In World Cup action four teams have progressed to the quarter-finals, with four more round of 16 matches scheduled to take place over the next couple of days. Two of those have been decided via penalty shoot-outs, with both Brazil and Costa Rica holding their nerves from 12 yards better than their respective opponents, Chile and Greece. That’s not to say that both didn’t have their goalkeepers to thank, with Julio Caesar and Keylor Navas both pulling off crucial saves in the penalty shoot-out. Costa Rican captain Navas’s save was particularly excellent. Colombia progressed with a relatively comfortably 2-0 victory over Uruguay. Once again it was James Rodriguez who was the star of the show, with an outstanding opener. He now leads the Golden Boot chase and must surely be one of the favourites for the golden ball. The Netherlands have also progressed after some late drama against Mexico. They weren’t at their best but after Wesley Sneijder scored a late equaliser they found an even later winner, from the penalty spot. Mexican players and officials were incensed at the award of the late spot-kick, with Arjen Robben falling theatrically under pressure. And it wasn’t the first time that Robben had done so. The fact he later admitted to going to ground far too easily in the first half will have done nothing to placate the Mexicans. It would be great to see FIFA take retrospective action against Robben given that he himself has come out and admitted he dived. Sadly it is unlikely to happen.
A number of new names will be wearing their national jersey in the upcoming Tour de France, including some of the peloton’s biggest names, after winning their respective national championships. Vincenso Nibali won the Italian national road race, coming in ahead of Davide Formolo. Formolo is a young rider with heaps of potential and is certainly one to watch over the next couple of years. Peter Kennaugh, somewhat surprisingly, defeated Ben Swift in a two man sprint as Team Sky dominated the British road race. Arnaud Demare sprinted to victory in the French national Championships, leading home teammate Nacer Bouhanni. The two can expect to be racing one another a lot more next year, with Bouhanni almost certain to leave FDJ at the end of the current season. Andre Greipel was another sprinter who enjoyed success, as he beat John Degenkolb in Germany. Sebastian Langeveld will wear the Dutch national jersey after he soloed away to win, with a particularly gracious Nikki Terpstra leading the rest home. But arguably the most impressive winner was Svein Tuft, who won the Canadian road race with a solo breakaway of more than 100km.
In the Super 15 Rugby the race for the finals got even tighter as the Brumbies, now sixth on the table (remembering that six teams makes the finals), lost heavily to the Waratah’s in Sydney. The Highlanders and the Hurricanes scored important and hard fought wins as they moved into fourth and fifth on the table respectively. The Western Force let a massive opportunity slip when they were well beaten by the Blues in Perth. The Force has never made the finals before and the weekends loss represents a huge wasted opportunity. With two rounds to go, the Hurricanes and Brumbies will be looking over their shoulders as they each have a bye. The Brumbies final game of the season against the Force shapes as season defining for both. While the Chiefs, currently in ninth, could still force their way into the top 6 with wins over the Hurricanes and Blues.
The Wimbledon tennis championship has progressed to the second week, with the obligatory rain delay meaning that players will face a condensed schedule. The gentlemen’s draw has seen very few upsets, with the highest seed missing from week two being Tomas Berdych, who was defeated by Marin Cilic. Novak Djokovic faces a tough round of 16 match against Jo-Wilfred Tsonga, and young Australian wildcard Nick Kyrgios faces Rafael Nadal. On the ladie’s side things have been a bit more interesting. World number 1 Serena Williams lost in the third round to Alize Cornet, while other high profile names already bundled out include Li Na, Victoria Azarenka, Dominika Cibulkova and Flavia Pennetta. Watch for Simona Halep who has carried her impressive French Open form on to the grass and may well be ready to go one better and claim her first grand slam crown.
To cricket and at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, New Zealand and the West Indies both remain in with a chance of victory with one day to play in the third and final test of their three match series. When rain bought play to an early halt on day four New Zealand had a lead of 307 with three second innings wickets in hand. The highlight of the match so far has been an unbeaten 161 from Kane Williamson, his highest test score. New Zealand will be looking for quick runs on the final morning to give themselves enough time to bowl out the West Indies. For the West Indies, they need three quick wickets to allow themselves enough time to chase down the required target. It should be a great last day’s play.
Sportussion 