Weekend sport wrap

SBS World News Radio: A big weekend in sport, with the club champions of European football crowned, cricket's Champions Trophy underway and the first finals in the new Super Netball competition.

Weekend sport wrapWeekend sport wrap

Weekend sport wrap

Real Madrid is the football champion of Europe for an astonishing 12th time.

It is the first time a team has successfully defended Europe's top club-football honour in the Champions League era, covering almost the past quarter-century.

It is also the club's third Champions League title in the past four years, which surely makes this vintage of the famous side one of the greatest teams in history.

Real Madrid won this particular UEFA Champions League final over Italian champion Juventus 4-1, in the Welsh capital Cardiff.

The men from Turin took the game to the Spanish champions in the first half, and it was one goal each at halftime.

But the side from the Spanish capital dominated the game after the interval, running out convincing winners.

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo scored two of the goals to win the official Man of the Match award.

He becomes the first man to score a goal in three different UEFA Champions League finals.

But although Real Madrid is a side of much natural brilliance, coach Zinedine Zidane says he sees his players as not only brilliant, but industrious, too.

"I see a lot of work, a lot of talent, but what I see is a lot of work, and that has been the key. When you think that you are going to achieve things by working and having a squad, you can achieve those things. As the coach of this team, I feel extremely proud, I really do, of each and every one of the players."

In cricket, if you are Australia, no result is a good result.

The Australians were heading towards defeat in their first match of the Champions Trophy against New Zealand in Birmingham when rain ensured the match was called off.

New Zealand scored 291 runs from 45 overs in its innings, which was also rain-affected.

Australia was three wickets down for just 53 runs, chasing an adjusted target, before the weather made its ultimate intervention.

But based on the action that did take place, Australian captain Steve Smith knows his side's much-vaunted bowling attack has to pick up its game -- and fast.

He is hoping what was on display was rustiness on the part of his bowlers, nothing more.

"I thought it was probably one of our worst bowling displays that we've put on for a very long time. We bowled both sides of the wicket, we gave them a lot of freebies. And let's hope it's rust, and let's hope it's gone."

The lack of a victory against New Zealand makes Australia's next Champions Trophy match, on Monday night against Bangladesh, almost a must-win proposition.

In the AFL, there is a new competition leader.

The Greater Western Sydney Giants took strong hold of the first spot with a victory on Saturday against Essendon.

But they were afforded that opportunity the night before by Geelong.

The Cats defeated the previously top-placed Adelaide Crows, 96-74.

Geelong coach Chris Scott says his team needed a top-level performance and got one.

"We clearly rated them the best team of the first half of the year. And we know we needed to play close to our best to have a chance. And I thought close to our best was a pretty good way to describe the performance."

With what Geelong has shown itself to be capable of in recent years, a Cats team at close to its best is something that should have every team in the AFL on alert.

And the first-ever grand finalist in the new Super Netball competition has been determined.

The Sunshine Coast Lightning have qualified for the title-deciding match after squeezing past the Melbourne Vixens in the major semifinal, 56-55.

They will now host the grand final.

Lightning captain Geva Mentor has told Channel Nine hosting the match -- and having a weekend off before it -- is important on many levels.

"It's just so precious to be able to make sure you do your homework. We're able to watch the game next week and really make sure we plan coming into that grand final. And to have it in our home state, it's just going to be fantastic. We can really reward all our community and fans who've gotten behind us this season."

It was a weekend for close games.

The Giants beat the Magpies in the minor semifinal, 52-51.

The Giants will play the Melbourne Vixens next weekend.

The winner of that match plays the Lightning the following weekend in the grand final.

 






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