Category Sports News

Following a five-month recovery from knee surgery, England international Lauren Hemp has resumed training.

Hemp, 24, hasn’t played since November 8 but was training with Manchester City on Friday as they geared up for a game against Everton.

One of the key players in the race to recover fully fit in time for England to defend their European Championship title in Switzerland in July is the forward.

When asked about Hemp’s knee problem in November, England manager Sarina Wiegman confirmed that it wasn’t an ACL injury.

Hemp would undoubtedly not have been included in England’s Euros plans if an injury of that magnitude had occurred.

Hemp, who typically plays wing, will now work toward full-match fitness.

It has been a really positive week for us, according to interim Manchester City boss Nick Cushing, despite the difficult injury season.

This week, Lauren Hemp and the team had a great week of training.

Hemp’s return strengthens a City side that has been dealing with injury problems and is set to lose its season.

Hemp had five games to go before suffering with her injury, but she had been one of the top scorers in the Women’s Super League this year. She had scored twice and assisted five times.

After having surgery on a medial collateral ligament (MCL) knee injury, her England and City team-mate Alex Greenwood is pursuing a recovery and displaying symptoms that are beginning to show in the club’s treatment room.

Alex Greenwood and Aoba Fujino continue to improve, according to Cushing. Rebecca Knaak spent the entire week training and is currently a member of the team.

“It seems like we are quickly progressing, starting to get players back, and adding that much needed depth to our training.” The team will begin to change about their appearance.

Hemp’s progress will have been confirmed in the England training camp, but Chelsea’s announcement on Friday that Lionesses forward Lauren James has “sustained a hamstring injury and will be out for a period of time” was less encouraging.

Betfred Super League

Hull FC (4) 14

Goals: Pryce, Briscoe, and Ashworth

Hull KR (16) 28

In a fiery derby between Hull KR and Hull FC, cadet Cust received the first red card of the Super League season.

After 16 minutes, when league leaders KR were in front through an Oliver Gildart try in the meeting of the top two, the Australian stand-off was sent off for a shoulder barge to Arthur Mourgue’s face.

The Black and Whites’ only option was Jack Ashworth, who appeared to have given them the upper hand as Peta Hiku and Arthur Mourgue appeared to have established a stronghold in the hands of the Robins.

The fact that referees could keep their red cards in their pockets helped the sport and its safety record significantly. There were seven dismissals in this period of the season last year.

Cust, who had been playing for Hull FC for 15 years, shoulder-barged Mourgue’s head as the France full-back fielded a kick behind the posts, leaving the official Luke Moore with no choice.

The Robins were already in front at that point when Mikey Lewis, back from injury, delivered a powerful pass that sent Gildart running clear.

Cust’s rush of blood, which was used by KR after an overload down their left, gave them a huge advantage after more than three-quarters of the game.

As Ashworth ran into Aidan Sezer’s grubby kick before two defenders, Mourgue, who had recovered from a head injury assessment following Cust’s challenge, scampered over for a 12-point half-time lead, gave his side something to cheer for.

The Black and Whites threw the ball around with brilliant abandon in the second half, scoring Briscoe for a superb take and finish, and it was obvious that they were on fire in the second half.

The video ref’s sighting of KR players ripping the ball out made it even more successful for Hull FC to score two points as Rapana made another quick passing move to swerve inside and score.

Hull FC’s efforts soon began to speak, and Rovers pounced as their opponents got tired, even though KR appeared rattled and the home crowd was bouncing.

With James Batchelor back from injury and carving inside to extend the lead, they responded with some champagne rugby of their own, keeping the ball alive.

John Cartwright, the head coach of Hull FC, told BBC Radio Humberside:

When you’re playing 13 on 12, there are a few different circumstances. You should try to stay focused and keep the scoreboard close in the end. It was a fantastic effort to have a chance to win the game in the second half.

There were “a few things that really went against us,” the referee said, “and after the Cade Cust incident, I believe there were some punches thrown, and players were very vocal.”

The kicker was beaten to the ground by Johnny Asiata, who received a penalty 60 yards downfield. When Liam Knight was attempting to pick it up, he was taken off the ball. We were really hurt by both of those incidents.

[On the red card] “I do have a problem with the red card generally because I believe Cade was going for the ball very hard and didn’t have much time to pull out of it.

Willie Peters, the head coach of Hull KR, told BBC Radio Humberside:

Credit FC, they were outstanding, they forced us to the limit, and it was “dead set,” according to Credit FC.

“It pleased me how our players were able to advance beyond our current level in the final 20 minutes.”

People say that losing teaches you a lot of things, and that they also learn a lot from playing games like that.

Ashworth, Balmforth, Eseh, Ashworth, and Aydin are the exchanges.

Sent-off: Cust (16).

Mourgue, Davies, Hiku, Gildart, Gildart, Gildart, Gildart, May, Lewis, Sue, J Litten, Waerea-Hargreaves, Batchelor, Hadley, Minchella, and others in Hull KR.

Luckley, Whitbread, Broadbent, and Tanginoa are exchanges.

Wales vs. Ireland at the Women’s Six Nations

Rodney Parade Date: Sunday, April 20th Kick-off: 5:00 BST

One of five changes made for Sunday’s Women’s Six Nations game against Wales is Ireland captain Edel McMahon.

McMahon was forced to play in the back row to take over Erin King, who earlier this week declared she would miss the rest of the tournament and the World Cup because of a serious knee injury. She was replaced after last week’s defeat by England.

Siobhan McCarthy replaces Niamh O’Dowd as loose-head prop elsewhere in the pack for her first Test start.

When Fiona Tuite comes off the bench, Ruth Campbell is renamed in the second row.

While Molly Scuffil-McCabe makes her debut at scrum-half ahead of Emily Lane, Enya Breen, who also missed the England game, makes her comeback as partner in midfield with Aoife Dalton.

Claire Boles and Sadhbh McGrath of Ulster are recalled to the bench.

Following Alex Callender’s return from foot injury, Wales has recalled her back row.

Wales are hoping for their first victory since losing to Scotland, England, and France, while Ireland are third with one win out of three games.

Replacements: Catherine Richards, Maisie Davies, Donna Rose, Natalia John, Alaw Pyrs, Sian Jones, Lleucu George, and Carys Phillips.

Ireland: Stacey Flood, Anna McGann, Aoife Dalton, Enya Breen, Amee-Leigh, Dannah O’Brien, Molly Scuffil-McCabe, Siobhán McCarthy, Neve Jones, Linda Djougang, Ruth Campbell, Dorothy Wall, Brittany Hogan, Edel McMahon (capt), Aoife Wafer.

Omer Riza, manager of Cardiff City, has apologized for calling some of the club’s supporters “clueless.”

With only four games left in the season and a big game away to promotion-chasing Sheffield United on Friday night, Riza is under pressure to keep the Bluebirds in the championship.

The 45-year-old’s comments on Wednesday sparked a backlash from the fanbase, with Cardiff City Supporters Trust calling Riza “disrespectful”

“I guess I was considering some messages that were a little too personal, and I chose to say what I said out of frustration and pressure.”

I’m sorry for the pain, to be honest.

Riza’s initial comments caused a backlash on social media, and the Trust called on the manager to “reflect on his ill-judged comments.”

Riza continued, “There have been high moments but too many low ones in recent weeks, as stated in an interview released on the club’s website prior to the Good Friday game against the Blades. It still needs to be fixed and changed, but it must begin now.

“Home and away, we must give ourselves the best chance to accomplish our goal of securing the championship football next season.”

After only four months as Yokohama F. Marinos’ manager, former England assistant manager Steve Holland has been fired.

Holland was appointed club 19th in the 20-team J-League after only winning one of his 11 league games while in charge.

The Yokohama F. Marinos are happy to announce that Steve Holland, who was appointed manager at the start of the 2025 season, has left the team.

Head coach Patrick Kisnorbo will remain in place as the vacancy, “for the time being.”

Holland helped the Three Lions to place second and third at the European Championship in 2021 and 2024 after serving as Gareth Southgate’s assistant for eight years.

The 54-year-old’s dismissal comes before Yokohama F. Marinos face Urawa Reds in the Asian Champions League quarter-finals and then Al-Nassr, who have Cristiano Ronaldo in their ranks.

The Marinos finished last season in ninth place, their first title since 2022.

By securing semi-final spots on a dramatic night, Manchester United, Tottenham, and Chelsea all moved one step closer to European glory.

Ruben Amorim’s United resurrected in the Europa League with a remarkable comeback as they defeated Lyon 5-4 at Old Trafford and 7-6 overall.

Tottenham won Eintracht Frankfurt 1-0 to advance to 2-1 on aggregate, which is impressive.

The first game of the Europa League and Conference League semi-final matches will take place on May 1st, followed by the second game, which will be played a week later.

As Ange Postecoglou prepares to win a trophy in his second season at Tottenham, Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt will take the field.

Athletic Bilbao, who defeated Rangers in the quarter-finals, will face Manchester United.

Bodo/Glimt, the reigning champions of Norway, are one of the most intriguing teams in European play.

Faced with them can prove to be a challenging proposition for unacclimatized opposition because their home games frequently take place north of the Arctic Circle, as Lazio discovered in the quarter-finals.

The Italians lost the first game 2-0 in Norway, and Bodo/Glimt won the subsequent shootout despite Lazio holding back 3-1 at home in the second leg.

Bodo/Glimt, who famously defeated Jose Mourinho’s Roma 6-1 in the Europa League group stage four years ago, has not caused Lazio’s major league team to face off.

In 2022, the Norwegians defeated a Celtic side that is currently under the control of Postecoglou in a Conference League game.

Bodo is one of the most northernmost cities in the world, and it is very far away from other major cities, with the next closest major city at least nine and a half hours drive away.

Their fans are also renowned for having giant yellow toothbrushes for games.

According to the legend, the custom began 50 years ago when a fan attempted to start a chant and became alarmed that it was not going to take off by using a toothbrush to “direct” the crowd.

Athletic are a club that historically relies on Basque players to create their own emotions and identity.

The Europa League final will be played at their home stadium in San Mames, which gives players and fans a chance to experience once in a lifetime, but the current squad seems to be taking the pressure lightly.

Ernesto Valverde, a seasoned coach, has a calming influence on his team, who plays adroit but exciting football.

A star player like Nico Williams, who won the Spanish European Championship, will undoubtedly cause problems for Manchester United in the semi-finals.

Marcelo Bielsa led Athletic to the Europa League final in 2012, and he later became Leeds United’s manager.

The club’s roots can be traced to the late 1800s and the island of Djurgarden, which means “animal island,” which is situated in Stockholm’s heart.

The 3Arena, the city’s current home ground, is in the city’s Johanneshov district.

Djurgarden have won the domestic league 12 times, but this is their closest attempt in a European competition.

Although Chelsea’s semi-final opponents are approaching the end of the season, Djurgarden’s domestic campaign is just beginning. They have only won three of their first three games and have not had the best of starts.

Lucas Bergvall, a highly regarded teenager, played for Tottenham before joining them last year.

Bergvall quickly made an impression at the club, leading Aftonbladet to predict that he would become “Djurgarden’s biggest transfer ever” with one of his early performances.