List of All Articles with Tag 'sport'

Since winning the French Open the first time he entered in 2005, Rafael Nadal had never missed his favorite tournament until now

Preakness Stakes favorite Mage is the first Kentucky Derby champion with Venezuelan ties since Canonero II in 1971

Eury Perez pitched five solid innings for his first major league win, Bryan De La Cruz extended his hitting streak to a career-high 12 games, and the Miami Marlins swept the Washington Nationals with a 5-3 win Thursday afternoon

A major professional team playing in a minor league venue would’ve been unheard of just a few years ago

When Secretariat won the Preakness a half-century ago, his final time of 1 minute, 55 seconds wasn’t all that noteworthy

Virat Kohli smashed a sublime century and Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Faf du Plessis continued his run of supreme batting form in their team’s all-important eight-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League

West Ham know an away draw will be enough for them to progress to the Europa Conference League final as they visit AZ Alkmaar. The London club take a 2-1 advantage through to the second half of the tie, fighting back from behind to emerge on top in a relatively even first leg. With Premier League safety almost certain, David Moyes elected to rest some of his first-choice side in the weekend defeat to Brentford to afford them fuller focus on this encounter. But the veteran Scottish manager will be wary of a good AZ team who showed their scoring prowess with a 5-1 victory in the Eredivise between the two legs. Here’s everything you need to know. When is AZ Alkmaar vs West Ham? The second leg of the Europa Conference League semi-final is due to kick-off at 8pm BST on Thursday 18 May at the AFAS Stadion in Alkmaar. How can I watch it? Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on BT Sport 1, with coverage on the channel from 7.15pm BST. Subscribers can also stream the action via the BT Sport app or online player. Confirmed line-ups AZ XI: Ryan; Sugawara, Beukema, Hatzidiakos, Kerkez; Reijnders, Mijnans, Clasie; Odgaard, Pavlidis, Van Brederode. West Ham XI: Areola; Kehrer, Zouma, Aguerd, Cresswell; Soucek, Rice; Bowen, Paqueta, Benrahma; Antonio. Odds AZ win 32/19 Draw 28/11 West Ham win 17/10 Prediction This one could go all the way to penalties - and end in another European semi-final exit for West Ham. AZ 2-1 West Ham (3-3 agg. - AZ advance on penalties) Read More Luton Town one game from the Premier League after comeback win over Sunderland Inter Milan have already made it clear how they’ll aim to win Champions League final Lioness Leah Williamson invests in Toca to inspire women’s football West Ham boss David Moyes looking to conquer AZ Alkmaar again West Ham won’t consider any Declan Rice bids until season is over Man City brush aside Everton to close in on title as Brighton stun Arsenal

LSU transfer Hailey Van Lith is one of the eight players announced Thursday as members of USA Basketball’s teams headed to the 3x3 World Cup in Austria later this month

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery is “optimistic” his side’s charge for European football next season will prove successful. Villa’s 2-1 win against Tottenham last week lifted them level with the Londoners, who sit seventh in the Europa Conference League play-off place, and to within a point of Brighton, who occupy the last Europa League spot. Emery, whose side play at Liverpool on Saturday, told a press conference: “After the match against Tottenham, I am optimistic. It’s not in our hands, but we are going to play and try to win.” Villa responded to recent back-to-back league defeats with victory against struggling Tottenham, their 14th top-flight win in 23 games since Emery took charge last October. That run has seen the former Arsenal boss nominated for Premier League manager of the season. Two games remain for Emery’s side – they are at home to Brighton on the final day – and their transformation under the Spaniard has brought a possible top-seven finish into sharp focus. “I love Europe,” Emery said: “I really want to play Europe because after 15 years, spending a lot of time playing amazing matches, amazing performances and amazing matches, I am here to try and do the same with Aston Villa.” The 51-year-old is the Europa League’s most successful manager, winning the competition three times with Sevilla and once with Villarreal, while he was a runner-up with Arsenal when they lost to Chelsea in the 2019 final. “My focus, my passion, is to play here feeling strong emotions together, firstly in the Premier League, secondly trying to be close to trophies and then playing in Europe,” Emery said. “That is my motivation every day. It’s the reason we have to be focused and, involving the people around us, thinking about football and the possibilities in our life.” Emery revealed midfielder Philippe Coutinho will play no part in Villa’s last two games after sustaining an unspecified injury in training before the Tottenham match. Emery added: “I talked with him this week. He’s a little bit unlucky with his month because I didn’t see him play matches like I want. “But, of course, with the injuries coming, we have to be patient as well, now we are going to wait for his recovery. “This year, he’s not going to play again until the end of this season because we are finishing in two weeks.” Defender Calum Chambers missed training on Thursday due to illness, but is expected to be included in the squad for the trip to Anfield. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live My heart will always be here – Lucas Moura says goodbye to Tottenham Rory McIlroy struggles to make gains in US PGA Championship first round Iga Swiatek hoping to defend her French Open title despite thigh issue

This is the fight Devin Haney wanted four years ago

Lucas Moura will leave Tottenham at the end of the season. The Brazilian forward has struggled for fitness and form this campaign with no goals in his 17 appearances. Moura missed a large chunk of the first half of the campaign with a tendon injury and since his return after the World Cup has been involved in several difficult moments for Spurs, being sent off in a 1-1 draw at Everton before his error resulted in Liverpool scoring a stoppage-time winner last month. Arguably his best moment in a Spurs shirt was when he netted a hat-trick in 2019 at Ajax that sent Tottenham through to a first Champions League final in the most dramatic fashion. Spurs have now confirmed this term will be Moura’s last and he will get the chance to bid farewell to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium faithful in Saturday’s home match with Brentford. “Wherever I am, my heart will always be here. You are my club,” Moura said on Tottenham’s official Twitter feed. “It has been the greatest honour to defend this badge. Every flick, every tackle, every leap, every goal. “From the highest of highs to the lowest lows, from the beginning to the end, you sung my name. This has been my dream. “This will always be my home. Some nights we will never forget, writing history together. I will always love you no matter where I go. We will meet again.” Moura has scored 38 goals in 219 appearances since he moved to Tottenham in the winter transfer window of 2018. “We would like to thank Lucas for his tremendous service to our club and wish him the very best for the future,” an official club statement read. “We shall provide a further update on our wider released and retained player list following the conclusion of the 2022/23 campaign.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

Aaron Ramsdale committed his future to Arsenal and shared an emotional and honest message with the fans after signing a new long-term contract. The goalkeeper, who has already made 76 appearances for the Gunners in all competitions, has inked improved terms after an impressive season that has seen the club challenge for the Premier League title. When Ramsdale first signed for the club in 2021 from Sheffield United, he joined on a reported four-year deal with the option of adding a fifth. Arsenal’s announcement does not state how long the new contract is for, although reports suggest it is until 2026 with the option of a further year once again. “I know you guys (Arsenal fans) probably weren’t the most overexcited for the signing of myself, and I totally get it; I don’t have any right to come here and expect you all to rate me from the get-go,” Ramsdale told the club’s social media. “This is a huge club, and it’s had some top-class goalkeepers along the way, but fair play: Once I got into the team and I got my chance, I felt like we understood each other a lot more. “I feel your love, and I feel like you feel mine as well. Hopefully you get the idea that I give everything out there. It doesn’t matter how it happens, I take responsibility for keeping that ball out the back of the net. I’ll do anything in my power to get that clean sheet. “Never doubt, when a result is going against us, we are all hurting inside the dressing room – players and staff equally. “I know I’m not from around here, but you lot make me feel feel like I am. I get messages and love from people all around the world, so I know how big the club is. You guys have took my family in, making my dad feel like a superstar. It really gives a family feel to the football club. “You make matchdays so special, and I can’t imagine anywhere else for my home stadium to be – or my home. I feel honoured that you guys have welcomed me in, and I feel honoured that the staff want me to stay. “So, it was the easiest decision in the world to commit my future to ‘the Arsenal’. Let’s keep moving forward as a club and make some more special memories.” His performances for the Gunners earned him an England call-up ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and Ramsdale has made three appearances for the national side. “We’re all so happy that Aaron has signed a new contract,” head coach Mikel Arteta said. “The way Aaron has developed over the past two years has been exceptional, with his performances, contribution and overall adaptation to the club. “It’s great that we’re continuing to build our future with our biggest talents in our young squad. We’re all looking forward to enjoying many more years of Aaron the player and the person at the football club.” Read More Mikel Arteta knows why Arsenal suffered title agony – here’s what must come next Title race over: Arsenal’s season ends with painful submission Mikel Arteta apologises for Arsenal’s Brighton disaster - ‘You cannot do what we did’ It’s in our hands – Steve Cooper urges Forest to take advantage of good position Dean Smith defends under-fire Leicester players as Foxes fight for their lives Man Utd rise has helped make WSL the best in the world – Man City’s Laura Coombs