With tons of youth and almost everybody back, Magic eyeing shot at NBA playoffs
The Orlando Magic basically brought everybody back this season, including eight of their top nine players in terms of total points scored a year ago
2023-10-21 02:21
Velez fans violently attack club's players at gunpoint
Velez Sarsfield lost to Huracan in Diego Godin's final game on Sunday, sparking a violent incident as some of the Argentine club's own fans viciously attacked the players at gunpoint
2023-08-01 17:57
Scotland qualify for Euro 2024 after Spain result confirms place
Scotland have qualified for Euro 2024 with two games to spare after Spain defeated Norway in Oslo. Steve Clarke’s side are now assured of one of the two automatic qualification spots in Group A and will play at just their second men’s major international tournament since 1998 in Germany next summer. Norway had to beat Spain to keep their automatic qualification hopes alive, but Gavi’s second-half strike earned La Roja all three points. Spain are also now through, while Norway will have to advance via the play-offs if Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard are to feature at next summer’s tournament. Scotland were faced with a nervous wait after they were beaten by Spain in highly controversial circumstances on Thursday night , missing out on the chance to confirm their place at Euro 2024 at what was their first opportunity. But an outstanding start to qualification, with five wins from their first five games, ensured Clarke’s side remained in a strong position to reach the tournament finals. Spain’s victory in Oslo now means Scotland do not need to get anything out of their final two fixtures in November, away to Georgia and at home against Norway, in what could have been a tricky double header. They are now level on points with Spain in the race to finish as group winners, however, which could determine seeding when the Euro 2024 draw is in December. Scotland manager Clarke also guided the Tartan Army to the Euro 2020 finals, after a dramatic play-off victory against Serbia, and will be determined to build on the experience of what was Scotland’s first major tournament since the 1998 World Cup. Despite hosting two games at Hampden, Scotland were knocked out of Euro 2020 in the group stages following defeats to the Czech Republic and Croatia, in between a goalless draw against England at Wembley. Scotland then missed out on a place at the 2022 World Cup after losing a play-off against Ukraine, but Clarke’s team shrugged off that disappointment to make a perfect start to the Euro 2024 qualifying campaign. A memorable 2-0 victory over Spain at Hampden in March was followed by a stunning comeback win against Norway in June, with goals in the 87th and 89th minute earning a dramatic 2-1 turnaround against Haaland’s side. Scotland also picked up maximum points from their fixtures against Cyprus and Georgia, with Scott McTominay playing a key part with six goals in qualifying. McTominay then saw a sublime free-kick ruled out by VAR in Seville, with Spain going on to win 2-0, but La Roja did Scotland a favour with their victory in Norway. Read More John McGinn claims Scotland beating Spain made ‘impossible’ after VAR controversy Andy Robertson injury: Scotland provide update on dislocated shoulder against Spain John McGinn claims Scotland beating Spain made ‘impossible’ after VAR controversy Scotland provide update after Andy Robertson appears to dislocate shoulder Steve Clarke insists Scotland must move on from disappointing VAR decision
2023-10-16 05:19
Messi confirms triumphant 2022 World Cup was probably his last
Lionel Messi on Tuesday confirmed he "doesn't think" he will play at another World Cup in an interview with Chinese media, after the 35-year-old led Argentina to victory...
2023-06-13 23:26
Johnson recovers from triple bogey to win LIV Golf Tulsa in playoff
Dustin Johnson has won another three-man playoff in LIV Golf
2023-05-15 08:21
Ben Davies impressed by caretaker boss Ryan Mason’s impact at Tottenham
Tottenham defender Ben Davies has talked up Ryan Mason’s positive influence on the squad. Mason claimed his first victory during his second caretaker spell in charge of Spurs with Saturday’s 1-0 win over Crystal Palace. It occurred after the 31-year-old had tweaked the tactics used by his old boss Antonio Conte, who repeatedly stuck with a 3-4-3 system. Tottenham lined up in a 4-4-2 out of possession and it helped them keep a first clean sheet in the Premier League since February 26 with more confidence restored to a group who have experienced crushing defeats to Bournemouth, Newcastle and Liverpool in the past month. “It’s something we’re all well aware of and one that we needed for a long time. It’s a good start for us and hopefully we can kick on for the final games now,” Davies said of the shut-out against Palace. “It’s not the easiest situation to come into (for Ryan). We’ve got limited amount of games so it’s hard for him to come in and completely change things and do it his own way. “But there’s been a clear message that we need to be as good as we can with the ball and tighten up without it. “It’s pretty basic but that’s the way we’ve been training and working. Ryan’s instilled that belief in us that we’re able to do that.” Davies, who has largely played left of a back three this season, was used as a full-back last weekend before being asked to push higher up the pitch when Spurs attacked. It's pretty basic but that's the way we've been training and working. Ryan's instilled that belief in us that we're able to do that Ben Davies on Ryan Mason On the right wing was January recruit Pedro Porro and it was the Spain international who set up Harry Kane’s winner to help make up for some poor defensive showings at St James’ Park and Anfield recently. Davies added: “Pedro is still a young player. We know the intensity and scrutiny of the Premier League, you make one little mistake and it’s highlighted for the world to see. “Look, we all know how good a player he is. We’ve seen it on the training pitch. When you iron out those mistakes I think we’ve got a top player on our hands. “Sometimes when you’re new to the club and the Premier League, you probably feel a lot of demand, especially when it comes to the transfer fee, to try to impress. “Sometimes it’s about making sure you do the basics and do the simple things right first. I think he did that. He defended well and then when he got the opportunity (to attack) he was good.” Tottenham’s win over Palace moved them up to sixth and kept them on course to qualify for a European competition. “Our aspiration is to play European football and be involved in as many competitions as we can,” Davies insisted. “We have the squad, we have the number of players, so it’s probably necessary that we are. “Our aim is to go as far as we can in every competition. Any European competition is important for us.”
2023-05-09 19:54
MLB Rumors: 3 MLB teams that should buy low on former White Sox star Tim Anderson
Tim Anderson is now a free agent after the Chicago White Sox declined his option. Here are three teams that could take a chance on the former batting champion.
2023-11-08 03:28
Everton sign 'powerful' Portuguese striker Beto
Premier League strugglers Everton on Tuesday announced the signing of Portuguese striker Beto from Udinese for a fee reportedly worth up...
2023-08-29 22:17
James McClean backs Republic to enjoy ‘glory days’ after calling time on career
James McClean has backed the Republic of Ireland’s new generation to fulfil their potential after calling time on his international career. The 34-year-old won his 103rd and last Ireland cap in Tuesday night’s 1-1 friendly draw with New Zealand and bade an emotional farewell to team-mates and fans alike after a 11 and a half years in the green shirt during which he played at the finals of two major tournaments. McClean may not be the only man whose time in the international set-up has drawn to a close, with manager Stephen Kenny now out of contract and not expecting an extension after a disappointing Euro 2024 qualifying campaign, although the Wrexham defender is convinced the foundations he has put in place will pay dividends. Speaking after the game, he said: “I’m going to call it how I see it. There is so much ability here. These lads are young – that’s not making excuses for them. International football is a whole different level. “These will get better with experience and with that experience, I’ve no doubt that down the line, these lads will bring the glory days back – and when I say glory days, I mean qualifying for major tournaments. “They just need to believe in themselves because the ability is there, it’s just getting that consistency and doing it every single game, and I’ve no doubt that will come with experience.” McClean knows what it takes to qualify for tournaments having represented Ireland at both Euro 2012 and ast France 2016, too. It was at the latter that the Republic secured one of their most significant victories, a 1-0 win over Italy in Lille which set up a last-16 clash with hosts France. McClean said: “That night in Lille when we beat Italy was… I’ve said this before, I wish you could bottle that because if you could bottle that and sell it, you’d be laughing. Absolutely phenomenal. “It’s been absolutely amazing. From the second I stepped on the pitch against the Czech Republic in 2012, the fans here in the stadium have been absolutely phenomenal, home and away. “That was something again that was very special. I pride myself on how your nearest and dearest, your team-mates, view you as a person and tonight that showed how they viewed me. “I’ve struck up some great relationships with the lads over the years and it’s something that I will miss, the camaraderie around the squad and going into battle with these lads.” McClean announced his decision to step back from international football last month and had no regrets about doing so after his final appearance. He said: “I think this is the right time to go. Not many people get to go out on their terms. I’ve had the absolute time of my life. I’ve achieved so much. Beyond my wildest dreams. I’ve had my time. “The lads were saying tonight, ‘why didn’t you cry? I would have cried’. But I don’t see the need to cry because like I said, I had the time of my life. I’ve had so many happy memories and it’s been an absolute honour.” Read More On This Day in 2017 – Everton’s Oumar Niasse hit with retrospective diving ban Performing under pressure – remembering England’s dramatic 2003 World Cup win Jason Robinson has yet to watch a rerun of England’s World Cup success Rob Page draws on play-off experience after Wales miss out on Euro qualification Stephen Kenny admits dream job is probably over James McClean’s Republic of Ireland farewell ruined by New Zealand friendly draw
2023-11-22 17:17
Blasting through the desert in Lamborghini's new off-road supercar
The low-slung car shook as I sped down a gravel-strewn rutted trail through the California desert, the sound of its 10-cylinder engine, just behind my head, blasting in my ears. I was driving a $380,000 supercar, the Lamborghini Haracán Sterrato and I couldn't help laughing out loud.
2023-05-20 19:50
NFL roundup: Dolphins score 70 points in routing Broncos
De'Von Achane and Raheem Mostert had career days with four touchdowns apiece and Tua Tagovailoa completed his first 17 pass
2023-09-25 12:57
Arsenal, Chelsea & Tottenham interested in Ansu Fati
Barcelona are looking to loan out Ansu Fati, with Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham all interested in such a deal.
2023-08-30 16:51
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