Daily Sports Headlines December 20, 2022
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Tasmania JackJumpers for a 93-82 NBL win at the Adelaide
Antonio Cleveland’s fourth-quarter explosion has helped the resurgent Adelaide 36ers mow down the Tasmania JackJumpers for a 93-82 NBL win at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.
After making a rapid start on Monday night, the Sixers lost their way in the second quarter before finishing with a bang, outscoring Tasmania 24-7 down the stretch to join them in the mid-table finals mix with an 8-8 record.
Cleveland scored 12 of his 20 points in the final term, including eight unanswered points in one inspired 40-second stretch, to pilot the Sixers’ late surge to the finish line after they trailed by six points mid-quarter.
Venus Williams awarded wild-card entry for 2023 Australian Open
MELBOURNE, Australia — Venus Williams has been awarded a wild-card entry to play at the Australian Open next month, 25 years after she played the Grand Slam tournament for the first time.
The 42-year-old Williams has reached the final twice in Australia, including a loss to her younger sister, Serena, in the 2017 championship match. She will be contesting the season-opening major for the 22nd time.
“I’ve been competing in the country for over 20 years now and the Australian community has always supported me wholeheartedly,” the seven-time Grand Slam singles champion said in a statement. “It will be an honour to play for the fans again and I’m looking forward to making more memories at the tournament this year.”
Hockey: India qualify for Pro League with a gritty Nations Cup win
When the Indian women’s hockey team made a brilliant run at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and finished fourth, it was seen as a sign of massive progress. Later when they finished third in the previous edition of the FIH Pro League, it was seen as a sign of their ability to compete against the best.
This meant they went into the World Cup in July with a lot of optimism. The expectation was that they would push hard for a spot in the semis but the journey ended on a disappointing note as they finished ninth. Janneke Schopman’s team then went to the Commonwealth Games and managed to meet expectations, winning the bronze medal.
Argentina declares national holiday for World Cup celebration Tuesday
Argentina’s national team will celebrate their World Cup triumph Tuesday in Buenos Aires at the Obelisk, the monument that is the traditional epicentre of sporting celebrations, the federation said Monday.
In addition, the Argentine government declared Tuesday would be a bank holiday so that the entire country “can express their deepest joy for the national team.”
No Baker Mayfield magic as Rams eliminated by Packers
GREEN BAY — Los Angeles Rams quarterback Baker Mayfield couldn’t replicate the comeback magic he conjured in his first game with the Rams as the defending champions were eliminated by a 24-12 loss to the Green Bay Packers.
Both teams entered the season with Super Bowl aspirations, but only one has any hope left, although the Packers’ hopes are slim.
The Packers’ running backs were decisive in the cold weather with AJ Dillon rushing for two touchdowns and Aaron Jones catching a TD pass.
How many batters have made three or more hundreds in their first six Test innings?
England’s new batting star Harry Brook is only the fifth player – and the first Englishman – to have scored three hundreds in his first six Test innings. Mohammad Azharuddin leads the way: he made three centuries in his first four innings (he’s the only man to score hundreds in his first three Tests). Azhar’s fourth hundred came in his 25th Test innings for India.
George Headley of West Indies, Arthur Morris of Australia and India’s Vinod Kambli all had three centuries after six innings. Sunil Gavaskar had two after six innings, but then made two hundreds in his next Test to have four in eight. Neil Harvey of Australia and the West Indian opener Conrad Hunte also scored three centuries in their first seven Test innings.
Bayern Munich send France’s Kingsley Coman support World Cup final abuse report
Bayern Munich sent a message of support to France forward Kingsley Coman after he and midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni were subjected to racist abuse following Sunday’s World Cup final loss to Argentina.
Argentina keeper Emiliano Martinez saved Coman’s effort from the spot and Tchouameni fired wide as Argentina captured their first world title since 1986, and third overall.
The BBC reported that Coman and Tchouameni were both targeted with online abuse following the loss in which France was seeking to retain their 2018 World Cup crown.
Coman’s club Bayern posted a message of support for the 26-year-old on Monday, condemning the racist comments made towards him.
USOPC seeks qualifiers to ensure transgender participation
The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee is encouraging individual sports to consider “category qualifiers” — classified in some sports as “open” categories — to ensure transgender athletes will have events to participate in once they reach puberty.
The USOPC finalized its so-called position paper at its board meeting earlier this month and released it Monday, addressing a proposed path for transgender participation in sports.
The federation said it wanted to follow the science in determining the conditions under which transgender athletes can compete once they reach puberty, which triggers significant differences in testosterone production between biologically born males and females. It acknowledged that the “sport landscape may leave currently competing athletes feeling uncertain regarding potential shifts in their eligibility status.”
ESPN analysts from Qatar 2022 name their teams of the tournament
This World Cup in Qatar had its share of highs and lows, both on and off the pitch, but the brilliance of some of the individual performances will be a lasting memory of the tournament. It’s easy to name-drop Lionel Messi and the other goal scorers of the tournament, but there were standout World Cups across the field and in the technical areas too.
After a month in Qatar covering the tournament, ESPN’s journalists have made their final selections for their Best XIs and best managers of the tournament.
Goalkeeper: Yassine Bounou (Morocco
Defenders: Achraf Hakimi (Morocco), Marquinhos (Brazil), Josko Gvardiol (Croatia), Theo Hernandez (France)
Midfielders: Sofyan Amrabat (Morocco), Enzo Fernandez (Argentina), Jude Bellingham (England)
Forwards: Lionel Messi (Argentina), Julian Alvarez (Argentina), Kylian Mbappe (France)
Manager: Lionel Scaloni (Argentina)
Olympic champ Marco Odermatt wins Alta Badia giant slalom
LA VILLA, Italy — There was no stopping Marco Odermatt this time.
A day after an uncharacteristic third-place finish on the same course, the Olympic champion won another giant slalom in Alta Badia on Monday for his 15th career World Cup victory.
Odermatt, the reigning overall World Cup champion and current leader, maintained his first-run advantage during a wild second run down the Gran Risa, making a series of recoveries after getting bounced off the racing line several times.
The Swiss skier finished 0.20 seconds ahead of Norwegian veteran Henrik Kristoffersen and 0.92 ahead of Olympic silver medalist Zan Kranjec.
“This was probably the biggest fight ever,” said Odermatt, who has now won three of the four giant slaloms this season. “I was so, so tired already at the start and then it didn’t get better.”
Sofia Goggia wins World Cup downhill with two broken fingers
ST. MORITZ, Switzerland — Italian skier Sofia Goggia gave a thumbs-up with her right hand after dominating the fourth women’s World Cup downhill of the season on Saturday.
She could barely move her left hand.
A day after breaking two fingers when she hit a gate on the same Corviglia course, Goggia won Saturday’s race in impressive style, leading runner-up Ilka Stuhec of Slovenia by 0.43 seconds.
After Friday’s accident, the two-time Olympic downhill medalist went to Milan to have surgery. The Italian ski team said a metal rod and screws were placed inside her hand to stabilize it and her hand wrapped in a cast.
Still, Goggia returned to the Swiss resort for the second downhill after finishing second Friday.
Mick Schumacher named Mercedes reserve after Ferrari, Haas split
F1
Mick Schumacher has joined Mercedes as reserve driver after Ferrari ended its four-year affiliation with him.
Schumacher, the son of seven-time world champion and Ferrari legend Michael, was looking for his next move in Formula One after being cut by Haas this year following two underwhelming seasons.
On Thursday, shortly after Ferrari confirmed it would be parting ways with the 23-year-old, Mercedes officially announced him as reserve driver for the 2023 season.
The new role will mean Schumacher will conduct simulator duties at Mercedes’ Brackley factory and attend races as a potential stand-in for Lewis Hamilton or George Russell should either be unable to compete at certain races, while he will also be available for Mercedes partner teams Williams and Aston Martin.
It also means Schumacher keeps one foot in the door for a future in F1. Former Mercedes reserve driver Nyck de Vries earned himself a full-time F1 drive with AlphaTauri in 2023 following his impressive performance for Williams at the Italian Grand Prix in September.
The moment that decided the winners of Pro Kabaddi League 9, India
Most finals, most clutch matches are decided by the tiniest of margins. There’s that one moment which flips the game around. For Puneri Paltan, it was an inadvertent loss of footing that Jaipur Pink Panthers seized on to win the Pro Kabaddi League 9 title on Saturday.
The man in question: Fazel Atrachali. PKL’s most successful captain, defender and overseas player. He errs rarely, very rarely. But in Saturday’s final, it made all the difference.
The scoreline read 27-22 in Jaipur Pink Panthers’ favour but the match still hung in the balance. The raider in play was Arjun Deshwal, PKL 9’s best raider.
Jared Cannonier pulls out UFC Fight Night win over Sean Strickland
LAS VEGAS — The UFC’s final fight of 2022 came down to the scorecards on Saturday, as former middleweight title challenger Jared Cannonier defeated Sean Strickland via split decision.
Cannonier (16-6) out-pointed Strickland (25-5) over the course of a five-round main event that took place almost exclusively on the feet. Judges Derek Clearly and Junichiro Kumijo each scored the bout 49-46 for Cannonier. The final judge, Sal D’Amato scored it a complete opposite 49-46 in favor of Strickland.
All five rounds were competitive, however Cannonier, 48, did appear to land the more significant offense. Strickland did well landing his straight jab and front kick throughout the fight, but Cannonier’s strikes were more versatile and carried more weight. He never came close to a finish, but he did hurt Strickland with strikes along the fence in the fourth round.
England announce Steve Borthwick as replacement for Eddie Jones
England have named Leicester Tigers’ Steve Borthwick as head coach to replace Eddie Jones, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) announced on Monday.
Borthwick will take over in time to lead England at the Six Nations, with his first game to be against Scotland on Feb 4.
England have just nine Tests remaining before they start their 2023 World Cup campaign in France.
“I’m deeply honoured to be appointed England head coach and I am very excited by the challenge,” Borthwick said.
Carlo Ancelotti committed to Real Madrid despite links to Brazil
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said he plans to stay at the Spanish club until his contract expires in June 2024 amid reports of a possible move to the Brazil national team after the departure of manager Tite following the Selecao’s loss to Croatia in the quarterfinals of the World Cup.
The Italian boss said he remains focused on his current role at Madrid as the team looks to defend their LaLiga, Spanish Super Cup and Champions League titles and prepare for the Club World Cup in February.
“I don’t know what the future holds for me, I live day-by-day,” Ancelotti told Italian Rai Radio 1 show. “At the moment, I’m happy in Madrid, we have a lot of objectives for this season.
“I have a contract until June 30, 2024, and, if Real Madrid don’t sack me before then, I’m not going to move.”
That’s all for now. Thank you for your attention.
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