Japan strengthens virus measures for Olympic athletes
TOKYO – Athletes coming from countries where the delta variant of the coronavirus is prevalent will be required to take virus tests daily for seven days prior to their departure for the Tokyo Games, Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato announced at a press conference on Monday.
The move is aimed at strengthening measures against the highly contagious delta variant, first detected in India, ahead of the upcoming Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“The organizing committee of the Games will work together with the coronavirus countermeasures managers of each national team,” Kato said.
In addition, the government from July 1 will strengthen border control measures for people returning from countries where the beta variant, first detected in South Africa, and the gamma variant, first observed in Brazil, are prevalent.
People returning from countries where these variants are prevalent are currently required to wait at designated facilities for three days after entering Japan.
After the revision, the beta and gamma variants will be designated as “variants of particular concern” along with the delta variant, and returnees will be asked to wait for three to 10 days.
Spain into Euro 2020 quarterfinals after thrilling extra-time 5-3 over Croatia
Spain survive Croatias fight-back to reach Euro 2020 quarterfinals with a 5-3 extra-time win.after Croatia netted two goals in the closing period for a 3-3 draw in regular time , hitting another two in the extra time to secure the 5-3 victory
What a dramatic evening and what a thrilling game! Luis Enrique’s Spanish side held nerve after Croatia netted two goals in the closing period for a 3-3 draw in regular time, hitting another two in the extra time to secure the 5-3 victory and reach the European Championships quarterfinals on Monday.
Alvaro Morata slotted home in the 100th minute to put Spain in front again before Mikel Oyarzabal sealed the match 5-3 three minutes later.
“When you’re winning 3-1 with 10 minutes to go it’s something you need to learn from,” said Enrique.
“We don’t have that much international experience in the squad and perhaps those sorts of mistakes are inevitable.”
The 2018 World Cup runners-up fought back from 3-1 down in the 85th minute as goals from substitutes Mislav Orsic and Mario Pasalic temporarily saved the team and pulled the match into the extra time.
But the drama of the match has begun earlier, Spain’s goalkeeper Unai Simon committed a bizarre mistake early in the first half as he didn’t look at the ball when Pedri passed back from 40 yards out, only to see the ball find its way into the net to give Croatia the lead.
“Unai gave a lesson to kids everywhere,” Enrique said. “Football is made up of errors and his reaction – making great saves – was an example of why we have such confidence in him.”
It was the ninth own goal in this year’s Euro, which has equaled the tally of all the previous editions since 1960.
Pablo Sarabia leveled the score in the 38th minute, while Cesar Azpilicueta scored his first international goal to help the Spaniards move ahead before Ferran Torres made it 3-1 in the 76th minute.
But it was Morata – the man who has suffered a torrent of online abuse and even death threats after his poor performance in the group stage – that became the decisive player of the match.
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The Juventus forward controlled a cross with one deft touch and then sent a rising shot past goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic for his second goal of the tournament.
Having netted three times in Euro 2016, the 28-year-old has become Spain’s joint-highest scorer in the competition along with Fernando Torres.
“I don’t think there’s any coach in the world who wouldn’t admire a player like Morata,” said Enrique, who gave Morata strong support despite the critics.
“He dominates in the air, he scores goals, he is physically powerful. He is a striker we should really value.”
Spain will next face the winners between France and Switzerland, who have drawn 3-3 in regular time and are to play the extra time.
Switzerland knock world champions France out of Euro 2020 in penalty shoot-out
Kylian Mbappe missed Frances fifth and last spot kick as Switzerland won 5-4 on penalty shoot-out to knock out the world champions and reached the Euro 2020 quarterfinals.Sommer save seals Natis progress
Switzerland’s goalkeeper Yann Sommer denied French striker Kylian Mbappe’s spot kick to earn his side the victory. Switzerland will next play against Spain, which beat Croatia 5-3 after extra time, in St. Petersburg on Friday.
Both teams were perfect from the penalty spot until Mbappe stepped up to take the last of France’s five scheduled kicks, but Sommer dived to his right and got a strong hand to the striker’s effort, swatting it away to send the Swiss through.
Mario Gavranovic’s 90th-minute strike allowed Switzerland to take France to extra time at Euro 2020 as the last-16 tie in Bucharest ended 3-3 after 90 minutes.
Haris Seferovic gave the Swiss a half-time lead in the Romanian capital but Hugo Lloris saved a Ricardo Rodriguez penalty early in the second half before a Karim Benzema double turned the game on its head.
A stunning Paul Pogba strike then had the world champions 3-1 ahead but Seferovic scored again to reduce the deficit before substitute Gavranovic equalized.
It was the third game in the round of last 16 to go to extra time but the first to be decided by penalties.
Serena Williams confirms she will not play at Tokyo Olympics
Serena Williams confirms to skip the Tokyo Olympic Games without giving a reason. 23-time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams confirmed on Sunday that she will skip the upcoming Tokyo Olympics.
Four-time Olympic gold medallist Serena Williams has confirmed she will not play in this summer’s delayed Tokyo Games.
Speaking to reporters a day before the start of the 2021 Wimbledon Championships, Williams said: “I’m actually not on the Olympic list. Not that I’m aware of. If so, then I shouldn’t be on it.”
Williams did not reveal why she had decided to forgo the delayed Games.
“There’s a lot of reasons that I made my Olympic decision,” the 39-year-old American said. “I don’t feel like going into them today. Maybe another day. Sorry.”
She continued: “In the past it’s been a wonderful place for me, but I really haven’t thought about it, so I’m going to keep not thinking about it.”
The Olympics are scheduled to start on July 23.
Williams has won four Olympic gold medals over the course of her prestigious career, making her Games debut at Sydney in 2000.
Belgium overcome defending champions Portugal 1-0 into the Euro quarterfinals.
Thorgan Hazards first-half goal fired Belgium into the European Championships quarterfinals as the current world No. 1 team overcame defending champions Portugal 1-0 in a heavyweight clash here on Sunday.
The Dortmund attacking midfielder scored in the 42nd minute when he got the ball just outside the box and fired a superb shot into the bottom right.
“It was a nice goal and we beat the holders,” said the 28-year-old, who was named the best player of the match.
Roberto Martinez’s side will next face Italy, who are the only other team having won every game so far at the tournament, in Munich on Friday.
“Today was like a final…and Italy is also a complicated game,” Thorgan Hazard added.
But some injuries that happened in the match have cast some shadow on Belgium’s victory as playmaker Kevin De Bruyne limped off early in the second half because of an injury after being tackled from behind by Portuguese Joao Phlhinha. The Red Devils suffered another injury in the closing period as Real Madrid star Eden Hazard was replaced by Yannick Carrasco after straining the hamstring.
“Looking at that second half, we are lucky to win,” Belgium defender Thomas Vermaelen said. “Portugal made it really hard for us. We had to really stay focused. It has cost us a lot of energy, but we have some time to recover and now we are looking forward to the game against Italy.”
Fernando Santos’ team pushed hard in the second half as Ruben Dias’ header was punched away by Thibaut Courtois and Raphael Guerreiro’s attempt hit the post.
The titleholders enjoyed 56 percent ball possession and made 24 attempts, four times than their rivals, but lacked some efficiency and accuracy, also some luck to earn them a victory.
“I think it’s an unfair result but they scored and we didn’t,” said Santos. “We came back and thought we could turn it around. My players tried their best but the ball wouldn’t go in, that’s football.”
“We’re very disappointed, we thought we could win this tournament again after 2016. Some of my boys are crying in the changing room. All of Portugal should be proud of what they did today.”
Belgium, who are striving for their first major title, benefited from an extra 48 hours’ rest after easily winning Group B with three straight wins, while Portugal arrived in the knock-out stage with only one win from their group matches, 3-0 over Hungary in the opener. They then lost to Germany 4-2 and drew with France 2-2 to advance from the tough Group F as one of the best third-placed teams.
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Portugal’s superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, who certainly attracted most of the attention, failed to extend his scoring streak and stayed on 109 international goals to share the men’s record with former Iran’s striker Ali Daei.
The 36-year-old veteran has already broken some records after registered five goals from the three group matches – breaking the tie with Michel Platini to become the sole all-time best scorer of the tournament with 14 goals and surpassing Miroslav Klose in the record of most goals scored by a European player (21 goals) in major events (Euros and World Cups combined)
Tour de France official says woman who caused huge crash will be sued
A Tour de France official says the organization will sue a spectator who caused a pileup of cyclists by stepping into their path in the first stage of the race Saturday. The crash was the first of two as the famed bicycle race returned to its spot on the sports calendar following last years delay because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Awoman holding a large sign bearing the words “ALLEZ OPI-OMI!” (German terms of endearment for grandparents) clipped Germany’s Tony Martin, who lost his balance and set off a chain reaction that sent cyclists sprawling across the pavement as she stepped in front of the peloton to display the sign for TV cameras. Several spectators and cyclists were injured in the first crash.
“We are suing this woman who behaved so badly,” Pierre-Yves Thouault, the tour’s deputy director, told Agence France-Presse. “We are doing this so that the tiny minority of people who do this don’t spoil the show for everyone.”
However, the woman, who fled the scene, had not immediately been found, according to Ouest France (via France 24).
Julian Alaphilippe won the stage with blood dripping from a scraped knee. “I hope everyone is OK,” Alaphilippe said (via Reuters) after the 122.9-mile stage from Brest and to Landerneau, France. “I’m calling on the fans to be careful.”
Last year’s race was delayed until August because of the pandemic and took place with fans barred from starting and finish lines of each stage. “It’s nice to see the fans back on the side of the road, but please be careful,” he added.
A second massive pileup occurred near the end of the stage, with riders going full speed. All told, several dozen riders were involved in the crashes, making for “a bit of a crazy stage,” Chris Froome, the Tour’s four-time winner, told the Associated Press.
Geraint Thomas, a former winner, called the stage “stressful. I was just concentrating on staying on my bike basically. Happy to get through it.”
Euro 2020 serves up feast for Thai football fans with Belgium v Portugal, England v Germany
After two weeks of battle to escape their groups, 16 teams have fought their way through to the knockout stage of the Uefa European Football Championship. Highlights of the tournament’s sudden-death phase include matches between Belgium and Portugal and England versus Germany.
Belgium are ranked by Fifa as the world’s No 1 national team, while Portugal are the defending champions after winning the 2016 Euros.
Germany and Spain are the most successful teams in the tournament’s history, with three titles apiece. Spain will play Croatia for a place in the quarter-finals.
All matches can be watched live in Thailand on NBT2HD, Channel 3 and PPTV.
Schedule for Euro 2020 Round of 16 (Thai times):
June 26, 2021
Wales vs Denmark (11pm)
June 27, 2021
Italy vs Austria (2am)
Netherlands vs Czech Republic (11pm)
June 28, 2021
Belgium vs Portugal (2am)
Croatia vs Spain (11pm)
June 29, 2021
France vs Switzerland (2am)
England vs Germany (11pm)
June 30, 2021
Sweden vs Ukraine (2am)
Euro 2020 serves up feast for Thai football fans with Belgium v Portugal, England v Germany
England through to Euro 2020 last 16 as group winners to finish the group on top
England advanced to the last 16 at Euro 2020 as Group D winners after beating the Czech Republic 1-0 here on Tuesday. England managed to finish the group on top while the Czech Republic had to settle in third as Croatia took the second place after a 3-1 win over Scotland.
Both teams have qualified for the knock-out stage ahead of Tuesday’s clash, but England need a victory over the Czech Republic to go through as group D winners.
Aston Villa playmaker Jack Grealish and Arsenal teenager Bukayo Saka started for England and Manchester United defender Harry Maguire was back to the starting line-up after recovering from injury.
The Three Lions dominated the pitch since the start with Raheem Sterling hit the woodwork after two minutes.
Ten minutes later, Grealish shot a fine cross into the box with Sterling jumping behind Saka to head home from close range.
“I thought it was a much better performance, attacking-wise,” said the Manchester City striker Sterling after the match. “I thought we had more fluid movement and we created some problems as well. Most importantly, we scored the goal we needed and kept a clean sheet.”
Sterling also scored the only goal in England’s 1-0 win over Croatia in the first round on June 13.
The Czech Republic led the group after two matches with advantage of goal difference, but their center forward Patrik Schick who scored three times in the first two matches failed to show his power in front of England’s defense.
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The Czech Republic made a few threats through counter attacks and their best chance in the first half was Tomas Holes’ long shot from the middle but was palmed away by England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
The second half was comparatively dull. Both teams made several changes but no one could change the scoreline.
England managed to finish the group on top with two wins and one draw while the Czech Republic had to settle in third as Croatia took the second place after a 3-1 win over Scotland.
Netherlands win Group C with 3-0 win over North Macedonia in Euro 2020
The Netherlands have confirmed their top spot finish in Euro 2020 Group C after Georginio Wijnaldums brace paved the way for the win over courageous North Macedonia at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam on Monday.
Netherlands beat North Macedonia 3-0 at Euro 2020
North Macedonia started highly motivated into the encounter and thought they got rewarded in the 9th minute, but Ivan Trickovski’s goal was flagged offside.
The Dutchman haven’t clicked to gear whereas North Macedonia kept it going and rattled the woodwork with 22 minutes gone when Aleksandar Trajkovski unleashed a hammer from the edge of the box.
Despite a lot of action in front of the host’s goal, the opener was scored at the other end of the pitch as Memphis Depay finished off a counterattack via Donyell Malen in the 24th minute.
Denzel Dumfries should have doubled the advantage at the half hour mark, but the PSV Einhoven player wasn’t able to overcome onrushing North Macedonia goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski.
The Dutch needed no warmup time in the second half as Trickovski had to clear Matthijs de Ligt’s header off target. North Macedonia’s defense was hapless though moments later as Depay’s good build-up work allowed Wijnaldum to make the lead to two in the 51st minute.
The Netherlands gained momentum and to make things worse for Igor Angelovski’s side, they tripled their lead seven minutes later after Wijnaldum tapped home Depay’s rebound to wrap up his brace.
Three minutes later, Wijnaldum missed the chance to make it four, but the attacking midfielder pulled Depay’s square pass over the target at the hour mark.
North Macedonia remained dangerous and had another goal ruled offside in the closing stages when Darko Churlinov beat goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg.
“We defended here and there a bit sloppy and helped North Macedonia to get back into the game. In the second half we were a bit more aggressive, and they didn’t get any more chances,” The Netherlands head coach Frank de Boer said.
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With the win, the Netherlands finish atop the standings in Group C with nine points followed by Austria (6 points), Ukraine (3 points) and North Macedonia (0 points).
Japan polls show more public support for holding Olympic games
More evidence emerged that the Japanese publics opposition to next months Tokyo Olympics is losing steam, according to a series of media polls published roughly one month before the opening ceremony.
Asurvey by broadcaster Fuji Television carried out June 19 to 20 found 30.5% of respondents said the event should be canceled, compared with 56.6% the previous month. About 35.3% said the competition should be held without spectators, while 33.1% said a limited number of people should be admitted to the venues.
A sense of inevitability over the games has set in since Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga gained the support of U.S. President Joe Biden and other Group of Seven leaders earlier this month. He has been pushing ahead with planning for the global sports spectacle, already delayed by a year because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Teams have begun to arrive in Japan from overseas and the athletes’ village was unveiled over the weekend.
Unease over the health risks of an unprecedented pandemic Olympics nevertheless remains widespread, with only 7% of the population fully immunized, even though the inoculation drive is speeding up. Suga needs the event to go smoothly as he heads into a ruling party leadership election in September, and is due to hold a general election by the following month.
A separate poll by TV Asahi from the weekend found about two-thirds of respondents didn’t think the government’s pledge of a “safe and secure” games would be fulfilled. The Asahi survey showed 37% of respondents saying that the Olympics should be canceled, compared with 30% who said it should go ahead.
A third poll by Kyodo News carried out over the same period found 86.7% of respondents saying they were concerned about another surge in virus cases resulting from the Olympics.
Organizers and the local and national governments are set to reach a decision Monday on how many fans will be allowed to attend the events in person. A group of health experts led by the government’s top Covid-19 adviser, Shigeru Omi, said on Friday that it would be preferable to hold the Olympics without spectators to reduce the risk of spreading infections during what is usually a busy time of the year for travel.
Published : June 22, 2021
By : Syndication Washington Post, Bloomberg · Isabel Reynolds
Euro 2020 serves up feast for Thai football fans with Belgium v Portugal, England v Germany
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