Oman Observer

MUSCAT — Oman was overjoyed last Friday when Oman Sail’s Masirah snatched the inaugural title in the first ever Extreme Sailing Series Asia grand finale which the Sultanate proudly hosted. At the international event which the two participating Omani teams, Masirah and The Wave, Muscat, excelled in both the Muscat-leg and the series, public also experienced...

WARSAW — European champions Spain will face Czech Republic, Scotland, Lithuania and Liechtenstein in the qualifying competition for the Euro 2012 championship after being the last team pulled out of the bowl at yesterday’s draw. World champions Italy will face two 2010 WC finalists in Serbia and Slovenia in their group which also includes Northern Ireland,...

Drogba puts Chelsea back on top

LONDON — Didier Drogba struck twice as Chelsea beat Arsenal 2-0 yesterday to return to the top of the English Premier League, two points clear of Manchester United. Arsenal are nine points adrift, and their title challenge is surely over, indeed, were they to lose to Liverpool on Wednesday they would be only two points above fourth.

MADRID — Leaders Barcelona survived red cards for Gerard Pique and Rafael Marquez to complete a 2-1 victory over Getafe in Spanish La Liga while Real Madrid kept pace with a 3-0 win at home to Espanyol. Pique was sent off in the 25th minute for a wild challenge on Rafa Lopez. Marquez walked at the end after bundling over Kepa for a last-minute penalty scored by Soldado...

BERLIN — Eintracht Frankfurt came from behind to beat high-flying Borussia Dortmund 3-2 in an entertaining German Bundesliga match played in Dortmund. Although Frankfurt took the lead through Swiss international Benjamin Koehler in the eighth minute, Mats Hummels had brought his side level just nine minutes later. Lucas Barrios gave the home side the lead...

PARIS — Girondins Bordeaux saw their lead at the top of French Ligue 1 cut to three points after going down 4-2 at Stade Rennes on Saturday. A goal after three minutes by Sylvain Marveaux, a penalty by Jimmy Briand and then a fine strike by Ismael Bangoura just after the break gave Rennes a comfortable lead before Bordeaux fought back with goals from Yoan Gouffran...