Air New Zealand is "putting on additional flights between Dunedin and Wellington after noticing high demand" from fans "keen to see next weekend's Super Rugby final at the Cake Tin" (NEW ZEALAND HERALD, 6/28). ... Spanish Basketball League (ACB) club FIATC Joventut announced that it has withdrawn from next season's Eurocup to "guarantee its economic viability." Club President Jordi Villacampa said that "the decision has been communicated to the Euroleague." Villacampa: "It has been a difficult decision, but absolutely necessary to preserve the interests of the organization" (EP, 6/26). ... NSW and South Australia will play a "tribute match for their fallen comrade Phillip Hughes in Coffs Harbour as part of the coming Sheffield Shield season." Hughes was batting for South Australia against his former team NSW at the SCG last November when he was "struck on the back of the head by a ball and sustained a fatal brain injury." He died in hospital two days later (THE AUSTRALIAN, 6/29). ... European Olympic Committees President Patrick Hickey said that Manchester may bid to host the 2023 European Games. The inaugural Games in Azerbaijan ended on Sunday with no host for '19, after the Netherlands withdrew (BBC, 6/27). ... The Tour de France could return to London again in '17 after Mayor Boris Johnson's office "confirmed it is in discussions to bring the race back." London held two stages in '07 and last year it was the finish for stage three of an event that began in Yorkshire (BBC, 6/26).
