Archive | July 2016

Portugal win Euro 2016….

Portugal overcame the early loss of captain Cristiano Ronaldo to beat hosts France in the Euro 2016 final and win their first major tournament thanks to substitute Eder’s superb extra-time strike. Real Madrid forward Ronaldo was carried off in tears in the 25th minute at Paris’ Stade de France, eighteen minutes after injuring his knee in a clash with France’s Dimitri Payet. France, the firm favourites, were unable to capitalise on Ronaldo’s absence, although they almost won it at the end of normal time when substitute Andre-Pierre Gignac turned and hit the inside of the post. Raphael Guerreiro hit the bar with a free-kick for Portugal after 108 minutes, but seconds later they were ahead when Eder fired a low, 25-yard drive past keeper Hugo Lloris. Ronaldo, who had given his Portugal team-mates animated encouragement in the break before extra time, was offering as much tactical advice as coach Fernando Santos in chaotic closing moments – and he was reduced to tears once more at the final whistle before lifting the trophy that has eluded his country for so long.

DR Congo’s Ngudikama handed two year doping ban….

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The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has imposed a two-year doping ban on the Democratic Republic of Congo midfielder, Christian Ngudikama, after the AS Vita Club player produced a positive test during the 2016 African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Rwanda. CAF confirmed the 28-year-old was being sanctioned after testing positive for the banned stimulant ephedrine following DR Congo’s group match against Angola in January. DR Congo went on to win the 2016 CHAN.

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Andy Murray wins his second Wimbledon title….

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Andy Murray became Wimbledon champion for the second time with a superb performance against Canadian sixth seed Milos Raonic in the final. The Scot, 29, dismantled the Raonic serve in a 6-4 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (7-2) victory to repeat his triumph of 2013 and claim a third Grand Slam title. “I’m proud to have my hands on the trophy again,” said Murray. “This is the most important tournament for me every year,” added an emotional Murray. “I’ve had some great moments here, but also some tough losses. The win feels extra special because of the tough losses.” Murray was playing his 11th Grand Slam final and for the first time he was the favourite, having faced either Novak Djokovic or Roger Federer in the previous 10 finals. He appeared to relish the role, ignoring the magnitude of the occasion to claim a sixth successive win over Raonic. The 25-year-old Canadian was making his Grand Slam final debut.

Captain of Spanish third division club dies after gym accident….

Fran Carles

The captain of Spanish third division club Linares Deportivo has died after an accident in a hotel gym. Fran Carles, 26, full name Francisco Javier Pardo Garrido, sustained a thigh injury causing a haemorrhage that spread to his kidneys and other organs. His coffin was carried around the club’s ground on Saturday where over 4,000 fans had gathered to pay their respects before his funeral. “There are no words to express the deep sorrow we feel,” said a club statement.

Boreham Wood boss talks about Yakubu after he featured for them….

Yakubu, third from the right, lines up for Boreham Wood this afternoon. Picture: Tom Bodell

Boreham Wood manager Luke Garrard has played down the possibility of former Everton and Portsmouth striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni joining the club after he played in today’s 5-0 friendly loss to Reading. The 33-year-old striker is a free agent after leaving Turkish Super Lig club Kayserispor and played an hour for Wood as they were comfortably beaten by the Royals. “Realistically I think he has offers and ambitions to play at the highest level available,” said Garrard. “I’ll never say never.” The Nigerian international is the second-highest scoring African in Premier League history and has 96 goals to his name for Portsmouth, Everton, Middlesbrough and Blackburn Rovers. Asked how the powerful forward came to link up with the Meadow Park club, Garrard said: “I spoke to a friend of mine who is friends with Yak and he said where he was at.

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Mubarak Wakaso joins Panathinaikos….

Mubarak Wakaso

Ghana international Mubarak Wakaso has joined Greek side Panathinaikos from Russian club Rubin Kazan on a three year deal. The 25 year old winger completed his move following a medical with the Athens based club. Panathinaikos confirmed that Wakaso would be at the club until the “summer of 2019.” Wakaso had been with Rubin Kazan since 2013, but spent periods on loan at both Celtic and Las Palmas during that time. He played a key role in helping Ghana reach the both the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Gabon next year, as well as the group phase of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Ahmed Musa officially joins Leicester City….

Leicester City completed the signing of Nigeria forward Ahmed Musa from CSKA Moscow on Friday. Musa, 23, sealed a four-year contract with the English Premier League champions after passing a medical. Lecicester did not disclose the transfer fee, though a source said the deal was worth around £16 million, a club record. The Nigeria international who has won multiple titles in his home country with Kano Pillars and with Russian giants CSKA, becomes the fourth signing of the summer for the champions after the capture of goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler, defender Luis Hernandez and Nampalys Mendy.

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Papiss Cisse thanks fans after leaving Newcastle….

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Papiss Cisse has said he “will never forget” Newcastle’s fans after leaving the club to join Chinese Super League side Shandong Luneng. The striker said on Twitter: “I will be back as a supporter alongside them one day. Every goal I scored in that famous number nine shirt was for them.” Cisse, 31, leaves for an undisclosed fee following a four-and-a-half year spell at St James’ Park. A Senegal international, he scored 44 goals in 131 games for Newcastle. Cisse, who joined the Magpies from German club Freiburg, scored three times during the 2015-16 season, which ended with Newcastle being relegated to the Championship despite a late upturn in form under Rafael Benitez. He added: “I hope that the team are quickly back in the Premier League. “We had some great times together and hopefully under Rafa those times will return.”

Serena Williams wins Wimbledon to equal Graf’s record….

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World number one Serena Williams beat German fourth seed Angelique Kerber to win a seventh Wimbledon and 22nd Grand Slam title. The American, 34, coped with a gusty wind on Centre Court to win 7-5 6-3 and equal Steffi Graf’s Open era record of major titles. Kerber had beaten Williams in the Australian Open final in January but could not produce another shock. Williams ends a losing run at Slams stretching back to Wimbledon last year. Fourteen years since she first won Wimbledon, Williams claimed the title for a seventh time after dropping just one set all tournament.

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Clattenburg to referee Portugal-France final….

Mark Clattenburg

Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg will take charge of Sunday’s Euro 2016 final between France and Portugal. Clattenburg will officiate at the Stade de France six weeks after refereeing Real Madrid’s Champions League final win over Atletico Madrid in Milan. The 41-year-old Englishman also took charge of the FA Cup final at Wembley on 21 May when Manchester United beat Crystal Palace 2-1. Hosts France beat Germany 2-0 on Thursday to reach the final. Clattenburg will be joined by assistant referees Simon Beck and Jake Collin and additional assistants Anthony Taylor and Andre Marriner.

Petr Cech calls time on international football….

Petr Cech

Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech has announced his retirement from international football with the Czech Republic. The 34-year-old is his country’s most capped player with 121 appearances, having made his debut in 2002. He was part of the Czech side that reached the semi-final at Euro 2004, losing to eventual champions Greece. “When I was a kid, my ultimate dream was to play for the national team at least once,” he told Arsenal’s website. “Having done it so many times makes me really proud.”

Klopp signs six-year contract extension at Liverpool….

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp celebrates with his players

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has signed a new six-year deal, with the club’s owners saying it would have been “irresponsible” not to offer him a long-term contract. Klopp joined Liverpool in October, initially agreeing a £15m deal to 2018 that has now been extended until 2022. “His leadership will be critical to everything we hope to achieve,” said Liverpool’s owners. Klopp took Liverpool to the League Cup and the Europa League finals last term. The 49-year-old German had previously guided Borussia Dortmund to two Bundesliga titles and the 2013 Champions League final. “The ideas and plans he has for the football infrastructure excite us,” added Liverpool’s principal owner John Henry, chairman Tom Werner and Fenway Sports Group president Mike Gordon.

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Bielsa quits as coach of Lazio after two days….

Marcelo Bielsa

Former Argentina boss Marcelo Bielsa has quit as Lazio coach just two days after taking charge of the Italian club. The 60-year-old was named by Lazio on Wednesday as a replacement for Stefano Pioli, who was sacked in April. The Rome-based Serie A club announced on Friday that Argentine Bielsa had resigned but gave no other details. Lazio have not won the Italian title since 2000 and finished eighth last season.

Liverpool accept £15m Jordon Ibe bid….

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Bournemouth have had a club record £15m offer for Liverpool winger Jordon Ibe accepted. Ibe, 20, has been given permission to speak to the Cherries after a 2015-16 season that saw him make 12 Premier League starts for the Reds. The transfer would top the reported £10m Bournemouth paid Wolves for Benik Afobe in January. England Under-21 winger Ibe has made 58 appearances for Liverpool since signing from Wycombe Wanderers in 2011. Ibe had been earmarked as the natural replacement at Anfield for Raheem Sterling after he made a £49m move to Manchester City last summer. The youngster’s form dipped, however, and he was not a regular under Jurgen Klopp after he succeeded Brendan Rodgers as manager. Ibe did show a glimpse of his promise with a spectacular goal at West Bromwich Albion in Liverpool’s final Premier League game of last season.

Swans extend Barrow deal….

Winger @modoubarrow14 signs a new three-year deal with the #Swans 👍🇬🇲⚽️ ➡️ po.st/CS0T9Z

Gambian winger Modou Barrow has signed a new three-year contract at Swansea City. The 23-year-old agreed an additional one-year extension which sees him commit to the club until June 2019. Barrow made 25 appearances last season as he became the first Gambian to score in the Premier League after finding the net during the 3-2 defeat at Bournemouth in March.

Seedorf to manage in China….

Clarence Seedorf

Former Netherlands midfielder Clarence Seedorf has been named head coach at Chinese second-tier club Shenzhen FC. His only previous spell as a coach was at AC Milan, whom he left in June 2014 after five months in charge. However Seedorf, 40, was linked with roles at Newcastle and QPR last year. He became the first player to win the Champions League with three clubs – Ajax, Real Madrid and Milan – and made more than 400 appearances for Milan, helping them win two Serie A titles.

Valdes to have Middlesbrough talks….

Victor Valdes

Former Barcelona and Manchester United goalkeeper Victor Valdes will discuss personal terms and undergo a medical with Premier League new boys Middlesbrough on Thursday. The 34-year-old left Old Trafford after falling out with former manager Louis van Gaal, who said last summer Valdes had refused to play in an Under-21 game.

West Brom sign QPR’s Phillips….

.@phillips_matty becomes Albion’s first signing of the summer. Full story tinyurl.com/hqtctke #WBA

West Brom have signed Matt Phillips from Championship side QPR on a four-year deal reported to be worth £5.5m. Midfielder Phillips, 25, spent three seasons with QPR, playing 94 times and scoring 14 goals. The Scotland international helped the R’s to promotion in 2013-14 and made 25 Premier League appearances in 2014-15. He is Albion’s first summer signing after the club released forward Victor Anichebe, midfielder Stephane Sessegnon and goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard. Phillips has made four appearances for Scotland, having previously represented England at youth level.

Swansea sign defender Van der Hoorn….

BREAKING NEWS: #Swans confirm signing of @AFCAjax defender Mike van der Hoorn. po.st/DUakJT

Swansea City have completed the signing of central defender Mike van der Hoorn from Ajax on a three-year contract. The 23-year-old started his career at FC Utrecht before moving to Eredivisie rivals Ajax in July 2013. He was called up to the Netherlands senior squad in 2013, having played for his country at Under-21 level. Van der Hoorn is Swansea’s second signing of the summer after fellow Dutchman Leroy Fer joined from QPR in a permanent deal.

Russia name 68-strong Olympic squad….

Yelena Isinbayeva

Russia have named a 68-strong athletics team for the Rio Olympics despite being banned from international competition. Athletics’ governing body – the IAAF – first imposed the ban in November following allegations of widespread state-sponsored doping in the country. The Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) and its athletes last week appealed against the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). A final decision is due by 21 July.