Wednesday 26 June 2024
FRUSTRATED FANS POKE FUN AT ENGLAND AFTER ANOTHER DULL EURO 2024 PERFORMANCE
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| England fans © Getty Images |
While England won their group at Euro 2024, their humdrum scoreless draw against Slovenia on Tuesday, the third dull performance in as many games, had frustrated supporters poking fun at coach Gareth Southgate and his team.
Even Irish-owned airline Ryanair got in on the heckling, writing in a post to the team on X: "That's enough, let's get you home."
The tepid draw launched numerous amusing memes, including a photo of a man sitting facing a brick wall under the words "Watching England play football."
Another showed Southgate planting an England flag at the top of a manure pile, with the words "Group C."
England, who could muster only two goals in three games, enjoyed 70 per cent possession on Tuesday but despite boasting four of the best attackers in European football this past season, had just four shots on target.
BOOS AND BOOZE
Many England fans in Cologne beat a hasty exit well before the final whistle, and many of the ones who stayed angrily booed the team off the pitch. A few hurled empty beer cups in Southgate's direction, which had the manager looking shell-shocked in the post-game press conference.
"When there's such a strong association with what the national football team represents in so many ways, and when you don't have success there's always going to be a love-hate relationship," Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou said during Tuesday night's television broadcast.
"Everyone talks about history and the group that win something will leave that behind," he added. "It is natural to feel hurt when criticism comes your way."
Former England and Manchester United defender Gary Neville said Southgate's men "looked so basic in the first half."
"It was a struggle to watch but it moved forward a lot in the second half even though we didn't get the result but there were glimpses of what we can be," he said during the broadcast.
"England have Cole Palmer, Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham, Kobbie Mainoo, Phil Foden – massive, massive talents and we cannot afford to mismanage them."
DREARY NIGHT
Neville believes the 19-year-old Mainoo will start in Sunday's last-16 game in midfield in place of Conor Gallagher, who had started on Tuesday in place of Trent Alexander-Arnold. Second-half substitutes Mainoo, Anthony Gordon and Cole Palmer were among England's bright spots on an otherwise dreary night.
Southgate, who guided England to a place in the 2020 Euro final where they lost to Italy in a shootout, said he understands supporters' frustration and will bear the brunt of the criticism, but made a plea to fans to at least support the players.
"I understand it. I'm not going to back away from it. The most important thing is the supporters stay with the team," Southgate said.
"I understand the narrative towards me and that's better for the team than it being towards them. But it is creating an unusual environment to operate in. I've not seen any other team qualify and receive similar."
England's last-16 opponent is yet to be determined.
- Supersport
DUTCH OLYMPIC OFFICIALS WILL DENY GOLFERS FROM MEN'S COMPETITION IN PARIS
Dutch Olympic officials are keeping home two male and one female players from the golf competition in Paris because they believe their world ranking is too low for them to have a realistic chance against 60-player fields.
The Netherlands Golf Federation said Tuesday it presented “extensive arguments and data” in a June 14 meeting with the Dutch committee that oversees the Olympics, hopeful of showing unique differences in golf compared with other sports.
“According to them, it has not been demonstrated that there is a reasonable chance of a top-eight ranking during the Olympic Games,” the NGF said in a statement.
The decision means Joost Luiten and Darius Van Driel will not be going to Paris. It's the second straight Olympics that Dutch officials have kept golfers home for not being ranked among the top 100 in the world.
Most telling about the Dutch decision is what happened at the Tokyo Olympics. Rory Sabbatini qualified at No. 161 in the world and shot 61 in the final round to win the silver medal in a historic day for Slovakian golf.
C.T. Pan of Taiwan won a seven-man playoff — which included Rory McIlroy and Collin Morikawa — to win the bronze. Pan qualified at No. 181 in the world.
Olympic qualifying is based on the Official World Golf Ranking. Countries are allowed two players — four if all are among the top 15 — until the 60-player field is filled.
For the Tokyo Games, the Netherlands had set a standard of players being among the top 100 in the world or the top 36 in the Olympic ranking for them to compete. Luiten was No. 177 and Wil Besseling was No. 221 when qualifying ended.
This year, Luiten was No. 40 in the Olympic ranking, with a world ranking of No. 147.
Anne Van Dam, who is No. 108 in the women's world ranking and No. 34 in the Olympic ranking, will be the only Dutch golfer. The Netherlands Olympic Committee will not be sending Dewi Weber, who is No. 302 in the world.
The 38-year-old Luiten is a six-time winner on the European tour who has qualified for 21 majors — including the Masters twice — and last year tied for 71st in the British Open.
The absence of Dutch golfers mean the male players will be replaced by Joel Girrbach of Switzerland (No. 366 in the world) and Tapio Pulkkanen of Finland (No. 378) from the reallocation reserve list.
Besseling, in an interview two summers ago at the U.S. Open where he tied for 56th at The Country Club, had hoped Dutch officials would change the criteria. He said it was a “stupid rule to make.”
The International Golf Federation sent a detailed letter in support of the Dutch golfers for the June 14 meeting, trying to explain that margins are so thin in golf that players well outside the top 100 can win on any given week.
“It is common for lower-ranked players to make a significant impact in major tournaments, defying their current standings,” the IGF letter said. “There are numerous examples of players who are lower ranked on OWGR who perform well in big events.”
Seven players ranked outside the top 100 in the world have won PGA Tour events that offered full FedEx Cup points this year. That list includes Nick Dunlap, who was an amateur still in college when he won The American Express against a field that included Scottie Scheffler.
The Dutch committee — formally the Netherlands Olympic Committee/Netherlands Sports Federation — tweaked its criteria for sending golfers to the 2024 Olympics.
For men, anyone finishing outside the top 27 in the Olympic ranking would have to record a top-eight finish in a tournament — provided that tournament had five players from the top 50 in the world or 10 from the top 100. Anything less would require a top-four finish.
The European tour, where Luiten and Van Driel plays, rarely gets that many from the top 100 in a world ranking that has been more heavily skewed toward the PGA Tour in the last year.
Luiten has five top-20 finishes this year, including a tie for 14th in the Dubai Invitational, where Tommy Fleetwood defeated McIlroy by one shot.
Van Driel won the Magical Kenya Open in February for his first European tour win. That tournament had only two players from the top 100.
- DOUG FERGUSON
ARSENAL KICK OFF PRESEASON EARLY AS MIKEL ARTETA TAKES SIX GUNNERS IN MARBELLA FITNESS CAMP
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| Arsenal FC via Getty Images |
Half a dozen Arsenal players have begun their pre-season with manager Mikel Arteta three weeks early in an early bid to boost their title challenge.
Ben White, Eddie Nketiah, Jurrien Timber, Reiss Nelson, Emile Smith Rowe and Fabio Vieira joined up with Arteta in Marbella on Monday to work on their fitness and form. Captain Martin Odegaard is due to join the group in the coming days as the squad look to jumpstart preparations for a season where they will be bidding to go one step up the Premier League table.
For Timber and Vieira the mini camp will offer a chance to build fitness after an injury-plagued 2023-24 season, particularly for the former, who suffered a major knee injury on his Premier League debut in August. Timber's versatility in defense was missed by Arteta last season and the Dutch international will be out to carve out a role for himself in the Arsenal XI. The left back berth that was something of a problem for the Gunners last season is there to be claimed in the weeks ahead even as sporting director Edu, who will also fly out to Marbella for the camp, scours the transfer market.
Meanwhile the Hale End triumvirate of Nelson, Smith Rowe and Nketiah have begun their preparations for 2024-25 at a time when their futures are in doubt. All three have been linked with moves away from the club in recent weeks.
Most Premier League clubs are due to reconvene in mid-July, squads trickling back together in a summer of Euros and Copa America football. The Gunners play Manchester United in Los Angeles' SoFi Stadium on July 28 before meeting Liverpool in Philadelphia three days later. Subsequently they will play Bayer Leverkusen and Lyon on home soil.
CBS Sports understands that Smith Rowe travelled out a week before the rest of the squad to get a head start on his fitness work. The 23-year-old struggled to break into Arteta's first team last season, appearing in just 19 games across all competitions. Nelson, meanwhile, favors a move away from the club, according to CBS Sports sources. Crystal Palace, West Ham and Brighton are long term admirers.
- James Benge
REPORTS: LAKERS PREP PITCH, 3-YEAR MAX DEAL FOR LEBRON JAMES
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| USA TODAY Sports |
LeBron James can take his talents elsewhere by declining a $51.4 million option in his contract for the 2024-25 season before Sunday's deadline, but the Lakers are looking to reroute the 39-year-old back to Los Angeles with a new three-year max offer, according to ESPN.
James can be offered no more than a three-year deal under the NBA's rule limiting the length of contracts teams can offer players over age 38.
That caps the three-year offer the Lakers can make to James at a maximum $162 million. The first step is his player option, although he can decline the option, test free agency and opt for a short-term deal if that's his preference.
"We want to respect and honor LeBron's ability on June 29th to make a decision about his contract," Lakers GM Rob Pelinka said Tuesday.
A 20-time All-Star set to turn 40 on Dec. 30, James and new head coach JJ Redick were co-hosts of a popular podcast "Mind the Game" last season and clearly have a rapport with shared thinking about key parts of player development and team culture.
Pelinka said Tuesday that James was "supportive" of the Lakers' search but opted not to be overly involved, which is the opposite of the approach taken by All-Star teammate Anthony Davis.
Redick turned 40 on Tuesday and the first-time head coach claimed he had only a brief conversation with James this week after being offered the spot held by Darvin Ham the past two seasons.
With maximum cap space available, the Philadelphia 76ers are considered a looming threat to the Lakers if James opts out of his contract. The Sixers are among teams showing the greatest interest in James' oldest son, USC guard Bronny James, before the 2024 NBA Draft on Wednesday, according to multiple reports.
- Reuters
OLEKSANDR USYK VACATING IBF TITLE AHEAD OF JOSHUA-DUBOIS BOUT
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| Action Images via Reuters |
Oleksandr Usyk announced via Instagram on Tuesday that he is vacating the IBF heavyweight title, which now will be on the line when Anthony Joshua fights Daniel Dubois on Sept. 21 at London's Wembley Stadium.
IBF president Daryl Peoples confirmed to ESPN that the heavyweight title was vacant, but refuted reports that Dubois had been elevated to champion, saying no ruling has been made.
The Joshua-Dubois bout will be formally announced at a news conference Wednesday and will be the first Riyadh Season event in the U.K. The first such event outside the kingdom is the Aug. 3 Terence Crawford-Israil Madrimov bout in Los Angeles.
Ukraine's Usyk ascended to the top spot in ESPN's pound-for-pound rankings when he defeated Tyson Fury via split decision last month in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for the undisputed heavyweight championship.
Now, all four belts won't be on the line when Usyk meets Fury in the Dec. 21 rematch in Riyadh. The WBC, WBA and WBO titles will be up for grabs, but the IBF title will be contested between Joshua and Dubois.
Usyk's mandatory IBF title defense was overdue, and it was ruled going into his fight with Fury that the winner must face the mandatory challenger next or be stripped. With a two-fight deal in place, Usyk's move Tuesday was expected.
Dubois scored an eighth-round TKO victory over Filip Hrgovic, then the No. 1 contender, earlier this month in Riyadh to win the IBF interim title.
"Anthony and Daniel, listen: I know, IBF title important to you," Usyk said in his video Tuesday, calling his decision to vacate the belt "my present to you on Sept. 21."
Usyk (22-0, 14 KOs) already owns wins over Joshua and Dubois. He scored consecutive decision victories over Joshua in 2021 and '22 before he knocked Dubois out in Round 9 of their August meeting.
Joshua (28-3, 25 KOs) and Dubois both hail from England. Joshua's past two fights took place in Riyadh, and now he'll return to the 90,000-plus-capacity Wembley Stadium, where he has headlined twice. Joshua, 34, is a former two-time heavyweight champion and ranked No. 3 in the division by ESPN. He's coming off a spectacular second-round knockout of former UFC champion Francis Ngannou in March.
Dubois is ESPN's No. 6 heavyweight. His other career defeat came against Joe Joyce, a 10th-round knockout in 2020.
- Mike Coppinger, ESPN Boxing Insider
JULIO CESAR MARTINEZ RECEIVES 9-MONTH BAN FOR PED'S
Former flyweight champion Julio Cesar Martinez was suspended for nine months by the Nevada State Athletic Commission after he tested positive for three banned substances (diuretics and masking agents) ahead of his March fight, a commission official told ESPN on Tuesday.
Mexico's Martinez avoided a hearing when he reached an adjudication agreement with the commission, which was approved Tuesday, according to commission meeting minutes.
The punishment Martinez agreed to: a nine-month suspension retroactive to his March 30 victory over Angelino Cordova, which was changed to a no contest; a 15% fine of his $75,000 purse ($11,250) along with $157.04 in prosecution fees; enrollment in a drug-testing program.
If Martinez, 29, completes the program successfully, he'll be reinstated Dec. 29.
Martinez (20-3, 15 KOs) scored a split decision victory over Cordova in Las Vegas on the Tim Tszyu-Sebastian Fundora undercard, part of the PBC on Prime prelims.
His prefight urine test that afternoon tested positive for diuretics and masking agents. Those banned substances increase urine volume and can be used to dilute doping agents in a drug test, but are also commonly used to aid in weight cutting.
Martinez won the 112-pound title in December 2019 and made seven defenses, though two have now been ruled no contests. Martinez originally won the title in August 2019 but that victory, too, was overturned to a no contest. (Both were due to fouls.)
Martinez's lone loss during that time was at 115 pounds vs. future Hall of Famer Roman Gonzalez in March 2022. Martinez vacated the title last month and said he would now campaign at 115 pounds. He is ranked No. 3 by ESPN at flyweight but will be removed due to the suspension per policy.
Martinez previously tested positive for the banned substance clenbuterol in 2019. He faced no punishment then after the WBC ruled the result was due to contaminated beef consumed in Mexico. The Ring first reported the news.
Tuesday 25 June 2024
'KING KAZU: WORLD'S OLDEST PLAYER, JOINS NEW CLUB AT 57
Japanese striker Kazuyoshi Miura, who is widely recognised as world football's oldest active professional, has returned to Japan to join fourth-tier side Atletico Suzuka Club on loan.
Miura, known as "King Kazu," will now play in his 39th year of professional football. Last season he played for Portuguese side Oliveirense on loan from Yokohama FC. He has previously played for a string of clubs around the world, including Palmeiras, Genoa, Dinamo Zagreb and Vissel Kobe.
"In this situation I am in now, quitting is not an option for me," he told reporters on Tuesday. "I thought about where and how I could express my passion, and I decided that Atletico Suzuka would be the best place for me to do so."
He added: "The most important thing I considered when deciding on this move was how much playing time I could get. I know that it is not guaranteed, and I don't know how much I will be able to play in the games with this team.
"But when I thought about the possibilities, Suzuka was the most the best options to be able to do so. I think that was the biggest deciding factor... I am 57 years old now. I am quite old. Compared to other players, I am clearly older. I am often told to play like a veteran player, but regardless of my age, I want to play in a way that is not like a veteran player."
The former Japan national team forward scored 55 goals in 89 games for Japan. He won the Asian Cup in 1992 and is Japan's second-highest all-time scorer.
Information from the Associated Press contributed to this report.
US SWIMMING STARS TESTIFY ON ANTI-DOPING MEASURES AHEAD OF OLYMPICS
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| Reuters |
Moira Warburton and Allende Miglietta
WASHINGTON, June 25 (Reuters)-U.S. swimming greats Michael Phelps and Allison Schmitt will testify on Tuesday to a U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee probing a doping case involving Chinese swimmers ahead of this summer's Paris Olympics.
Olympic gold medalists Phelps and Schmitt, as well as Travis Tygart, the chief executive for the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, will testify to lawmakers on the Republican-controlled House Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations about anti-doping measures.
Phelps, with 28 medals to his name, is the most-decorated Olympian of all time. Schmitt won 10 medals over four games. Neither will compete in Paris.
Tuesday's hearing, due to begin at 7 p.m. ET (2300 GMT), will take place two months after the World Anti-Doping Agency confirmed reports that nearly two dozen Chinese swimmers tested positive for trimetazidine, a banned drug found in heart medication, before the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
CHINADA, China's anti-doping agency, has said the swimmers had been inadvertently exposed because of contamination and that they should not be held liable for the positive results. China named its 31-member swim team this month.
WADA said in April it would send a compliance team to assess China's anti-doping program, but leading swimmers, including seven-time gold medalist Katie Ledecky, who is competing in Paris, have continued to express concern.
Last month, a separate House committee called for the Justice Department and the International Olympic Committee to launch probes before the Olympics into the doping case involving the Chinese swimmers.
Four members of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, including top Republican John Moolenaar and top Democrat Raja Krishnamoorthi, wrote to the institutions that China "inexplicably" had contributed nearly $2 million more than required to WADA programs.
BAD HAMBURG OPEN: WOZNIA
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| Getty |
Caroline Wozniacki edged out Elina Svitolina 6-3, 6-7 (4), 7-5 on Tuesday afternoon and will play Russian Veronika Kudermetova in the next round.
Dane wildcard Caroline Wozniacki edged out Ukrainian Elina Svitolina, the No 7 seed, 6-3, 6-7 (4), 7-5 to move into the last 16 of the Bad Homburg Open at the Bad Homburg vor der Höhe on Tuesday.
Wozniacki, ranked No 112, will play Russian Veronika Kudermetova next.
Bad Homburg WTA 250, other 32 results (Bad Hombourg vor der Höhe, grass, USD 922.573, most recent results first):
Veronika Kudermetova beat Diane Parry (Q): 3-6, 7-5, 6-1
Peyton Stearns beat Julia Stusek (LL): 6-2, 7-5
Diana Shnaider beat Angelique Kerber: 7-5, 6-3
Anna Blinkova beat Bianca Andreescu (WC): 6-4, 6-2
Beatriz Haddad Maia (4) beat Tamara Korpatsch (LL): 6-1, 7-6 (6)
Katerina Siniakova beat Clara Burel: 6-3, 6-7 (7), 6-1
Jule Niemeier (LL) beat Maria Sakkari (1): 2-6, 6-2, 7-6 (4)
Liudmila Samsonova (2) beat Sara Sorribes Tormo: 6-3, 6-1
Linda Noskova beat Taylor Townsend (LL): 7-5, 6-1
Emma Navarro (3) beat Jaqueline Cristian (Q): 6-3, 6-1
Donna Vekic beat Lucia Bronzetti (Q): 6-3, 6-4
Viktoriya Tomova (Q) beat Tatjana Maria (WC): 6-1, 6-3
Paula Badosa (WC) beat Arantxa Rus: 6-4, 6-1
Ekaterina Alexandrova (6) beat Nadia Podoroska: 6-3, 6-0
Dayana Yastremska beat Mirra Andreeva (8): 4-6, 6-4, 6-3
- Tennis Majors
TERENCE CRAWFORD UNLEASHED ONE OF THE MOST 'VICIOUS BODY SHOTS EVER' TO LEAVE RIVAL WINCING IN PAIN IN KO TO BECOME UNDISPUTED KING
Terence Crawford produced an earth-shattering body shot which saw him achieve undisputed glory.
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| Mikey Williams / Top Rank |
Crawford is considered one of boxing's current pound-for-pound leading stars, and has reigned as an undisputed champion in two weight categories.
The American's sharp rise to prominence culminated in a piece of history being made, when he challenged Julius Indongo for all four belts at 140lbs.
'Bud' held the unified WBC and WBO titles and received a huge opportunity to become the first to hold all four belts in the division.
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| Mikey Williams / Top Rank |
He went into the contest as favourite given his scintillating form, which saw him having moved to 31-0 as a professional before the clash.
But what he delivered on the night was total brilliance, as he began setting about Indongo from the opening bell.
It was the second round, where his opening breakthrough came as he stunningly sent his rival to the canvas for the first time after landing a crisp straight left hand to the head.
The Namibian was able to resiliently rise to his feet after a count of five, but his days seemed numbered despite surviving the round.
In the third period, Indongo surprisingly came flying out the traps and launched the offensive but Crawford was buying his time.
The champion elect then detonated a thumping left hook to the body of Indongo, before catching a short right hand which glanced the chest and sent him crumpling to the canvas.
His fellow unified champion was wincing in pain and chose to stay grounded, with the referee reaching the ten count and calling a halt to the bout.
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| Mikey Williams / Top Rank |
Crawford etched his name in the history books under the brightest of lights, and showed exactly how much punch power he had to offer.
He explained the brutal KO in his post-fight interview: "We knew the body was going to be open, being that he swings so wild.
"We felt we could catch him in the middle of his punches. That’s what we worked on in the gym.”
Indongo added: “When he hit me, it hurt so bad. When he hit me like that, my mind was gone.”
He refused to rest on his laurels after the win, and went on to try and cement his dominance at a higher weight of 147lbs.
- Ben Davis, Senior Boxing Reporter
CRIMINAL OFFENCES COMMITED OVER LEWIS
Northamptonshire Police have told Mercedes "no criminal offences" have been committed following their investigation into the Lewis Hamilton 'sabotage' email.
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| Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 W15 on the grid. Formula 1 World… |
The Mercedes F1 team have been told by Northamptonshire Police that “no criminal offences” have been committed after investigating an email over claims of Lewis Hamilton being sabotaged.
A day after the Canadian Grand Prix - on June 10 - an anonymous source claiming to be a member of the Mercedes team accused the organisation of deliberately sabotaging Hamilton.
The email even claimed that the team was putting Hamilton’s life in danger.
Over the Spanish Grand Prix weekend, Toto Wolff confirmed that the letter did not come from a team member, rather an unhappy Hamilton fan.
Wolff also revealed that they had made a complaint to the police to conduct an investigation.
“It is not from a member of the team,” Wolff said. “When we are getting these kinds of emails, and we are getting tons of them, it is upsetting particularly when someone is talking about death and all these things.”
Wolff called the person behind the email a “conspiracy theorist” and a “lunatic” for the accusations.
On Tuesday afternoon, Northamptonshire Police spokeswoman released the following statement.
A spokesperson said: "Northamptonshire Police received a report on 12 June regarding an email that had been circulated within the Mercedes AMG F1 Team.
"No criminal offences were found to have been committed however advice was given regarding any further emails the team may receive."
Hamilton enjoyed his best weekend of the season so far in Barcelona.
The 39-year-old finished third - picking up his first podium of the year - in what was another competitive weekend for Mercedes.
After the race, Wolff reiterated his previous stance.
"These conspiracy theorists, I have zero respect for, because they have no brain," he added. "We want a car that wins races and championships and who doesn't get that should be watching another sport.
"It's good to see that Lewis has had a great weekend, because it has been a while that he has been on the receiving end and strategy has worked against him.
"But today it went in his favour so I am happy we have that podium for him because it has been a while."
- Conor McDonagh
DEBUTANT EVENEPOEL TO LEAD SOUDAL-QUICK STEP AT TOUR DE FRANCE
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| Remco Evenepoel finished second at this year's Paris-Nice (Thomas SAMSON |
Former Vuelta a Espana champion Remco Evenepoel will lead Soudal-Quick Step as the Tour de France starting this weekend, the Belgian team announced on Tuesday.
Evenepoel, 24, will be supported by Basque rider Mikel Landa in the mountains of the three-week race which begins on Saturday in Florence as well as Czech veteran Jan Hirt.
The Belgian will make his first appearance on the Tour, having won the 2022 Vuelta and finished 12th in last year's edition of the Spanish race.
"Riding the Tour de France is the dream of every kid who falls in love with cycling," Evenepoel said in a team statement.
"It's something I too have dreamed about since the moment I rode my bike.
"I would like to have a good Tour and get some nice results, but let’s not forget it’s my debut in this hard and beautiful event which is unlike any other, so the plan is to discover the race, take it one day at a time and see where this leads us," the 2022 world road race champion added.
Evenepoel is also joined in the team by compatriots Louis Vervaeke, Yves Lampaert and Ilan Van Wilder as well as Italian Gianni Moscon and Dane Casper Pedersen.
Frenchman Julian Alaphilippe misses out to focus on the Paris Olympics.
French team Arkea-B&B Hotels also announced their team for the Grand Tour with sprinter Arnaud Demare leading their hopes for a stage win on home soil.
Demare's fellow Frenchmen Kevin Vauquelin and Clement Champoussin are also in the team as well as Spaniards Crisitan Rodriguez and Raul Pierna Garcia, Italian Luca Mozzato, Belgian Amaury Capiot and Briton Daniel McLay.
The Tour begins in Florence before ending in Nice on July 21, with Paris, the regular location for the final stage, unavailable due to the Games.
- AFP
HUNGARY STAR BARNABAS VARGA PICTURED IN HOSPITAL AFTER HORROR COLLISION AT EURO 2024
Hungary forward Barnabas Varga has been visited by manager Marco Rossi and his team-mates in hospital, after he was stretchered off against Scotland with a fractured cheek.
Hungary's head coach, Marco Rossi, his staff and player Endre Botka have visited Barnabas Varga in the hospital to offer their support.
Varga copped a nasty collision with Scotland's goalie Angus Gunn during their Euro 2024 group game clincher. He was knocked out cold and gotrushed to the hospital, waking up to a busted cheek.
He is now able to take guests, and has been pictured smiling from his hospital bed, flashing a grin and thumbs-up. Rossi and the squad, along with the medical heroes treating him, are all seen beaming around his bed.
The Hungary FA dropped a line saying: "Led by Marco Rossi, some members of the professional staff and Endre Botka, representing the players, visited Barnabas Varga in Klinikum Stuttgart. The visitors interpreted the wishes of the whole team for the player."
Varga's gone under the knife to fix his injured face. His pals flipped him into the recovery pose before skipper Dominik Szoboszlai and the med team shuffled in a stretcher, reports the Mirror.
The Hungary players threw up a human shield and sheets up on the pitch to keep it all private.
After some claps from the crowd, he scooted off to get patched up in Stuttgart. Come Monday, the Hungary FA said Varga had clocked some proper gnarly face damage and a scrambled noggin.
"Several bones in Barnabas Varga's face were broken during the collision during the match, and he also suffered a concussion," they said in a statement. "The Ferencvaros striker is most likely to undergo surgery. He spends the night in the hospital in Stuttgart. The whole team is rooting for him! ".
- Harry Thompson
LEWIS HAMILTON LEFT DUMBSTRUCK AS GEORGE RUSSELL MAKES 'GIRLFRIEND' COMMENT
George Russell and Lewis Hamilton were taking part in a F1 fan event in Barcelona ahead of last weekend's Spanish Grand Prix when an awkward moment occurred between the pair.
George Russell's cheeky 'Spanish girlfriends' gag at Lewis Hamilton left the F1 ace wishing for a quick escape.
The Mercedes stars were entertaining fans in Barcelona before the Spanish Grand Prix when Russell decided to throw a playful jab at his team-mate. Hamilton, who will be moving to Ferrari in 2025, is so far without a race victory in his final campaign with Mercedes.
To make things even more awkward, Russell has also been outperforming Hamilton throughout the campaign. Nevertheless, while they were on the stage, the pair were having fun, bantering each other in front of the fans.
But things took an awkward turn when Russell made a bold girlfriend joke about Hamilton. As the crowd erupted in laughter and the host urged a response, the British racing legend could only offer a strained smile before he quickly tried to change the topic.
During the event, they were quizzed about their favourite Spanish dishes. Russell was quick off the mark, expressing his love for the country's culinary delights, thanks to his Spanish girlfriend, Carmen Montero Mundit, reports the Express.
When it was Hamilton's turn he said: "I don't have a Spanish girlfriend so I don't really know a lot of Spanish foods." Russell couldn't resist interjecting before Hamilton could finish, saying: "You don't have a Spanish girlfriend, you have Spanish girlfriends."
Hamilton appeared genuinely surprised by the quip and was left grinning and nodding as the fans laughed. The crowd clearly loved Russell's playful banter, responding with an enthusiastic cheer to his tongue-in-cheek remark.
Last year Hamilton was frequently seen with Spanish speaking Colombian superstar Shakira. They were snapped enjoying each other's company on a Miami boat trip last year, before the 'Waka Waka' songwriter was also seen cheering Hamilton on at last year's Spanish GP.
Hamilton always remains tight-lipped when it comes to intimate details about his love life or dating status. Nevertheless, fans were beginning to think he and Shakira were set to become an item, especially when he was seen dining with Shakira and pals Daniel Caesar, Fai Khadra, and Mustafa shortly after the Spanish GP.
However, this is far from the case nowadays, because in a candid interview with Rolling Stone, Shakira recently declared she's not on the lookout for romance, decisively saying: "What space do I have for a man right now?"
Despite Shakira not being there to cheer him on this year, Hamilton delivered one of his season's standout performances at the Spanish GP. He secured his first podium finish of the year by finishing third at the Circuit De Barcelona, one place ahead of Russell.
Meanwhile, Max Verstappen continued his march to his fourth consecutive F1 world title by pipping Lando Norris to the chequered flag in Spain.
- Patrick Austen-Hardy
AFGAN PLAYER ACCUSED OF FAKING INJURY
Gulbadin Naib was accused of faking injury to waste time before taking a wicket that helped secure Afghanistan’s first World Cup semi-final, eliminating Australia and sparking scenes of joy in Kabul.
Afghanistan needed to beat Bangladesh to take their place in the World Cup semi-final at Australia’s expense − and they won a rain-affected classic in St Vincent to set up a last-four clash with South Africa.
Afghanistan’s eight-run win (using the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method) was not without controversy.
Bangladesh had stumbled to 81 for seven in the 12th over in response to Afghanistan’s 115. With rain starting to fall, Afghanistan’s head coach Jonathan Trott, the former England batsman, was seen on the boundary telling his players to slow the game down in the hope the umpires would take the players from the field. Afghanistan, at that point, were ahead on DLS.
Veteran Gulbadin, fielding at slip to the spinner, took Trott’s instruction very literally and suddenly fell to the ground clutching his leg, appearing to feign a hamstring injury.
Moments later, the players were being taken from the field, with Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan appearing unhappy with his player’s behaviour and Bangladesh batsman Litton Das mocking Gulbadin.
A short rain delay followed, with the players returning having lost one over and Bangladesh’s target adjusted to 114.
Rashid bowled his last over (finishing with brilliant figures of four for 23) and soon turned to Gulbadin, who had bowled superbly in the win over Australia on Sunday. With his second ball, he picked up the eighth wicket of Tanzim Hasan Sakib before Naveen-ul-Haq took the final two wickets amid scenes of high drama.
The win is a seismic moment for Afghanistan cricket, whose men’s team have emerged as a real force in the game over the last decade (the ruling Taliban, meanwhile, have banned their women’s team from playing). They are now one win away from a World Cup final.
For Australia, it is a brutal blow, though. They made a flying start to the tournament and fast bowler Josh Hazlewood even wondered aloud whether they could engineer England’s elimination by deliberately underperforming against Scotland. But after Super 8 staged defeats to Afghanistan and India, Australia are heading home, with England through to the semi-finals. They will face India on Thursday in Guyana.
- Nick Mulvenney
ROY JONES JR. ANNOUNCES HIS SON DEANDRE HAS COMMITTED SUICIDE: "NOTHING IS WORTH TAKING YOUR OWN LIFE"
Boxing legend Roy Jones Jr. has announced the truly awful news that his DeAndre has committed suicide.
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| Getty |
As we know, even at the age of 55, Roy Jones Jr. is still an active member of the boxing community. Over the course of the last few decades, he has made a name for himself as a true icon of the sport across multiple weight classes. While he may no longer be in his prime, he still serves as quite the inspirational figure for many younger fighters who are trying to make a name for themselves.
In his personal life, Roy also has a family that he cares about deeply. Tragically, in a statement released to social media earlier this week, Jones Jr. confirmed that his son, DeAndre, has passed away.
Jones Jr. releases a statement
“Unfortunately, my son DeAndre took his life on Saturday. I’m so thankful that God allowed me to come home Friday night to spend the last night of his life with me and the family. I know a lot of people are going through tough times right now, but nothing is worth taking your own life. God gives it and God should be the one to take it away. Please respect our privacy while my family and I process this loss. Thank you for the love and support.”
As you can imagine, there’s been an outpouring of support from fans, media members and fellow fighters from across the globe. We expect to see that continue in the coming hours, days and weeks. DeAndre was 32 years old at the time of his death.
We here at BJPENN.com would like to wish Roy Jones Jr. and his family all the best following this horrible news.
- Harry Kettle
2024 STANLEY CUP FINAL: FLORIDA PANTHERS WIN THEIR FIRST NHL CHAMPIONSHIP AS OILERS COME UP SHORT IN GAME 7
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| Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov hoists the Stanley Cup after Florida's 2-1 victory against the Edmonton Oilers on Monday night. Photo: Joel Auerbach/Getty Images |
The Florida Panthers have secured their first Stanley Cup in franchise history. In Game 7 on Monday night, the Panthers edged the Edmonton Oilers, 2-1, and avoided coughing up a 3-0 series lead.
Star forward Sam Reinhart led the way for the Panthers as he tallied the game-winning goal late in the second period.At the 15:11 mark of the second period, the Panthers were able to turn defense into offense. Panthers defenseman Dmitry Kulikov rescued the puck out of danger after it sat in front of the Florida net late in the frame.
Reinhart ended up with the puck in the offensive zone, skated into the face-off circle, and snapped a scorching shot past goaltender Stuart Skinner. It was the first goal for Reinhart since Game 3 of the series. Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, who had a 4.00 goals-against-average in Game 4-6, rose to the occasion when the Panthers needed him the most. Bobrovsky saw the puck well throughout Game 7 and turned aside 23 of the 24 shots that he faced.
Despite falling short of completing a historic comeback, Oilers star Connor McDavid won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of the entire NHL postseason. McDavid tallied 42 points (eight goals and 34 assists) throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs, which was the fourth-highest point total in a single postseason.
McDavid also became just the sixth player in NHL history to win the Conn Smythe Trophy as a member of the losing team. He also joined Reggie Leach (1976) as the only skater to win the award.
Florida opened the scoring just 4:27 into the opening period. Panthers forward Evan Rodrigues threw a shot towards the net that appeared to be heading several inches wide. However, teammate Carter Verhaeghe was able to deflect the puck past Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner for the goal. The tally snapped a six-game goalless streak for Verhaeghe after he scored the opening goal of Game 1. Verhaeghe is tied with teammate Matthew Tkachuk for the most goals (11) in a single postseason.
Just over two minutes later, veteran defenseman Cody Ceci noticed Mattias Janmark streaking behind the defense and placed a sensational pass on Janmark's stick at the other end of the ice. Janmark didn't miss in all alone on Bobrovsky.
The Oilers were looking to become just the second team in NHL history to erase a 3-0 series deficit to win the Stanley Cup. The 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs are the only team that has achieved such a feat in league history.
- Chris Bengel
"LOVE YOU" -R- TRUTH RECEIVES A MESSAGE FROM A FEMALE WWE SUPERSTAR DURING WWE RAW
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| WWE.com |
During this week's WWE RAW, Carmella sent a message to R-Truth on Twitter/X. In the episode's main event, he and The Miz lost the World Tag Team Championship.
Truth and The Miz, collectively known as Awesome Truth, won the RAW Tag Team Championship at WrestleMania XL, defeating Finn Balor and Damian Priest in a six-pack ladder match. Later, the titles were replaced by the newly introduced World Tag Team Championship.On Twitter/X, Carmella expressed her love for Truth. The duo previously teamed up in WWE and won Season Two of the Mixed Match Challenge.
R-Truth has found massive success since winning the World Tag Team Championship. Meanwhile, Carmella is currently inactive due to her maternity leave.Since winning the World Tag Team Championship at WrestleMania XL, Truth and The Miz defended their titles against #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa). They also retained their belts against Alpha Academy (Otis & Akira Tozawa), The Judgment Day's Finn Balor and JD McDonagh, and The Authors of Pain. On this week's episode of Monday Night RAW, Truth and The Miz lost the World Tag Team Championship to Balor and JD McDonagh, courtesy of interference from Liv Morgan.
- Soumik Datta
Monday 24 June 2024
EURO 2024: MBAPPÉ ''RARING' FOR NEXT FRANCE MATCH
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| Kylian Mbappe sports a mask in training on Sunday. Could the France captain play against Poland on Tuesday? © FRANCK FIFE / AFP |
Kylian Mbappé is hoping to return to Euro 2024 in France's clash against Poland on Tuesday, head coach Didier Deschamps said.
Mbappé suffered a broken nose in France's opener against Austria, causing him to miss their second match against Netherlands as he got to grips with a custom-made mask.
However, the France forward played in a behind-closed-doors friendly a day later, scoring two and registering two assists, and Deschamps told a news conference on Monday that Mbappé is ready to return.
"It's better every day," Deschamps said. "He was in our training sessions. The bruise has gone down a lot. He's getting used to the mask.
"He wants to play, he's raring to go. He wanted to play against the Netherlands and he wants to play tomorrow."
He added: "No problems with breathing but the way he sees yes. For those who play with a mask, it's not a constraint but it does limit your vision. He wears it because he needs to protect his face in certain incidents that could occur.
France missed Mbappé's clinical nature in their draw to the Netherlands as they struggled to convert a number of chances. Deschamps said he hopes the forward can put that right on Tuesday.
"To be honest, I forgot that he was wearing a mask [in training]," Deschamps said. "He was great, decisive, dangerous -- he played really well in the training session.
"I hope that will reflect on the pitch tomorrow."
Without referring to anyone specifically, Deschamps said he hadn't yet "got the go-ahead from the medical team" when it came to selecting his starting lineup, though.
"I need to chat with different players, let's say," Deschamps said, smiling again.
A bigger clue was perhaps given by one of Mbappé's teammates.
"We all know what Kylian's qualities are," midfielder N'Golo Kante said. "The reasons we weren't able to hit the back of the net maybe was a lack of efficiency and maybe the fact that Kylian will be here tomorrow will help us score goals and win the game.
"It is a huge advantage to have him on the team."
Kante said Mbappé was "great, decisive and dangerous" in practice on Sunday.
"I think he feels well," Kante added, "and I hope this translates on the pitch tomorrow."
Information from The Associated Press was used in this story.
- ESPN News Services
NEYMAR PREDICTS CHELSEA-BOUND ESTÊVÂO WILL BE A GENIUS
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| Estêvão Willian will join Chelsea from Palmeiras in 2025. Getty |
Brazil star Neymar has predicted Palmeiras teenage forward Estêvão Willian "will be a genius."
Estêvão will join Chelsea in July 2025 on a permanent transfer from Palmeiras in a deal worth a reported €61.5 million ($66m).
The 17-year-old has impressed for Palmeiras at youth level and was promoted to the first team earlier this year.
''He is a great talent that is emerging in Brazilian football today," Neymar said of Estêvão.
"I think he's going to be a genius."
With Neymar, Brazil's all-time top scorer, sidelined for Copa América with a knee injury, in-form Real Madrid pair Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo are expected to lead Brazil's attack.
"Brazil's key player? For me I think it's Rodrygo," Neymar said. "Vini [Vinícius] will play everything he knows but I think Rodrygo is very different. He's a star and the no. 10 shirt will definitely bring him a lot of luck."
Rodrygo will wear the No.10 shirt for Brazil at Copa América, a shirt that has been graced in the past by the likes of Pele, Zico, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho and Neymar.
"I know my responsibility, I know that every day I have to be better," Rodrygo said.
"I know that the eyes of the whole world will be on me there with that t-shirt, so I'm prepared to continue doing things well to respond to what they expect.
"I always try to make this clear to him [Neymar], that even though I'm wearing the No.10 shirt now, it's his shirt. I'm just substituting for a moment. People are waiting for him to return."
- Adriana Garcia
EURO 2024: SZOBOSZLAI LAMENTS MEDICS' SPEED ON VARGA INJURY
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| Dominik Szoboszlai argued with medical staff to move faster after the injury. James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images |
Hungary captain Dominik Szoboszlai has criticised medical staff for their slow response to his teammate Barnabás Varga's nasty collision during Sunday's 1-0 Euro 2024 win over Scotland in Stuttgart.
Szoboszlai was among Hungarian players waving frantically for help as Varga, who fractured several bones in his face, lay motionless on the ground after a collision with Scottish goalkeeper Angus Gunn 68 minutes into the game.
When help finally arrived, Szoboszlai was seen grabbing the stretcher to try to hurry the medics along.
Varga was wheeled away for treatment, concealed behind a large brown cover held by officials.
"I don't understand this kind of protocol, why the medical staff don't rush in at this time?" Szoboszlai told Hungarian reporters.
"This question remains for everyone, so I hope that everyone can save a few seconds and save a life," Szoboszlai, who was briefly in tears over the collision, said.
"I hope we will never have to experience this again ... something needs to be done."
UEFA issued a statement on Monday, insisting there was "no delay" in getting treatment to Varga.
The statement added that the pitchside emergency team "arrived with the stretcher as soon as their intervention was requested by the medics to evacuate the player for his immediate transfer to hospital."
Coach Marco Rossi confirmed Varga regained consciousness before leaving the field and was taken to hospital where his condition was stable.
Hungary must wait for the outcome of other group matches to see if they will advance to the next round as one of four best third-place finishers.
The Varga incident seemed to spur Hungary on after what had been a dismal game with few chances, Szoboszlai's team stepping up a gear with a flurry of late opportunities that led to Kevin Csoboth's breakaway goal in the 100th minute after a lengthy period of stoppage time.
Szoboszlai celebrated the victory by wearing Varga's spare shirt turned back to front.
- Reuters
EURO 2024 BEST THIRD PLACE TEAMS
While the top two in each UEFA EURO 2024 group are guaranteed a berth in the round of 16, only the four best third-placed teams will join them in advancing. This is the picture as it stands! ⚽⚽⚽
- Stadium Astros
PROTESTERS WITH SMOKE TACKLED AFTER INTERRUPTING 72ND HOLE OF TRAVELERS CHAMPIONSHIP
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| JAMES GILBERT/GETTY IMAGES |
Scottie Scheffler and Tom Kim approached the green on the 72nd hole of the 2024 Travelers Championship with the same goal: winning the final signature event of the PGA Tour season. Seconds later, their focus changed to avoiding a handful of protesters who charged the green with smoke bombs.
Police and security on the scene quickly contained the situation, tackling the protesters and removing them from the field of play as fans chanted "U-S-A" and "ass-hole."
Still, white and red powder remained on the green as Scheffler, Kim and Akshay Bhatia looked to complete their fourth rounds with rules officials deeming that play would continue despite the interruption and change to the surface.
In total, the disruption only lasted a few of minutes with Scheffler's ensuing birdie putt landing within inches of the hole. Kim, who trailed by one stroke entering the expected final hole of the tournament, drained his birdie to force a playoff with Scheffler, a five-time PGA Tour winner already this season.
The PGA Tour determined that it was in the best interest of players and the event to cut a new hole for the playoff -- which started on that same 18th hole -- to avoid any lingering debris on the putting surface. Unfortunately for Kim, he could not keep his momentum going. He scored bogey in the playoff, while Scheffler won for the sixth time on the PGA Tour this season with a par.
- Adam Silverstein
URUGUAY CLINCH 3-1 COPA AMERICA WIN OVER PANAMA
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| USA TODAY Sports |
Maximilian Araujo, Darwin Nunez and Matias Vina scored as Uruguay beat Panama 3-1 in their Copa America Group C match in Florida on Sunday.
Uruguay's win saw them move level with the United States on three points. The U.S. beat Bolivia 2-0 in the day's other Group C match.
Marcelo Bielsa's Uruguay, who have won the Copa America a joint record 15 times, were rewarded for their blistering early pace when Araujo fired home a sublime curling effort from the edge of the area in the 16th minute.
Panama grew into the match after the break and wasted several chances to get themselves back into the contest.
Jose Fajardo blasted an effort wide in the 52nd minute after a defensive error by Mathias Olivera, while Jose Rodriguez tested Uruguay goalkeeper Sergio Rochet with a ferocious shot from range.
Asked what he said to his team at halftime, Panama coach Thomas Christiansen told reporters: "I told them they have to be fearless.
"That they have to increase their level of confidence. That they are capable to do what they did in the second half. And after the goal, like Uruguay, we generated opportunities."
Uruguay were on the ropes for much of the second half but Nunez, who had already missed a string of chances, settled their nerves in the 85th minute with a coolly-taken volley into the bottom corner after a rebound dropped kindly for him.
In a frenetic spell during stoppage time, Vina rose highest to head home Uruguay's third from a set-piece before Michael Amir Murillo netted a consolation goal for Panama after cutting back onto his left foot and curling his shot past Rochet.
Uruguay's all-time leading scorer Luis Suarez, 37, was an unused sub.
Uruguay next face Bolivia in New Jersey on Thursday, while Panama take on the United States in Atlanta.
- Reuters
LYLES WINS 100M AT US OLYMPIC TRIALS TO BOOK PARIS SPOT
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| USA TODAY Sports |
Noah Lyles chased down his rivals to win the 100m final at the U.S. Olympic trials in 9.83 seconds in Eugene, Oregon on Sunday to book a spot at the Paris Games.
The world champion hit the accelerator at the midway point to burst through the field and cross the line ahead of Kenny Bednarek (9.87) and Tokyo silver medallist Fred Kerley (9.88).
Christian Coleman, the 2019 world champion, had the early lead but ran out of steam and finished fourth in 9.93.
Lyles, who won the sprint double at the world championships in Budapest last year, is aiming for four gold medals - two individual and two relay - at the Paris Games.
"Part of the plan," Lyles said. "Might be a shock to everyone else but when you know the goal, you know the goal."
Lyles finished next to last in the 100m final at the trials three years ago in Eugene, and after winning the 200m he could do no better than bronze in the event at the Tokyo Olympics.
Those disappointments still drive him, he said.
"If I didn't get that third place in Tokyo I wouldn't have had that desire, I wouldn't have had that fire burning," he said.
"I wouldn't have accomplished what I've accomplished in the past and now we constantly look to the future with open eyes because anything can happen."
Lyles will next compete in his signature event, the 200m, with the opening heats set to begin on Thursday.
The third day of the U.S. trials at Hayward Field saw Kendall Ellis win the women's 400m final in 49.46, with Aaliyah Butler taking second in 49.71 and Alexis Holmes claiming her spot on Team USA in 49.78.
Sam Kendricks, the 2016 Olympic pole vault bronze medallist, won his final with a meet record of 5.92m but it remains to be seen whether he will travel to Paris after telling reporters he might skip the Games.
Kendricks had travelled to the Tokyo Games but was not allowed to compete after testing positive for COVID. In footage posted on social media on Friday, Kendricks said: "The Olympics screwed me - everybody at Team USA left me behind."
Olympic champion Athing Mu reached the 800m final after winning her heat in 1:58.84. The 22-year-old had not competed in 2024 due to injury before arriving at the trials.
"I felt way more in control this race. The first round was just to kind of to get my legs moving again," Mu said. "I want to make sure I do run my race (in the final)."
Michael Norman, the 2022 400m world champion, won his semi-final in a conservative 45.30, while 16-year-old Quincy Wilson brought the house down as he improved upon his own under-18 world record to qualify for the final in 44.59.
Annette Echikunwoke won the women's hammer with her first attempt, a throw of 74.68m, while 2019 world champion DeAnna Price was second (74.52m) and Erin Reese third (71.21m).
TRIALS OVER, US SWITCH FOCUS TO AUSTRALIA SHOWDOWN IN PARIS
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| USA TODAY Sports |
Katie Ledecky and a powerhouse American swim team will turn their attention to another Summer Games showdown with arch-rivals Australia after the U.S. Olympic trials concluded in Indianapolis on Sunday.
After nine days of intense competition at Lucas Oil Stadium, normally the home of the NFL's Indianapolis Colts, the final tickets to Paris were handed out with Simone Manuel winning the 50m freestyle and Bobby Finke the men's 1,500m.
Manuel, the first Black woman to win an individual Olympic swimming gold medal at the 2016 Rio Games, won the 'splash and dash' in 24.13 seconds, just .02 head of Gretchen Walsh, who also earned a spot in the event in Paris.
"I put in a lot of work to get to this point," said Manuel. "I wasn't feeling too confident after last night (in the heats), I spent a lot of time watching races where I won and I really wanted to channel that Simone because I know I am a winner and that's what I did tonight."
Finke, gold medallist in the 800m and 1,500m freestyle at the Tokyo Olympics, will defend both titles in Paris after touching first in the final event of the meeting in 14:40.28.
David Johnston finished 12 seconds back of the winner but the result was good enough to earn him a spot on his first Olympic team.
With the U.S. and Australian Olympic trials wrapped up the stage is now set for what is set to be an explosive competition in the Paris pool.
Team USA will once again be targeting top spot in the pool after winning 11 gold medals and 30 overall.
But Australian swimmers are heading to France on a mission to end the American reign after coming close in Japan with nine golds among their 21 total.
"This has been a legendary rivalry in our sport and it is shaping up again to be a really exciting one, both sides of the pool, men and women," U.S. swimming great Michael Phelps told NBC Sports.
Competing in her fourth Olympics, Ledecky will be counted on to make a major contribution to the U.S. medal haul after winning four individual events (200, 400, 800 and 1,500 freestyle) at the trials.
A seven-time Olympic champion and one of the all-time greats of the sport, Ledecky's battles with Australian Ariarne Titmus and Canada's teenage wunderkind Summer McIntosh are expected to be one of the highlights of the Paris Olympics.
With Ledecky and another seven-time gold medallist Caeleb Dressel leading the way, the U.S. will not lack for experience in a squad packed with Olympic and world champions and world record holders.
But the U.S. roster also includes some fresh faces, like 17-year-old Thomas Heilman, who will contest the 100m and 200m butterfly and becomes the youngest male to make the U.S. swim squad since Michael Phelps at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Dressel, winner of five golds in Tokyo, did not qualify to defend his 100m freestyle crown but will be kept busy in Paris in the 50m freestyle and 100m butterfly as well as potentially being involved in three relay teams.
Regan Smith is also set for a heavy workload after winning the women's 200m butterfly and 100m and 200m backstroke.
The 22-year-old added some spice to the U.S. and Australia rivalry when she regained the 100m backstroke world record from Kaylee McKeown.
Walsh opened the trials by setting a world record in the women's 100m butterfly on the opening day and will travel to Paris with her older sister Alex, who earned her spot on the team after finishing second in the 200m individual medley.
They will not be the only siblings on the U.S. squad - Alex Shackell qualified in the women's 200m butterfly and her brother Aaron won the 400m freestyle.
- Reuters
US BUILT CONFIDENCE BEATING BOLIVIA IN COPA
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| USA TODAY Sports |
The United States will take a boost of confidence from their 2-0 win over Bolivia in the Group C opener at the Copa America on Sunday, team captain Christian Pulisic said, as the tournament hosts fed off the home crowd in Arlington, Texas.
Pulisic struck first with a sublime curling shot into the top corner in the third minute and he set up Folarin Balogun for another score in the 44th minute.
They squandered some scoring opportunities in the second half but "Captain America" Pulisic, who received a hero's welcome at the home of the Dallas Cowboys AT&T Stadium, said the team had plenty to celebrate.
"We should build some confidence from this and feel good but the games are just going to get tougher and tougher as the tournament goes on so we've got to be ready," the AC Milan midfielder said in a televised interview.
It was exactly the kind of momentum the 11th-ranked team craved as they look to make an impact in South America's most important national team tournament after reaching knockout stages at the most recent World Cup.
The United States next play the 43rd-ranked Panama on Thursday in Atlanta, before facing 14th-ranked Uruguay in their final group stage match on July 1 in Kansas City.
"Getting off to a win to start with - massive for us," said defender Antonee Robinson.
"Build the confidence, show we're here to win, here to play and it puts us in good stead for the next game."
LEWIS ENDS PODIUM DROUGHT WITH THIRD IN SPAIN
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| Photo by Kym Illman/Getty Images |
Lewis Hamilton enjoyed a return to the Formula One podium with Mercedes on Sunday but said his best result of the season and the team's improvement did not make him regret his move to Ferrari next year.
The seven-time world champion finished third at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya, with teammate George Russell fourth, to secure his first podium since last October and a record-extending 198th of his career.
"This is the best weekend I've had all year, and for a long, long time, for like 15 races or something crazy," Hamilton told reporters.
"It's good to be back, it's good to have battles like today, it's good to reassert and reaffirm."
The Briton made a great overtake on Ferrari's Carlos Sainz, the Spaniard he will replace next year, and also overtook Russell.
Team boss Toto Wolff, accused earlier this month in an anonymous email of sabotaging Hamilton, said it was good to see the Briton having a great weekend.
"It has been a while that he was on the receiving end and strategy had worked against him and today that was in his favour.
"So I'm happy that we have that podium for him."
Hamilton said he had no second thoughts about a move, announced before the start of the season, to a Ferrari with evident work to do. Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz were fifth and sixth after a double retirement in Canada.
"My job next year will be to start with the other team, and they are doing a great job. They have had a difficult couple of races but let's not forget they had a race win in Monaco," he added.
"I don't know what is wrong with their car and why they are in the position they are in. But it doesn't make me second-guess my decision at all."
Mercedes were also fast in Barcelona last year, with Hamilton second and Russell third behind Verstappen.
Russell secured his first podium of the 2024 season in Canada two weeks ago but he said then that third place felt like a missed opportunity after he had qualified on pole position.
- Reuters
EURO 2024 UPDATES: SCOTLAND'S KNOCKOUT-ROUND WAIT GOES ON
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| Scotland's dreams of a first knockout-round appearance at a major international tournament were Shaun Botterill/Getty Images |
The lead: Scotland's wait for the knockouts goes on
STUTTGART, Germany -- Scotland only needed one goal before kickoff. As it was, they didn't even have a shot on target.
The team that arguably brought the biggest support to Euro 2024 still somehow managed to leave it with a whimper, losing 1-0 to Hungary in Stuttgart to finish bottom of Group A. Victory on Sunday would have almost certainly sent Scotland through as one of the four best third-place finishers, reaching the knockout stages of a major international tournament for the first time in their history, at the 12th attempt.
The Tartan Army packed the MHP Arena with lung-busting renditions of "Flower of Scotland." A bagpiper stationed near one corner of the Scottish support enhanced an occasion already rich in emotion.
Steve Clarke's pre-tournament target of four points was within reach after recovering from a heavy defeat to Germany on the opening night -- for which around 200,000 Scottish fans descended on Munich -- by drawing with Switzerland four days ago. Yet the sense of occasion seemed to consume them. Perhaps the weight of history was too much to bear.
Hungary are rarely interested in possession for the sake of it. Scotland, atypically for them, had more of the ball but the palpable plan of keeping things tight before trying their luck later merely created a first-half stalemate.
Something had to give. Hungary may have lost twice, but their only hope of reaching the round of 16 was to win here and pray results elsewhere in the next few days would be enough to see them through.
Ché Adams fired over the crossbar from outside the box on 53 minutes. The hope for Scotland was that moment would spark an onslaught, but nothing followed. Stuart Armstrong wanted a 79th-minute penalty for a challenge by Willi Orbán, but Argentinian referee Facundo Tello was unmoved. They ended the game with an expected goals (xG) of 0.19 from the sum total of five shots, four of which came in second-half stoppage time.
A troubling injury to Barnabás Varga -- who appeared to collapse on the pitch before medical staff held up sheets to hide the forward from the crowd as he was prepared to be stretchered off, the Hungarian FA later confirming that he's in stable condition -- led to 10 minutes of added time.
Finally, the sides began to push forward with intent.
Substitute Kevin Csoboth hit the post. Scotland's four shots were all blocked. And then, in the 100th minute, Hungary counterattacked from a Scotland corner and Roland Sallai found Csoboth to slot home a low finish past Angus Gunn to cue pandemonium in the Hungary end.
With Group A first to be completed, Hungary must now wait to learn their fate as the third-place teams are determined.
Scotland's interminable wait to play a knockout match goes on. It's the shots you don't take you regret the most. -- James Olley
Sights and sounds around Euro 2024
Against Germany, Switzerland prove they can be a problem in the knockouts
FRANKFURT -- On the list of special wins at a major tournament, this could have been up there alongside beating world champion France in the round of 16 at the previous Euros.
Switzerland almost shocked the whole of Germany by leading the hosts until the 92nd minute in Frankfurt and threatening to overtake them atop Group A. The hosts should have seen it coming, considering this marks the fourth game in a row against their neighbours that Die Nationalmannschaft have failed to win. Despite Niclas Fullkrug's last-minute equaliser, earning Germany a 1-1 draw, this Alps derby will almost feel like a win for la Nati.
They showed again that in big tournament they are a force to be reckoned with. They did more than compete with Julian Nagelsmann's team; they nullified Germany's attacking potential by forcing them narrow and making them too predictable, thanks to a very compact block positioned in a 3-5-2 formation and expertly directed by captain Granit Xhaka and sweeper Manuel Akanji.
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| Dan Ndoye's first-half goal earned Switzerland a draw in their group-stage finale against hosts Germany on Sunday. Nick Potts/PA Images via Getty Images |
To hurt the German defence, manager Murat Yakin chose to drop Xherdan Shaqiri and introduce the physicality of Breel Embolo. His partnership up front with Dan Ndoye would prove tricky and tiring for Germany's hulking centre-backs Antonio Rüdiger and Jonathan Tah to track.
Ndoye has lacked a clinical presence in the first two Swiss games, failing to score against 0.69 xG against the Scots and 0.22 expected goals and assists against the Magyars, but he can run. He predominately played in wide positions for Bologna this past season, where he could put his pace to use, and was always a threat in behind here, outpacing Rüdiger to create an opportunity in the first half that he put just wide.
Eventually, Ndoye got his first goal of the tournament, a very well-taken effort from close range just before the half-hour mark.
Even if the Swiss will feel disappointed not to have won, their superb performance, supported by 15,000 fans in Frankfurt, proved again that Yann Sommer & Co will be a problem for whoever faces them in the knockout rounds -- Julien Laurens
Ronaldo makes a mascot's day
It seems like everybody wants a piece of Cristiano Ronaldo at Euro 2024, from selfie-chasing pitch invaders to young mascots who are determined to make the most of being so close to the Portugal forward.
Six fans -- four during the game and two as the players left the field after the final whistle -- ran onto the pitch during Saturday's 3-0 win against Turkey in Dortmund, in an attempt to take a selfie with the former Real Madrid and Manchester United player. The incidents left Portugal coach Roberto Martínez voicing his concern over what could happen if players are approached by spectators with ill intent.
But there was a more harmless moment prior to kickoff when one of the mascots lingered on the pitch after the national anthems just to get a hug from Ronaldo.
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| A mascot makes sure she gets a hug of the Portugal legend. Angel Martinez - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images |
The little girl was stood in front of Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa during the prematch ceremony, but she had eyes only for Ronaldo. She kept looking back, and reaching out to touch her hero.
And as soon as the anthems finished, she followed the Portugal captain until he noticed her and smiled before giving her a big hug. -- Mark Ogden
Don't call us Sweden!
Among the wall of red Switzerland supporters for their match against Scotland was a small white sign. It read: "We are not Sweden." As you bump into Swiss fans around Germany, you may also see this slogan on t-shirts.
It all relates to people confusing the two countries, confusing the "Sw" in their names. It got to such an extent that Sweden launched their own marketing campaign last year called, "Welcome to Sweden (not Switzerland)." It features a clip of U.S. President Joe Biden saying in 2022 that Switzerland was joining NATO, when it was in fact Sweden.
Jacques Pitteloud, ambassador of Switzerland to the U.S., has since done his own video, clarifying Switzerland's side of the story.
So while Switzerland were taking on Germany on Sunday night in Frankfurt, the other "Sw" was watching on from home, having not qualified for Euro 2024. -- Tom Hamilton
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| A Switzerland fan makes his point clear. Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images |
Georgia's press in hot water
Georgia are making their debut at a major tournament, and everyone connected to the team is determined to enjoy it.
Support has been feverish among fans outside the stadiums and in the stands, but the same has also been true of the press tribune. Media reporters wearing Georgia shirts celebrate goals in the same way as any fan, and every time their team launches an attack, they beat the desks with their fists in anticipation. It all got too much for one UEFA official during the game against Turkey ... and, as a result, a number of Georgia media representatives were politely asked to calm down.
After the 1-1 draw with Czechia on Saturday, goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili was asked to conduct a news conference after his 11 saves earned him the man of the match award. After taking a couple of questions, Mamardashvili got to leave but before he did, he received a round of applause from the Georgian media in the room. -- Rob Dawson
Nagelsmann gets inspiration from basketball
A Canadian could play a big part in Germany's success at Euro 2024. Gordon Herbert is the Germany basketball head coach. Born 65 years ago in Penticton, British Columbia, he led his team to a win the world championships against all odds last summer in Pasay in the Philippines, beating the United States in the semifinals and Serbia in the final.
He was invited by Nagelsmann, his counterpart with the soccer team, to explain to his players the keys to success with his basketball players.
Herbert, who also has a Finnish passport after playing basketball in the country, came to Herzogenaurach, Germany's camp during the Euros, to talk about his philosophy and share his experience.
One of Hebert's points was finding the right balance of players in a well-constructed squad. He detailed that to be successful, a team needs pigs, who do the heavy work, and race horses, who are the difference makers. Germany have plenty of players who can execute both responsibilities. -- Julien Laurens
Stat of the day
Fullkrug's goal was Germany's third stoppage-time strike this tournament. That's the most by any team in a single European Championship. -- ESPN Stats & Information
Match previews for Monday
Group B: Albania vs. Spain (Düsseldorf; 9 p.m. local / 3 p.m. ET)
Odds (via ESPN BET): Albania +5500, Draw +340, Spain -210
During Euro 2024, Albania have held meetings in Madrid, brainstormed in Barcelona and eaten in Seville. Those are the names of some of the rooms and the cafeteria at the Sportcentrum Kamen-Kaiserau where they are based in Germany. They were given those names after Spain stayed there for the World Cup in 2006. Albania will desperately hope it is some sort of good omen ahead of their match against the Spanish in Düsseldorf, where they have the chance to create history by reaching the knockout rounds for the first time ever.
That is easier said than done against a Spain side who have impressed in wins over Croatia and Italy. However, with La Roja already through to the round of 16, and midfielder Rodri suspended, coach Luis de la Fuente is expected to make changes. That could help Albania, ranked 66th in the world by FIFA (only Georgia are lower-ranked at the finals), in their quest for the three points which would almost certainly earn passage into the next round. A draw to finish on two points is unlikely to be enough. -- Sam Marsden
Group B: Croatia vs. Italy (Leipzig; 9 p.m. local / 3 p.m. ET)
Odds: Croatia +210, Draw +220, Italy +135
Both Italy, coming off the 3-0 humiliation at the hands of Spain, and Croatia, who will almost certainly need a win to stay in contention, face Monday's clash in Leipzig with trepidation. Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic kept things simple: "We were facing elimination in Qatar, too, and then went on to the semifinals ... It's as if the knockouts have already started and you have to win to advance."
Dalic will need to make a big call with two key men of his "golden generation" with Ivan Perisic and Marcelo Brozovic both rumored to be facing being dropped for this game.
A draw would suffice for Italy, who say they will play for the win. If they do win, they'd be making history given that in eight previous encounters they have never beaten Croatia. Azzurri boss Luciano Spalletti is reportedly mulling wholesale changes, including replacing Jorginho in midfield with Nicolo Fagioli. It would be quite a comeback for the Juventus midfielder, who was suspended for gambling on football for most of the 2023-24 campaign. -- Gabriele Marcotti
Betting tip (odds via ESPN BET)
Both Italy and Croatia have disappointed so far this tournament. So many were critical of Italy's performance against Spain, where they were completely outplayed. Having said that, I still think collectively they are better than Croatia. So, Italy +130. -- Dan Thomas
One big read
Ronaldo is still the selfie king, even at 39 years old, 20 years after appearing at his first major tournament for Portugal. But it's probably a sign of his waning influence on his national team that he registered more selfie attempts from picture-chasing fans than significant contributions for his country during Saturday's 3-0 win against Turkey.
But Ronaldo is in Germany to play football and inspire Portugal to a second European title in three tournaments, and the harsh reality is that his powers are on the wane. The selfie stunts may end up being a distraction from his performance against Turkey, but no one can escape the truth forever, and Ronaldo, who was once the man who carried a nation's hopes, might now end up holding his team back if they progress to the latter stages.
- Mark Ogden: Ronaldo's declining ability could hurt Portugal
And finally ...
Daughter's wedding or Scotland game? Pat Nevin couldn't choose ...
Family is everything in the Nevin household. Pat, the former Scotland international and Chelsea and Everton winger, and his wife Annabel have two children, Simon and Lucy. When Lucy announced her engagement and wedding, everyone in the house in Duns, a small town in the Scottish Borders, was over the moon. The wedding was all organised in a gorgeous venue on the border with England for the weekend of June 22-23 ... Then Scotland qualified for the Euros.
When the schedule came out it showed that Scotland would play their final group game, decisive to make it to the knockout stages for the first time in their history, on June 23.
As a loving father, Pat couldn't miss the wedding. Yet as a pundit and commentator for the BBC, he couldn't miss what could be the biggest game in Scotland's history, either. So he celebrated the wedding Saturday, left the venue at 5 a.m. Sunday -- when some guests had just gone to bed -- and made it to Stuttgart for the game, hoping that the celebrations in Germany would be as joyous as the ones in Scotland. Only to watch Scotland go out with a whimper, barely taking a shot on goal. -- Julien Laurens
- ESPN
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