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World Cup legend Just Fontaine Dies at Age 89

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Former French international footballer Just Fontaine poses in front of a trophy commemorating the top-scoring record at the 1958 World Cup. Copyright AFP

By: AP

Just Fontaine’s Stade de Reims, and the French soccer association confirmed Fontaine’s death on Tuesday. The French star had scored 259 goals in 283 club matches.

Fontaine scored 13 goals at the World Cup, a record. It took Fontaine six games to accomplish his feat in 1958 at the tournament in Sweden. This was shortly after he won a French League and French Cup Double for his team.

Didier Deschamps, France’s coach, said: “Justo has been and will continue to be a legend for the French team.”

Fontaine, a Moroccan-born forward, was little-known outside of France’s top league when he entered the World Cup. He tormented his opponents with his speed, finishing touch and even using someone else’s boot. He had to borrow a set of cleats when he damaged his own boots during practice.

Fontaine scored four goals against West Germany in the third place game, but he could have had five had he taken the penalty kick.

Fontaine, who played for USM Casablanca and Nice, won the French Cup four times and reached the finals of the 1959 European Cup.

Fontaine served as chairman of the French Players’ Union for a few decades after he retired. Fontaine briefly coached the France national team, before stints at Luchon, Paris Saint-Germain and Toulouse, as well as the Moroccan national football team.

Paris Saint-Germain released a statement saying that “a French football icon passed away, and would like to pay homage to the man who guided them to the First Division some 50 years ago.” PSG was referring to Fontaine, who led the club to the top division after a playoff victory in 1974.

The French soccer federation announced that tributes to Fontaine would take place in France this weekend. A “minute of homage,” will also be observed Wednesday before French Cup matches at Toulouse, Marseille, and Nantes.

The death of Just Fontaine has plunged French soccer into deep emotions and immense sadness, said Philippe Diallo. “He was an iconic figure, with his incredible 13 goals at 1958 World Cup. He wrote “one of the most beautiful chapters in the history of France’s national team.”

In 213 games, Fontaine scored 200 goals. He scored 30 goals for France in 21 games

Fontaine’s career ended abruptly when he was 28. The Frenchman, known for his lightning speed and ruthless finish, suffered a horrific leg fracture in March 1960 after a mistimed tackle.

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Trapani Shark leads the way, Jasmin Repesa reveals the secret

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Jasmin Repesa, coach of the Trapani Shark, gave a lengthy interview to ‘La Gazzetta dello Sport’. “I came here to challenge myself, because there was a very young, very ambitious project – he began -. A city that likes basketball, a president who provided an important budget, and a fan base that made us feel their support right away. And the team has responded well on the court. I am satisfied with what we have done so far”.

The newly promoted Granata are currently first in the LBA standings, along with Brescia and Virtus Bologna: “I never thought that far ahead. But I was confident. I am convinced that there is everything, or almost everything, to be very competitive, we have proven it. We are a team that can play good basketball, and we have become one of the most entertaining. People want to see basketball like we are playing”.

“Team success comes first – added the Croatian coach. “We have embraced this philosophy from day one, with so many players who have been real stars in the past at different clubs. It is the only way if we want to be really competitive”.

“There are six games left and the playoffs will be another competition. Surprises can always happen, it depends on a thousand factors: how you get there, whether you have luck or bad luck, whether there are injuries or not. We just have to keep improving and growing. In the season finale we have strong opponents waiting for us, with much more experience, much more tradition, but certainly not hungrier than us. Our advantage is having so many players who have made themselves available for the common result. This is our strength” Repesa concluded.

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Milan-Inter: Conceiçao with a doubt, Inzaghi changes six

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Milan and Inter face each other at 9 p.m. at the ‘Meazza’ in the first leg match of the Coppa Italia semifinal. After Bologna&#8217s clear away victory over Empoli (3-0) with which it mortgaged the final, it will be the turn of the Nerazzurri and Rossoneri to challenge each other in the fourth Milan derby of the season.

Sergio Conceiçao starts again with Leao: the Portuguese will be back as a starter in the Rossoneri’s three-quarter, with Pulisic and one between Jimenez and Musah, with the former ahead in the ballot. In attack, Abraham is ahead of Gimenez for a shirt from the 1′.

Made choices in midfield, formed by Fofana and Reijnders, and in defense where Gabbia and Thiaw will play, with Walker and Theo Hernandez acting as full-backs, while Maignan will be in goal.

Simone Inzaghi, on the other hand, changes as many as six players from the challenge with Udinese, starting with the goalkeeper. Between the posts, in fact, there will be Josep Martinez in front of a revolutionized defense that will see the presence of Bisseck, De Vrij and Bastoni.

The goalkeeper will be Josep Martinez.

In the midfield, Asllani is disqualified: confirmation for Calhanoglu in the direction, assisted by Frattesi and Barella. In attack, with Lautaro Martinez and Taremi out, chance for Correa from 1′, paired with Thuram.

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NBA, Steph Curry and Nikola Jokic show: Memphis knockout, Minnesota no

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In the NBA night seven games were staged. At the FedExForum in Memphis, Steph Curry’s show with his 52 points (12 threes made) dragged the Golden State Warriors to victory over the Memphis Grizzlies (134-125).

At the Denver Nuggets, however, a stellar Nikola Jokic’s 61 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists was not enough, earning him his 31st triple-double of the season. In fact, at Ball Arena, it was the Minnesota Timberwolves who won, in the second overtime, 140-139.

The Milwaukee Bucks took advantage of Kevin Durant’s absence and beat the Phoenix Suns (133-123) thanks to the usual Giannis Antetokounmpo, author of 37 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists. It was also all easy for the New York Knicks who folded the Philadelphia 76ers (105-91) thanks to Og Anuoby’s 27 points off the bench.

Finally, the Portland Trail Blazers, Chicago Bulls and Orlando Magic also win: the former beat the Atlanta Hawks (127-113), the latter overcame the Toronto Raptors (137-118), and the latter knocked out the San Antonio Spurs (116-105) thanks to 24 points from Paolo Banchero.

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