Scoreboard

World cup final a first

On Sunday, the world will be watching as Brazil and Germany compete against each other for the first time in World Cup soccer – in the championship game, no less. The game airs on ABC at 7 a.m. EDT (replay begins at 12:30 p.m.).

"We have been looking for this game for so many years in Brazil," said Carlos Alberto Parreira, who coached his national team to the 1994 title. Brazil has won four World Cup titles and Germany three. But, strangely, they haven't faced each other in soccer's showcase tournament. No Pele vs. Sepp Maier. No Franz Beckenbauer vs. Gylmar. "Both teams have a great tradition," Brazilian forward Rivaldo said. "If Brazil wants to be champions, we have to respect Germany. Not fear them, respect them."

Sampras out. Agassi gone. Safin done. After only two rounds of play at Wimbledon, three of the biggest names in men's tennis are going home. Seven-time champion Pete Sampras, 1992 winner Andre Agassi, and No. 2-seeded Marat Safin all lost Wednesday – throwing the tournament wide open.

"It's been a weird and wacky day," says former three-time champ John McEnroe. With Sampras and Agassi gone, No. 5. Yevgeny Krajicek is the only remaining former champion left among the men.

"I thought I'd win two matches here and then get a beating by Andre [Agassi] and go home happy," Krajicek said. "Suddenly, there's maybe an outside chance I go into the second week. Then, who knows what can happen?"

There was a distinct foreign flavor to Wednesday night's NBA draft, with a record 17 international players chosen among the 57 picks. The biggest player, Yao Ming, went to the Houston Rockets.

The 7 ft., 5 in. Yao, cleared by the Chinese national federation to play in the NBA only hours earlier, was selected No. 1. "I'm looking forward to taking on all the NBA centers," says the 22-year-old Yao, "though I know it won't be an easy task."