A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Stanley tickets average €3,500
ICE HOCKEY: Hockey fever in Vancouver pushed average ticket prices for this morning's Stanley Cup final decider between the Canucks and Boston Bruins to more than €3,500 on the secondary market.
The average price exceeds the €3,000 for last year’s Olympic gold medal hockey game between Canada and the US, which was also in Vancouver.
It also tops the €3,170 resale price for this year’s Super Bowl, according to FanSnap.com, an Internet search engine that finds seats on about 50 ticket-reselling web sites.
The Canucks host Game Seven with a chance to win the National Hockey League championship for the first time in their 41-year history. The series is tied at 3-3, with the home team winning each game. Vancouver are also seeking to become the first Canadian team to win the title since the Montreal Canadiens in 1993.
PFAI can't act for both players in row
SOCCER:The Professional Footballers' Association of Ireland has informed both players involved in the racism allegation following Monday's game between Shamrock Rovers and Derry City it cannot represent either of them in the case as they are both members of the players' union.
Derry striker Eamon Zayed claimed after the 1-1 draw at Tallaght Stadium a Rovers player made a racist comment to him during the game. He reported it to the match officials and the PFAI.
The Rovers player, who rejects the accusation, yesterday came forward to seek the PFAI’s advice.
In a statement, the PFAI said, “The PFAI has consulted with its solicitor, Stuart Gilhooly, who has advised that as both players are members of the association and have conflicting recollections of the events in question, that it would not be appropriate for the association to represent either party.”
The disciplinary control unit of the FAI is investigating the matter and has contacted both clubs, who have until next Tuesday, June 21st, to give a written response.
Serena defeated but still feels good for Wimbledon
TENNIS:SERENA Williams believes launching her comeback at Eastbourne could pay off at Wimbledon even though she suffered a second-round defeat yesterday.
The American lost in three sets to top seed Vera Zvonareva at the AEGON International, with the Russian gaining some revenge for her defeat to Williams in the Wimbledon final last year.
Returning to action after a foot injury caused by broken glass, and a blood clot which Williams says was life-threatening, the 29-year-old began with a victory over Bulgaria’s Tsvetana Pironkova on Tuesday.
But she came up just short against Zvonareva, being broken as she served for the match at 6-3, 5-4, and going on to lose the set in a tie-break.
The tables were turned as the American saved three match points with Zvonareva serving for victory at 5-4 in the third set.
It proved to be a temporary reprieve though, as Zvonareva broke again and served out to love for a 3-6, 7-6 (7/5), 7-5 victory.
Williams, who was playing her first tournament since last year’s Wimbledon, said: “One or two points [different], I could have won the match. So it’s not overly disappointing. It’s just the fact I just kept missing short balls.”
Williams’ sister Venus did reach the quarter-finals as she powered past Ana Ivanovic. In her first tournament following a five-month absence, the five-time former Wimbledon champion hammered Ivanovic 6-3, 6-2.
“I felt good to be able to get on top of her today,” Venus said.
Baku top boxers to get Olympic slots
BOXING: Fighters from eight of the 10 weight categories – light-flyweight to light-heavyweight – will qualify for the Olympic Games from the AIBA World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan, which begin on September 22nd, if they finish in a top-10 position.
Fighters reaching the last eight in Baku are guaranteed Olympic places along with two boxers from the last-16 phase, provided they were beaten by the eventual finalists in their weight categories.
Heavyweights and super-heavyweights will secure Olympic qualification if they finish in a top six position in Baku.
Following Baku, there will be one final Olympic qualifier for European boxers at a venue to be decided next April.
The 2012 Women’s Championships in China next April/May will act as the only qualifier for female boxers.
