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Do-or-die Dutch out to down Germany

Holland take on Germany in Wednesday’s Group B key clash with the World Cup finalists knowing another defeat could threaten an early exit from Euro 2012 following their shock loss to Denmark. In one of the key matches of the group stages, the Dutch have to pick... Full story

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Pybus urges Tigers to enjoy their game

New Bangladesh coach Richard Pybus has asked the players to enjoy their game instead of taking any extra pressure of aiming to play the final in the tri-nation Twenty20 tournament in Zimbabwe. ‘I don’t want to put pressure on the players to play the final. They should enjoy the game as this is a friendly tournament and not any ICC... Full story

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Abahani, Usha reach hockey final

Abahani Limited and Usha Krira Chakra sealed their place in the final of the Club Cup Hockey Championship after winning their respective semi-final matches at the Maulana Bhasani Hockey Stadium on Tuesday. Full story

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BCB accuses FICA of damaging country’s image

The Bangladesh Cricket Board has accused the Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations’ chief executive Tim May on Tuesday of maligning the image of the country and the newly launched Bangladesh Premier League Twenty20 tournament. Full story

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Fear of failure drives on record-breaking Nadal

Rafael Nadal admitted on Monday that a deep-seated fear of failure drove him to a record seventh French Open title and will keep him playing until his love of the sport finally drains away. Full story

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Flower hopes Pietersen doesn’t regret one-day exit

England coach Andy Flower has said he hopes Kevin Pietersen doesn’t live to regret his decision to retire from limited overs international cricket. Pietersen wanted to continue playing Twenty20s—he was man of the... Full story

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Jamal,Russell share the spoils

Defending champions Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club shared points with Sheikh Russell Krira Chakra in a goalless draw in the Bangladesh Premier League at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Tuesday. Full story

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Katich announces Int’l retirement

Australian batsman Simon Katich on Tuesday announced his retirement from first-class cricket in Australia, citing family reasons. Katich, 36, is currently playing with Hampshire in the English county season... Full story

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Jamal suspend Aminul

Bangladesh League champions Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club temporarily suspended their goalkeeper Aminul Haque, alleging the ace of acting suspiciously during their recent match against table-toppers Abahani Limited. Full story

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Gerrard salutes ‘unbreakable’ England

Steven Gerrard hailed England’s ‘unbreakable’ defence after managing to frustrate France to earn a crucial 1-1 draw in their Euro 2012 opener. The England captain led from the front with a tirless performance in central... Full story

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France reflect on what might have been

France’s players admitted frustration after failing to turn their dominance into victory against England in their Euro 2012 opener but took heart from their reaction to falling behind. Full story

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Gomez brushes off ‘bedsores’ criticism

Germany’s hot-shot striker Mario Gomez has brushed off harsh criticsm and insisted he plans to repay coach Joachim Low’s faith in him against Holland on Wednesday at Euro 2012. Full story

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Prandelli lauds Di Natale impact against Spain

Antonio Di Natale may just have played his way into Cesare Prandelli’s starting line-up against Croatia after the coach made a point of singing his praises on Monday. Full story

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Irish can shock Spain: Trapattoni

Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni has insisted his team can still shock world champions Spain on Thursday at Euro 2012 as the Irish look to bounce back from their opening defeat to Croatia. Full story

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‘Atmosphere is not the same’

The atmosphere within the Dutch camp is not the same at Euro 2012 as it was at the 2010 World Cup admitted playmaker Wesley Sneijder on Monday. The 28-year-old Inter Milan star - who... Full story

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SOCCERLINE

Busquets insists pitch was factor Spain struggled to impose their game against Italy in their opening Euro 2012 match, a 1-1 draw, because of a poor pitch in Gdansk, midfielder Sergi... Full story

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Shevchenko delivers fairytale start for Ukraine

Ukr-aine’s former European Player of the Year Andrei Shevchenko rolled back the years here on Monday as his second-half double inspired the Euro 2012 co-hosts to a come from behind 2-1 win over Sweden in their Group D encounter. Full story

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Portuguese in must win game with Danes

Portugal have yet to win this year but today’s game against Denmark in Lviv, Ukraine, would be an ideal time to end that run, as they take on the side that beat them to top spot in qualifying. Full story

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Blanc riled by Nasri questions

France coach Laurent Blanc reacted angrily on Tuesday after being asked further questions about Samir Nasri’s provocative goal celebration during the 1-1 draw with England at Euro 2012. Nasri’s 39th-minute equaliser earned... Full story

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Kiev explodes with joy

Thousands of ecstatic Ukrainians yelled, sobbed, danced and jumped for joy into the early hours of Tuesday in Kiev after the co-hosts beat Sweden in their opening football match of Euro 2012. Full story

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EURO BITES

Belgian fans ‘bought’ at auction - by the Dutch A group of Belgian fans, fed up with no team to support at Euro 2012 after their team failed to qualify, have found some buyers after they put themselves... Full story

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