Monday, 28 April 2025
KOBE BRYANT DEBUT LAKERS JERSEY SELLS FOR $7 MILLION
A Kobe Bryant jersey worn during his Los Angeles Lakers pre-season and regular-season debuts was sold for $7 million at Sotheby's in New York City on Thursday, the auction house said.
The jersey was photo-matched to seven games of his 1996-97 rookie season including his October 16 pre-season debut and November 3 regular season debut in 1996, as well as his NBA media day.
At $7 million the item is the fourth-most expensive game-worn sports jersey behind Babe Ruth’s "called shot" jersey ($24 million), Michael Jordan's 1998 NBA Finals jersey ($10.1 million), and Diego Maradona's Argentina shirt from the 1986 World Cup $9.3 million.
- GMA News
BEER 🍺, ANYONE? | GERMAN STADIUM SUPPLIES BEER TO VISITORS
In Germany, the Veltins-Arena, home to the football club FC Schalke 04, features a remarkable innovation—a three-mile-long beer pipeline.
This unique system was designed to efficiently supply beer to the stadium's numerous concession stands, ensuring that fans can enjoy freshly poured beverages without long wait times.
It's a perfect example of German engineering meeting a love for football and beer.
- Explorify
GHANA, TANZANIA CROWNED CAF AFRICAN SCHOOLS FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP CHAMPIONS IN ACCRA
History was made at the University of Ghana on Saturday, 26 April as Ghana’s U-15 Girls team and Tanzania’s U-15 Boys team were crowned champions of the CAF African Schools Football Championship Continental Finals following thrilling final matches in Accra.
Ghana’s U-15 Girls delivered a spirited performance in front of an electrified home crowd, defeating Uganda 2-0 to lift the continental title in their debut appearance at the Finals. Their victory marks a proud moment for Ghanaian youth football, showcasing the nation’s bright future on the African stage.
Meanwhile, Tanzania’s U-15 Boys successfully defended their title, overcoming a strong Senegal side in a dramatic penalty shootout after a fiercely contested 0-0 stalemate.
The tournament, held at the University of Ghana from 23 to 26 April 2025, brought together the best young talents from across Africa, celebrating excellence, unity, and the transformative power of football.
The successful conclusion of the four-day competition which marks is third successive season was attended by CAF President, Dr Patrice Motsepe alongside Ghana Head of State, His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama who jointly handed over the titles to both teams.
The Ghana Boys U-15 also secured a podium finish on Saturday after overcoming Uganda in the third-place play-off, while former champions in the Girls division, South Africa also secured a bronze medal after edging Morocco 2-1.
Saturday’s final marks yet another successful season of Africa’s largest schools football competition and continues to form a key component to achieving CAF President, Dr Motsepe’s bold vision of Making African Football Globally Competitive and Self-sustaining.
CAF African Schools Football Championship Ghana 2025 Individual Awards:
GIRLS
Top Scorer: Pulane Moloi (South Africa)
Goalkeeper of the Tournament: Precious Akenguwie (Ghana)
Player of the Tournament: Jennifer Awuku (Ghana)
Fair Play Team: Morocco
BOYS:
Top Scorer: John Andor (Ghana), Ingatus Cyril Acquah Hagan (Ghana)
Player of the Tournament: Souleymane Commissaire Faye
Goalkeeper of the Tournament: Rajabu Manyelezi (Tanzania)
Fair Play Team: Tanzania
SIMBA HOLD FIRM TO SEAL TOTALENERGIES CAF CONFEDERATION CUP FINAL SPOT
Simba SC battled to a goalless draw against Stellenbosch FC at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Sunday to book their place in the final of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.
The Tanzanian giants advanced 1-0 on aggregate following their first-leg victory in Zanzibar, with a disciplined defensive display proving enough to keep the South Africans at bay in Durban.
Needing a win to overturn the deficit, Stellenbosch threw everything forward but could not find a way past an inspired Simba defence and goalkeeper Moussa Camara, who stood tall throughout a tense encounter.
Stellenbosch came closest in the closing stages, with Fawaaz Basadien and Ismaël Touré both missing opportunities late in the game.
Devin Titus and Sanele Barns also saw efforts narrowly miss the target as the hosts desperately searched for a breakthrough.
Earlier, Stellenbosch thought they had taken the lead midway through the second half when Genino Palace found the back of the net, but VAR ruled the goal out for offside, dealing a heavy blow to Steve Barker’s side.
Simba, coached by Fadlu Davids, executed a near-perfect tactical plan, frustrating the South Africans and slowing down the game whenever necessary.
They survived a number of scares in the final 10 minutes, including two late corners, but showed impressive composure to see out the result.
The result continues Simba’s dream of a first continental title since 1993 when they reached the final of the old CAF Cup, only to finish runners-up.
The Msimbazi Reds will now face the winner of the other semi-final between CS Constantine of Algeria and Morocco’s RS Berkane in the final.
For Stellenbosch, it marks the end of a historic Confederation Cup campaign, their maiden voyage into continental football, which saw them reach the last four against all expectations.
Simba will take confidence from their solid defensive resilience and will now shift focus to preparing for the final, where they hope to complete a memorable journey with silverware.
Sunday, 27 April 2025
THE TWO GERMAN MACHINES | NETFTLIX UNVEILS UPCOMING TENNIS DOCUMENTARY
Netflix Unveils Upcoming Tennis Documentary: “THE TWO GERMAN MACHINES” – A Dual Legacy of Wimbledon Glory
LIVERPOOL 5-1 TOTTENHAM: SPURS DENY ARSENAL PREMIER LEAGUE TITLE
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| Photo by Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images |
In what will go down as one of the most heroic performances in recent Tottenham Hotspur history, Spurs traveled to Anfield and proceeded to get their ass whupped by a final score of 5-1, bravely ensuring that there would be no way their arch-rivals Arsenal could win the Premier League title. Tottenham’s selfless display not only denied the Gunners the chance to win their first title since 2004, but also got minutes into the legs of several reserve players that might not otherwise have played much here in the tail end of the season.
What an incredible group of lads. I love this club. So selfless.
Here are my match reactions, such as they are, to another drubbing at Anfield.
Match reactions
Look, we’re all irritated. I am too. There’s nothing wrong with that, it proves that we care. Nobody likes to watch their sports team get pummeled, regardless of the context, so feel free to get grumpy if that’s what you feel.
That said, once again in the context of the season this match doesn’t matter much at all. You could see that based on the lineup, which was heavily rotated and featured a central midfield pairing of Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray, and neither of our first choice central defenders. I’m half surprised Ange didn’t start Kinsky in goal.
Did anyone else think that, once that Solanke header went in, that Tottenham might just do the thing? Yeah, me either but I did think they could keep it close, or maybe eke out a draw. Alas.
The less said about the overall performance of the players in this match the better. I could single some out, but I’m not going to. What’s the point? It was a poor match from beginning to end against the best team in the league with literally everything to play for. Honestly, I’m already over it.
But after today you better damn well win on Thursday, Tottenham. I mean it.
- Dustin George-Miller
NFL TO TAKE ACTION OVER BRUTAL DRAFT MOMENT THAT SAW SHEUDER SANDERS' DREAMS CRUSHED
The NFL has announced that it will be talking action over the cruel draft day prank call to Shedeur Sanders.
The 23-year-old had been tipped by some - including his father, Hall of Famer Deion Sanders - to be a top-five pick but he embarrassingly became the biggest shock of the draft as he slid not only out of the first round, but also the second, third and fourth.
And on Friday - the second day of the draft - his misery had been agonizingly compounded when his hopes were momentarily lifted only to be immediately crushed by a prank call.
Shedeur later revealed that he had gotten a new phone with the specific intention of the draft, suggesting only NFL team executives had the number.
The revelation suggested that someone with one of the leagues 32 organizations had leaked the number, sparking speculation and fury
Now, the league has announced that it will be launching an investigation into how the brutal incident came to be, according to Pro Football Talk.
Sanders' wait for a new team stretched into Saturday afternoon, before the Cleveland Browns eventually took him in the fifth round with the 144th pick.
But he had thought his long slide had finally ended Friday when he received a call, purportedly from general manager of the New Orleans Saints, Mickey Loomis.
Sanders was informed that he would be selected with New Orleans ' next pick, only to soon discover that the call was a hoax. 'You're going to have to wait a little longer,' he was told.
On Saturday, a clip of the prank callers was posted on social media. It showed a young man - wearing an Ole Miss sweater - calling Sanders.
His friend, who was sitting nearby on the couch, was left open-mouthed and had to walk away after hearing Sanders answer.
'This is Mickey Loomis here, the GM of the New Orleans Saints, how are you doing?' the caller asked Sanders, who replied: 'Good, I've been waiting on you'
The prankster continued: 'It's been a long wait, man, (but) we are going to take you as our next pick right here.'
After Sanders replied, 'that would be legendary', he is told 'you're going to have to wait a little bit longer, man. Sorry about that!'
The caller then hung up, prompting hysterical laughter among his friends. 'Oh my God, he bought it!' one could be heard shouting.
Sanders was left looking puzzled before realizing that he was a victim of a prank call. The moment was caught on the quarterback's livestream of his draft party, which was swiftly cut off following the humiliation.
How the pranksters managed to call Sanders is a mystery. The quarterback later revealed that he was using a 'specific phone number' that was 'not in my name, not in anything.'
He explained: 'Nobody had that number. The number was only in the email threat that the NFL sent out to only teams.'
Entering Friday night, many expected Sanders to be taken with the first pick of the second round by the Cleveland Browns. Instead, the Browns passed on him at picks 33 and 36.
Sanders was helpless as he watched three other quarterbacks selected ahead of him on Friday, including former Oregon signal caller Dillon Gabriel by the Browns.
CONOR BENN SHARES GRUESOME DETAILS OF CHRIS EUBANK JR INJURY AFTER BEING RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL
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| Chris Eubank Jr's injuries were clear for all to see |
Conor Benn claimed that Chris Eubank Jnr had suffered a broken jaw following their 12-round encounter as he was taken straight to hospital - but that has since been denied by his camp
Conor Benn suggested that Chris Eubank Jnr had suffered a broken jaw as he was rushed away immediately after his victory - but that has been denied by his camp. The generational bout was won by Eubank Jnr on points before he was ushered straight out of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The 35-year-old was sporting a huge cut above his right eye whilst his face looked battered and swollen after the fight. As a result the doctor ordered him to hospital - which meant he was unable to conduct his post-fight media duties
Benn though could attend and was quizzed on the first loss of his professional career. The Eubank Jr camp have yet to comment on what the injuries he sustained were but the man who lost to him offered some insight. He said: "I wish him well. I know he’s gone to the hospital, I have heard he’s got a broken jaw do I wish him a speedy recovery."
Ben Shalom, Eubank Jr's promoter, has since come out and said: "I’m pleased to confirm that Chris is doing well and currently resting. There is no truth to the rumours regarding a broken jaw."
A rematch clause was already agreed before the pair's entered the ring and Benn, whose father Nigel lost to Chris Eubank Snr back in the 1990s, is confident he could step up further in weight with the gulf between him and his opponent called out before the fight.
Eubank Jnr had his father in his corner with Eubank Snr producing a shock by arriving at the north London stadium with his son as they walked to the ring together. The pair were thought to be estranged for years with the former champion being critical of the match-up.
However they reunited with Eubank Snr underlining his love for his son, who produced an impressive showing with every judge scoring the fight 116-112. He said:“I knew I was capable of that. I just needed someone to bring that out of me. I’m not going to lie, I did not expect that he’d be the guy to do that.
"But the fact that our fathers did what they did all those years ago, it brings out a different soul, a different spirit. That’s what we both showed here tonight. I pushed through. There’s a lot of things that have been going on in my life that I’m not going to get into right now, but I’m happy to have (my father) back with me. We upheld the family name like we said we were going to do. Onwards and upwards from here.”
Eubank Sr was hugely complimentary of his son's performance as he said: "He couldn't move around the ring, he had to stand toe-to-toe and that is legendary behaviour in the ring. I am so proud of him. Conor Benn is an extraordinary fighter and you saw that tonight. I thought he would go out in four or five rounds but he was strong throughout the fight."
- Samuel Meade
TONY BELLEW REVEALS HIS SCORE FOR CHRIS EUBANK JR VS CONOR BENN:
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| Image credit: Matchroom |
Tony Bellew has voiced his opinion on the Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn result.
The two fighters put their family names on the line when they faced off in front of 65,000 fans at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. The history and build up hyped the fight to such a high level and the action inside the ring didn’t disappoint, with both men unwilling to take a backwards step in a back and forth battle.
Much was made of the weight disparity before the fight, with Benn being a natural 147lbs fighter, whereas Eubank has fought as high as super-middleweight before, but Benn proved his chin could take everything that was being thrown at him.
Throughout the fight it was Eubank who was landing the cleaner shots and according to CompuBox out landed Benn in every round, including an incredible 152 punches in the closing 3.
After 36 enthralling minutes it was Eubank Jr who had his hand raised after all three judges scored it 116-112 in favour of the naturally bigger man.
Speaking on DAZN after the fight, former cruiserweight world champion Bellew praised Eubank for his work rate throughout the contest.
“Chris Eubank Jr has done what not many people thought he could do and go 12 rounds at an unbelievable pace and actually finish the stronger of the two, we didn’t think that was possible from the older man but he done it and you’ve just got to tip your hat to him and say well done.”
Bellew believes the right man won, having the contest even after 10 rounds but gave the last two to Eubank.
“To come up from welterweight and trouble a middleweight like that is unbelievable. Eubank didn’t win that because he’s the bigger man, it helps, but the work rate towards the back end of the fight won him the fight. That fight was close with three rounds to go and I think it was the last two rounds that pulled him clear because I couldn’t split them after ten rounds.”
With a rematch deal already done it’s expected the two will face off again before the end of the year, though Benn may consider dropping back down in weight instead.
- Toby Morgan
JULIO CÉSAR CHÁVEZ JR. VOWS TO AVENGE MIKE TYSON ... Against Jake Paul
Julio César Chávez Jr. is ready to step in and defend Mike Tyson's honor ... telling TMZ Sports he plans to whoop Jake Paul in the ring in June to avenge the boxing legend.
Remember, Paul -- 11-1 as a pro boxer -- beat Tyson by unanimous decision in an eight-round bout in November 2024, the most watched fight ever.
Chávez, a former middleweight world champion, will have his chance to get some payback for Iron Mike on June 28 ... when he faces Paul at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
And best believe that's the goal.
"I wanna take revenge for Mike Tyson," César Chávez Jr. told us from his boxing gym in L.A. "When I saw the fight, my first thought was, I wanna fight Jake Paul."
On paper, it's a challenging fight for Paul ... who only has 12 professional fights in his short career.
- TMZ Sports
BARCELONA EDGE REAL MADRID IN EXTRA-TIME TO WIN WILD COPA DEL REY FINAL
Barcelona defender Jules Kounde struck deep in extra-time to decide a gripping Copa del Rey Clasico final on Saturday in Seville, earning his side a 3-2 win over rivals Real Madrid
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| Team Barcelona wins the Copa Del Rey title© AFP |
Barcelona defender Jules Kounde struck deep in extra-time to decide a gripping Copa del Rey Clasico final on Saturday in Seville, earning his side a 3-2 win over rivals Real Madrid. The Catalans, aiming for a quadruple this season, won the first major trophy of Hansi Flick's reign as coach and a record-extending 32nd Spanish cup in dramatic fashion. Pedri sent Barcelona ahead at La Cartuja but two Real Madrid goals in seven second-half minutes, from Kylian Mbappe and Aurelien Tchouameni, pulled the Spanish and European champions level.
However, Ferran Torres struck in the 84th minute to take the game to extra-time and Kounde drilled home to win it for the La Liga leaders.
"It was a good time to bring joy to our fans -- we have to enjoy it but without forgetting the Champions League semis are coming," Torres told La 1. Barca host Inter Milan on Wednesday.
"They can make a party -- for today, it's OK," a delighted Flick, who has won all seven finals he has coached in his career, told Movistar.
Substituted Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger was sent off in the final seconds for appearing to throw an object onto the pitch towards the referee, and Lucas Vazquez, also replaced, was dismissed for further protest as Madrid unravelled.
"I don't want to talk about the referee," said stone-faced Madrid coach Ancelotti.
"I don't know what happened at the end."
Madrid started with top scorer Mbappe on the bench after an ankle injury and lost Ferland Mendy early on with a thigh issue.
Ancelotti sent on Fran Garcia to take over the job of shackling Barcelona's dazzling teenage winger Lamine Yamal.
The 17-year-old Spain star, who dyed his hair blond for the game, led the assault on Thibaut Courtois' goal.
The Catalans, who won the first two Clasicos this season in La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup, scoring nine goals in the process, controlled the ball.
They took the lead after 28 minutes, Pedri placing the ball into the top corner with precision and power from the edge of the box.
It was a sensational goal, starting with a smart Pau Cubarsi interception in his own half, before Pedri spread the play to Yamal, who teed him up once the Canary Islander reached the area.
Barcelona's opener brought Madrid out of their shell -- and also Mbappe off the bench to warm up.
The excellent Jude Bellingham netted but was offside. Vinicius Junior would have won a penalty as Inigo Martinez hacked him down but had also strayed off in the build-up.
Barcelona could have doubled their lead, with Dani Olmo's corner hitting the post and Cubarsi unable to turn home as Dani Ceballos held him back.
Referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea was lenient with some heated Madrid tackles, perhaps cowed by Friday's drama as the Spanish champions seethed at his pre-match comments denouncing attacks on officials by the club's television channel.
Madrid sent Mbappe on for Rodrygo Goes at half-time and soon he and Vinicius began to work Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.
End to end
Mbappe pulled Madrid level almost on his own in the 70th minute.
The striker surged forward and was brought down on the edge of the box. He then fired the free-kick home off the post.
Seven minutes later Madrid took the lead, Tchouameni heading Arda Guler's corner past the helpless Szczesny.
Barcelona responded when Yamal played a delicious pass over the top for Torres, which drew both Rudiger and Courtois, but the Spaniard pipped both to the ball and rolled home.
Controversy unsurprisingly reared its head before the match headed to extra-time.
Barcelona clamoured for a penalty when Rudiger appeared to fell Torres, and then were awarded one deep in stoppage time as Raphinha tumbled under pressure from Raul Asencio.
However the referee, called to review the incident by VAR, overturned his decision.
In extra-time Barcelona were ascendent.
They found their winner when Kounde intercepted an uncharacteristically loose Luka Modric pass and beat Courtois from range, sparking wild celebrations.
Rudiger's dismissal and Madrid's pre-match histrionics regarding the officials will ensure the repercussions run on. The teams meet again in La Liga in May in a potential title decider.
- Agence France-Presse
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