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World Cup - SAITAMA, Japan 2006

Spain won its first world championship without the injured Pau Gasol after they beat Greece 70-47 on sunday night in a magnificent game.

Spain's challenge seemed even more difficult considering a near perfect performance by Greece (8-1) in a 101-95 semifinal win over the United States. The European champions put on an impressive offensive and defensive display in getting to the final for the first time.

It was Europe's third straight world title - Yugoslavia won in 1998 and 2002 - and it will have the home continent advantage in 2010 with the tournament in Turkey.

The United States won the bronze medal with a 96-81 victory over Argentina on Saturday.

2006 Turkish Grand Prix

The only thing that could have been better for Ferrari in Turkey was to have Michael Schumacher finish first and Felipe Massa second, but even so first place for the Brazilian and third for the German netted 16 valuable points that brought the Italian team within two points of Renault in the constructors’ championship.

In all probability Schumacher would have won, all things being equal, but Michael lost out when the safety car was deployed on the 13th lap and he had to wait behind Massa while they were serviced in the pits. Then Michael blistered his second set of Bridgestones pushing overly hard to make up time while running with a heavier fuel load than his two rivals. His performance in the closing laps was mighty, but those two factors militated against the victory that would have decreased the gap to Alonso.

The second Turkish Grand Prix was a great race, and the relative performances of Ferrari and Renault, Bridgestone and Michelin, bode well for further excitement over the course of the four remaining races which will decide the outcome of the drivers’ and constructors’ world championships.

1. Felipe Massa (Ferrari) 1:28:51.082 - 10 p.
2. Fernando Alonso (Renault) +5.5 secs - 8p.
3. Michael Schumacher (Ferrari) +5.6 secs - 6p.
4. Jenson Button (Honda) +12.3 secs - 5p.
5. Pedro de la Rosa (McLaren-Mercedes) +45.9 secs - 4p.
6. Giancarlo Fisichella (Renault) +46.5 secs - 3p.
7. Ralf Schumacher (Toyota) +59.3 secs - 2p.
8. Rubesns Barrichello (Honda) +60.0 secs - 1p.

Official Formula 1 website

Wimbledon 2006

Men's Singles
The final:

Roger Federer (1), Switzerland, def. Rafael Nadal (2), Spain, 6-0, 7-6 (5), 6-7 (2), 6-3.

Women's singles
The final:

Amelie Mauresmo (1), France, beat Justine Henin-Hardenne (3), Belgium, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Men's doubles
The final:

Bob and Mike Bryan (1), United States, beat Fabrice Santoro, France, and Nenad Zimonjic (6), Serbia, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2.

Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal (ESP)

Birthdate:
3-Jun-86

Birthplace:
Manacor, Mallorca

Residence:
Manacor, Mallorca

Height:
6'1'' (185 cm)

Weight:
188 lbs (85 kg)

Plays:
Left-handed

Turned Pro:
2001

SINGLES CAREER TITLES (17): 2004--Sopot; 2005--Acapulco, ATP Masters Series Canada, ATP Masters Series Madrid, ATP Masters Series Monte Carlo, ATP Masters Series Rome, Barcelona, Bastad, Beijing, Costa Do Sauipe, Roland Garros, Stuttgart; 2006--ATP Masters Series Monte Carlo, ATP Masters Series Rome, Barcelona, Dubai, Roland Garros FINALIST (2): 2004--Auckland; 2005--ATP Masters Series Miami

DOUBLES CAREER TITLES (3): 2005--Doha; 2004--Chennai; 2003--Umag FINALIST (1): 2005--Barcelona