RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil -- Germany midfielder Christoph Kramers head injury in the World Cup final on Sunday has revived concerns about the way football deals with concussions. Jonas Valanciunas Jersey . It was the latest in a series of head injuries at the World Cup that raised questions about the sideline medical checks. Kramer continued playing for 14 minutes in the first half of the final at Maracana Stadium after taking a heavy blow to the face in a collision with Argentina defender Ezequiel Garay. He was eventually replaced in the 31st minute after slumping to the ground, and the German football federation said he had a suspected concussion. It didnt give any more details. Kramer appeared to be disorientated as he was helped off the field by medical staff. In his absence, Germany went on to beat Argentina 1-0 in extra time to lift the World Cup. "I cant remember very much but it doesnt matter now," he said, shrugging off the injury. "I have to send regards to my grandmother. She has a birthday today and I couldnt reach her." There were worrying head injuries for players earlier in the tournament. Argentina players Javier Mascherano and Pablo Zabaleta also played on in their teams semifinal against the Netherlands in Sao Paulo after hard knocks to the head. Mascherano appeared to be completely disorientated and fell to the ground after a clash of heads with a Dutch player. Both Mascherano and Zabaleta started in the final. Questions about FIFAs concussion protocol were initially raised in the group stage of the World Cup when Uruguay defender Alvaro Pereira refused to leave the field after being hit in the head by an England opponents knee. Pereira lay motionless for a short while and appeared to be briefly unconscious, but was still allowed to come back onto the field and continue playing. Uruguay team doctor Alberto Pan initially made hand signals for a substitution but then seemingly changed his mind after the clearly dizzy player furiously protested. The images provoked criticism from professional players union FIFPro, head injury specialists and others. Pereira later said the blow knocked him out and "was like the lights went out." "I was also not happy with that situation. I must confess that," said Michel DHooghe, a member of the FIFA executive board and chairman of its medical committee. The incidents have led to debate over whether FIFA should allow a temporary substitution so a player can get a head injury properly checked. Top-level rugby, for example, allows players who are suspected of having concussion to leave the field and be looked over by a doctor, and temporarily replaced with someone off the bench. FIFA medical chief DHooghe told The AP earlier in the tournament that he doesnt oppose the idea. Devin Robinson Raptors Jersey . Pillar is batting .305 with 17 extra-base hits, 19 RBI and five stolen bases in 34 games for Buffalo this season. The right-handed hitter had an International League high, 18-game hitting streak this season and currently owns an IL high 26-game on base streak. Kawhi Leonard Raptors Jersey .3 seconds remaining, and No. 7 North Carolina held off a resilient No. 25 Virginia team, 54-51, on Saturday. John Henson contributed a double-double with 15 points to go with 11 rebounds for the Tar Heels (25-4, 12-2 ACC), who have won five straight and 10 of 11. https://www.raptorsrookiesshop.com/Malachi-Richardson-City-Edition-Jersey/ .com) - Manchester City will face a steep test in the Champions League knockout stage as the English champions were drawn with Barcelona on Monday.CLEVELAND -- Jason Giambi pulled the red-and-blue block "C" cap off the hook in his locker, slipped it on and worked the bill, bending it to his exacting standards. Everything had to be just right. "Time to get that first one in," he said. After missing Clevelands first 18 games recovering from broken rib, Giambi was activated from the disabled Monday and was to make his season debut in the opener of a four-game series against the Kansas City Royals. Giambi was batting seventh. Indians manager Terry Francona was thrilled to have him anywhere in his lineup. "Im really glad," Francona said. "He means a lot to what we do. If he wants to hit a homer or two today, thats welcome. But having him back is real good. Hes one of the more special people that weve all been around, so to have him back fighting with us is a good thing." The 43-year-old Giambi is in his second season with the Indians, who werent sure what they were getting when they signed him to a minor league contract before the 2013 season. And although Giambi batted only .183 in 71 games, he provided invaluable leadership in Clevelands clubhouse and produced a few spine-tingling moments, none bigger than a game-ending pinch-homer on Sept. 24 that beat the Chicago White Sox. The win came during a 10-game winning streak that put the Indians in the playoffs for the first time since 2007. "That moment is what keeps me coming back," Giambi said. "You dont forget those. Those are special. What made it great was the time it happened and how hard we worked. And if that game gets away -- ... It was sppecial. Matt Thomas Raptors Jersey. It gave everybody a taste of that finish, to go to the playoffs and be a part of it." With Giambi returning, Francona juggled his lineup, giving backup catcher and cleanup hitter Carlos Santana the night off. Lonnie Chisenhall started at third and batted fourth. Francona noticed Santana lunging at pitches Sunday and thought he could use a mental break. "I thought it would be good for him because hes starting to chase some balls out of the zone," he said. "I thought he was getting a little anxious. Hes always had that volatile swing, and he stays in the zone so well, but yesterday I thought he started chasing. So I thought I would give him a night to kind of take it easy." Giambis return gave Francona another offensive weapon, a needed one for a team thats struggled offensively. "Its a big, powerful lefty bat who can change the score with one swing," Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis said. "He just adds a confidence to the rest of the lineup." Giambi has become something of a big-brother figure to many of the younger Indians. After he finished dressing for batting practice, Giambi walked past Kipnis locker and reminded him that time was running short. "You got three minutes, kid," Giambi yelled to Kipnis, who said his older teammates contributions go way beyond hitting home runs. "People just feed off his positive energy and the experience he has," Kipnis said. "He just makes you feel more comfortable. Youre more relaxed knowing hes on your side. You can go to him with anything." ' ' '