SPORTS Saturday, August 19, 2017 21 Opening victory for Bahrain Aidan Payne/ DTNN other contributions came from scoring by Remi Bassereau (31) [email protected] Sayed Alabbar (10) and Hassan after the fifth and final set was Haider (9) and Mahmood in the balance to the end with Manama Abdulhussain (9), Haider the lead changing a number of osts Bahrain under also had four blocks, while times, until the French scored coach Yousuf Khalifa Mohammed Jassim finished two unanswered points with AlasboolH delighted the crowds with six. the score tied at 15-15, top as they defeated Egypt 3-1 “This is a good start for us,” scoring for Brazil was Victor (25-17, 25-20, 19-25, 25-20) Bahrain’s head coach Yousef Aleksander Al Meid a (26). in its opening Pool A match Khalifa said. “This is the world Italy in Pool D produced a last night in the 2017 FIVB championship; we must play fine 3-1 (25-19, 25-21, 19-25, Volleyball Boys’ U19 World every game like a champion.” 30-28) win over the current Championship at Shaikh Isa In the other Pool A match, European Champions the Sports City in Riffa. Puerto Rico edged out Tunisia Czech Republic. Top scoring In the opening set, it was in a thriller 3-2 (20-25, 25-18, for Italy was Diego Cantagalli fairly tight at 8-7 before 30-32, 25-22, 17-15) inspired (16) and Lorenzo Cortesia (12). Bahrain took control with a by top scorer Gabriel Garcia lead of 17-13 and soon took a with 30 points and supported Other scores: 1-0 lead after a strong finish, by Pedro Molina (11), while Pool B: Japan (Kento Miyaura while the second set saw Hedi Kazri (15) and Salem 11, Tatsanori Otsuka 11) bt Bahrain take a 13-10 lead and Naffeti (13) were the main Cuba (Lazaro Yoelvis Brunet finished strongly to go 2-0 up scorers for Tunisia. Llanes (17) 3-0 (25-21, 25-18, in the match. France shocked one of the 25-12). The national team suffered pre-tournament favourites Pool C: Russia (Maksim Team Bahrain celebrate a setback in the third set as Brazil in Pool B with a come Sapozhkov 18) bt Turkey the Egyptians raced into an from behind 2-0 sets deficit to (Adis Lagumdzlja 7) 3-0 early 9-3 lead and stayed ahead win 3-2 (23-25, 20-25, 25-17, (25-16, 25-14, 25-12). South throughout to fierce a fourth set. 25-17, 17-15). Korea bt Chile 3-0 (25-12, After a tough start to the The win was due to fine 25-20, 25-21). fourth set with the score at 9-8, Bahrain had a good middle set spell and held Today’s Schedule: on to its advantage for a 1pm: Pool B: France vs Cuba. Pool C: Chile vs Turkey maiden victory in the 3pm: Pool B: Poland vs Brazil. Pool C: Argentina vs Russia championship. Hussain 5pm: Pool A: Puerto Rico vs Egypt. Pool D: Mexico vs Czech Republic Thamer (21 points) led the 7pm: Pool A: Bahrain vs USA. Pool D: Italy vs Iran scoring for Bahrain, while Bahrain proud to host championship DT News Network of HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, Manama Representative of His Majesty the King for H Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, Charity Works and Youth Affairs, Chairman First Deputy President of the Supreme of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports CouncilH for Youth and Sports, President of and President of Bahrain Olympic Committee. Bahrain Athletics Association and Honourary Shaikh Nasser said, “We call on all sports President of the Bahrain Disabled Sports institutions and clubs in the Kingdom and all Federation has urged all sports federations Bahraini youth, as well as citizens, to support in Bahrain to support the National Youth the team during the tournament, which earlier Volleyball Team, which started yesterday and this month won the Junior Arab Volleyball continues until August 27 under the patronage Championship earlier this month in Jordan.” Action from South Korea-Chile match Tour convinced Contador it was time to quit Nîmes, France 70 percent taken but there was a lberto Contador said yesterday moment where I saw things clearly, he knew the time had come to after the Tour’s ninth stage. Vuelta: retireA during last month’s Tour de “I had to contend with things that France, where he was unable to keep weren’t in my plans, such as crashes, Last 10 winners up with the contenders. and that’s the day I got my definitive The 34-year-old Spaniard begins answer.” 2016 Nairo Quintana COL his final Grand Tour today as the Contador has raced the Vuelta 2015 Fabio Aru ITA Vuelta a Espana begins in Nimes, four times and last year, when he France with a time-trial. finished fourth, was the first time 2014 Alberto Contador ESP He had announced 10 days ago he’d failed to win it. 2013 Christopher Horner USA that he would retire at the end of This year, though, his ambitions this season following a glorious are limited. 2012 Alberto Contador ESP career in which he won the Tour “What’s clear is that in every race 2011 Juan José Cobo ESP twice, the Vuelta three times and the I want to give it everything,” he said. 2010 Vicenzo Nibali ITA Giro d’Italia twice as well. Alberto Contador “I’ve always been super But in July he laboured to a ninth- professional and I’ll remain that 2009 Alejandro Valverde ESP placed finish at the Tour, his worst of his retirement. Until then he had been in talks right to my last active day in the ESP placing since coming 31st on his “I knew the Tour de France would with his Trek team over a contract sport. 2008 Alberto Contador debut in 2005. give me my answer. extension beyond the end of this “This Vuelta is special, it will be 2007 Denis Menchov RUS “It’s a decision that I’ve thought “I arrived at the Tour in great season. three dream weeks, I’m lucky to long and hard about,” said Contador shape with the ideal weight.” “The decision (to retire) had been have this opportunity.” (AFP).