Wednesday, 25 Dec, 2024

Sports

Germany`s `Octopus oracle` keeps perfect record

BERLIN: It won`t come as much of a consolation to heartbroken German fans, but at least Paul, Germany`s now world-famous "Octopus oracle", has maintained his perfect record.The "psychic" creature has correctly predicted all six of Germany`s World Cup games and, amid excruciating drama

Hearts broken in one corner of Spain

MADRID: While Spaniards were ecstatic over their defeat of Germany, one corner of the country was in despair, as tens of thousands of German tourists in a Majorcan beach resort were left with broken hearts.Cries of "Nein!" (No!) erupted throughout Playa de Palma, a traditionally German

Spain beat Germany to reach World Cup final

DURBAN: Carles Puyol scored the only goal of the game to send Spain into the World Cup final against Holland following a 1-0 victory against Germany on Wednesday.The Barcelona centre-back powered home a header from 10 yards from Xavi`s corner 17 minutes from time to send the reigning

Mortaza expects more from Bangladesh in one-dayers

NOTTINGHAM: Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza is confident his side will provide more of a challenge to England in their upcoming three one-dayers than they did in last month`s Test series.The Tigers face England in the first one-day international at Trent Bridge here on Thursday having

Strauss promises no let-up against Bangladesh

NOTTINGHAM: England captain Andrew Strauss is adamant there is no danger of his side taking Bangladesh lightly in the first of three one-day internationals at Trent Bridge here on Thursday.The Tigers have never beaten England in any match, across all formats.England come into these

Lawmaker suggests statue to Maradona

BUENOS AIRES: An Argentine lawmaker on Wednesday suggested erecting a statue to football coach Diego Maradona in the capital Buenos Aires as he sponsored a bill to honour one of the country`s most famous sons.Maradona, who will be 50 later this year, still has great public cachet in his

German surrenders to Spanish court after World Cup murders

PALMA DE MAJORCA: A German man suspected of shooting two Italians in a pub in Hanover after a row about the World Cup has surrendered to authorities on the Spanish island of Majorca, police said Wednesday.A police spokeswoman said the man, a 42-year-old identified only as Holger B., had

Spain warned Germany tougher to beat than in 2008

DURBAN: Spain headed into their World Cup semi-final with Germany here on Wednesday having been warned they would have to overcome a much stronger side than the one they beat in the Euro 2008 final.German striker Lukas Podolski has spoken of his desire to avenge the defeat by the

Germany`s time has come, says Ballack

LONDON: Germany`s time has come to win the World Cup for the fourth time claimed injured captain Michael Ballack in his column for The Times on Wednesday.The 33-year-old - who was ruled out of the World Cup after suffering an ankle injury in Chelsea`s 1-0 FA Cup final win over Portsmouth

Spain warned Germany tougher to beat than in 2008

DURBAN: Spain headed into their World Cup semi-final with Germany here on Wednesday having been warned they would have to overcome a much stronger side than the one they beat in the Euro 2008 final.German striker Lukas Podolski has spoken of his desire to avenge the defeat by the

White elephant worries for South Africa`s World Cup stadiums

POLOKWANE: The stadium in Polokwane, inspired by Africa`s ancient baobab trees, stands idle after its last World Cup match nearly two weeks ago. Now this and other cities wonder: What`s next? At Polokwane`s 1.3-billion-rand (168-million-dollar, 134-million-euro) Peter Mokaba Stadium, a

Dutch joy as 32-year wait ends

CAPE TOWN: Elated Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk fulfilled a 32-year dream on Tuesday by steering his team into the World Cup final for the first time since 1978.It was a long time coming but Van Marwijk said the wait was worth it."Of course I am very, very happy and proud that such a small

Uruguay belong with elite, says proud coach

CAPE TOWN, July 6, 2010 (AFP) - Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez praised his players on Tuesday, saying their narrow World Cup semi-final defeat to the Netherlands proved they could can mix it with football`s powerhouses.The tiny South American nation, sandwiched between Brazil and Argentina,

Clarke and Waqar salute `amazing` Murali

BIRMINGHAM: Australia`s Michael Clarke paid tribute to Muttiah Muralitharan after the prolific bowler announced on Tuesday his intention to retire from Test cricket, saying the Sri Lanka off-spinner was an "amazing player".A Sri Lanka Cricket statement issued earlier Tuesday said the

Aamer leads Pakistan to T20 series win over Aussies

BIRMINGHAM, July 6, 2010 (AFP) - Teenage quick Mohammad Aamer took three wickets as Pakistan beat Australia by 11 runs in the second Twenty20 international at Edgbaston here on Tuesday to complete a 2-0 series win.Australia, chasing 163 to win, were dismissed for 151 with 18-year-old

Dogged Dutch make long-awaited return to final

JOHANNESBURG: Despite still searching for top form, the Netherlands booked a place in their first World Cup final since 1978 by edging Uruguay 3-2 in their semi-final in Cape Town on Tuesday.They can now make history by lifting football`s ultimate prize for the first time if they beat

Thousands of Dutch fans celebrate semi-final win

AMSTERDAM: Around 50,000 Dutch fans erupted in a single joyful roar Tuesday as they watched their team qualify for the World Cup final on what was claimed to be Europe`s largest loose-standing TV screen.As the final whistle blew in Cape Town, supporters jumped for joy, punched the air and

Gallant Uruguay bow out after Dutch defeat

CAPE TOWN: Uruguay`s 60-year wait for another World Cup final appearance will continue for at least another four years after they lost 3-2 to the Dutch in Tuesday`s semi-final.Having won both the 1930 and 1950 World Cup finals, Uruguay were carrying the flag for South America alone after

Netherlands storm into World Cup final

CAPE TOWN: The Netherlands stormed into their first World Cup final since 1978 on Tuesday, beating Uruguay 3-2 to set up a title clash against either Germany or Spain.Two goals inside three second-half minutes, from Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben, steered the Dutch into the decider and

Germany, Spain not thinking of penalties

DURBAN: Germany and Spain both claim they have not been practising penalties ahead of their World Cup semi-final on Wednesday."You can`t plan for penalties, every coach would want to win over 90 minutes or 120 minutes and wouldn`t want the stress of penalties," said Germany coach Joachim