Euro 2012 kicked off in Poland and Ukraine over the weekend, with England preparing to play France this evening.<\/p>\n
Yesterday saw the Italy frustrate Spain in the most highly-anticipated match so far. Antonio Di Natale scored minutes after coming on as a substitute to give Italy and deserved lead but Cesc Fabregas \u2013 playing a the tip of a Spanish front line which contained no strikers \u2013 responded soon afterwards, latching onto Andres Iniesta\u2019s through-ball to equalise.<\/p>\n
The Republic of Ireland\u2019s hopes of qualifying from a tough group were dealt a blow as they went down 3-1 to Croatia. Sean St. Ledger headed in an equaliser for the Irish after Mandzukic had opened the scoring in the third minute but Nikica Jelavic pounced on a sliced clearance to put Croatia ahead just before half-time.<\/p>\n
Shay Given scored an unfortunate own goal in the second half as Mandzukic\u2019s long-range strike went in off the back of his head after deflecting off the post.<\/p>\n
In Group B, the Netherlands suffered a surprise 1-0 defeat to Denmark. Their distinguished set of forwards were unable to respond to Michael Krohn-Dehli\u2019s goal. Also in Group B, Mario Gomez scored the game\u2019s only goal as Germany beat Portugal 1-0.<\/p>\n
Hosts Poland drew 1-1 with 2004 champions Greece and Russia beat the Czech Republic 4-1.<\/p>\n
Tino Best set a record for the highest test score by a number 11 as England struggled on the fourth day of the third test against the West Indies at Edgbaston.<\/p>\n
England are 221\/5 in response to their opponents score of 426 all out as the rain-delayed match limps on to an inevitable draw.<\/p>\n
In Rugby Union, all four European sides lost against their opponents from the southern hemisphere. South Africa beat England 22-17, dominating the second half after an even first period finished 6-6.<\/p>\n
Australia responded to their surprise defeat to Scotland on Tuesday with a 27-19 win over Wales. Pat McCade\u2019s try ensured the win for the home side after Leigh Halfpenny had kicked Wales to within one point of their opponents.<\/p>\n
New Zealand were comfortable 42-10 winners over Ireland, with debutant Julian Savea scorin a hat-trick, and Argentina came from behind to beat Italy 37-22.<\/p>\n
Lewis Hamilton became the seventh Grand Prix winner this season with a win in Canada. The race came to life in the final few laps as Hamilton passed Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel in the last eight laps.<\/p>\n
Alonso\u2019s one-stop strategy failed him as he slipped from first to fifth. The win sees Hamilton rise to the top of the drivers standings ahead of Alonso and Vettel.<\/p>\n
The men\u2019s final of the French Open was disrupted by rain, with Rafael Nadal leading Novak Djokovic two sets to one, with Djokovic leading the fourth set 2-1 with a break of serve.<\/p>\n
In the women\u2019s final Maria Sharapova beat Sara Errani 6-3 6-2 to lift her first French Open title, becoming the tenth woman to complete her collection of Major titles.<\/p>\n
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