Hockey

Ice hockey-Denmark stun Canada, Swedes beat Czechs to reach world championship semis

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) -Canada sensationally crashed out of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Championship in the quarter-finals on Thursday, losing 2-1 to co-hosts Denmark in one of the biggest shocks in tournament history.

Football

Soccer-Heidenheim battle back for 2-2 draw with Elversberg in relegation playoff

HEIDENHEIM, Germany (Reuters) - Bundesliga club Heidenheim scored twice in three minutes in the second half to come from two goals down and snatch a 2-2 draw against visitors Elversberg in the relegation playoff first leg on Thursday.

Football

Soccer-Barcelona winger Raphinha signs contract extension to 2028

(Reuters) -Barcelona winger Raphinha has signed a contract extension that will keep him with the LaLiga champions until 2028, the club announced on Thursday.

Hockey

Ice hockey-Versatility key as US chase elusive world gold

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) -Team USA had to dig deep to beat a well-organised Finnish team in the quarter-finals of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Championship on Thursday but they eventually cruised to a 5-2 win that took them into the last four and gives them another shot at the gold-medal game. 

Cricket

Cricket-Rejuvenated Crawley relieved to be back in the runs

NOTTINGHAM, England (Reuters) - England scored the sixth highest number of runs in a single day of test cricket when they amassed 498 for three against a tame Zimbabwe attack at Trent Bridge on Thursday, providing scoring opportunities for two batters who needed a shot of confidence.

Football

Soccer-Pulisic leads list of US absentees for Gold Cup

(Reuters) -AC Milan's Christian Pulisic will miss next month's CONCACAF Gold Cup, leading a group of notable absentees from Mauricio Pochettino's 27-man U.S. squad announced on Thursday.

Motorsport

Motor racing-Pitstop change could make Monaco a crazy race, says Verstappen

MONACO (Reuters) -Monaco could be a crazy race this year due to drivers having to make a mandatory two stops, Red Bull's reigning Formula One champion Max Verstappen said on Thursday.

Motorsport

Motor racing-Leclerc hoping for a Monaco surprise despite Ferrari woes

MONACO (Reuters) -Charles Leclerc has not given up hope of springing a Monaco surprise despite slow-speed corners being Ferrari's weak point this season.

Hockey

Ice hockey-US through to World Championship semis after 5-2 win over Finland

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) -Winger Conor Garland scored twice as Team USA came from a goal down to ease past Finland 5-2 on Thursday, booking their spot in Saturday's semi-finals of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Championship. 

Other Sports

Doping-WADA condemns 'dangerous and irresponsible' Enhanced Games

NEW YORK (Reuters) -The World Anti-Doping Agency condemned the Enhanced Games as "dangerous and irresponsible" on Thursday, a day after the competition that endorses the use of banned substances announced its inaugural 2026 event.

Cycling

Cycling-Kooij outsprints Van Uden to win Giro stage 12, Del Toro retains pink jersey

(Reuters) -Dutchman Olav Kooij came out on top in a sprint finish to win stage 12 of the Giro d'Italia on Thursday, overtaking compatriot Casper van Uden before the line, with Mexico's Isaac del Toro keeping a firm grip on the overall lead.

Football

Soccer-Conte calls for focus as Napoli bid to clinch title

(Reuters) - Napoli manager Antonio Conte called for calm heads when his team bid to clinch the Serie title on Friday, underlining his deep sense of responsibility to the city even though he will be watching from the stands due to suspension.

Football

Soccer-Napoli fans calm as city holds breath for Scudetto showdown

NAPLES, Italy (Reuters) - As a thrilling season comes to an end, Napoli fans remain calm and confident as the city prepares for a historic night with the Serie A title hanging in the balance ahead of Friday's final match.

Motorsport

Motor racing-Drivers hail Pitt's F1 movie as a hit after Monaco screening

MONACO (Reuters) - Formula One drivers declared Brad Pitt's new F1 movie a winner that would bring fresh fans to the sport after being given an exclusive pre-release screening at the Monaco Grand Prix.

Football

Soccer-Modric to leave Real Madrid after Club World Cup

(Reuters) -Luka Modric will leave Real Madrid after the Club World Cup, the Croatian midfielder said on Thursday as the club's most successful player and the 2018 Ballon d'Or winner prepares to end a trophy-laden stint in Spain.

Football

Soccer-Napoli hold edge in Serie A's grand finale

(Reuters) - Napoli may be stumbling towards the finish line following back-to-back draws, but they remain in pole position ahead of Inter Milan going into their final Serie A matches on Friday.

Tennis

Tennis-Sinner drawn in packed top half at French Open

PARIS (Reuters) - World number one Jannik Sinner, making his return to Grand Slam action following a doping suspension, was placed in a loaded top half of the French Open draw on Thursday alongside Novak Djokovic and last year's runner-up Alexander Zverev.

Badminton

Aaron-Khai Xing protest umpire's controversial call

PETALING JAYA: Umpiring controversies once again took centre stage, this time involving young men's doubles pair Aaron Tai and Kang Khai Xing.

Cycling

Motorcycling-Aprilia expect Martin to honour contract, warn rivals to back off

(Reuters) - Aprilia have not had any negotiations with MotoGP world champion Jorge Martin to modify his contract and allow for an early exit, the team said on Thursday, while also firing a warning to other outfits to back off from approaching him.

Football

Soccer-Five clubs chase three Champions League spots in Premier League finale

(Reuters) - The title race is long over and there is no last-day battle for survival but the Premier League season is still set for a thrilling climax on Sunday with five clubs -- separated by three points -- vying for the three remaining Champions League spots.