BEIJING, Dec. 27-- Here is Xinhua News Agency's selection of the 10 most significant pieces of international sports news in 2019, in chronological order: - On June 1, Liverpool won an all-English UEFA Champions League final, beating Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 to win the title for the sixth time. The Reds had last won Europe's premier club tournament in 2005, when they beat AC Milan on penalties following an epic 3-3 draw after extra-time. Continuing their stellar 2019, Liverpool then clinched the FIFA Club World Cup title for the first time after beating Copa Libertadores winners Flamengo 1-0 on December 21. - Italian cities Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo were appointed hosts of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games at the 134th session of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on June 24. The Italian cities defeated the rival Swedish bid from Stockholm and Are. - The United States national women's soccer team successfully defended their FIFA World Cup title on July 7, beating the Netherlands 2-0 in the final of the 2019 edition. Forward Megan Rapinoe was named the tournament's best player and top scorer. - In tennis, Spanish legend Rafael Nadal and Serbian superstar Novak Djokovic shared the four Grand Slams in 2019, as Nadal won a record-extending 12th French Open title in addition to the U.S. Open, while Djokovic claimed the Australian Open and Wimbledon titles. - From September 14 to 29, the Chinese women's volleyball team finished undefeated in all 11 games to win the 2019 FIVB Women's World Cup in Japan. This is the fifth time in the history that China has won the tournament, beating Brazil's previous record of four. Chinese captain Zhu Ting was named MVP, and was selected in the team of the tournament along with teammates Yan Ni, Wang Mengjie, and Ding Xia. |