May 31 (Reuters) – Real Madrid unveiled Jose Mourinho as their new coach at a news conference on Monday.
(Editing by Ed Osmond; to query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
Rafa back on centre stage, Verdasco may face crowd
May 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Play on Court Philippe Chatrier will have a familiar feel on Thursday with Rafa Nadal and Justine Henin, holders of eight French Open singles crowns, bidding to move into the third round.
Nadal returns to the stadium where 12 months ago he suffered the only defeat of his Roland Garros career when he takes on Argentina’s Horacio Zeballos in a match sure to be dominated by brutal baseline exchanges.
Henin, mobbed by eager children seeking autographs at Roland Garros on Wednesday, will hope her game is a little more fine-tuned after a rusty first round when she plays Klara Zakopalova of the Czech Republic.
Women’s top seed Serena Williams, the 2002 champion, will be on Court Suzanne Lenglen where she takes on Germany’s Julia Goerges for a place in the last 16.
Men’s seeds Novak Djokovic and Andy Roddick also feature on the venue’s second principal court.
Spain’s Fernando Verdasco may not receive the warmest of welcomes from the French crowd when he takes on home hope Florent Serra on the main court.
The seventh seed hurled profanities at the Nice crowd when losing the final to Richard Gasquet on Saturday. He later issued an apology but the Roland Garros spectators will be firmly behind his opponent.
With rain curtailing much of Wednesday’s play, several matches will be carried over including British fourth seed Andy Murray’s second-round clash with Argentina’s Juan Ignacio Chela.
(Editing by Ed Osmond; To query or comment on this story emailsportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
Woods to make PGA Tour comeback at Memorial tournament
May 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Tiger Woods will return to the PGA Tour to defend his title at next week’s Memorial tournament in Dublin, Ohio, the American world number one said on Wednesday.
The 14-times major champion has not competed since he was forced to withdraw from the final round of this month’s Players Championship in Florida because of neck pain.
“The doctors advised me to take a week off and rest, which I did,” Woods said in a statement on his official website (http://web.tigerwoods.com).
“They prescribed physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medication and soft-tissue messages, which I’m continuing with. Although I’m not 100 percent, I feel much better and look forward to competing next week.”
Woods, committed to the June 17-20 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, said he resumed normal practice sessions last week after healing an inflamed facet joint.
The 14-times major champion is a four-times winner of the Memorial tournament which is hosted by Jack Nicklaus at Muirfield Village Golf Club.
Woods has, however, played only three events since returning from a self-imposed exile of five months following revelations about his marital infidelities at the end of last year.
(Writing by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing by Ed Osmond; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
Debutant Valbuena secures France win
May 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Mathieu Valbuena celebrated his first cap by giving a new-look France side a 2-1 win over Costa Rica in a World Cup warm-up on Wednesday.
Winger Valbuena took advantage of fine work by midfielder Abou Diaby to score the winner seven minutes from time for the former world and European champions, playing in a 4-3-3 formation instead of the usual 4-2-3-1.
Midfielder Carlos Hernandez surprised France keeper Steve Mandanda with a low angled shot from the edge of the box to put Costa Rica ahead on 11 minutes.
France, who played neat football but looked shaky in defence, struck back 11 minutes later with an own goal by defender Douglas Sequeira and they dominated the second half.
During warm-up, the players wore tee-shirts saying “Pour Lass” (For Lass) in a message to midfielder Lassana Diarra, who was ruled out of the World Cup by illness on Saturday.
Coach Raymond Domenech, who has faced heavy criticism since his side’s Euro 2008 flop, left captain Thierry Henry on the bench, bringing on the Barcelona forward for the second half.
One piece of good news for Domenech during the game in the northern French mining town of Lens was that centre back William Gallas, doubtful for the World Cup because of a sore calf, played the first half without any problems.
France, who needed Henry’s infamous handball to qualify for the World Cup through a playoff at the expense of Ireland, looked in control for most of the game but need more to suggest they can make an impact in the June 11-July 11 finals.
They had to wait for Valbuena to come on and show his class with an angled shot from the edge of the box to seal victory.
Just back from a week-long training camp in the French Alps, France now cross the Mediterranean sea to play Tunisia before meeting China in the French Indian Ocean island of Reunion.
They then head for South Africa, where they face the hosts, Mexico and Uruguay in Group A.
(Writing by Patrick Vignal, editing by Ed Osmond; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
CORRECTED – Real sack Pellegrini, poised to appoint Mourinho
May 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Real Madrid have sacked coach Manuel Pellegrini and will appoint Jose Mourinho to replace him once they have reached agreement with Inter Milan about ending his contract with the Serie A club.
“I am ready to admit to some mistakes but the hiring of Jose Mourinho, one of the world’s best coaches, is an opportunity that this Real Madrid, which always fights for excellence, could not afford to miss,” Real president Florentino Perez told a news conference on Wednesday.
“We are absolutely convinced that we need a fresh impulse and that a coach like Mourinho can be the person to take charge of the squad for the next few years,” he added.
Pellegrini left Villarreal to join Real last June and become the cornerstone of Perez’s big-money bid to bring trophies back to the Bernabeu.
The construction magnate invested a quarter of a billion euros ($307 million) in players, including a record 94 million on Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo.
Pellegrini was charged with rebuilding the nine-times European champions and making them into a team capable of challenging Barcelona while entertaining a hugely demanding and impatient fan base.
But Real were dumped out of the Champions League by Olympique Lyon, humiliated by third-tier Alorcon in the King’s Cup and ended the season three points behind La Liga champions Barca.
Portuguese Mourinho has made no secret of his wish to coach Real and will join the La Liga giants having led Inter to three major trophies last season, the Champions League and Italian league and cup double.
The former Porto and Chelsea coach said on Wednesday that it would be “impossible” for him to stay at Inter.
(Editing by Ed Osmond; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
Real sack Pellegrini, poised to appoint Mourinho
May 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Real Madrid have sacked coach Manuel Pellegrini and will appoint Jose Mourinho to replace him once they have reached agreement with Inter Milan about ending his contract with the Serie A club.
“I am ready to admit to some mistakes but the hiring of Jose Mourinho, one of the world’s best coaches, is an opportunity that this Real Madrid, which always fights for excellence, could not afford to miss,” Real president Florentino Perez told a news conference on Wednesday.
“We are absolutely convinced that we need a fresh impulse and that a coach like Mourinho can be the person to take charge of the squad for the next few years,” he added.
Pellegrini left Villarreal to join Real last June and become the cornerstone of Perez’s big-money bid to bring trophies back to the Bernabeu.
The construction magnate invested a quarter of a billion euros ($307 million) in players, including a record 94 million on Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo.
Pellegrini was charged with rebuilding the nine-times European champions and making them into a team capable of challenging Barcelona while entertaining a hugely demanding and impatient fan base.
But Real were dumped out of the Champions League by Olympique Lyon, humiliated by third-tier Alorcon in the King’s Cup and ended the season a point behind La Liga champions Barca.
Portuguese Mourinho has made no secret of his wish to coach Real and will join the La Liga giants having led Inter to three major trophies last season, the Champions League and Italian league and cup double.
The former Porto and Chelsea coach said on Wednesday that it would be “impossible” for him to stay at Inter.
(Editing by Ed Osmond;
To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
Real Madrid sack coach Pellegrini, to appoint Mourinho
May 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Real Madrid have sacked coach Manuel Pellegrini and will appoint Jose Mourinho to replace him once they have reached agreement with Inter Milan about ending his contract with the Serie A club.
Real president Florentino Perez made the announcement at a news conference on Wednesday following a meeting of the club’s board.
“We are convinced that we need a fresh impulse and we are convinced that Jose Mourinho is the right person to take on the job,” Perez said.
(Reporting by Iain Rogers, editing by Ed Osmond;
To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
Mourinho’s passage to Real far from secured – Moratti
May 26, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho’s dream move to Real Madrid is far from a done deal, Inter president Massimo Moratti said on Tuesday.
Moratti said his club’s relationship with Mourinho was all but over following dinner between the pair on Monday but the Champions League and treble winners are not giving up the Portuguese easily.
Reports have said Inter want around 16 million euros ($19.55 million) in compensation from Real if they move for Mourinho given his deal finishes in 2012.
“No, what do you mean it’s done, it’s the opposite. We haven’t even started,” Moratti told reporters before being asked if Wednesday would be the decisive day.
“No, it will take a bit of time.”
Some Inter fans are upset with Mourinho for the timing of his comments wishing to leave amidst their stunning treble success and feel he has stolen the limelight from the team.
The club president had been quoted in the media as saying he had been “taken for a ride” by Mourinho but Moratti firmly denied saying any such thing.
“He achieved all the objectives he had to achieve. The annoying part will be now, the pain of finding someone new,” he said, adding there was no particular name in the frame.
Fulham’s ex-Inter boss Roy Hodgson, Liverpool coach Rafa Benitez and former Inter assistant coach Sinisa Mihajlovic, who surprisingly quit Catania on Monday, have all been linked with the Serie A champions.
(Writing by Mark Meadows; Editing by Ed Osmond; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
Gallas rolls over in dune buggy race
May 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment
France defender William Gallas rolled over while taking part in a dune buggy race at the team’s World Cup training camp in the French Alps on Sunday.
Gallas got out of the buggy and waved to his team mates to indicate he had not been hurt in the crash, a Reuters photographer at the scene reported.
The defender escaped with just a graze on his left hand, a team spokesman said.
The former Arsenal skipper is recovering from a calf injury and has been back in training for several days, suggesting he will be fit to take part in the June 11-July 11 finals in South Africa.
France, in a week-long training camp at this scenic ski village, have been taking part in activities such as hiking up a glacier and an introduction to biathlon, a mixture of cross-country skiing and shooting.
(Reporting by Charles Platiau; Writing by Patrick Vignal; Editing by Ed Osmond; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
I have good gut feeling – South Africa’s Parreira
May 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said he had “a good feeling in the pit of my stomach” about South Africa’s World Cup chances despite the host nation being among the lowest-ranked teams in the tournament.
Parreira said a recent 4-0 friendly win over Thailand and increased intensity in training had given him a positive feeling.
South Africa, drawn with France, Mexico and Uruguay in Group A, are seeking to avoid becoming the first World Cup hosts to fail to get past the first round of their tournament.
“My stomach tells me we are going to do well. I have a very positive feeling. Every time I see them (the players) train, they are looking better and better. Every day they spent together, you can see the improvement,” he told a media briefing on Sunday.
South Africa play Bulgaria in Soweto on Monday as they continue their preparations for the opening World Cup game against Mexico in Johannesburg on June 11.
“The idea is to take it step-by-step but always go forward, never going backwards,” Parreira said.
“We want to keep improving on every performance and then we should have the confidence that we are going to do well at the World Cup.”
South Africa then face Colombia on Thursday and Parreira said he wanted another international on May 31 before his team’s final warm-up game against Denmark on June 5 in Pretoria.
(Editing by Ed Osmond; to query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
Inter trio to join Brazil squad in South Africa
May 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Brazil’s Inter Milan trio will not link up with Dunga’s World Cup squad until Thursday in South Africa, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said on Sunday.
Goalkeeper Julio Cesar and defenders Lucio and Maicon, who helped Inter win the Champions League with a 2-0 victory over Bayern Munich on Saturday, have been asked to stay in Italy for the team celebrations, the CBF said on its website (www.cbf.com.br).
The trio will meet up with the Brazil squad at their base in Johannesburg on Thursday. Brazil face North Korea, Ivory Coast and Portugal in Group G at the tournament starting on June 11.
(Reporting by Pedro Fonseca; Editing by Ed Osmond; to query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
Germany captain and keeper decisions made – Loew
May 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Germany coach Joachim Loew has decided on his captain for the World Cup AND his first- choice goalkeeper but will first inform the players before making his choices public, he said on Sunday.
Germany captain Michael Ballack sustained an ankle injury in Chelsea’s FA Cup final win over Portsmouth last week and will miss the June 11-July 11 World Cup in South Africa, joining injured goalkeeper Rene Adler on the sidelines.
Adler was replaced by Bayern Munich’s Hans-Joerg Butt, who was initially seen as third choice, but a strong season has put the 35-year-old in contention for a starting spot.
“We are clear about our decision regarding the team captain and the goalkeeper questions,” Loew told reporters from the team’s training camp in Italy.
Striker Miroslav Klose, midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger and defender Philipp Lahm are potential captains.
STARTING SPOT
Goalkeepers Tim Wiese of Werder Bremen, Schalke 04′s Manuel Neuer and Butt are the contenders for the starting spot with Neuer the favourite.
Butt, however, has played a superb season with Bayern as they won the domestic league and Cup double and were runners-up in the Champions League.
Loew said he would first inform all his players before announcing his decision, probably on Thursday.
Bayern Munich’s seven international players, who lost in the Champions League final to Inter Milan 2-0 on Saturday, will join the squad on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Loew must drop three players from his provisional 26-man squad before finalising the squad by June 1.
“This is an extremely difficult situation because I have seen that all players work unbelievably hard, they are eager to learn, are constantly alert and they are investing everything they have in training,” Loew said.
“At the moment I must be honest. I cannot decide who will go home,” he said.
Germany face Ghana, Australia and Serbia in the tournament’s group stage.
(Editing by Ed Osmond; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
Lorenzo storms to victory in French MotoGP
May 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Spain’s Jorge Lorenzo won the French MotoGP at Le Mans on Sunday to extend his world championship lead.
Lorenzo finished 5.67 seconds ahead of his Yamaha team mate and world champion Valentino Rossi of Italy with Italian Andrea Dovizioso third on a Honda.
(Editing by Ed Osmond; to query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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Manchester United will be back, says Ferguson
May 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Manchester United will bounce back from the disappointment of missing out on an unprecedented fourth successive league title, manager Akex Ferguson said on Sunday.
United eased to a comfortable 4-0 victory over Stoke City on the final day of the Premier League campaign but missed out on the title by a point following Chelsea’s 8-0 drubbing of Wigan AtHletic.
“Of course we’ll come back next year,” Ferguson told reporters. “It is what Manchester United do.
“We’re going to try and bring the title back to the best place in the world.”
Ferguson was full of praise for Chelsea’s efforts under coach Carlo Ancelotti.
“The title winners deserve it,” added Ferguson, who has won the Premier League 11 times in 18 seasons.
“It’s the hardest league in the world. To Carlo, I congratulate him.”
Ferguson said he was not concerned by the situation at Old Trafford.
“It is a good structure we have in place here,” he said. “We have worked very hard over the course of the season and we will assess everything over the summer.”
Ferguson thanked the United fans for their magnificent support.
“It has been something of a roller coaster but then it usually is and while we can look back with regret at the outcome of certain games — losing twice to Chelsea certainly ranks as a huge disappointment — there have also been some outstanding achievements and thrilling matches,” he said.
(Editing by Ed Osmond; to query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
Montgomerie loses cool at disco beat
April 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment
European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie blew his top in inimitable style when a burst of disco music spoiled his Spanish Open first round on Thursday.
Montgomerie had put together a solid opening round and needed a birdie on his last hole to lie only four shots off the lead when he three-putted for a bogey to the accompaniment of loud disco music from a nearly tent.
“Is this a ****ing party or a golf tournament?,” the 46-year-old Briton fumed after signing for a one-under-par 71 which left him six strokes behind early leader Ricardo Gonzalez of Argentina.
Montgomerie, seeking a tour victory before he leads Europe into battle against the United States in October, received support from playing partner Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano.
“I felt sorry for Monty,” the Spaniard told reporters. “The music was a bit much. He’d played really well.”
Montgomerie had described Fernandez-Castano as a possible candidate for his Ryder Cup team, but the Spaniard could only muster a 73, rescuing his day with four birdies in the last five holes.
Gonzalez continued his love affair with Spain and the Real Club course, where he won the 2004 Seville Open the year after claiming the Madrid Open title.
“I love the country, the people, the food, everything, it’s like being home,” he told reporters after carding a seven-under 65.
“Today I loved the course again. The rough is sometimes like the U.S. Open rough and the key to my round was only going in it three times.”
Gonzalez, who birdied five of the last six holes in the Scandinavian Masters final round to win his fourth European Tour title last year, leads by a stroke from Briton Paul Waring.
Argentine Rafa Echenique held third place after a 68.
(Editing by Ed Osmond; to query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
American Bohn leads by two in New Orleans
April 26, 2010 By Leave a Comment
(Reuters) – Jason Bohn took a two-shot lead into the final round of the weather-delayed New Orleans Classic in Avondale, Louisiana on Sunday after carding a one-under-par 71 in the third round earlier in the day.
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The 37-year-old American, bidding for his second PGA Tour title, posted a 13-under total of 203 after completing the last 12 holes of his rain-interrupted round.
Bohn held a two-stroke advantage over Germany’s Alex Cejka (68) with Americans Lee Janzen (69), Chris Couch (68) and Jeff Overton (70) a further shot back at 10 under.
Veteran American David Toms, the 2001 champion, was among a group of four players bunched at nine under after returning a 69.
“My confidence is really good right now, I feel very comfortable,” Bohn told reporters before setting off for the final round at the TPC Louisiana.
“I feel calm, relaxed so I’m just going to go out and play aggressive. The wind’s not as bad as it has been the last two days so I expect somebody to go out and shoot a low number. So I’ve got to keep putting the pressure on.”
Bohn won his first PGA Tour title at the 2005 B.C. Open.
(Writing by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing by Ed Osmond)
NBA – Rockets guard Brooks named most improved player
April 23, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Houston Rockets guard Aaron Brooks has been named the NBA’s most improved player this season, the league said on Thursday.
The 25-year-old set career highs in points (19.6 per game), assists (5.3) and rebounds (2.6) while improving his scoring average by 8.4 per game.
A first-round pick by the Rockets in the 2007 draft, Brooks became only the sixth NBA player to record at least 200 three-pointers and 400 assists in the same season.
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant and San Antonio Spurs guard George Hill tied for second place.
(Writing by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing by Ed Osmond; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
Olympic 400m champion Merritt fails doping test
April 23, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Olympic and world 400 metres champion LaShawn Merritt has failed a doping test and accepted a provisional suspension, his lawyer said on Thursday.
“LaShawn Merritt has accepted a provisional suspension as a result of positive drug tests caused by his use of an over-the-counter male enhancement product,” the American athlete’s attorney Howard Jacobs said in a statement.
(Reporting by Gene Cherry. Editing by Ed Osmond. To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)