North and South Korea played a women's basketball game in Pyongyang on Thursday.GETTY IMAGES
North and South Korea joined forces for their first basketball friendly in 15 years on Wednesday "amid a warming of relations" since the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics and "easing tensions over the North’s nuclear and missile programs." Women athletes from the traditional foes "put political differences aside" to form two joint North-South teams, “Peace” and “Prosperity,” in the friendly in the North Korean capital of Pyongyang. The crowd shouted and waved balloons "in what turned out to be a thriller" -- Prosperity won 103 to 102 (REUTERS, 7/4).
September's Scottish Premiership meeting between Rangers and Celtic was moved to a lunchtime kickoff on Sept. 2 for TV broadcast. The first Old Firm derby of the season, which will take place at Celtic Park, was originally scheduled for Sept. 1 (BBC, 7/4).
The basketball federations of Australia and the Philippines issued a joint apology for Monday's brawl, but it is "unlikely to soften the penalties that will be handed down" by FIBA. Players from the two countries are "facing long bans over their involvement in the out-of-control brawl." Basketball Australia President Ned Coten and his Filipino counterpart, Alfredo Panlilio, said that they "deeply regretted the events that took place" (AAP, 7/5).
The 18th Asian Games, being hosted by Indonesia next month, have "attracted a record number of competitors," which could "pose logistical challenges" for the local organizers, the Olympic Council of Asia said. OCA Honorary VP Wei Jizhong was "pleased with the overwhelming response," but also expressed concerns over the "potential difficulties that lie ahead for the organizing committee" (REUTERS, 7/5).
National Basketball League champion Wellington Saints will defend its title at home from Aug. 4-5. Wellington's TSB Bank Arena was confirmed as the host venue for the NBL's Final Four weekend. The semifinals will be held on Aug. 4, with the winners meeting in the final on Aug. 5 (STUFF, 7/4).
