Sport news

• Roy Hodgson needs to deliver... the phoney war is now over, it's time to walk the walk

  15-06-2016 23:52 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  MARTIN SAMUEL: Roy Hodgson has a decent record in his Battle of Britain matches but, as he admitted on Wednesday, tournament football makes England versus Wales a fresh proposition.
  
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• Ilyin among four Olympic champions to test positive

  15-06-2016 23:52
  Four Olympic weightlifting champions from Kazakhstan, including the sport's most celebrated figure Ilya Ilyin, are among 10 lifters to have tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs at the London 2012 Olympics after their samples were reanalysed. Ilyin, the men's 94kg gold medallist, and three women champions, Zulfiya Chinshanlo (53kg), Maiya Maneza (63kg) and Svetlana Podobedova (75kg), failed tests, the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) said on Wednesday.
  
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• Ukraine defender Artem Fedetskiy rejects claims his team were smoking and drinking following defeat to Germany

  15-06-2016 23:50 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Defender Artem Fedetskiy has denied a newspaper story that Ukraine left cigarette butts and beer cans in their dressing room following their Euro 2016 loss to Germany.
  
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• Phil Mickelson keeps chasing elusive US Open

  15-06-2016 23:47
  
  OAKMONT, Pa. (AP) — One year before Jordan Spieth was born, Phil Mickelson made his professional debut with a 68 in the 1992 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach and was two shots out of the lead. The next day, he shot 81 and missed the cut.
  
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• France 2-0 Albania: Substitute Antoine Griezmann and Dimitri Payet snatch late victory for Didier Deschamps' hosts in Marseille

  15-06-2016 23:46 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  IAN LADYMAN IN MARSEILLE: France made it two Euro wins from two against Albania at the Stade Velodrome on Wednesday night, with late goals from Antoine Griezmann & Dimitri Payet.
  
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• Cristiano Ronaldo slammed for small-nation sulk as raging Iceland players hit back: 'What can I say? Sore loser. Tough s***.’  

  15-06-2016 23:46 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  The footballers of Iceland were still in fighting form. By the time they reached the interview areas, they had already been made aware of the words of Cristiano Ronaldo.
  
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• Who is in charge of England v Wales? Security at Euro 2016 has been a shambles and we still don't have any idea in Lens

  15-06-2016 23:45 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  CHARLES SALE: The security shambles that is Euro 2016 includes the French authorities not knowing in advance of the tournament who is in overall charge of England vs Wales.
  
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• France 2-0 Albania PLAYER RATINGS: Dimitri Payet the star again as Olivier Giroud goes off the boil

  15-06-2016 23:43 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Host nation France made it two wins from two with two late goals to down Euro 2016 minnows Albania, Here, Sportsmail rates the performances inside the Stade Velodrome.
  
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• Out-of-form Cabrera returns to Oakmont a 300-1 outsider

  15-06-2016 23:42
  Nine years after conquering Tiger Woods and the rest of golf's elite, Argentina's Angel Cabrera returns to Oakmont Country Club as a 300-1 long shot to emulate his 2007 U.S. Open victory. As the focus this week has been on the likes of Jason Day, Jordan Spieth and Phil Mickelson, Cabrera slipped into town almost unnoticed, like a party guest invited to make up the numbers. Not that anybody could be blamed for overlooking Cabrera, because his recent form has been absolutely dreadful.
  
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• Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill admits his team need the ‘game of our lives’ ahead of Ukraine showdown

  15-06-2016 23:31 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  When it was put to his captain Steven Davis that Northern Ireland made history as the first team to take advantage of the one-man kick-off rule, Michael O’Neill couldn’t resist stepping in.
  
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• Chris Coleman looking forward to 'dust-up' with England as Wales manager prepares for huge Group B clash

  15-06-2016 23:31 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Chris Coleman has managed beautifully to get Wales to this point but you felt the gnarled player within was speaking as he assessed the bruising contest ahead.
  
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• Marek Hamsik wonder-strike a warning for England ahead of Slovakia clash

  15-06-2016 23:30 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Keeping Marek Hamsik quiet is half the battle when it comes to tackling Slovakia, much as it is with Wales and Gareth Bale.
  
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• Henrikh Mkhitaryan won't join Manchester United... he's staying at Borussia Dortmund, says club chief Hans-Joachim Watzke

  15-06-2016 23:29 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Manchester United's bid to sign Henrikh Mkhitaryan from Borussia Dortmund has been rebuffed. United made enquiries for the Armenia midfielder who has one year left on contract and were willing to offer £18million for the 27-year-old.
  
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• LeBron, Cavaliers pushing for 'best words ever, Game 7'

  15-06-2016 23:15
  
  CLEVELAND (AP) — LeBron James has watched "The Godfather" trilogy over and over during these playoffs. The Oscar-winning films about crime, family, honor — and revenge — soothe and motivate him. He can't get enough.
  
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• If these Finals go the distance, they'll match NBA's longest

  15-06-2016 23:14
  
  CLEVELAND (AP) — If it seems like these NBA Finals have lasted awhile, there's a reason for that.
  
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• Dray Day: Green vows to be better for Warriors in Game 6

  15-06-2016 23:10
  
  CLEVELAND (AP) — For all the criticism of Golden State's Draymond Green and his penchant for committing flagrant fouls during these playoffs, Wednesday may have brought the harshest words yet.
  
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• EgyptAir plane wreckage found in Mediterranean

  15-06-2016 22:57
  
  Egyptian investigators say several main locations of the wreckage have been identified through images.
  
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• The Latest: Griezmann scores for France against Albania

  15-06-2016 22:50
  
  PARIS (AP) — The Latest from soccer's European Championship (all times local):
  
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• Scott 'excited' by Oakmont set-up for U.S. Open

  15-06-2016 22:47
  By Mark Lamport-Stokes OAKMONT, Pennsylvania (Reuters) - Adam Scott does not have good memories of the last U.S. Open played at Oakmont but he feels the set-up for this week's edition should especially suit him if he can drive the ball as well as he usually does. The Australian world number eight leads the PGA Tour's charts from tee to green this season and says he is "excited" coming into the year's second major championship, even though the par-70 layout is arguably the most challenging in the
  
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• NFL 'very involved' in Tottenham Hotspur's new stadium, says chairman Daniel Levy

  15-06-2016 22:46 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  As Tottenham continue to build on the foundations of their new stadium, chairman Daniel Levy revealed that the NFL are 'very involved' in the project.
  
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• Grand slam chasing Mickelson wants Oakmont 'over the edge'

  15-06-2016 22:46
  Should Mickelson go on to triumph at Oakmont this week, he would become at 46 the oldest U.S. Open champion and just the sixth player to complete a grand slam of all four major professional crowns. "After 25 years, you have to really know how to play this style of golf," Mickelson told a packed news conference on Wednesday before setting off for a practice round at Oakmont.
  
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• Rockies cut Reyes, likely responsible for $34M he is owed

  15-06-2016 22:32
  
  DENVER (AP) — Rather than activate Jose Reyes following his domestic violence suspension, the Colorado Rockies cut the shortstop on Wednesday and almost certainly will be responsible for the $34 million remaining on his contract.
  
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• David Squires on ... Australia II's America's Cup win in 1983

  15-06-2016 22:30
  
  In the latest of his series on defining moments in Australian sport, David Squires looks at the nation’s passion for sailing and the 1983 America’s Cup. And you can find David’s archive of Australian sport cartoons here Continue reading...
  
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• Drug testers routinely obstructed by Russian athletes - WADA

  15-06-2016 22:08
  Russian athletes continue to fail drug tests and obstruct doping control officers, the World Anti-Doping Agency said on Wednesday in a damning report that paints a gloomy picture of efforts to enact doping reforms. The WADA report, which covers a six-month period from last November following the suspension of the Russian Anti-Doping Agency, comes two days before athletics' governing body rules on whether Russian competitors can compete in the Rio Olympics. According to the report, Russian athlet
  
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• Wasteful Switzerland edge closer to knockout phase

  15-06-2016 22:04
  By Julien Pretot PARIS (Reuters) - A wasteful Switzerland battled back from a goal down to move to the verge of reaching the knockout phase of a European championship for the first time with a 1-1 draw against Romania in Euro 2016 on Wednesday. Switzerland dominated possession and had more chances, yet fell behind in the Group A clash when Bogdan Stancu converted a first-half penalty, before Admir Mehmedi levelled after the break with a powerful half-volley into the far side of the net. The draw
  
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• Romania face injury woes after draw with Switzerland

  15-06-2016 22:03
  The result means Anghel Iordanescu’s men can still qualify for the last 16 from Group A, most likely as one of the four best third-placed teams, providing they can win against tournament debutants Albania on Sunday. “Rat asked to be substituted.
  
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• Romania 1-1 Switzerland: Ahmed Mehmedi scores stunning volley to cancel out Bogdan Stancu's first-half penalty kick 

  15-06-2016 21:34 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  CRAIG HOPE AT THE PARC DES PRINCES: To concede one goal-of-the-tournament contender is bad luck. To lose points to a second in as many matches probably has you wondering.
  
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• Oakmont Country Club is the host of the 116th US Open... and Sportsmail went along to see why it's regarded as the toughest golf course in the world

  15-06-2016 21:30 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  RIATH AL-SAMARRAI: They say the punishment fits the crime at Oakmont Country Club, the home of what is billed as the hardest golf course in the world. This week it hosts the US Open.
  
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• Analysis - Swiss keep rolling but look weak up front

  15-06-2016 21:25
  By Patrick Vignal PARIS (Reuters) - Switzerland are still alive at Euro 2016 but, unlike the country's famous pocket knives, lack a cutting edge to really make their mark on the tournament. It had been a similar story in their opening Group A match against Albania, when they had failed to kill off the tie despite playing most of it against 10 men and had to be content with a 1-0 win. With the lion's share of possession and creative midfield play from man-of-the-match Granit Xhaka, they looked in
  
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• Wing Savea dropped by All Blacks for Wales test

  15-06-2016 21:13
  Winger Julian Savea has been dropped from the All Blacks team for their second test against Wales on Saturday after an indifferent season culminated in his substitution early in the second half of last week's 39-21 victory in Auckland. Waisake Naholo will shift to the left wing, with fullback Ben Smith moving to right wing. Israel Dagg, who missed last year's World Cup squad has been recalled in the number 15 jersey.
  
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• Coman and Martial start for France against Albania

  15-06-2016 21:05
  By Mitch Phillips MARSEILLE, France (Reuters) - France coach Didier Deschamps has handed starts to Kingsley Coman and Anthony Martial for Wednesday’s game against Albania with Paul Pogba and Antoine Griezmann dropping to the bench. The changes were widely predicted, despite France winning their opening game, with high-speed duo Coman and Martial expected to stretch the Albania defence out wide and create more space for Dimitri Payet to run the midfield and leave Olivier Giroud as a lone st
  
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• Russian athletes, state accused of obstructing drug tests

  15-06-2016 20:49
  
  The World Anti-Doping Agency alleged Wednesday that Russian athletes and government agencies continued to obstruct and deceive drug testers, even as Russia tries to regain its place in Olympic track and field.
  
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• Coleman hopeful for Hennessey return against England

  15-06-2016 20:22
  Wales are optimistic that goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey can recover to face England in their Euro 2016 meeting on Thursday, according to coach Chris Coleman. The experienced Hennessey was ruled out of the group B opener against Slovakia on Saturday after a back spasm in training the day before the match, opening the door for 22-year-old Danny Ward who only made his international debut in March. Hennessey has not trained since picking up his injury but Coleman is confident he can make a comeback for
  
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• Slovakia coach Jan Kozak talks up star midfielder Marek Hamsik after match-winning display against Russia

  15-06-2016 20:20 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Slovakia coach Jan Kozak has tipped Marek Hamsik to 'play for a very big club' after the midfielder inspired their 2-1 Euro 2016 defeat of Russia.
  
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• Joachim Low apologises for sniffing his hands

  15-06-2016 20:16 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Germany manager Joachim Low has issued an apology for the embarrassing moment which saw him sniff his hands after putting them down his trousers live on television.
  
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• Pressure is on England ahead of Wales game, says Coleman

  15-06-2016 20:13
  Wales coach Chris Coleman said the lion's share of the pressure will be on England when the neighbours meet in a Euro 2016 Group B clash on Thursday. "Whatever's going on around England, there's a lot expected of them because they've had great players down the years," Coleman told journalists on Wednesday. "There's a lot more pressure and expectancy on the England boys than on us but the expectancy and the pressure come from within our group, we expect ourselves to compete against the best." Eng
  
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• Bogut out for remainder of NBA Finals with left knee injury

  15-06-2016 20:11
  
  CLEVELAND (AP) — Golden State center Andrew Bogut will need six to eight weeks to recover from a left knee injury, ruling him out for the remainder of the NBA Finals and almost certainly affecting his Olympic plans as well.
  
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• The Latest: Lineups for match between France and Albania

  15-06-2016 20:10
  
  PARIS (AP) — The Latest from soccer's European Championship (all times local):
  
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• 400,000 fans greet Pittsburgh Penguins at Stanley Cup parade

  15-06-2016 20:08
  
  PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Penguins turned around a once-disappointing season and fired a coach before winning a fourth Stanley Cup, adversity that seemed to make Wednesday's city-wide celebration that much sweeter.
  
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• Milos Raonic inflicts second straight first-round exit on Nick Kyrgios at Queen's Club

  15-06-2016 19:57 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Nick Kyrgios suffered a second straight first-round exit at the Aegon Championships on Wednesday, this time at the hands of big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic.
  
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• Cliff Jones made history with Wales at 1958 World Cup and says Gareth Bale can do the same at Euro 2016 against England

  15-06-2016 19:55 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  LAURIE WHITWELL IN LENS: Any Wales player who might happen to score a winning goal against England in Lens will be afforded greater opportunity to bask in the glory than Cliff Jones.
  
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• Gordie Howe's life and legacy celebrated at Detroit funeral

  15-06-2016 19:51
  
  DETROIT (AP) — Hundreds of people, including Bobby Orr, Wayne Gretzky and Gary Bettman, bid farewell to Gordie Howe at a packed, two-hour funeral service in Detroit.
  
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• Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny ruled out of Germany clash with thigh injury

  15-06-2016 19:50 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Poland's first-choice goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny will miss Thursday's Euro 2016 clash with Germany but could return for their final Group C game against Ukraine
  
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• Moscow summons French ambassador over 'anti-Russian' Euro 2016

  15-06-2016 19:42
  By Philip O'Connor and Jack Stubbs LILLE/MOSCOW (Reuters) - Football rivalry and fan violence spilled into global politics as Moscow summoned the French ambassador over detentions of Russians at Euro 2016 and warned an "anti-Russian" mood could even damage relations between Russia and France. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused other countries' football fans of "absolutely provocative actions" at the tournament, such as trampling on the Russian flag. Police used pepper spray and tear
  
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• French police fire tear gas at English football fans in Lille

  15-06-2016 19:36
  French police used pepper spray and tear gas to disperse English football fans on Wednesday near the train station in the northern city of Lille, one of the venues of the Euro 2016 tournament, a police source said.
  
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• Steven Finn looking to get some tips from West Indies legend Michael Holding as he hopes to progress with his England career

  15-06-2016 19:32 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Steven Finn says he would be interested picking the brains of West Indies fast-bowling legend Michael Holding as he seeks to take the next step in his England career.
  
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• Russia coach Slutski shrugs off trouble, eyes Welsh redemption

  15-06-2016 19:31
  By Alastair Macdonald LILLE, France (Reuters) - Russia's players have not been distracted by the fan violence that has brought a threat of disqualification from Euro 2016, coach Leonid Slutski said after another stuttering performance from his team on Wednesday. "It has had no effect on the team," Slutski said after Russia's 2-1 defeat by Slovakia in Lille on Wednesday which leaves them now needing to beat Wales in their final Group B game to survive in the tournament. Worryingly, with the threa
  
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• Germany boss Loew will take no risks with Hummels

  15-06-2016 19:28
  Germany will not risk playing centre back Mats Hummels in their Euro 2016 Group C game against Poland on Thursday unless he is "100 percent fit", coach Joachim Loew said. Hummels missed the world champions' opening 2-0 victory over Ukraine on Sunday and has not played since picking up a thigh muscle injury in the German Cup final in May. The 27-year-old had not trained with the team until this week, while Shkodran Mustafi replaced him at the heart of the Germany defence in their group opener. "B
  
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• Rebels in Central African Republic stepping up attacks - U.N.

  15-06-2016 19:27
  By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Lord's Resistance Army rebels, who mutilate civilians and kidnap children to use as fighters and sex slaves, stepped up attacks and abductions in Central African Republic during the first three months of this year, the United Nations said on Wednesday. The U.N. envoy for Central Africa, Abdoulaye Bathily, also told the U.N. Security Council that the world body was concerned about the potential Ugandan withdrawal of some 2,500 troops from a military
  
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• Santos plans several changes to Portugal side against Austria

  15-06-2016 19:22
  By Cindy Garcia PARIS (Reuters) - Portugal coach Fernando Santos will make several changes to the side held to a shock 1-1 draw by European Championship debutants Iceland in their Group F opener when his team take on Austria in Paris on Saturday. "We need to refresh the team," Santos told a news conference on Wednesday. Group favourites Portugal had taken the lead against Iceland in St Etienne on Tuesday before a second-half equaliser from Birkir Bjarnason came against the run of play.
  
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