On loan from Leverkusen, Papadopoulos scores for Hamburg win

Hamburg’s Mergim Mavraj, right, and Leverkusen’s goalkeeper Bernd Leno battle for the ball during the Bundesliga soccer match between Hamburger SV and Bayer Leverkusen at the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg, Germany, Friday Feb. 3, 2017. Hamburg’s Filip Kostic, right, and Leverkusen’s Benjamin Henrichs battle for the ball during the Bundesliga soccer match between Hamburger SV and Bayer Leverkusen at the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg, Germany, Friday Feb. 3, 2017.

Alfie Mawson celebrates his first half opener at the Liberty Stadium last night. PICTURE: PA Wire.

Goals from Alfie Mawson and Gylfi Sigurdsson secured back to back Premier League wins for Swansea City for the first time this season – and continued the club’s recent revival under new manager Paul Clement. And fittingly, the goals came from the home side’s two best players on the night, with the outstanding Mawson heading in a Sigurdsson corner to give his side a half time lead, and after Shane Long levelled in the second half for the visitors, it was the Icelander who proved the match-winner as he volleyed home debutant Luciano Narsingh’s cross.

Bolt rediscovers form and his love of tennis

The 24-year-old from Murray Bridge has only recently returned to the court following a year away from the sport but has made an immediate impact. Bolt has been one of the in-form players so far at the 2017 Caterpillar Burnie International and said it was a tough decision to take a break from tennis but it had paid off so far following his return.

Video Pick: Robben’s left foot part of Bundesliga golazos

Arjen Robben ‘s golden left foot features in the Top 5 Bundesliga goals of the week, as does a fantastic Hoffenheim passing sequence finished by Nadiem Amiri , a David Alaba free kick for Bayern Munich following Thomas Mueller ‘s distraction, a rocket from Ingolstadt’s Pascal Gross , and a 35-yard blast from Hamburg SV’s Gotoku Sakai.

Kiwi Grant Waite confirmed for NZ Open 25 years after he won the annual event

PGA professional and 1992 NZ Open winner Grant Waite has confirmed he will compete in the 93rd instalment of the event, which will be played at Millbrook Resort and The Hills between March 9-12. Not since Dunedin’s Mahal Pearce held the trophy aloft in 2003 has a New Zealander won the trophy, and the drought is set to again be the talking point ahead of this year’s tournament in Arrowtown.

‘It is a complete disregard for a reporter doing his job’ – Paul…

‘It is a complete disregard for a reporter doing his job’ – Paul Kimmage hits out at Serena Williams’ press conference behaviour ‘It is a complete disregard for a reporter doing his job’ – Paul Kimmage hits out at Serena Williams’ press conference behaviour Serena Williams earned plenty of praise over the weekend after winning her 23rd Grand Slam at the Australian Open early on Saturday morning, but Paul Kimmage has taken exception to one aspect of the champion’s behaviour during her two weeks in Melbourne.

Rafael Nadal out of Davis Cup after grueling Australian Open

Switzerland’s Roger Federer, left, is congratulated by Spain’s Rafael Nadal after winning the men’s singles final at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017. less Switzerland’s Roger Federer, left, is congratulated by Spain’s Rafael Nadal after winning the men’s singles final at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017.

Federer beats Nadal in Australian final to win 18th major

Switzerland’s Roger Federer celebrates after defeating compatriot Stan Wawrinka during their semifinal at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017. Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates after defeating Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov in their semifinal at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017.

Newport County 3 Hartlepool United 1

NEWPORT County AFC earned a first win since November 19 with a superb display to brush Hartlepool United aside at Rodney Parade. A debut goal from new striker Ryan Bird got the ball rolling in the first period and second half strikes from Aaron Williams and Dan Butler sealed a vital three points for Graham Westley’s men.

Newport County 3 Hartlepool Utd 1

NEWPORT County AFC earned a first win since November 19 with a superb display to brush Hartlepool United aside at Rodney Parade. A debut goal from new striker Ryan Bird got the ball rolling in the first period and second half strikes from Aaron Williams and Dan Butler sealed a vital three points for Graham Westley’s men.

Federer beats Nadal in epic Aussie final to win 18th major

Switzerland’s Roger Federer kisses his trophy after defeating Spain’s Rafael Nadal during the men’s singles final at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017. Switzerland’s Roger Federer kisses his trophy after defeating Spain’s Rafael Nadal during the men’s singles final at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017.

Pep Guardiola adamant Manchester City chairman still a fan

Manchester, United Kingdom: Pep Guardiola insists chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak is happy with Manchester City’s season — as he promised Sam Allardyce a hug. City go to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday, with Guardiola aiming to keep his hopes for a first trophy in England alive on two fronts.

Manchester United: Mourinho sets Martial Wigan challenge

London: Anthony Martial can play his way into Manchester United’s starting XI with a convincing performance against Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup on Sunday, manager Jose Mourinho has said. Martial was left out of the squad for last weekend’s 1-1 Premier League draw at Stoke City and Thursday’s League Cup game at Hull City, which saw United reach the final despite a 2-1 defeat.

History beckons for Serena, Venus in the way

Serena Williams of USA returns the ball to Johanna Konta of Great Britain during their Australian Open women’s singles match at Margaret Court Arena in Melbourne, Australia on January 25, 2017. Recep ?akar – Anadolu Agency Melbourne: History beckons for Serena Williams at the Australian Open on Saturday as she targets a record-breaking 23rd Grand Slam title — with her sister, Venus, standing in the way.

Frankfurt beat Schalke 1-0 in German Bundesliga

Alexander Meier’s goal helped Eintracht Frankfurt to edge struggling Schalke 1-0 at the opener of the 18th round in Bundesliga on Friday. Eintracht Frankfurt reaped their ninth win of the season as veteran striker Alexander Meier provided the only goal of the clash to keep Schalke in the bottom half of the standings.

It’s Federer vs Nadal in Australian Open finale

Melbourne [Australia], Jan. 27 : Fourteen-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal on Friday came out with a spirited performance to overcome Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria to enter the finals of the Australian Open. Nadal defeated Dimitrov 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 , 6-7 , 6-4 in a hard-fought semifinal contest that lasted for almost five hours here at the Rod Laver Arena.

Burton Albion transfer news: Brewers close in on Fulham pair despite manager approach

Nottingham Forest have made an approach for Burton Albion boss Nigel Clough – but the Brewers could still make two signings ahead of their trip to Queens Park Rangers tomorrow. While chairman Ben Robinson meets with Nigel Clough today to discuss Forest’s approach, Fulham pair Lasse Vigen Christensen and Cauley Woodrow could become Albion’s fourth and fifth signings of the January transfer window.

Serena Williams wins record 23rd Grand Slam title with victory over Venus in Australian Open final

The Latest on Saturday from the Australian Open : 10:10 p.m. After playing each other for the Australian Open title, Serena and… MELBOURNE, Australia – Serena Williams has won her record 23rd Grand Slam singles title, and her sister was right there on court to give her a congratulatory hug. The all-Williams final &mdash… CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy – Lindsey Vonn has crashed for the second straight day, and once again appears to have avoided serious injury.

The Latest: 36, 35, 34 _ Serena says 30s is the new 10

Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic makes a backhand return to Croatia’s Mirjana Lucic-Baroni during their quarterfinal at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017. . Croatia’s Mirjana Lucic-Baroni makes a backhand return to Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic during their quarterfinal at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017.

French midfielder asked Rangers cult hero for advice before agreeing to join Hearts

MALAURY MARTIN may have made his Hearts debut in the modest surroundings of Kirkcaldy, but the conversation which sparked his desire to embark on a Scottish adventure could barely have been more glamorous. The 28-year-old has revealed how his appetite to experience the SPFL was whetted over a lunch in the hills of Monte Carlo, the affluent millionaire’s paradise, as he picked the brains of former Rangers players Julien Rodriguez and Dado Prso.

Well done, Tigress! Good luck, ice stars

THEY fought like true tigresses to reach the final, but fell to a better-organised team that was more focused on winning. But even by emerging second best in the second round of the Women’s Hockey World League competition last week, our girls did the country proud.

What is Wayne Rooney’s best Manchester United goal?

Eight points clear and homing in on the title… so, can any of the chasing pack really stop Chelsea winning the Premier League? Cahill and Terry visit ‘stable’ Mason in hospital as Hull and Chelsea medical teams are praised for treatment of player’s fractured skull Have Arsenal rediscovered their nasty streak? Xhaka dismissal was reminder of bad old days under Wenger 10 THINGS WE LEARNED: Lanzini could be the man to replace Payet and Smalling is out of sorts at United PALACE CRISIS Q&A: What’s going wrong at Selhurst Park and is Allardyce the man to help them dodge relegation? Arsenal’s dog’s dinner, United’s post-Fergie error and Villa’s banned display… Premier League’s most cringeworthy banners Horror at Chelsea as Mason breaks his skull after sickening clash of heads with Cahill that leaves Hull star ‘stable’ in hospital Meyler baffled by Silva’s instructions… and why did Niasse … (more)

Plea says Bastia fans racially abused teammate Balotelli

In this Thursday, Nov. 3, 2016 file photo, Nice’s forward Mario Balotelli, of Italy, reacts during the Europa League group I soccer match between OGC Nice and FC Salzburg, in Nice stadium, southeastern France. Nice striker Mario Balotelli’s teammate Alassane Pleas has confirmed he heard Bastia supporters racially abusing Balotelli with monkey chants during the league match on Friday, Jan. 20, 2017.

‘We don’t need them kicking us when we are down’ – Ramos tells booing Madrid fans to support players

Los Blancos won their La Liga tie on Saturday but they were still booed by their own fans, much to the annoyance of the Spaniard Real Madrid defeated Malaga on Saturday but they were still booed by their own fans, much to the annoyance of Sergio Ramos. The Real Madrid captain called on the fans to be more supportive of the La Liga leaders following his match-winning brace.

Rex Tso is on the offensive against Japan’s Ryuto Maekawa in “Battle…

The 29-year-old ‘Wonder Kid’ will challenge former world title challenger from Japan as he looks to extend his unbeaten record in a bout that will have three belts on the line Hong Kong’s “Wonder Kid” Rex Tso Sing-yu will have to wait a bit longer to earn a world title fight after his latest opponent was announced on Sunday as the main event for “Clash of Champions 2”. Japanese fighter Hirofumi Mukai will challenge the local hero on March 11 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in a 12-round contest, but there’s no world title yet for the 29-year-old unbeaten southpaw who must remain patient and stay the course if he’s going to finally earn his shot at fame.

Brazil’s tragic Chapecoense draws in first match since plane crash

Chapecoense, the up and coming Brazilian football club decimated by a plane crash, proudly strode back on the field Saturday in a new line-up for their first match since the tragedy. Brazilian Chapecoense goalkeeper Jackson Follmann , a survivor of the LaMia airplane crash in Colombia, receives the Copa Sudamericana trophy at the Arena Conda stadium in Chapeco, Santa Catarina state, in southern Brazil on January 21, 2017, before a friendly match against Palmeiras – Brazilian Champion 2016.

Sport24.co.za | Shaw struggling at Man United – Mourinho

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has acknowledged England left-back Luke Shaw is enduring a testing period in his Old Trafford career due to illness and injury. Shaw, 21, spent most of last season recovering from a double leg break sustained in September 2015 and has made only 12 starts since Mourinho succeeded Louis van Gaal in the close season.