List of All Articles with Tag 'sp'

Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev and Frances Tiafoe are some of the top men entered in the U.S. Open in 2023

Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff are some of the top women entered in the U.S. Open in 2023

The Women’s World Cup final had barely started and England realised they were in a bind. Spain’s possession was dragging the players all over the pitch and completely distorting Sarina Wiegman’s shape, which meant they had to press that bit higher. As soon as they did that, however, Aitana Bonmati and those around her just passed their way into even more open space. “That’s the quality of Spain,” a magnanimous Wiegman said afterwards, almost resigned to their superior quality. But that is also a new twist on a vintage problem, one which may point to the future for both England and the game. It’s just over a decade since Premier League midfielders – and the rest of the world – were finding the exact same challenges against Andres Iniesta, Xavi and Sergio Busquets in the men’s game. The comparisons have already been made with this Spanish midfield, led by Aitana. The success of Spain’s men ended up influencing the entire sport, creating a spate of technically adept players, which has now come full circle. Frenetic pressing reigns for men, but it took over a decade. The women’s game is at the other side of the curve. Spain represent the extreme example of an ongoing transformation, that has already seen the technique of European academies take the game – and the ball – away from the United States. It is going to have increasing influence. It may also pose a problem for England. Because, in recent years, English academies have been among the few in Europe not producing this type of player. It is why, for all the optimism after another international final, there is an issue to work out if this is to be the start of an era rather than just the end of a cycle. There isn’t a single English midfielder at any of the top WSL clubs in Arsenal, Manchester City or Chelsea. At least one manager in the division is known to have complained about it, pointing to a lack of quality coming through in that area. “There’s no one in the pipeline,” one involved source says. England is obviously still producing a lot of talent, but it’s mostly in other positions. There’s also a feeling that this tournament – and especially that landmark final against Spain – showed England are missing exactly that approach. That is something that has been said before. An obvious response here is that Georgia Stanway is at Bayern Munich and Keira Walsh at Barcelona. That’s part of the issue, though. Stanway is superb in that role but was made isolated by Spain's superior numbers here. The Barcelona players deeply respect Walsh as a world-class midfielder, but not primarily for that pace of pass. The main point was that Spain were able to just play around and through them. And, having had such success with this, the rest of the world is going to seek to emulate Spain further. England may not be able to in the same way, for some time, because they lack that kind of player. It similarly points to a schism that was already evident throughout this World Cup, and again goes back further in the men’s game. Spain’s midfield technique both comes from and facilitates a deeper ideology. Without that, Wiegman had to go to a more pragmatic approach. That may have to continue if she does stay in the job, but could be an even bigger issue for her successor. That doesn’t mean it is a terminal problem, or even completely prohibitive to more trophies. English academies are still producing so much talent in general. They just need to get back to thinking about a specific type of talent in midfield, and also about how to stop such players. It is the future of the sport. Read More Fans wait overnight for Lionesses return – but team use private airport exit Spanish president’s kiss was an abuse of power that never should have happened Women’s World Cup 2023 LIVE: England head home after final heartbreak Lionesses receive surprise reception as they start journey back to England England’s impact will last far longer than pain of World Cup final defeat How not to win a World Cup: Spain, Jorge Vilda and the story of a complicated victory

It seems everyone in the world of tennis was riveted by Novak Djokovic’s victory over Carlos Alcaraz in the final of the last tournament for both ahead of the U.S. Open

Play in the year’s last Grand Slam tennis tournament is set to begin at the U.S. Open on Monday

Scotland have an all-new front row and Darcy Graham back on the wing for their final Rugby World

Jason Kelce has mixed fun and football like no one else for the Philadelphia Eagles

Israeli police accused businessman Moshe Hogeg and his partners of defrauding investors of $290 million in a cryptocurrency

BENGALURU/WASHINGTON India's space agency landed a spacecraft on the moon's south pole on Wednesday, a mission that will

A record label has released an unofficial Mary Earps goalkeeper shirt for charity, following the ongoing row with Nike, who won't sell merch of the Golden Glove winner. Jack Clothier, the 41-year-old founder of Alcopop Records in Oxford, took on board the 90,000-strong petition, and designed the top, which will be sold for £15, with proceeds going to Football Beyond Borders. "It seemed like a very weird decision to take the criticism from Mary herself and not do something about it", he said. "They should be supporting people who are genuinely inspiring a whole new level of athletes." Sign up to our new free Indy100 weekly newsletter

The Pumpkin Spice Latte is coming back, again.

Men are airing their annoyance at plans to make a bronze statue to celebrate the Matildas at the World Cup. The Matildas, who came fourth in the Women’s World Cup, were celebrated in Brisbane on Sunday and handed the Keys to the City by the Lord Mayor. During the celebrations, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk confirmed that a statue will be built in honour of the team. “We’re going to increase the legacy funding for women’s football including upgrades to major venues where football is played across Queensland,” Palaszczuk said. “But wait there’s one more thing. As a lasting tribute to 2023 Matildas we will build a statue at Suncorp Stadium. “There are plenty (of statues) there, celebrating our male sporting champions, it’s time we celebrated women as well… you deserve your place amongst the greatest.” British TV host Piers Morgan was one of the first to complain about the announcement, retweeting the news writing: “A statute for coming 4th? Is this a joke?” Sky News Australia host Laura Jays responded to Morgan, offering to explain what the team means to Australia. “Long lunch and I’ll explain the Matildas effect,” Jays said. “Half the country watched the match. This is a country that is dominated by men’s AFL and NRL.” “It’s a big deal. And the start of something very big for women’s sport.” However, she failed to get Morgan to consider her, and millions of Matildas’ fans perspective, simply replying to Jays with: “Never had you down as a participation prize fan.” Many also disagreed with Morgan in the comments, sharing how ‘proud’ they are of the Matildas, and that they had united the country. However, it seems Morgan isn’t the only man frustrated the idea of the statue writing. Former Australian NBA star Andrew Bogut wrote on Twitter: “Matildas did well… Statue? No. A Gold/First Place is a statue and over the top celebration worthy achievement,” he wrote. Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios shared his opinion about the news: “Agree. Great effort! Statue for fourth is nuts but they had us all on the edge of our seats! Next time.” Morgan later doubled-down on his comments, responding to some on Twitter by saying, “mate, no offence but the Matildas got beaten by England, and even lost the 3rd/4th play-off.” Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.