Briefs | Soccer: Germany beats Portugal in Euro '08

Soccer

Germany beats Portugal: Bastian Schweinsteiger, coming off a suspension, scored one goal and set up two more Thursday night, leading Germany over Portugal 3-2 and into the European Championship semifinals in Basel, Switzerland.

It was the first time Germany moved into the final four since it won Euros in 1996, and the first time Portugal failed to make the semifinals in the last three major international tournaments.

Michael Ballack and Miroslav Klose also scored for Germany off free kicks by Schweinsteiger. Nuno Gomes and Helder Postiga had goals for Portugal.

U.S. women beat Italy: The U.S. women earned a place in the championship game of the Peace Queen Cup in Suwon, South Korea, with a 2-0 victory over Italy on two goals by Abby Wambach.

Kljestan, Braun lead Chivas USA past Fire: Sacha Kljestan and Justin Braun scored in the first half, lifting Chivas USA to a 2-0 MLS victory over the Chicago Fire in Carson, Calif.

NHL

Lightning ready to take Stamkos No. 1: Jay Feaster, the Tampa Bay Lightning general manager, is all but certain he will select forward Steven Stamkos with the No. 1 pick in the NHL draft tonight.

Trade rumors have dominated the days leading up to the draft in part because there are numerous teams eager to move into the top 10 to get a chance at a draft class considered by NHL Central Scouting officials to be among the deepest in recent memory.

Hurricanes agree with Gleason: The Carolina Hurricanes agreed to terms with defenseman Tim Gleason on a four-year, $11 million contract, and acquired the rights to winger Darcy Hordichuk from Nashville.

NFL

Bears' Harris highest-paid defensive tackle: Criticized for not pursuing a top running back or offensive lineman during free agency, the Bears always maintained keeping their own players under contract rated as bigger priorities.

They continued to stay true to that philosophy when defensive tackle Tommie Harris signed a four-year contract worth $40 million that a league source confirmed guarantees him $18 million overall and $27 million the first three years of a deal that will keep him a Bear through 2012.

The Bears have called a news conference today to celebrate a package that will make Harris the NFL's highest-paid defensive tackle.

Giants running back jailed: New York Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw is serving a 30-day jail sentence on a probation violation in Richmond, Va., his legal counsel said.

College football

Ex-Ohio State player sentenced for sexual battery: Jason Simmons, a former Ohio State defensive end accused of having sex with a 14-year-old girl, has been sentenced in Dayton, Ohio, to a year in prison for sexual battery.

Notre Dame, NBC agree to five-year deal: NBC renewed its television contract with Notre Dame through the 2015 season despite the Fighting Irish last year drawing their lowest ratings since the network began broadcasting their games in 1991.

College baseball

North Carolina-LSU rained out: The College World Series game Thursday night between North Carolina and Louisiana State in Omaha, Neb., was suspended because of rain and will be resumed today with the Tar Heels leading 2-0 in the first inning.

Tennis

Ferrer beats Ancic at Ordina Open: Top-seeded Spaniard David Ferrer advanced to the Ordina Open semifinals in Den Bosch, Netherlands, with a 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) win over Mario Ancic.

Among the women, top-seeded Elena Dementieva of Russia beat 18-year-old Romanian Sorana Cirstea 6-2, 6-4.

Horse racing

Big Brown set to race again Aug. 3: Big Brown's next start is set for the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J., on Aug. 3.

The choice of the 1-1/8-mile Haskell over the 1 ¼-mile Travers Stakes on Aug. 23 at Saratoga was made based on the track and weather.

Seattle Times news services