List of All Articles with Tag 'ball'

Video Shows High School Softball Catcher Peppering Opposing With Throws to the Head

Liverpool are parting company with the throw-in coach who helped them become Premier League champions in 2020. Danish coach Thomas Gronnemark, who first linked up with Jurgen Klopp’s squad in 2018, will not have his contract renewed after learning he will not have the time he wanted to work with the players. Gronnemark, a former sprinter and bobsleigh rider, was contacted by Klopp five years ago when the Liverpool manager saw statistics that his side were the third-worst in the Premier League at throw-ins. They won the Champions League in their first season working with Gronnemark and 14 goals in their title-winning campaign of 2019-20 were traced to throws. He visited Liverpool several times a season before lockdown, while also working with around 25 other clubs, including Ajax, Flamengo, Toulouse and Philadelphia Union, but said he made the greatest impact in his first two seasons when he was involved. Gronnemark said on YouTube: “It has been five great years with Liverpool FC, we had great results: not only going from 18th for throw-ins to No 1 but winning all the club titles you can in Europe. “We had two fantastic first seasons when I was first there where we won Champions League, Premier League and World Club Championships and I was visiting the club four or five times per season so I had a lot of time to work on the basics and go deep into the throw-in drills. “But then we had a challenge with Covid-19 and it meant that suddenly from the 2020-21 season, the playing schedule was really tight and there were a lot of travel challenges so it was much easier, for example, to go to Mexico than England. For a couple of seasons, I was only there one time a season and for me, the throw-in level has been going from great to good. I don’t think I had enough time with the players. “So I had to go back to four or five visits a season and that was my wish for the 2023-24 season and I talked with the club and they also wished for a change but to try for themselves. Thanks to Liverpool FC, it has been fantastic.” Read More Premier League top-four race: Remaining fixtures and how each club can qualify for the Champions League Liverpool turn up the heat as Anfield rediscovers its chest-thumping swagger Surprise favourite emerges in race to be Liverpool’s new sporting director

Milan’s two biggest clubs meet in the Champions League final four hoping to book their place in the European final. It is the first time in 20 years that AC Milan and Inter have clashed so late in the competition but their meeting guarantees a first Italian competitor in the final since 2017. Both clubs have history in this competition, Inter last won the trophy in 2010 under Jose Mourinho while Milan dominated the Champions League at the start of the millennium and in the 90s. They have been evenly matched domestically with the pair currently fourth and fifth in Serie A, and both teams will recognise this major opportunity to return to European football’s biggest stage. The fitness of AC Milan star Rafael Leao is the big talking point ahead of the game but Milan will make a late call on his participation after the Portuguese winger suffered a muscle injury. The winner of this semi final will face either Real Madrid or Manchester City in Istanbul on 10th June after the Spanish and English champions played out a 1-1 draw in their semi-final first left last night. Follow all the action from the Milan derby as AC Milan and Inter clash in the Champions League: Read More AC Milan are back – but not as how you remember them The Milan derby crowns Serie A’s return - here is why it means so much more Olivier Giroud ‘more motivated than ever’ as AC Milan chase Champions League win

Georgia football: No White House visit for the BulldogsThe Georgia Bulldogs are not going to visit the White House and president Joe Biden, despite an invite extended by his staff. Per the program, there was a scheduling conflict. They released a statement confirming no ill will towards the curren...

England forward Beth Mead says she will “try my hardest” to make the summer’s World Cup while admitting “it may be a little bit too soon”. Mead, who claimed the Golden Boot and player of the tournament award when the Lionesses won the Euros on home soil last year, has been sidelined since suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament while playing for Arsenal in November. In March, England boss Sarina Wiegman said she was planning for the World Cup without Mead, adding: “If a miracle happens and she goes so fast (in her recovery), then we will reconsider it – but at this moment I don’t expect that.” Speaking on Wednesday as she received an MBE at Windsor Castle for services to football, Mead told the PA news agency: “I’m back on the pitch, back kicking a ball. So it’s starting to be a little bit more normal again, but it’s been a long, tough period. “I will try my hardest to get as close to that as possible. But (the World Cup) may be a little bit too soon for me this time around.” Mead also told Sky Sports she was “ahead of schedule” in her recovery, before adding that her World Cup participation is “out of my control”. The showpiece in Australia and New Zealand gets under way on July 20, with Wiegman set to name her squad for the tournament later this month. Mead is one of four Arsenal players to have sustained ACL injuries this season, with England captain Leah Williamson another, along with Vivianne Miedema and Laura Wienroither. On the broader picture in terms of ACL injuries, Mead told PA: “I think there’s more that can be done. Obviously, we’ll be delving into that a lot more as individuals and as a club and in the women’s game in general. “I think it’s becoming like six more times likely than male players and we’ve got that figure and that’s something that can help. “It’s a long injury and you don’t want to be seeing any player going out with it, but some of the best players that you want to be seeing in World Cups and things like that (have sustained the injury). “We’ll try and help push that out there more and get more research done on that.” Also receiving an MBE on Wednesday was Mead’s England team-mate Lucy Bronze, who has been out of action herself after undergoing knee surgery last month. The Barcelona defender, whose club play Wolfsburg in the Champions League final on June 3, said: “I think (the World Cup) is really far in the future and I should be back training within a few weeks now. The surgery was two weeks ago but very minor compared to some of the other girls. “I’m hoping to get back fit for the Champions League final.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Ben Stokes left out of Chennai Super Kings side despite return to fitness Joy Neville to make history as first woman to officiate at men’s Rugby World Cup Jarrod Bowen knows from Danny Dyer what a trophy would mean to West Ham fans

England forward Beth Mead says she is “ahead of schedule” in her ACL injury recovery and still working towards the summer’s World Cup. Mead, who claimed the Golden Boot and player of the tournament award when the Lionesses won the Euros on home soil last year, has been sidelined since sustaining the injury while playing for Arsenal in November. In March, England boss Sarina Wiegman said Mead was at that point “not in our plans” for the World Cup, adding: “If a miracle happens and she goes so fast (in her recovery), then we will reconsider it – but at this moment I don’t expect that.” Speaking on Wednesday as she received an MBE at Windsor Castle for services to football, Mead told Sky Sports: “The injury is OK. “I’m a good five months in now, I am back on the pitch and kicking a ball again, feeling good, ahead of schedule, so that’s all I can do in my control right now.” Asked if she felt confident she was going to be at the World Cup, Mead said: “I wouldn’t say confident because that’s out of my control. “But I am working hard to try to get as close to that as possible, but at the end of the day, it’s probably going to be Sarina’s decision.” The World Cup in Australia and New Zealand gets under way on July 20, with Wiegman set to name her squad for the tournament later this month. Also receiving an MBE on Wednesday was Mead’s England team-mate Lucy Bronze, who has been out of action herself after undergoing knee surgery last month. The Barcelona defender, whose club play Wolfsburg in the Champions League final on June 3, said: “Mine’s very minor. I’m two weeks post-op, and then I’ve got a couple more weeks maximum. “I’m walking around really well. I’ve still got bandages on from the stitches but I’m actually doing really well physically and mentally, and feel really good and positive. “I think I’m in a better place now after the surgery than I was before it. I’ve had six knee surgeries, so I know what I’m doing, it’s pretty straightforward for me.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

England forward Beth Mead says she is still hopeful of being fit for the World Cup and is “ahead of schedule” in her recovery from an ACL injury. Mead ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament playing for Arsenal in November and Lionesses manager Sarina Wiegman said last month that it would be a “miracle” if she makes her squad for Australia and New Zealand. But Mead has returned to light training with Arsenal ahead of the July tournament and said she is determined to give herself every chance of making the 23-player squad when it is announced next month. "The injury’s okay,” Mead told Sky Sports News as she picked up her MBE for her role in England’s Euro 2022 win last summer. “I’m a good five months in and back on the pitch and kicking a ball again, feeling good, ahead of schedule. That’s all I can do that’s in my control right now. "I wouldn’t say I’m confident [of going to the World Cup] because it’s out of my control, but I’m working hard to get as close to it as possible. But at the end of the day, it’s probably going to be Sarina’s decision." England captain Leah Williamson will miss the World Cup due to an ACL injury while Fran Kirby is also out of the tournament with a knee problem that requires surgery. England manager Wiegman said ahead of the Finalissima in April that she did not expect Mead to be ready for the World Cup unless a “miracle happens”. “I had a conversation with her, she’s doing well, she’s in her rehab, she’s doing good, but the World Cup is actually too early,” Wiegman said. “So what we said is she’s not in our plans now, just really take the time to get back well. “If a miracle happens and she goes so fast, then we will reconsider it - but at this moment I don’t expect that.” Read More England’s World Cup squad: Who’s on the plane, and who’s got work to do? England suffer further World Cup blow as Fran Kirby ruled out of tournament Leah Williamson’s ACL injury has to be a final wake-up call for football

Sixers-Celtics Fan Dustup Includes Thrown Cup

England Deaf Women defender Claire Stancliffe says it “really hits me deep” that her “hero” Steven Gerrard has donated £5,000 to the fundraising effort aiming to get the team to September’s World Cup in Malaysia. The campaign has been launched after the Football Association last month announced it was switching focus and funding for the national deaf women’s team from the 11-a-side format to futsal. The overall target is £100,000, with half of that required by the end of June. A fundraising page has been set up by the Deaf Sports and Football Foundation and more than £13,000 has been raised so far, including donations of £5,000 each from ex-England and Liverpool captain Gerrard and his former international team-mate, Manchester United defender Gary Neville. Stancliffe, who grew up a Reds fan, told the PA news agency: “Steven Gerrard is my hero. When I was younger I just wanted to watch Liverpool play, and Steven Gerrard was the player I wanted to be. “I had the same boots as him, I was central midfielder back then and I used to score goals like him. So from a very young age, I’ve watched him, I’ve wanted to be like him. I’ve always wanted to meet him – I haven’t quite managed that yet! And knowing he’s donated, it really hits me deep. “That was quite an emotional message to receive (when she was told about Gerrard’s donation).” Neville is involved again, having previously donated £20,000 towards getting a Great Britain side to the 2017 Deaflympics in Turkey. Stancliffe, a world, European and Deaflympic bronze medallist, was part of that team, and said of Neville: “I just messaged him saying, ‘Is there any chance you could share our fundraising page?’ “He came back and said, ‘I’ll share it and I’ll give you £5,000 as well’. That was lovely of him. What he’s done for us, I’m really grateful for that.” The 34-year-old said she was feeling “positive” about the £50,000 target, adding: “We have the fundraising page, that’s our main focus, but at the same time we’re working hard behind the scenes to secure a sponsorship deal with someone.” Regarding the FA’s announcement, Stancliffe said: “Obviously as a player I’m disappointed with the decision the FA have made but I totally respect what they’ve done and for me the big focus now has to be on getting that squad to Malaysia.” The FA said in its announcement that the change followed “consultation with existing players and staff within the England Deaf Women’s squad and the wider performance programme, alongside key conversations with stakeholders representing the deaf football community”. It said the decision addressed “the need for a new approach for the pathway, and to ensure there are regular international opportunities for players to perform on the world stage”, adding it “mirrors the decisions made by other nations who are respected in deaf international football and futsal provision, with deaf female futsal being the preferred format of the game for an increasing number of nations”. Catherine Gilby, the FA’s head of para performance, told PA there had been concern over the potential competitiveness of an 11-a-side England team and the depth of international competition. Gilby added: “At the moment, it’s a grassroots challenge that we need to work with our partners in the FA to address, and we’re committed to do that. We’ve still got a role to play in making sure that, if 11-a-side is what some female deaf players want to play, there’s an avenue to do that.” Following the FA’s April announcement, Great Britain Deaf Football said it was now supporting England Deaf Women to send a team to Malaysia, adding: “(A) recent deaf women 11-a-side survey that GBDF conducted indicated that there was plenty of interest and commitment to compete at the 2023 World Cup, 2024 Euros and Deaflympics in 2025 where possible.” GBDF on Sunday announced Lauren Asquith, who formerly worked in the FA’s para football set-up, as head coach of the team for the World Cup and Euros. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Cricket Scotland hands out first professional women’s deals in ‘landmark moment’ Real Madrid have ‘nothing to fear’ against Man City, Dani Carvajal claims Arsenal to increase number of Women’s Super League games at Emirates Stadium

Dani Carvajal insists Real Madrid have nothing to fear heading to the Etihad Stadium for the second leg of their Champions League semi-final next week. The tie is delicately poised at 1-1 after a pulsating draw in the first meeting between the sides at the Bernabeu on Tuesday. Vinicius Junior fired holders Real into the lead with a stunning strike in the first half but Kevin De Bruyne levelled with an equally brilliant effort in the second period. Real right-back Carvajal said: “They have world-class players, they move the ball very well, they’re tactically very well worked – but I don’t think we saw a City side that are superior to Madrid. “The team goes home knowing that we played well and that if we get things right, if we take our chances in Manchester, we have a chance of going through. “We go there with nothing to fear. We have to go there to win, to play our game, and the team believes in it.” City dominated early on at the Bernabeu but it was Real that took the lead against the run of play when Vinicius lashed home from 25 yards on 36 minutes. From then on the hosts did their best to disrupt City’s flow by employing some rough tactics. Carvajal particularly pushed things to the limit and was involved in a running battle with Jack Grealish. At one point he barged the England midfielder into the advertising hoardings and then fell to the ground theatrically when Grealish reacted angrily. “It’s a semi-final, everyone is playing to the limit, every challenge is a war,” the Spain international said. City drew level on 67 minutes, during a period when Real had been dominating, when De Bruyne connected with a fierce drive from a similar range to Vinicius. The draw was the least the Premier League leaders deserved but Real did have a gripe over the equaliser, with suggestions the ball may have gone out of play in the build-up. Real manager Carlo Ancelotti was booked for his protestations as De Bruyne celebrated. Carvajal said: “In general I think the referee (Portugal’s Artur Dias) was good, he controlled it pretty well. It’s complicated to referee a Champions League semi-final. “We have to congratulate him for that but if the ball did go out then that’s an error that could cost us the tie.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Arsenal to increase number of Women’s Super League games at Emirates Stadium Katie Zelem keen to do club and family proud with Manchester United triumph Sale out to ‘enjoy and embrace’ Premiership play-off challenge – Alex Sanderson

Manchester City and Real Madrid fought out a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final at the Bernabeu Stadium on Tuesday. They now head to the Etihad next week with all to play for. Here, the PA news agency looks at what lies in store in the return clash. Does home advantage now give City the edge? City will certainly feel confident heading back to the Etihad with the tie level. They have won all their Champions League games there this season, including beating RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich 7-0 and 3-0 respectively in the knockout stages, and have lost just once in the Premier League. Manager Pep Guardiola said on Tuesday that City “feel comfortable with our people” and midfielder Jack Grealish went as far as to say the team feel “unstoppable” at home. Yet the tie could still go either way couldn’t it? Of course it could. City played very well at the Bernabeu and the draw was the least they deserved, but they still gave up chances. Both goalkeepers made excellent saves at various points and the scoreline could easily have been different. City will be well aware Real, with the likes of Karim Benzema, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo in the side, are more than good enough to take chances next time. How much will Real’s big-game experience matter? As 14-time champions and holders, Real showed last year, when they were not favourites in any of their knockout ties prior to the final, the weight of their reputation can be a huge factor, as City discovered first hand. After coming away from the intimidating Bernabeu – the scene of last year’s capitulation – with a share of the spoils this time, however, City will hope to have negated this. They can now look back on 12 months ago positively, when they beat Real in the first leg of their semi-final at home. They also saw off Real in 2020 and will believe they can do so again. What possible changes to the line-ups could there be? As both sides have had a good look at each other now, either manager could try to alter things to make a difference. City had some good options on the bench at the Bernabeu that could give them some variety next time, notably in the attacking threat of Julian Alvarez and Riyad Mahrez and playmaker Phil Foden, all of whom have impressed at different stages this season. Real’s tactics bordered on the rough at times and they could toughen up further and really try to disrupt City’s flow with Eder Militao available again after suspension. Aurelien Tchouameni is another defensive option. Could games this weekend affect the picture? In City’s case, possibly so. They have to travel to Everton on Sunday for what is likely to be a tense occasion. That game carries huge significance at both ends of the table. City need to press home their advantage in the title race, while Everton are scrapping for survival. Easing off could cost City as they look to maintain their challenge on three fronts. Real, by contrast, are out of contention for the LaLiga title and could rest a number of players for their clash with Getafe on Saturday. They will also have an extra day’s recovery before the game. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Vincent Kompany planning ‘smart’ recruitment and ‘healthy decisions’ for Burnley Look back at Gothenburg Greats as Aberdeen mark 40th anniversary of European win Arsenal to play five Women’s Super League games at Emirates Stadium next season

Manchester United captain Katie Zelem is keenly aware both club and family bragging rights will be on the line when she leads out her side at Wembley for Sunday’s Women’s FA Cup final. The midfielder’s Women’s Super League-leading Red Devils will look to unseat FA Cup holders Chelsea and claim a first major domestic trophy when they meet at the home of English football, which has sold out for the first time in the competition’s history. It was at the old Wembley where, 34 years ago, Zelem’s dad Alan likes to remind his daughter he was between the posts for Macclesfield when they lost 1-0 to Telford in the FA Trophy final – a milestone the 27-year-old hopes to overtake with a win this weekend. “He tells me this all the time. That was my dad’s career highlight for sure,” said Zelem. “If you ever get the chance to meet him I’m sure he’ll tell you he played at Wembley in a cup final and unfortunately they got beat. So hopefully it will be a different outcome for us. “But as soon as we made it to Wembley he texts me saying, ‘you’re always copying me’. Hopefully I’ll be able to dig out a photo of him there and me there.” Football runs in Zelem’s blood. Alan’s twin brother Peter was also a professional footballer with spells at clubs including Burnley and Wolves, but it was his niece who would, in November 2021, become the Zelem who could boast she played for England. Manchester native Katie started playing on boys’ teams with Failsworth Dynamos before she was scouted by Manchester United aged eight, and she remained in their youth system before joining Liverpool in 2013 – five years before United would form their current women’s side. A spell at Juventus followed before Zelem returned to her girlhood club, where her 11 goals from 23 appearances helped earn United promotion to the WSL in their debut season. Four years later her side remain on course for double silverware, with Chelsea – four points back in the WSL but with two games in hand – their main challengers in both competitions. A maiden Women’s Champions League berth is also tantalisingly close after three consecutive fourth-placed finishes. Zelem, who at eight was a men’s Champions League flagbearer at Old Trafford, said: “Whenever anybody asks me, Manchester United always lives firmly in my heart and captaining Manchester United, making my United debut and certainly this moment will be up there with my highlights. “It’s a club that I’ve been at for a really long time now and supported my whole life and I think that’s what childhood dreams are made of. “It’s crazy, really. I think even just from joining the women’s team, it’s been five years and it feels like it’s been forever, it literally feels like the only club I’ve been at. “And although it feels like forever it’s flown by. I think if you look back to where we were then to where we are now it’s a crazy journey. It’s been a real roller coaster with ups and downs. “We’ve certainly come on leaps and bounds to be honest, from being with some girls that have never played full-time or never had professional contracts to now being at this stage of the season, competing for the double, I think it’s almost immeasurable. “If in another five years we’re that far advanced then Manchester United will certainly be one of the biggest teams in Europe. I’m so proud to have been a part of the whole journey.”