Archive June 29, 2025

Who have been the breakout stars at U21 Euros?

By in News, Sports News
Images courtesy of Getty
Ben Ramsdale
journalist for BBC Sport
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Over the years, many future stars have been a result of the Under-21 European Championships.

The likes of Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto, and Rayan Cherki, who all currently play prominent roles for their respective senior sides, were competing for the first title under manager Lee Carsley in 2023.

Looking back, Laurent Blanc, Andrea Pirlo, and Luis Figo also saw their names emerge from the tournament.

What about the current generation, then? Who among the participants in Slovakia’s past month has designated themselves as a must-see?

Nick Woltemade

You will be just as likely to be if you weren’t aware of Nick Woltemade before the U21 European Championship.

The German forward had six goals and three assists overall, ranking him as the top scorer in Slovakia.

He has repeatedly demonstrated his potential to be a class above Under-21 during the tournament and explained why he already holds two senior national caps.

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The 23-year-old scored a breakthrough goal for Stuttgart in a February interview and was even given the nickname “two metre Messi-Musiala” by the Bundesliga side’s club captain Atakan Karazor.

Charlie Cresswell

Former Leeds United defender Charlie Cresswell, who is currently a member of Ligue 1 side Toulouse, deserves his flowers, despite the fact that attackers will always be in the spotlight.

One might argue that having a regular job in the French top division has already led to his “break out,” but his near-faultless performances in Slovakia only add to that fact.

As England kept their trophy, the 22-year-old played every game of the tournament for them.

More than any other player, he averaged a sizable 8.67 ball recoveries per 90 minutes and totaled 52 overall.

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In the Czech Republic’s opening game of the tournament, Cresswell also scored on the other end of the field.

Geovany Quenda

Geovany Quenda, a midfielder who will pique Chelsea fans, kicked off a promising new year at Sporting with an equally impressive international debut.

The teenager signed for Chelsea for up to £44 million in March, and they’ll stay there until the end of the 2025-26 campaign.

Portuguese football journalist and pundit Mariana Fernandes claimed he will be “worth double” in two years, despite the fact that the fee seemed high for a player who was only 17 at the time.

And while the now 18-year-old was competing in the European Championship, he revealed why Enzo Maresca wanted to spend the money to bring him to Stamford Bridge.

He was the team’s top scorer with three goals and two assists, and he also contributed two assists to Portugal’s four matches, which they were eliminated from in the quarter-finals by the Netherlands.

Djaoui Cisse

A France team that reached this year’s championships’ semi-finals was a key cog in the wheel of Djaoui Cisse.

In the second half of the 2024-2019 season, the 21-year-old made his first appearance for French Ligue 1 side Rennes and hasn’t looked back.

His central midfield performances contributed greatly to Gerald Baticle’s team’s success this summer, where he continued to excel in the summer.

Cisse was not present in the first game, but he was replaced in the second group game, and from that point on she became uncontrollable.

The Rennes man was a true box-to-box midfielder who excelled for his ability to pick up the ball deep, carry it forward, and cross the lines.

He had a 91.75% passing accuracy throughout the tournament and three goals for him. He also had one assist.

Luka Kharatishvili

Although it’s said that being a goalkeeper can be lonely, Georgia’s Luka Kharatishvili was never so lonely at the European Championship, which he was constantly kept very busy.

The 22-year-old, who collaborates with Dinamo Batumi in the Georgian first tier, performed exceptionally well for his nation at the tournament.

Georgia could have had a lot worse situation if it hadn’t been for some outstanding saves from their number one, despite conceding eight goals in three games.

In addition to the one that will put him in contention for the tournament save, he also produced six stops in France’s lopsided 3-2 defeat.

In the final group game, he also saved a magnificent save in the last second to give Georgia a 2-1 victory over Poland.

Unfortunately, those three points did not help the side advance, but it was a significant moment for a country that was competing in their second European Championship.

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Will Iran double down on its nuclear programme after the war?

By in News, World News

Trita Parsi, an expert on the effects of Israel’s unprovoked 12-day war against Iran and its effects on Gaza, speaks with Iran expert Trita Parsi.

According to Trita Parsi, executive vice president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, US President Donald Trump can compel Israel to put an end to the war in Gaza if he exhibits the same vigor as he did with Iran.

With host Steve Clemons, Parsi discusses the wider repercussions of the 12-day war against Iran, including:

  • Iran’s nuclear program will it increase?
  • Will improved US-Iranian relations result in sanctions relief?
  • Instead of calling for the “rules-based order” as they do in Ukraine, why did European leaders legitimize the unprovoked attacks by the US and Israel?
  • Has Iran ever allied itself?

Was the Iran war to establish Israel’s control over the Middle East?

By in News, World News

Vali Nasr, a political scientist, warns that Iran’s “no regime change option” is available to the US.

According to Vali Nasr, a professor of international affairs and Middle Eastern history at Johns Hopkins University, direct US involvement in Israel’s unprovoked attack on Iran was a risky choice.

Nasr told host Steve Clemons that the US should be wary of humiliating Tehran, which would have long-term effects, hours before a ceasefire was announced between the US, Israel, and Iran.

Norris wins Austrian GP; reduces Piastri’s F1 title lead

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Lando Norris has held off a race-long challenge from his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri to win the Austrian Grand Prix and lift his Formula 1 title hopes.

Norris and Piastri battled for the lead in the early stages of the race on Sunday with the Australian briefly in the lead before Norris took the position back. A rash lunge by Piastri nearly caused a collision soon after.

Piastri lost ground at the pit stops and was run wide onto the grass by Alpine’s Franco Colapinto while cutting through traffic. He soon made up ground on Norris but wasn’t quite close enough to try overtaking.

Over the radio, Norris called it a “beautiful one-two” finish for the team.

“We had a great battle, that’s for sure,” he added later. “A lot of stress but a lot of fun. A nice battle, so well done to Oscar.”

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, second from left, crashes out after a first lap collision with Mercedes’s Italian rookie Kimi Antonelli [Gintare Karpaviciute/Reuters]

A two-horse race at the top

More than ever this season, the title fight focuses on the two McLarens after defending champion Max Verstappen was hit by Kimi Antonelli on the opening lap, ending his race. Antonelli was later handed a three-place grid penalty for the next race.

Overall leader Piastri leads second-placed Norris by 15 points with Verstappen still third but now 61 off the lead.

Piastri apologised to McLaren for the near-collision between the two, which came one race after Norris collided with him in Canada. The Australian said he regretted not making more of his few seconds in the lead earlier in the race.

“I hope it was good watching because it was pretty hard work from the car,” Piastri said. “I tried my absolute best and probably could have done a better job when I just got ahead momentarily. It was a good battle, a bit on the edge at times.”

Lando Norris and McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri in action.
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, left, and teammate Lando Norris in action during the early stages of the race [Gintare Karpaviciute/Reuters]

Ferrari strong with third and fourth

Charles Leclerc was third for his third podium finish in four races, and his Ferrari teammate Lewis Hamilton was fourth.

George Russell, who won the last race in Canada, was fifth for Mercedes and Liam Lawson sixth for Racing Bulls in his best result of the season.

Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin held off Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto for seventh. The second Sauber of Nico Hulkenberg was ninth, and Esteban Ocon finished 10th for Haas.

McLaren are 207 points clear of Ferrari – who moved back up to second in the absence of team boss Fred Vasseur, who had to return home for personal reasons – in the constructors championship.

Round 12 of the F1 World Championship takes place next weekend at the British Grand Prix.

Lando Norris crosses finish line.
McLaren’s Lando Norris passes the chequered flag to win the Austrian Grand Prix [Leonhard Foeger/Reuters]

Wigan stay top after thrilling draw with St Helens

By in News, Sports News
SWPix
Chris Harby
BBC Sport England
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In a thrilling top-of-the-table contest, Wigan fought back to maintain their dominance over St. Helens, who were closest to winning.

Warriors’ 22-22 draw extended their unbeaten start to the season with a late try thanks to Eva Hunter.

The leaders are one point ahead of Saints, who suffered a close defeat in the Challenge Cup final against Wigan.

In another area, York Valkyrie resurrected on Sunday with a 70-0 win over winless Warrington, while Huddersfield kept pace with the top four with a 32-12 victory over second-bottom Barrow.

Three weeks prior, Warriors had defeated Saints 42-6 in a one-sided Wembley final, but this encounter between the division’s two remaining unbeaten sides turned out to be a true arm-wrestle.

Before Georgia Wilson cut the deficit, Saints went up by 12-0 with the help of Dani McGifford and Chantelle Crowl, but Vicky Whitfield added another try for the hosts, who finished 16-6 at the break.

Before the halfway point of the second half, Wigan responded with a goal through Grace Banks and Anna Davies, but with 12 minutes left, Luci McColm kicked a penalty and headed over to give Saints a six-point lead.

When Leah Clough responded to Tilly Davies’ opening score, second-bottom Barrow made it 20-6 up at the break when the Giants answered with two tries from Amelia Brown and Mollie Iceton.

The gap was shattered by Nicole Stewart’s own try thanks to a Lois Naidole score and a second attempt by Iceton.

Evie Sexton, Emma Kershaw (2), Tamzin Renouf, and Savannah Andrade all scored in the first two games as Warrington, a basement side, had scored 196 points without giving a reply in their previous two games and were now 30-0 up against defending champions York.

related subjects

  • Warrington Wolves
  • Rugby League
  • Wigan Warriors
  • Huddersfield Giants
  • St. Helens

Israeli air strikes kill dozens in Gaza amid worsening humanitarian crisis

By in News, World News

Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip have killed dozens of Palestinians, including people seeking food at aid distribution hubs, as the already catastrophic humanitarian situation in the besieged enclave deteriorates by the day.

Medical sources told Al Jazeera on Sunday that at least 47 people were killed in Israeli strikes targeting multiple locations across Gaza, including 29 in Gaza City and the north of the territory.

Among them were at least five Palestinian aid seekers killed near food distribution centres run by the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) north of Rafah, according to local emergency workers quoted by an Al Jazeera correspondent on the ground.

Since the United States- and Israel-backed GHF took over limited aid deliveries in Gaza in late May amid a punishing Israeli blockade, Israeli soldiers have regularly shot at Palestinians near distribution centres, killing more than 580 people, and wounding more than 4,000, according to the Gaza Government Media Office.

A recent report by Israel’s Haaretz newspaper quoted unnamed Israeli soldiers as saying they had received orders to fire at crowds of unarmed aid seekers to disperse them.

“Heavy bombardment continues across the Gaza Strip, as we continue to get reports of a series of deadly incidents since dawn today,” said Al Jazeera’s Tareq Abu Azzoum, reporting from Deir el-Balah in central Gaza.

Azzoum said casualties included two children killed in an Israeli strike on a residential house in Gaza City’s Zeitoun neighbourhood. And multiple rockets also struck southern Khan Younis, where Israeli forces hit a makeshift tent in the coastal area of al-Mawasi, killing five people, he said.

“Witnesses report that booby-trapped explosives have been used to blow up entire residential neighbourhoods, as the Israeli military says it is concentrating operations in Khan Younis to defeat Hamas battalions there,” Azzoum added.

‘Most vulnerable are dying’

Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis is worsening, with babies and toddlers dying due to a lack of nutrients.

Christy Black, an Australian nurse volunteering in Gaza City for four weeks now, says the hospital she’s based in is short of medical supplies, including formula for pregnant women who require nasogastric feeding. That leaves many without the nutrients needed to lactate – as well as baby formula, she said.

“Our most vulnerable are dying,” Black told Al Jazeera. “We’ve seen a couple of babies die over the last couple of days in Gaza City. It’s really desperate here.”

Malnourishment also makes it difficult to heal from wounds, she said, adding that there is a significant uptick in respiratory illnesses due to the number of bombs being dropped on Gaza.

“We’re seeing children going through the rubbish trying to find something to eat … Children who might be nine or 10 years old that look like two-year-olds,” she added.

Ceasefire talks

With Israeli bombardment of the besieged enclave relentless, there are indications of a fresh impetus to end the war in the wake of the US and Israeli bombings of Iran’s nuclear facilities and the ensuing ceasefire between Israel and Iran.

On Sunday, US President Donald Trump seemed determined to seal a truce. “MAKE THE DEAL IN GAZA. GET THE HOSTAGES BACK!!” he said in a Social Truth post. His comments came after he said he believed a ceasefire could be reached within a week. “I think it’s close. I just spoke to some of the people involved,” Trump said on Saturday.

While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not comment on the push for a truce, he said in the past week that behind-the-scenes talks have been taking place to try and secure a 60-day pause in fighting.

Negotiations revolve around a proposal put forward by the US back in March to extend phase one of a ceasefire that Israel violated by resuming its bombing of Gaza.

Netanyahu is scheduled to meet on Sunday evening with security officials to discuss Israel’s war on Gaza and map out the next moves. The army has said it is closer to achieving its military objectives in Gaza.

Al Jazeera’s Hamdah Salhut, reporting from Amman, Jordan, said, “Netanyahu is under a lot of pressure as Trump has been quite outspoken for some time that he wants to see a ceasefire in Gaza.”

And prior to Israel’s attacks on Iran, just about two weeks ago, there was a lot of pressure from European allies because of the Israeli military’s conduct in the Gaza Strip,” she said.

In the meantime, the Jerusalem District Court cancelled this week’s hearings in Netanyahu’s long-running corruption trial, accepting a request that the Israeli leader made, citing classified diplomatic and security grounds.

It was unclear whether a social media post by Trump – one suggesting the trial could interfere with Netanyahu’s ability to join negotiations with Hamas and Iran – influenced the court’s decision.

The ruling, seen by Reuters, said that new reasons provided by Netanyahu, the head of Israel’s spy agency Mossad and the military intelligence chief justified cancelling the hearings.

Netanyahu was indicted in 2019 on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust – all of which he denies. He has cast the trial against him as an orchestrated left-wing witch-hunt meant to topple a democratically elected right-wing leader.

On Friday, the court rejected a request by Netanyahu to delay his testimony for the next two weeks because of diplomatic and security matters following the 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran, which ended last Tuesday.

He was due to take the stand on Monday for cross-examination.

“It is INSANITY doing what the out-of-control prosecutors are doing to Bibi Netanyahu,” Trump said in a Truth Social post. He said Washington, having given billions of dollars worth of aid to Israel, was not going to “stand for this”.

A spokesperson for the Israeli prosecution declined to comment on Trump’s post. Netanyahu reposted Trump’s comments on X and added: “Thank you again, @realDonaldTrump. Together, we will make the Middle East Great Again!”