“American professional athletes are bilingual; they speak English and profanity.” – Gordie Howe

June 30, 1984 – France won the UEFA European Football Championships. It was the country’s first major international soccer tournament victory.

As the hosts of the tournament, France automatically qualified for the eight-team tournament. They would cruise through the Group Stage of the tournament, beating Denmark 1-0 in their opener, and following that up with a 5-0 victory over Belgium and a 3-2 win over Yugoslavia. That earned them top spot in Group A, setting up a semi-final match-up against Portugal.

With the game tied 1-1 after 90 minutes, extra time was needed, and it turned out to be quite the entertaining 30 minutes, as Portugal’s Rui Jordão opened the scoring in the 98th minute, before France answered with goals from Jean-Francois Domergue and Michel Platini to earn the thrilling 3-2 victory.

France faced Spain in the finals, and they would cruise to the 2-0 victory, thanks to goals from Platini and Bruno Bellone. Platini would easily take home top goalscorer honors, as his nine goals in the tournament set a UEFA European Football Championship record, which still stands to this day.

– source

Garnett’s reaction to the Toronto Raptors draft picks

What the…Kevin Garnett is dumbfounded.

“Winners never quit, and quitters never win.” – Vince Lombardi

thescore:

The last time the Hornets selected No.1 overall, Larry Johnson was the lucky guy. 

siphotos:

Fifteen years ago today, Mike Tyson famously famously took a chunk of Evander Holyfield’s ear during their fight in Las Vegas. Holyfield was awarded the winner after Tyson was disqualified for the biting incident. (V.J. Lovero/SI)

GALLERY: Biting in Sports | Rare Photos of Mike Tyson
SI VAULT: Tyson drags his sport to new depths (7.7.97)

Pittsburgh Penguins captain, Sidney Crosby, to sign a 12-year extension worth US$104.4 million. The 24-year-old is entering the final year of a five-year contract that carries an annual cap hit of $8.7 million. The new deal will also average $8.7 million per season.

June 28, 1995 – The NBA Draft was held at the Skydome in Toronto, Ontario. It was the first time the draft was held outside the United States.

The Golden State Warriors selected Joe Smith with the 1st overall pick.

“The values learned on the playing field; how to set goals, endure, take criticism and risks, become team players, use our beliefs, stay healthy and deal with stress — prepare us for life.” – Donna de Varona

June 27, 1996: Kobe Bryant receiving his Los Angeles Lakers jersey next to Jerry West and Del Harris.

Kobe is introduced in Los Angeles after being acquired from the Charlotte Hornets in the 1996 NBA Draft.

[Photo by Steve W. Grayson, UPI]