Pele’s jersey sells for 30,000 euros
Milan: The jersey worn by Brazilian football legend Pele during his final match for the five-time world champions has sold for 30,000 euros ($33,000) in an auction in Italy. The three-time World Cup winner wore the jersey in a friendly against Yugoslavia at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro in July 1971, the last time he played for Brazil. Pele, 79, regarded as among the greatest footballers of all-time, scored 77 goals for Brazil in 92 appearances. The shirt was the highlight of objects which went under the hammer at the Bolaffi auction house in Turin on Thursday. A rare blue Juventus jersey worn by Italian defender Luciano Spinosi in the final of the 1971 UEFA Cup sold for 9,400 euros. Another shirt worn by Argentina legend Diego Maradona during his time playing for Napoli in the 1989-90 season sold for 7,500 euros. A bat used by US basketball great Michael Jordan during his brief foray into baseball fetched 425 euros. (AFP)
Germany friendlies vs Spain, Italy
Berlin: Germany will play friendlies against fellow European powerhouses Spain and Italy next March in the build-up to Euro 2020, the German Football Association (DFB) has confirmed. Joachim Loew’s side face Spain in Madrid on March 26 and Italy on March 31 in Nuremberg before the European Championship finals, which start on June 12. Germany have been drawn in Group F for the finals, which will be played in 12 cities across Europe, alongside holders Portugal and world champions France, with the fourth nation to be decided by a play-off. Germany play France in Munich on June 16, before hosting Portugal four days later at the Allianz Arena with their final pool game scheduled for June 24, also in Munich. Spain take on play Sweden, Poland and a fourth team yet to qualify in Group E, while Italy are in Group A alongside Wales, Switzerland and Turkey, who they play in the opening game in Rome. (AFP)
Manpreet player of the year nominee
New Delhi: India men’s hockey captain Manpreet Singh has been nominated by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) for its Player of the Year award. Additionally, Vivek Prasad and Lalremsiami were nominated for the men’s and women’s FIH Rising star of the year awards respectively. Manpreet played a crucial role in leading the team to a berth at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics this year. He has 242 international caps to his name and is a stalwart in midfield for the Indian team. (IANS)