Ronaldo and Co launch Euros in jittery France

LISBON: Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, left, vies for the ball with Estonia’s Nikita Baranov during their friendly soccer match at Benfica stadium. —AP

PARIS: Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice for Portugal before becoming the last of the football superstars to arrive in France for today’s start of the European Championship finals. With the host nation under a state of emergency over feared terror attacks, strict security has greeted Ronaldo and other headline players as well as the hundreds of thousands of foreign fans gathering for the monthlong, 51-match fiesta. France launch the tournament with a Group A game against Romania on Friday at the Stade de France which was one of the targets of the November 13 attacks last year.

Ronaldo scored twice in a 45 minute appearance for Portugal in their 7-0 win over Estonia on Wednesday night, their final match before their first Group F game next Tuesday against Iceland. The three-time World Player of the Year, looking to add a first international trophy to his accolades, banished doubts over his fitness with his two goal display that allowed Portugal to head for France full of confidence.

“It has been a long season,” he said. “I would have liked to have played more tonight, but I need to hold back and give others playing time. “I feel good. There is still a week to go. What I want is a good start to the Euros and an even better finish. It is a difficult competition to win, you have to go step by step.” There is also much focus on France, looking to add a new triumph on home territory after their triumphs in the 1984 European Championship and 1998 World Cup. Coach Didier Deschamps, captain of the 1998 side, is charged with lifting the spirits of a nation beset by social unrest and fears of a repeat of the attacks in Paris last November which killed 130 people. France has ramped up security, but two million visitors are expected to attend matches from Lens in the north of the country to Nice on the Cote d’Azur and the Stade de France, which will host the opening game and July 10 final.

Rashford’s Euro dream

Deschamps’s preparations have been further disrupted by accusations of racism from Real Madrid star Karim Benzema after he was exclused from the squad over an investigation into his role in a sextape blackmail scandal. France’s Paul Pogba will still be one of the most watched stars at Euro 2016 alongside the likes of Ronaldo. France will also see Zlatan Ibrahimovic grace an international tournament for possibly the last time in the colors of Sweden, while Gareth Bale will hope to have a big impact as Wales return to a major finals for the first time since 1958.

“We’re not going there just to make up the numbers,” Real Madrid forward Bale told the BBC recently. The expanded finals could also see the younger stars of European football announce themselves on the international stage, from England teenager Marcus Rashford to Bayern Munich’s David Alaba. “It doesn’t seem real,” 18-year-old Rashford said of his surprise inclusion just four months after making his Manchester United debut. “To be here now is just amazing. For it to be in my hands to go out and help the country is an amazing feeling.”

Only eight of the 24 teams will be eliminated in the group stage giving a host of less-fancied nations a chance to shine on the big stage. Northern Ireland and Hungary return to major tournaments after three-decade absences, while it will be the first ever finals for the minnows of Iceland and Albania and Iceland. “It will be tough, but we’re capable of springing a surprise,” Albania forward Shkelzen Gashi told World Soccer. “We’re going there to enjoy the occasion, sure, as it’s the first time Albania has ever appeared in a major tournament, but we also want to give a good account of ourselves.” —AP

KuwaitTimes

Pep Guardiola will take Manchester City to a new level - chairman

Pep Guardiola led Bayern Munich to the German league and Cup double in 2015-16

Pep Guardiola will take Manchester City "to a new level", according to club chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak.

Ex-Barcelona boss Guardiola has left Bayern Munich to replace Manuel Pellegrini as City manager this summer.

"I'm absolutely excited about Pep joining our team," said Al Mubarak. "I consider Pep to be one of, if not the best manager, in football today.

"We are getting a manager that epitomises passion and commitment. He is a proven winner."

Guardiola was victorious in the Champions League twice at Barcelona, including their treble-winning campaign in 2008-09.

He also won the German league title with Bayern for three successive seasons, although he failed to win the Champions League with the Bundesliga outfit.

Speaking to City's website, Al Mubarak added: "I have no doubt that he will transform our team to a new level."

City finished fourth in the Premier League in 2015-16 as they failed to reclaim the title they won under Pellegrini in 2014.

However, they won the League Cup and reached the Champions League semi-finals, losing to eventual winners Real Madrid.

Al Mubarak praised the efforts of Pellegrini but admitted this season had been a disappointment, adding: "We had high expectations."

BBC Sport

Floored by our ‘Enery: Clay v Cooper, 1963

British fighter nearly caused a sensation but Wembley saw the right result in 1963

Epic fight: Cooper put Clay to the test but the American’s ability shone through in the endREX

In his youth, Muhammad Ali was so afraid of flying that he once traversed the US from San Francisco to Louisville by bus rather than board a plane, and travelling to Italy for the Rome Olympics of 1960 had been an ordeal. But whatever residual anxieties about a transatlantic journey he retained three years later when he signed up for a London fight with Henry Cooper, the British and Commonwealth heavyweight champion, were not likely to be compounded by concerns over the assignment awaiting him.

Cooper was such a light-framed heavyweight, so liable to register an undaunting poundage on the

The Times

Muhammad Ali: through the years

Muhammad Ali: through the yea

Fighting in his blood: Cassius Clay as a young boy at home in Louisville Kentucky

CORBIS

JANUARY 17, 1942 
Born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr in Louisville, Kentucky. His father, Cassius Sr, is a sign painter and his mother, Odessa, works as a part-time cleaner.

THE EARLY YEARS
When the 12-year-old’s bicycle is stolen, he vows to ‘whup’ the thief. Louisville policeman Joe Martin starts teaching Clay how to fight. In 1956 he wins novice Golden Gloves Championship as light- heavyweight and builds reputation on the amateur circuit. Four years later he boxes for the US Olympic team at the Rome Games and wins gold medal at light-heavyweight.

TURNING PRO
Clay turns professional in 1960 and wins

The times

The man who shook up the world

The combination of a magnetising physical presence and a personality that was uniquely captivating made Muhammad Ali one of a kind

Fist pump: perhaps the most famous photograph of Ali, standing over Liston during first round knockout of Sonny Liston in May 1965NEIL LEIFER

It is pretty much incontestable that at the height of his fame as the most compelling figure in the history of sport, and self-appointed master of ceremonies to mankind, Muhammad Ali was the most widely recognised human being on the planet. No contemporary political figure, however influential or notorious, impinged on the consciousness of so many people. Nor did the most celebrated film stars or popular entertainers.

When the Beatles met up with him on their tour of America early in 1964, he was still two or three weeks away from the sensational defeat of Sonny Liston that made him

England 2-1 Turkey: Three Lions fail to convince in first Euro 2016 warm-up game

By Billy Hawkins - @bhawkinsss

Sunday, May 22, 2016

England's Euro 2016 preparations got off to the perfect start in Manchester as Roy Hodgson's men secured a 2-1 victory over Turkey, with goals from striker pair Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy.

Kane scored an offside goal which was not disallowed to take the lead inside the opening stages, but Hakan Calhanoglu pulled the tie level after 13 minutes. The Spurs striker then missed a penalty as the Three Lions struggled to break down a resilient Crescent-Stars side, who themselves were lacking some key players.

However, the Three Lions' preparations got back on track when Vardy rifled in a close range shot to keep up his run of scoring in three consecutive international games.

Kane scored within moments of kick-off, as the hosts started in electrifying style.

Jamie Vardy had a chance to open the scoring inside the first minute, but he failed to connect with his striker partner's through pass, but the Spurs striker did put the ball in the back of the net from the following move.

Raheem Sterling ran infield from the right wing, passing towards Dele Alli on the edge of the box. The youngster controlled and played the ball forward in a flash, showing remarkable skill, and Kane was in acres of space to easily convert into the bottom corner - although replays showed that the Spurs striker was clearly offside.

Despite going behind, and having never scored a goal against England before in 10 games, Turkey were not fearing their opponents.

Cenk Tosun, who was a constant thorn in the Three Lions' defence, registered their first shot of the night, making space on the left side of the box and firing towards the near post which Joe Hart had to dive low to keep out.

With the visitors attacking fearlessly, they took the lead just 10 minutes after England's opener, Calhanoglu converting from close range after some dodgy defending and goalkeeping from Danny Rose and Hart respectively.

The ball was played down right side of the box, with Rose caught out of position high up the pitch. Volkan Sen beat the onrushing Hart to the ball and crossed it in, and Leverkusen man Calhanoglu was there to prod home beyond defensive duo Gary Cahill and Joe Hart.

It was no less than Turkey deserved, and they started to show more composure with the ball, controlling possession well and probing the England back-line.

However, clear cut chances were few and far between for the remainder of the half, as both teams struggled to break down deep defences.

Jack Wilshere and Harry Kane had low attempts easily saved by Babacan in the Turkey goal, while Eric Dier and Mehmet Topal each had opportunities from set-pieces which they headed over.

The half ended with no further chances, and England looked to retake the lead as soon as they came out in the second period.

Hodgson's men broke with pace from kick-off, and after a strong attack Alli forced a save from Babacan with a long range shot which deflected kindly for the keeper.

The Three Lions were looking more incisive than they had earlier in the game, and Kane managed to put the ball in the back of the net just five minutes in, although he was correctly called offside.

However, as in the first half, Turkey weathered the storm and grew into the game, managing a few good chances of their own.

The impressive Tosun headed wide from a corner, before he unfortunately saw his shot on the turn flash wide of Hart’s goal with the Manchester City star flailing as failed to get anywhere near the ball.

The hosts were presented the biggest chance of the period when Vardy went down in the box under pressure from Topal. Kane stepped up and confidently smashed the spot-kick with power, but it flashed off the left-hand post and went wide.

But the Spurs star's blushes were spared eight minutes from time, when livewire Vardy secured the win from a yard out, smashing the ball home after Babacan had failed to clear Cahill's powerful headed chance.

A late onslaugh from the visitors was dealt with, Hart making an excellent save to keep England ahead as the defence fell asleep, but Hodgson will be delighted that his team came through their first pre-tournament friendly with a victory - even if it was not the most convincing display.

Jose Mourinho set to replace Louis van Gaal as Manchester United manager - Sky sports sources

Jose Mourinho is set to become the next manager of Manchester United, with talks due to take place early next week, according to Sky sources.

Sky Sports News HQ has been told Mourinho's agent Jorge Mendes is due to fly to England from China on Tuesday to negotiate a deal.  

The 53-year-old Portuguese has been out of work since being sacked by Chelsea last November after overseeing the Blues' worst start to a Premier League campaign. 

Mourinho, a three-time Premier League title winner with Chelsea, will inherit a United side that secured FA Cup success on Saturday by defeating Crystal Palace 2-1 after extra time at Wembley.

The victory over Palace also saw United claim their first piece of silverware since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson, but their triumph at the national stadium looks set to be Van Gaal's last match in charge. 

Van Gaal also refused to comment on his future following the win over Palace, saying: "I show you the cup. I don't discuss [my future] with the media."

Van Gaal has previously insisted that he would see out the last year of his contract, despite his side failing to secure a top four spot and Champions League football for next season. 

The 64-year-old has invested over £250m on new players during his two-year reign at Old Trafford, but a fifth-place finish means United will play in the Europa League during the 2016-17 campaign.

Manchester United have declined to comment.