Football: Spain draw Czechs for 2012

European champions Spain are drawn with 2004 semifinalists the Czech Republic as they begin the defense of their title this year in qualifiers for the 2012 tournament in Poland and Ukraine.

Toro Rosso have confirmed that Spanish teenager Jaime Alguersuari will drive for the team for the remainder of the 2009 Formula One season.

Maria Kirilenko stunned favored fellow Russian Maria Sharapova in early action, as the Australian Open began play on Monday.

UEFA cut Didier Drogba’s Champions League ban from four games to three after the Chelsea striker’s ugly confrontation with the referee following their exit from the semifinals of the competition earlier this year.

Kenenisa Bekele once again laid claim to being the greatest distance runner in history by completing the 5000 – 10,000 meters double at the world championships in Berlin.

Sweden’s Daniel Chopra holds the clubhouse lead at the Singapore Open as lightning again disrupted play with more than half the field failing to finish their second rounds, including first round leader Ian Poulter and world number two Phil Mickelson.

Mathieu Flamini scored the winner nine minutes from time as a second-string AC Milan side beat third division Novara 2-1 at the San Siro on Wednesday to reach the Coppa Italia quarterfinals.

Tottenham Hotspur moved into the final Champions League qualification spot in England with a 3-0 away win at Wigan as Manchester City and Liverpool played out a sterile goalless draw earlier on Sunday.

Nelson Piquet Jr. has blamed his manager and team boss Flavio Briatore after revealing that he has been sacked by Renault following a poor first half to the 2009 Formula One season.

Roger Federer will face U.S. Open champion Juan Martin Del Potro, home hope Andy Murray and Spain’s Fernando Verdasco in the tougher of the two round robin groups for the ATP World Tour Finals in London next week.

Angolan authorities arrest two people over an attack on the Togo national football team that left three people dead, state media report.

The U.S. Open is set to face further delays as weather forecasters predicted more rain after an entire day of play was lost on Friday.

Holders Barcelona must overturn a one-goal deficit in the second leg of the Copa Del Rey last-16 clash with Sevilla after a shock 2-1 loss in the home tie on Tuesday night.

Australia all-rounder Ryan Harris took five wickets to help his side claim a 40-run victory over Pakistan in Adelaide on Tuesday.

Holder Serena Williams moved a step closer to defending her U.S. Open title, although she had to produce her best tennis to see off Spain’s Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez.

Veteran Spanish driver Pedro de la Rosa will return to a race seat in Formula One this year after winning a contract with Sauber.