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Results Based News

Spain suffer shock cup exit

Author: Sir David Smith
Date: 26/06/2009

USA inflicted one of the biggest shocks in world football on Spain after dumping the much-fancied European champions out of the Confederations Cup at the semi-final stage.

The number one ranked team in world football and pre-tournament betting favourites were expected to sweep the US aside and progress to the final in South Africa.

However, they were soundly beaten 2-0 in Bloemfontein with the shock defeat ending Spain's world record of 15 straight wins and their 35-match unbeaten run.

Jozy Altidore opened the scoring midway through the first half when he muscled Gerard Pique off the ball and found the back of the net off the inside of the post.

Fulham's Clint Dempsey sealed the victory with a 74th minute second after pouncing on an error from Spain full-back Sergio Ramos.

The US even ended the match with ten men following the late dismissal of midfielder Michael Bradley.

Can the US now go on and win the Confederations Cup? - Latest Football Betting

At Wimbledon there was also a major surprise as 2004 champion Maria Sharapova bowed out in the second round.

The Russian lost 6-2 3-6 6-4 to unseeded Argentinian Gisela Dulko in the biggest shock in the women's draw so far.

There were no such problems for Serena Williams as the second seed was a comfortable 6-2 6-1 winner over Australian Jarmila Groth.

In the men's event there were regulation wins for tournament favourite Roger Federer and fourth seed Novak Djokovic.

Federer was a straight sets winner over Guillermo Garcia-Lopez while Djokovic swept Simon Greul aside with ease.

In cricket's Twenty20 Cup there were victories for Nottinghamshire, Durham, Kent and Worcestershire.

Notts thrashed Leicestershire by nine wickets and Durham coasted to a 41-run victory over Yorkshire in the North Division.

In the South Division, Kent edged out Surrey by just one run in a thrilling encounter at The Oval.

Meanwhile, Worcestershire thrashed hapless Glamorgan by 101 runs at New Road in the Mid/West/Wales Division after smashing a massive 222-4 off their 20 overs.

Australia endured a mixed start to their first Ashes warm-up match after reaching 349-7 at stumps on day one against Sussex.

The tourists got off to an unconvincing start at Hove before rallying in the afternoon session to end the day in a relatively strong position.

Brad Haddin top scored for the tourists with 69 while Sussex debutant Pepler Sandri ended with figures of 3-73.

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