* Russia's Mikhail Safronov and his horse Common-Sense took the lead at the 4.1 million ruble ($152,000) Russian Equestrian Tournament, which started Thursday
* The Russian women's basketball team advanced to the semifinals of the Under-20 European Basketball Championship in Hungary, defeating Belgium 81-53
* The Russian men's basketball team lost its first group stage game at the Under 20 European Basketball Championship in Izmir, Turkey, which started July 14. The defending champions lost to France 63-92
* Russian wrestler Tatiana Ushakova won the 2006 Sambo World Cup in Astana, Kazakhstan in the under-60 kg weight category, beating Viktoria Nisht of Belarus in the final
* At the 323,750-euro Synsam Swedish Open tennis tournament in Bastad, Sweden:
- Russia's Nikolai Davydenko advanced to the semifinals, defeating Nicolas Massu of Chile 6-4, 6-3
- Russia's Yevgeny Korolyov failed to advance to the semifinals, losing to Tommy Robredeo of Spain 6-4, 3-6, 1-6
* The Russian volleyball team will take on France in Moscow on July 15 and 16 in the $20 million 2006 Volleyball World League
