IN BRIEF (Page 24)
Soccer
Italy remain top of FIFA world rankings
LONDON: World champions Italy retained their position at the top of the FIFA world rankings list published on Wednesday after a month in which very few international matches were played.
The rankings had very little movement, although Scotland climbed up five places to 14th, because of the devaluation of old defeats which now count for less. Scotland's position is their best since the rankings began in 1993.
Argentina slipped from second to third place after a 0-0 draw with Chile in a friendly international. Brazil moved up to second place.
FIFA's top 10 (last month's position in parentheses)
1-Italy (1), 2-Brazil (3), 3-Argentina (2), 4-France (4), 5-Germany (5), 6-Netherlands (6), 7-Portugal (7), 8-England (8), 9-Spain (9), 10-Czech Republic (10).
West Brom reach playoff final with Derby
LONDON: West Bromwich Albion beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0 for a 4-2 aggregate win in the English second division play-off semi-final second leg on Wednesday to secure a place in the final against Derby County.
The only goal of a tightly-contested match between the arch rivals played in driving rain in the Midlands came in the 65th minute through Kevin Phillips who scored three of West Brom's goals over the two legs.
West Brom's victory keeps alive the possibility that all three teams relegated from the Premier League last season could be promoted straight back with Sunderland and Birmingham already assured of returning to the top tier after finishing first and second in the table.
Derby beat Southampton 4-3 on penalties on Tuesday after their play-off ended 4-4 over two legs.
The final will be on May 28 at Wembley Stadium.
NHL
Ducks' Pronger suspended for one game
TORONTO: Anaheim Ducks defenceman Chris Pronger has been suspended for one game for striking Detroit Red Wings forward Tomas Holmstrom in the head, the NHL said Wednesday.
The incident occurred at 11:40 of the second period in game three of the Western Conference finals, won 5-0 by Detroit Tuesday. Holmstrom was hit along the boards by Pronger and teammate Rob Niedermayer.
Niedermayer received a five-minute penalty and game misconduct for the hit while Pronger did not receive a penalty. The league, however, reviewed the play Wednesday and decided to suspend Pronger.
Sailing
Desafio claim first semifinal win at LV Cup
VALENCIA, Spain: Spanish contenders Desafio Espanol notched up their first win over Emirates Team New Zealand to close the gap to 2-1 in their Louis Vuitton Cup semifinal on Wednesday.
In the second best-of-nine semi, Italian syndicate Luna Rossa held off BMW Oracle to move 2-1 up.
The closest newcomers Desafio had finished behind the experienced Kiwis was 33 seconds in nine previous encounters, but they got an early advantage forcing their rivals to give away a penalty in the pre-start.
Team New Zealand were penalised for not keeping clear of a gybing boat and Desafio poked their noses in front for the first time in the semis, rounding the first mark 14 seconds ahead.
The LV Cup final, another best-of-nine contest, is scheduled for the first week of June with the winners going on to challenge Swiss defender Alinghi for the America's Cup at the end of the month.
(China Daily 05/18/2007 page24)
