Sport world international : 2016-05-15

Saturday, 21 May 2016

Marseille 2-4 Paris Saint-Germain: Ibrahimovic at the double in finalfarewell

Paris Saint-Germain completed a second straight domestic treble with a 4-2 win against Marseille in the Coupe de France final.

The Flying Eagles made a winning start to the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations qualifying series, beating hosts Burundi 1-0 in Bujumbura on Saturday afternoon.

Eurosport tennis experts Frew McMillan and Chris Bradnam share their thoughts on whether or not Rafael Nadal will enjoy another title in Paris. Is the 'King of Clay' finished winning at Roland Garros? Or is the Real Madrid fan ready to enjoy his own vision of 'La Decima'?

Eurosport commentator Chris Bradnam (former British singles & doubles champion): No, but much will depend on his own level of self-belief

I don’t think Rafael Nadal will win it, but there are things in his favour. If he had gone two or three years without winning the French Open, you would have doubts. The fact he lost to Novak Djokovic last year will not have dented his aura in Paris because Djokovic has been beating everybody.

The bottom line is how does Nadal rate his chances in his own mind? Only he knows the answers to that.

[STORY: Can king of clay Rafa Nadal reign once again at Roland Garros?]

I think with his form returning very recently, he must feel his chances have improved.

And every time he walks onto Philippe Chatrier, it must feel like he is walking into his home. The record he has there has to have an impact in a positive way on him and a potential negative impact on all of his opponents.

Watch this event on Eurosport Player

Rafa Nadal - Eurosport

My worry for him is fitness and recovery time. If he has tougher matches than he previously had when he was the undisputed 'King of Clay', it could take its toll.

- - -

Eurosport pundit Frew McMillan (former world doubles number one): Yes, but he has lost shroud of invincibility

I certainly do feel a 10th French Open is possible for Nadal, however it is not as easy for him to do it this year as in the past. Chiefly because others do not think he is invincible.

When he was accumulating his nine titles, I don’t think anybody really believed they could beat him.

While the Wimbledon title was always to be the crowning glory of his tennis career, the satisfaction of doing exceptionally well at the French Open must mean that it is a tennis court home from home for him.

His biggest obstacles? Obviously Djokovic, for whom he has almost too much respect. And to a certain degree, Andy Murray who has recently beaten him on clay in Madrid.

However, one has to consider that Madrid is a clay court tournament played at altitude which means a much faster environment suiting Murray more than Nadal.

Rafa Nadal - Eurosport

When it comes to meeting at Roland Garros, I would pick Nadal. If we are saying Djokovic is 80 percent to win the tournament, I’d put Nadal at 70.

Wawrinka clinches Geneva title in final French Open warmup

French Open champion Stan Wawrinka warmed up for the defence of his title at Roland Garros with a 6-4 7-6(11) victory over Marin Cilic to win the Geneva Open title on Saturday.

It was Wawrinka's first title on home soil in Switzerland and his first on clay this season in his final match before facing 68th-ranked Czech Lukas Rosol in the first round in Paris next week.

Wawrinka, who stunned Novak Djokovic in the final to win the claycourt major last year, eased through the opening set against world number 11 Cilic without facing a break point.

Cilic fought back, however, breaking in the fourth game of the second before Wawrinka broke at 3-5 and forced a tiebreak.

Cilic spurned five set points before slapping a backhand long to hand the Swiss the title.

"Big congratulations to Stan," Cilic said. "He played really amazing this week."

Cilic faces the 167th-ranked Marco Trungelliti in the French Open's first round.

Lingard fires 10-man United to FA Cup victory over Crystal Palace

Jesse Lingard's extra-time strike gave 10-man Manchester United victory in the FA Cup against Crystal Palace after a dramatic match at Wembley.

Jesse Lingard's extra-time strike gave 10-man Manchester United a 2-1 victory in the FA Cup against Crystal Palace after a dramatic match at Wembley.

After a tame opening hour Palace opened the scoring with a wonder-volley from Eagles substitute Jason Puncheon with 12 minutes left.

But Juan Mata levelled for United within three minutes, sending the match to extra time.

Chris Smalling was sent off for a second bookable offence at the end of the first period.

Five minutes after the restart Lingard latched on to a ball cleared out of the Palace six-yard box and volleyed an unstoppable shot home to give Louis van Gaal a trophy in what is likely his final match as United boss.

MATCHCAST: LIVE COMMENTS AND STATS FROM THE GAME

MAN OF THE MATCH

Marcus Rashford (Manchester United) – Much of United’s good work came from the lively Rashford, who ran the channels brilliantly and showed an impressive level of vision to create numerous opportunities for his teammates before picking up a late injury. His departure left Van Gaal’s side devoid of spark – until Lingard’s lashed winner. Rashford’s display could well have done enough to earn him a place in the final England 23 for the European Championships… and he’ll have an FA Cup winner’s medal to take with him.

PLAYER RATINGS

Crystal Palace: Hennessey 6; Ward 8, Dann 7, Delaney 7, Souare 6; Zaha 6, Cabaye 6, McArthur6, Jedinak 7, Bolasie 7; Wickham 7. Subs: Puncheon 8, Gayle 6, Mariappa 6.

Man United: De Gea 7; Valencia 6, Smalling 5, Blind 6, Rojo 5; Carrick 6, Fellaini 7, Mata 7; Rooney 7, Martial 6, Rashford 8. Subs: Darmian 6, Young 6, Lingard 7.

KEY MOMENTS

16’ – NO GOAL – Smalling is booked for a foul on Wickham, but that's only half the story. Wickham got back to his feet after the incident, weaving into the box and finding the back of the net... only to then realise that the whistle had already gone

21’ – SAVE – Hennessey denies Mata with a terrific save to keep it at 0-0. The ease with which Palace's defence was torn open there will be a big concern, but they will be grateful that the Spaniard didn't quite catch his shot as well as he could have done.

32’ – BLOCK – Rashford picks out the unmarked Martial, but the France international's shot is blocked by Ward as it arrowed towards the back of the net.

38’ – REF! – Clattenburg fails to play advantage again as Ward is fouled but gets in behind the defence. Rojo is booked, but that's not what Palace wanted and the pacing Pardew has plenty of reasons to be complaining.

52’ – POST – Rashford tees up Fellaini and the Belgian rattles an effort off the post from inside the box. That's the best effort of the game so far and it's brought the United end to life for the first time.

61’ – POST – United go close again as the game begins to open up. Martial flicks a Valencia header beyond Hennessey but it comes back off the post. That's twice the woodwork has been struck since the break.

78’ – GOAL! Palace 1-0 United: Jason Puncheon scores for Crystal Palace! His corner is cleared by Fellaini, but he's picked out at the far post as Palace keep the move alive and he controls it neatly before lashing a shot past De Gea at the near post. 1-0!

81’ – GOAL! Palace 1-1 United: Juan Mata equalises for Manchester United after great work by Rooney saw the captain's cross chested down by Fellaini at the back post. 1-1!

ET 15’ – RED – Chris Smalling hauls down Bolasie as the Palace speedster springs forward on the counter-attack and it's a clear second yellow for the United centre-back. Smalling trudges down the tunnel with few complaints.

ET 20’ – GOAL! Palace 1-2 United: Jesse Lingard scores for Manchester United, lashing a shot past Hennessey after a clearance falls to him on the edge of the box. 2-1 United!

STATS AND FACTS

There were just 175 seconds between Puncheon's opener and Mata's equaliser.

Mata has scored or assisted a goal in both of his FA Cup final appearances.

Smalling is the first English player to ever be sent off in an FA Cup final.

Pardew has now lost in all three of his FA Cup final appearances – once as a player and twice as a manager.

More to follow...

In-depth: Can king of clay Rafa Nadal reign once again at Roland Garros?

One of the biggest questions in modern men's tennis will be answered at the French Open: can Rafa Nadal win a 10th title at Roland Garros?

Amelie Mauresmo ended her coaching relationship with Andy Murray because she felt she could not improve the world number

A monstrous 210km stage in the Dolomites features six climbs, five of which over 2,000 metres high.

Italian Walter Mazzarri will manage Watford in the English Premier League next season after the club confirmed the former Inter Milan coach as the replacement for Quique Sanchez Flores on Saturday.

Villeneuve: Rosberg’s ‘killer’ move 100 per cent to blame for crashwith Hamilton

Jacques Villeneuve says Nico Rosberg is 100 per cent to blame for his crash with Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton in Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix.

Scottish champions Celtic have appointed the former Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers as their new manager on a 12-month rolling contract.

Tomas Rosicky has been named in Czech Republic’s 28-man preliminary squad for Euro 2016 – despite making just one appearance this season.

Late in July 2012, Phil Mickelson, one of the world's most famous golfers, received a phone call from a well-known professional sports gambler, William "Billy" Walters.

Alex Hales and Jonny Bairstow led England's recovery from a poor start as the hosts reached 171 for five before rain ended the opening day of the first test against Sri Lanka in Leeds on Thursday.

Roger Federer's withdrawal from the French Open should be not be viewed as the beginning of the end for the 17-times Grand Slam champion, writes Desmond Kane.

Briton Justin Rose has pulled out of next week's European PGA Championship at Wentworth due to a back injury, the world number 10 said on Thursday.

The Manchester clubs are set to battle it out over Schalke stalwart, while Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho could form a dream team together at United. It's Friday's Paper Round.

Football League bosses attack reform, Alex Hales confident after Day 1 fightback, Ross Murdoch's gold and happy birthday to one of the league's finest keepers.

Football League proposes radical overhaul of English club game structure

The Football League has proposed the introduction of a fifth division in a radical shake-up of the English club game.

Pep needs Sane and Sane needs Pep — why the Schalke star should choose Man City

The 20-year-old has been named in the preliminary German squad for Euro 2016 and is set to be at the center of a summer battle between City and Manchester United.

The Brazilian edged out the Italian to top the league's salary charts, according to figures released by the MLS Players Union

David Ginola has been taken to hospital in France after falling ill, according to media reports in France.

Maria Sharapova may not play again after testing positive for the banned substance meldonium, the president of the Russian tennis federation was quoted as saying on Thursday.

Leicester City's billionaire owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha says he is optimistic of hanging on to the club's key players next season amid speculation linking them to bigger rivals in England or Europe.

Aston Villa’s new owner, Tony Xia, told the club’s fans that he aims to make them one of the biggest sides in the world within 10 years.

Andy Murray has been the standout performer on clay for the past 12 months but world number one Novak Djokovic will be favourite to complete his set of grand slams at this year's French Open.

Challengers to Serena Williams' throne have proved as fickle as a Paris spring and as the year's second grand slam starts the veteran American is again seemingly in a league of her own.

How well do you know the top tennis stars’ Grand Slam records?

How well do you know the Grand Slam records of some of the top players? It’s harder than you may think…

[VOTE: Who’s going to win the men’s French Open title?]

[VOTE: Who’s going to win the women’s French Open title?]

FRENCH OPEN: LIVE ON EUROSPORT AND THE EUROSPORT PLAYER

Don't expect 'massive step', Magnussen warns

Kevin Magnussen has warned Renault's power unit upgrade is unlikely to provide a "massive step" as the team looks to introduce it as soon as possible.

England going to Euro 2016 to win, says Hart

The Manchester City goalkeeper is determined to fight for the top prize in France, as the Three Lions aim for their first major tournament victory since 1966

Villa Park stadium, the home of Aston Villa

Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner has reached an agreement to sell the club to Chinese businessman Dr Tony Jiantong Xia.

Italy call-up for Euro 2016 would vindicate Giovinco's MLS move

The 'Atomic Ant' has been in sublime form for Toronto FC and regardless of Antonio Conte's opinion of the strength of the North American league, he has earned a place on the plane

Rampone returns to USWNT for Japan friendlies

The 40-year-old defender will be hoping to earn her ticket to Rio after recovering from winter knee surgery.

RUMORS: Arsenal to keep Walcott but could sell Sanchez

The Gunners could be set to offer the England international the assurances he needs to stay at the Emirates, although his Chilean counterpart may face a summer exit.

Torres focused on 'most important game', not Euro snub

The Atletico Madrid frontman insists his failure to make Spain's Euro 2016 squad is not on his mind as he prepares for a huge showdown with rivals Real

Bertrand: England want to match Euro expectations

The Southampton full-back believes England are capable of winning the European Championship, but says the team are determined not to look too far ahead

In Lagos, the exclusive 'sport of the kings' reveals much about the country's social and economic divisions.

Let's not limit Kohli to mere Superman. Let him be 'Spectre', the cosmic entity of DC universe and the most powerful Superhero of Jack Kirby's fantasy world.

Stephen Curry exploded for 15 of his 28 points over a 1:58 stretch of the third quarter, helping the Golden State Warriors pull away from the Oklahoma Thunder en route to a 118-91 victory that evened the Western Conference finals at one game apiece.

RUMORS: Arsenal submits €65m bid for Juventus' Morata

Real Madrid is ready to activate the 23-year-old's 32 million euro buyback clause but will then sell him to the Gunners for a healthy profit in the summer transfer window

Saturday, 21 May 2016

Friday, 20 May 2016

Thursday, 19 May 2016

Wednesday, 18 May 2016