The week in sport

Test cricket was played under lights as the first ever day-night test match got underway on...
Test cricket was played under lights as the first ever day-night test match got underway on Friday at the Adelaide Oval. Photo: Reuters
Lionel Messi scores one of Barcelona's six goals in their Champions League match against Roma....
Lionel Messi scores one of Barcelona's six goals in their Champions League match against Roma. Messi returned to the side in their game against Real Madrid, after a lay-off with injury. Photo: Reuters
Novak Djokovic kisses the trophy after winning the ATP World Tour Finals, beating Roger Federer...
Novak Djokovic kisses the trophy after winning the ATP World Tour Finals, beating Roger Federer in the final to cap off an outstanding year. Photo: Reuters
The Otago Girls' High School junior volleyball team with their gold medals after becoming South...
The Otago Girls' High School junior volleyball team with their gold medals after becoming South Island champions. The team is (back, from left) Jock Murley (coach), Ruby Timmins, Ilana Goossens, Taylor Thorne, Hannah Moore, Ella Rooney, Jenna Thorne, ...
Son Heung-Min heads towards goal before Harry Kane scores the first goal for Tottenham in their...
Son Heung-Min heads towards goal before Harry Kane scores the first goal for Tottenham in their Europa League match against Qarabag FK. Photo: Reuters
Kiwi basketballer Steven Adams, playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder, blocks Thaddeus Young of...
Kiwi basketballer Steven Adams, playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder, blocks Thaddeus Young of the Brooklyn Nets. Photo: Reuters
Manchester United goal keeper David De Gea dives to make a save during their Champions League...
Manchester United goal keeper David De Gea dives to make a save during their Champions League match against PSV Eindhoven. Photo: Reuters

The Otago Daily Times Online looks at some of the week's highlights in the world of sport. 

Highlanders' new private investors

A group of South Island investors, headed by Ticket Direct founder Matthew Davey, bought a 77% stake in the Highlanders as announced on Friday.

 

The licence will last for five years and will see the group manage the marketing and administration of the franchise. Meanwhile New Zealand Rugby retain a 10% share for the first two years, while the Otago, Southland and North Otago Unions hold the remaining 13%.

Lydia Ko confirmed world's best

You have to be pretty good to be the world's best in any sport, but it takes on extra significance when it is one as widely played as golf. That is what makes Lydia Ko so impressive. At just 18 years of age, she has become the youngest ever to win the LPGA's player of the year award. To go with that, she claimed a cool $US1 million. Her record compares favourably with the best young players in any sport and, if her rivals are to be believed, she is just getting started.

The most unlucky own goal ever?

A video circulating this week shows one of the most unlucky own goals you will ever see. Playing into a strong wind, Thurrock defender Kamarl Duncan went to clear the ball, but it was caught by the wind and went back in the direction of his goal. The goal keeper was then the victim of a wicked bounce, as he could not get a hand to it, giving Romford the most bizzare goal they will ever score.

 

Pink balls and day-night tests

The talk is over, finally, and we are now two days into the first ever day-night test match. So much was made of the pink ball in the lead up and so far it has produced an entertaining game. The ball has swung, particularly in the night session, while also lasting longer than the red balls did in the past two tests. At stumps on day two, New Zealand lead by 94 with five wickets remaining in their second innings.

Otago Girls' volleyball success

Otago Girls' High School claimed the South Island secondary schools junior title in dominant fashion. The team beat Riccarton High School A in the final on the back of two strong sets after dropping the first - one of only three sets they lost all tournament. Having played in the boys competition in Dunedin, Otago Girls' won 26 of their 30 games, losing two and drawing two.

Barcelona dominant, Messi returns 

Barcelona scored 10 goals and only conceded one across two games in a matter of days this week. Their 6-1 win over Roma produced some brilliant highlights, but it was their 4-0 drubbing of Real Madrid, in the match known as El Classico, that saw them make their biggest statement. They showed their flair and attacking threat, even without Lionel Messi for the first two-thirds of the Real game, which makes them so hard to contain. With 30 points they are atop La Liga and alongside Bayern Munich, look the pick of the teams in the Champions League.

Fan pours beer on player

An Australian basketball fan was banned for the rest of the season after pouring beer on Marcus Thornton of the Sydney Kings during a game. It was later revealed that the man, aged 83, suffered some cognitive impairment and did not remember the incident.

 

Certainly it is not a good look for the league as its continues to try to attract fringe-NBA talent, such as Thornton, from overseas. While the standard of the league is improving, it would not want to get a reputation for mistreating players, particularly when headlines such as these are among the few that reach the US.

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