
Spurs rookie Wembanyama playing against Hawks after status in question with hip tightness
Victor Wembanyama will play for the Spurs against the Atlanta Hawks after being listed as questionable with a sore hip
2023-12-01 09:16

Serial winner Sarina Wiegman eyes the biggest prize of all with England
It says something about England manager Sarina Wiegman that even her own players have to remind themselves that their boss is a mere mortal. One of the most memorable moments of this World Cup came when, on the eve of the Lionesses’ final group stage match against China, midfielder Georgia Stanway relayed an anecdote about meeting members of Wiegman’s family in Australia that concluded with the quip, “Sometimes you don’t realise your head coach is actually human.” It would be easy to look at the 53-year-old’s incredible record and insist she must be some kind of superhero from Planet Football who six years ago arrived on Earth with the mission of conquering as many major competitions as possible, beginning when she steered the Netherlands – her actual place of origin – to the Euro 2017 title. The reality is far more interesting – and relatable. In 2007, the part-time coach and PE teacher was offered a semi-professional role leading ADO Den Hag in the newly-formed Eredivisie Vrouwen, a risky move she resolutely replied she would only make if it was upgraded to a full-time gig. “I never talk about my husband (Marten Glotzbach) that much but then it was about my family,” she told the PA news agency. “I quit my job. We didn’t earn a lot of money by being a professional coach, but I really wanted to do the job. And he said, ‘this is your passion. Go for your passion, and we’ll be alright with the two daughters.’ “And that was for me the most important thing, that we as a family were OK, and I could do this job properly. I said I want to do it full time because I want to focus on football, and if I couldn’t do it full-time I wouldn’t have done it, because then I couldn’t bring the quality that was needed to develop the game.” Under the former Netherlands midfielder, who as a child cut her hair and pretended to be a boy to evade a ban forbidding girls from playing football, ADO Den Haag won the national championship in 2012, and the FA Cup-equivalent KNVB Cup in 2012 and 2013. Wiegman, who earned 104 caps for her country, had witnessed what investment in the women’s game could yield from her time spent playing for the University of North Carolina Tar Heels – also the alma mater of current Lionesses Lucy Bronze, Alessia Russo and Lotte Wubben-Moy – in the late 1980s. The opportunity to play in America came after a chance meeting with then-US women’s national team head coach Anson Dorrance at a 1988 FIFA-sanctioned proof-of-concept tournament in China that would eventually lead to the establishment of the inaugural Women’s World Cup in 1991. Dorrance, who still works at UNC and remains in touch with Wiegman and her playing trio, told the PA news agency: “You could see something in her even incredibly early that set her apart.” Writing in the Coaches’ Voice, Wiegman said: “America was like a soccer paradise for me. There was recognition, the facilities were great and we had good coaches – passionate coaches. The year I spent there changed my life. It changed my mindset.” Seven years after turning full time, Wiegman was back in the national team set up, this time as head coach Roger Reijners’ assistant. She soon upskilled, interning with men’s side Sparta Rotterdam whilst on her pro license course, in the process anointing Wiegman as the first woman to coach with a Dutch men’s professional club. The true pioneer was handed the Netherlands’ top job permanently in 2017, just six months before she would guide the hosts to a maiden Euros victory. Less than a year after leaving the ‘Orange Lionesses’ for the English ones in 2021, Wiegman steered her new side to the same trophy, the first coach to do so with two different countries. When England sealed their trip to a first-ever World Cup final with Wednesday’s 3-1 victory over co-hosts Australia, Wiegman also became the first manager to reach the showpiece’s final hurdle with two different teams. Four years ago in France, the Netherlands finished runners-up to the United States. England – and Wiegman – are determined to do one better this year. The Lionesses have lost just once in 38 games under Wiegman, a record they are aching to extend to 39 on Sunday. Both Wiegman and Dorrance would describe the England boss as “serious”, someone who has imported a sense of Dutch directness to the culture at St George’s Park. That reputation – combined with a reluctance to steal any of the spotlight away from her players – belies a delightful and often self-deprecating sense of humour, impeccable comedic timing, and awareness that she does often have a resting “focused face” until she erupts with emotion after a goal or final whistle. Despite her reputation as a serial winner, who FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said this week “could do any job in football”, Wiegman revealed her biggest motivation and “love”, no matter how full her trophy cabinet gets, “is to work with work with very ambitious, talented people. “Connecting people, trying to help players to support players and help them a little bit in their development, which helps them in life too. “Yes I want to win and I want to be the best too but that gives me the energy.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Tottenham fans stage protest over ticket price increases ahead of Man Utd match Solly March bags brace as Brighton beat Wolves to go top of Premier League Bryan Mbeumo at the double as Brentford ease to victory over 10-man Fulham
2023-08-20 00:23

MLS rumors: Roberto to Miami, Wagner to Brighton, Coco to LaLiga
Today's MLS rumors include Sergi Roberto linked with Inter Miami, Brighton interested in Kai Wagner and Adalberto "Coco" Carrasquilla could be on his way to La Liga.
2023-10-17 22:51

AT&T Byron Nelson picks 2023: Expert picks, best bets for PGA Tour golf this week
AT&T Byron Nelson picks and best bets at TPC Craig Ranch this week as we have an outright, Top 10 and more PGA Tour expert picks for golf.On the heels of Wyndham Clark's runaway win at Quail Hollow and a week before the second major of the year at the PGA Championship, we're he...
2023-05-09 07:20

Lionel Messi seals Inter Miami move as MLS welcomes ‘greatest player in world’
Lionel Messi has completed his move to Inter Miami on a deal running to 2025, the Major League Soccer outfit have announced. The 36-year-old Argentina superstar revealed last month he had decided to join the Florida side as his contract with Paris St Germain came to an end. With the deal now officially done, Messi is in line to make his debut for his new employers on Friday against Mexico’s Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup. The World Cup winner said in a statement from the club: “I’m very excited to start this next step in my career with Inter Miami and in the United States. “This is a fantastic opportunity and together we will continue to build this beautiful project. The idea is to work together to achieve the objectives we set, and I’m very eager to start helping here in my new home.” Inter Miami are co-owned by former England captain David Beckham, who said: “Ten years ago, when I started my journey to build a new team in Miami, I said that I dreamt of bringing the greatest players in the world to this amazing city. “Players who shared the ambition I had when I joined LA Galaxy to help grow football in the USA and to build a legacy for the next generation in this sport that we love so much. “Today that dream came true. I couldn’t be prouder that a player of Leo’s calibre is joining our club, but I am also delighted to welcome a good friend, an amazing person and his beautiful family to join our Inter Miami community. This is a fantastic opportunity and together we will continue to build this beautiful project. Lionel Messi “The next phase of our adventure starts here, and I can’t wait to see Leo take to the pitch.” MLS commissioner Don Garber said: “We are overjoyed that the greatest player in the world chose Inter Miami CF and Major League Soccer, and his decision is a testament to the momentum and energy behind our League and our sport in North America. “We have no doubt that Lionel will show the world that MLS can be a league of choice for the best players in the game. We look forward to seeing his debut for Inter Miami in our Leagues Cup tournament later this month.” Seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi arrives after a season in which he helped his country to World Cup glory in Qatar, as well as PSG to the Ligue 1 title, as in his first campaign with them in 2021-22. That adds to an already huge trophy haul on his CV that features four Champions League successes from his years with Barcelona, for whom he scored a staggering total of 672 goals. Joining Miami sees Messi – who has also netted more than 100 international goals – reunite with boss Gerardo Martino, who he previously worked under with Barca and Argentina. Martino was appointed in June after the club sacked Beckham’s ex-Manchester United team-mate Phil Neville. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Neal Skupski rewards brother Ken’s travelling exploits with Wimbledon win History-making Marketa Vondrousova thought Wimbledon win would be ‘impossible’ Mike Dean to leave referee’s body PGMOL this summer
2023-07-16 03:50

Romeo Lavia chooses next club after lengthy Chelsea and Liverpool battle
Romeo Lavia will undergo a medical with Chelsea after opting to join the Blues ahead of Liverpool. Southampton have agreed to sell the 19-year-old in a deal that could eventually be worth £55m.
2023-08-15 01:27

Lionel Messi booed by some Paris Saint-Germain fans on his return from suspension
Lionel Messi endured a difficult return to Paris Saint-Germain's starting line-up as some of his own team's fans booed the Argentine before and during PSG's convincing victory over Ajaccio at the Parc des Princes.
2023-05-14 19:17

Frattesi double gives Italy Euro boost against Ukraine
Davide Frattesi ensured that Italy got their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign back on track with a brace in Tuesday's entertaining 2-1 win over Ukraine which moved...
2023-09-13 04:51

Dart runs for 2 TDs, throws for a third, as No. 17 Ole Miss pulls away to beat Georgia Tech 48-23
Jaxson Dart ran for two touchdowns and threw for another as No. 17 Mississippi pulled away in the final 10 minutes to defeat Georgia Tech 48-23
2023-09-17 12:28

Recruits take note: Alabama stars are cashing in in the NFL
What's the secret to getting a huge payday in the NFL? Getting recruited to Alabama's football team is a good start.There's no secret recipe to becoming a financially successful NFL player, but if history is any indication, playing ball at Alabama will probably increase any recrui...
2023-07-31 08:51

Hornets Draft Grades: Rating every pick in the 2023 NBA Draft
The Hornets had a very interesting NBA Draft where they were mocked online due to the fact they did not select Scoot Henderson. What is their grade?The Hornets are a team that is trying to surround LaMelo Ball with talent. Ball's second banana is uncertain due to off-the-court issues elsewh...
2023-06-25 04:18

The 21 Best Tennis Skirts To Buy Now — Whether Or Not You Play Tennis
Next week tennis's finest will assemble in Flushing, New York, for the 2023 U.S. Open. And while we’re gonna be rooting for Venus Williams, Iga Światek, and Caroline Wozniacki, it’s not just the tennis action that’s getting us pumped up for the games. We’re focusing our attention on the influx of tennis style inspiration that coincides with the arrival of the Open — more specifically, the tennis skirts.
2023-08-17 03:58
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