News, December 2006

Sport roundup, 20th December

Beckham's contract with Madrid runs out on 31st; Barcelona's Ronaldinho applies for Spanish citizenship, Madrid's Cannavaro gets FIFA title, Barcelona fails to win Clubs World Cup, Seville leads league with Barça on heels, Uefa: all 4 clubs doing well; Champions: Barça, Madrid and Valencia through to last 16, Madrid unbeaten in Basketball ACB, Dakar rally preparations under way: read on!

Football (soccer): Beckham's contract with Real Madrid runs out on the 31st - so far no new contract has been offered; Ronaldinho applies for Spanish citizenship; Fifa World Player of the Year goes to Madrid's Cannavaro; Clubs world cup: Barcelona sees hopes dashed for World Cup; League Sevilla leads league after 15th round with Barça on heels and a game in hand; Champions' League Barcelona face Liverpool in last 16, Valencia to meet Inter, Madrid meet Bayern; UEFA: all 4 clubs in top 2 of groups.
Motor: Dakar: Spaniards in good form preparing for the rally. Rally Dani Sordo 4th in championship, 5th in NZ, just behind Xevi Pons.
Tennis Shanghai Masters Nadal losst to Federer in semi-finals; Seoul exhibit game: Nadal lost again in 3 sets; Madrid ladies Masters Henin won,
Basketball Madrid leads ACB league, unbeaten after 13th round. Spain won Japan World Cup. Now awarded Spain's prestigious Principe de Asturias sport prize..
Ski: Spain's World Cup hopeful María José Rienda probably out for season after fall injury at Loveland (USA); resorts gradually opening as chill allows artificial snow to be made.
Cycling: Isaac Galvez, twice World Champion in track events, died in an accident on 26th November in Gent, Belgium. An all-rounder, he rode on track and in road events, the past 2 years for the Illes Balears team.
Sailing - 5 Oceans]: Unai Basurko 7th to cross equator.
Golf Alvaro Quiros wins Dunhill trophy.