Football fever: Germany it is!
With all eight group winners making it to the quarterfinals stage, a record in itself, the final chapters of the FIFA World Cup were written in July.
James Rodriguez, who eventually won the golden boot, added another goal to his tally through a penalty in the game against Brazil, but it wasn’t enough as the hosts knocked them out 2-1. While Germany continued their march with a 1-0 win over France, the Netherlands failed to score for the first time in the tournament in their game against Costa Rica, needing penalties and substitute goalkeeper Tim Krul’s heroics to progress. Argentina had Higuain to thank for their 1-0 victory over dark horse Belgium, but the match also signalled the end of Angel di Maria’s tournament.
While the build up to the first semi-final between Brazil and Germany revolved around the absence of key playmaker Neymar, who suffered a fractured vertebrae owing to Juan Zuniga’s tackle on him in the quarters, and captain and central defender Thiago Silva, who missed the game due to suspension, the match in itself made a mockery of the hosts. With gaping holes being made available in defence, the Germans converted their chances with ruthless efficiency. Following Thomas Mueller’s opener in the 11th minute, a period of play saw Germany score four goals in six minutes just before the half hour mark, effectively putting the game to bed. The match eventually finished 7-1 in Germany’s favour, much to the dismay of a football-mad country. The match also saw Miroslav Klose score his 16th World Cup finals goal, taking him past Ronaldo as World Cup’s record goalscorer.
The second semi-final between Argentina and the Netherlands finished goalless in stark contrast. With neither side allowing any penetration, the match was decided by penalties. Netherlands were in the receiving end this time around, as Argentina progressed to the finals 4-2 on penalties.
Ahead of the big final, the third place had to be decided. Despite Silva’s return, it was the Netherlands who had found their goal scoring touch again, dismissing the hosts 3-0, leaving Brazil to search for answers.
As for the final itself, it was agreed upon that the two best teams had made it through. Even though some key players were missing on both sides, the match had all the makings of a classic. While there were flashes of Lionel Messi’s brilliance, there was also symptoms of Germany working their way with machine-like efficiency. Both sides created chances, leaving the world to gasp on many occasions. With the match going into extra time and the thoughts of penalties looming large, substitute Mario Goetze picked up Andre Schurrle’s ball and put it past the goalkeeper in the 113th minute. Germany held on to beat Argentina 1-0, winning the World Cup for the first time after their reunification in 1990.
India at CWG: Grapplers, shooters live up to expectations!
After a not-so-memorable Commonwealth Games (CWG) hosted at home, India went to Glasgow with big expectations. With just two days more to go, the Indians have delivered in their territories of strength in the Games - shooting, wrestling and weightlifting. Of the 31 medals overall (10 G, 19 S, 12 B), three gold and five silver and one bronze have come from the grapplers. The shooters have an enviable share of four gold, nine silver and four bronze medals. In weightlifting India have three each in gold and silver and one bronze medal. Shooter Jitu Rai, who claimed the World No.1 ranking earlier in July, lived up to his expectations by clinching the gold in the 50m pistol event while Olympic medallist Abhinav Bindra bowed out of CWG on a high with a gold in the 10m air rifle event.
India are currently placed sixth in the overall tally, with England leading the table with 38 golds, Australia close on 35 and Canada on 22.
Meanwhile, the Australian 4x100 m relay women’s team broke the world record in the pool with a 3 min 30 seconds performance.
Tennis thrills: Kvitova, Djokovic repeat 2011 success
Amidst the bustle of the football World Cup this June-July, Wimbledon quietly managed to retain its charm and grab the attention of sports lovers. In two contrasting finals for the men’s and women’s singles titles, the champions of 2011 - Novak Djokovic and Petra Kvitova - claimed their second at the All England Lawn Tennis Club. Kvitova demolished a younger and inexperienced Eugenie Bouchard - in her maiden grand slam final - for her second title 6-3, 6-0. The men’s final, clearly one of the best finals in many years to come at Wimbledon, witnessed a see-saw of fortunes between Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic before the latter held together to grab his second title (6-7(7), 6-4, 7-6(4), 5-7, 6-4) and deny Roger Federer his eighth at Wimbledon. In the women’s doubles, the Italian pair of Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci completed a career slam while veteran Bryan brothers were surprised by the unseeded pair of Vasek Pospisil and Jack Sock in the finals who won their maiden title in another memorable match in the grass courts of Wimbledon.
Following Wimbledon, John Isner successfully defended his title at the Atlanta Open last week while Pablo Andujar captured his third ATP title at the Suisse Open in Gstaad. Close at home, India’s top singles player Ankita Raina tasted her first success at the WTA level by progressing till the pre-quarters stage in the International Women’s Open in Nanchang.
Connect with Cricket: Away is the new home
The touring sides had considerable success in the month of July. Following their series clinching win at Bridgetown in the Test series (2-1), New Zealand won the rain-curtailed first T20 game, while West Indies won the second to end the series 1-1. Afghanistan went two down in their ODI series in Zimbabwe, but won the next two to claw their way back and level the series.
South Africa enjoyed unusual success in Sri Lanka. They beat the hosts 2-1 in the ODI series to register their first ODI series win in the island nation. The Proteas then went on to win the first Test as well, seeking a series win that had proved elusive since 1993. They did eventually get it, but not before they blocked their way to a draw even as the Sri Lankan bowlers bowled their hearts out.
As for India, the first Test at Trent Bridge produced a tame draw. The second Test at Lord’s, however, finished in India’s favour, as the visitors registered their first win at the home of cricket after 28 years.
Off the field, Lou Vincent admitted to match-fixing and received lifetime ban for the same. Sri Lanka’s Sachithra Senanayake and New Zealand’s Kane Williamson were suspended from bowling owing to suspect actions.
On the fast lane…
F1: It’s getting closer between Hamilton and Rosberg
The leading drivers in the formula one season, Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, delighted fans by winning at their respective home grand prix in July. Hamilton did it first with a win at the British Grand Prix and in the process successfully narrowed the point margin between him and Rosberg. The latter, however, built on his lead by winning the German Grand prix. In the third race of the month, it was however Daniel Ricciardo who won, with Hamilton third and Rosberg following close fourth. As of now, there is a mere 11 points separating the Mercedes duo with Rosberg holding on to his lead with 202 points.
MotoGP: Marquez is way ahead of the group!
Marc Marquez is now just one win away from equalling Giacomo Agostini’s 1970 performance of winning the first ten races of the season. After capturing the pole in Germany, Marquez went on to win at the Sachsenring circuit where he has been successful in different formats of the competition. He won the 125cc format in 2010, the moto2 series in 2011 and 2012 and the MotoGP format last year. With his perfect 225 points coming out of nine races, he is well ahead of the pack in clinching the title again this year.
Athletics: Gay, Powell back on track
India’s junior discus thrower Navjeet Kaur Dhillon in July became only the second Indian to win a medal at the IAAF World Junior championships. Not only did she win a bronze medal but she also attained a personal best of 56.36m in the event.
In Lausanne and Lucerne, two sprint stars made a comeback to the sport after serving year-long doping bans. In the Lausanne leg of the Diamond League, Tyson Gay made a return to the 100 m with a second-place finish to compatriot Justin Gatlin. Gatlin, incidentally recorded the year’s best timing in 100 m in that race - 9.80 seconds. In the 200m in Monaco a fortnight later, Gatlin became the eighth- fastest runner of all time in the event with a 19.68 seconds finish. Asafa Powell, meanwhile, made a low-key return to the track with a third place finish at a meet in Lucerne.
Pedal power: Vincenzo wins Tour de France
The Tour de France is generally believed to be won in the mountains. The winner of the 101st edition, Vincenzo Nibali, however, believes that he won it in the cobblestones. On a rain-drenched day filled with crashes, including one that ended defending champion Chris Froome’s Tour, Nibali rode confidently to seize control. And once Alberto Contador crashed out in the 10th stage, there was no one to stop Nibali. Nibali won four stages of the Tour on his way and became only the sixth rider to win all three Grand Tours. Peter Sagan got the green jersey, Rafal Majka took the polka-dot and Thibaut Pinot finished with the white.
Tee off: McIlroy gets his third Major
By winning the British Open, Rory McIlroy became the first European golfer to win three of the four majors since the Masters was founded in 1934. The win also elevated him to an elite company, as he joins Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods as the only ones to have achieved this feat before the age of 25. Finishing with -17, McIlroy was two shots clear of Sergio Garcia and Rickie Fowler, and the victory moved him up to No. 2 in the world.
Basketball, Kabaddi: Making progress
India finished seventh in the FIBA Asia Cup in China, a significant milestone for our basketball team according to coach Scott Flemming. India qualified for the tournament by winning the South Asian Basketball Association Championship earlier in the year and came up with inspired performances against eventual winners Iran, Philippines and Jordan. The highlight however was the group stage victory over China, a team that is ranked 12th in the world.
July also signalled the start of the Pro Kabaddi league. An IPL-style kabaddi league with eight participating teams, the rules are tweaked a wee bit to make for what the tournament sponsors believe will be better viewing. Still early days in the tournament, but U Mumba lead at the moment having won three of the four games that they have played.
