Germany Coach: How We Stopped Nigeria

Germany coach Frank Wormuth has revealed how his team were able to overcome the Flying Eagles in their round of 16 FIFA U-20 World Cup clash which they won 1-0.

Reacting to the win, Wormuth who spoke highly of the Flying Eagles, however said his players deserved to advance at the expense of Nigeria.

He told fifa.com: “I like Nigeria and they are very good technically, which makes them extremely difficult to play against.

“We were able to keep the ball under pressure and that was our only chance to break through their defence. In the end, I give congratulations to my team for finding the answer to the problems Nigeria posed us. They deserved the win and I am very impressed with them.

“I am especially proud of my team’s defence today. Of course, our aim is to get to the final in Auckland but to get there we must go step to step and our next step is Mali. The German mentality is to always think this way. I expect Mali to play in quite a similar way to what we saw today from Nigeria.”

A 19th minute strike by Levin Öztunali was enough for the European champions to see off a lackluster Flying Eagles side.

'Germany Won't Underestimate Gibraltar'

Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger insists the world champions will not underestimate minnows Gibraltar in Saturday's Euro 2016 away qualifier in their bid to top their group.

The Germans are joint second in Group D, a point behind leaders Poland, as they head to Faro, Portugal, for Saturday's tie against the part-timers who have lost all five qualifiers so far, leaking 27 goals in the process.

Germany coach Joachim Loew has sent several star players, including Bayern Munich pair Thomas Mueller and Manuel Neuer, plus Borussia Dortmund winger Marco Reus, on holiday, but the world champions still expect three points.

A shock defeat in Poland and a home draw against the Republic of Ireland means Germany find themselves in the unusual situation of fighting for first place.

The Germans were beaten 2-1 by the United States on Wednesday in their warm-up friendly when the world champions' finishing was again an issue, as it has been since lifting the World Cup last July.

"We won’t make the mistake of underestimating Gibraltar," said Schweinsteiger.

"Of course we know that we’re better than them and it's clear that we have to pick up a win there, but it doesn’t have to be double-digits.

"It has to be a good game from us. We have to find the breakthrough against a team which will sit back a lot."

The game is being held at Faro's Estadio Algarve, Gibraltar's home ground, even though it lies several hundred kilometres from the British territory.

HUGE GULF

The team from the tiny Iberian peninsula have a Scottish caretaker coach in Dave Wilson after Allen Bula was sacked in March, four games into their campaign, having been in charge for four years.

Bula was boss when Germany trounced Gibraltar 4-0 in Nuremberg last November, which was greeted as something of a triumph by the visitors given the huge gulf in class between the two teams.

Wilson's side lost a friendly to Croatia 4-0 last Sunday and a similar scoreline would be a welcome result for both hosts and visitors alike.

Ireland and Poland have already posted 7-0 wins over Gibraltar, whose striker Lee Casciaro scored their first competitive goal in a 6-1 loss to Scotland in March.

Gibraltar's only win in ten matches as a Uefa member nation was a 1-0 success at home against Malta in a friendly in June last year, although European football's newest members have drawn 0-0 with Slovakia and 1-1 with Estonia.

Lukas Podolski is two goals shy of his 50th for Germany going into the match, in which the Inter Milan forward is set to win his 125th cap.

Germany can finish the weekend top of Group D if results go their way with Ireland hosting Scotland in Dublin and Poland at home to Georgia on Saturday.

"It’s especially important to pick up three points," added Schweinsteiger.

"We can’t influence the other results and at the end of the day, the main priority is to qualify for Euro 2016, everything else is of secondary importance."

Akpan, Thank God Close To Warriors Debut

There are strong indications that Abia Warriors’ newly signed duo of Ike ThankGod and Bassey Akpan will make their debut against Glo Premier League leaders Sunshine Stars, on Sunday.

The duo joined the Umuahia side as free agents ahead of the resumption of the league, on Sunday.

“Everything depends on what they put up during training on Wednesday and Thursday. Both players are great additions to the team,” Bosso said to supersport.com.

ThankGod joins the club after a stint in Oman, while Akpan is set to play for his second club this term after brief romance with Bayelsa United.

Interestingly, the former youth international played in Vietnam before returning to the country.

Akpan has already been assigned the number 18 shirt.

Germany, Canada Held; Ivorians Lose

Wang Lisi's late winner got China's Women's World Cup campaign back on track as Germany were held 1-1 by Norway and Canada played a goalless draw against New Zealand on Thursday.

China's Group A tie in Edmonton's Commonwealth Stadium looked to be heading for frustration before Wang broke through to roll the ball past Sari Van Veenendaal in the Dutch goal one minute into extra time.

It gave the 'Steel Roses' a vital three points after losing their opening match to Canada, who had to settle for a goalless draw against New Zealand.

Canada remain top of Group A with four points from two games, ahead of China and the Netherlands, who have three. New Zealand are bottom of the group with one point.

"I think they did an excellent job today. We could have scored more and been more efficient," said China coach Hao Wei.

"In the beginning I said Group A was very even, all teams are similar in their strengths so I wish we could have scored more," added the Chinese coach.

In Group B ties over in Ottawa, a second half Maren Mjelde equaliser grabbed a 1-1 draw for Norway against top ranked Germany in a clash of former champions.

Anja Mittag had put 2003 and 2007 champions Germany ahead after just six minutes with her fourth goal following her hat-trick in their opening 10-0 whipping of Ivory Coast.

But midfielder Mjelde equalised for 1995 winners Norway with a stunning free kick past former world player of the year Nadine Angerer in the Germany goal after 61 minutes.

THAILAND MAKE HISTORY

The Germans next play Thailand who came from a goal down to keep their hopes of advancing alive with a 3-2 win over fellow newcomers Ivory Coast.

"We are very lucky, because even though we had less attacking chances, we got our first victory in our country's history," said Thailand coach Nuengrutai Srathongvian.

"We are honoured to be playing the best team in the world Germany in our next match and will do our absolute best to win."

Ivorian striker Ange Nguessan had given the African side the lead after four minutes but Thailand hit back with three unanswered goals.

A double from Orathai Srimanee after 26 and 45+3 minutes, and a Thanatta Chawong effort on 75 saw the Asian side bounce back from a 4-0 loss to Norway in their opener.

Josee Nahi got one back for the Ivory Coast two minutes from time, but it was too little for the African side with just one game remaining.

"It's a sad night for us and for the people of Ivory Coast," said Clementine Toure of the the lowest ranked side in the tournament at 67.

Germany coach Silvia Neid admitted her side had nearly paid heavily for letting their guard down after dominating early against the 11th-ranked Scandinavians.

"We just didn't play as well in the second half - and then Norway gained hope," said Neid.

The result leaves Germany and Norway topping Group B with four points. Thailand are third with three points with Ivory Coast bottom with none.

"The end result was fair, but we were lucky - (Germany) could have killed this game in the first half," said Norway coach Even Pellerud.

In the final round of group games on Monday, Germany play Thailand in Winnipeg and Norway take on the Ivory Coast in Moncton.

Champions Japan and the United States will play their second round matches on Friday.

Japan come up against Cameroon in Group C in Vancouver, with group rivals Switzerland up against Ecuador.

The United States play Sweden in Group D in Winnipeg, with Australia up against African champions Nigeria.

Diaby On Arsenal Release List

Abou Diaby's injury-scarred nine-year stint at Arsenal is due to finish after he was included on a list of players to be released by the club on Wednesday.

Diaby, 29 and capped 16 times by France, had his ankle broken by Sunderland's Dan Smith shortly after joining Arsenal from Auxerre in January 2006 and has been bedevilled by injury ever since.

The midfielder's Arsenal tenure has been a succession of lengthy absences followed by aborted comebacks, with a cruciate knee ligament injury restricting him to just two appearances over the past two seasons.

While Diaby's contract is due to expire on June 30, the Premier League stresses that its list of released players "should not be seen as definitive for players leaving their club".

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has repeatedly expressed his belief in Diaby, in whom he has shown great patience.

"Diaby is a player that I have an enormous amount of respect for," Wenger said last November.

"Every time he comes back he has to start from zero with another injury. He is not a fragile player. He was the victim of an assassin's tackle that went unpunished."

Japan midfielder Ryo Miyaichi, who has had several spells on loan at other clubs since arriving in January 2011, was also named on Arsenal's release list.

'Tevez Would Fit In Well At Atletico'

Juventus striker Carlos Tevez would be a perfect fit for Atletico Madrid and the La Liga club are in talks with the Argentine's agents, coach Diego Simeone said.

Tevez helped Juve to another Serie A title and the Champions League final this season and Atletico are on the alert with speculation in Italy and Spain that he is looking to leave.

"I know the club is speaking with his agent," Simeone told Spanish newspaper As on Wednesday.

"It is always good to have a player like Tevez. He is hot-blooded, which is a healthy part of this sport, and that is aside from how many goals he is able to score in a season.

"He would be a perfect signing considering the football that Atletico Madrid play."

Atletico are looking to boost their forward line and Tevez would fit into their determined style based on hard work.

They lost Diego Costa to Chelsea last year and while Antoine Griezmann has come in and done well, Atletico were hoping for more from Croatian Mario Mandzukic.

"He (Mandzukic) is a good player and a good guy," said Simeone.

"He himself was unhappy at the way he was unable to continue performing how he had done up to February. I said to him, 'we have to beat the record that you had at Bayern of 28 goals,' but he was unable unfortunately."

Villarreal starlet Luciano Vietto is another target for Simeone who gave him his debut at Argentine side Racing Club.

"We are close and I hope to have him for next season because for me he has extraordinary ability in combining going forward," said the Atletico coach.

"I think that he is very similar to (David) Villa when he started off, without being the goalscorer that was the Spanish forward, but with the movement in the build-up which is very difficult to see in football at the moment.

"He is very tactical and has done very well at Villarreal. As a kid I know him very well because he was with me at Racing and I put him in the first team.

"I hope he comes because he would be an important signing."

Atletico finished third in La Liga last season after winning the title in 2014.

Swansea Sign Ayew On Free Transfer

Ghana forward Andre Ayew has joined Swansea City on a free transfer and signed a four-year contract, the Premier League club said on Wednesday.

The 25-year-old has joined from French club Olympique Marseille, where his contract expired at the end of last season, having scored 10 league goals in his final campaign.

Ayew, who has 62 caps for Ghana, has played in four African Nations Cups and two World Cups.

"The project that the club has for the future is very exciting, and when I spoke to the chairman and manager I felt this was the right place for me," Ayew said on the club website.

"I felt that my desire to play in the Premier League and wanting to grow as a player meant that Swansea was the best solution for me in every way.

"Seeing the honesty and desire of the club made me feel that they really wanted me to come. They have proved that in all ways."

Ayew made 181 appearances for Marseille, scoring 52 goals and winning two French League Cups as well as playing in the Champions League.

"It was a very difficult decision to leave Marseille. I spent so many years there – I was in the youth team before breaking into the first team and stayed all of my life in Marseille," he said.

"It's true that I had a lot of offers, so I needed to take my time to make the right decision for my future. I didn't want to rush but I feel I have made the right decision.

"Football is all about growing up and becoming a better player and a better person."

Messi Loses Appeal, Trial Nears

Barcelona star Lionel Messi lost his appeal over tax fraud charges on Wednesday, meaning he could face a trial over the allegations which involve an estimated €4.6 million.

The Argentine international and his father Jorge were accused last year of not paying tax on earnings from the player's image rights from 2007-2009.

Both Messi and his father denied wrongdoing and instead pointed the finger instead at a former agent.

But prosecutors in Barcelona on Wednesday decided to press ahead with the case.

"While it is understandable that a player of this magnitude is not aware of all the details of managing a millionaire," they said "there are elements of a fiscal debt".

Messi and his father have been accused of using companies in Belize and Uruguay to sell the player's rights – an allegation the player denies.

Jorge has since admitted that his son knew nothing of the alleged fraud, but the appeals court rejected the defence.

"Messi could have had knowledge of the irregularities of contracts which he was signing," said a statement.

Four-time World Player of the Year Messi is one of the world's richest sportsmen.

Forbes magazine estimated that in 2014 his income was $64.7 million (€47.30 million).

Colombia Deny Mexico First Win

A late goal from Daniela Montoya allowed Colombia to escape with a 1-1 draw against Mexico in their Group F opener at the Women's World Cup in Moncton on Tuesday.

Taking a back pass from Tatiana Ariza, Montoya drilled home a shot from just outside the penalty area that rang off the crossbar in the 82nd minute to deny Mexico a first World Cup win.

Mexico was the better team dominating possession, grabbing the early lead on a brilliant 36th minute strike from midfielder Veronica Perez.

El Tri thought it had pulled out a miracle finish in injury time when striker Charlyn Corral's shot rolled across the goal line only to have it waved off when teammate Stephany Mayor was called for a foul on Colombia's Angela Clavijo.

Ranked 26th in the world, Mexico will play England in its next game, while number 28 Colombia will face France.

Messi Targets Title Jinx As Copa Kicks Off

Argentina are favourites to end a 22-year trophy drought when the Copa America kicks off on Thursday as a resurgent Brazil chase redemption following their ill-fated campaign at last year's World Cup.

One of the most eagerly anticipated Copas in years gets under way in Santiago, with hosts Chile launching the three-week extravaganza of South American football against Ecuador in Group A at 8.30pm (2330 GMT).

The 12-team tournament is a convention of football's deadliest attacking talents, with a galaxy of Europe-based stars including Lionel Messi, Neymar, James Rodriguez, Alexis Sanchez and Edinson Cavani set to shine.

The competition also comes as a welcome relief to South America's governing body CONMEBOL, which has been battered by corruption allegations in the ongoing scandal which has rocked world football.

Argentina captain Messi and Brazilian counterpart Neymar head to Chile less than a week after inspiring Barcelona to their Champions League triumph in Berlin on Saturday, the final act of a glittering treble-winning season.

Both No 10s are carrying the weight of expectation on their shoulders, with Messi determined to finally taste glory at a major international tournament with Argentina and Neymar aiming to erase the memory of last year's World Cup.

POINT TO PROVE?

While Messi has been the key figure in Barcelona's emergence as the dominant force in club football over the past decade, he has yet to taste victory in an Argentina shirt, a gold medal in the 2008 Olympics aside.

"Our aim is to win this year," said Messi, who fell agonisingly short of ending Argentina's jinx in an extra-time defeat to Germany in last year's World Cup final. "It's great to play with the national team, to wear the shirt and to be captain," Messi added. "But getting a title would be the ultimate for me."

Messi may feel he has a point to prove, four years after being jeered by his home fans during Argentina's quarterfinal exit to eventual winners Uruguay.

Argentina open their campaign against Paraguay on Saturday, and should comfortably progress from a Group B which also includes Uruguay and Jamaica, one of two teams from the CONCACAF region invited to bolster the tournament.

The biggest threat to Argentina's hopes of topping the group is likely to come from defending champions Uruguay, who are bullish about their chances despite the absence of suspended talisman Luis Suarez. The holders will instead look to Paris Saint-Germain striker Cavani to provide the cutting edge in attack.

Cavani heads into the tournament after notching 31 goals in all competitions for the French giants this season, a haul which has reportedly made him a transfer target for Manchester United this summer.

BRAZIL ON TRACK

Brazil and Neymar meanwhile begin their campaign against Peru in Group C on Sunday.

Brazil's biggest challenge of the first round comes three days later when they face Colombia on June 17, a rematch of the two sides' bruising World Cup quarterfinal last year.

That stormy encounter was notable for a series of rugged Brazilian challenges on Colombia star James, although Brazil's 2-1 win came at a price, with Neymar suffering a broken vertebra that ended his World Cup.

Brazil's World Cup dream was ultimately demolished by Germany in the next round, when the hosts were humiliated 7-1 in the semifinals, before losing 3-0 to the Netherlands in an abject third place play-off display.

Fast forward a year however and Brazil, under the guidance of former coach and 1994 World Cup-winning captain Dunga, are back on track.

Dunga's men have reeled off nine straight victories since the World Cup and will feel confident of reaching the Copa final in Santiago on July 4.

Dunga, who coached Brazil to their last Copa America win in 2007, believes the form of striker Neymar has been key to the revival.

One of Dunga's first acts last year was to hand the captain's armband to the Barcelona forward, and the 23-year-old has thrived on the added responsibility.

"It is not a surprise, but the statistics are there to show that when Neymar puts on the captain's armband, he takes a step forward," Dunga said in March.

"He is a player who likes challenges. The more responsibility he has, the more he will develop."

Fifa To Elect Blatter Successor On Dec 16

Scandal-hit Fifa is likely to elect a new president at a Dec. 16 emergency meeting in Zurich, the BBC reported on Wednesday.

"The BBC has learned that is the likely date for an emergency meeting in Zurich to decide his successor," the report said without citing sources.

"Representatives from all 209 member associations will be invited to the Swiss city to vote in a new presidential election," it added.

Fifa president Sepp Blatter tendered his resignation last Tuesday, less than a week after Swiss police staged a dawn raid on a luxury hotel in Zurich and arrested several officials on corruption charges filed by U.S. prosecutors in New York.

However, Blatter is intent on staying in office until his successor is appointed.

"A final decision on the date for a presidential election is not expected to be made until July, but it is believed holding an emergency congress in mid-December is Blatter's preferred option," the BBC added.

Fifa confirmed in a statement on Wednesday that its executive committee would meet in July to pick a date for the full presidential vote, with various options set to be discussed.

Jordan's Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, who lost out to Blatter in election, is tipped as a possible candidate while Chung Mong-joon, the billionaire scion of South Korea's Hyundai conglomerate, is also weighing up his bid to replace Blatter.

Enrique Extends Barcelona Contract

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique, who led the Catalan giants to the treble in his first campaign in charge, has agreed to extend his contract with the Spanish side until June 2017.

"We have sealed the renewal of Luis Enrique's contract until 2017, so we will have Luis Enrique for two more years," Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu told a news conference.

Enrique capped his first season as Barcelona's head coach by matching Pep Guardiola's feat from the 2008/09 season when the Catalans captured the European, Spanish league and Cup titles.

"We are very happy, it could not be any other way. After a year in which we faced many difficulties but also had great results , we are more than excited and hope to win new titles," he said in a statement.

Despite being under contract with Barcelona until June 2016, Enrique had consistently refused to tie his future to the club.

"The truth is I don't know if I will continue (next season). The season isn't over yet, we have a long night ahead of us," he said on Saturday before Barcelona's 3-1 Champions League final win over Juventus in Berlin.

After the final Enrique said Barcelona's hunger for silverware is insatiable and they want to make more history by becoming the first team to win back-to-back Champions League titles.

Cedric Paquette's Late Goal Buries Blackhawks, Gives Lightning 2-1 Series Lead

The Tampa Bay Lightning have held an answer to all the tests the Chicago Blackhawks have thrown their way in the Stanley Cup Final.

Most goals have been met with a response. Chicago’s championship mettle has been countered by Tampa’s own steely-like persona.

The Lightning quickly overcame a Chicago third period lead and poured it on to pick up a 3-2 Game 3 win at United Center.

The victory put Tampa up 2-1 in their best-of-7 series with the Blackhawks. Game 4 is Wednesday evening at United Center.

Tampa forward Cedric Paquette fired the game-winner with 3:11 left in the third period, deflecting a pass by defenseman Victor Hedman.

Lightning goaltender Ben Bishop started after some coy mind games by Tampa as to who would play in the contest. He exited Game 2 in the third period, re-entered and left again. No explanation was given why.

"We're not going to put anybody in a game that is going to be in harm's way of hurting himself," Tampa coach Jon Cooper said. "We talked long and hard if he could play tonight. There wasn't a doubt in his eyes. You can read when guys are sitting there saying, 'Coach, I'll go for you'. Or you can say, give me the net. That kid said, give me the net. I knew we were going to be okay."

The third period saw two quick goals by both teams. At the 4:14 mark of the frame, Brandon Saad put the game at 2-1 in favor of Chicago. Then 13 seconds later the Lightning responded when Ondrej Palat knotted it at 2-2.

"It's a great play, a great goal," Chicago coach Joel Quenneville said. "All of a sudden you get momentum. Two games we had the lead, but short-lived both times. Two tough losses in a row

Oh, The Triplets -- You can’t keep them down for too long.

The second period was tilted toward Tampa with the shots on goal at 17-7 in favor of the Lightning.

In that frame, Chicago goaltender Corey Crawford stopped a Nikita Kucherov breakaway and a protracted Tampa 5-on-3 that lasted 1:26.

Chicago outshot Tampa 19-7 in the first period.

At the 14:22 mark of the first period Brad Richards fired a shot that Bishop just flubbed with his glove. It was one of those 'sure he'd love to have that one back' type plays. Still, it was the only mis-step for Bishop, who stopped 36 of 38 Chicago shots on goal.

"I felt good. The first period, probably a few too many rebounds there. As the game went on, the guys did a great job of clearing those out," Bishop said. "As the game went on, I felt better, more comfortable. Some big blocked shots there at the end. Just a good team win all around. Obviously probably wasn't our best first, but I thought we got better as the game went on."

Lightning forward Ryan Callahan opened the scoring 5:09 into the game after pumping a blast past Crawford:

Callahan was led perfectly by a Hedman pass and fired the puck over Crawford’s glove.

Hedman was absolutely electric in the contest, notching two assists in over 26 minutes of action. His last two games he has four points and is a plus-2 for Tampa.

"Victor Hedman, what he's doing, I mean, this is clearly his coming-out party," Cooper said. "He sets that one up and then makes a big-time play on the winner."

Hope Solo's Heroics Show Why U.S. Soccer Decided To Stick With her

A day before the United States women's national team was to kick off its World Cup on Monday, hoping to end a drought at that tournament dating back to the last millennium, the talk was back to star goalkeeper and controversy-monopolist Hope Solo. And as is usual, in her case, it wasn't exactly a positive discourse.

An ESPN report dug deeper into Solo's June 2014 arrest on domestic violence charges. The case had been dropped – because of the witnesses' failure to show up to give depositions – and Solo had since then portrayed herself as the victim of the incident. However, according to ESPN, which reconstructed that night and fateful fight through conversations with the accusers, 911 calls and police reports, Solo very much appeared to be the aggressor.

As Solo was set to backstop the Americans in yet another campaign to conquer the women's soccer world, we were talking about an ugly incident that was rearing its head yet again. We were talking about domestic violence and the place of its alleged perpetrators in our sports. And then, like so very often, Solo walked onto the Winnipeg Stadium pitch and demonstrated why she gets away with things few others could.

Because she is a magnet for shots from opposing forwards as much as she is for drama.

Without Solo, it's doubtful that the USA would have walked away from its Group of Death opener against Australia with a 3-1 win. The Matildas, so nicknamed, a team that had never once beaten the Americans in 24 attempts, made an aggressive start, clearly unsettling their favored opponents. But just five minutes in, Solo parried an Emily van Egmond shot off her own crossbar. Then, after Megan Rapinoe's deflected effort through traffic had sailed past Melissa Barbieri to put the Americans ahead, Solo denied Sam Kerr on a volley from close range.

Cleveland Stuns On The Road Behind LeBron James, Ties The NBA Finals At 1-1

The Cleveland Cavaliers stunned just about anyone who had been paying a whiff of attention to these NBA Finals, downing the 67-win Golden State Warriors in overtime to take a 1-1 series tie back to Cleveland. These NBA Finals were expected to be a one-sided affair with Cleveland working without the injured Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving, and yet the Cavs rallied behind LeBron James and the indefatigable Matthew Dellavedova in order to pull out the 95-93 win.

The Warriors had to overcome an 11-point deficit with 3:13 left in the contest in order to force that overtime, with a series of calls going their way on both ends. James wowed all onlookers with a 39-point, 16-rebound and 11-assist night, but he also missed 23 of 34 shots from the field and clanged a potential game-winner in regulation. Warriors guard and NBA MVP Stephen Curry missed 18 of 23 shots while turning the ball over six times, airballing a possible go-ahead jumper in the waning seconds of overtime.

Meanwhile, Irving’s replacement – the tireless Dellavedova – clinched the game with two clutch free throws in the final seconds after securing an offensive rebound off a James Jones miss.

Jones was the seventh in a seven-man rotation as Cleveland threw all that it competently had against Golden State in the win. The team made fewer than a third of its shots overall and shot exactly 33 1/3 percent from three-point land, but it also crashed toward the free-throw line and took care of the ball – the Cavs turned the ball over just 13 times in 53 minutes.

James, Dellavedova, and forward Tristan Thompson were absolute workhorses. Thompson scored just two points (after the 64 percent free-throw shooter was hacked twice intentionally, making 2 of 4 from the line), but he also expertly switched on several Warriors after screen-and-roll plays while pulling 14 rebounds – with seven coming on offense. Dellavedova, only starting because of Kyrie Irving’s kneecap fracture, missed seven of ten shots and turned the ball over six times, but he also played fantastic defense on Curry while helping to clear James for endless isolation sets on the other end.

In return, the sweet-shooting Warriors just couldn’t buy one.

Credit should go to Cleveland’s active defense, but the Warriors did clang on an unending series of jump shots and made a series of poor offensive decisions from stem to bloody stern. Klay Thompson impressed by hitting four of his first five shots while working toward 34 points in 45 minutes, but the W’s turned the ball over more times than they assisted (17 to 16) and missed 27 of 35 three-pointers.

GSW coach Steve Kerr limited his bench options as well, working only seven players double-figure minutes in a 53-minute contest, waiting out Curry’s bad luck streak in dancing school from long range – the MVP missed 13 of 15 from behind the arc.

“Nobody is immune from a tough night,” Kerr offered following the loss, and he wouldn’t be wrong in that regard. What he would be wrong with, and he’s certain to agree, would be putting Curry in a position to succeed. The league’s MVP was forced by the Cavalier into working as an afterthought offensively, showcasing little of the derring-do that marked his team’s 80-18 start to the season.

As it ran, his helpers acted as standbys rather than colleagues. Draymond Green played a good floor game defensively with four blocks, but it took until overtime for him to hit a field goal. Harrison Barnes worked a hesitant run, needing 10 shots to score 11 points, missing a makeable 17-footer late in overtime that could have sealed the deal for his team. Andre Iguodala, charged with chasing LeBron James up and down the court, could not replicate his Game 1 heroics offensively.

This was Cleveland’s win, though, and not Golden State’s loss. The Warriors had their chances, to be sure, but only because a determined Cavalier squad dared them into taking them.

The Cavs always seemed in control; and not for the usual, get-the-ball-to-LeBron-and-get-out-da-way, reasons. There was more movement and more action in Game 2 than in Game 1’s overtime loss, with James diving into his sets earlier in the shot clock and with screen-and-roll action clouding Golden State’s defensive approach. Somehow, 11 of Cleveland’s total of 14 assists came from James, as he lowered his shoulder and drove the Cavaliers toward the win – sitting for just 160 seconds of time in his team’s 98th game of the season.

“You'd be hard pressed," Cavs coach David Blatt said following the contest,“to find a guy anywhere, anytime ‑‑ I can think of a name or two, but that's the whole history of basketball ‑‑ that can give you the kind of all‑around performance and all‑around leadership that LeBron does for his group.”

Kerr concluded that “both teams defended like crazy out there,” and, again, he isn’t wrong in that summation. What seems to trick his Warriors, though, is the idea of playing from ahead.

James, for all his aspirations to surround himself with fellow stars and trusted role players, relishes the idea of playing from behind, and his Cavaliers clearly thrive on the challenge. Whether it’s taking on a full-strength Bulls squad while down a starter and a half, working against a top-seeded Atlanta Hawks club, or spitting into the wind while flying out to face the NBA’s best and healthiest team in its own arena, James and limited Co. continually rise to the challenge despite those abysmal shooting marks.

The Warriors get to play the same routine on the road soon, though, acting as the accidental martyr. LeBron’s Cavs have the home-court advantage in a best-of five series, now, with the pressure off of Golden State and the uniforms turning from blues and whites to yellow and yellow. Somehow, out of nowhere, the most important game of the NBA’s 223-day (and counting) season was tipped off on Matthew Dellavedova gathering an offensive rebound and James Jones working as a stretch four off of the bench. Things have gotten out of hand, and Golden State’s task is to restore order.

LeBron James, the guy who just played the game of his life while still missing 23 shots, doesn’t want order to return. Orthodoxy is his enemy, and that’s what makes him so compelling.

He plays best on the edge, with nary a call to go his way, with Timofey Mozgov as his second-leading scorer. It’s clear that he’s ready to do whatever it takes to extend his franchise’s season, and it’s hard to counter that sort of determination with a few fluttery three-pointers. Golden State might win out to end these Finals, but it won’t be easy.

Allegri Casts Doubt On Pirlo Future Amid MLS Rumours

Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri refused to say whether Andrea Pirlo will return to the club next season.

Pirlo, 36, joined the Bianconeri from AC Milan on a free transfer in the summer of 2011 and has since won seven trophies, including four consecutive Italian Serie A titles, with Juve.

Recent reports have suggested Pirlo will end his 20-year stint in the Serie A and move to the MLS, but Allegri failed to comment on the future of the 36-year-old midfielder.

“As far as Pirlo is concerned, I can’t give you an answer I’m afraid,” Allegri said.

“As for Juventus, I think we can improve still. Not necessarily results because that would mean winning all three trophies.

“What we can improve is the quality of our game. We can consolidate and strengthen our way of playing and stay among the top eight teams in Europe on a regular basis.

“This is the most important objective for the club.”

Pirlo tallied four goals and five assists in 20 league appearances for the Italian champions in 2014/15.

Adebayor happy at Spurs

Tottenham Hotspur striker Emmanuel Adebayor has insisted he is looking forward to next season with the North Londoners despite rumours linking him with a summer move to Turkey.

This week, reports in Turkey quoted Mehdi Isik, a man claiming to be Adebayor’s new agent, as saying the former Arsenal striker was interested in joining the Turkish Süper Lig.

“For the record, I have seen some articles regarding a transfer to teams in Turkey,” Adebayor tweeted.

“I can confirm I have never heard of Mehdi Isik who has said he is my agent and have never discussed any move to Turkey.

“I am very happy with Tottenham and look forward to the next season with them.”

It seems rather surprising that Adebayor, 31, is ‘very happy’ at White Hart Lane after starting just nine English Premier League matches under Mauricio Pochettino last season, but apparently he is.

Hazard hoping Chelsea sign Benteke

Chelsea F.C. star Eden Hazard has revealed he would be the ‘happiest man in the world’ if the club were to sign Christian Benteke this summer.

Benteke, 24, is expected to leave Aston Villa when the transfer window re-opens in July, with Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United competing for his signature.

“If Christian signs with us, I would be the happiest man in the world,” Hazard told reporters in Belgium.

“I have a great relationship with him and would like nothing better than to play with him. Christian is 25. He is at an age where he has to make a good career choice.

“Not that Aston Villa is a small club but he has already played many great games and can now play in the Champions League.”

Benteke scored 13 goals in 29 league appearances for Villa last season.

Adebayor Removed From Togo Squad

The Tottenham striker, along with Kossi Agassa and Floyd Ayite, will not feature for the start the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign versus Liberia next weekend

Tottenham striker Emmanuel Adebayor has been removed from the Togo squad after failing to join up with the team on time.

Togo start their qualification campaign for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations against Liberia next Sunday.

But they will do so without Adebayor, Reims goalkeeper Kossi Agassa and Bastia attacking midfielder Floyd Ayite, who also showed up late.

"I have no problem with the players as individuals," coach Tom Saintfiet told BBC Sport.

"It's their choice not to come to the hotel, not to be part of the group, and that makes the choice for me very easy to say these players are now not able to be part of the national team.

"We ask only to be as one team together, to prepare us for these important game."

Saintfiet added that the trio had been missing for most of the past week as Togo prepare for Monday's friendly with Ghana.

He said: "Floyd Ayite and [Kossi] Agassa were only one time in training and Emmanuel [Adebayor] came twice, but for the rest of the time I never saw him.

"So I'm very sad about that because these three players were in my squad of 23, they are important players for the country and I was looking forward to working with them."

Ivory Coast Advertise For New Coach

The Ivory Coast Football Federation (FIF) has advertised the national team coaching job as they look for a replacement for Herve Renard, an official source revealed on Thursday.

The FIF will give candidates until June 15 to put their names forward before a committee puts a five-man shortlist to the federation's executive committee to decide on who the chosen coach will be.

In the meantime, Ibrahim Kamara will take interim charge of the team until the end of June.

Frenchman Renard left the Elephants to take charge of Ligue 1 club Lille last month, with the FIF allowing him to end his contract early.

Renard, 46, had signed a renewable two-year deal last August and led the Ivory Coast to glory at the Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea in February, their first continental title since 1992.

Renard also won the Cup of Nations as coach of Zambia in 2012.

The Ivory Coast are due to begin their campaign to qualify for the 2017 Cup of Nations against Sierra Leone in early September.

They were drawn in qualifying Group I alongside their west African neighbours and Sudan.

Warner: I Will Reveal An Avalanche Of Evidence Against Fifa And Blatter

Jack Warner says he has passed on evidence that implicates Fifa and Sepp Blatter in involvement in the Trinidad and Tobago elections in 2010.

The former Fifa vice-president was one of 14 people indicted by the United States Department of Justice last week in a move that preceded Friday's Fifa elections in Zurich - which later proved futile when re-elected Blatter revealed his decision to quit four days later.

Warner has said he has evidence of "a link between Fifa, its funding and me, the link between Fifa, its funding and the United National Congress and The People's Partnership Government in general election 2010", while the 72-year-old also indicated his documents directly implicate Blatter.

"It also deals with my knowledge of international transactions at Fifa, including its president Mr Sepp Blatter and, lastly, other matters involving the nation's current prime minister," Warner said in an address televised on TV6.

The ex-Fifa official then claimed he has protected Fifa from his allegations for now, but he is ready to turn on his former employer now that he is implicated in corrupt activity.

"I have, in these circumstances, decided that I will no longer keep secrets for them who now seek to actively destroy this country in which I live, who seek to destroy this country's hard-won international image, this country's fate," he continued.

"I have no intention of allowing them to deprive me of my freedom.

"I reasonably and surely fear for my life.

"I have, as promised, compiled a comprehensive and detailed series of documents, including cheques and corroborated statements, and placed them in different and respected hands.

"I have, in effect, placed the outcome of those matters beyond even my own reach. Retracting them is now an impossibility. There can be no turning back.

"Not even death will stop the avalanche that is coming. The die is cast. There can be no turning back. Let the chips fall where they fall."

Fifa Suspends Two Congolese Officials

Fifa have announced the temporary suspension of Jean-Guy Blaise Mayolas and Badji Mombo Wantete, respectively the vice president and secretary general of the Republic of Congo football federation (Fecofoot).

The world’s football governing body said the two officials are under investigation on the breach of code of ethics.

At the request of Cornel Borbély, President of the Ethics Commission of the investigating chamber of Fifa, Hans-Joachim Eckert, the chairman of the trial chamber, temporarily suspended both men from any activity related to football at national and international levels.

The suspension follows a request for "various offences under the Ethics Code of Fifa”, according to a statement.

The Ethic Code prohibits corruption, conflicts of interest, accepting gifts and committing discrimination. It also obliges Fifa officials to observe the principle of neutrality.