15 Jun 2021

Today's sports news: What you need to know

11:53 am on 15 June 2021

Latest - Spain dominated their opening Euro 2020 Group E game against Sweden but could only come away with a 0-0 draw after Janne Andersson's side showed little ambition in going forward on a sweltering evening in Seville.

Alvaro Morata of Spain.

Alvaro Morata Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The Spaniards outclassed Sweden in possession and Alvaro Morata fired a great chance just wide, but it was the Swedes that came closest to scoring as Alexander Isak's shot was deflected onto a post by Marcos Llorente just before halftime.

Sweden take on Group E leaders Slovakia, who beat Poland 2-1 earlier on Monday, in St. Petersburg on June 18, while the Poles travel to Seville to meet Spain the following day.

Patrik Schick scored one of the most remarkable goals in European Championship history as the Czech Republic beat Scotland 2-0 to get their Euro 2020 campaign off to a flying start and deflate home hopes in Glasgow.

Schick, who had also netted an excellent header in the first half, doubled his tally after the break with a curling, looping effort from just inside the Scotland half, having spotted home keeper David Marshall far off his line.

At 49.7 yards, the Bayer Leverkusen forward's astonishing effort was officially the furthest recorded distance from which a goal has been scored at the European Championship.

-Reuters

Hooper returns to Phoenix

The English forward Gary Hooper is returning to the Wellington Phoenix.

Gary Hooper of the Phoenix 2020

Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Hooper played the 2019-20 A-League season before heading to India last season.

The 33 year old has signed a two year deal.

Hooper scored eight goals in his season with the Phoenix and helped the club in achieving its historic third-place finish.

Wellington Phoenix head coach Ufuk Talay says that the addition of Hooper gives added toughness to the squad and another dependable goal scorer.

"Hoops was great for us last time he was here, he's an imposing and influential player - and a solid option for us up front with his goal-scoring ability," says Talay.

"And last time he joined us after the season had started, so the prospect of having him here for both the pre-season and the next two full seasons is an exciting one.

Hooper will contend for a place up front with Ben Waine, David Ball, Reno Piscopo and possibly Tomer Hemed, although the Israeli is yet to recommit to the club.

The Phoenix lost captain Ulises Davila to Macarthur FC,

$2 million for WTC Final winner

The winners of the ICC World Test Championship Final between India and New Zealand will take home a purse of $ 2.2 million along with the ICC Test Championship Mace.

Black Caps celebrate the test series win in England, 2021.

Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The losing team will get $ 1.1 million for finishing second in the nine-team competition.

The Test Mace, previously given to teams topping the ICC Men's Test Team Rankings will now be given to the WTC winners.

In case the final ends in a draw or a tie, the finalists will split the prize money for the first and second places and share possession of the Mace during the time they remain champions.

The final is at the Rosebowl in Southampton starting on Friday night.

Tsitsipas pulls out of Halle

Stefanos Tsitsipas pulled out of the Wimbledon warm-up event in Halle, Germany, because of personal reasons after surrendering a two-set lead in his defeat against Novak Djokovic in yesterday's French Open final.

Greek tennis player Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Tsitsipas outplayed the Serbian world number one for the first two sets at Roland Garros, but his maiden Grand Slam final ended in defeat, ultimately losing 7-6(6) 6-2 3-6 2-6 4-6 in a gruelling contest over four hours and 11 minutes.

Greece's Tsitsipas accepted a wild card into the ATP 500 grasscourt event in Halle and was also scheduled to play doubles with his younger brother Petros.

Meanwhile Roger Federer made a winning return to the grass courts with a hard-fought 7-6(4) 7-5 victory over qualifier Ilya Ivashka at Halle.

The Swiss has not played a competitive match on grass since his Wimbledon final defeat by Novak Djokovic almost two years ago, but was quickly back in the routine.

Federer, who has played only three tournaments this year as he returns from knee surgery, withdrew from the French Open last week having reached the fourth round, stating that he wanted to prepare for Wimbledon.

He is bidding for an 11th title in Halle.

-Reuters

All FPC games to be televised

All of this seasons Farah Palmer Cup rugby matches will be broadcast live and streaming on Sky TV.

Canterbury celebrates winning  the Farah Palmer Cup Final vs Waikato, at Rugby Park, Christchurch, New Zealand, 31st October 2020.

Photo: Photosport Ltd 2020

"Today, we are excited to confirm all 44 matches of the Farah Palmer Cup will be broadcast and streamed live this 2021 season, starting on 16 July. This move echoes increasing interest in the women's game and also adds to our slate of fantastic women's sport as Sky strives to create equal opportunities for women," said Sophie Moloney, Sky CEO.

"While it may be the first time in the competition's history that every match of the FPC will be broadcast live, we've been working toward this for a few years now, for good reason.

"Our Sky Nation research tells us that more than 70% of Sky Sport customers are interested in women's sport, and we already have a huge offer of netball, basketball, athletics, league, cricket and surfing, to name a few. It is great to see research from WISPA (Women in Sport Aotearoa) that 53% of New Zealand adults now consider "gender equity in sport" to be an important social cause."

Each week one match of the FPC and men's NPC will be available free to air.

The Farah Palmer Cup starts on July 17th.

Robinson to return to second team action

England paceman Ollie Robinson, who decided to take a break from cricket after historical offensive Twitter posts he made came to light this month, will play for Sussex's second team in Twenty20 games against Hampshire.

Tim Southee celebrates after watching Kyle Jamieson catch Ollie Robinson in NZ-England Test.

Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Robinson said last week he would take a break to spend time with his family and missed Sussex's Vitality Blast games against Gloucestershire and Hampshire Hawks on Friday and Saturday, respectively.

He will return to action in the second team's behind-closed-doors T20 matches against Hampshire tonight.

The 27-year-old was suspended from international cricket pending an investigation after his Twitter posts resurfaced on his test debut against New Zealand at Lord's two weeks ago.

The England and Wales Cricket Board said it will review players' social media to address past issues and remind them of their responsibilities after Robinson's old sexist and racist tweets came to light.

-Reuters

McLaren to investigate boxing

Richard McLaren, who has led investigations into Russian doping and corruption in the International Weightlifting Federation, has been put in charge of an investigation into international boxing, the Canadian law professor said.

Richard McLaren, head of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)'s independent commission, during a press conference in London on doping abuse in Russian sport.

Richard McLaren, head of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)'s independent commission, during a press conference in London on doping abuse in Russian sport. Photo: AFP

The International Boxing Association has brought in McLaren Global Sport Solutions to investigate mismanagement and corruption as the cash strapped body looks to restore its Olympic status.

The association was suspended in 2019 by the International Olympic Committee and stripped of any involvement in the qualifiers and tournament for the Tokyo Games over a string of governance, finance and ethical issues.

The IOC has said the status of AIBA would be reviewed after the 2020 Tokyo Games, which were postponed to this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

-Reuters