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Подготовили Ольга ЕРМОЛИНА и Андрей ВДОВИН
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Preserved copy
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Chronicle
Basketball. NBA. Playoffs. Semi-final. “Boston” – “Orlando” – 92:96 (OT) (series score 3-1).
Orlando managed to stop Boston on its way to the final. In the fourth match of the series, the Magic took things to overtime, in which they managed to win. On the eve of the match, the hosts radiated confidence and optimism. Boston leader Paul Pierce spoke of his teammates this way: “This team never stops on its laurels. We are too close to our goal to allow ourselves to relax. We have already won the championship and we know what it takes. At this moment, it is extremely important to be morally stable. We don’t have any problems with this, so I think we can solve the problem of reaching the final on Monday.”
However, the Orlando players did not give up without a fight. Dwight Howard scored 32 points and grabbed 16 rebounds, while Celtics forward Paul Pierce had the same points and 11 rebounds. Kevin Garnett had another double-double (14 points and 12 rebounds), Magic guard Jamir Nelson fell a little short of him (23 points and 9 assists). Boston's lead in the series has dwindled, and Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals will take place on Wednesday in Orlando.
Philadelphia became the second finalist
Hockey. NHL. Stanley Cup. Semi-final. “Philadelphia” – “Montreal” – 4:2 (series score 4-1).
Philadelphia became the second finalist of the NHL playoffs. The Pilots won the final match of the Eastern Conference finals on home ice. The heroes of the meeting were Jeff Carter, who hit the Montreal goal twice, and Flyers captain Mike Richards, who recorded a goal and two assists.
Philadelphia hasn't played in a playoff final since 1997, when it lost to Detroit. In their history, the “pilots” won the Stanley Cup twice - in 1974 and 1975.
In the final, Philadelphia will face the best team in the Western Conference, Chicago. The Hawks have one more win in the Stanley Cup, having won the prestigious trophy in 1934, 1938 and 1961. This is the first time in NHL history that such a lineup of finalists has formed.
The first two matches of the finals will be held in Chicago on May 29 and 31. The return games will take place on June 2 and 4. The fifth, sixth and seventh matches of the series are scheduled for June 6, 9 and 11.
Znarok headed OHC "Dynamo"
The coach of the Latvian national hockey team Oleg Znarok signed a one-year contract with the united hockey club Dynamo. Last season, the Latvian specialist led HC MVD to silver medals in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) championship. Along with Znarok, the team's coaching staff will include Harijs Vitolins, Vladimir Fedosov, Rashit Davydov (goalkeeping coach) and Yuri Zhdanov (physical training coach). At the World Championships in Germany, the Latvian team took 11th place among 16 teams.
Let us remind you that HC Dynamo was formed at the end of last season as a result of the merger of the capital's Dynamo and the Moscow Region HC MVD.
Athlete Richards will have to perform in makeup
American 400m world champion Sanya Richards admitted that she has Behçet's disease. During the attacks, the 25-year-old athlete's face and mouth become covered in ulcers, making it difficult to speak. To hide the effects of the disease, the runner must apply makeup to the affected areas. “It was very difficult. I had never been sick with anything, I was an absolutely healthy person, so the diagnosis was scary for me. For many people, this disease is very severe, for example, it can lead to blindness, damage to the central nervous system and other serious diseases. But now I’m just inspired by the victories of my friend Usain Bolt, and I feel at ease,” Richards told The Guardian.
True, Richards missed the first two stages of the debut Diamond League series for a different reason - due to a thigh muscle injury.
Argentina smashes Canada without Messi and Milito
Participants in the upcoming FIFA World Cup have begun active preparations for the tournament, which starts on June 11. A number of friendly matches took place, in which Australia defeated New Zealand - 2:1, Japan lost to South Korea - 0:2, Portugal failed to win against Cape Verde - 0:0, the hosts of the upcoming tournament, the South African team, lost peace with Bulgaria - 1:1, England beat Mexico - 3:1, and Argentina defeated Canada - 5:0.
After the first control meetings, the Australian coaching staff decided on the final composition of the team for the tournament. Middlesbrough striker Scott McDonald, Crystal Palace midfielder Nicky Karl and Tromso defender Jade North are leaving the team, with the remaining players flying to South Africa today.
In turn, the head coach of the Argentina national team did not use the hero of the Champions League final Diego Milito and the main star of his team Lionel Messi in the test match with the Canadians. The Barcelona striker received a minor injury the day before and left the lesson early. At the same time, Maradona really counts on Messi: “This is the best football player in the world. Thank God he's Argentine."
Platini for reforming the Champions League
UEFA President Michel Platini intends to continue reforms of European cups. This time, Platini, who has already transformed the UEFA Cup into the Europa League and changed the representation of clubs and the selection system in the Champions League, proposes to include national cup winners in the most prestigious continental club tournament. “We can start with the issue of allocating places in the Champions League for the winners of the FA Cup,” said Michel Platini. - It always seemed to me that cup winners should play in the Champions League. After all, they are champions because they took the trophy. But it will be very difficult to implement this.”
Michel Platini's proposal could revive interest in cup competitions, which is fading not only in Russia. This season, a place in the Europa League was given to Russian Cup finalist Siberia, which occupies the penultimate place in the national championship, and Portsmouth, which was relegated from the Premier League, could have been delegated there from England if it had passed UEFA financial licensing.