The legacy of Colby Singletary will continue to support local student-athletes this month as the scholarship fund established in his honor surpasses a major milestone.Since 2020, the Colby Singletary Scholarship Fund has awarded $91,000 in scholarships. That figure will exceed $100,000 this year when 10 student-athletes receive a share of $20,000 during the fund's seventh annual Sports Awards Ceremony on June 13, 2026, in Naples.The annual event recognizes outstanding student-athletes from across Southwest Florida for their achievements both on the field and in the classroom. This year's ceremony will be held at the Naples Conference Center, with registration beginning at 11 a.m. and the luncheon and awards program scheduled from noon to 2:30 p.m.In addition to honoring this year's scholarship recipients, the ceremony serves as a celebration of Singletary's lasting impact on the local sports community. Family members, supporters and community leaders are expected to gather for the event, which has become a yearly tradition since the scholarship fund's inception.Here is a list of this year's applicants, which includes multiple Player of the Year winners from this past school year, as well as a handful of First and Second Team selections in their respective sports.Male ApplicantsHudson Casto, Community School of NaplesAndres DiGrigoli, NaplesNathan Edwards, NaplesWilliam Freshwater, Barron CollierIsaac Garcia, Palmetto RidgeChris Germinal, ImmokaleeJace Jackson, Community School of NaplesXavier Lopez, Palmetto RidgeAlijah Molina, NaplesJulian Navedo, Aubrey RogersAlan Overmyer, Barron CollierJulian Rodriguez, Gulf CoastVanden Sigmond, NaplesLincoln Sledzianowski, St. John NeumannBraden Turner, Aubrey RogersFemale ApplicantsAlessandra Alber, LelyJuliana Argueta, Gulf CoastSienna Audrey, Community School of NaplesJasmine Barnes-Toomer, Gulf CoastBrooke Bledsoe, LelyZoe Bucher, Barron CollierJulianna Caisse, St. John NeumannAriel Foreaker, NaplesDennise Gonzalez, Golden GateCallee Jones, St. John NeumannEire Layton, Freedom Institute of NaplesDarline Palissier, Gulf CoastKiera Partello, Barron CollierTonia Renda, Aubrey RogersSophie Simons, NaplesAlyssa Srdanovic, Barron CollierFollow Sports Reporter Alex Martin on X at @NP_AlexMartin or via email: amartin@usatodayco.com. For the best sports coverage in Southwest Florida, follow @newspresssports and @ndnprepzone on Instagram.This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Colby Singletary Scholarship set to honor 10 athletes, hand out $20,000

Regardless of differing public viewpoints, the Ultimate Fighting Championship site nearing completion on the White House lawn, beneath a giant U.S. flag-bedecked 90-foot arch, is a real head-turner.Construction on the 120-square-foot site with the octagon – where combatants will punch, kick and wrestle beneath looming bleachers that will hold much of the invited crowd of 4,300 expected to attend – began May 25 and must be completed by June 13, the eve of the nationally televised event. Event planners also foresee up to 80,000 people watching the competition on giant screens on the adjacent Ellipse.That is an attention-grabbing 19-day construction period. President Donald Trump, a big UFC fan, has proclaimed the event will be “the greatest show on Earth” and has mused openly about keeping the site standing after America’s recognition of the 250th anniversary of independence fades away. Dana White, UFC boss, expects the sport he runs will lose $30 million.But remarkably, this is not the first time in American professional sports history when there was a frantic rush to meet a deadline to construct a sports venue. It was a giant venue, and it rose where a marshland covered with garbage sprawled in Jersey City.It was 105 years ago – 1921 – and big-name boxing promoter Tex Rickard was looking for a site to hold the heavyweight championship bout between champion Jack “The Manassa Mauler” Dempsey and challenger Georges Carpentier, the light heavyweight champion and a French World War I hero. Rickard wanted to hold the match, hyped as the Fight of the Century, at the Polo Grounds in Manhattan, but boxing was banned in New York state. So he headed across the Hudson River to Jersey City, where Frank “I Am the Law” Hague was the widely regarded as corrupt mayor who quickly recognized an opportunity for everyone involved to make a worthwhile amount of money.Hague helped Rickard obtain Boyle’s Thirty Acres, 34 acres of marshland polluted with all sorts of garbage about 2 miles west of where the Holland Tunnel was being constructed. Gov. Edward I. Edwards’ two brothers were chosen as the builders.More: Inside Flemington's little-known hanging of the youngest person ever executed in the USPeter Begans, curator and lecturer at the Museum of Jersey City History and the Finally Home Jersey City website, provided insight and details about Boyle’s Thirty Acres and the fight.Construction of the entirely wooden, outdoor, octagonal arena began April 28, 1921, with the fight set for July 2 – a 64-day period. Rickard planned a 50,000-seat site, but growing demand for tickets for what was billed as a boxing showdown second only to the fight between David and Goliath forced a change. At least $100,000 worth of tickets were sold before the site was announced, so the capacity was increased to 80,000.The race to meet bell time was on. Five hundred carpenters and 400 laborers were hired to build the 300,000-square-foot arena with 2,250,000 feet of pine lumber and 60 tons of nails. In a final step, seat numbers were stenciled on the night before the fight. Ground-level seats were borrowed from Madison Square Garden. At a cost of $250,000, it was the largest amphitheater ever built.Rickard named the arena the Pine Bowl. History recalls it as Boyle’s Thirty Acres. “Not since I have been in this promotion have I met a more enthusiastic body of men than in Jersey City,” Rickard declared.RCA, for the first time, broadcast a championship fight to 61 cities. The bout was filmed and shown nationally in movie theaters. The Chicago Tribune had a plane standing by to fly fight photos to the Windy City. Paris officials arranged to have a plane fly over the city that would signal the winner – red for Carpentier, white for Dempsey. The day after the fight, The New York Times ran six columns of fight stories on the front page and 12 pages of additional stories and photos inside.Ringside tickets went for $50. That would equal $922 today. A ticket for the last row, 104 yards from the ring, went for $5.50, or $102 today. The gate netted the promoters a record $1.8 million. As for Mayor Hague, he reportedly got $80,000 under the table. That would be $1.4 million today.A throng of 91,615 boxing fans turned out. Among them were the wealthy and celebrities, including Henry Ford, John D. Rockefeller Jr., William H. Vanderbilt, Vincent Astor, George M. Cohan, Al Jolson and Tom Mix. It was the first time women were permitted to attend a professional fight, and reportedly some 2,000 showed up. But a review of crowd photos fails to show any.More: Historians say NJ site may predate West Point as first academyMuch like the news media have repeatedly provided details on how to reach the Meadowlands for the World Cup soccer matches, Begans noted newspapers told ticketholders how to get to Boyle’s Thirty Acres. Most arrived by buses, trains and ferries, but others traveled by private rail car, limousines, yachts and even chartered tugboats.A total of 2,900 police officers and firefighters closed streets four blocks from the arena, and only ticketholders were allowed beyond the barricades. “Hague built the police force in a most effective manner,” Begans said. “Any problem was quickly taken care of.”Carpentier, a wounded and decorated French World War I fighter pilot, was the crowd favorite. Dempsey, who somehow dodged the military draft but continued to box, was seen as the villain. Spectators booed and shouted “draft dodger” and “slacker” as he entered the ring.In the second round, Carpentier broke his right thumb punching Dempsey in the face. In the fourth round, Dempsey knocked him down twice. The second time, Carpentier could not get up. Dempsey retained the championship. He took home $300,000; Carpentier $200,000.Fights continued at Boyle’s Thirty Acres for six more years. In 1924, Harry Wills, the “World Colored” heavyweight champion, defeated Luis Ángel Firpo, the “Wild Bull of the Pampas,” in another heavily attended match.More: UFC goes from 'human cockfighting' to the White House in 30 yearsBut in the 1920s, the heyday of professional boxing, the major matches moved across the river when New York state began welcoming events at the Polo Grounds and Yankee Stadium. In 1927, Rickard had Boyle’s Thirty Acres demolished and sold the pine scrap wood.A restaurant once named Thirty Acres in Jersey City took its name from the historic site, though it has since closed. There is no historical marker.Tom Hester is a retired 42-year New Jersey daily newspaper journalist. He was part of the Newark Star-Ledger staff that earned a Pulitzer Prize in 2005.This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: White House UFC arena echoes 1921 Dempsey fight build

Caitlin Foord signs new Arsenal contractThe 31-year-old forward has scored 57 Arsenal goals, won four major honours and remains one of the club’s key players.Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty ImagesCaitlin Foord has signed a new contract with Arsenal, believed to be to 2028, extending a stay that has already brought more than 200 appearances, 57 goals and four major honours.The 31-year-old arrived from Sydney FC in 2020 and has since become one of Arsenal’s most important forwards, wearing the No 19 shirt and producing consistently across domestic and European competition.Foord has played 203 times for the club and scored 57 goals, while collecting four trophies. Those include consecutive League Cup triumphs in 2022/23 and 2023/24, as well as a central role in the club’s 2024/25 Champions League campaign.She was pivotal in that European run, recording seven goals and four assists in 15 matches as Arsenal claimed a second continental crown.Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty ImagesHer influence also carried into February 2026, when she scored the decisive goal in extra time against Corinthians, sealing a 3-2 win at the Emirates Stadium in the first FIFA Champions Cup.Arsenal announced the new deal by saying: “We’re delighted to announce that Caitlin Foord has signed a new contract with the club.”Born in New South Wales, she made her senior international debut at 16 in May 2011 and has since won 150 caps, scoring 41 goals.She has been central to the Matildas’ modern success, helping them reach the 2023 home World Cup semi-finals and the 2026 Asian Cup final on Australian soil.This week, Foord made her 150th appearance for Australia, scoring the only goal in their 1-0 win over Mexico.

Rashid Khan, left, Kate Cross, centre, and Liam Livingstone have all signed deals to play in The Hundred for 2026 [Getty Images]The Hundred's inaugural player auction has taken place and the squads for the eight teams are now in fine shape. For the first five editions of the competition, players were allocated to teams via a draft system with a set of salary tiers.But following substantial private investment in The Hundred, players not already signed or retained will now have their team and pay set by an auction.Squads will be made up of between 16 to 18 players, while there is a salary cap limit along with a salary collar, a minimum amount teams must spend.The salary pot in the men's competition for 2026 has risen by 45% to £2.05m per side, and the fund for women's teams has increased by 100% to £880,000.The auction created some of the highest paid sportswomen in the UK, with all-rounder Danielle Gibson, pace bowler Issy Wong and 18-year-old spinner Tilly Corteen-Coleman receive deals in excess of £100,000.In the men's auction, 21-year-old James Coles earned £390,000, while batter Jordan Cox claimed £300,000. There were also big deals for Joe Root and Adil Rashid.Sides will be able add two wildcard picks after the T20 Blast. Here is how The Hundred squads are looking before the 2026 season. Men's competitionBirmingham PhoenixJacob Bethell, £340,000Rehan Ahmed, £250,000Donovan Ferreira, £210,000Scott Currie, £210,000Saqib Mahmood, £150,000Usman Tariq, £140,000Mitchell Owen, £130,000Mustafizur Rahman, £100,000Joe Clarke, £85,000Laurie Evans, £85,000Ethan Brookes, £70,000Chris Wood, £70,000Jordan Thompson, £60,000Will Smeed, £55,000London SpiritJames Coles, £390,000Liam Livingstone, £350,000 (captain)Jamie Overton, £225,000Adam Zampa, £190,000Dewald Brevis, £185,000Jonny Bairstow, £160,000Tymal Mills, £130,000David Willey, £120,000Adam Milne, £50,000Mason Crane, £31,000Adam Hose, £31,000James Rew, £31,000Lhuan-dre Pretorius, £31,000Matthew Fisher, £31,000Manchester Super GiantsJos Buttler, £350,000Heinrich Klaasen, £250,000Josh Tongue, £200,000Aiden Markram, £200,000Noor Ahmad, £175,000Liam Dawson, £175,000Leus du Plooy, £120,000Tim Seifert, £100,000Sonny Baker, £95,000Gus Atkinson, £70,000Tom Moores, £50,000Tawanda Muyeye, £50,000Tom Hartley, £35,000Max Holden, £31,000George Scrimshaw, £31,000Paul Walter, £31,000MI LondonSam Curran, £350,000Tom Curran, £260,000Will Jacks, £250,000James Vince, £190,000Nicholas Pooran, £175,000Rashid Khan, £175,000Nathan Sowter, £130,000Trent Boult, £100,000Sherfane Rutherford, £100,000Richard Gleeson, £65,000Olly Stone, £50,000Ollie Pope, £31,000Ollie Skyes, £31,000Callum Parkinson, £31,000Jason Roy, £31,000Southern BraveJofra Archer, £400,000Jamie Smith, £300,000Adil Rashid, £250,000Chris Jordan, £160,000Marcus Stoinis, £150,000Luke Wood, £130,000David Miller, £110,000Tristan Stubbs, £100,000Thomas Rew, £80,000Dan Worrall, £80,000Caleb Falconer, £55,000Ben McKinney, £45,000Michael Pepper, £31,000Tom Abell, £31,000Nikhil Chaudhary, £31,000Sunrisers LeedsHarry Brook, £465,000Dan Lawrence, £210,000Mitchell Marsh, £200,000Abrar Ahmed, £190,000Zak Crawley, £180,000Ryan Rickelton, £150,000Nathan Ellis, £145,000Brydon Carse, £140,000Matthew Potts, £75,000Benny Howell, £50,000Tom Lawes, £40,000Tom Alsop, £31,000Liam Patterson-White, £31,000Reece Topley, £31,000Ed Barnard, £31,000Trent RocketsTim David, £350,000Tom Banton, £225,000Ben Duckett, £200,000Sam Billings, £180,000Mitch Santner, £175,000Finn Allen, £160,000David Payne, £130,000Craig Overton, £120,000Matt Henry, £75,000Danny Briggs, £70,000Lewis Gregory, £55,000Dan Mousley, £40,000Aneurin Donald, £31,000Ben Mayes, £31,000Brad Currie, £31,000Louis Kimber, £31,000Welsh FirePhil Salt, £450,000Jordan Cox, £300,000Marco Jansen, £250,000Joe Root, £240,000Rachin Ravindra, £140,000Chris Woakes, £110,000Tom Kohler-Cadmore, £80,000Lockie Ferguson, £75,000Matthew Short, £75,000Asa Tribe, £70,000Sam Cook, £70,000Ben Kellaway, £37,500Jafer Chohan, £35,000Tom Aspinwall, £31,000Women's competitionBirmingham PhoenixAlice Capsey, £130,000Ellyse Perry, £100,000Linsey Smith, £100,000Lauren Filer, £95,000Tammy Beaumont, £70,000Davina Perrin, £50,000Alana King, £37,500Jemima Spence, £37,500Lucy Hamilton £35,000Eva Gray, £30,000Cordelia Griffith, £27,500Emma Lamb, £27,500Phoebe Brett, £27,500Esmae MacGregor, £16,000Annerie Dercksen, £15,000Eve O'Neill, £15,000London SpiritNadine de Klerk, £170,000Marizanne Kapp, £130,000Charlie Dean, £85,000Charis Pavely, £85,000Grace Harris, £70,000Amy Jones, £70,000Deandra Dottin, £37,500Sterre Kalis, £27,500Marie Kelly, £20,000Phoebe Turner, £20,000Seren Smale, £15,000Lucy Higham, £15,000Josephine Groves, £15,000Katie GeorgeKatie George replaced the injured Mahika Gaur on 11 July. Manchester Super GiantsPaige Scholfield, £115,000Sophie Ecclestone, £110,000Meg Lanning, £95,000Smriti Mandhana, £90,000Ryana MacDonald-Gay, £75,000Kathryn Bryce, £65,000Richa Ghosh, £50,000Mady Villiers, £45,000Grace Ballinger, £42,500Maitlan Brown, £40,000Grace Scrivens, £40,000Jo Gardner, £17,000Natasha Wraith, £15,000Rebecca Tyson, £15,000MI LondonHayley Matthews, £120,000Danni Wyatt-Hodge, £110,000Nic Carey, £95,000Melie Kerr, £80,000Kira Chathli, £80,000Chinelle Henry, £70,000Kirstie Gordon, £55,000Hollie Armitage, £45,000Alexa Stonehouse, £42,500Tara Norris, £35,000Alice Davidson-Richards, £30,000Alice Monaghan, £27,500Ellie Threlkeld, £15,000Kalea Moore, £15,000Danielle Gregory, £15,000Southern BraveLauren Bell, £140,000Issy Wong, £130,000Tilly Corteen-Coleman, £105,000Maia Bouchier, £85,000Laura Wolvaardt, £75,000Sarah Glenn, £75,000Jemimah Rodrigues, £60,000Sophie Molineux, £47,500Jodi Grewcock, £30,000Lizelle Lee, £27,500Rebecca Odgers, £15,000Phoebe Franklin, £15,000Daisy Gibb, £15,000Ellie Anderson, £15,000Sunrisers LeedsDanielle Gibson, £190,000Annabel Sutherland, £130,000Phoebe Litchfield, £120,000Jess Jonassen, £110,000Cassidy McCarthy, £65,000Kate Cross £50,000Deepti Sharma, £27,500Bryony Smith, £27,500Lauren Winfield-Hill, £27,500Hannah Baker, £18,000Maddie Ward, £15,000Rachel Slater, £15,000Florence Miller, £15,000Claudie Cooper, £15,000Trent RocketsBeth Mooney, £210,000Nat Sciver-Brunt, £140,000Ash Gardner, £100,000Sophia Dunkley, £78,000Kim Garth, £42,000Emma Jones, £35,000Bess Heath, £32,500Katie Levick, £32,500Ailsa Lister, £30,000Georgia Adams, £30,000Millicent Taylor, £27,500Georgia Elwiss, £27,500Charley Phillips, £15,000Samantha Bates, £15,000Grace Johnson, £15,000Welsh FireSophie Devine, £210,000Freya Kemp, £120,000Em Arlott, £110,000Georgia Wareham, £100,000Georgia Voll, £80,000Ella McCaughan, £30,000Heather Graham, £27,500Sarah Bryce, £25,000Abi Norgrove, £21,000Fi Morris, £20,000Sophia Smale, £20,000Grace Thompson, £20,000Rhianna Southby, £20,000Grace Potts, £15,000All change in The Hundred - what's next?Who owns the teams competing in The Hundred?Get cricket news sent straight to your phone

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EXCLUSIVE | Franck Leboeuf: ‘Marseille need to find their mojo again.’Get French Football News had the opportunity to put some questions to former Chelsea FC and France defender Franck Leboeuf. Franck reflected on the last few months of the season for another of his former clubs – Olympique de Marseille – and what needs to change there going forward.Marseille’s season ended in a little chaos on and off the pitch, but are you positive about the club’s new leadership? Yes, Marseille, it always seems it’s never a steady situation there. There are many frustrations at Marseille, but everyone in France must realise that they can’t beat Paris Saint-Germain. But, look at RC Lens and you can get Champions League football and win a cup, so this is good.So Marseille need to regroup now, there is a need for calmness and a clear identity. It’s a complex club, but it needs peace in every aspect. The players are good, no one aspect is guilty, but they need to align together to grow. It is possible; I am sure they can, I hope they can.They need to find their mojo again, which I hope they will. We can’t have any more chaos, we must, with the new leadership, progress in a calm way.Last time we spoke you said that Habib Beye was the right man for the job. What do you think went wrong?Marseille is such a very difficult club to come into. Yes, I thought he would be right for the club. But it wasn’t to be. It was down to lots of things as I mentioned above. The club has good players, but it’s a complex club and needs everyone to be heading in the same direction. No distractions, just a clear way of playing, a clear way of messaging and then it can progress on the pitch.So a multitude of things were present during his time, which unfortunately meant it wasn’t a good time and it looks like they will part ways. But there can be a positive way forward now – I hope.Franck Leboeuf was speaking exclusively to Get French Football News courtesy of World Cup oddsThis exclusive interview is a repost from Get French Football News and can be found HEREGFN | Jeremy Smith

[Getty Images]When the T20 World Cup begins on Friday, it will be the first women's World Cup in the UK since England famously won the 50-over title in 2017.Everyone remembers the iconic final at a sold-out Lord's - one of the most significant days in the history of the women's game.But leading up to it there was the dropping of legendary captain Charlotte Edwards, a poor opening-day defeat by India, a tense group stage and a nail-biter of a semi-final against South Africa.This is the story of England's 2017 World Cup triumph, told by those who were at the centre of it - captain Heather Knight, openers Tammy Beaumont and Lauren Winfield-Hill and bowler Anya Shrubsole.A shock group-stage exit? T20 World Cup team guideWomen's T20 World Cup schedule, fixtures, times & resultsInjuries, blocked by the stewards and a defeat - the shaky startKnight was named captain a year before the World Cup after coach Mark Robinson moved on from Edwards and experienced batter Lydia Greenway. However, two months before the tournament, Knight broke her foot on a training camp and spent much of the build-up in a protective boot.Beaumont: "After those two were left out of the squad in 2016, Robbo and Heather pitched it brilliantly. "From that moment it was about the whole squad going on a journey and that journey was about eventually singing our team song at Lord's. "It started 12 months out on horrendous fitness sessions at Bradgate Park near Loughborough carrying logs up and down hills. "That shared suffering really brought us together to the point that going into the tournament we knew the entire team inside and out."Knight: "I remember it clearly, being pretty stressed I wasn't going to be fit or have enough time to prepare."I even got sent to an A game to play against Sri Lanka to try and get time in the middle. "I remember seeing the psychologist before the first game and voicing that I was worried and stressed about my form. "I wanted to find a way to let go and be at my best. It was a really good conversation and allowed me to free up."England conceded 281-3 against India in their tournament opener and were bowled out for 246 in a 35-run defeat [Getty Images]Build-up was also disrupted when Lauren Winfield-Hill was hit on the wrist by New Zealand bowler Lea Tahuhu in their final warm-up match and ruled out of the tournament opener against India. England lost by 35 runs.Knight: "It wasn't a great day. The stewards at Derby wouldn't let us in the ground because we didn't have the right accreditation."Winfield-Hill: "We were completely caught off guard and shell-shocked in that first game. It almost brought us the wake-up call we needed."Beaumont: "I also spoke to the sport psychologist about the 'what ifs' that could derail me."Then in the first week, all of my what ifs went wrong."I wasn't going to be opening with Loz, my favourite bat broke – all silly things that I look back on now, but as a 25-year-old they were really, really important."Self-doubt to the summit - the rise of England's SmithA captain standing up and The Destroyer England scored 259-8 against Australia before Katherine Sciver-Brunt and Jenny Gunn defended 22 from the last two overs to secure a three-run win [Getty Images]After waiting only three days to play again, England found their groove by piling up 377-7 against Pakistan with, crucially, Knight and Nat Sciver-Brunt hitting centuries. Victories followed against Sri Lanka, South Africa and, for the first time at the World Cup since 1993, Australia.Knight: "I knew I had to lead from the front and be quite aggressive. Myself included, we got a bit safe in that first game."The big one was that game at Bristol when we beat Australia. It was when there was real belief. "We had a few tight games where we managed to get the job done and loads of different people contributed at different times."Winfield-Hill: "You never underestimate how much that feeds into the group, when your captain is performing. "It was not necessarily the stats but Heather leading with bravery. "That was the big turning point. "We spoke about going into our shells and playing safe and Heather embodies being courageous and brave which is so infectious for a group."Beaumont: "We were always more than the sum of our parts. "Alex Hartley - The Destroyer - had a knack of getting out the big batter of the opposition. "She got Meg Lanning, Suzie Bates, Harmanpreet Kaur. It was almost like every single game she got the big wicket, found that way."Waterloo Bridge becomes cricket pitch for T20 World Cup launchThe semi-final where fate almost intervenedWith momentum building, victories against New Zealand and West Indies set up a semi-final against South Africa. England were going well at 139-2 in pursuit of 219 until an announcement on the PA system that the final at Lord's had just officially sold out. Almost from that moment, England lost 4-34 to leave their chase in peril.Winfield-Hill: "I remember hearing that and thinking if we're not there it's going to be an absolute disaster. "You are just trying to fake it, look all chilled, but inside I remember feeling so sick that the dream could be over. "The psychologist was in the dugout and just trying to keep the language really strong and positive."There was an undertone of gut-wrenching anxiety of whether it is slipping from our grasp."Beaumont: "I was sitting on the balcony sitting next to Sarah Taylor after she got out and we had far too much nervous energy. "We were dancing in our seats every time the music came on. "It looked a bit relaxed but the minute the camera was off I was shouting 'Hartley get your thigh pad off! You'll run faster'."She was looking scared."Knight: "It was the worst 40 minutes I have ever had in my life watching cricket. I just felt sick. "I was next to Sarah and Tammy who were being very annoying. They were bundles of tension and I like to be quite calm and relaxed. "Robbo had this thing in a chase in a big game where he would knock the bottles over and each bottle would be 10 runs..."Beaumont: "You hated that..."Knight: "I wasn't a huge fan but that day I was loving it. "It was an awful 40 minutes knowing you couldn't do anything about the result and you knew what was at stake."Gunn ended 27 not out as England chased 219 in a two-wicket win over South Africa [Getty Images]Jenny Gunn and Fran Wilson put on a crucial 40 but the loss of more wickets meant Shrubsole emerged with England needing two runs from the final three balls with two wickets left.Winfield-Hill: "I play that carve through the off side in my mind all of the time..."Beaumont: "The best thing is we all knew that is what Anya was going to do. "She is going to walk into channel, cannot be out lbw, and she is going to get bat on it."Shrubsole: "Genuinely, Jen and Fran set the game up for us and [Shabnim] Ismail bowled it in the one place I could have hit it. "If it was anywhere else I might have struggled. I don't even know what to call it."Winfield-Hill: "The bunt..."Shrubsole: "Why they didn't have a deep cover I will never know. "It was a terrible piece of captaincy."Knight: "Talking of Jenny Gunn, it was Val that day. "Jen has an alter ego called Val. When her bun is a bit skew-whiff it is Val not Jenny. Val was always going to get the job done."Winfield-Hill: "Jen wouldn't have got the job done but Val definitely would."England will not enforce World Cup social media banWicked and Saving Private Ryan - the final preparations The win confirmed England's place in the final. India joined Knight's side by stunning Australia in the second semi-final two days later. England had five days to prepare for the biggest match of their lives.Shrubsole: "I love musicals and we were in London so I went to watch Wicked and The Lion King. It was quite nice to get to London and watch the other semi-final unfolding."Knight: "The night before the final we didn't know what to do with ourselves and were spending hours trying to decide what we were going to have for dinner, decide what film to watch. "We picked Saving Private Ryan which is three hours long and we started at 9pm so all had a panic that we weren't going to sleep. "We cut the movie off and everyone went to bed. I certainly laid there and had no chance of sleeping for a little while. The build-up was worse than the day."Winfield-Hill: "The thing I remember is pulling my kit out of the laundry and it was really crinkled and I was like 'oh yes, this is fine'. "Courtney [Winfield-Hill's wife] was like 'no, Loz, you can't play a World Cup final with your shirt like that.' "I remember her doing the ironing to make sure we at least looked the part. I also remember her cutting hair. "It was quite good because she's a bit of a clown so it took your mind off. Courtney doing my ironing and opening a salon in the bathroom."'The closest I have come to tears' - the morning like no otherEngland had only reached one of the previous five 50-over World Cup finals [Getty Images]A capacity crowd of about 25,000 attended the final at Lord's - the historic home of cricket where women were not allowed to enter the Long Room as members until 1999. Before the final there were various ceremonies to celebrate the women's game.Beaumont: "We had the minute's silence for [legendary former England captain] Rachael Heyhoe Flint, who passed away six months before, and then [former England bowler] Eileen Ash ringing the five-minute bell. "That is the closest I have come to tears. I had to go and open the batting in a World Cup final and was saying 'pull yourself together'. "That is probably the proudest moment of my life. "That day wasn't about the XI or 15 going onto the pitch. It was about any woman that has ever played for England or will in the future."Winfield-Hill: "I remember pulling in and [touts] were selling tickets outside. "I had never played in a game or been to many female sports where you are getting people trying to get last-minute tickets outside."We went out to bat first and I remember thinking in a World Cup final the tone is so important. "I remember thinking 'be really calm and portray some good composure for the changing room'."Beaumont: "That moment and the first ball of the game will stick with me forever. "There is that moment of silence and a moment where Loz, I and the 11 on the pitch know what has happened and then the crowd reacts. "That split second of silence is the feeling you can never get again. It was just the best feeling in the world."Never any doubt about Knight's England spot - EdwardsShrubsole's moment of historyEngland battled to 228-7 but India looked destined for glory at 191-3, needing 38 from 44 balls. Up stepped Shrubsole. The seamer took 5-11 in 19 deliveries to finish with 6-46 as India were bowled out for 219. Even when Gunn appeared to have dropped a crucial chance, Shrubsole wrapped up the win next ball to seal jubilant scenes.Knight: "The original plan was to get a couple of overs out of Anya and then go to Katherine to be honest. "Anya just had this look in her eye where I didn't need to say anything. "It was like no nonsense, 'don't say anything to me, don't distract me, let me get on with my job. I will bowl straight with the odd slower ball.'"I didn't do anything at all. Anya ran the show. She was very calm even when Jenny dropped the World Cup."Shrubsole: "When I came back on for that spell they hit a wide ball over point for four and a full ball for four. "From that point on I went as simple as possible. "Veda [Krishnamurthy] was trying to be attacking and I thought I was going to try and bowl slower balls to the batters that are in and if we get new batters in bowl full and straight and make the batters make a mistake. "It was as simple as that."Poonam Yadav missed a straight one which always helps. "Hartley got a wicket in the next over and then we got two wickets in the next, Veda, which was a massive wicket, and Jhulan [Goswami] with a ball which was not what I was trying to bowl."Beaumont: "I love that the girl who gets 6-46 in a World Cup final didn't mean any of it. It is just so Anya..."Shrubsole: "I meant some of it..."We had got through those games that were really tight whereas India had won really comfortably or lost badly. They didn't have those close games. "It felt like we were more battle hardened than they were."Sciver-Brunt finds form as England overcome IndiaWhen Blue Peter highlighted 'rising star' Charlotte Edwards

While most agree West Virginia fans will win the Rocco's Jell-O shot leaderboard in Omaha this weekend, there's also nearly a consensus of who the last two teams standing at this year's College World Series will be.We asked USA TODAY Network beat writers of the teams left in the NCAA baseball tournament for their predictions for the CWS championship series, and only one provided a different matchup than the others.College World Series re-rank: Ranking the CWS teams in Omaha 1 through 8And sorry, WVU fans; A Rocco's win will have to be enough.Here's who they picked:∎ North Carolina beats Georgia: The Tar Heels pitching staff takes a 3.86 ERA into the College World Series, one of only 11 teams at the D-1 level under 4.00. The Bulldogs' powerhouse offense is a lot to contend with, as Mississippi State learned in super regionals, but UNC's arms win out in Omaha. — Chase Goodbread, Tuscaloosa News∎ North Carolina beats Georgia in 3: The Tar Heels are the only team in Omaha with top-10 marks in runs, ERA and fielding percentage. Twenty years after coming up short in the CWS championship series, UNC will finally get over the hump and win its first national championship after a thrilling three-game series against the Bulldogs. — Rodd Baxley, Fayetteville ObserverMore: UNC stats that will decide how far Tar Heels go in CWSMore: Georgia gets to prove itself again in SEC-heavy CWS bracket∎ Texas beats Ole Miss in 3. Ole Miss rides elite pitching and timely home runs to make it out of the more manageable side of the bracket. Texas survives Georgia and emerges from its side stacked with heavy-hitting teams. Just like in the SEC regular season, Texas takes two out of three from Ole Miss in the national championship series. — Sam Hutchens, The Clarion Ledger∎ Georgia beats North Carolina in 3. The Bulldogs have the best offense in the field, scoring the most runs per game with the best batting average. Catcher Daniel Jackson is a star, it'll just come down to if UGA can match UNC pitch-for-pitch. — Colton Sulley, The Oklahoman∎ Georgia beats North Carolina in 3. We’re going chalk with the two highest seeds in each four-team bracket reaching the finals. No. 3 Georgia beats No. 6 North Carolina as Daniel Jackson and the Bulldogs bats are too much for the arms of Tar Heel pitchers Jason DeCaro and Caden Glauber and company. — Marc Weiszer, Athens Banner-Herald∎ North Carolina beats Georgia in 3. The Tar Heels had to sweat it out to get to Omaha, but once there, they'll ride the arms of Caden Glauber and Jason DeCaro to advance to the championship series and do enough to subdue a potent Bulldogs lineup. And for the first time 2018, we'll have a national champion from a league other than the SEC. —Craig Meyer, USA TODAY NetworkCollege World Series scheduleAll times Eastern.Friday, June 12Game 1: No. 16 West Virginia vs. Troy | 2 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo)Game 2: No. 5 North Carolina vs. Ole Miss | 7 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo)Saturday, June 13Game 3: No. 7 Alabama vs. Oklahoma | 3 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo)Game 4: No. 3 Georgia vs. No. 6 Texas | 8 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo)Sunday, June 14Game 5: Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser | 2 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo)Game 6: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner | 7 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo)Monday, June 15Game 7: Game 3 loser vs. Game 4 loser | 2 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo) Game 8: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner | 7 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo)Tuesday, June 16Game 9: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 loser | 2 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo)Game 10: Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 loser | 8 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo)Wednesday, June 17Game 11: Game 6 winner vs. Game 9 winner | 2 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo)Game 12: Game 8 winner vs. Game 10 winner | 7 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo)Thursday, June 18Game 13: If necessary | TBAGame 14: If necessary | TBAChampionship seriesGame 1: 8 p.m. | Saturday, June 20 | ESPN (Fubo)Game 2: 2:30 p.m. | Sunday, June 21 | ESPN (Fubo)Game 3 (if necessary): 7 p.m. | Monday, June 22 | ESPN (Fubo)This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: College World Series predictions: Who will win college baseball title?

Bayern lower asking price for defender amid Juventus linksHaving fallen behind Jonathan Tah and Dayot Upamecano in the pecking order at Bayern Munich, Kim Min-jae could be on the move this summer.According to Kicker, Bayern have lowered their asking price and are now prepared to accept offers in the region of €20-25 million for the 29-year-old centre-back.La Gazzetta dello Sport recently reported that Min-jae has given the green light for a move to Juventus, where he could reunite with Luciano Spalletti, his former coach at Napoli.The 29-year-old will have the opportunity to showcase his abilities at the World Cup, where he will represent South Korea.Bayern paid €50 million to sign the defender from Napoli three years ago, and he is under contract until 2028.

Feature I Chevalier, Fati, Morton: Ligue 1’s World Cup absentees XINumerous – 79, to be precise – are the Ligue 1 players set to represent their countries at the 2026 World Cup. Numerous others, however, have been left out by the respective national team coaches for various reasons. With the tournament about to kick off, Get French Football News presents its XI of the most notable omissions from the French football elite.Goalkeeper: Lucas Chevalier (24) – PSG, FranceWhen he joined Paris Saint-Germain last summer, Lucas Chevalier was undoubtedly hoping to take his young career to the next level. However, things did not go quite as planned. A first-team regular in the first half of the season, the Calais-born player gradually saw his place in the Parisian goal taken by his substitute, Matvey Safonov.Eventually, he found himself permanently relegated to the bench by the Russian. Despite being backed and called up by Didier Deschamps in March, Chevalier has ultimately paid the price for a lack of playing time, with his last appearance on the pitch now dating back to 23rd January. A real descent into hell for a player for whom the summer is already shaping up to be a major turning point.Right-back: Vanderson (24) – AS Monaco, BrazilWhen it comes to ‘frustrating’ players, Vanderson certainly ranks high on the list. Whether it’s down to his undeniable but unfulfilled potential or his all-too-rare peak physical condition, this 2025–26 season has once again highlighted the issue.Regularly sidelined, the versatile full-back has featured in just 23 of AS Monaco’s 47 matches this season, contributing only two assists. A record too meagre to convince Carlo Ancelotti to include Vanderson among his 26-man squad for the World Cup.Centre-back: Malang Sarr (27) – RC Lens, SenegalMalang Sarr’s story is one of a comeback. One of a forgotten player during his time at Chelsea, but who has been reborn since joining RC Lens. A key figure in Les Sang et Or’s remarkable 2025-26 season, the centre-back has, unsurprisingly, seen his performances rewarded with a place in the Ligue 1 Team of the Season.However, this was not enough to convince Pape Thiaw, the Senegal manager, to take him to the United States. A decision the 45-year-old manager stood by, preferring to keep Sarr as a reserve option.Centre-back: Charlie Cresswell (23) – Toulouse FC, EnglandCharlie Cresswell was certainly too far behind to make a credible bid for a place in the England squad for the World Cup. In four years’ time, however, the story could be very different.Having enjoyed another fine season with Toulouse FC, the 23-year-old defender now seems ready to take his game to the next level. Fortunately, the Premier League looks set to welcome him back this summer.Left-back: Matthieu Udol (30) – RC Lens, FranceAt the age of 30, Matthieu Udol has undoubtedly just enjoyed the best season of his career. Signed by RC Lens from FC Metz last summer, the left-sided attacking full-back has settled perfectly into the system put in place by Pierre Sage.Not only has this allowed him to prove decisive on 13 occasions (three goals, 10 assists) in 40 appearances for Les Sang et Or, but more importantly, has led to speculation about a potential first call-up to the France squad. Which speaks volumes about the upward trajectory Udol has been on in recent months.Midfielder: Tyler Morton (23) – Lyon, EnglandUnused by Arne Slot, it was with the desire to really kick-start his career that Tyler Morton decided, a year ago, to leave Liverpool FC, the club where he came through the ranks, to try his luck across the Channel. And it proved to be a good move.Quickly establishing himself in Olympique Lyonnais’ midfield, the Wallasey-born player enjoyed a relatively successful first season in France, despite apparent fatigue building up over the final weeks of the campaign. Still, it’s enough to allow him to harbour high hopes for the years ahead.Midfielder: Corentin Tolisso (31) – Lyon, FranceAlthough Corentin Tolisso has never made a secret of his desire to return to the French national team, he has no regrets about not having the opportunity to represent his country this summer. “I’ve had the best season of my career,” he explained after the match between Olympique Lyonnais and RC Lens, a few days after Didier Deschamps’ squad was announced. And with good reason.Back to his best, Les Gones’ captain has indeed enjoyed a remarkable campaign, notably scoring 15 goals and providing six assists in 39 matches. A call-up would have been a fitting reward, but that’s the way football is. It can be cruel.Attacking midfielder: Ansu Fati (23) – AS Monaco, SpainHaving struggled for many months, Ansu Fati has used his move to AS Monaco to get back to full fitness. Not quite enough to become a first-team regular under Sébastien Pocognoli, but sufficient to establish himself as a top-class substitute.His goal-scoring rate of one goal every 110 minutes (30 appearances, 13 starts) speaks for itself. A return to form that nevertheless came too late for him to hope to represent Spain at the World Cup – his last appearance for La Roja was back in October 2023 – but one that bodes well for his future with the national side.Right-winger: Florian Thauvin (33) – RC Lens, FranceReturning to the French national team in 2025 had certainly given him ideas. And plenty of hope. Yet it is very much as a fan that Florian Thauvin (33) will experience the American World Cup. A real disappointment for the RC Lens forward, who has had a fine season with Les Sang et Or (14 goals and 10 assists in 37 matches across all competitions), for whom the ambition to return to the world’s premier tournament was never a secret.But up against the man who lifted the trophy in 2018, the competition this time proved too fierce, too ruthless. Thauvin was part of a golden generation. The time has now come for its heir to take up the mantle.Left-winger: Afonso Moreira (21) – Lyon, PortugalIt’s a short step from being a ‘nobody’ to becoming a revelation. Just ask Afonso Moreira. The embodiment of a budget-conscious Olympique Lyonnais, the Portuguese player seized the opportunity he was given to make his mark in the Rhône region, even though his role was still to be defined when he arrived from Sporting CP last summer.A year and a stroke of fate later (Malick Fofana’s early injury), Moreira is now a key player in Paulo Fonseca’s team. And perhaps one who would not have gone amiss in Rudi Garcia’s side.Striker: Emmanuel Emegha (23) – RC Strasbourg Alsace, NetherlandsAs controversial as he may be, Emmanuel Emegha remains a talented player nonetheless. Unfortunately, the Den Haag-born player has had too few opportunities to demonstrate this in recent months. Plagued by several injuries throughout the season, the Dutchman made just 18 appearances (eight goals, two assists) for RC Strasbourg Alsace during the 2025-26 campaign.For this reason, Ronald Koeman decided to leave him out of the World Cup squad, a tournament Emegha had hoped to feature in with the Dutch national team. A blow for the 23-year-old, who had nevertheless wanted to stack the odds in his favour to be part of the squad. Even willing, in his eagerness to gain greater visibility, to announce his departure to Chelsea as early as September.This feature is a repost from Get French Football News and can be found HEREGFN | Léo Aschi

The USA's first match of the 2026 World Cup, USA vs. Paraguay, kicks off on Friday, June 12. The Group D match will be held inside Inglewood's SoFi Stadium. The USMNT's first World Cup game kicks off at 9 p.m. ET on FOX and streaming free on Tubi. Before the first Team USA game, there will be an opening ceremony for the first 2026 World Cup game on U.S. soil. 90 minutes prior to kickoff, you can catch performances from Katy Perry, LISA, Anitta and more on FOX (and Telemundo). Here's everything you need to know about watching the USA vs. Paraguay match at the 2026 World Cup live from the U.S. (Plus, find out how you can catch every other game of the tournament).Where to watch the United States vs. Paraguay match:Date: Friday, June 12, 2026Time: 9 p.m. ETLocation: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CATV channels: FOX, TelemundoStreaming: Tubi, YouTube TV, DirecTV, Peacock, and moreUSA vs. Paraguay game time: The first USA 2026 World Cup game kicks off at 9 p.m. ET on Friday, June 12, 2026. United States vs. Paraguay channel: FOX (and Tubi) will be broadcasting the USA vs. Paraguay World Cup game in English. A Spanish-language broadcast of the game will air on Telemundo.Where to watch the 2026 World Cup without cable:2026 FIFA World Cup group stage schedule: All times EasternThursday, June 11Mexico vs South Africa: 3 p.m. (FOX, Tubi) — Estadio Azteca, Mexico CitySouth Korea vs Czechia: 10 p.m. (FS1) — Estadio Akron, ZapopanFriday, June 12Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina: 3 p.m. (FOX) — BMO Field, TorontoUnited States vs Paraguay: 9 p.m. (FOX, Tubi) — SoFi Stadium, InglewoodSaturday, June 13Qatar vs Switzerland: 3 p.m. (FOX) — Levi's Stadium, Santa ClaraBrazil vs Morocco: 6 p.m. (FS1) — MetLife Stadium, East RutherfordHaiti vs Scotland: 9 p.m. (FS1) — Gillette Stadium, FoxboroughSunday, June 14Australia vs Türkiye: 12 a.m. (FS1) — BC Place, VancouverGermany vs Willemstad Curaçao: 1 p.m. (FOX) — NRG Stadium, HoustonNetherlands vs Japan: 4 p.m. (FOX) — AT&T Stadium, ArlingtonIvory Coast vs Ecuador: 7 p.m. (FS1) — Lincoln Financial Field, PhiladelphiaSweden vs Tunisia: 10 p.m. (FS1) — Estadio BBVA Bancomer, GuadalupeMonday, June 15Spain vs Cape Verde: 12 p.m. (FOX) — Mercedes-Benz Stadium, AtlantaBelgium vs Egypt: 3 p.m. (FOX) — Lumen Field, SeattleSaudi Arabia vs Uruguay: 6 p.m. (FS1) — Hard Rock Stadium, MiamiIran vs New Zealand: 9 p.m. (FS1) — SoFi Stadium, InglewoodTuesday, June 16France vs Senegal: 3 p.m. (FOX) — MetLife Stadium, East RutherfordIraq vs Norway: 6 p.m. (FOX) — Gillette Stadium, FoxboroughArgentina vs Algeria: 9 p.m. (FOX) — Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas CityWednesday, June 17Austria vs Jordan: 12 a.m. (FS1) — Levi's Stadium, Santa ClaraPortugal vs DR Congo: 1 p.m. (FOX) — NRG Stadium, HoustonEngland vs Croatia: 4 p.m. (FOX) — AT&T Stadium, ArlingtonGhana vs Panama: 7 p.m. (FS1) — BMO Field, TorontoUzbekistan vs Colombia: 10 p.m. (FS1) — Estadio Azteca, Mexico CityThursday, June 18Czechia vs South Africa: 12 p.m. (FOX) — Mercedes-Benz Stadium, AtlantaSwitzerland vs Bosnia and Herzegovina: 3 p.m. (FOX) — SoFi Stadium, InglewoodCanada vs Qatar: 6 p.m. (FS1) — BC Place, VancouverMexico vs South Korea: 9 p.m. (FOX) — Estadio Akron, ZapopanFriday, June 19United States vs Australia: 3 p.m. (FOX) — Lumen Field, SeattleScotland vs Morocco: 6 p.m. (FOX) — Gillette Stadium, FoxboroughBrazil vs Haiti: 8:30 p.m. (FOX) — Lincoln Financial Field, PhiladelphiaTürkiye vs Paraguay: 11 p.m. (FS1) — Levi's Stadium, Santa ClaraSaturday, June 20Netherlands vs Sweden: 1 p.m. (FOX) — NRG Stadium, HoustonGermany vs Ivory Coast: 4 p.m. (FOX) — BMO Field, TorontoEcuador vs Willemstad Curaçao: 8 p.m. (FS1) — Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas CitySunday, June 21Tunisia vs Japan: 12 a.m. (FS1) — Estadio BBVA Bancomer, GuadalupeSpain vs Saudi Arabia: 12 p.m. (FOX) — Mercedes-Benz Stadium, AtlantaBelgium vs Iran: 3 p.m. (FS1) — SoFi Stadium, InglewoodUruguay vs Cape Verde: 6 p.m. (FS1) — Hard Rock Stadium, MiamiNew Zealand vs Egypt: 9 p.m. (FS1) — BC Place, VancouverMonday, June 22Argentina vs Austria: 1 p.m. (FOX) — AT&T Stadium, ArlingtonFrance vs Iraq: 5 p.m. (FOX) — Lincoln Financial Field, PhiladelphiaNorway vs Senegal: 8 p.m. (FOX) — MetLife Stadium, East RutherfordJordan vs Algeria: 11 p.m. (FS1) — Levi's Stadium, Santa ClaraTuesday, June 23Portugal vs Uzbekistan: 1 p.m. (FOX) — NRG Stadium, HoustonEngland vs Ghana: 4 p.m. (FOX) — Gillette Stadium, FoxboroughPanama vs Croatia: 7 p.m. (FOX) — BMO Field, TorontoColombia vs DR Congo: 10 p.m. (FS1) — Estadio Akron, ZapopanWednesday, June 24Switzerland vs Canada: 3 p.m. (FOX) — BC Place, VancouverBosnia and Herzegovina vs Qatar: 3 p.m. (FS1) — Lumen Field, SeattleScotland vs Brazil: 6 p.m. (FOX) — Hard Rock Stadium, MiamiMorocco vs Haiti: 6 p.m. (FS1) — Mercedes-Benz Stadium, AtlantaCzechia vs Mexico: 9 p.m. (FOX) — Estadio Azteca, Mexico CitySouth Africa vs South Korea: 9 p.m. (FS1) — Estadio BBVA Bancomer, GuadalupeThursday, June 25Ecuador vs Germany: 4 p.m. (FOX) — MetLife Stadium, East RutherfordWillemstad Curaçao vs Ivory Coast: 4 p.m. (FS1) — Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia Tunisia vs Netherlands: 7 p.m. (FOX) — Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas CityJapan vs Sweden: 7 p.m. (FS1) — AT&T Stadium, ArlingtonTürkiye vs United States: 10 p.m. (FOX) — SoFi Stadium, InglewoodParaguay vs Australia: 10 p.m. (FS1) — Levi's Stadium, Santa ClaraFriday, June 26Norway vs France: 3 p.m. (FOX) — Gillette Stadium, FoxboroughSenegal vs Iraq: 3 p.m. (FS1) — BMO Field, TorontoUruguay vs Spain: 8 p.m. (FOX) — Estadio Akron, ZapopanCape Verde vs Saudi Arabia: 8 p.m. (FS1) — NRG Stadium, HoustonNew Zealand vs Belgium: 11 p.m. (FOX) — BC Place, VancouverEgypt vs Iran: 11 p.m. (FS1) — Lumen Field, SeattleSaturday, June 27Panama vs England: 5 p.m. (FOX) — MetLife Stadium, East RutherfordCroatia vs Ghana: 5 p.m. (FS1) — Lincoln Financial Field, PhiladelphiaColombia vs Portugal: 7:30 p.m. (FOX) — Hard Rock Stadium, MiamiDR Congo vs Uzbekistan: 7:30 p.m. (FS1) — Mercedes-Benz Stadium, AtlantaJordan vs Argentina: 10 p.m. (FOX) — AT&T Stadium, ArlingtonAlgeria vs Austria: 10 p.m. (FS1) — Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — World ski federation leader Johan Eliasch was ousted in a tight presidential election on Thursday after a campaign led by the sport’s heartland nations in Europe and North America that was backed by top skiers including Mikaela Shiffrin.The billionaire owner of the Head sports good business lost a 65-64 vote to Alexander Ospelt, a lawyer from Liechtenstein who got a four-year term to lead the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS).Eliasch also loses his membership of the International Olympic Committee, one of the most exclusive clubs in world sports.“The IOC tried to influence the outcome of today’s vote,” Eliasch alleged in his concession speech, urging FIS to protect its independence.The congress started with shows of power by 75 FIS member federations; the votes hinted at problems ahead for Eliasch.The agenda was changed on an 88% vote to bring the presidential election forward as the first item of business.Then there was a 60% vote to use paper ballots instead of electronic voting, which seemed to reflect some mistrust in the FIS administration.The 64-year-old Eliasch served as FIS president for five years that were marked by constant sparring with ski nations including Austria and Switzerland, including over his management style and spending of the ski body's cash reserves.A dual citizen of Sweden and Britain, Eliasch was not supported by either of those national federations to stand for re-election. He complied with FIS rules by getting a passport and nomination from the country of Georgia.___AP skiing: https://apnews.com/hub/alpine-skiing

FC Barcelona icon Xavi Hernandez has essentially been banned from club activities such as its 'Legends' matches because of his opposition to President Joan Laporta according to Catalunya Radio and AS, who cited anonymous sources.Anadolu via Getty ImagesFC Barcelona icon Xavi Hernandez has essentially been banned from club activities such as its 'Legends' matches because of his opposition to President Joan Laporta according to Catalunya Radio and AS, who cited anonymous sources.Xavi - widely-regarded as one of the Blaugrana and Spain’s greatest players of all time - hasn’t been called up to the last two Barca Legends meetings, where the likes of Ronaldinho wowed crowds in Miami and Rivaldo played in Seoul.AS suspects that this ‘ban’ will stay in place for further Legends events, because the man behind selections is Alejandro Echevarria.That’s Laporta’s ex-brother-in-law and right-hand man, who Xavi pointed the finger at during the explosive interview he gave to Catalan newspaper La Vanguardia earlier this year.“Echevarria has more power than Laporta at the club,” Xavi said.Amid touching on other touchy topics, Xavi also accused Laporta of vetoing Lionel Messi’s proposed 2023 return to the club. The timing of these comments was especially important. They were viewed as Xavi endorsing Laporta’s main rival at the ballot box - Victor Font - during the build-up to a March election Laporta won.“The president isn’t telling the truth there either. Leo was signed,” Xavi claimed. “In January 2023, after winning the World Cup, we got in touch and he told me he was keen to come back. We talked until March and I told him: 'Okay, when you give me the OK, I’ll tell the president because I see it as a good fit for him from a footballing perspective.’ “The president started negotiating the contract with Leo’s father and we had La Liga’s approval, but it was the president who threw everything off,” Xavi added.FC Barcelona chief Laporta has angered XaviAS describes Xavi as “living this situation with anger and indignation”. He was looking forward to playing alongside former teammates and close friends such as Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Javier Mascherano in South Korea. But as explained by Catalunya Radio, Xavi’s agents then received a call from Luis Sa, to inform them that the iconic number 6 would not be able to star in Seoul.Once more, we have another example of a frosty relationship between Laporta and one of the head coaches of his second reign, which began in 2021.Things were previously sour between Laporta and Ronald Koeman - another midfield playing days legend - but the Catalan and Dutchman have already announced they’ve made up.As for Koeman’s replacement Xavi, however, who took over in late 2021, there are fences to mend.Xavi announced he was resigning in early 2024 only to go back on his word and vow to see out his contract. After publicly stating Barca was unable to keep up with bitter rival Real Madrid financially as they closed in on a Champions League and La Liga double, however, Laporta dismissed Xavi before the close of a trophyless 2023/2024 campaign.Xavi has always maintained he has a good relationship with Hansi Flick, who in two terms has returned FC Barcelona to domestic dominance by scooping five out of the six Spanish trophies on offer. Meanwhile, Real Madrid has won nothing since.This article was originally published on Forbes.com

The lack of discrepancy surrounding all 16 teams in the Southeastern Conference makes it difficult to separate them into tiers, but not impossible. We did just that with this list centered on the categories that best described the status of each team in the league entering the first campaign with a nine-game conference schedule. Last season, the Georgia Bulldogs secured their third SEC Championship in the last five years. With talented contenders emerging and gunning for their crown, the reign of the Dawgs could come to a screeching halt this year, however. With kickoff less than 80 days away, here are the tiers where all 16 teams in the SEC fit entering the 2026 season:Tier 1 - Conference Favorites: Georgia and TexasThe undeniable frontrunners of the SEC in 2026 are Georgia and Texas. Kirby Smart's talented roster got the better of Steve Sarkisian and company at Sanford Stadium last season, as Georgia prevailed from the battle between the two conference titans with a 35-10 victory, led by a dominant 21-point fourth quarter. It is do-or-die for the Longhorns this year, as they enter the new campaign with one of Sarkisian's most star-studded teams he's ever had. The pair won't play each other during the regular season, which means we'd have to wait to see this thrilling matchup if both teams make it to the SEC Championship Game.Tier 2 - Borderline Contenders: LSU, Ole Miss, Oklahoma and Texas A&MAll of the teams in this category have the talent and head coaches to contend for a spot in the conference title game. The argument could be made that all quarterbacks, Trinidad Chambliss (Ole Miss), Sam Leavitt (LSU), John Mateer (Oklahoma) and Marcel Reed (Texas A&M), in Tier 2 could make noise in contention for the Heisman Trophy, but the real goal for these programs resides in Atlanta. LSU head coach Lane Kiffin became the first coach in the country to lead three teams in the SEC after he accepted the position with the Tigers and left the Rebels on not-so-good terms. Besides Texas A&M-Ole Miss, we will see a matchup between all of these squads this season, which means pure cinema for college football fans.Tier 3 - Good: Alabama, Florida, Missouri and TennesseeIt may seem strange for some not to see Alabama in the most elite tier on this list, but the Crimson Tide will likely take a step back in 2026. Meanwhile, I expect Florida to take a massive jump in Jon Sumrall's first season at the helm, especially with the Gators boasting one of the top wide receiving corps in the country. Missouri has flown completely under the radar, which is exactly where Eli Drinkwitz wants to be and what makes the Tigers so dangerous. You can also never count out Josh Heupel, who has consistently been one of the top offensive masterminds in America, leading the Vols. Tier 4 - Not That Good: Auburn, Mississippi State, South Carolina and VanderbiltAfter the firing of Hugh Freeze, Auburn reeled in former USF head coach Alex Golesh to lead the Tigers on the Plains. There's much rebuilding to do, which is the same case for Vanderbilt after losing star quarterback Diego Pavia and elite tight end Eli Stowers to the NFL. Mississippi State came so close to pulling off some major upsets in 2025, and with quarterback Kamario Taylor entering his first full season as the Bulldogs' starter, Jeff Lebby's squad could make some noise. LaNorris Sellers and Dylan Stewart will return for the Gamecocks, making this a must-win season for Shane Beamer and South Carolina. Tier 5 - Terrible: Arkansas and KentuckyThere are new sheriffs in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and Lexington, Kentucky, in 2026, after the firing of Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman and Kentucky's Mark Stoops. The Razorbacks and Wildcats made two excellent hires, with former Memphis head coach Ryan Silverfield joining the Hogs and Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein for the Cats. While they are outstanding football minds, both have their work cut out for them at their respective destinations. Arkansas finished 2025 at the bottom of the league with a 2-10 (0-8 in SEC) record, while Kentucky posted a 5-7 (2-6 in SEC) mark. The rebuilding process could take a season or two for Silverfield and Stein to establish a culture, but once they do, the league should be on notice.Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Dylan on X: @dylanmflippo.This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: SEC football's pecking order: Tiers for all 16 teams entering 2026

It's best not to ask Ohio State football wide receiver Jeremiah Smith about Michigan.In a clip shared by the NFL on May 15, Smith was asked what, if anything, he likes about the Wolverines."Nah, I don't like anything about them," Smith said.Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith is next up 🔥@OhioStateFB | @Jermiah_Smith1pic.twitter.com/9UygPe1ral— NFL (@NFL) May 14, 2026Smith's feelings toward Ohio State's rival are nothing new. Ahead of the 2025 matchup against Michigan, Smith said that nothing stood out to him personally about the Wolverines. He told the Downs brothers on the "Downs 2 Business" podcast he began hating Michigan when he was recruited as a junior in high school.“I just hate them. Just something about them,” Smith told The Athletic in July 2025.Smith had three catches for 40 receiving yards and a touchdown in Ohio State's 27-9 win last season.This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Does Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith like anything about Michigan?

English cricket is back in a mess.Having just dealt with a shambolic Ashes tour featuring reports of excessive drinking and unprofessionalism, the England and Wales Cricket Board is fighting another fire just one week into the international summer.This time, the captain is at the heart of it all.Ben Stokes, for so long the face of the English game, has been dropped from the test team after breaking a curfew he helped to draw up himself by going on a night out with teammate Gus Atkinson to celebrate a victory over New Zealand in the first match of the series on Sunday.Stokes’ precise involvement in what the ECB is describing as an “incident” after midnight in a London nightclub isn't fully clear.What is clear, however, is that his presence there has left England's leadership group in another sticky situation — just when they were looking to show they had learnt their lesson.Why was English cricket in a rebuilding phase?This summer was supposed to be a reset for England after an Ashes tour Down Under that was humiliating on and off the field.Not only did England lose 4-1, the team's players came under scrutiny for their lack of professionalism — notably because of its apparent drinking culture.A video emerged appearing to show Ben Duckett disorientated and unable to remember how to get back to the hotel. Another video on social media showed batter Jacob Bethell dancing in a club.England was 2-0 down in the series by then. When the embarrassing tour was over, Harry Brook apologized for clashing with a nightclub bouncer during a short tour of New Zealand that preceded the Ashes. Brook, England's test vice captain and skipper of the ODI and T20 teams, was hit by the bouncer after being denied entry to the club.No one from the leadership team — Stokes, coach Brendon McCullum and director of cricket Rob Key — lost their jobs following the post-Ashes review, with ECB chief executive Richard Gould saying: “I’ve seen the driving ambition and determination we’re lucky enough to have within our leadership group to take the lessons from the Ashes."Stokes' night out with AtkinsonOne of the decisions taken after the Ashes was to reimpose a midnight curfew on players and staff around games that was dropped in 2022. It didn't take long for that to be broken, by the captain of all people.Stokes said in his post-match news conference after beating New Zealand at Lord's that "I won’t be really happy until I get to share a beer with the boys.”That was early on Sunday afternoon. It seems he stayed out until after midnight and ended up with Atkinson in a club, where a member of England’s security staff was reportedly struck — and left bloodied and in need of medical attention, according to the BBC — by a rugby player from English club Saracens who was also out that night.The ECB said in a statement on Monday that it was “investigating a breach of team protocols” and Stokes and Atkinson “were present at a nightclub in the early hours of Monday morning when an incident took place.”On Wednesday, they were both dropped for the second test, amid reports that Stokes was weighing up his test future.Where does it leave England?For starters, without its inspirational captain.England has chosen not to give the captaincy to Brook — just imagine the line of questioning in his first news conference as the team leader, given his recent disciplinary history — and instead reverted back to Joe Root, a safe pair of hands in many senses.Root was the predecessor to Stokes as captain, giving up the honor in 2022 after a record 64 tests in charge. The captaincy was weighing on Root — England’s record test run-scorer — and the team was coming off winning just one of its previous 17 test matches for the country’s worst run since the 1980s.However, in a crisis, Root is a solid choice to lean on. The ECB stressed he was “interim captain,” suggesting this wouldn't be a long-term solution.It also leaves England without a bowler in Atkinson who cleaned up New Zealand's second innings with figures of 5-30 to clinch a hard-earned victory. Jofra Archer comes into the squad in his place having missed the first test while he was recuperating in Barbados after the Indian Premier League.And what about Stokes?That's the big question now.A slew of former England captains — Michael Vaughan, Michael Atherton, Nasser Hussain — have all said what the 35-year-old Stokes has done is misguided but shouldn't be a sackable offense, and that they hope he stays on in the role.There is a home Ashes series in 2027, which Stokes may view as a chance at redemption after last winter. It also gives him a year to regain some batting form after a dip over the past couple of years that has seen him make one century and two fifties in 23 test innings since November 2024.Stokes is an England great, the key player in the country’s 50-over and T20 World Cup-winning teams from 2019 and 2022, and someone with 121 tests to his name.Hussain said Stokes will be going through some dark times and believes he'll be asking himself if he has any more to give.“I also have the feeling,” Hussain said on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast, “that in a few years' time, if you look back and say, ‘Why did Ben Stokes retire from the game of cricket? Why did one of our great leaders and captains and players retire? Because he broke a curfew that he himself set?’ I think that would be sad and not the right way to go out.”___AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

Keisuke Goto’s fine season for Sint Truiden pays off with Freiburg moveKeisuke Goto is leaving Anderlecht for around €13m. The Japanese striker spent the 2025/2026 season on loan at Sint Truiden and performed well, with Freiburg having been convinced to spend a decent amount to sign the 21-year-old. Goto is currently with the Japanese squad at the World Cup and on his return he will swap Belgium for Germany and the Bundesliga. For Anderlecht, this is a decent fee for a player that was always going to leave this summer. For Sint Truiden, they will now need to dip into the transfer market themselves to find a striker capable of replacing Goto.Goto left Japan as a teenager to join Anderlecht from Jubilo Iwata back in 2023. He spent most of his time with the second team, scoring 13 goals across two seasons. He made 10 appearances for the Anderlecht first team during the 2024/2025 season, scoring three goals. Last summer Sint Truiden brought Goto in to replace Adriano Bertaccini, who swapped the Canaries for Anderlecht. Goto went on to play 40 games for Sint Truiden, scoring 12 goals and providing eight assists.He joins a Freiburg side that made it to the final of the Europa League and finished 7th in the Bundesliga. GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson

John Terry played almost 500 games, and won 78 England caps, during a career which ended in 2018 [Getty Images]The planned takeover of Colchester United by a consortium including former Chelsea and England defender John Terry has collapsed.It was understood that U's owner Robbie Cowling was on the verge of selling to the group, but the club have confirmed that this process has now ended. A statement from the Essex side said: "Colchester United Football Club can confirm that discussions regarding the potential acquisition of the club have concluded, and the parties will not be proceeding with the transaction."Both parties invested considerable time and effort into exploring the opportunity and would like to thank everyone involved for their professionalism and cooperation throughout the process."Following an extended period of due diligence and discussions, the parties have agreed not to proceed with the transaction. The decision has been reached amicably and with mutual respect."Cowling added: "I would like to thank everyone involved for the time, effort and courtesy shown throughout the process. Whilst we have ultimately decided not to proceed together, I wish all concerned every success in the future."Colchester fans excited by possible Terry takeoverColchester confirm 'detailed' sale talks amid Terry linkCowling first put the club on the market last year, saying an owner with "deeper pockets" was needed but he would take as long as necessary to find the right buyer.A proposed deal with the US-based Lightwell Sports Group fell through last June and earlier this year a group including ex-Brazil forward Alexandre Pato pulled out of talks over a takeover. The Sun newspaper later reported that the Terry consortium had offered £14m, and Terry was seen in the stands at the Jobserve Community Stadium in April to watch the U's beat Accrington Stanley 2-1. Colchester finished 12th in League Two in 2025-26 under Danny Cowley, and are preparing for their 11th consecutive campaign in the fourth tier next season.

Declan Rice says he and his England teammates are still getting used to the heat in the US - as he admitted he got a telling off from his mum for turning up to a World Cup photoshoot sunburnt.The Arsenal midfielder was notably pink in pre-tournament snaps, with fans on social media poking fun at his beetroot-red face and watch strap tan line.Asked when he started to acclimatise to the conditions, he told BBC Sport: "When the sunburn went. I I think everyone's seen them photos... I was bright red at that photoshoot, my mum was killing me."Players from all 48 nations traveled several days before the tournament begins on Thursday in a bid to get used to the searing temperatures in the US, Mexico and Canada.The midfielder's pink face and tan lines in pre-tournament pictures did not go unnoticed by fans [Getty Images]In Arlington, Texas, where England begin their World Cup campaign against Croatia on 17 June, temperatures have hit 36C this week - and even more heat is expected as the tournament progresses.Forecasters are expecting scorching and unpredictable conditions in the US this summer, fuelled by El Nino, a weather phenomenon which causes erratic fluctuations in the weather in the US and elsewhere.Live: Join debate as Mexico prepares for World Cup openerBellingham at number 10? Will Saka start? It's decision time for TuchelWhich World Cup stars have roots near you?England's final warm-up game against Costa Rica in Dallas on Wednesday was delayed by thunderstorms - something which could become a regular feature of this World Cup as the brutal heat generates massive storms.Asked about the conditions, Rice said: "Honestly, the first day was tough, just getting used to that heat - when you come from England and its hot, cold, all different types of weather."Then you come here and, regardless of whether it's hot or cold, it's 30C and it really does hit you in the face when you're running."Fifa has implemented drinks breaks at the midway point in each half for every game in this World Cup to allow players to hydrate. Dealing with the heat has been a major part of England's preparation ahead of this tournament, including training in heated tents in Spain and in sweltering conditions in Kansas, where the team will be based for the duration of the tournament. Manager Thomas Tuchel has said he expects his players to "suffer" in the conditions as they look to win their first World Cup since 1966. Searing temperatures are also expected in matches played in tournament co-hosts Mexico and Canada, where the mercury has topped 30C in recent days.'Have you lost control?' - BBC sports editor asks Fifa chief InfantinoHow to watch the World Cup on the BBC and ITVHow much sunscreen do you need to protect your skin?Watch: Top tips for staying safe in the sun

OneFootball x CIZA: South Africa can make an impact at this World CupAs part of OneFootball's collaboration series with Shoot Music we're interviewing an artist about their love of football and, over the next few weeks, it will be all about the World Cup.This week it's Afrohouse DJ, producer, recording artist and South Africa fan, CIZA.How excited are you for the World Cup?I’m super excited for the World Cup. It’s going to be a special experience because it’ll be the first time I get to watch it live from the stands. During the last World Cup, I was at home watching on TV, so being there in person this time will be incredible.What’s your favourite World Cup memory as a fan?My favourite World Cup memory has to be Siphiwe Tshabalala’s opening goal for South Africa in the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The atmosphere, the celebration, and what that moment meant for the country made it unforgettable.How do you rate South Africa’s chances this year in what looks like an open group?I think South Africa has a good chance. It’s an open group, and if the team stays focused, works hard, and takes each game as it comes, they can definitely compete and make a strong impact.If South Africa are to go far this year, which one player do you think will be key to that success?Relebohile Mofokeng. He’s an incredibly talented young player, and I’m excited for the world to see what he can do on the World Cup stage. I believe he can play a huge role and be one of the key players for South Africa throughout the tournament.Who do you think will win the World Cup and why?Obviously, I’ll be rooting for my country, South Africa. But if I had to look beyond that, Brazil and Argentina are always among the favourites because of their quality, experience, and the incredible talent they consistently produce. They’re teams that know how to perform on the biggest stage.CIZA’s new single, 'Yivule', is out now. You can follow him on Instagram here: @ciza.sa

Nature, Published online: 11 June 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-01865-2As the men’s football World Cup gets under way, how the game weighs on the health of athletes still isn’t talked about enough, says player-turned-medic Vincent Gouttebarge.

“The Bear” serves its last course, “Ted Lasso” gets back on the pitch, and Larry David makes a TV show with the Obamas.

The crowd at Madison Square Garden was forlorn as the New York Knicks fell far behind in Game 4 of the N.B.A. finals. After they won, it was electric.

Fertility specialists, biotech companies and ethicists are divided over whether progress in early gene editing would wipe out diseases or trigger a rush toward enhancement.

The women are among nearly two dozen people slated to be sent to a country where the U.S. government has advised “Do not travel for any reason.”

Colombia’s presidential front-runner has sparked a debate about masculinity and machismo. Women’s rights groups see a familiar right-wing playbook.

The Kentucky Wildcats are primed to be among the best college hoops teams in the country next season. They undoubtedly have the talent, and it will be on Mark Pope and company to figure out how to maximize it. The Cats have a unique combination of players, many of whom were stars at their previous stop. Early in the transfer portal, the Cats got a commitment from Furman guard Alex Wilkins and Washington guard Zoom Diallo, a couple of studs who rounded out the team's backcourt. Then Pope had to turn to the frontcourt. He thankfully was able to bring back Malachi Moreno, who took his name out of the NBA Draft with just days to go, and he also added the top transfer portal player in the class, Iowa State's Milan Momcilovic. The Cats have a top-five transfer portal ranking, and they sit at No. 4 according to ESPN's Jeff Borzello. Of note, the Louisville Cardinals rank second. "Much like Momcilovic's commitment pushed Kentucky comfortably into the top 25 nationally, his addition also landed Mark Pope and the Wildcats in these transfer class rankings. Prior to his signing, Kentucky's portal work was headlined by the dynamic backcourt of Wilkins and Diallo. Both prefer to play with the ball in their hands, but should be an exciting duo to watch develop. Momcilovic, however, is now the focal point -- he was the best shooter in the country last season at Iowa State and should lead Kentucky in scoring. McBride offers a different dimension at forward, while Kepnang offers depth with high-major experience," Borzello wrote.2026 Transfer Portal Class Rankings:1. Tennessee2. Louisville3. Texas4. Kentucky5. St. John's6. Indiana7. MiamiThe rest of the rankings👇https://t.co/ikWGv3CDqW— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) June 9, 2026As you can see, the SEC is littered with elite talent that came to the conference. Three of the top four transfer portal classes are in the conference, so one should certainly expect the SEC to be the most competitive grouping in the country.This article originally appeared on UK Wildcats Wire: Kentucky Wildcats transfer portal class ranked among five best

It's the final countdown, as preparations kick into high gear Thursday for the FIFA World Cup, with the first match in Mexico City.Philadelphia hosts its first World Cup match on Sunday.While the first match will be far away, the party will still be hopping in Philadelphia, with the FIFA Fan Fest at Lemon Hill in Fairmount Park.RELATED: Philadelphia releases parking, transit and security info ahead of FIFA Fan Festival and World CupOf the 11 cities hosting matches, Philadelphia has the largest fan fest site.The million-square foot space will have games, food and retail tents.There will fan activities and huge screens to watch the macthes and cheer along.RELATED: FIFA World Cup: What to know about 9 teams playing in PhiladelphiaOn the days when there are no matches, it will still be open with concerts and other things.Luis Fonsi, whose biggest hit is probably "Despacito," will hold a concert Thursday night following the final whistle of the Mexico-South Africa match.The Fan Fest was designed to be the World Cup experience for everyone.Tickets are hard to get so if you're somebody who can't make it inside the stadium, you still got a place to come. You got a place to come to celebrate FIFA, to watch the matches, to eat and drink and celebrate with your friends so the World Cup experience is out here for everybody.

The Memphis Grizzlies’ frontcourt outlook changed in a flash.A Feb. 3 trade left Memphis without much depth after sending Jaren Jackson Jr. and Jock Landale to the Utah Jazz. Injuries to Zach Edey, Santi Aldama and Brandon Clarke only intensified the issue.Suddenly, the Grizzlies were left without a true center and limited options at power forward. That remained the case through the rest of the season and is expected to be a major point of emphasis this summer.This draft class appears loaded with frontcourt talent, and Memphis owns picks No. 3, No. 16 and No. 32.Power forwards Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson both could be options at No. 3, but the board becomes much more fluid later in the first round.Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg is another option, but the Grizzlies almost certainly would need to trade up to acquire him.Here are four names Memphis could consider in the June 23-24 draft.Hannes Steinbach, freshman, Washington, 6-foot-11Hannes Steinbach emerged as one of the best freshmen in college basketball this past season, averaging 18.5 points and 11.8 rebounds.At 6-11, 248 pounds, he has the size to play either power forward or center. However, his long-term positional fit may depend on how well he handles physicality and whether he can consistently showcase the mobility needed to defend on the perimeter.Steinbach is projected to be selected somewhere in the late lottery or teens. If Memphis drafts Boozer or Wilson at No. 3, there could be concerns about positional redundancy unless the Grizzlies believe Steinbach can primarily function as a center.Jayden Quaintance, sophomore, Kentucky, 6-10Jayden Quaintance may be the biggest wild card in this group.After a strong freshman season at Arizona State as a 17-year-old, Quaintance was projected by many as a potential top-10 pick. However, injuries limited his momentum after transferring to Kentucky for his sophomore season.At his best, Quaintance is an elite shot blocker and explosive athlete who fits the mold of the modern defensive big man many NBA teams covet. Still, the injury concerns remain a significant part of his evaluation.“Important things for me are getting the opportunity to show what I’m capable of, the trust of the coaches and just making sure I’m in an environment where they trust things I’m willing to do and have that belief in growing my game or putting in the position to learn the most possible,” Quaintance said on May 13 during the NBA draft combine.Chris Cenac Jr., freshman, Houston, 6-10Like Quaintance, Chris Cenac Jr. is a prospect valued more for his long-term upside than his current production.Entering the season, Cenac appeared in several mock drafts as a projected top-five pick. He averaged 9.5 points and 7.9 rebounds, but scouts remain intrigued by his physical tools and versatility.Cenac moves well for his size (240 pounds), has promising shooting mechanics and projects as a player capable of filling either the power forward or center role at the next level.“I’m a guy that plays hard,” Cenac said on May 13. “A guy that has a lot to bring to the table. A winner, for sure. That’s the No.1 priority, always. Just doing whatever it is to help a team win.”Morez Johnson Jr., sophomore, Michigan, 6-9Morez Johnson Jr. took a significant leap during his sophomore season in helping Michigan win a national championship.Johnson averaged 13.1 points and 7.3 rebounds while displaying the versatility to play either frontcourt position. His energy, athleticism and physicality stood out throughout the season.During the draft combine, Johnson also impressed evaluators with his explosiveness and overall physical tools, reinforcing his reputation as one of the most athletic big men in this draft class.For a Grizzlies team searching for more athleticism and frontcourt depth, Johnson could be an intriguing fit.Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis Grizzlies NBA draft options at power forward, center

There is no such thing as a perfect recruit, but what if we could make one?Better yet, if college coaches built a high school football player in a lab, what he look like? What would be the most important traits?Basically, what would the Frankenstein Recruit look like?Obviously, there really isn't one mold that would work. No coach is looking for a 335-pound wide receiver or a wiry, 175-pound speedster at defensive tackle. MORE FRANKENSTEIN: Building Florida's perfect WR recruit using Top 100 prospects for 2027Different positions have different requirements, which means every position is going to have the different desired attributes.Using only Florida high school players from the 2027 recruiting class, USA TODAY Florida Network recruiting reporters Jon Santucci and Nick Wilson are building a Frankenstein Recruit at each position.Here is the defensive back they built:Speed: Aaryn Washington, IMG AcademyUSA TODAY Florida Top 100 rank: No. 6Commitment: USCDefensive backs need to be fast, we're not breaking any news there. And there is no shortage of fast defensive backs in Florida. Washington, originally from California, is probably the fastest when it comes to on-field production. He has incredibly quick feet and his swift hips allow him to swivel without losing his assignment. He popped a 4.3-second 40-yard dash time at IMG's pro day. Despite appearing in just two games out of state last year, Washington has already proven he's among the quickest in Florida.Frame: Mekhi Williams, LennardUSA TODAY Florida Top 100 rank: No. 12Commitment: WisconsinMOVING UP THE CHARTS: Biggest risers in new Florida Top 100 football recruits for 2027 classLennard comes in at 6-foot-3 with extremely long arms, and he knows how to use them. The best safeties are able to cover the field quickly, and Williams uses his length to get to balls most DBs have no chance at. There are few safeties with both elite length and explosion, and Williams (a state track qualifier) is a nightmare in the secondary. Attitude: Jordan Young, LakelandUSA TODAY Florida Top 100 rank: No. 51Commitment: PittsburghIt takes a certain level of pride to be an elite defensive back. Sometimes you get burned, other times you keep your side of the field locked down. It can be hard to treat every rep like a big deal, but it's what separates good players from great players — and Jordan Young cares about every single down. A lot. Simply put, he just has that dog in him, and he goes to war every snap. He's a physical, feisty player that takes great pride in his ability to cover and doesn't shy away from tough matchups. The Dreadnaught secondary goes as Young does, so it's no surprise Lakeland has one of the most formidable defenses in the state.Tackling: Charles Woodson Jr.USA TODAY Florida Top 100 rank: No. 39This isn't the first time you've seen the words tackle and Charles Woodson together, and it won't be the last. The son of Football Hall of Famer Charles Woodson is one of the hardest-nosed safeties in the country. His form tackling is picture-perfect (he must have had a good teacher), and he is elite at bringing guys down on an island. He has some of the best run support in the class, incredible vision, and his frame (5-11, 175 pounds) gives him a fair shake against most skill positions on the field.Hands: Zayden Gamble, St. Thomas Aquinas USA TODAY Florida Top 100 rank: No. 15Commitment: Notre DamePeople don't often associate good hands as being an important factor for defensive backs, but it's another thing that separates good players from elite ones. And it's not always about just catching the ball. Gamble is a legit ballhawk that uses his hands really well, getting inside of receivers to make them uncomfortable and breaking up passes. He wins hand-to-hand combat when in single coverage and does a great job of shrinking receivers' catch radiuses. Gamble is already an explosive athlete with a high IQ, and how he uses his hands is one of the biggest reasons he's the No. 1 safety in the state. Coverage Skills: Censere GaylordUSA TODAY Florida Top 100: No. 13Official Visits: Auburn, Georgia Tech, Washington, GeorgiaWhen it comes to technique and understanding, it doesn't get much better than Gaylord. The 6-foot corner is arguably the most polished in the state. He has next-level understanding of the position, and uses great vision to diagnose plays quickly. He has great feet, fluid hips, and is sticky in 1-on-1 coverage. He's also a heat-seeking missile in run support, and flies off blocks to get into the backfield. He recovers well and uses his length to make plays on the ball, and he's a also consistent tip-drill winner with good hands.This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Building a perfect DB from top Florida recruits: Frankenstein project

The 2026 World Cup is officially upon us. The tournament's group stage starts today, June 11, kicking off with Mexico vs. South Africa at 3 p.m. ET. The game will air on FOX and stream free on Tubi (among other places). Then later tonight, South Korea will play Czechia. That game will air on FS1 at 10 p.m. ET. But first, the 2026 World Cup Opening Ceremony, featuring performances from Shakira and Burna Boy, Belinda, Danny Ocean and more, is scheduled to air on FOX (and Telemundo) 90 minutes before the match starts, at 1:30 p.m. Here's everything you need to know to tune into today's World Cup action live — with or without cable. Looking for ways to watch the World Cup for free, or where to stream World cup games in Spanish? We've got you covered there, too. How to watch today's World Cup games:Date: Thursday, June 11, 2026Time(s): 3 p.m. ET, 10 p.m. ETTV channels: FOX, FS1, Telemundo, Streaming: Tubi, YouTube TV, DirecTV, Peacock, and moreWhat World Cup matches are on today?Thursday, June 11Mexico vs South Africa: 3 p.m. ET (FOX, Tubi, Telemundo, Peacock) — Estadio Azteca, Mexico CitySouth Korea vs Czechia: 10 p.m. ET (FS1, Telemundo, Peacock) — Estadio Akron, ZapopanMexico vs. South Africa game channel: Today's World Cup kickoff match between Mexico and South Africa will air on FOX (and stream free on Tubi!). A Spanish-language broadcast of the game will air on Telemundo and stream on Peacock.South Korea vs Czechia game channel: The South Korea vs Czechia match will air on FS1. Spanish coverage will air on Telemundo and stream on Peacock.How to watch the 2026 World Cup without cable:2026 FIFA World Cup group stage schedule: All times Eastern. Looking for the World Cup Spanish-language broadcast schedule? We've got you covered. Thursday, June 11Mexico vs South Africa: 3 p.m. (FOX, Tubi) — Estadio Azteca, Mexico CitySouth Korea vs Czechia: 10 p.m. (FS1) — Estadio Akron, ZapopanFriday, June 12Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina: 3 p.m. (FOX) — BMO Field, TorontoUnited States vs Paraguay: 9 p.m. (FOX, Tubi) — SoFi Stadium, InglewoodSaturday, June 13Qatar vs Switzerland: 3 p.m. (FOX) — Levi's Stadium, Santa ClaraBrazil vs Morocco: 6 p.m. (FS1) — MetLife Stadium, East RutherfordHaiti vs Scotland: 9 p.m. (FS1) — Gillette Stadium, FoxboroughSunday, June 14Australia vs Türkiye: 12 a.m. (FS1) — BC Place, VancouverGermany vs Willemstad Curaçao: 1 p.m. (FOX) — NRG Stadium, HoustonNetherlands vs Japan: 4 p.m. (FOX) — AT&T Stadium, ArlingtonIvory Coast vs Ecuador: 7 p.m. (FS1) — Lincoln Financial Field, PhiladelphiaSweden vs Tunisia: 10 p.m. (FS1) — Estadio BBVA Bancomer, GuadalupeMonday, June 15Spain vs Cape Verde: 12 p.m. (FOX) — Mercedes-Benz Stadium, AtlantaBelgium vs Egypt: 3 p.m. (FOX) — Lumen Field, SeattleSaudi Arabia vs Uruguay: 6 p.m. (FS1) — Hard Rock Stadium, MiamiIran vs New Zealand: 9 p.m. (FS1) — SoFi Stadium, InglewoodTuesday, June 16France vs Senegal: 3 p.m. (FOX) — MetLife Stadium, East RutherfordIraq vs Norway: 6 p.m. (FOX) — Gillette Stadium, FoxboroughArgentina vs Algeria: 9 p.m. (FOX) — Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas CityWednesday, June 17Austria vs Jordan: 12 a.m. (FS1) — Levi's Stadium, Santa ClaraPortugal vs DR Congo: 1 p.m. (FOX) — NRG Stadium, HoustonEngland vs Croatia: 4 p.m. (FOX) — AT&T Stadium, ArlingtonGhana vs Panama: 7 p.m. (FS1) — BMO Field, TorontoUzbekistan vs Colombia: 10 p.m. (FS1) — Estadio Azteca, Mexico CityThursday, June 18Czechia vs South Africa: 12 p.m. (FOX) — Mercedes-Benz Stadium, AtlantaSwitzerland vs Bosnia and Herzegovina: 3 p.m. (FOX) — SoFi Stadium, InglewoodCanada vs Qatar: 6 p.m. (FS1) — BC Place, VancouverMexico vs South Korea: 9 p.m. (FOX) — Estadio Akron, ZapopanFriday, June 19United States vs Australia: 3 p.m. (FOX) — Lumen Field, SeattleScotland vs Morocco: 6 p.m. (FOX) — Gillette Stadium, FoxboroughBrazil vs Haiti: 8:30 p.m. (FOX) — Lincoln Financial Field, PhiladelphiaTürkiye vs Paraguay: 11 p.m. (FS1) — Levi's Stadium, Santa ClaraSaturday, June 20Netherlands vs Sweden: 1 p.m. (FOX) — NRG Stadium, HoustonGermany vs Ivory Coast: 4 p.m. (FOX) — BMO Field, TorontoEcuador vs Willemstad Curaçao: 8 p.m. (FS1) — Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas CitySunday, June 21Tunisia vs Japan: 12 a.m. (FS1) — Estadio BBVA Bancomer, GuadalupeSpain vs Saudi Arabia: 12 p.m. (FOX) — Mercedes-Benz Stadium, AtlantaBelgium vs Iran: 3 p.m. (FS1) — SoFi Stadium, InglewoodUruguay vs Cape Verde: 6 p.m. (FS1) — Hard Rock Stadium, MiamiNew Zealand vs Egypt: 9 p.m. (FS1) — BC Place, VancouverMonday, June 22Argentina vs Austria: 1 p.m. (FOX) — AT&T Stadium, ArlingtonFrance vs Iraq: 5 p.m. (FOX) — Lincoln Financial Field, PhiladelphiaNorway vs Senegal: 8 p.m. (FOX) — MetLife Stadium, East RutherfordJordan vs Algeria: 11 p.m. (FS1) — Levi's Stadium, Santa ClaraTuesday, June 23Portugal vs Uzbekistan: 1 p.m. (FOX) — NRG Stadium, HoustonEngland vs Ghana: 4 p.m. (FOX) — Gillette Stadium, FoxboroughPanama vs Croatia: 7 p.m. (FOX) — BMO Field, TorontoColombia vs DR Congo: 10 p.m. (FS1) — Estadio Akron, ZapopanWednesday, June 24Switzerland vs Canada: 3 p.m. (FOX) — BC Place, VancouverBosnia and Herzegovina vs Qatar: 3 p.m. (FS1) — Lumen Field, SeattleScotland vs Brazil: 6 p.m. (FOX) — Hard Rock Stadium, MiamiMorocco vs Haiti: 6 p.m. (FS1) — Mercedes-Benz Stadium, AtlantaCzechia vs Mexico: 9 p.m. (FOX) — Estadio Azteca, Mexico CitySouth Africa vs South Korea: 9 p.m. (FS1) — Estadio BBVA Bancomer, GuadalupeThursday, June 25Ecuador vs Germany: 4 p.m. (FOX) — MetLife Stadium, East RutherfordWillemstad Curaçao vs Ivory Coast: 4 p.m. (FS1) — Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia Tunisia vs Netherlands: 7 p.m. (FOX) — Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas CityJapan vs Sweden: 7 p.m. (FS1) — AT&T Stadium, ArlingtonTürkiye vs United States: 10 p.m. (FOX) — SoFi Stadium, InglewoodParaguay vs Australia: 10 p.m. (FS1) — Levi's Stadium, Santa ClaraFriday, June 26Norway vs France: 3 p.m. (FOX) — Gillette Stadium, FoxboroughSenegal vs Iraq: 3 p.m. (FS1) — BMO Field, TorontoUruguay vs Spain: 8 p.m. (FOX) — Estadio Akron, ZapopanCape Verde vs Saudi Arabia: 8 p.m. (FS1) — NRG Stadium, HoustonNew Zealand vs Belgium: 11 p.m. (FOX) — BC Place, VancouverEgypt vs Iran: 11 p.m. (FS1) — Lumen Field, SeattleSaturday, June 27Panama vs England: 5 p.m. (FOX) — MetLife Stadium, East RutherfordCroatia vs Ghana: 5 p.m. (FS1) — Lincoln Financial Field, PhiladelphiaColombia vs Portugal: 7:30 p.m. (FOX) — Hard Rock Stadium, MiamiDR Congo vs Uzbekistan: 7:30 p.m. (FS1) — Mercedes-Benz Stadium, AtlantaJordan vs Argentina: 10 p.m. (FOX) — AT&T Stadium, ArlingtonAlgeria vs Austria: 10 p.m. (FS1) — Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City

Investors who bought the automaker’s shares in its initial public offering became rich. As a result, many have a deep faith in Elon Musk, the chief executive of Tesla and SpaceX.

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McGregor, the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s main attraction, had the support of the prominent sports physician Neal ElAttrache when he decided to use performance-enhancing drugs.

Photo by Al Bello/Getty ImagesVictor Wembanyama was left searching for answers after the San Antonio Spurs turned their commanding NBA Finals position into a brutal Game 4 collapse.The Spurs led the New York Knicks 76-49 at halftime on Wednesday night and had been up by as many as 29 points at Madison Square Garden.Instead of tying the series, they lost 107-106 after OG Anunoby tipped in a missed Jalen Brunson three-pointer with 1.2 seconds left.Photo by Al Bello/Getty ImagesVictor Wembanyama admits Spurs lacked hunger after Knicks comebackNBACentral shared Wembanyama’s postgame reaction as the Spurs star tried to explain how the lead disappeared.“It was painful, of course,” Victor added. “It feels like we’re working too hard to give up our leads. It just hurts.”Asked why San Antonio fell apart after halftime, Wembanyama admitted: “I can’t really explain it right now, I don’t know,” said Wembanyama. “I think it’s just execution, greediness of some sort. We clearly weren’t the most hungry in the second half.”He also made clear that the Spurs now have a choice between letting the loss break them or using it to tighten their group.Spurs waste historic halftime lead in NBA Finals Game 4San Antonio’s first half looked like a championship response, with Wembanyama helping build one of the biggest road halftime leads in Finals history.The second half was the opposite. The Spurs scored only 30 points after halftime, while Brunson and Anunoby kept dragging New York closer.Wembanyama finished with 24 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks, but shot just 9-for-25 from the field and missed key chances as the Knicks surged.Knicks put Spurs on brink before Game 5The loss leaves San Antonio trailing 3-1 in the series, one defeat from elimination.Wembanyama stressed accountability and communication afterward, while avoiding any finger-pointing inside the locker room.Game 5 is set for Saturday, June 13, in San Antonio, where the Spurs must win to keep their season alive.Read more:USMNT star Tyler Adams’ reaction to the Knicks’ NBA Finals comeback against the SpursKnicks fame Jeremy Lin reveals if he really dated Kim Kardashian a month before Kanye WestDonald Trump’s niece takes a ruthless shot at US President after Knicks’ unbelievable Game 4 win

MADISON – Nearly 4,000 miles away from Madison, Mick Byrne crossed something off his bucket list before his 18th season with Wisconsin track and field – and came to an important realization.The longtime UW director of cross country and track and field finally made it to Anfield, the home of his beloved Premier League soccer club Liverpool, for a match against Newcastle United.The trip – about eight weeks after a surgery that he had to schedule around cross country and track and field seasons – was with family, friends, assistant coach Kareem Jackson who is “very much part of my family” and several former athletes.Some were Liverpool fans. Some weren’t. They were all Mick Byrne fans.“I had a blast,” Byrne said in a phone call with the Journal Sentinel. “It was kind of an eye-opener for me that, ‘Hey, at 70 years of age, you can have fun, and you got all this family, all these friends that want to be part of your life.’”Now, Byrne is concluding an illustrious coaching career, which included leading UW men’s cross country since 2008 and full oversight of the Badgers' cross country and track and field programs since 2013.He is the winningest coach in Big Ten men’s cross country history with 14 conference titles, and he led UW to a 2011 men’s cross country national championship. Byrne’s teams also won 14 individual national titles, 18 Big Ten team titles and 95 Big Ten individual titles. That’s in addition to 121 first-team All-America honors and seven Olympians.“Winning Big Ten titles was always fun,” Byrne said. “It never got old. Every single one of them is special, and I enjoy that.”That was all after he led Iona men’s cross country to 17 consecutive Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference championships.When UW announced Byrne’s retirement in April, interim athletic director Marcus Sedberry said that Byrne’s influence “will be felt for generations through the student-athletes he mentored and the foundation he built.”After Byrne saw athletes or coaches who “try to hang on to it forever,” even his retirement can be interpreted as another coaching lesson.“It’s a great example for our athletes that, at some point, you have to move on to the next chapter of life and find your next passion,” Byrne said.Byrne hopes people take away from his 18 years that “we came to work every day, rolled up our sleeves and got after it” without any shortcuts.“And had fun doing it,” Byrne said. “Because that’s the most important part. … It doesn’t have to be all this uptight, intense crap. We had a lot of fun with our fans. We enjoyed them. They were very, very supportive of me and my programs and what we were doing. They were as much part of it as the athletes.”The emphasis on fun is no surprise for the former classroom teacher who thought it was important to never raise his voice. The now-retiring coach also believes that the “minute you don’t have fun is the minute you have to stop.”The trip to Liverpool was just one of the moments where the time felt right to retire.Another was in February following the Big Ten indoor championships. After a Tuesday morning bus departure from Madison, several days in Indianapolis and a late-night bus ride back on that Saturday, it hit him again.“I always enjoy the day after a big major championship, just to sit on the couch and do nothing,” Byrne said. “And reflecting on the week, I was like, ‘OK, it’s time for me to move on. These long trips like that are just taking too much out of my body. … Hey, it’s time for me to pass the baton.’”There are the smaller things, too, like always needing to have his phone nearby to see results, look for the next recruit or whatever other task. Earlier this month, he was at a Brewers game with a friend and missed a three-run home run because he was on his phone.Of course, there will be moments that he will inevitably miss as he moves on from coaching and embraces time with family, including his two grandchildren in New York.“I’ll miss the coaching part from 2:30 in the afternoon to whatever, 5, 6:00, and sitting down and talking track and talking training with my athletes,” Byrne said.Add high-level competitions such as the NCAA outdoor championships in Eugene, Oregon – from June 10-13 and the last competition on the calendar in Byrne’s last season – to that list.“You know when you walk into that stadium that this is a special place, that this is a special championship, and you feel the energy of the kids,” Byrne said. “You feed off that. I’ll always miss that. … You’re there with your best people, and your best people always put their best foot forward.”Now that Byrne’s 18-year tenure at UW is actually coming to a close, it’s “a little surreal.”“Spent a lot of time here in Madison,” Byrne said. “It’s been a fun ride, but now it’s time to pass the baton. And I’m excited to move on to the next chapter of my life and have some more fun.”Byrne is passing that baton to a successor with an impressive resume – Chris Solinsky.Solinsky, a Badger Hall of Famer, won five NCAA titles during his accolade-filled running career. The Stevens Point native then held coaching roles at William & Mary, Florida and Oregon before returning to his alma mater as executive director of the W Club.Byrne departs with somewhat of a forewarning for an athletic department accustomed to a high level of success from his teams. Staying competitive, he firmly believes, “requires a lot more today than it did when I started in 2008.”“We have to decide as an organization, as an athletic department, if we want to play ball in that playground,” Byrne said. “NIL is real in our sport. The transfer portal is real. Revenue share is real. It’s not just in football, and a lot of people don’t know that.”As Solinsky navigates around a football-centric college athletics landscape in 2026-27 and beyond, Byrne may be navigating around a different type of football competition after having so much fun on his last British trip.“I’d love to go to three or four of the stadiums in London,” Byrne said, “even though I’m a Liverpool fan.”This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Mick Byrne reflects on Wisconsin coaching tenure, Badgers' future

A Nebraska legacy recruit committed to a former Big 12 rival. Running back Correll Buckhalter Jr. announced his pledge to Kansas State.Buckhalter Jr. is a three-star prospect out of Argyle, TX. He finished his junior season in high school with over 2,100 all-purpose yards.His father, Correll Sr., played running back for Nebraska from 1997 to 2000. In 45 career games, he ran for 2,522 yards and 27 touchdowns.Correll Sr. was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He also played for the Denver Broncos, with his final professional season coming in 2010. Kansas State's class of 2027 holds 17 total commitments and ranks 43rd according to the Rivals Industry Rankings. Nebraska's 2027 class has 15 commitments and ranks 20th nationally. Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes and opinions.This article originally appeared on Cornhuskers Wire: Nebraska legacy recruit Correll Buckhalt Jr. commits to Kansas State

Spurs sign Marcos Senesi on free transfer from BournemouthTottenham Hotspur have completed the signing of Marcos Senesi on a free transfer from Bournemouth.The Argentina defender will officially join the club on July 1, once his Cherries contract expires. He arrives on a reported four-year deal.The 29-year-old becomes Roberto De Zerbi’s second summer signing.He follows Andy Robertson, who also joined as a free agent, as the head coach reshapes his back line. Ben Davies, meanwhile, has signed a new deal to add continuity.Spurs sign Marcos Senesi on free transfer from BournemouthSenesi leaves the south coast after four strong seasons. He made 128 appearances in all competitions for Bournemouth, scoring six goals and adding 10 assists.Last term he was pivotal as the club finished sixth and qualified for Europe for the first time in their history.His form drew plenty of suitors. Clubs in LaLiga and Serie A tabled offers, but Senesi wanted to stay in the Premier League and was keen on London.There is an intriguing subplot, too. He turned down a reunion with Andoni Iraola, his former Bournemouth manager, now in charge at Liverpool.The player left no doubt about his ambitions. Speaking to Tottenham’s official website, Senesi said: “It’s a very special feeling to be a Tottenham Hotspur player.I want to win things with Tottenham and will do everything I can to make that happen.” He spoke of taking the club “back to the place it belongs.”De Zerbi was equally enthusiastic about the fit. “Marcos’ experience, quality on the ball, and competitive edge will strengthen us defensively, as well as giving us flexibility in formation,” the head coach told the club’s website.“He’s comfortable playing in a possession-based team, reads the game very well and has the personality to thrive in a demanding environment.”The signing continues a busy rebuild at a club that only survived on the final day last season.For De Zerbi, a left-footed, ball-playing defender is exactly the profile to anchor his project. Senesi, clearly, shares the vision.Read more – Fulham aim to cut fee in Chukwueze permanent dealSee Also- Arsenal keen to sign Spanish winger Nico WilliamsFollow the Football Faithful on Social Media:Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok

GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 31: McDonalds High School All American Girls West guard Maddyn Greenway (30) brings the ball up court during the 49th McDonald's High School All American Girls Game on March 31, 2026, at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Before ever stepping onto the court at Kentucky, incoming Wildcats freshman guard Maddyn Greenway has added another major honor to her remarkable résumé.The Providence Academy standout was named the 2025-26 MaxPreps Female National Athlete of the Year after a historic high school career that saw her dominate basketball, soccer, and track and field.“Being named like National Athlete of the Year it just means a lot, I think to be recognized not only in one sport but you know the multitude of all of the hard work that I have put in over the years and throughout all of my sports, you know, it means a lot and I think I will speak to be recognized for something like you know not a lot of people knew that I did these other sports kind of recently so to be recognized for my efforts in all of that was really cool,” Greenway tells Aaron Williams of MaxPreps.The future Wildcat leaves Providence Academy as a 13-time state champion, including five straight basketball titles, two soccer championships, and six track and field crowns. She finished her basketball career with 5,621 points, the Minnesota state record and the third-highest total in national high school history. Greenway also set state records with 1,186 assists and more than 1,100 rebounds.“Just the history of MaxPreps and all of the great athletes that they have recognized in the past. It is really cool,” Greenway said. “To be recognized among them was super cool.”A McDonald’s All-American and gold medalist with Team USA, Greenway is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as a 5-star prospect, the No. 8 player nationally, the No. 2 point guard, and the No. 1 player in Minnesota.Providence Academy girls basketball coach Conner Goetz believes Greenway’s impact will stretch far beyond the record books.“I think in 10 years down the line, 20 years down the line, I think you’re going to see a legacy that she kind of built for the younger generation of girls,” Goetz said.Now, Greenway heads to Lexington looking to continue that legacy at Kentucky.Maddyn Greenway (@maddyngreenway) has been named the 2025-26 MaxPreps Female National Athlete of the Year.The Providence Academy standout won 13 state championships across three sports and finished as Minnesota's all-time leading scorer in basketball and soccer. Full story ⬇️… pic.twitter.com/IhVPzthA6a— MaxPreps (@MaxPreps) June 10, 2026

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The European Central Bank is set to raise rates, the first such move since September 2023, as energy disruptions caused by the Iran war drive higher prices.

The State Department canceled President Gustavo Petro’s visa last year after he attended a pro-Palestinian rally in Manhattan. He had planned to attend a forum led by Mayor Mamdani of New York.

Sue Sarah Gilbert, a Rockefeller descendant in Seattle, raised $1 million to place her drawings in New York City stations.

At The New York Times’s Hard Fork Live event, Mr. Nadella addressed the backlash against artificial intelligence and President Trump’s comments about Americans sharing in the wealth of A.I. companies

Kenrich Williams is the new Mr. Thunder. As much a pillar of the team as a player. Which isn’t to knock his on-court contributions. Williams’ year-to-year production has hardly fluctuated. He shoots the same percentages and plays the same rugged brand of basketball. After the end of each season, The Oklahoman publishes a series of report cards on each of the Thunder’s main roster players. Grades will be curved relative to role and expectations. Next up: Kenrich Williams. More: Isaiah Joe report card: Thunder guard's regular-season success didn't carry overKenrich Williams by the numbers 56 games, 15.3 minutes, 6.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.6 steals, 47.3% FG, 38.8% 3FG, 63.5% FT 9th: Williams is ninth in Thunder history in games played (362). He’s seven games away from passing Thabo Sefolosha for eighth on the all-time list. Among current players, Williams is only behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (448) and Lu Dort (432). 38.8%: Williams was third in 3-point percentage among Thunder regulars. He’s shot between 37% and 39% from 3 in each of the last four seasons. 63.5%: Williams’ free-throw percentage. Here’s a crazy stat: His free throw percentages have been in the 40s, 50s, 70s and 60s in his last four seasons. For such a steady player, he’s a wildly erratic foul shooter. 25: He scored a career-high 25 points in a February loss at San Antonio. He shot 9 of 18 from the floor and 4 of 7 from 3-point range. 31: Williams is one of two Thunder players in their 30s. He’s about nine months younger than Alex Caruso. More: Thunder GM Sam Presti fights back against 'bully pulpit' attacking Shai Gilgeous-AlexanderThe good Kenrich Williams is the ultimate team guy. A no-maintenance veteran who, without saying much, is one of the most respected guys in the locker room. Whether he’s playing three minutes or 23 minutes, Williams’ attitude doesn’t change. He’s always Kenny Hustle. Williams has turned into a long-relief option in the regular season. He plays a lot when the Thunder is shorthanded, and he’s versatile enough to fill multiple positions — whether it be on the wing or as a small-ball five. He’s a reliable 3-point shooter and defender. Another plus: He really likes Oklahoma City. “It’s no secret that I want to be here until I’m done playing,” Williams said in his exit interview. The Thunder has to decide on Williams’ $7.2 million team option for next season. More: Here's what OKC Thunder GM Sam Presti said during end-of-season news conferenceThe bad For as solid as Kenrich Williams is in the regular season, he’s hardly ever a factor come playoff time. That says more about the Thunder’s depth than anything. He played in 11 of the Thunder’s 15 playoff games this season, averaging 6.5 minutes per game. Most of those minutes were in mop-up time. Kenrich Williams offseason homework Grow out the shag? Acquire an even larger undershirt? Expand his baseball cap collection?Williams has things pretty well figured out. Kenrich Williams grade: BWilliams played well in his limited role. He kept his teammates in line. You know exactly what you’re getting from No. 34. He’s a pro. Last season’s grade: BJoe Mussatto is a sports columnist for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Joe? Email him at jmussatto@oklahoman.com. Support Joe's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Kenrich Williams report card: How Thunder veteran graded out

Kenrich Williams is the new Mr. Thunder. As much a pillar of the team as a player. Which isn’t to knock his on-court contributions. Williams’ year-to-year production has hardly fluctuated. He shoots the same percentages and plays the same rugged brand of basketball. After the end of each season, The Oklahoman publishes a series of report cards on each of the Thunder’s main roster players. Grades will be curved relative to role and expectations. Next up: Kenrich Williams. More: Isaiah Joe report card: Thunder guard's regular-season success didn't carry overKenrich Williams by the numbers 56 games, 15.3 minutes, 6.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.6 steals, 47.3% FG, 38.8% 3FG, 63.5% FT 9th: Williams is ninth in Thunder history in games played (362). He’s seven games away from passing Thabo Sefolosha for eighth on the all-time list. Among current players, Williams is only behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (448) and Lu Dort (432). 38.8%: Williams was third in 3-point percentage among Thunder regulars. He’s shot between 37% and 39% from 3 in each of the last four seasons. 63.5%: Williams’ free-throw percentage. Here’s a crazy stat: His free throw percentages have been in the 40s, 50s, 70s and 60s in his last four seasons. For such a steady player, he’s a wildly erratic foul shooter. 25: He scored a career-high 25 points in a February loss at San Antonio. He shot 9 of 18 from the floor and 4 of 7 from 3-point range. 31: Williams is one of two Thunder players in their 30s. He’s about nine months younger than Alex Caruso. More: Thunder GM Sam Presti fights back against 'bully pulpit' attacking Shai Gilgeous-AlexanderThe good Kenrich Williams is the ultimate team guy. A no-maintenance veteran who, without saying much, is one of the most respected guys in the locker room. Whether he’s playing three minutes or 23 minutes, Williams’ attitude doesn’t change. He’s always Kenny Hustle. Williams has turned into a long-relief option in the regular season. He plays a lot when the Thunder is shorthanded, and he’s versatile enough to fill multiple positions — whether it be on the wing or as a small-ball five. He’s a reliable 3-point shooter and defender. Another plus: He really likes Oklahoma City. “It’s no secret that I want to be here until I’m done playing,” Williams said in his exit interview. The Thunder has to decide on Williams’ $7.2 million team option for next season. More: Here's what OKC Thunder GM Sam Presti said during end-of-season news conferenceThe bad For as solid as Kenrich Williams is in the regular season, he’s hardly ever a factor come playoff time. That says more about the Thunder’s depth than anything. He played in 11 of the Thunder’s 15 playoff games this season, averaging 6.5 minutes per game. Most of those minutes were in mop-up time. Kenrich Williams offseason homework Grow out the shag? Acquire an even larger undershirt? Expand his baseball cap collection?Williams has things pretty well figured out. Kenrich Williams grade: BWilliams played well in his limited role. He kept his teammates in line. You know exactly what you’re getting from No. 34. He’s a pro. Last season’s grade: BJoe Mussatto is a sports columnist for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Joe? Email him at jmussatto@oklahoman.com. Support Joe's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Kenrich Williams report card: How Thunder veteran graded out

Will Nathaniel Brown start for Germany at the World Cup?When Germany face Curaçao in their World Cup opener on Sunday, Eintracht Frankfurt’s Nathaniel Brown is widely expected to start at left-back.RB Leipzig’s David Raum was Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann’s preferred option on the left side of defence during qualifying, but after struggling with an injury towards the end of the season, he appears to have lost his place to Brown.Brown started ahead of Raum in both of Germany’s pre-World Cup friendlies and impressed against both Finland and the United States, strengthening his case to be Germany’s starting left-back at the upcoming tournament.At a recent media round in the German national team camp, Raum appeared to acknowledge that he will have to accept being the challenger for now“Such a tournament is long. I accept my role – and if I come on, I give everything. Even if I don’t start at the beginning, the team knows it can rely on me,” Raum told reporters on Wednesday.There appears to be no bad blood between Raum and Brown – on the contrary, the two rivals support and push each other to perform at their best.“[Brown] plays a very attacking role in Frankfurt, constantly moves into central areas, just like we do here in the national team. He does that outstandingly,” Raum said.“When he came on for me, he always performed well. I approach it the same way. If he starts, I will of course help him.”“The coach has a tough job, and that’s exactly how it should be,” Raum concluded.Brown himself addressed his chances of starting at the World Cup before Germany’s 2-1 win over the United States last weekend.“I’m extremely happy to be part of the World Cup squad. Of course, I think I have a chance to play, but we’ll have to see whether I actually get on the pitch or not,” he said.