Category: Sports

ISTANBUL: Tarik Biberovic's buzzer-beater clinched Trkiye's thrilling 76-75 victory over Iceland in Group B of the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers on Sunday. With the score at 75-74 in Iceland's favor, Biberovic bagged a three-pointer at the buzzer to help the Turkish team get their first win in the group at the Sinan Erdem Arena. Sertac Sanli was the highest scorer of the game, posting a double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds in front of 15,208 fans. Ercan Osmani produced 14 points and Biberovic netted 11 for Trkiye. For the losing side, Martin Hermannsson scored 15 points and Elvar Fridriksson helped his team with 14. Tryggvi Hlinason bagged a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. With this result, Trkiye secured their first win in their second game and Iceland suffered their first defeat in the group stage. Meanwhile, Hermannsson was disqualified after picking up five fouls. Source: Anadolu Agency

ISTANBUL: Liverpool claimed a narrow win over Chelsea thanks to an extra-time goal by Virgil van Dijk to lift their record-extending 10th English League Cup title. The game at Wembley Stadium went to extra time after neither team were able to produce a goal for the 90 minutes. Van Dijk scored the winning goal with a header in the 118th minute as the Dutch defender was powered in from a corner, courtesy of Konstantinos Tsimikas. An earlier head shot in minute 60 by van Dijk had also met the net, but it was disallowed in a subsequent VAR decision that ruled he had been offside. Having 10 English League Cup titles, Liverpool are ahead of Manchester City (8), Manchester United (6), and Chelsea (5). Meanwhile, the Blues' last taste of the English League Cup was in 2015 when they defeated Tottenham Hotspur 2-0. Source: Anadolu Agency

ISTANBUL: Tarik Biberovic's buzzer-beater clinched Trkiye's thrilling 76-75 victory over Iceland in Group B of the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers on Sunday. With the score at 75-74 in Iceland's favor, Biberovic bagged a three-pointer at the buzzer to help the Turkish team get their first win in the group at the Sinan Erdem Arena. Sertac Sanli was the highest scorer of the game, posting a double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds in front of 15,208 fans. Ercan Osmani produced 14 points and Biberovic netted 11 for Trkiye. For the losing side, Martin Hermannsson scored 15 points and Elvar Fridriksson helped his team with 14. Tryggvi Hlinason bagged a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. With this result, Trkiye secured their first win in their second game and Iceland suffered their first defeat in the group stage. Meanwhile, Hermannsson was disqualified after picking up five fouls. Source: Anadolu Agency ANKARA: The nominees for the 2024 Laureus World Sports Awards were announced on Monday, featuring prominent sports figures such as Lionel Messi, Novak Djokovic, Armand Duplantis, Aitana Bonmati, and Simone Biles. The 25th edition of the Laureus World Sports Awards is scheduled to take place in Madrid on April 22. Established by the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation in 1999, the annual award ceremony recognizes sports individuals and teams for their outstanding achievements throughout the year. Among the seven main award categories are World Sportsman of the Year, World Sportswoman of the Year, and World Team of the Year. Inter Miami's Argentine forward Lionel Messi, who was named the 2023 Sportsman of the Year, has been nominated once again for the same award in 2024. Renowned Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic, who clinched three Grand Slam titles in 2023, is set to compete against Messi and other nominees for the individual award in Madrid. Pole vault world record holder Armand "Mondo" Duplantis, tr iple gold medalist in 2023 World Athletics Championships Noah Lyles from US, Manchester City's Norwegian star Erling Haaland, and Dutch racer Max Verstappen, the defending world champion in Formula One are the other nominees in men's category. Former Borussia Dortmund forward Haaland helped Man City win the 2023 English Premier League and UEFA Champions League titles. Barcelona Femeni midfielder Bonmati, who helped 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, is among the World Sportswoman of the 2024 nominees. US gymnast Simone Biles will also be up for the World Comeback of 2024 award. Biles became the first female gymnast to win six all-around world titles at Antwerp 2023. She has four Olympic gold medals. The 26-year-old had a stellar return to the gymnastics in 2023 following a hiatus after the Tokyo Olympics held in 2021. Nominees for 2024 Laureus Awards Laureus World Sportsman of the Year nominees: Novak Djokovic (Tennis); Mondo Duplantis (Athletics); Erling Haaland (Football), Noah Lyles (Athletics), Lionel Messi (Football); Max Verstappen (Motor racing) Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year nominees: Aitana Bonmati (Football), Shericka Jackson (Athletics), Faith Kipyegon (Athletics), Sha'Carri Richardson (Athletics), Mikaela Shiffrin (Alpine skiing), Iga Swiatek (Tennis) Laureus World Team of the Year nominees: Europe Ryder Cup team (Golf), Germany men's basketball team, Manchester City (Football), Red Bull Racing Formula 1 team (Austria), South Africa Springboks (Rugby union), Spain women's football team Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year nominees: Jude Bellingham (Football), Linda Caicedo (Football); Coco Gauff (Tennis), Qin Haiyang (Swimming), Josh Kerr (Athletics), Salma Paralluelo (Football) Laureus World Comeback of the Year nominees: Simone Biles (Artistic gymnastics), Sebastien Haller (Football), Katarina Johnson-Thompson (Athletics), Siya Kolisi (Rugby union), Jamal Murray (Basketball), Marketa Vondrousova (Tennis) Laureus Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability no minees: Simone Barlaam (Para swimming), Danylo Chufarov (Para swimming), Diede de Groot (Wheelchair tennis), Luca Ekler (Para athletics), Nicole Murray (Para cycling), Markus Rehm (Para athletics) Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year nominees: Rayssa Leal (Skateboarding), Caroline Marks (Surfing), Kirsten Neuschafer (Sailing), Bethany Shriever (BMX racing), Filipe Toledo (Surfing), Arisa Trew (Skateboarding) Laureus Sport for Good Award nominees: Bola Pra Frente (Multi-sport / employability), Dancing Grounds (Dancing / social integration), Fundacion Rafa Nadal (Multi-sport / education), ISF Cambodia (Football / education), Justice Desk Africa (Multi-sport / human rights), Obiettivo Napoli (Multi-sport / inclusion). Source: Anadolu Agency

ANKARA: English Premier League side Everton announced Monday that the club's previous 10-point deduction ban was reduced to six after the conclusion of their appeal. "Everton can confirm an Appeal Board has concluded that the points deduction imposed by an independent Premier League Commission in November be reduced from 10 points to six points, with immediate effect," the statement read. The Toffees added that the club is "particularly pleased" with the decision to overturn the original Commission's finding that the Club failed to act in utmost good faith. Following the reduction, Everton's points tally increased to 25, extending the gap between them and the relegation zone to five points. Everton had received the 10-point deduction from the English Premier League in November 2023 for violating profit and sustainability rules. Founded in 1878, Everton, based in Liverpool, has won the English title nine times but has yet to secure it in the Premier League era, which began in 1992. Meanwhile, the Toffees are the archrivals of Liverpool. Source: Anadolu Agency

ANKARA: The Turkish Football Federation's (TFF) disciplinary body banned on Monday Galatasaray's Argentine star Mauro Icardi for a match for his inappropriate behavior during a game earlier in the month. The TFF in a statement said Icardi, 31, was banned from an official match for "his insult towards the fans of the opposing team" during a Turkish Super Lig competition between MKE Ankaragucu and Galatasaray on Feb. 18. He was also given a fine of 19,500 Turkish liras ($625). Galatasaray won that match 3-0 in Ankara, and Icardi was among the scorers. Icardi will miss Monday's Super Lig match against Bitexen Antalyaspor in Istanbul. The former Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain forward has scored 20 goals across all competitions this season for Galatasaray. Galatasaray are in a relentless Super Lig title race against archrivals Fenerbahce. Having a game in hand, Galatasaray have 69 points to be in the second spot of the league table. Fenerbahce have 70 points after they beat Kasimpasa 2-1 in a Saturday home match. Source: Anadolu Agency

ANKARA: Croatian veteran midfielder Luka Modric on Sunday scored a late winner against Sevilla as Real Madrid won the match 1-0, propelling them eight points clear at the top of the Spanish La Liga. At Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Real Madrid were without their top scorer Jude Bellingham, but Modric, 38, who has been a club regular since 2012, made a powerful strike outside the area in the 81st minute to give the Spanish leaders a narrow win. Having won the 2018 Ballon d'Or award, Modric came off the bench to rescue Real Madrid. He will be a free agent in June. Real Madrid boosted their points to 65 in 26 matches. Second-place Barcelona have 57 points following a 4-0 home win over Getafe on Saturday. Girona are a point behind Barcelona to be in the third position. They will play their game in hand against Rayo Vallecano on Monday evening. Man City win at Bournemouth to be hot on Liverpool's trail English star Phil Foden guided defending champions Manchester City to a 1-0 win over Bournemouth on Saturday. Thanks to the away victory, second-place Man City have 59 points in English Premier League standings to be hot on Liverpool's trail. Liverpool, the league leaders with 60 points, did not play a Premier League match on the weekend as they won the English League Cup, beating Chelsea 1-0 at London's Wembley Stadium on Sunday. Title contenders Arsenal hammered Newcastle United 4-1 at a home match on Saturday to keep chasing the top two clubs. Third-place Arsenal have 58 points to go six points clear of Aston Villa, who are fourth. Next weekend will see a derby as Manchester City will face archrivals Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on Sunday. Bayer Leverkusen continue title march in Germany Confident Bayer Leverkusen, who are in a dream season in Germany, beat Mainz 2-1 on Friday. Still undefeated, Leverkusen are getting closer to the local success at a rapid pace. Xabi Alonso's men have 61 points to be on top of the Bundesliga. English star Harry Kane scored double as Bayern Munich on Satur day beat RB Leipzig 2-1 in a home match to narrow the gap against Leverkusen. Defending champions Bayern Munich have 53 points to be second. They should rely on Leverkusen's mistakes to catch them up. After a 1-1 draw with Cologne on Saturday, Stuttgart are in third place with 47 points. Italian leaders Inter Milan dominate Lecce Inter Milan maintained their march at the top of the Italian Serie A after they hammered Lecce 4-0 on Sunday. Argentine captain Lautaro Martinez scored his 100th and 101st Serie A goals in this match. Martinez, 26, has been playing in Italy since 2018 after he left Argentina's Racing Club for Inter. Simone Inzaghi's Inter, who have a game in hand, increased their points to 66. Inter will next face Atalanta on Wednesday in Milan. Inter, who eye the 2024 Italian title, restored a nine-point lead against Juventus, which beat Frosinone 3-2 on Sunday. AC Milan have 53 points after a 1-1 draw with Atalanta on Sunday. PSG rescue 1 point with late penalty French Ligue 1 leaders Pa ris Saint-Germain (PSG) on Sunday salvaged a 1-1 draw against Rennes in Paris with a last-gasp penalty scored by Portuguese forward Goncalo Ramos. Visitors' Algerian winger Amine Gouiri scored a solo effort goal to give Rennes a 1-0 lead, but it was canceled out by Ramos in the 97th minute. PSG lead with 54 points. Second-place Brest are 11 points behind after beating Strasbourg 3-0 on Saturday. Monaco won at Lens 3-2 on Sunday to be third with 41 points. On Friday, PSG will visit Monaco. Source: Anadolu Agency

ANKARA: The NBA on Sunday suspended five players for their roles in the Miami Heat vs. New Orleans Pelicans altercation, including Miami star Jimmy Butler. Joe Dumars, NBA executive vice president, and head of Basketball Operations, said Heat forward Butler and New Orleans Pelicans forward Naji Marshall were each "suspended one game without pay for instigating and engaging in an on-court altercation" during the match on Feb. 23 that the Heat won 106-95 at Smoothie King Center, New Orleans. In addition, Heat center Thomas Bryant and Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado were "suspended three games without pay" for leaving their benches during the altercation and fight. Heat forward Nikola Jovic from Serbia was also suspended one game without pay for "leaving the bench area and entering an on-court altercation." Players were involved in a fight after Heat forward-center Kevin Love committed a hard foul on Pelicans' Zion Williamson, grabbing him to prevent a layup in the early minute of the fourth quarter. After the brawl, Heat's Butler and Bryant, and Pelicans duo Alvarado and Marshall were ejected by the referee. The Heat are seventh in the Eastern Conference, having 31 wins and 25 losses. The Boston Celtics are the East leaders with 45 wins in 57 games. The Pelicans are also in the seventh spot in the West as they are going 34-24. The Minnesota Timberwolves and Oklahoma City Thunder are the best two teams in the Western Conference as they won 40 games in 57 appearances each. Source: Anadolu Agency

The 3rd Mediterranean Beach Games "Heraklion 2023" concluded on Saturday evening with the Closing Ceremony at the Karteros Beach Sports Center.

The organisers of the Games decided to celebrate together with the teams from the 26 participating countries, the joy of life with the sounds, songs and dances from Crete.

The ceremony began with the handover of the flag of the Games, from the organisers of this year's "Heraklion 2023" games, to the organisers of the next Mediterranean Beach Games to be held in four years in the Portuguese cities of Lagos and Portimao. This was followed by the National Anthems of the two countries.

After the End of the Games was officially declared, the lowering of the flag and the Anthem of the Mediterranean Games took place.

The artistic programme which followed included traditional songs and dances from Crete. Sixty dancers and four musicians from Crete offered a traditional show to the spectators and the athletes.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Italy failed in their bid to be crowned European volleyball champions for the second consecutive time on Saturday, losing 3-0 (25-20; 25-21; 25-23) to Poland in the final Rome.

It was a sweet victory for the Poles, who avenged their defeat to the Azzurri in the final of the world championships last year.

"We're sorry. We wanted to put up more of a fight," said coach Fefé De Giorgi.

"But our path (to the final) was a good one.

"As always, we have to look at the road we are on.

"These lads still have room for improvement".

Source: Ansa News Agency (ANA)