Sports Desk
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.
SOCCER
LIVERPOOL OUSTS BARCELONA Liverpool eliminated defending champion Barcelona from the European Champions League, advancing to the quarterfinals despite a 1–0 loss at Anfield last night.
Liverpool, the 2005 champion, won the first leg 2-1 in Spain two weeks ago. With the aggregate score of the total-goals series tied, Liverpool advanced on away goals.
Eidur Gudjohnsen scored in the 75th minute for Barcelona.
Chelsea, AS Roma, and Valencia also advanced to the quarterfinals.
“It gives us great confidence, going through against the best side in Europe over two legs,” Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard said.
BASEBALL
TOPPS AGREES TO $385.4M TAKEOVER BID LED BY DISNEY The Topps Co., maker of baseball cards and Bazooka bubble gum, said yesterday it accepted a $385.4 million takeover offer from a buyout group that includes former Disney CEO Michael Eisner, but the deal drew immediate opposition from one of its own board members.
Topps director Arnaud Ajdler, along with the investment firm Crescendo Partners II, launched a campaign to kill the deal. Crescendo owns about 6.6% of the company’s shares, according to filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Ajdler is also a managing partner of Crescendo.
HOCKEY
RANGERS’ HOSSA OUT 3 TO 4 WEEKS WITH KNEE INJURY Rangers forward Marcel Hossa could miss a month with a knee injury sustained in Monday night’s 2–1 victory over the Islanders.
The 25-year-old left wing sprained the medial collateral ligament in his left knee with about 5 minutes left in the second period. He limped to the bench but came back on the ice with about 1 minute remaining in the frame. That was his final shift of the game.
An MRI taken yesterday revealed the sprain that will sideline him for between three and four weeks. It was the latest blow to the Rangers, who have been hit by several recent injuries as they try to climb back into playoff position.
New York is already without Brendan Shanahan, who hasn’t played since February 17 when he collided with Philadelphia forward Mike Knuble and sustained a concussion.
