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The United States advanced to the World Cup knockout rounds with a game to spare following an impressive 2-0 win over Australia Friday, stoking the hopes of an already hyped host nation.The US join fellow tournament co-hosts Mexico as the first teams to progress, and could be assured top spot in Group D if Turkey fail to beat Paraguay later Friday.Excitement had been running high from last week’s US thrashing of Paraguay.And a glorious day in the Pacific Northwest did not disappoint the red-and-white-clad fans who packed Seattle’s Lumen Field and its surrounding streets and bars.Even before kickoff, chants of “USA” rocked a stadium best known as the raucous home of the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, but also a US soccer hotbed that hosts the local Sounders.Without injured talisman attacker Christian Pulisic, who failed to recover from a calf issue in time, coach Mauricio Pochettino switched to a 4-4-2 formation, bringing in second striker Ricardo Pepi.For the second game running, the US were gifted an early lead, thanks to an own goal in the 11th minute.Playing slightly wider than usual, star striker Folarin Balogun raced down the left and cut the ball back from the byline.Under pressure from a lurking Pepi, Aussie defender Cameron Burgess steered the ball into his own net.TOOTHLESS AUSTRALIAHaving surprisingly dropped both goalscorers from their impressive opening win over Turkey, Australia looked toothless.The US controlled possession and were lively and dynamic on the attack, Weston McKennie and Sergino Dest combining well down the right flank.Alex Freeman doubled the US lead in the 44th minute from what was surprisingly his team’s first shot on target.Taking a free kick from the right byline, Antonee Robinson ignored the scrum in the box and played the ball to Sergino Dest, wide open in the D, whose blocked shot looped up into the air.Freeman — son of Super Bowl-winning NFL wide receiver Antonio Freeman — was first to the ball, heading it past Patrick Beach. The offside flag went up. But it was overturned by VAR, and the stadium rocked for a second a time.Australia made three changes at the break — sending on Connor Metcalfe and Nestory Irankunda, the goalscorers against Turkey — and pushed higher up the field.They were nearly caught out immediately. Balogun raced onto a through ball for a one-on-one chance, but his shot was blocked after a heavy touch.Australia’s best chance so far came in the 62nd minute. The dangerous Cristian Volpato — who switched allegiance from Italy to Australia on the eve of the tournament — skied his shot from Irankunda’s cut-back pass.With the US sitting back, Metcalfe had a shot saved, a rampaging Irankunda was brought down by Richards, and Jason Geria’s close-range effort was blocked in a nervy final phase for the hosts.But despite late-flaring tensions between the teams, the Americans held on for the clean sheet and will have the luxury of playing Turkey next Thursday, knowing their spot in the round of 32 is secured.With home advantage and sparkling form so far, US fans will be dreaming of a run to the quarter-finals, which they last reached in 2002, and even beyond. Related Story Source link
George Aivazoglou, the NBA’s managing director for Europe and the Middle East. The NBA’s proposed new European league would distribute hundreds of millions of dollars per year to its franchises, George Aivazoglou, one of the league’s senior executives, told AFP.The NBA project, which is due to be launched in 2027 in partnership with the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), has come under intense scrutiny with respect to its financial viability.Franchises would need to stump up between “500 million and one billion” dollars to take part, and in return they would become “partners” in the NBA Europe project, said Aivazoglou, the NBA’s managing director for Europe and the Middle East.Almost all top level European basketball sides are losing money, although the NBA model envisages franchises — many newly created ones — set up in major cities such as London, Paris, Berlin and Madrid.These are cities where the sporting environment, largely dominated by football, is already saturated. ‘RECORD INTEREST’NBA commissioner Adam Silver said two weeks ago that they had received “record interest” from potential franchises, whose bids to join the new league are due at the end of the month.As well as FIBA, the NBA has been in discussions with EuroLeague Basketball, which organises the continent’s top basketball competition — the equivalent of football’s Champions League — which was first held in 1958.The NBA is pitching its proposed new league as a huge money-spinner for potential investors — despite their mammoth initial outlay.”The partner becomes a shareholder. There is asset value there,” said Aivazoglou.”This is the NBA’s league in Europe and this will be an asset that is worth in the tens of billions of dollars.”So you’re buying into that, obviously buying into a share of the NBA brand, which as we know will be a significant accelerator of how we create value in the ecosystem.”He said that the franchises would benefit from the NBA’s “digital direct consumer technology, our broadcast operations, our commercial capabilities”. 12 PERMANENT FRANCHISESThe plan is to create a competition with 12 permanent franchises with four more teams needing to qualify to take part.All of those teams would benefit from “very significant central distributions from the league — we’re talking on aggregate in the hundreds of millions per year”, said Aivazoglou.Divided between 16 teams, that translates as tens of millions each.An inside source at Qatar Sports Investment, the owners of the Paris Saint-Germain football team who have been approached by the NBA over creating a franchise, told AFP in January that the initial investment required to join was exorbitant and prohibitive.The NBA has pledged, though, to invest three billion dollars into the project to help cover initial losses.”We’re building a league for the next 100 years,” insisted Aivazoglou.Once the bidding process ends on June 29, the NBA “will move forward with next steps that could include announcements from there”. Related Story Source link
Three-time Stanley Cup champion and longtime Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews officially announced his retirement Friday after 16 seasons.Toews, 38, who sat out two seasons before returning to play all 82 games for his hometown Winnipeg Jets in 2025-26, ends his decorated career with 912 points (383 goals, 529 assists) in 1,149 games.”While his playing career has come to a close, Jonathan’s place in Blackhawks history — in hockey history — will be talked about for as long as this game as played,” Blackhawks chairman and CEO Danny Wirtz said in a statement. “Jonathan, on behalf of all of us here at the Chicago Blackhawks, our fans and the city of Chicago you gave so much to: congratulations on an extraordinary journey and a truly remarkable career. Thank you. Seriously.”Toews was named the youngest captain in NHL history at the time at 20 years and 79 days on July 18, 2008. Under the leadership of “Captain Serious” and teammates Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith, Chicago claimed the Stanley Cup in 2009-10, 2012-13 and 2014-15.Toews won the Conn Smythe Trophy for the first of those three titles. He also won the Selke Trophy in 2012-13 and the Mark Messier Leadership Award in 2014-15.Toews missed the entire 2020-21 season while dealing with Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome, and was out from Feb. 21 to April 1, 2023 with the effects of long COVID-19.He returned to play for the Jets and contributed 11 goals and 18 assists while playing every game for the first time since the 2018-19 season.”Tazer, congratulations on a remarkable hockey career,” the Jets posted on X. “Your love for the game, and your passion for this city has forever left a mark on our community.”Drafted with the No. 3 overall pick by Chicago in 2006, Toews also recorded 119 points (45 goals, 74 assists) in 137 career postseason games. He ranks sixth in goals (372) and points (883) in Blackhawks history.Toews won two Olympic gold medals with Team Canada in 2010 and 2014. Source link
Premier League champions Arsenal will begin their title defence at home to newly promoted Coventry City when the 2026-27 season kicks off on August 21.Coventry return to the top flight for the first time in 25 years and face a daunting test against Mikel Arteta's side, who ended a 22-year wait for the title last season.Hull City, promoted via the playoffs, host Manchester United in the first round of games, while fellow promoted club Ipswich Town take on Sunderland at home, according to fixtures released on Friday.Manchester City, starting the campaign without former coach Pep Guardiola, host Bournemouth, while Newcastle United take on Liverpool, now led by Andoni Iraola, at St. James' Park.Chelsea will be seen in action under new coach Xabi Alonso with a London derby away to Fulham, while the highly anticipated Manchester derby is scheduled for September 12.The campaign will conclude on May 30, 2027, with the Champions League final set for six days later. Source link
England all-rounder Ben Stokes during the first day’s action while playing in a county game for Durham against Northamptonshire at Riverside Ground, in Chester-le-Street, Durham, England,…
President of Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation and Lusail International Circuit Abdulrahman bin Abdullatif al-Mannai and Turkish Automobile Sports Federation President Eren Uclertopragı pose after signing…
Cristiano Ronaldo’s 25 touches against Democratic Republic of Congo in Houston on Wednesday were his fewest in a game at a major tournament for Portugal when…
New Zealand seized the upper hand in the second Test after extending their first innings to 391 on Thursday before working through England's top order to leave the hosts on 222-6 at stumps on the second day at The Oval.Glenn Phillips helped himself to his first Test century before lunch as England's ragged bowling allowed New Zealand to add 100 vital runs to their overnight 291-7.In reply, Ben Duckett was run out after a rapid 36 and fellow opener Emilio Gay made a half century but New Zealand pace bowler Matt Henry trapped both England dangermen Joe Root and Harry Brook lbw to leave the hosts reeling.Debutants James Rew and Jordan Cox steadied the ship but Rew became Will O'Rourke's second victim just before the close to make it emphatically New Zealand's day.England will return on Friday still 169 runs behind with just the tailenders to come and facing a big deficit.Phillips, who withstood a ferocious spell of bowling by Jofra Archer the previous night, said his milestone moment came the day before the anniversary of his dad's passing.’That made it pretty special,’ he said. ‘That was one for him. The bowlers did a fantastic job today. They brought it back really well, especially after tea.’We need to keep England out in the dirt as long as possible (in our second innings) but we have four wickets to take first.’New Zealand, trailing 1-0 in the three-match series after a chaotic defeat at Lord's, began the day still some way off posting a healthy first-innings total on a good pitch.They were helped, though, by some mystifying bowling as England's non-stop barrage of bouncers backfired.Phillips, 49 not out overnight, needed no second invitation to tuck in as England completely lost control with the new ball being wasted. He shared an 87-run partnership with Kyle Jamieson who made 41 having been reprieved on 15 when Duckett dropped a simple catch on the boundary.Jamieson was eventually bowled by part-time spinner Jacob Bethell who ended with figures of three for 26.Archer was surprisingly held back in the morning despite England's toil although he finally appeared and removed Matt Henry before Phillips was last man out, caught at deep mid-wicket after a heave at Matthew Fisher.Duckett looked dangerous and accelerated to 36 from 25 balls but was run out as Gay called for a single that was never on and Nathan Smith swooped to throw down the stumps. DISCIPLINED ATTACKNew Zealand's disciplined pace quartet plugged away and Smith had Bethell caught behind by Tom Blundell.Gay ground out his second half century, following his debut knock at Lord's, from 112 balls, the slowest 50 by an England player since Brendon McCullum became head coach and Ben Stokes captain in 2022 – the so-called Bazball era.He was out for 53 as he turned his head away from a rising delivery by O'Rourke but failed to lower his bat and was given out, caught behind, after a review.Root, leading the test side for a record-extending 65th time after Stokes was left out following an investigation into a nightclub incident after the first test, looked serene but fell four short of his half century as Henry jagged one back.Two more runs would have taken Root to 14,000 test runs.Brook carved one remarkable back-foot six off O'Rourke but with wicket keeper Blundell standing up, he was trapped in his crease as Henry again found some movement.Rew made a confident 24 before attempting to hook O'Rourke for six but only gloving a looping catch to Daryl Mitchell. BRIEF SCORES: England 222 for 6 (Gay 53, Henry 2-57) trail New Zealand 391 (Phillips 100, Blundell 51, Bethell 3-26) by 169 runs. Source link
FIA President Ben Sulayem Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the FIA, says the federation’s Extraordinary General Assembly and annual conference in Macau next week has an important part to play in guiding the future of motorsport and mobility.Hosted in partnership with the Automobile General Association Macao-China (AAMC) and Galaxy Entertainment Group, and held at the Galaxy International Convention Centre, the three-day event starting on Tuesday will welcome over 450 senior FIA delegates across mobility and motorsport from 149 countries.It offers opportunities for the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the global governing body for motorsport and the federation for mobility organisations worldwide, to address key initiatives in regional sporting growth, road safety, sustainable mobility, and innovation in transport.Macau is an iconic location for motorsport fans, playing host to the Macau Grand Prix at the Guia Circuit since 1954. Now, the event welcomes competitors across four FIA categories and is notorious for its demanding course, combining fast straights and tight corners.Speaking ahead of his return to Macau, Mohammed Ben Sulayem said: “This conference provides a valuable opportunity to bring together our community and help shape the future of global motorsport and mobility. As we continue to grow participation, advance innovation and improve road safety worldwide, these discussions are more important than ever.“I am delighted to be returning to Macau, a truly iconic location for motorsport fans and a fitting location for the FIA to host one of the most important weeks of our calendar. My thanks to our hosts, the AAMC, Chairman Chong Coc Veng, and President Roberto Carlos Osorio.”Chong Coc Veng, Chairman of the AAMC, said: “We are honoured to welcome the FIA and our fellow Members from across the world back to Macau. The Annual Conference provides a valuable opportunity to reflect on the progress we have made together over the past year and shape the priorities that will drive our Federation forward. We look forward to welcoming delegates for what promises to be a productive few days.”The conference will be attended by representatives from the 245 FIA Member Clubs who represent motorsport and mobility at a global scale. This structure forms the backbone of the federation’s governance and operations, with each full Member Club holding voting rights across the FIA’s elections and regulatory decisions. Clubs are grouped into two primary categories, with some serving in both roles. Mobility Clubs provide mobility services and represent the interest of road users, with a focus on road safety, travel and tourism, consumer rights, and sustainable mobility. National Sporting Authorities (ASNs) govern and develop motorsport at a national level, are responsible for sporting events, issuing licenses, and engagement across regulations. Related Story Source link
World number two Elena Rybakina crashed out of the Wimbledon warm-up WTA tournament in Berlin on Thursday losing 7-5, 6-4 to Filipino wildcard Alexandra Eala.”I’m a little foggy now. I’m still shaking. I was shaking on the match point,” said an emotional Eala after booking her ticket to the quarter-finals of the grass-court tournament.”She’s an amazing player … she’s the one to beat. I’m happy to have been able to share the court with her again,” added the 21-year-old Eala who lost to Rybakina on clay at the Italian Open in May.Rybakina — the 2022 Wimbledon champion and reigning Australian Open winner — had burst out of the blocks to take a 4-1 lead but Eala fought back, breaking the Kazakh’s usually strong serve twice to take the opening set.World number 35 Eala stayed in control during the second, breaking her heavily favoured opponent once to storm to an upset victory.Eala, the first Filipino player to break into the top 50, is in fine form, having beaten newly minted Queen’s Club champion Donna Vekic in the opening match in Berlin.Eala will face world number eight Elina Svitolina, who beat German Eva Lys in straight sets 6-3, 6-2 earlier on Thursday, in the quarter-finals.In the other quarter-finals, world number one Aryna Sabalenka takes on Nikola Bartunkova, world number four Jessica Pegula faces Madison Keys and Linda Noskova is up against Paula Badosa. Related Story Source link