Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
In what has become an increasingly unpredictable week of Masters 1000 play on the men’s side, Taylor Fritz will next face a familiar foe in old junior rival Andrey Rublev in Friday’s day session after their contrasting victories over Francisco Cerundolo and Carlos Alcaraz respectively at the quarter-final stage.
Continue reading “Madrid: Fritz finds his groove, reaches 250 career wins as old foe Rublev next in semis”
Having vacated his domestic honours last month, Isaac Chamberlain faces a stern test as he plots his way to world-level contention against European champion Michal Cieslak on the June 15 undercard – where he’ll undoubtedly have one eye on the main event between former foe Chris Billam-Smith and Richard Riakporhe, who beat the WBO world champion five years ago. Continue reading “CBS-Riakporhe 2: Undercard presser as Isaac Chamberlain, Ben Whittaker return”
Vinicius Junior drew first blood, then had the final say from twelve yards as Real Madrid were predictably resilient in Munich to keep their Champions League semi-final clash with Bayern finely poised at two goals apiece before next week’s return leg at the Bernabeu. That was despite being second best for large periods during an action-packed clash between two giants on Tuesday. Continue reading “Bayern 2-2 Real: Vinicius gives visitors vigour in pulsating UCL semi-final first leg”
Mirra Andreeva celebrated her 17th birthday on Madrid clay by earning a quarter-final berth at a Masters 1000 tournament for the first time, backing up her second career top-10 win – over Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova – with a similarly gritty victory to knock out Jasmine Paolini 24 hours later. Continue reading “Birthday girl Andreeva’s maturity in Madrid a welcome sign for years to come”
There were nervy moments late on but Jalen Brunson relished the responsibility, reeling off a new career playoff-high 47 points alongside 10 assists to power the Knicks into a hard-fought road win over Philadelphia, taking a commanding series lead in their first-round matchup with the 76ers. Continue reading “Knicks 97-92 Sixers: Brunson’s playoff high 47 helps New York take big series lead”
Many expected Ryan Garcia would get outclassed in a surprise world title shot at 140lbs before the 25-year-old missed weight, leading to more controversy and a financial penalty as the ugly build-up intensified before his duel against amateur foe Devin Haney last weekend. He dropped the two-division champion three times en route to a stunning upset win though, so what’s next for both? Continue reading “A week on: Ryan Garcia’s stunning MD12 upset win over Devin Haney, what’s next?”
Almost halfway through the eighth year since her last MMA appearance ended emphatically inside a minute against two-division champion Amanda Nunes, former UFC bantamweight champion and Olympic judo bronze medallist Ronda Rousey has recently spoken about how those in the media propping her up during her prime were quick to treat her poorly after consecutive KO losses.
Continue reading “UFC Hall of Famer Ronda Rousey unhappy after self-inflicted negative media turn”
Liverpool’s fading Premier League title hopes were left hanging by a thread after a damning 2-0 away defeat by local rivals Everton in midweek, but their club captain Virgil van Dijk didn’t shy away from giving his opinion when asked about the potential arrival of a highly-regarded compatriot – Feyenoord boss Arne Slot – to succeed Jurgen Klopp as the Reds’ new manager this summer.
Continue reading “We shall see: Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk endorses Slot, as sides close to deal”
Although the axe appears likely to fall on Erik ten Hag at Manchester United and Frank de Boer had a nightmare spell at Crystal Palace, there’s renewed optimism that Liverpool – led by their data-driven recruitment approach – are targeting the right man in Feyenoord head coach Arne Slot, after the 45-year-old rejected English overtures last term and has since won more silverware. Continue reading “Given his managerial rise, Liverpool’s pursuit of Arne Slot should be no surprise”
Magomed Ankalaev in another title defence? Going up another division to challenge Tom Aspinall at heavyweight? There are options aplenty for reigning UFC light-heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, after making quick work of Jamahal Hill at a historic UFC 300 card earlier this month. If you ask the 36-year-old though, he’s not too fussed on who or when – but wants continuity. Continue reading “Alex Pereira open to various possibilities, wants activity after early night at UFC 300”
Joachim Andersen’s public praise for his teammates in Crystal Palace’s creative midfield duos Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze isn’t exactly a revelation, though interested suitors will again be enthused about their blossoming potential after watching the pair dismantle David Moyes’ West Ham over this past weekend. Continue reading “Joachim Andersen’s praise for Palace duo speaks volumes for their future potential”
2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina racked up a third WTA title of the season, less than 24 hours after outlasting world no. 1 Iga Swiatek to extend her impressive deciding set record, swatting aside a wasteful Marta Kostyuk display to seal the Stuttgart spoils as the race to Roland Garros continues. Continue reading “WTA Stuttgart: Swiatek slayer Rybakina reels off third title of 2024, beats Kostyuk”
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