FC Pyunik win Armenian Cup

Review of May 6-13 sports events.

Football: FC Pyunik scored a 4:0 victory over FC Banants in the final match for the Armenian Cup on May 10. After the match, Banants coach Stevica Kuzmanoski apologized to his club’s fans, saying: “We didn’t succeed today. The defense was too week and we failed the game.” Vardan Minasyan, Pyunik coach said, for his part, that it was not an easy match. “Although we were leading, we were tensed. Anyway, we showed a good game and I congratulate our players and fans,” he said.

May 17, 2010

PanARMENIAN.Net - Tennis: After suffering a defeat from Montenegro, Armenia scored a 3:0 victory over San-Marino in Group III B qualifier of Davis Cup Europe/Africa Zone.

Argentine David Nalbandian and Czech Tomas Berdych withdrew from 2010 Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open prior to their first-round meeting, citing injury. The two were replaced by Mardy Fish and Michael Russell.

Injury woes continue to plague 2007 Madrid champion David Nalbandian, as he was forced to withdraw before contesting his opener with 11th seed Tomas Berdych Tuesday evening. The Argentine has had numerous bouts with injury this season, halting his comeback after undergoing hip surgery in 2009. The 28-year-old pulled out of Madrid with a left leg issue, leaving his participation at the French Open undetermined.

Boxing: Arthur Abraham’s super middleweight clash with Carl Froch has been pushed back until September. The fight was scheduled to take place on August 21 in the third stage of Showtime Super Six Boxing Classic.

Froch needs additional time to heal the cuts and injuries that he suffered in last month's decision loss to Mikkel Kessler. There is also the ongoing dispute over the venue. Froch is still pushing for the fight to take place in Nottingham and Abraham wants the bout in Germany.

WBC/WBA super flyweight champion Vic Darchinyan will stage a title fight at Parramatta Leagues club (Australia) for the IBO bantamweight belt against Filipino Eric Barcelona on May 20.

This is Darchinyan’s second attempt to strengthen his positions in the bantamweight, while he failed the first one, being beaten by IBF bantamweight champion Ghanaian Joseph Agbeko on July 11, 2009.

Earlier it was reported that Darchinyan will take on Filipino Richard Garcia in Sidney, again on May 20.

Armenian Youth Boxing Championship was held in Yerevan on May 13, bringing together 170 sportsmen from all regions of Armenia. The strongest boxers will be included in the national team to participate in the European Championships in Bulgaria.

Chess: Armenian chess players Lilit Mkrtchyan and Elina Danielyan finished 9th and 12th respectively at Women’s Grand Prix in Nalchik, Russia. Both Mkrtchyan and Danielyan lost the final round games. Russia’s Tatiana Kosintseva won the tournament.

Armenian grandmaster Vladimir Akopian tied a game with Russia’s Peter Svidler in the 3rd round of Men’s Grand Prix going on in Astrakhan, Russia. Akopian is currently the 11th with 1 point.

Athens’ Hayastan Center hosted a chess tournament to mark the 18th anniversary of liberation of Shushi. Gevorg Kulumyan, Hakob Tumanyan, Grigor Tiftikchyan and Vahe Atchemyan won the team competition.

It also became known that grandmasters Varuzhan Hakobyan, Melikset Khachiyan and international master Levon Altunyan will participate in the U.S. Chess Championship to be held in Saint Lious, Missouri, from May 14 to 25.

Olympiad: Armenian shooter Romik Vardumyan will participate in Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games due from August 14 to 25. Vardumyan took part in youth and junior competitions before and usually finished in the middle of the standings.

Besides Vardumyan, 2 weightlifters, one judoist and one gymnast will be participating in the Games.

Hasmik Babayan, Gohar Nalbandyan / PanARMENIAN News