Sports
Davis Cup: Belgium granted controversial win, France, Spain also through

Published
4 months agoon

Belgium claimed a bizarre victory over Chile in the Davis Cup on Sunday, while France and Spain also came through the first qualifying round.
Chile and Belgium were tied after Saturday’s singles rubbers, and Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen’s doubles win over Tomas Barrios Vera and Nicolas Jarry put the Belgians 2-1 up.
In the next singles match, Chile’s Cristian Garin and Zizou Bergs split the opening two sets to take the contest into a decider, which ended in unusual and controversial circumstances.
With the final set deadlocked at 5-5, Bergs broke serve and as he celebrated gaining the advantage, he bumped into Garin at the net while changing ends and bundled the Chilean to the ground.
Garin received medical attention but after being cleared fit to continue, he failed to return to the court and Chile received three consecutive time violations resulting in a game penalty, giving Berg a 6-3 4-6 7-5 win. That handed Belgium an unbeatable 3-1 lead.
The French held a 2-0 lead over Brazil following Saturday’s singles action, and after losing the opening set, Benjamin Bonzi and Pierre-Hughes Herbert overcame Rafael Matos and Marcelo Melo 4-6 6-3 6-4 to seal the tie.
France, who won the last of their 10 Davis Cup titles in 2017, will face Croatia, who beat them to the trophy in 2018, in the second round.
Spain also came into Sunday’s doubles tie with a 2-0 lead over Switzerland, and childhood friends Pedro Martinez and Jaume Munar’s 6-4 7-5 win over Marc-Andrea Huesler and Dominic Strickler gave the Spanish an unassailable 3-0 lead.
Canada came into Sunday’s action 2-0 down to Hungary, but the 2022 champions pulled level with a win in the doubles and Gabriel Diallo’s 6-1 6-3 defeat of Fabian Marozsan to take the tie to the final rubber.
Marton Fucsovics outfought Alexis Galarneau 7-6(8) 6-4, and the Hungarians were the final nation to make it through to the second round where they will meet Austria.
The first round of the Davis Cup had 26 teams playing for a place in September’s second round of qualifiers.
Last year’s runners-up, the Netherlands, will join the competition in the second round which will consist of seven ties in a battle to make November’s Final 8 alongside hosts Italy. -Reuters
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The curtains came down on the thrilling 2024-25 Premier League season on Sunday, with Bibiani GoldStars clinching their first-ever league title.
After a challenging 2023-24 campaign that saw them flirting with relegation, Heart of Lions mounted a stunning resurgence to claim a second-place finish this season.
Joining them in the top four were Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak, with Kotoko edging their archrivals to third place based on the head-to-head rule, as stipulated in Article 7(4) of the Premier League regulations.

The Porcupine Warriors secured a 1-0 victory over Hearts in Kumasi and held their rivals to a goalless draw in Accra, giving them the advantage in the direct encounters and ultimately determining their superior position on the final league table.
Dreams FC achieved their highest-ever league finish, securing sixth place. Their final surge saw them overtake former champions, FC Samartex 1996, Medeama SC, and Aduana FC.
The season ended in disappointment for Accra Lions, Legon Cities and Nsoatreman FC, all of whom were relegated to the Access Bank Division One League.
Meanwhile the Ghana Football Association (GFA) president, Mr Kurt Okraku, sent a message of appreciation to the 18 clubs that participated in the 2024-25 Premier League season.
“To our new champions, GoldStars FC, congratulations on a well-deserved title. To those who fell short, I urge you to take pride in your journey and come back stronger,” he said in the statement.
“The statement also acknowledged the invaluable work of match officials, administrators, medical teams, grounds men, volunteers, and media partners, who are the backbone of the football ecosystem, for their invaluable contribution throughout the exciting campaign,” he stated.
“To our loyal supporters, your energy continues to breathe life into the league. You are the soul of Ghana football, and your love for the game remains our greatest source of inspiration,” Mr Okraku added.
He called for a sober reflection on a few unfortunate incidents that occurred at some match venues.
These moments, while regrettable, he emphasised, served as critical reminders of the work that still lies ahead in shaping a safer, more respectful football culture.
Moreover, he said the FA remains firmly committed to strengthening education at the club level and enhancing match day protocols to ensure a more secure and inclusive environment for players, officials, and fans alike.
Sports
Police Ladies set to represent Ghana in CAF Women’s Champions League qualifiers

Published
2 days agoon
June 11, 2025
Malta Guinness Women’s Premier League champions Police Ladies will represent Ghana at the upcoming WAFU B CAF Women’s Champions League qualifiers.
The tournament is scheduled to take place in Cote d’Ivoire from Saturday, August 19 to Sunday, August 24, 2025.
This marks a significant opportunity for Police Ladies to showcase their skills, make Ghana proud and fight for the sole ticket for the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Champions League.
They follow in the footsteps of Hasaacas Ladies and Ampem Darkoa Ladies, who have previously represented Ghana in the championship.
With their talent and determination, Police Ladies are poised to make a strong impression and bring glory to Ghanaian football.

Gold Stars on Sunday closed the chapter on what could be their finest football season ever, demolishing already relegated Accra Lions 4-0 to emerge champions of the 2024/25 Ghana Premier League (GPL).
The win confirmed the Timber giants as a new entity among GPL winners. They also drilled the final nail into the coffin of Accra Lions as they head to battle for a return to the elite stage of football from the Division One League (DOL).
On Saturday, a carnival atmosphere is anticipated around the precincts of Bibiani as they host Medeama in a coronation match at the Dun’s Park with kick-off set at 3pm.
A game between the two under normal circumstances would have produced a lot of fireworks as they chase the bragging rights for their emerging rivalry.
However, Saturday’s game would be one more for celebration as the hosts are crowned champions of the just ended season.
Expected to be in attendance are executive members of the Football Association led by its president, Mr Kurt Okraku, top officials of the club as well as officials from their sponsors.
A similar exercise is expected to take place at Swedru where local side, Swedru All Blacks, will be crowned champions of Zone Two of the Access Bank Division One League on Saturday.
They would take on Soccer Intellectuals in a game expected to thrill their audience and show their preparedness for life in the Premier League.
The Black Magicians, as they are known, secured the title with a game to spare, finishing with 66 points from 30 matches (21 wins, 3 draws, 6 losses).
Meanwhile, Hohoe United were officially crowned champions of the Access Bank DOL Zone 3 after a thrilling 2-1 victory over Home Stars in a coronation match last Saturday at the Hohoe Sports Complex.
All three goals were scored in a pulsating first half exchanges.
The triumph marks a historic milestone for Hohoe United, who have now secured promotion to the Premier League for the first time since their rebranding from Liberty Professionals.
This long-awaited qualification comes in their third attempt, following the club’s change of ownership and relocation from the capital to Hohoe.
In attendance were GFA president, Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, Executive Council member Samuel Aboabire, club owner and former Member of Parliament for Hohoe, Mr John Peter Amewu, and revered traditional leader Togbega Gabusu VII.

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