Alessia Russo eager to make ‘more amazing memories’ with best friend Ella Toone
England forward Alessia Russo has come to terms with the fact that sometimes the best career move requires parting ways with your closest friend. The 24-year-old joined Arsenal on a free transfer before flying out to pre-World Cup camp in Australia, a deal that will see her separated from fellow Lioness and former Manchester United team-mate Ella Toone in the Women’s Super League from next season. So, while this World Cup campaign, which kicks off for England against Haiti on Saturday, is monumental for the whole squad, it holds a unique significance for the duo who bonded a decade ago at junior England camp when they noticed they were sporting the same footwear. “I mean, it’s sad, but it’s football,” said Russo, speaking after a training session on the Sunshine Coast. “I think Ella and I were friends since we were like 12, 13, and we will be for, well, forever. And I think that it’s really nice that we’ve got this summer together to really spend some more time together, hopefully create some more amazing memories and then go into seasons together. “But when she goes down south, she’ll stay with me and vice versa. “We’re just there to balance each other out, really. Obviously we do loads together. Our rooms (in Australia) are next door to each other, we knock on the way down for breakfast so we spend a lot of time together. She’s like my sister. You never get sick of her so it’s nice.” Getting the paperwork signed, sealed and delivered was top of Russo’s pre-departure priority list ahead of England’s quest for a first global title, although she has had minimal contact with new club boss Jonas Eidevall. She said: “I’m really, really glad it’s all done. Feel like a little bit of a weight is off my shoulders coming into the World Cup and that’s what I wanted to do. I wanted to try and get it all sorted before the tournament kicked off. “And now I can fully focus on this World Cup and obviously after that head into Arsenal, so really excited. “(Jonas) just said to go out and enjoy it. Obviously I haven’t spent too much time with him yet, but looking forward to that when I go back in. And I think I’m excited for a new challenge and to progress.” Toone is the yin to Russo’s yang. While the former was eager to share her reading list and transformative experience of swimming off the Sunshine Coast, Russo lit up most when she simply spoke about football. She was particularly keen to discuss her development as a number nine now under significantly more scrutiny than before England’s Euro 2022 triumph, where her brilliant backheel against Sweden was named UEFA’s goal of the tournament and later nominated for FIFA’s goal of the year. Russo, who scored four goals in that tournament, said: “That’s the nature of the sport. When a player plays more and you understand them more you can figure out ways to defend, but then that’s on me to try and go against it and watch clips and push myself even more. “Obviously you’re not new anymore but you’ve got to find ways and find solutions so you can flip it into a positive, and that’s what I’m trying to do. I’m still trying to push on and learn to be better. “The nine is, people think it’s easy but it’s hard and there are a lot of little things that go into it, so I’m just trying to learn as much as I can and push on every day, and hopefully when it comes to it I’ll be ready.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live A new era – Carlos Alcaraz’s Wimbledon win sparks men’s tennis into life Sir Nick Faldo urges Rory McIlroy to act like he ‘owns the ring’ at 151st Open Wimbledon hero Henry Searle reassessing strategy as focus turns to men’s game
2023-07-17 19:15
Roundup: Shakira, Jimmy Butler Go on Date; Carlos Alcaraz Wins Wimbledon; Lionel Messi Introduced at Inter Miami
Shakira and Jimmy Butler went on a date, Carlos Alcaraz won Wimbledon, Lionel Messi was introduced at Inter Miami and more in the Roundup.
2023-07-17 19:15
Analysis: Carlos Alcaraz's Wimbledon title shows he is exactly who everyone thought he was
Carlos Alcaraz is the first man since 2002 other than Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal or Andy Murray to win Wimbledon
2023-07-17 18:59
UFC London 2023 tickets: Where to buy ahead of Fight Night this weekend
The UFC returns to London’s O2 Arena this weekend, as Tom Aspinall fights Marcin Tybura in a heavyweight main event. Wigan’s Aspinall headlined back-to-back UFC London cards in 2022, winning the first of those but suffering a serious knee injury in the second. Aspinall, 30, has not fought since, but he will resume his bid for a title shot when he takes on Poland’s Tybura this weekend. While Aspinall’s record stands at 12-3, with all of his wins having come via finishes in the first two rounds, Tybura, 37, has a record of 24-7 and is seeking a third straight win. Here’s all you need to know. When is it? The prelims are set to begin at 5pm BST on Saturday 22 July (9am PT, 11am CT, 12pm ET), with the main card then due to begin at 8pm BST (12pm PT, 2pm CT, 3pm ET). How can I watch it? The card will air live on BT Sport in the UK, with the broadcaster’s app and website also streaming the fights. In the US, ESPN+ will stream the action live, as will the UFC’s Fight Pass. Where can I buy tickets? AXS is the official ticket provider for UFC London. At the time of writing (Monday 17 July), there are still numerous seats available in the vast majority of sections of the O2 Arena. At the time of writing, the cheapest remaining tickets cost £101.25, are situated in the upper tier, and must be bought in pairs. Meanwhile, the most expensive tickets are in the front row, cost £1607.66, and have very limited availability. Odds Aspinall – 1/5; Tybura – 7/2 McCann – 7/20; Stoliarenko – 43/20 Via Betway. Full card (subject to change) Main card Tom Aspinall vs Marcin Tybura (heavyweight) Molly McCann vs Julija Stoliarenko (women’s flyweight) Nathaniel Wood vs Andre Fili (featherweight) Paul Craig vs Andre Muniz (middleweight) Jai Herbert vs Fares Ziam (lightweight) Lerone Murphy vs Josh Culibao (featherweight) Prelims Davey Grant vs Daniel Marcos (bantamweight) Danny Roberts vs Jonny Parsons (welterweight) Marc Diakiese vs Joel Alvarez (lightweight) Mick Parkin vs Jamal Pogues (heavyweight) Makhmud Muradov vs Bryan Barberena (middleweight) Ketlen Vieira vs Pannie Kianzad (women’s bantamweight) Chris Duncan vs Yanal Ashmouz (lightweight) Shauna Bannon vs Bruna Brasil (women’s strawweight) Jafel Filho vs Daniel Barez (flyweight) Read More Why Fury vs Ngannou may tarnish the Gypsy King’s legacy forever UFC champion Jamahal Hill vacates title after suffering ankle injury UFC schedule 2023: Every major fight happening this year When is the next UFC event? UFC schedule 2023: Every fight happening this year UFC champion vacates title after suffering ankle injury
2023-07-17 18:48
Paige Spiranac announces golf putter giveaway in honor of National Hot Dog Day, here's how to register
It looks like National Hot Dog Day, which is celebrated on the third Wednesday in July every year, will be extra special for one Paige Spiranac fan
2023-07-17 18:28
Jack Grealish compared to Keira Knightley again for training in his sports bra
Jack Grealish has again been compared to Keira Knightley's character in Bend it Like Beckham after photos of him training in Dubai went viral. The England and Manchester City winger is currently undergoing some warm-weather training in the Middle East ahead of the new season beginning in August. The 27-year-old shared numerous pictures of himself drenched in sweat while training at night wearing just his shorts and a so-called 'GPS bra' which monitors player's performance and physical data. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter However, the sight of Grealish in just his shorts, bra and trademark hairdo has earnt the star comparisons to Knightley who wore an almost identical outfit in the now iconic 2002 coming-of-age film. Sure enough many people made the connection and jokes about Grealish's likeness to Knightley, on several levels we should note, soon flooded Twitter with some even joking that they were loving the 'reboot' of the film. This actually isn't the first time Grealish has been subject to this comparison. When he first broke into the England team around Euro 2020, the Knightley and Grealish memes sparked up a frenzy and the uncanny resemblance between the pair was too obvious to deny. All we can hope for is that the two actually meet in real life soon and they can recreate a few scenes from the film. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
2023-07-17 18:25
A year after trading Soto, the Nationals still need to be patient with the players they received
Almost a year after trading Juan Soto, the Washington Nationals are struggling as expected
2023-07-17 18:24
Jude Bellingham names two Real Madrid teammates helping him learn Spanish
Jude Bellingham names the two Real Madrid players helping him to learn Spanish and opens up on the quality of veteran midfielder Toni Kroos.
2023-07-17 18:21
Barcelona target misses training to undergo medical ahead of summer transfer
A Barcelona target has been excused from training to undergo a medical with the La Liga champions.
2023-07-17 18:21
England recalls James Anderson for the fourth Ashes test against Australia
James Anderson is back in England’s team for the fourth Ashes test against Australia starting Wednesday in Manchester
2023-07-17 18:21
Alcaraz attempts to keep lid on great expectations
Carlos Alcaraz is determined to quash any suggestions that his epic Wimbledon final win over Novak Djokovic represents the dawn of a new era despite all indications that...
2023-07-17 17:53
From Brad Pitt and Ariana Grande to Andrew Garfield: 10 best-dressed celebrities at Wimbledon Finals
From bold suits and stylish dresses to elegant watches and hats, celebrities who attended the Wimbledon Finals on July 16 donned their best fits
2023-07-17 17:53
