Danes upset Dutch
Danes upset Dutch
at Euro ’12 soccer
Associated Press
Denmark provided the upset and Germany was typically reliable as both earned 1-0 wins Saturday at the European Championship.
The Danes held off a wasteful Netherlands in Kharkiv and highly touted Germany wore down Portugal with a late winner in Lviv as co-host Ukraine staged its opening matches.
Star strikers Robin van Persie, top scorer in the English Premier League, and Arjen Robben were the worst offenders as the World Cup runner-up failed to convert any of its 28 attempts on goal.
Denmark, the surprise winner of Euro 1992, needed only Michael Krohn-Dehli’s smart 24th-minute solo effort to make a winning start in Group B.
Group favorites Germany labored at times against a Portugal side set up to defend despite boasting Cristiano Ronaldo in attack.
German forward Mario Gomez scored with a well-guided header in the 72nd — just as intended replacement Miroslav Klose was poised to enter the game.
Messi’s 3 goals lead
Argentina by Brazil
EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey — Lionel Messi scored on three dazzling runs for his second international hat trick, finishing the season with a record 82 goals for club and country in Argentina’s 4-3 win over Brazil in a friendly.
With Brazil using a mostly young squad ahead of the Olympics, Romulo put them ahead in the 23rd minute.
Messi gave Argentina a 2-1 lead with goals in the 31st and 34th on spectacular dashes that beat the defense, delighting a sellout crowd of 81,994 at MetLife Stadium.
Hurd’s cousin hit
with drug charge
DALLAS — A cousin of Sam Hurd is charged in an alleged drug conspiracy connected to the former NFL wide receiver.
Jesse Tyrone Chavful is accused of trying to buy large amounts of cocaine and marijuana. The 46-year-old San Antonio man was arrested this past week in San Antonio.
According to a court document released Friday, a confidential informant told authorities that Chavful at times had said he was making purchases for Hurd.
Hurd’s drug conspiracy trial has been delayed until August. The 26-year-old is a former Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys player. Hurd has pleaded not guilty.
’Zona tops St. John’s
to secure CWS spot
TUCSON, Ariz. — Konner Wade tossed a six-hitter and Arizona earned its first trip to the College World Series since 2004 by beating St. John’s 7-4 to complete a two-game sweep.
A three-time national champion, Arizona (43-17) earned a share of the Pac-12 championship for the first time since 1993 and is headed back to Omaha for the 16th time after finishing off the Red Storm.
UCLA 4, TCU 1: Nick Vander Tuig allowed one run in six innings to lift UCLA over TCU to win the NCAA Super Regional in Los Angeles and advance to the College World Series.
STONY BROOK 3, LSU 1: Tyler Johnson threw a three-hitter and allowed an unearned run, and Stony Brook defeated LSU to even the super regional series in Baton Rouge, La., at one game each.
FLORIDA 4, NORTH CAROLINA STATE 1: Mike Zunino homered and drove in three runs, Hudson Randall pitched seven scoreless innings and Florida beat North Carolina State in the opener of their super regional series in Gainesville, Fla.
BAYLOR 8, ARKANSAS 1: Logan Vick homered twice and Trent Blank scattered seven hits over eight innings as Baylor beat Arkansas in Game 1 in Waco, Texas.
SOUTH CAROLINA 5, OKLAHOMA 0: South Carolina ace Michael Roth closed his home career in style and the two-time defending national champion Gamecocks won their 20th straight NCAA tournament game with a victory in Columbia, S.C.
KENT STATE 7, OREGON 6: Shortstop Jimmy Rider went 2 for 5 with two RBIs and two runs scored as Kent State won the opener in Eugene, Ore.
Report: Gwynn owes
$400K in back taxes
SAN DIEGO — Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn, who has joined with movie producer Thomas Tull in an effort to buy the San Diego Padres, owes more than $400,000 in unpaid federal income taxes, the UT San Diego reported Saturday.
According to the newspaper, tax notices show Gwynn owes the government money from 2003, ‘07 and ‘09.
Gwynn said last month he is working with Tull, the CEO of Legendary Pictures and one of several prospective owners trying to buy the Padres from majority owner John Moores.
Gwynn’s attorney, Mitch Dubick, says his client is working to pay down the taxes and doesn’t believe the issue will have a bearing on his role with the ownership group.
Gwynn, who played with the Padres during his career, is San Diego State’s baseball coach.
YANKEES: Yankees left fielder Brett Gardner had another setback in his slow recovery from a strained right elbow.
New York manager Joe Girardi said Gardner felt pain when he woke up Saturday, a day after playing five innings in a rehab game with Class-A Charleston. The speedy outfielder will be examined by Dr. James Andrews.
Sidelined since April 18 with an injury to his non-throwing arm, Gardner has cut short two minor league rehab assignments because of discomfort. After the latest setback, Girardi acknowledged he doesn’t expect Gardner back until after the All-Star break.