11.   Majoli, who lost both matches on Saturday and Sunday, suddenly played well on the net, bringing precious points for Croatia.

12.   Newcastle lost a precious two points at home, and also may have lost striker Alan Shearer, who went off after the first half with a hamstring injury.

13.   Rennes improved its chances of staying in the first division with a precious point at Nantes.

14.   Second-place PSV Eindhoven also dropped two precious points in a goalless draw Saturday with second-to-bottom FC Utrecht.

15.   The pair are engaged in a tense battle for the World Cup overall title and are vying for precious points.

16.   A last minute own goal by Darryl Powell gave Southampton a precious point after Ashley Ward had put Derby ahead at the Baseball Ground.

17.   But it took luck, resolution and sheer excellence from Leighton to earn three precious points for the Scots.

18.   Despite her overwhelming strength as a technical skier, Schneider was always able to do well enough in speed events to earn precious points for her overall rankings.

19.   The precious point means Algeria retain a slender hope of advancing if they manage to defeat hosts Mali in their final Group A match on Monday.

20.   The precious point means Algeria retain a slender hope of advancing if they manage to defeat hosts Mali in their final match on Monday.