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SILVERSTONE — The hardest moment, the ultimate test have been overcome already and whatever else the season throws at Lewis Hamilton, the double Formula One world champion feels more than equipped to handle it.

In an interview with British reporters ahead of his home Grand Prix this weekend, the 30-year-old Mercedes driver spoke of his mental resilience and determination to be himself despite criticism of his lifestyle.

Hamilton’s long-term relationship with American singer Nicole Scherzinger ended before the season started and on track there was the bitter blow of losing in Monaco due to a pitstop blunder.

“I don’t really know how I’ve done it. It’s not that it’s been easy. It was very, very tough in that period of time,” he said.

“I was just determined not to let [the breakup] get in the way of what I’m here to do, which is win races and championships.

“I understand the opportunity that was ahead of me and I just did everything that I could to stay on it. It’s been wobbly. It’s not been easy, but I’m grateful that I’ve stayed on course.”

In past seasons, Hamilton might have reacted differently but now he has learned to “cope with the negatives”. Monaco was a case in point.

Leading comfortably from pole position, he saw the victory evaporate after being called in for a needless pitstop and finished third.

Hamilton has said little about that afternoon since then, but with the passing of time was prepared to expand on what went through his mind.

On the slowing down lap he stopped briefly at the Portier corner, just as his late idol Ayrton Senna had after victory slipped between his fingers in 1988.

“It was hard beyond belief. It was definitely the hardest moment for me that I can recall,” he said.

“I’m very strong in my faith and I stopped and prayed about it ... give me strength to get through this because I know there are going to be more positives moving forwards. Help me be the man I know I am and know I can be.

“It’s a powerful moment to be able to send a strong message to people, that no matter what’s thrown at you, you can get by. That was really the ultimate test for me,” added the championship leader.

Hamilton, who won the next race in Canada, said he felt misunderstood by some critics but was determined to be himself.

VANCOUVER — The United States arrives at the Women’s World Cup final battle — hardened and seeking revenge, while Japan enters Sunday’s match determined to retain the trophy it denied the Americans four years ago.

It all adds up to a spicy finale to the global showcase that began on June 6 under the shadow of a FIFA corruption scandal, but ends with the players in the spotlight and an intriguing contest that is set to cap off a month of record-smashing television ratings and attendance figures.

Another capacity crowd of over 50,000 is expected to fill BC Place and once again most of those will be flag-waving, face painted Americans who have poured across the Canadian border to support their girls, who start firm favourites with the bookmakers.

Downtown Vancouver was awash in red, white and blue on Friday as smiling packs of American fans began a weekend of partying, they hope will culminate with the US hoisting the trophy for a record third time following victories in 1991 and 1999.

“These are two talented teams with a lot of history and rivalry and I think it will be a classic match-up,” said US coach Jill Ellis.

“Both teams have a lot of the same players from 2011, but that said, this is a different team on a different journey and I know all 23 players and our staff are tremendously excited for this next challenge.”

The final will offer a fascinating contrast of styles and personalities as different as the two nations — the big, brash, athletic Americans who take a very direct approach on the field facing a clinical Japanese side that relies on a clever, short-passing game.

“In 2011, both teams had a wonderful game in the final and for women’s football in the world, I hope that we will have a wonderful game like the way we did then,” said Japan coach Norio Sasaki.

No team had a harder path to the final than the US who emerged at the top of the Group of Death that featured three top-10 ranked teams and then stormed through the knockout phase without conceding a goal, dispatching Colombia, China and top-ranked Germany

As always, controversy has never been far from the US camp with goalkeeper Hope Solo refusing to deal with new domestic abuse allegations, and Abby Wambach, women football’s all-time leading scorer, dispatched to the bench.

But the distractions have had no impact on the Americans, who have been impenetrable in defence and not conceded a goal since the 27th minute of their opening match against Australia. In the process, Solo has piled up five clean sheets.

Certainly there is no shortage of extra motivation on both sides.

Many members of the US team were also on the squad that fell to Japan on penalties in the 2011 final in Germany.

For Japan, there is also a little bit of revenge to be extracted from Sunday’s game, as the Asian champions seek to get one back on the Americans for the London Olympics gold medal game, which the US won 2-1.

The Japanese have quietly gone about their business, going through the tournament unbeaten, notching six straight wins, all by one-goal margins.

After topping its group, Japan methodically disposed of the Netherlands but struggled to break down Australia in the quarter-finals, before netting a late winner that television replays suggested was offside.

Japan also needed a bit of good fortune to sink England in the semi-finals when Laura Bassett scored a stoppage time own goal to gift the “Nadeshiko” a spot in the final.

“In order to be the best team in the world at the World Cup, you have to beat the best teams,” said Wambach.

“It [Japan] has an amazing team and it’s the reigning World Cup champions so I think it’s going to be a fantastic final.”

No Blatter, no problem

Players do not care who hands out trophies and the absence of embattled FIFA President Sepp Blatter will not have any impact on the Women’s World Cup final, organisers said on Friday.

With world football’s governing body embroiled in corruption investigations, Blatter’s US based lawyer has told Reuters the FIFA chief will not travel to Vancouver for Sunday’s final between the United States and Japan.

It will be the first time Blatter has not presented the trophy to the winners of the women’s competition, which is held every four years, since he became FIFA president in 1998.

“The players don’t care who gives them the trophy to be quite frank with you,” Canadian Football Association President Victor Montagliani told reporters during the tournament’s final press conference.

“It’s the prerogative of the president, or anybody at FIFA, to go to whatever competition they want.

“The choice was made but I actually think in light of the circumstances, the focus needs to be on the games and the players not the suits that run football like myself or anybody else.

“As I said, whoever wins the World Cup, whether it’s you or me who hands them the trophy, I’m sure they are not too bothered by it.”

Blatter, the self-styled “godfather of women’s football”, said before the tournament began on June 6 that he was looking forward to being in Canada.

FIFA said in a statement that Secretary General Jerome Valcke would also not travel to Vancouver.

Reuters was unable to determine the specific reasons why Blatter, a Swiss national, had decided not to attend the final.

Some lawyers with experience in international criminal cases said that Blatter would be ill-advised to travel after an indictment announced on May 27 by US prosecutors against nine current and former FIFA officials and five sports marketing businessmen.

US prosecutors have not accused Blatter, 79, of any wrongdoing, but his stewardship of world football’s governing body is under scrutiny, sources familiar with investigations in the United States and Switzerland have said.

Richard Cullen, Blatter’s attorney, told Reuters that that FIFA Senior Vice President Issa Hayatou of Cameroon would preside at the trophy ceremony.

But Tatjana Haenni, the FIFA deputy director of the competitions division and head of women’s football, would not confirm who would take over the duty.

“I think who hands the trophy over and what kind of dignitaries we have and what kind of politicians are in the stands is maybe for the teams and spectators maybe not so important,” Haenni told reporters.

“People come to watch the players and watch the game and want to be part of it in the stadium or on TV or whatever means they have that is what people are excited about.

“Mr Blatter and Mr Valcke are not here, I think that is another topic.”

AMMAN — There must be something in the water at the Olympic Pool in Al Hussein Youth City these days and whatever it is, it is having an impact on the Kingdom’s young swimmers who are creeping ever closer to making history in the pool, according to a statement from the Jordan Olympic Committee News Service.

While Jordan has been represented at the Olympics several times in the past through wild cards (invitations), no swimmer has ever qualified but all that could change as the national team prepares for the FINA World Championships in Kazan, Russia, from July 28-August 9.

“The times speak for themselves, we are definitely getting faster in the pool,” said Ibrahim Naddeh, secretary general of the Jordan Swimming Federation (JSF) . “National records are being broken virtually every championship we participate in and a couple of swimmers are getting very close to the qualification times for Rio [2016 Olympics].”

“We have a number of strong swimmers coming through,” he added.

Sister and brother Talita and Khader Baqlah between them hold over 10 national records.

Talita, 20, experienced the 2012 London Olympics while Khader, 17, has made a huge impact by actually qualifying for next month’s World Championships, while his five teammates will be competing on wild cards. 

Khader is now less than half a second from Olympic qualifying times in 200m Freestyle and one second in the 100m and 400m Freestyle. While Talita is now less than half a second from Olympic qualifying times in the 50m Freestyle. 

Lydia Musleh, 18, and Rahaf Baqlah, 17, are also less than one second from Olympic qualifying times in the 50m Freestyle.

Joining them on the team is 15-year-old Mohammed Bedour, who is already setting new national times for his age group, in the 50, 100 and 200m Backstroke and the 50m Freestyle and Butterfly.

“We have made progress,” said Naddeh. “It has taken hard work but the results are starting to show.”

It promises to be an exciting summer for swimming. The JSF has made the wise move of staying in Jordan for a one-month camp prior to the World Championships rather than camp overseas so that money can be spent on additional support services, including a ‘mental trainer’, nutritionist and physiotherapist. Renowned American coach Jay Benner, 50, has also flown in to work alongside the local team of coaches.

Being a national team swimmer takes awe-inspiring dedication. Experienced head coach Ali Al Nawaiseh explained what each member goes through in an average week.

“They do 10 water sessions a week of about two hours each and three dry land sessions in the gym of about 90 minutes each. They also will do a couple of mental training sessions so each swimmer puts in up to 30 hours of training a week.”

Impressive stuff when you consider that there is a dentist, an engineer and university and high school students among the ranks.

“There has definitely been a lot of progress shown and the times prove that,” Benner said. “There are definitely swimmers here that have the potential of qualifying for Rio. It won’t be easy but they will be close.”

Money and time is also invested in the coaches calling the shots from the poolside. That investment, coupled with the swimmers’ dedication, has undoubtedly made indirect impact towards quicker times being recorded.

And with Rio just over a year away, Jordan will be hoping that history can be made with a swimmer, or two, qualifying for the first time.

NBA free agency opened with Anthony Davis and Kawhi Leonard agreeing to contract extensions to stay where they are, and Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks among the teams looking for a dominant inside force of their own.

All-Stars LaMarcus Aldridge of Portland and Marc Gasol of Memphis lead the list of big men that includes DeAndre Jordan of Clippers, Tyson Chandler of Dallas, and twins Brook Lopez of Nets and Robin Lopez of Portland.

Dwyane Wade has to decide if he wants to stay in Miami, Rajon Rondo will leave Dallas and Lakers are being linked to many of the marquee names as they try to bring what was long a perennial contender back to prominence, after two straight miserable seasons.

The market opened just after midnight eastern time on Wednesday — 9:01pm in Los Angeles — and the Lakers wasted no time talking to their top target, tweeting that General Manager Mitch Kupchak was walking into a meeting with Aldridge.

Gasol is expected to stay with Grizzlies, Aldridge is considered a candidate to leave and Jordan is somewhere in the middle. He will meet with Mavericks, Lakers, Clippers and Knicks, according to a person with direct knowledge of the plans who spoke on condition of anonymity because the centre’s agenda was not being revealed publicly.

Players can agree to deals at any time but can’t sign until July 9, after a moratorium period while next season’s salary cap is set; expected to be around $68 million is set.

That’s when Davis will know the exact value of the more than $140 million extension with New Orleans Pelicans he agreed to, which was confirmed to AP by a person with knowledge of the details. Davis tweeted: “NOLA, I am here to stay! Just getting started.”

Leonard agreed to the parameters of a five-year deal that could be worth $90 million with San Antonio Spurs, a person with knowledge of the deal confirmed to AP. The deal is the latest sign that Leonard is poised to become the new face of the franchise, inheriting that designation from Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker. Leonard averaged 16.5 points this season and won the Defensive Player of the Year award and will accompany Duncan, coach Gregg Popovich and GM R.C. Buford to a meeting with Aldridge on Wednesday.

Cleveland will try to keep Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson, the backup who played so well in helping them reach the NBA Finals, after Love was lost to a shoulder injury in the first round of the play-offs.

They also have to re-sign LeBron James, but that’s expected to be a formality once they’ve completed some other business. He opted for free agency mostly to maximise his earning potential, not because he’s looking to leave after returning home to Ohio as the major move of last year’s free agency period.

Rockets and Mavericks will be aggressive as always, with Houston looking to strengthen its Western Conference finals team and Dallas trying to assemble one that can get there.

Both teams attempted to pry Carmelo Anthony away from New York last year before he opted to remain with Knicks. This year Knicks, with salary cap space that wasn’t available last year, are going on the offensive.

But he needs a lot more help and Knicks have the ability to get it, with more than $25 million to spend. The priority is a big man, though they could use just about everything after a franchise-worst 17-65 season.

If they can’t get one of the centres, Detroit’s Greg Monroe and Indiana’s David West are quality power forwards on the market.

Miami is trying to keep their backcourt together and hope to agree to a deal with Goran Dragic that could pay him $90 million or more. But all eyes are on Wade, who has met twice with Heat leadership in recent days to discuss his future, though it remains far from certain that he comes back to Miami for a 13th season. He will likely wait before deciding anything and see what offers come from other clubs, a list that could include Lakers, Knicks and possibly Atlanta — Wade’s wife, actress Gabrielle Union, often works there.

ADELAIDE, Australia — Australia and New Zealand will play the first day-night Test cricket match, when the southern hemisphere rivals meet in the last match of a three-game series in November.

Cricket Australia said in a statement Tuesday that the Test at the Adelaide Oval starting November 27 will be the first to be played under lights and with a pink ball that “will be used to ensure greater visibility for players and spectators.”

James Sutherland, CEO of CA, said the shift in playing times would make the Test more accessible to people at work and children at school, and that it was in response “to a time-poor society that can’t always attend or watch Test cricket during working hours”.

The start time is still under consideration, although CA says one possible scenario is having play from 2:30pm to 9:30pm local time.

In another break from tradition, the interval between the first and second session will be 20 minutes and be called tea instead of lunch. The second break in play would be 40 minutes and known as “dinner”.

The Adelaide Test is one of six at home for the Australians — three each against New Zealand and West Indies — from November 5 until January 7.

“We’re really confident with the work that has been done over the past few years, we have had two successive seasons of Sheffield Shield cricket where pink balls have been trialed,” Sutherland said. “We’re working really closely with New Zealand Cricket in giving them the right tour matches and preparation before the ultimate day-night Test.”

International Cricket Council CEO David Richardson called the Adelaide Test a “bold step”.

“It’s a recognition of the fact that cricket is obviously about the players, but it’s also about the fans”. Richardson said. “We want cricket to sustain itself, especially Test cricket.”

New Zealand players had expressed strong reservations over the practicality of day-night Test cricket, particularly the quality of the pink ball. However, the ball’s manufacturer has offered assurances that after years of development and testing, it will perform and wear as well as the red ball traditionally used in test matches.

New Zealand players’ opposition lessened when they learned the Australia and New Zealand boards had agreed to a schedule which will see the countries play 10 Tests and eight one-day series over the next seven years.

Matches between the Tasman neighbours have become rare in recent years and New Zealand last played a Test in Australia, beating the home side at Hobart, in 2011. The teams also met in the Cricket World Cup final in March won by Australia.

Australia’s summer season gets under way in Brisbane against New Zealand on November 5 with Perth’s WACA ground hosting the second Test from November 17.

The West Indies plays in Hobart from December 10 before the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne beginning December 26 and Sydney Test starting January 3.

Australia recently concluded a two-Test sweep of the West Indies in the Caribbean and is now preparing for the Ashes in England.

PRAGUE — European football is lifting some of the restrictions on club spending in an attempt to make more teams competitive and ensure clubs are more attractive for new investors.

UEFA on Monday agreed to relax some of its Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules, allowing clubs a period of accelerated spending on players if they present an affordable business model and show they are not “gambling on success”.

The loosening of the rules comes after UEFA found that collective losses by clubs decreased by 70 per cent over the last three years, pointing to how European football grew despite the tough economic climate on the continent.

“We are just evolving from a period of austerity to one where we can offer more opportunities for sustainable growth and development,” UEFA President Michel Platini said.

FFP has been the flagship scheme of Platini’s presidency since being launched in 2009.

The rules have been criticised for protecting commercially successful elite clubs from challenges by ambitious opponents, with the biggest sanctions in 2014 imposed on Abu Dhabi-owned Manchester City and Qatar-funded Paris Saint-Germain.

UEFA acknowledged that the regulations, which were designed to curb losses, put off some prospective buyers of clubs, who believed their ability to spend on strengthening the squad would have been too heavily restricted.

“This is what we were hearing: ‘Why should we invest if it’s forbidden. If I invest I am in breach [of FFP]... there are consequences,’” UEFA General Secretary Gianni Infantino said after the executive committee approved the rule changes at a meeting in Prague. “We are sure that these new rules will encourage investors to invest in European football because European football is the best product in the world when it comes to club football.”

The softer regulations still won’t allow clubs to embark on reckless spending sprees, but they will be allowed a period of financial losses if they enter into a voluntary agreement that shows they will break even in the subsequent three-year period.

“[We want] to make sure the competitive balance of Europe is improved even more so clubs can maybe retain some players, even invest in new players in order to get some results and generate more revenue,” Infantino said. “You can invest something, and with investment, you can generate more revenue so we bring more clubs to compete at the top table.”

Infantino stressed that UEFA does not want club owners who “promised a lot of things and perhaps went bankrupt”.

Among other FFP changes:

— Spending on both youth and women’s football by clubs will not count toward losses

— Sponsors or anyone else, who contributes more than 30 per cent off a club’s revenue, will be investigated to see if they are linked to the ownership.

— Clubs will not be judged as harshly if they play in countries where TV and ticket revenue is significantly lower than the top leagues.

COLOMBO — Opener Dimuth Karunaratne smashed a half-century to help Sri Lanka complete a comprehensive seven-wicket win over Pakistan in the second cricket Test Monday to level the three-match series 1-1.

Needing 153 to win with rain looming on the final day, the Sri Lankan batsmen reached the victory target in 26.3 overs before lunch at the P.Sara Oval.

“The boys showed a lot of character after the defeat in Galle,” Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews said after the match.

“We wanted to bat positively because we were not sure about the rain. So we gave the green signal to play positively.”

Karunaratne was out for 50, trapped lbw by legspinner Yasir Shah after adding 72 runs for the third wicket with Mathews, who remained unbeaten on 43.

Karunaratne faced 57 deliveries and hit four boundaries.

Kithruwan Vithanage was promoted up the batting order to hasten the chase and made a brisk 34 off 23 before, being caught in the deep by Mohammad Hafeez off left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar.

Kumar Sangakkara, playing his final innings against Pakistan, was out for a first-ball duck, caught at forward short-leg off Shah.

The left-hander will not play the third Test against Pakistan and will retire from international cricket after the second match of a three-match Test series against India in August.

Shah returned figures of 2-55 and claimed eight wickets in the match.

Seam bowler Dhammika Prasad on Sunday took four wickets for Sri Lanka to help dismiss Pakistan for 329 in its second innings, despite a fighting 117 from Azhar Ali.

Prasad was named player of the match for his eight wickets in the match.

Ali and opener Ahmed Shehzad brought Pakistan back into the match in the second innings after conceding a 177-run first-innings lead. Pakistan was dismissed for a paltry 138 in the first innings and Sri Lanka replied with 315.

Ali and Shehzad (69) added 120 for the second wicket, but the rest of the batting faltered against the Sri Lankan seamers.

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq was disappointed with the team’s performance after winning by 10 wickets in Galle.

“It’s a really big worry for us that we put up really big scores in the first Test but in the second Test we were dismissed from 70 for two to 138,” he said. “We really need to play the first innings well.”

The third and series-deciding match of the series will start Friday in Pallekele near the hill city of Kandy.

AMMAN — It is a situation facing many sports federations up and down the Kingdom. How to engage with the public to make their sport thrive in the modern era of non-sporting distractions?

For tennis, the challenge is probably greater than most and for too long the sport has been considered as elite and inaccessible, and it is one of those sports that constantly fights for a foothold in the modern day, according a statement from the Jordan Olympic Committee News Media Office.

While the top end of the sport sees players like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic bag millions of dollars in prize money and endorsements every year, the other end sees countries like Jordan struggling to find more courts and players to fill them.

But the Jordan Tennis Federation is fighting back. Despite, as Hazem Adas — its president says, having “the same number of courts in Jordan as you would find in one park in places like France, USA or Britain”, the federation has taken a long-term proactive approach to ensure the sport not only survives, but thrives. 

“It is not an easy task for the sport to grow and thrive here but we are implementing programmes to try our best,” he said. “It is important to look long term by bringing in the players from a young age and then seeing them through to adulthood with the right training and support.”

This approach has resulted in the launch of the “Mini-Tennis” programme which is targeting kids from the age of six. Currently 80 are taking part in Amman with another 35 in the northern city of Irbid.

“Each kid signs up for a minimum of three months to ensure they are committed and that we have the chance to teach them the basic skills initially,” said Adas.

“It is also a talent identification programme for us with the most promising kids put on to separate coaching programmes to accelerate their progress further.”

Created in 1980, the Jordan Tennis Federation has enjoyed limited regional success over the years with the recurring problem of losing players once they reach the age of 18. The issue is that these young adults are unable to commit to top-level tennis training and tournaments like they could as youngsters because work, college and/or marriage starts to consume their time. Adas said it is even a challenge to convince those players to remain in the game to coach or officiate. 

But the search goes on for the next star and currently the federation has high hopes for 12-year-old Abdullah Shilbai. 

“He is an excellent talent and has already done well on a regional level,” said Adas. “He recently played in a tournament in France where he lost narrowly to the Belgian top seed, so he is showing huge potential.”

Facilities are an issue for a sport that needs large areas for a game that mostly consists of two players at a time. The federation only has 24 courts at its disposal — 10 of those at private clubs like the Royal Automobile Club of Jordan and Orthodoxi Club.

“This is an issue not just for Jordan but for a lot of countries and that is why there is an onus on mini-tennis for attracting kids to the sport,” explained Adas. “We have plans in Sports City to extend our facility which means we will be able to welcome even more children.”

The federation agrees that while it is unlikely that Jordan will have a Wimbledon champion any time soon, hopefully more youngsters will embrace the sport to stay healthy and active, and that is more important than winning or losing.

VANCOUVER — Canada captain Christine Sinclair apologised to her coach following their 2-1 quarter-final defeat to England at the Women’s World Cup on Saturday but John Herdman said his skipper had nothing to be sorry about.

After conceding just one goal in four matches, Canada surrendered two in three minutes early in the opening half. They pulled one back before the break but were unable to unlock England’s defence in the second half.

Canada coach John Herdman said he could not have asked for any more from his side.

“I’m proud of my girls, they give you everything,” he told reporters. “It just wasn’t good enough tonight and the dream is over.”

Herdman, more muted than he has been so far at this World Cup, said Sinclair had apologised to him after the game.

“She can’t say sorry, she was just a legend again tonight,” he said of Canada’s all-time leading scorer. “She was outstanding, answered some of the critics, stood up in the big moment when she needed to.”

Sinclair, who scored Canada’s goal, said her team mates were struggling to come to terms with the loss.

“This stings. We’re all a little emotional and upset,” she told reporters. “Obviously it’s not how we wanted the tournament to end.

“Anytime you get knocked out of a tournament, you’re upset,” she added. “Especially when I don’t think we deserved to go out like that.”

Canada, which beat England 1-0 in a friendly in May ahead of the tournament, was visibly upset at the final whistle, with many openly crying as they trudged off the field.

Outside the stadium, Canadian fans refused to let the loss get them down, gathering in groups to sing the national anthem and chant “Canada! Canada!”

“This has been great for the sport and for the Canadian women players,” said Cameron Taylor, who attended the match with his wife and children. “We’ll just keep expecting more.”

There was some concern, however, that with the home team now out of the tournament, local interest in the upcoming semifinals and final could wane.

England will play defending champions Japan on July 1 — Canada Day — with the United States playing Germany a day earlier.

“It’s tough. I’m part of the local football community here and this definitely takes the air out of the excitement for sure,” said Neil Samaratunga, who had draped himself in a Canadian flag. “It was an unlucky finish and it’s heartbreaking.”

MONTREAL — Germany beat France in a penalty shoot-out after their thrilling Women’s World Cup quarter-final ended 1-1 after extra-time on Friday.

The Germans triumphed 5-4 in the shoot-out after Claire Levogez, chosen as the fifth kicker for France, saw her low shot saved by Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer.

Louisa Necib had put France ahead in the 64th minute but Germany equalised in the 84th when Celia Sasic converted a penalty after Amel Majri handled inside the box.

Germany will face the winners of Friday’s other quarter-final between the United States and China.

The clash between the top-ranked Germans and a French team placed third in the world was expected to be a memorable encounter and it more than lived up to the billing.

With the quality of the two teams it could easily have been the tournament final and the French will head home feeling they have missed out on a real chance to win their first World Cup.

“We are very disappointed because the objective was to be on the podium here. We weren’t able to take our opportunities,” said France coach Philippe Bergeroo.

They certainly looked like champions during a first half in which they dominated large sections of play, with some flowing attacking football that produced several good openings.

The best chance of the opening 45 minutes came almost straight from kick-off when Necib put wide from a glorious position at the back post.

Key switch

Germany coach Silvia Neid made a key switch at the break bringing in Dsenifer Marozsan for Anja Mittag and the move paid off significantly.

Marozsan brought the German attack to life, forcing a good save out of Sarah Bouhaddi shortly after Sasic had tested her with a low drive.

But it was the French who grabbed the lead when Necib pounced on a poor clearance and her shot deflected off German defender Annike Krahn and curled into the corner.

France looked to be on its way into the last four but with six minutes of normal time remaining, Leonie Majer drove a cross into the box which struck Majri on the upper-arm and Sasic confidently slotted home her sixth goal of the tournament.

Both teams tired in extra-time and there were few chances created until three minutes from the end of the second period when Gaetane Thiney was found unmarked at the back-post but she somehow put the ball wide from close range.

The Germans scored all five of their spot-kicks before goalkeeper Angerer got down well to keep out Lavogez’s weak attempt.

“I think the team showed its character by the way they turned the switch in the second half,” said Germany coach Neid. 

US goes on

Carli Lloyd scored the sole goal in the 51st minute to give the United States a 1-0 win over China on Friday and a place in the semifinals of the Women’s World Cup.

“These are the moments I live for,” she said. “Having the freedom to attack and do what I do best enabled me to create some chances.”

The United States has reached the final four of all seven Women’s World Cups but has not won since beating China on penalties at home in 1999.

Seeking their third championship, the Americans have not allowed a goal in 423 minutes since the tournament opener against Australia.

The US plays top-ranked Germany, the 2003 and ‘07 champion, on Tuesday in Montreal.