Tuesday, 31 December 2024
LIONS SECURE 8-0 ROAD RECORD WITH WIN OVER 49ERS
SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- If there was any question on whether Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell would play or rest his starters ahead of the playoffs, he answered that immediately by going full throttle with his top guys on Monday night.
In a rematch of 2023 NFC Championship Game, the Lions got revenge, winning 40-34 after the San Francisco 49ers denied Detroit its first-ever Super Bowl appearance last season.
Detroit hadn't won a road game at San Francisco since 1975, losing 14 straight -- including the postseason -- but overcame a 21-13 first-half deficit to end that road drought against the 49ers.
The Lions also close the regular season with a perfect 8-0 record on the road -- the longest road winning streak in franchise history.
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| Lions quarterback Jared Goff led the team to their eight road win this season. Jed Jacobsohn/AP Photo |
Detroit Lions (14-2)
QB breakdown: Lions quarterback Jared Goff was able to thrive in pressure moments on the prime-time stage. All three of Goff's touchdowns were on either third or fourth down. He now has 17 touchdowns and zero interceptions on third and fourth down this season. He also finished the game with 303 passing yards against the 49ers, while completing 26 of 34 passes.
Promising trend: WR Jameson Williams scored a receiving touchdown for a third straight game. Against the 49ers, he scored a 3-yard rushing touchdown as well as a 41-yard receiving touchdown in the first half. In last season's NFC championship at the 49ers, Williams also had multiple touchdowns. He is now 33 yards shy of the first 1,000-yard receiving season of his career.
Troubling trend: Detroit's defense. San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy picked the Lions' defense apart with his accuracy and pinpoint playmaking, notably during the first half. The 49ers scored a touchdown on their first three possessions, with Purdy also completing two 40-yard passes in the game. Against tougher competition, such as the Minnesota Vikings this week, this could be a major issue. -- Eric Woodyard
Next game: vs. Minnesota Vikings (8:20 p.m. ET, Sunday)
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| George Kittle reached 1,000 receiving yards for the fourth time in his career -- tied for second most by a tight end in NFL history. Godofredo A. Vásquez/AP Photo |
San Francisco 49ers (6-10)
In an NFC Championship Game rematch that was supposed to be a battle of NFC titans, the 49ers and Lions entered Monday's matchup headed in decidedly different directions.
As 49ers end Nick Bosa succinctly put it on Thursday, "They're doing great, and we had an off year."
By Monday's kickoff, neither the 49ers nor the Lions really had much to play for as San Francisco was eliminated from postseason contention last week and Detroit's season finale against Minnesota is all that matters for the NFC's top seed.
That didn't stop the Niners, who were down to their fourth-string running back and left tackle and were missing key starters all over the roster, from pushing the equally if not more injured Lions to the brink in an entertaining offensive shootout.
There's no such thing as moral victories in the NFL, but Monday's defeat offered plenty of evidence that there is still plenty of fight left in the Niners and that their belief in coach Kyle Shanahan hasn't wavered. Those are things that can be helpful as they head toward an offseason that holds plenty of uncertainty and could bring a lot of change.
In more practical terms, Monday's loss is better for the 6-10 Niners in that it clinched a last-place schedule for them in 2025 and maintains their chances of holding on to the No. 11 pick in the next NFL draft.
Those are small consolations in a lost season that the 49ers didn't see coming, but if nothing else, they can take additional solace in the fact that a nightmare 2024 is almost over.
Describe the game in two words: All offense. It's little surprise that the high-octane Lions moved the ball up and down the field, but the 49ers' offense hasn't done much of that this season. The Niners and Lions scored touchdowns on their first five possessions combined and there wasn't an incomplete pass thrown by either side until 4:59 remained in the second quarter. By night's end, they combined for 74 points and 914 yards.
Most surprising performance: 49ers rookie receiver Ricky Pearsall has been mostly quiet since a big Week 10 performance in Tampa Bay, posting six catches for 58 yards in the ensuing six games. But Pearsall was prominently in the mix Monday night, finishing with 8 receptions for 141 yards and a touchdown. He's the first 49ers rookie since Deebo Samuel Sr. in 2019 to have 100 receiving yards and a score in a game.
QB breakdown: Purdy was, at least statistically, perfect for the better part of the first three quarters Monday night against the Lions. Holding a "perfect" passer rating of 158.3 with 4:19 left in the third quarter, Purdy overthrew Pearsall into the waiting arms of Lions safety Kerby Joseph for the game's first turnover. It put a damper on an otherwise stellar performance from Purdy, who finished 27-of-35 for 377 yards (a career high) with three touchdowns and a rushing score. In the final two minutes of the game, Purdy exited with an apparent elbow injury. He said postgame that he will have an MRI on Tuesday.
Troubling trend: 49ers kicker Jake Moody's struggles -- of which there have been many -- have largely been limited to the road this season. He hadn't missed a field goal or extra point attempt at Levi's Stadium. Until Monday night. He missed two field goals from over 50 yards (51 and 58). Moody was drafted in the third round because he's supposed to be able to convert those kicks. He also missed an extra point at the end of the fourth quarter. Since Week 10, he's 10-of-18 on field goal tries, a 55.6% conversion rate. Add kicker to the list of positions the 49ers will need to take a long look at in the offseason. -- Nick Wagoner
Next game: at Arizona Cardinals (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday)
- Eric Woodyard and Nick Wagoner
MANCHESTER UNITED HIT A HISTORIC LOW
MANCHESTER, England -- There has been a simmering discontent at Manchester United for a while now, but at Old Trafford on Monday night the dial was turned up to near mutiny in a loss to Newcastle United.
With just 30 minutes gone and Man United already 2-0 down, Joshua Zirkzee was substituted by head coach Ruben Amorim. Any of the 11 players could have been replaced -- they were all that bad in a shocking first half hour -- but it was Zirkzee who bore the brunt from the irate supporters in the stands.
When Zirkzee's number went up, there were loud cheers around the stadium. The Dutchman, only signed from Bologna in the summer, grabbed his coat and jogged down the tunnel to scattered jeers. He emerged again moments later to take his place on the bench. When the half-time whistle blew, there were boos from all four sides of Old Trafford. There were more at full-time, although by then a large number of the fans who turned up had long since decided it was time to go home.
It's now four straight defeats for Man United and six in their past eight games. For the first time since the 1978-79 season, they've lost three consecutive league games at Old Trafford. Three Premier League defeats in a row mean they will start 2025 in 14th, just seven points above the drop zone.
Man United's woes have reached the point where Amorim is being asked about the possibility of relegation.
"It is really hard on everybody and you can feel it," Amorim said after the 2-0 loss. "We show some improvement in the first games especially against [Manchester] City and Tottenham but we are losing that because of the lack of training and belief after so many losses. It is a really tough moment for everybody.
"It is a bit embarrassing to be Manchester United coach and lose a lot of games. I think our club needs a shock and we have to understand that."
There was little shock that Newcastle were by far the better team and deserved to win their first league game at Old Trafford for more than a decade. Man United managed to calm some of the anger with a more competent second-half performance, but by then the damage had already been done.
Alexander Isak scored for the sixth game in a row after just four minutes to make it 1-0. Before 20 minutes had elapsed, Joelinton made it 2-0. It could have been much worse. Isak had a goal ruled out through offside, and Sandro Tonali hit the post when he should have scored.
Only then did Zirkzee come off. He was replaced by Kobbie Mainoo and Man United finally turned up to play. By half-time, Newcastle had taken 11 shots at André Onana's goal. As the game drifted towards its conclusion, the travelling Newcastle fans sang, "You're getting sacked in the morning," at Amorim.
After the initial optimism of his arrival to replace Erik ten Hag in November, it has been a bruising December for the Portuguese coach with Premier League defeats to Arsenal, Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth, Wolves and now Newcastle. Man United haven't lost five league games in a calendar month since 1962.
Throw in the Carabao Cup defeat to Tottenham and it's six losses in all competitions, a low point not seen since September 1930. For the first time in more than 100 years, a Manchester United manager has lost five of their first eight league games.
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| Casemiro, left, and Harry Maguire react with anguish in Manchester United's latest loss on Monday, this time to Newcastle United in Premier League play. Martin Rickett/PA Images via Getty Images |
The question, though, is whether it's Amorim or the players who should be shouldering the blame. For now, Amorim is refusing to criticise his squad despite further evidence week after week that the majority are not good enough.
He's routinely peppered with questions about his 3-4-3 system and whether he will -- eventually -- have to adapt. But his formation had nothing to do with Isak having a free header six yards out after getting in between Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martínez to head past Onana.
It had nothing to do with Joelinton bulldozing Martinez out of the way to head in the second. It had nothing to do with all the missed tackles and missed passes.
"I am responsible," said Amorim. "I don't like to arrive here and make excuses. I think people are tired of excuses in this club. I never watch a coach winning games by not protecting the players. What I have to say to the players I say in the dressing room. "I have to sell my idea. If I change all the time it is going to be even worse. It is a very difficult moment and we have to fight for the next game and to also have a performance."
Writing in his programme notes ahead of the game, Amorim said he had "no doubt" that the run of miserable form "will not last forever." It is, however, unlikely to end immediately with United scheduled to visit runaway leaders Liverpool next weekend.
Defeat at Anfield would send Amorim and his players deeper into the mire. The anger is already deepening, the mood worsening by the day.
Even for a club that has made a habit of lurching from crisis to crisis, United are reaching new levels of despair.
- Rob Dawson, Correspondent
UNITED CUP: ZVEREV TAKES CONTROL AS GERMANY BEAT CHINA 2-1, REACH QUARTERFINALS
Perth: Alexander Zverev and Laura Siegemund continued their perfect United Cup record in the mixed doubles on Monday, securing defending champions Germany’s status as Group E winners and a place in the quarterfinals with a victory against China in Group E.
The duo notched a 6-2, 7-6(3) victory over Zhang Zhizhen and Zhang Shuai in the deciding mixed doubles rubber against China, sealing a 2-1 win in favour of the defending champions. Zverev and Siegemund had won each of the four previous mixed doubles rubbers they contested at the event and ensured they kept a clean slate with a rock-solid performance, booking a quarter-final clash with Kazakhstan.
“Triple ZZZ is a very funny guy, we had a great singles and great mixed doubles match with Laura,” said Zverev. “I’m happy that we’re in the quarterfinals and, actually, I’m happy that China are in the quarterfinals too. Congratulations to the Chinese team. It was a really great match,” Siegemund added. “When you play for the first time after a while, you never really know what’s going to happen, and I think it was a great performance.”
Earlier, Zverev shook off a sluggish start to give Germany an initial 1-0 lead in the tie, rallying to a 2-6, 6-0, 6-2 victory over Zhang Zhizhen. Gao Xinyu then fought back for China with a 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 upset of Siegemund, levelling the tie at 1-1. With her singles win, Gao ensured China finished second in Group E, facing the winner of Group A in the quarter-finals. “I didn’t start well…I was missing more shots from my backhand side, which is normally the most stable,” said Zverev. “He was also playing extremely well, so aggressive. He was not letting me into the match or find my rhythm.
“Then I pushed some balls back in the second set to get some rhythm from the baseline. Then I found my rhythm and I’m happy with my performance in the second and third sets.”
In the men’s singles, Zhang had picked up where he left off from his 54-minute clinic against Thiago Monteiro on Friday with a promising start to the winner-takes-all tie. Zverev’s standout quality has been his serving in recent times, but it was thoroughly tested in the opening set against Zhang. The Chinese star broke Zverev on two occasions, and was imperious behind his own, winning 93 per cent (13/14) of first deliveries, according to Infosys ATP Stats.
Zhang, who reached his maiden ATP Tour final in Hangzhou in September, struck cleanly from both wings from the beginning of the match. Yet he was unable to withstand 23-time titlist Zverev once he grew into the encounter and found his range from the baseline. Zverev, significantly aided by the 22 unforced errors that Zhang fired, asserted his dominance with a perfect second-set score. After a stark drop in intensity in the second set, Zhang steadied himself through the first four games of the decider. But after another lapse in the sixth, Zverev raced away with the final four games to improve to 2-0 in the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting.
Gao’s victory continues a dream week for the World No.175, who has replaced the absent Zheng Qinwen in singles. Before the United Cup, a professional career that started in 2014 had seen the 27-year-old notch just one tour-level win, in Hua Hin last September, and one defeat of a Top 100 player, over Veronica Cepede Royg in 2017 Beijing qualifying.
Now, including an opening career-best win over Beatriz Haddad Maia, Gao has posted two more of each. Though she had been beset by a leg injury during the 3-hour, 22-minute marathon against Haddad Maia, Gao emerged against Siegemund both moving and swinging freely. By contrast, Siegemund’s timing and touch were both off in the first set, during which she committed 14 unforced errors to Gao’s seven.
(IANS)
- OMMCOM NEWS
Monday, 30 December 2024
IN-STADIUM VAR ANNOUNCEMENT TO BE TRIALLED IN CARABAO CUP SEMI-FINALS
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| Carabao Cup Trophy / IMAGO / Propaganda Photo |
In-stadium VAR announcements are to be trialled for the first time in English football in the Carabao Cup semi-finals next week.
Arsenal’s semi-final first leg at home against Newcastle will be the first game to trial the announcements, when a referee explains over the stadium’s public address system their final decision following a visit to the pitch-side monitor.
There will also be announcements upon the conclusion of factual matters such as accidental handball by a goalscorer or offside judgments. Only the final decision will be announced in the stadium and not the entire VAR process that Howard Webb, head of referees for PGMOL, runs through on the Mic’d Up programme.
The pilot scheme, which accompanies the arrival of VAR into this stage of the Carabao Cup, is part of the PGMOL’s attempts to provide more transparency and understanding around key decisions in the game. Referees have been preparing for its introduction by taking part in match-related exercises at stadiums of professional clubs. The technology has the support of the EFL, which collaborated with PGMOL on trialling VAR in 2018 before it was rolled out into the Premier League.
In-stadium VAR announcements were trialled at the Club World Cup and the Under-20s World Cup before being used for the first time at a major event at the 2023 Women’s World Cup. It is hoped the technology will bring more clarity to supporters inside the stadium and to television viewers at home.
The trial will run over both legs of the Carabao Cup semi-finals, with Newcastle visiting the Emirates Stadium next Tuesday and Tottenham hosting Liverpool at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium the following night. The second legs are at St James’ Park on 5 February and Anfield on 6 February.
- Andy Hunter
ARSENAL HAS SCORED MORE PREMIER GOALS IN 2024
Arsenal have scored more Premier League goals in 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 than in any other calendar year this century ⚽️📈🥇
HOW INDIA CAN REACH WTC FINAL: WIN AT SCG AND HOPE FOR SRI LANKA SERIES VICTORY OR DRAW AGAINST AUSTRALIA
To qualify for the final, India must win the last Test of the series against Australia at Sydney, and then hope for a positive result for Sri Lanka (or a 0-0 draw) when Australia tour the island nation early next year.
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| India fans show their support during the fourth Test against Australia in Melbourne. India may have lost the crucial Boxing Day contest by 184 runs but all is not lost as far as their chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship (WTC) Final are concerned. | Photo Credit: Getty Images |
India may have lost the crucial Boxing Day contest by 184 runs but all is not lost as far as their chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship (WTC) Final are concerned.
To qualify for the final, India must win the last Test of the series against Australia at Sydney, and then hope for a positive result for Sri Lanka (or a 0-0 draw) when Australia tour the island nation early next year.
Post the loss, India's point percentage (PCT) has dropped to 52.78 from 55.89. Australia, on the other hand boosted their PCT as they now have 61.46.
South Africa have already qualified for the WTC final after beating Pakistan in the first Test by two wickets on Sunday.
If India manage to win in Sydney, they will have 55.26 PCT and Australia will have 54.26. A win out of two Tests against Sri Lanka then would be enough for Australia to go past India's PCT and join the Proteas in the final.
India began the 2024/25 season in a rampant fashion, securing a confident 2-0 win over Bangladesh at home.
The script that followed was, however, not according to their plans. The side suffered an unprecedented historic loss to New Zealand at home, before embarking on a challenging tour of Australia.
Under stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah, the Men in Blue rekindled their hopes for a third straight appearance in the WTC Final, with a win in the opening Test in Perth.
However, the side has since gone on to lose two games in Australia, and their WTC chances have taken a significant hit.
But Australia's compelling win in the final session here has improved their chances of a World Test Championship 2025 final appearance, with the side now just one more Test win away from making it to Lord's next year.
Earlier in Centurion's Boxing Day Test, Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen's stunning partnership took South Africa to a thrilling two-wicket win over Pakistan in the first Test, confirming their spot at next June's final.
While Australia are out in front as claimants to the second spot, India are still in with a chance. Sri Lanka too are alive, but both will need a string of favourable results to keep their hopes alive.
- THE HINDU
JAKE PAUL'S BOXING PROMOTION POUR COLD WATER ON $500MILLION CONOR MCGREGOR V LOGAN PAUL REPORTS
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| Photos by Getty Images |
Jake Paul’s boxing promotion have called foul on talks about his brother Logan’s big $250million fight.
The controversial brothers have taken the combat world by storm, with Logan Paul becoming a star in the WWE while Jake is taking over boxing. However, it seems that Conor McGregor prefers the older sibling as an opponent for his return to the ring next year.
McGregor has claimed that there are ‘preliminary agreements’ for a fight between he and the elder Paul brother in India next year. And he yesterday stoked the fire further by sharing a seeming hoax report that they would be making $250million each for the bout.
Conor McGregor reposts troll report that he will make $250million to face Logan Paul
Last night, a report from a social media account claiming to be former TalkSPORT journalist Michael Benson managed to trick news outlets into reporting a number of falsehoods about Conor McGregor vs Logan Paul.
The ‘report’ cited an imaginary Dan Rafael quote claiming that both men would make $250million, and that the fight would take place at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai. It also said that the event would headline a ‘Visit India’ tourism drive, which appears to not be a real campaign.
However, what made it more remarkable was when McGregor’s news outlet The Mac Life shared the claims, as if they were legitimate. And the Irishman collaborated on the post, meaning that it showed up to his 47.1million followers.
It follows his initial claims about the fight having ‘preliminary agreements’ in place earlier this month. “The rumors of a bout with [UFC featherweight champion Ilia] Topuria are false,” he wrote in a tweet on X on December 17.
“I am in preliminary agreements with the Ambani family to face Logan Paul in a boxing exhibition in India. I have agreed. I will then seek my return to the Octagon.”
Jake Paul’s Promotion play down Logan Paul and Conor McGregor fight talks
However, not everybody is convinced that McGregor is telling the truth. Logan’s brother Jake Paul owns the boxing promotion Most Valuable Promotions, which put on his fight with Mike Tyson in Texas last month.
And underneath McGregor’s post, they commented with three hat emojis, essentially saying “Cap on cap on cap.” Jake is believed to have been the original opponent wanted by the Ambani family to face McGregor, but claims that his team refused to enter into talks without the UFC or Dana White directly.
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| Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images |
“Now it all makes sense why Conor McGregor and his management team have been desperately trying to get MVP to negotiate for a fight between us,” he wrote on X to his 4.7million followers in his first post since the Irishman’s initial tweet..
“As we told them them privately & I’m now saying it publicly… The only way we’re willing to explore me vs Conor in a pro boxing / mma fight is if Dana White / UFC are at the table directly or make it clear they are ok with discussions. Conor is washed. Needs the Paul’s. Logan by however he wants.”
- Donagh Corby
PROTEAS COACH UNAPOLOGETIC ABOUT 'EASY' ROUTE TO TEST FINAL
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| Marco Jansen celebrates hitting the four that gave South Africa |
Proteas coach Shukri Conrad brushed off criticism about the format of the World Test Championship after his team qualified for the final.
South African coach Shukri Conrad predictably brushed off criticism about the uneven scheduling of the World Test Championship after his team qualified for the final.
South Africa beat Pakistan in a dramatic two-wicket win in Centurion on Sunday to earn their sixth successive Test win.
On the average points system used for the championship, the South Africans are guaranteed a place in the final next June, even if they lose their last match, the second Test against Pakistan starting in Cape Town on Friday.
‘EASY DRAW’
“People abroad will be shouting that we had an easy draw. Well, I’m not going to apologise for that. We’re just thrilled that we can be at Lord’s next year,” Conrad said after the victory against Pakistan.
Australia’s win against India in Melbourne on Monday put them in pole position to join South Africa at Lord’s, although they still have to play a fifth Test against India and two matches away against Sri Lanka.
South Africa’s path to the final illustrated the imbalance in the quantity and quality of the fixtures for the nine teams contesting the World Test Championship (WTC), a fact highlighted by former England captain Michael Vaughan, who called for a revamp of the format.
“At the moment every team plays a wildly different number of games and that just does not create a balanced outcome or totally fair league table,” Vaughan wrote in a column for British daily The Telegraph.
South Africa’s programme consisted of just 12 matches, the joint lowest number together with Bangladesh.
England played 22 Tests and Australia and India, the other members of cricket’s ‘big three’, had 19 fixtures each.
South Africa had six series, all of only two matches. They shared a series against India 1-1 but did not play against Australia or England.
Australia, India and England, by contrast, played each other in a five-match ‘marquee’ series.
With no team dominating, they all shed points, affecting their average points standings.
After sharing the honours against India, South Africa effectively forfeited a series in New Zealand because their governing body prioritised a Twenty20 tournament.
Conrad could not select any players contracted by the T20 franchises, which ruled out most of his first-choice players.
Since then, though, South Africa have won away series in the West Indies and Bangladesh and beaten Sri Lanka at home before scraping home against Pakistan.
Conrad admitted that his team were far from their best at Centurion, needing an unbeaten ninth wicket stand of 51 between Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada to secure the win.
“The WTC weighs on you, you really want to get to the final, but we need to be a lot more resilient and clinical. We saw what pressure did to some of our players but they will grow enormously from the experience.
“We are so much better than we showed in this match but we want this team to never know when they are beaten and we want the opposition to know that too,” said Conrad.
- Garrin Lambley
NICK KYRGIOS MAKES RETURN FROM INJURY IN DOUBLES WIN WITH NOVAK DJOKOVIC IN BRISBANE INTERNATIONAL
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| Australia's Nick Kyrgios, left, talks with Serbia's Novak Djokovic during their doubles match against Alexander Erler of Austria and Andreas Mies of Germany in the Brisbane International, at the Queensland Tennis Centre in Brisbane, Australia. (Darren England/AAP Image via AP) |
Nick Kyrgios marked his return from injury with an entertaining doubles victory alongside Novak Djokovic in the Brisbane International.
Kyrgios and Djokovic, who faced each other in the Wimbledon singles final in 2022, teamed up to defeat Austria's Alexander Erler and Germany's Andreas Mies 6-4 6-7 (4) 10-8, with Kyrgios sealing the win with an ace.
The 29-year-old, who had played just one match in more than two years due to injury, said in a courtside interview: "This injury has been brutal for me,so I wasn't taking any of this for granted.
"I don't know how many Aussie summers I've got left, so I was just looking around and loving the energy and just so happy to be back out here.
"We promised that we were going to do this one more time before either he [Djokovic] goes or I go, so I'm glad we're still alive!"
Kyrgios initially underwent knee surgery in January 2023 and returned to action in June of that year, but played only one match before pulling out of Wimbledon due to a torn ligament in his right wrist.
He had not played a competitive match since and it appeared doubtful that he would be able to return, but he is playing both doubles and singles in Brisbane and faces France's Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard on Tuesday.
Djokovic, who produced a superb backhand winner around the net to help secure the only break of the match in the first set, said: "That was awesome.
"I want to thank Nick for playing. He said the other day it should be a pleasure to play with him and it is.
"I'm glad to share the court with him on his comeback. I haven't played that many doubles matches in my life, so whatever Nick was saying I was following.
"I feel great. Cannot ask for a better start to the season, sharing the court with Nick for the first time, winning the match and getting a little bit of a feel for the court.
"I played my last competitive tournament a few months ago, I ended my season quite early, just wanted to get my things together, physically recover and work really on perfecting my game as much as I can
"There's a lot of great players, really quick, dynamic, powerful players nowadays, youngsters that I have to keep up with."
- Phil Casey
AUSTRALIA SECURES SERIES WIN LEAD AGAINST INDIA WITH 'ONE OF THE BEST' TEST WIN
Australia beat India by 184 runs in the fourth Test to take a 2-1 lead in the five-match Border-Gavaskar series.
Australia have taken seven wickets after tea on the final day of the fourth Test to win a classic against India by 184 runs and snatch a 2-1 series lead heading into the final match in Sydney.
India were coasting on the back of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant’s partnership through the entire middle session at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Monday but lost 7-34 after being bowled out for 155 in front of a mammoth crowd of 74,362.
Australia captain Pat Cummins and fellow pacer Scott Boland finished with three wickets apiece, and spinner Nathan Lyon chipped in two on a dramatic final day that was tinged with controversy over the use of the Decision Review System (DRS).
“It was an amazing Test match. I reckon that’s one of the best to be part of,” said Cummins, named Player of the Match after scoring 100 tail-end runs and taking six wickets in total.
“All week, the crowd’s been ridiculous, and the cricket’s been just as good. Pretty happy at the moment, happy to contribute.”
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| Getty |
The big fifth-day crowd brought the total attendance in Melbourne to 373,691, a record for a Test match in Australia, who had been frustrated by rain in the third Test.
India were 112 for three when they resumed after tea with Jaiswal and Pant well set, looking to bat the tourists to safety if not take a record 340 runs for victory.
However, after showing unusual restraint early on, Pant threw away his wicket with a hard pull at part-time spinner Travis Head and was caught for 30 by a sprinting Mitchell Marsh in the deep.
The wicket ended an 88-run partnership and turned the match.
Boland had number six Ravindra Jadeja caught behind for two with a steepening delivery before Steve Smith lunged for a brilliant catch at slip to remove Nitish Kumar Reddy, who nicked Lyon to be out for one.
Controversy erupted when Jaiswal pulled at a short Cummins ball, prompting a big appeal for caught-behind, and the Australia skipper reviewed immediately when it was turned down.
Replays showed a clear deviation high off the bat but no evidence of a nick on the “Ultra Edge” technology. The TV umpire decided the deviation was enough, though, and overturned the decision.
Jaiswal, out for 84, remonstrated with the on-field umpires and sections of the crowd chanted, “Cheater! Cheater!”
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| Getty |
India ‘put up a fight’
Akash Deep was then dismissed for seven, again on review, caught by Head off the bowling of Boland with a thin edge pinging off his pads. Australia referred the not-out decision, and this time “Ultra Edge” showed a healthy nick.
That left tailenders Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj to try to hold Australia out with about 40 minutes to stumps. Both fell for ducks with Lyon sealing the win by trapping Siraj LBW.
“It’s pretty disappointing,” said India captain Rohit Sharma, who was dismissed for nine on Monday after managing only three in the first innings.
“If you look at the overall Test match, we had our opportunities. We had our chances. We just didn’t take them.”
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| Getty |
India will rue their failure to clean up Australia’s tail late on Day 4 with Lyon and Boland finishing with a 61-run partnership for the final wicket.
Bumrah bowled Lyon for 41 on the final morning to wrap up Australia’s second innings for 234. He finished with 5-57 for the innings and nine wickets for the match.
Cummins had taken flak from some fans and pundits for not declaring on Day 4 to give his bowlers a chance for quick wickets after tea.
But he silenced the critics by striking twice in the same over before lunch on Monday, dismissing Rohit and KL Rahul for a duck.
Rohit now has 31 runs at an average of 6.20 for his three matches, the worst-performing specialist batter in the series.
Virat Kohli was unable to save India, falling for five to Mitchell Starc with another nick behind when driving outside off-stump.
The result left India’s hopes of making the World Test Championship final on a knife-edge while boosting Australia’s chances.
India need to draw the series with victory in Sydney and then hope other results fall their way to reach the WTC decider.
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| Getty |
JAMES MADDISON HITS BACK AFTER APPEARING AT WORLD DARTS CHAMPIONSHIP HOURS AFTER SPURS DRAW
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| James Maddison was spotted at the World Darts Championship (Picture: Getty) |
James Maddison has clapped back at a fan who criticised him for attending the World Darts Championship just hours after Tottenham’s frustrating draw with Wolves.
Maddison was a second-half substitute in north London on Sunday as Jorgen Strand Larsen’s late equaliser saw Wolves hold Spurs to a 2-2 draw.
The result stretches Tottenham’s winless run to three games and piles further pressure on Ange Postecoglou who are bereft of confidence and fit players.
Spurs fans booed their team off at full-time, and Maddison caught the ire of some again later that evening when he and teammate Brennan Johnson were spotted at Ally Pally watching the darts.
The English midfielder is known for his love of the sport, often performing a darts-themed celebration when he scores, but some fans were clearly not pleased at seeing their players out and smiling after a disappointing result.
Replying under a post of the England midfielder on the PDC’s Instagram account, one fan wrote: ‘U taking the p***? The form were(sic) in and U go to the darts?? Unacceptable.’
But Maddison was not a fan of the criticism and hit back at the fan, responding: ‘Shut up u wally’, along with a laughing emoji.
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| James Maddison performing his trademark Darts celebration (Picture: Getty) |
After a hectic Christmas period, Maddison and his Spurs teammates are set to be given a few days off to reset ahead of more key fixtures.
‘This is the first week where we don’t have a midweek game, so I think the whole group probably needs a couple of days just to get away from everything and recover,’ Postecoglou confirmed after Sunday’s draw.
‘It’ll do them good to have a couple of days to themselves with their families and give them a chance to recover mentally as much as physically.
Tottenham host Newcastle first up in the New Year before their Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Liverpool.
Spurs continue to struggle with plenty of injuries as the likes of Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, Gugliemo Vicario, Ben Davies and Richarlison all missed the clash with Wolves.
And their issues worsened on Sunday when Destiny Udogie appeared to pick up a hamstring injury and was forced out of the game early in the second half.
‘Yeah, I think it was a hamstring,’ said the manager. ‘Again like I said, we’ve been relying on a core group of players because we just haven’t had the ability to rotate so at some point it was going to catch up with us. Unfortunately it caught up with Destiny.’
- Ben Fleming
Sunday, 29 December 2024
BOXER PAUL BAMBA DIES AGE 35, SIX DAYS AFTER AFTER LAST FIGHT
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| Puerto Rican boxer Paul Bamba, left, has died at the age of 35. Instagram/bambajuice |
Boxer Paul Bamba has died at the age of 35, his manager, Ne-Yo, announced Friday.
The Puerto Rican fighter's death comes less than a week after his last fight, a victory against Rogelio Medina that saw him crowned WBA Gold Cruiserweight champion.
American singer Ne-Yo, who made Bamba the first signing to his new management company in November, confirmed the news in a joint statement alongside Bamba's family on Instagram.
"It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of beloved son, brother, friend and boxing champion Paul Bamba, whose light and love touched countless lives," the statement read.
"He was a fierce yet confident competitor with an unrelenting ambition to achieve greatness. But more than anything, he was a tremendous individual that inspired many with his exceptional drive and determination," the statement continued. "We are heartbroken by his passing and kindly ask for privacy and understanding during this difficult time as we collectively navigate our grief."
Bamba had only three defeats in his boxing career and won all of his 14 matches in 2024 by knockout, including his world title victory against Mexican fighter Medina on Dec. 21 in New Jersey.
Jake Paul, who got called out by Bamba after the fight, posted on X: "RIP Paul Bamba."
- ESPN
SINGAPORE VALIANT IN DEFEAT AS BRAVE ASEAN CHAMPIONSHIP RUN COMES TO AN END
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| Singapore's brave run at the 2024 ASEAN Championship came to an end on Thursday as a 3-1 defeat to Vietnam saw them lose 5-1 on aggregate in the semifinals. HOANG ANH/AFP via Getty Images |
At the end of the day, this Singapore team probably were not ready to mount a legitimate title challenge at the ASEAN Championship just yet.
And it proved to be the case.
Reaching the semifinals was already an achievement in itself and that proved to be as far as they would get, after a 3-1 loss at Việt Trì Stadium on Sunday completed a 5-1 aggregate defeat at the hands of Vietnam.
The damage had already been done three days earlier when they were unable to make the most of home advantage.
Given the monumental task that is getting a result away to Vietnam, Singapore really needed a win at Jalan Besar Stadium on Thursday. A draw would have been the bare minimum.
Yet, having done so well to match it with their more-illustrious opponents for 90 minutes, Singapore would concede twice deep into added time to suffer a costly defeat.
Even with a mountain to climb, the aptly-nicknamed Lions refused to go away without a fight in the return encounter.
Just as it was in the first leg, there was plenty of controversy on Sunday.
Getting on the front foot from the opening whistle, Singapore thought they had given themselves a lifeline after just ten minutes.
A long throw from Lionel Tan was flicked on by Safuwan Baharudin and, after Shawal Anuar's initial effort had been blocked by Nguyễn Đình Triệu, Faris Ramli was able to guide a follow-up header into the back of the net despite the combined attempts of Bùi Tiến Dũng and Nguyễn Thành Chung to clear it off the line.
The goal was immediately ruled out, however, and after a lengthy VAR review, it was deemed that Faris had just strayed marginally offside. The amount of time it took the officials to make the decision suggested it was a close one.
11 minutes later, it was Vietnam's turn to have a strike chalked off. This time, it did not take as long to confirm that Châu Ngọc Quang had illegally climbed on the back of Nazrul Nazari en route to sending a header into the far corner.
And as was the case three days earlier, the visitors will be aggrieved by the manner in which a penalty was awarded against them in the 41st minute even though it was technically a correct decision.
Tan had dragged down Rafaelson inside the area as a ball was played into the area but the overhit delivery was nowhere in the vicinity of the incident, although the Singapore defender only had himself to blame for putting himself at risk of being penalised.
It paved the way for Rafaelson to send Izwan Mahbud the wrong way from the spot and, all of a sudden, the Lions had an even bigger mountain to climb.
The contest was effectively over two minutes after the hour mark when Vietnam doubled their tally for the evening.
Embarking on an industrious charge down the left byline, Nguyễn Hoàng Đức forced his way past both Amirul Adli and Tan before his low ball into the six-yard box was inadvertenly diverted by a desperate Safuwan to the back post, where Rafaelson gleefully accepted a simple tap-in from two yards out.
Still, Singapore refused to give up.
12 minutes later, they gave themselves the slimmest of lifelines -- a deserved consolation, at the very least -- when Kyoga Nakamura was afforded too much space at the edge of the box and fired away a speculative effort that took a deceptive bounce in front of Đình Triệu before going in off the post.
Nonetheless, Vietnam would have the last say with another penalty awarded in the first minute of injury-time when Nguyễn Văn Vĩ pounced on a loose ball in the area and was poised to charge through before being bundled over by Adli, allowing Nguyễn Tiến Linh to make it 5-1 on aggregate.
It was a hefty margin of victory for Vietnam -- one that arguably did not provide an accurate representation of the fight that Singapore had given them.
Ultimately, they were one of the frontrunners even before the tournament started. Rightfully, there are marching on to the final.
But just as they had been in getting this far, Singapore were valiant even as they bowed out of the tournament.
The Lions can head home with their heads held high.
- Gabriel Tan
GREG GUMBEL PASSED AWAY AT AGE 78
Greg Gumbel, a veteran of CBS Sports who spent more than 50 years in sports broadcasting, has died of cancer at the age of 78, his family said Friday.
Saturday, 28 December 2024
Thursday, 26 December 2024
Wednesday, 25 December 2024
LYNDSEY VONN THINKS HER NEW TITANIUM KNEE COULD START A TREND IN SKIING, AND PRO SPORTS IN GENERAL
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| AP |
ST. MORITZ, Switzerland (AP) — When Lindsey Vonn last raced on the World Cup circuit nearly six years ago, the constant pain in her knee left her in tears and led to retirement.
Flash forward to Vonn’s comeback race on a titanium knee at age 40 last weekend, and the American skiing standout couldn’t have felt more different.
No more pain. No more swelling. No more tears.
"The last few years of my career were so much different than they are right now. I’m skiing without thinking about my knee, which I really haven’t done since I first tore my ACL in 2013. So it’s been a long time that I felt this good,” Vonn said Saturday after placing 14th in a super-G in St. Moritz. “I’m a little bit older, but honestly I’m a hell of a lot stronger than I once was.”
So much stronger that she’s talking up her knee replacement surgery — the first of its kind in World Cup skiing — as a new frontier for the sport.
In April, Vonn had a robot-assisted replacement performed by Martin Roche, a South Florida-based orthopedist specializing in complex knee disorders. Part of the bone in her right knee was cut off and replaced by two titanium pieces. A month later, she was planning her comeback.
It’s a lot better than my non-existent cartilage,” said Vonn, one of the most successful skiers of all time with 82 World Cup wins. “I’ve talked to a lot of skiers already about it and I really think that it could be something that should be considered.
“I feel amazing. I mean, obviously not everyone responds the same way to surgeries. For some reason, I bounce back pretty well from surgery. But I think it’s something to seriously consider for athletes that have a lot of knee problems.”
Knee replacement are usually reserved for older people
Federation’s head physician and an orthopedist who has operated numerous times on Vonn’s good friend and fellow downhiller, Sofia Goggia, said knee replacements are usually performed on patients older than 50.
“This is definitely the first time in World Cup history that such a young athlete has raced with one,” Panzeri told The Associated Press. “And I’m not aware of any other elite-level athletes in other sports competing with one, either.”
Panzeri performs knee replacements. But he had never even thought about doing one on a World Cup skier — until he saw Vonn competing with one.
"Partial prosthetics, like the half-knee ones, are definitely the ones that offer the best performance and we’re seeing that (with Vonn),” Panzeri said. “I don’t think her decision is going to change pro sports. But it could provide more motivation for so-called ‘normal’ people to try a prosthetic.”
Three-time Grand Slam tennis champion Andy Murray played with an artificial hip at the end of his career. Vonn’s former skiing teammate Julia Mancuso also redid her hip a few months after she retired in 2018 and maintains an active lifestyle.
“I, for sure, would have considered a comeback if I didn’t have kids,” Mancuso told The AP recently. “So I can totally relate to Lindsey.”
But Panzeri said that “hips have different biomechanics than a knee and many more people are able to play sports with a hip prosthetic than a knee prosthetic.”
Three-time Grand Slam tennis champion Andy Murray played with an artificial hip at the end of his career. Vonn’s former skiing teammate Julia Mancuso also redid her hip a few months after she retired in 2018 and maintains an active lifestyle.
“I, for sure, would have considered a comeback if I didn’t have kids,” Mancuso told The AP recently. “So I can totally relate to Lindsey.”
But Panzeri said that “hips have different biomechanics than a knee and many more people are able to play sports with a hip prosthetic than a knee prosthetic.”
Knee replacement are not likely to become like Tommy John surgery
Elan Goldwaser, a sports medicine physician at Columbia University Medical Center who works with the U.S. Ski Team, has seen many athletes come to his clinic for knee replacements but not elite-level competitors.
So, is Vonn’s operation going to be a trend-setter in skiing?
“I wouldn’t say it’s the go-to like in baseball with Tommy John surgery,” Goldwaser said in St. Moritz. “But if it’s necessary said in St. Moritz. “But if it’s necessary, it’s a good procedure to do.”
Vonn's coach says her fitness level helped her deal with the replacement
Chris Knight, Vonn’s personal coach, said they had questions over whether her titanium knee would hold up to the forces required to navigate downhill skiing turns at 80 mph (130 kph) as she hurls herself down steep mountains.
“There was not a lot of research out there with high-level athletes and partial knee replacements,” Knight said. “It is a new frontier. But so far everything’s working really well... And I would not be surprised if other people do it because the results that Lindsey’s had, with no pain and no swelling, have been unbelievable.
Granted, she stayed in great shape the entire time she hasn’t been racing. So, that probably helped. I mean, if you’re sitting around as a non-active skier and not doing anything with your fitness, then maybe it wouldn’t be as effective. But if you’re an athlete who’s got some knee problems, from what I’m seeing, I wouldn’t be saying no to them.”
Vonn’s new knee also left an impression on U.S. Ski Team head coach Paul Kristofic.
“I’m definitely due for one myself,” Kristofic said. “I’m going to talk to her.”
Still, there are doubters.
Four-time overall World Cup champion Pirmin Zurbriggen told Swiss tabloid Blick last week that “there is a risk that Vonn will tear her artificial knee to pieces.”
But Panzeri said the titanium does not rupture.
“Absolutely not,” he said. “It’s a small prosthetic that doesn’t break.”
Vonn will race next in St. Anton, Austria, Jan. 11-12.
- Andrew Dampf, AP
"ARE YOU KIDDING ME?" JETS' QB AARON RODGERS NAME DROPS NEW GIRLFRIEND; FANS ABSOLUTELY IRATE
The New York Jets are hoping the 2024 season finishes with as little injuries as possible. It has been a nightmare start to their Aaron Rodgers experiment. Injuries, coaching changes, and all around poor play have destroyed New York’s last two seasons.
However, Aaron Rodgers could have extra motivation going into the 2025 season.
According to a source at Wisconsin Sports Heroics:
Green Bay has made the playoffs both years under QB Jordan Love, while New York has failed to have a winning season. However, Rodgers remains one of the biggest topics in sports, and today he mentioned his new girlfriend.It does not take long for #8 to find a new girlfriend, no matter how long he was in a previous relationship:A few years ago, the then-Green Bay Packers quarterback shocked everyone when he announced during his virtual acceptance speech for his third MVP at the NFL Honors that he was engaged.About a year later, he and fiancée Shailene Woodley were broken up but still seen out together as just friends.On Monday, during his appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” the current New York Jets quarterback revealed that he has a girlfriend while discussing the Christmas season.His news certainly caught McAfee off guard based on his reaction.Aaron Rodgers didn’t reveal too much about her except that her name is Brittani with an “I.”
“I used to enjoy a little outing to go do my Christmas shopping but I actually ordered all of it online this year..
I’ve been waiting on one last package to show up for my girlfriend and it showed up today”
Congratulations @AaronRodgers12 👏 #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/hgJIVQbJHF
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) December 23, 2024
BOOKER OUT FOR CHRISTMAS; LEBRON, TATUM QUESTIONABLE
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker has been ruled out of Wednesday's Christmas night home game against the Denver Nuggets because of a groin strain.
It would be the third straight game Booker has missed after suffering the injury in the third quarter of a defeat last week to the visiting Indiana Pacers. The Suns lost both games he missed.
Several other stars are listed as questionable for Christmas Day, including Los Angeles Lakers stars Anthony Davis (shoulder) and LeBron James (injury management). Davis and James both played in Monday night's home loss to the Detroit Pistons.
Jamal Murray, who missed the Nuggets' home win over the Suns on Monday, is listed as questionable for Wednesday's rematch due to an ankle injury.
Jayson Tatum is listed as questionable for the Boston Celtics' game against the visiting Philadelphia 76ers with an illness that also kept him out of a loss Monday at the Orlando Magic.
The Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic missed two games last week with a left heel injury but returned Monday for a win over the visiting Portland Trail Blazers. He is listed as questionable for Wednesday's home game versus the Minnesota Timberwolves.
- ESPN
Tuesday, 24 December 2024
JOEL EMBIID EJECTED UN CHAOTIC FIRST HALF OF 76ERS WIN VS. SOAIN
PHILADELPHIA -- The 76ers rallied to beat the Spurs 111-106 despite a chaotic opening half that included Joel Embiid getting ejected after drawing two quick technical fouls for arguing a charge call -- and another ejection for teammate Andre Drummond that was later rescinded in a bizarre scene Monday night.
Driving to the basket in transition as San Antonio's Victor Wembanyama attempted to defend, Embiid plowed into the 20-year-old French phenom, knocking him to the floor. Embiid was whistled for a charging foul with 2:59 left in the first half.
Embiid stood up immediately and vehemently argued the call, leading to a technical foul from referee Jenna Schroeder as the center headed toward the Philadelphia bench.
Once near the bench area, a furious Embiid charged toward the officials and was restrained by teammate Kyle Lowry, coach Nick Nurse and several assistants as Schroeder issued another technical foul, leading to Embiid's second career ejection.
Embiid got close to Schroeder during the initial technical foul, but it wasn't clear from replays whether he made contact with the official. After the game, crew chief Curtis Blair said to a pool reporter that there was "incidental contact with both of them" during the sequence, but added, "There was nothing that warranted any further punishment."
Nurse said he never received an explanation for Embiid's ejection.
"I couldn't ever really get to the referee that called it," Nurse said. "So, I was asking the other guys and they were saying to ask her, and I never really got a chance. I just assume it was [for] arguing or whatever."
Blair said that Embiid was ejected for two unsportsmanlike technical fouls.
Wearing a mask while playing in just his second game since suffering a sinus fracture, Embiid had nine points and three rebounds in 14 minutes, shooting 2-for-8. He entered the game averaging 22.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 4.6 assists.
It was the second ejection of the quarter by Schroeder, although the first was rescinded in a strange sequence. Drummond, the 76ers' reserve center, was whistled for a technical foul with 8:13 remaining in the first half after pushing Wembanyama to the floor as the two battled under the basket. Seconds later, Drummond appeared to push Wembanyama down again.
Drummond was initially called for his second technical foul and ejected. After video review, however, the officials rescinded the ejection. Then, they assessed Wembanyama with a technical foul for flopping. Philadelphia's Tyrese Maxey made the free throw, only for the officials to rescind the "unsportsmanlike flop" technical, remove the point from the 76ers' total and restart the game.
"The whole thing was really strange," Nurse said.
According to the pool report, it was determined that Drummond stepped on Wembanyama's foot and the contact was deemed incidental.
Drummond, who had already departed for the locker room, was seen on the broadcast putting his jersey back on as he came down the tunnel toward the court.
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| "The whole thing was really strange," 76ers coach Nick Nurse said of Andre Drummond being ejected. Drummond was allowed to return to the game when his second technical foul was rescinded upon video review. Emilee Chinn/Getty Images |
"He just stepped on my foot, and I fell," Wembanyama said. "I didn't expect the foul to be called. I just fell."
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson, who is in charge as Gregg Popovich recovers from a stroke, agreed.
"I don't think it was a foul on them, and I don't think it was a flop [on Wembanyama]," he said. "That's kind of how I saw it up to that point."
Those incidents led to Philadelphia fans relentlessly booing Wembanyama every time he touched the ball. He finished with 26 points, nine rebounds and eight blocks. But Maxey scored 32 points and made two crucial plays in the final minute to help the 76ers complete the comeback.
Embiid, who was playing in just his eighth game, returned to the court after the win and was smiling as he celebrated with his teammates.
Embiid did not address the incident afterward. According to a team official, Embiid left the arena when reporters were in the locker room for postgame media availability.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
- Michael C. Wright, ESPN Staff Writer
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