Sport news

• Michael Clarke’s Australia arrive for Ashes overshadowed by support act | Mike Selvey

  24-06-2015 23:59
  
  England’s battles with New Zealand could end up as the home side’s best moments of the summer but the Ashes is set to be harder fought than predictedThe Black Caps are returning home, most of them anyway, and they can carry with them our thanks for invigorating not just the first part of the summer but for their part in revitalising the whole culture of cricket in this country. The cricket they and England have played has been compelling all the way through, from the first Test match at Lord
  
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• Roberto Firmino to Liverpool: Anfield should love the all-action Brazilian striker

  24-06-2015 23:56
  
  It was a moment that Roberto Firmino will not want to look back on. The new Liverpool striker has commanded attention in his career for the party piece of arrogantly turning his head away just before scoring for “no-look” finishes.
  
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• Lady Cecil to retire from training

  24-06-2015 23:53 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Lady Cecil says she will retire from training at the end of the season, and her late husband's Newmarket base will be sold.
  
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• Broken right arm costs Rhys Ruddock place in Ireland World Cup squad

  24-06-2015 23:51
  
  • Leinster flanker suffered the injury playing for Emerging Ireland
  • He had fractured same arm only six months before in European gameRhys Ruddock has been left out of Ireland’s World Cup squad after breaking his right arm for the second time in six months. The 24-year-old Leinster flanker sustained the injury while captaining Emerging Ireland against Uruguay.Ireland’s head coach, Joe Schmidt, confirmed that Ruddock, who missed the Six Nations after fracturing the arm during Leinster’
  
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• VIDEO: European Games valued by judo pair

  24-06-2015 23:49 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Sarah Adlington and Sally Conway look ahead to the start of the judo events at the European Games in Baku.
  
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• Alberto Salazar Q&A: Has Mo Farah's coach now cleared his name?

  24-06-2015 23:49
  
  Q. Does Salazar’s opus definitively prove his athletes were not doping?
  
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• Alberto Salazar: Plenty of words but throwing open records would say more

  24-06-2015 23:43
  
  The attention to detail was so relentless and fastidious that you can see precisely what leads Mo Farah to such unstinting devotion to the man who has turned him into a winner. We had waited three weeks for any sign of a defence from Alberto Salazar and these near 12,000 words were true to his reputation.
  
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• Portugal U21s 1-1 Sweden U21s: Both sides through to semi-finals after late goals from Goncalo Paciencia and Simon Tibbling  

  24-06-2015 23:32 via
  
  Portugal and Sweden are both through to the semi-finals of Under 21s European Championships after some thrilling, late drama on Wednesday night. Goncalo Paciencia scored for Portugal.
  
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• Real Madrid line up Arsenal star Laurent Koscielny as Rafa Benitez looks at possible replacements for Manchester United target Sergio Ramos

  24-06-2015 23:30 via
  
  Real Madrid are keen on Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny amid concerns over the long-term future of Sergio Ramos. Ramos is a target for Manchester United, who have made an opening bid of £35m.
  
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• Manchester City set to make final £40million bid for Raheem Sterling after Liverpool seal the signing of Brazil star Roberto Firmino 

  24-06-2015 23:30 via
  
  Manchester City are set to make a final £40million bid for Raheem Sterling following Liverpool's signing of Roberto Firmino. They have been unsuccessful in two bids for the England star so far.
  
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• England Under 21s captain Jack Butland slams his team-mates as 'not good enough at either end' after Euro 2015 exit

  24-06-2015 23:29 via
  
  Jack Butland has labelled his England Under 21s side as 'not good enough' after they lost 3-1 against Italy to seal a group-stage exit from the European Championships in Olomouc.
  
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• Stuart Broad enjoys birthday bash but Nottinghamshire bow to Yorkshire

  24-06-2015 23:21
  
  • Nottinghamshire 224 & 198; Yorkshire 430s
  • Yorkshire win by an innings and eight runsFrom a selfish perspective Stuart Broad gained just about everything he would have wanted out of his first County Championship appearance in 12 months.Unfortunately the polar opposite was true for the rest of his Nottinghamshire colleagues for whom the contest reaped virtually nothing and leaves them languishing at the foot of Division One. While Broad will no doubt feel topped up for the Ashes, those
  
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• Aston Villa aim to hang on to Christian Benteke through £32.5m clause

  24-06-2015 23:12
  
  • Striker adamant he will not sign new Aston Villa deal
  • Club run risk of Belgian striker becoming disillusionedAston Villa insist Christian Benteke will not be allowed to leave for anything less than the £32.5m release clause in his contract and are relaxed about holding onto a player who has made it clear he has no intention of signing a new deal and wishes to join a club competing at the top end of the table.Benteke’s stance, outlined in talks earlier this month, means that Villa
  
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• England 1-3 Italy | Under-21 European Championship match report

  24-06-2015 23:06
  
  • England 1-3 Italy
  • Redmond 90; Belotti 25, Benassi 27, 72
  It has become a horribly familiar pattern: domination in qualifying, expectation in the build up and elimination at the finals. For the third time in succession England bowed out of the European Under-21 Championships at the group stage after slumping to a hugely-disappointing defeat to Italy in Olomouc.Gareth Southgate had hoped his side’s win over Sweden in their second group game would liberate his players but here they were c
  
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• Kevin Love and JR Smith to opt out of Cavaliers contracts, reports say

  24-06-2015 23:02
  
  GM David Griffin said he expected Love and superstar LeBron James to opt out of their deals and become free agents – but that he expected the pair to re-signKevin Love and JR Smith are about to find out how much the league values him, and how much the Cavaliers want them.Love is opting out of the final year of his contract and will be a free agent on July 1, a person familiar with the decision told the Associated Press, and Smith has also reportedly chosen to opt out of his contract. Love, who
  
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• Roberto Firmino picks Liverpool No 11 shirt while fellow new signing James Milner opts for the iconic No 7 shirt at Anfield 

  24-06-2015 23:00 via
  
  Roberto Firmino has become the second biggest signing in Liverpool’s history – but James Milner will wear the club’s most iconic shirt next season.
  
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• Manchester United launch opening £35m bid for Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos as defender looks set to leave Spanish club 

  24-06-2015 23:00 via
  
  PETE JENSON: Manchester United have lodged an opening bid for Sergio Ramos and the Real Madrid defender has asked his club to consider it. United’s written offer is understood to be £35m.
  
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• Jimmy Anderson expects feisty Ashes series as he urges England to be aggressive against Australia this summer 

  24-06-2015 23:00 via
  
  Jimmy Anderson has said England must take their aggressive new approach into the Ashes – and warned he will give as good as he gets if things get tasty.
  
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• Sergio Ramos to Manchester United: Red Devils make £30m opening bid for unsettled Real Madrid defender

  24-06-2015 22:55
  
  Manchester United have made a straight opening bid for Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos, offering a figure believed to be just over £30m, though considerably less than the Spanish club’s £46m valuation, The Independent can reveal.
  
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• Sergio Ramos to Manchester United: £30m opening bid for unsettled Real Madrid defender made as United seek to secure move

  24-06-2015 22:55
  
  Manchester United have made a straight opening bid for Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos, offering a figure believed to be just over £30m, though considerably less than the Spanish club’s £46m valuation, The Independent can reveal.
  
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• England U-21s vs Italy U-21s 3 match report: History repeats itself as young lions are dumped out of Euros by Azzurini

  24-06-2015 22:53
  It was Mario Balotelli and Andrea Pirlo last summer, it was the young men of the Azzurini this summer, and once again the English find themselves heading home from a major international tournament wondering when someone will let them in on the secret of success at this level.
  
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• Manchester City's Etihad Stadium revamp edges closer to completion as they prepare for Premier League clash against Chelsea

  24-06-2015 22:53 via
  
  The Premier League season is just 45 days away and Manchester City’s expansion of the South Stand at the Etihad Stadium is nearing completion. City face Chelsea on August 15.
  
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• British swimmer Marco Loughran hits out at 'cowardly' attack which left him hospitalised

  24-06-2015 22:50 via
  
  British swimmer Marco Loughran says the attack which left him hospitalised was 'cowardly'. He and girlfriend Jeanette Ottesen were attacked in a road rage incident in Copenhagen on Sunday.
  
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• Wales team swimmer 'attacked' in car

  24-06-2015 22:50 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Welsh Olympic swimmer Marco Loughran claims he and his girlfriend were victims of a road rage incident which left him needing hospital treatment in Denmark.
  
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• Russia thrash England at Worlds

  24-06-2015 22:45 via bbc.co.uk
  
  England are beaten 5-0 by Paralympic champions Russia in the quarter-finals of the Cerebral Palsy World Championships.
  
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• England 1-3 Italy: European U21 Championship, as it happened

  24-06-2015 22:42
  
  A bittersweet night for Italy, who beat sorry England handsomely but have, like Gareth Southgate’s side, failed to qualify for the semisField Notes: England’s football rivalry with Italy 9.39pm BST And yes, Italy are going home too, with the other game ending 1-1. That late Swedish equaliser was a killer blow for them. But at least they went out playing some lovely stuff. England were a ragged shambles, with only Jesse Lingard and Nathan Redmond coming out of that with any credit. Ruben Loft
  
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• England U21 1-3 Italy U21: Gareth Southgate's Young Lions crash out of U21 Euros after two goals in two minutes do the damage

  24-06-2015 22:40 via
  
  DOMINIC KING IN OLOMOUC: Not good enough. The words will sting and jar, coming after such a chastening night, but they are unavoidable. They are, simply, the brutal truth.
  
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• Tom Ince must be kicking himself for missing Euro 2015, especially with Saido Berahino and Alex Pritchard ruled out

  24-06-2015 22:37 via
  
  MATCH ZONE: Tom Ince told Gareth Southgate he did not want to be considered for selection any longer in March, so he could concentrate on his club career - a decision he could now regret.
  
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• Harry Kane the only bright spot as sloppy England crash out of European U21 Championship - PLAYER RATINGS

  24-06-2015 22:37 via
  
  England's hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the European Under 21 Championship were crushed by 3-1 defeat against Italy on Wednesday night.
  
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• West Ham set to finalise £12million transfer of Marseille midfielder Dimitri Payet 

  24-06-2015 22:28 via
  
  Marseille midfielder Dimitri Payet will finalise terms on his transfer to West Ham on Thursday. The 28-year-old is set to become new boss Slaven Bilic's first high profile transfer in a £12million move.
  
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• England U21s 0-3 Italy U21s LIVE score: Marco Benassi heads home his second of the night

  24-06-2015 22:21 via
  
  England Under 21s face Italy U21s on Wednesday night knowing that they're on the verge of reaching the semi-finals of the European Championship for the first time in six years.
  
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• England U21s 0-3 Italy U21s LIVE: Marco Benassi heads home his second of the night

  24-06-2015 22:17 via
  
  England Under 21s face Italy U21s on Wednesday night knowing that they're on the verge of reaching the semi-finals of the European Championship for the first time in six years.
  
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• FIFA report by US lawyer Michael Garcia is of little use according to Swiss authorities  

  24-06-2015 21:57 via
  
  Swiss authorities investigating whether there was corruption in awarding of World Cup to Russia and Qatar are finding that a report by lawyer Michael Garcia are of little value.
  
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• Australia batsman Chris Rogers 'learnt a lesson' after trying to sell tickets to Lord's Ashes Test

  24-06-2015 21:45 via
  
  Australia opener Chris Rogers says he has 'learnt a lesson' after the company co-founded by the batsman was blocked from selling unauthorised hospitality packages for an Ashes test.
  
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• Alberto Salazar denies doping allegations in lengthy open letter on Oregon Project website

  24-06-2015 21:42
  
  Alberto Salazar has finally broke his silence in an exhaustive rebuttal of the doping allegations that have been levelled at the coach.
  
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• Alberto Salazar denies all doping allegations in lengthy open letter on Oregon Project website

  24-06-2015 21:42
  
  Athletics coach Alberto Salazar has posted a lengthy open letter online addressing the accusations of doping and performance-enhancing drug use amongst his athletes.
  
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• England U21 0-2 Italy U21 LIVE score: Gareth Southgate's side fall behind to goals from Andrea Belotti and Marco Benassi

  24-06-2015 21:39 via
  
  England Under 21s face Italy U21s on Wednesday night knowing that they're on the verge of reaching the semi-finals of the European Championship for the first time in six years.
  
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• Lady Cecil plans to sell famous Warren Place stable and retire at the end of season

  24-06-2015 21:33 via
  
  Lady Cecil will retire at the end of the season after confirming the executors of her late husband Sir Henry are in the process of finalising the sale of his Warren Place stable.
  
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• Manchester City add Melbourne City friendly to their pre-season itinerary in Australia

  24-06-2015 21:31 via
  
  Manchester City have added a friendly against sister club Melbourne City to the programme for their pre-season tour of Australia, which also includes the International Champions Cup.
  
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• Heather Watson run at Eastbourne ended by Sloane Stephens at Aegon Classic

  24-06-2015 21:26 via
  
  Heather Watson's run at the Aegon Classic in Eastbourne came to an abrupt end after she was defeated 6-2, 6-3 by Sloane Stephens in the third round.
  
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• England U21 0-2 Italy U21 LIVE: Gareth Southgate's side fall behind to goals from Andrea Belotti and Marco Benassi

  24-06-2015 21:18 via
  
  England Under 21s face Italy U21s on Wednesday night knowing that they're on the verge of reaching the semi-finals of the European Championship for the first time in six years.
  
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• England U21 0-0 Italy U21 LIVE score: Follow the Group B European Championship action

  24-06-2015 21:07 via
  
  England Under 21s face Italy U21s on Wednesday night knowing that they're on the verge of reaching the semi-finals of the European Championship for the first time in six years.
  
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• Cascarino: Cash in on Benteke

  24-06-2015 21:02 via feedproxy.google.com
  
  Former Aston Villa striker Tony Cascarino has urged the club to cash in on Christian Benteke if he wants to leave. Villa remain hopeful t
  
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• England heading home after defeat

  24-06-2015 21:02 via feedproxy.google.com
  
  England have once again fallen short at a major tournament after Gareth Southgate's side capitulated against Italy, resulting in a third successi
  
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• Former World No 1 Caroline Wozniacki beats Svetlana Kuznetsova to reach quarter-final of Eastbourne Aegon International

  24-06-2015 21:01 via
  
  Caroline Wozniacki will face Andrea Petkovic in the quarter-final of the Eastbourne Aegon Championship after beating Svetlana Kuznetsova in three sets on Wednesday.
  
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• Alberto Salazar statement: let the haters hate – we will keep winning

  24-06-2015 20:52
  
  The leading athletics coach has made a detailed 12,000-word rebuttal of all the major allegations levelled against him. Here are some of his key points …At best they are misinformed. At worst they are lying. I told both media outlets that their stories contained false information before they were published. I have now offered evidence that they are false. I hereby demand the BBC and ProPublica immediately publish a retraction of their false statements. Continue reading...
  
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• Liverpool transfer news: Club target another striker after Brazilian Roberto Firmino arrives

  24-06-2015 20:48
  
  Liverpool are prepared to add further attacking reinforcements for next season, despite the rapid deal which at a fee of £22m rising to £29m has made Roberto Firmino the second most expensive acquisition in the club’s history.
  
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• Aston Villa weighing up move for Swansea City defender Jazz Richards after his dazzling display for Wales     

  24-06-2015 20:43 via
  
  Aston Villa are considering a move for Swansea City defender Jazz Richards. Tim Sherwood is believed to have been impressed by the 24-year-old's performance for Wales recently.
  
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• Arsenal star Aaron Ramsey reveals he emulates his game on Liverpool icon and 'top-class midfielder' Steven Gerrard 

  24-06-2015 20:43 via
  
  Aaron Ramsey has stated his desire to become an all-action midfielder in order to be revered in the same bracket as former Liverpool and England captain Steven Gerrard.
  
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• Women's World Cup 2015: 'Fantastic spirit' can see England beat hosts Canada in quarter-finals

  24-06-2015 20:42
  
  The togetherness of the England squad will be key to them going all the way at the Women’s World Cup finals, says the experienced Liverpool midfielder Fara Williams. The situation is in stark contrast to the disarray in the squad two years ago which led to Hope Powell losing her job as head coach.
  
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