Sports Information

A flashback – Cricketers who were bowled over by B-town divas.

2012-10-08T02:14:00.001-07:00

A flashback – Cricketers who were bowled over by B-town divas.

Kapil Dev was one person Sarika fell for. The two were a pair for quite some time before Sarika married Kamal Hassan and Kapil Dev married Romi.

Even though the Prince of Kolkata wanted to keep his affair with Nagma under the wraps, it was one of the hottest affairs to have hit the headlines. Since he was married during that time, this flamboyant ex-skipper maintained the strict ‘no comments’ stand. And the affair died a natural death, or so we believe.

Unlike his collegeues, Zaheer Khan has been linked up to just one actress - Isha Sharvani. Isha had made her debut in ‘Kisna’ but her acting career was not going anywhere when she met Zaheer who totally bowled her over. A break up and reuion in 2011, and now we hear they are going to tie the knot.

Sreesanth is controversy’s favourite child. He has a better average of hitting the headlines than his average bowling figures. Was he seeing Priyanka Chopra during one of the advertisement campaigns they did together? Or was it just another no ball from Sreesanth? We don’t know for sure. Sreesanth and Minissha Lamba strongly denied that they were not spending 'quality time' together during IIFA awards gala at Macau. Errr Shahzan Padamsee? Sree, is Shriya Saran history then? or is it Riya Sen?

Ex-Indian skipper Mohammed Azzarudin hit the headlines when he got married to Sangeeta Bijlani.

Yuvraj Singh: Deepika Padukone, Kim Sharma, Preity Zinta, Neha Dhupia, Anchal Kumar, Akshara Gowda, Ameesha Patel...

Yuvi is an all rounder both on and off the field. He was dating Kim Sharma initially, and the papparazi proclaimed them an item. It sure looked like a perfect love story for a long four years. Then, from somewhere out of the blue, Deepika Padukone's name popped in. During the IPL season 2, we saw Preity Zinta along with this dashing young King's X1 skipper. Then came a special invite to Ameesha Patel for the World Cup finals; but during a dinner bash he had Neha Dhupia on his arm. We then heard he was dating Anchal Kumar and then there was some Akshara Gowda. But yeah, you can pass it off as rumours.

Amrita Arora maintained a long distance relationship with cricketer Usman Afzal for four years before she married businessman Shakeel Ladak.

Anju Mahendru was engaged to Sir Gary Sobers for a brief while.

Geeta Basra and Harbhajan Singh broke up last year after dating for a while. It was then rumoured that commitment issues forced them to call it quits. While Geeta wanted to settle down, but Bhajji wanted to focus on game then, and didn't want to get married for another 2-3 years. So both of them decided it didn't make sense for them to be together in the given scenario. Or are they just being quiet about it?

British origin actor Sofiya Hayat and cricketer Rohit Sharma have been spotted at various joints in town. This has set the gossip mills buzz nonstop. While we are not sure if they are dating, we are told they are pretty close friends. A flashback – Cricketers who were bowled over by B-town divas.

Four days before the British courts declared former Pakistani cricketer Mohammad Asif guilty of match-fixing in November 2011, Veena Malik got a distress call from London telling her to immediately rush to the city to be with him. The actress reportedly shared a live-in relationship with him for one and a half years. Also on reality show Bigg Boss, Malik was quite forthcoming to share the ‘details’ of her relationship with the disgraced sportsman.

India in London: Day 9 round-up

2012-08-05T02:46:00.002-07:00

London: Shuttler Saina Nehwal gave India its maiden Olympic medal in badminton after China's Xin Wang retired hurt from the bronze medal play-off despite winning the first game at the Wembley Arena here Saturday.

Wang took the first game 21-18 and was leading 1-0 in the second when she decided that she could not carry on with the right knee injury that she picked up after a heavy landing at the end of the first game.

World No.5 Saina became the third Indian to win a medal from the 2012 London Games after shooters Gagan Narang and Vijay Kumar won bronze and silver, respectively.

Though Saina, seeded fourth, took off well with exquisite defensive shots in the first game, the Chinese recuperated in no time to equalise at 5-all.

From thereon it was a Wang-dominated game all the way and the Indian could not match her pace making many errors. She made several poor line judgements giving away at least four points to the World No.2.

Wang, a former World No.1, constantly caught Saina on the backfoot and the Hyderabadi, looking nervous, could not pick her cross-court smashes nor her drops at the net. The second seed took a lead of 17-10.

The 22-year-old Indian was not great with the execution of shots and earned a few points with Wang making errors.

However, Saina tried fighting back at the end of the first game after Wang reached game point (20-14). The Commonwealth Games gold medallist then saved four game points to make it 18-20.

But a match point away, the Chinese made a heavy landing, while hitting a smash, and fell on the floor writhing in pain.

The referee called for medical time-out. The tournament doctor came in and tended to her knee. The World No.2 returned to the court with a heavily strapped right knee. Surprisingly, she immediately sealed the game smashing Saina's serve.

Though, she won the first point in the second game, she again dropped on the court in pain.

Saina went to comfort Wang, who had no choice but to retire as she could not carry on.

The match was awarded to Saina, who hugged her opponent becoming India's second woman to win an Olympic Medal after weightlifter Karnam Malleswari at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Olympic tennis: Paes-Sania crash out of mixed doubles

London: India's tennis campaign at the 2012 London Games came to an end Saturay after the mixed doubles pair of Leander Paes and Sania Mirza lost their quarterfinal match at the Wimbledon.

Paes, a 1996 singles bronze medallist, and Sania lost 5-7, 6-7 (7-5) to the top seeded Belarusian pair of Victoria Azarenka and Max Mirnyi in a match that was played over two days due to bad light.

The Indians were trailing 5-7, 2-3 when bad light stopped play here Friday evening. But when play resumed Saturday, it seemed that the Indians failed to get back into the match.

Paes and Saina had paired for the Olympics after sorting out their off-court differences. They had an excellent win against the Serbian pair of Nenad Zimonjic and Anna Ivanovic to book a place in the quarterfinal.

India's campaign in men's singles and doubles and women's singles also didn't last long.

Wild card entrant Somdev Devvarman, India sole representative in the singles, suffered a first round exit to Finland's Jarko Nieminen in a rain-affected encounter.

The second to go out was the women's doubles pair of Sania and Rushmi Chakarvarthi, who were knocked out by Chia-Jung Chuang and Su-Wei Hsieh of Chinese Taipei in the opening round.

The men's doubles pair of Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna, who had revolted against the All India Tennis Association (AITA) for asking them to pair with Paes, went down tamely 3-6, 4-6 to Frenchman Richard Gasquet and Julien Benneteau in the second round.

But Paes, playing with a young partner Vishnu Vardhan, held his head high after they lost to the second seeded French pair of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Michael Llodra in an evenly fought second round match.

Olympic athletics: Sudha Singh fails to impress

London: India's Sudha Singh finished 13th in heat 1 of the women's 3,000-metre steeplechase Saturday, thus ending her participation in the London Olympics.

The Indian runner's time of 9:48.86 was well behind Gesa Felicitas Krause of Germany, who won the opening heat in 9:24.91.

Sudha, who won gold at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, broke her own 3,000m steeplechase national record with a timing of 9:47.70.

It was another disappointing news from track and field events for India, and the only silver lining yet has been Krishna Poonia's qualification into the finals of the women's discus throw.

India's Manoj Kumar knocked out

Indian boxer Manoj Kumar was knocked out of the 2012 London Olympics after he lost his 64kg pre-quarterfinal bout to Great Britain's Tom Stalker at the Excel Arena here Saturday.

The 25-year-old Indian, a Commonwealth Games gold medallist (light welterweight), went down 20-16 in a bout that was dominated by the local hero, who had received a first round bye.

Stalker, also a Commonwealth Games gold medallist (light weight), was in his primeform right from the start, and opened up a huge lead in the first round winning it 7-4. Manoj struggled and adopted a defensive strategy.

The second round also continued in the same fashion as Stalker's flurry of punches rattled the Indian. Stalker increased his lead winning the second round 9-4.

Going into the third round, the Indian was trailing 9-16. Manoj went all out in the decider and showed great courage. But Stalker knowing that he enjoys a huge lead played it safe, dancing around the ring and hardly let his guard down.

But Manoj was in no mood to give in and landed a few strong blows that help him win the third round 7-4 but it came too late.

Manoj was nowhere near his performance in the first round, when he was in complete control against Serdar Hudayberdiyev of Turkmenistan. Manoj had won the bout 13-7.

Manoj is the fifth boxer after Shiva Thapa, Jai Bhagwan, Vikas Krishan and Sumit Sangwan to crash out of the Games.

Devendro Singh and Vijender Singh are in the quarterfinals and just a bout away from ensuring an Olympic medal for India.

India's Krishna Poonia finishes seventh

Indian discus thrower Krishna Poonia finished a creditable seventh in the women's discus throw while the gold medal was won by Sandra Perkovic of Croatia in the 2012 London Games at the Olympic Stadium here Saturday.

Sandra took the gold with throw of 69.11 metres, a national record, while the silver medal was taken by Darya Pishchalnikova of Russia with 67.56 m and Li Yanfeng of China settled for the bronze medal at 67.22m.

Poonia's best effort of 63.62 m came in her fifth and penultimate attempt. The Commonwealth Games gold medallist had 62.42 m in the first attempt and 61.61 in the third and 61.31 in the sixth and the final throw. She had two no-throws in the second and the fourth attempt.

Poonia's efforts here were nowhere near her personal best of 64.76 m that she achieved three months back in Hawaii.

Olympic shooting: India's trap shooter Shagun out

London: Indian trap shooter Shagun Chowdhury finished a disappointing 20th and failed to qualify for the final round of the women's trap shooting event at the 2012 London Olympics here Saturday.

Shagun had a good 23 in the first round, but did miserably in the next two managing 17 and 21 to total 61.

Italian Jessica Rossi finished on top of the qualifying round after she created a world record with a score of a perfect 75.

Olympic rowing: Sandeep and Manjeet finish 19th

London: Indian rowers Sandeep Kumar and Manjeet Singh finished 19th in the Olympic finals of the men's lightweight double sculls here Saturday.

They clocked seven minutes and 8.39 seconds at the Eton Dorney lake.

The only rowers to end behind them were last placed Mohamed Nofel and Omar Emira of Egypt, who finished four seconds behind the Indians.

The race marked India's unsuccessful campaign in rowing at the Games.

Olympic athletics: Indian walker Irfan Thodi finishes impressive 10th

London: Indian walker Irfan Kolothum Thodi put on an impressive performance here Saturday to finish 10th in the Olympic men's 20 km race walk with a national record here at The Mall Saturday.

The 22-year-old army man clocked 1:20.21, finishing one minute 35 seconds behind winner and gold medallist Ding Chen of China. Erick Barrondo clinched silver with 1:18.57 while Chinese Zhen Wang took bronze with a time of 1:19.25.

Other Indians who participated in the race were 27-year-old Gurmeet Singh, who finished 33rd in 1:23.34 while Baljinder Singh reached the finishing line in 1:25.39 in 43rd position.

Thodi started the race well and was in touching distance of the race leader more than halfway into the race. The 22-year-old was only 17 seconds behind after 16 kms.

The leaders increased their speed towards the end which the Indian could not match, but finished in a respectable position.

Euro 2012: Flying Kicks

2012-06-28T09:49:00.001-07:00

A taste of football actions and emotions from Euro 2012.

Spain's Fernando Torres celebrates after scoring a goal against Ireland during their Group C Euro 2012 soccer match at PGE Arena in Gdansk June 14, 2012.

Netherlands' Gregory van der Wiel (L) and Portugal's Raul Meireles jump for the ball during their Group B Euro 2012 soccer match at Metalist stadium in Kharkiv, June 17, 2012.

Netherlands' goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg fails to save an invalidated goal from Portugal's Helder Postiga (R) during their Group B Euro 2012 soccer match at Metalist stadium in Kharkiv, June 17, 2012.

Ireland's Aiden McGeady falls down during their Group C Euro 2012 soccer match against Spain at the PGE Arena in Gdansk, June 14, 2012.

France's soccer player Franck Ribery plays with the ball during a training session at the team's training center in Kircha near Donetsk June 12, 2012. France drew 1-1 with England in their Group D Euro 2012 soccer match yesterday in Donetsk, Ukraine. 2012.

Netherlands' Robin van Persie (L) and Portugal's Joao Pereira jump for the ball during their Group B Euro 2012 soccer match at Metalist stadium in Kharkiv, June 17, 2012.

Russia's Sergei Ignashevich challenges Poland's Robert Lewandowski (R) during their Group A Euro 2012 soccer match at the National stadium in Warsaw June 12, 2012.

Poland's Damien Perquis (up) jumps on Czech Republic's Milan Baros as they fight for a ball during their Group A Euro 2012 soccer match at the City stadium in Wroclaw, June 16, 2012.

France's Franck Ribery and England's Glen Johnson (R) fight for the ball during their Group D Euro 2012 soccer match at the Donbass Arena in Donetsk, June 11, 2012.

Italy's Antonio Di Natale gestures as the ball flies during their Group C Euro 2012 soccer match against Croatia at the ctiy stadium in Poznan June 14, 2012.

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates in front of Netherlands' Wesley Sneijder after winning the Group B Euro 2012 soccer match at Metalist stadium in Kharkiv, June 17, 2012.

A steward removes a flare from the pitch next to Croatia's Ognjen Vukojevic during their Group C Euro 2012 soccer match against Italy at the city stadium in Poznan June 14, 2012.

Russia's goalkeeper Vyacheslav Malafeev challenges Poland's Robert Lewandowski (R) for the ball during their Group A Euro 2012 soccer match at the National stadium in Warsaw June 12, 2012.

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo (L) is challenged by Denmark's Simon Kjaer during their Group B Euro 2012 soccer match at the New Lviv stadium in Lviv June 13, 2012.

Portugal's Silvestre Varela (R) celebrates his goal against Denmark with Joao Moutinho during their Euro 2012 Group B soccer match at the new stadium in Lviv, June 13, 2012.

Poland's Eugen Polanski (L) tries to score next to Russia's Aleksei Berezutski (L) and Sergei Ignashevich during the Group A Euro 2012 soccer match at national stadium in Warsaw June 12, 2012.

Italy's Mario Balotelli (R) challenges Croatia's Ivan Strinic during their Group C Euro 2012 soccer match at the city stadium in Poznan June 14, 2012.

Russia's Aleksandr Kerzhakov (R) tries to score against Poland's goalkeeper Przemyslaw Tyton (L) and Damien Perquis during their Group A Euro 2012 soccer match at national stadium in Warsaw June 12, 2012.

Sweden's Markus Rosenberg (R) challenges Ukraine's Yevhen Khacheridi during their Group D Euro 2012 soccer match at Olympic Stadium in Kyiv, June 11, 2012.

Sweden's Zlatan Ibrahimovic competes for possession with Ukraine's Yevhen Selin (L) during their Group D Euro 2012 soccer match at the Olympic stadium in Kiev, June 11, 2012.

India favourites to lift Twenty20 World Cup: Williamson

2012-06-14T03:01:00.001-07:00

With less than 100 days to go to the Twenty20 World Cup in Sri Lanka, New Zealand batsman Kane Williamson feels that cricketing powerhouse India will be amongst the favourites to lift the trophy.

Williamson feels that India will be the team to be beat at the T20 World Cup, although Pakistan and Sri Lanka are also amongst the favourites in Sri Lankan conditions.

"The obvious favourites are India, although Pakistan and Sri Lanka are also strong contenders as they are familiar with the conditions.

"But there are other great teams around too that will push the Indian, Pakistani and Sri Lankan sides. Twenty20 cricket is just so unpredictable, who knows on the day - anything is literally possible," Williamson told Pakpassion.net

The young batsman also said the chances of New Zealand winning the Cup should not be written off.

'It's going to be a challenge for the non-Asian sides'

He said: "It's going to be a difficult challenge for the non Asian sides in Sri Lanka. Having said that though I feel we have the players who can do well in those sorts of tournaments like we showed in the World Cup last year.

"The boys will be really excited and we know we can beat anyone on our day.

"The key is to keep on looking to improve and we know that when we go onto that international stage against the world's best, we can go there with confidence and know that if we come off, we can beat anybody," he added.

Williamson made a nine ball duck against India on debut

Williamson's international cricket debut could not have been more inauspicious, as he made a nine ball duck against India in a one day international at Dambulla in August 2010.

However since that debut in Sri Lanka, Williamson has become an integral part of the New Zealand team in Test cricket and one day internationals and has recently also forced his way into the Twenty20 side.

In twelve Test appearances, the right handed middle order batsman has already completed two centuries and four half centuries.

In the fifty over format Williamson has reached three figures on two occasions and has made one half century, in twenty-four appearances, which was against South Africa in February.

Sania Mirza's incredible feats

2012-06-13T04:12:00.000-07:00

Sania Mirza and Mahesh Bhupathi defeated Klaudia Jans-Ignacik/Santiago Gonzalez to win their second Grand Slam title together

Partnering Mahesh Bhupathi, Sania Mirza reached the mixed doubles final of the Australian Open, where she lost 6-7, 4-6 to the Serb/Sino pair of Nenad Zimonjic and Sun Tiantian

Sania Mirza was just 18 when she was conferred the prestigious Arjuna Award in 2004. Two years ater, she was given the Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian award.

Sania Mirza won her first Grand Slam title by winning the Australian Open mixed doubles title alongside Mahesh Bhupathi. The duo beat Andy Ram (Israel) and Nathalie Dechy (France) 6-3, 6-1 in the final.

Sania best-ever performance in a Grand Slam came at Flushing Meadows in 2005. She reached the fourth round, beating the likes of Mashona Washington, Maria Elena Camerin and Marion Bartoli on the way

Sania Mirza won the WTA Newcomer of the Year award in 2006, for her achievements in 2005. She finished the year ranked 31. Her achievements in 2005 included winning her first WTA title in Hyderabad and reaching the fourth round of the U.S Open.

Sania Mirza won the bronze medal after losing to Akgul Amanmuradova of Uzbekistan in the semi-finals.

Sania Mirza won the mixed doubles gold partnering Leander Paes, and two silver medals in the singles and team events.

Sania Mirza became the first Indian lady to win a WTA title when she defeated Alona Bondarenko of Ukraine 6-4, 5-7, 6-3 to win the Hyderabad Open

In one of the biggest wins of her career, Sania Mirza defeated Martina Hingis at the Korea Open in 2006.

Thanks to her steady rise in the WTA rankings (she was ranked as high as 27 in singles, and 18 in doubles), it came as no surprise when she became the first Indian woman to be the seeded in a Grand Slam.

West Indies' unlikely heroes at Edgbaston

2012-06-11T19:21:00.001-07:00

Tino Best and Denesh Ramdin added 143 runs for the last wicket for West Indies against England at Edgbaston and in the process also broke some records. Here are the statistical highlights of their partnership.

Tino Best's 112-ball 95 is the highest-ever Test score by a No. 11 batsman. Best bettered the 75 scored by India's Zaheer Khan against Bangaldesh at Dhaka in December 2004. This was Best's first Test in almost three years and only the 15th of his career. Best's previous highest Test score was 27 made against Sri Lanka at Colombo in 2005; while his previous highest first class-score was 51.

A single off Tim Bresnan saw Best - only called up to this tour as a replacement for injured fast bowler Shannon Gabriel - to fifty in 44 balls. Best jumped for joy and roared even as he kissed the badge of his maroon helmet in celebration.

Best became the first No. 11 in 106 years to score a Test fifty against England. The Barbadian had, though, registered the first half-century against England by a number 11 in 106 years. Only Australian Fred Spofforth (1885) and South African Bert Vogler (1906) had previously managed a half-century in the final batting position.

It was also the first Test half-century by any number 11 in England for 46 years since John Snow made 59 not out against West Indies at the the Oval.

Best fell only five runs short of his maiden century when he failed to read a Graham Onions slower delivery and holed out to England captain Andrew Strauss at first slip. He walked off the field with disappointment etched large over his face despite playing a stupendous knock.

The 143-run partnership between Best and Denesh Ramdin for the tenth wicket is now the highest last-wicket partnership for West Indies, beating the 106 between Carl Hooper and Courtney Walsh against Pakistan at St. John’s, Antigua in May 1993. West Indies was all out for 426 in their first innings against England at Edgbaston.

Best and Ramdin's partnership of 143 is the third-highest for the last wicket in Tests behind the 151-run partnerships between New Zealand's Richard Collinge and Brian Hastings against Pakistan at Auckland in February 1973; and a similar stand between Azhar Mahmood and Mushtaq Ahmed of Pakistan against South Africa at Rawalpindi in October 1997.

Ramdin, who remained not out on 107, scored his second Test century. Both his Test tons have come against England, but the landmark at Edgbaston came more than three years after he had scored his maiden ton.

After reaching his century, Ramdin produced a piece of paper from his pocket on which the words "YEAH VIV TALK NAH" were written, in an apparent reference to criticism from former West Indies captain Viv Richards who is commentating for BBC Radio. Richards had said Ramdin had deteriorated as a cricketer.

Best's strike rate of 84.82 is the second-highest for a No.11 batsman for a fifty-plus score behind Pat Symcox's 128.57 during his 54 against Australia in 1998.

Reacting to Ramdin's jibe, the legendary Sir Viv Richards said, "I think I remember saying he'd lost his confidence, but I'm on the other side of the fence now and I'm here to do a job - there's no sentiment in it. I'm glad that he got the motivation from it." Richards also told Ramdin to make runs for a winning West Indies.

Best then capped off a remarkable and memorable day by dismissing Andrew Strauss and Jonny Bairstow to finish with figures of 12-2-37-2 at the end of the fourth day's play at Edgbaston.

Flying Cricket Bats

2012-06-11T19:21:00.000-07:00

ndia's MS Dhoni loses control of his bat during a T20 cricket match against Australia in Sydney February 1, 2012.

Chennai, INDIA: Indian cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni loses his bat as he plays a shot during the second match of the N.K.P Salve Challenger Trophy between "India Green" and India Blue"at the Chidambaram stadium in Chennai, 02 October 2006.

BASSETERRE, SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS: Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting loses his grip on bat while playing a shot during his 91 runs innings against South Africa at the Warner Park ground in Saint Kitts 24 March 2007.

aMumbai Indians batsmen Rohit Sharma (R) loses his bat while watched by Rajasthan Royals wicketkeeper Pinal Shah during the IPL Twenty20 match between Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians at The Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on May 20, 2011.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 10: Steve Waugh of Australia loses grip of his bat during the 1st test match between Australia and Pakistan held at the GABBA 1995 in Brisbane, Australia.

Sri Lankan batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan loses his bat as it slips out of his hands while attempting to hook England fast bowler Tim Bresnan during the Cricket World Cup 2011 quarter-final match.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 02: Marcus North of the Warriors loses the grip on his bat during the Ford Ranger Cup match.

BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS - APRIL 28: Adam Gilchrist of Australia loses grip of his bat during the ICC Cricket World Cup Final between Australia and Sri Lanka at the Kensington Oval on April 28, 2007.

Perera, Dilshan star in Lanka win

2012-06-10T19:04:00.001-07:00

Perera, Dilshan star in Lanka win
Hosts equalize series with thumping 76-run victory over Pakistan.

Medium pacer Perera's career-best six for 44 floored Pakistan in the chase.

PALLEKELE: Paceman Thisara Perera bagged a career-best 6-44 and Tillakaratne Dilshan hit a century as Sri Lanka posted an easy 76-run win over Pakistan in the second one-day international on Saturday.

The hosts, who scored a challenging 280-4, bowled Pakistan out for 204 in the day-night match despite an impressive 96 by opener Azhar Ali to level the five-match series 1-1 in Pallekele.

Opener Dilshan top-scored with an unbeaten 119 for his 13th one-day hundred, hitting one six and 11 fours in his brilliant 139-ball knock to help his team set a stiff target.

Azhar, playing only his sixth one-dayer, looked set to complete his maiden one-day hundred before he was bowled by paceman Nuwan Kulasekara. He cracked 12 fours in his 119-ball knock.

Man-of-the-match Perera got his first wicket when he held a superb one-handed return catch to dismiss Mohammad Hafeez (14) before removing Younis Khan (four) and skipper Misbah-ul-Haq (27) to reduce Pakistan to 127-3.

He took three more wickets to complete his third haul of five or more wickets in an innings.

Sri Lanka earlier rejigged their batting order after losing the opening one-dayer by six wickets on Thursday, with Upul Tharanga returning as an opener and skipper Mahela Jayawardene coming in at number five.

The hosts batted steadily after winning the toss as Dilshan added 70 runs for the third wicket with Dinesh Chandimal (32) and 86 for the next with Jayawardene (53), who opened in the last game.

Dilshan reached his century in the 43rd over when he pulled paceman Umar Gul for a single and then hit fast bowler Sohail Tanvir over mid-wicket for the first six of the match.

Sri Lanka scored 56 runs in the last six overs, with Perera smashing two sixes and as many fours in his unbeaten 24 off just 14 balls.

Jayawardene was bowled by off-spinner Saeed Ajmal soon after completing his half-century, hitting eight fours in his brisk 45-ball knock.

Off-spinner Hafeez, Tanvir and leg-spinner Shahid Afridi were the other wicket-takers for Pakistan.

Tanvir struck in his fourth over when he had Tharanga (18) caught behind and then Hafeez held a return catch to remove Kumar Sangakkara (18) with his first delivery.

But there was no stopping Dilshan, who continued to gather runs comfortably and completed his half-century with a four off Afridi.

Pakistan made one change from the team which won the first match as they brought in debutant paceman Rahat Ali in place of injured Mohammad Sami, while Sri Lanka retained the side.

The third one-dayer will be played in Colombo on Wednesday.

India's Sania Nehwal wins Thailand Open Grand Prix Gold final

2012-06-10T19:04:00.000-07:00

India's Sania Nehwal wins Thailand Open Grand Prix Gold final

Bangkok, June 10 (ANI): Indian badminton star Sania Nehwal on Sunday won the Thailand Open Grand Prix Gold final, beating second seed Thai star Ratchanok Inthanon in three sets.
Nehwal beat Inthanon 19-21, 21-15, 21-10. The match lasted a little over an hour.
Former badminton star Aparna Popat said that the win would boost Sania's confidence ahead of the London Olympics.

Coach Pullela Gopichand described it as a good win, as it was a tough match. He said that the two players had been tied one all going into the match.
Sania had earlier outlasted local favourite Porntip Buranaprasertsuk with a straight-game win in Bangkok on Saturday. Saina won that match 24-22 21-11 to keep her unbeaten record against third seed Buranaprasertsuk intact, extending it to 4-0 overall.

Inthanon had earlier entered the finals after thrashing China's Lin Wang 21-13 21-19 in her semifinal match.
Saina had defended her title at the Swiss Open Grand Prix Gold in March in Basel, Switzerland early this year.
Gopichand said Saina has displayed tremendous grit to bounce back from a scratchy start.
Inthanon and Saina have faced each other thrice and it is the Indian who now holds the edge at 2-1.
Inthanon had triumphed against Sania in the Sudirman Cup in May last year, but Saina took revenge by beating her in the Japan Open in September.

Olympians in training

2012-06-09T19:56:00.001-07:00

Athletes around the world, from the smallest countries to the richest nations, train for the upcoming 2012 London Olympics.

Italian gymnast Vanessa Ferrari attends a training session to prepare for the Olympics in Brescia March 12, 2012. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi

Brazilian judo fighter Sarah Menezes (front) attends a training session at Rocinha Sports Complex in Rio de Janeiro March 15, 2012. Menezes, who won bronze in the World Judo Championships in Paris 2011, will take part in the 2012 London Olympics.

Gaza runner Bahaa al-Farra stretches during a training session as children mimic him while posing for the camera in Shati refugee camp in Gaza City March 25, 2012. The 19-year-old trains for three hours a day in Gaza's Yarmouk soccer stadium, along the dusty streets and on the beach in well worn trainers that were donated to the Palestine Olympic Committee by wealthy Gulf state, Qatar, as he prepares to race at the London Olympics. Picture taken March 25, 2012.

U.S. platform diver Haley Ishimatsu trains for the London 2012 Olympics in Los Angeles, California, March 28, 2012. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

Tunisian wrestler Haithem Belaiech (in blue) trains for the 2012 London Olympic Games in Tunis March 29, 2012. REUTERS/Zoubeir Souissi

German beach volleyball players Sara Goller (R), 27, and Laura Ludwig, 26, train for the London 2012 Olympics in Manhattan Beach, California, April 9, 2012.

Primoz Kozmus of Slovenia throws a hammer during his training for the 2012 London Olympics in Brezice March 22, 2012. Kozmus was the Olympic gold medallist from Beijing and World Champion from Berlin. Picture taken March 22, 2012

Track cycling sprinter Kevin Mansker of the U.S. trains for the London 2012 Olympics in Carson, near Los Angeles, California, April 11, 2012.

Track cycling sprinter Simona Krupeckaite of Lithuania leaves the training session for the London 2012 Olympics in Panevezis April 12, 2012.

Argentine born boxer Tamara Fabiana Garcia gets punched in the face by fellow boxer Jennifer Miranda during a training session at a high-performance sports centre in Los Alcazares, southeastern Spain, April 2, 2012. Five young fighters are training hard ahead of next month's world championships in Qinhuangdao, China, where competition will be fierce for the precious 24 qualification slots - eight in each of the three weight categories - for this year's summer Games. Women's boxing is being included in the Olympics for the first time in London and while the Spanish hopefuls know it will be incredibly tough to even qualify, they are filled with pride that the sport they have dedicated their lives to is finally getting the recognition they believe it deserves. Picture taken April 2, 2012.

Tyler Hinton takes a breath after going under the water while competing in the men's C1 during the U.S. Olympic trials for whitewater slalom in Charlotte, North Carolina April 13, 2012.

Hungarian swimmer Laszlo Cseh swims underwater during a training session in Budapest April 12, 2012.

Austrian gymnast and Olympic hopeful Caroline Weber practises with the ribbon during a training session in Vienna April 19, 2012. Weber, 26, who practices six hours a day five days a week, will participate in the rhythmic gymnastics competition at the London 2012 Olympic games.

Helana Scott runs with the Olympic torch before boarding a train during the London 2012 Olympic Games Torch Relay rehearsal at Great Central Railway in Leicester, central England April 20, 2012.

Italian Olympic team archer Marco Galiazzo prepares to release an arrow during a training session in Padua, northern Italy, April 21, 2012. Galiazzo won the gold medal in the men's individual archery event at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, and will take part in the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Olympic hopeful Abdul Rashid Bangura, 27, shadow boxes while training at the national stadium in Sierra Leone's capital Freetown, April 25, 2012. Sierra Leone's national boxing team was scrambling on Wednesday to raise money to send athletes to an Olympic qualifying event starting in Morocco on Friday, but lack of financing and government support means the competition is likely out of reach for most of the national team.

Austrian table tennis players Chen Weixing, Li Qiangbing, Robert Gardos and Werner Schlager (LtoR) serve the ball during a training session in Schwechat outside Vienna May 2, 2012. Chen, Li, Gardos and Schleger will participate at the 2012 Olympic Games. Picture taken May 2, 2012.

Olympic weightlifter Andrei Aramnau lifts weights during a training session at a sports base in the town of Bobruisk, some 140 km (87 miles) southeast of Minsk, March 21, 2012. Winning the national championship has convinced Belarussian lifter Aramnau that he has put behind two drink-driving convictions and the resultant two-year ban to be on course for a second Olympic gold. Aramnau's confidence stemmed from his victory in the national championship two months ago with a 400kg lift. The 24-year-old lifter was working overtime to get into shape and was confident of hitting top form in the London Olympics. Photo taken March 21, 2012.

Brazilian Ronald Juliao prepares to throw a discus during a training session at the Athletics Center in Sao Caetano do Sul, near Sao Paulo May 17, 2012. Juliao will be taking part in the 2012 London Olympics.

Tunisian Taekwondo athlete Khaoula Ben Hamza (in blue) trains during preparaions for the 2012 London Olympic Games in Tunis May 25, 2012.

Milagros Cabral, captain of the Dominican Republic volleyball team practices during training season at the Olympic center in Santo Domingo in this picture taken May 22, 2012.The team qualified for one of the only three spots for women's volleyball teams from the Americas to play at the London Olympics, along with the United States and Brazil. Picture taken May 22, 2012. REUTERS/Kena Betancur

Shot putter Tomasz Majewski of Poland trains for the 2012 London Olympic Games at the Academy of Physical Education in Warsaw April 17, 2012. Majewski won a gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games with 21.51 meters and is considered as one of the favourites for the 2012 London Olympic Games this year. Picture taken April 17, 2012. REUTERS/Peter Andrews

Jay Chau, vice chairman of the Hong Kong Kiteboarding Federation, takes part in a training session at Shui Hau Wan at Hong Kong's Lantau Island May 12, 2012. The International Sailing Federation (ISAF) announced the decision to include men's and women's kiteboarding at the expense of windsurfing earlier this month, describing it as a "fantastic addition" for the Games in Rio de Janeiro. Picture taken May 12, 2012.

Kuwaiti Shooter Mariam Erzouqi, 24, poses as she takes aim during practice at the Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Olympic Shooting Complex in Kuwait, May 26, 2012. Mariam Erzouqi grips her German-made air rifle with carefully-manicured hands, steadies her footing, eyes the target and slowly pulls the trigger until a soft crack echoes through Kuwait's cavernous shooting range. The 24-year-old is set to become the second Kuwaiti woman to compete at an Olympic Games and will take dead aim at a medal in the 10 and 50 metres air rifle in London.

Spain's David Cal paddles his canoe single (C1) during a training session on the River Lerez in the city of Pontevedra May 17, 2012. Cal is months away from a shot at winning a fifth Olympic medal, which would make him Spain's most decorated Olympian. The man who had the honour of carrying the Spanish flag at the opening ceremony in the Beijing Olympics competes in the C1 class canoe, where the competitor kneels in his craft and uses a single paddle down one side. Picture taken May 17, 2012. To match OLY-CANO-SPAIN-CAL/ REUTERS/Miguel Vidal

Indian-Americans who won Spelling Bee crown

2012-06-09T19:56:00.000-07:00

How Do You Spell ‘guetapens’? No matter how you spell it, the word provides yet another feather in the cap of Indian-Americans at the Scripps National Spelling Bee contest, as Snigdha Nandipati became the fifth consecutive Indian-American, and the tenth Indian American to win the title in the last 12 years. The ultimate test for school kids, the Scripps National Spelling Bee has been wrung into an inspiring novel, a documentary, a feature film and a Broadway musical. Here are a few Indian-Americans who won the Scripps National Spelling Bee contest:

Snigdha Nandipati in 2012: Snigdha Nandipati, a 14-year-old Indian American girl, correctly spelled "guetapens", French for ambush, to win the 2012 Scripps National Spelling Bee crown and retain the coveted honour for the community for the fifth year in a row.

Anamika Veeramani in 2010: The 14-year-old from North Royalton, Ohio, successfully spelled the words ‘Juvia’ and ‘Stromuhr’ to become the Bee’s 83rd champion. Repeating the community’s feat of 2005, when Anurag Kashyap, Aliya Deri, Samir Patel and Rajiv Tarigopula won the top four positions.

Anurag Kashyap in 2005: Correctly spelling the word ‘Appoggiatura’, Anurag Kashyap clinched the 2005 edition of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Anurag whizzed through relatively common words such as ‘Prosciutto’, an Italian dry-cured ham, and difficult ones such as ‘Sphygmomanometer’, an instrument for measuring blood pressure.

Pratyush Buddiga in 2002: Pratyush Buddiga won the 75th Annual Scripps National Spelling Bee when he correctly spelt the word ‘Prospicience’ in the 11th round.

Sai R. Gunturi in 2003: Sai R. Gunturi, a 13-year-old from Dallas, Texas, won the 76th Annual Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee with the word ‘Pococurante’. He survived 15 rounds to emerge as the 2003 national champion. Among the words Sai spelt correctly en route to the title were ‘Marmoraceous’, ‘Mistassini’, ‘Solfeggio’, ‘Voussoir’, ‘Halogeton’, ‘Dipnoous’, ‘Peirastic’, and ‘Rhathymia’.

Kavya Shivshankar in 2009: Kavya Shivshankar of Olethe, Kansas, spelt the word ‘Laodicean’ to claim the title in 2009. Kavya who finished fourth in 2008, cracked words like ‘Escritoire’, ‘Hydrargyrum’, ‘Blancmange’, ‘Baignoire’, ‘Ecossaise’, ‘Diacoele’, ‘Bouquiniste’, ‘Isagoge’, and ‘Phoresy’ to win the coveted title.

Nupur Lala in 1999: She spelt the word ‘Logorrhea’ to be crowned the champion of the 72nd Scripps National Spelling Bee. She edged out David Lewandowski who missed out on the word ‘Opsimath’. She was also a part of the 2002 documentary ‘Spellbound’, that followed eight competitors in the 1999 Scripps National Spelling Bee. The film was nominated for the Academy Award for Documentary Feature.

Sameer Mishra in 2008: After watching his sister’s unsuccessful attempt to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee, Sameer Mishra set himself on a mission to win the Scripps. And he did it in style when he aced the word ‘Guerdon’ to win the 81st National Spelling Bee contest. Sameer became the first speller to win the title after misspelling his onstage word in the preliminary round.

Sukanya Roy in 2011: Sukanya Roy, an eighth-grader at Abington Heights Middle School, won the 2011 Scripps National Spelling Bee on Thursday night, correctly spelling 'periscii' and 'cymotrichous' to win the title. She will will take home more than $40,000 in cash and prizes.

George Abraham Thampy in 2000: Nicknamed ‘Georgie’, George Abraham Thampy of St Louis, Missouri, spelt the word ‘Demarche’ to win the 73rd edition of the Scripps National Spelling Bee contest. Thampy also competed in the National Geographic Bee in 2000, taking second place in that competition one week before he won the National Spelling Bee.

Rageshree Ramachandran in 1988: Rageshree Ramachandran won the Bee when she was in the eighth grade – her winning word was ‘Elegiacal’. At age 15, she won a $10,000 Westinghouse Science Talent Search scholarship and always lists her championship on her resumes and applications.

Balu Natarajan in 1985: In 1985, Balu Natarajan beat out his competitors by spelling ‘Milieu’ to become an overnight sensation for the Indian-American community. Now a doctor of sports medicine, Balu Natarajan was quoted as saying, “Indian record on spelling bees gives the community quite a bit of confidence that we can do well here, much like other ethnicities pursuing the American dream.”

Australia 27 Wales 19: Wallabies bounce back from Scotland defeat as Dragons' wait goes on

2012-06-09T05:45:00.002-07:00

Wales lost their first Test against Australia, despite a spirited second-half fight-back in Brisbane.
Alex Cuthbert crossed for a try and Leigh Halfpenny kicked 14 points as the Six Nations champions threatened to pull off an historic win.
But it was not enough to recover from early scores by Rob Higginbotham and Will Genia before Pat McCabe crossed to snuff out the Welsh recovery.

Clincher: Pat McCabe's try put Australia out of reach

Tri Nations holders Australia recovered from the defeat to Scotland to end Wales' run of six wins in a row and leave caretaker coach Rob Howley facing an uphill task for the rest of the three-Test series.
Australia took an early grip on the game when Berrick Barnes opened the scoring in the ninth minute after Wales prop Adam Jones was penalised for not rolling away at the tackle and the Wallaby fly-half kicked the resulting penalty.
Halfpenny and Scott Williams showed glimpses in midfield, but Australia dominated the first half with David Pocock edging the contest at the breakdown.
The Wallaby skipper stole possession close to the Welsh line after Rhys Priestland fumbled a high kick by Barnes under pressure from Digby Ioane.
Australia looked to have created a certain try when Rob Horne darted to the left, but Cuthbert prevented the scoring pass with a crucial tackle.
However, just moments later the Wallabies crossed following a series of drives from their forwards that ended with Higginbotham crashing over for his first Test try.
Barnes converted and Australia led 10-0 after 16 minutes.

Stunning effort: Will Genia goes over the lone after a magnificent solo effort, sparking vibrant celebrations from the hosts (below)

Halfpenny finally got Wales off the mark on 23 minutes, but the Six Nations champions were struggling to find any momentum against an Australia team playing with their tails up.
Scrum-half Genia pulled the strings for Australia and went close to extending their lead but Cuthbert again saved a score.
Wales suffered a blow on 29 minutes when George North was forced off with a leg injury, forcing a re-shuffle with Halfpenny switched to the left wing and James Hook introduced at full-back.
Barnes had the chance to extend Australia's 10-3 lead before half-time, but hit the post with his effort.

Opening score: Scott Higginbotham goes over

However, Genia needed less than a minute of the second half to grab the Wallabies' second try.
Australia burst forward from the kick-off and the Queensland scrum-half darted between two Welsh front-rows and past Hook to touch down under the posts and hand Barnes a simple conversion.
Wales attempted to shake-off the early blow with a second penalty for Halfpenny.
Barnes responded with a 50th-minute drop goal, but Halfpenny again nudged Wales closer with a third penalty after a heavy head-to-head collision with Wallaby hooker Tatafu Polota Nau that saw both players leave the field.

Offload: Halfpenny gets a pass away as Berrick Barnes awaits

Ashley Beck replaced Williams for his first cap and was immediately involved in creating Wales' first try.
Hook and Priestland shipped the ball to Beck who flicked possession to Cuthbert and the wing finished in style for his fourth Test try.
Halfpenny converted and added an excellent penalty from out wide to cut the deficit to 20-19 on 63 minutes.

Fast hands: Genia gets quick ball away from an Australian scrum

Wales were eying a remarkable turnaround, but Australia showed their clinical edge when they needed it most. Genia was again the creator, picking his pass to McCabe who crashed over on 67 minutes.
Barnes converted and Australia were once again eight points ahead.
Twice Cuthbert threatened to break clear for a second try that Wales desperately needed, but was denied as Australia recovered to hold out for victory.

Japan sprinter strips to raise funds for London paralympics

2012-06-09T05:25:00.000-07:00

She’s lost a leg when she was 21 years old but that is not stopping her from dreaming big. Japan’s disabled sprinter Maya Nakanishi poses nude with her prosthetic leg to fund her trip to the London Paralympic Games.

Maya Nakanishi, who is planning to compete in the 2012 London Paralympic Games, published a calendar featuring her posing semi-nude with her prosthetic leg to help fund her training and trip to London Paralympic Games.

She’s lost a leg when she was 21 years old but that is not stopping her from dreaming big.Nakanishi lost her right leg below the knee in a workplace accident when she was 21, then became a sprinter with her prosthetic limb.

She is the Asian record holder in the T44 (one leg amputated below the knee) 200 meter and long jump and she was the first Japanese woman to be at the start line in a 100 meter final race in the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Olympics.

But with little financial assistance, she made up her mind to pose herself partially nude in her calendar to fund her trip to compete in London. The calendar of 7,000 copies is priced at 1,200 yen ($15) in Japan.(Reuters)

Japan's disabled sprinter Maya Nakanishi poses in this handout picture featured in her calendar in Tokyo February 7, 2012.

Pink clay court unveiled at Roland Garros

2012-06-07T21:48:00.005-07:00

Pink clay court unveiled at Roland Garros

Image: A general view of the pink clay court in the women's legends doubles semi final match between Martina Navratilova of USA and Jana Novotna of Czech Republic and Nathalie Tauziat and Sandrine Testud of France

It was a new beginning at the French Open.

Day 12 of the competition witnessed the unveiling of a brand new pink clay court.

The women's legends doubles semi-final match between American Martina Navratilova and Jana Novotna of Czech Republic and Nathalie Tauziat and Sandrine Testud of France was the first match to be played on the freshly-laid surface.

The court is dedicated to women

Image: Groundstaff unveil a pink clay court prior to the women's legends doubles semi-final

The court was unveiled in the honour of the ladies at the tournament.

And it was the legendary Martina Navratilova who participated in an exhibition match to inaugurate the court.

Chris Evert also graced the ceremony

Image: (L-R) Nathalie Tauziat, Sandrine Testud, Jana Novotna, President of the French Tennis Federation Jean Gachassin, Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova pose at the net

Besides, Navratilova, Novotna, Nathalie Tauziat and Testud, Chris Evert also graced the opening ceremony.

Evert won the French Open on seven occasions.

Her record still stands.

Navratilova, Novotna won the match

Image: Martina Navratilova (L) of USA and Jana Novotna of Czech Republic play on a pink clay court

Martina Navratilova and Jana Novotna of Czech Republic played in the women's legends doubles semi-final against Nathalie Tauziat and Sandrine Testud.

There was a brief rain interruption before the Navratilova-Novotna combine won the match in three sets.

French Open: A field day for Spanish trio

Image: David Ferrer of Spain plays a forehand in his men's singles fourth round match against Marcel Granollers of Spain

The trio of Spaniards -- Rafa Nadal, David Ferrer and Nicolas Almagro -- showed why the nation has ruled Roland Garros for most of the last decade.

They are the only players in the men's draw not to drop a set on the way to the quarter-finals.

Spaniards have won eight of the last 10 men's titles in Paris and on Monday they showed no signs of relinquishing their hold as Nadal, Almagro and Ferrer mercilessly froze out their opponents at a chilly, blustery and drizzly French Open.

Sharapova survives Zakopalova scare

2012-06-07T21:35:00.002-07:00

Sharapova survives Zakopalova scare

Image: Maria Sharapova of Russia reacts during her match against Klara Zakopalova of the Czech Republic during the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris

Defending champion Li Na was shown the door while Maria Sharapova remained on course for a maiden title after the fourth round of the French Open on Monday.

The seventh seeded Na was beaten Kazakh qualifier Yaroslava Shvedova 3-6, 6-2, 6-0.

Meanwhile Sharapova managed to scrape past Klara Zakopalova 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-2 to move into the last eight.

The Russian star, who had reached the last 16 for the loss of just five games and having spent less than three hours on court, had to dig deep to get it past the resilient Czech.

The 30-year-old Zakopalova, ranked 44th, capitalised on some poor serving by the Russian to force a decider. However, in the final analysis it was Sharapova's experience that helped her through.

Sharapova, continuing on in Paris where she left off in Rome, now has a 10-match streak and with most seeds having fallen by the wayside remains the firm favourite to win the lone major missing from her kitty.

Tsonga into French Open quarter-final for the first time

Image: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France looks on in his men's singles fourth round match against Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland during day 9 of the French Open at Roland Garros on June 4, 2012 in Paris, France

Local favourite Jo-Wilfried Tsonga kept his eye on the prize to reach the French Open quarter-finals for the first time with a 6-4, 7-6, 3-6, 3-6, 6-4 win against Swiss 18th seed Stanislas Wawrinka on Monday.

The fifth-seeded Frenchman was 4-2 up in the decider when the match was interrupted by dusk on Sunday and dropped serve when play resumed on Court Philippe Chatrier.

Tsonga, the last Frenchman to reach a grand-slam final, at the 2008 Australian Open, wrapped it up by breaking Wawrinka with a forehand winner after four hours and six minutes.

He will face world number one Novak Djokovic of Serbia on Tuesday for a place in the last four.

Ferrer restores calm after expelling shrieking Spaniard

Image: David Ferrer of Spain plays a forehand in his men's singles fourth round match against Marcel Granollers of Spain

David Ferrer was deafened but not stirred as he silenced shrieking Spaniard Marcel Granollers with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-0 demolition job in the fourth round of the French Open on Monday.

While fans are accustomed to the likes of Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka ratcheting up the decibel levels, Granollers proved that grunting was not confined to the women's game.

Unusually, Granollers often groans well after the ball has flown off his racket but despite his antics, a focussed Ferrer reached the last eight for the third time.

Sixth seed Ferrer has now won four straight-set matches, dropping only 25 games, and will be favourite to make it through to his first semi-final here when he faces either fourth seed Andy Murray or local hope Richard Gasquet.

Almagro keeps up ruthless run by Spaniards

Image: Nicolas Almagro of Spain celebrates in his men's singles fourth round match against Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia during day 9 of the French Open

Nicolas Almagro kept up the ruthless run by Spaniards at the French Open as he reached the quarter-finals with a 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 hammering of Serbian eighth seed Janko Tipsarevic on Monday.

Almagro, the 12th seed, is one of three players in the men's draw yet to drop a set and coincidentally they all hail from Spain.

While six-times champion Rafa Nadal will be aiming to preserve his perfect record when he takes on Argentine Juan Monaco in a fourth-round contest later on Monday, David Ferrer has also reached the last eight by winning 12 successive sets.

Almagro kept the bearded Tipsarevic on his toes throughout the two hour 13 minute encounter and blew a kiss skywards after ending the Serb's ordeal with a driving forehand winner.

Almagro will next face the winner of the Nadal-Monaco match.

Del Potro out-muscles Berdych

Image: Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina celebrates victory in his men's singles fourth round match against Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic

Juan Martin del Potro edged past Tomas Berdych in a battle of big-hitting baseliners to book his spot in the French Open quarter-finals, winning 7-6, 1-6, 6-3, 7-5 on Monday.

After the match was suspended at the end of the third set due to bad light on Sunday evening, the ninth-seeded Argentine returned to wrap up victory in three hours 26 minutes.

Del Potro exchanged clubbing flat forehands with his opponent in a first-set struggle that lasted over an hour before Berdych struck back emphatically in the second.

The Argentine, who will play Roger Federer in the quarters, returned to the ascendancy in Sunday's evening gloom before breaking decisively in the 12th game of the fourth set.

champion Li Na knocked out by qualifier

Image: Yaroslava Shvedova of Kazakhstan (R) shakes hands with Li Na of China after winning her match during the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris

In the biggest upset of the tournament so far, defending women's champion Li Na was knocked out in the fourth round on Monday by Kazakh qualifier Yaroslava Shvedova 3-6, 6-2, 6-0.

After taking the first set, the Chinese seventh seed collapsed, taking only two games out of the next 14.

Last year's champion made 41 unforced errors as she spectacularly lost control of a match in which she had looked to be cruising towards victory.

Doubles specialist Shvedova, ranked 142 in the world in singles, will now play the winner of Varvara Lepchenko's match against Wimbledon winner Petra Kvitova in the quarter-final.

London Olympics 2012 – 50 days to go

2012-06-07T01:38:00.001-07:00

London Olympics 2012 – 50 days to go
50 days to go!

Peter Jack holds the Olympic torch aloft at the Giant's Causeway in county Antrim, Northern Ireland, Monday, June 4, 2012. The Olympic Torch is continuing its relay journey around the country, and is scheduled to arrive at the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Photo issued by Olympic Organizing Committee LOCOG showing torchbearer Bernard Brogan as he carries the Olympic Flame on the Torch Relay leg in Dublin, Ireland, Wednesday June 6, 2012. The Olympic Torch is crossing into the south of Ireland today to symbolise and strengthen the peace process which has troubled the island for many years. The Olympic torch is making its way around England in a relay of runners to end at the Olympic stadium for the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

This image made available by LOCOG shows boxer Wayne McCullough, left, giving fellow boxer Michael Carruth a kiss as they stand with flaming Olympic torches at Carrickdale on the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland on Day 19 of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay Wednesday June 6, 2012.

This is an image released by LOCOG of torchbearer 002 Henry Shefflin as holds the Olympic Flame inside Croke Park stadium in Dublin, during Day 19 of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay Wednesday June 6, 2012

Clare Leahy, left, lights Denis Broderick during a change over of the the Olympic Torch at the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge in county Antrim, Northern Ireland, Monday, June 4, 2012. The Olympic Torch is continuing its relay journey around the country, and is scheduled to arrive at the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Spyridon Gianniotis, Greece's world champion of swimming, runs with the Olympic flame and an olive branch during the Olympic torch relay at the site of ancient Olympia in Greece May 10, 2012.

Alexander Loukos (L), British boxer of Greek descent, lights the torch held by Spyros Philipas (R), president and chief executive of BMW Hellas, during the Olympic torch relay at the site of ancient Olympia in Greece May 10, 2012.

Greek actress Ino Menegaki, playing the role of High Priestess, hands Spyridon Gianniotis (R), Greece's world champion of swimming, an olive branch during the torch lighting ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the site of ancient Olympia in Greece May 10, 2012.

The Olympic Stadium and Orbit tower are seen at sunset in Stratford in east London on March 5, 2012.

The Olympic rings made up of 25,000 flowers are displayed at Kew Royal Botanic Gardens in London to mark the 100 days to go to the start of London 2012 Olympics.

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva (right) views the main Olympic stadium construction site at the London 2012 Olympic Park site in Stratford in east London. The President was visiting the London 2012 Olympic Park site as part of Brazil's bid to host the 2016 Olympic Games.

In this handout picture received from London 2012 workers at the site of a suture Olympic stadium stand in the formation of a number three to mark the three years to go to the start of London 2012 Olympics in London.

Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron (R) inspects the beach volleyball site for the 2012 Olympic Games, at Horse Guards Parade in London on July 27, 2011.

The London 2012 Olympics Aquatics Centre is seen at the Olympic Park site, in east London on July 27, 2011. The London Olympics entered its final year countdown on Wednesday with diver Tom Daley poised to make a splash in the newly-opened Aquatics Centre before the call goes out to the world to come and join the party.

The London 2012 Olympics running track is seen following its unveiling in the Olympic Stadium in east London on October 3, 2011. The 80,000 capacity stadium, situated in London's East End, is expected to have cost 486 million pounds when completed.

An aerial view shows the London 2012 Olympic Games Water Polo Arena in the Olympic Park in London on December 5, 2011

An aerial view shows the London 2012 Olympic Games Olympic Stadium, Aquatics Centre, Water Polo and the Orbit, at the Olympic Park in London December 5, 2011.

An aerial view shows a section of the London 2012 Olympic Games Olympic Stadium, at the Olympic Park in London on December 20, 2011.

This computer-generated image released by The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) in London shows the design for the Olympic Stadium, the flagship venue for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games on November 7, 2007.

No Arjuna Award for Ind cricketers this year

2012-06-07T01:15:00.003-07:00

New Delhi: None of India's top international cricketers will get nomination for the prestigious Arjuna Award for their performance during the last season, apparently due to a major communication gap between the sports ministry and the BCCI.

As the deadline for the respective sports associations to send the names of the candidates is over, it has been found that BCCI hasn't sent any names despite the fact that in 2011 the senior cricket team won the World Cup and Virat Kohli was one of the top run-getters in ODI cricket.

"We haven't received the Arjuna nomination from the union sports ministry. I can tell you that this has happened for the first time that we haven't received the format which requires to be filled up and also duly signed by our nominee. When they haven't sent us an intimation, how do we send a name," BCCI's chief administrative officer Ratnakar Shetty told PTI.

"The process of selecting a cricketer and getting all the formalities done takes some time and only the people in the sports ministry can tell as to why we didn't get the form," Shetty said.

When contacted, Abhijit Rai, OSD to Sports Minister Ajay Maken, said, "The question of sending form to BCCI doesn't arise as it is available on the internet. Any sports association can download it and fill it up. As of now, I am unable to provide you with further details as to why BCCI didn't send their nomination."

The world's best T20 player levels series

2012-06-06T01:44:00.003-07:00

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan T20 Series Review

Shahid Afridi

The highest impact T20 Internationals player in its (limited) history (minimum 15 matches) is Shahid Afridi. A 1-1 series result in this T20 series was achieved through a quintessential all-round performance from him in the second match.

Here is an overview of the T20 series through the Impact Index lens.

Observations:

Sohail Tanvir (for his 4 wickets at an economy of 3.4) got the Man-of-the-Series award. However, Nuwan Kulasekara (4 wickets at an economy of 3.7), despite a slightly slower Bowling IMPACT was marginally higher overall primarily because of his innings of 6 off 6 balls in the low-scoring first match where his partnership with a rampant Thisara Perera took the score from 89-7 to a match-winning 132. But fine details like these are often missed in such situations – but Kulasekara should have been the Man-of-the-Series. Both performed at a much higher level than their T20I career Bowling IMPACT - 1.36 (Kulasekara) and 1.39 (Tanvir).

Amongst bowlers who played both matches, Sohail Tanvir was the highest impact bowler of the series – he had the highest Economy IMPACT in the series. His 3-12 in 4 overs in the 1st game was the highest impact bowling performance in the series.

Yasir Arafat, Nuwan Kulasekara and Mohammad Sami were the bowlers who had a Pressure Building IMPACT (quick wickets that kicked in pressure for the opposition) in the series. Angelo Mathews and Thisara Perera were the only bowlers who broke set partnerships.

The highest impact batsman of the series was Lahiru Thirimanne – even though he got 48 runs at an average of 24, whereas Shahid Afridi got 53 runs at an average of 53. Thirimanne was the only batsman who had a 0% failure rate amongst those who played both matches – he registered an impact in all batting parameters – especially strike rate and pressure – interesting, given their often complementary roles.

Six batsmen absorbed pressure while batting in the series – Kumar Sangakkara, Lahiru Thirimanne, Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez and Thisara Perera - a neat division of 3 each in a close series.

Angelo Matthews and Shahid Afridi were the only two players who produced all-round performances in the series. Matthews delivered in both matches whereas Afridi was outstanding only in the second match. The latter’s match-winning performance in the second game (52 off 33 balls; 2 for 17 in 4 overs) gave him the highest performance of the series (Match IMPACT 12.50) which was almost double the impact of the second-highest impact performance in the series by Matthews in the 1st match (9 off 25; 2 for 8 in 4 overs; Match IMPACT 6.60).

Yasir Arafat (3 for 18 in 3.2 overs) and Lasith Malinga (2 for 12 in 3 overs) played just 1 match each but performed creditably.

The impact registered by the players was closely divided between both teams. Something that is reflected even further in the Team IMPACT numbers of both teams – an identical 1.96 each. This was a really close series – even more than the 1-1 result suggests.

Cricket's Politicians

2012-06-06T00:44:00.004-07:00

A look at some of the top cricketers who've plunged into the world of politics.

Sachin Tendulkar: He has the most runs in Tests and One-Day Internationals and is the only cricketer to have scored 100 international centuries. On 4 June 2012, Tendulkar created history off the field when he took his oath as Member of Parliament - Rajya Sabha. Tendulkar, the first active sportsperson in the Rajya Sabha, said he wants to be remembered as someone who contributed to the country.

Kirti Azad: Part of India's 1983 World Cup winnings squad, he played 7 Tests and 25 ODIs. Kirti's father, Bhagwat Jha Azad, was chief minister from 14 February 1988 to 10 March 1989. Kirti, who is currently serving his second term in the Lok Sabha, was elected to Parliament on a BJP ticket from Darbhanga, Bihar. He was previously an MLA from Delhi's Gole Market constituency.

Navjot Singh Sidhu: Former India opening batsman Navjot Singh Sidhu, who played 51 Tests and 136 ODIs, won on a Bharatiya Janata Party ticket from the Amritsar seat in the Indian general elections, 2004. After resigning due to a court case against him, he stood again after the ruling was stayed. He won a by-election with a good majority. In the 2009 general elections, he kept the Amritsar seat.

Mohammad Azharuddin: The former India captain was banned for life banned for life in 2000 by the BCCI his involvement in a match-fixing scandal. However, the BCCI lifted this ban in 2006. A member of the Indian National Congress, Azharuddin won election from the Moradabad constituency of Uttar Pradesh to the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Parliament of India, in 2009.

Imran Khan: One of cricket's greatest all-rounders, Imran Khan lead Pakistan to victory in the 1992 World Cup. In April 1996, Imran founded and became the chairman of a political party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (Movement for Justice). He represented Mianwali as a member of the National Assembly from November 2002 to October 2007. Imran is considered by many to be a future Prime Minister of Pakistan.

Sanath Jayasuriya: The former Sri Lanka captain had an illustrious international cricket career that spread over two decades (1991-2011). Jayasuriya, who is the only player to score more than 13,000 runs and capture more than 300 wickets in ODIs, retired from Test cricket in December 2007 and from limited overs cricket in June 2011. Jayasuriya ran for public office, as a member of the United People's Freedom Alliance at the 2010 Sri Lankan general elections and was elected to the parliament from his native Matara District.

Arjuna Ranatunga: He led Sri Lanka to their first and only World Cup trophy in 1996. Under Ranatunga's captaincy, Sri Lanka began to play more aggressively in both ODI and Test cricket the mid-'90s. Ranatunga retired from cricket in 2001, and then became influential in the administration of cricket in Sri Lanka and entered politics, joining the People's Alliance and winning election to the Sri Lankan parliament. He served a tenure as deputy minister for tourism. He joined the Democratic National Alliance in 2010.

Frank Worrell: The only batsman to have been involved in two 500-run partnerships in first-class cricket, the late Sir Frank Worrell was a stylish right-handed batsman and useful left-arm seam bowler. Worrell, who also captained West Indies, and managed the national team after his retirement, was appointed to the Jamaican Senate by Sir Alexander Bustamante.

Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi: India's youngest Test captain, Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, was an attacking right-handed batsman, and after retirement, managed the Indian team and was also a ICC match referee. Pataudi's tryst with politics though ended in failures - in 1971, he contested the Lok Sabha polls from Gurgaon as a member of Vishal Haryana Party; and in 1991 he contested under a Congress ticket for Bhopal Lok Sabha seat in 1991 - he lost both times.

Chetan Chauhan: The former India opening batsman (far right) played 40 Tests between September 1969 and March 1981, and was a member of the Lok Sabha (lower house of the parliament) from Amroha in 1991 and 1998. He lost the elections from the same constituency in 1996, 1999 and 2004; Chauhan is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Hashan Tillakaratne: The left-handed Tillakaratne played 83 Tests and 200 ODIs, and also captained Sri Lanka briefly. After retiring from cricket, Tillakaratne joined the United National Party, the oldest political party in Sri Lanka and was appointed the party's organizer for Avissawella electorate in the Colombo district.

History of the European Championship 1960-2012

2012-06-05T06:44:00.003-07:00

History of the European Championship 1960-2012

LONDON (Reuters) - This year's European Championship in Poland and Ukraine is the 14th staging of the event, with the finals first held as a four team tournament in France in 1960 when it was known as the European Nations Cup.
Following is a brief history of the tournament:

1960 in France
It took more than 30 years for Henri Delaunay's idea to become reality and when the inaugural Nations Cup was launched in 1958 it received a cautious welcome, with only 17 countries entering - West Germany, Italy and England were among the absentees.
It was a straightforward knockout tournament with home and away legs with only the last four advancing to the four-team playoff finals in France.
The Soviet Union, who were awarded a bye into the last four after Spain refused to play them on political grounds, beat Czechoslovakia 3-0 while in the other semi-final Yugoslavia came from 4-2 down in the second half to beat France 5-4.
The final, watched by only 26,370 in the Parc des Princes, saw the Soviets beat Yugoslavia 2-1 after extra time with Viktor Ponedelnik scoring the winner in the 113th minute.

- - -
1964 in Spain
The second tournament attracted all the big names bar the Germans but one of them, the Netherlands, were the first giant-killing victims of the tournament when they were beaten 3-2 on aggregate by Luxembourg despite playing both legs at home.
The final-four team tournament was held in Spain with defending champions the Soviet Union beating Denmark 3-0 and the hosts squeezing past Hungary 2-1 in extra time in the semi-finals.
Spain won the Madrid final, also 2-1, with a late header by Marcelino -- their last international success for 44 years.
- - -

1968 in Italy
Another four team finals tournament took place in Italy in 1968, but this was the first officially re-named the European Championship and featuring qualifying groups for the first time.
The final event in Italy saw the host nation advance to the final after winning on the determining method used at the time - the toss of a coin after a goalless draw with the Soviet Union in Naples.
Yugoslavia beat world champions England 1-0 with a late goal in the other semi-final in which Alan Mullery had the misfortune of becoming the first England player ever to be sent off in 96 years of England internationals.
The final in Rome's Olympic stadium ended in a 1-1 draw after a late equaliser for the hosts so a replay was held two days later when Italy, fielding five fresh players, won 2-0.
- - -

1972 in Belgium
Most of the drama in the 1972 edition took place in the quarter-finals with the final-four tournament in Belgium something of an anti-climax.
Italy, the defending champions and only two years on from reaching the World Cup final, were knocked out by Belgium in the quarter-finals while England went out to West Germany two years after losing to them at the same stage in the World Cup.
In the semi-finals Belgium lost 2-1 to West Germany while the Soviet Union maintained their impressive championship pedigree with a 1-0 win over Hungary - watched by a crowd of less than 2,000 - to reach their third final in four attempts.
The Germans, however, with Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Mueller, Uli Hoeness, Guenter Netzer and goalkeeper Sepp Maier, were far too strong and won comfortably 3-0 with two goals for Mueller and one for Herbert Wimmer.
- - -

1976 in Yugoslavia
I the previous tournament had been a disappointment, 1976 produced some classic matches in Yugoslavia, the first time the finals were held in Eastern Europe.
The Netherlands, containing the nucleus of the team who had lost the World Cup final to West Germany two years earlier, were frustrated again in the first semi-final against Czechoslovakia.
Both teams were down to 10 men after 90 minutes with the scores at 1-1 - captain Anton Ondrus put the Czechs ahead then scored an own goal - but the game turned when Zdenek Nehoda headed the Czechs into the lead and the Dutch had Wim van Hanegem sent off for arguing about the goal. The Czechs eventually ran out 3-1 winners.
World and European champions West Germany had lost deadly striker Gerd Mueller but replaced him with namesake Dieter, who duly delivered a hat-trick in the 4-2 semi-final win over Yugoslavia, who had led 2-0 until the 65th minute.
The Germans again showed their determination when they fell 2-0 behind in the final, Mueller pulling one back and Bernd Holzenbein equalising in the last minute.
After no further goals in extra time the final became the first at a major tournament to be settled on a penalty shoot-out, Antonin Panenka netting the decider with one of the most famous penalties of all time, a brilliantly-executed chip.
- - -

1980 in Italy
The increasing popularity of the competition persuaded UEFA to expand the finals to an eight-team competition, with two groups of four producing two finalists.
Host nation Italy failed to progress as outsiders Belgium topped a tight Group Two with one win and two draws.
West Germany made it three finals in a row after gaining revenge over the Czechs and beating the Netherlands.
Big striker Horst Hrubesch was the German hero in the final, putting them ahead after 10 minutes and, after Belgium had equalised with a 71st-minute penalty, heading the second in a 2-1 win two minutes from time.
A disappointing third-place playoff, where Czechoslovakia beat Italy 9-8 on penalties after a dull 1-1 draw persuaded UEFA to drop the unpopular match for future tournaments.
- - -

1984 in France
Michel Platini of France dominated the tournament scoring nine goals in all as the hosts were the deserved winners of a superb tournament that began with two groups of four providing four semi-finalists.
France, still stinging from their 1982 World Cup semi-final defeat by West Germany won all three of their group games under the inspiration of their midfield maestro Platini and their semi-final meeting with Portugal is still considered to be one of the finest matches of all time.
France deservedly led through Jean-Francois Domergue but after superb goalkeeping by Portugal's Manuel Bento, Jordao took the game into extra time.
The striker then put Portugal ahead before Domergue equalised and Platini got the winner a minute from the end. Time seemed to stand still as he collected the ball, controlled it and scored with the Portuguese defenders seemingly mesmerised by his brilliance.
Awaiting France in the final were Spain, who had made it to the tournament controversially with a 12-1 win over Malta in their final qualifying match. Once there, they performed well, a group win over West Germany and a penalty shoot-out success after a 1-1 semi-final draw with Denmark sending them through.
The final turned in the 56th minute when Spain goalkeeper Luis Arconada allowed a tame Platini shot to squeeze under his body for the French skipper's ninth goal of the tournament. Bruno Bellone added a second in the final minute to give a superb French team some long-awaited silverware.
- - -

1988 in West Germany
West Germany, hosting the tournament, were favourites and topped their qualifying group ahead of Italy.
But in the semi-finals they lost to the Netherlands for the first time in 32 years, Marco van Basten securing a 2-1 win two minutes from time in Hamburg.
The Soviet Union topped their group and eased past Italy 2-0 in the semi-finals but were outclassed in the final.
Ruud Gullit headed the Dutch into the lead after half an hour and Van Basten doubled the score with one of the most spectacular goals ever to grace any final, an acrobatic volley from a seemingly impossible angle wide on the right.
Goalkeeper Hans van Breukelen then saved an Igor Belanov penalty midway through the second half to kill off any hopes of a comeback.
- - -

1992 in Sweden
The tournament in Sweden was heavily influenced by politics, with Yugoslavia suspended shortly before the finals due to the problems in that country, the crumbling Soviet Union entering under the banner of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and a combined Germany team taking part for the first time.
Yugoslavia's replacements, Denmark, took full advantage of their late call-up, hurriedly putting together a team who clinched second place in their group behind Sweden.
In the semi-finals the Danes edged past the Netherlands on penalties after a 2-2 draw, setting up a final against Germany, who beat the host nation in their semi-final 3-2.
The final turned out to be a fairy-tale success for the Danes, who overcame some notable absentees to clinch a 2-0 upset win.
Midfielder John Jensen chose the perfect moment to score his second goal in his 48th international, a superb 25-metre shot after 18 minutes, and Kim Vilfort got the second 12 minutes from time.
- - -

1996 in England
The tournament was the first to feature 16 teams, with four groups sending eight teams into the quarter-finals, but the main talking point was penalty shoot-outs, which were used to decide two of the quarter-finals and both semi-finals.
Host nation England produced one of their best-ever performances to beat the Netherlands 4-1 in the group stage but needed penalties to get past Spain in the quarter-finals.
France also went through on spot kicks against the Dutch while Germany beat Croatia 2-1 and the Czech Republic doused a lively Portugal 1-0.
England took the lead in their semi-final against old rivals Germany but the game ended 1-1 after extra time and, just as they had in the World Cup six years earlier, the Germans proved the better men on penalties.
The other semi-final was a dull goalless draw in which the Czechs defeated France on penalties.
The Wembley final was notable as the first to be decided by a sudden-death "Golden Goal".
The Czechs led through Patrik Berger's 58th-minute penalty, substitute Oliver Bierhoff headed an equaliser in the 73rd minute and the big striker settled it four minutes into extra time when his less-than-venomous shot squeezed past Czech keeper Petr Kouba.
- - -

2000 in Netherlands and Belgium
For the first time a major soccer championship was staged in two countries as Belgium and the Netherlands shared the hosting honours, both qualifying automatically.
Belgium's performances on the pitch matched those of their fans - apathetic - but the Dutch people took the tournament to their hearts and were rewarded for draping their nation in orange by their team reaching the last four.
The Dutch beat France in the group stages and expectations were high after they thrashed Yugoslavia 6-1 in the quarter-finals.
England beat Germany in a competitive match for the first time since 1966 but both teams looked off the pace and failed to progress from the group stages as Portugal emerged as real title challengers.
Their hopes disappeared with a 2-1 defeat by France, secured by a controversial Zinedine Zidane penalty three minutes from the end of extra time amid chaotic scenes that led to subsequent bans for three Portuguese players who took their protests too far.
Italy had quietly made their way through, relying on solid defence, and spoiled the Dutch party with a semi-final victory on penalties after a 0-0 draw.
All the expectation in the final was of another cagey Italian performance but they came out all guns blazing and looked set for victory courtesy of Marco Delvecchio's 55th-minute goal.
However, Sylvain Wiltord equalised in injury time and fellow substitute David Trezeguet won it for the world champions with a golden-goal winner 13 minutes into extra time.
- - -

2004 in Portugal Greece opened the tournament by stunning hosts Portugal in the first match and finished it by doing the same thing in the final to complete one of the most unlikely tournament victories.
Greece had never won a match in a finals tournament and had no star names in their squad but under the careful guidance of experienced German coach Otto Rehhagel they developed into a formidable unit whose defensive discipline and willingness to work for each proved too much for favoured opponents time and time again.
In the quarter-finals they beat France 1-0 while the Czech Republic beat Denmark 3-0 in the only other game not to go to penalties.
Hosts Portugal had recovered from their opening upset by beating Russia and Spain and after drawing a pulsating last-eight clash with England, advanced on penalties where David Beckham's skied effort became England's abiding memory of the tournament.
Netherlands overcame their dire shoot-out record to beat Sweden the same way after their goalless quarter-final.
Portugal produced an excellent display to beat the Dutch 2-1 in the semis and after Greece upset the Czechs with a "silver goal" by Trainas Dellas which meant the game ended at halftime in extra time.
Everything seemed set fair for Portgual to gain revenge and triumph in front of their own fans in the final but again Greece refused to accept their appointed role.
Angelos Haristeas, who scored the quarter-final goal to beat France, carved his name into Greek sporting folklore when he headed home a corner after 57 minutes and complete an upset to match and probably surpass that of Denmark 12 years earlier.
- - -

2008 in Austria and Switzerland
Another jointly-hosted tournament in Austria and Switzerland ended with Spain finally delivering the major trophy that had eluded generations of their talented players since their first win in 1964.
It was a disappointing event for the hosts as neither managed to advance from the group stage while Spain, Netherlands and Croatia, who beat Germany 2-1, won all three of their qualifiers.
Italy frustrated Spain in the quarter-finals but lost on penalties as Spain reached the semis of a major tournament for the first time in 24 years, while Turkey also went through on a shootout after snatching an equaliser against Croatia in the last minute of extra time - seconds after the Croats thought they had won it by scoring themselves.
Germany beat Portugal while Russia delivered a stunning performance to beat the Dutch 3-1 in extra time.
Fullback Phil Lahm scored in the last minute to give Germany a 3-2 win that broke Turkish hearts in the semis, while Spain swamped Russia 3-0.
Spain stuck to their passing principles in the final and Germany eventually ran out of steam as they battled to fight fires all over the pitch. Spain eventually found a way through after 33 minutes as Fernando Torres delivered a typically precise finish.
There was no way back for the Germans and Spain celebrated their first major trophy since becoming European champions 44 years earlier.
They went on to win the World Cup in South Africa two years later and now stand on the threshold of becoming the first country ever to win three successive major tournaments.
- - -

2012 in Poland and Ukraine
Sixteen teams are making their final preparations for the tournament which begins on Friday, the last 16-team finals before the format is expanded to 24 teams when it is staged in France in four years time.

Postcards from French Open 2012

2012-06-03T22:27:00.000-07:00

rand ambassador for French Open 2012?

It is that time of the summer when the clay courts of Paris dance to the grunts of the tennis stars. While it is indeed hot in Paris, tennis stars are doing their best to keep it cool. In many ways, French Open is a favourite for many tennis lovers for the sheer colour this tournament brings to a season. While players slug it out in the middle, we at MSN India keep capturing the scenes from behind in our very special collection of postcards from Paris. Enjoy

Slovakia's Dominika Cibulkova adjusts her hair as she plays France's Kristina Mladenovic during their first round match in the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris

We are family

Spectators watch Serbia's Novak Djokovic playing Italy's Potito Starace during their first round match in the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris. Hats, outfits and other merchandise dominate off-court activities at Roland Garros every year and this year has been no exception.

Elite company for Sharapova

Four students of the French scientific elite school Polytechnique watch the first round match of Maria Sharapova of Russia against Alexandra Cadantu of Romania at the French Open tennis tournament in Roland Garros stadium in Paris.

Coolest way to enjoy proceedings

A spectator watches France's Julien Benneteau playing Germany's Mischa Zverev during their first round match in the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris. Temperatures have been on the higher side this year in Paris, making life difficult for players and spectators.

They aren't' bored but just tired

An image taken with a fisheye lens shows ball boys resting in an underground press area at Suzanne Lenglen court at the French Open tennis tournament in Roland Garros stadium in Paris.

Will she ever learn?

Serena Williams of the US throws her arms in the air during a press conference after losing her first round match against Virginie Razzano of France at the French Open tennis tournament in Roland Garros stadium in Paris. Serena has often been caught on the wrong side of behavioural equation. And mind you, this was a press conference. Will the immensely talented tennis legend learn?

Grunt before a serve?

Sara Errani of Italy serves in her second round match against Melanie Oudin of the U.S. at the French Open tennis tournament in Roland Garros stadium in Paris. Errani has been the surprise package so far in this year's tournament not just for her tennis but also for her 'interesting' grunts.

It hurt him and the dress too

Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria grimaces after falling in his second round match against Richard Gasquet of France at the French Open tennis tournament in Roland Garros stadium in Paris.

Man of marathons

Spectators applaud after the second round match opposing France's Paul-Henri Mathieu to USA's John Isner during their second round match in the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, Thursday, May 31, 2012. Mathieu won 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 18-16. Electronic score board shows the total match time. It's amazing how Isner is invariably involved in marathon matches. Back in 2010, he was involved in the longest match ever in Wimbledon, when he played out a marathon against Frenchman Nicolas Mahut, which lasted 11 hours and 5 minutes over the course of three days.

Flying high

A supporter of France's Paul-Henri Mathieu waves a French flag as Mathieu plays USA's John Isner during their second round match in the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris

Grand start

Jet fighters of the French Army fly over central court displaying the colors of the French national flag to mark the start of the French Open tennis tournament in Roland Garros stadium in Paris.

Rare moments of rain

Stadium employee covers the clay court as it started to rain suspending the second round match of Angelique Kerber of Germany returns against Olga Govortsova of Belarus at the French Open tennis tournament in Roland Garros stadium in Paris

A French legend

France's Arnaud Clement shows his trophy marking his last French Open in the men's single category after losing to Belgium's David Goffin during their second round match in the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris. Until 2010, 35-year old Clement Clément held the record for the longest match in the history of the Open era. Back in the 2004 edition of French Open, Clement lost to fellow Frenchman Fabrice Santoro 6-4, 6-3, 6-7, 3-6, 16-14 in six hours and 33 minutes.

Masterly salute

Mikhail Youzhny of Russia greets fans after winning his first round match against James Blake of the U.S. at the French Open tennis tournament in Roland Garros stadium in Paris. The Russian hasn't lost a single set in the first two rounds of this year's event and has been looking solid with his court play.

source:http://sports.in.msn.com/gallery/postcards-from-french-open-2012#image=29

Salman plays cricket with Aamir's son Junaid

2012-06-03T21:58:00.001-07:00

PIX: Salman plays cricket with Aamir's son Junaid

Salman Khan, who takes keen interest in social causes and runs his own NGO called Being Human, took part in a fund-raiser cricket match organised by Aamir Khan's son Junaid on Tuesday.

Junaid, who is the president of the Rotaract Club of HR college, organised the match to raise funds for the physicially challenged.

The 15-over match started in the afternoon at the Brabourne Stadium, Marine Lines, in south Mumbai.

Junaid Khan

Even though Aamir Khan couldn't be at the match -- the actor is busy promoting his new television show Satyamev Jayate -- son Junaid took full charge and was on his toes, looking after everything.

Rani Mukerji

Actress Rani Mukerji cheered the celebrity team from the sidelines.

Salman reportedly joked that she was the actual captain of the team and not him.

Arbaaz Khan

Salman's younger brother Arbaaz Khan does the Dhinka Chika jig with him during a break, while actress Eesha Koppikar looks on.

Prateik and Aftab Shivdasani

Actors Prateik and Aftab Shivdasani get ready to take their positions at the crease.

Sharman Joshi

Funnyman Sharman Joshi makes his way back to the pavillion.

Sohail Khan and Eesha Koppikar
Sohail Khan was photographed escorting Eesha Koppikar to the ground

Arpita Khan
The youngest Khan sibling Arpita was also present to support older brothers at the match.

Image: L to R: Salman Khan, Aftab Shivdasani, Sohail Khan, Arpita Khan, Eesha Koppikar and Arbaaz Khan

Lessons learnt, Knight Riders are deserving champions

2012-06-01T05:09:00.001-07:00

Knight Riders were a tightly knit unit and played for each other under Gambhir's inspirational leadership.

Kolkata Knight Riders are deserving champions of the fifth season of the Indian Premier League, but for the first three editions of the Twenty20 tournament, the franchise was the favourite whipping boy for the rest and also provided enough off-field entertainment, not always for cricket reasons. The foundation for KKR's run to the trophy in IPL-5 was really set up in the auction last year.

The KKR management decided then it was time for a fresh start and as a result they re-built the team from scratch with Gautam Gambhir being their most prized acquisition. They then built the team around Gambhir with successful bids for Yusuf Pathan, Jacques Kallis, Manoj Tiwary, Shakib al Hasan and Brett Lee among others as a competitive unit was put in place. To give credit where it is due, the team management took a massive risk as they didn't bid for former India captain Sourav Ganguly, who is an iconic figure in West Bengal. This did miff more than a few of their fans, but the revamped Knight Riders finished in the top four in 2011 and qualified for the Champions League Twenty20 - a first for the franchise in the four seasons of the IPL.

At the start of IPL-5, the Knight Riders were seen as dark horses for the title. But, their campaign started with two consecutive defeats before they won 10 of their next 14 matches (one of which was abandoned), as they grew in confidence and consistency and eventually finished second behind Delhi Daredevils after the league stage. Gambhir was the undisputed star performer for Knight Riders, both as a batsman (590 runs at 36.87 and strike rate of 143.55) as well as a captain.

In fact, it would be fair to say that one of the gains for Indian cricket from IPL-5 has been Gambhir's exemplary leadership qualities on and off the pitch. Gambhir did well as Knight Riders' captain in IPL-4 as well, but he was at an altogether different level in the just concluded season, even as he remained true to his intense and combative personality.

Gambhir was one of the two main contributors to Knight Riders' run to being crowned champions - the other was West Indies offspinner Sunil Narine, who the franchise bagged for $700,000 in the IPL-5 auction. And, Narine proved to be worth every penny and more as he bamboozled opposition batsmen with his variations, especially the knuckle ball that was hardly picked up by any batsman. Narine took 24 wickets in IPL-5, only one less than Purple Cap winner Morne Morkel; those wickets came at an average of 13.50 and an incredible economy rate of 5.47.

But, as Gambhir continuously reinforced and reiterated, "it's about the team and not individuals". As captain, Gambhir did certainly walk the talk as he backed a core group of players despite some lacklustre performances, including the out-of-form Yusuf Pathan, who he backed to the hilt. Gambhir may have supported his teammates from outside criticism, but he was also quick to vent his frustration on the under-performing middle-order batsmen on a couple of occasions; which was one of the very few areas of concern for the Knight Riders.

Kallis, one of cricket's greatest all-rounders also played his part with bat and ball; while Brendon McCullum and Manoj Tiwary also made a couple of useful contributions with the bat. Shakib didn't get too many opportunities with the bat, but his 12 wickets at an economy rate of 6.50, helped him seal the fourth foreign players' slot as the tournament progressed.

One of the other factors behind Knight Riders' successful campaign was the contribution by their Indian cricketers (both capped and uncapped) with L Balaji, Rajat Bhatia, Debabrata Das, Iqbal Abdulla and Manvinder Bisla all playing their part. Bisla's 48-ball 89 that helped Knight Riders defeat Chennai Super Kings in the final, will be remembered as one of the best innings under pressure so far in the five seasons of the IPL.

Knight Riders were also a tightly knit unit and played for each other under Gambhir's inspirational leadership, who used all his experience and man management skills to the hilt to unify a team made up of players from different nationalities. In the end, it was the Knight Riders that wanted the IPL-5 title the most to wash away the memories of the humiliating first three editions and give their fans lots to cheer about.

The Gambhir-led Knight Riders certainly achieved their mission in style and no one will dispute that they were the most consistent and all-round team of IPL-5, and deserved to be crowned champions of the 2012 season.

Rare ‘sporting’ images of current sporting champions

2012-05-24T21:37:00.003-07:00

Dhoni and Sakshi at a beach in Goa

Vijender Singh at a fashion show

Valentino Rossi giving tips to John Abraham

Rahul Dravid, the youth icon

Saina Nehwal at a fashion event

Gautam Gambhir caught and bowled

One of Sachin’s earliest pictures

Virender Sehwag with Indian paramilitary soldiers at Wagah

Vijender Singh dancing with Bollywood actor Priyanka Chopra

Yuvraj Singh with Dhanraj Pillay at a wedding

Praveen Kumar at a fashion show

Harbhajan Singh at Golden Temple in Amritsar

Muttiah Muralitharan in a traditional dress at a fashion show

source-by-google:http://csportsinfo.blogspot.in/2012/05/rare-sporting-images-of-current.html

Geeta Basra to marry Harbhajan Singh?

2012-05-24T06:43:00.003-07:00

According to the latest buzz, Geeta Basra is all set to settle down with cricketer Harbhajan Singh this September.

The couple, have been, over the years denying that they are seeing each other.

According to reports, the wedding, scheduled for September will be a gala affair.

If the reports are true, the festivities will begin in Yorkshire - yes, Geeta's hometown and the couple will tie the knot in India

Even though they have been seen together, both Bhajji and Geeta have been denying their relationship.

Geeta Basra has been in denial - Clean bowled by Bollywood divas

source-by-google:http://csportsinfo.blogspot.in/2012/05/geeta-basra-to-marry-harbhajan-singh.html