List of All Articles with Tag 'ball'

What the papers say Harry Kane will not sign a new deal with Tottenham as Bayern Munich look increasingly likely to sign the 29-year-old striker, according to the Times. The England captain is in no rush to leave the club this summer but it leaves Tottenham facing a decision to let him go now or try to win a title or reach the Champions League with him in their side next season. Bayern Munich have offered £68million for Kane but Tottenham have valued him at £100million. The Daily Mail say Tottenham have identified two players as potential replacements for midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojberg, who will likely move to Atletico Madrid. Chelsea’s young gun Conor Gallagher and Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz have been identified as potential options. West Ham’s continued search to fill the void of Declan Rice, who joined Arsenal last week, has landed at Southampton’s James Ward Prowse, the Guardian reports. The Hammers are willing to let Flynn Downes go to Southampton if it means they can secure 28-year-old Ward-Prowse. Birmingham Live says Aston Villa have secured the signature of French winger Moussa Diaby from Bayer Leverkusen. Social media round-up Players to watch Igor: The 25-year-old Brazilian defender could be on the move to Brighton as they close in on a £15million deal with Italian club Fiorentina, the Telegraph reports. Marco Verratti: The Guardian says Paris St Germain’s Italian midfielder is being monitored by Liverpool. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

Swiss attacker Alisha Lehmann will be well known to fans of the Barclay’s Women’s Super League, having played for West Ham, Everton and, since 2021, Aston Villa, where she links up with Lionesses Rachel Daly and Jordan Nobbs to often devastating effect. But the 24-year-old is arguably even better known online thanks to her huge following on Instagram, where she has 13m followers – more than fellow Swiss sporting great Roger Federer – and reportedly earns as much as £241,314 for sponsored posts, according to The Sun. Speaking to Sky Sports in the run-up to this summer’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, Lehmann reflected on how far she had come from her hometown of Tagertschi on the outskirts of Bern. “I grew up in a country village in Switzerland,” she said. “When I go home, we still have a lot of animals – horses and dogs. Everything was so different. “We just played street football all day. When a car came, we shouted: ‘Car! Move!’ It was so normal. Now it’s a bit different! This makes me so humble because I can always think about this moment. There is a difference now, I live in a big city. But I never forget it.” Switzerland will be seeking to make a particular impression at this World Cup as the country prepares to host the next Euros in 2025. In addition to Lehmann, coach Inka Grings has Arsenal’s Lia Walti, PSG forward Ramona Bachmann and Barcelona winger Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic to call upon in a tricky group that will see them play the Philippines, Norway and hosts New Zealand, the latter likely to benefit from some passionate home support.

The ninth Fifa Women’s World Cup is under way as Australia and New Zealand co-host the 2023 tournament. England enter the World Cup as one of the favourites as the Lionesses look to build on their victory at the European Championships last summer by winning the game’s biggest prize. They have reached the semi-finals on their last two World Cup appearances in 2015 and 2019 and will be dreaming of going one step further here – although manager Sarina Wiegman has had plenty of injuries to contend with in the build-up. The United States are the favourites and are looking to win their third consecutive World Cup, while there are also high-calibre teams representing Spain, France and Germany. Australia are the more likely of the host nations to deliver glory on home soil. Games will be staged in six stadiums across five Australian cities (Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne and Sydney) and four cities in New Zealand (Dunedin, Auckland, Hamilton and Wellington). The final will take place in Sydney’s 81,500-capacity Stadium Australia, which was built for the 2000 Olympic Games and is currently used as a rugby venue. Here are the pre-tournament odds to win the World Cup: USA 5/2 England 5/1 Spain 5/1 Germany 8/1 France 14/1 Australia 15/1 Sweden 19/1 Netherlands 22/1 Brazil 25/1 Japan 33/1 Norway 33/1 Canada 40/1 Denmark 66/1 New Zealand 100/1 Portugal 100/1 China 200/1 Italy 200/1 Switzerland 250/1 South Korea 250/1 Colombia 250/1 Rep of Ireland 500/1 Argentina 500/1 Zambia 500/1 Haiti 500/1 Nigeria 500/1 South Africa 1000/1 Jamaica 1000/1 Costa Rica 1000/1 Panama 1000/1 Morocco 1000/1 Vietnam 1000/1 Philippines 1000/1 Odds via Oddschecker Read More Women’s World Cup teams: Every squad and key players to watch Women’s World Cup odds: Who are favourites to win the tournament? What channel is the Women’s World Cup on? How to watch every match Women’s World Cup LIVE: Canada held by Nigeria before Spain in action

Former England and Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard announced his retirement from international football on this day in 2014. Gerrard was one of the best midfielders of his generation, making 114 appearances for England, which places him fourth on the men’s all-time list. But while he regularly tops fan polls as Liverpool’s greatest player, Gerrard rarely hit the same heights for England during his 14-year international career. His decision came after England’s dismal showing in the 2014 World Cup, where Roy Hodgson’s side crashed out at the group stage after defeats to Italy and Uruguay and a 0-0 draw against Costa Rica. Gerrard was handed his debut by Kevin Keegan aged 20 in a 2-0 win over Ukraine at Wembley in 2000 and was named in the squad for the European Championship later that summer, coming on against Germany in the group stage. It was against the Germans that he bagged his first goal the following year, a memorable strike in a famous 5-1 World Cup qualifying win which, along with two strikes at the 2006 World Cup, made for arguably his best moments in an England shirt. He would have had a place in history as the only Englishman to play in four World Cups had injury not kept him out of the 2002 tournament in Japan and South Korea. On a personal level he enjoyed a fine England career, captaining his country 38 times and scoring 21 goals. But the disappointing 2010 and 2014 World Cup campaigns – England exited the latter in Brazil bottom of their group and without a win – were tough for Gerrard to take and, like the rest of the ‘Golden Generation’, he retired without a major international honour. He went on to play another season for Liverpool in 2014-15, becoming the third player to make 500 or more Premier League appearances for one club after Ryan Giggs and former team-mate Jamie Carragher. He joined LA Galaxy in 2015 and made 19 appearances for the Major League Soccer club before announcing his retirement as a player in November 2016, aged 36. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

Christine Sinclair missed a penalty and the chance to make World Cup history as Olympic champions Canada were held to a 0-0 draw by Nigeria on Friday. Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie secured a valuable point for Nigeria, leaving Group B wide open, as she saved Sinclair’s penalty in the 50th minute at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium. Sinclair is bidding to become the first player to score in six World Cups. It means both teams trail Group B leaders Australia after Steph Catley’s penalty earned the co-hosts a narrow victory over the Republic of Ireland on the opening day. New Zealand claimed their first ever World Cup win, at their 16th attempt, as Hannah Wilkinson’s goal shocked group favourites Norway at a sold-out Eden Park. Day two sees Switzerland take on World Cup debutants Philippines before Spain face Costa Rica in the opening match of Group C. Follow the latest World Cup scores, updates and news in today’s live blog Read More Australia relief after Women’s World Cup opener reveals significance of Sam Kerr injury New Zealand’s historic moment gives Women’s World Cup the spark it needed How to watch every Women’s World Cup match on TV

Steph Catley’s penalty earned co-hosts Australia a narrow victory over the Republic of Ireland in front of a record home crowd after captain Sam Kerr was ruled out of their first two matches at the Women’s World Cup due to injury. Catley took the armband from Kerr after the star forward was sidelined by a calf injury picked up in training on the day before the tournament, and the stand-in skipper converted a second-half spot-kick to ensure Australia made a winning start to the World Cup in front of over 75,000 fans at the Sydney Olympic Stadium. Earlier, co-hosts New Zealand claimed their first ever World Cup win, at their 16th attempt, as Hannah Wilkinson’s goal shocked group favourites Norway at a sold-out Eden Park. It was also a record attendance for New Zealand, men’s or women’s, with a crowd of over 45,000 there to celebrate a historic victory at the tournament. The kick-off to the World Cup came just hours after a mass shooting in Auckland that killed two people and wounded six. But the World Cup will “proceed as planned” and New Zealand prime minister Chris Hipkins said there was no risk to national security. Follow the latest World Cup scores, updates and news in today’s live blog Read More Why Australia’s Women’s World Cup opener felt different New Zealand’s historic moment gives Women’s World Cup the spark it needed How to watch every Women’s World Cup match on TV

Michigan football's rivalry dominance recently has Ohio State feeling jumpy, especially with news of open practices and the specter of Jim Harbaugh spies.The rivalry between Michigan football and Ohio State football doesn't need to be rational. It just needs to be passionate. And it de...

Few hand gestures invite more scrutiny than the 'Horns Down' celebration/taunt. With the Texas Longhorns moving to the SEC, the conference has rendered a verdict on the legality of the controversial motion.The Texas Longhorns are set to join the SEC in 2024, further bolstering the most...

England captain Millie Bright will wear armbands advocating for inclusion, Indigenous People and gender equality in the Lionesses’ respective first three World Cup matches, the FA has confirmed. Players have the choice of wearing one or more of eight FIFA-sanctioned armbands at this tournament, but not the rainbow OneLove design that sparked the threat of sanctions being issued to countries – including England and Wales – during the 2022 men’s World Cup in Qatar. Should the Lionesses progress past the group stage, which begins with Saturday’s opener against Haiti, the player-led decision is for their skipper to switch out her armband to a new cause for each match. Bright said: “As a group, we felt really strongly about all the causes, and we couldn’t separate one from the other. We feel that they are all important and deserve recognition and our support. “We have only just come to a decision recently as we wanted to take time to process it all and to make sure we spoke collectively. “Supporting Indigenous People is massively important to us as a team, both staff and players. We wanted to come to this country and respect the past, the present and the future. We are aware of the past, but we want to move forward collectively and make the world a better place. It is something that we always pride ourselves on.” Days after their arrival in Australia, England hosted an open training session at the Sunshine Coast Stadium where they were treated to a traditional smoking ceremony – an Aboriginal custom to welcome, wish good luck and ward off bad spirits – led by the Gubbi Gubbi/Kabi Kabi people, who also presented the Lionesses with their official tournament squad numbers. On Wednesday, the team listened to a talk from Karen Menzies, the first Indigenous player for Australia’s Matildas, about the history of and challenges facing the Aboriginal community, as well as reparation efforts. Bright said: “We have been honoured with two ceremonies and to be able to have conversations and educate ourselves a little bit more on the Aboriginal people and everything which comes with the culture is amazing. I think we feel really honoured to have had the opportunity.” Should England progress to the knockout stage, Bright will wear, in order from the last 16, armbands reading ‘Unite for Peace’, ‘Unite for Education for All’, ‘Unite for Zero Hunger’, ‘Unite for Ending Violence Against Women’ and, for a potential first-ever World Cup final in Lionesses’ history, ‘Football is Joy, Peace, Hope, Love and Passion’. FIFA’s approved armband plan has been criticised for not doing enough to directly advocate for the LGBTQ+ community like the prohibited OneLove band, particularly with LGBTQ+ advocacy non-profit organisation GLAAD reporting a record 91 out players expected to participate in this 32-team World Cup. England boss Sarina Wiegman, however, has said she feels her squad, which includes several out athletes, are satisfied with the solution, and midfielder Jordan Nobbs on Wednesday insisted she and her team-mates “know our values”. That sentiment was echoed by Bright, who added: “As a team, we know what we stand for, what we believe in and we also know the changes that we want to make. “So regardless of an armband, we would like to think our actions and our morals represent everything that we believe in and stand for.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Rory McIlroy has a spring in his step after fighting finish to first round Inter Miami continue to build squad with signing of defender Jordi Alba Matt Critchley century keeps Essex on track for victory over Kent

The country's women's football team has never been this strong. But can it win the ultimate trophy?

Inter Miami have completed the signing of Jordi Alba on the eve of Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets’ expected debut for the ambitious MLS side. Formed in 2018 and co-owned by David Beckham, the Florida club are swinging for the fences at a time when they have the worst record in the league. Miami recently completed the game-changing signing of seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi, unveiling him to a packed crowd at DRV PNK Stadium on Sunday. The Herons also introduced Busquets that night, fresh from the Barcelona great completing his own move to South Beach. The pair are expected to make their highly anticipated debuts from the bench in Friday’s Leagues Cup clash against Mexican side Cruz Azul. Messi and Busquets have now been joined by another former Barcelona star, with Alba linking up with the pair and their former boss Tata Martino in Miami. The 34-year-old left-back ended his long relationship with the Catalans in the summer and joined the team rock-bottom of the Eastern Conference. Alba has signed a contract through the 2024 MLS season, with the club holding an option for the 2025 campaign. Inter chief soccer director and sporting director Chris Henderson said: “Jordi is an accomplished, dynamic and experienced player that we’re excited to acquire to continue bolstering our squad. “He has proven for over a decade that he is one of the best fullbacks in the sport due to both his defensive solidity and capacity to contribute in the attack. “We know that he’ll help Inter Miami achieve the club’s objectives this season and beyond.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

DeAndre Ayton opens up about how fans perceive him, how that's impacted him personally, and how he's staying motivated this offseason.Ever since the Suns drafted DeAndre Ayton 1st overall in 2018, he's been a valuable piece and key contributor in their rebuild. In Ayton's fir...