Archive July 27, 2025

Littler beats Wade in superb World Matchplay final

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Luke Littler defeated James Wade 18-13 in the world matchplay final in Blackpool to become the fifth player to win the Triple Crown in the sport.

The 18-year-old joins Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson, and Luke Humphries among those who have won the Matchplay, Premier League, and World Championship.

Before Littler scored five straight legs to bring the best-of-35-legs contest to its level, Wade won the Matchplay in 2007 when his opponent was six months old.

The teenager from Warrington jumped out to the front with a 7-6 lead before a four-second run of legs forced him to cross the winning line.

Littler told Sky Sports, “Phil Taylor is my idol because he won here 16 times and now my name will appear on this trophy.”

How Littler became the youngest Matchplay champion?

Wade was pushed to the very end in the March UK Open final by Littler, who had previously lost 11-2 to Wade.

Littler, who had lost to Josh Rock in his semi-final on Saturday, came out winning 17-14 with a nine-dart finish.

The second seed found himself in the same position at the start against Wade, who is 24 years Littler’s senior.

In the early stages of the sport’s biggest prizes, Wade’s clinical finishing has been one of his best traits, and that was evident in the early stages.

Littler roared back, winning seven of the next eight legs as a result of a dazzling run of form, and then continued to hold onto the small advantage of a single throw.

The left-hander immediately responded with a fine 95 finish after Wade missed three darts at double 10 and Littler moved three legs for the first time in the match at 13-10.

Triple Crown is now the top ranking, right?

Prize money earned from ranking events over a rolling two-year period is used to determine the PDC world rankings.

Littler, the second-ranked player in the world, won by a score of over $200,000 in Blackpool, pushing him over the $1.5 million mark overall.

He is currently just under £1.8 million shy of Humphries’ total of just under £300,000.

Any prize money Littler receives will be purely for his tally until the World Championship in December because he did not compete in any major events in 2023.

Meanwhile, Humphries won three significant television awards toward the end of 2023 before winning the World Championships against Littler in January 2024.

Before the World Championship, he will be defending more than £400,000 of his overall prize money.

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TIMELINE: How Nigeria’s Super Falcons Won 10th WAFCON Title

The Super Falcons won the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) for the 10th time in a record-extending victory over Morocco on Saturday, falling behind Morocco 2-3.

Morocco blew the Nigerians away in the opening 45 minutes of the game’s 2-0 lead at Rabat’s Olympic Stadium. &nbsp,

The Super Falcons, however, scored three times to win the game 3-1 and silence the once-buzzing home crowd when the second half came back. &nbsp,

The Moroccans’ team, who have now lost back-to-back finals on their own soil, left a bitter aftertaste after the defeat.

However, the victory marked the completion of the nation’s “Mission X,” which was launched in search of its 10th crown. &nbsp,

The Super Falcons only drew once in six matches to claim the championship. &nbsp,

Read more about the Super Falcons’ incredible comeback against Morocco to win the 10-team World Cup title.

Nigeria Wins The WAFCON Trophy in Morocco for the 10th time.

The coach-led side’s courageous journey to the title is depicted below:

Tunisia vs. Nigeria [3-0] — Oshoala Stars In Opening Win

Asisat Oshoala, Rinsola Babajide, and Chinwendu Ihezuo scored the opening goals in a Group B game that gave Nigeria a 3-0 victory to begin their campaign.

Ihezuo Breaks Mares’ Hearts [Botswana vs. Nigeria]0-1]

The 2018 WAFCON champions faced Botswana, who needed three points to advance to the knockout stages of the competition after that stunning victory over the Carthage Eagles. &nbsp,

The Mares, the tournament’s lowest-ranked team, faced off against the Nigerians, however. Ihezuo fired a close-range shot into the southern Africans in the 89th minute to break them. &nbsp,

Algeria vs. Nigeria [0-0] — Spoils Shared With Les Vertes

With a significantly altered lineup, already qualified Nigeria entered Group B’s final game. For that game, Madugu rested the big names and brought in fresh legs. &nbsp,

At the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, Algeria performed a defensive masterclass to prevent the Nigerians from losing. &nbsp,

Nigeria vs. Zambia [5-0] — Copper Queens Sink Quarter-Final

The Super Falcons faced Zambia in the quarter-final after finishing Group B winners. The Copper Queens’ title ambitions were reportedly in serious danger when they received seven points in Group A.

Osinachi Ohale, Esther Okoronkwo, Ihezuo, Oluwatosin Demehin, and Florence Ijamilusi scored the Copper Queens, but Nigeria won the game with a score of 5-0. &nbsp,

Super Falcons defeat Banyana Banyana [2-1] — Super Falcons

With that victory, the West Africans will meet South Africa, the country’s then-defending champion, in the semi-finals. The conflict exceeded expectations. Just before halftime, Nigeria took the lead with Ajibade. However, Linda Motlhalo, in the 60th minute, resurrected the Banyana Banyana. &nbsp,

However, in the 94th minute, Michelle Alozie’s cross beat all players and rested in the South African nest. &nbsp,

Morocco vs. Nigeria [2 vs. 3)] — Stage Heroic Comeback for WAFCON winners record

In the 2024 World Football Championship final, the Super Falcons faced Morocco for their evasive showing. The Atlas Lionesses, who lost to South Africa last time out, were aiming for history against a dominant Nigerian side. &nbsp,

In the opening 25 minutes, the North Africans took a surprise lead with a 2-0 lead. Just twelve minutes into the game, Gizlane Chebbak struck sweetly. Twelve minutes later, Sanaa Mssoudy scored the second goal of the day to add to Nigeria’s suffering. &nbsp,

For the first half, things continued to be that way. Before Okoronkwo dispatched a penalty lifeline in the 64th minute, Nigeria appeared to be in danger of losing. Ijamilusi leveled things up in the 71st minute, but the AFC Toronto star turned provider. &nbsp,

After latching onto Okoronkwo’s free kick, Nigeria made a comeback just two minutes before the game. &nbsp,

Nigeria Reaffirm its superiority

The Super Falcons are now ten times champions of the title thanks to that goal. They have only failed to win in three editions—2008, 2012, and 2020. &nbsp,

Royals lead praise for ‘awesome’ Lionesses after Euro win

Following their victory in the European Championship on Sunday, the King has sung the praises of the “awesome” Lionesses.

He claimed England had demonstrated “there are no setbacks so tough that defeat cannot be transformed into victory, even as the final whistle looms,” after Sarina Wiegman’s side won a heart-wrenching victory over Spain on penalties.

Prince William and Princess Charlotte, who were present from Switzerland at the game, said they “couldn’t be prouder” of the team.

The King said, “For more years than I care to remember, England fans have sung the renowned chant “football’s coming home.” in a statement released following the final whistle.

The Lionesses’ ability to make those words ring true as you return home with the trophy you won at Wembley three years ago is a source of great pride.

You have my entire family’s utmost respect and admiration for this.

During the difficult-fought match between Spain and Spain, Princess Charlotte was seen cheering from the stands at St Jakobs-Park in Basel alongside her father.

What a game! a statement from her and Prince William was shared on social media following the game. You are the European champions, Legionesses. The entire team is beyond our expectations. Enjoy England at this moment.

The Lionesses won the first major trophy for an away team and the first women’s team to hold onto a European Championship with the victory.

Following the game, Sir Keir posted “Champions!” on X. Congratulations Lionesses, what a team! What a game . What drama .

You made the nation proud by digging in when it mattered the most, and you did it. “History makers”

Mary Earps, a goalkeeper who left the England squad for Euro 2025 in May, described her former teammates as “incredible” and retired from that role in May.

On Tuesday, a celebration will take place outside Buckingham Palace in conjunction with an open-top bus tour that will take place in central London.

From noon until 12:10 pm, it will pass along The Mall before a ceremony at the Queen Victoria Memorial.

Fans can attend for nothing, and the BBC will also broadcast it.

What has Israel’s denial of food done to Gaza’s people?

Since March, the Gaza Strip has experienced famine-like conditions throughout.

Gaza is starving. After months of Israel’s relentlessly attacking and blocking essential supplies, the entire population is without food.

According to experts, the strategy will cause the population of Gaza long-term harm.

What are Israel’s actions’ consequences then?

Presenter: James Bays

Guests:

Dr. Nick Maynard, a volunteer surgeon who provided medical assistance to Palestinians in Gaza,

Dr. Tanya Haj-Hassan, a paediatric intensive care physician who treats acute malnorphine, is a Gazan doctor.

Spain Deserved Better In Euro 2025 Final, Says Coach

After suffering a humiliating 3-1 penalty defeat by England, Spain coach Montse Tome insisted that her team did not deserve to lose Sunday’s Euro 2025 final.

This team should have received more, I believe. After the game at St Jakob-Park in Basel, Tome said, “We worked so hard for a long time to get here, to the final against a top-level side in England, and I thought the team deserved more, or at least not be left with the feeling we have now.”

After Mariona Caldentey’s 25th-minute opener for Spain, Alessia Russo headed home with just before the hour mark to bring the score to 1-1 after 90 minutes.

After the Spain players, including Aitana Bonmati, did not score in extra time, Chloe Kelly scored the winning kick for England.

Tome, who succeeded Jorge Vilda as coach shortly after Spain defeated England in the 2023 World Cup final, said, “This is sport and in sport you need to accept defeat.”

RELATED: Tinubu Congratulates Super Falcons On WAFCON Victory, “They Understood The Assignment,”

“I thought we played well in the first half, but their equalizer may have sucked a little down,” he said.

We then had a dominant possession in extra time, but we were unable to win.

Spain, making their first ever European Championship final appearance, overall, had 60% of the possession and had 24 attempts on goal compared to England’s 10. However, they were willing to pay the price for letting the game go.

I believed our team was better, but Tome said, “In football, it’s not always the best team that wins.”

England have played a fantastic game all the way through the tournament.

“They won the penalty-takers who we thought would be most effective, and they got the equalizer before they defended to try to get to penalties,” they said.

Spain’s first penalty was scored by Patri Guijarro, but England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton saved it for Caldentey and Bonmati, and Salma Paralluelo went over with a shot that went wide before Kelly took the lead.

“I had confidence in them, and they all said they were confident.” The players gave everything, according to the coach, who can score or miss a penalty in the end.

‘We’ll remember this forever’: England fans jubilant as their heroes win again

Kathy Armstrong
PA wire and Nick Potts A young girl draped in an England flag sits on a man's shoulder surrounded by cheering England fans in a packed stadiumPA wire and Nick Potts

We’ll always be able to remember this. “

Moments after England won the women’s Euros, Jo from Sevenoaks describes her as she and her friends exit St Jakob-Park in Basel. once more.

She is undoubtedly dedicated. Just over a day earlier, Jo was at a UK festival.

What are their top ten moments of their lives so far, in my opinion?

Charlie, a native of Brighton, replies, “11. “

Nearly every England fan I speak to utters the word “brilliant” as I call out to them outside the stadium. Many people appear stunned.

When I approach her, Lina, who is Swiss, is clearly having a moment.

She says, “It [the game] was exceptional,” and she raises her hands in her direction.

“I’m freaking out,” “

Leah Williamson’s edits of the team’s captain were first posted on social media by Lina, who tells me she is a new England fan.

It was truly, really spectacular at my first women’s game.

“We were right next to the pitch,” the player said. “

They waited until the very last second to entice their supporters in a frenzy of joy, as has become the norm for the Lionesses in this competition.

Images courtesy of Getty Four nervous looking female football fans in England kits watch with hands to their mouths in a packed stadium.Images courtesy of Getty

As I approach Anna from Essex to ask her about the game, I can feel her enthusiasm.

She makes an ominous sound that makes her head explode before asking, “Can you put that into words?” “

Sarah, her friend, is calmer.

She says, “I felt like something was going to happen.”

“It was something I should have done in earlier tournaments,” I continued. I did this in the 2023 World Cup final when I started crying after 80 minutes. “

Two women hold an England fan and smile at the camera with a man smiling in the middle

Of course, not everyone was pleased with the outcome.

Despite being Spanish, Rosa resides in Bern, Switzerland, which is located about 92 kilometers (57 miles) away from Basel.

When I ask how she feels, she replies, “I think Spain played well. I’m very, very sad.”

She acknowledged that she was aware when her team lost in penalties but is still proud of them.