Euro 2012 kicked off in Poland and Ukraine over the weekend, with England preparing to play France this evening.
Yesterday saw the Italy frustrate Spain in the most highly-anticipated match so far. Antonio Di Natale scored minutes after coming on as a substitute to give Italy and deserved lead but Cesc Fabregas – playing a the tip of a Spanish front line which contained no strikers – responded soon afterwards, latching onto Andres Iniesta’s through-ball to equalise.
The Republic of Ireland’s hopes of qualifying from a tough group were dealt a blow as they went down 3-1 to Croatia. Sean St. Ledger headed in an equaliser for the Irish after Mandzukic had opened the scoring in the third minute but Nikica Jelavic pounced on a sliced clearance to put Croatia ahead just before half-time.
Shay Given scored an unfortunate own goal in the second half as Mandzukic’s long-range strike went in off the back of his head after deflecting off the post.
In Group B, the Netherlands suffered a surprise 1-0 defeat to Denmark. Their distinguished set of forwards were unable to respond to Michael Krohn-Dehli’s goal. Also in Group B, Mario Gomez scored the game’s only goal as Germany beat Portugal 1-0.
Hosts Poland drew 1-1 with 2004 champions Greece and Russia beat the Czech Republic 4-1.
Tino Best set a record for the highest test score by a number 11 as England struggled on the fourth day of the third test against the West Indies at Edgbaston.
England are 221/5 in response to their opponents score of 426 all out as the rain-delayed match limps on to an inevitable draw.
In Rugby Union, all four European sides lost against their opponents from the southern hemisphere. South Africa beat England 22-17, dominating the second half after an even first period finished 6-6.
Australia responded to their surprise defeat to Scotland on Tuesday with a 27-19 win over Wales. Pat McCade’s try ensured the win for the home side after Leigh Halfpenny had kicked Wales to within one point of their opponents.
New Zealand were comfortable 42-10 winners over Ireland, with debutant Julian Savea scorin a hat-trick, and Argentina came from behind to beat Italy 37-22.
Lewis Hamilton became the seventh Grand Prix winner this season with a win in Canada. The race came to life in the final few laps as Hamilton passed Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel in the last eight laps.
Alonso’s one-stop strategy failed him as he slipped from first to fifth. The win sees Hamilton rise to the top of the drivers standings ahead of Alonso and Vettel.
The men’s final of the French Open was disrupted by rain, with Rafael Nadal leading Novak Djokovic two sets to one, with Djokovic leading the fourth set 2-1 with a break of serve.
In the women’s final Maria Sharapova beat Sara Errani 6-3 6-2 to lift her first French Open title, becoming the tenth woman to complete her collection of Major titles.
