Category: 6. Sports

  • Man Utd’s worst defeats of the 21st century: Where does Grimsby nightmare rank among ‘Why Always Me?’, Liverpool thrashings and MK Dons embarrassment?

    Man Utd’s worst defeats of the 21st century: Where does Grimsby nightmare rank among ‘Why Always Me?’, Liverpool thrashings and MK Dons embarrassment?

    The shock Carabao Cup elimination at Blundell Park was the latest of many painful defeats the Red Devils have had to endure in the last 25 years

    They say that when you hit rock bottom, the only way is up. But Manchester United fans have learned that that is simply not true; even when you think that things couldn’t possibly get any worse, they can and often do.

    Ruben Amorim had promised Red Devils’ fans after their worst season in 52 years that the good time were coming, but three matches into the new campaign and the club appear to be sinking even further into the abyss, especially after Wednesday’s shock elimination from the Carabao Cup at the hands of Grimsby Town of League Two.

    It marked only the second time that United had been knocked out of the League Cup in the second round in 30 years, and it was arguably the worst defeat of Amorim’s dismal nine-month spell in charge. And yet it was just one of many abysmal results inflicted on the club in the last 25 years.

    GOAL ranks the worst defeats United have endured in all competitions in the 21st century…

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  • Motivated Sounders out to ‘prove a point’ in colossal Leagues Cup Final clash against Inter Miami

    Motivated Sounders out to ‘prove a point’ in colossal Leagues Cup Final clash against Inter Miami

    To some, the Seattle Sounders reaching the Leagues Cup Final is a grandiose occasion, an accomplishment in itself that should be celebrated with all the fanfare a final normally carries. But to the Sounders themselves, Sunday’s title match against Inter Miami (5:00 p.m. PT; Watch on MLS Season Pass, Apple TV+, Univision, TUDN, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360AM, SiriusXM FC 157 | TICKETS) is just another match exemplifying the club’s DNA.

    “We’re an organization that is always fighting for titles,” said Sounders defender Alex Roldan on Wednesday after defeating the LA Galaxy 2-0 in Southern California in the Leagues Cup Semifinals. “We’ve been in many finals before, and this is another objective and goal that we’ve set for ourselves, to be the best in the league, the best in the continent. We’re going out there to prove a point and hopefully finish that game with a trophy.”

    The Sounders have four U.S. Open Cup titles, two MLS Cups, a Supporters’ Shield and a Concacaf Champions Cup title to their name since they entered MLS in 2009. Their trophy cabinet is overflowing but still lacks one elusive title in the Leagues Cup, something the club is hoping to rectify on Sunday in front of a packed Lumen Field crowd.

    “It’s a big deal of course, just the atmosphere alone,” said Sounders forward Osaze De Rosario, who scored against LA on Wednesday. “It’s going to be everything that we expect it to be. It’s going to be everything that the fans expect it to be.”

    By advancing to the title game, the Sounders booked their spot in the 2026 edition of the Concacaf Champions Cup, giving themselves another opportunity to show out even further on the regional stage and potentially qualify again for the FIFA Club World Cup. Seattle has been on an absolute tear since exiting the global tournament earlier this summer, posting a 10-1-3 record in 14 matches while unleashing a club-record-setting attack in the process.

    “The Club World Cup was certainly part of it, playing top-level teams,” said Roldan. “You focus in, you zone in a little more. We came together collectively. It’s our team, the way we’re built, the way we’re set up. It’s a great group of guys, we’re all in this together. We all bought into our goals and objectives of the year. We all gave a little bit more after that Club World Cup. We’re riding on it now and on the wave, and hopefully we can continue to build and improve on that.”

    Despite playing “the greatest player of all time],” as [Head Coach Brian Schmetzer noted of Miami’s Lionel Messi, the moment is not too big for the Sounders, nor the lights too bright. It doesn’t matter who lines up across from them on Sunday, the mentality to do their job remains the same.

    “This is what the club is built on,” said De Rosario. “We’re built on championships. To win the Leagues Cup would be just a step in our direction.”

    The club announced earlier today that it has opened up additional inventory in the upper bowl at Lumen Field to expand capacity for Sunday’s final. You can get your tickets HERE.


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  • NBA 2K26 top 100 player ratings announced

    NBA 2K26 top 100 player ratings announced

    Nikola Jokić remains the top ranked player on NBA2K once again.

    The NBA 2K26 top 100 ratings are here. 

    Check out where the NBA’s best rank ahead of the game’s release on Sept. 5. You can pre-order different editions such as Leave No Doubt, SuperStar, Standard and WNBA editions now.

    Nikola Jokić: 98 OVR

    Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 98 OVR

    Giannis Antetokounmpo: 97 OVR

    Luka Dončić: 95 OVR

    Anthony Edwards: 95 OVR

    Stephen Curry: 94 OVR

    LeBron James: 94 OVR

    Jayson Tatum: 94 OVR

    Victor Wembanyama: 94 OVR

    Kevin Durant: 93 OVR

    Donovan Mitchell: 93 OVR

    Anthony Davis: 93 OVR

    Jalen Brunson: 93 OVR

    Tyrese Haliburton: 93 OVR

    Kawhi Leonard: 92 OVR

    Cade Cunningham: 92 OVR

    Joel Embiid: 92 OVR

    Karl-Anthony Towns: 92 OVR

    Ja Morant: 91 OVR

    Devin Booker: 91 OVR

    Jalen Williams: 90 OVR

    Jaylen Brown: 90 OVR

    Trae Young: 90 OVR

    Kyrie Irving: 90 OVR

    Paolo Banchero: 89 OVR

    Evan Mobley: 89 OVR

    Pascal Siakam: 89 OVR

    James Harden: 89 OVR

    Jaren Jackson Jr.: 89 OVR

    Bam Adebayo: 88 OVR

    Chet Holmgren: 88 OVR

    Damian Lillard: 88 OVR

    Domantas Sabonis: 87 OVR

    Alperen Sengun: 87 OVR

    LaMelo Ball: 87 OVR

    Darius Garland: 87 OVR

    Zion Williamson: 87 OVR

    Ivica Zubac: 87 OVR

    Derrick White: 87 OVR

    Jimmy Butler: 87 OVR

    Amen Thompson: 87

    Tyler Herro: 86 OVR

    Tyrese Maxey: 86 OVR

    Jamal Murray: 86 OVR

    Franz Wagner: 86 OVR

    Julius Randle: 86 OVR

    Zach LaVine: 85 OVR

    De’Aaron Fox: 85 OVR

    Austin Reaves: 85 OVR

    Scottie Barnes: 85 OVR

    Kristaps Porziņġis: 85 OVR

    OG Anunoby: 85 OVR

    Lauri Markkanen: 84 OVR

    Brandon Ingram: 84 OVR

    Mikal Bridges: 84 OVR

    Rudy Gobert: 84 OVR

    Norman Powell: 84 OVR

    Jarrett Allen: 84 OVR

    Desmond Bane: 83 OVR

    Jalen Green: 83 OVR

    Myles Turner: 83 OVR

    Cameron Johnson: 83 OVR

    Dyson Daniels: 83 OVR

    Coby White: 83 OVR

    Stephon Castle: 82 OVR

    Michael Porter Jr.: 82 OVR

    R.J. Barrett: 82 OVR

    Josh Giddey: 82 OVR

    John Collins: 82 OVR

    Aaron Gordon: 82 OVR

    Brandon Miller: 82 OVR

    Deni Avdija: 82 OVR

    Naz Reid: 82 OVR

    Nikola Vučević: 82 OVR

    Jalen Duren: 82 OVR

    Jalen Suggs: 82 OVR

    Trey Murphy III: 82 OVR

    Cooper Flagg: 82 OVR

    Isaiah Hartenstein: 82 OVR

    Jaden McDaniels: 82 OVR

    Toumani Camara: 82 OVR

    Walker Kessler: 82 OVR

    Luguentz Dort: 81 OVR

    Herbert Jones: 81 OVR

    Jrue Holiday: 81 OVR

    Dejounte Murray: 81 OVR

    CJ McCollum: 81 OVR

    Anfernee Simons: 81 OVR

    Draymond Green: 81 OVR

    Josh Hart: 81 OVR

    Paul George: 81 OVR

    Onyeka Okongwu: 81 OVR

    Immanuel Quickley: 81 OVR

    Andrew Nembhard: 81 OVR

    Jalen Johnson: 81 OVR

    Alexandre Sarr: 81 OVR

    Aaron Nesmith: 81 OVR

    Shaedon Sharpe: 81 OVR

    Bobby Portis Jr.: 81 OVR

    NBA 2K26 will be available Sept. 5 on PlayStation®5 (PS5®), PlayStation®4 (PS4®), Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC and Nintendo Switch.

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  • Springboks Touch Down in Auckland Ahead of Crucial All Blacks Clash – allblacks.com

    1. Springboks Touch Down in Auckland Ahead of Crucial All Blacks Clash  allblacks.com
    2. PODCAST | Inside Pass: Lessons from the Wallabies clash the Boks can use to conquer New Zealand  News24
    3. Schalk Burger predicts Springboks will lose at Eden Park as ex-hooker claims All Blacks are vulnerable where Rassie’s men are ‘strong’  MSN
    4. WATCH: South African fans give Springboks warm welcome in New Zealand  Primedia Plus
    5. News | Rugby Championship: Everything at stake when the Boks clash with the All Blacks  BokSquad

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  • Europa League: League phase draw pots confirmed – UEFA.com

    1. Europa League: League phase draw pots confirmed  UEFA.com
    2. UEFA men’s Champions League 2025/26 league phase draw: All teams, all fixtures, full schedule – as it happened  Olympics.com
    3. Premier League stars set sights on Celtic and Rangers in Europa League draw  Glasgow Times
    4. The key questions & information ahead of the Europa League draw  Nottingham Forest FC
    5. Villa in Pot 1 for Europa League draw  Aston Villa Football Club

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  • Imran Khan Cricket Stadium ready for charity match

    Imran Khan Cricket Stadium ready for charity match


    PESHAWAR:

    The Imran Khan Cricket Stadium in Peshawar has finally been prepared to host matches after eight years of renovation and upgrades. On Saturday, the stadium will host a high-profile charity match between Peshawar Zalmi and Legends XI to raise funds for flood victims.

    Cricket stars including Shahid Afridi, Younis Khan, Babar Azam, and Kamran Akmal will showcase their talent during the much-anticipated event. The match is scheduled to begin at 1 PM.

    The stadium, which has a seating capacity of over 17,000 spectators, now features newly built players’ dressing rooms and VVIP enclosures.

    Ticket prices have been set at Rs1,000 for general spectators*, Rs10,000 for VIPs, and Rs50,000 for VVIPs. A special VVIP enclosure has also been designated for high-profile attendees.

    Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister, along with cabinet members and senior officials, has already purchased VVIP tickets worth Rs50,000 each to support the cause.

    All proceeds from the charity match will be donated to flood-affected families in the province.

    Tickets are now available at 20 locations across the provincial capital. For the first time in 19 years, international cricketers will be seen in action in Peshawar, with proceeds dedicated to supporting flood-affected communities.

    Commissioner Peshawar Division, Riaz Khan Mehsud, speaking at a ceremony held at Nishtar Hall, said that district administrations across the division have been mobilized to ensure maximum ticket sales and fundraising. He urged the business community and industrialists to actively contribute by promoting ticket sales and generating greater support for the cause.

    The ceremony was attended by Deputy Commissioner Peshawar Capt (retd) Sanaullah.

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  • Bojana Popović joins Denmark women’s national team as assistant coach

    Bojana Popović will join the coaching staff of the Denmark women’s national handball team as assistant coach, linking up with Helle Thomsen, the new coach of the Scandinavian side. 

    A legendary former player and with plenty of experience as a coach over the last five years, Popović will start her role on 1 September , ahead of the team’s gathering in Frederikshavn on 15 September, as Denmark prepare for the 2025 IHF Women’s World Championship, hosted by Germany and the Netherlands, between 26 November and 14 December.

    Popović, a four-time Player of the Year in Denmark and a six-time winner of the Champions League with Slagelse DH, Viborg HK and Buducnost, featured for eight years for Danish clubs, starting her stint in Slagelse in 2002, before moving to Viborg in 2007, where she stayed until 2010.

    “I have had good contact with Bojana for several years, and it will be fantastic to have her commitment and temperament on our team. Coming from Eastern Europe, she brings a passion for handball that will complement and energize our Scandinavian culture. Bojana is very talented, and I am looking forward to working closely with her,” said Denmark’s new coach, Helle Thomsen, for the official website of the Danish Handball Federation (DanskHåndbold).

    Popović was part of the Montenegro team which secured the silver medal at the London 2012 Olympic Games, the only medal won in history by the nation in the competition. She was also part of the Yugoslavia team which won the bronze medal at the 2001 IHF Women’s World Championship.

    After retiring, in 2016, Popović worked her way on the ladder, becoming the head coach of the Montenegro women’s national team, a position she held between 2021 and 2024, finishing seventh at the 2023 IHF Women’s World Championship and leading her side to a bronze medal at the EHF EURO 2022.

    Popović, a former left back known for her penchant of scoring, is also the current head coach of Budućnost Podgorica, the Montenegrin powerhouse which she has been leading since 2020.

    “It is a great honour and privilege to become part of the Danish national team’s coaching staff. I am aware of the responsibility and the high expectations, but I believe in the quality and experience within Denmark that give us every reason to aim even higher. My task will be to support Helle Thomsen and the entire team to reach new levels. I believe in hard work, discipline, and unity, and together with the players and fans, we can continue to write history,” said Popović.

    The first test for Helle Thomsen and Bojana Popović will be the 2025 IHF Women’s World Championship. Denmark will feature in Group A, in Rotterdam, where they face Croatia, Japan and Romania.

    Denmark have finished third, winning the bronze medal, at the last two editions of the IHF Women’s World Championship, in 2021 and 2023, and ended second at the last two editions of the EHF EURO, in 2022 and 2024, under Jesper Jensen’s guidance. The Scandinavian powerhouse also finished third at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, finishing on the podium in the past five major international competitions.

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  • VOTE: Who was the Player of the Day on August 28?

    VOTE: Who was the Player of the Day on August 28?

    The official EuroBasket app

    KATOWICE (Poland) – The stars came out to play as FIBA EuroBasket 2025 action tipped off in Limassol and Katowice on Thursday, with Luka Doncic and Giannis Antetokounmpo headlining the Top Performers.

    But who had the best showing in an action-packed opening day in Groups C and D?

    We have left that for you to decide by casting your vote in the fan poll below and letting us know who you think deserves to be named Player of the Day.

    As expected, Luka Doncic put on quite a show at the start of another EuroBasket campaign. The Slovenian superstar dropped 34 points, dished out 9 assists and picked opponents’ pockets five times for a tournament-high efficiency of 42, albeit in a 105-95 defeat to hosts Poland.

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    Dream home premiere: Poland hold off Slovenia despite Luka’s 34-piece

    Georgia take down EuroBasket champs Spain

    Jordan Loyd is the main reason for Luka’s sorrow as Poland’s guard had a debut to remember. How do 32 points and seven made three-pointers for the fourth-best EuroBasket scoring debut of all time sound?

    Elsewhere, Israel tipped off their campaign with a 83-71 win over Iceland, and Roman Sorkin had everything to do with it. The big man tallied 31 points with four made three-pointers, grabbed 5 rebounds and blocked 1 shot which amounted to an efficiency of 31.

    Prepare for Friday’s action

    TCL Players of the Game: Who has the most awards?

    Preview: Can Latvia bounce back in Baltic clash against Estonia?

    Giannis Antetokounmpo led Greece to a 75-66 victory over Italy in a European classic between two basketball powerhouses. The Greek Freak scored 31 points, also grabbing 7 rebounds and dishing out 2 assists in the process.

    Earlier, Georgia shocked defending EuroBasket champions Spain 83-69 to make an early mark in the tournament. Sandro Mamukelashvili put the team on his back with an all-around showing of 19 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists in a game that Georgia will surely remember for a long time.

    FIBA

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  • Valtteri Bottas believes ‘the sky’s the limit’ for Cadillac as he reflects on expectations for 2026

    Valtteri Bottas believes ‘the sky’s the limit’ for Cadillac as he reflects on expectations for 2026

    Valtteri Bottas is confident that “the sky’s the limit” for Cadillac as the team prepare for their debut in 2026, though the Finn has also acknowledged that he and the squad need to be “realistic on the targets” for the start of their maiden campaign.

    It was confirmed this week that Bottas and Sergio Perez will both return to the grid to form the American outfit’s line-up next season and, in a bonus episode of the F1 Nation podcast, Bottas spoke of his excitement at joining the new project.

    “I signed a while ago but for me, once we had the announcement in New York, that’s really when it hit me,” he explained. “It’s almost the same feeling as when I started, like I’m an F1 driver again, so it feels great. I feel like a kid.

    “It’s a really exciting, interesting project for me. Obviously, they’ve got a great structure already. They have big plans for the future and, for me, being part of something that you can really start from a blank page, a new Formula 1 team, there’s so much input that I can put into it.

    “I know there’s a lot of work to do, but I think it’s really exciting starting something new and being part of it.”

    Bottas believes that his extensive experience in the sport – having raced for Williams, Mercedes and Kick Sauber across 12 seasons, during which time he collected 10 victories with the Silver Arrows – will be beneficial to Cadillac as they find their feet.

    However, the 36-year-old says that he is also being pragmatic about the possibility of the new team facing some challenges when they first hit the grid in 2026.

    “We need to be realistic,” Bottas conceded. “I need to be realistic on the targets. The main thing is, first of all, to be there at the first test in January, to finish the first race, and then we kind of go from there so, mentally almost kind of preparing for the worst, that it’s going to be a difficult start, but you never know.

    “It is a new regulation change again in Formula 1 with the power units and with the cars, so there can be opportunities, but we will take it step by step. By working hard and then eventually seeing the fruit, that’s going to be the thing that keeps me going.

    “The sky’s the limit for the team. There’s obviously a target to make progress as quickly as possible. The team is going to be here to stay for a long time in F1, so I’m not going to set a result target or anything, but we want to see progress and we want to be successful.

    “As I said, the starting point could be tricky, but there’s only a way up from there and that’s exciting. They’re serious. They’re not here to finish last. And that is really encouraging and good to see.”

    To hear more from Bottas about his Cadillac move, hit go on the audio player above or click here to listen to the latest episode of F1 Nation on your preferred podcasting platform.

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  • Diamond League Final: Georgia Hunter Bell, Dina Asher-Smith and Max Burgin impress in Zurich

    Diamond League Final: Georgia Hunter Bell, Dina Asher-Smith and Max Burgin impress in Zurich

    Great Britain’s Georgia Hunter Bell, Dina Asher-Smith and Max Burgin produced impressive performances at the Diamond League Final as they finalised their preparations for next month’s World Championships.

    The trio, each named in the British squad for Tokyo earlier this week, achieved second-place finishes in Zurich with just 16 days until the action gets under way in Tokyo on 13 September.

    Having last week chosen to target the 800m in pursuit of another global podium, Olympic 1500m bronze medallist Hunter Bell ran a personal best one minute 55.96 seconds in that event as she finished runner-up in a thrilling finish against Switzerland’s Audrey Werro (1:55.91).

    That time moved Hunter Bell, whose decision to switch to the 800m could see her line up alongside training partner and Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson in the world final, above Dame Kelly Holmes to third on the British all-time list.

    “It would be amazing [to make the world podium],” Hunter Bell told BBC World Service Sport.

    “I don’t think two [British] athletes have been on the podium together since maybe Sebastian Coe, Steve Cram or Steve Ovett, so if me and Keely could do that, it would be pretty special.”

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