The Baltic Basketball League saw an exciting All Star game between the Baltic Stars and the Foreign Stars last week, with the latter team winning the match 100-98. "I'm happy about this All Star day and I can say that it was one of the best events I've ever participated in," said Foreign Stars coach Zmago Sagadin. The fans were naturally anxious to see some dunks, and cheered as America's Dalron Johnson finally threw one home. Although the Foreign Stars kept up the lead, the Balts weren't far behind. Local fans were extremely pleased with their team's third-quarter performance, as they witnessed four spectacular dunks. The game's MVP distinction went to Foreign Stars center Tanoka Beard, who had 12 points, 16 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks.
The Italian Soccer Federation suspended all matches indefinitely after a policeman was killed after a Serie A match between Catania and Palermo on Feb. 2. Officer Filippo Raciti, 38, died amid violent rioting by fans after last week's game. The Pope was one of the first to publicly condemn the incident "as a stain on the world of [soccer]." Raciti was reportedly sitting in a police car when a rioting fan threw an explosive into the car. He later died in the hospital. Italian Interior Minister Giuliano Amato warned of an "extraordinary response" to the unprecedented levels of violence. "The fans are risking the possibility of never seeing [soccer] again," he told La Republica newspaper. The officer's funeral took place in the Sicilian city of Catania on Feb. 5.
