Six-time DP World Tour winner Marcel Siem has put his “massive” party for Italian Open victory on hold to focus on his push towards the world’s top 50 over the coming weeks.
Siem marked his fourth event back from hip surgery by defeating Tom McKibbin in a dramatic play-off on Sunday at Adriatic Golf Club Cervia, his second DP World Tour title in as many seasons.
The German has never posted a major top-10 and last reached the world’s top 50 in 2013, although Siem – who received 450 congratulatory WhatsApp messages for his Italian win – wants to build on his latest DP World Tour success.
Italian Open winner, Marcel Siem tells the Sky Sports Golf Podcast he was up until 4am after winning the tournament replying to messages of congratulations he had received.
“The big plan is to perform better in the big events now, which I have not achieved ever in my life,” Siem told the Sky Sports Golf podcast.
“The Rolex events, the majors, the big ones – that is the only way to get into the top 50 in the world, get into the Ryder Cup and qualify for The Masters.
“That is my big goal going to the Scottish Open and The Open. I will not throw this away with partying anymore. I have three or four weeks off after The Open and this will be party time, trust me – massively, but these three weeks I’ll be working hard.”
The German makes an immediate return to action at the BMW International Open on home soil, live on Sky Sports, then features in the Genesis Scottish Open and The Open before taking time to celebrate his Italian title.
Highlights from day four of the Italian Open from Ravenna, Italy.
“It’s going to be massively busy but I’m just going to try and wide the wave,” Siem added. “There’s so much to play more.
“The European Swing finishes this week and still have a chance to win that, winning two in the row…all these things are on a plate right now.
Speaking on the Sky Sports Golf Podcast, Marcel Siem explains how confident he feels when competing in playoffs after winning a decider against Tom McKibbin to claim the Italian Open.
“I’m trying to give it all, go with the flow and celebrate with the spectators. Let’s make a golf party, not an alcohol party.”
The bonus podcast edition sees host Josh Antmann talk to Siem about his Italian Open win, the emotions over the closing holes and some of the past doubts about his future in the game, plus much more!
Live DP World Tour Golf
Thursday 4th July 11:30am
Download and listen to the latest Sky Sports Golf podcast and don’t forget to subscribe via Spotify, Spreaker or Apple Podcasts! If you’d like to contact the podcast, then you can email at [email protected].
Ad content | Stream Sky Sports on NOW
Stream Sky Sports live with no contract on a Month or Day membership on NOW. Instant access to live action from the Premier League and EFL, plus darts, cricket, tennis, golf and so much more.
Britain’s Paul Jubb and Billy Harris were both beaten in their respective grass-court semi-finals in Mallorca and Eastbourne ahead of Wimbledon next week.
Jubb was beaten in straight sets by Austrian Sebastian Ofner in the semi-finals of the Mallorca Championships.
The 24-year-old had come through qualifying to make a first appearance in an ATP Tour main draw, and saw off world No 14 Ben Shelton in the last round.
But Ofner, ranked 54th in the world, built on a solid start to close out a 6-4 7-5 win over Jubb, who has been given a wild card for Wimbledon where he will play Brazil’s Thiago Seyboth Wild in the first round.
In Friday’s other semi-final, fourth seed Alejandro Tabilo came from behind to beat veteran Frenchman Gael Monfils 2-6 6-2 7-6 (7-3).
In Eastbourne, Harris fell just short of becoming the first Brit to reach the men’s singles final after he was beaten in three sets by Australian Max Purcell at the Rothesay International.
Image: Britain’s Billy Harris lost out in his semi-final in Eastbourne
The 29-year-old had reached the quarter-finals at Queen’s last week, and upset Italian world No 49 Flavio Cobolli in the last round at Devonshire Park.
However, Harris found Purcell, who had came through qualifying, in determined mood to dampen the home crowd as he progressed 6-4 4-6 6-4.
The British No 5 is set to play Spain’s Jaume Munar in the first round at Wimbledon on Tuesday.
Purcell will face top seed Taylor Fritz in the Eastbourne men’s final after the American defeated Aleksandar Vukic in straight sets in the other semi-final, edging out his Australian opponent in two tie-breaks 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (7-4).
In the WTA 500 event, Leylah Fernandez upset defending champion Madison Keys to reach the final, where she will play Daria Kasatkina, last year’s runner-up who defeated Emma Raducanu in the quarter-finals.
Ad content | Stream Sky Sports on NOW
Stream Sky Sports live with no contract on a Month or Day membership on NOW. Instant access to live action from football, darts, cricket, F1, tennis, golf, rugby league, rugby union and more.
England have safely negotiated a rocky route and a fair bit of rain to reach the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup – but could the weather again be set to scupper Jos Buttler’s side?
After opening their tournament with a rain-off against Scotland in Barbados which, followed up by defeat to Australia, had England on the brink of elimination before the holders turned things around to sneak into the Super 8s and then secure a final four spot.
But the forecast is again poor for their Thursday semi-final date against India in Guyana – live on Sky Sports Cricket from 3pm (first ball, 3.30pm)– and so what would that mean for England’s hopes of defending their title? We attempt to break it all down for you…
Live ICC Men's T20 World Cup
Thursday 27th June 3:00pm
What is the forecast like for England’s semi-final?
According to the Met Office, as of Tuesday, the weather forecast for Thursday in Guyana is currently showing as “thunder showers changing to heavy showers by late morning”, with a 60 per cent chance of rain predicted.
Guyana hosted five matches in the initial group stage of the tournament, none of which were rained off, albeit the last of them came over a fortnight ago on June 8.
As for the first semi-final between South Africa and Afghanistan in Trinidad on Wednesday evening – live on Sky Sports Cricket from 1am Thursday morning (first ball, 1.30am) – the Met Office suggests there will be “light showers changing to clear by early evening”, around the time the match is scheduled for.
Image: Rain washed out England’s opening group game of the tournament against Scotland in Barbados
What are the rules if it were to rain?
There is no reserve day available for the second semi-final between England and India – although an extra 250 minutes is available to look to complete the match on the scheduled day.
It means that if the game cannot be completed due to poor weather, India will advance by virtue of topping their Super 8s pool.
The first semi-final between South Africa – who topped Group 2 – and Afghanistan, on Wednesday evening in Trinidad, does have a reserve day factored in for Thursday.
Highlights from the T20 World Cup Group 1 match as Afghanistan defeated Bangladesh to reach their first-ever semi-final where they’ll play South Africa.
Section 13.6.2.1 of the ICC’s playing conditions for the tournament states: “The Final on 29 June will have a reserve day on 30 June. The semi-finals will each have additional time added in order to complete the match which will total 250 minutes.
“For the first semi-final on 26 June, 60 minutes will be available at the end of the day’s play with the remaining 190 minutes scheduled for 2pm on 27 June. Whilst the additional 250 minutes for the second semi-final scheduled on 27 June will be utilised if needed through extended playing hours on the scheduled day.”
Why are England playing in the second semi-final?
It was pre-determined that if India reached the final four of the tournament, they would play in the second semi-final as it is at a more friendly time for their country’s TV audience (8pm India).
None of India’s matches in the competition have come at the scheduled time of the first semi-final (6am India).
Highlights from St Lucia as Rohit Sharma’s 92 from 41 balls powered India to victory over Australia and into the T20 World Cup semi-finals.
With India finishing as Group 1 winners in the Super 8s and England as runners-up in Group 2, it therefore ensured they’d drop into the second semi.
What do the experts say? – ‘I don’t think it’s ideal at all’
Sky Sports’ Michael Atherton: “England and India’s semi-final doesn’t have a rain day. If there’s rain in that game, whoever finished first in their group goes through.
“The vagaries of the organisation have put pressure on the organising of the tournament, and it’s meant that the two semi-finals are played to slightly different rules and regs.
“Secondly, India knew all along that they were going to be in Guyana for the semi-final and, therefore could plan for it. Their logistics were already in tow for Indian supporters a chance to get to Georgetown… England fans won’t have that chance because it’s so late.
“One team knew that they were going to that semi-final and I don’t think it’s ideal at all.”
Speaking on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast, Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain discuss whether England have finally settled on their strongest line-up in time for their semi-final against India.
Sky Sports’ Nasser Hussain: “You can’t have two semi-finals with two different playing conditions, where one has a rain day and the other one doesn’t.
“The first one is made up over two days effectively or a day and a half. The second one, the England-India game, is made up over that whole day – it’s 250 minutes that they can make up.
“We could rock up at 8am in the morning for a 10.30am start (local) and still be there at 10pm at night trying to finish off that game!
“The second semi-final is a 10.30am start because the players, the teams, the officials have to then fly to Barbados for the Saturday final.
“And it’s given to India because of the TV audience in India, the biggest audience for the ICC [International Cricket Council]. Not just India, but Bangladesh, Pakistan and that part of the world.
“My thoughts are that the first part of the tournament seemed to meander along a little bit, with the long gaps… you could have got those games a bit closer together, rather than at the real business end have just one day between a crucial second semi-final and a final.”
Has something similar ever happened before?
Image: Rain forced the abandonment of the 2020 Women’s T20 World Cup semi-final between England and India
England’s Women were dumped out of the 2020 Women’s T20 World Cup after a washout in their semi-final against India due to heavy rain in Sydney.
Again there was no reserve day scheduled, allowing for India to qualify for the final by virtue of finishing top of their group, compared to England who were runners-up in theirs after suffering an opening loss to South Africa.
Image: England captain Heather Knight can only watch on as rain wrecks her side’s semi-final against India in the 2020 Women’s T20 World Cup
Hosts and eventual winners Australia – runners-up to India – appeared to be facing the same fate, with both semi-finals being played at the same venue on the same day on this occasion, until the clouds cleared sufficiently to see them beat South Africa to a place in the final.
How did England reach the semi-finals?
After England’s hopes of progressing through to the Super 8s were hanging by the proverbial thread due to the Scotland rain-off and Australia loss, they then dismantled Oman – skittling the associate nation for 47 before completing the run chase in just 19 balls to, crucially, take their net run rate above Scotland’s.
Highlights of England’s win over Oman at the T20 Cricket World Cup, as they sprinted to a chase of 48 in just 3.1 overs in Antigua.
They then managed to beat the rain and Namibia in Antigua, comfortably winning a 10-over-a-side encounter by 41 runs on DLS after initially fearing a tournament-ending washout.
Even with those back-to-back wins, Buttler’s side were reliant on Australia beating Scotland in their final match and they would have been jittery when the Scots posted 180-5 batting first and even more so when Australia needed 89 runs still from the final seven overs of their chase, before the 2021 champions ultimately romped home two balls to spare.
Highlights of England’s win against the West Indies at the T20 Cricket World Cup.
Having squeezed into the Super 8s, England truly arrived by dismantling hosts West Indies by eight wickets in their best performance of the tournament, chasing down a challenging target of 181 with 15 deliveries to spare thanks to an unbeaten 87 from 47 balls from Phil Salt.
A seven-run defeat to South Africa followed, despite a late revival from Harry Brook (53 off 37) and Liam Livingstone (33 off 17) threatened to see them over the line.
Highlights of England’s thumping 10-wicket win over USA as they cruised into the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup
A thumping win over the USA was therefore required to ensure a semi-final spot and England duly delivered one as Chris Jordan bagged the England men’s team a first T20 international hat-trick before Buttler (83no off 38) hammered his team into the last four as they chased down 116 inside 10 overs and with all 10 wickets in hand.
When are the semi-finals and final?
Thursday June 27
Semi-final #1 – South Africa vs Afghanistan, Tarouba, Trinidad and Tobago (1.30am)
Semi-final #2 – India vs England, Providence, Guyana (3.30pm)
Saturday June 29
Final – Bridgetown, Barbados (3.30pm)
Catch every match from the T20 World Cup, including the final in Barbados on Saturday June 29, live on Sky Sports.
Ad content | Stream Sky Sports on NOW
Stream Sky Sports live with no contract on a Month or Day membership on NOW. Instant access to live action from football, darts, cricket, F1, tennis, golf, rugby league and more.
Scotland boss Steve Clarke demanded answers why Scotland were denied a “100 per cent” penalty which he felt may have cost them their last-16 qualification at Euro 2024.
Stuart Armstrong appeared to be brought down by defender Willi Orban inside the area with Scotland’s final group game with Hungary goalless but Argentinian referee Facundo Tello declined to give a penalty – a decision Sky Sports’ Kris Boyd said he could not believe.
Clarke sympathised with the official but said VAR’s decision not to intervene after viewing replays of the incident was inexplicable.
“100 per cent penalty,” he said in his press conference. “Somebody somewhere has to explain to me why that’s not a penalty. It’s 100 per cent a penalty.
“It’s a one-goal game, we get the penalty, it could be a different night. I’ve got other words, but I’m not going to use them.
Image: Willi Orban avoided punishment for this challenge on Stuart Armstrong
“It’s a European competition, it might have been better to have a European referee. The VAR was European, maybe the referee didn’t see the foul clearly on the pitch, but what’s the point in VAR if they’re not going to come in on something like that. It was a penalty.”
Former Scotland forward Boyd questioned why Tello was not sent to the pitch-side monitor by Spanish VAR Alejandro Hernandez, with Armstrong and his team-mates visibly incensed at the time.
“I’ve seen the penalty again and I cannot believe that hasn’t been given,” Boyd said on Sky Sports News. “It’s a natural football position – you get your arm across to protect the ball.
“The knee goes into the top of Armstrong’s calf. I cannot believe a penalty hasn’t been given. That would have changed everything.
“It’s a penalty all day long. If the referee had been able to go to the monitor, he might have been able to correct his wrong decision.”
Kris Boyd says he didn’t understand how Scotland were not awarded a penalty kick in their match against Hungary
Clarke: We need to work out how to score more goals
Despite realistically needing to win the game, Scotland failed to register a single shot on target until the eighth minute of added time in the second half, while three of their four shots in total came beyond the 90th minute.
Clarke refused to be drawn on what exactly had seen Scotland drop out of the European Championship in the group stage for the second tournament in a row, but admitted he would need to sit down with his staff to work out how they will score more goals in future competitions.
He said: “It’s very difficult to sit here and analyse, but sometimes after a defeat like that you need a bit of time just to digest everything and work out how the game went, why it went how it did.
“We didn’t create enough, but we did create enough to score a goal. That’s clear. Is that why we went out of the tournament?
“We scored two goals this tournament, we scored one last time. It’s one for me to go away and talk to my coaches about, about how we can score more goals at certain times in games of course.”
Rossi: We deserved to win
Image: Kevin Csoboth ended Scotland’s Euro hopes
Victorious Hungary manager Marco Rossi said his side were worthy of their first victory of the tournament, one which gives them an outside hope of reaching the last 16 for the second European Championship out of their last three tournaments.
“The Scottish had a bit more ball possession, especially in the first half,” he admitted, but added: “In the second half it was more an up-and-down match, starting from around the 70th minute, almost 30 minutes in which there were situations from one side to the other.
“We can say that it was an equal match. Surely we had more chances, they had more of the ball, but overall I don’t think we didn’t deserve to win. It was deserved.”
On Scotland’s penalty, Rossi declined to offer his sympathies and instead drew comparisons to a foul he felt should have been given against Ilkay Gundogan ahead of Germany’s first goal during Hungary’s 2-0 defeat to the hosts in their previous game.
He said: “In the pre-match I said there was a clear foul on Orban by Gundogan, why do we have to talk now about this moment?
“I didn’t see it well from the bench, but if they didn’t give the penalty in the VAR room, they have seen it was not a penalty. Many pushes from the back in the European Championship are allowed.”
Fresh doubts over Andy Murray’s participation at Wimbledon surfaced on Sunday amid reports the three-time Grand Slam champion had undergone spinal surgery.
The Daily Telegraph reported the 37-year-old had gone under the knife on Saturday after withdrawing from his second-round match against Jordan Thompson at Queen’s on Wednesday.
Those claims appeared to be substantiated by a post on X by the ATP Tour, the governing body for men’s professional tennis, but with the post subsequently deleted and no confirmation from Murray’s camp, the extent of his injury remains unclear.
Before his injury, Murray was gearing up to play at Wimbledon – which begins on July 1 – for what is expected to be his final appearance at the Grand Slam, but those plans – and his participation at this summer’s Olympics in Paris – appear in doubt.
Murray’s camp are expected to provide an update on his condition on Monday at the earliest, in addition to his chances of featuring at the Olympics in Paris, where he has been selected as part of Team GB’s squad.
Speaking after his Queen’s retirement, Murray said: “During my pre-match warm-up I was pretty uncomfortable and then I walked up the stairs, just before going on the court, I didn’t have the normal strength in my right leg. It was not a usual feeling.
“Then the first two balls I hit in the warm-up, my right leg, it was, like, so uncoordinated. I had no coordination. Then, yeah, my right leg just was not working properly.
“In hindsight, I wish I hadn’t gone on there because it was pretty awkward for everyone.
“There is nothing I could do, and then there is part of you that wants to go out there and see if it gets better, you know, and maybe feel better with a bit of treatment or something, but that wasn’t the case.”
Murray tried to play through the pain before eventually he had to withdraw from the match at Queen’s, receiving a standing ovation from the crowd as he waved to the spectators.
Murray, who only returned to action last month after eight weeks out due to damaging ankle ligaments in late March, had targeted playing in the singles tournament and the men’s doubles alongside his brother Jamie at Wimbledon.
Former British tennis player Naomi Broady looks into what the future may hold for fellow Brits Andy Murray and Emma Raducanu
The Olympic Games in Paris follows Wimbledon with Murray named in Great Britain’s squad after the International Tennis Federation awarded him a place having won singles gold in London 2012 and Rio 2016.
Tennis at the Olympics begins on July 27, with Murray nominated to play singles and men’s doubles with Dan Evans.
He has indicated he will retire after this summer.
What’s coming up on Sky Sports Tennis?
Find out all the ways to watch tennis on Sky Sports, including the US Open, ATP and WTA tours.
In the run-up to the third Grand Slam of 2024 – Wimbledon – you can watch all of the biggest tennis stars in action live on Sky Sports as they compete across the grass-court season.
Berlin Open (WTA 500) – June 17-23
Halle (ATP 500) – June 17-23
Mallorca Championships (ATP 250) – June 23-29
Bad Homburg (WTA 500) – June 23-29
Watch the WTA and ATP Tours throughout 2024 on Sky Sports Tennis. Stream Sky Sports Tennis and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership. No contract, cancel anytime.
Afghanistan kept their T20 World Cup semi-final hopes alive by stunning previously unbeaten Australia by 21 runs in a thrilling encounter on Saturday.
Despite Pat Cummins becoming the third bowler in history to claim a hat-trick in successive innings, Afghanistan posted 148-6 after being asked to bat first on a tricky pitch at the Arnos Vale Ground.
Afghanistan pair Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran put on 118 for the highest opening partnership against Australia in a T20 match before Australia’s bowlers rallied late, including Cummins’ second career hat-trick – just two days after his first.
Australia then stumbled with the bat and were all out for 127, with only Glenn Maxwell (59 off 41 balls) coming to grips with the superb Afghanistan bowling attack and the turning wicket.
Man of the match Guldabin Naib took four wickets in an inspired spell in the middle overs to stall Australia’s chase before Azmatullah Omarzai had final wicket Adam Zampa caught in the deep in the final over to complete a stunning win amid jubilant celebrations among the Afghan players and team management.
Pat Cummins became the first player to register a hat-trick in consecutive T20 World Cup matches as he took three wickets in a row against Afghanistan
The victory moves Afghanistan to two points in Group 1 and level with Australia, but behind on net run rate. India lead the group on four points. Bangladesh are bottom after two losses but still have a chance of qualifying for the semifinals.
“It’s a massive win for us as a team and as a nation in the World Cup beating (the) champions,” captain Rashid Khan said.
“It’s so important for us back home and for everyone all around the world. Where Afghanistan people, the Afghans are there, they are badly missing this win and I’m sure they would have been so proud of and they would have enjoyed the game and I think it’s just the beginning now for us.”
Image: Afghanistan players celebrate after defeating Australia by 21 runs in their men’s T20 World Cup cricket match
Earlier, Gurbaz scored 60 off 49 balls, while Zadran made a steady 51 off 48 balls as they laid a solid platform – helped by some uncharacteristically poor fielding by Australia.
Marcus Stoinis eventually made the breakthrough in the 16th over, dismissing Gurbaz which led to a flurry of wickets as the momentum shifted.
Adam Zampa (2-28) took two wickets in the next over, including Zadran’s, before Pat Cummins again came to the fore. The seam bowler had Rashid Khan (two) caught by Tim David in the deep with the final ball off the 18th over.
Image: Pat Cummins became the first player in T20 history to take a hat-trick in successive matches
Cummins (3-28) returned to bowl the final over of the innings and with his first ball had Karim Janat (13) again caught by David.
For the hat-trick ball, Cummins cleverly disguised a slower delivery which Guldabin Naib could only loft to Glenn Maxwell running in from the boundary to claim the catch.
Australia stumbled early in the chase as it lost Travis Head bowled by Naveen-ul-Haq for no score with the third ball of the innings.
Captain Mitchell Marsh (12) played two big shots before he was Naveen’s second wicket and when David Warner (three) was out to spinner Mohammad Nabi’s first ball the Aussies were in trouble at 32-3 in the sixth over.
Stoinis and Maxwell steadied the Australian innings as they reached 70-3 at the halfway stage.
Image: Afghanistan players celebrate after defeating Australia by 21 runs in their men’s T20 World Cup match
Gulbadin (4-20) was the eighth bowler used by Afghanistan inside the first 11 overs and it paid a near instant dividend as Stoinis could only sky a pull shot which was caught by Gurbaz.
Gulbadin then removed David (two) and when the allrounder had Maxwell spectacularly caught by Noor Ahmad an upset victory appeared likely.
Australia’s lower-order batters couldn’t find the big hits that the moment demanded either and when veteran Nabi took a catch on the boundary to dismiss Zampa (nine), Afghanistan’s deserved victory was confirmed.
What’s next?
Australia face India in St Lucia on Monday (live from 3pm on Sky Sports Cricket, first ball 3.30pm), while Afghanistan round off their Super 8s campaign against Bangladesh on Tuesday (live from 1.30am on Sky Sports Cricket. The two semi-finals take place on Thursday June 27, ahead of the final on June 29.
Ad content | Stream Sky Sports on NOW
Stream Sky Sports live with no contract on a Month or Day membership on NOW. Instant access to live action from football, darts, cricket, F1, tennis, golf, rugby league, rugby union and more.
Andy Murray will undergo a medical procedure on his back which will determine whether he plays at Wimbledon after he was forced to retire with an injury at Queen’s Club.
Murray was losing 4-1 in the first set of his second round match against Jordan Thompson when he pulled out, having received treatment around the lower back area and hips after three games. It was later confirmed Murray had an issue with his back and will have surgery on Saturday.
The 37-year-old is hoping to play at Wimbledon, which begins on July 1 for what is expected to be his last appearance at the Grand Slam.
But the two-time champion at the All England Club underwent a scan to determine the extent of the problem which left his right leg numb just before he walked onto Centre Court.
Murray said: “During my pre-match warm-up I was pretty uncomfortable and then I walked up the stairs, just before going on the court, I didn’t have the normal strength in my right leg. It was not a usual feeling.
“Then the first two balls I hit in the warm-up, my right leg, it was, like, so uncoordinated. I had no coordination. Then, yeah, my right leg just was not working properly.
“In hindsight I wish I hadn’t gone on there because it was pretty awkward for everyone.
“There is nothing I could do, and then there is part of you that wants to go out there and see if it gets better, you know, and maybe feel better with a bit of treatment or something, but that wasn’t the case.”
Former British tennis player Naomi Broady looks into what the future may hold for fellow Brits Murray and Emma Raducanu
Asked about whether he fears missing Wimbledon, Murray added: “I wouldn’t know.
“Like all tennis players, we have degenerative sort of joints and stuff in the back but it’s all predominantly been left-sided for me my whole career. I have never had too many issues with the right side.
“So maybe there is something that can be done between now and then, you know, to help the right side.
“I will get scans tomorrow [Thursday] and get it rechecked and see if there’s anything that can be done.”
Murray walked gingerly out onto the court and it quickly became clear he was not moving properly as he lost the opening two games.
Murray got a feeling of what it’s like to chat with himself as he was interviewed by comedian and impressionist Josh Berry
He held serve but lost two more games before deciding to retire, receiving a standing ovation from the crowd as he waved to the spectators.
Murray, who only returned to action last month after eight weeks out due to damaged ankle ligaments in late March, is set to play in singles and the men’s doubles alongside brother Jamie Murray at Wimbledon.
The Olympic Games in Paris follow with Murray named in Great Britain’s squad after the International Tennis Federation awarded him a place having won singles gold in London 2012 and Rio 2016.
Tennis at the Olympics begins on July 27, with Murray nominated to play singles and men’s doubles with Dan Evans.
He has indicated he will retire after this summer.
Image: Andy and Jamie Murray played doubles together in the Davis Cup final in 2015, when Britain won the tournament
A huge blow for Murray ahead of likely retirement
Sky Sports’ Nigel Chiu:
“This is a massive blow for Murray. He’s come back from injury so many times and got back into the world’s top 40 last year after career-threatening hip surgery in 2019, which no singles player had ever been able to come back from.
“Murray will do everything to play at Wimbledon, even if he’s only 60 per cent fit, but it’s not how he will want to play what will likely be his last appearance at the All-England Club.
“There are less than two weeks until Wimbledon and Murray will surely just rest up as much as possible before the start of July. Maybe this time it’s one step too far for Murray’s body. Can he recover one last time?
“It’s the second injury issue for a British player on two days at Queen’s after Dan Evans slipped and injured his knee.
“Evans said it would be hard to swallow if he misses Wimbledon or the Olympics, so there are two British players now in a race to get fit, but you can’t help but not feel too positive about either of their hopes.”
What’s coming up on Sky Sports Tennis?
Find out all the ways to watch tennis on Sky Sports, including the US Open, ATP and WTA tours.
In the run-up to the third Grand Slam of 2024 – Wimbledon – you can watch all of the biggest tennis stars in action live on Sky Sports as they compete across the grass-court season.
Berlin Open (WTA 500) – June 17-23
Halle (ATP 500) – June 17-23
Mallorca Championships (ATP 250) – June 23-29
Bad Homburg (WTA 500) – June 23-29
Watch the WTA and ATP Tours throughout 2024 on Sky Sports Tennis. Stream Sky Sports Tennis and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership. No contract, cancel anytime.
Lewis Hamilton said he “felt great” after he topped second practice at the Spanish Grand Prix on an incredibly tight Friday in Barcelona.
Five different teams filled the top five spots in Practice Two, with Hamilton edging out Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz by 0.022s and 0.055s ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris.
Mercedes were in contention for the win last time out in Canada for the first time this year and they have continued their strong form into Spain, a track with a mixture of corners that tests every part of the car.
“P1 was so-so. We learned a lot in that session then P2 felt quite a bit better. Made some good changes to the car and I felt great today,” said Hamilton.
“Very hot track, very tough on the tyres, especially on the long run. It doesn’t feel like we were too far off. I won’t take too much notice of lap times necessarily.
“I think the car is definitely in a better place. I think we have some work to improve it overnight to see if we can hold onto the Red Bulls, Ferraris and McLarens.
“Everyone at the factory has been working so hard, as they are every year. But [we have] more of a north star and a much better understanding of where we want to go with the car and the incremental steps we have been taking.”
Ride on board with Lewis Hamilton as he performs his fastest lap during Friday’s practice session at the Spanish Grand Prix.
George Russell was eighth quickest and half a second off his Mercedes team-mate, but he has delivered when it mattered most in qualifying this year and is not concerned about the gap to Hamilton.
Russell said Mercedes had the best long run pace, which also bodes well for Sunday’s race, but expects Red Bull to improve.
“I am feeling good,” he said. “The car is performing well around this circuit. Obviously need to have a closer look at it but Lewis top of the timesheet, really great to see, I felt really strong on the medium tyre.
“Long run in P1, we were up there with the quickest. It is only Friday but it has been a while since we have been consistently at the upper end.
Toto Wolff shut down rumours about Lewis Hamilton’s car supposedly being sabotaged stating that online abuse needs to stop.
“I think we were probably quickest in the long run and not as quick in the low fuel qualy pace whereas this afternoon qualy pace looked really strong.
“I am feeling good, feeling excited, this is what we have been chasing for a long time. We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves. Lewis did a great job and a great lap.
“We always know come qualifying, the Red Bulls turn it up, Max is going to be on it, the McLarens were fast, Carlos was fast so we will put in a good fight.”
Yuki Tsunoda avoids hitting George Russell during the first practice session at the Spanish Grand Prix.
Verstappen not giving anything away
Red Bull were expected to have an advantage at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya as the track is more conventional and theoretically plays to the aerodynamic strengths of their car.
However, championship leader Max Verstappen was only fifth in second practice, behind Alpine’s Pierre Gasly in fourth.
“We just tried a few different set-ups out there in P1 and P2. The day itself was a bit more normal without any issues. That’s what we were hoping for and now it’s about trying to tidy up the car a bit,” he said.
Max Verstappen explains Red Bull’s upgrades for Spain were small and was happy to have a ‘normal session without issues’.
Sergio Perez has a three-grid place penalty for the Spanish Grand Prix after driving back to the pits in Canada with a damaged rear wing.
Perez had a difficult Friday as he was fifth and 13th in the two sessions, which suggests Red Bull may only have one car at the front, given his penalty.
“I started the day well but into P2 we made a lot of changes and we lost the track somewhere,” said Perez.
“There are many things to analyse. We have done a lot of changes and explored the car quite a bit to pick the right bits going into tomorrow.”
Ferrari and McLaren in the running for pole
Sainz and Norris were in the top three of both of Friday’s sessions as Ferrari and McLaren also showed pace.
Ferrari brought a new floor and rear end to this weekend’s race, which Sainz says is working well.
“It has been a challenging Friday for everyone because the track was really slippery. It was very difficult to put together laps with the wind and the high track temps so it was honestly a challenge the whole way through,” he added.
“It looks like over one lap we are reasonably ok, over a long run we seem to struggle a bit more a bit like we did last year here, so let’s see if we can put together a better package especially for Sunday. Over one lap we are fine.”
Bernie Collins and Anthony Davidson discuss Ferrari’s upgrades to the car ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix.
Charles Leclerc had limited running in the second half of P2 as Ferrari made a big set-up change to his front suspension.
Leclerc was in sixth place at the end of the day and isn’t worried about the lost track time.
“In P2, I found the feeling again. I didn’t put everything together and still quite a bit of pace to find. Overall, it’s a bit of a difficult Friday for me but I know where to find the lap time so I’m not too worried for [Saturday].
“I didn’t do the long run that I should have done in FP2 but the few laps we have done there is still plenty to improve. But I have a very clear vision on what we need to do on the car to make it better and I’m confident that [Saturday] will be a step forward.”
McLaren driver Lando Norris reflects on Friday’s practice sessions as he looks ahead to race day.
McLaren have consistently been in the fight at the front since Norris won his maiden Grand Prix in Miami and this weekend looks to be no different.
Norris says the tyres were overheating quickly due to the warm conditions and expects the close practice to continue into qualifying and the race.
“A pretty good day. Never easy in these hot conditions. It never feels amazing. The tyres overheat very quickly, so it’s difficult to get everything in the perfect window. I felt comfortable with the car since the beginning,” he said.
“It’s close and will be about trying to improve the small things tomorrow because I’m sure it will be close again like it was in Canada. We are trying to improve a bit in every area.”
Sky Sports F1’s live Spanish GP schedule
Saturday June 22 9.35am: F3 Sprint 11.15am: Spanish GP Practice Three (session starts at 11.30am) 1.10pm: F2 Sprint 2.10pm: Spanish GP Qualifying build-up 3pm: Spanish GP Qualifying 5pm: F1 Academy Race 1
Sunday June 23 7.45am: F1 Academy Race 2 9am: F3 Feature Race 10.30am: F2 Feature Race 12:30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Spanish GP build-up 2pm: The SPANISH GRAND PRIX 4pm: Chequered Flag: Spanish GP reaction
Formula 1 heads back to Europe as the championship moves on to Barcelona for the Spanish Grand Prix and the start of a triple-header. Watch every session at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya this weekend, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime
Former Scotland striker Kris Boyd said Steve Clarke’s side “did the nation proud” after they kept their Euro 2024 last 16 hopes alive with a draw against Switzerland.
The Sky Sports pundit labelled their 5-1 defeat to Germany in the tournament opener as “embarrassing” but was quick to heap praise on the players after their much-improved performance in their second Group A match.
A win against Hungary on Sunday would likely see Scotland progress beyond the group stages at a major tournament for the first time.
Kris Boyd says Scotland ‘did the nation proud’ as they secured a first point of Euro 2024 with a draw against Switzerland
They went in front early on when Scott McTominay dispatched Callum McGregor’s cut-back, via a deflection off Fabian Schar, following a rapid counter-attack.
Switzerland soon levelled through veteran Xherdan Shaqiri, who produced a brilliant, first-time finish from the edge of the box after pouncing on Anthony Ralston’s loose pass.
“There were questions and criticism after the performance on Friday night and rightly so,” Boyd told Sky Sports News.
“Tonight they’ve responded and it’s been more like Scotland, right in their faces.
Kris Boyd celebrates Scotland’s opener against Switzerland in their crucial Euro 2024 group match
“Switzerland are no mugs at this level but they’ve more than matched them and they come away with a draw.
“Yes they rode their luck at times but I think Steve Clarke will be relatively happy with that result.
“From where we were on Friday night there had to be a response and we’ve got that this evening.
“There were probably a few harsh words flying around the training ground over the last few days, but that’s life of a footballer. There are ups and downs.
“Scotland have shown they can compete at this level. It’s a quick turnaround but they’ve done the nation proud tonight.”
Clarke: We got what we expected
Steve Clarke insisted that was more like it from Scotland as his side kept alive their hopes of reaching the Euro 2024 knockout stages after drawing 1-1 with Switzerland in their second group game
Scotland manager Steve Clarke:
“That’s what we expected. This is the way we’ve been playing as a team the last three or four years and it’s why we’re here at a major tournament.
“We knew what we had to do, the players knew what they had to do. I thought it was a good team performance against a good opponent.
“It’s just about doing better all the time. Sometimes as a footballer or a manager it doesn’t go your way, and it certainly didn’t go our way on Friday night. Tonight was just about getting back to what we’re good at.
“The reality is, when the draw was made and we were drawn against the host nation in the opening game, you’re looking at the second two games in the group and thinking ‘maybe that’s where the points are going to come from’ and that’s the way it’s turned out.”
Denmark’s previous triumph as rank outsiders in the 1992 European Championships means they cannot be underestimated by England in Group C.
In the last tournament, the Danes reached the semi-finals where they were eliminated by Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions, before Kasper Hjulmand’s swashbuckling side breezed through qualifying for the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
Things have been tougher since, however.
They crashed out at the group stage in Qatar after failing to fire and, although they topped Euro 2024 qualifying Group H, they did so only on goal difference ahead of Slovenia.
Image: Denmark will boast plenty of Premier League experience
What can we expect from Denmark this time around? Solid and unpleasant is how they have been described while Hjulmand showed during the qualifying campaign a tactical flexibility having changed formation on numerous occasions.
The Danes have a good chance of escaping their group, but they are not expected to replicate the feat of three years ago. Mikkel Damsgaard, who scored a brilliant free-kick in the semi-final defeat by England, has seen his career stall at Brentford on these shores.
Christian Eriksen’s powers also appear to be on the wane while it was a surprise to Celtic supporters to learn that Matt O’Riley hadn’t been included in the squad despite scoring 19 goals and providing 18 assists this season.
Image: Denmark face Slovenia in their Group C opener
Did you know?
Denmark’s 33 matches at the UEFA EURO have produced on average 2.79 goals (42 for, 50 against), that’s the highest ratio amongst the 12 teams to have played more than 20 matches in the competition.
On O’Riley’s omission, head coach Hjulmand said: “I have chosen six other midfielders but it was tight. Damsgaard and Andreas Christensen can also cover positions in the midfield. It has gone beyond Matt, but it was a difficult choice. I know he will play a lot of international matches.”
Pressed on what O’Riley could have done differently for Celtic to earn a spot, he responded: “He couldn’t have done anything differently. He could hardly do better than what he did this season.”
Wieghorst: Denmark must find way to accommodate Eriksen
Image: Christian Eriksen will look to inspire Denmark to glory
“We had a difficult 2023 in the qualifying campaign – finally, in the end, we qualified, which is the main thing, but we struggled in certain games,” Denmark assistant coach Morten Wieghorst said.
The former Denmark midfielder said his side went into qualifying knowing they would enjoy a vast amount of possession, but, as in Qatar, they often struggled to break down teams.
That, however, is unlikely to happen in Germany, where they take on England, Serbia and Slovenia in Group C, none of whom are likely to just sit back against the Danes.
“The term ‘easier’ I wouldn’t use but the games are going to be different,” Wieghorst said wryly.
Image: Head coach Kasper Hjulmand is aiming for the knockouts
There have been the highs of winning Euro 1992 to the moment which transcended the sport in the last tournament when midfielder Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest.
Despite Eriksen’s heart issue, and him not being as fleet-footed as he once was, the 32-year-old is still expected to play a key role for a team in which he has been the dominant creative force for more than a decade.
“He can find that space and time to exploit the defences of the opponents, so that’s his major strength. And then in terms of pressing, we have to accommodate a player of his stature,” Wieghorst explained.
Another major strength for the team will be the estimated 50,000 Danes expected to attend the games over the border in Germany, an asset Wieghorst does not underestimate.
“We want to make it exciting, we want to give them something to shout about, and to have a great party and a great time in Germany,” he said.
How did Denmark perform in qualifying?
Image: Hjulmand is the second Denmark head coach to lead the team in three consecutive major tournaments, after Sepp Piontek (EURO 1984, 1986 World Cup, EURO 1988). Morten Olsen was in charge at four major tournaments, but never three in a row
Denmark topped their qualifying group with 22 points, the first time they had topped a European qualifier group since the 2012 edition. The Danes won all five home games in this qualifying campaign but lost two of their five away from home (W2 D1).
Experience could be key in Germany. Croatia’s squad have the most caps in the tournament, 1,169, with Luka Modric (175) one of four centurions. Portugal are 39 behind with Switzerland and Denmark the other teams above 1,000. England’s 651 is the seventh-lowest total with Scotland ninth-lowest on 744.
Surprisingly, Denmark – along with Albania – are the only teams without a domestic-based player in their respective squads.
England have a tournament-high 24 home-based players, with Madrid star Bellingham and Bayern striker Kane the only exceptions, while Italy have 23 – Jorginho and Guglielmo Vicario play in England with Gianluigi Donnarumma at PSG.
How have Denmark’s warm-up games gone?
Image: Denmark’s training base is the Hermann-Saam-Stadium in Baden-Württemberg
Denmark wrapped up their Euro 2024 preparations with a 3-1 win over Norway at Brondby Stadium that saw Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg score for the third international game in a row, with Erling Haaland grabbing a consolation goal for the visitors.
Midfielder Hojbjerg got Saturday’s proceedings underway with a 12th-minute strike from his powerful right foot, and the Danes added a second when defender Jannick Vestergaard headed home Andreas Skov Olsen’s corner nine minutes later.
Did you know?
Since winning the UEFA EURO in 1992, Denmark have reached the knockout stages of the tournament on only two occasions: quarter-finals in 2004, semi-finals in 2020.
With Denmark making a slew of second-half changes, Haaland had a goal chalked off after a VAR review in the 65th minute but there was no stopping him seven minutes later when a superb Martin Odegaard pass teed him up to reduce the deficit. Youssef Poulsen netted a third in second-half stoppage time.
It capped a successful week of warm-up matches after Eriksen scored a stunning late winner in a 2-1 victory over Sweden at a sold-out Parken stadium four days earlier.
It cemented his spot as the Danes’ most potent creative force ahead of the tournament in Germany, where they will face Slovenia, England and Serbia in Group C, with the Slovenians up first in Stuttgart on June 16.
Can Hojlund haunt England?
Image: Hojlund notched seven times in qualifying, more than any other player, also having the most shots (23), shots on target (13) and highest xG (5.2) of any Danish player
Rasmus Hojlund will be motivated more than most to wrestle top spot off England after a rather indifferent first season in the Premier League as part of a dysfunctional Manchester United side.
The 21-year-old scored 10 league goals in 30 appearances following his £72m move from Atalanta – three more than he scored in qualifying for the Euros – and at international level, he has rarely let his country down.
His hat-trick against Finland in March made him the youngest (20 years and 47 days) hat-trick scorer for Denmark in a Euro qualifier since a 19-year-old Michael Laudrup in 1983 against Luxembourg.
A look back at Rasmus Hojlund’s red-hot streak before an injury setback derailed his season
Speaking ahead of the tournament, manager Hjulmand said on Hojlund: “I played with Rasmus’ father and have known and seen Rasmus since he was very young. I’ve watched many of his matches as a youth player and know where he comes from. His great quality is his personality.
“He is one of those young players who looks around every single day and thinks: ‘What can I learn? How can I improve?’ He has such an open mindset that revolves around: ‘I want to be better.’ That’s what shapes Rasmus. He constantly wants to become better, and he wants to be told that as well.
Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville disagree over Manchester United’s Rasmus Hojlund as the Danish striker comes towards the end of his debut campaign at Old Trafford.
“He wants to be challenged, and thrives on getting better. When he didn’t make it to the World Cup, for example, which I thought was just too early, I went down to him in Bergen and showed him some clips regarding running and heading the ball in those situations.
“And then suddenly, one winter day, I was told that he was training hard. And then I saw, for example, that match against Finland where he scored three goals. He moves incredibly well and it’s not by chance that Rasmus takes steps forward because it’s his mindset, it’s his personality.
“It’s about leveraging the things that are around him for the better. That personality can take him a long way. We’re already very pleased with him but there’s more to come.”
Who could emerge as a household name?
Image: Andreas Skov Olsen could emerge as a breakout star
Denmark have produced more than their fair share of goalscoring wingers with the ability to captivate fans and the latest is Skov Olsen, who is set to step out of the shadow of players such as the Laudrup brothers.
After breaking through at FC Nordsjaelland and spending three seasons with Bologna, the 24-year-old from Hilleroed has rediscovered his best scoring form this past season at Club Brugge in Belgium, with 26 goals in all competitions.
Skov Olsen’s breakout scoring season in Belgium comes at an intriguing time for Hjulmand’s side and may well prompt a positional shake-up from the Denmark manager in Germany.
Previously playmaker Eriksen occupied the space on the right of midfield that Skov Olsen prefers but the latter’s pace, close control and lethal left foot make him a huge threat as he cuts in from the wing.
As an added bonus, Skov Olsen is also more than capable with his right foot as shown by some deft chipped finishes in his club career.
Image: Denmark struggled badly to create chances at the World Cup in Qatar but Skov Olsen is helping fill the void
To truly prosper in Germany, Skov Olsen will need to show that he is able to score against high-level opposition – he netted only three times in 70 games for Bologna and his last international goal came in September 2022 against France.
Like many of Denmark’s top players, demands will be placed on Skov Olsen’s intelligence and tactical flexibility as his side seek to navigate their way out of a difficult group.
If he stays clear of injury, Skov Olsen may well be the latest in a long line of Danish attackers to excite the team’s fanatical supporters.
Image: Skov Olsen has had a breakout scoring season in Belgium
By the way, keep an eye out also for holding midfielder Morten Hjulmand. There’s no relation with head coach Kasper, in case you were wondering.
The 24-year-old arrives off the back of a stellar season with Sporting as part of Ruben Amorim’s Portuguese league title-winning team.
Hjulmand only made his Denmark debut in September, so is a bit of a late bloomer on the international stage.
