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Romanian legendary manager Mircea Lucescu passes away aged 80  Romanian football legend Mircea Lucescu — a serial trophy winner as a player and a coach — passed away aged 80 on Tuesday.Lucescu’s death was confirmed by Bucharest University Emergency Hospital, where he had been admitted after reportedly suffering a heart attack on Friday morning.“Mr. Mircea Lucescu was one of the most successful Romanian football coaches and players, the first to qualify the Romanian national team for a European Championship, in 1984,” the hospital said in a statement. “Entire generations of Romanians grew up with his image in their hearts, as a national symbol.”Lucescu had a lengthy coaching career and was in his second spell with the Romanian national team until stepping down last Thursday after falling ill during training. Three days earlier, Romania had missed out on qualification to the World Cup after losing to Turkey in a playoff.As a player, Lucescu captained his country at the 1970 World Cup.Lucescu’s coaching career spanned almost half a century, from late-1970s Romania to 2026 World Cup qualifying, as Eastern European football was transformed by political and economic changes after the fall of communism, and later by the effects of Russia’s actions in Ukraine.Lucescu spent 12 years as coach of Shakhtar Donetsk, where billionaire Rinat Akhmetov’s backing assembled a squad filled with up-and-coming Brazilian talents. Lucescu forged a team that became a Champions League regular and won the UEFA Cup in 2009. Mircea Lucescu (second from right) celebrates winning the Ukrainian top division with Shakhtar Donetsk. He won eight top flight titles with the side..
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                REUTERS
                            

                            Mircea Lucescu (second from right) celebrates winning the Ukrainian top division with Shakhtar Donetsk. He won eight top flight titles with the side..
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                REUTERS
                                                    By the time Lucescu left in 2016, Shakhtar had left its home city of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine after a takeover by Russia-backed separatists.His later moves to Russia’s Zenit St. Petersburg and to Shakhtar’s bitter Ukrainian rival Dynamo Kyiv were less well-received by Shakhtar fans.Internationally, Lucescu coached Turkey as well as Romania. His second spell with Romania started in 2024, 38 years after he’d left the national team the first time. His last game was the loss to Turkey.Lucescu coached Pisa, Brescia, Reggiana and Inter Milan in Italy and is remembered fondly in the north of the country, especially at Brescia — despite his tenure being marked by several ups and downs.His team there was dubbed Brescia Romeno after Lucescu signed four of his compatriots, including one of Romania’s greatest ever players, Gheorghe Hagi, between stints at Barcelona and Real Madrid.Published on Apr 08, 2026  #Romanian #legendary #manager #Mircea #Lucescu #passes #aged

Romanian legendary manager Mircea Lucescu passes away aged 80

Romanian football legend Mircea Lucescu — a serial trophy winner as a player and a coach — passed away aged 80 on Tuesday.

Lucescu’s death was confirmed by Bucharest University Emergency Hospital, where he had been admitted after reportedly suffering a heart attack on Friday morning.

“Mr. Mircea Lucescu was one of the most successful Romanian football coaches and players, the first to qualify the Romanian national team for a European Championship, in 1984,” the hospital said in a statement. “Entire generations of Romanians grew up with his image in their hearts, as a national symbol.”

Lucescu had a lengthy coaching career and was in his second spell with the Romanian national team until stepping down last Thursday after falling ill during training. Three days earlier, Romania had missed out on qualification to the World Cup after losing to Turkey in a playoff.

As a player, Lucescu captained his country at the 1970 World Cup.

Lucescu’s coaching career spanned almost half a century, from late-1970s Romania to 2026 World Cup qualifying, as Eastern European football was transformed by political and economic changes after the fall of communism, and later by the effects of Russia’s actions in Ukraine.

Lucescu spent 12 years as coach of Shakhtar Donetsk, where billionaire Rinat Akhmetov’s backing assembled a squad filled with up-and-coming Brazilian talents. Lucescu forged a team that became a Champions League regular and won the UEFA Cup in 2009.

Romanian legendary manager Mircea Lucescu passes away aged 80  Romanian football legend Mircea Lucescu — a serial trophy winner as a player and a coach — passed away aged 80 on Tuesday.Lucescu’s death was confirmed by Bucharest University Emergency Hospital, where he had been admitted after reportedly suffering a heart attack on Friday morning.“Mr. Mircea Lucescu was one of the most successful Romanian football coaches and players, the first to qualify the Romanian national team for a European Championship, in 1984,” the hospital said in a statement. “Entire generations of Romanians grew up with his image in their hearts, as a national symbol.”Lucescu had a lengthy coaching career and was in his second spell with the Romanian national team until stepping down last Thursday after falling ill during training. Three days earlier, Romania had missed out on qualification to the World Cup after losing to Turkey in a playoff.As a player, Lucescu captained his country at the 1970 World Cup.Lucescu’s coaching career spanned almost half a century, from late-1970s Romania to 2026 World Cup qualifying, as Eastern European football was transformed by political and economic changes after the fall of communism, and later by the effects of Russia’s actions in Ukraine.Lucescu spent 12 years as coach of Shakhtar Donetsk, where billionaire Rinat Akhmetov’s backing assembled a squad filled with up-and-coming Brazilian talents. Lucescu forged a team that became a Champions League regular and won the UEFA Cup in 2009. Mircea Lucescu (second from right) celebrates winning the Ukrainian top division with Shakhtar Donetsk. He won eight top flight titles with the side..
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                REUTERS
                            

                            Mircea Lucescu (second from right) celebrates winning the Ukrainian top division with Shakhtar Donetsk. He won eight top flight titles with the side..
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                REUTERS
                                                    By the time Lucescu left in 2016, Shakhtar had left its home city of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine after a takeover by Russia-backed separatists.His later moves to Russia’s Zenit St. Petersburg and to Shakhtar’s bitter Ukrainian rival Dynamo Kyiv were less well-received by Shakhtar fans.Internationally, Lucescu coached Turkey as well as Romania. His second spell with Romania started in 2024, 38 years after he’d left the national team the first time. His last game was the loss to Turkey.Lucescu coached Pisa, Brescia, Reggiana and Inter Milan in Italy and is remembered fondly in the north of the country, especially at Brescia — despite his tenure being marked by several ups and downs.His team there was dubbed Brescia Romeno after Lucescu signed four of his compatriots, including one of Romania’s greatest ever players, Gheorghe Hagi, between stints at Barcelona and Real Madrid.Published on Apr 08, 2026  #Romanian #legendary #manager #Mircea #Lucescu #passes #aged

Mircea Lucescu (second from right) celebrates winning the Ukrainian top division with Shakhtar Donetsk. He won eight top flight titles with the side.. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

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Mircea Lucescu (second from right) celebrates winning the Ukrainian top division with Shakhtar Donetsk. He won eight top flight titles with the side.. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

By the time Lucescu left in 2016, Shakhtar had left its home city of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine after a takeover by Russia-backed separatists.

His later moves to Russia’s Zenit St. Petersburg and to Shakhtar’s bitter Ukrainian rival Dynamo Kyiv were less well-received by Shakhtar fans.

Internationally, Lucescu coached Turkey as well as Romania. His second spell with Romania started in 2024, 38 years after he’d left the national team the first time. His last game was the loss to Turkey.

Lucescu coached Pisa, Brescia, Reggiana and Inter Milan in Italy and is remembered fondly in the north of the country, especially at Brescia — despite his tenure being marked by several ups and downs.

His team there was dubbed Brescia Romeno after Lucescu signed four of his compatriots, including one of Romania’s greatest ever players, Gheorghe Hagi, between stints at Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Published on Apr 08, 2026

#Romanian #legendary #manager #Mircea #Lucescu #passes #aged

Romanian football legend Mircea Lucescu — a serial trophy winner as a player and a coach — passed away aged 80 on Tuesday.

Lucescu’s death was confirmed by Bucharest University Emergency Hospital, where he had been admitted after reportedly suffering a heart attack on Friday morning.

“Mr. Mircea Lucescu was one of the most successful Romanian football coaches and players, the first to qualify the Romanian national team for a European Championship, in 1984,” the hospital said in a statement. “Entire generations of Romanians grew up with his image in their hearts, as a national symbol.”

Lucescu had a lengthy coaching career and was in his second spell with the Romanian national team until stepping down last Thursday after falling ill during training. Three days earlier, Romania had missed out on qualification to the World Cup after losing to Turkey in a playoff.

As a player, Lucescu captained his country at the 1970 World Cup.

Lucescu’s coaching career spanned almost half a century, from late-1970s Romania to 2026 World Cup qualifying, as Eastern European football was transformed by political and economic changes after the fall of communism, and later by the effects of Russia’s actions in Ukraine.

Lucescu spent 12 years as coach of Shakhtar Donetsk, where billionaire Rinat Akhmetov’s backing assembled a squad filled with up-and-coming Brazilian talents. Lucescu forged a team that became a Champions League regular and won the UEFA Cup in 2009.

Mircea Lucescu (second from right) celebrates winning the Ukrainian top division with Shakhtar Donetsk. He won eight top flight titles with the side..
| Photo Credit:
REUTERS

lightbox-info

Mircea Lucescu (second from right) celebrates winning the Ukrainian top division with Shakhtar Donetsk. He won eight top flight titles with the side..
| Photo Credit:
REUTERS

By the time Lucescu left in 2016, Shakhtar had left its home city of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine after a takeover by Russia-backed separatists.

His later moves to Russia’s Zenit St. Petersburg and to Shakhtar’s bitter Ukrainian rival Dynamo Kyiv were less well-received by Shakhtar fans.

Internationally, Lucescu coached Turkey as well as Romania. His second spell with Romania started in 2024, 38 years after he’d left the national team the first time. His last game was the loss to Turkey.

Lucescu coached Pisa, Brescia, Reggiana and Inter Milan in Italy and is remembered fondly in the north of the country, especially at Brescia — despite his tenure being marked by several ups and downs.

His team there was dubbed Brescia Romeno after Lucescu signed four of his compatriots, including one of Romania’s greatest ever players, Gheorghe Hagi, between stints at Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Published on Apr 08, 2026

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Deadspin | Jake Sanderson, Senators record key victory over Lightning <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28679390.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28679390.jpg" alt="NHL: Tampa Bay Lightning at Ottawa Senators" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 7, 2026; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators center Tim Stutzle (18) and Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak (81) vie for the puck during the first period at Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Keito Newman-Imagn Images <!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Jake Sanderson scored twice and Brady Tkachuk logged four assists to help the Ottawa Senators tighten their hold on a playoff spot with a 6-2 win against the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Tim Stutzle had a goal and two assists for the Senators (41-27-10, 92 points), who have won two straight and three of their past four games to remain in the second Eastern Conference wild-card spot. Ottawa is two points up on the Columbus Blue Jackets and three points ahead of both the Detroit Red Wings and New York Islanders.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Ottawa got a goal apiece from Jordan Spence, Shane Pinto and Fabian Zetterlund, and Drake Batherson had two assists. Goalie Linus Ullmark made 28 saves.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Nick Paul and Corey Perry each had a goal and an assist while Jonas Johansson made 26 saves for the Lightning (48-24-6, 102 points), who have lost consecutive games for the first time since March 8-10. Tampa Bay is now in a three-way tie for first place in the Atlantic Division with the Buffalo Sabres and the Montreal Canadiens.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>Spence gave Ottawa a 1-0 lead at 15:46 of the second period. He finished off a short give-and-go with Tkachuk on a 2-on-1 and beat Johansson with a shot from the right hashmark that went in off the crossbar.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>Paul tied it 1-1 when he received a feed from Perry and lifted a backhand over Ullmark’s glove from in front at 18:23 of the middle period.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-7"> <p>Zetterlund’s shot from the top of the left circle went off Erik Cernak and past Johansson to put Ottawa ahead 2-1 at 2:45 of the third period.</p> </section> <section id="section-8"> <p>Sanderson pushed it to 3-1 at 4:39. He took a pass from Stutzle in the neutral zone, skated down the right side and then cut to the net to slip a backhand under Johansson’s left pad.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>Perry pulled the Lightning with 3-2 at 10:35, tipping Ryan McDonagh’s shot over Ullmark.</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>Stutzle pounced on a rebound amid a scramble in the crease and put it over Johansson’s right pad on a power play to make it 4-2 at 12:51. Tampa Bay challenged for goaltender interference, but the call on the ice stood after video review, sending Ottawa back on the power play.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>Sanderson capitalized on the man advantage to increase it to 5-2, taking a feed from Tkachuk for a partial break and slipping a backhand by Johansson’s left pad at 13:04.</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>Pinto scored a short-handed empty-net goal at 16:41 for the 6-2 final.</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #Jake #Sanderson #Senators #record #key #victory #Lightning

Two-time Olympic medallist P.V. Sindhu survived a scare in the first round of the Badminton Asia Championships 2026 in Ningbo, China, on Wednesday.

Playing a match after more than two months, Sindhu came from behind to defeat Malaysian World No. 38 Wong Ling Ching 15-21, 21-11, 21-19 in an hour and seven minutes. The Indian will face second-seeded Chinese and two-time champion Wang Zhi Yi for a place in the quarterfinals.

Earlier, Ayush delivered a statement performance, upsetting World No. 7 and last year’s bronze medallist Li Shi Feng of China in straight games – 21-13, 21-16 in 51 minutes. Ayush will take on Chi Yu Jen of Chinese Taipei in the round of 16.

Later in the day, Lakshya Sen, H.S. Prannoy, Kidambi Srikanth, Unnati Hooda and Tanvi Sharma will also be in action singles.

Indian Results (Round of 32)

Women’s Singles: P. V. Sindhu bt Wong Ling Ching (MAS) 15-21, 21-11, 21-19; Busanan Ongbamrungphan (THA) bt Malvika Bansod 21-10, 21-19

Men’s Singles: Ayush Shetty bt [5] Li Shi Feng (CHN) 21-13, 21-16

Women’s Doubles: [8] Li Yi Jing (CHN)/Luo Xu Min (CHN) bt Kavipriya Selvam/Simran Singhi 21-9, 21-8

Published on Apr 08, 2026

#Badminton #Asia #Championships #Sindhu #wins #thriller">Badminton Asia Championships 2026: Sindhu wins a thriller in first round  Two-time Olympic medallist P.V. Sindhu survived a scare in the first round of the Badminton Asia Championships 2026 in Ningbo, China, on Wednesday.Playing a match after more than two months, Sindhu came from behind to defeat Malaysian World No. 38 Wong Ling Ching 15-21, 21-11, 21-19 in an hour and seven minutes. The Indian will face second-seeded Chinese and two-time champion Wang Zhi Yi for a place in the quarterfinals.Earlier, Ayush delivered a statement performance, upsetting World No. 7 and last year’s bronze medallist Li Shi Feng of China in straight games – 21-13, 21-16 in 51 minutes. Ayush will take on Chi Yu Jen of Chinese Taipei in the round of 16.Later in the day, Lakshya Sen, H.S. Prannoy, Kidambi Srikanth, Unnati Hooda and Tanvi Sharma will also be in action singles.Indian Results (Round of 32)Women’s Singles: P. V. Sindhu bt Wong Ling Ching (MAS) 15-21, 21-11, 21-19; Busanan Ongbamrungphan (THA) bt Malvika Bansod 21-10, 21-19Men’s Singles: Ayush Shetty bt [5] Li Shi Feng (CHN) 21-13, 21-16Women’s Doubles: [8] Li Yi Jing (CHN)/Luo Xu Min (CHN) bt Kavipriya Selvam/Simran Singhi 21-9, 21-8Published on Apr 08, 2026  #Badminton #Asia #Championships #Sindhu #wins #thriller

Deadspin | Reds avoid near-blanking, force extras to stun Marlins  Apr 7, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA;  Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Andrew Abbott (41) pitches against the Miami Marlins in the first inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Rhona Wise-Imagn Images   The Cincinnati Reds — scoreless against Sandy Alcantara until the ninth inning — rallied to defeat the host Miami Marlins 6-3 in 10 innings on Tuesday night.  Cincinnati tied the score in the ninth on a two-out wild pitch by Anthony Bender, and the Reds took control in the 10th on Nathaniel Lowe’s go-ahead RBI single and Matt McLain’s two-run double.  Alcantara, who was removed after 95 pitches, took a tough-luck no-decision as his 30-inning streak of not allowing an earned run was broken in the ninth.  He allowed just three hits — two singles and one double — plus two walks and two runs in 8 1/3 innings, striking out six. Miami started the ninth with a 2-0 lead, and both runs were scored while Bender was on the mound.  Marlins center fielder Jakob Marsee, who entered the game batting just .105, went 2-for-4 with one walk, two runs and a career-high four stolen bases. In 65 previous major league games, Marsee had stolen only 15 bases.  Reds starter Andrew Abbott took a no-decision, allowing six hits, two walks and two runs in 5 1/3 innings.  Alcantara retired Cincinnati’s first 12 batters before Miami native Sal Stewart singled to open the fifth.   Meanwhile, the Marlins opened the scoring in the fourth. The rally started with leadoff batter Agustin Ramirez’s blistering 113-mph double that was nearly caught by left fielder Spencer Steer, who retreated only to have the ball deflect off the top of his glove.  Next, Marsee tried a sacrifice bunt that turned into a single when he beat the throw at first. That put runners on the corners, and Miami cashed in with Otto Lopez’s RBI groundout. Marsee, who had stolen second base, scored on another RBI groundout, this one by Heriberto Hernandez.  The Reds tied the score in the ninth. With one out and none on, the Reds chased Alcantara after McLain’s double and Elly De La Cruz’s walk. Bender allowed a double steal, and Stewart delivered a sacrifice fly to spoil the shutout. Bender then bounced a wild pitch, allowing De La Cruz to score from third.  In the top of the 10th, the biggest hits were Lowe’s 106-mph single to center that made it 3-2 and McLain’s 386-foot drive to left for a pair of insurance runs.  Graham Ashcraft allowed one run in the bottom half on a fielder’s choice before a game-ending double play.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Reds #avoid #nearblanking #force #extras #stun #MarlinsApr 7, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Andrew Abbott (41) pitches against the Miami Marlins in the first inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Rhona Wise-Imagn Images

The Cincinnati Reds — scoreless against Sandy Alcantara until the ninth inning — rallied to defeat the host Miami Marlins 6-3 in 10 innings on Tuesday night.

Cincinnati tied the score in the ninth on a two-out wild pitch by Anthony Bender, and the Reds took control in the 10th on Nathaniel Lowe’s go-ahead RBI single and Matt McLain’s two-run double.

Alcantara, who was removed after 95 pitches, took a tough-luck no-decision as his 30-inning streak of not allowing an earned run was broken in the ninth.

He allowed just three hits — two singles and one double — plus two walks and two runs in 8 1/3 innings, striking out six. Miami started the ninth with a 2-0 lead, and both runs were scored while Bender was on the mound.

Marlins center fielder Jakob Marsee, who entered the game batting just .105, went 2-for-4 with one walk, two runs and a career-high four stolen bases. In 65 previous major league games, Marsee had stolen only 15 bases.

Reds starter Andrew Abbott took a no-decision, allowing six hits, two walks and two runs in 5 1/3 innings.


Alcantara retired Cincinnati’s first 12 batters before Miami native Sal Stewart singled to open the fifth.

Meanwhile, the Marlins opened the scoring in the fourth. The rally started with leadoff batter Agustin Ramirez’s blistering 113-mph double that was nearly caught by left fielder Spencer Steer, who retreated only to have the ball deflect off the top of his glove.

Next, Marsee tried a sacrifice bunt that turned into a single when he beat the throw at first. That put runners on the corners, and Miami cashed in with Otto Lopez’s RBI groundout. Marsee, who had stolen second base, scored on another RBI groundout, this one by Heriberto Hernandez.

The Reds tied the score in the ninth. With one out and none on, the Reds chased Alcantara after McLain’s double and Elly De La Cruz’s walk. Bender allowed a double steal, and Stewart delivered a sacrifice fly to spoil the shutout. Bender then bounced a wild pitch, allowing De La Cruz to score from third.

In the top of the 10th, the biggest hits were Lowe’s 106-mph single to center that made it 3-2 and McLain’s 386-foot drive to left for a pair of insurance runs.

Graham Ashcraft allowed one run in the bottom half on a fielder’s choice before a game-ending double play.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Reds #avoid #nearblanking #force #extras #stun #Marlins">Deadspin | Reds avoid near-blanking, force extras to stun Marlins  Apr 7, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA;  Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Andrew Abbott (41) pitches against the Miami Marlins in the first inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Rhona Wise-Imagn Images   The Cincinnati Reds — scoreless against Sandy Alcantara until the ninth inning — rallied to defeat the host Miami Marlins 6-3 in 10 innings on Tuesday night.  Cincinnati tied the score in the ninth on a two-out wild pitch by Anthony Bender, and the Reds took control in the 10th on Nathaniel Lowe’s go-ahead RBI single and Matt McLain’s two-run double.  Alcantara, who was removed after 95 pitches, took a tough-luck no-decision as his 30-inning streak of not allowing an earned run was broken in the ninth.  He allowed just three hits — two singles and one double — plus two walks and two runs in 8 1/3 innings, striking out six. Miami started the ninth with a 2-0 lead, and both runs were scored while Bender was on the mound.  Marlins center fielder Jakob Marsee, who entered the game batting just .105, went 2-for-4 with one walk, two runs and a career-high four stolen bases. In 65 previous major league games, Marsee had stolen only 15 bases.  Reds starter Andrew Abbott took a no-decision, allowing six hits, two walks and two runs in 5 1/3 innings.  Alcantara retired Cincinnati’s first 12 batters before Miami native Sal Stewart singled to open the fifth.   Meanwhile, the Marlins opened the scoring in the fourth. The rally started with leadoff batter Agustin Ramirez’s blistering 113-mph double that was nearly caught by left fielder Spencer Steer, who retreated only to have the ball deflect off the top of his glove.  Next, Marsee tried a sacrifice bunt that turned into a single when he beat the throw at first. That put runners on the corners, and Miami cashed in with Otto Lopez’s RBI groundout. Marsee, who had stolen second base, scored on another RBI groundout, this one by Heriberto Hernandez.  The Reds tied the score in the ninth. With one out and none on, the Reds chased Alcantara after McLain’s double and Elly De La Cruz’s walk. Bender allowed a double steal, and Stewart delivered a sacrifice fly to spoil the shutout. Bender then bounced a wild pitch, allowing De La Cruz to score from third.  In the top of the 10th, the biggest hits were Lowe’s 106-mph single to center that made it 3-2 and McLain’s 386-foot drive to left for a pair of insurance runs.  Graham Ashcraft allowed one run in the bottom half on a fielder’s choice before a game-ending double play.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Reds #avoid #nearblanking #force #extras #stun #Marlins

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