SPORTS TIMES

Sri Lankan team attacked in Lahore

2009-03-02T23:23:00.000-08:00

The Sri Lankan team was targetted by armed gunmen today injuring several of its top players

Armed gunmen attacked the Sri Lankan national team today injuring six players and killing five security personnel. Those injured in the attack include Tharanga Paranavitana, Thilan Samaraweera, Chaminda Vaas, Mahela Jayawardene, Ajanta Mendes and Kumara Sangakara.

Also injured in the attack is fourth umpire Ehsaan Reza. The attack came while the team was being transported to Lahore’s Gadaffi Stadium said sports Minister Gamini Lokuge said. Of those injured, Samaraweera’s condition is said to be critical. He was shot on his chest while team mate Sangakara was hit on the shoulder. Senior player Muttiah Muralidharan, however escaped unhurt.

Rocket launchers, Kalashnikovs and grenades were used in the attack. The cavalcade that escorted the players also came under heavy fire, killing five security personnel. Following the attack Sri Lanka has recalled all its players and cancelled its tour of Pakistan.

Pictured: The dramatic moment a footballer is hit by a rocket fired by opposition supporters

2008-11-05T11:31:00.000-08:00

A football player was hit by a firework launched by opposition fans moments after the whistle was blown at the end of a cup final match last night.

Conor Hagan fell to the ground after being struck in the back by the rocket before it exploded.

His team Linfield had just suffered a 2-1 defeat by sectarian rivals Cliftonville in the County Antrim Shield final at Windsor Park in Belfast.

The attack, which sparked riots afterwards, came as players for Cliftonville, a largely Catholic-supported side, had missiles thrown at them by fans of the losing side, which is typically followed by protestants in the divided city.

Hagan, 26, was tended by team medics and members of both sides before being able to regain his feet.

'I was lying on the ground disgusted with the result and didn’t see the firework coming,' he told the Belfast Telegraph.

‘It hit me on the back when it went off and it was more the bang that scared me and I was in shock for few seconds.

‘It could have been a lot worse so I am relieved that I am not injured.’

The attack came as many people in the province - like the rest of the UK – prepared to celebrate Bonfire Night tonight.

Fireworks have been on sale at major supermarkets for weeks in preparation for the event.

Afterwards, police were called to riots between fans of the two sides in the Newtownards Road area of East Belfast.

Linfield manager David Jeffrey said: ‘The last thing that I want to do is inflame the situation.

‘I don’t want to talk about one idiot, but it has got to be condemned outright.’

Cliftonville coach Eddie Patterson, who was the subject of a death threat before the Irish Cup semi-final last season, also condemned the incident.

‘I don’t even want to highlight it that much - it only gives these people publicity. It has no place in football.

‘Some of my own players had missiles thrown at them, but I would rather talk about the Linfield fans who applauded us off the pitch. That’s what football’s about.’

Lewis Hamilton becomes the youngest Formula One champion in history

2008-11-02T12:07:00.000-08:00

British racing driver Lewis Hamilton today became the youngest ever Formula One world champion ever.

Hamilton, 23, secured victory when he finished the Brazilian Grand Prix in fifth place.

The McLaren driver went into the race with a seven point lead over his nearest rival, Ferrari Felipe Massa and needed to finish in fifth place or above to take the title.

But in the closing stages of the race, as thunder boomed over Interlagos, and on a track becoming wetter by the second, Hamilton was on the verge of missing out.

Running in sixth and with title rival Felipe Massa running away with the expected race win, Hamilton's heart was about to be broken for a second time, as it was at this track a year ago.

But he can thank Toyota for taking the title as they failed to call in Timo Glock to take on wet tyres.

With the German still on dry rubber and running in fourth at the time, he slowly started to drop back.

Just one kilometre from the conclusion of the Brazilian Grand Prix, and at the penultimate corner, Hamilton passed Glock to claim fifth place - and with it the title.

Sporting drama does not come any greater than that witnessed in Sao Paulo
today, leaving Hamilton to join a pantheon of greats.

After the race, Hamilton said: 'It's amazing. I need to get my breath back.'

Hamilton's last minute victory was greeted with boos from the crowd.

His father Anthony was left almost speechless but managed to tell reporters: 'I really can't find the words. It's great, absolutely great.

'It's a shame the crowd is doing this. They should be fair sportsmen.'

It was exactly 50 years ago that Britain celebrated its first Formula One world champion when Mike Hawthorn beat Stirling Moss to the title.

Half a century on and Hamilton today joined a venerated list of the finest motor-racing talent the country has produced.

To the names of Hawthorn, Graham Hill, Jim Clark, John Surtees, Sir Jackie Stewart, James Hunt, Nigel Mansell and Damon Hill, now add that of Hamilton.

At the age of 23 years and 301 days, Hamilton became the youngest driver to win the championship, beating the previous best mark set by bitter rival Fernando Alonso by 124 days.

Hamilton also became only the second driver to take the title in his second season, equalling Jacques Villeneuve's feat of 11 years ago.

Hamilton may have followed in the footsteps of Villeneuve on this occasion, but hopefully that is where the similarity ends as that remained the only crown the Canadian won despite his prodigious talent.

But there can be no doubt in reaching such a plateau, Hamilton has endured a rollercoaster ride like no driver before him.

When he first entered the world of F1 it is fair to claim few other sportsmen made the kind of impact in their chosen field as the boy from Stevenage.

Take a look back at the legends over the years - Diego Maradona, George Best in football; Muhammad Ali in boxing; Tiger Woods with golf.

Did they blaze the kind of astonishing trail set by Hamilton in the first few months on their respective sporting scenes?

Even the most recent Formula One greats in Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna failed to command the kind of headlines written about Hamilton so early in their careers.

On the track, he took third place on his debut in Australia and followed it with second place in Malaysia and Bahrain, becoming the first driver in history to claim a podium position in his first three grands prix.

When Hamilton claimed second in Spain, it gave him the outright lead in the drivers' standings, the youngest ever to do so.

Coincidentally, he eclipsed the mark previously set by New Zealander Bruce McLaren - the man who founded the team Hamilton he drives for.

Another second followed in Monaco, before Hamilton then finally claimed the win he craved, taking the chequered flag in Canada.

But there was to be no title at the end of his rookie year, one in which McLaren were embroiled in the now infamous spy saga, and one which undoubtedly took its toll on Hamilton.

With two races remaining he held a 17-point cushion over Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen, seemingly unassailable, but not so as he slid into the gravel in China before suffering a gearbox problem in Brazil.

Hamilton vowed the experience of such a turbulent year, especially behind the scenes, would ensure he returned a stronger driver and man.

He appeared to underline his remark with a season-opening victory in Australia, but then chinks started to appear in his armour.

In Bahrain he allowed a poor start to get to him and, rather than keeping his head, he lost it as a charge through the field ended with him running into the back of Alonso.

Hamilton stormed away from the circuit, barely speaking a word, and in that instant a different side to his normally affable demeanour and character was witnessed.

The past year has been a mixture of remarkable lows - running into the back of Raikkonen in the pit lane in Canada; the failed appeal to reclaim victory in Belgium; his first corner disaster in Japan.

But then there have been the spectacular highs - victory in Monaco, his triumph at a rain-lashed Silverstone, a pole-to-flag win in Germany and now the ultimate dream in winning the title.

Not bad for someone who just 13 years ago cheekily strode over to McLaren team principal Ron Dennis at an awards dinner and calmly mentioned he would one day like to drive for his team.

L-Bee-W: Cricketers hit the deck as pitch is invaded by deadly swarm

2008-10-31T10:31:00.000-07:00

Sun, sweat or streakers tend to be the usual occupational hazards for a professional cricketer.

But Australian and Indian players at the test faced a sticky wicket today when they were forced to abandon play temporarily and lie down to avoid a swarm of bees that flew across the pitch.

Ricky Ponting and Matthew Hayden of Australia lay on the ground along with the Indian players and umpire Billy Bowden as the insects took over the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in New Delhi on day three of the Third Test match.

The insects were just another hurdle for an Australian team already on the back foot after India posted a massive first innings total of 613 runs.

But this morning the tourists were fighting back, with the score at 269 for the loss of two wickets.

It's not the first time bees have plagued international cricket.

England players were floored in Sri Lanka last year to avoid a swarm and, closer to home, Brian Lara hit the deck in Cardiff as the insects invaded a match between West Indies and Glamorgan in 2000.

Mega-rich City ready to splash the cash for the most expensive Villa in Spain

2008-10-15T12:19:00.001-07:00

Manchester City are ready to break the bank and match David Villa's £77.8million release clause at La Liga club Valencia.

City are ready to meet the 100million euro demand for the Spain striker and make the £34million the club splashed out for Brazilian Robinho on the final day of the summer transfer window look like small change.

The Middle Eastern owners are believed to have launched a bid for Villa that same day as well as unsuccessfully chasing Germany forward Mario Gomez and failing to hijack Dimitar Berbatov's move to Manchester United.

Despite Villa, the top goalscorer at Euro 2008, signing a new deal at the Mestalla the Abu Dhabi consortium that have taken over at Eastlands are not to be deterred, according to reports in the Spanish press.

City are believed to have already made contact with the forward and although Villa is holding out for a summer switch to Real Madrid or Manchester United, he has not ruled out joining Mark Hughes' side.

If City fail in luring Villa to Eastlands, they will turn their attention to Atletico Madrid's Sergio Aguero.

Moyes completes a miserable hat-trick as Everton crash out

2008-10-03T12:31:00.000-07:00

Everton's season is in turmoil after a 2-1 defeat by Standard Liege in Belgium ended their hopes of a morale-boosting UEFA Cup run.

Manager David Moyes' future is in doubt in the wake of a 4-3 aggregate exit that follows Everton's Carling Cup defeat at Blackburn and Saturday's loss to Liverpool in the Mersey derby.

But the pressure eased on Juande Ramos, the other Premier League manager under the cosh, as Spurs reached the group stages after a 1-1 draw with Wisla Krakow in Poland. Manchester City and Aston Villa also went through.

Moyes has been linked to Newcastle, Tottenham and his former club Celtic as his frustration has grown over the lack of progress at Goodison Park.

But while he is yet to sign a new contract, Moyes insisted: 'I will see it out. I've had some tough situations - all managers face difficult times. There's no divine right to win football games, you have to earn the right to do so. There's no easy ride and this is part of it.'
Everton had pinned their hopes on lifting Moyes' mood with a European adventure but even without Milan Jovanovic's penalty winner, Phil Jagielka's 67th-minute equaliser would not have been enough to see Everton into the group stages after their 2-2 draw in the first leg.

Moyes believed Standard captain Steven Defour was lucky not to have been shown a red card for putting his hands on German referee Peter Sippel. Moyes said: 'In England I think he would've been sent off. Then there was a professional foul that was let go. The crowd did a very good job for Standard tonight.'

Jagielka believes Moyes will not walk away, saying: 'The gaffer will sort his own contract out in his own time. I'm sure he's going to stay.'

Wenger in despair: But there's joy for Hull as they send Arsenal crashing at home

2008-09-28T13:36:00.001-07:00

Arsenal 1 Hull 2

Two goals in four second-half minutes earned Hull City a famous victory at Arsenal as Phil Brown got the tactical better of Arsene Wenger.

Hull's manager gambled on a three-pronged attack and was rewarded when two of that trio - Geovanni and Daniel Cousin - cancelled out a Paul McShane own goal to send the Premier League newcomers to the dizzy heights of sixth in the table.

We threw them a little bit of a curve ball with that one and Arsenal couldn't handle it,' said Brown, after the shock of the season so far. Hull became only the second team to win at the Emirates Stadium and the first to win there in 17 months, leaving Wenger to admit: 'Technically we were better than them, but in terms of commitment they were the better team.'

Hull have now picked up as many points in six matches as Derby mustered over the whole of last season - despite having been tipped for the same fate as Paul Jewell's men.

It was not until early in the second half that Hull were beaten by McShane's own goal. That merely inspired the underdogs, with Geovanni thrashing a wonderful 20-yard shot past Manuel Almunia and Cousin heading the winner from a corner on only his second start.

A delighted Brown said: 'We were brave. Everybody was expecting us to play 4-4-2 but we chose to play Geovanni behind the front two and it threw Arsenal.

'Of course, there was a 15-minute period after they scored when they played us off the park but you need the type of strike that Geovanni scored with to go in at a place like this, and it did. The character of these lads is beyond question and I've got so much belief in that dressing room.'

Cousin's winner from a corner is yet another goal Arsenal have conceded from set-pieces this season - and Hull skipper Ian Ashbee reckons it is a weakness that they always thought they could exploit.

'They've let in a few goals that way and it's something that we worked on at training all week,' he said.

Newcastle United madness: Is stupid Ashley about to put the boot into the fans as well?

2008-09-09T13:34:00.001-07:00

He may be public enemy number one on Tyneside at the moment, but one thing you can definitely say about Mike Ashley is that he's not afraid to make unpopular decisions.

First of all he committed what many in the city saw as the ultimate sin when he forced Kevin Keegan out of Newcastle United. King Kev made it painfully clear that he would not work at a club which bought and sold players without his say-so. During all those crisis meetings, all Ashley had to do was say: ''OK, Kevin, you can have the final say on which players come and which ones go - after all, you'll be the one who has to work with them every day.''

Instead, he decided to side with Dennis Wise, the man he had brought in as his director of football - and the man most Newcastle fans blame for Keegan's decision to walk. Ashley is a very successful businessman with a very clever head on his shoulders, so he MUST have known what the reaction of the Toon faithful would have been. He must have known his name would be mud.

Of course, the inevitable happened and Keegan walked out. I wrote an article before the start of the season about how KK was joint favourite to be the first Premier League boss of the campaign to part company with his club. I said he had a long history of walking out on clubs and that I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest if he was on his merry way not long after the first ball had been kicked. After all, the bookies don't often get it wrong.

However, even I can't argue with his decision this time around. The restrictions being imposed on him were ridiculous in the extreme. Why appoint a manager and then give him no say in who he manages? Is it just me or is that the most incredibly stupid thing you've ever heard? Well, I suppose Alan Curbishley for one must agree because, as it turns out, the West Ham boss beat his Newcastle counterpart to the punch by 24 hours for the exact same reason.

But, if this morning's newspapers are to be believed, Ashley has just outdone himself in the stupidity stakes. Reports suggest he's about to appoint Gus Poyet as the next Newcastle manager. So, not content with flooring the Newcastle fans by forcing their Messiah to walk away, he's now sticking the boot in by replacing him with Wise's best mate! Like I said, Ashley's certainly not afraid to make unpopular decisions.

But if forcing Keegan out was an unpopular decision, then appointing Poyet takes things to a whole new level. I know he has been in the frame for the job ever since Keegan walked, but I never thought Ashley would be stupid enough to actually go ahead and appoint him. Talk about being a glutton for punishment!

I'm not a Newcastle fan and I can't speak for them, but if this had happened at my club, I'd see it as another huge slap in the face. How Ashley can have the gall to sit in the stands in his black-and-white replica shirt pretending he's just another fan is beyond belief. You'd be hard pushed to find a single other soul in a packed St James' Park wearing a similar shirt who agrees with him. These are not the actions of a Newcastle fan.

If Ashley has any semblance of sanity left, he might want to think twice about being in his seat for Newcastle's next home game against Hull on Saturday.

Manchester City have Luis Fabiano in their samba sights to join Robinho at Eastlands

2008-09-08T10:08:00.000-07:00

Sevilla star Luis Fabiano has been linked with a move to join Brazil team-mate Robinho at Manchester City.

The ADUG group backed by the Abu Dhabi royal family continue to move closer to a £200million takeover of City and according to the Brazilian's representative the ambitious Barclays Premier League side are keen on the forward and made an attempt to sign Fabiano on deadline day.

City wanted the player this season, but Luis Fabiano is happy at Sevilla and opted to wait,' his agent Jose Fuentes was quoted on Setanta.

'Every time an offer is made to us, we pass the details on to Sevilla and the club decide.'

The prolific Fabiano has scored more than 23 goals per season in the last three years.

Fabiano also struck twice during Brazil’s World Cup qualifier against Chile on Sunday with Manchester City new boy Robinho scoring the other.

Toon army threaten boycott as Newcastle line up Spurs assistant Gus Poyet to replace Kevin Keegan

2008-09-05T12:41:00.000-07:00

Newcastle United face an angry backlash over the controversial departure of manager Kevin Keegan.As United reportedly line-up Tottenham's assistant manager Gus Poyet to replace Keegan at the helm, supporters have threatened to cancel season tickets, boycott matches and no longer buy official club merchandise after King Kev resigned and blamed football director Dennis Wise for buying players he did not want.

Wise and owner Mike Ashley, who has regularly snubbed the boardroom to sit among the fans in a black and white shirt, have been accused of turning the club into the laughing stock of the Premier League.

Season ticket holder Julie Kane, 44, of Byker, Newcastle, told the Northern Echo: “I don’t know about Ashley and Wise, they are more like Morecambe and Wise – a complete joke. They are treating us like a bunch of muppets.
'God help Ashley at the home game as there will be no one in the ground. We will be coming to the ground but not going in to show our support for Keegan.'

And Frank Gilmour, chairman of the Independent Newcastle United Supporters’ Association, added: 'I would expect the lowest attendance at St James’ for a long, long time at the next match,' he said. 'I’ve no control over it, but I would expect some sort of protest as well.

“Ashley clearly has no idea about the support for Kevin.'

Meanwhile, Tottenham will fight to keep Poyet as their assistant manager .

The Uruguayan has emerged as one of the leading candidates to take over at St James' Park following the final confirmation of Keegan's resignation on Thursday night.

The former England boss cited irreconcilable differences with the Newcastle board for his departure.

It is believed that he could no longer work with executive director Dennis Wise, who is responsible for player recruitment.

But Poyet has a close relationship with Wise having worked as his assistant manager when he was in charge at Swindon and Leeds, as well as playing alongside him for four years at Chelsea.

He is also close friends with Tony Jimenez, another of the Newcastle backroom team.

Rumours initially surfaced on Monday morning that Keegan, 57, had left his post, only to be followed by statements from both sides insisting he hadn't.

Keegan first walked out on the club on Tuesday and the split was confirmed in a statement released on his behalf by the League Managers' Association.

In it, he said: 'I have been working desperately hard to find a way forward with the directors, but sadly that has not proved possible.

'It's my opinion that a manager must have the right to manage and that clubs should not impose upon any manager any player that he does not want.

'It remains my fervent wish to see Newcastle United do well in the future and I feel incredibly sorry for the players, staff and most importantly, the supporters.

'I have been left with no choice other than to leave.'

Poyet has impressed in his role at Spurs as well as in his jobs at Swindon and Leeds.

He was also targeted by Sir Alex Ferguson two months ago to fill the vacant role of No2 at Old Trafford after the departure of Carlos Queiroz to Portugal.

But Tottenham and Ramos are desperate for him to stay at White Hart Lane and hope his important role at the club will keep him in north London.

King Kev finally says goodbye: Keegan announces his resignation at Newcastle

2008-09-04T13:02:00.001-07:00

Kevin Keegan has finally confirmed his resignation as manager of Newcastle United.

The news ends three days of intense speculation at St James' Park, with Keegan's
relationship with the club's hierarchy understood to have broken down
irreparably over the club's transfer policy.
The 57-year-old issued a statement via the League Manager's Association on Thursday evening, announcing his departure from the club.

He said: 'I’ve been working desperately hard to find a way forward with the directors, but sadly that has not proved possible.

'It’s my opinion that a manager must have the right to manage and that clubs should not impose upon any manager any player that he does not want.

'It remains my fervent wish to see Newcastle United do well in the future and I feel incredibly sorry for the players, staff and most importantly the supporters. I have been left with no choice other than to leave.'

LMA chief executive Richard Bevan said: 'The LMA has been supporting Kevin during a very difficult period. We share his great disappointment and frustration that the situation could not be resolved.'

Keegan, who returned to the club for a second spell in charge in January, had
not taken training since the transfer window closed.

No comment has yet been made by Newcastle.

Newcastle sack Keegan after explosive Ashley showdown with Wise and Poyet favourites to take Toon forward

2008-09-02T12:27:00.000-07:00

Dennis Wise and Gus Poyet are favourites to take over at Newcastle after Kevin Keegan was sensationally sacked by the club this morning.

Following an explosive meeting at the club yesterday, owner Mike Ashley has decided to end Keegan's eight-month reign as club manager.

The pair are understood to have clashed over the club's transfer policy and the decision to try and sell controversial midfielder Joey Barton. After announcing the sale of England Under 21 captain James Milner last week, Keegan called on Newcastle supporters to judge him and the club after the closure of the transfer window.

Yesterday the club signed Uruguay international Ignacio Gonzalez and Spanish striker Xisco, two more deals from La Liga which are the handiwork of Wise and fellow director Tony Jimenez.

It is believed Keegan has not seen either player play.

And before that, Barton was in talks with a top 10 Premier League club, believed to be Portsmouth, but the moved collapsed yesterday afternoon.

The Newcastle manager had already caused concern in the boardroom with his unequivocal support for Barton, who returned to the Newcastle bench on Saturday after serving a six-month prison sentence for assault.

Ashley wanted to sack Barton while he was in prison and reduce his £85,000-a-week wages.

Keegan, 57, who walked away from his post as Newcastle boss in 1997 before returning for a second spell after Sam Allardyce's reign, has endured rather than enjoyed an acrimonious relationship with Ashley and the Newcastle board since he was asked to take over from Sam Allardyce in January.

Summer signings Danny Guthrie, Fabricio Coloccini and Jonas Gutierrez are all believed to be signed by Wise and Jimenez.

In addition, Keegan has tried and failed to sort a new contract for Michael Owen, despite calling for that issue to be resolved four months ago.

Owen has still to pen a new deal, and at the weekend Newcastle took the unusual step of announcing that the club captain had been offered an improved three-year deal.

It now seems unlikely the England striker, left out of Fabio Capello's latest squad, will sign a new deal without Keegan at the helm.

Ashley meanwhile faces an impossible task winning back the faith of supporters, with the attendance falling to their lowest in 10 years for the first home game against Bolton.

The billionaire businessman was pictured downing a pint of lager during the defeat at Arsenal on Saturday, and every Geordie has an affinity with that.

But he has alienated thousands of club fans by sacking the club Messiah.

Appointing Wise as his successor, or asking Poyet to quit Tottenham to work with his former Leeds boss, will prove just as unpopular.

United favourites to complete Berbatov deal after striker has Old Trafford medical

2008-09-01T13:26:00.000-07:00

Manchester United are still favourites to sign Tottenham's wantaway striker Dimitar Berbatov despite a £34million bid from cross-city rivals City.

Tottenham have accepted City's bid but Old Trafford boss Sir Alex Ferguson is reported to have held talks with the Bulgarian after offering Spurs £20m plus young striker Fraizer Campbell.

Following that meeting Berbatov is believed to have completed a medical, which puts United in the driving seat to complete one of the summer's biggest and long-lasting transfer deals.

In the meantime chief executive David Gill, manager Sir Alex Ferguson and legal
expert Maurice Watkins have attempted to find a way to bridge the £5million gap in
their offer compared to Tottenham's asking price.

Tottenham have made no formal statement on discussions with United while reports of a £36m offer from Spanish giants Real Madrid appear wide of the mark.

Gerrard set to miss start of England's World Cup campaign as lacklustre Reds squeeze through

2008-08-28T14:47:00.000-07:00

Liverpool 1 Standard Liege 0

Liverpool suffered a night of torture against European minnows Standard Liege before scraping through to the Champions League group stage 1-0 in extra-time.

But the victory came at a cost to the Merseysiders and England boss Fabio Capello after Rafa Benitez confirmed his talismanic midfielder will miss the next two weeks recovering from groin surgery.

Dirk Kuyt's knee saved Benitez's side the embarrassment of being taken to penalties by the Belgian club, scoring with it from close range as the clock showed two minutes left to play.

But as their supporters and American owners breathed a huge sigh of relief about taking their place in Thursday's draw in Monaco with Arsenal, who thrashed Steve McClaren's FC Twente 4-0 at The Emirates last night and 6-0 on aggregate, they faced more agony.

Manager Benitez revealed Gerrard is to have an operation to cure the long-standing groin problem - ruling him out for around a fortnight.

The surgery means he is set to miss the all-important start to England's World Cup qualifying campaign against Andorra and Croatia next month.

His absence will be a major setback for Capello, who has failed to turn the national side into a force and knows the trip to Croatia will be one of the trickiest.

Benitez had to rely on Gerrard as his team struggled against Liege, but then the Spaniard said: "Gerrard will have an operation.

"He has a groin problem.

"We knew it could be like this. He will be out for 10-15 days.

"I was talking with the doctor and we talked with him. He said he would play with pain and after it he would have an operation.

"He knew he had to keep going tonight because he was having the operation tomorrow."

The tie appeared to be heading for penalties when Kuyt stuck out a leg at the far post to send Ryan Babel's cross into the back of the net and guarantee Benitez's side a share in the lucrative next round.

Kuyt said :"We wanted to play in the Champions League because we know how good it can be.

"We've been in a final and a semi-final over recent years and we want more.

"First we have to win the qualifier and this was a tough game. We believed in ourselves and even though it wasn't our best performance, we always know we have the quality to score.

"Standard Liege were really tough opposition, they were really fighting for the 90 minutes in both matches and in extra time and maybe they deserved more, but that's football. We are just relieved to be through."

Get rid of him: Spurs players want Berbatov out

2008-08-26T06:39:00.000-07:00

Dimitar Berbatov is in danger of becoming an outcast at Tottenham, with some senior players left fuming after he didn't play against Sunderland because his mind wasn't right.

Berbatov wasn't even on the substitutes' bench as Spurs lost their second straight game of the new season.

The 27-year-old has told the club to let him fulfil his dream of going to Old Trafford, but the deal has been held up due to chairman Daniel Levy's complaint to the Premier League over Manchester United's pursuit of the Bulgarian international.

The saga is threatening the mood in the dressing room and a few players would rather lose his talent up front than keep him at the club.

Berbatov's attitude in pre-season didn't go down well with members of the squad and it is understood that some players lost patience with him after he didn't play against Sunderland.

Defender Jonathan Woodgate insisted afterwards that the team's poor start to the campaign shouldn't be blamed on Berbatov, but it is not a view shared by everyone behind the scenes.

He has also lost the backing of many of the fans and was booed heavily when he came on against Middlesbrough last week.

Tottenham are still maintaining that they will keep the player unless they get a bid of £30million, but they were prepared to accept £28m a few weeks ago as long as they were able to buy a replacement.

They have even threatened to put Berbatov in the reserves should the move not take place and his attitude continues to be disruptive - but an agreement with United is expected to be reached soon.

Ramos is desperate for the situation to be resolved as soon as possible, to ensure that the club have enough time to find a new striker.

With the transfer window due to close at midnight on Monday, Tottenham have launched a desperate bid to bolster their attack and are assessing talent both at home and abroad.

They have looked at Radamel Falcao from River Plate and are considering another bid for West Ham's Dean Ashton, while Andrei Arshavin and Roman Pavlyuchenko continue to be linked with a move to London.

Lightning Bolt joins Olympic sprint doubles club after blitzing the Beijing 200m field

2008-08-20T12:24:00.000-07:00

Usain Bolt joined an exclusive club when he stormed to victory in the 200 metres final at the Bird's Nest in a new world record time of 19.30 seconds.

The 21-year-old Jamaican became just the ninth man in modern Olympic history to complete the 100m and 200m sprint double.

He is the first man since Carl Lewis at Los Angeles in 1984 to complete the feat.

Bolt, who casually shaved 0.03 seconds off his own record in winning the 100 metres title in sensational style on Saturday, clocked 19.30secs to break Michael Johnson's 12-year-old record of 19.32s.

The 21-year-old, who turns 22 tomorrow, made a brilliant start and was already well clear of the field coming into the straight.

But unlike the 100m final, where he began celebrating well before the line, this time he sprinted through the tape to initially stop the clock at 19.31s, a time that was swiftly rounded down to 19.30s.

Churandy Martina, of the Dutch Antilles, took silver in 19.82.

American Wallace Spearmon crossed the line in third place in 19.95 but was disqualified for running out of his lane and team-mate Shawn Crawford, who ran 19.96 was promoted to the bronze medal.

Britain's Christian Malcolm finished seventh in 20.40.
When Bolt set off on his lap of honour 'happy birthday' rang out over the tannoy.

Johnson had actually said earlier in the day that he felt his record would not
be broken tonight, but that it was only a matter of time before he could 'kiss
it goodbye.'

But Bolt had other ideas and the determination on his face was clear as he
powered down the home straight before glancing anxiously at the clock as he
crossed the line.

'In order to run 19.30 he has to run the curve better and hold his speed for longer,' Johnson had added earlier. "I didn't think he would run 9.69, but I think he could have run 9.62 if he had run to the finish and tied up his shoes.'

In the final event of the evening, Jamaica's Melaine Walker won gold in the 400m hurdles in a new Olympic record of 52.64s.

Walker powered off the final hurdle to finish comfortably ahead of American Sheena Tosta with Britain's Natasha Danvers putting an injury-plagued season behind her to snatch bronze.

Danvers was almost caught on the line by the fast-finishing Anastasiya Rabchenyuk of Ukraine and waited for confirmation from the giant scoreboard that she had held on to set a new personal best of 53.84.

It was then announced that the American team had launched a protest over Spearmon's disqualification from the 200m final.

OLYMPIC SPRINT DOUBLES

1904 Archie Hahn (United States)

1912 Ralph Craig (United States)

1928 Percy Williams (Canada)

1932 Eddie Tolan (United States)

1936 Jesse Owens (United States)

1956 Bobby Morrow (United States)

1972 Valeriy Borzov (Soviet Union)

1984 Carl Lewis (United States)

2008 Usain Bolt (Jamaica)

American great Michael Johnson hailed Usain Bolt's "incredible" achievement.

Johnson set a record of 19.32 seconds at the 1996 Olympics, and it was considered one of the toughest to beat in athletics.

However, Bolt sliced two-hundredths of a second from Johnson's time when winning
his second gold in Beijing in a time of 19.30secs.

'He got an incredible start,' said Johnson on BBC1. 'I looked at Colin Jackson and I said, 'Wow!'.

'It was much more of an amazing start than he got in the 100m and his turn was just absolutely fabulous.

'He wanted that record. This is his favourite event.

'He went for it. He came in here focused on it, knowing most likely he'd win the gold.

'The reason I felt he might not get it here was he wouldn't have been working on speed endurance, the ability to hold that speed for the entire race.

'But he showed that he had been working on that, and was able to bring home 19.30.

'Incredible time, incredible performance by Usain Bolt once again.

'Congratulations Usain.'

Fabio Capello appoints Chelsea skipper John Terry as England captain for qualifying campaign

2008-08-19T07:49:00.000-07:00

John Terry has been named as England captain for the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign.

The Chelsea skipper beat off competition from Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand, who was widely tipped for the post.

Two years ago, Terry was handed the armband by then England coach Steve McClaren following another two-horse race, this time with Steven Gerrard, but today boss Fabio Capello has given Terry the nod.

Chelsea centre-half Terry, whose previous tenure leading out England ended with a failure to qualify for Euro 2008, will lead his country into the vital qualifying campaign which hopefully ends in South Africa and the 2010 World Cup Finals.
Capello has taken his time before coming to a decision and Terry will begin his second stint as permanent captain in tomorrow's friendly against the Czech Republic at Wembley.

It's the last game before the qualifying campaign kicks off next month with two ties, against Andorra, in Barcelona, and then a much tougher challenge against Slaven Bilic's Croatia, in Zagreb.

Great to be British! Team GB strikes gold AGAIN after cyclists smash the world record in the team pursuit

2008-08-18T12:23:00.000-07:00

Britain's incredible gold rush in the Beijing Olympics continued today as the sensational cyclists smashed a world record and took the overall gold medal haul to the highest total in 88 years.

The four-man team pursuit outfit of Ed Clancy, 23, Paul Manning, 33, Geriant Thomas, 22, and Bradley Wiggins, 28, destroyed their Danish rivals over 4,000 metres in the Laoshan Velodrome to claim Britain's sixth cycling gold.

They achieved a time of 3:53.314 - slashing two seconds off their previous world record.

The win makes the cycling team the single most successful in one sport in British Olympic history with hopes of another four golds to follow over the next three days.

It all took the so-called 'Great Haul of China' from Britain's team to 27 - 12 golds, seven silver and eight bronze - the most golds since the Antwerp Games in 1920.

Importantly too, it also took Britain back up to third in the overall medals table and ahead once again of Australia after three Aussie wins earlier in the day had seen them leapfrog Team GB in the bitter battle for supremecy.

The win was the second gold in Beijing for Wiggins - and his third in all - as he led the British quartet of pursuiters home in front of a Union Jack-waving crowd.

'It's phenomenal,' said Wiggins, from West London, who now has six Olympics medals and goes for gold again on Tuesday.

'We are a fantastic team and we have sacrificed a lot. We came to win and now we have achieved our goal.

'I set out to do that. I believed I could do it. But to put it into practice is another thing. It's such a relief when you do it and cross the line.'

He added: 'What the team is achieving is fantastic but we know there is still more to do.'

Manning, from Stockport, added: 'This is the pinnacle - we have been working on this for the best part of a decade, what a performance.'

Wiggins and fellow cyclist Chris Hoy could both secure a historic hat-trick of Beijing gold medals in races on Tuesday.

In doing so, they would become the first Brits to win three golds in a single Games for 100 years, with swimmer Henry Taylor having secured a treble in 1908.

Among those cheering him on today was Wiggins' wife Cathy, 28, who embraced him at the end.

She said: 'He came here to get three medals and he's not finished yet. It is amazing but it is going to get better.' Wiggins smiled and added: 'I'm greedy, I want three.'

The couple have two children Ben, 3, who already has a BMX bike, and one-year-old Isabella.

Great Britain chef de mission Simon Clegg injected a note of caution to national frenzy, however.

He warned that Britain had more chance of finishing ahead of the Australians in the medals table in London in four years' time than at this Olympics.

Asked whether Britain could 'beat the Aussies', he said: 'I'm convinced we can beat them in London in 2012, whether we can beat them here in Beijing, we've got to wait and see.'

British Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe has bet his Australian counterpart Kate Ellis Britain will finish above its old foe - and the loser has to wear the others team's colours at a sporting event in their own country.

Britain is hopeful of another sailing gold on Tuesday after Paul Goodison opened up a massive lead in the Laser class on the waters of Qingdao, 300miles from Beijing.

The 30-year-old, who just missed out on an Olympic medal in Athens four years ago, ensured that he will not suffer similar heartache in Qingdao as he placed first, fourth and sixth in his races to surge 18 points clear of his nearest rival Sweden's Rasmus Myrgren at the top of the standings.

An eighth-place finish in the medal race will give him the gold and the worst he can do now is bronze.

There was another silver today in Qingdao where Nick Rogers and Joe Glanfield in the 470 men's class repeated their achievement in Athens by finishing second.

After a gold rush over the weekend, the British team is now on course to beat its target of 41 medals in Beijing, 11 more than in Athens.

Meanwhile, Michael Phelps, winner of a record eight gold medals in Beijing, said he will visit Britain on his way home to attend a party organised by Olympic sponsors in the Mall on August 24 to celebrate the handover of the Games to London.

Phelps, 23, said: 'It will be a great opportunity to celebrate the success of the Beijing Games and to kick-off the countdown to London 2012. I am honoured to be part of this celebration.'

Fellow swimmer and British double gold medallist Rebecca Adlington, 19, spoke today of her desire to replicate Phelps' success at the London games in four years.

'Seeing him win that eighth race was absolutely amazing. It was really exciting. He is an amazing swimmer and I definitely look up to him as a role model.

'I can only dream of having the same success as him.'

Her second gold came on a spectacular weekend for Britain, which saw golds in the rowing, swimming and sailing.

Three blondes, four golds and Britain climb up to third in the medal table

2008-08-17T10:27:00.000-07:00

Sarah Ayton, Sarah Webb and Pippa Wilson claimed a gold medal for Britain with
victory in the Yngling medal race at the Olympic sailing regatta today.

In what amounted to a two-horse race for the gold against the Netherlands in
the Yngling class, Team GB came home in first place for the first time in the
regatta with the Dutch trailing in fifth in heavy conditions on the Yellow Sea.

And there were three more golden moments as Mark Hunter and Zac Purchase won the lightweight men's double sculls in the rowing, sailor Ben Ainslie won the Finn class and cyclist Rebecca Romero won the women's individual pursuit.

The British trio of Ayton, Webb and Wilson entered the regatta as heavy favourites after dominating the Yngling class for the past two years, winning back-to-back world championships, last year's Olympic test event in Qingdao and this year's European
championships.
But they went into the medal race with only a slender one-point advantage after
finishing fifth behind the winning Dutch crew of Mandy Mulder, Annermieke Bes
and Merel Witteveen in the eighth and final preliminary race on Friday.

Light, unsettled wind conditions saw the race being postponed from Saturday but
the boats were eventually flagged off in much heavier conditions 24 hours later
as strong winds and heavy rain descended on the waters off Qingdao.

The Dutch had the jump on the British boat at the start but it was Team GB that
reached the windward mark first, just a second in front of the Dutch and the
rest of the field.

They maintained their lead at the second mark and although they were overtaken
by Germany during the second leg, the Netherlands had dropped back to sixth, 51
seconds adrift of the British.

Ayton, Webb and Wilson regained the lead on the run to the finish line and
crossed the line seven seconds ahead of Germany and a minute in front of the
fifth-placed Dutch.

The Netherlands took the silver while Greece finished in third place in the
race to secure the bronze medal.

The crew were understandably thrilled about their win and Sarah Webb is
predicting more success for the crew in years to come.

She said: "I'm lost for words, it is such a relief. Our experience was
everything, we stayed sure and we got better."

Ayton added: "It's been brilliant, this campaign has been about pure
perfection and we're just an awesome team."

Wilson, who joined up with Webb and Ayton after their gold medal in Athens with
Shirley Robertson four years ago, was delighted with her first prize.

"This has been the dream and it hasn't really sunk in," she said.

Fernando Torres bullet fires Liverpool into life

2008-08-16T13:52:00.001-07:00

He is a machine made for scoring. With this game drifting into anticlimax for Liverpool, Fernando Torres again showed why he is the outstanding goalscorer in European football, exploding into life with just seven minutes to go to deliver a typical viper-strike from the left channel.

By beating Craig Gordon at the near post, Torres ensured a happy end to a troubled week at Anfield and if Liverpool are to mount a serious challenge for their first title in 19 years, Torres will be at the heart of it.

Coming into his fifth year, Rafael Benitez is under serious pressure to mount a challenge. However, those efforts are being undermined by the farcical contortions of the club’s efforts to sign Gareth Barry from Aston Villa. Benitez is apparently frustrated by his chief executive Rick Parry and the failure of the American owners Hicks and Gillett to wrap up the Barry deal. Add to that the agitation of Xabi Alonso for a move away from Anfield - possibly to Arsenal - and it makes for an unhappy ship.

Certainly, Liverpool were foggy-headed from kick-off, carrying a heavy hangover from their abysmal performance in the goalless midweek Champions League qualifier against Standard Liege.

Sami Hyypia was chosen ahead of Dan Agger in the centre of defence, presumably to counteract the aerial prowess of Daryl Murphy, and swiftly gifted El Hadji Diouf a chance to score, messing up a back header that fell way short. Jamie Carragher cleared up something he was going to have to get used. Indeed Carragher spent the half screeching at the new Italian left-back Andrea Dossena, trying to curb his forward movements. Poor Dossena was in turn shouted at by Benitez, who demanded he make more attacking runs.

The problems were not just in defence. The much vaunted £40 million pairing of Torres and Robbie Keane in attack failed to click, and Torres only scored after Keane had been substituted. Roy Keane wants to sign a top-class centre- half but Nyron Nosworthy and Danny Collins were composed in dealing with the pair. Robbie Keane played deeper, trying to collect and run at the defence. He failed to make much headway in the early stages though and only had a snap shot wide after a neat bit of juggling to show for his efforts.

Sunderland, in contrast, have made a substantial improvement over the summer. Roy Keane has bought more astutely than in previous transfer windows, and the radical restructuring has had clear benefits.

Steed Malbranque was outstanding on the right flank, looking trim and sharp, combining well with right-back Pascal Chimbonda, also signed from Tottenham. The other acquisition from White Hart Lane, Teemu Tainio, was ferocious in defensive midfield.

Working off that solid platform was Diouf, who might well prove the bargain of the summer. The best chance of the half came when his cross, from the left, picked out Murphy. The Sunderland striker had a free header but could not get enough on it.

Liverpool grew in self-belief in the second half, and the half-time introduction of Alonso, in place of Damien Plessis, was certainly instrumental to that. Plessis had not played poorly and has the makings of a really serious player. But Alonso is that already.

Having escaped when Diouf mis-hit a Tainio cross at the far post straight at Jose Reina, Liverpool surged forward. Yossi Benayoun finally gave Craig Gordon something to think about when his direct run and shot brought out a tidy near-post save. Keane followed up but his effort was blocked.

Gerrard went even closer with an hour played, his attempt to cuff the ball inside the far post from just inside the box blocked by Collins.

Collins almost undid his good work though when he deflected Kuyt’s shot but Gordon was swiftly down to his left and then back up to block the Keane follow up. Belatedly, Liverpool were stirring. And Torres was loading the bullet in the chamber.

Beckham's A-list friends cheer him on the football pitch... but LA Galaxy still can't win a match

2008-08-15T15:26:00.001-07:00

His is one of the most recognisable faces on the planet.

So it makes sense that David Beckham should command an enviable A-list supporters' club whenever he takes the pitch.

And the turnout for Thursday night's match between Beckham's Los Angeles Galaxy and Chivas USA in Carson, California was no exception.

Sat alongside Victoria Beckham cheering her husband were Tom Cruise, Gordon Ramsay and his family, and Eva Longoria's husband Tony Parker.

Ramsay and Parker were particularly animated during the game, while Cruise preferred to take a more measured stance, quietly contemplating the football on display in front of him.

He may have good reason to pause for thought.

.
The LA Galaxy drew 2-2 with Chivas USA, bringing the total of games they've now gone without winning to seven.

The troubled club this week fired general manager Alexi Lalaas and accepted the resignation of Dutch coach Ruud Gullit.

The side is currently in fourth place in the Western Conference league, after being expected to contend for the Major League Soccer (MLS) title this season.

Beckam is the highest paid player in the MLS and is being paid a reported £125million over five years.

It's all Rover for Manchester City as Blackburn reject £12m bid for free-scoring striker Santa Cruz

2008-08-14T14:40:00.000-07:00

Blackburn have confirmed they have turned down a bid, thought to be around £12m, from Barclays Premier League rivals Manchester City for striker Roque Santa Cruz.

The Paraguay international was Rovers top scorer last season and has been linked with a number of clubs this summer - including City's neighbours Manchester United.

'A bid came in last night and it was immediately rejected,' read a Blackburn statement.

'Various Manchester City officials have been advised on a number of occasions that the player would not be for sale.

'We are very disappointed, therefore, that they have continued their interest.'

Meanwhile, City boss Mark Hughes' plans for the new season were dealt a blow last night when Darius Vassell was ruled out for 10 weeks with a knee injury.
The Welshman moved quickly to remedy that problem by attempting to sign the man who scored 19 league goals for him last season while Hughes was manager at
Blackburn.

The fee City have offered is believed to be around the £12million mark - over £8.5 million more than Blackburn paid for his services when they signed him from Bayern Munich last summer.

Santa Cruz spent eight years at the German club and has scored 17 goals in the 53 international appearances he has made for Paraguay.

No way Jose! Lampard finally signs stellar new deal with Chelsea to close door on joining Mourinho at Inter Milan

2008-08-13T11:38:00.000-07:00

Frank Lampard has signed a lucrative new five-year deal with Chelsea, describing it as the last major contract of his career.

The 30-year-old ended protracted negotiations and speculation over his future by agreeing to extend his stay at Stamford Bridge beyond next season in a deal that is likely to make him the best-paid player in British football.

Lampard had been targeted by Inter Milan to sign ahead of the start of this season, but when Chelsea's price tag became prohibitive, the Italians appeared ready to take him on a free next summer.

Lampard told the club's official TV station: 'I've had great seasons here and now I can have many more. It has been a difficult summer for many reasons. Now we can concentrate on football.'

The England international revealed the club had helped him through the death of his mother Pat in April.

He said: 'The club has been fantastic. I told them I needed some time. It has been a long period negotiating - it has been a very important contract. I'm 30 now, so I see it as my last big contract.

'I'm personally very happy and I hope I've made the Chelsea fans happy. I've had seven great seasons here and now I can have many more.

Lampard's negotiations stretched on for months as he insisted on a five-year deal when the club were initially only prepared to offer four years.

The midfielder is thought to have at least matched John Terry's salary of about £135,000 a week. Lampard is thought to have turned down a four-year deal worth £140,000 a week earlier this summer.

Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon explained the contract talks had taken time because it was a major decision for Lampard.

'These are big issues for the club, for Frank and any other player,' said Kenyon. 'Whatever has gone on I think there is that underlying desire that we get there.

'It's taken both Frank and the club longer than we originally thought.'

The deal will no doubt disappoint former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, who had hoped Lampard would play a key role in the San Siro club's midfield.

British swimmers take gold and bronze in the same race as women's record is swept away after 48 years

2008-08-11T14:30:00.000-07:00

Britain was celebrating a second gold medal today and a second win for the team's women after Rebecca Adlington bagged the first female gold in swimming for almost half a century.

Swimmer Rebecca Adlington triumphed by a finger tip in the 400 metres freestyle, 24 hours after Nicole Cooke took the first gold in the women's cycling road race.

Adlington, 19, who narrowly beat American Katie Hoff by seven hundredths of a second, said she is glad the 'girls have done it for Britain'.

Speaking after her victory, the teenager from Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, said: 'I like the fact that it is women who won the first medals. It's a great result for Britain.'

She was joined on the podium by her best friend, 21-year-old Joanne Jackson who took bronze in the same event.

'It is just amazing to have two Britons on the same podium - incredible. This is definitely the best British team we have ever had,' Adlington said.

Jackson, from Richmond, Yorkshire, added: 'I was just pleased to get into the final, but to be on the podium is just amazing. I am so happy for both of us. It is great for British swimming.'

Adlington is the first British woman to take a swimming gold since Anita Lonsborough-Porter won the 200m breaststroke event in Rome in 1960.

Adlintong also has another chance at winning a medal when she races again in the 200metres freestyle relay final on Wednesday.

Adlington takes part in the 800 metres freestyle - her strongest event - on Thursday raising the possibility of following Dame Kelly Holmes as a double gold Olympian.

She said she spoke to her family staright after her win. 'I rang home and all I could hear was screaming down the phone. They were all screaming: "well done Becks".'

Adlington's family, parents Steve, 50, Kay, 48, and elder sisters Laura, 21 and Chloe, 24, had to watch the race on television at home when they lost £1,100 buying tickets on what turned out to be a fake internet booking site.

They have now paid a second time to see their daughter compete this week.

The swimmer, who has a penchant for shoes, says her family are buying her a pair of Jimmy Choos and Christian Louboutin shoes as a reward for her win.

She added: 'I was so tired near the end but I thought you've got nothing to lose, so I just went for it.'
Adlington who is best friends with Jackson, said: 'I was so happy to be up there on the podium with my best friend. Then to have the entire team, looking down at you and singing the national anthem, not at all in tune, was just the best feeling.'

Adlington's parents were unable to be with their daughter to celebrate her victory after being ripped off by a bogus tickets website. They plan to see her compete on Thursday after paying out again.

Speaking from their home in Mansfield, adorned with Union Flags, Mrs Adlington mother said: 'When I saw her touch I think in all honesty that was the confirmation.

'I wasn't sure if she had got it until that moment and then I came from behind my cushion and hit the roof.'

Her father, a managing director of a steel company, said watching his youngest daughter take gold had been an "emotional" experience.

He said: 'It was amazing this morning. We had 18 of us all here and when she won it was fantastic.

'It's been an amazing experience. I think the most emotional bit was when they played the national anthem.

'At the end of the race we were all on our feet. Even her granddad, who was 80 a few weeks ago, was dancing round the living room. I've never seen him move like that.'

Olympics: Britain win first gold medal in women's cycling race

2008-08-10T14:05:00.000-07:00

Nicole Cooke has won Britain's first gold medal of the Beijing Olympics, cycling to victory in the road race.

The 25-year-old Welshwoman was in a group of five that pulled away from the peloton in the 6km uphill climb to the finish through driving rain. She then won a sprint to the line before hoisting her arms in the air in delight.

'We did it, it was perfect. It's a dream come true,' said a jubilant Cooke, who finished in 3 hours, 32 minutes and 24 seconds .

'I want to thank all the people who have been there from the start. I have worked so hard, I am so happy.'

Cooke came fifth in Athens when a lack of supporting team-mates cost her a medal.

But today with Emma Pooley and Sharon Laws she had probably the best British women's team ever assembled.

Simon Clegg, Team GB's chef de mission, said: 'Nicole Cooke has just secured Team GB's first medal - and what a medal. It's not only gold but it's Team GB's 200th gold medal from the modern Olympic Games.

'Emma and Sharon did an awesome job in supporting Nicole in her race for gold.'

Sweden's Emma Johansson won the silver and Tatiana Guderzo of Italy won the bronze.

Nicole Cooke Factfile:

1983 - Born April 13, Swansea, Wales.

2000 - Wins gold medals in world championship junior road races in France and

Spain.

2001 - Continues that success with further wins in junior race and time trial

in Portugal. Awarded the Bidlake Memorial Prize, given for outstanding performance or

contribution to the betterment of cycling.

2002 - Wins gold medal in women's road race at the Commonwealth Games in

Manchester.

2003 - Wins the women's road race world cup, the youngest to do so and the

first Briton. Named BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year.

2004 - Becomes the youngest winner of the Giro d'Italia Femminile. August - Finishes fifth in road race in the Athens Olympics.

2006 - Wins the bronze medal in the road race at the Commonwealth Games in

Melbourne. September 3 - Wins road race world cup for the second time.

2008 - August 10 - Wins gold medal in road race at the Beijing Olympics,

Britain's first medal of the games.