FIXTURES | ROUND OF 16 | 29 JUNE | EURO 2024

 

ROUND OF 16 FIXTURES

 

SHAQ OFFICIALLY RELEASES FIRST-EVER JAY-Z AND NAS COLLAB RECORDED 28 YEARS AGO

 

Eva Marie Uzcategui/ohnny Nunez/Getty Images (2)

NBA Hall of Famer and moonlighting MC Shaquille O'Neal has officially released the first-ever Jay-Z and Nas collaboration on the reissue of his 1996 album You Can't Stop the Reign.

Shaq Officially Puts First Jay-Z and Nas Collab on Album Re-Release

After teasing fans with the record on Thursday (June 27), Shaq followed through on Friday (June 28) by delivering an updated version of his third studio album. The rerelease has the track "No Love Lost" featuring Jay-Z, Nas and Lord Tariq. The track marks the first-ever time Hov and Esco appeared on a song together.

On the Trackmasters-produced banger, which can be heard below, the then-burgeoning rappers are sharp with the bars as it would have been recorded around the time Jigga put out his debut album Reasonable Doubt, and Nas was on the heels of his sophomore LP It Was Written.

"Fo' sho', everything's for dough now/The flow, y'all gotta pay a little mo' now," Hov spits. "It's platinum, nowadays we put the gold down/We stepped it up, y'all don't ever wanna showdown/Get wetted up by the sleeve that leave the bezel out/Y'all don't like it, sue me, I'll settled out/Ghettoed out, in the vehicle bent/These days I mellowed out."

Shaq and Tariq slide on beat. Mid-90s Nas goes in as well. "I spent nights on corners, see the crack, cop my first smack/No longer scared to pump with y'all pump/Now I burst back, it hurts that," Nas raps. "Don't see cream can make my purse fat/Without the benefits of a doubt, I hit the hearse black/But curse that, try to see Nas was your worst match/Blowing like Tahiti, throw off NYPD, am I greedy?/Like I mean E.D. see me in the fly/Selena Gibby frames in a beanie."

The History of "No Love Lost"

The song sans Nas originally appeared on the You Can't Stop the Reign album when it debuted in November of 1996. The version with Nas appeared on the DJ Clue mixtape Fall Pt. 1 the same year the album version was released. It was later circulated on music file-sharing services.

Shaq revealed during an interview on the Drink Champs Podcast in 2022 that he couldn't end up clearing Nas' verse. "I didn’t take it personal because, again, me being in the studio with Nas, I’m happy," Shaq said. Now, it is appearing on DSPs for the first time.

Check out Jay-Z and Nas' first collaboration on Shaq's "No Love Lost" with Lord Tariq below.

- C. Vernon Coleman II

COLOMBIA'S CORDOBA CRUCIAL IN COSTA RICA'S CRUSHING DEFEAT

 Colombia continued their dominant run in the Copa America with a 3-0 win over Costa Rica and Jhon Cordoba putting in a strong showing to help his team extend their lead at the top of Group D and seal their place in the quarter-finals.

Nestor Lorenzo's side have now gone 25 games without defeat and remain among the title favourites.

With his searing pace and strength, Cordoba was a constant thorn in Costa Rica's side and won the penalty which lead to Luis Diaz's opener. He then scored the third goal in the 62nd minute.

"Everything that was planned during the week was done and the truth is that I'm very happy to contribute to my team-mates, not just because of the goal," Cordoba said after the match.

The 31-year-old striker, who plays for FK Krasnodar, started in place of Rafael Santos Borre, who is nursing an ankle problem.

He added that coach Lorenzo asked him to always go forward, find space in defence and make the most of his power. "This brought a lot to the team and when James sent me the ball, thank God the goal came".

"I'm very happy, not just because of the goal, but for the team, because it has evolved during the week, it's part of the confidence of the moment," Cordoba said.

Colombia conclude their group stage campaign against Brazil on Tuesday.

- Reuters 

TONY BELLEW SAYS USYK IS MAKING A MISTAKE AFTER SHOCK ANNOUNCEMENT "HE'LL CHANGE HIS MIND"

Only a few men have ever gone from being cruiserweight world champion to heavyweight king, but no one has ever done the same in reverse.

Tony Bellew has experience of fighting at both cruiserweight, where he became the WBC world champion back in 2016, before then moving up to heavyweight. Although he didn’t win a world title in the most famous division, he did secure back-to-back wins against David Haye in huge shows on Sky Sports Boxing Office.

He then moved back down to cruiserweight to challenge Usyk for the undisputed title. Though he came up just short and was stopped in round eight, he put up a superb effort through the first half of the fight.

Usyk is only the second man to ever be undisputed at both cruiserweight and heavyweight, with the other being Evander Holyfield. The Ukrainian shocked fans when he announced his plans to move back down to 200lbs once he’s finished his business at heavyweight.

Speaking to Lucky Block Casino, Bellew was asked if he was surprised by Usyk’s plan.

“No, it didn’t surprise me because I’m the first person he told it to. I interviewed him for DAZN, and I said when you defeat Tyson Fury, this was months ago, he just smiled and he says to me I’m going back down. I went you what? He said I’m going back down, I want to be the best at cruiserweight again.”

It is, however, a move Bellew thinks he will realise is unrealistic.

“I said you know that’s not beneficial. You know that’s not good. His body has time to adjust and adapt and he thinks he can go back down but it’s not that easy. Your body gets used to it.

He’ll understand and he’ll change his mind but it’s so hard to go back down. But listen, there is no one defeating him. I’d like to see him just walk away and go off into the sunset.”

Usyk will remain at heavyweight for at least one more fight when he rematches Tyson Fury in December for three of the major world titles.

- Toby Morgan 

THOMPSON SETS WORLD-LEADING MARK TO WIN JAMAICA 100M

Kishane Thompson - Ian Allen photo

 Kishane Thompson registered a sizzling world-leading mark of 9.77 seconds to win the men's 100 metres at the Jamaican Olympic trials on Friday, becoming the joint ninth fastest man in history.

Two-time World Championships finalist Oblique Seville was second in 9.82, while World Indoor 60m bronze medallist Ackeem Blake finished third in 9.92.

Thompson, who is in only his second season as a professional, had not raced at all this season before the Jamaican championship and told Reuters he believes he can go faster.

"My coach instructed me just to run the first 60 metre, nothing more, after that, shut it down," he said.

"If I came second or third, I would’ve made the team. The goal wasn’t to prove anything tonight, just run the 70 or 60 metres and see where I was."

Thompson, now the fourth fastest Jamaican - behind Usain Bolt, Yohan Blake and Asafa Powell - said he had much to improve on making his Olympic debut in Paris.

“It's kind of new to me, but I'm getting it slowly,” he said.

Shericka Jackson recovered from a poor start to win the women's 100m in 10.84, clawing her way from the back of the field after 30 metres to power past Tia Clayton (10.90) and twice Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (10.94).

Jackson, the back-to-back world champion in the 200m, said winning was more important than running a faster time.

“Coach and I sat down and talked about how we wanted the approach the season, and I think we did pretty good, having only ran one 100m prior to the national trials,” Jackson told Reuters.

“It’s a work in progress and I will now turn my attention to retaining my 200m title over the next two days."

Malik James-King won the 400m hurdles in 47.42, moving up to number five in the world this season as he crossed the finish 0.62 seconds ahead of national record holder Roshawn Clarke, while Jaheel Hyde was third in 48.35.

James-King said he never panicked, even as he left it until hurdle number nine to catch Clarke.

"I was actually focusing on my lane and the hurdles in front of me while biding my time to execute down the home stretch," he said.

On the women's side, twice world championship bronze medallist Rushell Clayton sped to a lifetime best 52.51, the second-fastest time this season, to secure her first Olympic berth.

"My aim was to execute an awesome race... and I think I got my stride 99% close to perfect tonight to move up to 52.51," she said.

Janieve Russell (53.33) and Shiann Salmon (53.71) completed the podium spots.

Deandre Watkin ran a massive personal best of 44.48 to win the men’s 400m, while Sean Bailey finished second in 44.65, while JeVaughn Powell ended third in 44.79.

- Kayon Raynor

OLYMPIC HURDLER LOLO JONES RETURNS TO US TRIALS AT 41

Reuters 

 Lolo Jones, at age 41, returned to the U.S. Olympic track and field trials for the first time in 12 years on Friday, competing in the 100 metres hurdles despite being "terrified" to step onto the track.

One of the most recognisable women in American track, Jones is the oldest ever to qualify for the U.S. trials and said she hoped to inspire the younger competitors in Eugene, Oregon.

"I hope to show them like you can still be in your 40s and be good enough to qualify for the Olympic trials," said Jones who clocked a time of 14.86 seconds.

"I hope these kids can see me and be like, you know what? My world's not ending if I don't make this Olympic team. There's longevity."

Jones competed in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, finishing seventh and fourth, respectively. She later competed at the 2014 Winter Games in the bobsleigh.

Late scratches meant that every competitor across the opening heats would advance to Saturday's semi-final stage at Hayward Field and Jones finished last in her heat by a considerable margin.

The event was drained of some of its drama as many in the field chose to conserve their energy and 2016 Olympic silver medallist Nia Ali jogged through her race to cross the finish in 20.38.

For Jones, crossing the finish line 20 years after her Olympic trials debut was an accomplishment in and of itself, as she had not competed since April due to injury.

"I had no clue if I was going to blow my hamstring out," she said. "That was terrifying, what I just did. That's the most terrifying thing I've ever done in my career."

- Reuters 

HOLLOWAY WINS 110 METERS HURDLES IN SIZZLING US OLYMPIC YRIALS

USA TODAY Sports 

 Grant Holloway won the 110 metres hurdles at the U.S. Olympic trials in a world lead of 12.86 seconds on Friday, as Gabby Thomas and Noah Lyles scorched their semi-final heats in the 200m.

The three-time world champion Holloway took the immediate lead and was undeterred even as he clipped the seventh barrier, leaning hard over the finish line for the fourth fastest time in history.

"It just speaks for itself," Holloway said in televised remarks, as he booked a return trip to the Games after taking silver in Tokyo.

Freddie Crittenden was second in 12.93 while Daniel Roberts punched his ticket to Paris in 12.96, as they joined Holloway as the only three men to crack 13 seconds this year.

Sha'Carri Richardson seized the headlines earlier in the 10-day affair as she won the 100m and equalled her personal best to win her semi-final heat in the 200m in 21.92.

But the Tokyo bronze medallist Thomas was ready to take some of the spotlight for herself in her signature event, as she crossed the finish in 21.78 to win her heat in the fastest time of the year and send a message ahead of Saturday's final.

"I know I'm in shape and I'm ready to run but it just felt like such a nice, controlled run for me and so, I don't know, I didn't expect to run that fast, feeling that good so it kind of excites me for tomorrow," Thomas told reporters in Eugene, Oregon.

"I wouldn't be surprised to see a big PB (personal best) tomorrow."

Lyles put up a wind-aided 19.60 in the men's 200m semi-final, finishing 0.29 seconds ahead of Christian Coleman, while as their younger challenger Erriyon Knighton had the third-fastest time of the day in 19.93.

"It felt real easy. I was very shocked to see that time pop up," said Lyles, who won the 100m earlier at Hayward Field.

Tokyo silver medallist Kenny Bednarek also advanced in 19.96.

The 100 metres hurdles opening heats featured a familiar face as a 41-year-old Lolo Jones returned to the U.S. trials for the first time in 12 years, advancing to the semi-final as late scratches saw all the competitors move on.

The Tokyo 400 metres hurdles silver medallist Rai Benjamin eased into Sunday's final in 47.97, along with CJ Allen (48.16) and Aldrich Bailey (48.69).

- Reuters 

US JUDGE SENDS KNICKS-RAPTORS DIS

USA TODAY Sports 

 The New York Knicks' lawsuit that accused rivals the Toronto Raptors of hiring a "mole" who gave the Raptors scouting reports and other confidential material should be resolved by the NBA, not the courts, a federal judge in New York ruled on Friday.

In a lawsuit filed last August the Knicks accused their former video, analytics and player-development assistant Ikechukwu Azotam of stealing thousands of proprietary files and forwarding them to the Raptors.

U.S. District Judge Jessica Clarke did not rule on the case's merits but granted the Raptors' request to compel arbitration, saying the NBA Constitution gave Commissioner Adam Silver exclusive jurisdiction over disputes involving the two teams.

"The Raptors and (owner Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment) are pleased that the court agreed this should be resolved by the NBA, which we have maintained is the correct forum for disputes of this nature," a Raptors spokesperson told Reuters.

"We hope this brings this matter closer to a resolution."

The Knicks disagreed with the decision.

"We were the victim of a theft of proprietary and confidential files in a clear violation of criminal and civil law and are continuing to evaluate our legal options," a spokesperson said.

"We don't think it's appropriate for the Commissioner of the NBA to rule on a matter involving his boss, the Chairman of the NBA, and his team," the spokesperson said, referring to Larry Tanenbaum, who is the chairman of the NBA Board of Governors and Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment.

The NBA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Knicks first hired Azotam as a video coordinator in 2020. The lawsuit said Azotam was recruited by the Raptors starting in June of that year and told the Knicks he had received a job offer from them the following month.

According to the lawsuit, Azotam began sending confidential information to the Raptors around the same time, including details about the Knicks' organizational structure, reports on opponents' plays and tendencies, and game films edited by its scouting team.

The Knicks had requested an unspecified amount of damages and asked the court to permanently block the Raptors and Azotam from misusing their trade secrets.

- Rory Carroll 

MAX VERSTAPPEN CONFIRMS RED BULL STAY AMID MERCEDES LINKS

 

Max Verstappen won the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona last Sunday. THOMAS COEX/AFP via Getty Images

SPIELBERG, Austria -- After months of speculation over his future, Max Verstappen has confirmed he will remain at Red Bull in 2025, ruling out a switch to rivals Mercedes.

Verstappen has a contract with the team until 2028 but has consistently been linked this year with a move to Mercedes.

The rumours were forged amid tensions at Red Bull earlier this season that stemmed from an investigation into team principal Christian Horner over allegations of inappropriate behaviour.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff did nothing to disguise his interest in Verstappen as his team assessed its options to replace Lewis Hamilton, who will leave Mercedes for Ferrari at the end of this season.

As recently as last week's Spanish Grand Prix, the prospect of Verstappen switching teams was raised in the media again, although Wolff said no talks were ongoing with the driver.

Verstappen has been reluctant to give a straight answer on the issue all year, and he initially gave a vague response when asked ahead of this weekend's Austrian Grand Prix.

"I think I've said this before. I mean, naturally, of course, people are talking," he said. "But it's most important just that we have a very competitive car for the future.

"At the moment, of course, it's very tight, but we are working very well as a team to try and improve more.

"And for sure, I said this already with the team, we are working and focusing also on next year to try and be competitive again."

Pressed to give a yes or no answer to whether he would be at Red Bull in 2025, he added: "You didn't get that out of my answer before?

"OK, yes, but that's what I said. We're already also working on next year's car, you know. I think when you're very focused on that, that means that you're also driving for the team."

Red Bull's advantage over the rest of the field has shrunk in recent races, although Verstappen has still won three of the past four races and seven of the 10 so far this year.

Asked whether he would look to switch teams if Red Bull continued to lose ground, he said: "I don't think that's how Formula One works, where then suddenly you could say, well, bye, guys.

"You know, it's not how it works. I have a long contract with the team. I'm very happy where I'm at.

"And like I said before, we are focusing also already on next year with things that we can implement on the car."

- Laurence Edmondson, F1 Editor

EURO 2024: GEORGIA TEAM PROMISED $10M BY EX-PRIME MINISTER

Forbes com

 Georgia's players are in line for an unexpected payday at Euro 2024 after a billionaire former prime minister promised to pay out more than $10 million following their surprise win over Portugal.

The Georgian team can double its money with another win over Spain on Sunday in the round of 16.

Bidzina Ivanishvili, who founded the ruling Georgian Dream party and is now its honorary chairman, initially offered the payment of 30m Georgian lari ($10.7m) before the tournament on the condition that Georgia reached the knockout stages.

They did so after goals from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Georges Mikautadze gave Georgia a 2-0 win over a Portugal team led by Cristiano Ronaldo on Wednesday for one of the biggest shocks at any European Championship.

Ivanishvili confirmed the bonus in a statement carried by Imedi TV on Thursday and said that an equally large sum would be paid out to the team if Georgia beat Spain.

The statement said Ivanishvili "congratulates the Georgian football team on their greatest victory."

Georgia are in a major international football tournament for the first time and were not widely expected to progress past the group stage in Germany.

Ivanishvili, 68, is a massive football fan and has been attending some of the team's games in Germany. Ivanishvili, who is estimated to be worth $4.9 billion in 2023 by Forbes, also has French and Russian passports. One of his sons, Bera, is a famous rapper in Georgia.

Information from Julien Laurens contributed to this report.

- Associated Press 

VINICIUS STEPS UP FOR BRAZIL AFTER SLOW COPA AMÉRICA

Vinicius Junior celebrates scoring for Brazil against Paraguay at Copa America 2024. Reuters

 Tournament football can be a little like a social media voice message played three times faster than normal. Time speeds up. Teams suddenly come together, or just as quickly collapse under the intense pressure of the competition.

Brazil were subjected to the stress test on Friday night against Paraguay after an underwhelming start to their Copa América. Their opening display against Costa Rica was by no means a disaster -- but the goals did not come. At the end of the 0-0 draw, captain Danilo -- seen as a symbol of calm, rational leadership -- was arguing with supporters in the stands.

Part of the problem is a consequence of the recent failures of previous Brazil sides, leaving the current group expected to pay a bill for which they are not responsible. The pressure cranked up still further after fellow Group D opponents Colombia cruised to a 3-0 win over Costa Rica. It meant that Brazil took the field against Paraguay in the knowledge that defeat would mean almost certain elimination.

Instead, Brazil's 4-1 win on Friday means that, barring a mathematical miracle, they have booked their place in the quarterfinals. But they had to confront a few demons along the way.

The traditional resilience of the Paraguayans has broken Brazilian hearts before. They knocked Brazil out of the Copa América tournaments of 2011 and 2015, and they presented coach Dorival Junior's Brazil side with the prospect of a frustrating evening spent trying to break down their defence.

Worse still, with Brighton's Julio Enciso flitting about, and Miguel Almirón looking to have a right at Danilo, Paraguay posed an attacking threat. They came up with the first two dangerous shots of the game. And then on the half hour, when Brazil were out of the blue awarded a penalty for hand ball, Lucas Paquetá put it wide.

At this point, some serious questions were being posed and Brazil did not look up for their stress test. Was Paqueta being affected by the serious charges of spot fixing that have been levelled against him? Would Bruno Guimarães ever dominate the Brazil midfield the way that he does for Newcastle? And were Brazil making a mistake by playing without a recognised centre forward?

Within minutes, all in the same move, the team came up with some answers. It was a moment that might go down as a turning point for this Seleção. Vinícius Junior cut in from the left, exchanged passes with Rodrgyo; then Bruno Guimaraes played a nicely angled ball to Lucas Paqueta, whose sweet lay off was into the path of Vinícius, who had continued his infield run and had broken into the space created by the very absence of a centre forward. And Brazil's 1-0 lead after 34 minutes became 3-0 at halftime, with the game effectively decided.

The first goal was the key. Once Brazil were in front, Paraguay would have to commit more men forward, opening up space for the Brazil counterattack. Brazil's attacking pieces had clicked. And, probably most importantly, it was Vinícius Junior who led the pack.

This is a big tournament in the life of the Real Madrid superstar. Vinícius Junior went to the 2022 World Cup as a bolt-on. He was not originally part of the team constructed by coach Tite, and forced his way in on the run in. But it was not his team.

Times have changed. After a slow start to his international career, Vini is now viewed as the most potent attacking weapon, and this is his first tournament carrying this status.

In the back end of last year, injury restricted him to three of Brazil's six World Cup qualifiers. They were not memorable either for him or for the team -- a draw at home to Venezuela and defeats away to Uruguay and Colombia, with Vini substituted on all three occasions.

And then he was disappointing in the Copa debut against Costa Rica -- though many in the Brazilian media were critical of the decision to withdraw him in the second half. Brazil can be very cruel to its idols, and a second sub-standard Copa display would not have been greeted with such tolerance.

Instead, at the time when the team most needed it -- just after that Paqueta missed penalty -- Vinícius stepped up. This was his first two goal haul for his country, and probably the best match he has played in the yellow shirt.

He dribbled Paraguay right back Gustavo Velasquez to distraction, completing more dribbles in the first half alone than in any previous game he has played for Brazil. And, as he showed with that vital opening goal, there was an end product as well.

Brazil, then, are on their way. But they are still very much a work in progress.

As yet, this team is not remotely near the level of the side that coach Tite took to Qatar for the last World Cup. They do not press from the front with anything like the same intensity. And, despite often sitting deep and playing two tough midfielders in Bruno Guimaraes and João Gomes, they are nowhere near as defensively solid.

This last point has been a point of concern for Dorival Junior, and has been the focus of his training sessions. Even so, Paraguay had plenty of shots on goal. Alisson was beaten by a long range special from Omar Alderete -- Brazil sitting deep but unable to stop the shot -- and was also called upon to make a number of difficult saves.

But with a place in the last eight of the Copa all but guaranteed, Brazil can build for the rest of the competition under much less pressure on their backs. Dorival Junior will trust that in the rapid development made possible by tournament play, he can mould a unit which, spearheaded by Vinícius Junior, can win Brazil's first title of the decade.

- Tim Vickery, South America correspondent

WILLIAMS ANNOUNCE TOP TECHNICAL HIRES FROM F1 RIVALS

(L-R) Matthew Savage, chairman of Dorilton Capital, team principal James Vowles and ex-racing driver turned investor James Matthews. Mark Thompson/Getty Images

 Williams announced a list of top technical hires from rival Formula One teams on Thursday including Matt Harman who was previously technical director at Renault-owned Alpine.

Harman will join after the August shutdown as design director while Richard Frith, also ex-Alpine, arrives next year as head of performance systems.

Both will report to chief technical officer Pat Fry, an F1 veteran who joined Williams from Alpine last November.

Fabrice Moncade is joining as chief engineer next week after a previous stint at Ferrari while Juan Molina arrives from Haas on July 15 as chief aerodynamicist.

Steve Winstanley, who spent 14 years with Red Bull, has been appointed chief engineer, composites and structures.

Williams said they formed part of a group of 26 new recruits joining over the course of the year, including four from Red Bull and 10 from Alpine.

"There has been a particular focus on strengthening the aerodynamics team, with 11 hires, and the design office with 13," the team said in a statement.

"We are on a mission to fight our way back to the front and being able to attract experienced, championship-winning talent from other teams demonstrates huge belief in the journey we are on," principal James Vowles said.

The former world champions, who last won a race in 2012 and a championship in 1997, are currently ninth in the standings with two points from 10 races.

They recently extended the contract of Thai driver Alex Albon and have made an ambitious approach to Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz, who is handing over his seat to Lewis Hamilton at the end of the year.

- Reuters 

EXTREME H PRESENTS HYDROGEN-POWERED

Alejandro Agag has launched a new racing series with hydrogen-powered cars. Qian Jun/MB Media/Getty Images

 The world's first hydrogen race series, Extreme H, unveiled its new car on Thursday with a fresh focus on green technology and a shift away from racing in remote locations to raise awareness of climate change.

Extreme E, its predecessor, had aimed to promote sustainability and electric vehicles by racing SUVs in harsh areas already hit by environmental damage in a 'docu-sport' concept.

Founder Alejandro Agag told Reuters the switch to green hydrogen, produced by splitting water through electrolysis using renewable energy, meant a new mission.

"The focus before was to showcase what is happening in those remote locations," he said at the launch in London on board the former mail ship St Helena that has served as a floating paddock and marine research platform.

"Now the focus is only to hydrogen technology, so we don't have that pressure of going to those remote locations to tell the story, we already did that.

"Now we can race closer to Europe, closer to the U.S. because those are the places where hydrogen has to be deployed."

The 10-round 2025 calendar will have an opener in Saudi Arabia in April with races in Britain, Germany, Italy before a finale in the United States.

Formula One champions Jenson Button, Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton are among the existing team owners with seven times NASCAR Cup champion Jimmie Johnson also a competitor.

Extreme E, launched in 2021 with identical SUVs and male and female drivers in every lineup, had ventured as far as Senegal, Greenland, Chile and Uruguay, but the St Helena's future is now uncertain.

"It was amazing when we were in Greenland on this ship but very few sponsors could come, very few partners. It's too far," said Agag. "I would love to keep it, we still have to make a decision because it's very costly.

"And if we don't go far away it loses a bit it's reason of being. But it's a great place to lead the experience of the races."

Agag said he planned to continue Extreme E's legacy programmes.

The Pioneer 25 SUV uses a 75kw hydrogen fuel cell as principal energy source, with the car capable of accelerating from 0-100kph in 4.5 seconds and scale gradients of up to 130%.

Red Bull will join as a sponsor with Saudi investment fund PIF the series' principal partner.

"We are going to be the first ones really racing on hydrogen for I think quite some time," said Agag. "We have a car that races, that has been tested for 1500km and we are ready to go. There will be an H championship next year."

- Reuters 

BRAZIL CALM, CONFIDENT AT COPA AMÉRICA DESPITE SLOW START

Can veteran coach Dorival Junior meet the high hopes of Brazil fans? Ricardo Moreira/Getty Images

 Brazil coach Dorival Jr backed his team's tactics even though they were held to a goalless draw by Costa Rica in their opening Copa América match and he urged fans to keep faith with his players when they face Paraguay on Friday.

Brazil failed to impress after they failed to find the net against Costa Rica despite a dominant display in their opening Copa match.

However, 62-year-old coach Dorival Jr was quick to highlight the positive aspects of their performance.

"It's natural that we all expected a slightly different result in the last game, but we can't fail to appreciate how we performed. The way we put our opponents in their defence," Dorival told a news conference on Thursday.

"I am convinced of what we are doing and what we are achieving. It is work we have just started, but I think we are progressing in a balanced way.

"We have to be calm, balanced and confident. If every game we have doubts about everything we are doing, we will get nowhere."

The nine-time Copa champions will need to take all three points to boost their chances of progressing to the knockout stages, with Colombia leading in Group D after their 2-1 win over Paraguay. Despite the pressure, Dorival insists on being patient with a team "in transition".

"Every game is decisive, whether it's a friendly or not. It's always going to be like that, we'll never get rid of it," the Brazilian boss said. "We need to understand it's a time of change, of transition, you can't build a team overnight

"It's a natural process. The team has shown more positives than negatives in every match, not just the last one."

- Reuters 

EURO 2024: ENGLAND FAMILIES HIT WITH CUP AIMED AT SOUTHGATE

 The friends and families of England players were hit by beer cups in the stands after England's 0-0 draw with Slovenia on Tuesday.

England had already qualified from Group C ahead of the game but fans rounded on Southgate following a disappointing performance.

Defender Ezri Konsa said the families were hit "from all angles," getting covered in beer. It is reported that the families were not targeted and the plastic cups were aimed at manager Gareth Southgate.

"We were aware of it because I think some of our family members got hit with a few drinks." Konsa said.

The matter has not been discussed between Southgate and the players after the match in Cologne.

"We check on them. There's kids in the stands with family so we always have to check on them, reassure them and ask if they're all right.

"In football stuff like that happens."

The cups had come from fans all around the English end of the stadium after Southgate's side failed to score in 90 minutes.

"It was coming from all angles," Aston Villa's Konsa said after his brother got hit.

"We try not to think about it too much so we move on."

Southgate said in a postmatch news conference: "I understand the narrative towards me and that's better for the team than it being towards them.

"It is creating an unusual environment to operate in, I've not seen any other team qualify and receive similar [treatment]."

England topped Group C with five points and will face Slovakia in the round of 16 on Sunday.

- ESPN 

THE MACHIDA ZELVIA MIRACLE: HOW ARE J1 LEAGUE DEBUTANTS THE MIDSEASON LEADERS?

 

Machida Zelvia have been the story of the 2024 J1 League season as the newly-promoted outfit find themselves on top of the table past the halfway mark of the campaign in the first season of top-flight football. Hiroki Watanabe/Getty Images

As the 2024 J1 League season passed its halfway mark on Wednesday, a number of usual suspects are unsurprisingly jostling for position at the upper end of the table.

From eight-time record winners Kashima Antlers to defending champions Vissel Kobe and regular contenders such as Gamba Osaka, Sanfrecce Hiroshima and FC Tokyo, all these teams will have reason to believe they can challenge for top honours this term with just seven points separating them from the leaders.

But atop the summit, an unfamiliar name currently leads the way -- and quite remarkably so.

Just 20 games into their maiden season in the top flight of Japanese football, Machida Zelvia currently sit two points clear of the rest of the field.

This is a team that were playing in the third tier as recently as in 2015 and, prior to last season, had never finished higher than fourth in the J2 League. There were even a couple of close shaves where they narrowly escaped relegation back to the J3 League a few years ago.

Instead of battling relegation this season as expected, the fact that Zelvia have now embarked on an unlikely title challenge is nothing short of extraordinary -- and their story only gets better.

Eyebrows were raised at the start of 2023 when the club's search for a new coach saw them turn to Go Kuroda, who had spent 28 years at the helm of high school powerhouses Aomori Yamada but had never taken charge of a professional team.

Kuroda was aware of the initial reservations over his appointment.

"There were many who worried that this team couldn't win in my first pro year," he told The Japan Times after winning promotion at the end of last season.

"But every player on this team faced (the challenge) sincerely and gave everything they had to win, and that gave us power in our push for promotion.

"They took the words of a first-year manager to hear ... and stuck with me without a single complaint."

If Kuroda thought his first year in professional football went well, he might be in for a pleasant surprise depending how the rest of 2024 pans out.

The mastermind behind Machida Zelvia's rapid rise has been Go Kuroda, who is remarkably only in his second season as a professional coach after 28 years in high school football. Masashi Hara/Getty Images

If putting their faith in a previously-unproven tactician has proven a masterstroke, similar credit has to be given to the Zelvia hierarchy for the way they have gone about assembling the squad that is currently leading the J1 League.

Aware that reinforcements were always necessary, especially if they are to avoid the same fate as several of the J.League's yo-yo clubs in recent times, Zelvia were extremely active -- and astute -- in the offseason transfer window.

Centre-back Gen Shoji, who featured for Japan at the 2018 FIFA World Cup and previously played in Ligue 1 with Toulouse, was the biggest name arrival and he would provide an immediate injection of much-needed experience alongside fellow seasoned top-flight campaigners such as Kai Shibato and Keiya Sento.

The club also sought to refresh their foreign player contingent.

Both Oh Se-Hun and Na Sang-Ho, while not the biggest names in South Korean football, arrived with previous J1 League experience under their belts -- and the presence of a fellow compatriot has undeniably made it easier for them to settle into their new surroundings.

Just last month, Oh was rewarded for his impressive displays with Zelvia as he won his first South Korea cap in the Asian qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup.

Kosovo international Ibrahim Drešević, with past stints in the Eredivisie and Turkish Süper Lig, was the third new import for 2024 and he wasted no time in striking up a formidable central defensive partnership with Shoji - with Zelvia's 16 goals conceded the third-best defensive record in the J1 League at present.

Credit for their stability at the back also has to go to 23-year-old goalkeeper Kosei Tani, who was preivously earmarked as possibly a future Japan No. 1 and has been an assured presence as he looks to continue developing as a young custodian in another loan spell away from Gamba.

The acquisition of Tani has also been in line with another key recruitment philosophy: a desire for the team for some youthful energy.

With Yu Hirakawa already an exciting prospect of their own, Zelvia captured Shota Fujio on a permanent deal from Cerezo Osaka after he had impressed while on loan last season, while Kotaro Hayashi was brought in from Yokohama FC respectively.

All have had an impact despite their relative tender years with Fujio, who leads the team with seven goals, and Hirakawa part of the Japan team that won the AFC U-23 Asian Cup at the start of last month, while Hayashi has made the left-back spot his own.

On Wednesday, Zelvia maintained their foothold at the top of the table as they held out for a 0-0 draw away to a star-studded Vissel outfit.

23-year-old Shota Fujio has been a revelation for Machida Zelvia in the 2024 J1 League season, with his team-high seven goals putting him ahead of foreign stars such as Oh Se-Hun and Mitchell Duke. RICHARD A. BROOKS/AFP via Getty Images

It was far from the most impressive result that Zelvia have pulled off in 2024, having notched victories over the likes of Kashima, Urawa Red Diamonds and even AFC Champions League runners-up Yokohama F. Marinos earlier this month.

In an era of football where the virtue of possession-based football is extolled, there is something refreshing about Zelvia's high-paced, direct style -- with every member of Kuroda's throwback 4-4-2 formation going at full tilt for 90 minutes and looking to exploit opponents with wing-play from a bygone era.

Not that it is something they have to be sorry for, but there is an unapologetic way Zelvia go about their business on the field.

Kuroda himself has admitted that, in an ideal world, he would also want his team to "build up from the back and score" but his main priority is simply that his side threaten the opposition in whatever way they do best.

Ask any of the many teams they have pulled off stunning upsets against this season, and all would readily admit just what danger Zelvia have posed.

For a team to go from promotion to champions in one season remains one of football's epic feats.

One of the more recent instances that come to mind is when Kaiserslautern won the Bundesliga in 1997-98, while even Leicester City's stunning Premier League triumph came in their second season back in the English top flight.

There is still just under half the season left to play out and, even if their bubble does eventually burst, there will be still be plenty for Zelvia to be pleased about in their debut J1 League campaign.

Yet, it is nothing short of extraordinary that they are somehow leading the way at the moment.

And if Zelvia can just keep it going till the end of the year, what a miracle that would be.

- Gabriel Tan 

COPA AMÉRICA FOOD CHAMPIONSHIP | NATIONAL DISHES OF EVERY COPA AMÉRICA NATION

 

US FEDERATION CONDEMNS RACIST ABUSE OF PLAYERS AFTER PANAMA LOSS

USA TODAY Sports 

 The U.S. soccer federation condemned the online racist abuse of their players on Thursday after their 2-1 defeat by Panama at the Copa America.

"There is absolutely no place in the game for such hateful and discriminatory behaviour," U.S. Soccer said in a statement on X.

"These actions are not only unacceptable but also contrary to the values of respect and inclusivity that we uphold as an organization."

Tim Weah, who is Black, was one of the players targeted by the abuse. The U.S. forward was shown a straight red card in the 18th minute for punching a Panama player in the back of the head in an off-the-ball incident.

The U.S. took the lead despite the red card but were pegged back four minutes later before Panama sealed the win with a goal in the 83rd minute. read more 

Weah said he had let his team and his country down.

"A moment of frustration led to an irreversible consequence, and for that, I am deeply sorry to my team mates, coaches, family and our fans," he added.

- Reuters 

AVALANCHE F NATHAN MACKINNON WINS FIRST HART TROPHY

USA TODAY Sports 

 Colorado Avalanche star forward Nathan MacKinnon won his first career Hart Memorial Trophy for the NHL's Most Valuable Player on Thursday.

MacKinnon, 28, beat Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers and Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning for the honor, one of five major awards handed out at Thursday night's NHL Awards.

Connor Bedard of the Chicago Blackhawks won the Calder Trophy for outstanding rookie, Quinn Hughes of the Vancouver Canucks ran away with the Norris Trophy for outstanding defenseman, Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets won his second Vezina Trophy for the league's top goaltender and MacKinnon also received of the Ted Lindsay Award, voted most outstanding player by his peers in the NHLPA.

MacKinnon was a top-three finalist for the Hart three times (2018, 2020, 2021) before finally breaking through.

"Congrats to Kuch and Connor, it could easily be any of you guys," MacKinnon said in his acceptance speech. "I think everyone knows it was such a toss-up this year. I'd like to thank the writers. I'm truly honored."

In his 11th NHL season, MacKinnon powered Colorado with career highs of 51 goals, 89 assists and 140 points in playing all 82 games.

Bedard, still just 18, lived up to the hype that surrounded him when the Blackhawks selected him No. 1 overall in last year's draft. Despite missing 14 games due to a fractured jaw, he led all rookies in goal (22) and points (61) while tying for first among rookies with 39 assists. His 61 points also led Chicago.

"It's a cool honor, for sure," Bedard said. "There's a lot of people who go into it. Obviously, it's an individual award but it's cool to celebrate it almost with your teammates and family, just with the help they've put toward it."

Bedard had 152 first-place votes, the other 42 going to Minnesota's Brock Faber. New Jersey's Luke Hughes took third.

Hughes, 24, set career highs with 17 goals, 75 assists and 92 points while playing in all 82 games for Vancouver. He became the first member of the Canucks to win the award.

"It's surreal and probably hasn't sunk in yet," Hughes said. "It was a great season for me and for our team. Took a lot of steps forward individually and as a group, so really proud of the year."

Hughes won 172 of 194 first-place votes. Roman Josi of Nashville and Cale Makar of Colorado finished a distant second and third in voting, respectively.

Hellebuyck, 31, also won the Vezina in 2020. He went 37-19-4 with a 2.39 goals-against average, .921 save percentage and five shutouts in 60 games. He also won the William M. Jennings Trophy, presented to the qualifying goalie for allowing the fewest goals during the regular season.

"I think we made really big strides this year," Hellebuyck said of the Jets. "We changed our identity a little bit and we brought a solid, winning philosophy to Winnipeg, and I think our fans and I think our team bought in. And just that all-around buy-in, I'm pretty proud of that."

Hellebuyck beat Vancouver's Thatcher Demko and Florida's Sergei Bobrovsky, who placed second and third, respectively, in voting.

- Reuters 

KVARATSKHELIA MET HIS CHILDHOOD IDOL | EURO 2025

 In 2013, Cristiano opened a football academy in Georgia, and one of the children who registered was Kvaratskhelia.

Today, they meet again, and Kvaratskhelia scored in the first minute vs Portugal. 

PANAMA SCORE LATE GOAL TO STUN 10-MAN US AT COPA

USA TODAY Sports 

 Panama pulled off a shock 2-1 victory over the United States in a heated Group C encounter at the Copa America on Thursday after the hosts were reduced to 10 men following Tim Weah's red card in the 18th minute.

Jose Fajardo netted the winner in the 83rd minute for Panama, who had Adalberto Carrasquilla dismissed five minutes later for a crunching challenge on Christian Pulisic.

The U.S. are second in the group, level with Panama on three points but with a better goal difference. The hosts must at least match Panama's result in the final group game to advance to the knockout rounds.

The U.S. play Uruguay while Panama face Bolivia on Monday.

"Emotional rollercoaster, but that's soccer at the end of the day," U.S. midfielder Tyler Adams said.

"We know what we signed up for and playing in Copa America we knew it was going to be a fight. Credit to Panama. They did their job. They got the result."

Panama coach Thomas Christiansen said his team had executed the game plan perfectly.

"I'm very happy, in particular for the team, tactically and psychologically," he added.

"I try to make the best decisions by being calm, level-minded. And of course, everyone that went in contributed what we expected from them, and now we have a victory such as this one."

USA TODAY Sports 

It was a costly night all round for the hosts, with goalkeeper Matt Turner being substituted at halftime with a leg injury after a collision with Panama defender Cesar Blackman in the 12th minute.

Weah was sent off after a video review showed he had shoved Roderick Miller in the back of the head off the ball amid a tense and fiery start to the match.

After Weah's dismissal, Folarin Balogun delighted the crowd with a splendid strike from 17 yards to give the hosts the lead in the 22nd minute. However, the joy was shortlived as Blackman equalised from the edge of the box four minutes later.

"There were things before the red card that went against us," Balogun said. "Of course, we probably could have had a few decisions, but that's the nature of the game."

Ethan Horvath replaced the injured Turner in the U.S. goal at the break and nearly faced a penalty in the 64th minute but the decision against U.S. defender Cameron Carter-Vickers was overturned by video review.

The best opportunity for the U.S. in the second half came in the 81st minute when a header by Ricardo Pepi was saved by Panama goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera.

Panama then seized the initiative, scoring the winning goal when substitute Fajardo smashed home Abdiel Ayarza's cross.

"Moving forward, we need to control our emotions in certain situations," Adams said. "I think the team fought for everything after we got the red card. You definitely can't fault the effort.

"By winning the first game, we put still ourselves in a position that we can have everything to play for in the last game."

Weah had apologised to the team after the match, he added.

"Just respect to the rest of the team because they fought for every single ball, every single duel, every single minute, and we still created chances after going down 10 men, so it shows our quality."

- Reuters 

LYLES, RICHARDSON BREEZE THROUGH 200M HEATS AT US TRIALS

Reuters 

 Noah Lyles and Sha'Carri Richardson made light work of the 200m heats on Thursday as the U.S. Olympic trials returned from a two-day break with plenty of spots at the Paris Games still up for grabs.

Lyles has not lost a 200m since taking bronze in Tokyo three years ago and he cruised to the fastest time of the day in 20.10 seconds in Eugene, Oregon.

"Feel really smooth, really loose," Lyles, who won the 100m on Sunday, told reporters. "I feel I did exactly what I needed to do, was able to save extra energy."

Erriyon Knighton had the second-fastest time in 20.15.

The world silver medalist tested positive for a banned substance ahead of the trials but avoided a suspension after an arbitrator found the result was likely caused by contaminated meat.

Richardson put on a show in the 200m, taking the lead off the turn and crossing the finish line in 21.99, the second-fastest time this year.

"I'm really just focusing in on executing the curve to make the straightaway much, much easier," said Richardson, who won the 100m on Saturday.

"Any time I touch the track it's an opportunity for me to work on my best self."

Reuters 

Tokyo bronze medalist Gabby Thomas won her heat easily in 22.11 while Abby Steiner was the third fastest of the day in 22.29.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, the Olympic 400m hurdles champion and world record holder, ran a conservative race in her heat but was still well ahead of the field, crossing the finish in 53.07.

Anna Cockrell (54.71), twice world silver medalist Shamier Little (54.93) and Rio gold medalist Dalilah Muhammad (55.51) also advanced.

Tokyo silver medalist Rai Benjamin (49.56) won his opening heat on the men's side, while collegiate star Caleb Dean was fastest overall in 49.45.

Valarie Allman will defend her Olympic discus title after a throw of 70.73m on her final attempt, while Jayden Ulrich (62.63) finished second and Veronica Fraley (62.54) took third.

"This year we're going after it more and believing that those big throws are possible," Allman told reporters.

In the women's 3,000m steeplechase, Valerie Constien booked a second trip to the Games as she won in a meet record 9:03.22, with Courtney Wayment (9:06.50) and Marisa Howard (9:07.14) also headed to Paris.

- Reuters 

NFL HIT WITH $4.7 BILLION VERDICT IN 'SUNDAY TICKET' ANTI TRUST TRIAL

USA TODAY Sports 

 The National Football League must pay more than $4.7 billion in class-action damages for overcharging subscribers of its “Sunday Ticket” telecasts, a California federal jury said on Thursday.

Jurors in Los Angeles agreed with the plaintiffs that the NFL conspired with member teams to artificially inflate the price of "Sunday Ticket" for millions of residential and commercial subscribers.

The jury awarded $4.6 billion to a residential class, and $96 million to commercial subscribers such as bars and restaurants, according to an attorney for the plaintiffs.

A judge could award triple damages under U.S. antitrust law, bringing the total judgment to more than $14 billion.

The NFL in a statement said it was disappointed by the jury's verdict. "We will certainly contest this decision as we believe that the class action claims in this case are baseless and without merit," it said.

The NFL earlier this week asked the court to rule for the league and its teams as a matter of law, which could nullify the verdict.

Attorneys for the plaintiffs in a statement on Thursday said: "We are pleased with today’s result on behalf of the classes we represent."

The trial, which began on June 5, capped more than a decade of litigation over the "Sunday Ticket" telecasts.

The subscribers accused the NFL of using agreements with broadcast partners to keep a stranglehold over distribution, allowing DirecTV to charge artificially higher prices as the former sole distributor of "Sunday Ticket."

A residential subscription to "Sunday Ticket," which is the only broadcast option for fans to watch out-of-market games, now costs as much as $449 through its current distributor, Google's YouTube. DirecTV and Google were not defendants in the trial.

DirecTV is owned by AT&T (T.N) and Google is owned by Alphabet (GOOGL.O).

The plaintiffs claimed that "Sunday Ticket" prices were inflated to limit subscriptions and protect distribution rights fees that CBS (PARA.O) and Fox (FOXA.O) paid to air games in local markets.

The NFL denied any wrongdoing and argued that "Sunday Ticket" is a "premium" product that expands viewers' access to games, which are already broadcast for free on local networks.

The plaintiffs are DirecTV subscribers who bought "NFL Sunday Ticket" between June 2011 and February 2023. The case includes at least 2.4 million residential customers and 48,000 commercial subscribers like bars and restaurants, according to court records.

- Mike Scarcella

BRONNY AND LEBRON TEAM UP IN HISTORIC FIRST FOR NBA

USA TODAY Sports 

 Bronny James was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round of the NBA draft on Thursday, bringing his father LeBron one step closer to fulfilling his long-held dream of playing alongside his son.

Bronny, 19, was informed of the Lakers decision with a phone call from general manager Rob Pelinka while his dad gave an emotional champagne toast to family and friends when they received the news at a restaurant in New York, ESPN reported.

Bronny and LeBron will be the first father-son duo to play in the league at the same time and on the same team and while Bronny is not expected to log significant minutes in his rookie season, it will no doubt be a special moment when they appear together for the first time on the NBA hardwood.

"Family business," the Lakers posted on X alongside old and current pictures of Bronny and LeBron.

Bronny posted a photo of himself in a Lakers jersey on Instagram and Lakers great Magic Johnson congratulated Bronny and called his selection with the 55th pick of the draft a "historic moment" on X.

LeBron was aged 19 and the reigning NBA Rookie of the Year when his now wife Savannah gave birth to LeBron Raymone "Bronny" James Jr. in Akron, Ohio in 2004.

Bronny attracted enormous attention as a high school player at Sierra Canyon School in Los Angeles and in his senior year was joined by his younger brother Bryce, a 17-year-old who could also potentially play in the NBA one day.

Last summer Bronny suffered a cardiac arrest while training with the University of Southern California (USC) basketball team and was placed in intensive care.

He was cleared to return to the team in November and went on to average 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game playing guard in his lone season with the Trojans.

There was some speculation that another team with a higher pick might swoop in and take Bronny before the Lakers, either to entice LeBron to switch teams or to simply mess with the Lakers plans.

But doing so would risk raising the ire of Rich Paul, the powerful NBA agent who represents Bronny, LeBron and many top tier players.

LeBron, the league's all-time leading scorer and a four-time champion, turns 40 in December and is entering into the 22nd season of his legendary career.

The Lakers, who fell in the first round of the NBA playoffs in April, have their work cut out for them in the competitive Western Conference next season with first time head coach JJ Redick at the helm.

Fans could get their first look at Bronny in action for the Lakers when the NBA's Summer League kicks off in Las Vegas on July 12.

"Watching Bronny suit up for the Lakers during Summer League in Vegas will be must-see TV!," Johnson wrote on X.

- Rory Carroll 

ASTON MARTIN CONFIRMS STROLL FOR 2025 AND BEYOND

Reuters 

 Canadian Lance Stroll will race on in Formula One with Aston Martin in 2025 and beyond after a contract extension, the team owned by his father Lawrence said on Thursday.

Silverstone-based Aston Martin have already confirmed Spain's double world champion Fernando Alonso, now 42, for the next two seasons and Stroll's extension will surprise only those who have questioned his motivation to carry on.

Alonso has consistently out-performed the 25-year-old and this season has scored 41 points to his team mate's 17 from 10 races.

"I’m super happy to have committed to staying with the team for 2025 and beyond," Stroll said in a statement at the Austrian Grand Prix.

"It’s amazing to see how far we’ve come in the last five years; we’ve grown so much as a team and there’s still so much more to look forward to."

- Reuters 

ROUND OF 16 BRACKET | EURO 2024

 

EURO ROUND OF 16 | EURO 2024

 

EURO 2024 VAR REVIEW: EVERY DECISION IN GERMANY ANALYSED

António Silva gave away a penalty after catching Luka Lochoshvili. Martin Rickett/PA Images via Getty Images

We're analysing every VAR decision made throughout all 51 games at Euro 2024.

After each game, we take a look at the major incidents to examine and explain the process in terms of VAR protocol and the Laws of the Game.

Total overturns: 20

Rejected overturns: 0

Leading to goals: 7

Leading to disallowed goals: 9

Penalties awarded: 6 (2 missed)

• For holding: 0

• For handball: 2

• For a foul: 3

• On position: 1

Penalties canceled: 1

Penalty retakes: 1

Rejected penalties: 0

Goals ruled out for offside: 5

Goals after incorrect offside: 1

Goals ruled out for handball: 2

Goals after incorrect handball: 1

Goals ruled out for a foul: 1

Goals ruled out for encroachment: 1

Red cards: 1

Mistaken identity yellow card: 1

June 26: Georgia 2-0 Portugal

Possible penalty: Challenge by Silva on Lochoshvili

What happened: Georgia were on the attack, and as Luka Lochoshvili tried to move into the area, he went down when going past António Silva. Referee Sandro Schärer waved off the penalty appeals, and play continued.

VAR decision: Penalty; scored by Georges Mikautadze.

VAR review: It's the kind of VAR penalty that annoys so many fans, when an attacker goes to ground theatrically from minimal contact.

Silva did touch the top of Lochoshvili's boot, but there wasn't enough in it to make him go down the way he did. The approach to VAR on such challenges differs greatly across leagues, with LaLiga giving many of these "soft" VAR penalties, while in the Premier League the video assistant is instructed to look for contact with a consequence. In other words, did the challenge really cause the attacker to go down?

The VAR, Fedayi San, believed that there was enough, but it feels like the kind of decision that's far removed from the original intention of VAR -- to correct clear and obvious errors.

June 26: Slovakia 1-1 Romania

Possible penalty: Position of foul by Hancko on Hagi

What happened: Referee Daniel Siebert awarded a free kick to Romania on the edge of the box when Ianis Hagi was brought down by Dávid Hancko. The VAR, Bastian Dankert, checked the foul and its position.

VAR decision: Penalty; scored by Razvan Marin.

VAR review: There were two contact points on Hagi, the first foot-on-foot just outside the area, and then shin-on-shin within it.

The VAR took quite a while to assess the nature of the challenge and where the contact that caused the foul took place.

As the referee gave the foul for the second contact, it becomes a factual review on position, so he doesn't need to go to the monitor to change his decision -- it's advised by the VAR.

If the referee had given the free kick off the first contact, he would have been required to go to the monitor to give the penalty as the VAR would have been changing a subjective call.

June 25: France 1-1 Poland

Possible penalty: Upamecano challenge on Swiderski

What happened: Karol Swiderski took control of the ball in the 74th minute close to the penalty spot, and went to ground under a challenge from Dayot Upamecano. Referee Marco Guida signalled for the Poland player to get up, and France launched a counter attack which resulted in Kylian Mbappé firing straight at goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski. However, the VAR then told the referee to stop play for a review.

VAR decision: Penalty; Robert Lewandowski effort saved by Maignan.

Dayot Upamecano kicks the foot of Karol Swiderski rather than the ball. Fox

VAR review: Upamecano clearly kicked the foot of Swiderski just as he was in the process on controlling the ball, and it was an easy intervention for the VAR, Massimiliano Irrati.

Possible penalty retake: Encroachment by Maignan

What happened: Robert Lewandowski stepped up to take the penalty, but saw it saved by Mike Maignan. The loose ball was knocked behind for a corner, but before play restarted the VAR had identified that the goalkeeper was off his line -- so it had to be retaken.

VAR decision: Penalty retake, scored by Lewandowski.

Mike Maignan was off his line when the penalty was taken. Fox

VAR review: A goalkeeper must have one foot on or above the goal-line at the point the penalty is kicked. Even though Lewandowski stuttered in his run up, baiting the goalkeeper into moving early, this isn't taken into account as it's legal.

June 25: Netherlands 2-3 Austria

Possible no handball: Depay when scoring

What happened: Memphis Depay scored what he thought was a 75th-minute equaliser for Netherlands, only for referee Ivan Kruzliak to rule it out for handball. The VAR began a lengthy review.

VAR decision: Goal.

The ball touched the chest of Memphis Depay rather than his arm. Fox

VAR review: The referee thought the ball had come off Depay's arm before he scored, but replays very clearly showed the striker had controlled the ball with his chest.

The mystery is why it took the VAR, Marco Fritz, so long -- 2 minutes and 18 seconds -- to advise the goal should be allowed.

Added to that, as a clear factual review about the ball touching the arm of a goal scorer, it shouldn't have needed the referee to go to the monitor to give the goal.

June 24: Croatia 1-1 Italy

Possible penalty: Handball by Frattesi

What happened: Andrej Kramaric tried a shot on goal in the 52nd minute, which was blocked by Davide Frattesi. The Croatia attacker immediately appealed for a penalty for handball, but referee Danny Makkelie wasn't interested. Play continued while it was checked by the VAR, Rob Dieperink.

VAR decision: Penalty; Luka Modric effort saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Davide Frattesi gave away a penalty for handball. BBC

VAR review: A classic modern handball penalty, with Frattesi's hand being raised above his shoulder and away from the body when it was hit by the ball.

Even though the shot from Kramaric came from close proximity, this is always likely to result in a spot kick.

June 23: Switzerland 1-1 Germany

Possible foul: Musiala before Andrich goal

What happened: Robert Andrich fired Germany into the lead in the 17th minute with a shot from outside the area that caught out Switzerland goalkeeper Yann Sommer. However, as the celebrations died down it became clear the VAR was checking for a possible foul in the buildup

VAR decision: Goal disallowed.

Michel Aebischer of Switzerland is fouled by Jamal Musiala. Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

VAR review: When the ball was first played into the area, Michel Aebischer cleared ahead of a challenge from Germany forward Jamal Musiala. Shortly afterward, the ball was worked to Andrich to shoot to score.

But Musiala had caught Aebischer after the ball had gone and the VAR, Massimiliano Irrati of Italy, quickly sent his compatriot Daniele Orsato to the monitor to cancel the goal.

Surprisingly, it took Orsato a few replays to be convinced he'd made an error, but it was a clear missed foul.

June 22: Belgium 2-0 Romana

Possible offside: Lukaku when scoring

What happened: Romelu Lukaku scored Belgium's second goal, or so he thought, in the 63rd minute after being played through the centre by Kevin De Bruyne. However, there was a check for a possible offside.

VAR decision: Goal disallowed.

Romelu Lukaku has a goal disallowed through VAR for the third time at Euro 2024. ITV

VAR review: It's the tightest offside we've seen yet, and it shows the trade-off between quicker decisions and more marginal calls.

It took only 46 seconds to disallow the goal with semi-automated technology, far quicker than the manual method currently being used by most top leagues. Yet there's a tolerance level of around 5 centimetres in the older tech, due to possible inconsistencies in application, which we don't have with semi-automated. So it's possible that different outcomes could have been reached on an offside as tight as this.

Yet if this tech is indeed more accurate, it should be trusted to make close decisions. That, of course, doesn't mean the images will be palatable to many fans.

Lukaku's toe, the edge of his knee and the very top of his upper arm were shown to be offside. On the arm, the measurement point is the circumference of the arm level with the armpit -- it's not and never has been the bottom of the sleeve. With the older tech, this was very hard to apply consistently -- but semi-automated pinpoints it precisely.

June 22: Georgia 1-1 Czechia

Possible handball: Hlozek when scoring

What happened: Czechia went into the lead in the 23rd minute when Adam Hlozek bundled the ball home from close range. But as the midfielder turned away to celebrate, the Georgia defenders appealed in unison for handball, and it was checked by the VAR -- Marco Fritz of Germany.

VAR decision: Goal disallowed.

The ball touched the arm of Adam Hlozek before going into the goal. Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images

VAR review: This was almost so fortunate for Czechia, and then ended up being most unfortunate.

Hlozek's shot was saved by Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, with the ball rebounding back off the face of Hlozek and into the net. However, the VAR confirmed the appeals of the Georgia players as the ball came off Hlozek's arm before it went into the goal.

If the ball touches the goal scorer's arm, even if accidental, then it must be disallowed. It did take 1 minute and 35 seconds to rule it out, even though the touch on the arm was quite apparent on the initial replays.

Possible penalty: Handball by Hranác

What happened: Georgia were on the attack in first-half stoppage time, with Guram Kashia seeing his effort saved by Czechia goalkeeper Jindrich Stanek. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, we learned that there was a VAR check ongoing for a possible handball by Robin Hranác.

VAR decision: Penalty, scored by Georges Mikautadze.

Robin Hranác had his arm outstretched, and the VAR intervened for a spot kick. Julian Finney/Getty Images

VAR review: It's one of those VAR interventions that barely anyone would have picked up in live play -- Georgia's Lasha Dvali, the closest player to the incident, was the only one to appeal for the penalty -- yet when you see what the video referee was looking at, it's always likely to be a spot kick.

Hranác had his right arm fully extended away from his body and it interfered with the path of the ball. UEFA is very strict on handball and would always expect a VAR intervention in such a case.

June 21: France 0-0 Netherlands

Possible goal: Dumfries given offside on Simons goal

What happened: Xavi Simons scored what he thought was the opening goal for Netherlands in the 69th minute. However, while the players were celebrating referee Anthony Taylor was discussing the goal with his assistant, and it was disallowed for offside.

VAR decision: No goal.

Denzel Dumfries was in an offside position close to goalkeeper Mike Maignan. Ralf Ibing - firo sportphoto/Getty Images

VAR review: This all comes down to the nuances of the offside law and when a player in an offside position is interfering with an opponent.

Simons struck a first-time shot which arrowed into the bottom right-hand corner of the goal. All good so far.

However, Denzel Dumfries was stood in an offside position between goalkeeper Mike Maignan and the path of the ball.

Would Maignan have saved the shot? That's not a consideration for the officials; there's no decision about a keeper's ability. What the officials have to ask themselves is whether Dumfries had an impact on Maignan, and if that affected his decision not to make a dive to attempt the save. Would the keeper have had to dive through the Dutch player to get to the ball? It's without doubt a fair assessment considering Dumfries' position.

It was quite an easy call to rule out the goal. So the truly controversial part is why it took the VAR, Stuart Attwell, and his assistants from Germany and Switzerland so long to support the on-field decision: 2 minutes and 47 seconds after Taylor blew his whistle for the offside. It is the longest VAR review of the tournament. It should have been a quick check and complete -- which would have made it clearer the on-field call was indeed correct.

If it hadn't been given by Taylor and his assistant, then a lengthy VAR check was far more understandable and the goal may have stood, as the interference is a subjective call.

It must be remembered the referee will only be sent to the monitor to change his decision, not just to confirm it.

While the Dutch might feel aggrieved, they benefited in slightly more controversial circumstances at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. In the group stage fixture, Ecuador thought they had equalised on the stroke of half-time through Pervis Estupiñán, but the goal was ruled out on the field for offside against Jackson Porozo. He also stood close to the goalkeeper in between him and the path of the ball -- yet Andries Noppert had already dived in the opposite direction. On-field decision, supported by the VAR.

Netherlands benefitted when Ecuador's Jackson Porozo was given offside close to the Dutch keeper. ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images

Passive offside decisions, when the offending player doesn't touch or attempt to play the ball, are always the most controversial. But what's controversial and what the law intends don't marry up.

June 18: Portugal 2-1 Czechia

Possible offside: Ronaldo on Jota goal

What happened: It looked like Diogo Jota had scored a 87th-minute winner for Portugal, but there was an offside check against Cristiano Ronaldo.

VAR decision: Goal disallowed.

Cristiano Ronaldo was leaning offside. Fox

VAR review: When João Cancelo crossed into the area, half of Ronaldo's body was in front of the last defender, Tomás Holes. Ronaldo's header hit the post, with Jota firing home on the follow-up.

It took 48 seconds from the goal being scored to the VAR ruling it out through the semiautomated offside technology -- so quick that the television broadcast was still going through the replays when the referee blew the whistle.

However, don't expect to see decisions made quite so quickly in the domestic leagues. While this technology itself is made by Kinexon, the centre-mounted sensor inside the ball was developed and patented by Adidas -- the ball provider for both FIFA and UEFA.

It means that the kick point still needs to be verified, rather than being automatically detected as it is in the Euros.

The Premier League (Nike this season, Puma from 2025-26), LaLiga (Puma), the Bundesliga (Derbystar), Serie A (Puma) and Ligue 1 (Kipsta) do not use Adidas, so the method of suspending the chip in the ball would need to be licensed, or a completely different method developed. Perhaps as three of the top leagues will all have a Puma ball from 2025-26, we might eventually see a solution. However, there is also an additional cost to permanently install antennas around each pitch.

June 18: Turkey 3-1 Georgia

Possible offside: Yildiz when scoring

What happened: Turkey thought they had a second goal in the 27th minute when Kenan Yildiz netted from close range, but there was a check for offside.

VAR decision: Goal disallowed.

Kenan Yildiz was ahead of the ball. Fox

VAR review: Arda Güler broke down the right flank and played a pass across the edge of the six-yard box. At this point, Yildiz may well have been onside. However, it was helped on at the near post by Orkun Kökçü, and at that point half of Yildiz's right foot was in front of the ball.

June 17: Belgium 0-1 Slovakia

Possible handball: Openda in buildup to Lukaku goal

What happened: Romelu Lukaku bagged an 86th-minute equaliser when he swept home a shot after good work by Loïs Openda, who cut the ball back for the striker to score. As soon as the ball hit the back of the net Slovakia defender Denis Vavro appealed for handball, and as the Belgium players raced away to celebrate, the VAR, Bastian Dankert of Germany, began a check.

VAR decision: Goal disallowed.

Loïs Openda brushes the ball with his fingers, with the snicko graphic providing the evidence. BBC

VAR review: It's the kind of handball in the buildup to a goal which you may not see in the Premier League, but is always likely to be penalised in UEFA competition which has a much stricter interpretation.

As Openda wasn't the goal scorer, the VAR and the referee, Turkey's Halil Umut Meler, have to judge it to be a deliberate act.

Openda was attempting to hold off Vavro and his fingers brushed the ball as his hand came down. Some will feel the movement of the arm is deliberate, but many others will believe it was the natural movement of his body and should never result in a VAR review.

It's not the kind of decision anyone really expected VAR to be making when it was introduced, but UEFA will insist on its guidelines being applied in these cases. But it does leave a bad taste.

UEFA also got the chance to show its new "snicko" feature for the first time, which uses a "heartbeat" line to prove the ball, which has a chip inside it, has been touched by the hand. It was expected this would be used for a player who had scored a goal, rather than a possible deliberate handball in the buildup. If you need "snicko" to prove the handball, is it really that consequential to the goal?

Possible offside: Lukaku when scoring

What happened: Belgium scored in the 56th minute when Lukaku tapped home from close range after Amadou Onana headed back across goal. While Belgium celebrated it was clear that the VAR would need to complete an offside check.

VAR decision: Goal disallowed.

The offside tech shows that Romelu Lukaku was ahead of the ball. Fox

VAR review: The handball wasn't the first heartbreak for Lukaku in this game, with the striker having two goals ruled out by the VAR.

For this earlier incident, half of his body was in front of the ball as it was headed by Onana.

While Lukaku was in front of the last defender, the goal would have counted if he'd been behind the ball.

June 15: Switzerland 3-1 Hungary

Possible onside: Duah when scoring

What happened: Kwadwo Duah thought he had given Switzerland the lead in the 12th minute, running through the middle to score from Michel Aebischer's pass. However, the assistant raised his flag for offside as soon as the ball hit the back of the net.

VAR decision: Goal

VAR review: After semiautomated offside was used to disallow Germany's goal against Scotland, this time it corrected an error to disallow one as Hungary defender Milos Kerkez was behind Duah.

It took 55 seconds from the moment the ball hit the back of the net to the referee signalling the goal. That seems quite long, as Duah appeared to be clearly onside from the first replay. But this technology is still in its infancy, and a VAR is not going to immediately trust it if no offside has been detected. In these early stages, at least, every decision has to be verified -- although it's much quicker as the VAR has no manual role in determining the positions of the players relative to each other.

June 15: Switzerland 3-1 Hungary

Possible onside: Duah when scoring

What happened: Kwadwo Duah thought he had given Switzerland the lead in the 12th minute, running through the middle to score from Michel Aebischer's pass. However, the assistant raised his flag for offside as soon as the ball hit the back of the net.

VAR decision: Goal

VAR review: After semiautomated offside was used to disallow Germany's goal against Scotland, this time it corrected an error to disallow one as Hungary defender Milos Kerkez was behind Duah.

It took 55 seconds from the moment the ball hit the back of the net to the referee signalling the goal. That seems quite long, as Duah appeared to be clearly onside from the first replay. But this technology is still in its infancy, and a VAR is not going to immediately trust it if no offside has been detected. In these early stages, at least, every decision has to be verified -- although it's much quicker as the VAR has no manual role in determining the positions of the players relative to each other.

June 16: Netherlands 2-1 Poland

Mistaken identity: Wrong yellow card for Reijnders

What happened: Poland's Sebastian Szymanski was fouled in the 15th minute, with referee Artur Soares Dias showing the yellow card to Tijjani Reijnders.

VAR decision: Yellow card switched to Joey Veerman.

VAR review: It's very rare we see a VAR intervention for mistaken identity, but video referee Tiago Martins quickly stepped in to tell the referee he'd booked the wrong player, and the sanction was switched.

June 14: Germany 5-1 Scotland

Possible VAR overturn: Penalty for foul by Christie on Musiala

What happened: Referee Clément Turpin gave the hosts a penalty in the 25th minute for a foul by Ryan Christie on Jamal Musiala on the edge of the box. The VAR, Jérôme Brisard, came into action to check the decision.

VAR decision: Penalty cancelled.

Referee Clément Turpin visits the VAR screen in the opening match. Julian Finney/Getty Images

VAR review: It's the point of contact of the foul that determines where the offence has taken place, so an attacker can have part of their body inside the area and not win a penalty.

While there was also contact by Kieran Tierney on Musiala's left foot, which was inside the area, the referee had awarded it for Christie's challenge on the Germany forward's right foot, which was outside the box.

It was quick and efficient for the VAR to tell Turpin to change his decision to a free kick. The referee didn't have to go to the monitor for this as it was a factual decision based on position. If the VAR were questioning the foul, that would have been subjective and the referee would have had to make it.

It was also the first time fans in the stadium were provided with the same information offered to broadcasters, with the reason for the VAR decision displayed on the big screen. However, unlike other competitions, UEFA has decided against a referee announcing it over the public address system.

The reason for the cancelled penalty is shown on the big screen in the stadium. Fox

Possible penalty and red card: Foul by Porteous on Gündogan

What happened: The game was in the 42nd minute when, after a scramble just outside the six-yard area, Ryan Porteous attempted to close down Ílkay Gündogan before he could shoot. Porteous clattered into the Germany captain, but referee Turpin waved away the penalty claims. As soon as the ball went out, it became clear Gündogan required treatment, and the VAR began a check.

VAR decision: Penalty, scored by Kai Havertz, and red card for Porteous.

Ryan Porteous makes a dangerous challenge on Ílkay Gündogan. Bradley Collyer/PA Images via Getty Images

VAR review: Before the tournament began, referees' chief Roberto Rosetti said he expected a zero tolerance approach to challenges of this nature, which should be judged as serious foul play.

This is one of the more extreme examples, as Porteous was off the floor with both feet and caught Gündogan above the ankle.

Any tackle where a player is sliding, diving or leaping in and makes contact above the boot is likely to result in a VAR review if the referee hasn't made the correct decision to show a red card on the field.

This is something of a double whammy for Turpin, of course, as he failed to identify the foul for the penalty, let alone the red card.

Possible offside: Füllkrug before scoring

What happened: Niclas Füllkrug added a fifth goal for Germany in the 76th minute when firing home from close range after a cross by Thomas Müller. But a VAR check was needed.

VAR decision: Offside.

Niclas Füllkrug was in front of the last defender. Martin Rickett/PA Images via Getty Images

VAR review: It was our first taste of semiautomated offside at Euro 2024, and it was a quick and seamless process. However, this was a clear offside involving two players stood close to each other. We are sure to see other decisions that take longer with this new offside technology, which will be introduced into the Premier League next season.

Indeed, the check on Scotland's consolation goal in the 87th minute, when Antonio Rüdiger diverted the ball into his own net, took much longer. The connected ball technology can tell the VAR when the ball has been played, and whether another player if offside, yet it cannot detect which player has played the ball. So, when the ball was headed on, coincidentally, by Germany's Füllkrug in a defensive position, Scotland's Lawrence Shankland was offside but not interfering with play. So, the VAR has to check there is no offside offence against the player highlighted by the technology.

- Dale Johnson, General Editor, ESPN FC