World Sports

Everton had no answer to two pedigree second-half goals as they went down 2-0 away to Fiorentina in the first leg of their last-16 UEFA Cup tie tonight. via RTE.ie

The Honda Racing F1 Team today concluded its preparations for the start of the 2008 Formula One season following a three-day private test at the Jerez circuit in southern Spain. via Motorsport.com

European soccer's governing body does not expect a repetition of the security problems that marred last year's Champions League final, even if two English clubs reach May's showpiece, a senior UEFA official said.

Fernando Torres scored his second Anfield hat-trick in less than two weeks as Liverpool thrashed West Ham United 4-0 to go fourth in the Premier League on Wednesday.

The Olympic torch relay will stop for two hours at Tian'anmen Square in central Beijing on the eve of the Olympic Games, a Chinese official said on Thursday.

The Red Sox and closer Jonathan Papelbon have agreed to a one-year, $775,000 deal.

Papelbon made $425,000 last season and was looking for a raise to about $900,000. The Sox were originally offering $525,000.

With Papelbon's signing, all 40 players on the Red Sox major league roster are under contract for the 2008 season. Read more

There was no shortage of drama during India's tour of Australia. Here is a quick recap of the controversies that plagued the Indian cricketers on the long tour. via Sify

"The good news is I didn't leave there totally dejected"

Bart Bryant got his bad shots out of the way early and birdied his last two holes Thursday for a 6-under 65, giving him a one-shot lead among early starters who were lucky to beat the rain in the PODS ... via Slam Sports

"We had a lot of great chances but we didn't put them in. "You're going to go through stretches like this. If it happens in November, nobody's probably going to notice but right now every game is so big so it's a different thing."

The Vancouver Canucks practised at the Pacific Coliseum on Wednesday because GM Place showcased motivational speakers talking about The Power Within. via Sportsnet.ca

"The fans would understand that this would be the ideal choice for us. He is a player who is ready to help and for us that would be the ideal solution.

'I don't think that (Chelsea owner Roman) Abramovich will have a problem in letting him go."

AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi has reiterated his desire to take Andriy Shevchenko back to the San Siro this summer, describing him as the 'ideal choice' to replace the injured Ronaldo.

Brazil striker Ronaldo is likely to be sidelined until November after undergoing surgery on ruptured knee ligaments in Paris last month.

And Berlusconi believes Chelsea's former Milan favourite Shevchenko can fill the void saying: 'I think regularly about Shevchenko and I often speak to him.'

He added: 'The fans would understand that this would be the ideal choice for us. He is a player who is ready to help and for us that would be the ideal solution. Read more