LONDON: Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley announced on Sunday he wanted to sell the troubled English Premiership club and revealed that he feared for his children's safety if he turned up at matches.
Ashley, a self-made billionaire, has become a hate figure with many of the north-east side's supporters who blame him for the resignation of popular manager Kevin Keegan.
"I am putting the club up for sale," Ashley said in a statement on Newcastle's website.
"I hope that the fans can get what they want and that the next owner is someone who can lavish the amount of money on the club that the fans want."
Ashley and executive director Dennis Wise have become the targets of fans' anger, with many Magpies supporters saying they are responsible for not allowing Keegan the kind of control over transfers enjoyed by the likes of Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Keegan, a folk hero at St James' Park having played for Newcastle and previously managed them in the 1990s, quit 10 days ago and on Saturday thousands of fans staged demonstration outside the north-east club's ground, demanding Ashley and Wise quit.
Those protests came before and after Newcastle's 2-1 defeat at home to Premier League newcomers Hull City, a match where neither Ashley nor Wise were seen at St James'.
Later Sunday, former chairman Freddy Shepherd said he had been approached by two separate consortiums thinking of taking over the team.
Shepherd, speaking on Sky Sports News, refused to give away too many details but did describe both potential bidders as "big-money players".
Ashley, who made his fortune by creating the Sports Direct chain of stores, bought Newcastle for more than 134 million pounds in May 2007.
In a lengthy statement, he insisted he'd put the club on a sound financial footing but stressed he was no longer prepared to endure abuse from supporters.
"I have really loved taking my kids to the games, being next to them and all the fans.
"But I am now a dad who can't take his kids to a football game on a Saturday because I am advised that we would be assaulted. Therefore, I am no longer prepared to subsidize Newcastle United."
He added: "I don't want anyone to read my words and think that any of this is an attack on Kevin Keegan. It is not. Kevin and I always got on. Everyone at the club, and I mean everyone, thinks that he has few equals in getting the best out of players.
"He is a legend at the club and quite rightly so. Clearly there are disagreements between Kevin and the board and we have both put that in the hands of our lawyers."
Newcastle hasn't won a major trophy since 1969.
And although Ashley is wealthy by most standards his fortune is not equal to that of Chelsea's Russian billionaire owner Roman Abramovich or the consortium from Abu Dhabi which marked its recent takeover of Manchester City by spending a British record 32.5 million pounds to sign Brazil star Robinho.
"I have backed the club with money. You can see that from the fact Newcastle has the fifth highest wage bill in the Premier League," Ashley said.
However, he added: "It has to be realized that if I put 100 million pounds in the club year in year out then it would not be too long before I was cleaned out and a debt-ridden Newcastle United would find itself in the position that faced Leeds United .
"My plan and strategy for Newcastle has to be different. Arsenal is the shining example in England of a sustainable business model. It takes time."
"I have listened to you," Ashley told fans. "You want me out. That is what I am trying to do but it won't happen overnight and it may not happen at all if a buyer does not come in.
"If I can't sell the club to someone who will give the fans what they want then I shall continue to ensure that Newcastle is run on a business and football model that is sustainable.
"I care too much about the club to merely abandon it."
Source: China Daily/Agencies
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Russia routs Spain to retain Fed Cup
MADRID: Russia retained its Fed Cup crown here on Sunday to make it four titles in five years when Svetlana Kuznetsova defeated Anabel Medina Garrigues 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 to give the visitors an unassailable 3-0 lead over Spain.
Olympic Games bronze medalist Vera Zvonareva and former US Open winner Kuznetsova had set up the win on Saturday in beating Garrigues and Carla Suarez Navarro to establish a 2-0 lead.
Kuznetsova then applied herself to the task once again with gusto to hand Russia the crown and render academic the second reverse singles between Zvonareva and Navarro and the doubles between Nuria Llagostera and Virginia Ruano Pascual and Elena Vesnina and Ekaterina Makarova.
Vesnina/Makarova breezed past Spanish doubles replacement Nuria Llagostera Vives/Carla Suarez Navarro 6-2, 6-1 for a 4-0 lead.
The final singles rubber was canceled
Kuznetsova, 7th in the WTA rankings, had to dig in for her win in 2 hours 30 minutes as 29th-ranked Medina tried to rescue some home pride.
But although she managed to capture the opening set Kuznetsova stepped up a gear to polish off the win.
Kuznetsova put her win down to an improved service showing.
"I served stronger than yesterday and that helped me. We have two players in the top 10 and so we have a little higher level than them.
"I blew a bit hot and cold but to hand the win to my country is just extraordinary for me. I love playing Fed Cup. I've not had the best year but I am still in the top 10," said the Russian, who added she was going to spend more time training in Moscow and less in Barcelona.
"I love Spain but I really miss my country. It's time to make the change," Kuznetsova said.
Medina meanwhile lamented being unable to hold on after her good start, adding that the Spaniards had given it their best shot throughout the tournament.
"It was a tough match and I was never really close. She really stepped up on the big points we can't criticize this team - we did very well to get to the final with these players and we can be satisfied overall," the Spaniard insisted as the host failed to pick up its sixth Fed Cup title.
Russian strength in depth - it has six players in the WTA top 20 - won out ultimately, with the champion able to land the trophy in the absence of star names such as Maria Sharapova and Olympic champion Elena Dementieva.
Before its purple patch of wins started with a maiden triumph in 2004 the Russians had made losing final appearances in 1988, 1990, 1999 and 2001.
Source: China Daily/Agencies
Olympic Games bronze medalist Vera Zvonareva and former US Open winner Kuznetsova had set up the win on Saturday in beating Garrigues and Carla Suarez Navarro to establish a 2-0 lead.
Kuznetsova then applied herself to the task once again with gusto to hand Russia the crown and render academic the second reverse singles between Zvonareva and Navarro and the doubles between Nuria Llagostera and Virginia Ruano Pascual and Elena Vesnina and Ekaterina Makarova.
Vesnina/Makarova breezed past Spanish doubles replacement Nuria Llagostera Vives/Carla Suarez Navarro 6-2, 6-1 for a 4-0 lead.
The final singles rubber was canceled
Kuznetsova, 7th in the WTA rankings, had to dig in for her win in 2 hours 30 minutes as 29th-ranked Medina tried to rescue some home pride.
But although she managed to capture the opening set Kuznetsova stepped up a gear to polish off the win.
Kuznetsova put her win down to an improved service showing.
"I served stronger than yesterday and that helped me. We have two players in the top 10 and so we have a little higher level than them.
"I blew a bit hot and cold but to hand the win to my country is just extraordinary for me. I love playing Fed Cup. I've not had the best year but I am still in the top 10," said the Russian, who added she was going to spend more time training in Moscow and less in Barcelona.
"I love Spain but I really miss my country. It's time to make the change," Kuznetsova said.
Medina meanwhile lamented being unable to hold on after her good start, adding that the Spaniards had given it their best shot throughout the tournament.
"It was a tough match and I was never really close. She really stepped up on the big points we can't criticize this team - we did very well to get to the final with these players and we can be satisfied overall," the Spaniard insisted as the host failed to pick up its sixth Fed Cup title.
Russian strength in depth - it has six players in the WTA top 20 - won out ultimately, with the champion able to land the trophy in the absence of star names such as Maria Sharapova and Olympic champion Elena Dementieva.
Before its purple patch of wins started with a maiden triumph in 2004 the Russians had made losing final appearances in 1988, 1990, 1999 and 2001.
Source: China Daily/Agencies
Bali to offer big bonus in WTA revamp
NUSA DUA, Indonesia: Winners of WTA International events in 2009 will have the chance of a million-dollar bonus at the new season-ending Bali Tournament of Champions, the WTA announced on Monday.
A player who wins three International tournaments plus the wrap-up round-robin Bali event on this tropical island will earn the bonus on top of her prize money.
The tournament will be limited to the top 10 WTA Tour players who have won at least one International title during the season as well two wildcards, although noone who has qualified for the elite season-ending Championships in Doha is eligible.
The Bali event, to be played indoors, will be staged from Nov 4-8 and feature a 12-woman round robin singles format , with $600,000 in prize money.
Officials at the popular tournament are looking forward to taking it to a new level.
"We are delighted that one of the most popular locations on the tour has been chosen Tournament of Champions," said tournament director Kevin Livesey.
The revamp is part of ambitious new plans for the women's game in 2009, with innovations including four mandatory mega-events in Beijing, Madrid, Miami and Indian Wells, California.
Source: China Daily/Agencies
A player who wins three International tournaments plus the wrap-up round-robin Bali event on this tropical island will earn the bonus on top of her prize money.
The tournament will be limited to the top 10 WTA Tour players who have won at least one International title during the season as well two wildcards, although noone who has qualified for the elite season-ending Championships in Doha is eligible.
The Bali event, to be played indoors, will be staged from Nov 4-8 and feature a 12-woman round robin singles format , with $600,000 in prize money.
Officials at the popular tournament are looking forward to taking it to a new level.
"We are delighted that one of the most popular locations on the tour has been chosen Tournament of Champions," said tournament director Kevin Livesey.
The revamp is part of ambitious new plans for the women's game in 2009, with innovations including four mandatory mega-events in Beijing, Madrid, Miami and Indian Wells, California.
Source: China Daily/Agencies
Richards and Defar finish season in style
STUTTGART: American sprinter Sanya Richards and Ethiopian distance runner Meseret Defar put their Olympic disappointments behind them with victories at the world athletics final on Sunday.
American 400m record holder Richards added the 400m title to her 200m victory on Saturday with a convincing victory over British Olympic champion Christine Ohuruogu in 50.41 seconds.
Defar outkicked Kenyan Vivian Cheruiyot for the second day in a row to win the 3,000m in 8 minutes 43.60 seconds.
Richards finished third in Beijing while Defar lost both her world record in the 5,000m and her Olympic title to compatriot Tirunesh Dibaba.
"Ending my season like this is a good indicator for 2009," Richard told reporters. "Winning the 400 at the world athletics final in the 400 was more important than winning the 200. I will work hard for next year's world championships."
Despite chilly conditions, Jamaican Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser clocked 10.94 seconds to win the women's 100m.
"I wanted to run sub-10.90, but this is still a good time," said Fraser, who emerged from obscurity to earn a spot on the Jamaican Olympic team and followed up with a surprise victory in Beijing. "I'm just so happy to end my season by winning this race."
Kenyan teenager Pamela Jelimo continued her remarkable success story by winning the 800m by more than two seconds in 1:56.23. The 18-year-old, who had not contested the event until April this year, was undefeated this season, winning both the Olympic title and the million dollar Golden League jackpot.
Vlasic triumphs
After two major disappointments, Blanka Vlasic ended her season on a high note with a victory in the high jump. The 24-year-old leaped 2.01m, beating both Olympic champion Tia Hellebaut of Belgium, who was third, and German Ariane Friedrich.
Friedrich's victory over the Croatian in Brussels last weekend cost Vlasic a half share of the Golden League jackpot.
Olympic 400m hurdles champion Melaine Walker won her event in 54.06, nearly a full second ahead of Ukraine's Anastasiya Rebchenyuk. Briton Tasha Danvers of Great Britain, the Olympic bronze medalist, tumbled over the second hurdle and finished eighth.
Elsewhere, Olympic hammer champion Primoz Kozmus of Slovenia won his event with a final round throw of 79.99m. Olympic women's shot put champion Valerie Vili of New Zealand won her event easily with a best of 19.69.
Paul Kipsiele Koech, the season's undisputed number one despite missing the Olympics, won the 3,000m steeplechase
In the absence of world record holder and Olympic champion Dayron Robles who was sidelined due to injury, American David Oliver won the high hurdles in 13.22 seconds.
Oliver, who joined the sub-13 second club this season, was the only man to defeat Robles this year.
Source: China Daily/Agencies
American 400m record holder Richards added the 400m title to her 200m victory on Saturday with a convincing victory over British Olympic champion Christine Ohuruogu in 50.41 seconds.
Defar outkicked Kenyan Vivian Cheruiyot for the second day in a row to win the 3,000m in 8 minutes 43.60 seconds.
Richards finished third in Beijing while Defar lost both her world record in the 5,000m and her Olympic title to compatriot Tirunesh Dibaba.
"Ending my season like this is a good indicator for 2009," Richard told reporters. "Winning the 400 at the world athletics final in the 400 was more important than winning the 200. I will work hard for next year's world championships."
Despite chilly conditions, Jamaican Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser clocked 10.94 seconds to win the women's 100m.
"I wanted to run sub-10.90, but this is still a good time," said Fraser, who emerged from obscurity to earn a spot on the Jamaican Olympic team and followed up with a surprise victory in Beijing. "I'm just so happy to end my season by winning this race."
Kenyan teenager Pamela Jelimo continued her remarkable success story by winning the 800m by more than two seconds in 1:56.23. The 18-year-old, who had not contested the event until April this year, was undefeated this season, winning both the Olympic title and the million dollar Golden League jackpot.
Vlasic triumphs
After two major disappointments, Blanka Vlasic ended her season on a high note with a victory in the high jump. The 24-year-old leaped 2.01m, beating both Olympic champion Tia Hellebaut of Belgium, who was third, and German Ariane Friedrich.
Friedrich's victory over the Croatian in Brussels last weekend cost Vlasic a half share of the Golden League jackpot.
Olympic 400m hurdles champion Melaine Walker won her event in 54.06, nearly a full second ahead of Ukraine's Anastasiya Rebchenyuk. Briton Tasha Danvers of Great Britain, the Olympic bronze medalist, tumbled over the second hurdle and finished eighth.
Elsewhere, Olympic hammer champion Primoz Kozmus of Slovenia won his event with a final round throw of 79.99m. Olympic women's shot put champion Valerie Vili of New Zealand won her event easily with a best of 19.69.
Paul Kipsiele Koech, the season's undisputed number one despite missing the Olympics, won the 3,000m steeplechase
In the absence of world record holder and Olympic champion Dayron Robles who was sidelined due to injury, American David Oliver won the high hurdles in 13.22 seconds.
Oliver, who joined the sub-13 second club this season, was the only man to defeat Robles this year.
Source: China Daily/Agencies
Stanford holds on for LPGA victory over China's Feng
MOBILE, Alabama: Angela Stanford squandered a comfortable cushion but sank a short par putt at the closing hole to hold off China's Feng Shanshan on Sunday and win the inaugural Bell Micro LPGA Classic.
Stanford, who held a four-shot lead heading into the final round, saw it dwindle to one stroke through 17 holes as she posted a double-bogey and three bogeys.
But her 1-over-par final-round 73 was enough to give the 30-year-old American her first LPGA victory since 2003.
She finished with an 11-under total of 277 in the $1.4 million tournament to collect a first-prize of $210,000.
Stanford also received her first champagne victory shower from Tour friends Kristy McPherson and Brittany Lincicome.
" felt great. I didn't get that my first time, the first win in '03," Stanford said. "So I think I'm pretty fortunate and very blessed to have friends out here that are so awesome and they're so sweet to hang around - they're just great.
"The final hole was a little more drama than I would have wanted, so it was a welcome treat to be greeted by my friends."
Nearly five years ago, Stanford went wire-to-wire to emerge victorious at the ShopRite LPGA Classic.
A week after that win, Stanford was part of a three-way, 18-hole playoff for the US Women's Open, which was won by Hilary Lunke.
"I'm more relieved than excited," she said. "I'm sure I'll be excited later, but just relieved that I did it again."
Feng carded a final-round 68 for a 10-under total of 278, while Kim Hall was third on eight-under 280.
Feng's round included an eagle at the par-five fourth, where she chipped from the fringe and tapped in, as well as four birdies and one bogey.
She did all she could to catch Stanford with a birdie at 18, where she knocked an 11-iron to 3 feet.
"I was pretty nervous at the last hole because I had a chance to win, but I had to make a birdie.
"And I hit a very great shot, just 3 feet by the hole, and I made it. So I was really happy, but I know that was all I could do. I tried my best."
Stanford, playing in the group behind Feng, eventually made her par for the victory, but Feng said putting pressure on the leader was her intent.
"I had a couple of chances to win earlier this year, so I'm thinking about the win, so I was trying," said the rookie, who notched her best finish on the LPGA Tour. "I was close."
Source: China Daily/Agencies
Stanford, who held a four-shot lead heading into the final round, saw it dwindle to one stroke through 17 holes as she posted a double-bogey and three bogeys.
But her 1-over-par final-round 73 was enough to give the 30-year-old American her first LPGA victory since 2003.
She finished with an 11-under total of 277 in the $1.4 million tournament to collect a first-prize of $210,000.
Stanford also received her first champagne victory shower from Tour friends Kristy McPherson and Brittany Lincicome.
" felt great. I didn't get that my first time, the first win in '03," Stanford said. "So I think I'm pretty fortunate and very blessed to have friends out here that are so awesome and they're so sweet to hang around - they're just great.
"The final hole was a little more drama than I would have wanted, so it was a welcome treat to be greeted by my friends."
Nearly five years ago, Stanford went wire-to-wire to emerge victorious at the ShopRite LPGA Classic.
A week after that win, Stanford was part of a three-way, 18-hole playoff for the US Women's Open, which was won by Hilary Lunke.
"I'm more relieved than excited," she said. "I'm sure I'll be excited later, but just relieved that I did it again."
Feng carded a final-round 68 for a 10-under total of 278, while Kim Hall was third on eight-under 280.
Feng's round included an eagle at the par-five fourth, where she chipped from the fringe and tapped in, as well as four birdies and one bogey.
She did all she could to catch Stanford with a birdie at 18, where she knocked an 11-iron to 3 feet.
"I was pretty nervous at the last hole because I had a chance to win, but I had to make a birdie.
"And I hit a very great shot, just 3 feet by the hole, and I made it. So I was really happy, but I know that was all I could do. I tried my best."
Stanford, playing in the group behind Feng, eventually made her par for the victory, but Feng said putting pressure on the leader was her intent.
"I had a couple of chances to win earlier this year, so I'm thinking about the win, so I was trying," said the rookie, who notched her best finish on the LPGA Tour. "I was close."
Source: China Daily/Agencies
Swimming roundup: USA regains dominance at Beijing Paralympics
Curtain was lowered for the nine-day swimming competitions at the Beijing Paralympics here on Monday as the United States regained its supremacy in the pool after suffering a slump in Athens four years ago.
Ace swimmer Erin Popovich spearheaded the U.S. team to overtake hosts China, who finished top of the swimming programs in Athens with 19 golds, in Beijing.
The 23-year-old Popovich, who stands 1.34 meters tall, was born with achondroplasia which restricts the growth of her limbs. But her miraculous run in Beijing has proven disabilities don't necessarily means limits.
Popovich claimed four straight wins in her favorite 200m individual medley SM7, 100m freestyle, 100m breaststroke and 400m freestyle. Four golds and two silvers out of six events put her to the top of the multi-medallists among American swimmers.
With the feats in the National Aquatics Center, better known as Water Cube, Popovich is seen as a Paralympic equivalent to American Olympian Phelps, who won his record eight swimming gold medals a few weeks ago. But the humble girl said the "superfish" was her idol and inspired her performance in Beijing.
"That's a great honour to be compared to him. He's obviously a wonderful swimmer and it's very incredible to see what he's been able to do. Seeing like what he did a few weeks ago here inspired me a lot and also gave me what needs to come here and to be successful." said Popovich.
Elsewhere, though losing the leading place on the medal table, China's dominance on the short race still exist.
Among them, Du Jianping, the opening gold medallist for the hosts' delegation of the Games, grabbed four golds in 50m backstroke S3, 100m freestyle, 4X50m freestyle relays 20 PTS, 4X50m medley relays to become China's most winning swimmer of the Games.
With the 25-year-old Du's lead, China clinched the last swimming gold medal on Monday night.
In men's 4X50m medley relays, Chinese quartet Du, Tang Yuan, Xu Qing and Yang Yuanrun overtook the lead after the final 50-meter turn and touched wall first with Yang's strong spurt. Their winning time 2 minutes 33.15 seconds also shattered the Brazilian's world record set in 2007, chopping 0.44 seconds.
China's newly-crowned leader Du said he didn't imagine he could make such feats before the Games.
"I didn't expect that I could win four golds. I will dedicate one of them to my coach, one to my parents and the other two to myself. I'm very happy with my performance in this Paralympics and I'm relaxed now." said the humble winner.
Another highlight of day came in men's 4x100m medley 34PTS. The Australian quartet, who took the lead after the 200-meter turn, out-touched Chinese counterparts by a margin of 0.77 seconds. The Aussie's winning time of 4:11.90 also broke the former world mark.
More than 560 swimmers with disabilities from around the world competed here in 140 events.
A total of 132 world records fell in the pool. The United States led the swimming tally with 17 golds, followed by China and Ukraine both with 13.
On the multi-medallist table, South African star Natalie du Toit and Australia's Matthew Cowdrey both grabbed five gold medals to become the most crowned swimmers in Beijing.
Source: Xinhua
Ace swimmer Erin Popovich spearheaded the U.S. team to overtake hosts China, who finished top of the swimming programs in Athens with 19 golds, in Beijing.
The 23-year-old Popovich, who stands 1.34 meters tall, was born with achondroplasia which restricts the growth of her limbs. But her miraculous run in Beijing has proven disabilities don't necessarily means limits.
Popovich claimed four straight wins in her favorite 200m individual medley SM7, 100m freestyle, 100m breaststroke and 400m freestyle. Four golds and two silvers out of six events put her to the top of the multi-medallists among American swimmers.
With the feats in the National Aquatics Center, better known as Water Cube, Popovich is seen as a Paralympic equivalent to American Olympian Phelps, who won his record eight swimming gold medals a few weeks ago. But the humble girl said the "superfish" was her idol and inspired her performance in Beijing.
"That's a great honour to be compared to him. He's obviously a wonderful swimmer and it's very incredible to see what he's been able to do. Seeing like what he did a few weeks ago here inspired me a lot and also gave me what needs to come here and to be successful." said Popovich.
Elsewhere, though losing the leading place on the medal table, China's dominance on the short race still exist.
Among them, Du Jianping, the opening gold medallist for the hosts' delegation of the Games, grabbed four golds in 50m backstroke S3, 100m freestyle, 4X50m freestyle relays 20 PTS, 4X50m medley relays to become China's most winning swimmer of the Games.
With the 25-year-old Du's lead, China clinched the last swimming gold medal on Monday night.
In men's 4X50m medley relays, Chinese quartet Du, Tang Yuan, Xu Qing and Yang Yuanrun overtook the lead after the final 50-meter turn and touched wall first with Yang's strong spurt. Their winning time 2 minutes 33.15 seconds also shattered the Brazilian's world record set in 2007, chopping 0.44 seconds.
China's newly-crowned leader Du said he didn't imagine he could make such feats before the Games.
"I didn't expect that I could win four golds. I will dedicate one of them to my coach, one to my parents and the other two to myself. I'm very happy with my performance in this Paralympics and I'm relaxed now." said the humble winner.
Another highlight of day came in men's 4x100m medley 34PTS. The Australian quartet, who took the lead after the 200-meter turn, out-touched Chinese counterparts by a margin of 0.77 seconds. The Aussie's winning time of 4:11.90 also broke the former world mark.
More than 560 swimmers with disabilities from around the world competed here in 140 events.
A total of 132 world records fell in the pool. The United States led the swimming tally with 17 golds, followed by China and Ukraine both with 13.
On the multi-medallist table, South African star Natalie du Toit and Australia's Matthew Cowdrey both grabbed five gold medals to become the most crowned swimmers in Beijing.
Source: Xinhua
Victor Vettel makes F1 history
MONZA, Italy: German Sebastian Vettel on Sunday won the Italian Grand Prix in treacherous wet conditions to become the youngest race winner in Formula One history.
The 21-year-old led all the way from the lights to the checkered flag to give his Toro Rosso team the greatest day in their history.
"I don't know what to say but this is just unbelievable. I feel so happy for me, for my family and the team," Vettel said.
"When I stood on the podium and saw the crowd it was a moment I will never forget for the rest of my life.
"We had a difficult start to the season and so who would have believed this - a pole and a win."
Championship leader Lewis Hamilton was seventh in his McLaren, after starting from 15th, but his advantage was cut to just one point with four races left.
"At least it was damage control. We came away with some points and we're still in the lead in the championship," said Hamilton whose title rival Felipe Massa was sixth in a Ferrari.
"It's definitely a relief knowing that we came out of here with some points and we didn't lose too many to anyone else."
Vettel, who also made history on Saturday by becoming the youngest driver to win pole, drove superbly to finish almost 13 seconds ahead of Heikki Kovalainen, in a McLaren, with Poland's Robert Kubica finishing third for BMW Sauber.
Kovalainen was happy with his performance, and took the time to praise the German boy wonder.
"Sebastian and Toro Rosso were strong all weekend and I had problems early on with the extreme wet tyres and my brakes.
"I think this was the best we can do today - good points and just look ahead now. I'm disappointed not to win."
Two-time world champion Spaniard Fernando Alonso was fourth for Renault, German Nick Heidfeld fifth in the second BMW and Massa sixth for Ferrari, scoring his first ever points in an Italian Grand Prix.
Australian Mark Webber came home eighth for Red Bull after a wheel-bashing incident with Hamilton in a contest that threw up as much incident as the previous week's controversial Belgian Grand Prix.
The race was only the fifth truly wet contest held at Monza in more than 50 years of world championship events, and the first run in such difficult conditions since the heyday of former champion Frenchman Alain Prost in 1981.
The previous youngest race winner was Spaniard Alonso, who was 22 years and 26 days old when he won the 2003 Hungarian Grand Prix for Renault. Vettel will not be 22 until July 3, next year. Vettel is 21 years and 73 days old.
Vettel romped into a strong lead after the safety car left the track, and soon established a comfortable margin in his Toro Rosso.
In the midfield, where Hamilton and Raikkonen started 15th and 14th, it took time before they could work their way forward and gain positions.
But Hamilton soon surged into a points-scoring eighth place, passing Kubica in his BMW Sauber.
Vettel, having established a lead of more than 11 seconds, came into the pits after 18 of the 53 laps and took on a fresh set of full-wet tyres.
Hamilton, clearly relishing the performance of his McLaren car, then ate into former team-mate Alonso's advantage and passed him for seventh place.
The Brit then pitted after 27 laps from second place, rejoining 10th, as several other drivers began to come in for fresh tyres and fuel.
By lap 32, Vettel was still out in front, 12.3 seconds clear of Kovalainen, with Kubica up to third, without a stop ahead of Mark Webber, and Massa was fifth.
Vettel and Hamilton soon pitted again as the rain held off and the Briton was left to work his way back up the field from 10th. Soon, he was up to seventh and clocking the fastest lap again.
But the history-making German stayed clear with a lead of 12.5 seconds ahead of Kovalainen as Kubica, Alonso and Nick Heidfeld finished ahead of Massa, fighting to defend his sixth place against Hamilton.
Source: China Daily/Agencies
The 21-year-old led all the way from the lights to the checkered flag to give his Toro Rosso team the greatest day in their history.
"I don't know what to say but this is just unbelievable. I feel so happy for me, for my family and the team," Vettel said.
"When I stood on the podium and saw the crowd it was a moment I will never forget for the rest of my life.
"We had a difficult start to the season and so who would have believed this - a pole and a win."
Championship leader Lewis Hamilton was seventh in his McLaren, after starting from 15th, but his advantage was cut to just one point with four races left.
"At least it was damage control. We came away with some points and we're still in the lead in the championship," said Hamilton whose title rival Felipe Massa was sixth in a Ferrari.
"It's definitely a relief knowing that we came out of here with some points and we didn't lose too many to anyone else."
Vettel, who also made history on Saturday by becoming the youngest driver to win pole, drove superbly to finish almost 13 seconds ahead of Heikki Kovalainen, in a McLaren, with Poland's Robert Kubica finishing third for BMW Sauber.
Kovalainen was happy with his performance, and took the time to praise the German boy wonder.
"Sebastian and Toro Rosso were strong all weekend and I had problems early on with the extreme wet tyres and my brakes.
"I think this was the best we can do today - good points and just look ahead now. I'm disappointed not to win."
Two-time world champion Spaniard Fernando Alonso was fourth for Renault, German Nick Heidfeld fifth in the second BMW and Massa sixth for Ferrari, scoring his first ever points in an Italian Grand Prix.
Australian Mark Webber came home eighth for Red Bull after a wheel-bashing incident with Hamilton in a contest that threw up as much incident as the previous week's controversial Belgian Grand Prix.
The race was only the fifth truly wet contest held at Monza in more than 50 years of world championship events, and the first run in such difficult conditions since the heyday of former champion Frenchman Alain Prost in 1981.
The previous youngest race winner was Spaniard Alonso, who was 22 years and 26 days old when he won the 2003 Hungarian Grand Prix for Renault. Vettel will not be 22 until July 3, next year. Vettel is 21 years and 73 days old.
Vettel romped into a strong lead after the safety car left the track, and soon established a comfortable margin in his Toro Rosso.
In the midfield, where Hamilton and Raikkonen started 15th and 14th, it took time before they could work their way forward and gain positions.
But Hamilton soon surged into a points-scoring eighth place, passing Kubica in his BMW Sauber.
Vettel, having established a lead of more than 11 seconds, came into the pits after 18 of the 53 laps and took on a fresh set of full-wet tyres.
Hamilton, clearly relishing the performance of his McLaren car, then ate into former team-mate Alonso's advantage and passed him for seventh place.
The Brit then pitted after 27 laps from second place, rejoining 10th, as several other drivers began to come in for fresh tyres and fuel.
By lap 32, Vettel was still out in front, 12.3 seconds clear of Kovalainen, with Kubica up to third, without a stop ahead of Mark Webber, and Massa was fifth.
Vettel and Hamilton soon pitted again as the rain held off and the Briton was left to work his way back up the field from 10th. Soon, he was up to seventh and clocking the fastest lap again.
But the history-making German stayed clear with a lead of 12.5 seconds ahead of Kovalainen as Kubica, Alonso and Nick Heidfeld finished ahead of Massa, fighting to defend his sixth place against Hamilton.
Source: China Daily/Agencies
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