CONFEDERATIONS CUP : SPAIN 0 - 0 ITALY

 

 

Spain win 7-6 on penalties

Favourites Spain will face Brazil in the Confederations Cup final after a dramatic 7-6 penalty shoot-out victory against Italy in Fortaleza.

Spain substitute Jesus Navas drilled in the decisive penalty after Italy defender Leonardo Bonucci missed.
Italy dominated much of the 90 minutes but were left to pay for their misses.

 

 

Emanuele Giaccherini hit the Spain post in extra-time, while Gianluigi Buffon pushed Xavi's shot on to the woodwork.

Each of the first 12 penalties were converted in a high-quality shoot-out before Bonucci blasted his effort over Iker Casillas's crossbar.
His miss allowed new Manchester City winger Navas to coolly convert past Buffon to set up an eagerly anticipated clash against the host nation, 2-1 winners against Uruguay in their semi-final, in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday.

But the complexion of the match would have been totally different had Italy, without injured striker Mario Balotelli, not squandered a host of goalscoring chances.
The Azzurri dominated a high-tempo first half as the tactical instructions of boss Cesare Prandelli - to stay tight and compact defensively before breaking quickly down the Spanish flanks - were carried out to perfection.

Spain, who beat their opponents 4-0 in the Euro 2012 final, looked vulnerable as they failed to cope with the Italian raids, but were left unpunished.
Italy wing-back Christian Maggio was the outstanding performer in a frenetic first half as he worried Spanish left-back Jordi Alba with his pace and movement down the right flank.
The Napoli player missed three gilt-edged chances, notably when heading straight at Casillas from six yards when unmarked, as well as creating spurned opportunities for Alberto Gilardino and Claudio Marchisio.
The stern expression etched across coach Vincente del Bosque's face as the game approached half-time epitomised Spain's worries.

Having guided the world and European champions to a record 28 competitive matches without defeat, the veteran coach has rarely seen his side struggle. But, despite his half-time intervention, their lethargic approach continued after the interval. 

Italy, backed by a large vocal support inside the Estadio Castelao, continued to press with Marchisio denied by a desperate block from Gerard Pique and Giorgio Chiellini heading Andrea Pirlo's corner onto the roof of the Spanish net.

However, the energy of the hard-working Italians started to wane as they felt the effects of sweltering temperatures in northern Brazil.

Spain found renewed energy as the game entered extra-time - Xavi and Andres Iniesta pushing and probing the tiring Italian defence with their slick interchanges.

 

 

Confederations Cup: Navas penalty sends Spain into final

Pique saw a shot blocked, Daniele De Rossi poked clear away from Sergio Ramos and the Real Madrid defender then lashed over as Spain piled on the pressure with a succession of corners.
In the final moments of extra-time, Italy captain Buffon unconvincingly pushed Xavi's arcing long-range shot onto his left-hand post and escaped further punishment when Javi Martinez steered the rebound wide.
Seconds later, Navas's drilled cross was palmed away by Buffon as the Italians held out for penalties after a breathless finale.

Buffon and Casillas were virtual bystanders in a shoot-out full of cool finishes, but it was Spain who were left celebrating after Navas's winner and they travel to Rio aiming to add the Confederations Cup to their trophy haul.

• Spain 0-1 Italy - Candreva
• Spain 1-1 Italy - Xavi
• Spain 1-2 Italy - Aquilani
• Spain 2-2 Italy - Iniesta
• Spain 2-3 Italy - De Rossi
• Spain 3-3 Italy - Pique
• Spain 3-4 Italy - Giovinco
• Spain 4-4 Italy - Ramos
• Spain 4-5 Italy - Pirlo
• Spain 5-5 Italy - Mata
• Spain 5-6 Italy - Montolivo
• Spain 6-6 Italy - Busquets
• Spain 6-6 Italy - Bonucci MISSES
• Spain 7-6 Italy - Navas 

Source : http://www.bbc.co.uk
 

Cleveland Takes UNLV's Bennett With First Pick Of NBA Draft

 

With the first overall pick of the 2013 NBA Draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers have selected Canadian Anthony Bennett, a 6'8" power forward from UNLV. The selection comes as a surprise to many observers, who had projected Nerlens Noel, a center from the University of Kentucky, as the likely top pick.
You can follow the draft at . After Cleveland, here are the next four teams in the draft:

• Orlando Magic: Guard Victor Oladipo, 6'4", of Indiana University.
• Washington Wizards: Otto Porter, a 6'9" forward from Georgetown.
• Charlotte Bobcats: Cody Zeller, a 7' center from Indiana.
• Phoenix Suns: Maryland center Alex Len, 7'1", a native of Ukraine.

Because this year's draft isn't seen as a source of game-changing talent, some sports analysts had predicted Cleveland might trade its No. 1 pick for a veteran presence, in exchange for a top pick in the coming years.

Source : http://www.npr.org

 

DOMA widow cried on hearing of Supreme Court win

 

NEW YORK -- The 84-year-old widow at the center of an historic gay-rights marriage case before the Supreme Court said she cried on Wednesday upon learning of her win, with the justices deeming unconstitutional a federal law that bars recognition of same-sex marriage.
Smiling and at some times emotional, Edie Windsor said: “I cried, I cried,” after learning of her landmark victory, hailed by one of her attorneys, James Esseks, as a “watershed” moment in the decades-long battle for gay rights.

“We won everything we asked and hoped for.  Wow,” she told a room full of reporters at The Center, a LGBT rights community center in New York City.

DOMA plaintiff Edie Windsor reacts to the Supreme Court's decision to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act Wednesday.

The victory means the federal government must recognize the marriages of gay and lesbian couples married in the 12 states that allow same-sex marriage, plus the District of Columbia, and give them the same benefits that they had been previously denied under the struck-down law, the Defense of Marriage Act (or DOMA).
Donna Lieberman, executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union, said it meant the end of what Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg had called "skim-milk marriage" during oral arguments in March.

“I thought we had every right to win. I thought our arguments were sound and everyone else's were insane,” she quipped.

Windsor noted that her journey as a lesbian throughout the decades meant she had had to lie a lot of the time about her sexuality. Her other attorney, Roberta Kaplan, likened Windsor to Susan B. Anthony, Rosa Parks and Harvey Milk.

“It makes me feel incredibly proud and humble,” Windsor said.

Windsor launched her lawsuit after getting a bill for $363,000 in estate taxes after her wife, Thea Spyer, died in 2009 – two years following the couple's marriage in Canada. She noted that if her spouse had been named “Theo,” she wouldn't have received that bill.

She was heartbroken after Spyer’s death but also “overwhelmed with a sense of injustice and unfairness” and decided to sue to get her money back.

“Children born today will grow up in a world without DOMA. And those same children who happen to be gay will be free to love and get married – as Thea and I did – but with the same federal benefits, protections and dignity as everyone else,” Windsor said. “If I had to survive Thea, what a glorious way to do it and she would be so pleased."

Kaplan said Windsor would recoup that money plus interest, as would other couples who brought a case. For other couples, who are married now, the reimbursement will depend on each federal program and benefit. DOMA had blocked the access of same-sex married couples to more than 1,100 federal benefits.
As to the future, Windsor said she would be supportive of the ongoing efforts to bring same-sex marriage nationwide but would otherwise take a back seat.

"I don't have a ton of years left and I would like to relax a little bit," she said lightheartedly.
And when asked what she thought Thea, her partner of 44 years, would say on this big day, Windsor surmised: “You did it, honey.”

Source : http://usnews.nbcnews.com

Roger Federer stunned in second round at Wimbledon

On one of the most surprising days at Wimbledon ever, this may have been the most surprising.
Sergiy Stakhovsky, ranked 116th, knocked out seven-time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer, 6-7, 7-6, 7-5, 7-6.

"It was clearly not what I was hoping for," said Federer.

It was the first time in 21 tries that Stakhovsky had ever beaten a top-10 player.

"It's always a disappointment losing any match around the world, and particularly here," Federer said. "I've had some great moments here, but also some tougher ones. Can't have 'em all. It was a tough loss today."
Stakhovsky called his win "magic," saying, "I couldn't play any better today."

At one point in the match ESPN flashed a graphic showing that Stakhovsky had 12 grass court wins while Federer had 13 grass court titles.

Federer, who had made 36 consecutive major quarterfinals, played poorly at times, shanking a handful of forehand volleys. The winner was masterful with his serve and volley game.

"I still have plans to play for many more years to come," Federer said when he was asked whether he felt this might be a crossroads in his career. "It's normal that after all of a sudden losing early after being in the quarters 36 times, people feel it's different. "

On several points, he got Federer in a position in which he couldn't return a shot or could only return it in a dangerous place.

"I'm still in disbelief," Stakhovsky said. "When you play Roger Federer at Wimbledon it's like you are playing two persons. First you play Roger Federer, then you play his ego, and on the Centre Court of Wimbledon, where he is historical. So that's like playing two against one."

Federer, calling the loss "clearly disappointing" said he would invoke "the 24-hour rule" where you "don't panic" and "come back stronger."

The day also saw Lleyton Hewitt and Maria Sharapova getting upset and it was a day of injuries and retirement.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Victoria Azarenka and John Isner among the seven players to retire or not start a match due to injuries.

In addition, Caroline Wozniacki lost in straight sets after injuring her ankle early in her match.



Source : http://www.usatoday.com

CONFEDERATION CUP : BRASIL 2 - 1 URUGUAY

 

Brazil scraped into the final of the Confederations Cup with victory in an emotional and highly-charged encounter at the Estadio Mineirao.

Paulinho's late header ensured the Selecao finally saw off a resilient Uruguay to set up a clash with Spain or Italy in the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday.

Fred had given Brazil a scarcely-deserved first-half lead, prodding home Neymar's cross. But Uruguay hit back shortly after the interval when Edinson Cavani capitalised on an error from Brazil captain Thiago Silva to strike a low shot beyond Julio Cesar.

 "Brazil just got themselves over the line but it was a performance that needs a lot of questions asking about it. I'm sure they will be asked over the next few days. They were not at their best but Sunday is a different day. They might even be loaned the ball by Spain if they get to the final."

Home goalkeeper Cesar had earlier saved Diego Forlan's first-half penalty, after David Luiz pulled down Uruguay captain Diego Lugano.

This was a test of character and spirit for Luiz Felipe Scolari's Brazil but the jubilation among the players and coaching staff at the final whistle showed just how much this meant. Brazil never approached their fluent best but they did just enough to get over the line.

The build-up had been every bit as passionate and spiky as the game itself. Cesar had described the rivalry between the nations as more intense than that of Brazil's with Argentina, while Uruguay captain Diego Lugano had accused Neymar of attempting to fool referees by diving.

But for all the talk, on both sides, of a fiesta of South American football, the match was fraught and fractious. Neither side found their fluency, as Uruguay drained the game of pace and momentum, quietening the crowd and adding to the mood of tension around the ground.
But it was an incident in the 14th minute, involving two players who had featured in the build-up, that changed the mood. Uruguay won a corner and as the players jostled in the penalty area, Luiz grabbed a handful of Lugano's shirt and the Uruguay captain went to ground for a penalty.

Paulinho's winner earned Brazil their 11th straight Confederations Cup win - a tournament record.

The Brazil players surrounded Chilean referee Enrique Osses and the stadium erupted in fury. Forlan was made to wait and wait to take the spot-kick and his effort was low and tame, allowing Cesar to dive to his left and turn the ball behind with a flick of his glove. 

The noise that rumbled around the Estadio Mineirao initially appeared to shake Brazil from their slumber. And yet for the remainder of the half, they looked a side lacking cohesion, confidence and sustained threat - insipid not inventive.

Uruguay continued to threaten, frustrating Brazil, snapping in tackles and denying them space. Rodriguez headed just over while Forlan fizzed a curling left foot shot just wide.
It seemed it might take a mistake, some individualism or a piece of good fortune to break the deadlock and give Brazil hope - so it proved.

With half-time in sight, Paulinho's lofted pass spun perfectly into the path of Neymar. He forced the ball back across goal, but it was deflected into the path of Fred, via a deflection off Lugano, allowing the local boy to force the ball into the net with his shin.

Did you know?

Brazil beat Uruguay 3-0 at the Estadio Mineirao in September 1965. It was the first international played at the venue.

And yet Brazil were still prone to lapses in concentration. With the second half just minutes old, their captain Thiago Silva ended a calamitous series of errors by passing the ball to Cavani in the penalty area. The highly-rated Napoli striker fired a low shot beyond Cesar before many Brazilians had taken their seats, to level the game and stun Estadio Mineirao into silence for a second time.

The introduction of home-town hero Bernard lifted the home crowd once more. His quick feet took him past two Uruguay defenders within minutes of his arrival only for Fred to fire high and wide when the ball finally came his way.

Uruguay dropped deeper and deeper as Brazil went to the flanks in search of an opening. Cavani, though, still threatened. One shot deflected narrowly wide, but with time running out it was the hosts who struck the decisive blow. Neymar floated a corner over from the left and Paulinho rose highest to head in at the far post and spark scenes of jubilation.

Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari:
"If you keep plugging away something good will happen and that happened today.
"Four wins in four games is important. We are on the right track."

Uruguay manager Oscar Tabarez:
"More than having an effect on my team, the penalty miss had a huge effect on the opponent.
"They had been second best until then and from that moment they grew."

Source : http://www.bbc.co.uk

Nelson Mandela has been placed on life support, CNN reported Wednesday afternoon.
The former South African president's health remained critical for the fourth consecutive day as tribal leaders reportedly were warned to prepare for his death.

According to Sky News' chief correspondent in South Africa, multiple sources confirmed that Mandela is no longer able to breathe unassisted. He has been undergoing treatment, including renal dialysis, at the Mediclinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria since June 8.

According to Reuters, South African President Jacob Zuma was scheduled to travel to Mozambique on Thursday -- that trip has now been canceled.

In an interview with CNN Tuesday, Mandela's daughter Makaziwe, the sole surviving child from his first marriage to the late Evelyn Mandela, said the family was enjoying “quality and sacred moments” with her father.

“All I pray for as a daughter is that the transition is smooth. He is at peace with himself. He has given so much to the world. I believe he is at peace," Makaziwe said.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com

Wimbledon 2013: Serena, Djokovic ease into second round

WIMBLEDON, England — Serena Williams said she always feels the nerves entering the first round of a major.
There seemed to be few on Tuesday as the top seed and defending champion defeated Mandy Minella of Luxembourg 6-1, 6-3 to move into the second round of Wimbledon.

DAY 1: Nadal ousted in first round
It was the 32nd consecutive victory for Williams and ran her record in 2013 to 44-2.
"I don't think about it," Williams said about her streak. "Every single time I step out on the court it's a new match."

SERENA'S TAKE: Nerves before first match
The top seed on the men's side, Novak Djokovic, also moved on with ease.
Djokovic defeated Florian Mayer of Germany, who is ranked No. 34 in the world, 6-3, 7-5, 6-4.
Djokovic took a 3-0 lead in the first set and broke for a 6-5 lead in the second to take firm control. He served out the match to love before saluting the Centre Court crowd with a fist pump.
"It was a big pleasure again performing here on Centre Court in front of the packed crowd," Djokovic said. "For the first round, it was tricky. ... I think (Mayer's) game is really well suited for grass, so it took a lot of effort."

Tuesday's match was Williams' first since she won the French Open in Paris two weeks ago, and it was a chance to turn the focus back to tennis following nearly a week of off-court controversy involving an article in Rolling Stone. First there were her comments about a high-profile rape case that resulted in two apologies and a promise to work on awareness with the family of the victim. Then there was a verbal spat with Maria Sharapova.

"It hasn't been a distraction," Williams said. "Like I said, I'm just here to focus on the tennis," Williams said. "I'm just here to play Wimbledon. It's the premier tournament in the world, of the year, so that's what's most important. ... We're playing on opposite days, so we don't really see each other."
On Tuesday, at last, it was back to tennis.

Williams rolled through the first set, not dropping a single point on serve. Her dominant roll slowed early in the second set when she was broken in her first service game.
She was one point from going down 3-0 but then won 15 of the next 18 points to take a 4-2 lead, and broke again to wrap up the win.

"For me, it's the greatest moment for a tennis player, to walk out on Centre Court," Williams said after her first match at Wimbledon since winning Olympic gold here last year. "That was such a great moment, too. So many great memories on this court."
Williams improved her career record to 68-8 at the All England Club and extended her career-best winning streak to 32 matches, which included her second French Open title.

Minella broke Williams early in the second set and led 2-0, but Williams had little trouble from there.
"I feel like I was a little rusty for some reason today," Williams said. "I don't feel like I played my best. I felt really upset when I lost my serve in the second set. With that being said, I think Mandy played really well. I thought she was really mixing up her shots, mixing up her game. It wasn't an easy match for me. I'm a little excited I was able to play a tough match and to get through it."
The 92nd-ranked Minella was making her second appearance at Wimbledon, having lost in the first round in 2012.

Williams will face Caroline Garcia of France in the second round. Garcia knocked off Zheng Jie of China, who took Williams to three sets at Wimbledon a year earlier.
Williams defeated Garcia 6-1, 6-2 in the second round of the French Open.

The top seed on the men's side Novak Djokovic was next up on Centre Court.

Also Tuesday:
•French Open runner-up David Ferrer overcame a second-set slump and a couple of hard falls on the slippery grass to beat Martin Alund of Argentina 6-1, 4-6, 7-5, 6-2. Ferrer appeared to be favoring his left ankle late in the match.

•Juan Martin Del Potro made a winning return to Grand Slam competition, defeating Albert Ramos of Spain 6-2, 7-5, 6-1 in the first round. The eighth-seeded Del Potro did not play at the French Open because of respiratory problems.

•James Blake of the USA ended a five-match Wimbledon losing streak by beating 93rd-ranked Thiemo De Bakker of the Netherlands 6-1, 6-3, 6-2 in the first round.

•Bernard Tomic, whose father is barred from tour tournaments because of an assault case, defeated 21st-seeded Sam Querrey 7-6 (8-6), 7-6 (7-3), 3-6, 2-6, 6-3 after withstanding a flurry of 36 aces by the American.

•42-year-old Japanese veteran Kimiko Date-Krumm cruised past German teenager Carina Witthoeft — who is less than half her age — 6-0, 6-2 in just 44 minutes. Date-Krumm is the second oldest player to have won a match at Wimbledon after Martina Navratilova, who was 47 when she reached the second round in 2004. The 18-year-old Witthoeft was making her Grand Slam debut.

•Sixth-seeded Li Na of China reached the second round, routing Michaella Krajicek of the Netherlands 6-1, 6-1.

•Laura Robson became the first British woman to defeat a top-10 player at Wimbledon in 15 years when she upset 10th-seeded Maria Kirilenko 6-3, 6-4. The 19-year-old Robson followed in the footsteps of Sam Smith, who upset No. 7 Conchita Martinez in 1998.

Source : http://www.usatoday.com/