Journalism of Courage
* Samuel Etoo on Thursday became the second player this week to join Chelsea from Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala. The Cameroon striker signed a one-year deal to be reunited with Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho,who he played under at Inter Milan. I am very happy to be here but also anxious because I want to get playing as soon as possible, the four-time African footballer of the year said. It wasnt a hard decision. I saw the qualities Chelsea have,and I was very happy with Jose Mourinho before,so when the opportunity came,I was very happy to take it.
Signing the 32-year-old Etoo is at odds with Chelseas recent transfer policy of signing younger players,and creates further uncertainty about the futures of fellow strikers Demba Ba and Fernando Torres. Chelsea also signed Willian from Anzhi this week as the previously big-spending Russian clubs owner slashes the budget. Financial details of the Etoo deal were not disclosed,but Anzhi will be saving a reported $26 million a year from its wage bill by selling him.
Milan beat PSV
* Seven-time champion AC Milan avoided another early-season hiccup by reaching the group stage of the Champions League with a 3-0 win over PSV Eindhoven,and Celtic produced a stunning comeback to join them on Wednesday. After a 1-1 draw in a tense first leg in the Netherlands,Kevin-Prince Boateng scored twice and Mario Balotelli added another to ensure Milan won the playoff 4-1 on aggregate. Milan qualified for the group stage for the 11th time 12 seasons. At Glasgow,Celtic beat Shakhter Karagandy 3-0 to overcome a 2-0 loss in the first leg. James Forrests stoppage-time goal gave the Scottish champions a 3-2 win on aggregate. Real Sociedad and Zenit St. Petersburg also advanced along with Plzen,which progressed after beating Maribor 4-1 on aggregate. Real Sociedad will play in the group stage for the first time in 10 years after a 2-0 win over Lyon.
Flamini returns to Arsenal
* Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger made his second signing of the window when he landed Mathieu Flamini on a free transfer. The midfielder,who left the Gunners in 2008 to join AC Milan,is believed to have agreed a three-year deal worth close to 50,000-a-week. Were very pleased Mathieu has agreed to re-join us, Wenger told the clubs website. The 29-year old is the second arrival for Arsenal after the signing of French striker Yaya Sanogo,who joined from Auxerre on a free transfer in July.
Ba not included in Senegal squad
* Chelsea striker Demba Ba was again left out of Senegals 23-man World Cup squad on Thursday for next weeks qualifier against Uganda as coach Alain Giresse continued to pick only players who regularly feature for their clubs. Striker Ba has struggled to win a regular place in Chelseas team since joining the Londoners from Newcastle United in January. He was also omitted for two World Cup qualifiers in June.
Bolt to defend all titles
* Whats left for a man who has won three Olympic sprint titles back-to-back? Win all three again,of course. Usain Bolt said yesterday he is planning to defend his 100,200 and 4×100 meter relay golds at the Rio de Janeiro Games in 2016. To actually go to Rio and win again would be a feat in itself, said Bolt,speaking ahead of the Weltklasse Diamond League meeting in Zurich. For me,the key thing is just to go to defend my titles,and thats my focus, Bolt said. It would be the first time anybody has ever won three times in a row. Bolt became the most decorated athlete in world championships history this month,with his career tally of eight golds and two silvers lifting him above American great Carl Lewis. Three more golds for Bolt in Rio would still leave him trailing Lewis Olympic track and field record of nine golds and one silver.
India progress in sepaktakraw
* Hosting its maiden international Sepaktakraw event,India began their campaign in the mens section with a bang as they recorded a come-from-behind victory over higher-ranked Singapore on the opening day of the World Super Series. The home side,ranked eighth in the world,defeated fifth-ranked Singapore 14-16,11-15,15-9,17-16 and 15-7 for a total score of 72-63 at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium Complex. After Philippines pulled out of the tournament due to visa issues,only India and Singapore remained in Group D and both have already qualified before todays match which the home side won 3-2 in a 100-minute duel.
