Croatia striker Olic doubtful for Euro 2012

Croatia striker Olic doubtful for Euro 2012 Poznan: Croatia coach Slaven Bilic could be forced to reshuffle his attack ahead of their Euro 2012 opener against Republic of Ireland as striker Ivica Olic is in doubt for the tournament due to injury. The departing Bayern Munich forward sustained a thigh problem in the friendly draw against Norway at the weekend, and it remains to be seen whether the Wolfsburg-bound player will be match fit in time for...
02:49 PM, Jun 04, 2012

Ferdinand unhappy over Euros snub by Hodgson

Ferdinand unhappy over Euros snub by Hodgson London: Rio Ferdinand's representative says England coach Roy Hodgson has shown the defender a lack of respect by repeatedly ignoring him for the European Championship. After Gary Cahill was ruled out of Euro 2012 with a broken jaw, Hodgson selected Liverpool's Martin Kelly, who made his England debut in last week's win at Norway and has just 10 Premier League appearances for his club last term, while the experienced Ferdinand...
02:35 PM, Jun 04, 2012

Expectations from Spain are too high: Xabi Alonso

Expectations from Spain are too high: Xabi Alonso Madrid: Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso feels that his side face a tough task to win Euro 2012 due to the high expectations, but insisted that they are determined to successfully defend their title. The title-holders are seen as the favourites to win this summer's tournament, but the Real Madrid star believes it will be very difficult to go all the way. "The expectations aren't just high, but they are soaring....
02:11 PM, Jun 04, 2012

Denmark hold potential to upset big teams

Denmark hold potential to upset big teams Denmark are not novices when it comes to the Euros, and have some quality players in their ranks that leaves them in contention for the title. The Danes prefer a 4-3-3 formation and they play well with a lone striker in Nicklas Bendtner, supported by the talented midfielder Christian Eriksen. In 1992 Denmark clinched a shock victory over Germany to lift the European Championship, but after that they have only...
12:13 PM, Jun 04, 2012

Co-hosts Ukraine with little hope on Euro debut

Co-hosts Ukraine with little hope on Euro debut Most of the media attention Ukraine has received in the lead-up to Euro 2012 has focused on the country's status as tournament co-hosts. Fears over the behaviour of supporters, threats of racism and there are still question marks over the security in the country. With less than four days left, Ukraine - ranked 50th in the FIFA World Rankings - will be making their first appearance at the European Championship....
12:01 PM, Jun 04, 2012

Dominant Spain in quest for history at Euros

Dominant Spain in quest for history at Euros Four years ago, Spain made history at the Euros, finally ending 44 years of pain and misery as the perennial under-achievers of international football. Now they arrive at Euro 2012 as defending champions and World Cup winners, looking to become the first side to win three major international trophies in a row. It is no surprise that Spain are the favourites once again, with the core of the squad that...
11:49 AM, Jun 04, 2012

Iniesta inspires Spain win in final Euros warm-up

Iniesta inspires Spain win in final Euros warm-up Seville: Spain midfielders Andres Iniesta and David Silva combined to score a late goal in a 1-0 victory over a stubborn China on Sunday in the team's last warm-up before defending their European Championship title. Iniesta jumped on a loose ball inside China's half and scurried into the area before passing to Silva for the 84th-minute winner that gave the World Cup champions their 25th straight victory at home. A...
09:12 AM, Jun 04, 2012

Italy look to draw strength from history

Italy look to draw strength from history If there was ever a list of 'What Not To Do Before A Major Tournament', Italy seem to have covered most of it. Heading into Euro 2012, the team " already hit by injuries " has suffered a loss of form that has seen them lose three consecutive games for the first time since 1983, with another warm-up being cancelled due to an earthquake in northern Italy. This even as...
11:35 AM, Jun 03, 2012

Confident Croatia hope to upset the odds

Confident Croatia hope to upset the odds Their squad may lack in quality and depth as compared to their more formidable group opponents, but Croatia will certainly not be short of motivation at Euro 2012. The tournament will be the last for the coach Slaven Bilic, who has agreed to take over at Russian club Lokomotiv Moscow following the European Championship. With the popular Bilic having overseen one of the most successful periods for the national team...
11:34 AM, Jun 03, 2012

US will put more warships in Asia: Panetta

US will put more warships in Asia: Panetta Singapore: The United States will shift a majority of its warships to the Asia-Pacific region by 2020, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said on Saturday, giving the first details of a new US military strategy. Fleshing out details of a strategic shift to Asia announced in January, Panetta said the United States would maintain six aircraft carriers in the region over the long run and rebalance its fleet so that 60...
03:56 AM, Jun 03, 2012
World chess champion Anand gets hero's welcome

World chess champion Anand gets hero's welcome

After defending his world chess champion title, Viswanathan Anand on Saturday returned to Chennai from Moscow. ...
11:51 PM, Jun 02, 2012

Jubilant fans welcome Anand back home

Jubilant fans welcome Anand back home Chennai: World chess champion Viswanathan Anand on Saturday received a rousing welcome by his fans, who lined-up in good numbers to greet him, as the chess wizard returned home after winning his fifth world title. Anand defeated Israeli challenger Boris Gelfand in rapid tie-break in Moscow to defend his world championship title. The fans thronged the Chennai international airport to greet Anand. Parents of Anand and his wife Aruna were...
10:06 PM, Jun 02, 2012

Humpy leads at women's chess meet

Humpy leads at women's chess meet Batumi: Koneru Humpy of India and Stefanova Antoaneta from Bulgaria kept their unbeaten record intact after day two and six rounds of play at the 2012 women's World Chess Rapid and Blitz Championships. Both Grandmasters (GM) of FIDE merits, scored four wins against two draws for five points from two days of competition on Friday. The Indian GM was slightly ahead, thanks to detailed calculations. Russia's Alexandra Kosteniuk, another GM,...
01:35 PM, Jun 02, 2012

Indian wins Copenhagen sand sculpture contest

Indian wins Copenhagen sand sculpture contest London: Odisha-based sand artist Sudarshan Pattnaik beat stiff competition from nine participants to win an international sand sculpture championship in Denmark on Friday, making India proud at the first such event in Copenhagen. Pattnaik's 2.5 metres high sand sculpture of a mermaid pleading for human effort to save the oceans was declared the winner of the championship. The Puri-based sand artist, known for his sculptures that send out strong topical...
08:57 AM, Jun 01, 2012

Advani targets Gadkari, says BJP mood not upbeat

Advani targets Gadkari, says BJP mood not upbeat New Delhi: As the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) takes on the government on a host of issues, the party is fighting an open battle at the top. Senior leader L K Advani on Thursday posted a blog expressing his discontent with party president Nitin Gadkarai. Advani even blamed Gadkari of undermining the campaign against corruption. But what sparked his criticism of the BJP president and praise for Sushma Swaraj and...
09:22 PM, May 31, 2012
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