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The origins of Torvill and Dean’s Boléro routine

A 180-switch in the music’s tempo, led to the choice of Maurice Ravel’s Boléro, for Olympic season.

The change of pace and tone saw the emergence of a mesmerising routine that featured a Romeo and Juliet-style storyline, complete with billowing floaty costumes worn by the pair, unusual for the time, with the music building to a pulsating crescendo and a tragic end.

The drama imbued in the routine came at a time when Crawford himself had also changed his typical role, rehearsing the haunting role of the masked Erik in The Phantom of the Opera.

Playing a disfigured musical genius who haunts the Paris Opera House, obsessed by the young soprano Christine, Crawford won multiple accolades for the heavyweight role, including an Olivier Award and Tony Award in his three-and-a-half-year run.

Working alongside Torvill and Dean and coach Calloway, perhaps it’s no surprise the quartet came up with the similarly powerful and sensual Boléro routine at this time.

Crawford helped the pair act out the skate, with Torvill confirming his role in an interview with local Nottingham magazine LeftLion in 2014: “Michael was wonderful to work with and he taught so much about expressing emotions while on the ice and putting on a performance, while moving at speed.”

“We worked with Michael from 1981,” revealed Dean, “and he helped us to create our 1984 Olympic routines. He was right there with our trainer when we were at the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo and was a huge support to us.”

The commentator perfectly captured the drama of the history-making performance at the Zetra Olympic Hall in which 8,500 spectators, with 24 million people watching on British TV, saw the pair win Olympic gold.

“Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean from Great Britain have just delivered the most amazing free dance that’s ever been seen.

“Innovative moves never seen before in ice dance before this couple came along, the first couple to have a sustained theme. They’ve shown us before but now they’ve shown us perfection.”

The routine brought the house down, with Crawford leading the applause.

Torvill and Dean would turn professional post-Olympic Games but returned to competition in time to claim Olympic bronze in Lillehammer, Norway a decade later.

Since then, the pair have continued to skate professionally, with the final curtain call after 50 years of skating seeing them bow out this weekend.

But as they take to the ice for the final time together, there will no doubt be a nod to that man Crawford, now living in New Zealand, and the role he played from the wings of their icy stage.

Vegas lights. Flagg flights. And all 30 NBA teams ready to roll.

The NBA 2K26 Summer League is officially here.

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5 STORIES IN TODAY’S EDITION 🏀

July 10, 2025

Desert Guide: Your all-in-one map to NBA 2K26 Summer League in Vegas

Watch List: Cooper Flagg headlines a slew of can’t-miss rookie debuts over the next two days

First Frames: Summer League pics of No. 1 picks through the years in Vegas

Emirates NBA Cup: Dive into 3 key storylines for each of this year’s 6 groups

PlayStation Creator Cup: Team T Jass gets the win as the top creators put on a show

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1. NBA 2K26 SUMMER LEAGUE GUIDE: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

The 21st year of NBA summer ball in Las Vegas brings all 30 teams together for the NBA 2K26 Summer League, which tips off today and culminates on July 20 with a winner-take-all final.

Acclimate to the desert circuit with everything you need to know below:

What’s the format of the NBA 2K26 Summer League?

• The Slate: A total of 76 games will be played in the 11-day tournament, with all 30 teams playing at least five times
• The Playoffs: After each club plays four games, the top four teams advance to a single-elimination semifinals, capped by the championship on Sunday, July 20 (10 ET, ESPN)
• The Seeding: The four playoff teams will be determined by winning percentage, with head-to-head matchups and point differential serving as the first two tiebreakers
• More Action: The 26 teams that do not advance to the four-team playoff will play a fifth consolation game

Which players are participating in the 2K26 Summer League, and why is it important?

• Why It Matters: Since its inception in 2004, the Summer League in Las Vegas has established itself as a main stage for emerging talent, showcasing future NBA stars year after year
• Why It’s Special: That includes seven active Kia NBA MVPs, the last five Finals MVPs and 14 Kia Rookie of the Year winners – including the last four: Scottie Barnes (2021), Paolo Banchero (2022), Victor Wembanyama (2023) and Stephon Castle (2024)
• Who’s Hitting The Floor: The 2K26 Summer League is stacked with talent – from highly-touted rookies and sophomore standouts to young vets aiming for a breakout, plus unsigned hopefuls looking to make a splash
• Who To Watch: See all 30 official rosters here, along with 15 key players to watch

How can I watch each game, and where are they played?

• Game Locations: The games will be split between the Thomas & Mack Center and Cox Pavilion on the campus of UNLV
• How To Watch: All 76 games will air on ESPN platforms (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN+ and ESPN3) or NBA TV
• Full Schedule: Check out the entire 11-day slate

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2. WATCH LIST: FLAGG FRONTS SUMMER LEAGUE DEBUTS

Two summers ago, he was lighting up New York City’s iconic Rucker Park in the 2023 SLAM Summer Classic.

Last July, he was turning heads in Vegas at Team USA Olympic training camp, going toe-to-toe with NBA stars before logging a single college minute.

One year later, Cooper Flagg is back in the desert for his first official NBA action – slated to make his Summer League debut tonight against the Lakers (8 ET, ESPN).

• Duke Dominance: A versatile two-way wing, Flagg guided Duke to the 2025 Final Four in his lone collegiate season, leading the Blue Devils in points (19.2), rebounds (7.5), assists (4.2), blocks (1.4) and steals (1.4) per game
• No. 1 Mentality: 15 days after being selected with the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s Draft, he’s already showing he’s hungry for more – according to Mavs assistant Josh Broghamer, who is coaching Dallas’ Summer League squad
• “He’s one of the first guys in the gym,” said Broghamer on Flagg this week. “We had to make him sit down on the Fourth of July just because he wanted to be here working already…
• “I think that’s something you see with him first, and then the talent.”

More First Looks: While eight teams got an early taste of summer hoops in the California Classic (GSW, LAL, MIA, SAS) and Salt Lake City Summer League (MEM, OKC, PHI, UTA), Vegas will mark the NBA Summer League debut for rookies on the 22 other teams.

That includes two more top 10 picks who will see their first NBA action today – beginning with the tournament’s opening game.

• Jeremiah Fears (No. 7, NOP): An electrifying guard out of Oklahoma, Fears will look to lead New Orleans alongside 13th overall pick Derik Queen – a smooth-operating big – as the Pels tip things off in Vegas against the Wolves (3:30 ET, ESPN2)
• Egor Demin (No. 8, BKN): A crafty forward who set the freshman single-season assist record at BYU, Demin and the Nets face the Thunder – including 2024 lottery pick Nikola Topić, who flashed in Salt Lake City (5:30 ET, ESPN2)

On Friday, six more lottery picks are expected to take the floor, highlighted by a showdown between two sharpshooters as Kon Knueppel (No. 4 overall) makes his Summer League debut against Ace Bailey (No. 5) and the Jazz (7 ET, ESPN).

• Tre Johnson (No. 6, WAS) & Khaman Maluach (No. 10, PHX): A pure three-level scorer in college, Johnson will look to get his first buckets with the Wizards, while Maluach will patrol the paint for the Suns as the two sides square off (9 ET, ESPN)
• Collin Murray-Boyles (No. 9, TOR) & Noa Essengue (No. 12, CHI): An hour prior, Murray-Boyles – known for his defensive motor – faces off against the versatile French forward Noa Essengue as the Raptors battle the Bulls (8 ET, NBA TV)

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3. FIRST FRAMES: SUMMER LEAGUE PICS OF NO. 1 PICKS

Before Cooper Flagg makes his much anticipated Summer League debut, let’s take a look back at some other No. 1 overall picks who suited up for summer ball in Vegas – from its inaugural circuit 21 years ago to last July.

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4. EMIRATES NBA CUP GROUP DRAW RESULTS

The six groups for the 2025 Emirates NBA Cup were revealed on Wednesday, setting the stage for the third installment of the NBA’s annual in-season competition.

Group Play begins on Oct. 31 with each team playing one game against the other four teams in their group.

The Group Play schedule will be released at a later date, but knowing the groups, we can dive into the potential storylines now.

East Group A: Cleveland, Indiana, Atlanta, Toronto, Washington

• Playoff Rematch: The Pacers defeated the top-seeded Cavs in the East Semis on their way to reaching the NBA Finals
• New-Look Hawks: Last year, Atlanta made the Cup Semis behind All-Tournament selection Trae Young. This year, the Hawks have a deeper cast with offseason additions Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Kristaps Porziņģis and Luke Kennard
• We Meet Again: East Finals MVP Pascal Siakam and Indy will face Toronto, where Siakam spent eight seasons, including the franchise’s first NBA title

East Group B: Boston, Detroit, Orlando, Brooklyn, Philadelphia

• Gearing Up: Detroit is coming off one of the biggest single-season turnarounds in NBA history – a 30-win leap that included a 3-1 record in Group Play in 2024
• Sparking Magic: Orlando looks to build off its quarterfinal appearance in last year’s NBA Cup, adding Desmond Bane to join the core of Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs
• A Storied Rivalry: Boston vs. Philly has seen 470 regular season games and 114 Playoff games. But this will be the first time they meet in the NBA Cup

East Group C: New York, Milwaukee, Chicago, Miami, Charlotte

• The Champ Is Here: Led by Emirates NBA Cup 2024 MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee will look to defend its NBA Cup championship
• Another Classic Rivalry: Last year, NY went unbeaten in Group Play to reach the Cup quarterfinals. To do so again, the Knicks will need to beat longtime rival Miami
• Tournament Foes: The Bulls and Heat have met in the NBA Play-In Tournament in each of the past three seasons – with Miami eliminating Chicago each time – now they’ll meet in a different tournament

West Group A: Oklahoma City, Minnesota, Sacramento, Phoenix, Utah

• Another Shot At Gold: The reigning NBA champion Thunder look to add the Emirates NBA Cup title after losing to the Bucks in last year’s Cup Championship
• West Finals Rematch: The last time we saw OKC and Minnesota clash was in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals as the Thunder advanced to the Finals
• Scorching Scorers: This group features three of last season’s top 10 scorers – scoring champ Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Anthony Edwards (No. 4) and Devin Booker (No. 9)

West Group B: Los Angeles Lakers, LA Clippers, Memphis, Dallas, New Orleans

• Familiar Foes: Luka Dončić and Anthony Davis will face their former teams when the Lakers – who won the inaugural in-season competition – face the Mavs
• Five No. 1s: This cohort will feature five No. 1 overall draft picks: LeBron James (2003), Davis (2012), Deandre Ayton (2018), Zion Williamson (2019) and Cooper Flagg (2025). It would be six, but Kyrie Irving (2011) will be unable to play (ACL)
• Four Top 75s: This group features four members of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team: AD, LeBron and the Clippers’ duo of James Harden and Kawhi Leonard

West Group C: Houston, Denver, Golden State, Portland, San Antonio

• First Round Rematch: After reaching the NBA Cup Semis and earning the 2-seed in the West, the Rockets were eliminated by the Warriors in a seven-game series. They’ll run it back in Group Play, now with 15-time All-Star Kevin Durant in H-Town
• Hardware Galore: This group features three Kia MVPs and three Finals MVPs in Durant, Steph Curry & Nikola Jokić, along with 2024 Kia ROY Victor Wembanyama
• On The Rise: The Spurs and Blazers – both featuring young, up-and-coming players – look to take the next step in the competitive West

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5. TEAM T JASS WINS PLAYSTATION NBA CREATOR CUP

Before the next generation of NBA stars take the court at Las Vegas Summer League today, the top creators in the game hit the hardwood last night for the fourth NBA Creator Cup.

Let’s look back at some of the top moments from the night, both on and off the court.

• All About The Fans: The Pavilion was packed with fans ready to meet their favorite creators before the game tipped off
• Player ➡️ Coach: After showing out in the first three Creator Cups, T Jass made the move to coach this time out – and he had his suit ready for the occasion
• Warming Up Right: Jenna Bandy didn’t even need to see the rim to knock down the backward 20-footer on the first try

Once the game tipped off, the squads wasted no time racking up viral moments.

• First Play, First Highlight: Team Mark started things off with a bang with Duke Skywalka throwing down the alley-oop off the dime from Marcelas Howard
• CC Doing Work: The 6-foot-7 creator showed off his touch on the fadeaway jumper and his power with the double-clutch dunk as he took over  the 1st half
• Baron In The Building: NBA legend Baron Davis sat courtside to take in the action, rooting for Trey Phills – the son of Baron’s former teammate, Bobby Phills. And on cue, Trey delivered a 360 slam to ignite the crowd ⬆️

Team T Jass led 46-33 at the half – which featured a shooting showdown between commentators Jesser and FaZe Rug with PlayStations on the line for a pair of young fans.

Despite trailing at the break, Team Mark made a run in the 3rd quarter, cutting the deficit to a single possession with plays like this fastbreak slam that had their coach hyped.

• Team T Jass regained control in the 4th, helping them charge toward the target score of 73
• Sitting on 70 points, Bandy found an open Bjorn Broman sitting behind the 3-point line. With no hesitation, he launched the game-winning triple to bring to Creator Cup championship to Team T Jass
• “I told you we were coming away with the dub!” – Bjorn breaks down the game-winning bucket
• CC = MVP: With a 26-point, 10-rebound double-double in the win, CC earned MVP honors in the fourth NBA Creator Cup

Jersey are third in the five-team round robin group going into the final round of matches, having lost to the Netherlands, beaten Guernsey and had their game with Italy rained off.

Victory over Scotland would ensure qualification should pool leaders Italy go on to beat hosts the Netherlands later on Friday.

It would be an even greater shock as Jersey’s team are all part-time apart from Jersey-born professionals Asa Tribe, who plays county cricket for Glamorgan, and Wellington’s Nick Greenwood.

Scotland and the Netherlands are both mainly professional sides while the Italians have been bolstered by a policy of bringing in cricketers with Italian heritage such as former Australia Test player Joe Burns, Harry and Ben Mananti, who have played for the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League, and Durham’s Emilio Gay.

“When we get out there on the field it’s a one-ball game and it doesn’t matter if you’re a professional or not, it’s all about executing your skills as best as possible,” says Perchard.

“Obviously them being a professional outfit does help them, but we’ve got immense pride and camaraderie as a unit that a lot of these other teams don’t have, and that helps to bridge the gap massively.”

The islanders are playing in the final qualifying stages for a T20 World Cup for the fifth time, having reached the penultimate stage for the 2023 50-over World Cup two years ago.

Jersey beat Italy to earn international status 20 years ago, and Jenner has no problems with countries bringing in players if it improves the sport.

“Italy are trying to just spread the game,” he says.

“It would be pretty cool if Italy goes through and we go through to not have Scotland and Netherlands there, who were the top two teams.

“These guys that come in and play probably more towards the end of their careers, are still trying to play and spread the game.

“So it’s frustrating for us because we can’t do it to the same extent as them, but you play the ball rather than anybody on their reputation.”

The factory team returns to Brazil for round five of the FIA World Endurance Championship WEC (11–13 July) with fond memories: in 2024, both Porsche 963 finished on the podium at the 6 Hours of São Paulo. Manthey 1st Phorm arrives in Brazil leading the LMGT3 class. The team from the Eifel region, located close to the Nürburgring, most recently won its class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The preview

In 2024, the two Porsche 963 treated more than 70,000 fans with some gripping race action in Brazil. Finishing second and third, Porsche Penske Motorsport solidified its position at the top of the championship leaderboard. This year, Porsche returns to the storied Formula 1 circuit in São Paulo sitting third in the overall standings. In the No. 5 car, France’s Julien Andlauer joins forces with Denmark’s Michael Christensen. The No. 6 sister car is shared by reigning World Endurance champions Kévin Estre (France) and Laurens Vanthoor (Belgium). Customer team Proton Competition also fields a Porsche 963 in the top-tier Hypercar class.

“We’re hoping for a fair and balanced competition over the entire six-hour distance,” says Thomas Laudenbach, Vice President Porsche Motorsport. “Last year, we secured podium finishes with both cars. If we reach our full potential next weekend and execute everything flawlessly, a similar result should be within reach – that’s what we’re aiming for. It would be fantastic if the championship battle in the second half of the season proves to be as thrilling as it was last year. The teams, drivers, and fans all deserve that.”

“After the 24 Hours of Le Mans, there wasn’t much time to catch our breath. Now, the next round of the World Endurance Championship is already upon us,” says Urs Kuratle, Director Factory Motorsport LMDh, as he looks ahead to the fifth race of the year. “Following a challenging start to the WEC season, we’re eager to finally build on last year’s results. Our team, drivers and cars are all prepared for the challenge. Since the regulations were introduced in 2023, the Porsche 963 has proven itself to be the fastest of all LMDh cars. We want to stay on this trajectory and finish on the podium again – ideally, of course, by securing our first WEC victory of the season in São Paulo.”

“It was disappointing to leave Le Mans without the win, especially after our team executed a perfect race,” states Jonathan Diuguid, Managing Director Porsche Penske Motorsport. “Still, the fact that three of our Porsche 963 finished in the top eight, including second overall, motivates us to take home maximum WEC points from the next four rounds. The manufacturers’ title is within reach, so this is the new target.”

Mathieu Jaminet and Matt Campbell will not compete in Brazil. Instead, the French/Australian duo will shift its focus to the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, where they currently lead the driver standings after six rounds. Like last year, Brazilian local hero Felipe Nasr will once again be on standby in São Paulo as a reserve driver for the factory team.

In the top Hypercar class, the German customer team Proton Competition runs another Porsche 963. In the No. 99 hybrid prototype, driving duties will be shared between Switzerland’s Neel Jani, Nico Pino from Chile, and Argentinian Nico Varrone.

LMGT3 class: Manthey 1st Phorm aims to defend its points lead in Brazil

Customer squad Manthey 1st Phorm arrives at round five of the FIA WEC with strong momentum, after recently securing the LMGT3 class win at Le Mans with the Porsche 911 GT3 R. In the No. 92 entry, factory driver Richard Lietz (Austria) teams up with American Ryan Hardwick and Italy’s Riccardo Pera. The trio currently leads the drivers’ championship heading into the second half of the season. Iron Dames will once again field a matching Porsche 911 GT3 R with the all-female crew Rahel Frey (Switzerland), Michelle Gatting (Denmark), and Célia Martin (France).

The race

The 6 Hours of São Paulo is contested at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace in Interlagos, located on the outskirts of the sprawling metropolis. The 4.309-kilometre circuit has hosted more than 40 Formula 1 Grands Prix since its construction in 1942. The FIA WEC previously held three races at the anti-clockwise track between 2012 and 2014, with Porsche claiming its first win with the legendary 919 Hybrid there in 2014. In 2024, the World Endurance Championship made its long-awaited return to Brazil.

This is the second time the FIA WEC visits São Paulo in the month of July. While Central Europe enjoys the height of summer, Brazil is in “deep” winter. In Interlagos, the average high temperature for the coldest month of the year hovers around 23 degrees Celsius. Statistically, the chance of rain is significantly lower than during the previous events in September and November between 2012 and 2014.

Driver comments before the race

Julien Andlauer (Porsche 963 #5): “I’m already looking forward to returning to Interlagos. It was a fantastic event last year: a superb track and a first-class atmosphere. I hope we can finally be more competitive in Brazil than we were in the first four races of the season. A podium finish would do us a world of good. The track has been resurfaced since last year, which will affect tyre grip and wear – hopefully to our advantage.”

Laurens Vanthoor (Porsche 963 #6): “I had a short break after my stints in the 24-hour races at Le Mans and the Nürburgring, but now it’s finally time to get going again. São Paulo is a circuit steeped in tradition, and it’s a lot of fun to drive. I enjoy the overseas races on the calendar, so I’m really looking forward to this one. At Le Mans, we clearly saw an upward trend compared to the earlier races of the season. We want to build on that trend in Brazil.”

Neel Jani (Porsche 963 #99): “Last year, we experienced very cool temperatures in Brazil. The forecast for the coming weekend promises warmer conditions, which is a good sign. In 2024, we got caught in a few incidents and also experienced some brake issues on our Porsche 963. This time, we’re aiming for a clean run. The Interlagos circuit just outside São Paulo is a world apart from Le Mans: it features many tight corners, and the cars often run very close together. Strong traction will be key to setting competitive lap times.”

Célia Martin (Porsche 911 GT3 R #85): “After the intensity and emotion of Le Mans, I feel more motivated than ever heading into the 6 Hours of São Paulo. The hunger is still there, stronger than ever. With Porsche and the Manthey team behind us, we’re ready to give absolutely everything. We’re coming in focused, united, and determined to leave it all on the track.”

Riccardo Pera (Porsche 911 GT3 R #92): “After our class victory at Le Mans, we’re now also leading the championship. The atmosphere and motivation couldn’t be better. I’m really looking forward to Brazil, as it will be my first time racing on that fantastic circuit. We need to continue just as we did last time – if we manage another clean race without any incidents, we can maintain our position at the top of the overall standings.”

Porsche racing cars and drivers in São Paulo

Hypercar class (Porsche 963):
Porsche Penske Motorsport #5: Julien Andlauer (FRA), Michael Christensen (DNK)
Porsche Penske Motorsport #6: Kévin Estre (FRA), Laurens Vanthoor (BEL)
Proton Competition #99: Neel Jani (CHE), Nico Pino (CHL), Nico Varrone (ARG)

LMGT3 class (Porsche 911 GT3 R):
Iron Dames #85: Rahel Frey (CHE), Michelle Gatting (DNK), Célia Martin (FRA)
Manthey 1st Phorm #92: Ryan Hardwick (USA), Richard Lietz (AUT), Riccardo Pera (ITA)

The schedule (local time = CEST -5 hours)

Friday, 11 July
11:00 – 12:30 hrs: Free practice 1
15:45 – 17:15 hrs: Free practice 2

Saturday, 12 July
10:10 – 11:10 hrs: Free practice 3
14:45 – 14:57 hrs: Qualifying LMGT3
15:05 – 15:15 hrs: Hyperpole LMGT3
15:25 – 15:37 hrs: Qualifying Hypercar
15:45 – 15:55 hrs: Hyperpole Hypercar

Sunday, 13 July
11:30 – 17:30 hrs: Race 6 Hours of São Paulo

FA

‘Football must do more’

Hello and welcome to Sportstar’s highlights of the first T20I between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, being held at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele.

Playing XIs

Bangladesh: Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Parvez Hossain Emon, Litton Das(w/c), Mohammad Naim, Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mohammad Saifuddin

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis(w), Kusal Perera, Avishka Fernando, Charith Asalanka(c), Dasun Shanaka, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara

TOSS

Sri Lanka wins toss and opts to bowl.

How to watch SL vs BAN 1st T20I Live

The first T20I between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will be televised live on the Sony Sports Network in India and streamed on SonyLIV and FanCode.

The Squads

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka (c), Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Binura Fernando, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, Jeffrey Vandersay, Dinesh Chandimal, Chamika Karunaratne, Eshan Malinga, Avishka Fernando.

Bangladesh: Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Parvez Hossain Emon, Litton Das (wk) (c), Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Jaker Ali, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Nasum Ahmed, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mahedi Hasan, Mohammad Naim, Shoriful Islam.

The Xabi Alonso era at Real Madrid began with promise, but it just hit its first major bump — and it was a big one.

A 4-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup semi-final left fans stunned and the new boss searching for answers.

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In truth, it wasn’t just a loss. It was a loud reminder that Madrid are not where they need to be.

Alonso didn’t shy away from the reality. He called the defeat “painful” and admitted that PSG’s polished display was a level above.

“We were two goals down and we couldn’t find our footing,” he said. “It was a painful defeat… Sometimes it’s good to see our mistakes.”

In just his first month in charge, Alonso has already tasted the heat of the hot seat. But he’s not throwing in the towel. In fact, he’s rolling up his sleeves.

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What kind of Real Madrid Xabi Alonso wants to build?

The former midfield maestro knows what it takes to succeed at the highest level. But now he has to make it work from the dugout.

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His vision? A unit that sticks together — and doesn’t crack under pressure.

“We want to build a team that plays as a unit, with everyone playing together,” he said. Alonso isn’t focused on individuals or flashy names.

He’s preaching collective effort. And after conceding two goals in the first ten minutes, it’s easy to see why.

While PSG looked like a team built with patience and precision, Real Madrid appeared rushed and rattled. Alonso admitted as much. “It’s not only because you want to be braver that you’re better.”

Still, the Spaniard sees this as a new beginning — not the end. “This will be a restart from 0,” he said. Madridistas, consider that your official kickoff whistle.

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There’s no silverware this season. But for Alonso, the real prize might just be the long-term rebuild. After all, Rome wasn’t built in a day — and neither was a Champions League winner.

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