Germany in final

PRESTON: Three-time defending champion Germany reached the final of the European Women’s Championship with an easy 4-1 win over Finland. Inka Grings had two goals and captain Birgit Prinz scored her 85th international goal for Germany. They will play either Sweden or Denmark in Sunday’s final. Prinz netted Germany’s fourth goal in the 62nd. Minna Mustonen pulled one back for Finland in the 15th. — AP

Somerset beat Aussies

TAUNTON: Twin hundreds from Somerset’s overseas opening pair Sanath Jayasuriya and Graeme Smith gave the home side a four wicket win and ensured that Australia suffered their second loss in three days on Wednesday. Australia piled up 342 for five in their final warm-up match before the NatWest Series. But the county side reached 345-6 with 19 balls to spare after Smith (108) and Jayasuriya (101) had shared a first wicket stand of 197. James Hildreth hit the winning boundary to finish on 38 not out. — AFP

Diouf a Wanderer

LONDON: Senegal international El-Hadji Diouf has signed for Bolton after a successful season on loan from Liverpool. Diouf, whose career in England has been marred by a series of spitting controversies, has signed a four-year deal after the two clubs agr-eed on an undisclosed fee. Diouf, 24, scored nine goals in 27 appearances for Bolton last season, restoring his reputation after his failure to make an impression at Liverpool. — AFP