Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 30 June 12:30 pm

Good day, let’s look at the latest sports news and scores:

# First up, soccer: Four-time champions Germany have been knocked out of the World Cup after losing on penalties against Paraguay in Boston. The match finished 1-all after extra time. Kai Havertz, Nick Woltemade, and Jonathan Tah missed their spot-kicks, as Paraguay won the shootout 4-3 and set up a last-16 tie against two-time champions France or Sweden. In Houston, Brazil defeated Japan 2-1 and will play Ivory Coast or Norway in the last 16. Morocco defeated the Netherlands 3-2 on penalties to set up a last-16 showdown with co-hosts Canada in Monterrey.

# Rugby: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus says he picked his strongest team possible because he expects a huge onslaught from England in Saturday’s Nations Championship Test at Ellis Park in Johannesburg. Captain Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth are the two centurions in the team, while the most inexperienced is Cameron Hanekom with only one cap. Erasmus says it was important to select a squad with experience combined with a few younger players who have proved they have what it takes to perform at this level.

# Cricket: Proteas Women captain Laura Wolvaardt asked her team for a brave batting performance in Thursday’s T20 World Cup semifinal against England at the Oval in London. South Africa struggled to chase a mediocre target during Sunday’s final group match against Bangladesh at Lord’s, and Wolvaardt is especially frustrated with herself for being dismissed for a duck. She says she is determined to lead from the front on Thursday. Australia and the West Indies face off in today’s first semifinal, with the final on Sunday.

Other cricket news: Brendon McCullum has no plans of stepping down as England’s head coach. England lost the deciding Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge by 160 runs, losing the series 2-1. The Black Caps are now the first tourists to win a series of three or more Tests in the country in 14 years. McCullum says his commitment to England has never wavered:

# And tennis: Defending champion Jannik Sinner of Italy and seven-time champion Novak Djokovic of Serbia are through to the second round at Wimbledon. Sinner battled past Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic in five sets, while Djokovic defeated China’s Wu Yibing. Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz beat Norwegian Casper Ruud in straight sets. In the women’s draw, world number one Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus eased past Serbian qualifier Teodora Kostovic. French Open finalist Maja Chwalinska of Poland was eliminated.

Stay tuned for more news………….