Category: 6. Sports

Good news for Gianluca Mancini who returns to the Italian national team.

Gennaro Gattuso has released his first squad list as Italy’s national team coach, and there’s some good news for Roma: Gianluca Mancini is returning to the Azzurri squad.

The Giallorossi defender has been named in the 28-man squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, returning to the national team more than a year after his last appearance.

Brentford’s Ambitious Pursuit of Maximilian Beier Stalls

Brentford’s bold attempt to land Borussia Dortmund striker Maximilian Beier has been firmly rejected, according to David Ornstein of The Athletic. The Bees tabled a £45 million offer that would have smashed their transfer record, yet Dortmund held their ground. It leaves Brentford at a crossroads with uncertainty surrounding Yoane Wissa’s future and the club’s need for attacking reinforcements.

Advertisement

Record-Breaking Intent

The bid for Beier was not just sizeable, it was historic. As Ornstein reported, “The bid would have exceeded the club-record £37m Brentford paid Bournemouth for Dango Ouattara earlier this month.” That investment alone signalled a willingness to back new manager Keith Andrews, yet the German forward was seen as a potential centrepiece of Brentford’s new era.

Beier’s numbers last season were solid if not spectacular. He scored 10 goals in 46 appearances for Dortmund after joining from Hoffenheim. His development in the Bundesliga has been steady and at only 22, he offers room for growth. Brentford’s analytics-driven recruitment team clearly saw untapped potential, though Dortmund’s refusal suggests they consider him integral to their campaign.

Wissa’s Unsettled Position

Much of this pursuit links directly to Yoane Wissa’s unresolved situation. The 29-year-old has long been admired for his versatility, but Newcastle United’s interest has unsettled him. Two offers from the Tyneside club have already been rejected, yet Wissa remains adamant about a move. As Andrews confirmed, “Nothing has changed in terms of my stance. There has been no movement. No (he will not feature against Sunderland), I’ll focus on the group that’s settled and doesn’t have issues ongoing.”

Photo IMAGO

Advertisement

His omission from Brentford’s first fixtures underscores the manager’s insistence on unity. For now, the Congolese international remains sidelined, leaving the Bees with a potential gap in their attacking options.

What Beier Would Have Brought

Beyond the headline fee, Beier represented a stylistic fit. He is mobile, presses intelligently and can stretch defences. That profile aligns with Brentford’s tactical DNA under both Thomas Frank and now Andrews. His Bundesliga pedigree could have offered both immediate impact and long-term value, which makes Dortmund’s rejection even more painful for supporters.

As Ornstein highlighted, “The London club are not expected to raise their offer for the 22-year-old striker.” That admission essentially closes the door on this chase, unless circumstances change dramatically.

Advertisement

Transfer Strategy in Focus

For Brentford, missing out on Beier may not be terminal but it does raise questions. With Ouattara already signed, their summer spend has been significant. However, losing Wissa without a direct replacement would risk undermining Andrews’ promising start. A first Premier League win against Aston Villa followed by progress in the Carabao Cup shows momentum, but the transfer market remains crucial in sustaining it.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

From a Brentford supporter’s perspective, this report is hard to swallow. The club finally makes a statement bid, a £45 million approach that proves ambition, yet it is met with rejection. That hurts more when you realise we might still lose Wissa. He may not be a superstar, but his goals and tireless work have been vital. Hearing our manager say “I’ll focus on the group that’s settled” feels like we are already preparing for life without him.

Advertisement

Keith Andrews deserves credit for his start, with the Villa and Bournemouth results giving us belief, but recruitment is where fans get nervous. It is good to spend £37 million on Ouattara, yet it looks risky if he and Ivan Toney shoulder the entire burden. Beier looked like someone who could grow into a leader of the line, and his age profile fits perfectly.

Supporters worry that failing to land him might mean the club settles for a cheaper alternative. That is not good enough in the Premier League where margins are slim. If Newcastle come back again for Wissa and we let him go without a top-class replacement, frustration will grow. We are proud of Brentford’s smart approach, but sometimes you need to push harder, and fans feel this was the moment to do it.

Sacha Hickey has probably the best record in amateur boxing. She has only lost once in her whole life.

The GB boxer has been a stellar junior and youth international and is now carrying that form into elite competition.

This year alone she has won gold medals at significant competitions, the Strandja tournament in Bulgaria and the World Boxing Cup in Brazil, and beaten two Olympians in the process.

The 21-year-old has not lost a bout since 2018. That kind of winning run is almost unheard of in amateur boxing, especially for someone who has been an international from age group to elite level.

She could have the best record in international amateur boxing.

“Probably is to be fair,” Hickey told Sky Sports. “You can’t pick and choose who you box at elite level.”

She added: “I’ve probably only ever won a 3-2 [split decision] four times maybe, all the others have been unanimous.”

Hickey is hoping to extend that seven-year winning run at the World Championships, which begin in Liverpool on September 4.

“I think I’ll top the podium, I think I’ll be the one to do it,” Hickey said. “All it is really is hard work and self-belief, they’re probably the main two things

“It’s hard, the training, but when you’re in there it comes easy.”

Hickey is not only gunning for a first World Championship medal, she is a real prospect for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

It all began for her by playing the boxing game on the Nintendo Wii when she was a child. Her brothers wanted to go to a real boxing club and she followed them to Fisher ABC in Bermondsey.

“I was the only girl there,” she recalled. “It was intimidating a bit, but it was like no one was really bothered. I feel like Fisher is one of those places where you can be anyone. No one’s really bothered and everyone gets along.

“You can be anyone, do anything really, you can just come along and train. Down Fisher it was like a family.”

There she was trained by legendary coach Steve Hiser. “Because I was his first girl fighter, I think it was quite special for him, to have me and make me into a champion,” she said.

“He was quite old school.”

It prepared her for the position she is in now. “Even since I was a schoolgirl, if I went sparring they would stick me in with the seniors, or at least the youths they put me in with. I’ve always really gone above my level,” Hickey added.

“Down at Fisher I’d always spar the boys, so I never really had it my own way, I always got pushed in the gym. So when it came to the fighting, it came easy.”

She added: “It’s actually crazy that we were just playing the Nintendo Wii one day and then the next thing you know you’re training to hopefully go to the Olympic Games.”

• EuroBasket 2025: Official site | Games
• Schedule, standings & results | Rosters

TAMPERE, Finland (AP) — Sacramento Kings guard Dennis Schröder scored a game-high 23 points and made seven assists to lead world champion Germany to a 105-83 win over Sweden at EuroBasket on Friday.

Schröder shot 7-for-12 from the field, making three 3-pointers. Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner added 21 points as Germany went 2-0 in Group B after also beating Montenegro in its opening game.

Melwin Pantzar led Sweden with 18 points, with Pelle Larsson of the Miami Heat sidelined by an undisclosed illness.

Germany shot a strong 60% for the game played in Tampere. Daniel Theis made a quick three buckets to help build an 8-0 lead and the world champion never looked back.

Germany is among the title contenders after it upset the United States en route to winning the 2023 Basketball World Cup, beating Serbia in the final.

Sweden is 0-2 in the group after losing to host Finland in their first game.

---

Valančiūnas leads pass-happy Lithuania

Denver Nuggets center Jonas Valančiūnas scored 19 points on eight-of-nine shooting to lead Lithuania to a 94-76 win over Montenegro on a record-making night for the winner.

Lithuania, 2-0 in Group B, made a EuroBasket record 35 assists, according to the organizers.

The 33-year-old Valančiūnas also reached the milestone of 500 points in Eurobaskets, playing in his sixth edition of the tournament.

---

Sengun comes close to triple-double

Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun came close to a triple-double as he helped Turkey beat the Czech Republic 92-78.

Sengun scored 23 points from eight-of-nine shooting, pulled in 12 rebounds, and made nine assists as Turkey went to 2-0 in Group A, which is being played in Riga, Latvia.

Turkey got 21 more points from Cedi Osman and as a team dominated in the points-in-the-paint, 50-26.

Czech center Martin Peterka stepped outside and hit five 3-pointers, scoring 23 in a losing effort.

The Czechs, 0-2, hit five early 3-pointers to open a six-point lead after the first quarter. But Turkey responded with a 14-0 run and never fell behind again.

Kostas Tsimikas Secures Loan Move to AS Roma

Liverpool’s squad reshaping has taken another turn, with Kostas Tsimikas sealing a loan switch to AS Roma. This development, revealed by Fabrizio Romano, comes at a crucial juncture in the window and provides clarity on the Greek international’s immediate future.

Advertisement

Romano reported: “ Kostas Tsimikas to AS Roma, here we go! Loan deal agreed with Liverpool as he’s been authorized for travel and medical tests. AS Roma will cover his salary until June as Tsimikas really wanted the move.”

That phrasing is significant, pointing to the player’s determination to secure regular minutes and Liverpool’s pragmatic stance in finding a short-term resolution.

Limited Opportunities at Anfield

Last season was already a testing one for Tsimikas. With Andy Robertson enduring a difficult campaign, it was anticipated that the Greek defender might step up. Instead, opportunities were few and far between. The recent £40 million arrival of Milos Kerkez has only intensified competition at left-back, effectively pushing Tsimikas further down the pecking order.

Advertisement

It is understood that Liverpool were initially seeking a permanent transfer solution. However, with the market nearing its conclusion and no buyers prepared to meet their valuation, a loan became the practical path.

Roma’s Defensive Reinforcement

AS Roma have acted decisively. Covering the player’s wages until June reflects confidence in his ability to adapt swiftly to Serie A. Tsimikas himself was eager for the move, reportedly prioritising game time and stability over financial factors.

His energy, willingness to overlap and ability to deliver dangerous set-pieces could provide Roma with a valuable option on the left flank. With the Italian side still navigating squad balance and fitness concerns, Tsimikas offers both experience and adaptability.

Advertisement

Timing and Implications

The timing of this deal cannot be understated. With only days remaining in the transfer window, Liverpool have made a choice that suits both parties. For the club, it removes a wage burden and potentially rebuilds the player’s value for the summer. For Tsimikas, it provides a platform to remind European football of his qualities.

“AS Roma will cover his salary until June as Tsimikas really wanted the move,” Romano emphasised. That statement sums up the mood around the deal. The motivation was driven as much by the player as by the clubs involved, underlining his readiness for a fresh challenge.

Outlook for Liverpool’s squad

While not transformative in the wider context of Liverpool’s title defence under Arne Slot, the deal neatly resolves a squad dilemma. With Kerkez bedding in and Robertson still in the mix, Tsimikas’ pathway had narrowed to a near standstill. His absence will not be keenly felt in the short term, but his future could yet resurface as a talking point next summer.

Advertisement

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

From a Liverpool supporter’s perspective, this move feels logical yet slightly underwhelming. The club were hoping to bank a permanent fee and draw a line under Tsimikas’ Anfield chapter, but the late timing of the market has restricted options. A loan to Roma at least guarantees he will play, which in turn could increase his market value when the window reopens.

Tsimikas has always been a committed professional and popular in the dressing room, but the reality is that his chances were evaporating. Robertson, even in a downturn of form, held onto his starting place, and the signing of Milos Kerkez was effectively the final nail in the coffin for Tsimikas’ Liverpool prospects.

The challenge for Liverpool now is to ensure squad depth does not take a hit. Should Robertson face injury or Kerkez take time to adapt, the left-back options look thin. That said, Slot has demonstrated flexibility in his system and may rely on tactical adjustments rather than like-for-like cover.

For Roma, it is a shrewd short-term fix. For Liverpool, it is a compromise. Supporters will hope that come next summer the club are able to conclude matters more decisively.