Category Sports News

After leading team-mate and title rival Oscar Piastri to a McLaren one-two in Friday practice at the Austrian Grand Prix, Lando Norris predicted a “tight” qualifying period.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was third fastest, 0. 318 seconds off the pace, behind Piastri, who was 0. 157 seconds quicker.

Lance Stroll from Aston Martin came in fourth place, ahead of George Russell’s Mercedes and Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari.

This weekend, all of the McLaren, Red Bull, and Ferrari models will receive upgrades.

McLaren has updated its front suspension shaping to work with a brand-new front wing that was first tested at the most recent Canadian race.

Norris concluded the session by saying that the car “felt good from the beginning.”

Verstappen claimed that Red Bull had a new floor edge and that the car “lacks a little pace” and “a little too much understeer in the car” in addition to short run and long runs. We must make an effort to eliminate that.

Ferrari’s new floor, which was Lewis Hamilton’s 10th fastest, is their first upgrade since Bahrain in April, completely redesigned.

“A lot of work was put in place to bring the floor, but as you can see, it hasn’t necessarily affected our competitiveness. Hamilton remarked. The car actually doesn’t feel bad; it just moves very slowly, “we.” We must examine that.

Yuki Tsunoda of Red Bull placed seventh, followed by Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin, Fernando Alonso of Sauber, and Hamilton of Aston Martin.

The later stages of the race simulation gave a complex picture, with the leading drivers choosing various tire types.

Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes, who is 11th fastest on the list of headline lap times, appeared to have a slight advantage over Norris and Leclerc on the medium tyre.

Verstappen ran a short distance on a soft tyre while Piastri ran a long distance on a hard tyre, slightly quicker than Hamilton.

We may have moved a little slower than some of the others, but I’m confident that they will eventually catch up. Max is close behind, and Red Bull’s performance tends to improve significantly going into Saturday.

“I anticipate a good day tomorrow, and I’m confident that some things will change,” he said. Tomorrow will still be tense. It is always that way.

Verstappen is the driver who has the best chance of posing as the McLarens, according to Piastri, the championship leader. This weekend, he’ll undoubtedly pose a threat, the Australian warned.

“The car is feeling good, and I think it’s a really good day,” the driver said.

Russell, who won the Canadian Grand Prix two weeks ago, claimed Mercedes was completely surprised by his time that had topped first practice.

We need to consider why we didn’t have the same pace as we did in the qualifying runs this morning, and the race pace was significantly slower than it did in the qualifying runs, he continued.

McLaren’s Alexander Dunne made an impressive F1 debut in the first session.

The 19-year-old Irishman finished fourth fastest behind Piastri, who is leading the Formula 2 championship this year and who had his first taste of an F1 car on a grand prix weekend.

In order to prepare for his race at the Red Bull Ring, Dunne recently had a test in McLaren’s 2023 car in Austin, Texas.

In addition to then McLaren driver Alonso, Dunne’s performance can be seen as being comparable to Norris’ similar pace when he drove in practice at the 2018 Italian Grand Prix.

After German authorities said their fans were unable to watch pre-season games in the country, Leeds has offered an “unreserved apology.”

As they get ready to reclaim the Premier League, the Whites will travel to Germany for an eight-day training camp.

Due to the resources required to host Euro 2024, Daniel Farke’s side traveled on a similar note last year. Police and local authorities instructed them not to bring supporters.

Leeds claim to have received “written assurances” from their tour operator and the German Football Association that fans will be able to attend this year but have since been denied that.

We were informed in the last week that the police and local authorities would once again refuse to let us play games in front of crowds, would not allow us to provide live updates and video streams, and have asked to discourage supporter travel, Leeds said in a statement.

“This occurs despite numerous attempts to find a solution, including considering alternative scenarios that would allow for fan attendance, and even considering moving camp to a different location on short notice.

Unfortunately, those efforts failed because of how quickly things changed in our society.

“We are deeply disappointed in this outcome, just as it will undoubtedly irritate and annoy you, our devoted supporters, to whom we express our sincere condolences.”

The Leeds United Supporters Trust said the club will be contacting the German authorities if there is “any reasonable explanation” for the decision.

The group expressed respect for the club and Daniel Farke’s desire to maintain a successful training camp in Germany, but they must provide a compelling reason why Leeds United fans are being unfairly excluded once more, according to the group.

Leeds fans can also watch pre-season friendlies against Villarreal on August 2 and 3 against AC Milan in Dublin and Manchester United in Stockholm on August 2 next month.

Celtic fans will naturally recall the legend Henrik Larsson, and is he, in the future when talks about signing another Swedish international forward arise.

He spent seven trophy-filled seasons with the Glasgow club before making an impressive comeback for Barcelona and Manchester United in his twilight years. He was bought for a pittance from Feyenoord for a pittance in 1997.

After moving from Nordsjaelland for a reported less than £2 million, Benjamin Nygren will have a dream job similar to that at Celtic Park.

The 23-year-old has been playing in the Danish Superliga for three and a half years, but he recently stated in a recent Swedish television interview that he thinks it’s time to switch to a bigger club, in front of a packed stadium, and to compete in the Champions League.

Before making his competitive debut as a 16-year-old in 2018, Nygren made his debut through IFK Goteborg’s youth ranks.

Despite being reportedly interested in Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, and Manchester City, that was shortly after he agreed to professional terms with his neighborhood club.

When he moved to Genk in Belgium’s top flight for a reported $4.2 million, a record-breaking sale by IFK, he was only 17 years old.

By that point, Nygren had only made 15 appearances, but the Swedish national had already scored six goals in his second season with the first team, which finished seventh in Sweden’s top division, scoring four more in 12 of those appearances.

He would only score once in his seven games for Genk, but his loan to the Netherlands came in the wake of his European travels.

Heerenveen finished 12th overall in the Eredivisie and advanced to a national cup semi-final with the help of Nygren scoring seven times in 32 appearances.

His second season on loan was less successful, with 19 net appearances. He left Nordsjaelland in January 2022, cutting the length of his Genk contract by two years.

His modest beginnings helped his new club avoid relegation, along with current Rangers midfielder Mohamed Diomande.

However, Nygren’s career was back on track after Nordsjaelland was tipped for the top of the table by the end of the regular season but was subsequently overtaken by Copenhagen after scoring six goals in 31 games in his first full season in the Superliga.

Although they would finish third behind Fenerbahce and Ludogorets Razgrad, finishing third at least gave rise to Conference League group stage football the following year.

The Swede scored a double in a 7-1 victory over the Bulgarians, and added a hat-trick in a 6-1 victory over the Turks, which undoubtedly helped draw Nygren’s attention.

With Nordsjaelland now minus Ibrox-bound Diomande, finishing fourth overall and a combined 12 goals from 31 games, Nygren would surpass that goal by finding the net 16 times in 32 games, despite his team being only fifth this year.

Nygren becomes Brendan Rodgers’ first true new face of the summer with Scotland defender Kieran Tierney returning from Celtic Park on a free transfer from Arsenal and Ross Doohan returning as Aberdeen back-up goalkeeper.

It should come as no surprise that Celtic paid for a player with Nygren’s qualities for their first outgoing fee since the start of the transfer window.

Daizen Maeda, a fellow Japan international, had occasionally been pushed up front from his usual wide left role as Kyogo Furuhashi was sold to Rennes near the end of the January window.

Even though Maeda outshined specialist Adam Idah, it left Celtic without options on the wings, especially with Jota’s injury, who had just returned from Rennes in January.

Another wide man with a goal threat was desperately needed, with the Portuguese being ruled out until the end of the year and right winger Maeda and the Portuguese being reported to be drawing interest from clubs all over Europe.

Nygren shouldn’t be seen as a radical right-winger.

Nygren frequently drifts infield with his preferred left foot to shoot for goal while impressing on loan from Wolfsburg last season, similar to Vaclav Cerny’s style.

In fact, Mats Gren, the IFK sporting director, claimed in a recent interview that he is the best at number 10.

For instance, his first two goals against Fenerbahce came from kicking the ball in the penalty box.

In addition, he has since added a curled finish against Hungary and his third against the Turks and his first for Sweden, both of which earned him his second cap in a 5-1 defeat of Northern Ireland in March.

No wonder Brendan Rodgers has described Nygren as an “exciting” player who will make people laugh.

The Swede leads in goals on goals, goals per game, and aerial duels won, despite the fact that the German has more dribbles and creates more chances for others.

After being unable to claim all the prize money he will receive from the Wimbledon main draw, British qualifier Oliver Tarvet has called for a change in the rules for colleges.

After winning his third and final qualifying match on Thursday, Tarvet, 21, made it to the first round, where players will receive $66, 000.

The Englishman has improved his game through the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) system while attending the University of San Diego.

Players are limited in what they can claim from professional tournaments in accordance with NCAA rules.

Players are permitted $10, 000 (£7, 290) in annual profit, according to Tarvet, who explained this on Friday, as well as any costs incurred during the events.

“But in my opinion, I’ve put in a lot of effort to obtain this.” The money I have is not something I don’t feel is undeserved.

I don’t want to get involved, but I think a change in the NCAA’s rules would be nice. Not really, but that’s where I belong.

“But I did well this week,” he continued. I believe I merit this sum of money.

Reese Brantmeier, an American college player, filed a class action against the NCAA earlier this year due to the restrictions.

Jay Clarke of Britain believes that there is still a “barrier” stopping young black tennis players from advancing in the country.

The LTA released its “equity, diversity and inclusion plan” last month, stating that it won’t be satisfied until the diversity of all players in tennis reflects that diversity of the nation’s diverse communities.

Heather Watson, Paul Jubb, and George Loffhagen are just a few of the top 200 players with black or mixed heritage in the UK, along with Clarke, 26.

In the first round of Wimbledon, Clarke, who plays Dan Evans, said, “It’s nice to see more black players breaking through.”

“I believe there is still a barrier, and black players won’t be able to play the sport,” she said.

The LTA did a good job of restoring park courts and providing opportunities for visitors.

The most crucial thing is witnessing talented performers on the big stages. It is crucial to represent you.

The All England Club’s Arthur Ashe victory this summer marked the 50th anniversary of his victory at Wimbledon. Ashe became the first black player to win a Grand Slam men’s singles title.

After hearing the story of the American player, Ashe, who won three major titles, has become one of Clarke’s biggest inspirations.

For my dad, it was amazing for him to see and that was passed on to me, Clarke continued.

“Sixty grand, sixty grand Seamus Coleman, playing the Everton way.”

It’s a song that has echoed through the terraces at Goodison Park for 16 years.

After 428 matches in blue, Seamus Coleman’s famous £60,000 transfer fee from Sligo Rovers works out at about £140 a game.

It’s one of the biggest bargains in Premier League history, but it wasn’t always a straightforward success story.

The chant will move with Everton to the club’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium after the right-back signed a fresh one-year deal to stay with the club for a 17th season.

Killybegs is a small fishing town in County Donegal nestled along the picturesque, rural Irish coastline – dubbed Wild Atlantic Way – with a population of about 1,250 people.

It’s also where a young Seamus Coleman developed his skills on the streets of his estate.

Brian Dorrian, who would help shape Coleman’s football journey, says it is a place where “everyone knows everybody”.

“Early life for a lot of the young lads, including Seamus, would have been school and football. They played everywhere.”

Killybegs was dominated by two sports – football, or soccer as it’s often known in the north west, and Gaelic football, which is Ireland’s traditional national sport.

Coleman, like the majority of youngsters, played both. There were transferable skills, with youngsters learning the sports in robust fashion, with matches taking place between various estates in the town.

“You didn’t get beat in those, it was like going to war with your neighbours,” Dorrian added.

Coleman started playing football for St Catherine’s, just around the corner from home, and Dorrian, who was the club’s first-team manager, remembers he was “small, tenacious and had a big heart”.

His size counted against him, and led to him being left out of county and school squads. But his determination was something else.

“At an early age, he had potential but he hadn’t any more than any of the rest of them,” Dorrian added.

“But he had that bit about him. Not the technical side so much, but the mentality and that was bred from where he is from.

To make it in any professional sport, a slice of luck – in addition to work ethic and natural ability – is often required.

Coleman was no different, and there were three key cards that fell his way.

By pure chance, in early 2006 Sligo Rovers manager Sean Connor was dating a Killybegs native and, after a discussion over a beer, a friendly was arranged with St Catherine’s.

Coleman was up against experienced and prolific forwards Paul McTiernan and Sean Flannery, but neither got a sniff against the raw but energetic youngster.

Connor had seen enough. He called Dorrian, Coleman, his father and the St Catherine’s chairman into the referee’s changing room and a deal was agreed to bring the young defender to the club for their top-flight return.

Coleman had also been called into Donegal’s minor team, a massive honour for any underage Gaelic footballer with hopes of making it big.

He had a decision to make – Dorrian said “everyone was wanting a piece of him” and he was “under a lot of pressure” to select Gaelic football – which is an amateur sport.

When Coleman joined the full-time ranks in Sligo he was housed with fellow defenders Gavin Peers and Keith Foy.

Peers recalls his first impressions of Coleman were “quiet and shy” off the pitch, but “raw, determined and competitive” on it.

“The three of us were all around the same age and got on really well,” said Peers, who added he “done most of the cooking”.

“Seamus went home quite a lot, his girlfriend, now wife, was in Donegal and he was a homebird – he still goes back home in his time off now.”

Football, on the pitch or on screen, was never far from his thoughts, however.

“But when he was here the evenings were all about Pro Evolution,” said Peers.

“We were all competitive in that house, it got a bit tense in the games, but he wasn’t very good at it.

After settling in at Sligo, Coleman’s fortunes were about to change when Connor left to join Bohemians before the end of the season, and Rob McDonald was introduced in his place.

“Rob just didn’t take to him,” Dorrian said. “He told him he was surplus to requirements.”

Then came the second stroke of luck. McDonald left his role in pre-season and former Wigan and Burnley midfielder Paul Cook was brought in as his replacement.

It was a match made in heaven.

“Paul seen he had that drive and determination and related to that,” said Dorrian, who had joined the youth set-up at the Showgrounds.

“I heard Paul say it at the time, he could see him charging up and down the pitch, tackling, and if a player around him wasn’t on it, he was talking to them and trying to bring them with him.

It was a day of training and Coleman and Dorrian were making the trip from Killybegs to Sligo.

As they would often do, they stopped on the way for a break on the 95km journey.

Coleman ordered his usual bottle of water and a ham and cheese jambon. It was like any other day – until the phone rang.

It was Sligo’s chairman. A bid had been accepted by Everton.

“When the phone rang you thought it was a bit of a joke,” recalled Dorrian.

“I think he was just sitting there smiling – is this true? Is this going to happen?

“It was very surreal for me. I’m driving a car, sitting beside a young fella who was going to be going across to play for Everton.

“By the time we got down to the club everyone knew and was shaking his hand. It was a brilliant time for everyone.”

Coleman had been on trial at Celtic, and Birmingham City had shown interest, but it was Everton who made the first move with the now famous £60,000 fee.

Of course, it has turned into much more than that with various clauses but it is still a drop in the ocean compared to many modern transfers.

But how it came about was another case of being in the right place at the right time.

One of Cook’s signings was midfielder Sean Doherty, whose dad just happened to be head scout for David Moyes and Everton.

“Everything just seemed to fall the right way for him,” added Dorrian.

Coleman moved to Everton in January 2009 and made his debut nine months later against Benfica in the Europa League, taking on the likes of Angel di Maria, Javier Saviola and Oscar Cardozo.

It was a baptism of fire in a 5-0 defeat, but the player Everton fans would come to love was on show again a few days later.

The teenager was introduced as a sub for his Premier League debut against Tottenham as Everton rescued a 2-2 draw.

After notching up his first assist, Coleman was named man of the match.

“I was sitting there thinking, ‘three years ago that young lad was playing for me’, and now I was watching him changing the game on ‘Super Sunday’ on the TV,” said Dorrian.

“Back then, if you were to tell me where he is now – I would have said no, and that’s with no disrespect to him. He’d tell you that himself, but it’s brilliant for him and a great story.”

Peers remains friends with Coleman and says he is still the same humble person from Donegal, just like when they met all those years ago.

“I like to have a bit of banter with him now and call him ‘Big Time’ and say ‘you’ve changed’.

Jump forward 400-odd appearances, Coleman is now in the dying embers of his career but his place as an Everton legend is secure.

It wasn’t always smooth sailing, and a leg break while playing for the Republic of Ireland, who he had captained at Euro 2016 the previous year, threatened his career.

But, like when he had been written off many times before, he bounced back again.

He was made Everton captain in 2019 and even though injuries have limited his appearances in recent years, including another serious lay-off in 2023, his impact remains as strong as ever.

Such is his standing at the club, Coleman, along with Leighton Baines, was called on to the sidelines in the club’s hour of need when Sean Dyche left the club before their FA Cup tie with Peterborough United in January.

Dorrian believes Coleman will “probably” end up as a coach but feels his future lies in management.

“You can even see when he’s not playing with Everton or the Republic of Ireland, he galvanises everyone around him.

“That mentality comes from within, his family and where he’s from.”

Coleman’s story is one of resilience, and making the most of the opportunities that fall your way.

“When you’re 17 or 18 and playing in a first team in Killybegs, nobody would see you as a captain of Everton or Ireland,” said Peers, who added he wouldn’t be surprised if he went back to playing Gaelic football when he retires.

Jofra Archer’s “pure talent” gives him the opportunity to create a legacy in Test cricket, says Rob Key, managing director of England men’s cricket.

Fast bowler Archer, 30, has been named in England’s squad for the second Test against India which starts at Edgbaston on Wednesday.

The playing XI is yet to be confirmed but if included, it would be Archer’s first appearance in the longest format since 2021 after multiple injury setbacks.

“He’s got high skill, accuracy, pace, all of those things,” said Key, when asked about the qualities Archer brings England’s attack.

“He’s a pure talent, one of the best bowlers certainly I’ve seen play for England.

“There’s some brilliant players of other formats, but Test cricket’s the one where you make your name, that’s where you have a legacy – and that’s what Jofra will have the chance to do now, hopefully for the next few years.”

Archer is the only addition to the squad from England’s thrilling first-Test win at Headingley, where Chris Woakes, Josh Tongue, Brydon Carse and Ben Stokes formed the pace attack.

England have meticulously planned Archer’s return after multiple failed attempts at a comeback, with Key saying it has been a slow and patient two-year process to reach this stage.

After a sparkling debut summer in 2019 which saw him bowl the super over to seal a World Cup final win and take 22 wickets in the Ashes that followed, Archer has endured a series of setbacks, including elbow and back injuries.

With this Test call-up coming off the back of just one first-class game for Sussex where he bowled 18 overs, former England captain Michael Vaughan warned against rushing Archer back to Tests, and Key acknowledged the risk that comes with his inclusion in the squad.

“It’s been a two-year run of taking it very, very slowly with Jofra,” Key explained.

“And he’s ticked every box so far. Now, whether it’s the best thing to do to play at Edgbaston, we’ll make that decision when we get nearer the time.