Djokovic beats Nishikori in Rogers Cup final

World number one Novak Djokovic continued his dominance of Kei Nishikori with a 6-3 7-5 victory in the final of the Rogers Cup in Toronto on Sunday.

After clinching his 30th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title, Djokovic immediately started to turn his attention to something more elusive, an Olympic gold medal.

In his first tournament since an upset third round loss to American Sam Querrey on the grass of Wimbledon four weeks ago, Djokovic returned to his winning ways and became the first four-time winner of the Rogers Cup.

The 29-year-old Serb seized the opening set in just over 30 minutes, and then dug deep during a spirited back and forth in the final stages of the hardcourt match. Djokovic was bolstered by a strong service performance as he won 82 percent of his first serve points and recorded five aces.

"I worked on it (with my coach)," Djokovic, who struggled on serve earlier in the tournament, said in a courtside interview.

"I had to change something, I was not getting many of the free points (as I did today).

"It allowed me to be more aggressive. It was my best (serving) performance of the week.”

With the second set tied at 5-5 and the score at deuce, Djokovic won a pair of rallies to earn the decisive break.

Djokovic put extra loft on a forehead to create an unforced error from Nishikori on game point, before triumphantly pointing at his head to illustrate his savvy.

He served out to close the match.

Nishikori fought hard to stay in the final set but seemed to be bothered by his rackets as he made multiple trips to the side of the court to change.

The Japanese player recorded his fourth straight Memphis title in February for his 11th ATP Tour victory, but he cannot seem to solve the world’s top player and has now lost nine straight times to Djokovic.

“It was a shame to lose but this was my first time final here in Toronto,” Nishikori told the Canadian crowd. “So, it was a great week.”

Djokovic, a 12-time grand slam champion, will now turn his focus to the Rio Olympics, a tournament he has yet to conquer.

He earned a bronze medal in singles at Beijing in 2008 and fell just short of a medal at London in 2012.

“I don’t need to explain that every athlete dreams of being a part of the Olympic Games,” he said. “I’m competing in singles and doubles.

"Hopefully I’ll get at least one medal.”

Ibrahimovic scores stunning overhead goal as Manchester United win 5-2 over Galatasaray

Zlatan Ibrahimovic got his Manchester United career off to the perfect start by scoring a spectacular opening goal for the Red Devils in their 5-2 defeat of Galatasaray at the Ullevi Stadium in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Summer signing Ibrahimovic only started training with his team-mates for the first time last week but scored after just four minutes of an entertaining match in his homeland.
Wayne Rooney was twice on target, while Marouane Fellaini and Juan Mata also scored as Jose Mourinho’s side ran out comfortable winners.
The 105,826 who turned out to watch Chelsea lose narrowly to Real Madrid at Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, in the United States was a record turn-out for a match involving the Blues. Eden Hazardscored twice in the last 10 minutes but the European club champions held out for a 3-2 win.
Swansea City impressed as they hit four unanswered goals past Wolverhampton Wanderers, with the help of a Wayne Routledgedouble-strike, Adama Diomande scored twice as Hull City edged a 2-1 win at Nottingham Forest, while Andre Gray scored all of Burnley’s goals in their 3-1 win against Rangers at Ibrox.

AFC Bournemouth's new signing from Liverpool Jordon Ibe produced his second pre-season goal for his new club as the Cherries edged a 1-0 win against Cardiff City, Southampton won by the same scoreline against FC Groningen, with Charlie Austin on target, while Middlesbrough's new signings impressed against Aston Villa. Alvaro Negredo and Viktor Fischer joined Jordan Rhodes on the scoresheet in a 3-1 victory at Villa Park.

Everton's Dresden Cup participation ended in a penalty shoot-out defeat after a 1-1 draw in normal time with Real Betis, West Bromwich Albion were held to a goalless draw by Plymouth Argyle at Home Park,Sunderland drew 1-1 with Montpellier, where Fabio Borini was on target for David Moyes’ side. ElsewhereWatford lost 2-0 to Queens Park Rangers and Crystal Palace suffered a 3-1 defeat at Fulham - their first pre-season reverse - with Keshi Anderson on the scoresheet for the Eagles.

105,826 watch Real Madrid beat Chelsea in Michigan Stadium

A near-record crowd of 105,826 saw Real Madrid score three first-half goals and hang on for a 3-2 win against Chelsea in a friendly at Michigan Stadium on Saturday.

The attendance was less than 4,000 shy of the United States record attendance for a soccer match, set two years ago at the same stadium in Ann Arbor when 109,318 watched Real Madrid and Manchester United square off.

The crowd turned up even though Real Madrid were without stars Karim Benzema, out with a hip ailment, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, who both have been given time off after Euro 2016.

Brazilian left back Marcelo picked up the slack for Real Madrid with goals in the 19th and 26th minutes, and set up Mariano in the 37th minute to put the Spanish side ahead 3-0.

Chelsea substitute Eden Hazard scored in the 80th minute and stoppage time to make it close.

.The Strange Rites of the Ancient Olympic Games

This past April, a solemn ceremony was held in front of the ruined Temple of Hera in Olympia in southern Greece. Serious young men and women dressed in classical-style costumes danced and sang while a torch was lighted from the focused rays of the sun. The torch then began its long trek, first through Greece and thence to Switzerland, before crossing the Atlantic to Brazil, where a team of more than 12,000 relay runners carried it around the country to 83 cities and 500 towns before it reached Rio de Janeiro, its final destination.

In Rio next Friday evening, at the climax of a celebration in the Maracanã Stadium, to the resounding cheers of a packed audience and watched globally by perhaps four billion people, the torch flame will be used to light a massive caldron. And the 27th modern summer Olympic Games will begin.

The official website of the Games proclaims that the torch “emphasizes the link between the ancient and modern Games and underlines the profound connection between these two events.” But what were those ancient Games really like? And how profound is the connection?

The ancient Games were celebrated for over a millennium from the eighth century B.C. (before the Homeric poems were written down) to the fifth century A.D. (after Alaric’s sack of Rome). To survive for so long, they needed to adapt to suit changing realities, while at the same time offering a stable forum not just for competition among the participants but for exchange among the spectators.

The Games provided opportunities for the sale of food and merchandise, for artistic, literary and philosophical discussion, and for political summits among powerful leaders. Like their modern counterparts, they were a unifying force, bringing far-flung people together in one place at one time to celebrate a common ethos.

But like so much in antiquity, what at first seems reassuringly familiar proves on closer examination to be bewilderingly alien. Exploring the ancient Olympics can seem like falling down the rabbit hole or gazing into a curiously distorting mirror.

While today’s Games stress inclusivity, their ancient counterparts were rigidly exclusive. To compete in this celebration of not just Greek (and, later, Greco-Roman) identity but of proud god-fearing masculinity, you had to speak Greek, be free from the pollution of murder—and be male. Women couldn’t even be spectators. Only the priestess of Demeter could attend.

The chief reason for these restrictions is that the original Games were not really about sport at all. Rather, they were one part of a major male religious festival in honor of the great god Zeus. Indeed, Olympia, site of the Games, was named for Mount Olympus, where Zeus was considered to have had his throne.

Olympia was a rural sanctuary in a fertile valley between two rivers. No one quite agreed what made the site so sacred. Some said it was because Zeus defeated his father Cronus here and seized supreme power. Others maintained that, after cleansing the Augean stables and then defeating the local king in battle, the hero Heracles inaugurated the early Games in Zeus’ honor. Still others told how Pelops, Zeus’ grandson, established them, having won the hand of a local princess, Hippodameia, after sabotaging her father’s chariot to win a race, for which she was the prize. The father died as a result, and Pelops, haunted and remorseful, set up the early competitions in his honor.

Sporting Kansas City has agreed to sell Dom Dwyer to Olympiacos for €4.5 million

A Newspaper in Greece has posted an image of their front page on their website which rts from Greecefeatures a headline claiming Sporting Kansas City has agreed to sell Dom Dwyer to Olympiacos FC for €4.5 million, pending approval from the player.

Recently, reports came out saying the Greek champion had extended an offer of €2.7 million ($3 millon), but Peter Vermes and company were not interested at that price. If this report is to be believed, the club clearly called back with a much bigger offer.

However it should be noted that when you navigate to this newspaper's homepage, there is a differing report. There is a story claiming Olympiacos has made a €4.5 million bid for Gia Gonzalez, and no mention of Dwyer anywhere.

Dom is leading the team with ten goals after a brace last week against Seattle. He is only two goals off the league lead and perhaps looked the best he has looked all year this past Sunday. With SKC right in the thick of a packed Western Conference playoff race, this loss would be devastating. Several teams are within a few points of each other trying to claw their way into the playoffs. KC is in 4th place at the moment, but the margins are so thin in Major League Soccer. Without their starting striker, a team can miss a few big opportunities and find themselves below the red line very quickly.

This move would mean that with about a year left in the process, Dwyer would not be able to go through the proper steps to qualify him to play for the United States. Playing in a World Cup is obviously something he wants very much and he's expressed interest in making himself available for Jurgen Klinsmann. To make things more complicated, Dom and Sydney are expecting their first child soon. Sydney was just traded to KC and they are starting a life here.

But this is a business. Olympiacos play in the Champion's League. It is a lot of money. The reasons to go are obvious. If he wants to challenge himself, then good for him.

Sporting KC would still technically have time to pick up another a replacement before the window closes on August 3rd. You never know.. maybe Trader Pete already has something cooking.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Ajax held by PAOK, Shakhtar defeat Young Boys

Ajax drew at home with PAOK and Shakhtar Donetsk took control of their third qualifying round tie against Young Boys on a night when BATE Borisov, Dinamo Zagreb and Salzburg also won.

League route

Ajax 1-1 PAOK
Kasper Dolberg, 18, marked his Ajax debut with the equaliser just before the hour mark. The Denmark Under-19 winger exchanged passes with Jairo Riedewald before rifling a right-footed shot past Panagiotis Glykos from outside the penalty area. PAOK silenced the Amsterdam ArenA when Djalma Campos (27), running on to Léo Matos's pass, rounded Jasper Cillessen and tucked the ball away from an acute angle.

Rostov 2-2 Anderlecht
Rostov twice recovered from a goal down in their debut UEFA Champions League fixture. Saeid Ezatolahi (16), following up after Davy Roef had saved a Christian Noboa free-kick, and Dmitri Poloz's 60th-minute penalty restored parity after Anderlecht had got their nose in front courtesy of Sofiane Hanni (3) and Youri Tielemans respectively.

Sparta Praha 1-1 Steaua Bucureşti
Nicolae Stanciu's free-kick with 15 minutes to play secured Steaua a draw in the Czech capital. The Romania midfielder earned the set piece himself with a run that was halted by Martin Frýdek just outside the box. It cancelled out a header by Sparta forward Josef Šural (35), who directed Bořek Dočkal's corner inside Florin Niță's near post.

Shakhtar Donetsk 2-0 Young Boys
Bernard and Yevhen Seleznyov were on target for Pitmen in their first European match under Paulo Fonseca. Fred crafted the opener with a clever low pass that Bernard touched past keeper Yvon Mvogo and stroked into the empty net. YB's Milan Vilotić was sent off ten minutes into the second period. Shakhtar made use of their extra man, Seleznyov (75) finishing off a counterattack involving Taison and Taras Stepanenko.  

Champions route

Mikhail Gordeichuk's 70th-minute strike was BATE's only reward for a dominant performance. The substitute's effort was one of 23 attempts the group stage regulars had on the Dundalk goal. BATE centre-back Kaspars Dubra headed against the crossbar late on as Aleksandr Yermakovich's men sought to double their lead ahead of the second leg in Dublin

Dinamo Zagreb 2-0 Dinamo Tbilisi
Teenager Ante Ćorić scored one and set up another in a four-minute spell before half-time. First, the 19-year-old unlocked the Dinamo Tbilisi defence with a cute chip that El Arabi Hilal Soudani profited from with a straightforward finish. The midfielder then strengthened the Croatian club's hand, turning in a pass across the area by Junior Fernandes.  

Ludogorets 2-2 Crvena zvezda
Both teams let slip a lead in an entertaining encounter in Razgrad. Ludogorets landed the first blow when Cosmin Moţi set Jonathan Cafú clear and the forward made no mistake in a one-on-one situation. Aleksandar Katai levelled three minutes after the restart with a low shot into the far corner, Guélor Kanga (66) then putting Crvena zvezda ahead from long range. Claudiu Keșerü, released by Moţi's quick free-kick, had the final say.

Partizani 0-1 Salzburg
Salzburg captain Jonathan Soriano's spot kick settled a contest which ended with both sides down to ten men. Soriano converted with 20 minutes remaining after Partizani left-back Labinot Ibrahimi felled Valon Berisha. The visitors were a man light by then, midfielder Diadie Samassékou (54) having been dismissed for his second booking in quick succession. Soon after the goal, Partizani defender Renaldo Kalari (73) was shown a straight red card for a foul on Soriano.

Viktoria Plzeň 0-0 Qarabağ
Plzeň's Michael Krmenčik had the only effort on target of a tight game in the Czech Republic. The substitute's header was cleared off the line following a corner by Jan Kovařík. Qarabağ defended well but could not make count the numerical advantage they gained when Jan Baránek was sent off with a quarter of an hour left

Christian charity helps Rwanda sitting volleyball women chase Rio Olympic dream

A Christian disability charity has announced it is sponsoring the Rwandan women's sitting volleyball team to go to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

CBM's support means Rwanda will become the first African nation to send a women's team to any Paralympic Games.

It's enabled training for coaches and referees, weekly training sessions for the team itself, and the provision of training equipment and a specialist training camp before the games.

The team of 25, many of whom have never left the country before, will compete for the gold medal in Rio between the 7-18th of September 2016.

Rwandan sitting volleyball team captain Liliane, 26, was hit by a car aged 8 which left her permanently disabled.

She has 2 children and runs a clothes shop.Unlike volleyball, sitting volleyball requires all athletes to have their gluteus on the floor at all times.

Players in sitting volleyball are also allowed to block serves and come in contact with the opposition (as long as their movement is not obstructed), unlike in volleyball.

Speaking to Premier Christian Radio Laura Gore, from CBM, said: "By showing the abilities of these people with disabilities we're able to show other people what they can do.

"In the UK people might go along and there might be clubs available but actually there's very few opportunities [in Rwanda].

"Being able to support them we've been able to get the team over the last few years together to build their own confidence and show other people in Rwanda what amazing skills they have."

FIBA U18 Women's European Championship 2016 Division B...Greece with two wins in two days, hosts win dramatic opener

Greece are the only team with a 2-0 record after the first two days of play in Sarajevo, whilst hosts Bosnia and Herzegovina started their tournament with a late win over Finland.

Greece took control of the game against Ireland with a 17-9 third quarter, which led them to a 63-59 win, their second in Group C. Evgenia Kollatou and Elena Tsineke combined for 44 points for Greece, with the former also grabbing 10 rebounds for a double-double. Claire Melia had 25 points and 9 rebounds for Ireland, who are now at 1-1.

Also in Group C, Estonia defeated England 54-47, thanks to a 22-point, 11-rebound double-double by Sandra Tael. That was Estonia's first outing in Sarajevo, while England dropped to 0-2.

Bosnia and Herzegovina were on the court for the first time in Group A. Milina Miselic struggled from the field, missing all eight of her three-point attempts before the last minute. That did not stop her however from perservering, as she connected on a pair of game-winning triples in the final 40 seconds of the game, for a 68-66 win over Finland.

Miselic finished with 12 points and 7 rebounds, Melisa Brcaninovic had a monster performance with 24 points and 16 rebounds, and Nikolina Zubac also had a double-double with 10 points and 10 boards. Helmi Tulonen had 23 points and nine rebounds for Finland, who are now at 1-1.

Portugal have the same record, after they beat Romania 69-53 in Group A. Catarina Mateus hit four triples to finish with a game-high 25 points. Andrea Cretu had 16 for Romania on 10-of-11 shooting from the free-throw line.

In Group B, Belarus and Ukraine claimed wins. Nataliia Tsiubyk had 17 points, 5 rebounds and 3 steals to lead Ukraine to a 60-35 win over Denmark. Aryna Masko scored 17 for Belarus, but Maryia Vasileuka also deserved the game hero honours as she collected 14 points and 17 rebounds in a 72-60 win over Poland.

Belarus are now at 1-0, while Denmark, Ukraine and Poland all stand at 1-1. Albania are yet to win a game in Group B.

Rio 2016: Australia refuse to move into athletes Olympic village

Australia are refusing to move their athletes into the Rio Olympic Village because of concerns about the state of their accommodation.

Problems include "blocked toilets, leaking pipes and exposed wiring", according to team boss Kitty Chiller.

Chiller said she had raised concerns with local event organisers and the International Olympic Committee, and was "pushing hard for a solution".

Australian staff are in nearby hotels with the first athletes due on Monday.

Alternative accommodation for team members arriving over the next three days has been arranged.

The $1.5bn (£1.14bn) 31-building village has tennis courts, football pitches, seven swimming pools and will house 18,000 athletes and officials at the height of the Games, which start on 5 August, less than two weeks away.

Chiller, the head of Australia's Olympic delegation, said extra maintenance staff and more than 1,000 cleaners have been engaged to fix the problems but the faults, particularly the plumbing issues, have not been resolved.

She said in a statement on the Australian Olympic website: "Due to a variety of problems in the Village, including gas, electricity and plumbing, I have decided that no Australian team member will move into our allocated building.

"Problems include blocked toilets, leaking pipes, exposed wiring, darkened stairwells where no lighting has been installed and dirty floors in need of a massive clean."

Organisers have conceded there have been "teething troubles" and promised that crews would be "working 24 hours a day until the issues are resolved".

But Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes responded to Australian criticism by saying the Village is "more beautiful" than Sydney for the 2000 Games and that he was about to put "a kangaroo jumping outside" to "make them feel at home".

The New Zealand team boss Rob Waddell said he was "disappointed" the Village was not ready, adding "it hasn't been easy", but said with "a bit of hard work", their facilities were ready for the first athletes arrival.

"Our team has had to get stuck in to get the job done," said Waddell.

Italy's Carlo Mornati said his team were hiring labourers, electricians, plumbers and bricklayers to bring the apartments "up to normal conditions as soon as possible".

The British team have had staff in place for several days and a spokesman told Reuters: "We are confident that our accommodation is ready to receive athletes and will be to the highest standards within the village.

"Whilst we have encountered some maintenance difficulties this is not uncommon with new build structures of this type and we have been working hard to overcome them."

And the US Olympic Committee said there were "minor issues," but that it was no different to "every Games".

Turkey in no position to become EU member any time soon - Jean-Claude Juncker

Turkey is in no position to become a European Union member any time soon and all negotiations for it to join will stop immediately if it reintroduces the death penalty, EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said on Monday.

Turkish authorities have suspended, detained or placed under investigation more than 60,000 soldiers, police, judges, teachers, civil servants and others since a failed military coup.

"I believe that Turkey, in its current state, is not in a position to become a member any time soon and not even over a longer period," Juncker said on French television France 2.

He said that a country that included the death penalty in its legislative arsenal had no place in the European Union.

North Hobart stabbing: Community in shock over death of shopkeeper Voula Delios

                                    Voula Delios pictured in 2003 with her son Michael Delios.

FLORAL tributes have begun piling up outside the North Hobart supermarket where a 68-year-old woman was stabbed to death at the weekend.

Hardworking shopkeeper Voula Delios has been remembered by regulars at the A and B Food Store as a popular, friendly woman who always had a smile on her face.

The Greek community is struggling to come to terms with her death after she was stabbed multiple times to the upper body at her store on Saturday.

She was allegedly attacked about 12.20pm inside the store, which she owned and operated alongside her son. Ms Delios later passed away at the Royal Hobart Hospital.

The president of Hobart’s Greek community, George Giameos, said its members were in shock.

“The Greek community of Tasmania wishes to pass on its deepest sympathies and condolences to the Delios family on the sudden death and tragic passing of Voula, a well-respected and hardworking member of the Greek community,” he said.

“Our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time and we would like to offer our love, strength and support.”

Mr Giameos said he expected the community would hold a church service for Ms Delios later in the week.

A sign outside the store yesterday said Ms Delios had won awards for her baklava, honey and almond slice, rice cream and melomakarona.

North Hobart business owner and former restaurateur Marti Zucco said Ms Delios was always smiling and was a beautiful person who had “never harmed a fly”.

“She was an absolutely lovely lady. She was one of those – not reserved people – but friendly. She didn’t intrude,” he said.

“I think a lot of people are shocked.”

State Cinema owner John Kelly said Ms Delios’s business was a “North Hobart institution”.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family,” he said.

Tasmania Police remai­ned at the scene yesterday, with forensics still working on the site.

A section of Elizabeth St was closed to vehicles th­roughout the day.

A 34-year-old man appeared in an out-of-session magistrates court hearing yesterday charged with the murder and aggravated armed robbery.

Daryl Royston Wayne Cook, of Claremont, did not enter a plea and was remanded in custody to reappear at 10am today.

No application for bail was made