The New Nation - Internet Edition

Spain scores three second-half goals to beat Russia 3-0 & reach Euro 2008 final

AP, Vienna

Spain coach Luis Aragones has seen enough of his team to think it is ready to face Germany in the final even without the European Championship's leading scorer.

David Villa, who has scored four goals at Euro 2008, will miss Sunday's final after picking up an early injury in Thursday's 3-0 win over Russia. The Spaniards scored all three goals after Villa was replaced by Cesc Fabregas in the 34th minute, giving Aragones a hint as to what he will do without the Valencia striker in the final.

"We were doing well with one forward. It's better for numbers in midfield, for pressing, and that's how you get Xavi (Hernandez) scoring," Aragones said. "Make them feel free."

Fabregas set up both goals after Xavi scored, first for Dani Guiza and then for David Silva, giving Spain a shot at its second European title. He came on when Villa strained a muscle in his leg while taking a free kick.

"Villa will miss the final," Aragones said. "It's not serious, but he'll miss the final because he has a pull."

But against Germany, Aragones can count on Fabregas, who flicked a ball over the top for Guiza to score with the outside of his right foot high in the 73rd, and then slid a pass through for an unmarked Silva to score from inside the box in the 82nd.

"I know how well he can perform," Aragones said of Fabregas.

"I like a player like Cesc, 20 years old and someone who has acquired the experience of someone who's 27, 28. To us, he's important."

Xavi scored in the 50th minute after an exchange of passes with Andres Iniesta, who eluded one defender before crossing the ball into the box for Xavi to side-foot through goalkeeper Igor Akinfeyev's legs.

Spain, which won the 1964 European tournament, had ended its run of five quarterfinal defeats by beating Italy in a penalty shootout Sunday, but it confirmed its title aspirations with its penetrative passing on a slick surface in the pouring rain against Russia.

"The team has been strong mentally for a long time," Aragones said. "It's important to not only play good football, you need to know how to compete. That's what we wanted, to be in the final. But there's an adversary called Germany, that is going to be interesting."

Russia coach Guus Hiddink still has never taken a team past the semifinals, falling at that stage when leading the Netherlands at the 1998 World Cup and with South Korea four years later.

"It was their plan that they were going to make us tired so we couldn't make a fist of it in the second half," Hiddink said.

"However, we can be proud of reaching where we did and of coming third. We faced really strong opposition tonight and they deserved to win."

Spain, which beat the Soviet Union 2-1 in the 1964 final in Madrid, had never lost to Russia in four previous matches - including a 4-1 win two weeks ago in the first round - and it didn't look like blemishing that record from the start at Ernst Happel Stadium.

"The team pushed on and I think we dominated the match. I'm very happy about being in the final," said Iniesta, who was voted man of the match. "It's a match that we want to win."

Russia was without central defender Denis Kolodin and substitute Dimtry Torbinski from the 3-1 extra-time win over the Netherlands on Saturday due to suspension from accumulated cards. Kolodin was replaced by Vasily Berezutsky.

Spain retained the same team that beat Italy in the shootout after a scoreless draw. It was the fourth time in five matches that Aragones had fielded the same lineup, with the reserve players only getting their chance in a meaningless group win over Greece.

Andrei Arshavin, who had scored in both games since returning from a two-match ban, had only real involvement in the game when he was taken down by Carles Puyol in the 16th.

"I didn't get the ball. Maybe I wasn't quick enough, but I tried my best," Arshavin said. "Our team was physically weaker than Spain. When you don't have the physical skills, it is tough to get through, you have to rely on tactics. Today, Spain were more

technically skilled than us."

Spain was the more incisive with its passing in the first half, giving Iniesta, Villa and Fernando Torres half-chances that were ultimately ruined by either the slick surface, a poor final touch or the safe hands of Akinfeyev.

Spain completely overran Russia in the second half, with only terrible finishing from Torres and last-ditch defending keeping the game close.

German song remains the same

AFP, Paris

"Tonight we showed our winning mentality," was the simple, yet razor-sharp observation German coach Joachim Loew made after his side somehow cast aside dominating Turks to reach their sixth Euro final.

Those six words have the power to cast a sporting pall of gloom over much of the rest of Europe - and perhaps beyond, because the unassuming Loew has undoubtedly made the most prescient comment of the tournament.

Germany are back.

Former England striker Gary Lineker's comment that "football is a simple game; 22 men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, the Germans always win" was a perfect example of the old adage 'many a true word spoken in jest' - as a look at Die Mannschaft's phenomenal record amply demonstrates.

A team which should have been out for the count against a Turkish side which had three times more shots on goal managed unimpressive wins over Poland and Austria and lost to Croatia only to make a huge height advantage count against the Portuguese in the quarters.

They then looked desperately average against the battling injury and suspension-hit Turks.

Sure enough, Loew admitted things did not go entirely to plan for a naturally fluid side which on its day looks like the full flowering of the side which he filled as assistant to predecessor Jurgen Klinsmann helped mould at the 2006 World Cup.

"We didn't perform as we wished. But a lot of teams have lacked a little consistency during this tournament That is true of us but also of the Portuguese, the Dutch and the Croatians.

"We are aware we did not play our best - but we are in the final and showed we can win this kind of match without playing particularly well."

More than anyone in Germany, Franz Beckenbauer, winner in 1974 as a player and in 1990 as German coach, acts as a critical barometer of opinion on the team and he opined afterwards that the game had left him breathless but also a little concerned.

"It was a real humdinger - I had expected it to turn out rather differently. More (German) domination, a greater readiness to run at them, more risk- taking," said the Kaiser.

"We made things hard for ourselves."

German media suggested the Turks had "showed up the limitations of Loew's side."

But the fact remains - here is a team whose component parts are playing for one another and can win even when it is playing badly, aside from the - essentially academic - Croatian loss aside.

German Football Federation chief Theo Zwanziger acknowledged before the Turkey match that the Klinsmann-Loew partnership had heralded a new era for Germany, who will on Sunday seek to end a 12-year trophy drought going back to the Berti Vogts-led side which landed Euro 96.

"We are not going to budge from the path which we embarked upon with Klinsmann and we must continually improve the conditions so that Joachim Loew has the best possible environment" to work in," said Zwanziger.

"Bringing on young players and the national team will be our overriding goals," added Zwanziger, who insisted the DFB would have kept faith with Loew even if they had not got past the group stage.

For some observers in Germany, Loew is still surfing the end of Klinsmann's wave of popular support from their run to the World Cup semis at home two years ago playing rapid, attacking football.

But as Klinsmann said himself "he (Loew) was always much more than an assistant coach to me."

By securing the Euro '96 trophy Vogts managed to avoid becoming only the second postwar German coach after 1998-2000 flop Erich Ribbeck not to manage at least third place at a major tournament.

That Wembley success marked the start of Germany's worst silverware drought since that bracketed by success in the 1954 World Cup and the 1972 European Championship.

Loew may not yet be spoken of in the same breath as Sepp Herberger, Helmut Schoen, Jupp Derwall, Franz Beckenbauer and Vogts.

Yet he is now a match from glory and as German sports digest Sport Bild noted Thursday: "Germany were bad against Turkey - but they are in the final.

With three World Cups, three Euros, numerous near-misses and now another final they surely have a case.

25 years on, World Cup heroes recall every moment

AFP, London

A quarter century after helping guide India to a stunning victory over two-time champions West Indies in the 1983 World Cup final, Mohinder Amarnath and Madan Lal remember it as if it were yesterday.

They have good reason, too-the pair combined to take six key wickets, with Amarnath being named man of the match, and Lal walking away with the prized scalp of Vivian Richards in the climax of the third World Cup.

They joined with the other 12 members of the 1983 squad, including captain Kapil Dev and opening batsman Sunil Gavaskar, to commemorate the historic triumph at Lord's with a private function and gala dinner.

"I still feel that it just happened yesterday, and all the memories are still fresh," Amarnath told AFP. "I remember the entire game, what happened, who bowled, who batted, what we were all doing.

"It's one of the greatest moments of my life."

Amarnath contributed a crucial 28 at No 3 after Gavaskar's early dismissal and later took three wickets to help deny Clive Lloyd's side a hat-trick of World Cup triumphs.

Despite entering the final as underdogs, India managed to defend its first innings total of 183, bowling out the West Indies for just 140.

"It's always been special to me, because we achieved something which probably nobody expected," Amarnath said.

"I think it was probably the beginning of the rise of Indian cricket.

"Before this t we had not really won anything big as such, and we were losing more games than winning. That was the start, that was the beginning."

Lal's contribution to India's victory, meanwhile, is best remembered by Richards' dismissal, something he still recalls vividly.

"I was bowling quite well, but he is such a great batsman, so whatever bowling he was facing, he was hitting to the fence," the 57-year-old said.

But Richards, who was threatening to win the game off his own bat, having scored 33 runs off 27 balls before being spectacularly caught off medium- pacer Lal thanks to a brilliant catch, running backwards, by Dev.

"When great batsmen go after you, that's the only way you can get them out. He went after me, so I got him out."

Alluding to his unlikely role as hero-Lal took just 73 wickets during his entire one-day international career-he joked that when Richards now visits Lord's, he wonders why he tried to hit the ball that led to his dismissal.

Lal took two other key wickets, dismissing opener Desmond Haynes and middle-order batsman Larry Gomes after chipping in with 17 runs at No 9.

The pair's contributions to the match are well remembered by their former team-mates.

Asked for an enduring memory of the match, Dev said:

"Mohinder Amarnath taking (middle-order batsman Jeff) Dujon out, and Dujon hitting the ground, that thing I can't forget."

It was at that moment, Lal recalled, he started to believe India would win the World Cup.

"After seven, eight wickets, we thought we were going to win it, because of the conditions, the wicket, the ball was moving a lot," he said.

On whether it was the highlight of his cricketing career, Lal required no time to think.

"Yeah, definitely."

South Africa considered as Champions Trophy venue

AFP, New Delhi

The International Cricket Council has put South Africa on standby as a possible Champions Trophy venue, but insists that Pakistan remains its first choice as hosts, an ICC source told AFP Friday.

The year's biggest one-day tournament featuring the top eight Test nations-Australia, South Africa, England, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, New Zealand and the West Indies-is due to be held in Pakistan from September 11-28.

But touring Pakistan has been a security concern for several foreign teams, especially Australia which postponed its March-April visit this year after a series of suicide bomb blasts.

With Sri Lanka, the alternate venue, in the midst of heavy fighting between government forces and Tamil Tiger rebels, the ICC has included South Africa as possible hosts.

"South Africa could hold the Champions Trophy in case Pakistan or Sri Lanka can't," the ICC source said.

"But it must be stressed that Pakistan remains our first choice and a lot of work has already been done to ensure the tournament is held there."

The northern venues of Johannesburg, Centurion and Potchefstroom will be the venues if the tournament is moved to South Africa, the source added.

A final decision on the host nation will be taken at the ICC's annual meetings which begin in Dubai on Sunday.

The ICC said earlier this month at the launch ceremony of the biennial event in Lahore that Pakistan will host the tournament-provided there were no safety and security fears.

"At this point in time we are comfortable with the decision that Pakistan has the ability to host the Champions Trophy, but we will continue to monitor security as it is fluid," ICC official Dave Richardson said at the launch.

Australia captain Ricky Ponting has said he does not yet know if his side will travel to Pakistan and raised the prospect of individual withdrawals even if the title-holders do decide to send a team.

"We don't know if we're going. And if we do go, we don't know if individuals are going to pull out," Ponting was quoted as saying in Australian newspapers.

"It just won't be Australian players. There will be a few other teams who will be thinking long and hard if the tour does go ahead."

Pakistan officials have dismissed security concerns, hoping the ongoing Asia Cup in the country will dispel any doubts of their ability to host the Champions Trophy.

India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, the United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong are taking part in the Asia Cup, the symbol of one-day supremacy in the region.

Former Pakistan captain Rameez Raja, now a popular television commentator, hoped countries such as Australia, England and New Zealand will remain positive about touring his country.

"The reservations have come about owing to their perception," Raja was quoted as saying in the Indian media.

"I don't blame them because if you're not in Pakistan and you keep hearing and reading about blasts and chaos, then you could be influenced by all that.

"Pakistan needs everybody's support. A positive attitude from the West, so to say, would be of great help. I believe the existing political system will give Pakistan stability.

"Progressively, we're seeing a calmer Pakistan and things should get better," said Raja.

Wimbledon humiliation will fuel my fire, says Sharapova

AFP, London

Maria Sharapova insists the humiliation of being dumped out of Wimbledon by fellow Russian Alla Kudryavtseva has only fuelled her determination to win the tournament again.

Sharapova, the third seed, suffered her earliest exit from the grasscourt Grand Slam after a lacklustre second round display against the world number 154 on Court One.

Coming so soon after a fourth round exit to Dinara Safina at the French Open, this 6-2, 6-4 defeat was an hour and 23 minutes of agony for Sharapova.

It was one of Wimbledon's greatest shocks and continued a worrying decline for Sharapova just six months after winning the Australian Open.

Her anger would hardly have been eased when Kudryavtseva later laid bare the frosty relationship between the richest sportswoman in the world and the majority of the other Russian players.

But the world number three, who triumphed at Wimbledon in 2004, is adamant she is determined to be the women's champion at the All England Club again.

"I still have the desire, even 30 minutes after the match, to go back on court and to get better, because that's the only thing that's gonna get me to hold that plate again," she said.

"I still have many years ahead of me. I've had to deal with a lot of ups and a lot of downs on and off the court, and I have the experience behind me.

"I think the number one thing is not be discouraged by losses or by negative things.

"You have to find a way to keep your head up even though it's pretty tough, because you put the effort in and you work hard and you dedicate yourself every single day to be a better player and a better professional.

"Sometimes the work doesn't pay off untill you never know when. I don't know when that work's gonna pay off.

"I've come into a tournament and results don't just come. It's not just for me. It's for everybody. Everybody goes through it and has those moments.

"But I'm experienced enough to know that life goes on and that there are a lot worse things in life that can happen than losing a tennis match, even if it's at Wimbledon and even if it means a lot to me."

If Sharapova is to get back to the top she will have to do it the hard way as the quality of women's tennis continues to improve, even among the lesser lights.

Sharapova admitted Kudryavtseva's victory underlined the growing strength in depth on the WTA tour, but she believes it is down to her to raise her game another level in response.

"I've always said there's depth on the tour. But at the end of the day it doesn't really matter," she said. "All that matters is on any given day you have to go out there, and whoever your opponent is, you have to beat them.

"Everybody can present a challenge. Everybody has a lot of strength. Everybody is hungry. This girl that beat me, she might not win the tournament, but she beat me, and it probably made her tournament."

Bangladesh play India in super four match of Asia Cup today

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh will play India in the opening "super four" match of the Asia Cup Cricket today (Saturday) at 4 pm (BST) at the National Stadium in Karachi.

Bangladesh made a super four berth as Group A runners-up beating United Arab Emirates by 96 runs in the tournament opener at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Tuesday featuring a century by Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful.

But Sri Lanka clinched the Group A title with all-win run outplaying Bangladesh by huge 131 runs and beat UAE by 142 runs 142 runs, both at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

On the other hand, India qualified for the super four with all-win runs from Group B crushing Hong Kong by massive 256 runs and beat arch-rivals Pakistan by six wickets at the national stadium in Karachi.

Sri Lanka will play hosts Pakistan in the second "super four" match on Sunday at the National Stadium in Karachi.

Programme of Super League matches in Asia Cup

AFP, Karachi

Programme of the Super League in the Asia Cup starting from Saturday:

June 28 - Bangladesh vs India - Karachi

June 29 - Pakistan vs Sri Lanka - Karachi

June 30 - Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh - Karachi

July 2 - Pakistan v India - Karachi

July 3 - Sri Lanka v India - Karachi

July 4 - Bangladesh v Pakistan - Karachi

July 6 - Final - Karachi

Merkel to attend Euro 2008 final

AFP, Berlin

German Chancellor Angela Merkel will attend the Euro 2008 final in Vienna on Sunday between Germany and Spain, a government spokesman announced on Friday.

Merkel - who has been a regular visitor to the championships and was there as Germany beat Turkey 3-2 in Wednesday's semi- final - will probably be accompanied by several of her ministers and President Horst Kohler.

According to the spokesman while Merkel is crossing her fingers for Germany, she is also convinced that they will win their fourth European title.

Final round of Exim Bank 19th National Women's Handball Championship begins Monday

UNB, Dhaka

The final round of the Exim Bank 19th National Women's Handball Championship begins Monday at the Shaheed Suhrawardy National Indoor Stadium in Mirpur without defending champions BJMC.

Holders BJMC, which played an important role in promoting the country's sports, reportedly failed to participate in the game this time for financial crisis.

Director General of Bangladesh Ansar and VDP Major General Abdul Hafiz will inaugurate the meet at 3: pm with Rangamati-Narail match. Director of meet sponsor Exim Bank Nurul Fazal Bulbul and Adviser of ATN Bangla Nowajesh Ali Khan will be present as special guests.

A total of 11 teams, split into four groups, will initially play in league matches. Later, four group champions will play in the semifinals on July 1 and the final match will be held in July 2.

The participating teams are: Group A - Bangladesh Ansars, Tangail and Chittagong DSAs Group B- Dhaka, Joypurhat and Jessore DSAs, Group C-Rangamati and Narail DSAs Group D- Khagrachari, Fairdpur and Rajshahi DSAs.

In all, seven matches-three in the morning and four in the afternoon-will be held on the opening day (Monday).

ATN Bangla will telecast live the opening and final match of the tournament.

Pioneer Football: Rana powers Moghbazar to earn victory

Sports Reporter

Rana's 25th minute goal powered Moghbazar KC to earn a lone-goal victory over Dhaka Eleven in the play-off match of the Dhaka City Corporation Pioneer Football League at the Kamalapur Bir Sreshtha Shaheed Sepoy Mohammad Mostafa Stadium on Friday.