Robin van Persie scored early to set the Netherlands on their way to victory over Ghana in a World Cup warm-up in Rotterdam on Saturday though a series of missed opportunities by Arjen Robben kept the score to 1-0.
It had threatened to be a runaway triumph for the Dutch, who like Ghana were playing their penultimate preparatory match before heading to the tournament in Brazil.
Instead, after van Persie had tapped home from close range in the fifth minute, it turned into an unconvincing display from the 2010 World Cup runners-up and their African opponents.
Van Persie's goal came at the conclusion of a sweeping move involving Wesley Sneijder and Robben when Jeffrey Schlupp, the Leicester City full back playing his second match for Ghana, slipped at the crucial moment to allow for an easy finish.
It extended van Persie's record-breaking goalscoring streak for the Netherlands to 43 in 84 internationals.
Robben then conjured up the most extraordinary miss from even closer range seven minutes later when Danny Blind swept in a pass in from the left flank but Robben somehow managed to touch it wide of goal.
He was clear on goal some 12 minutes later but saw his attempted chip over the goalkeeper hit Adam Kwarasey on the chest instead.
Robben then forced a good save out of Kwarasey on the stroke of halftime and 12 minutes into the second half lunged despairingly at a shot from Sneijder but failed to get a touch to steer it goalwards.
Kwarasey denied Robben again 12 minutes from time with a strong save at his near post.
Ghana had no clear efforts on the Dutch goal but managed to disrupt the early rhythm that Louis van Gaal's team showed and rendered a sizeable home crowd largely silent for most of the match.
Instead, a small contingent of Ghanaian fans were conspicuous by their singing throughout the second half, chanting "Hallelujah" over and over again as if seeking divine intervention for their team.
It could prove necessary for even though Ghana started without top striker Asamoah Gyan, appointing Michael Essien captain instead, and only brought Kevin Prince Boateng on in the second half, they showed little to suggest they could equal or better their heroics of four years ago when they became only the third African country to reach the World Cup quarter-finals.
The Dutch complete their warm-up programme with a friendly against Wales in Amsterdam on Wednesday while Ghana fly to the U.S. on Sunday for a week more of training and will meet South Korea in Miami on June 9 before going on to Brazil.
source : https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/football-early-van-persie-goal-hands-dutch-narrow-205248399--sow.html
Sabtu, 31 Mei 2014
Italy's Montolivo out of World Cup with broken leg
Italy suffered a serious blow ahead of the World Cup when midfielder Riccardo Montolivo suffered a broken leg during a warm-up game against Ireland at Craven Cottage on Saturday.
"It's what we feared, a fractured tibia. It will probably need some months, Riccardo is out of the World Cup. He didn't deserve this," team doctor Enrico Castellacci told Rai television.
The elegant AC Milan midfielder was accidentally caught in a challenge by defender Alex Pearce after 10 minutes and, having stood up to test his leg, went to ground and was carried off on a stretcher after five minutes of treatment on the field.
He was taken to hospital for an X-ray where it was confirmed he had suffered a fractured tibia.
Italy also had to substitute Montolivo's replacement Alberto Aquilani, who only played for 23 minutes before he went off after taking a knock to the head in a match that finished 0-0.
"The game was marked by the misfortune that Riccardo suffered. It's difficult to talk about the technical things when something like that happens. We are all stunned by what happened," Italy coach Cesare Prandelii told reporters.
source : https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/football-italys-montolivo-suffers-suspected-broken-leg-200619263--sow.html
"It's what we feared, a fractured tibia. It will probably need some months, Riccardo is out of the World Cup. He didn't deserve this," team doctor Enrico Castellacci told Rai television.
The elegant AC Milan midfielder was accidentally caught in a challenge by defender Alex Pearce after 10 minutes and, having stood up to test his leg, went to ground and was carried off on a stretcher after five minutes of treatment on the field.
He was taken to hospital for an X-ray where it was confirmed he had suffered a fractured tibia.
Italy also had to substitute Montolivo's replacement Alberto Aquilani, who only played for 23 minutes before he went off after taking a knock to the head in a match that finished 0-0.
"The game was marked by the misfortune that Riccardo suffered. It's difficult to talk about the technical things when something like that happens. We are all stunned by what happened," Italy coach Cesare Prandelii told reporters.
source : https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/football-italys-montolivo-suffers-suspected-broken-leg-200619263--sow.html
Buttler heroics not enough as Sri Lanka edge England
Kumar Sangakkara top-scored with 112 in a commanding Sri Lanka total of 300 for nine and England struggled in reply until the arrival of Buttler who smashed 121 off 74 balls.
He fell in the final over bowled by Lasith Malinga and the series will be decided in the fifth and final game at Edgbaston on Tuesday.
"That's the best I've ever played," man-of-the match Buttler told reporters. "It's brilliant to play that well but it's disappointing not to get over the line.
"Me and Ravi just had some fun. We didn't think we could win, but that gave us a licence.
"When someone like Malinga comes back at the end, you know it's going to be hard. Kulasekara bowled a really good penultimate over too."
Having skittled Sri Lanka out for 67 in the third ODI on Wednesday, England won the toss and elected to bowl as they strove to wrap up the series.
However, the tourists attacked England early and despite losing opener Kusal Perera for 19, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Sangakkara dominated a limp England bowling attack to add 172 for the second wicket.
Dilshan was bowled by James Anderson for 71 attempting his infamous scoop shot, but Sangakkara continued to dispatch the England bowlers with ease, reaching his 19th ODI century from 95 balls.
Mahela Jayawardene fell for seven and Sangakkara was stumped by Buttler after dancing down the track to spinner James Tredwell.
Sri Lanka lost steady wickets after the dismissal of Sangakkara and Harry Gurney finished with figures of four for 55, but Ajantha Mendis clubbed the last ball of the innings for four to leave England chasing a mammoth total.
England's reply got off to a dismal start when Malinga dismissed captain Alastair Cook (1) and Ian Bell (7) to leave the hosts reeling at 10 for two.
Gary Ballance (42) and Joe Root (43) built a steady partnership before falling in quick succession but Ravi Bopara (51) and Buttler put on 133 to give England a chance.
Buttler was run out in the final over with nine runs required from three balls to send the series into a final-game decider.
"That was one hell of a game," Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews said. "Jos batted brilliantly, but we saved the best till last and it's pretty hard to get 10 runs of Lasith Malinga. He is the man for us.
"Sangakkara and Dilshan batted extremely well; they set the platform.
"All in all, 300 was a good score. We know if we get past 250 we have a good chance."
source : https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/cricket-sri-lanka-hang-win-inspired-buttler-lifts-181610339--spt.html
He fell in the final over bowled by Lasith Malinga and the series will be decided in the fifth and final game at Edgbaston on Tuesday.
"That's the best I've ever played," man-of-the match Buttler told reporters. "It's brilliant to play that well but it's disappointing not to get over the line.
"Me and Ravi just had some fun. We didn't think we could win, but that gave us a licence.
"When someone like Malinga comes back at the end, you know it's going to be hard. Kulasekara bowled a really good penultimate over too."
Having skittled Sri Lanka out for 67 in the third ODI on Wednesday, England won the toss and elected to bowl as they strove to wrap up the series.
However, the tourists attacked England early and despite losing opener Kusal Perera for 19, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Sangakkara dominated a limp England bowling attack to add 172 for the second wicket.
Dilshan was bowled by James Anderson for 71 attempting his infamous scoop shot, but Sangakkara continued to dispatch the England bowlers with ease, reaching his 19th ODI century from 95 balls.
Mahela Jayawardene fell for seven and Sangakkara was stumped by Buttler after dancing down the track to spinner James Tredwell.
Sri Lanka lost steady wickets after the dismissal of Sangakkara and Harry Gurney finished with figures of four for 55, but Ajantha Mendis clubbed the last ball of the innings for four to leave England chasing a mammoth total.
England's reply got off to a dismal start when Malinga dismissed captain Alastair Cook (1) and Ian Bell (7) to leave the hosts reeling at 10 for two.
Gary Ballance (42) and Joe Root (43) built a steady partnership before falling in quick succession but Ravi Bopara (51) and Buttler put on 133 to give England a chance.
Buttler was run out in the final over with nine runs required from three balls to send the series into a final-game decider.
"That was one hell of a game," Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews said. "Jos batted brilliantly, but we saved the best till last and it's pretty hard to get 10 runs of Lasith Malinga. He is the man for us.
"Sangakkara and Dilshan batted extremely well; they set the platform.
"All in all, 300 was a good score. We know if we get past 250 we have a good chance."
source : https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/cricket-sri-lanka-hang-win-inspired-buttler-lifts-181610339--spt.html
Giro d'Italia Rogers wins atop Zoncolan as Quintana secures pink
Australia's Michael Rogers won his second stage of the race after soloing to stage 20 victory atop Monte Zoncolan on a day Nairo Quintana all but secured the overall victory in the Giro d'Italia.
Tinkoff-Saxo's Rogers, 34, rode clear of fellow escapee Francesco Bongiorno (Bardiani-CSF) after the Italian was involved in a controversial incident with an over-zealous spectator inside the closing three kilometres.
Another Italian, the veteran Franco Pellizotti (Androni-Giocattoli) went on to take second place on the stage, crossing the line of the snow-clad and spectator-covered Zoncolan 38 seconds after the impressive Rogers.
Bongiorno came home a further 11 seconds down, with Rogers' Tinkoff-Saxo team-mate Nicolas Roche - another rider from an initial 20-man break - taking fourth place at 1:35.
Colombia's Quintana, the maglia rosa from Movistar, finished 4:45 down on Rogers and alongside his compatriot Rigoberto Uran (Omega Pharma-Quick Step).
Quintana is one day away from being crowned the winner of the Giro d'Italia at his first attempt, with Uran - trailing by 3:07 on the general classification - in line to secure his second successive runner-up spot.
Italian Fabio Aru (Astana) finished in a group of other top ten riders to secure the third spot on the podium, 4:04 behind 24-year-old Quintana.
"It's amazing," said Rogers, the triple time trial world champion who also won stage 11 to Sestola. "It's always been an ambition of mine to win a mountaintop finish like that. The Zoncolan is a historic climb and it's an honour to win here.
"It's steep - one hell of a climb. The Zoncolan, Stelvio and Gavia are in the history of cycling. It's every child's dream to win here and I've done it."
Rogers' victory on what is largely considered the hardest ascent in professional climbing was not without incident, however.
With 2.5km remaining a fan attempting to push Bongiorno caused chaos when the 23-year-old clipped Rogers' wheel, swerved across the road and was forced to unclip to stay on his feet.
Seemingly unaware of the situation, Rogers rode on to open up a significant gap. Rattled by the well-intended but clearly poorly-executed intervention from the spectator, Bongiorno struggled to refind his rhythm and was eventually passed by Pellizotti in the final kilometre.
TWENTY-MAN BREAK: 20 riders formed a break off the front of the peloton shortly after the start of the 167km stage from Maniago. They were Axel Domont (Ag2R-La Mondiale), Franco Pellizotti and Jackson Rodriguez (both Androni Giocattoli), Francesco Bongiorno (Bardiani-CSF), Maarten Tjallingii (Belkin), Mattia Cattaneo (Lampre-Merida), Maxime Monfort (Lotto-Belisol), Yonathan Monsalve and Mattio Rabottini (both Neri Sottoli), Yukiya Arashiro (Europcar), Simon Geschke and Georg Preidler (both Giant-Shimano), Pieter Serry (Omega Pharma-Quick Step), Maxime Belkov (Katusha), Dario Cataldo (Sky), Michael Rogers and Nicolas Roche (both Tinkoff-Saxo), Danilo Hondo and Riccardo Zoidl (both Trek Factory Racing), and Brent Bookwalter (BMC).
Robinson Chalapud (Colombia) attacked the peloton on the first climb of the day, the Cat.1 Passo della Pura, over the summit of which Cataldo consolidated his second place in the blue jersey KOM competition. Tim Wellens (Lotto Belisol), Perriq Quemeneur (Europcar) and Edoardo Zardini (Badiani) joined Chalapud on the descent and the chasing group managed to bridge the gap on the second climb of the day, the Cat.2 Sella Razzo.
Meanwhile, the peloton rode more than six minutes in arrears - forcing the Europcar team of fourth-place Pierre Rolland to come to the front to lead the chase. Rolland tried to attack on the climb alongside Domenico Pozzovivo (Ag2R-La Mondiale) and Rafal Majka (Tinkoff-Saxo) but the main pack crossed the summit as one, 5:30 down on Cataldo, who has edged clear to take the points.
After a long 25km descent to the foot of the Zoncolan, the break stretched their advantage to just under eight minutes. This sparked a frenzy at the start of the final climb of the race, with the escapees all aware that they were most likely battling it out for the stage win. Rogers, Pellizotti and Bongiorno edged ahead with Preidler, Roche, Chalapud and Geschke before dropping their companions on the steepest 22% ramps of the fearsome climb.
Back with the main favourites, Igor Anton set a fierce pace for his Movistar leader Quintana, who soon found himself alongside Omega Pharma pair Uran and Wout Poels after the other GC favourites lost contact.
When Poels eventually succumbed to the laws of gravity and physics, it was left to the race's strongest two Colombian riders to ride shoulder to shoulder towards the finish line to cap what has been a remarkable race for the South American country.
BIG WINNER OF THE DAY: Mick Rogers started the season under a cloud of suspicion following the fall-out from his failed test for Clenbuterol last autumn. But once cleared, his season has gone from strength to strength. Only joining Tinkoff-Saxo's squad after a passport issue waylaid a team-mate, the Australian veteran has now snared two stages on his comeback tour - including the one everyone wanted to win: Monte Zoncolan.
BIG LOSER OF THE DAY: Cadel Evans (BMC) struggled on the steep mid-section of the climb and was the only rider to drop a place on GC, dropping to eighth at the expense of Dutchman Wilco Kelderman (Belkin).
KEY MOMENT: Who's to say what may have happened, but that over-aggressive push by the spectator clearly knocked the wind out of Francesco Bongiorno's sails - although the Italian youngster did look to be suffering after putting in an earlier out-of-the-saddle attack which came to nothing.
TALKING POINT: Are the Grand Tour organisers doing enough to control crowds on these 'epic' mountaintop finishes? The Bongiorno incident was the worst of a series of unsavoury incidents, with Wout Poels at one point forced to pull off the sunglasses of one fan and thrown then to the side of the road in disgust.
COMING UP: The final day of the 97th edition of the Giro features eight laps of a criterium-style circuit race in the Adriatic port of Trieste. Frenchman Nacer Bouhanni (FDJ) will look to secure the red points jersey and win his fourth scalp of the race - but he'll face stiff competition from the remaining sprinters in the race, such as Elia Viviani (Cannondale), Ben Swift (Sky), Luka Mezgec (Giant-Shimano) and Giacomo Nizzolo (Trek).
Tinkoff-Saxo's Rogers, 34, rode clear of fellow escapee Francesco Bongiorno (Bardiani-CSF) after the Italian was involved in a controversial incident with an over-zealous spectator inside the closing three kilometres.
Another Italian, the veteran Franco Pellizotti (Androni-Giocattoli) went on to take second place on the stage, crossing the line of the snow-clad and spectator-covered Zoncolan 38 seconds after the impressive Rogers.
Bongiorno came home a further 11 seconds down, with Rogers' Tinkoff-Saxo team-mate Nicolas Roche - another rider from an initial 20-man break - taking fourth place at 1:35.
Colombia's Quintana, the maglia rosa from Movistar, finished 4:45 down on Rogers and alongside his compatriot Rigoberto Uran (Omega Pharma-Quick Step).
Quintana is one day away from being crowned the winner of the Giro d'Italia at his first attempt, with Uran - trailing by 3:07 on the general classification - in line to secure his second successive runner-up spot.
Italian Fabio Aru (Astana) finished in a group of other top ten riders to secure the third spot on the podium, 4:04 behind 24-year-old Quintana.
"It's amazing," said Rogers, the triple time trial world champion who also won stage 11 to Sestola. "It's always been an ambition of mine to win a mountaintop finish like that. The Zoncolan is a historic climb and it's an honour to win here.
"It's steep - one hell of a climb. The Zoncolan, Stelvio and Gavia are in the history of cycling. It's every child's dream to win here and I've done it."
Rogers' victory on what is largely considered the hardest ascent in professional climbing was not without incident, however.
With 2.5km remaining a fan attempting to push Bongiorno caused chaos when the 23-year-old clipped Rogers' wheel, swerved across the road and was forced to unclip to stay on his feet.
Seemingly unaware of the situation, Rogers rode on to open up a significant gap. Rattled by the well-intended but clearly poorly-executed intervention from the spectator, Bongiorno struggled to refind his rhythm and was eventually passed by Pellizotti in the final kilometre.
TWENTY-MAN BREAK: 20 riders formed a break off the front of the peloton shortly after the start of the 167km stage from Maniago. They were Axel Domont (Ag2R-La Mondiale), Franco Pellizotti and Jackson Rodriguez (both Androni Giocattoli), Francesco Bongiorno (Bardiani-CSF), Maarten Tjallingii (Belkin), Mattia Cattaneo (Lampre-Merida), Maxime Monfort (Lotto-Belisol), Yonathan Monsalve and Mattio Rabottini (both Neri Sottoli), Yukiya Arashiro (Europcar), Simon Geschke and Georg Preidler (both Giant-Shimano), Pieter Serry (Omega Pharma-Quick Step), Maxime Belkov (Katusha), Dario Cataldo (Sky), Michael Rogers and Nicolas Roche (both Tinkoff-Saxo), Danilo Hondo and Riccardo Zoidl (both Trek Factory Racing), and Brent Bookwalter (BMC).
Robinson Chalapud (Colombia) attacked the peloton on the first climb of the day, the Cat.1 Passo della Pura, over the summit of which Cataldo consolidated his second place in the blue jersey KOM competition. Tim Wellens (Lotto Belisol), Perriq Quemeneur (Europcar) and Edoardo Zardini (Badiani) joined Chalapud on the descent and the chasing group managed to bridge the gap on the second climb of the day, the Cat.2 Sella Razzo.
Meanwhile, the peloton rode more than six minutes in arrears - forcing the Europcar team of fourth-place Pierre Rolland to come to the front to lead the chase. Rolland tried to attack on the climb alongside Domenico Pozzovivo (Ag2R-La Mondiale) and Rafal Majka (Tinkoff-Saxo) but the main pack crossed the summit as one, 5:30 down on Cataldo, who has edged clear to take the points.
After a long 25km descent to the foot of the Zoncolan, the break stretched their advantage to just under eight minutes. This sparked a frenzy at the start of the final climb of the race, with the escapees all aware that they were most likely battling it out for the stage win. Rogers, Pellizotti and Bongiorno edged ahead with Preidler, Roche, Chalapud and Geschke before dropping their companions on the steepest 22% ramps of the fearsome climb.
Back with the main favourites, Igor Anton set a fierce pace for his Movistar leader Quintana, who soon found himself alongside Omega Pharma pair Uran and Wout Poels after the other GC favourites lost contact.
When Poels eventually succumbed to the laws of gravity and physics, it was left to the race's strongest two Colombian riders to ride shoulder to shoulder towards the finish line to cap what has been a remarkable race for the South American country.
BIG WINNER OF THE DAY: Mick Rogers started the season under a cloud of suspicion following the fall-out from his failed test for Clenbuterol last autumn. But once cleared, his season has gone from strength to strength. Only joining Tinkoff-Saxo's squad after a passport issue waylaid a team-mate, the Australian veteran has now snared two stages on his comeback tour - including the one everyone wanted to win: Monte Zoncolan.
BIG LOSER OF THE DAY: Cadel Evans (BMC) struggled on the steep mid-section of the climb and was the only rider to drop a place on GC, dropping to eighth at the expense of Dutchman Wilco Kelderman (Belkin).
KEY MOMENT: Who's to say what may have happened, but that over-aggressive push by the spectator clearly knocked the wind out of Francesco Bongiorno's sails - although the Italian youngster did look to be suffering after putting in an earlier out-of-the-saddle attack which came to nothing.
TALKING POINT: Are the Grand Tour organisers doing enough to control crowds on these 'epic' mountaintop finishes? The Bongiorno incident was the worst of a series of unsavoury incidents, with Wout Poels at one point forced to pull off the sunglasses of one fan and thrown then to the side of the road in disgust.
COMING UP: The final day of the 97th edition of the Giro features eight laps of a criterium-style circuit race in the Adriatic port of Trieste. Frenchman Nacer Bouhanni (FDJ) will look to secure the red points jersey and win his fourth scalp of the race - but he'll face stiff competition from the remaining sprinters in the race, such as Elia Viviani (Cannondale), Ben Swift (Sky), Luka Mezgec (Giant-Shimano) and Giacomo Nizzolo (Trek).
Premier League - Lampard to sign for New York City FC - reports
New York City FC, who are co-owned by Premier League side Manchester City and the New York Yankees, will enter the Major League Soccer season next March and are currently in the process of looking to recruit players for their roster.
And, if reports are to be believed, the MLS's newest franchise are making waves in their hunt to add to their squad. According to the Mirror, Lampard broke away from England's World Cup preparations to visit Man City's Carrington training complex in order to agree the formalities of the deal.
Lampard, who will end his 13-year stint with Chelsea, reportedly met with NYFC head coach Jason Kreis to agree on a deal that will see him earn significantly less than his £150,000-per-week at Stamford Bridge.
However, such is the culture in America, Lampard will earn a substantial amount from bonuses, with England star's signature a real statement of intent from NYFC.
The Mirror also report that Spanish striker David Villa, who helped Atletico Madrid to the La Liga title and Champions League final, joined Lampard at Carrington and he, too, is set to sign for the MLS outfit.
source : https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/premier-league-lampard-sign-new-york-city-fc-180215248--sow.html
And, if reports are to be believed, the MLS's newest franchise are making waves in their hunt to add to their squad. According to the Mirror, Lampard broke away from England's World Cup preparations to visit Man City's Carrington training complex in order to agree the formalities of the deal.
Lampard, who will end his 13-year stint with Chelsea, reportedly met with NYFC head coach Jason Kreis to agree on a deal that will see him earn significantly less than his £150,000-per-week at Stamford Bridge.
However, such is the culture in America, Lampard will earn a substantial amount from bonuses, with England star's signature a real statement of intent from NYFC.
The Mirror also report that Spanish striker David Villa, who helped Atletico Madrid to the La Liga title and Champions League final, joined Lampard at Carrington and he, too, is set to sign for the MLS outfit.
source : https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/premier-league-lampard-sign-new-york-city-fc-180215248--sow.html
Boxing DeGale earns world title shot with Wembley win
DeGale, who recently joined Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing stable after three years of career stalling under Frank Warren and Mick Hennessy, looked focused and motivated as he picked his shots against the capable American.
The chief-support bout to Carl Froch v George Groves, to determine the next challenge for the main event’s victor, was regarded as evenly-matched and tough to call prior to the bell.
But DeGale marked his return to his home town with three rounds of cerebral and superior fighting before amping up the physicality with vicious rights and lefts in the fourth to register two knockdowns.
The second time DeGale dropped his man in the dying embers of the fourth, the referee saw no reason to allow the dazed and hurt Gonzales to take any further abuse.
“That was exactly what I wanted,” said DeGale after the fight. “I hit him with some good, clean shots and he was hurt.
“I am 100% ready for my world title shot. That was a good fighter who came to win but I am ready to fight Froch or Groves.”
Jamie McDonnell became a two-time world champion in the card’s other title showdown, dropping Thailand’s Tabtimdaeng Na Rachawat with a superb left in round 10 of their battle for the vacant WBA bantamweight strap.
Rachawat remained active throughout the contest and put the Doncaster man under plenty of pressure, but constantly found himself at the mercy of McDonnell’s jab with some choice power punches landing along the way before the grandstand finish in the 10th.
McDonnell is ready to pick up where he left off after getting back into the championship bracket, saying: "It means everything to me to regain a world title. It gets me back on track and now I want a unification fight with anyone in this division.
“Don't get me wrong, he was tough and hit me with a few good shots. I could feel my cut dripping into my eye but I got out of danger.”
Kevin Mitchell was found to have exceeded the limits of his weight check on Saturday ahead of his IBF lightweight title eliminator against Ghislain Maduma, before escaping a wholly unconvincing performance with an 11th-round stoppage.
Mitchell was surely down on the judges’ scorecards when Maduma tired in the penultimate round, allowing the Londoner to capitalise with two knockdowns, ending the bout with the latter.
“We worked on that fight in the gym,” Mitchell claimed. “We knew he would get off to a fast start but I have a lot of experience and I’m eager to impress. I put the pressure on him late on and made him feel it. I could have gone 15-20 rounds in the end.”
Eddie Hearn confirmed after the bout that they hoped to ensure Mitchell gets a third world title opportunity despite the weight issue when they take the matter up with the IBF next week.
And in the card’s opener, Anthony Joshua wasted no time decimating Matt Legg to earn his sixth professional win from six – all of which have come inside two rounds.
London 2012 Olympic gold medallist Joshua hit two nasty-looking short uppercuts on his way to dropping Legg for the stoppage win after just 83 seconds.
Joshua said afterward: "I feel I can step up. I haven't gone past two rounds as a pro yet. I could do with the experience. Maybe I will have a better opponent on July 12 in Liverpool."
source : https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/boxing-joshua-gets-skelton-next-quick-wembley-win-180322197--box.html
The chief-support bout to Carl Froch v George Groves, to determine the next challenge for the main event’s victor, was regarded as evenly-matched and tough to call prior to the bell.
But DeGale marked his return to his home town with three rounds of cerebral and superior fighting before amping up the physicality with vicious rights and lefts in the fourth to register two knockdowns.
The second time DeGale dropped his man in the dying embers of the fourth, the referee saw no reason to allow the dazed and hurt Gonzales to take any further abuse.
“That was exactly what I wanted,” said DeGale after the fight. “I hit him with some good, clean shots and he was hurt.
“I am 100% ready for my world title shot. That was a good fighter who came to win but I am ready to fight Froch or Groves.”
Jamie McDonnell became a two-time world champion in the card’s other title showdown, dropping Thailand’s Tabtimdaeng Na Rachawat with a superb left in round 10 of their battle for the vacant WBA bantamweight strap.
Rachawat remained active throughout the contest and put the Doncaster man under plenty of pressure, but constantly found himself at the mercy of McDonnell’s jab with some choice power punches landing along the way before the grandstand finish in the 10th.
McDonnell is ready to pick up where he left off after getting back into the championship bracket, saying: "It means everything to me to regain a world title. It gets me back on track and now I want a unification fight with anyone in this division.
“Don't get me wrong, he was tough and hit me with a few good shots. I could feel my cut dripping into my eye but I got out of danger.”
Kevin Mitchell was found to have exceeded the limits of his weight check on Saturday ahead of his IBF lightweight title eliminator against Ghislain Maduma, before escaping a wholly unconvincing performance with an 11th-round stoppage.
Mitchell was surely down on the judges’ scorecards when Maduma tired in the penultimate round, allowing the Londoner to capitalise with two knockdowns, ending the bout with the latter.
“We worked on that fight in the gym,” Mitchell claimed. “We knew he would get off to a fast start but I have a lot of experience and I’m eager to impress. I put the pressure on him late on and made him feel it. I could have gone 15-20 rounds in the end.”
Eddie Hearn confirmed after the bout that they hoped to ensure Mitchell gets a third world title opportunity despite the weight issue when they take the matter up with the IBF next week.
And in the card’s opener, Anthony Joshua wasted no time decimating Matt Legg to earn his sixth professional win from six – all of which have come inside two rounds.
London 2012 Olympic gold medallist Joshua hit two nasty-looking short uppercuts on his way to dropping Legg for the stoppage win after just 83 seconds.
Joshua said afterward: "I feel I can step up. I haven't gone past two rounds as a pro yet. I could do with the experience. Maybe I will have a better opponent on July 12 in Liverpool."
source : https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/boxing-joshua-gets-skelton-next-quick-wembley-win-180322197--box.html
French Open Nadal eases past Mayer at Roland Garros
The world No.1, who is undefeated at Roland Garros since his only loss in 2009, extended his record to 62-1 on the Paris clay having not dropped a set at this year's event.
The Spaniard made only five unforced errors in the first two sets - 10 in total - even though he was broken in the second as world No.65 Mayer showed his claycourt skills.
Nadal ended the contest with a service winner to set up a meeting with unheralded Serbian Dujan Lajovic, who beat American Jack Sock 6-4 7-5 6-3 and also has yet to drop a set.
Nadal, however, revealed he was suffering from back pains, although he refused to elaborate when quizzed on the matter.
"Well, I'd rather not talk about my back. I've reached week number two. I'll do my best. I'll play as best as I can," he told a news conference.
"I'll put up a good fight to try and win. You know, my back is not that important. It's not that important, because I wouldn't really like to give you too many details.
"I am the way I am, and I'm happy to have reached this level. I won a three-set match, which is important."
His uncle and coach Toni Nadal said: "It was a solid match against a good claycourt player.
"In the second set, after he broke he lost his focus a bit. But he managed to come back and play some good tennis."
Earlier, David Ferrer continued his stroll towards a possible quarter-final clash against Nadal with a 6-2 7-6(2) 6-3 win against Italian Andreas Seppi.
Ferrer blazed through the opening set but let his guard down in the second after an early break and was forced into a tiebreak he won 7-2.
The third set was a mere formality and the fifth seed finished it off on his first match point with one of his trademark forehand winners down the line.
Later on Saturday, eight-times champion Rafa Nadal will be looking to extend his Roland Garros record to 62-1 when he takes on unseeded Argentine Leonardo Mayer.
Results from French Open men's third round
Marcel Granollers (Spain) beat Martin Klizan (Slovakia) 6-7(5) 6-2 7-6(4) 7-5
5-David Ferrer (Spain) beat 32-Andreas Seppi (Italy) 6-2 7-6(2) 6-3
Dusan Lajovic (Serbia) beat Jack Sock (U.S.) 6-4 7-5 6-3
19-Kevin Anderson (South Africa) beat Ivo Karlovic (Croatia) 6-3 (Karlovic retired)
source : https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/french-open-ferrer-stays-course-nadal-clash-134233111--ten.html
The Spaniard made only five unforced errors in the first two sets - 10 in total - even though he was broken in the second as world No.65 Mayer showed his claycourt skills.
Nadal ended the contest with a service winner to set up a meeting with unheralded Serbian Dujan Lajovic, who beat American Jack Sock 6-4 7-5 6-3 and also has yet to drop a set.
Nadal, however, revealed he was suffering from back pains, although he refused to elaborate when quizzed on the matter.
"Well, I'd rather not talk about my back. I've reached week number two. I'll do my best. I'll play as best as I can," he told a news conference.
"I'll put up a good fight to try and win. You know, my back is not that important. It's not that important, because I wouldn't really like to give you too many details.
"I am the way I am, and I'm happy to have reached this level. I won a three-set match, which is important."
His uncle and coach Toni Nadal said: "It was a solid match against a good claycourt player.
"In the second set, after he broke he lost his focus a bit. But he managed to come back and play some good tennis."
Earlier, David Ferrer continued his stroll towards a possible quarter-final clash against Nadal with a 6-2 7-6(2) 6-3 win against Italian Andreas Seppi.
Ferrer blazed through the opening set but let his guard down in the second after an early break and was forced into a tiebreak he won 7-2.
The third set was a mere formality and the fifth seed finished it off on his first match point with one of his trademark forehand winners down the line.
Later on Saturday, eight-times champion Rafa Nadal will be looking to extend his Roland Garros record to 62-1 when he takes on unseeded Argentine Leonardo Mayer.
Results from French Open men's third round
Marcel Granollers (Spain) beat Martin Klizan (Slovakia) 6-7(5) 6-2 7-6(4) 7-5
5-David Ferrer (Spain) beat 32-Andreas Seppi (Italy) 6-2 7-6(2) 6-3
Dusan Lajovic (Serbia) beat Jack Sock (U.S.) 6-4 7-5 6-3
19-Kevin Anderson (South Africa) beat Ivo Karlovic (Croatia) 6-3 (Karlovic retired)
source : https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/french-open-ferrer-stays-course-nadal-clash-134233111--ten.html
Women should have kids not play tennis says this man
Ernests Gulbis has a long history of producing sensational press conferences, very often for the wrong reasons.
So it was little surprise to anyone that the Latvian shocked reporters with his views on women when asked an innocuous question about his sisters' tennis ability.
After beating Radek Stepanek to reach the fourth round of the French Open, he was innocently asked whether his two younger sisters would emulate his achievements.
Well, not only did he not think so, but he expanded beyond what was even remotely necessary to provide his views on women playing sport in general.
Yes, it really was uncalled for, and yes, it really was pretty outrageous what he had to say.
Q. You have two younger sisters that play tennis, as well. Are they going to be as good as you? When was the last time you played with them?
ERNESTS GULBIS: "Hopefully they will not pursue professional tennis career. Hopefully. Because for a woman, it's tough.
"I wouldn't like my sisters to become professional tennis players. It's tough choice of life.
"A woman needs to enjoy life a little bit more. Needs to think about family, needs to think about kids.
"What kids you can think about until age of 27 if you're playing professional tennis, you know.
"That's tough for a woman, I think."
Patronising? Yes. Offensive to many? Yes. Horribly ignorant? Look, everyone can make their own minds up.
Oh, and the response on social media was predictably one of shock and outrage.
His sisters, Laura Gulbe and Monica Kavace, will very likely disagree with him - particularly given that 19-year-old Laura is already embarking on a very promising career in the sport.
She had about a .500 winning percentage in the juniors and a top ITF ranking of number 192.
Her current WTA Tour singles ranking is 1,220 as she starts out in small professional events, but that is the same for anyone at her stage of development. Kavace, meanwhile, known as Mona, has just turned 16.
So maybe Gulbis should not have said what he did. No actually, he definitely should not have said what he did. One of these days he may change his approach to interviews, or his views entirely.
source : https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/tramlines/women-kids-not-play-tennis-says-tennis-star-160211207.html
So it was little surprise to anyone that the Latvian shocked reporters with his views on women when asked an innocuous question about his sisters' tennis ability.
After beating Radek Stepanek to reach the fourth round of the French Open, he was innocently asked whether his two younger sisters would emulate his achievements.
Well, not only did he not think so, but he expanded beyond what was even remotely necessary to provide his views on women playing sport in general.
Yes, it really was uncalled for, and yes, it really was pretty outrageous what he had to say.
Q. You have two younger sisters that play tennis, as well. Are they going to be as good as you? When was the last time you played with them?
ERNESTS GULBIS: "Hopefully they will not pursue professional tennis career. Hopefully. Because for a woman, it's tough.
"I wouldn't like my sisters to become professional tennis players. It's tough choice of life.
"A woman needs to enjoy life a little bit more. Needs to think about family, needs to think about kids.
"What kids you can think about until age of 27 if you're playing professional tennis, you know.
"That's tough for a woman, I think."
Patronising? Yes. Offensive to many? Yes. Horribly ignorant? Look, everyone can make their own minds up.
Oh, and the response on social media was predictably one of shock and outrage.
His sisters, Laura Gulbe and Monica Kavace, will very likely disagree with him - particularly given that 19-year-old Laura is already embarking on a very promising career in the sport.
She had about a .500 winning percentage in the juniors and a top ITF ranking of number 192.
Her current WTA Tour singles ranking is 1,220 as she starts out in small professional events, but that is the same for anyone at her stage of development. Kavace, meanwhile, known as Mona, has just turned 16.
So maybe Gulbis should not have said what he did. No actually, he definitely should not have said what he did. One of these days he may change his approach to interviews, or his views entirely.
source : https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/tramlines/women-kids-not-play-tennis-says-tennis-star-160211207.html
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