in the world. passion, this kind of thing.thing I’m and four-time African Player- From your experience, what do sonally? You played in the first most of. Q:Q: Aside from the suresure Qatar’s World CupCup will of-the-Year Samuel Eto’o you think fans can expect in FIFA World Cup in Africa – how Q: Qatar’s central locationion actionaction on the ppitch,itch, have all of that, but for thoset (pictured) has said FIFA World 2022? do you think Qatar will stamp means it is accessible for Africancan whatwhat do you thinkthink who travel to these tourna-tou Cup Qatar 2022 will be a unique A: When fans arrive in Qatar its own identity on the first football fans too. What woulduld mmakesakes for a sucsuc-- ments it is about the overallov experience for fans and players, for the World Cup they will find edition in the Arab world? you say to football fans thereere ccessfulessful FIFA World experience.experience. What reallyr saying ‘when fans arrive in themselves in a very beautiful A: It is true that I was for- who are considering attendinging CCupup and how concon-- mmakesakes a ddifferenceifferen is Qatar they will find themselves country, rich with traditions and tunate enough to play in the first in 2022? fidentfident are you Qatar what the fans enjoy away in a very beautiful country.’ culture, and a totally unique World Cup in Africa. Although A: For African fans, it is true,ue, will deliverdeliver in this from the stadiumsstadiums – and Eto’o, one of the most dec- setting for the tournament. I can we as a team did not progress it will be great. For many it willwill area?area? I’m sure in Qatar theythey will orated players in world football, say from first-hand experience as far as we had hoped, it was a be one flight and for most notnot A: Of course, for have a very smoothsmooth and in an interview posted on the the temperature at the time of memorable experience – not too many hours travelling.ng. thosethose watchingwatching enjoyableenjoyab Supreme Committee website, year the tournament is just for Cameroon or the hosts When they arrive in Doha I amam at experience.experienc also backed the idea to host the scheduled for will be perfect for South Africa, but for the whole confident they will be happyy to FIFA showpiece event in the watching football, for playing continent. I have always find themselves in a countrytry Middle East. football and also for relaxing by believed football is a game for that has more or less the sameme Following are the excerpts the beach! So fans will be able everyone, and therefore the climate as ours at certain timesmes of the interview. to enjoy many things away from World Cup should visit every of the year. Secondly, they willwill Q: We have recently the stadiums also, and spend region of the world. Therefore, be in a country that has valuesues Spain’s Rudy Fernandez holds the trophy Europe regain to celebrate the FIBA World Cup title with his team-mates, yesterday. Solheim Cup with thrilling victory over USA REUTERS GLENEAGLES, UK Europe’s women reclaimed the Solheim Cup in the most thrilling finish in the competi- tion’s history when they beat the United States 14.5-13.5 at Gleneagles yesterday. After a three-day battle royal around the dramatic Scottish course, Norway’s Suzann Pettersen, playing against Marina Alex in the final match, sank a putt on the 18th green to spark delirium among Gasol claims rare double as the European team. Moments earlier, with the scores locked at 13.5-13.5, Alex had a putt to keep the trophy in American hands but her effort Spain win FIBA World Cup slid by the hole. Had it gone in she would have been assured of at least a half-point on the AFP Cup bronze in a row -- and 18th. BEIJING Spain’s Marc Gasol celebrates extend the Boomers’ long wait It was then all down to Pet- with the trophy. for a major medal. tersen, one of Europe captain Three-time All-Star Marc Gasol Turkish-based guard Nando Catriona Matthew’s picks. became only the second man to De Colo led all scorers with 19 Somehow she steadied her win an NBA crown and the FIBA Spain brush aside points for France and Nicolas nerve to fire her ball into the World Cup in the same year after Argentina 95-75 in the Batum had nine points, six middle of the cup from around Spain brushed aside Argentina final of FIBA World Cup. assists, three rebounds and three 10 feet. 95-75 yesterday. steals. The day had begun at 8-8 Spain, who survived double Marc Gasol becomes The French, one of the tallest but with three of the 12 singles overtime against Australia to teams at the tournament, matches left on the course the reach the final, led throughout only the second man to defeated reigning two-time Americans needed just a half- in Beijing to win international win an NBA crown and holders the United States in the point to retain the trophy. basketball’s biggest prize a the FIBA World Cup in quarter-finals, but then lost Anna Nordqvist finished off second time. the same year. heavily to Argentina. Morgan Pressel 4&3 to close the The previous occasion was “For us it’s something very, gap to one point at about the in 2006 with the two Gasol France roar back to very special and important we same time that Bronte Law brothers, Marc and older sibling defeat Australia 67-59 did it after a very difficult first holed a 20-footer for birdie Pau, on the team. and claim a second half,” French coach Vincent against Ally McDonald to go two Pau did not feature in China Collet said. up with two to play and keep because of injury. World Cup bronze in a “Many teams could have alive the European dream. The latest triumph was par- row. given up, even easy shots we In nerve-jangling tension ticularly sweet for the 34-year- were missing in the first half. Law competed a 2&1 victory on old centre Gasol, who three “We started to move the ball the 17th and Pettersen did the months ago also played a key better in the second half and rest. part in the Toronto Raptors’ run that’s why we won this game.” It is the first time Europe to the NBA title. It is still the best finish for the have won the trophy since 2013. Gasol, who had 14 points, Boomers, who had never gone “Just unbelievable! There’s seven rebounds and seven beyond the quarter-finals at 11 never been a better moment. assists, joins Lamar Odom, a As a contest, the final was the second quarter and increased Several of the Spain players previous World Cups, but they For it to come down to the last double winner in 2010 with the over by the fourth quarter -- their advantage to 43-31 at had tears in their eyes as they are yet to claim a medal at the game... the Americans played United States and Los Angeles although the Argentines did rally half-time. collected the trophy. worlds or Olympics. great as well but for Suzann to Lakers. to reduce Spain’s previously With Rubio prominent, Argentina’s coach Sergio Deposed champions the get the winning putt is phe- “What can I say? How does mighty lead for a time. drilling 20 points, Spain never Hernandez said the better team United States, who were missing nomenal,” Matthew said. it sound to you?” Gasol told Fans of both teams had made looked like surrendering their won. their elite names, finished “Half-an-hour ago it looked reporters of his personal feat. it feel more like a football match, lead, repeatedly thwarting “No excuse, we were not seventh, their lowest position in like a draw would be a good “I feel very fortunate to be in decked out in their national Argentina’s suffocated offence. tired, we were not satisfied tournament history. result but those last three games this position, to play this game colours, chanting loudly and Gasol said that Spain’s because we wanted to win,” he They did, at least, qualify to were crucial. Just fantastic. I and help these guys. refusing to sit down. defence, which limited Argentine said.