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FOOTBALL

Nimble Danes outclass Norwegians

Norwegians writhed in sports agony on Wednesday, the day after their much speculated-on national team was hopelessly outplayed 2-0 by a more nimble Denmark.

In a Euro 2012 qualifying match that mattered, the sprightly Danes outclassed their Group H counterparts. Now, Portugal or Denmark must lose a game to underdogs Iceland or Cyprus for Norwegian qualification hopes to stay alive.

“The team didn’t function,” said sidelined Norwegian star John Arne Riise. Norwegian newspapers echoed the sentiment as coach Egil "Drillo" Olsen was criticized for his choice of starters.

By the time Danish striker Nicklas Bendtner took a pass in the goal area to score his first of two goals in the 24th minute, the criticism appeared justified. A second attempt at Euro-tournament play seemed to be coming apart for the Norwegians.

“Norway has lived in the universe of an illusion where one has been better than one really is,” Danish reserve keeper Anders Lindegaard told Norwegian VGTV.

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RACISM

VIDEO: Spain’s La Liga reviews video of boy racially abusing Vinicius

Spain's La Liga on Monday said it was reviewing a video of a child making racist insults towards Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior during the 2-2 draw with Valencia at the weekend.

VIDEO: Spain's La Liga reviews video of boy racially abusing Vinicius

“We’re in the process of studying and analysing the facts from a legal standpoint to see what we can and should do,” La Liga sources said.

In a video published by a journalist for ESPN Brasil, and picked up by Spanish media, a boy sitting in a woman’s lap can be heard calling Vinicius a “monkey”.

The Brazilian scored twice for Madrid as his team recovered from two goals down at Mestalla on Saturday.

Vinicius raised his fist in a “Black Power” salute after the first of his two goals at a ground where he was racially abused last season. Valencia subsequently banned three people from the stadium for life.

The 23-year-old has become a symbol of the fight against discrimination in Spanish football after suffering racist abuse on many occasions, and he was jeered repeatedly by home supporters on Saturday.

Jude Bellingham was sent off after the final whistle against Valencia for protesting after the referee blew the final whistle right before the England midfielder headed home what he thought was the winning goal.

READ ALSO: Football star Vinicius highlights racist behaviour from Spanish fans

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