■BASKETBALL
Gun-toting West arrested
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Delonte West was arrested after police pulled him over for speeding on a motorcycle while carrying two handguns and a shotgun in a guitar case in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Prince George’s County police spokeswoman Sergeant Michelle Reedy said on Friday West was arrested late on Thursday. Reedy said West was riding a motorcycle north on the Capital Beltway in Upper Marlboro when he cut off an officer, who pulled him over. Police said a handgun was found in his pocket, another in his pant leg and a shotgun in a guitar case strapped to his back. The 26-year-old West was charged with speeding and weapons counts. Reedy said West was released on his own recognizance early on Friday. Cavaliers general manager Danny Ferry said the team was aware of the situation. “We have been in communication with Delonte and his family,” Ferry said in a statement. “We are gathering more information and will not have further comment until the appropriate time.”
■BOXING
Rigondeaux floors Andrade
Two-time Olympic gold medalist Guillermo Rigondeaux stopped Brazil’s Giovanni Andrade in three rounds in Miami Beach, Florida, on Friday night. Rigondeaux (3-0, 3 KOs), who defected from Cuba earlier this year, was the superior fighter in the scheduled 10-round super bantamweight bout, frustrating Andrade (52-12) with repeated rights and lefts to the head. A solid Rigondeaux left to the body ended the fight late in the third round. Andrade fell to the canvas and although he reached his feet before the 10-count, he told referee Sam Burgos he couldn’t continue fighting. Burgos stopped the fight at 2:53 of the round. The 28-year-old Rigondeaux, who won gold at the 2000 and 2004 Olympics, weighed 55kg. Andrade weighed 56kg.
■CYCLING
Valverde retains Vuelta lead
Spain’s Juan Jose Cobo of the Fuji team won the 179.8km 19th stage of the Tour of Spain between Avila and La Granja on Friday, with Alejandro Valverde consolidating his overall lead after finishing second. Caisse d’Epargne rider Valverde did well to resist a series of attacks from his closest rivals, notably compatriot Samuel Sanchez (Euskatel), during the last stage in the mountains. Dutchman Robert Gesink of Rabobank was the biggest loser on the day. Starting the day in second place overall, 32 seconds behind Valverde, Gesink was hindered by the after-effects of a fall on Wednesday and finished over four minutes off Cobo’s pace. Valverde now has a comfortable 1 minute, 26 seconds lead over Sanchez, the new second-placed rider, going into yesterday’s 27.8km individual time-trial in Toledo.
■ICE HOCKEY
Leafs snag Olympian Kessel
The Boston Bruins dealt American Phil Kessel to the Toronto Maple Leafs for three top draft picks on Friday, the National Hockey League clubs said. Canadian media reported that the 21-year-old Kessel signed a five-year, US$27 million deal with the Leafs. Boston will receive Toronto’s first-round pick in both next year and 2011 in addition to its second-round pick in next year. Kessel and Boston could not reach an agreement on a contract. In 70 games, Kessel recorded a team-high 36 goals and 24 assists with the Bruins last season. Kessel is one of the best US-born players in the NHL and a member of the US Olympic team.
■SOCCER
Messi signs new contract
Argentine star Lionel Messi on Friday signed a new two-year deal with Spanish and European champions Barcelona that will keep him at the club until 2016, the team announced on its official Web site. A buy-out clause for Messi, 22, has also risen from 150 million euros (US$221 million) to an even more staggering 250 million euros. “I’d like to finish my career here at Barcelona,” Messi told the club’s Web site. “I feel like I am playing with a formidable squad, with a strong, unified team.” Although the club did not reveal details of Messi’s salary, Spanish press have reported that he is currently paid between 7 million euros and 8 million euros a year. Sports daily Marca claimed recently that Messi’s annual wages will rocket to around 10 million euros to 12.5 million euros a year under the new contract agreement. Messi, who has been at Barcelona since he was 13, is one of the world’s most sought-after players. Last year, he helped Barcelona to a treble trophy haul and scored in the Champions League final win over Manchester United.
■SOCCER
Ronaldo to make comeback
Ronaldo is expected to play for Corinthians today in the Brazilian league after missing almost two months with a broken left hand. Ronaldo, in the midst of another comeback from a knee operation, was Corinthians’ leading scorer with six goals in five matches before he was injured. Team doctor Paulo da Faria said on Friday that Ronaldo was cleared to play. He was expected to wear some minor protection on his hand against Goias. Ronaldo is the leading goalscorer in World Cup history and has played in the last four, but he has not played with the national team since they were knocked out of the 2006 World Cup by France in the quarter-finals. Brazil have already qualified for next year’s tournament in South Africa and coach Dunga is likely to come under increasing pressure to call up one of Brazil’s greatest players.
■RUGBY UNION
Bath clinch first victory
Australian center Matt Carraro scored two tries as Bath beat Sale 25-12 on Friday to clinch their first English Premiership win of the season and their first victory at Edgeley Park in six years. After defeats to Gloucester and Wasps, Bath were bottom of the table, but a brace from Carraro and one try from Matt Banahan gave them a much-needed triumph. Bath coach Steve Meehan said: “There has been a cloud over the club at various times, but, as a squad, we certainly haven’t felt that it has been a weight and we’ve tried to move on. I think we have been building toward this result. The guys really applied themselves tonight and I don’t think you could fault anybody in terms of commitment.”
■RUGBY LEAGUE
Leeds see off Hull KR
Defending champions Leeds ran in eight tries to see off Hull KR 44-8 on Friday to move into the Super League semi-finals and just 80 minutes away from a third successive Grand Final. Leeds were only 10-8 ahead at the break, before scoring 34 unanswered points as injury-hit Hull KR wilted. Lee Smith and Ali Lauitiiti both scored two tries, with Keith Senior, Ryan Hall, Brent Webb and Jamie Peacock also crossing for Leeds. Daniel Fitzhenry grabbed Hull KR’s only try of the game. In a revolutionary new play-off system, Leeds will get the chance to choose their semi-final opponents, while Hull KR will have another chance to make progress with a preliminary semi-final.
Inter on Sunday were given a letoff when they snatched a late 1-1 derby draw with AC Milan, while league leaders SSC Napoli were held by a late goal at AS Roma. Reigning champions Inter remain three points behind Napoli, who looked to be heading five clear as they led in Rome until Angelino volleyed in a stunning leveler in the first minute of stoppage-time. Angelino’s strike gave even more significance to Stefan de Vrij’s last-gasp equalizer at the San Siro. The defender forced home Nicola Zalewski’s knockdown just as it looked like Tijjani Reijnders’ opener would be enough for Milan. “I can
The Washington Capitals and Winnipeg Jets on Saturday did not disappoint in a thrilling midseason matchup in front of a fired-up sellout crowd of more than 18,500 fans. The top two teams in the NHL delivered with a combined nine goals, including the 877th of Alex Ovechkin’s career to put him 18 back of breaking Wayne Gretzky’s record. That tied the score, the Jets pulled it out in overtime and just about everyone involved got their money’s worth out of the 5-4 game. “We knew how we were both sitting in the standings and both having real good years,” Winnipeg coach Scott
BACK-TO-BACK: The League One club, which is owned by stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, is sparing no expense to clinch promotion to the Championship Hollywood endings are pricey, even in England’s third division. In pursuit of their third straight promotion, Wrexham AFC splashed some cash at League One rival Reading to secure the services of striker Sam Smith. The Welsh club owned by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney confirmed the signing of the 26-year-old Smith on Friday. He is one of the top scorers in the third division. The transfer fee was not disclosed, but British media widely reported it to be about ￡2 million (US$2.48 million) — not extravagant, but a hefty price at this level and it would be about the same figure that
Santiago Castro on Tuesday had an immediate impact off the bench as he scored the goal to send Bologna into the Coppa Italia semi-finals for the first time in 26 years. Bologna won 1-0 against last year’s runners-up, Atalanta BC, and are to play either holders Juventus or Empoli in the final four. Juventus are to host Empoli in their quarter-final on Feb. 26. The last time Bologna reached the semi-finals was in 1999, when they lost 4-2 to ACF Fiorentina. There were chances for both sides in a high-tempo match in Bergamo, but it was Bologna who broke the deadlock 10 minutes from
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