Category Sports News

After having surgery on a serious abdominal injury, Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi says he is “grateful to still be here.”

After being taken to the hospital, the 27-year-old suffered severe injuries when he collided with Leicester’s post while attempting to cross Anthony Elanga.

Awoniyi underwent emergency surgery on Wednesday evening, and medical staff is now monitoring his progress.

After scoring in the crucial 2-1 victory over West Ham on Sunday, Forest team-mate Morgan Gibbs-White waved a shirt with the name of the Nigerian forward in it.

Awoniyi’s name and number are printed on the back of T-shirts, as well as the front-line “we are all with you Taiwo,” to make things even more cozy for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side.

And Awoniyi wrote on Instagram, “I have felt the love through it all, even though this season has been one of my most challenging career years.” I’m grateful that I’m still here, fighting, smiling, and in good spirits thanks to God’s grace.

Thank you for your well wishes. Seeing you all at the hospital made my spirits stronger than words can express.

“I’m with you every step of the way, and I’m looking forward to getting back out there with the boys and doing what I love.”

Ajax’s record-extending 37th Eredivisie title appeared to be unavoidable six weeks ago.

Ajax haven’t won a trophy since 2021-22, but a 2-0 victory over second-placed PSV Eindhoven on March 30 gave them nine more points.

Any mention of a title race was deemed complete and unwarranted.

With only seven games left, PSV captain Luuk de Jong admitted that they needed to concentrate on securing second place.

Nine points is too much; there are so few games left, I don’t believe it’s ever been redeemed. After the game, De Jong told ESPN, “We’re focusing on that second Champions League spot.

In their own stadium, PSV fans were frenzied after a month and a half.

When reports emerged that Ajax had conceded a 99th-minute equalizer at 10-man Groningen, PSV had just finished a routine 4-1 victory over Heracles.

With those two outcomes, PSV climbed admirably to the top, one point above Ajax.

PSV’s title rivals appeared to have let complacency slip, losing 10 points across four games while losing six games in a row following the hammer blow of defeat at the hands of Ajax.

Former Ajax and PSV midfielder Wim Jonk started following the top-of-the-table battle more intensely as it became a competitive match in the later weeks, like many football fans in Europe.

“Ajax have come a long way, and then they were able to establish a significant lead,” Jonk said.

“But the outside world starts talking as soon as you drop points, and the question is what will happen psychologically within the team”?

You could see it with Ajax, where their game began to thaw out as the pressure increased. There are some excellent players in that squad, so it’s not a lack of quality.

Jonk could see it, particularly in the home games against Sparta Rotterdam and NEC Nijmegen, where Ajax performed below-par.

What’s going on here? appeared to be the question that came to mind when something went wrong during the match. Jonk was added.

You need something solid to fall back on, and from that structure, confidence rises once more. “That’s where structure comes in.

However, Ajax’s capitulation only provides one side of the story.

The fact that PSV previously led Ajax by nine points in December makes their turnaround even more remarkable.

The unanticipated turns have somehow developed into recurring patterns. There were no indications that this season would turn out to be this rollercoaster until late October.

PSV won their first ten games convincingly, just as impressively as they did last year when they won the league.

Under manager Peter Bosz, they played some fantastic football, which was by far the league’s best at the time, Jonk claimed.

Very dominant, high pressing, and very entertaining to watch. I was interested to see if that would continue into the upcoming season.

In the following month, PSV unexpectedly fell two points short of the Eredivisie table after losing to Ajax at home with a score of 2-0.

Then, “Is there still a hunger to put egos aside and fully commit to a shared goal”? jacked .

You are aware that things can quickly start going the wrong way when you begin to lose even a small portion of that.

A little luck does, of course, but it does many things help you get that luck. The difference between winning your own games and what happens elsewhere is what matters most.

PSV started a winning run, but on one occasion, when they played at Robin van Persie’s Feyenoord on May 11, it almost slipped away.

By half-time, the hosts had a 2-0 lead, and they were on course to move into second place, putting in risk PSV’s already guaranteed Champions League spot.

The second half of the season gave a different direction, but the plot twist was symbolic of the first. In the 99th minute, former Ajax winger Noa Lang scored the winning goal to restore PSV’s tie to 2-2.

It was Ajax’s turn shortly after that game.

NEC Nijmegen, who had never previously won at Ajax in the league, was humiliated by Francesco Farioli’s side with a 3-0 defeat.

Three days later, Ajax arrived in Groningen with their plans in mind.

However, the 99th minute saw the home side’s collapse to become the league’s top scorers with a late equalizer as the game’s story came to a head.

What do you do when the leader only has a few minutes to go? Do you push up or do you drop deep? Jonk remarked.

Even while playing with an extra man, Ajax began to drop back rather than advance.

Jonk believes they still have plenty of positive things to take away from the season despite Ajax losing a respectable lead.

The likes of Jorrel Hato, Kenneth Taylor, Brian Brobbey, and Youri Baas have all been recalled to the national team in recent matches, according to Jonk, who is assistant coach for the Netherlands.

Jordan Henderson, a former Liverpool captain, has had a significant impact in his position as captain.

Jonk remarked, “Henderson is a leading player.”

He obviously had a difficult start at the club, but he’s improved significantly this season. He is improving as a result of the structure in his environment, particularly in terms of defense.

A number of Ajax players have cited Henderson’s commitment and professionalism in supporting a young Ajax team’s development as having an impact on their development.

They appeared to be on their way to the title this season after a challenging 2023-24 campaign.

Remarkable also was that they won all of their matches against PSV and Feyenoord before starting to lose in the final few games and take the lead in the final game.

In 1991, Jonk and Ajax lost a crucial final game 1-0 to SVV, who were battling relegation, in a very close title fight.

In the end, they lost to PSV on goal difference.

When everything is on the line, Jonk said, “a lot of pressure builds on a team in those final games of the season,” Jonk said.

It’s important to remain close-knit as a team, and you might also need some luck occasionally.

We created a lot of chances in the SVV-Ajax match, but we never scored. Then, one chance, which went in, was conceded. These are the typical football moments.

“You’ve seen enough of those in recent weeks,” he said, “whether it was Inter against Barcelona or other matches with potential.”

This is especially true for the Eredivisie 2024-2019 season.

Chelsea, the “Queens of global soccer,” will become a “billion-dollar franchise,” according to Alexis Ohanian, the new co-owner.

Sonia Bompastor called the investment “a game-changing endorsement” and the Reddit founder purchased an 8 to 10% stake in the domestic treble winners valued at about £20 million.

Since joining American side Angel City FC as the largest shareholder in the sport in the past, Ohanian, who is married to former tennis player Serena Williams, has never been averse to investing in women’s football.

Additionally, he established the women’s Athlos athletics competition.

The American hopes his involvement will place the Blues at the “forefront of women’s sport” and make them “America’s team.”

“Chelsea is very special. These players have the trophy case to support their claim to be the “queens of global soccer.” Ohanian described this club as “very special.”

The 42-year-old was present at Wembley with his wife for the women’s FA Cup game against Manchester United, which Chelsea won 3-0 to complete the domestic treble without losing a game.

However, despite having a dominant domestically, they were eliminated from the Champions League in the semi-finals this year, losing to holders Barcelona 8-2 on aggregate.

Ohanian remarked, “The sky is the limit.” I want to get that tattooed on me because our president has said this club is unapologetically ambitious.

The best team in the world and at the forefront of women’s sport is what we’re trying to create here.

Chelsea’s newest investor, manager Bompastor, describes her side’s victory at Wembley as “the best way” to welcome the club’s new manager.

At the final, Ohanian had the opportunity to meet Bompastor and her players for the first time since his investment was made public, being accompanied by Williams and one of their two children.

Bompastor stated during their meeting, “It was really nice. I was very excited to see them join the club when I learned about the news.

They remained in the area to show their support. They have the right mindset entering Chelsea from the beginning.

With this game, this final, and this outcome, “this was the best way to welcome them.”

These people are so passionate about women’s sports. They’re so nice to be with them in these moments, enjoy it, and have them around.

Before the final, Bompastor praised the potential impact of Ohanian’s investment, saying it would help support the club’s on-field goals, including a first-ever Women’s Champions League title, as well as serve as a “model” for other teams.

She said, “It just shows that we are in a really great place, but we still want to be one of the best teams in the world and we still want to be an even better team.”

Wout van Aert of Belgium won the ninth stage of the Giro d’Italia with a stunning sprint finish.

Van Aert, who was a member of Visma-Lease a Bike, held off Mexican Isaac del Toro, who had finished in second place but held the general classification lead.

Del Toro launched his assault along the gravel with just under 50 kilometers to go, forging a coalition that included Van Aert and Ineos Grenadiers’ Egan Bernal.

With only 400 meters left, Van Aert overtook Del Toro on the steep finish at Piazza del Campo, which Bernal had slipped back after about 20 kilometers.

After going through a challenging period of recovery with a knee injury, the stage winner was clearly emotional.

“I’m very grateful for this victory.” Van Aert, a 30-year-old, said, “I can’t explain it.

It feels great to win this stage after going through a long stretch without showing any signs.

I had to fight my entire way through Siena’s streets to reach the top. I had to move in the final three corners because I know the final stretch pretty well.

Primoz Roglic, the 2023 Giro champion, and Tom Pidcock, the Great Britain duo, were delighted, but they were involved in a minor collision with around 51 kilometers to go and suffered punctures.

With its challenging gravel sections along the 181 km route from Gubbio to the Tuscan countryside to Siena, Olympic mountain bike champion Pidcock, 25, was a front-runner to win the stage.

Both finished the stage, with Roglic taking 19th place and Pidcock 15th overall, but the latter, who was one of the pre-race favorites, lost a significant amount of time in the overall classification.

Del Toro, who had just 17 seconds to go, took the lead early in the day, and the Slovenian is now 10th.

1. Van Aert (Bel/Visma-Lease a Bike) 4 hrs 15 minutes 8 secs

2. At the same time, Isaac del Toro (Mex/UAE Team Emirates-XRG) and

3. Giulio Ciccone (Ita/Lidl-Trek) + 58secs

4. Richard Carapaz (Ecu/EF Education-EasyPost) at the same time

5. Simon Yates (GB/Visma-Lease a Bike) + 1 minute

6. Same time as Anthony Tiberi (Ita/Bahrain Voctorious).

7. Juan Ayuso (Spa/UAE Team Emirates-XRG) + 1 minute, 7 seconds

8. Arensman, Thor (1min 10 secs), Ned/Ineos Grenadiers

9. Egan Bernal (Col/Ineos Grenadiers) at the same time.

1. Isaac del Toro (Mex/UAE Team Emirates-XRG) 33 hrs 36 mins 45 secs

2. Juan Ayuso (Spa/UAE Team Emirates-XRG) + 1 minute, 13 seconds

3. Antonio Tiberi (Ita/Bahrain Victorious) + 1 minute 30 seconds

4. Richard Carapaz (Ecu/EF Education-EasyPost) + 1 minute, 40 seconds

5. Giulio Ciccone (Ita/Lidl-Trek) + 1 min 41 secs

6. Simon Yates (GB/Visma-Lease a Bike) + 1 minute 42 seconds

7. Egan Bernal (Col/Ineos Grenadiers) + 1 min 57 secs

8. Emirates-XRG US/UAE Team Brandon McNulty + 1 minute, 59 seconds

9. Emirates-XRG (GB/UAE Team) + 2 minutes, 1 second.

Grant Scott, the head coach of Hibernian, delivered the perfect message when he claimed his team had survived “broken bodies” to capture the unexpected SWPL title against Rangers at Ibrox.

In their quest for unknowable glory, the squad had to dig as deep as any other squad could. But it was done. At Ibrox, The Walking Wounded won the championship.

According to Scott, “we’ve pushed them to the limit.”

Even if all players were fit and fired, Hibs’ success would be unique because of the fact that Rangers, Celtic, and Glasgow City do not share the same resources.

But it was amazing how they faced hardship once more.

After ending the Celtic game on Wednesday in tears after hurting her arm, midfielder Michaela McAlonie was playing with her arm almost completely bandaged up as she scurried across the Ibrox turf.

She ran for her lifeless hour, which was rated 50/50 for the game on Sunday.

Caley Gibb, a left-back, fought off nearly all of the Rangers’ starting lineup in the first half before ultimately falling ill after struggling on Wednesday.

Eilidh Adams, who had 27 goals in the season, had to be taken off in the second half due to an injury.

Despite not playing since February, Captain Rachael Boyle was chosen to the bench, which is highly unlikely to leave him for more than a few minutes.

Even the winning goal perfectly summed up this Hibs side’s valiant spirit.

Rosie Livingstone received the ball from Linzi Taylor, a centre-back, on the edge of the box.

Before giving it to Taylor, who had given it to Kathleen McGovern, she gave it everything to stop Nicola Docherty.

McGovern, who has been managing her fitness, managed to keep the ball in the end and cross Taylor brilliantly to win.

Gemma Fay, former Scotland and Hibs goalkeeper, stated on BBC Scotland’s Sportsound, “It cannot be understated how well they have performed this season.”

They possess a lot of quality, but there isn’t a lot of depth, which is amazing.

They will battle tooth and nail for each other, for each blade of real and artificial grass, according to the saying.

Mentality has been important. Rangers, Celtic, Glasgow City, and Hearts are the four professional clubs that Hubs have defeated to finish the campaign with 31 points out of a possible 48.

Rangers lost three games to them in the league championship game. Since September, Hibs have lost once in the league.

After defeating Hibs 5-0 in the Sky Sports Cup final in March, it was speculated that free-scoring Rangers would have the advantage on a large grass pitch at Ibrox.

Only one previous meeting that didn’t take place on artificial surfaces was that one.

This stuff was eaten up by Hibs. A team that viewed themselves as “underdogs” with a point to prove had a serious impact.

Leading scorer McGovern addressed BBC Scotland, “This group is special.” You’ve seen it all season, and it’s been a stickler.

The bodies were on the line, which demonstrates our success in the league. By January, many outsiders had disapproved of us, but we were aware of our group.

This was accomplished with a squad made even sweeter for Hibs because the club had a roster full of women who had spent years with the club.

One of them is Boyle. Since Hibs has won numerous cups but has never won the league, she has had a difficult time getting injured lately. She has always wanted to lift the SWPL trophy.

Adams is just one of the many members of the organization who have advanced.

Siobhan Hunter, a Hibs fan and one-club woman, has created an iconic moment.

Rangers had a brilliant chance to equalize when Mia McAulay was cut back, but Hunter somehow managed to block it with her head on the floor seconds later.

It makes it even sweeter, Hunter said to Sky Sports, “probably at the beginning nobody thought it was possible].”

“It was a dream that now seems possible to me. It’s been a tradition for the entire season, and we really deserved it today.

Looking at other teams is easy to get distracted, they say. Our bond is incredible, and if you can’t get enough of it, you can’t possibly beat it. The club is in a really good place right now, and it merits to be.