SPORT

Zenit high above takes Russian title

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A hard-fought 2-1 win over Dynamo Moscow gave Zenit an unassailable 15-point lead with three games remaining, a victory they achieved despite playing most of the second half with ten men. It is Zenit's second-straight title and third since 2007.

Russia’s second largest city was celebrating the victory on Saturday night. After the game, thousands of fans came to the city centre with team flags, chanting and greeting each other. The Palace Square and the Nevsky Prospekt were most crowded, and many fans say they would stay there until morning.

Luciano Spalletti’s team, backed by Russian energy giant Gazprom, only needed a draw in the top-of-the-table clash the title. Zenit midfielder Roman Shirokov fired the home side in front on the half-hour and fellow Russia international Alexander Kerzhakov doubled the lead from the spot six minutes later.

Moldova defender Alexandru Epureanu pulled one back for the visitors just before the break but Zenit held on for a deserved win to stretch their lead over Dynamo to 15 points. Zenit had to play with 10 men for most of the second half after their Russia midfielder Konstantin Zyryanov was sent off after picking up a second booking.

“We had a good team when we won our first title (in 2010) but we were even better this season,” said the Italian coach Spaletti. “I can only congratulate my players for a job well done.”



Shocking missile to secure London 2012

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UK authorities might place surface-to-air missiles on a water tower in a densely populated London neighbourhood as part of security for the Olympic Games this summer, a ministry official said this Sunday.

Residents in an east London community have received leaflets warning them of the possibility. Site evaluations and exercises have taken place.

A former water tower within the Bow Quarter gated private estate would be the location for the proposed missiles. Bow Quarter is a former match factory containing a number of large buildings, converted into hundreds of residential flats and houses.
"Ground-based air defence systems could be deployed as part of a multi-layered air security plan for the Olympics, including fast jets and helicopters, which will protect the skies over London during the Games," said an official, asking not to be named in line with British government practise.

Some of the receivers of leaflets about the possible missile system have shown their disapproval. "This is a highly built-up area. I can't imagine any situation in which you could safely use a high-velocity missile over Tower Hamlets," as the neighbourhood is called. There is "obviously the security issue around the Olympics", but missiles would be an overreaction. "This is meant to be reassuring, but it creates a lot of anxiety", they say.

London is hosting the 2012 Olympics from July 27 to August 12 and the Paralympics from August 29 to September 9.