Tiger Woods expects some nervous excitement when he steps on the first tee for the trophy-holders United States against Europe in the Ryder Cup before 7,000 screaming spectators at Le Golf National. Tiger Woods arrives in France after his first victory in over five years at the Tour Championship in Atlanta AFP/FRANCK FIFE The 14-time major champion snapped a five-year win drought last weekend to cap a successful comeback season from spinal fusion surgery and will be the star attraction when the biennial team showdown tees off on Friday morning. "It's going to be fun. It's going to be an awesome environment," Woods said. "There's a lot of nerves. It's excitement. It's something we don't get to experience in that regard because basically it's the final round of a tournament on the very first hole and every match you tee it up. "It's a different atmosphere and one that we absolutely love." The huge grandstand will create a crucible for Woods and his American teammates to start … [Read more...] about Tiger ready for first tee tension and big crowds at Ryder Cup
1999 world cup final
‘Day to remember’ as record-setting Rafa returns in style
Rafael Nadal described his return to action as "a day to remember" after the 16-time Grand Slam winner pulled Spain level in their Davis Cup quarter-final against Germany. Rafael Nadal celebrates his 6-2 6-2 6-3 win Nadal, playing his first match since limping out of the Australian Open in January with a hip injury, beat Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 in just over two and half hours in Valencia, stretching his winning streak in the Davis Cup to a record 23 matches in singles and doubles. The victory for the world number one in the Plaza de Toros bullring levelled the tie after world number four Alexander Zverev beat 33rd-ranked David Ferrer 6-4, 6-2, 6-2. "Of course, it's a positive thing to win in straight sets," said 31-year-old Nadal, who has not lost a singles match in the Davis Cup since his 2004 debut and in doubles since 2005. "I played a solid match. I feel good when I return to the clay courts." Nadal, building up to an assault on what he hopes will be an 11th … [Read more...] about ‘Day to remember’ as record-setting Rafa returns in style
Collina steps down as UEFA’s refereeing boss
Collina steps down as UEFA's refereeing bossThe Saigon Times Daily FIFA Chairman of Referees Committee Pierluigi Collina gestures during a news conference in Moscow, Russia June 12, 2018 - PHOTO: REUTERS ZURICH (REUTERS) - Former World Cup final referee Pierluigi Collina has stepped down as UEFA’s refereeing boss after eight years for personal reasons, European soccer’s governing body said on Wednesday. The shaven-headed Italian is also head of FIFA’s refereeing committee, where he has been a firm supporter of the video assistant referee (VAR) system which was used at the World Cup for the first time this year. UEFA, on the other hand, has decided not to use VAR during this season’s Champions League, with its president Aleksander Ceferin saying the new technology still needs more time to be developed. There was no suggestion, however, that UEFA’s refusal to use VAR was behind Collina’s decision to step down from his role. “Pierluigi … [Read more...] about Collina steps down as UEFA’s refereeing boss
Panama World Cup coach Gomez quits
Hernan Dario Gomez said on Tuesday (Jul 17) that he was quitting as coach of Panama after leading the nation to their first World Cup finals. After leading Panama through their first World Cup, coach Hernan Dario Gomez quit. (AFP/Filippo MONTEFORTE) "Now, for me, it is the time for the difficult act of moving my feet from the place where I have put my heart," wrote the Colombian coach, who is known as Bolillo, in a letter published by the Panamanian football federation. Panamanian media reported that Gomez was taking over Ecuador, which finished eighth in the 10-team World Cup qualifying group and failed to reach Russia. Gomez coached Ecuador from 1999 to 2004 and led them to the 2002 World Cup, four years after guiding his native Colombia to the finals. Gomez took charge of Panama in 2014 and led them to the third qualifying place in the final regional group, thanks to an 88th minute goal in their last game, which allowed them to edge Honduras on goal difference and the … [Read more...] about Panama World Cup coach Gomez quits
Nadal to face Zverev with Spain fate in his hands
Nadal to face Zverev with Spain fate in his hands Tim Puetz and Jan-Lennard Struff stunned Marc Lopez and Feliciano Lopez 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 6-7 (4/7), 7-5 as Spain were left to rue converting just two of 20 break points in a four-hour 40-minute encounter at the Plaza de Toros bullring. Nadal, 31, who marked his comeback on Friday after more than two months on the sidelines with a hip injury by seeing off Philipp Kohlscreiber in his opening singles match, now has to repeat his magic against Zverev, 11 years his junior. Nadal is on a record run of 23 successive wins in the Davis Cup, having not lost since 2005. Five-time champions Spain, meanwhile, have won 26 straight home ties, with their last defeat on Spanish soil against Brazil in 1999. "I have complete faith in all my players, they're all formidable," said Spain captain Sergi Bruguera. Despite the pressure, Nadal can look ahead to his meeting against Zverev with confidence as he boasts a 3-0 record over the beanpole German … [Read more...] about Nadal to face Zverev with Spain fate in his hands