SPORTS

USA are in the men's basketball final at Rio olympic games.

They beat spain 82

BREAKING: Sky sources: Tottenham agree to sign Marseille winger Georges-Kevin N'Koudou for fee of around £11m

Michael Conlan's conqueror Vladimir Nikitin pulls out of Rio 2016 due to cuts

Russia's Vladimir Nikitin has withdrawn from his Olympic Games semi-final due to injuries caused in his previous bout against Ireland’s Michael Conlan, it has been confirmed.

Nikitin was the beneficiary of a controversial unanimous decision on Tuesday despite Conlan re-injuring a pre-existing a cut, and opening several more wounds on his face.

The decision was the latest in a slew of dubious calls at Rio 2016 that resulted in some judges and referees being sent home.

Claridge: England are misusing Jamie Vardy


The former Foxes forward believes the 29-year-old's disappointing display for the Three Lions was due to Slovakia's defensive tactics



England are not playing to Jamie Vardy's strengths at Euro 2016, according to former Leicester City striker Steve Claridge.

The 29-year-old came off the bench to score a crucial equaliser in the Three Lions' second group game against Wales, but he struggled when starting in their following clash with Slovakia.

And Claridge, speaking after Vardy signed a new contract with Leicester on Thursday despite interest from Arsenal, believes the styles of both England and their opponents have not helped the Premier League champion.


"The game doesn't suit him when teams sit deep," he told Omnisport. "Wide players have to make the pitch big and England don't have a wide player.

"Adam Lallana is not a wide player. They've taken about six strikers and they're playing them all instead of wingers.

"Vardy's game is playing on the break, he's not a hold-up merchant, that style would be more suited to Andy Carroll or Peter Crouch.

"He played against Slovakia, who never crossed the halfway line, it doesn't suit him. Vardy's pace is his strength and he has the ability to get in behind."

With next opponents Iceland likely to adopt similar tactics to Slovakia, England boss Roy Hodgson must decide whether to stick with Vardy for Monday's round-of-16 tie.