December 2004 in Sports - December 30, 2004

December 30, 2004

• Cricket: South Africa hold out in the final day of the second Test against England to secure a draw, bringing to an end England's eight-game winning streak. The final score: England 139 & 570–9 dec, South Africa 332 & 290–8; bad light stops play with 15 overs remaining. England are the only team to remain unbeaten at Test cricket throughout 2004 – winning 11 times, drawing twice. (BBC)
• College football bowl games:
  • The Boston College Eagles defeat the North Carolina Tar Heels, 37–24, in the Continental Tire Bowl. (ESPN)
  • The Navy Midshipmen complete their first 10-win season since 1905 by defeating the New Mexico Lobos 34–19 in the Emerald Bowl. (ESPN)
  • The Texas Tech Red Raiders upset the Cal Golden Bears 45–31 in the Holiday Bowl. (ESPN)
  • The Northern Illinois Huskies defeat the Troy Trojans 34–21 in the Silicon Valley Football Classic. (ESPN)
• NBA:
  • The Seattle SuperSonics defeat the Atlanta Hawks, 94–79, in Atlanta. (NBA)
  • The New Jersey Nets play the Indiana Pacers, in New Jersey.
  • The Detroit Pistons play the Miami Heat, in Detroit.
  • The San Antonio Spurs play the Portland Trail Blazers, in Portland.
• Football (soccer):
  • Real Madrid announce that former Brazil coach Wanderley Luxemburgo will be their new coach, replacing Mariano Garcia Remon. Luxemburgo will be Real's third coach this season. He leaves Santos, which he recently led to the Brazilian championship. (BBC)
  • Manchester United's 19 year old star Wayne Rooney has been given a three-match ban by the Football Association for violent behaviour after TV images showed him shoving Bolton defender Tal Ben Haim in the face. Haim has also been criticised for poor behaviour, as he was judged to exaggerate the episode. Alex Ferguson has criticised the FA for their handling of the case. (BBC)