Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
Four-time Major champion Carlos Alcaraz will look to make it a fabulous five in New York this coming fortnight, but allayed fears over a rolled ankle injury sustained during his practice session alongside Francisco Cerundolo on Saturday. The reigning French Open and Wimbledon titlist, who lost a three-setter vs. Gael Monfils in Cincinnati last week, should be okay after some rest. Continue reading “US Open 2024: Alcaraz assures rolled ankle injury is merely minor, fine for Tuesday”
As the fallout from this week’s positive drug tests revelation continues, Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner answered 10 minutes’ worth of inevitable questions – against the moderator’s wishes – from the assembled media with poise and clarity at Flushing Meadows in preparation for his first-round encounter early next week hoping the focus is solely on tennis once more. Continue reading “US Open 2024: Sinner fields questions as world no. 1 confirms Ferrara, Naldi out”
Following months of speculation surrounding his future, British heavyweight champion Fabio Wardley has inked a multifight deal with Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions. The rematch against Olympic bronze medallist Frazer Clarke has officially been confirmed as part of a seven-fight undercard on the Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol bill in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on October 12. Continue reading “Wardley inks multi-fight Queensberry deal, as Clarke rematch set for Oct. 12”
Jannik Sinner improved to 48-5 in 2024 thus far at Frances Tiafoe’s expense on Monday, racking up his second Masters 1000 title of the calendar year – third in twelve months – before the Italian’s latest achievement was quickly overshadowed some 12 hours later as news broke about him being cleared of wrongdoing over two failed March anti-doping tests not before made public.
Continue reading “12 hours after Cincinnati title, Sinner’s silent drugs ban cleared – questions asked”
Dricus du Plessis defiantly embraced the chaos and emerged stronger for the experience to make a successful first UFC middleweight title defence against longtime champion Israel Adesanya in the early hours Sunday, inflicting another career-altering defeat as the 185lb division has shaken up once more. Continue reading “UFC 305: Dricus defies doubters again, retains title with R4 sub win vs. Adesanya”
Having endured an inconsistent season across all surfaces, 2022 US Open semifinalist Frances Tiafoe will hope he’s peaking at the right time of this calendar year on home soil after recovering from a set down to reach his first Masters 1000 final – where he’ll play world number one Jannik Sinner tonight, after a similarly gutsy win over the distance against Alexander Zverev. Continue reading “Cincinnati: Tiafoe’s turn of form continues, books M1000 final vs. Sinner”
Fresh after a fantastic knockout win over Derrick Osaze and armed with a proud support team celebrating his latest highlight reel finish to close another York Hall show, I spoke with Denzel Bentley as he surveys the middleweight scene. Beforehand, there were several boxers ringside sharing updates about their respective return timelines, fight dates and what they would like next. Continue reading “Exclusive: Bentley open to Sheeraz-Denny winner as six boxers give return updates”
98 days after dismantling Danny Dignum to kickstart his 2024, two-time British middleweight champion Denzel Bentley produced another devastating stoppage – this time a perfectly-placed uppercut froze Derrick Osaze stiff as the world-level contender banked another quick night’s work at York Hall. Prior, Aloys Junior outboxed Oronzo Birardi over ten rounds to win his first pro titles. Continue reading “York Hall: Bentley blasts beyond Osaze in two rounds as Junior passes stern test”
They started slow but grew in confidence, spurned some chances but equally left themselves exposed at the back too many times for comfort before Joshua Zirkzee’s 87th-minute winner – 25 minutes after coming off the bench to cap a memorable Manchester United debut on the opening day of the new Premier League campaign. Erik ten Hag knows it’s something they can build on now. Continue reading “Ten Hag pleased as United leave it late vs. Fulham, Zirkzee has last laugh on debut”
Two-time British middleweight champion Denzel Bentley is knocking on the door for a second world title shot, but must stay active and continue winning to achieve that aspiration as Derrick Osaze now stands in his way. Cruiserweight prospect Aloys Junior meanwhile, targets his first professional title this weekend against unbeaten foe Oronzo Birardi – their first 10-round contest. Continue reading “Cordial the buzzword before Denzel Bentley and Aloys Junior return Saturday”
Was there ever any doubt? Kylian Mbappe marked his first Real Madrid appearance with a goal and some silverware to boot before the domestic campaign kicks off later this week, as Carlo Ancelotti’s side steadied themselves after an irritating first-half to hit Atalanta with two goals in nine second-half minutes as they clinched this season’s Super Cup trophy – a record sixth. Continue reading “Real Madrid 2-0 Atalanta: Valverde and Mbappe strikes sink La Dea in Super Cup”
Barely a week after his official pre-season preparations began with Real Madrid, Kylian Mbappe is poised to start and could win some silverware to kickstart the 2024-25 campaign as the Champions League holders face an Italian job as free-flowing Atalanta aspire to spring a surprise when the European champions duel one another for bragging rights in Poland midweek. Continue reading “Super Cup: Ancelotti admits defensive balance is a must, hints at Mbappe starting”
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