Charles Sale: Portsmouth could face extinction after court date

Posted on December 8, 2012 by adminsports

Portsmouth's court date with destiny could end in extinction

UPDATED:

23:16 GMT, 7 December 2012

The most important date in the history of Portsmouth Football Club will be taking place in London's High Court on Thursday.

The future of the club could now depend on a Chancery Division judge agreeing with the Pompey Supporters' Trust – the preferred bidder – over their estimation of a fair market value for their Fratton Park ground.

Otherwise, administrator Trevor Birch believes he will have no other option than to liquidate Portsmouth, FA Cup winners four years ago, before the end of the season.

Court date with destiny: Portsmouth could face extinction

Birch can sell Pompey to the PST – even though former owner Balram Chainrai still has a mortgage on the stadium – provided there is a court ruling over the true value of the ramshackle Fratton Park.

The rival factions are millions apart in their valuations, however.

The trust price the ground at 2.75million but Chainrai's Portpin company wants to recoup the 18m allegedly owed to them – 12m of which is secured against the stadium.

Birch, an experienced football operator, has spent nine months looking for other buyers but no-one is prepared to pay more than the PST offer.

So if the judge is not convinced by the fans and their legal team during the scheduled two-day hearing, Portsmouth face extinction.

Chainrai is the only other possible option but Pompey do not believe the Football League would sanction him taking control because of unanswered questions from his previous regime.

Hart, Carroll and Bent prepare for swoosh

Nike's official disposal of their Umbro brand to the Iconix Group this week is expected to see Umbro's few remaining marquee endorsed players – Joe Hart, Andy Carroll and Darren Bent – have their contracts switched for them to start wearing the swoosh boots.

Talks are taking place with their agents. John Terry and Michael Owen, two long-term Umbro clients, are no longer under contract.

Nike, who will be launching their first England kit well in advance of the team wearing it for the first time against the Republic of Ireland in May, have kept on Umbro's Duncan Thomson to manage their relationship with the FA.

Swoosh! Joe Hart is likely to have his Umbro contract switched over to Nike

Easy for Jim to refuse

Quality all-round TV sports presenter Jim Rosenthal is in as much demand as ever four years on from ITV showing him the door after his 60th birthday. However, Rosenthal is no longer presenting the FA Cup draw after ITV, who produce the event, offered him a hugely reduced deal. 'It was an offer I found very easy to refuse,' said Rosenthal, who has been replaced by Mark Pougatch.

Sky protects asset Melvin

Andy Melvin, deputy head of Sky Sports, has been given a consultancy role following his retirement next year.

The move safeguards new rivals BT Sport making a move for Melvin.

There is plenty of animosity between BT and Sky following the unexpected defection of match director Grant Best from Isleworth to BT's Olympic Park headquarters.

Keith is pitch perfect

Twickenham's Keith Kent has been rewarded for his work on the permanent Desso pitch, which is looking good as new after four autumn internationals and the Varsity match in less than five weeks, with a clean sweep of three groundsman-of-the-year awards.

The immaculate surface at Twickenham is another reason the RFU wouldn't countenance the England World Cup group match against Wales in 2015 taking place at the Millennium Stadium, where the removable pitches can cut up badly.

Easy for Jim: TV broadcaster Jim Rosenthal turned down a cut-price deal for the FA Cup draw at ITV

City presence at Onuoha's mother's funeral

Quite rightly there was a presence from Manchester City, including club secretary Bernard Halford, Dennis Tueart and Jim Cassells, at the funeral of Dr Anthonia Onuoha, mother of former City defender Nedum, who now plays for QPR.

Dr Anthonia died of cancer 15 months after ex-City CEO Garry Cook mistakenly sent her an email mocking her brave fight against the disease.

The message was meant to be for Cook's City colleague Brian Marwood.

At the Match can't keep pace

Glossy business and sport publication At the Match perhaps shouldn't trumpet the 'cutting edge features' in their 'highly acclaimed' magazine when their latest edition – caught out by football's furious merry-go-round – has deposed manager Mark Hughes dominating the front cover talking about his vision for QPR.

A bit late: Mark Hughes was on the cover of At the Match magazine despite his sacking last month

Leicester 16 Northampton 12

Posted on November 4, 2012 by adminsports

Leicester 16 Northampton 12: Tigers fail to impress as Ford misfires in front of posts

UPDATED:

19:56 GMT, 3 November 2012

Leicester managed to grind out an unspectacular victory over their fierce local rivals at Welford Road.

Tigers could afford for young fly-half George Ford to miss five penalties and still triumph, courtesy of centre Matt Smith's second half try and 11 points by the young number 10.

On another day, Ford's inaccuracy might have proved costly, but Northampton, who were restricted to four Ryan Lamb penalties, lacked the firepower and tactical acumen to punish Leicester.

Main man: Matt Smith helped Leicester to a narrow win

Saints led 6-3 just before half-time, but Leicester then scored 10 unanswered points – highlighted by Smith's 53rd minute touchdown – and Northampton could find no way back.

The game, shorn of several England players through a combination of unavailability a week before the autumn Test series opener against Fiji and injuries, never moved out of second gear.

Despite the game's derby status, it lacked aggression for the large part, and once Leicester edged in front they were able to close out the game reasonably comfortably.

Australian flanker Julian Salvi, back in action following a hand injury, was easily the most effective performer on either side, and his workaholic efforts were ultimately rewarded with victory.

Although Leicester's stay at the Premiership summit is likely to prove short-lived, it was a victory they desperately needed following last weekend's narrow loss at Gloucester, and Northampton remain without a win at Welford Road since 2007.

Off form: George Ford

Leicester were without six players on England duty ahead of the forthcoming autumn Tests, but scrum-half Ben Youngs and centre Anthony Allen started after being released by red rose boss Stuart Lancaster.

Injured England forwards Dylan Hartley and Courtney Lawes highlighted Northampton's list of absentees, but Calum Clark made an immediate return to action in Saints' back-row after completing a 32-week suspension.

Clark was cited and banned for hyper-extending Leicester hooker Rob Hawkins' arm in the LV= Cup final last season, and a quirk of the fixture list meant he made his return to action at the Tigers' lair.

Lamb nudged Northampton into a fourth minute lead through an angled penalty, and Saints dominated early territorial exchanges, culminating in Lamb finding his range again for a 6-0 advantage.

In contrast, Tigers' 19-year-old playmaker Ford – starting instead of an unavailable Toby Flood – missed two penalty chances in two minutes, although he did find his range with a third attempt that cut Northampton's lead.

But Ford missed another penalty seven minutes later, snatching badly at a strike that was well within his range, and Saints stayed in the ascendancy as they chased a rare victory on Leicester soil.

Tigers suffered an injury blow six minutes before the break when their former England lock Louis Deacon's injury-ravaged run continued as he was forced off nursing a shoulder problem that saw him replaced by Ed Slater.

Lamb rifled a drop-goal attempt wide from Saints' next attack, yet for a derby clash often associated with a white-hot atmosphere, the opening 40 minutes proved strangely tepid.

Tussle: Vereniki Goneva of Leicester is tackled by Samu Manoa

Ford landed an equalising penalty with the final kick of the half, but entertainment value had been a premium as the teams trooped off level at 6-6.

It took Leicester less than two minutes of the second period to go ahead for the first time, with Saints unable to free themselves from trouble just outside their 22.

Youngs' slick service from the scrum base gave Tigers time and space, and Smith was worked over cleverly from close range by substitute Vereniki Goneva for a try that Ford converted.

Leicester had visibly increased the tempo, and although Lamb completed his penalty hat-trick shortly afterwards, Tigers looked capable for the first time of taking charge.

Ford made it 16-9 in the 53rd minute when Saints hooker Mike Haywood was penalised for a high and late tackle on home skipper Geordan Murphy, which underlined a slow turning of the screw by Leicester.

There was much greater urgency about Leicester than there had been before the break, and with Ford also growing in confidence, Tigers were able to pin their opponents back.

Lamb booted a fourth penalty with six minutes left to set a few nerves jangling in the Leicester camp, but they held on to claim the victory their supremacy in key areas deserved, helped when Lamb was sin-binned three minutes from time for barging Allen off the ball.

Sale 8 Leicester 20: Ben Youngs back with a bang to down sorry Sharks

Posted on October 6, 2012 by adminsports

Sale 8 Leicester 20: Youngs back with a bang to down sorry Sharks

UPDATED:

22:10 GMT, 5 October 2012

Scrum-half Ben Youngs scored the
decisive try on his return from injury as Leicester came from behind to
condemn Sale to their sixth consecutive defeat with a 20-8 triumph.

It was Sale who dominated the first
half despite holding just an 8-6 lead through Rob Miller's unconverted
try and a Nick Macleod penalty.

Impressive: Leicester's Ben Youngs

Leicester's George Ford, deputising for Toby Flood, responded with two three-pointers in what was initially a disappointing team display.

But they were revitalised in the second period and scored 14 unanswered points through the boot of Ford and a try from Youngs.

Sale's mercurial fly-half Danny Cipriani had to pull out from the substitutes' bench late on due to flu but the player who has been preferred to him in recent weeks, Macleod, started the match impressively by controlling proceedings and allowing the hosts to get on top early in the encounter.

They deservedly went ahead through a well-worked try. Number eight Andy Powell had already threatened before Will Addison took advantage of disorganisation in the visitors' defensive line with a quick throw-in.

It was collected by Mark Cueto who took the ball into contact before it was shipped out to Miller, who scampered over in the corner.

On the charge: Graham Kitchener breaks through the defence

Despite being dominated for the opening 10 minutes, the Tigers eventually ground their way into the match and Ford rewarded their brief period of possession with a penalty.

However, Macleod responded for the Manchester outfit with a three-pointer of his own four minutes later to give them an 8-3 lead.

Early penalties: George Ford of Leicester

Ford once again reduced the arrears to two points but it was an impressive first half from Bryan Redpath's much-maligned charges.

The pressure certainly got to Leicester's Vereniki Goneva, who deliberately knocked on Cillian Willis' attempted pass to Addison and was subsequently sin-binned.

But the hosts have struggled to take the chances that have presented themselves throughout this season, as well as showing an inability to control the forward battle for long enough periods.

That issue once again came back to haunt the Sharks when Addison was unable to touch down after they were camped on the Tigers' line.

Although the visitors produced the odd burst through the ever-dangerous centre duo of Anthony Allen and Manu Tuilagi, it was Sale who deservedly had the advantage at the break.

However, the midlands outfit came out with far more intent in the second period and went ahead through the fly-half's third from the tee.

Leicester then stretched their lead when Youngs went over and Ford kicked his fourth penalty.

It was perhaps harsh on the hosts, but it was typically clinical by last year's beaten finalists.

The Sharks continued to battle away, though, and threatened through breaks from Miller and substitute half-back Nathan Fowles.

But it was not to be as Ford sealed the victory with a three-pointer after Joe Ward had been yellow-carded for Sale.

Burnley 5 Peterborough 2: Austin"s brace piles on the woe to basement club Posh

Posted on September 15, 2012 by adminsports

Burnley 5 Peterborough 2: Austin's brace piles on the woe to basement club Posh

UPDATED:

16:51 GMT, 15 September 2012

Charlie Austin scored two second-half goals for Burnley as they secured a 5-2 victory over Peterborough in an exciting npower Championship encounter at Turf Moor.

The match was evenly poised in the first half with the score 2-2 at the interval, but Burnley fired home three unanswered goals in the second period to secure their second league win of the season and leave Peterborough still waiting for their first.

Burnley took the lead on seven minutes as Chris McCann's header from six yards beat Peterborough keeper Robert Olejnik.

No wonder he's smiling: Burnley boss Eddie Howe

Match facts

Burnley: Grant, Trippier, Duff, Shackell, Mills, Wallace (Stewart 63), Marney, McCann, Stanislas, Austin (Stock 87), Paterson (Vokes 62). Subs not used: Jensen, Edgar, Bartley, Mee.

Booked: Mills.

Scorers: McCann 7, Bostwick 39 (og), Austin 74,81 (pen), Stanislas 86.

Peterborough: Olejnik, Little (Ferdinand 84), Brisley (Zakuani 59), Bostwick, Alcock, Frecklington, McCann, Mendez-Laing, Tomlin, Boyd (Sinclair 69), Barnett. Subs not used: Day, Newell, Knight-Percival, Clarke-Harris.

Booked: Olejnik.

Scorers: Tomlin 20 (pen), Mendez-Laing 23.

Referee: Mike Dean.

Attendance: 10,979.

Posh responded to going behind by launching several attacks on Burnley's goal with Grant McCann's strike from 18 yards out blocked by goalscorer Chris McCann in the eighth minute, before Lee Grant saved George Boyd's long-range effort four minutes later.

Peterborough's pressure paid off in the 19th minute when they were awarded a penalty. Lee Tomlin calmly slotted home, beating Grant with a shot into the bottom left side of the goal.

Four minutes later, Peterborough took the lead when Nathaniel Mendez-Laing's left-footed effort beat Grant from 12 yards out after Tomlin headed the ball across from the right channel.

Seven minutes before the break an Michael Bostwick own goal enabled Burnley to draw level after the midfielder put the ball into his own net from six yards out.

MacAnthony to consider his future after defeat

Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony took to Twitter in the aftermath of the defeat, casting doubt over his future with the club.

'Im off home from office now,I hear what lot of posh fans saying & empathize so i'll have serious think about my own position over weekend -'

'And my own shortcomings/failings in helping manager & playing squad this season. I only want whats best for them & posh fans. Cheers all!', he said.

Both sides remained unchanged at the interval and they started the second half brightly with several chances apiece in the first 10 minutes after the re-start, although none of them resulted in a goal.

Burnley defender Joseph Mills was booked for unsporting behaviour in the 54th minute, while Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson was forced to make the first substitution of the game with Gabriel Zakuani replacing the injured Shaun Brisley.

Burnley manager Eddie Howe responded with two substitutions of his own as Ross Wallace was replaced by Cameron Stewart and Sam Vokes came on for Martin Paterson.

The home side had a couple of chances courtesy of Junior Stanislas and Stewart before Ferguson made his second substitution as Emile Sinclair came on for George Boyd in the 69th minute.

Burnley's dominance paid off in the 74th minute when Austin gave his side a 3-2 lead from 18 yards out after fine work by Chris McCann down the left flank.

The Clarets put the result beyond doubt when Austin scored his second goal of the game from the penalty spot after he was fouled by Olejnik to make the score 4-2 10 minutes from the final whistle.

The icing on the cake for Burnley came five minutes from time when Stanislas scored from 12 yards out after being fed from the left channel by Mills.

Wasps 40 Harlequins 42: Quins launch title defence with stunning fightback

Posted on September 1, 2012 by adminsports

Wasps 40 Harlequins 42: Quins launch title defence with stunning fightback

UPDATED:

16:59 GMT, 1 September 2012

Harlequins showed the resolve of champions as they staged a sensational fightback to open the defence of their Aviva Premiership title with a scarcely believable victory over Wasps.

Conor O'Shea's men seemed dead and buried as the rejuvenated Wasps, who had only avoided relegation on the final day of last season, stormed into a 40-13 lead after 56 minutes.

Memorable: Harlequins celebrate their victory at Twickenham

Like Mike: Brown of Harlequins dives over for his second try

Christian Wade did the early damage, scoring two blistering tries and providing another for Tom Varndell before forwards Marco Wentzel and Tim Payne touched down.

But man of the match Nick Evans, on his 100th Premiership appearance, scored 22 points to lead Harlequins on one of the great Premiership comebacks.

The reigning champions, back at the scene of their Premiership final victory over Leicester, scored four tries and 29 unanswered points in the final quarter of a compelling match.

Tom Guest came off the bench to launch the comeback, Evans set up two tries for Mike Brown and then touched down himself before wrapping up the victory with a penalty four minutes from time.

On the charge: Andrea Massi of London Wasps fends off Jordan Turner-Hall of Harlequins

On the run: George Robson of Harlequins charges upfield

For all the drama on show, there was also a hefty dose of controversy as the introduction of new rules expanding the influence of the television match official (TMO) proved crucial.

Wasps thought they had scored through Varndell on the stroke of half-time but the try was chalked off after the TMO confirmed a forward pass early in the move.

Had this game been last season – or not broadcast live on ESPN – Varndell's try would have stood. The debate over the TMO's influence raged on.

Wasps players lay desolate on the turf at full-time. They had two bonus points but knew that, through some weak defence, they had blown a golden opportunity.

High jump: London Wasps' Marco Wentzel is tackled by Harlequins Danny Carer

Holding on: London Wasps' Christian Wade tackled by Harlequins George Lowe

The performance of Dai Young's men for the first hour did at least indicate the horrors of last season do now lie behind them.

Harlequins like to play at pace but they could not live with Wasps' rugby. The dark days of March, April and May when the club were desperate to just grind out any kind of result to secure survival seemed long gone.

It took just three minutes for Wasps to fashion the first opening as Varndell released the electric-paced Wade to round Brown and score.

Robinson converted two penalties to extend the lead before the wing twins of Wade and Varndell combined again.

Hugo Southwell ran onto Elliot Daly's flat pass and released Wade, who again scorched past Brown and over the try-line, only to inexplicably pass to Varndell instead of touching down.

If Wade's decision caused brief palpitations in the Wasps coaching box, the mood will have been eased by Varndell touching down and Robinson converted to open that 20-0 lead.

High jump: Nick Easter of Harlequins wins a line-out

The champions, who had barely had the ball, responded with a quick tap from Danny Care and Williams collected Robshaw's offload to score under the posts.

But Wasps were relentless. After a third Robinson penalty, Jonathan Poff forced the turnover and Wade produced an exceptional finish to score his second try.

In a moment reminiscent of Jason Robinson's try for the Lions in the first Test against Australia in 2001, Wade stood up his opposite number George Lowe and then scorched past him on the outside.

Evans reduced the arrears with two more penalties before Varndell streaked away on the stroke of half-time for what looked like Wasps' bonus-point try.

But the celebrations were cut short after referee Greg Garner utilised the trial rules and asked TMO Graham Hughes to rule on a suspected forward pass from Robinson early in the move.

The try was duly disallowed and for a while it seemed academic.

Seven minutes into the second half, Varndell pounced on a mistake from Mo Fa'asavalu and then flicked the ball in-field for Wentzel to gallop over from the 22m line.

Wentzel then turned provider, exchanging deft passes with Payne for the loose-head prop to crash over the line from close-range at the end of another dynamic attack. Wasps led 40-13.

With the game seemingly gone, Harlequins exploited some weak Wasps tackling to stage their late rally. Initially it seemed a try bonus and maybe a face-saving losing bonus point was the best they could hope for.

Guest came off the bench to score with his first touch before Brown showed some excellent hands to take a quick pass from Evans and dive over in the corner.

When Evans picked out Brown with a raking cross-field kick, the England full-back scored Harlequins' fourth try – but they were not finished yet.

Brown squeezed an offload to Guest and Evans took advantage of more poor defence to wriggle through two tackles and touch down for Harlequins' fifth try.

The conversion took Harlequins to within a point and Evans rounded off a remarkable comeback with his penalty four minutes from time.

Australia 19 New Zealand 37: Sonny Bill Williams back with a bang as All Blacks claim fine win

Posted on August 18, 2012 by adminsports

Australia 19 New Zealand 37: Williams back with a bang as All Blacks claim fine win

UPDATED:

14:14 GMT, 18 August 2012

Sonny Bill Williams made a triumphant return to ANZ Stadium as New Zealand claimed victory over Australia in the Rugby Championship opener.

After conceding an early penalty goal the All Blacks piled on 18 unanswered points before a try by Nathan Sharpe trimmed the half-time deficit to 18-10.

The Wallabies twice closed to within five points on the back of Berrick Barnes penalty goals early in the second half but Dan Carter answered both to restore the visitors' eight-point buffer.

Back with a bang: Sonny Bill Williams in action against Australia

Barnes closed the gap again in the 76th minute but the Wallabies blew a last-ditch chance to attack and squandered a bonus point when they conceded a late scrum penalty after the siren.

Israel Dagg and Cory Jane scored New Zealand's tries while veteran lock Sharpe was the only try scorer for the home side. Carter kicked six from eight for a 17-point haul while Barnes landed a perfect five from five in front of 76,877 fans.

The win leaves the Kiwis one win away from retaining the Bledisloe Cup ahead of next Saturday's return clash at Eden Park.

Diving for the line: Israel Dagg scores a try for the All Blacks

The Wallabies posted the first points
with a third-minute penalty goal to Barnes after Williams, playing his
first game at ANZ Stadium since walking out on the Bulldogs in 2008,
threw a forward pass with his first touch. Carter answered from out wide
to level things up in the 11th minute after the Wallabies scrum was
penalised for collapsing.

The All Blacks scored the opening try two minutes later after a beautiful set move off an attacking scrum. Carter received the ball on halfway and drifted across field dangerously. Williams ran an inside decoy line to wrong-foot the Wallabies defence and Carter fired a ball to Dagg who easily stood up Kurtley Beale in the last line to score. Carter nailed the sideline conversion and added another penalty goal from directly in front on 20 minutes for a 13-3 lead.

The Wallabies made a rare raid into All Blacks territory but came up empty after Beale passed up a penalty goal right in front and unsuccessfully took the quick tap. Beale, who had a rare off night, cost his side another five points when he knocked on 10m out from his own line before he could get his clearing kick away.

Pure joy: Cory Jane scores a try for the visitors in Sydney

The All Blacks scored off the ensuing scrum when Jane completed a sweeping movement that featured quick hands from Williams and Dagg to open up an 18-3 advantage after 34 minutes.
Veteran Sharpe answered with a crucial try just before the break, crashing over after a powerful run from Digby Ioane left the Kiwi defence stretched.

Barnes and Carter traded early penalty goals after the resumption but Barnes again found the target from 40m to close within a try in the 50th minute. Carter could not connect from 51m out but he made no mistake from close range on the hour to restore the visitors' eight-point buffer after David Pocock was penalised at the breakdown.

The Kiwis continued to dominate territory and possession but could not land the knockout blow as the Wallabies defended grimly.

London 2012 Olympics water polo: Team Gb women lose to Italy in final game

Posted on August 9, 2012 by adminsports

Team GB 7 Italy 11: More water torture sees women take home wooden spoon

UPDATED:

17:13 GMT, 9 August 2012

Great Britain lost their final game in the women's water polo competition this afternoon to finish in last place.

Their 11-7 defeat to Italy in the play-off for seventh position means Team GB pick up the wooden spoon in the eight-team tournament. Six losses from six matches – against Australia, Spain, Russia twice and Italy twice – put to bed any chances of a better outcome.

A bright start to today's game gave the home crowd something to cheer about as Beckie Kershaw opened the scoring.

Wooden spoon: Great Britain coach Szilveszter Fekete speaks with his players after they fell to another defeat

Italy blasted home a penalty to draw level, before Fiona McCann lobbed the Italian goalkeeper for Team GB's second. Francesca Clayton extended the lead to two goals, but Italy fired in a back-shot from the centre-forward position before the end of the first period. A disappointing second quarter for

Great Britain saw their opponents score four unanswered goals to forge a three-goal lead going into the half-time break.

Team GB did have chances but their long-distance shots went wide or were saved, and they failed to capitalise on a man-up opportunity.

Open wide: Italy's Tanio di mario shoots at Britain goalkeeper Rosie Morris

Top drawer: Italy goalkeeper Elena Gigli (R) blocks a Britain shot over the crossbar

McCann netted again within 30 seconds of the restart to reduce the deficit to two goals before Italy sent in two long-distance strikes. Alex Rutlidge scored with 90 seconds remaining in the quarter, before conceding a penalty shortly after to gift Italy a goal from the five-metre penalty line and take the score to 9-5 with one quarter left.

Goals from Ciara Gibson-/08/09/article-0-14768B44000005DC-524_634x410.jpg” width=”634″ height=”410″ alt=”End of the road: Francesca Clayton was unable to help Britain produce their first win, falling to another defeat in the pool” class=”blkBorder” />

End of the road: Francesca Clayton was unable to help Britain produce their first win, falling to another defeat in the pool

But Italy scored twice themselves to earn a comfortable four-goal win, and seventh place overall.
Tania di Mario netted four for Italy, while Giulia Emmolo scored a hat-trick.

Captain Elisa Casanova, Aniko Pelle, Giulia Rambaldi and Teresa Frassinetti scored one each.

London 2012 Olympics: Water polo: Team GB 7 Spain 9

Posted on August 6, 2012 by adminsports

Team GB 7 Spain 9: Hosts dumped out of water polo after hard-fought battle

By
Sportsmail Reporter

PUBLISHED:

23:14 GMT, 5 August 2012

UPDATED:

23:14 GMT, 5 August 2012

Great Britain were dumped out of the women's water polo tournament on Sunday after pushing Spain all the way in an enthralling quarter-final clash.

Team GB came back from a four-goal deficit to get within one score of their opponents in the dying minutes, but it was the Spaniards who booked a place in the semis.

The home crowd roared as Great Britain took the lead when Francesca Painter-Snell converted a penalty from the five-metre line.

Unlucky: Team GB were dumped out by a very good Spanish team

Spain responded quickly, levelling the scores, but Painter-Snell bagged her second soon after with a man-up goal. Team GB's opponents then fired in two more to take a 3-2 lead after the first quarter.

The Spaniards, in white caps, pulled away in a decisive second quarter, netted three unanswered goals to extend their winning margin to four goals.

Goalkeeper Rosie Morris stopped the in-form Spanish side from putting away even more goals with some great saves, and Britain should really have got on the scoresheet themselves, but they wasted three man-up chances.

Ciara Gibson-Byrne found the back of the net to open the scoring in the third quarter, and Team GB survived two Spain power-plays with both efforts striking the woodwork.

A well-worked move allowed Hazel Musgrove to fire in a goal from the from the left hand side, but Spain struck again to restore their three-goal cushion.

Plucky: The match ran closer than expected, but the Spanish narrowly earned their victory

Ciara Gibson-Byrne attempts in vein to turn around the deficit

Gibson-Byrne missed a crucial penalty with 90 seconds to go in the period, which would have reduced the deficit to two goals, but instead Spain scored at the other end to pull into a four-goal lead.

Gibson-Byrne made up for the penalty miss with the final goal of the penultimate period, taking the score to 8-5 at the whistle.

Fiona McCann fired home another for Team GB in the fourth quarter, before a superb double save from Morris denied Spain a goal.

Birthday girl Angie Winstanley-Smith attempted a reverse shot from five metres out, but the effort rattled the upright.

Painter-Snell slotted in another man-up goal to claim her hat-trick after a time-out to send the home crowd into a frenzy.

A fantastic save from Morris denied the Spaniards a man-up goal with 60 seconds to play, but the eventual winners did manage to wrap up the match as the ball squeezed over the line with a later effort.

Spain's win sets them up a semi-final clash with Hungary on Tuesday, while Great Britain will play Russia in a classification match.

Spain's Anni Espar and Lorena Miranda each scored a brace, while Roser Tarrago, Jennifer Pareja, Ona Meseguer, Maica Garcia and Laura Lopez netted one each.

London 2012 Olympics: Water polo: Team GB 5 Italy 10

Posted on August 4, 2012 by adminsports

Team GB 5 Italy 10: Women's water polo team finish bottom of group after defeat

By
Sportsmail Reporter

PUBLISHED:

19:42 GMT, 3 August 2012

UPDATED:

19:57 GMT, 3 August 2012

Great Britain slipped to a third successive defeat in the women's water polo tonight to finish bottom of group B.

The 10-5 loss to Italy sets up a tough clash with the winners of Group A in the quarter-finals.Team GB let their physical opponents get away, losing each quarter by a narrow margin.

Italy were first on the scoresheet as the talismanic Tania di Maria converted a penalty.

Bottom: Ciara Gibson-Byrne (right) and her team-mates were unable to prevent their side finishing bottom of the group

Ciara Gibson-Byrne rattled the woodwork twice before slotting in at the near post from a man-up situation to level the scores and send the home crowd wild.

Italy converted a power-play to go ahead before Alex Rutlidge made the most of a Great Britain man-up to bring the score level at 2-2.

The Italians then netted twice to make it 4-2 after the first period.

Both sides missed extra-man opportunities in the second quarter, before Simona Abbate and Di Maria extended Italy's lead to four.

Francesca Painter-Snell scored a counter-attack goal to take the score to 6-3 at half-time.

Italy again scored two unanswered goals early in the third quarter to extend their lead to five as Painter-Snell rattled the woodwork again for Team GB.

Impressive: Simona Abbate and the rest of her team were too strong for the Team GB outfit

Gibson-Byrne got her second of the match with a powerful shot right at the end of the third to make it 8-4, but Abbate was then first to score in the fourth period to restore Italy's five-goal lead.

Team GB called a time-out after a major foul from the Italians, but the hosts wasted the opportunity to peg them back, shooting over the crossbar.

Italy stretched their lead into double figures before Chloe Wilcox scored a penalty in the last minute to ensure a 10-5 finish.

Italy drivers Di Maria and Giulia Enrica Emmoldo both netted hat-tricks, while Abbate and Teresa Frassinetti both scored a brace.

London 2012 Olympics: Late rally fails to lift GB handball coach Djukic

Posted on August 3, 2012 by adminsports

Late rally fails to lift GB coach Djukic after third handball defeat

UPDATED:

19:23 GMT, 2 August 2012

Great Britain men announced themselves on the Olympic stage with a rousing first-half performance in their 32-21 defeat to Argentina, but coach Dragan Djukic had mixed feelings.

While Team GB had not been competitive in their opening two defeats to reigning Olympic and world champions France and three-time silver medallists Sweden, they competed valiantly in the first 30 minutes against the South Americans at the Copper Box.

They also finished strongly, scoring seven of the final 10 goals.

Frustration: Britain's coach Dragan Djukic

But it was a killer 13-minute period in the second half that sent them to defeat where Argentina threw in a devastating nine unanswered goals.

Djukic had publicly stated that this game was the one that presented their best opportunity, so to lose by an 11-goal margin hurt the Serbian tactician, but not as much as GB's mistakes in front of goal, which cost them the game.

'We wanted to win this game but we made too many mistakes,' he said, referring to a shot conversion of just 45%.

'We missed too many easy chances and their goalkeeper was the key man in the deciding moments.

'We played well, created the chance and then we miss the clear opportunity and they punish us with the fast break.

Great Britain's Mark Hawkins celebrates after scoring a goal

delight: Great Britain's Mark Hawkins celebrates after scoring a goal

'But actually, if we watched all 60 minutes I am very satisfied with 40-45 minutes of it, it was probably our best performance.

'I am very happy at the end we came back, we played for every single ball until the end and that's the way we can survive and stand up and play the next game.

'We just have to be more patient and score the clear chances. That gives you strength, if you miss the chances it breaks you. We need more concentration.'

Goalkeeper Bobby White, who did his bit with three saves, failed to look beyond the fact his side had lost.

'I can't say that I'm happy because we lost,' he said.

High ball: Argentina's Guido Ricobelli passes the ball off while being defended by Daniel McMillan

'Argentina was our target but mistakes at the end of the first half and particularly the second half let us down and I am absolutely gutted.

'It was up there with our top performances but that's how we know we can play, so there is no shine to take off.

'Unfortunately we just made too many mistakes and we just haven't been able to iron those out.'

Argentina made history by winning for the first time at an Olympics and coach Eduardo Gallardo was happy to go down in the history books.

'We are extremely proud of our victory making a bit of history,' he said. 'I'm sure the people at home appreciate what we did.

'We respected Great Britain but we were clearly the better team on court.

'I am sure with time it will sink in but at the moment we are still digesting it.'

Sports Bound Guide

Sports Bound Guide. Fresh Sports News

Tag Archives: unanswered

Charles Sale: Portsmouth could face extinction after court date

Leicester 16 Northampton 12

Sale 8 Leicester 20: Ben Youngs back with a bang to down sorry Sharks

Burnley 5 Peterborough 2: Austin"s brace piles on the woe to basement club Posh

Wasps 40 Harlequins 42: Quins launch title defence with stunning fightback

Australia 19 New Zealand 37: Sonny Bill Williams back with a bang as All Blacks claim fine win

London 2012 Olympics water polo: Team Gb women lose to Italy in final game

London 2012 Olympics: Water polo: Team GB 7 Spain 9

London 2012 Olympics: Water polo: Team GB 5 Italy 10

London 2012 Olympics: Late rally fails to lift GB handball coach Djukic