WORLD OF SPORT

▷▷▷ Westbrook not happy with fans in Utah

Russell Westbrook took a swipe at a Utah Jazz fan’s cellphone moments after the Oklahoma City Thunder were eliminated from the NBA play-offs on Friday. The Thunder guard was walking off the court following the 96-91 loss to the Jazz in Game 6, when he turned suddenly to swat in the fan’s direction. The fan appeared to be pointing the phone at him, but his comments could not be heard. Westbrook inferred that the comments were “vulgar” and said such behaviour is an ongoing problem at games in Utah. “I didn’t confront fans; fans confronted me,” Westbrook said. “Here in Utah, man, a lot of disrespectful, vulgar things are said to the players here with these fans. It’s truly disrespectful. Talk about your families, your kids. It’s truly disrespectful to the game, man.” He did not single out what the fan in question said, but expanded on his general gripes. “I’m tired of just going out and playing, then the fans saying whatever the hell they want to say.” ▷▷▷

Zero to hero moment for match-winner Antonis Terry Antonis soared from villain to hero, scoring the winning goal deep in extra time to put Melbourne Victory into the Australian A-League grand final and dump out defending champions Sydney yesterday. Melbourne won the semi-final 3-2 and will now face the Newcastle Jets in Newcastle in the final on Saturday. Antonis had been in the depths of depair when he scored an own goal with seconds left in normal time to give Sydney the equaliser and a lifeline as the game went into extra time. But he then bounced back and fired home the winning goal deep into the second period of extra time to give Melbourne the triumph. His goal sparked dramatic scenes with two Victory assistant coaches – Jean-Paul de Marigny and Dean Anastasiadis – dismissed for overzealous celebrations on the pitch after the winner. ▷▷▷ Walsh happy with the memories in retirement Irish jockey Katie Walsh, who came closest to becoming the first woman to ride a Grand National winner, has retired. The 33 year old – third on Seabass in the steeplechase race at Aintree in 2012 – bowed out in the best possible way with a fine win at Irish national hunt racing’s premier festival Punchestown. Despite still being at the top of her game – which down the years has seen her win an Irish National on Thunder and Roses and three winners at the Cheltenham Festival – Walsh felt she had achieved all she could. “I’ve had a marvellous career and I’ve unbelievable memories. The next chapter in life begins now,” she said.