Wimbledon 2016: Heather Watson out in first round against Annika Beck

British number two Heather Watson went out in the first round of Wimbledon after a 3-6 6-0 12-10 defeat by German Annika Beck.

The pair resumed their rain-delayed match from Wednesday in the third set.
Watson's serve was broken twice early on but she went on to win four consecutive games to level.
But the 24-year-old failed to convert three match points and it was Beck who found the elusive break in the deciding set, which lasted one hour 44 minutes.
Watson, ranked 55th in the world, will now focus on the women's doubles alongside compatriot Naomi Broady.

Wimbledon 2016: Britain's Dan Evans to face Roger Federer in third round

Venue: All England Club Dates: 27 June-10 July

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Great Britain's Dan Evans will face Roger Federer in the third round at Wimbledon after beating Ukrainian 30th seed Alexandr Dolgopolov.

Evans, 26, won 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 6-1 on Thursday.
Former world number one Federer, a seven-times Wimbledon champion, beat British qualifier Marcus Willis in round two.
"It's going to be good fun and an amazing experience to face Federer," Evans said.
"I have got to prepare like I have a chance to win the match.
"I have to put to the back of my mind that he is one of the best players ever to play the game."
British number four Evans had never won at Wimbledon before this year, but ended that run by beating Germany's Jan-Lennard Struff in the first round.

Zambia must double-up efforts to earn World Cup berth, says Chamanga

The former Chipolopolo forward has revealed that hard work is vital for his country to qualify for the 2018 Fifa World Cup

Former Zambia striker James Chamanga has called on the national team to work hard if they are to qualify for the Fifa 2018 World Cup Russia, saying his country have to work 'triple hard' for success.
The Chipolopolo were against  Algeria, Nigeria and Cameroon in what has been dubbed the 'Group of Death' and the former Dalian Shide player believes the key to making it to Russia is through hard work.
"It's not any easy group and with the [poor] results we are getting, we need to work triple hard,” Chamanga told Post Zambia.
Zambia are massive underdogs in the group, being the only team never to have made a World Cup Finals appearance and Chamanga admits the Chipolopolo have it all to do against some of Africa's biggest sides.

"These teams we are going to play are in the top ten in Africa, it will not be easy."

Mikel Obi named new Nigeria captain

The Chelsea midfielder spoke of his "huge honour" at being handed the armband by Ahmed Musa, while the CSKA striker becomes vice-captain

John Mikel Obi has been named as Nigeria’s new captain.

The Nigeria international was widely tipped to take over from Vincent Enyeama who quit the national team following fallout with former Super Eagles’ coach Sunday Oliseh, but Ahmed Musa was handed the armband instead.
“I’m no longer the Super Eagles captain, John Mikel Obi is the Super Eagles captain,” Musa said to ovation from the media.
Mikel made his Nigeria debut 10 years ago described Musa as a “wonderful professional”. “It takes a man to come out to do what he did,” he said.

CSKA’s Musa will now serve as assistant captain with Mikel expected to lead the Super Eagles against Egypt in Friday’s crunch Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

Mikel one of the greatest midfielders ever, says Christian Chukwu

As the Blues’ midfielder celebrates his 29th birthday, the ex-international is confident that the ‘blessed’ player can play at the highest level for many years

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Nigeria legend, Christian Chukwu has paid tribute to Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi as he celebrates his 29th birthday.
The Blues' star who made his Super Eagles’ debut in 2006, began his international career for the country at the 2003 African U17 Cup of Nations in Swaziland where the Golden Eaglets finished third before featuring at the Fifa U17 World Cup same year.
He then progressed to the Nigeria U20 team where he played key role as Samson Siasia’s lads finished second at the 2005 Fifa U20 World Cup in Holland.
“There is no debate about his class which I attribute to discipline and dedication,"
“Mikel is committed to whatever he wants to do and that has helped him a big deal as a footballer.
“He is gifted, talented and he is one of the greatest midfielders ever to come out of the country.
“And for those who condemn him for not scoring goals, I would say the most important thing in football is playing to coaches’ instructions and not what people think the player should do.
“Mikel has been consistent for Chelsea because he is playing to his manager’s instruction. If not, he would have spent more time on the bench.
"And personally, I don’t feel that scoring goals should be a factor for becoming a great player.”
Chukwu is confident that the 29-year-old can continue playing at the highest level for many years to come while wishing him well on his birthday.
“For the national team, he has been doing his best and I believe he has years ahead of him in the Super Eagles. To be honest, he has paid his dues,” he continued.
“He has played; he has captained and has been a source of inspiration to many young players which is the very important. He has really done well.
“As he clocks another year on earth, I wish him long life and more fruitful playing days. He has been so blessed by God that he hasn’t recorded any serious injury in his career. Going by this, I also wish him an injury-free time till he hangs his boot," he concluded.

10 years after, Mikel has grown into Chelsea’s wise old African

The Nigeria captain, who has logged a decade with the Pensioners, has become a big brother to the club's young African stars just like Geremi and Drogba took him under their wings

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EXCLUSIVE     By Lolade Adewuyi         Follow on Twitter  

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After an early tussle that saw him claimed by both Manchester United and Chelsea in his teens, John Obi Mikel has grown into a veritable member of the Blues as he clocked ten years in London this month.
From those early days at Stamford Bridge where his ‘casual attitude’ troubled team staff, the Nigerian has become a wise old man at 29 in a club that has seen big money signings come and go since Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich bought it over in 2003.
While Mikel is not the first Nigerian to play for Chelsea, he has become the club’s iconic Nigerian signing and ensuring its increased popularity here since he moved over from Lyn Oslo in 2006.
Despite his youthful exuberance that led to club fines for turning up late at training and the easy red cards that trailed him on the pitch, Mikel has turned out a more measured midfielder who has earned the trust of several coaches leading him to become the club’s longest serving player behind captain John Terry.

“I’ve always embraced the pressure at Chelsea, the expectations of the fans, the expectations of the board to win trophies and make sure the club grows,” Mikel told Goal in March at the Nigeria national team camp.
Even though his future at Stamford Bridge is up for discussion with new manager Antonio Conte after Euro 2016, Mikel hopes to continue if he gets assurance of a starting place under the Italian.
It is in the dressing room and off the pitch where his influence will be missed when he leaves. Just as he came under the watchful eyes of Claude Makelele, Geremi Njitap, Didier Drogba and Michael Essien, his African seniors at Chelsea, Mikel has become a big brother to a new crop of young Africans at the club.


Burkina Faso striker Bertrand Traore and Ghanaian full back Baba Rahman both broke into the first team last season with the Nigerian saying he has helped them settle in.
“Baba Rahman, I speak to him a lot. He’s young and I always look after him,” Mikel told Goal.
“Traore, the same thing, I speak to quite a lot of them because these guys are young and they’ve come to this football team that demands a lot.
“Chelsea demands a lot, a season without trophies is a major disaster. Maybe they’re not used to that, maybe they’re used to a club where you play and you don’t win.
“At Chelsea you have to win everyday that is the legacy, that’s how it is. Sometimes when you lose a game and the pressure makes them tend to go down, this is where you need experienced players to pick them up and say ‘come on, we need to prepare for the next game.’”
While Mikel is a rather private individual off the pitch, he is hopeful of leaving a positive legacy on the next African stars of Stamford Bridge.
“Baba and Traore, I speak to them and encourage them to keep doing what they’re doing because they are very good players,” he said.

Mikel has been included in the provisional Nigeria Olympic squad and he would sort out his future with Chelsea in a few days. There's no doubting that he would be missed if he leaves, 10 years after making his entry onto the grand stage.

Rio 2016 Twelve Scots

Scotland will have 12 track and field athletes at the Rio Olympics, the best representation since 1972.

The Scots enjoyed a 'Super Sunday' at the British Championships, with seven places booked, including by Laura Muir, Eilidh Doyle and Lynsey Sharp.
"Lots of athletes and coaches have stepped up to the plate," said Rodger Harkins, director of coaching for Scottish Athletics.
"They've looked at past athletes and said, 'if they can do it so can we'."
Muir, Doyle and Steph Twell secured their passage to Brazil with comfortable wins in the 1500m, 400m hurdles and 5,000m respectively.
Eilish McColgan was a runner-up behind Twell, and Sharp was beaten narrowly in the 800m.
Chris O'Hare and Lennie Waite also progress thanks to second-place finishes in the 1500m and 3,000m steeplechase.
Beth Potter had already qualified for the 10,000m, while Callum Hawkins, Tsegai Tewelde and Derek Hawkins will run in the marathon.
Andrew Butchart added to that number on Saturday with his 5,000m win in Birmingham.
The number could yet rise, with Laura Whittle hoping for a discretionary selection after making it a Scottish one-two-three in the 5,000m.

Eyes on the prize

Just four Scots made it to London 2012 - including Doyle, Sharp and McColgan - and Harkins believes a home Olympics and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014 provided inspiration.
"The fact that they were on home soil effectively means people can see it being done here and it inspires much more people," he told BBC Scotland.
Doyle and Muir will be fancied to reach their finals in Rio and Doyle, who got the ball rolling on Sunday with a convincing victory, is more bullish about her ambitions.
"I don't see why I can't be contending for a medal but it's the Olympics, they don't hand them out for free," said the 29-year-old, who won Commonwealth silver under her maiden name, Eilidh Child.
"In order to contend with the top girls in the world I need to be running a bit quicker. I want to go there and execute the race and smash it when it matters."
Muir, 23, believes she is in the form of her life and was delighted to see so many other Scots performing well.
"There's great momentum in Scottish athletics right now, and it's great to be part of that," she said. "The Scots just work really hard and we just back each other up."

'Comparing surgeons'

Twell and McColgan have both endured problems with serious injury and shared in the joy of coming through the trials successfully.
With Twell joking that the pair had been "comparing surgeons", she added: "It's part of the journey of an athlete and I think you learn so much, it's character building. It's definitely made me stronger."
McColgan has switched to the 5,000m from the steeplechase after foot surgery.
"Even in March I would never ever have dreamed of running a PB and then coming away today with a seat on the plane to Rio," said the 25-year-old, who is running with screws in her foot and a metal plate in her ankle.
"It's far beyond anything I had planned for this year. It's crazy. It makes it even more special when you know the majority of the team and what they've all been through."
Waite was disappointed with her run but delighted to get the job done since a top-two finish at the Alexander Stadium was sufficient for all those who already had the necessary Olympic qualifying time.
"I had a nightmare last night that I finished in third place, so really glad that didn't happen, and I just kept on th

Kirsty Gilmour targets Olympic medal in Rio after making GB team

Kirsty Gilmour realised a childhood dream after being named in the GB badminton team for the Rio Olympics and the Scot is targeting a medal.

The 22-year-old Scot has risen 22 places in the world rankings in a year.
"I've wanted this since I was a kid and it's actually here and it's actually happening," she told BBC Scotland.
"I think it would be crazy to go in thinking there's no way possible for me to challenge for a medal. I'm 15th in the world."
Two years ago, Gilmour was asked what she wanted to achieve in the sport.
Her bold aim was to win a medal at all the major events - European, world championships, Commonwealth Games and Olympics - and she is halfway to realising her ambition.
A Commonwealth Games and a European Championships medal have already been chalked off the list.
Gilmour, who won a silver medal at this year's European Championships, believes she is going into the Olympics in the best shape of her life and in great form too.
"I've pushed these top guys to three sets, taken a couple of wins here and there," she said.
"It's a major championships and crazy things happen in major championships. So for me to say there's no chance is silly."
Gilmour is full of confidence at the moment, but after the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, her new coach, two-time Olympian Chris Bruil, decided to overhaul her game and she admits she struggled.
"He stripped my game back to very basics and there were tears and there were broken badminton rackets, I'm not going to lie," she said.
Gilmour competed in lesser tournaments against weaker opponents in a bid to solidify what she had been working on in training.
It had the desired effect as she has risen up the world rankings to 15th from 37th this time last year.
While she is moving up in the world, she admits she is not feeling totally in awe at the prospect of competing on the Olympic stage.
That is also down to the fact that she was involved in the GB ambition programme for London 2012.
"That kind of wow factor and shock has been taken away a bit," she said.
"I got to go to London, soak in the atmosphere, even eat in the dining hall, which doesn't seem like a big thing.
"But, when you're faced with every food under the sun, and you have to control yourself, it's quite difficult."

Kirsty Gilmour: GB Olympian's coach Chris Bruil unable to join her in Rio

The coach of Scottish Olympian Kirsty Gilmour, named in Great Britain's team for Rio, says it's "ridiculous" he can't accompany her to the Games.

Dutchman Chris Bruil, who competed in the 2000 and 2004 Olympics, has been coaching Gilmour since just after the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
But he won't be with the 22-year-old at her first Olympics because of a lack of accreditation for individual coaches.
"In Holland we would never do that - we think it's ridiculous," Bruil said.
"That's just the system in the UK, and that's the way she has to work.
"I'm not able to coach her and we knew that up front. We have to try to make it the best we possibly can so she can work together with the GB coaches in Rio.''
Gilmour, ranked 15th in the world, has risen 22 places in the world rankings in the past year and is hoping to challenge for a medal in Rio.
Bruil, speaking to BBC Scotland, admits he finds the accreditation system frustrating, saying "we laugh about it" in Holland.
"That's the system and they won't change that," he added. "So I can't change the law or the system, I can only make sure she has the best preparation for her Olympics and I think we take it in the most positive way we can."

'A lot of dialogue between everyone - Gilmour'

Jon Austin, performance director of GB Badminton & Badminton England, said restrictions on accreditation for individual coaches exist across all Olympic sports.
''There's limited accreditations in Rio for badminton as there is for all sports," he told BBC Scotland. "We have to consider how best to support the whole team which means we are not in a position to cater for individual coaches.
"We will be sending eight players and three coaches to the Olympics, all of whom will support the GB badminton team across the five events.
"Kirsty is an important part of the GB team and is fully engaged and fully integrated with the coaches and staff who will be supporting her in Rio."
Gilmour herself seems relaxed about the situation, despite not training in the same place as the GB coaches.
''Working with Chris has been really good over the last couple of years, but inevitably I will be working with the GB coaches come the Games," she said.
"I'm training up here in Glasgow and they're down in Milton Keynes, so there's a lot of communication, a lot of dialogue between everyone. We all know each other really well, we've got plans in place on how to go about match prep and everything, so we've got most things covered I think.''

Belgium, Czech Republic and Euro 2016’s most exciting teams

Goal’s Thrill List is based on a shot-based algorithm powered by Opta. By evaluating the volume, accuracy and significance of the shots in a match, an aggregate ‘excitement’ rating can be calculated for every game and team. Here, we run through all the teams at Euro 2016 by Thrill List rating.Northern Ireland | Thrill List overall rating: 2.478Albania | Thrill List overall rating: 2.502Sweden | Thrill List overall rating: 2.724
Sweden | Thrill List overall rating: 2.724
 Republic of Ireland | Thrill List overall rating: 2.806Germany | Thrill List overall rating: 3.116Poland | Thrill List overall rating: 3.157France | Thrill List overall rating: 3.170Romania | Thrill List overall rating: 3.287Turkey | Thrill List overall rating: 3.367Switzerland | Thrill List overall rating: 3.407Austria | Thrill List overall rating: 3.659Croatia | Thrill List overall rating: 3.678Iceland | Thrill List overall rating: 3.679Spain | Thrill List overall rating: 3.682Ukraine | Thrill List overall rating: 3.743Wales | Thrill List overall rating: 3.849Portugal | Thrill List overall rating: 3.896Russia | Thrill List overall rating: 3.995England | Thrill List overall rating: 4.028Hungary | Thrill List overall rating: 4.374Slovakia | Thrill List overall rating: 4.532Belgium | Thrill List overall rating: 4.692Czech Republic | Thrill List overall rating: 4.702

Hart, Seaman, James & England's worst ever goalkeeping mistakes

Peter Bonetti, David Seaman, David James... and now Joe Hart. If you can rely on something, it's the unreliability of an English goalkeeper. Goal runs through the worst blunders..
 June 27, 2016 | Euro 2016, Round of 16 | England 1-2 Iceland
Having thrown away a 1-0 lead after just a few minutes, the pressure was on England to live up to expectations and dump out underdogs Iceland in the round of 16, but the result that followed has been dubbed England's biggest ever humiliation. Kolbeinn Sigthordsson fired a shot at Joe Hart in the 18th minute, which the keeper failed to properly deal with. The ball rolled agonisingly slowly into the €150,000-a-week keeper's net and cost the Three Lions their dignity as well as a spot in the quarter finals.
 Joe Hart | June 16, 2016 | Euro 2016, Group Stage | England 2-1 Wales
Still 0-0 heading into half time, Wales were awarded a free-kick not overly far away from the centre-circle. Up stepped Real Madrid icon Gareth Bale, renowned for his dead-ball skills, to try his luck from considerable distance. Reacting too late, Joe Hart failed to get enough on the dipping effort to push it wide, knocking it instead into his own net. England recovered in the second half, but Hart's credentials were under scrutiny from then on.
 Robert Green | June 12, 2010 | World Cup 2010 | England 1-1 USA
Steven Gerrard had opened the scoring after just four minutes against the USMNT in England's first match in South Africa – a dream start. But things soon took a nightmarish turn for goalkeeper Robert Green, who failed to deal with a tame shot from outside of the box, courtesy of Clint Dempsey. The fumbled ball trickled into Green's net and the keeper was dropped for the rest of the tournament.Scott Carson | November 21, 2007 | Euro 2008 Qualification | England 2-3 Croatia
Scott Carson made the starting XI ahead of error-prone Paul Robinson, with England needing at least a draw against Croatia to make it to Euro 2008. Eight minutes in, Niko Kranjcar let one fly from distance and it should have been bread and butter work for a Premier League goalkeeper. Not so, however, as Carson completely failed to grasp the ball, which bounced comically into his own net. He had set the tone for what was a night to forget for the Three Lions.Paul Robinson | October 11, 2006 | Euro 2008 Qualification | Croatia 2-0 England
The pitch in Zagreb was full of holes, granted, but that wasn't enough of an excuse to let Paul Robinson off the hook after failing to deal with a back-pass from Gary Neville. The ball took a slight bobble, bounced over the keeper's foot and right into his own net. In truth, the Three Lions' time under Steve McClaren was dreadful as a whole, but Robinson's blunder sums it up in a microcosm.David James | September 4, 2004 | World Cup 2006 Qualification | Austria 2-2 England
Two goals to the good in Austria, England were sitting pretty until a free-kick was blasted into the net by substitute Roland Kollmann to give the hosts some hope. Some thought David James could have done more, but what followed was what made the headlines. Just one minute later, Andreas Ivanschitz struck from range with a shot that James bent to collect, but he failed to do so, with the ball rolling right through his arms and into his own net. England ended up topping their group, but their keeper earned the nickname 'Calamity James' in the process.David Seaman | October 16, 2002 | Euro 2004 Qualification | England 2-2 Macedonia
Playing at home, England had all but banked their three points against minnows Macedonia before the match had even started. Just 10 minutes in, however, Artim Sakiri's corner kick was swung directly towards goal, flummoxing David Seaman, whose poor positioning saw the ball sail straight over his head and into his own net. Again, England went on to top their group, but not before another of their goalkeepers had made a fool of himself.David Seaman | June 21, 2002 | 2002 World Cup | England 1-2 Brazil
Happily chugging along at 1-1 against Brazil in the World Cup, England were in for one of their biggest goalkeeping embarrassments of all time. As Ronaldinho stood over a 35-yard free-kick, David Seaman took a few steps forward before the South American legend struck a lofty one. The ball sailed into the net - which Seaman subsequently got himself tangled up in as he scrambled back - and condemned the Three Lions to defeat.Peter Bonetti | June 14, 1970 | World Cup 1970 | West Germany 3-2 England
Thrown into the starting line-up due to Gordon Banks having contracted food poisoning, Bonetti committed a series of errors that ultimately contributed to England throwing away a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 in extra time. Though he is considered among England's goalkeeping greats at club level, his performance in 1970, coupled with competition for a spot alongside the likes of Banks, Springett and Shilton, limited him to just seven caps in his career.