England coach and Manchester United legend Gary Neville has been named Valencia boss for the rest of the season, the Spanish side announced on Wednesday.

"Valencia have reached an agreement with English coach Gary Neville for him to be coach of the first team until June 30, 2016," the club said in a statement.

Karim Benzema says his go-between role in the Mathieu Valbuena sextape blackmail case has been misunderstood as the Real Madrid striker prepares to explain himself on French TV on Wednesday.

The pre-recorded interview comes in the wake of comments from French Prime Minister Manuel Valls on Tuesday saying only players with exemplary records should represent France at Euro 2016.

At Portugal's Nazare beach, where thrill seekers come to catch some of the world's biggest waves, Brazilian surfer Maya Gabeira has made a comeback, little more than two years after her near-death wipeout there.

"I needed to come back, even if I wasn't sure about doing this," the 28-year-old told AFP after "working out" in mere five-meter (16-foot) waves at Praia do Norte, or North Beach, late last month.

The Philadelphia 76ers' historic and agonizing losing streak finally ended Tuesday as Kobe Bryant suffered more defeat with the Los Angeles Lakers in his first road match since announcing his plans to retire.

One more defeat for the Sixers on Tuesday -- 0-18 heading into the game -- would have given them sole possession of the record for the worst start to a season in NBA history.

In-form Kevin De Bruyne struck twice as Premier League leaders Manchester City overpowered Hull City 4-1 on Tuesday to lead three top-flight teams into the League Cup semi-finals.

De Bruyne had scored one goal and made two in Saturday's 3-1 win over Southampton and he continued in the same vein as the 2014 winners saw off second-tier Hull, with Wilfried Bony and Kelechi Iheanacho also scoring.

A youthful Atletico Madrid side came back from a goal down to beat third-tier Reus 2-1 on Tuesday to edge towards the last 16 of the Copa del Rey.

Lucas Hernandez's defensive error allowed Fran to fire the Catalans into a shock lead on the half hour mark.

Paris Saint-Germain's nine-match winning run in Ligue 1 was brought to a halt on Tuesday as they were held to a 0-0 draw away to promoted Angers.

In other matches Lyon battled Nantes to a goalless stalemate in Brittany while there were no goals between Lorient and Nice on a barren night for celebrations in France.

French Prime Minister Manuel Valls took a swipe at Real Madrid and France striker Karim Benzema on Tuesday, saying that great sportsmen should set a moral example.

"A great sportsman should set an example. So many kids, so many young people... see themselves in well-known sports people," Valls told Europe 1 radio.

Stephen Curry scored 26 points as the Golden State Warriors survived a furious late onslaught from the Utah Jazz on Monday to stretch their record-breaking unbeaten season start to 19 games.

Reigning NBA MVP Curry came to the Warriors rescue once again, producing a superb three-pointer with seconds left to put Golden State ahead 104-101 just moments after Utah had leveled.

Five years ago on Wednesday, FIFA's executive committee chose Russia to host the 2018 World Cup and Qatar for 2022 in one of the most controversial votes in sporting history.

Sixteen of the 24 executive members have been suspended, arrested for bribery, or banned. Others have faced questions about their record.