FOOTBALL

Samuel traded from Philadelphia to Atlanta for a seventh-round choice in NFL draft

The Atlanta Falcons gave up only a seventh-round draft pick Wednesday when they acquired four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Asante Samuel from the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Falcons announced the trade after Samuel agreed to restructure his contract to a three-year, $18.5 million deal. His contract with Philadelphia called for him to earn $9.9 million in 2012 and $11.4 million in 2013.

Samuel, 31, gives Atlanta a strong but high-priced trio at cornerback with Dunta Robinson and Brent Grimes under new defensive coordinator Mike Nolan.

• Restricted free-agent running back Kahlil Bell signed his one-year tender offer with the Bears.

SOCCER

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Bayern Munich beat Real Madrid, playing at home, 3-1 on penalties to secure its place against Chelsea in the Champions League final May 19 at Munich.

Bayern became the first team to play the final at its home ground after Bastian Schweinsteiger beat goalkeeper Iker Casillas with the final spot kick. The Germans reached their second final in three seasons.

HORSE RACING

VALENZUELA BACK: Jockey Patrick Valenzuela plans to resume his riding career at Hollywood Park today after briefly retiring.

Valenzuela, 49, called it quits in November, citing gall bladder surgery and weight issues.

BASKETBALL

WNBA: Forward Candace Parker, who averaged 18.5 points and 8.6 rebounds in 17 games last season before missing 15 games because of a right knee injury, signed a multiyear contract extension with Los Angeles.

Parker, who is currently playing in Russia, will be part of the U.S. women’s team at the London Olympics.

COLLEGES

FOOTBALL: Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany said BCS officials are narrowing the field of possible changes to college football’s postseason, and the Rose Bowl is not standing in the way of progress.

Among the options being discussed is a four-team playoff that could be held separate from the bowls.

TENNIS

PORSCHE GRAND PRIX: Second-ranked Maria Sharapova began her clay court season by reaching the quarterfinals when her opponent, Alize Cornet of France, retired with a shoulder injury at Stuttgart, Germany.

Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark advanced to the second round when Jelena Jankovic of Serbia also retired. Mona Barthel of Germany saved three set points and rallied to upset Ana Ivanovic of Serbia 7-5, 7-6 (4) in another first-round match.

BARCELONA OPEN: Rafael Nadal overcame a sore knee to open his bid for a seventh title with an easy 6-1, 6-2 victory against Guillermo Garcia Lopez in the second round.

HOCKEY

NHL: Florida goaltender Jose Theodore did an on-ice workout and is hoping to play at home tonight against the New Jersey Devils in Game 7 of their Eastern Conference first-round series.

Theodore missed the Game 6 overtime loss Tuesday night at New Jersey with an unspecified injury.

• Henrik Lundqvist of the Rangers, Jonathan Quick of the Kings and Pekka Rinne of the Predators are the finalists for the Vezina Trophy, awarded to the best goaltender.

PREP SCHOOLS

GIRLS’ LACROSSE: Shannon Sarrell and Lyndsay Brattan each had two goals, and Kaitlyn Wurzer made five saves for Berwick Academy (5-2) in a 10-6 loss to Pingree (4-2) at South Berwick.

SOFTBALL: Savannah Poole finished with three doubles and Samantha Larrabee had two as Kents Hill (2-6) beat North Yarmouth Academy (0-1) 21-6 at Yarmouth. Maggie Bertocci led the Panthers with two doubles.

• Becca Siegel went 2 for 4 with two RBI and a run to lead Berwick Academy (3-3, 2-3 Eastern Independent) to a 6-2 victory against Beaver Country Day School (0-4) at Berwick. Kristin Sanborn also drove in a run and scored twice.

— From staff and news services