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Grosso at Fiorentina is first coach fired this season in Europe’s 5 biggest leagues

FLORENCE, Italy (AP) — Fabio Grosso at Fiorentina became the first head coach fired in Europe’s five biggest soccer leagues this season. The Tuscan club celebrating its 100th anniversary has started 0-3 in Serie A.

“ACF Fiorentina confirm that Fabio Grosso has today been relieved of his duties as First Team Head Coach,” the club said late Sunday, a day after a 2-1 home loss to Torino.

Grosso, who converted the decisive penalty in Italy’s shootout victory over France in the 2006 World Cup final, was hired in June after Paolo Vanoli coached Fiorentina to a 15th-place finish last season.

On Monday, Vanoli was rehired to replace Grosso.

Grosso is the first head coach fired this campaign in the top leagues of Italy, England, France, Spain and Germany.

After beating Serie B side Benevento in the first round of the Italian Cup, Fiorentina was routed by Roma 4-0 in its Serie A opener then lost to promoted Frosinone 3-0 in its home league debut.

In Serie A, Fiorentina has scored one goal and conceded nine.

The poor results have come amid several celebrations for Fiorentina’s centennial. The club was founded in 1926.

Fiorentina owner Rocco Commisso died in January and the club is run by his son, Giuseppe Commisso.

Fiorentina next visits promoted Venezia on Friday, followed by an Italian Cup derby with Pisa next week.

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See AP’s full soccer coverage here

Breanna Stewart sparks US to 105-64 rout of Czech Republic after a scare vs Italy

BERLIN (AP) — Breanna Stewart had 19 points, seven rebounds and six assists to help the United States rout the Czech Republic 105-64 on Monday. The Americans rebounded from their worst preliminary-round game in 50 years after edging Italy 55-52 on Sunday. Stewart set the tone early to make sure that wouldn't happen again as the U.S. won its 33rd in a row in the tournament, going back to a semifinal loss to Russia in the 2006 World Cup. Next up for the U.S. is the quarterfinal round on Thursday. They’ll face the winner of the Hungary vs. Japan game which takes place Tuesday. Stewart had 11 points in the first 10 minutes as the U.S. jumped out to a 29-15 lead. The Americans had only 30 points in the first half against Italy. They kept it going in the second quarter behind Napheesa Collier, who had seven of her 12 points in the period.
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