Category: 6. Sports

More carries, more metres made, more possession for Fiji but it was Scotland’s incisiveness that proved decisive in this cracking Pool B match, with two second-half tries putting the gloss on for the women in blue. 

Story of the match

The tone for a pulsating 80 minutes was set from the opening whistle. In no surprise perhaps to Fiji’s analysts, it was Francesca McGhie who struck first for Scotland. After three tries last weekend, the 22-year-old winger showed brilliant footwork to cushion a perfectly weighted kick-through from centre Emma Orr before flopping over. All in the first 90 seconds.

With Fiji wobbling – not helped by 10 minutes on the sideline for Vika Matarugu after a high tackle – Scotland helped themselves to a 10-0 lead. But then Fiji brought the sunshine. First a steal, then a barnstorming run from the superb Nunia Daunimoala before loose-head prop Loraini Senivutu showed great gas to gallop over.

For a while after it was all Fiji yet Scotland roused themselves just in time. Orr gobbling up a loose ball, and Lloyd bursting through for her second to send Scotland into the break 17-5 up.

To the delight of the 11,000-plus fans the action only got better after the break. If Senivutu’s effort was Fijian rugby at its best, the 51^st-minute try by number eight Manuqalo Komaitai – a Buckingham Palace guard by day – is just as deserving of a spot in the highlights reel.

With rampaging replacement Adi Salote Nailolo to the fore, it looked like Fiji might steal it. But while nerves were fraying in the stands, Scotland just about kept their cool, two tries in four second-half minutes giving the Scots some breathing space.

It was needed. Fiji shrugging off the loss to a 20-minute red card of Bitila Tawake to close the gap again. But for a disallowed effort and a stunning late try-saving tackle from McGhie, it could have got even better for the Pacific Islanders.

MORE TO FOLLOW

TAMPERE (Finland) – An incident involving a spectator, who engaged in racist verbal abuse directed at Germany player Dennis Schroder, occurred during halftime of the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 game between Germany and Lithuania on 30 August in Tampere, Finland.

Following an immediate review, arena security identified the individual through CCTV footage. This person has been banned from attending any further games of FIBA EuroBasket 2025.

FIBA unequivocally condemns hate speech, discriminatory conduct, and racist language in any form. Creating an inclusive, respectful, and safe environment for players, teams, and fans remains a fundamental priority of our sport.

FIBA has provided the relevant footage and information to local law enforcement authorities, who are continuing to investigate the matter.

In addition, FIBA will engage with the Lithuanian team delegation to inform them of the situation and to support efforts aimed at preventing similar incidents in future games.

FIBA

TAMPERE (Finland) – Sweden breathed new life into their FIBA EuroBasket 2025 campaign by beating Great Britain 78-59 to secure a first win in this competition.

The victory is also Sweden’s first at EuroBasket in 12 years, with their last taste of success coming in 2013. They improve to 1-2 in Group B, while Great Britain falls to 0-3.

Turning Point

It only took Sweden five seconds to get their first field goal, as Ludvig Hakanson sprinted in for the uncontested lay-up. Pelle Larsson kept the scoreboard ticking over to keep GB at bay, despite positive spells from the Brits, who did produce some highlights.

When it was all said and done, Sweden was well-drilled, executed their offenses, and in the final minute of the third quarter, put the game beyond Great Britain’s reach.

TCL Player of the Game

Larsson returned to the team following an illness and made an instant impact. He dropped 21 points – including 13 in the third quarter – and 4 rebounds to hand Sweden their first EuroBasket win since 2013, when they beat Russia in Koper, Slovenia.

Melwin Pantzar added 12 points on 4-for-6 shooting, along with 8 rebounds. Myles Hesson had 17 for GB.

Stats Don’t Lie

Sweden’s size advantage was undoubtedly a factor in this battle. They swatted away six GB field goal attempts and dominated inside on the offensive side as well, scoring 40 points in the paint to Great Britain’s 14.

Bottom Line

Both teams have a much-needed rest day as Sweden looks to continue their newfound form with a crucial battle against Montenegro. Great Britain’s hopes of qualification now hang by a thread with the challenge of the undefeated Germans coming up. Both games take place on Monday.

They Said

For more quotes, tune in to the official post-game press conference!

FIBA

The Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup is on track for a truly thrilling finale. Qualifying for the seventh and penultimate round of the season saw the top three drivers in the championship secure the first three positions on the grid. Team Schumacher CLRT’s Flynt Schuring set the pace with a lap time of 1:35.952 minutes, beating Laurin Heinrich’s 2021 pole record by almost four tenths of a second. A mere thousandth of a second behind was Porsche Junior Alessandro Ghiretti, placing the other 911 GT3 Cup of the French team on the front row. Another three hundredths behind the championship leader, Robert de Haan secured third on the grid in BWT Lechner Racing’s 911.

‟I expected it to be close – but not this close,” smiled pole-sitter Schuring, who is on the verge of clinching the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup rookie title. ‟Starting from pole here in front of my home crowd is a dream come true. Of course, the championship is my main goal, but I’m not thinking about that right now. If I want to secure that, I have to win races. It’s as simple as that. That’s the goal for tomorrow. The two guys alongside and behind me will do everything in their power to prevent that. I just need to get a good start, and then we’ll see.”

Alessandro Ghiretti appeared slightly disappointed after being narrowly pipped at the post by his younger teammate. ‟Pole position was within reach, but I didn’t quite get the third sector right,” said the Porsche Junior, visibly annoyed. ‟Huge credit to our Schumacher CLRT team, and congratulations to Flynt, who did a great job. A thousandth of a second is nothing, but it’s still a thousandth too much and therefore a little frustrating. Today’s qualifying once again shows just how competitive the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup is. I’m ready for a tough fight!”

Robert de Haan, currently second in the standings, commended the Schumacher CLRT duo: ‟It’s always the same – I’m only missing hundredths or thousandths, but the two black cars are always at the front. You have to acknowledge they’re doing a fantastic job. I had good speed, but it just wasn’t quite enough. Still, my goal for tomorrow is clear: I want to beat them, and I’ll do everything I can to make it happen. I have to, because there are no points to give away in the penultimate race of the season.”

Behind the consistently strong Israeli Ariel Levi (Team GP Elite) and Budapest winner Mathys Jaubert (Martinet by Alméras), seasoned specialist Jaap van Lagen from Proton Huber Competition secured his best qualifying result of the season with sixth on the grid. The 48-year-old Dutchman had held the second fastest time on his first set of tyres. ‟At one point I was hoping for pole position,” admitted van Lagen. ‟Unfortunately, I locked a wheel on my second set going into Tarzanbocht corner, and after that there was nothing more I could do. At least I only pushed for one flying lap on the first set, so I’ve still got good tyres for tomorrow’s race. We’ll see…”

Van Lagen’s teammate at Proton Huber Competition, Porsche Junior Theo Oeverhaus, qualified his 375 kW (510 PS) 911 GT3 Cup in twelfth, leaving him with a tough challenge from the sixth row. The hard task is only amplified by the 4.259-kilometre dune circuit at Zandvoort, which offers limited overtaking opportunities.

The seventh round of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup season will start on Sunday at 11:55 hours. The programme includes 17 laps over a distance of 72.342 kilometres or a maximum race duration of 30 minutes plus one lap.

TV and online coverage of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup

TV channels Eurosport und Sky Sport as well as streaming service f1tv.formula1.com broadcast live. On the Porsche Motorsport Hub, also a live timing is available.

Porsche provides comprehensive information about the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup on the social networks @porschesupercup (Instagram), @porschesupercup (Facebook) and @PorscheSupercup (X, formerly Twitter) as well as the new WhatsApp channel Porsche Motorsport.

Qualifying result, round 7 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, Zandvoort (Netherlands)

1. Flynt Schuring (NLD/Schumacher CLRT), 1:35.952 minutes.

2. Alessandro Ghiretti (FRA/Schumacher CLRT), 0.001 seconds behind.

3. Robert de Haan (NLD/BWT Lechner Racing), 0.031 seconds behind.

4. Ariel Levi (ISR/Team GP Elite), 0.219 seconds behind.

5. Mathys Jaubert (FRA/Martinet by Alméras), 0.236 seconds behind.

6. Jaap van Lagen (NLD/Proton Huber Competition), 0.323 seconds behind.

Full qualifying result on the Porsche Motorsport Hub:

https://racing.porsche.com/mobil-1-supercup/results-season-2025

Further information, film and photo material in the Porsche Newsroom: newsroom.porsche.com

The ‟X‟ channel @PorscheRaces, the WhatsApp Channel Porsche Motorsport and Instagram @porsche.motorsport as well as @porschepenskemotorsport provide live updates from Porsche Motorsport with the latest information from racetracks around the world.target=”_blank”>@porsche.motorsport provide live updates from Porsche Motorsport with the latest information from racetracks around the world.