Sports

By JEROME PUGMIRE AP Sports Writer DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Netherlands coach Louis Van Gaal was taken by surprise at a World Cup news conference when a Senegalese reporter told the Dutchman he was a longtime admirer. Papa Mahmoud Gueye said “I don’t have any question for you. It’s just an opportunity to tell you

MÁLAGA, Spain (AP) — Italy has beaten the United States in a doubles decider to advance to the Davis Cup semifinals for the first time in eight years. Simone Bolelli and Fabio Fognini defeated Tommy Paul and Jack Sock 6-4, 6-4 to secure a 2-1 win for Italy after the teams split the singles matches.

The Associated Press DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran arrested a prominent former member of its national soccer team on Thursday over his criticism of the government as authorities grapple with nationwide protests that have cast a shadow over its competition at the World Cup. The semiofficial Fars and Tasnim news agencies reported that

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — State-linked media in Iran are reporting that Voria Ghafouri, a former member of the country’s national soccer team, has been arrested for criticizing the government. The semiofficial Fars and Tasnim news agencies reported on Thursday that he was arrested for insulting the national soccer team, which is currently playing

By GRAHAM DUNBAR AP Sports Writer AL WAKRAH, Qatar (AP) — Breel Embolo’s goal lifted Switzerland to a 1-0 victory over Cameroon at the World Cup. Embolo kept his promise not to celebrate scoring against the country of his birth. The Switzerland forward scored in the 48th minute of a low pass from Xherdan Shaqiri.

By STEPHEN WADE AP Sports Writer AL RAYYAN, Qatar (AP) — South Korea and Uruguay started their World Cup campaigns with a 0-0 draw. The draw at Education City Stadium was yet another early World Cup match with the favored team stumbling. Argentina and Germany both lost their opening matches in major upsets. South Korea

MÁLAGA, Spain (AP) — Taylor Fritz has pulled the United States level with Italy at 1-1 in the Davis Cup quarterfinals after Frances Tiafoe lost his singles. The tie will be decided in doubles. No. 9-ranked Fritz beat Lorenzo Musetti 7-6, 6-3 on the indoor hard-court in Málaga. Lorenzo Sonego struck first for Italy by

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — The Netherlands is not expected to emulate Germany by making a gesture to protest host nation Qatar’s human rights record before Friday’s World Cup game against Ecuador. Germany’s players covered their mouths for the team photo ahead of their match against Japan on Wednesday to protest against FIFA for its clampdown

BERLIN (AP) — A U.S. investment firm has agreed on a deal to buy investor Lars Windhorst’s majority stake in Bundesliga soccer club Hertha Berlin. Miami-based 777 Partners says it agreed to buy the 64.7 percent stake in Hertha’s company structure from Windhorst’s firm Tennor. The sale is subject to approval from Hertha’s board and

By GRAHAM DUNBAR AP Sports Writer AL WAKRAH, Qatar (AP) — Breel Embolo’s goal has lifted Switzerland to a 1-0 win over Cameroon at the World Cup. He kept his promise not to celebrate scoring against the country where he was born. The Swiss forward from Yaounde struck with a right-foot shot in the 48th

By ANNE M. PETERSON AP Sports Writer DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Mexico’s stalwart goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa stopped Robert Lewandowski, one of the game’s best strikers, on a second-half penalty kick that preserved a scoreless draw in El Tri’s World Cup opener against Poland. Ochoa will face another challenge come Saturday when Mexico faces Lionel Messi

By TALES AZZONI AP Sports Writer DOHA, Qatar (AP) — King Felipe VI was among those congratulating Spain after its 7-0 rout of Costa Rica in the World Cup opener as “La Roja” put on a masterclass of ball possession and efficient attacking to get off to a good start in its quest to win

By LARRY LAGE AP Sports Writer ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — The highly anticipated matchup between No. 2 Ohio State and No. 3 Michigan with much at stake is almost here. The Buckeyes and Wolverines will play for the Big Ten East title and a spot in the conference championship game, where one of them

By W.G. RAMIREZ Associated Press LAS VEGAS (AP) — Jack Eichel is finally having fun playing hockey again, and he couldn’t be any more thankful. A little more than a year after having an artificial disk replacement procedure on his neck, he’s at the top of his game and loves his new home with the

By STEVE MEGARGEE AP Sports Writer Wisconsin season-ticket holder Kim Heiman had heard all the stories about the drawbacks of sitting in end zone seats. He realized the potential viewing obstructions that come from sitting behind a goal post. But when he saw Wisconsin’s plan to turn the south end zone into a premium experience,