06222018 sports

SPORTS SECTION E

MESSI ON THE BRINK WORLD CUP SEE PAGES 4-5

FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2018

DEANDRE IS NBA

#1

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

BROOKLYN, New York - When the Phoenix Suns selected Deandre Ayton with the first overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, it represented a historic moment for Ayton, the franchise and The Bahamas.

With Ayton’s selection, The Bahamas now joins the United States, Canada, Nigeria and Australia as the only countries with multiple No 1 overall NBA draft picks.

It also represented the first No 1 pick made by the Suns in franchise history and the first No 1 pick from the University of Arizona.

“This is a great blessing. I worked hard for this.

I had a lot of confidence because I knew I deserved this. There was stuff I went through to get to this point, and I’m just happy to be here and happy to be with the Phoenix Suns,” Ayton said.

“Having my name called to be the first pick for the Phoenix Suns was mind-blowing. Having all that confidence and leading up to that point when I saw Adam Silver came out, I was just waiting for my name, and when he called it, my mind went blank. I just did the routine

everyone else was supposed to do, and I just got up there and enjoyed the moment, and I saw the reaction on my mom’s face. It was just priceless.”

Ayton also previously participated in Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Global 2016 in Toronto, Canada and joins Andrea Bargnani (Italy; BWB Europe 2003; 1st overall in the 2006 NBA Draft) as the highest drafted former Basketball Without Borders campers ever.

He is the ninth consecutive college freshman to be selected with the first overall pick.

The Suns have drafted as high as second twice, in 1969 and 1987.

They finished the 201718 season 21-61 but return a promising young core led by rising star guard Devin Booker who averaged nearly 25 points per game last year.

Ayton previously mentioned the prospects of teaming with Booker to create one of the league’s most dynamic tandems.

“Basketball is really changing, so the two-man game is really hard to stop.

Having a guard like Devin Booker, who can really score the ball, and me being a big man who can really pick-and-pop, very

ARIZONA’S DEANDRE AYTON, above, and pictured right with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after he was picked first overall by the Phoenix Suns during the NBA basketball draft in New York last night. versatile, that’s very dangerous,” he said, “The team, in general, is a very young and hungry team. We just have to stick together, get a great chemistry and start a winning legacy in Phoenix.”

During his lone season at Arizona, Ayton led the NCAA with 24 double-doubles, a PAC-12 freshman record.

He averaged 20.1 points and 11.6 rebounds per game

while shooting 61.6 percent from the field, and was “Karl Malone Power Forward” of the year consensus First Team All-American.

Ayton was one of only four players in the nation to average the aforementioned double double.

He was also Pac-12 Conference Player of the Year, Freshman of the Year, SEE PAGE TWO

Bronze for Bahamas END OF AN ERA AS

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Re[porter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas women’s national basketball clinched the bronze medal at the FIBA Caribbean Women’s Cup Championships and in the process, qualified for the Centro Basket from August 20-24 in Puerto Rico.

On Thursday night at the Anthony Nesty Sporthal in Paramaribo, Suriname, The Bahamas knocked off Barbados 65-56 to earn the bronze medal and will join Cuba and the Dominican Republic, who played for the gold and silver medals, as the top two qualifiers for Centro Basket.

The Bahamas had two players in double figures as Brea Forbes led the way with 17 points, five steals and four rebounds, while Shalonda Neely added 11 points with five rebounds, three assists and as many steals.

Valerie Nesbitt had nine points, nine assists and seven steals; Pamela Bethel also contributed nine points with four rebounds and two block shots.

Shakia Small had a game high 18 points for Barbados, who had two

other players in double fugures.

Wayde Watson, the interim head coach, said he couldn’t ask for a better showing from the players.

“At one point, Barbados cut the deficit down to two points, but we managed to withstand their run and pulled it off,” Watson said. “Again we didn’t get off to a great start. We were still trying to find a team to go with, but we knew we had the talent to pull it off. We just joggled the line-up to try and pull it off.

“Fortunately, we were able to put it all together and came out with the win. So I’m very proud of these young ladies.”

For their effort, Watson gave them a B-minus.

“They wanted to represent the country, so I gave them an A for that,” he insisted. “I cant say much about them because they wanted to represent their country and they came out and did their best. There are some things that we can still work on as we get ready for the next tournament in August.”

While the decision rests on the Bahamas Basketball Federation in the

selection of the coaching staff, Watson said if he get the nod, he will be ready to take up the challenge again.

Assistant coach Varel Davis said the ultimate goal for Team Bahamas was to qualify and she credited Watson for doing a tremendous job in coaching his first women’s national team as he filled in for Yolett McPhee-McCuin, who was unable to travel because of her commitments to Ole Miss University as the new head coach.

“We had high hopes that we would beat Barbados,” she stated. “We had a slow start again, but it was an all around team effort. We still have a lot of work to do for the tournament in August. Most of these young ladies will be returning to school, so we are almost back to the drawing board in finding a team to representing the country in August.

“But the win was a good win. We are excited, happy . The ladies stepped up, so we will enjoy this one. We came here to qualify and we did. So we give God all the thanks and glory. These girls played hard and they encouraged each other. That was the factor in us winning these games and qualifying.”

AMERTIL RETIRES

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

AFTER enjoying one of the longest tenure for a Bahamian female athlete in track and field, quartermiler Christine Amertil has announced her retirement.

The announcement came on the eve of the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ National Open Track and Field Championships that will be held tonight and tomorrow at the new Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium.

“This announcement comes with mixed feelings,” Amertil told The Tribune in

a brief statement. “After a nineteen (19) year journey of representing the Bahamas in track and field, I am announcing my retirement from the sport.”

The 38-year-old RM Bailey graduate who went on to shine for Southeastern Louisiana University was a petite quarter-miler at 5-feet, 6-inches and weighted around 120 pounds, who held her own against some of the countries’ top competitors like Pauline Davis-Thompson and Tonique Williams. She didn’t get to compete against Shaunae Miller-Uibo as she came along at the end of her career.

SEE PAGE THREE

PAGE 2, Friday, June 22, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

Deandre is NBA #1 2018 draft prospects pose for a picture before the NBA basketball draft in New York last night.

from page one

All-Defensive Team selection and Most Outstanding Player of the conference tournament. The first player in conference history to win all awards.

Coming out of Hillcrest Academy in Phoenix, Arizona, Ayton was the No 1 overall prospect in America. He was selected to the USA Today All-USA Boys Basketball Team and was also a McDonalds and Jordan Brand All-American.

At the national team level, he was a member of the senior men’s Centrobasket squad and led the team in both points and rebounds as a high school junior.

Ayton was discovered locally at the Jeff Rodgers Summer Basketball Camp before he headed to Balboa

City School in San Diego, California. He eventually transferred to Hillcrest Academy.

“At the Jeff Rodgers Camp I didn’t think I fell in love with the game right there. My mom just wanted me out of the house during the summer. That’s when I really got exposed, that’s when the opportunities started, but it’s just great. When I came to the United States, I knew what hard work was,” Ayton said, “The hard work really starts now. I told my mom, you think we were working, but the hard work really starts now. We’ve got a lot of work to do, and after the summer we’ll probably catch a breath.”

Ayton used his platform on draft night to talk about the improvements he hopes to make in opportunities for other young

Bahamian basketball players and displayed the lining of his jacket which paid homage to his multicultural heritage.

“I want to bring to The Bahamas, they don’t have to leave home to think that they have an opportunity. We can bring the opportunity to them. I can help bring the opportunity to them. We can just start schools, we can start better basketball opportunities to really have more exposure. Instead of coming to the United States or going overseas, we’ll just be at home and start our own trend,” he said.

“My dad is from Nigeria, my mom is Jamaican and Bahamian, so I’m helping all those countries in one.

I’m not just a Bahamian.

I’m Nigerian and Jamaican. So I just want to let the world know that.”

DEANDRE AYTON, right, is congratulated by friends and family.

Photo: Kevin Hagen/AP

2018 NBA DRAFT

DEANDRE Ayton is congratulated by family after he was picked first overall by the Phoenix Suns during the NBA basketball draft.

DEANDRE Ayton is introduced before the start of the NBA basketball draft.

World Cup 2018 results THURSDAY Group C Denmark......................1 1........................Australia Eriksen (7’) Jedinak (38’ pen) France.........................1 0.............................. Peru Mbappé (34’) Group D Argentina.....................0 3............................Croatia

Rebic (53’), Modric (80’),

Rakitic (90’+1)

FIRST ROUND 1. Phoenix, Deandre Ayton, c, Arizona.

2. Sacramento, Marvin Bagley III, f, Duke.

3. a-Atlanta, Luka Doncic, g, Real Madrid (Spain).

4. Memphis, Jaren Jackson Jr., f, Michigan State.

5. a-Dallas, Trae Young, g, Oklahoma.

6. Orlando, Mohamed Bamba, c, Texas.

7. Chicago, Wendell Carter Jr., c, Duke.

8. Cleveland (from Brooklyn via Boston), Collin Sexton, g, Alabama.

9. New York, Kevin Knox, f, Kentucky.

10. b-Philadelphia (from LA Lakers via Phoenix), Mikal Bridges, f, Villanova.

11. c-Charlotte, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, g, Kentucky.

12. c-LA Clippers (from Detroit), Miles Bridges, f, Michigan State.

13. LA Clippers, Jerome Robinson, g, Boston College.

14. Denver, Michael Porter Jr., f, Missouri.

15. Washington, Troy Brown Jr., g, Oregon.

16. b-Phoenix (from Miami), Zhaire Smith, g, Texas Tech.

17. Milwaukee, Donte DiVincenzo, g, Villanova.

18. San Antonio, Lonnie Walker, g, Miami.

19. Atlanta (from Minnesota), Kevin Huerter, g, Maryland.

20. Minnesota (from Oklahoma City via Utah), Josh Okogie, g, Georgia Tech.

PROPOSED TRADES a-Atlanta traded the rights of (No. 3) to Dallas for the rights of (No. 5) and a 2019 protected first-round pick. b-Philadelphia traded the rights to Mikal Bridges (No. 10) to Phoenix for the rights to G Zhaire Smith (No. 16) and a 2021 first-round draft pick. c-Charlotte traded the rights of (No. 11) to LA Clippers for the rights of (No. 12) and two future second-round picks.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, June 22, 2018, PAGE 3

End of an era as Amertil retires from page one But while she competed in their shadows, Amertil was one of the permanent figure on the women’s 4 x 400 metre relay team and also ran a few 4 x 100m teams, including the silver medal team at the IAAF World Championships in Berlin, Germany in 2009.

To her credit, Amertil won two medals in the women’s 400m at the IAAF World Indoor Championships, taking the silver in Birmingham, England in 2003 and the bronze in Moscow, Russia in 2009.

Outdoors, she also claimed the bronze at the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India in 2010 and the silver medal at the Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2007.

“Over the years, I have enjoyed the countless opportunities that athletics has brought me both professionally and personally,” said Amertil, who also won medals at both the Central American and Caribbean Games and Championships. “I am proud of all I have accomplished running under the Bahamian flag.”

Last year at the IAAF World Championships in London, England, Amertil competed in her final international meet for the Bahamas when she teamed up with Lanece Clarke, Anthonique Strachan and Shaquania Dorsett in the preliminaries.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t the type of performance that she anticipated as she she collided with another competitor on the back stretch of the second leg when she tried to pass

around the pack. She slipped and fell and had to be treated for some bruises as the Bahamas failed to finish.

After being treated by the medical staff in London, Amertil had vowed to return to Ajax, Canada where she resided with her husband of 12 years, Spencer, and their daughter and would work on her return to competition this year.

The comeback, however, was not meant to be.

Amertil, who also did some coaching and hope to return to school full-time to pursue a degree in Education, said her concentration is now on her future away from competing on the track.

“While I look forward to welcoming new opportunities, I will miss the competition and camaraderie that track and field has brought me,” she stated. “I will always be an athlete but now, I can give back to this sport in different ways.

“I leave this sport grateful to all who have helped me along the way whether individually or as an organization and give an earnest thank you. Best wishes to Team Bahamas in all their endeavors moving forward.”

Amertil departs having ran lifetime best times of 11.43 seconds in the 100m, 22.58 in the 200m and 50.09 in the 400m. And indoors, she has done personal best of 7.42 in the 60m, 23.25 in the 200m, 38.56 in the 300m and 50.34 in the 400m.

She was also the Bahamas national champion in the 400m six times in 2009, 2008, 2005, 2004, 2001 and 2000.

CHRISTINE AMERTIL

DEANDRE AND BUDDY AT THE DOUBLE FOR THE NBA THE Bahamas can now prepare to watch two Bahamians play at the same time in the National Basketball Association with Deandre Ayton getting drafted last night with the first pick of the 2018 Draft by the Phoenix Suns to join Grand Bahamian Chavano “Buddy” Hield of the Sacramento Kings.

It’s great news and obviously sets the stage for greater things to come in the future, While there were other Bahamians who played in the league, this is the first time that two will be playing against each other. So there will be a lot of excitement brewing whenever the Suns and the Kings clash, should Ayton and Hield remain on their rosters. As you know, there is expected to be a lot of wheeling and dealing before the season resumes in October.

It’s still early because Ayton still have to get his feet wet and Hied is starting to hold its own.

But wouldn’t it be good to see the two of them collaborate their efforts in bringing the NBA to The Bahamas, either through a training camp or a camp for youngsters like the Jeff Rodgers Summer Basketball Camp that Ayton got acclimated to the game before he went to the United States as a

raw teenager?

The Rodgers Basketball Camp replaced the Mychal “Sweet Bells” Thompson and Osbourne “Goose” Lockhart Summer Basketball Camp that the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture hosted in honor of the former NBA number one draft pick and Harlem Globetrotters star respectively.

Michael Pintard, the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, is attending the draft and is expected to have a series of meetings with the NBA with the view of facilitating some activities in the future, So is Mario Bowleg, the first vice president of the Bahamas Basketball Federation and a former national team coach of Ayton.

We just have to wait and see what come out of the meeting, but The Bahamas has and continue to be an ideal sporting mecca so why not bring on the NBA. This is indeed a good day because it represents another significant

accomplishment for our sporting athletes as they continue to prove that they have the natural ability to achieve anything that they put their mind too. However, who would have thought that 40 years later after Thompson made the breakthrough that we would have another number one first round foreign-born pick in the NBA? Congrats Ayton and welcome to the NBA and we look forward to a long and fruitful journey along with Hield.

BBA NATIONALS

After the dismantlement of the Bahamas Baseball Federation, the Bahamas Baseball Association has taken over the staging of the National Baseball Championships. It’s scheduled for this weekend at the Emera Baseball Complex in Grand Bahama and will bring all of the leagues in the country together under umbrella, including Freedom Farm.

The BBA is the governing body for the sport and will get to re orchestrate the national programme as they prior to the split that formed the BBF about two decades ago. Hopefully the nationals this weekend will provide one happy atmosphere for the sport moving forward.

BAAA NATIONALS

The Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations made a decision to combine the youth and junior national championships over the weekend at the original Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium. The event produced a number of outstanding performances with athletes attaining the qualifying standards for various meets this summer.

However, there were some notable athletes missing in action because of injuries, due to what they called a long season. But when they were in their training sessions, it should have been pointed out by their coaches that there are events that will be extended for a significant period of time.

That’s what training sessions are all about.

This weekend, the BAAA will switch its attention to the senior nationals at the new Thomas A Robinson National Stadium and

already there are some talk that some of the elite athletes will be missing, for one reason or the other, one of which is that this is an off year with no major international competition.

That should be no excuse not to participate in the nationals because the athletes owe it to the federation, sponsors and spectators to come home and compete and compete in their specialties to provide the much anticipated match-ups that they won’t get to see anywhere else.

Hopefully the BAAA will stick to their guns that unless the athletes compete in the nationals, they won’t be eligible to make the national teams that year and not allow the athletes to get away with their absence because they would have already qualified in previous meets elsewhere.

BSF NATIONALS

The Bahamas Swimming Federation and the BAAA normally clash with their nationals held around the same weekend, which poise some problems for the spectators who want to view the two. This year, the BSF’s nationals came a week ahead of the BAAA’s senior nationals.

And the BSF decided to spread it out to compete

from Saturday to Tuesday, which would not have interfered with the BAAA’s Youth and Junior Nationals. As it turned out, The BSF’s nationals worked in their favor as they hosted one of the most successful championships to date.

Despite the fact that one of the marquee competitors, Olympian Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace, was not in action at the Betty Kelly Kenning Swim Complex as she announced her retirement before the event started, there were a number of outstanding swimmers who rose to the occasion and performed exceptionally well.

It showed that the federation is still in good hands with a number of swimmers to continue to perform for The Bahamas on the international scene.

And while the reigning Barracuda Swim Club slipped all the way to fourth place in the standings, the newly formed Mako Aquatic Club emerged as the new champion and all indication are that there could be a rivalry between them and second place Alpha Aquatic as there was in the past with the Barrucuda and Swift Swimming Clubs.

So hats off to the BSF and its executive team, led by Algernon Cargill, on another successful and competitive nationals.

PAGE 4, Friday, June 22, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

SERBIA WON’T EASE OFF AGAINST SWITZERLAND AT WORLD CUP

France win 1-0, Peru out of contention

By MIKE CORDER, Associated Press KALININGRAD, Russia (AP) — Aleksandar Kolarov knows that after victory in its opening World Cup match his Serbia lineup cannot ease off the intensity against Switzerland.

Two draws in its remaining matches could be enough to secure a spot in the round of 16 but with Brazil waiting in their last Group E game, beating the Swiss would take the pressure off Mladen Krstajic’s team.

“If we do the math and start playing for a draw then it will not be successful,” Kolarov said. “Of course we want to win.”

The Serbia captain’s precisely placed free kick in the 56th minute was the only goal in Serbia’s victory over Costa Rica.

Krstajic wants his forwards to step up another level against Switzerland on Friday.

Krstajic appears to be keeping faith in striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, who scored six goals in Serbia’s World Cup qualification campaign but couldn’t find the target against Costa Rica.

“I know his qualities, everybody knows his qualities,” the coach said. “He lacked luck to score (against Costa Rica) but we are keeping him there for the forthcoming games.”

Mitrovic is unlikely to have an easy day against a Switzerland defence and midfield that held Brazil to a 1-1 draw in its opening match.

Steven Zuber’s powerful second-half header equalised for Switzerland after Philippe Coutinho’s curling shot had given Brazil the lead.

One of the keys to Switzerland’s success was midfielder Valon Behrami, whose tough tackling and marking of Neymar cancelled out the threat of the world’s most expensive player for most of the match against Brazil.

He was eventually replaced because of a thigh muscle strain in the 70th minute.

Tests Switzerland coach Vladimir Petkovic was relieved when tests showed no serious injury to Behrami, who became the first Swiss player to appear at four World Cups when he started against Brazil.

Behrami did not train with his teammates Tuesday, but is expected to be fit to resume his duties against Serbia.

“We need him in the next couple of matches,” said Petkovic.

WHAT’S IN A NAME? Serbia is seeking to reach the round of 16 for the first time since 1998, when it was known as Yugoslavia.

The team did not make it out of the group stage in 2006 or 2010 and did not qualify for Brazil four years ago.

Serbs have played at the World Cup in several different guises in the past, reflecting the country’s turbulent history as part of the former Yugoslavia and an independent state following that country’s disintegration in the 1990s.

In 2006, it was Serbia and Montenegro, in 1998 Serbs reached the round of 16 in the Yugoslavia team, while Croatia, a former part of Yugoslav teams, reached the semifinals.

Prior to that, a Yugoslavia team made up of all the Communist country’s former nationalities played at World Cups.

Before World War II, a Kingdom of Yugoslavia team played one World Cup, finishing fourth in 1930.

FRANCE’S Blaise Matuidi celebrates at the end of the group C match against Peru. France won 1-0. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

By KAREL JANICEK, Associated Press YEKATERINBURG, Russia (AP) — With all their attacking talent, France proved they also have class in defence.

Other coaches might envy Didier Deschamps, who has a forward line bursting with skill, speed and goals.

But Peru coach Ricardo Gareca looked at the other end Thursday after his team lost 1-0.

“I think France did some outstanding work of defence,” said Gareca, whose team was eliminated while the French advanced to the knockout stage.

Discipline “Credit needs to be given to France, it’s not that Peru fell short,” Gareca said. “Unlike their other games, France had very strong tactical discipline to neutralise Peru. Something that wasn’t visible in their other matches.”

After Peru lost their opening game to Denmark 1-0, they needed a least a point against France to stay in contention following a 36-year absence from the tournament.

With striker Paolo Guerrero back in the starting lineup, Peru’s players used any and every opportunity to put France under pressure.

It didn’t work.

Deschamps made two tactical changes for the game, using

Olivier Giroud and Blaise Matuidi in the starting line-up.

The result upfront was visible.

France were more fluid than in the 2-1 victory over Australia and the cooperation between midfielders Paul Pogba and Ngolo Kante with the attackers resulted in a number of scoring opportunities.

But when Peru were on a desperate attack, they all were ready to help at the back.

It was not just defenders Benjamin Pavard, Raphael Varane, Samuel Umtiti and Lucas Hernandez who were solid for the second straight game.

“It doesn’t come only from the French defence,” Deschamps said.

“The attacking players did what they had to do. They made an effort for the team to be compact, to work together. It was very important to have very solid defence.”

France neutralised Guerrero to a single chance in the first half.

But goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who made his 100th international appearance, saved his low shot from close range.

In the second half, France kept Peru at a distance, allowing mostly only long range attempts on goal.

Even such an offensive ace as Kylian Mbappe, who scored the winning goal in the first half, came to help.

“If the team needs it, you need to sacrifice yourself,” Mbappe said.

“Today, sometimes we didn’t need to be up the field ... this is what I did.”

FRANCE’s Paul Pogba comforts Peru’s Anderson Santamaria. (AP)

ERIKSEN SCORES HIS FIRST GOAL IN RUSSIA AS DENMARK HELD

BY AUSTRALIA

By ANNE M. PETERSON, AP Sports Writer SAMARA, Russia (AP) — It was the breakthrough everyone expected of Christian Eriksen. It just wasn’t the result.

Denmark’s attacking midfielder scored his first goal of the World Cup in the opening minutes against Australia on Thursday, but ultimately the Danes settled for a 1-1 draw.

It was the Tottenham standout’s 17th goal for Denmark in his last 20 international matches.

And it was dramatic, a precise left-footed strike from the centre of the box that sailed past the outstretched arms of Australia goalkeeper Mathew Ryan in the seventh minute.

But then Australia settled in and shut Denmark down. The game-tying goal would be a penalty kick

by Socceroos captain Mile Jedinak after a handball called on Yussuf Poulsen that was confirmed by video replay.

“We expected it to be a very tough game and it was.

Of course, we got the start we wanted, to be up 1-0 in the first 10 minutes, but then the game changed,” Eriksen said. “But they are a good side, they are at the World Cup for a reason.”

Eriksen had an assist in the opener, a 1-0 victory over Peru. Denmark has four points in Group C, with the team’s final match against France on Tuesday in Moscow.

Following France’s 1-0 victory over Peru in the late group match on Thursday, the French secured a spot in the knockout round while Peru were eliminated. Denmark will advance with a win or draw against France, or a loss or draw for Australia in their final match against Peru.

In four previous World Cups, Denmark have emerged from their group three times, reaching the quarterfinals in 1998. The team missed the 2014 tournament in Brazil.

But Denmark are on a roll now, undefeated in 17 straight matches.

During World Cup qualifying, Eriksen scored 11

DENMARK’S players celebrate after Christian Eriksen scored the opening goal during the group C match against Australia. (AP) goals for the Danes, thirdbest in Europe behind Poland striker Robert Lewandowski with 16 and Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo with 15.

“Christian is a world class player. We are very lucky he is Danish. We’re all quite happy about that,” Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel said a day earlier. “His importance to Denmark we have seen all

through qualification. He is down to Earth and you wouldn’t think that he was as world class as he is.”

Eriksen, now 26, was the youngest player at the World Cup in South Africa.

He now has 79 appearances for the national team with 23 goals.

But his effort wasn’t enough against Australia.

Denmark coach Age Hareide said at times his

team appeared tired.

“We lost too many balls, Australia got too many counterattacks. We had to run too much,” Hareide said. “You know what? The World Cup is tough.”

Still, the coach was sure Denmark would get through the group.

“It’s got to be a decisive match in Moscow,” he said, “and I do believe we will advance to the last 16.”

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, June 22, 2018, PAGE 5

NEYMAR TO START IN UNCHANGED BRAZIL TEAM TO FACE COSTA RICA

Argentina on the brink of exit from World Cup

By JEROME PUGMIRE, AP Sports Writer ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (AP) — Neymar will start for Brazil in a mostly unchanged lineup against Costa Rica on Friday at the World Cup. Although Brazil coach Tite said Neymar still needs time to reach peak shape, he insisted he is not endangering the striker’s health.

“Yes, he will be playing.

There’s no sacrifice here,” Tite said through a translator Thursday. “We want to win but the coach is not going to play around with a player’s health, the price would be too high to pay.”

Tite was expected to use the same 11 players that were held to a 1-1 draw by Switzerland in the team’s opening match, but right back Danilo got injured in the team’s final training session on Thursday and will be replaced by Fagner.

Neymar limped out of a training session on Tuesday after appearing to hurt his right ankle. But on Wednesday, the Brazilian soccer confederation posted photos and a video of Neymar training with the rest of the squad and said he was fine.

“It’s an evolutionary process. You need to speed up the steps,” Tite said. “He’s already speeded up that process.”

The world’s most expensive player, who joined Paris Saint-Germain for 222 million euros ($260 million) from Barcelona, only just made it to the World Cup after breaking a toe in his right foot on Feb. 25.

After recovering from surgery, Neymar played in two World Cup warmup matches and scored in both to take his international tally to 55 goals.

Fouled But he lacked sharpness when Brazil opened its World Cup campaign with the draw against Switzerland on Sunday. Although Neymar was fouled 10 times during that match, he was still noticeably below his best.

On Thursday, Tite became angered after he was asked if he had spoken personally with Neymar to encourage him to be more unselfish.

“Absolutely not. The information you got is not true,” Tite shouted, his voice rising steeply as he called it a lie. “That didn’t happen.”

He then said it would be pointless to restrict Neymar’s way of playing.

“I’m not going to take his initiative away from him in the last third of the field, take away his genius,” Tite said. “The last third of the field is where you have to go to create chances, and I’m not going to take that away from anyone.”

Anything but victory could leave Brazil, one of the title favourites in Russia, in a difficult position to advance from the group stage.

Serbia lead Group E with three points after beating Costa Rica 1-0 and next play Switzerland in Kaliningrad on Friday.

Serbia and Brazil then meet on Wednesday in Moscow.

Brazil have no margin for error against Costa Rica, who won its group at the last World Cup and reached the quarterfinals.

“It is a decisive game, of course,” said Tite, who sat next to defender Thiago Silva. “You can’t run away from that.”

Silva will take over as captain from left back Marcelo because Tite is rotating the job. Silva was Brazil’s captain four years ago, when he was criticised for breaking down before a penalty shootout in the round of 16.

In Russia, he’s urging his teammates to be brave.

“The team is fully aware of what we are going to be facing tomorrow,” he said.

“They didn’t start well but they are ready to recover.

The fight is on.”

ARGENTINA’S Lionel Messi reacts after Croatia’s Luka Modric scored his side’s second goal. Croatia won 3-0. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)

By STEPHEN WADE, AP Sports Writer

GROUP DYNAMICS Croatia have advanced with six points from two matches in Group D, while Argentina have only one point and are facing elimination. Iceland also have one point, and Nigeria have zero. Nigeria and Iceland play on Friday.

NIZHNY NOVGOROD, Russia (AP) — Lionel Messi’s frustrating international career may be coming to an early and anti-climactic finish after Argentina’s worst loss in World Cup group play in 60 years.

With Diego Maradona watching from the stands, the 2014 runners-up were routed by Croatia 3-0 Thursday. The Croats are moving on to the round of 16.

Messi got off only one shot in a defeat that pushed Argentina to the brink of elimination.

Messi, who turns 31 on Sunday, has never won a major title with Argentina’s senior national team despite of decade of championships with Barcelona and five player of the year awards.

KEYS TO SUCCESS Croatia stymied Messi for 90 minutes, not allowing even one shot.

The Croats played with five midfielders and seemed to close down any possible space.

Before the match, Dalic said this was going to be Croatia’s “easiest game.” He clarified that by saying it would not be an “easy opponent” but it would be a “pressurefree match.”

Captain “He is our captain, he leads the team and we quite simply couldn’t pass to him,” Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli said. “We work to give Leo the ball, but the opponent also works hard to prevent him from getting the ball.”

Messi also missed a penalty kick in his team’s opening 1-1 draw against Iceland.

Argentina, hurt by the poor play of goalkeeper Willy Caballero on Thursday, had not lost by such a large margin in the first round since a 6-1 defeat to Czechoslovakia in 1958.

Caballero gained the starting role because No. 1 keeper Sergio Romero injured his knee last month in the run-up to the tournament.

“We have to swallow the poison,” Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano said. “The game says it all.”

Argentina, who have not missed making the

CROATIA’S LUKA MODRIC, right, celebrates after scoring his side’s second goal against Argentina. (AP)

second round since 2002, have not been eliminated.

But the two-time champions need to win their next match against Nigeria on Tuesday, as well as get help from other matches.

Thursday’s humiliating loss came in humiliating fashion for one of soccer’s most storied nations.

Caballero mangled a clearance and kicked the ball toward Croatia defender Ante Rebic, who one-timed it into the net in the 53rd minute.

Caballero buried his face in his hands while a giant television screen showed Maradona doing the same.

“After they scored on us, we were emotionally broken,” Sampaoli said. “I had a lot of hope.

I am extremely hurt by this defeat, but I probably didn’t understand the match the way I should have.”

Defence And it got worse as Argentina crumbled, frustrated by the Croatian defence. Modric scored with a hooking shot in the 80th and Ivan Rakitic added the third in stoppage time.

Croatia frustrated

Argentina throughout the match and never gave Messi space to operate.

“Argentina wasn’t confused. We were excellent,” Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic said. “We beat a great Argentina with the best player in the world playing, Messi.”

Croatia, who reached the 1998 World Cup semifinals but have not advanced past the group stage since then, will face Iceland on Tuesday in Rostov-on-Don. “Let’s keep our feet firmly on the ground and prepare for the next matches,” said Modric, the man of the match.

MESSI OR RONALDO? Sampaoli didn’t want to choose when asked if Cristiano Ronaldo was the best player in the world.

“I think Cristiano is a great player. You can look at all he has achieved as a player for his club and his country,” Sampaoli said.

“Right now we shouldn’t compare these two players ... Leo is limited because the team doesn’t gel ideally as it should.

As coaches we need to realise these things and I am the one who needs to accept that.”

“We should be focused on what awaits.

“Every next game is going to be more difficult, but our main objective has been reached. It looks easy, but it was not that easy.”

Argentina won the World Cup in 1978 and 1986 — the last with Maradona as the star player — but have not won any major title in 25 years. The Argentines also lost in the last two Copa America finals.

ARGENTINA goalkeeper Wilfredo Caballero holds his head after Croatia’s Ante Rebic, background right, scores the opening goal yesterday. (AP)

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, June 22, 2018, PAGE 7

MUGURUZA LOSES IN BIRMINGHAM 2ND ROUND, KVITOVA ADVANCES BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) — Wimbledon champion Garbine Muguruza tried to look on the bright side of her secondround 6-2, 6-4 defeat to unseeded Barbora Strycova in the Birmingham Classic on Thursday.

“We have a lot of time now to prepare (for Wimbledon). In a way it’s good,” Muguruza said. “I wish I could play more matches, but nothing really worries me.”

The top-seeded Spaniard struggled in windy conditions against the tenacious Czech, who has won their last three encounters on grass.

Muguruza sometimes looked languid in responding to the challenge of a hard-working opponent, and occasionally became irritated by the strong winds.

She also let slip a 4-2 second set lead, and was several times passed when she increased her ratio of net attacks.

“I’m going to practice more to get ready for Wimbledon. I’m not going to do anything very different,”

Muguruza said. “I’m staying in the same place and things like that, but I’m not superstitious. I don’t have to do anything special. That’s silly.

“Obviously my level wasn’t at its best. But credit to her. I think she played well.”

in that last game I was very nervous.”

Earlier, defending champion Petra Kvitova beat Daria Gavrilova, a troublesome opponent in the past, 6-2, 6-2 to reach the quarterfinals.

Gavrilova won their last two matchups being persistent and mobile enough to contain Kvitova’s uncompromising hitting.

But the wind pushed and pulled the Australian into errors at important moments.

During Gavrilova’s first two service games, she committed four double faults and lost both service games, helping Kvitova to a rampant start.

“The conditions were tough in that wind,” acknowledged Kvitova, who delivered five double faults herself. “But that’s fine. The grass helped me for sure.

We hadn’t played each other on this surface before.”

Fourth-seeded Kvitova next plays Julia Goerges, the world No. 13 from Germany, who beat last year’s runner-up, Ashleigh Barty, 7-6 (6), 6-3.

Warmup Although Muguruza lost in Birmingham last year too, she played four useful warmup matches against two this time. But she also lost to Strycova at Eastbourne a week later last year before going on to win Wimbledon.

Strycova reached the quarterfinals here for a third time and now plays Lesia Tsurenko, the unseeded Ukrainian who overcame sixth-seeded Daria Kasatkina 1-6, 6-3, 6-3.

“I like to fight, on and off the court,” Strycova said.

“Sometimes you fight and get a reward.

“You have to play tricky in these conditions, and I did that, although I admit

SPAIN’s Garbine Muguruza plays a shot during her tennis match against Czech Republic’s Barbora Strycova during the Nature Valley Classic at Edgbaston Priory, Birmingham, England, yesterday.

(Simon Cooper/PA via AP)

THE WEATHER REPORT

5-Day Forecast

TODAY

ORLANDO

High: 91° F/33° C Low: 73° F/23° C

TAMPA

TONIGHT

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

An afternoon t‑storm in the area

Partly cloudy, a t‑storm in spots

Clouds and sun with a thunderstorm

Periods of sun with a thunderstorm

Partly sunny, a t‑storm; breezy

Clouds and sun with a thunderstorm

High: 88°

Low: 78°

High: 87° Low: 78°

High: 87° Low: 78°

High: 87° Low: 77°

High: 87° Low: 77°

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

100° F

87° F

100°-85° F

97°-82° F

97°-85° F

97°-85° F

High: 90° F/32° C Low: 78° F/26° C

The exclusive AccuWeather RealFeel Temperature® is an index that combines the effects of temperature, wind, humidity, sunshine intensity, cloudiness, precipitation, pressure and elevation on the human body—everything that affects how warm or cold a person feels. Temperatures reflect the high and the low for the day.

N

almanac

E

W

ABACO

S

N

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 78° F/26° C

6‑12 knots

S

WEST PALM BEACH High: 88° F/31° C Low: 72° F/22° C

6‑12 knots

FT. LAUDERDALE E

W

FREEPORT

High: 90° F/32° C Low: 74° F/23° C

N

S

E

W

High: 88° F/31° C Low: 78° F/26° C

MIAMI

High: 90° F/32° C Low: 74° F/23° C

6‑12 knots

KEY WEST

High: 89° F/32° C Low: 79° F/26° C

ELEUTHERA

NASSAU

High: 88° F/31° C Low: 78° F/26° C

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2018

High: 85° F/29° C Low: 80° F/27° C

N

The higher the AccuWeather UV IndexTM number, the greater the need for eye and skin protection.

tiDes For nassau High

Ht.(ft.)

Low

Ht.(ft.)

Today

3:55 a.m.

4:40 p.m.

2.6 2.8

10:17 a.m. 0.0 11:00 p.m. 0.4

Saturday

4:53 a.m.

5:34 p.m.

2.5 2.9

11:09 a.m. 0.0 11:57 p.m. 0.3

Sunday

5:46 a.m.

6:22 p.m.

2.4 2.9

11:57 a.m. 0.0 ‑‑‑‑‑ ‑‑‑‑‑

Monday

6:35 a.m.

7:07 p.m.

2.3 3.0

12:48 a.m. 0.3 12:42 p.m. 0.0

Tuesday

7:20 a.m.

7:48 p.m.

2.3 3.0

1:34 a.m.

1:24 p.m.

0.2 0.0

Wednesday 8:02 a.m.

8:28 p.m.

2.3 3.0

2:16 a.m.

2:04 p.m.

0.2 0.0

Thursday

2.3 3.0

2:56 a.m.

2:44 p.m.

0.2 0.0

8:43 a.m.

9:06 p.m.

sun anD moon Sunrise Sunset

6:21 a.m.

8:03 p.m.

Moonrise Moonset

3:19 p.m.

2:33 a.m.

Full

Last

New

First

Jun. 28

Jul. 6

Jul. 12

Jul. 19

CAT ISLAND

E

W

High: 86° F/30° C Low: 78° F/26° C

N

S

E

W

4‑8 knots

S

4‑8 knots Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

Statistics are for Nassau through 2 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 88° F/31° C Low .................................................... 77° F/25° C Normal high ....................................... 87° F/31° C Normal low ........................................ 74° F/23° C Last year’s high ................................. 91° F/33° C Last year’s low ................................... 80° F/27° C Precipitation As of 2 p.m. yesterday ................................. 1.65” Year to date ............................................... 22.53” Normal year to date ................................... 12.04”

uV inDex toDay

ANDROS

SAN SALVADOR

GREAT EXUMA

High: 85° F/29° C Low: 81° F/27° C

High: 86° F/30° C Low: 80° F/27° C

N

High: 88° F/31° C Low: 79° F/26° C

E

W S

LONG ISLAND

insurance management tracking map

High: 86° F/30° C Low: 81° F/27° C

4‑8 knots

MAYAGUANA High: 85° F/29° C Low: 81° F/27° C

Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

CROOKED ISLAND / ACKLINS RAGGED ISLAND High: 85° F/29° C Low: 80° F/27° C

High: 85° F/29° C Low: 81° F/27° C

GREAT INAGUA High: 88° F/31° C Low: 81° F/27° C

N

E

W

E

W

N

S

S

4‑8 knots

4‑8 knots

marine Forecast ABACO ANDROS CAT ISLAND CROOKED ISLAND ELEUTHERA FREEPORT GREAT EXUMA GREAT INAGUA LONG ISLAND MAYAGUANA NASSAU RAGGED ISLAND SAN SALVADOR

Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday:

WINDS SW at 6‑12 Knots SSW at 6‑12 Knots SW at 4‑8 Knots ESE at 4‑8 Knots SSW at 4‑8 Knots SE at 6‑12 Knots ESE at 4‑8 Knots ESE at 8‑16 Knots SSW at 6‑12 Knots S at 4‑8 Knots WSW at 6‑12 Knots WSW at 4‑8 Knots S at 4‑8 Knots SE at 4‑8 Knots NE at 4‑8 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots SSE at 4‑8 Knots E at 7‑14 Knots SSE at 6‑12 Knots ESE at 8‑16 Knots SSW at 4‑8 Knots S at 4‑8 Knots SE at 4‑8 Knots E at 7‑14 Knots SW at 4‑8 Knots SE at 6‑12 Knots

WAVES 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet 0‑1 Feet 0‑1 Feet 1‑2 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑2 Feet 3‑6 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑2 Feet 0‑1 Feet 1‑2 Feet 1‑2 Feet 3‑5 Feet 1‑2 Feet 1‑3 Feet 2‑4 Feet 3‑6 Feet 0‑1 Feet 0‑1 Feet 1‑2 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑2 Feet 1‑2 Feet

VISIBILITY 5 Miles 5 Miles 5 Miles 5 Miles 10 Miles 5 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 5 Miles 5 Miles 5 Miles 5 Miles 10 Miles 5 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 5 Miles 5 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 5 Miles

WATER TEMPS. 81° F 81° F 83° F 83° F 83° F 83° F 84° F 84° F 78° F 78° F 82° F 82° F 84° F 84° F 83° F 83° F 85° F 85° F 84° F 84° F 83° F 83° F 85° F 85° F 80° F 81° F

PAGE 8, Friday, June 22, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

JORDAN SPIETH, ZACH JOHNSON TIED FOR EARLY LEAD AT TRAVELERS

By PAT EATON-ROBB, AP Sports Writer CROMWELL, Conn.

(AP) — Jordan Spieth has no idea what it is like to play from behind at the Travelers Championship.

The defending champion led after every round last year in his first visit to TPC River Highlands, and a shot a 7-under 63 on Thursday to match Zach Johnson for the first-round lead. Spieth had six birdies and an eagle out the bunker on par-5 sixth hole — a shot reminiscent of the greenside bunker shot that gave him a victory last year over Daniel Berger in a playoff.

“They’ve got some sort of magnetic sand for me,” Spieth joked. “But it was actually a pretty tough shot there, almost a little downslope and I had to hit close to the ball, which you just have to commit to it.

I just hit the shot that was necessary. I probably could have gone 4-5 feet bye, but I couldn’t hit it any better than I did and I was obviously fortunate for it to hit the pin and go in.”

Johnson went out in the morning and led for most of the day. He had eight birdies, including six straight on the back nine, one off than the course record.

“Six in a row is a treat,” said Johnson, who finished tied for 12th last week in the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills. “I had a lot of loft in my hand, lot of wedges in my hand. So that’s kind of how you’ve got to think about it is you have a lot of opportunity on the back side if you get the ball on the fairway. There are some holes you can get at.”

Rory McIlroy missed a 13-foot putt for par on the final hole that would have given him a share of the lead and finished in a three-way tie for third place with Brian Harmon and Peter Malnati.

McIlroy, who like Spieth missed the cut in the U.S. Open, said he’s been working on his swing since Saturday.

He saw the practice pay off, hitting 17 greens with seven birdies during his round of 64.

NEW York Yankees left fielder Giancarlo Stanton, left, centre fielder Clint Frazier and right fielder Aaron Judge, right, celebrate after the Yankees defeated the Seattle Mariners 4-3 at Yankee Stadium in New York. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

YANKEES FINISH OFF SWEEP OF MARINERS WITH 4-3 VICTORY

By THE Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Judge and Miguel Andujar hit two-run homers off James Paxton in the first inning that sent the New York Yankees over the Seattle Mariners 4-3 on Thursday for a three-game sweep.

Luis Severino and the Yankees boosted the best record in the majors to 50-22. They’ve won four in a row and 17 of 21. Seattle has lost a season-high four straight.

Severino (11-2) wasn’t at his best. He gave up Kyle Seager’s two-run homer in the second and permitted eight hits overall, matching

a season most. He was pulled with two outs in the sixth after Ben Gamel’s RBI single cut Seattle’s deficit to one run.

David Robertson and Dellin Betances protected the lead, and Aroldis Chapman struck out Dee Gordon on three pitches with a runner on second for his 22nd save in 23 chances.

Paxton (6-2) had been 5-0 in 10 starts since April, including a no-hitter at Toronto. He went five innings and threw 107 pitches, the same total as Severino.

RED SOX 9, TWINS 2 MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Rick Porcello allowed one hit in seven innings,

Mookie Betts and Andrew Benintendi homered, and Boston beat Minnesota to avoid a series sweep.

Xander Bogaerts had two RBIs for the Red Sox, who had a season-high 16 hits, and finished 6-4 on a road trip through Baltimore, Seattle and Minnesota.

After a first-inning single

by Logan Morrison, ending a 0-for-30 stretch against Boston, Porcello (9-3) retired 19 of 20 Twins hitters, including the last 16.

Throwing 97 pitches, he struck out five and walked one.

Porcello finished seven innings for the first time in 10 starts since April 29.

Kyle Gibson (2-5) allowed seven hits and two

earned runs in six innings for Minnesota.

ROCKIES 6, METS 4 DENVER (AP) — Nolan Arenado homered for the third straight game and drove in five runs to help Colorado beat New York.

Arenado also doubled to back another strong outing from Kyle Freeland (7-6). Freeland has pitched at least six innings in 10 of his last 11 starts and has emerged as the team’s most reliable starter.

Arenado had just two home runs in his first 15 games of June, but has four in his last seven. He put the Rockies ahead 3-1 with a three-run homer in the first off Steven Matz (3-5), his

16th of the season.

He delivered a two-run double in the second to drive in five for the second time this season. He also had five RBIs at the Chicago Cubs on May 2.

Todd Frazier gave the Mets a 1-0 lead in the first with his eighth homer.

The Mets got within two runs when Frazier and Michael Conforto led off the eighth with singles.

Yency Almonte, making his major league debut, relieved Chris Rusin and allowed one inherited runner to score that made it 5-3 before getting an inning-ending double play.

It was the fifth doubleplay grounder by New York on the afternoon.