Soccer

On this Day - September 11 2013: Giovanni Trapattoni and Marco Tardelli leave Republic of Ireland posts after Austria defeat

Giovanni Trapattoni with assistant manager Marco Tardelli (right) decided to leave their posts with Ireland five years ago
Giovanni Trapattoni with assistant manager Marco Tardelli (right) decided to leave their posts with Ireland five years ago Giovanni Trapattoni with assistant manager Marco Tardelli (right) decided to leave their posts with Ireland five years ago

SPORT BIRTHDAYS

Franz Beckenbauer (soccer) - captained West Germany to World Cup triumph in 1974 and repeated the feat as coach of his country in 1990, born 1945.

Hugo Porta (rugby union) - stand-off who scored 564 points for Argentina, born 1951.

Graeme Obree (cycling) - former holder of world one-hour record, born 1965.

Slaven Bilic (soccer) - former Croatia and West Ham manager, born 1968.

John Spencer (soccer) - former Chelsea and Scotland striker, born 1970.

Matthew Stevens (snooker) - World Championship runner-up in 2000 and 2005, born 1977.

Eric Abidal (soccer) - former Barcelona and France defender, born 1979.

Andrea Dossena (soccer) - former Liverpool, Napoli and Italy defender, born 1981.

Jordan Ayew (soccer) - Crystal Palace - on loan from Swansea - and Ghana striker, born 1991.

ON THIS DAY

1895: The original FA Cup trophy was stolen from a shop window in Birmingham, where it had been on display courtesy of holders Aston Villa.

1998: Francis Baron became the Rugby Football Union's first chief executive.

1998: Arsenal signed Freddie Ljungberg from Halmstad for ?3million after Arsene Wenger watched him play for Sweden against England.

2001: St Helens forward Sonny Nickle was handed a six-month ban for a challenge that broke the jaw of Leeds hooker Robbie Mears.

2005: The United States regained the Solheim Cup from Europe at Crooked Stick, Indiana.

2006: Roger Federer won the US Open with a 6-2 4-6 7-5 6-1 win over Andy Roddick at Flushing Meadows.

2008: West Ham appointed Gianfranco Zola as their new manager on a three-year deal.

2011: Australia's Samantha Stosur won the US Open women's singles title with a 6-2 6-3 victory over American Serena Williams.

2012: UK Athletics confirmed head coach Charles van Commenee was to step down.

2013: Giovanni Trapattoni and Marco Tardelli left their roles as Republic of Ireland manager and assistant by mutual consent following the 1-0 World Cup qualification defeat by Austria.

2015: Serena Williams suffered one of the greatest shocks in tennis history as unseeded Italian Roberta Vinci ended the American's hopes of a calendar grand slam with a stunning 2-6 6-4 6-4 victory in the US Open semi-finals.

2017: Crystal Palace sacked manager Frank de Boer after four straight Premier League defeats. The Dutchman lasted only 77 days at Selhurst Park.

SPORT QUIZ

1. League Two football club Exeter City are known by what nickname?

2. How many times has Novak Djokovic won Wimbledon?

3. Which former world middleweight champion inspired the movie Raging Bull?

4. Sergio Parisse currently captains which rugby union side?

5. What is the name of Barcelona's football stadium?

(See quiz answers at bottom)

SPORT ON TV

Today

SOCCER: International friendly, England v Switzerland - Sky Sports Main Event 1900, Sky Sports Premier League 2145; UEFA Nations League, Spain v Croatia - Sky Sports Premier League 1940.

CRICKET: Fifth Test, England v India day five - Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Cricket 1030; Caribbean Premier League, 1st v 2nd play-off match - Sky Sports Cricket 2230, Sky Sports Main Event 2300.

CYCLING: Vuelta a Espana - Eurosport 1 1400.

TENNIS: WTA, Japan Women's Open - BT Sport 1 0330 (Weds).

SNOOKER: Shanghai Masters - Eurosport 2 0730 and 1225.

BASEBALL: MLB, Chicago Cubs v Milwaukee Brewers - BT Sport/ESPN 0100 (Weds).

QUICK QUIZ answers: 1. The Grecians; 2. Four; 3. Jake LaMotta; 4. Stade Francais; 5. Camp Nou.