THE PENINSULA – DOHA

Asian champions Qatar have vowed to put up a strong fight against European giants Sweden when the two sides clash in the quarter-final of the 27th IHF Men’s Handball World Championship in Cairo today.

Al Annabi reached the last-8 stage of the global event after finishing second in the Group II, topped by defending cham-pions Denmark.

Today’s quarter-final that will start at 10:30pm (Qatar time) is expected to be another thriller for Qatar, who defeated Argentina 26-24 in their last group match to book last-8 spot.

Qatar’s pivot Youssef Benali yesterday termed Sweden game tough but promised all-out effort from his side.

“Sweden are a big team and they are one of the teams who could win the World Champi-onship title, so we will face a tough opponent,” Benali said yesterday.

“We will fight until the final second of the game against Sweden to snatch a place in the tournament’s semi-finals,” the Qatari star said.

“The tournament is difficult especially in presence of a big number of teams for the first time alongside lack of prepa-ration due to coronavirus pan-demic,” he added.

Q a t a r ’ s F r a n k l i n

Marzo – the leading scorer in the tournament so far with 53 goals – will be team’s main hope in the quarter-final but Sweden will come up with a special plan to avoid damage from the goal-scoring machine.

“We need to be aggressive like we have been most of the games. We need to get into positions where Frankis Marzo doesn’t get too comfortable but we have to accept that there are

some players like him who will just score some goals no matter what,” Sweden’s talismanic scorer Hampus Wanne told Egypt 2021’s website yesterday.

He said one of the pre-event favourites Sweden were not looking beyond the last-8 stage as all their focus is on today’s clash.

“We need to focus on Qatar, we can’t talk about a final now

because it’s too far. We need to take things game by game and not think too much about the future,” said Wanne.

Meanwhile, Sweden’s keeper Andreas Palicka praised Marzo’s performance.

“Frankis is a great player who’s doing really well in this tournament, we are preparing for Qatar though as we do for each opponent. There are a few things we are preparing for and

obviously Frankis is one of them. We build a defence where we feel secure, I’m pretty sure we can make it difficult for them,” he said.

Two non-European teams to show up in last-8 for the first time since 1999

After finishing the main round games of the 27th IHF Men’s Handball World Cham-pionship - Egypt 2021, two non-European teams have reached

the quarterfinals for the first time in the tournament’s history since the 1999 edition that also took place in Egypt.

African champions Egypt and Asian champions Qatar have marched on in the World Championship after booking their places in the quarter-finals alongside six European teams, Denmark, Norway, Spain, France, Sweden and Hungary.

The quarter-final games witness a tough competition between top flight teams after title holders of World Champi-onship, Denmark and the tour-nament’s runners up in the last two editions Norway alongside European Champions Spain all reached to the hot spot.

CHINTHANA WASALA THE PENINSULA

Defending champions Al Sadd stormed into the quarter-finals of the Amir Cup with a crushing 7-0 win over Muaither SC yesterday.

Al Sadd took a 2-0 lead at half time before stepping up to add five more after the break.

Al Sadd’s seven-star goal fest was powered by Hashim Ali (10, 30), Mohammed Al Bayati (61), Boualem Khoukhi (64), Akram Afif (82), Yusuf Abdurisag (78, 90+2),

Asian Player of the Year in 2019, Afif played a major role in Al Sadd’s win, assisting in three of those goals in addition to his 82nd-minute stunner.

Playing on their home ground Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, the 17-time champions never looked under threat and went on to dom-inate the proceedings since the kick-off and enjoyed a comfortable 74 percent ball possession.

Coach Xavi Hernandez decided to start without some of Al Sadd’s biggest stars including 2018 AFC player of the Year Abdelkarim Hassan, former Qatar captain Rodrigo Tabata and South Korean star Woo-Young Jung in the last-16 clash yesterday.

That didn’t lead to a decline in Al Sadd’s performance as they went on to dominate right from the starting whistle.

Al Sadd drew first blood when Spanish star Santi Cazorla’s long pass was received by Afif who quickly flicked the ball over the head of Muaither goalkeeper Abdulrahman Mubarak Al. The ball landed at Hashim’s feet. With no challenger in sight, Hashim directed the ball into the net for his side’s opening strike.

The same player combination was involved in Al Sadd’s second goal. Afif passed the ball to charging Hashim who shot at the goal from just outside of the penalty area.

Half time lead of 2-0 did not

reflect Al Sadd’s dominance or what was yet to come in the pre-quarter-final.

After the break, Al Sadd revved up their attack and played with aggression.

In the 63rd minute, Uira Marques brought down Al Sadd’s Abdurisag and the resulting penalty kick was successfully con-verted by Boualem Khoukhi to make it 3-0 in favour of the hosts.

Just two minutes later, Mohammed Al Bayati, assisted by Hashim, made it 4-0 as Muaither players were left stunned.

Hashim, after making a notable contribution, was replaced by Tabata in the 71st minute.

The former national star did not take long to make his presence felt.

Abdurisag found Tabata with a short pass just outside the penalty area and positioned himself close to the Muaither goalkeeper while Tabata created a chance with a clever pass behind his back.

Abdurisag kicked the ball into the net while goalkeeper struggled to reach the same as Al Sadd made it 5-0.

Afif, after assisting in three of the previous goals, added one more to Al Sadd’s account with fol-lowing a dramatic finish. Under-23 player Ahmed Suhail Al Hama-wende was given the opportunity to take a free kick in the 86th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar.

Afif headed the ball on the rebound, but the Muather goal-keeper succeeded in deflecting the same. Afif made no mistake in the second rebound as he beat the Muaither keeper to score his first goal of the match.

Just when Muaither though the goal fest was over, Abdurisag, once again assisted by Afif, added one more during the injury time to make it 7-0.

Earlier, at the same venue, Al Rayyan’s victory against Al Markhiya was propelled by a goal

from Yohan Boli. The Ivorian struck in the 46th minute to take A l Rayyan into the quarter-finals.

In the last-eight stage, Al Rayyan will meet Al Kharaitiyat who qualified at the expense of Al Wakrah, with a 2-1 win on Monday.

Al Rayyan have previously won the Amir Cup titles on six occa-sions, in 1999, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2011 and 2013.

Elsewhere, Al Gharafa secured a berth in the quarters after defeating Al Shahania 5-4 in a thrilling penalty shoot-out. The scores read two-all at final whistle,

Moayed Hassan (23) and Jonathan Kodjia (40) gave a 2-0 lead for Al Gharafa before Brirahim Gueye (83, 90) struck late to take the game into the shoot-out.

Al Gharafa will now face Al Sadd for a place in the semi-finals.

The quarter-finals of Qatar’s most popular tournament will be held on February 27 and 28.

QVA SENIOR MEN'S LEAGUE: Al Sadd beat Al Gharafa 3-0 (25-22, 25-23, 25-14); Al Rayyan beat Al Shamal 3-0 (25-22, 25-12, 25-19)

WEDNESDAY 27 JANUARY 2021

No demons in Karachi pitch, says ElgarI had a feeling the wicket would be slow and low as the ball got softer and the day went on, but I didn’t think it would be a 14-wicket day. There were a few very soft dismissals in both innings. If you apply yourself there are no real demons in the wicket.

Sport |09

NoI hadgot sa 14-in bodem

Dean Elgar

Sport

Al Sadd storm into quarters with magnificent 7-0 win

ROUND OF 16 Yesterday’s Results

Al Rayyan 1-0 Al MarkhiyaAl Sadd 7-0 MuaitherAl Gharafa 2-2 (5-4p)

Al ShahaniaToday's fixtures

Al Sailiya vs Al Khorat Grand Hamad Stadium

4:30pmAl Arabi vs Umm Salal at Qatar SC Stadium

7:15pmAl Sadd's players celebrate their 7-0 win over Muaither in the Amir Cup pre-quarter-final match yesterday. PICTURE: HUSSEIN SAYED

Qatar ready for ‘tough’ Sweden clashWorld Championship: We will fight until the last second, says Benali

TODAY'S FIXTURES31st Place Game

Cape Verde vs Republic of Korea (5:00pm)

27th Place GameD.R. Congo vs Chile (5:00pm)

25th Place GameTunisia vs Austria (5:00pm)

29th Place GameAngola vs Morocco (7:30pm)

Quarter-finalsDenmark vs Egypt (7:30pm)Sweden vs Qatar (10:30pm)Spain vs Norway (10:30pm)

France vs Hungary (10:30pm)

Qatar vs Sweden Quarter-final to

kick off at 10:30pm

Al Rayyan's Yohan Boli celebrates after scoring his goal.

Everton's Ancelotti motivated by prospect of CL

11WEDNESDAY 27 JANUARY 2021 SPORT

Mo Farah confident Tokyo Olympics will go aheadREUTERS — LONDON

Britain’s multiple world and Olympic long distance champion Mo Farah (pictured) said the more people who get vaccinated against COVID-19, the greater the chance that the Tokyo Olympics will go ahead on schedule.

Farah, who won gold at the 5,000 metres and 10,000 metres at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, added he expected the July-August Games, post-poned from last year, to take place.

“I think most people in a career want to g o t o an Olympics and take part in an Olympics. The key thing is to stay s a f e a n d s e e

what the country can do,” Farah told talkSport radio. “What they have said to us is basically eve-ryone will be able to get COVID injections, and after that it’s less risk of spreading the disease. And then from there just see

what happens and take one day at a time.”

It was not clear if Farah was referring specifically to athletes getting vacci-

nated or to the general public. A British Olympic Association representative said: “We have not spoken

to any athletes about vaccina-tions as we await a clearer understanding of the pro-gramme’s rollout.”

“As we have clearly stated, the priority at this time remains the vulnerable, elderly and front line workers,” it added.

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said that he was against the concept of com-pulsory vaccinations and did not like the idea of athletes taking priority ahead of vul-nerable people or frontline workers.

International Olympic

Committee President Thomas Bach has said that although par-ticipants will be encouraged to get vaccinated, it will not be mandatory.

Farah will be seeking to defend his 10,000m title in Tokyo after spending the last few years focusing on the marathon.

“I think (the Games) will go ahead but at the same time, for me, I have had the experience of taking part in three Olympics and I have to see it as another race and see what happens,” he said.

What they have said to us is basically everyone will be able to get COVID injections, and after that it’s less risk of spreading the disease. And then from there just see what happens and take one day at a time

Mo Farah

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Madibo: Al Ahli win a huge morale booster ahead of Club World CupTHE PENINSULA — DOHA

Al Duhail star Assem Madibo yesterday said that his team’s 6-0 drubbing over Al Ahli in the Amir Cup on Monday will boost his team’s confidence ahead of their debut match at the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2020 next week.

New signing Michael Olunga scored a hat-trick on his Amir Cup debut as Sabri Lamouchi-coached Al Duhail pro-duced a commanding performance against Al Ahli to cruise into the quarter-finals of the tournament.

It was the last competitive match for ‘The Red Knights’ before their FIFA Club World Cup clash against African champions Al Ahly to be played at the Education City on February 4.

“Our performance against Al Ahli is a huge morale booster for us before the match against Egypt’s Al Ahly,” said Madibo after the match.

“We played a draw against Qatar SC (in

QNB Stars League) and we needed a strong performance after that before going into the Club World Cup. We are happy that we have achieved that," he said.

"It was a brilliant per-formance that helped us win

this important match. We are very happy to

advance at the Amir Cup which is a very important tour-

nament for the team. Now our

focus will be on Al Ahly game,” Madibo

added. Meanwhile, Al

Duhail’s Ali Karimi said he was excited to rep-resent his side at the FIFA Club World Cup.

“It’s an honour for every player to partic-ipate in this tour-nament. All Al Duhail players are targeting a strong per-formance and give

their best,” said the Iranian

footballer. K a r i m i

w h i l e speaking

on huge win over Al Ahli said: “Amir Cup is a knockout tour-nament and you have to go out if you lose. That’s why we wanted to take control of the match early. We wanted to dominate Al Ahli and we did that and created many chances and converted them into goals.

It was a good performance and I am very happy.”

Al Duhail have planned a closed training camp from Feb-ruary 1 to prepare for their Al Ahly clash, club’s executive director Adnan Al Ali said last week.

The FIFA Club World Cup will begin with the inaugural

match between Asian cham-pions Ulsan Hyundai FC and CONCACAF Champions League winners Tigres UANL on Feb-ruary 4 at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium.

The final of the tournament will be played on 11 February at the at Education City Stadium.

Michael Olunga (right) with team-mates after the end of Amir Cup match against Al Ahli on Monday.

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FIFA aiming to announce 2026 World Cup venues by the end of this year

REUTERS — LONDON

FIFA will aim to announce in the last quarter of 2021 the host cities for the 2026 World Cup being jointly staged by the United States, Canada and Mexico, soccer’s world governing body said in a statement yesterday.

FIFA said it would join host associations in virtual meetings to discuss stadium infrastructure in the 23 can-didate host cities from the end of February 2021.

The global body will then launch targeted discussions with candidate host cities from April this year.

“Bearing in mind the con-stantly changing circum-stances with regard to the COVID-19 pandemic, FIFA and the host associations are aiming to start the venue visits in the candidate host cities at the beginning of July,” FIFA added.

FIFA said its officials will visit venues only if the health and safety situation in the host countries allows them to.

“Provided the aforemen-tioned venue visits are con-ducted, FIFA and the host associations aim to have the host cities appointed by the FIFA Council in the last quarter of 2021.” FIFA will select up to 16 of the 23 venues that have been put forward in the joint bid.

The 2026 World Cup is scheduled to feature 48 teams.

REUTERS — MANCHESTER

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (pictured) said yesterday he is grateful to the club’s hierarchy for backing him to get the job done despite a poor run of form, a day after Chelsea sacked Frank Lampard when they went through a slump.

Chelsea dismissed Lampard following 18 months in charge after a disappointing run of results -- despite spending over £200m ($274.28m) in the close season -- for the club to sit ninth in the standings.

United are top of the league standings but were knocked out of the Champions League in the group stage last month and Sol-skjaer explained their long-term plan accounted for some poor spells.

“We know we would have some tough periods... We have been through two or three spells of bad form but they stood strong,” Solskjaer told reporters ahead of today’s home game

against Sheffield United.“We looked at the squad

and the situation we were in. We had a longer term plan in place. We knew there were going t o b e s o m e p a t c h y

p e r i o d s

and we had to stay strong men-tally. “The leadership they have shown has been strong and steady, I’m grateful for that.”

Solskjaer said striker Marcus Rashford trained yes-terday and is available for selection after he tweaked his knee.

The Norwegian also heaped praise on 33-year-old Uru-guayan striker Edinson Cavani, who led the line impressively in Sunday’s 3-2 FA Cup win over Liverpool.

“When a striker of that age runs almost 12 kilometres... he

chases down the centre back every time their keeper has

the ball, he tackles the centre midfielders, he makes a mistake and then gets back in his own 18-yard box,” Solskjaer said of Cavani.

“His reaction, his work rate, his habits, his humility... We can go on and

on. His experience and attitude has been a lesson for every single one of us.”

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Solskjaer grateful for backing from Manchester United board

Villa sign Frenchman Sanson from Marseille

REUTERS — LONDON

Aston Villa have signed midfielder Morgan Sanson from French Ligue 1 side Olympique de Marseille on a 4-1/2 year deal for an undis-closed fee, the Premier League club said yesterday.

The 26-year-old, who played for Le Mans and Montpellier before joining Mar-seille in 2017, helped them reach the Europa League final in 2018 and a runner-up finish in the French top flight last season.

“It’s a magical club, a big club in England. When Aston Villa called me, I didn’t have to think about it for a long time - it was the best opportunity for me and my career,” Sanson said in a statement.

“I love the team; I love the spirit - I’m a warrior and I like it when all the players run for the team and run for the club.”

British media said Villa had paid around £14m ($19.22m) for the versatile Frenchman who has made more than 150 appearances in all competi-tions for Marseille.

“Morgan has performed consistently at the highest level in French football for a number of seasons as well as in this season’s Champions League,” Villa manager Dean Smith said.

REUTERS — LONDON

Everton manager Carlo Ance-lotti (pictured) said yesterday he misses the Champions League, and the prospect of leading the English side into Europe’s elite club competition next season is a “fantastic” moti-vating factor.

Everton are sixth in the Premier League with 32 points from 17 games -- two points behind Merseyside rivals Liv-erpool who occupy fourth place, the final automatic qualifying

spot for the Champions League, and have played two games more than Everton.

Ancelotti said Everton’s next two matches, against third-placed Leicester City today and 16th-placed Newcastle United on Saturday, would give him an indication of where they stand.

“I think the Champions League is the best competition in the world. As I said when I arrived here, to take Everton into the Champions League is a fantastic motivation for me per-sonally. It’s a great desire,”

Ancelotti told a news conference.

“It will be important for us to understand where we want to be. We want to fight for the top six, the top four. We’re going to play at home these next two games and after Saturday we know where we’ll be.

“The Premier League is competitive this season. There are teams like us, like West Ham, like Southampton who are not used to staying (in the top six),” the Italian said.

“For these clubs, it’s really

exciting to fight with the usual top teams.”

Left back Lucas Digne is available after overcoming an ankle problem and forward Alex Iwobi returns after recov-ering from a knock. The duo missed Everton’s 3-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup on Sunday.

xciting to fight with the usualop teams.”

Left back Lucas Digne is vailable after overcoming an nkle problem and forward

Alex Iwobi returns after recov-ring from a knock. The duo

missed Everton’s 3-0 win overheffield Wednesday in the FA

Cup on Sunday.

Guardiola confident Aguero will have part to play in title run-inREUTERS — LONDON

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has backed striker Sergio Aguero (pictured) to find his best form in time to help the club ramp up their Premier League title challenge.

Injuries and illness have limited City’s record goals-corer to just three starts in all competitions this season.

T h e 3 2 - y e a r - o l d Argentine, who missed the start of the campaign fol-lowing knee surgery and then suffered a hamstring issue, tested positive for COVID-19 last week.

“The first three or four days he struggled,” Guardiola told reporters.

“He felt so tired, but today he says he is feeling much better. Now is the time to test negative and when he can, come back here and see how he feels day by day.

“I cannot tell you when he will be back... But I am optimistic that he will give us, from February or March to the end of the season, some good months,” he said.

“Hopefully he can help us with the special quality he has. That’s why he is one of the best strikers ever - not just in England - of all time in football history."

10 WEDNESDAY 27 JANUARY 2021SPORT

Koeman eyes Copa del Rey as fastest route to trophyREUTERS – BARCELONA

Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman believes the Copa del Rey is a surer route to silverware than the La Liga title and has said he will field a strong team in today’s last-16 tie at Rayo Vallecano to ensure his side progress in the competition.

Barca are third in the La Liga standings, 10 points behind runaway leaders Atletico Madrid, who also have a game in hand.

But they remain the only side in the top three left in the Copa after Real Madrid were knocked out by third division Alcoyano last week and Atletico Madrid were sent packing earlier in the month by Cornella.

Barca overcame Cornella 2-0 after extra

time last week and after losing the Spanish Super Cup final to Athletic Bilbao, the Copa is looking increasingly like their best shot at a trophy in a stop-start season.

The Catalans face Paris St Germain in the last 16 of the Champions League.

“We want to fight to win every compe-tition, but being realistic and looking at Atletico’s advantage in the league and the form they’re in, it’s going to be very dif-ficult,” Koeman told a news conference on Tuesday.

“As long as the league is possible we’ll keep trying. The Copa del Rey is shorter, there are fewer games and we are in it to win it and that’s what I want to see my team do.” Koeman is boosted by the return of

Lionel Messi after the Argentine com-pleted a two-game suspension but the coach did not want to say whether or not his captain would feature.

“Messi has been feeling some discomfort recently but he’s had some time off and he’s feeling fresh and fit,” he said.

“He’s used to winning trophies and wants to play in every game so we’ll have a chat tomorrow and then I’ll pick the team but we won’t know unt i l then.”

Real defender Nacho tests positive for coronavirusREUTERS – MADRID

Real Madrid defender Nacho Fernandez has tested positive for COVID-19, the Spanish champions said late on Monday.

The 31-year-old Spain international, who has made 10 appearances for Real in all competitions this season, was absent for their 4-1 victory at Alaves over the weekend.

He is expected to miss Sat-urday’s home game against Levante.

Real coach Zinedine Zidane had tested positive last week, while forward Eden Hazard, midfielder Casemiro and defender Eder Militao also contracted the virus earlier this season.

Real are second in the league standings with 40 points from 19 games, seven points behind city rivals Atletico Madrid, who have a game in hand.

Barcelona keep top spot in football’s ‘Money League’

MLS season to kick off on April 3AP – NEW YORK

Major League Soccer will open the next season on April 3 and conclude with the MLS Cup title game on Dec. 11.

Teams will be allowed to start preseason camps on Feb. 22.

But the announcement Monday came amid ongoing uncertainty about the corona-virus pandemic and whether fans will be able to attend games, especially at the start of the season.

As a result, the league has invoked the agreement’s “force majeure” clause to reopen negotiations on a col-lective bargaining agreement.

The league and the players’ union had two difficult nego-tiations a year ago - one in February before the start of the season, and a second in June when players took a pay cut in order to resume the 2020 season.

BLOOMBERG

FC Barcelona have only just managed to retain their position as the top-earning soccer club in Europe, even as the pandemic cost it 15% of sales.

Revenue at the Spanish club, which ended its first season without a trophy in more than a decade, dropped to €715.1m ($867m) in the 2019-2020 season from last year’s record €840.8m, according to the latest Money League report from Deloitte. Real Madrid was a very close second with revenue of €714.9m, 6% down from last year.

The top 20 teams by revenue in world soccer took in €8.2bn last year, 12%

less than in the 2018-2019 season, according to the report.

They missed out on more than €1bn in revenue from lost

ticket sales and rebates on broadcast contracts as measures

to contain the spread of Covid-19 hit live matches.

With lockdown measures restricting crowds in many European nations, the clubs will have missed out on more than €2bn of revenue by the end of the current season.

“There is no doubt that this is one of the most testing times the football industry has ever had to endure,” Dan Jones, partner in the Deloitte Sports Business Group and editor of the report, said in a statement.

“The final size of the financial impact of the pandemic on football will depend, in no small part, on the timing and scale of fans’ return.”

Manchester United remained the top-earning English team, even as its 19% revenue drop pushed it down one spot from last year to fourth place in the league table. Sales were also hurt by the team’s failure to

qualify for the 2019-2020 UEFA Cham-pions League.

Some of the top-ranked clubs are inves-tigating other options for finance. Barcelona is considering inviting external investors to buy equity in a specially created company, Bloomberg reported earlier this month.

The top 20 clubs saw an average revenue decline of €55m on the previous year. Only two, FC Zenit and Everton, posted an increase.

l Messi after the Argentine com-d a two-game suspension but oach did not want to say her or not his captain would re.

Messi has been feeling somemfort recently but he’s had

time off and he’s feeling and fit,” he said.

He’s used to winning trophies wants to play in every

so we’ll have a chat rrow and then ck the team we won’t

w unt i l ”

Nacho Fernandez

Conte handed two-match ban after sending off at UdineseREUTERS – MILAN

Inter Milan coach Antonio Conte has been handed a two-match touchline ban for the incident that saw him sent off for dissent during his side’s 0-0 draw at Udinese on Saturday, a Serie A disciplinary commission ruled yesterday.

Conte was sent to the stands in stoppage time after clashing with referee Fabio Maresca. He will now miss Inter’s Serie A matches against Benevento and Fiorentina after being found guilty of using “disrespectful language” towards the referee.

The fiery Italian has been fined 20,000 euros, while team manager Gabriele Oriali was fined €5,000 for his behaviour.

“We didn’t agree about the amount of stoppage time,” Conte told Sky Sport Italia after the match.

FA Cup: Late goal flurry earnsTottenham win at WycombeREUTERS – HIGH WYCOMBE, ENGLAND

Harry Winks and Tanguy Ndombele struck late goals as Tottenham Hotspur survived an FA Cup scare to reach the fifth round with a 4-1 victory at Wycombe Wanderers.

With 86 minutes on the clock and the score at 1-1 Spurs were struggling to put away the second-tier Championship’s bottom club but the battling hosts finally caved in.

Winks curled Tottenham ahead before substitute Ndombele struck twice in a cruel end to Wycombe’s challenge after manager Jose Mourinho brought on the big guns including Harry Kane.

Spurs were stunned when Fred Onyedinma gave Wycombe the lead in the 25th minute and a shock was brewing on a freezing night at Adams Park as the visitors were twice denied by the crossbar.

But Gareth Bale levelled with a clever finish just before the interval and Tottenham’s second-half dominance even-tually earned them an away trip to Everton.

Mourinho made 10 changes to the side that beat Sheffield United in the last game but it was still a strong lineup.

Bale started for the first time since Dec. 23 and completed his first 90 minutes since returning on loan from Real Madrid.

Tottenham started in business-like fashion with Erik Lamela having a shot blocked and Bale heading Lucas Moura’s corner wide before he missed the target with another half chance.

Yet it was Spurs goalkeeper

Joe Hart who made the first save, reacting sharply to tip Leicester City loanee Admiral Muskwe’s flicked header around the post.

Wycombe, with their music-loving manager Gareth Ains-worth braving the cold in tight leather jacket and skinny jeans, began to settle and rocked the visitors in the 25th minute.

Uche Ikpeazu rolled Toby Alderweireld and his cut back deflected off Tottenham defender Davinson Sanchez and fell invitingly for Onyedinma to fire low past Hart.

Spurs responded with Bale shooting into the side-netting and when Moussa Sissoko’s deflected effort hit the woodwork and then Japhet Tan-ganga’s header from Winks’ delivery also bounced off the frame, it felt like it could be a thrilling FA Cup night.

Had Wycombe, who lost 4-3

to Spurs in a fourth-round classic four years ago, reached the break in front the outcome may have been different. But they switched off in stoppage time and Bale ghosted behind the defence to flick in Moura’s pass.

Mourinho sent on England striker Kane just before the hour mark and, with Wycombe still holding firm, he then introduced Son Heung-min and Ndombele to try and get the job done.

In contrast Ainsworth intro-duced 38-year-old journeyman striker Adebayo Akinfenwa.

Allsop denied Kane twice but he was powerless as England midfielder Winks produced a superb left-foot finish when the ball came out to him on the edge of the area.

Wycombe’s spirit was broken and Ndombele rubbed salt into their wounds with a classy late double.

People walk past Barcelona club logo outside of Camp Nou Stadium in this file photo.

Tottenham Hotspur’s Gareth Bale scores their first goal against

Wycombe Wanderers.

09WEDNESDAY 27 JANUARY 2021 SPORT

We’ve been guided by the New Zealand government agencies all summer, they’ve been terrific and very supportive, and we will continue to be guided by them.

David WhiteNZC Chief Executive

South Africa make strong comeback as 14 wickets fall on opening dayAP — KARACHI

South Africa came back roaring after being skittled out for 220 on a bowler-dominated first day yesterday of its first Test in Pakistan in more than 13 years.

Pakistan was reduced to 33-4 at stumps on a pitch devoid of grass as 14 wickets fell on an eventful opening day of the two-Test series.

South Africa fast bowler Kagiso Rabada, playing his first Test in a year, removed openers Abid Ali (4) and debutant Imran Butt (9) off deliveries with uneven bounce. Rabada had impressive figures of 6-3-8-2.

Left-arm spinner Keshav

Maharaj also had captain Babar Azam trapped leg before wicket for 7 off his third delivery, and Andrich Nortje knocked back the stumps of nightwatchman Shaheen Afridi for a duck.

At stumps, Azhar Ali and Fawad Alam were both unbeaten on 5.

Earlier, legspinner Yasir Shah grabbed 3-54 and left-arm spinner Nauman Ali 2-38 on debut to peg back South Africa after it won the toss and started confidently.

Opening batsman Dean Elgar top-scored with 58 off 106 balls with nine fours, and No. 9 batsman Rabada was unbeaten on 21 as South Africa, 94-2 at lunch, lost its last eight wickets for 112 runs.

“Definitely, I do think that South Africa had a better day, even though we had a low score,” Elgar said.

“We didn’t bat well, not to our potential despite having some good preparations.

Knowing that this pitch will get tougher and knowing that we have good spinners, I am con-fident that we can go further ahead.”

Faf du Plessis and Elgar were using their feet well against the spinners by lunch but Shah brought Pakistan back when he had du Plessis caught behind on 23 in his second over after the break. Du Plessis should have been out on 14 immediately after lunch but Abid couldn’t hold on to a sharp

catch at forward short leg. Nauman got into the act in his seventh and eighth overs, mainly because of the Proteas’ wrong shot selection. Captain Quinton de Kock, in his 50th Test, tried a reckless pull on 15 and was caught at midwicket, then Elgar’s loose drive flew into the slips after a knock of nearly three hours, at 136-5.

“De Kock’s wicket was a big one and I am very happy with my debut,” Nauman said.

“The wicket was slow and we bowled them on a low total, but unfortunately we lost four wickets. We do still have two more batters to come (Mohammad Rizwan and Faheem Ashraf).”

Temba Bavuma added 43 runs with George Linde, but just before tea the diminutive Bavuma couldn’t beat a strong throw from Hasan Ali while going for a second run. Bavuma was out for 17.

L i n d e s u c c e s s f u l l y

overturned a lbw decision against him off Shah on 14 before holing out in the deep, which gave Hasan Ali his first wicket in his return to Test cricket after two years.

In the last session, Shah picked up two quick wickets but Rabada was missed twice, one of them a drop.

Both teams opted to go with three seamers and two spinners. South Africa, playing its first Test in Pakistan since 2007, included two left-arm spinners -- Keshav Maharaj and Linde - and left out Shams Tabraiz as a third spinner after he had a back spasm just before the toss.

Pakistan umpire Aleem Dar, who has officiated on-field in a record 391 interna-tionals, was supervising his first Test in Pakistan since his debut in 2000.

Dar’s appointment was allowed because of travel restrictions in the pandemic.

South Africa, 1st inningsD. Elgar c Azam b Nauman .............................58A. Markram c Butt b Shaheen ......................... 13R. van der Dussen run out .............................. 17F. du Plessis c Rizwan b Yasir .........................23Q. de Kock c Butt b Nauman ........................... 15T. Bavuma run out ........................................... 17G. Linde c sub (Nawaz) b Hasan .................... 35K. Maharaj b Yasir ...............................................0K. Rabada not out ............................................ 21A. Nortje b Yasir ..................................................0L. Ngidi lbw b Shaheen......................................8Extras (b5, lb1, nb7) ...................................... 13Total (69.2 overs, all out)................. 220Fall of wickets: 1-30 (Markram), 2-63 (Dus-sen), 3-108 (du Plessis), 4-133 (de Kock), 5-136 (Elgar), 6-179 (Bavuma), 7-179 (Maharaj), 8-194 (Linde), 9-195 (Nortje)Bowling: Shaheen 11.2-0-49-2 (3nb), Hasan 14-5-61-1 (2nb), Ashraf 5-0-12-0, Nauman 17-4-38-2 (1nb), Yasir 22-6-54-3 (1nb)

Pakistan, 1st inningsImran Butt c Bavuma b Rabada .......................9Abid Ali b Rabada ...............................................4Azhar Ali not out ................................................ 5Babar Azam lbw b Maharaj .............................. 7Shaheen Shah Afridi b Nortje ...........................0Fawad Alam not out .......................................... 5Extras (nb3)...................................................... 3Total (18 overs, four wickets) .............33To bat: Mohammad Rizwan, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Nauman Ali, Yasir ShahFall of wicket: 1-5 (Abid), 2-15 (Butt), 3-26 (Azam), 4-27 (Shaheen)Bowling: Rabada 6-3-8-2 (nb2), Nortje 7-2-20-1, Ngidi 3-0-5-0 (1nb), Maharaj 2-2-0-1

SCOREBOARD

Pakistan players celebrate after dismissing South Africa for 220 in first innings yesterday.

Pakistan umpire Aleem Dar, who has officiated on-field in a record 391 internationals, was supervising his first Test in Pakistan since his debut in 2000. Dar’s appointment was allowed because of travel restrictions in the pandemic.

No demons in Karachi pitch, says South Africa's ElgarREUTERS — KARACHI

South Africa opener Dean Elgar believes the perceived ‘demons’ in the pitch at the National Stadium in Karachi, where 14 wickets fell on the opening day of the first Test against Pakistan yesterday, are mostly in the minds of the batsmen.

The tourists were bowled out for 220 after winning the toss, but fought back to leave their hosts reeling on 33 for four at the close of an absorbing first

day. There was turn and some variable bounce, but also poor shot selection on both sides, while two of South Africa’s top six were run out trying to score with unnecessary haste.

“I had a feeling the wicket would be slow and low as the ball got softer and the day went on, but I didn’t think it would be a 14-wicket day. There were a few very soft dismissals in both innings,” Elgar told reporters.

“If you apply yourself there

are no real demons in the wicket.”

South Africa have claimed the prized scalp of Pakistan captain Babar Azam, who scored centuries in each of his last three Tests, and Elgar believes that has given them a big chance to take a potentially crucial first innings lead.

“If we can emulate the way we started with the ball (on the second morning) and do that in the first hour, we will build pressure and have chances

come our way,” he said.“Our fast bowlers will bring

the intensity, it’s something they pride themselves on and is something we can control as a bowling unit.”

Elgar, who top-scored in South Africa’s innings with 58, was at a loss to explain the rash stroke-play and run outs of Rassie van der Dussen and Temba Bavuma in their innings.

“Sometimes

Test cricket can get the better of you and you get

caught up in the moment. We h a v e t o

r e s p e c t that,” Elgar said.

way, he said.ast bowlers will bring sity, it’s somethingthemselves on and ng we can control ng unit.”who top-scored Africa’s inningswas at a loss to e rash stroke-play

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Dean Elgar

NZ Cricket chief confident Australia will tour despite COVID scare

REUTERS — AUCKLAND

New Zealand Cricket Chief Executive David White has played down concerns they may not be able to host Australia in upcoming series after the country confirmed its first case of COVID-19 in the community in months.

New Zealand’s men will host Australia in a five-match Twenty20 series beginning on Feb-ruary 22 in Christchurch. The women’s team play England in three one-dayers and three T20s from February 23 before hosting Australia.

New Zealand on Monday confirmed its first case of COVID-19 in the community in months in a 56-year-old woman, prompting Australia to immediately suspend a travel bubble with the country for 72 hours.

“We’re very positive that the tours to New Zealand will proceed with the Australian teams,” White said.

“We’ve been guided by the New Zealand gov-ernment agencies all summer, they’ve been ter-rific and very supportive, and we will continue to be guided by them.”

White added that the England women’s team arrive in New Zealand yesterday. New Zealand’s men are set to tour England for two Tests in June and White is con-fident the series will go ahead despite the COVID-19 situation there.

“We’ve been working with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for the last 12 months, just working together on the different bio bubbles and things,” White said.

Djokovic is our LeBron but we have to call him out sometimes: KyrgiosREUTERS — MELBOURNE

Nick Kyrgios has likened Novak Djokovic to NBA player LeBron James in his influence both on and off the court but says he had a duty to call out the world number one when he “lost his way” during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The maverick Australian called the Serbian’s ill-fated Adria Tour in June “bone-headed” and described Djokovic as a “tool” last week when he wrote to Australian Open organisers asking for the easing of quarantine conditions.

“He is one of our leaders of our sport. He’s technically our LeBron James in the way he has to be setting an example for all tennis players,” Kyrgios said of the 17-times Grand Slam champion in an interview with CNN.

“When he was doing some of the things he was doing during the global pandemic, it just wasn’t the right time. I know everyone makes mistakes, some of us go off track sometimes, and I think we have to hold each other

accountable. “No one else was really holding him accountable. Everyone loses their way a little bit but I think he just needs to pull it back.”

Kyrgios was not alone among his compatriots in objecting to what were por-trayed as Djokovic’s “demands” in his letter to Australian Open organisers.

Djokovic hit back at the critics, however, saying his good intentions had been “misconstrued”.

His defenders pointed out that Djokovic and other top

players such as Rafa Nadal and Dominic

Thiem were undergoing quar-antine in more salubrious sur-roundings in Adelaide and not actually

subjected to t h e

conditions in Melbourne. “Djok-ovic’s balcony is bigger than my room but at least he said some-thing,” said Argentine Guido Pella last week.

“I’m surprised with Nadal and Thiem’s silence.”

World number two Nadal returned serve with a waspish remark in an interview with ESPN on Monday.

“We all try to help each other,” the 20-times Grand Slam champion said.

“Some need to make public all they do to try to help others, while some of us do it privately without publishing our calls or

making propa-ganda with it.”

Meanwhile, Iga Swiatek says she found peace on court after a couple of chaotic months fol-

lowing her French

Open win and the 19-year-old is sharpening the mental side of her game to deal with the expectation that comes with a Grand Slam trophy.

The Pole went from being a largely unknown teenager ranked 54th in the world to acquiring celebrity status when she won the title at Roland Garros in October.

Swiatek, who will begin her season in Melbourne at a WTA tune-up event ahead of the Aus-tralian Open, was still feeling the changes in her life as she toiled through her pre-season in December in Tenerife, southern Spain.

"The two weeks were crazy after the French Open," Swiatek said in an interview posted on the WTA website yesterday.

"But later, when we started focusing on practice, I thought it would be hard for me because I was tired.

"But actually, when I was on court it was like coming back

to basics and back to what I know and what I've been doing for so long. It was great. I could see that it's my place to be

and I felt safe there, good and confident."

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Badosa slams quarantine conditions before AOREUTERS — MADRID

Spanish tennis player Paula Badosa has described her extended period of quarantine ahead of the Australia Open following a positive novel coro-navirus test as the worst moment of her career, adding she felt abandoned by organ-isers.

Badosa, ranked 67 in the world, was the first player to test positive for the virus upon arrival in Australia ahead of the tournament and cannot leave her hotel room until January 31.

If she is found to have been infected with the new strain of coronavirus, Badosa will only return to training on February 5 which the Spaniard believes will be too late to regain her fitness.

“I feel abandoned because I don’t have training equipment

which I requested five days ago, I haven’t been told which type of the virus I have, I’ve had no information from the tour-nament,” she told Spanish newspaper Marca.

Australian Open organisers did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The 23-year-old player added that the room, which she is sharing with coach Javier Marti, was not suitable for an elite athlete.

“It’s far and away the worst experience of my career,” Badosa said.

“The conditions here are lamentable, I wasn’t expecting that. The number one thing people recommend when you have the virus is to open the windows to let in air, but I don’t have windows in my hotel room and it’s barely 15 metres square.”

Paula Badosa

08WEDNESDAY 27 JANUARY 2021SportTokyo Olympic Q&A: Officials try to explain how Games happenAP - TOKYO

With calls for a cancellation mounting, pressure is building on Japanese organizers and the IOC to explain exactly how they plan to hold the Tokyo Olympics in the midst of a pandemic.

The International Olympic Committee and the local organ-izers are expected to roll out “Playbooks” next week that are to provide step-by-step details about how athletes and thou-sands of others will get safely in and out of Tokyo.

Both the organizers and the IOC have been vague for months, opening the door to speculation about a cancellation, or another postponement.

Some in the Japanese medical community are voicing alarm, fearful that hospitals - already struggling with local patients - will be overwhelmed when the Olympics open on July 23. The Paralympics follow on August 24.

There’s also a skeptical Japanese public. Recent polls suggest 80% want the games postponed again or canceled.

Tokyo and Japan have seen a virus surge in the last few months, and much of the country is under an emergency order.

Japan has attributed just over 5,000 deaths to COVID-19 and has controlled the virus much better than most countries.

Q: SO WHAT ARE THE “PLAYBOOKS” AND HOW WILL THEY WORK?

A: They are guidebooks that will be aimed at athletes and others - sponsors, officials, media and broadcasters - to explain about entering Japan for the Olympics. Rules could call for self-quarantines before leaving the home country. For certain, a negative test will be needed before getting on the plane. There will be more testing upon arrival in Japan, transportation in designated vehicles, and more daily testing in the Athletes Village, which - like the venues - will be turned into a “bubble.” The rule books will be updated three times, adding new information as organizers learn more.

Q: WHY ARE ORGANIZERS CONFIDENT THEY CAN HOLD THE OLYMPICS AND PARALYMPICS?

A: Craig Spence, a spokesman for the International Par-alympic Committee, listed four reasons: 1) Unlike 10 months ago, scientists know much more about the virus; 2) sports and health officials have learned how to hold sports events during the pandemic; 3) vaccines are now available; 4) the Olympics and Paralympics don’t open for six months, time for the virus surge to ease entering the northern hemisphere summer.

“We totally understand the pressure the health care system is under now,” Spence said. “But come the summer, that should not be the case because case numbers should fall.

“If you are an athlete or a stakeholder, you will not be able to get on a plane until you provide a negative test,” Spence added. “When you see the number of tests we are going to do (on site), that should reassure people.”

Q: WHAT ABOUT FANS? WILL THERE BE ANY? ANY FROM ABROAD?

A: Olympic Minister Seiko Hashimoto told a parliamentary session yesterday that the decision will be announced “by the spring.” Indoor venues are likely to have fewer fans - if any - than outdoor stadiums. And it appears increasingly unlikely that fans from abroad can attend. Fewer fans means more costs for Japan. The local organizing committee expected to receive $800m from ticket sales. Any shortfall will have to be made up by Japanese government entities.

Q: WHAT ABOUT VACCINES? WILL THEY BE REQUIRED TO ENTER JAPAN?

A: This is a delicate area. Bach has encouraged all “par-ticipants” to be vaccinated, but says it will not be required. The IOC and other sports bodies are being warned that young, healthy athletes should not be prioritized ahead of the vul-nerable and health care workers. IOC member Dick Pound of Canada got strong push back recently when he suggested the “most realistic way of going ahead” was prioritizing ath-letes. Dr. Michael Ryan, the executive director of the World Health Organization, has called the Olympics a “wonderful symbol” but adds “we have to face the realities of what we face now - there is not enough vaccine right now to even serve those who are most at risk.”

Spence, the IPC spokesman, said some teams had already been vaccinated. He did not name them.

Q: HOW IS THE JAPANESE MEDICAL COMMUNITY AND SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY REACTING TO THE PROSPECT OF HAVING THE OLYMPICS?

A: There’s a lot of open skepticism. A few days ago, the president of the Japan Medical Association sounded a warning when he was asked about the Olympics and possible patients from abroad.

“Many people will come from abroad, and it’s a huge number, even with just the athletes,” Dr. Toshio Nakagawa said.

“In this situation, if coronavirus patients appear among them as a collapse of the medical system is happening and is spreading, it will not be possible to accept them. ... Unless a miracle happens, such as the vaccine rollout suddenly suc-ceeding, or a cure is suddenly found, we are not able to accept more patients.”

With new cases surging, Tokyo and other parts of Japan have been under a voluntary emergency order since early January. It is to end on Feb. 7.

“Right now, a situation that can be called the collapse of the medical system has happened in various places, espe-cially in areas where a state of emergency has been declared, and it is becoming a daily reality,” Nakagawa said.

“If things continue, we may have to do triage, and choose which life has priority over another.”

Q: THE OLYMPICS HAVE BEEN CANCELED FIVE TIMES - ALL DURING WARTIME. WHY ARE OFFICIALS PRESSING AHEAD AMID THE PANDEMIC?

A: The last cancellations were in 1944. That was before much money was at stake. The IOC is now a commercial, wealthy sports business that relies on selling broadcast rights for almost 75% of its income. Another 18% is from sponsors. The IOC has only two major products to sell - the Summer and Winter Olympics.

Estimates suggest Tokyo is worth $2bn-$3bn in broadcast payments to the IOC. It has a reserve fund but must have the TV money.

In addition, Japan has spent at least $25bn to prepare. Lastly, China is to hold the Beijing Winter Olympics just six months after Tokyo ends. Japanese politicians don’t want to fail and cede the stage of China.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) drives between Cleveland Cavaliers centre Jarrett Allen (31) and guard Isaac Okoro (35) in the fourth quarter at Rocket Mortgage.

NBA: LeBron James nets 46 points in Lakers' winREUTERS - NEW YORK

LeBron James scored a season-high 46 points, including 21 in the fourth quarter, to lift the visiting Los Angeles Lakers to a 115-108 win against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday night.

James scored 13 points in the final 4:41 to help the Lakers pull away and improve to 10-0 on the road this season. Anthony Davis had 17 points and 10 rebounds for the Lakers, and Montrezl Harrell scored 15 off the bench.

Andre Drummond had 25 points and 17 rebounds, Cedi Osman scored 20 points and Collin Sexton finished with 17 for the Cavaliers.

James shot 19 of 26 from the field, including 7 of 11 from 3-point distance, and added eight rebounds and six assists. It was his second game back in Cleveland since leaving the Cavaliers for the second time.

Denver Nuggets 117 - Dallas Mavericks 113

Michael Porter Jr scored a season-high-tying 30 points, Nikola Jokic had 20 points and 10 rebounds and visiting Denver beat Dallas.

JaMychal Green had 17 points and eight rebounds while Jamal Murray scored 16 before being ejected for Denver, which has won the first three games of a five-game road trip.

Luka Doncic amassed 35 points, 16 assists and 11 rebounds, Hardaway scored 19 points, and Kristaps Por-zingis and James Johnson had 16 apiece for the Mavericks.

Golden State Warriors 130 - Minnesota Timberwolves 108

Stephen Curry over-shadowed Andrew Wiggins’ reunion with his former team, scoring a game-high 36 points as Golden State thrashed vis-iting Minnesota in San Fran-cisco. Curry shot 11-for-21 overall and 7-for-12 on 3-point attempts en route to his fifth game this season with 35 or more points. Wiggins comple-mented 23 points for the Warriors.

The game pitted the top picks of last year’s draft, with No. 1 selection Anthony Edwards of the Timberwolves and No. 2 pick James Wiseman of the Warriors playing on near-even terms. Edwards fin-ished with 15 points while Wiseman, demoted from the starting lineup Monday, had 13.

Indiana Pacers 129 - Toronto Raptors 114

Malcolm Brogdon scored 19 of his career-high 36 points in the second half and added nine assists as Indiana defeated Toronto at Indianapolis.

Oklahoma City Thunder 125 - Portland Trail Blazers 122

Mike Muscala made a career-best six 3-pointers and scored a season-high 23 points to help Oklahoma City post a victory at Portland.

Orlando Magic 117 - Char-lotte Hornets 108

Nikola Vucevic scored 28 points as Orlando won for just the second time in its last 10 games, defeating visiting Charlotte.

Brooklyn Nets 98 - Miami Heat 85

James Harden scored 10 of his 20 points in the fourth as Brooklyn pulled away in the final minutes for a victory over Miami in New York.

Boston Celtics 119 - Chicago Bulls 103

Jaylen Brown scored 26 points and Jayson Tatum added 24 points in his return to the lineup from the NBA’s COVID-19 protocol as Boston opened a stretch of playing seven of eight on the road with a win at Chicago.

Detroit Pistons 119 - Phil-adelphia 76ers 104

Delon Wright poured in a career-high 28 points and host Detroit snapped a four-game losing streak with a win over Philadelphia. Wright's pre-vious career best was 26 points.

Kobe’s presence remains strong, legacy growingAP - LOS ANGELES

Kobe Bryant wasn’t in the bubble with the Los Angeles Lakers last fall when they won the NBA championship.

He wasn’t at the All-Star weekend in Chicago where half the players wore his number on their uniforms, the other half wearing his daughter’s jersey number.

He wasn’t there to hear the Basketball Hall of Fame announced that his career was worthy of enshrinement.

Yet his presence was so clearly felt in each of those moments.

Bryant, his daughter Gianna and the other seven people who climbed aboard that helicopter on a Sunday morning in Southern California have been gone for exactly one year now - Tuesday marked the grim anniversary of the crash that took their lives.

Tears have been shed. Stories have been told. Tributes have been made.

And if there was any doubt about what kind of legacy Bryant - a five-time NBA champion, still the No. 4 scorer in NBA history, a 20-year veteran of the league - left behind, it has been erased now.

He still resonates, maybe more than ever.“God rest his soul, God rest the soul of Gigi

and the seven others that perished,” said Miami assistant coach and former NBA player Caron Butler, who was close with Bryant for years.

“The legacy that he left, man, he did it all. He inspired. When you think about being better, embracing the storm, having the right mentality and perspective about life and always trying to be better, he embodied it all and that’s why his legacy will live forever.”

Bryant is gone, but that doesn’t mean Butler is wavering on a promise he made. Butler famously had a longtime affinity for Mountain Dew, even drinking it during games when others thought he was having Gatorade. When Butler played for the Lakers, Bryant strongly urged him to kick the habit.

Butler was taping an ad last year for Mountain Dew.

He took a sip for the cameras. He then spit the drink out.

“Out of respect to my brother,” Butler said.Butler and Bryant were brothers in the

teammate sense. Tony Altobelli lost his actual brother, John Altobelli, in the crash. Alyssa Alto-belli was a teammate of Gianna Bryant; she was

on the helicopter along with John, her father, and mother Keri.

John Altobelli was the baseball coach at Orange Coast College in Southern California. Tony Altobelli is the sports information director at that school; sports information directors are tasked with promoting their teams, in good times and bad, always trying to find a positive way to tell a story. And somehow, even for a story this painful, Tony Altobelli has managed to do that.

His brother died with Kobe Bryant. That’s how the world got to know who his brother was.

“It’s nice to see his memory, and just his way of his life being celebrated by people far beyond our area,” Tony Altobelli said. “It takes a little bit of the sting off what happened. I’ve kind of jok-ingly said if it had to happen, I’m glad a global figure was with him when it happened because now the whole world knows about my brother, my sister-in-law and my niece. And I think that’s pretty cool.”

Christina Mauser died in the crash as well; she was one of the coaches at Bryant’s academy. Tony Altobelli and Mauser’s husband, Matt, have become friends in the last year; they didn’t know each other before Jan. 26, 2020. Matt Mauser has organized a concert to honour those who died in the crash and to serve as a benefit for the foun-dation he started in his wife’s memory; it streamed Tuesday night.

Sarah Chester and her 13-year-old daughter Payton, another of the players along with Gianna and Alyssa, also were on board. Also killed was the pilot, Ara Zobayan. The Lakers were in the air when the news broke, flying home from a game in Bryant’s hometown of Philadelphia. Word spread around the NBA quickly; the Golden State Warriors were just starting practice when someone there found out.

“Everything stopped,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “The music stopped. The players stopped. Nobody said a word. A lot of guys dropped to the floor and started crying. Nothing happened for 10 minutes. We all just sat there in silence. It was one of the worst moments of all our lives.”

The Lakers are not planning any formal marking of the day, nor is the NBA. It is not a day for celebration. It is a day for remembrance, not that it’s needed.

Bryant’s legacy lives on. He won’t be for-gotten. Nor will Jan. 26, 2020.

“I don’t think any of us will ever forget that day,” Kerr said.

Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) waves to the crowd as he walks on the court before a game against the Utah Jazz at Staples Centre. Bryant concludes his 20-year NBA career tonight in this Apr 13, 2016 file photo.