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DP World Tour: Scotland’s Ewen Ferguson clinches Open Championship spot with emotional BMW International Open win | Golf News

On: July 7, 2024 By: admin

An emotional Ewen Ferguson clinched a spot at the Open Championship after winning the DP World Tour’s BMW International Open in Germany.

Scottish player Ferguson’s two-stroke stroke victory in Munich left him as one of the highest five players in the top 20 on the Race to Dubai – alongside Jesper Svensson, Laurie Canter, Nacho Elvira and Matteo Manassero – who were not otherwise exempt for the 152nd Open at Troon between July 18-21.

The 28-year-old finished on 18 under par after a four-under 68 on Sunday, with England’s Jordan Smith – who shared the lead with Ferguson after three rounds – and Australia’s David Micheluzzi tied for second on 16 under.

Ferguson, who revealed after his second round that he was glad simply to be playing again following recent bouts of vertigo, told Sky Sports in a teary interview: “I honestly can’t believe it.

“The last four holes I felt like I was in a dream, I just didn’t think this was actually happening. It was crazy. I was hitting it so well, hitting it so much further than usual.

“I wanted to do it for my dad, my mum, my sister, my brother at home. I love them so much and every shot I hit was with them in mind.

“It’s such a hard game. I’ve been moaning like mad the last two months with also being sick. [This win] is so much weight off my shoulders. I’m so happy.

“The Open Championship is a tournament that everyone wants to play in and I feel like I could do well there and the Scottish Open next week too. It’s such an exciting time for me.”

Ferguson hopes to practice with Fleetwood ahead of Open

Ferguson later revealed that he had been planning to contest final qualifying for the Open Championship on Tuesday, but felt he was playing well enough to secure a place either in Munich or via the Genesis Scottish Open.

He added: “I didn’t want to tire myself out. I felt like I could maybe win this week or maybe finish in the top 10 in Scotland and get my own spot that way, so we decided to pull out of Open qualifying.

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“It’s obviously a really good decision. It kept me fresh and I’m here with the trophy. I actually got a text from Tommy Fleetwood saying well done so I said to him, let’s get a practice round in [at the Open] so I’m looking forward to that.”

Ferguson’s victory was his third on the DP World Tour and first since the ISPS Handa World Invitational in August 2022, which came five months after his maiden triumph at that year’s Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.

Micheluzzi finished birdie, birdie, eagle to earn his share of second spot alongside Smith, whose title hopes were effectively ended when he found the water off the 16th tee as he tried to drive the green.

Scotland’s Connor Syme and England’s Matthew Southgate finished in joint fourth on 14 under with Southgate making an eagle at the sixth hole.

Watch the Genesis Scottish Open live on Sky Sports Golf from 8.30am on Thursday July 11. Then catch the 152nd Open Championship live on the same channel from 6.30am on Thursday July 18.

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Match Report – Canada 12 – 73 Scotland Sky, Sports, Rugby, Union, News, Guinness, Premiership, Magners, League, Heineken, Cup, Six, Nations, Live, Tri Nations, Danny, Cipriani, London, Wasps, Irish, Bath, Bristol, Gloucester, Harlequins, Leicester, Tigers, Newcastle, Northampton, Sale, Sharks, Saracens, Worcester, Club, World, Cup, Munster, Leinster, Ospreys, Cardiff, Perpignan, Dragons, Biarritz, Stade Francais, Ulster, Scarlets, Watch, video, fixtures, results, scores, aviva

On: July 7, 2024 By: admin

Scotland begin their Americas tour by inflicting a heavy 73-12 defeat on Canada; Scotland rested a host of key players and had to come back from an early deficit but did so in style, scoring 11 tries in the process

Last Updated: 07/07/24 9:44am

Arron Reed races away to score for Scotland

Scotland overwhelmed Canada, winning 73-12 at the start of their Americas tour.

The Scots, resting a host of their key players, fell behind initially but soon took charge and debutants Arron Reed and Gus Warr, two of five uncapped players in the Scottish line-up, scored two tries apiece.

Canada’s Lucas Rumball scored an early try but any prospect of an upset was snuffed out from the moment Josh Bayliss went over for the first of Scotland’s 11 tries at TD Place Stadium, Ross Thompson adding five conversions and Ben Healy four.

Jamie Dobie looks to offload out of a tackle

Warr reinforced Scotland’s lead after the break, first dancing through the line and, while Canada briefly held out, the scrum-half collected the ball again and dived over the ruck for a debut try.

Kyle Baillie’s converted try gave Canada respite from the onslaught, but the impressive Paterson and Warr combined for the latter to shrug off a couple of challenges and touch down.

Scotland looked a threat every time they pushed forward and Reed grabbed his second of the match after barrelling down the left wing and barging past a couple of defenders before going over.

Scotland breached the 50-point barrier just after the hour mark when Paterson deservedly got on the scoreboard following some excellent interplay, while Dobie touched down underneath the posts after being teed up by Reed.

McDowall also went over underneath the posts following some deft footwork to evade several challenges, while Steyn gratefully accepted Healy’s offload to round off the scoring.

Match Report – South Africa 27 – 20 Ireland Sky, Sports, Rugby, Union, News, Guinness, Premiership, Magners, League, Heineken, Cup, Six, Nations, Live, Tri Nations, Danny, Cipriani, London, Wasps, Irish, Bath, Bristol, Gloucester, Harlequins, Leicester, Tigers, Newcastle, Northampton, Sale, Sharks, Saracens, Worcester, Club, World, Cup, Munster, Leinster, Ospreys, Cardiff, Perpignan, Dragons, Biarritz, Stade Francais, Ulster, Scarlets, Watch, video, fixtures, results, scores, aviva

On: July 7, 2024 By: admin

Ireland’s James Lowe had try ruled out, while South Africa’s Cheslin Kolbe saw try stand after critical reviews from TMO Ben Whitehouse; Springboks hold on to beat Ireland in Pretoria; Watch southern hemisphere summer tour action live on Sky Sports

By Michael Cantillon

Last Updated: 06/07/24 11:33pm

Highlights of South Africa’s action-packed win over Ireland in their opening Test in Pretoria

Two crucial TMO decisions fell South Africa’s way as they defeated Ireland 27-20 at Loftus Versfeld in the first of their two-Test series, live on Sky Sports.

Welsh TMO Ben Whitehouse ruled out a James Lowe try for Ireland due to a subjective breakdown call, and then fed back there was ‘inconclusive evidence’ to rule out a Cheslin Kolbe South Africa try, which ensured a two-score lead.

Lowe’s try would have levelled the contest at 13-13, and handed fly-half Jack Crowley a conversion for the lead, while Kolbe’s effort moments later came as a result of Lowe keeping a Handre Pollard penalty kick to touch in-field – though replays suggested he was in touch while playing the ball.

South Africa – Tries: Arendse (3), Kolbe (65), Penalty Try (78). Cons: Pollard (4, 67). Pens: Pollard (18, 29).

Ireland – Tries: Osborne (35), Murray (75), Baird (79). Cons: Crowley (76). Pens: Crowley (13).

A third TMO call then also went against Ireland as No 8 Caelan Doris was denied a try due to lack of evidence on replays.

Conor Murray raced in for a second Ireland try with five minutes to go, but a late South Africa penalty try via a ferocious scrum drive confirmed victory, with Ryan Baird striking a third for Ireland but with time all but up.

Less than three minutes in, South Africa struck the opening try as skipper Siya Kolisi set fleet-footed wing Kurt-Lee Arendse away quickly, who then scorched into space and past debutant Jamie Osborne to touch down.

Kurt-Lee Arendse opened the scoring for the Springboks against Ireland

South Africa No 8 Kwagga Smith knocked on the restart into touch, handing Ireland a lineout attack in the 22. When awarded a penalty, the visitors turned down the chance to kick for points in favour of a five-metre tap attack, but it proved the wrong call and a big chance missed when lock Joe McCarthy knocked on a poor Peter O’Mahony pass by the try-line.

On 13 minutes, a strong Robbie Henshaw carry forced South Africa to infringe at the breakdown. This time, Crowley struck over from 40 metres to get Ireland onto the board.

Fly-half Jack Crowley kicked Ireland's first points of the contest with a penalty

Watch England, Wales and Ireland’s summer rugby union internationals exclusively live on Sky Sports. Stream rugby’s summer internationals in 2024 and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership. No contract, cancel anytime.

Match Report – New Zealand 16 – 15 England Sky, Sports, Rugby, Union, News, Guinness, Premiership, Magners, League, Heineken, Cup, Six, Nations, Live, Tri Nations, Danny, Cipriani, London, Wasps, Irish, Bath, Bristol, Gloucester, Harlequins, Leicester, Tigers, Newcastle, Northampton, Sale, Sharks, Saracens, Worcester, Club, World, Cup, Munster, Leinster, Ospreys, Cardiff, Perpignan, Dragons, Biarritz, Stade Francais, Ulster, Scarlets, Watch, video, fixtures, results, scores, aviva

On: July 6, 2024 By: admin

Highlights of New Zealand’s thrilling win over England in the opening Test in Dunedin.

Damian McKenzie’s three second-half penalties thwarted England’s hopes of a first win away to New Zealand since 2003 as they went down 16-15 in the opening Test in Dunedin.

The All Blacks made their early dominance count with unconverted tries from Sevu Reece and Ardie Savea, with England responding through Maro Itoje forcing his way over from close range followed by Marcus Smith converting.

Fly-half Smith, who had missed an earlier penalty, brought England back level at 10-10 at the break with his boot and although he missed another after the restart, his pass led to Immanuel Feyi-Waboso finishing to put Steve Borthwick’s side ahead.

New Zealand: Tries – Sevu Reece, Ardie Savea; Penalties: – Damian McKenzie (2).

England: Tries – Maro Itoje, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso; Conversion – Marcus Smith; Penalty: – Marcus Smith.

McKenzie kicked two penalties to restore New Zealand’s lead, and they survived a late error after the shot clock expired while the No 10 was lining up a kick at goal to snatch a one-point victory.

Story of the game

New Zealand, playing their first game under new head coach Scott Robertson, showed their attacking intent as they probed down England’s wings in the opening minutes, but the strength of the visitors’ set-piece earned them the first penalty of the game.

Yet Smith was unable to knock over what was a relatively kickable attempt from 40 metres out and the early pressure from the hosts eventually told in the 16th minute. Utilising the penalty advantage, New Zealand fly-half McKenzie sent a pinpoint kick to the right wing which was collected by Reece followed by the winger racing away to finish.

New Zealand took an early lead against England through Sevu Reece grabbing Damian McKenzie’s kick to the corner

England’s cause was not helped by losing Joe Marler, replaced by debutant prop Fin Baxter, but they edged in front five minutes later on the back of Itoje’s pick and go from close range for a converted try shortly after Chandler Cunningham-South, born in Sidcup but raised in New Zealand, was denied.

It was not long before the All Blacks were back in front, though, and, with England’s defence at sixes and sevens following miscommunication between Ben Earl and George Furbank, full-back Stephen Perofeta picked the pass which sent rampaging No 8 Savea through for a second try.

But it was all square at the break after New Zealand came unstuck trying to run the ball from inside their own half on the final play, conceding a penalty which this time Smith slotted over to draw the tourists level.

Marcus Smith missed a straightforward kick to give England the lead against New Zealand

A knee injury suffered by TJ Perenara late in the first half forced a switch at scrum-half for the hosts too, with Finlay Christie replacing him, but they were given a let-off in the opening five minutes of the second half when Smith pulled another kickable penalty attempt wide.

The Harlequins No 10 played a key role in England taking the lead in the 47th minute, though, pulling the strings for Feyi-Waboso’s score. Tommy Freeman was initially tackled just short, with England then working the ball from right to left for Smith to pick out the Exeter Chiefs winger with a bullet pass to the wing.

Yet once again, Smith’s kicking let him down as he was unable to convert, and the lead was narrowed to two points in the 54th minute as opposite number McKenzie slotted over from a penalty for his first successful kick at goal in three attempts.

Smith sent Immanuel Feyi-Waboso free to go over in the corner and give England the lead

He landed a second 11 minutes later as England were pinged for a ruck infringement defending their 22, but then gifted the away side a chance with under two minutes to go as he took too long to take a kick at goal from a penalty which would have all but sealed victory.

Despite throwing caution to the wind, England were unable to fashion an opportunity for a score and when the referee blew for a ruck infringement against them with the clock in the red, it allowed the All Blacks to breathe a sigh of relief.

‘England so close to creating history’

Sky Sports rugby union expert and former England international Will Greenwood:

“You could tell it was New Zealand’s first time together. They’ve lost some key players through retirement and playing in Japan. Their lineout wobbles, they had to resort to kicking as they couldn’t get their attacking game going.

“On the flip side of that, I thought England at times were outstanding. Their defence kept them in the game for long periods and then they went after New Zealand in the second half.

“The frustrating thing about sport is you can’t go back and play the last 15 minutes again. The beauty is they get to have another crack at it next week.

“They were so close to creating some history today.”

Ahead of the first summer Test against New Zealand, England faced the iconic Haka!

Former New Zealand international Nick Evans, speaking on Sky Sports:

“Credit to the England defence, Felix [Jones, England defence coach] has done a brilliant job. Their line speed and post-tackle work especially caused New Zealand a lot of problems.

“The All Blacks stayed in the fight in the second half. The lineout capitulated but their scrum was excellent. They didn’t quite get the speed of ball they wanted but they ground out a victory, which is going to be really important leading into Eden Park next week.”

What they said

Jamie George hailed England’s attacking mentality after they came so close to defeating New Zealand in the opening Test.

England captain Jamie George, speaking to Sky Sports:

“I’m incredibly proud of the way we went out and attacked the game. Not a lot of teams come to New Zealand and do that. That shows the huge amount of growth in this team.

“There are definitely some areas [for improvement] – the scrum was one, the breakdown probably another. We’ll do a lot of honest work next week and make sure we go to Eden Park fully prepared.

“We wanted to make people at home very proud. I think we did that with our effort. A game of very fine margins.”

Steve Borthwick described England’s opening Test against New Zealand as a real arm-wrestle in the middle of the field as the visitors fell to a close defeat.

New Zealand head coach Scott Robertson, speaking to Sky Sports:

“We got into a hell of an arm wrestle, which we know Steve Borthwick’s teams are really good at. We didn’t get our kick game right, pushed straight after half-time and the second half was just a grind – and we got there.

“I keep thinking of the things that went wrong when I should think of the things that went right, like the score. It’s their sixth game of the year, it’s our first and we’re in a pretty steep learning curve.”

What’s next?

England now head to Auckland for the second and final Test of the series against New Zealand at Eden Park on Saturday July 13. That match is live on Sky Sports Action from 7.30am BST (kick-off 8am).

ONE Fight Night 23: Scotland’s Nico Carillo targets bantamweight Muay Thai world title after resounding win | WWE News

On: July 6, 2024 By: admin

Scotland’s Nico Carrillo reaffirmed his place at the top of the bantamweight Muay Thai rankings with an emphatic TKO win over former world title challenger Saemapetch Fairtex in the co-main event at ONE Fight Night 23 in Bangkok.

The ‘King of the North’ hunted Saemapetch from the opening bell and although the Thai star was a willing dance partner in the punching exchanges, he found himself in trouble late in the first round after a flurry of knees from Carrillo.

Things went from bad to worse in the second round, as Carrillo sent his foe crashing to the canvas after just 45 seconds.

The Scot then went straight on the attack and put Saemapetch back down with a thunderous left hook. The same punch did the damage once again shortly after, as Carrillo scored the third and decisive knockdown with another volley of heavy shots.

Carrillo’s win not only cemented his No 1 spot in the divisional rankings, but it also bagged him a US $50,000 (£39,035) performance bonus, courtesy of ONE Championship chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong.

Even more importantly, the victory could lead him to the winner of the ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world title fight between defending champion Jonathan Haggerty and long-time rival Superlek Kiatmuu9 at ONE 168: Denver in September.

“I’m next, I’m undeniable. Mr Chatri, give me the title shot next,” Carrillo told ONE commentator Mitch Chilson during his post-fight interview. “Whoever wins that title in Denver, don’t get too attached to the gold because it’s coming right off you.”

Rasulov overcomes Ok as British star Barboza wins

In the night’s headline attraction, Alibeg Rasulov upset former ONE lightweight MMA world champion Ok Rae Yoon in a grueling five-round battle.

The unbeaten 31-year-old pushed a relentless pace throughout the 25-minute contest. Ultimately, his clinch game proved too much for Ok, who never stopped trying to create space and get his trademark punches off.

It was a resounding statement made by Rasulov in his promotional debut.

Although he was ineligible to take home the title due to only making the weight after the official weigh-in window closed, he has surely caught the attention of two-division ONE world champion Christian Lee.

Also, British Muay Thai standout Ellis Badr Barboza captured a dramatic victory in a seesawing contest against Thai-Malaysian striker Aliff Sor Dechapan with a second-round knockdown enough to sway the judges’ scorecards.

Aliff started the catchweight contest brightly, largely controlling the opening round. Barboza, however, turned the tide in the second when he dropped his rival with a booming left hook.

In the final round, Aliff recognised he needed a knockdown of his own to wrest back the momentum, but Barboza hung tough in a back-and-forth finish to the match-up.

The knockdown proved decisive as the Birmingham native took the split-decision victory.

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World Matchplay: Fixtures, results, format with Luke Littler vs Michael van Gerwen in first-round action | Darts News

On: July 5, 2024 By: admin

Reigning champion Nathan Aspinall and World Champion Luke Humphries will headline the opening night of the 2024 World Matchplay on Saturday July 13, with the schedule of play confirmed for the showpiece event.

Aspinall will begin his title defence against debutant Luke Woodhouse when the £800,000 tournament gets underway as the Stockport star bids to join Rod Harrington, Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen in winning back-to-back World Matchplays.

World Champion Humphries – the No 1 seed – will open his challenge against Germany’s Ricardo Pietreczko on a star-studded opening night at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, as former finalists Gerwyn Price, Jonny Clayton and Raymond van Barneveld also feature.

2023 runner-up Clayton takes on five-time World Champion Van Barneveld for a place in the last 16, while 2022 finalist Price will play two-time semi-finalist Daryl Gurney in the opening match of the tournament.

The first round will conclude with a bumper evening session on Monday July 15, as three-time champion Michael van Gerwen goes head-to-head with debutant Luke Littler in one of the most highly-anticipated first-round ties in World Matchplay history.

World number three Michael Smith and 2018 champion Gary Anderson will lock horns in another heavyweight showdown, while Australian number one Damon Heta plays Ryan Searle in a battle of last year’s quarter-finalists.

Chris Dobey – who also reached the last eight 12 months ago – will round off the first-round action when he takes on Ritchie Edhouse, one of five debutants in this year’s 32-player field.

The second round will take place on Tuesday July 16 and Wednesday July 17, before the quarter-finals are staged across Thursday July 18 and Friday July 19.

The semi-finals will be held on Saturday July 20, before the final takes place on Sunday July 21, as the remaining two players compete for the £200,000 top prize and the coveted Phil Taylor Trophy.

This year’s visit to the Winter Gardens will once again feature the Betfred Women’s World Matchplay, which will see eight players competing in the third edition of the event on the afternoon of Sunday July 21.

World Matchplay schedule:

Saturday July 13 (7.30pm)

First Round

Gerwyn Price v Daryl Gurney

Jonny Clayton v Raymond van Barneveld

Luke Humphries v Ricardo Pietreczko

Nathan Aspinall v Luke Woodhouse

Sunday July 14

Afternoon Session (1pm)

First Round:

Ross Smith v Josh Rock

Danny Noppert v James Wade

Dimitri Van den Bergh v Martin Schindler

Stephen Bunting v Ryan Joyce

Evening Session (7pm)

First Round:

Rob Cross v Gian van Veen

Joe Cullen v Brendan Dolan

Peter Wright v Andrew Gilding

Dave Chisnall v Krzysztof Ratajski

(Should England reach the Euro 2024 final, session times for Sunday July 14 will be amended)

Monday July 15 (7pm)

First Round:

Damon Heta v Ryan Searle

Michael Smith v Gary Anderson

Michael van Gerwen v Luke Littler

Chris Dobey v Ritchie Edhouse

Tuesday July 16 (7pm)

Second Round x4

Wednesday July 17 (7pm)

Second Round x4

Thursday July 18 (8pm)

Quarter-Finals x2

Friday July 19 (8pm)

Quarter-Finals x2

Saturday July 20 (8pm)

Semi-Finals

Sunday July 21

Afternoon Session (1pm)

Women’s World Matchplay:

Quarter-Finals:

Beau Greaves v Katie Sheldon

Mikuru Suzuki v Noa-Lynn van Leuven

Fallon Sherrock v Anastasia Dobromyslova

Lisa Ashton v Rhian O’Sullivan

Semi-Finals:

Greaves/Sheldon v Suzuki/Van Leuven

Sherrock/Dobromyslova v Ashton/O’Sullivan

Final

Evening Session (8pm)

World Matchplay Final

When and where is the World Matchplay?

The World Matchplay kicks off on Saturday July 13 and runs until Sunday July 21, with every dart live on Sky Sports.

The tournament takes place at the iconic Winter Gardens in Blackpool and 2024 marks the 31st edition of the Matchplay, the ballroom hosting some of darts’ most iconic moments.

With the darts calendar in full swing, the World Matchplay is the second major of the season after the UK Open, which Dimitri Van den Bergh won with an 11-10 victory over world champion Luke Humphries.

As the top 32 in the world prepare to face off, this prestigious event is not to be missed!

What is the format?

The World Matchplay is a legs format, with the number of legs required to win increasing as the rounds go on.

Each match must be won by two clear legs unless the score is tied after six legs.

Round 1: first to 10 legs (sudden death at 12-12)
Round 2: first to 11 legs (sudden death at 13-13)
Quarter-finals: first to 16 legs (sudden death at 18-18)
Semi-finals: first to 17 legs (sudden death at 19-19)
Final: first to 18 legs (sudden death at 20-20)

Who are the previous winners?

The World Matchplay has a long list of stellar winners, with Aspinall heading into the 2024 tournament as the defending champion.

The first winner was Larry Butler back in 1994 before Phil Taylor then picked up his first win of 16 (yes, 16) in 1995.

Taylor also won the 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2017 Matchplays.

During his 2002 win, Taylor also threw the first-ever televised nine-darter and such dominance led to the trophy being renamed after him in 2018.

Other winners include Michael van Gerwen (2015, 2016 and 2022), Gary Anderson (2018), Rob Cross (2019), Dimitri Van den Bergh (2020), and Peter Wright (2021).

Watch the World Matchplay Darts from July 13-21 live on Sky Sports.

Granit Xhaka starring for Switzerland and Leverkusen: How the former Arsenal midfielder became world class | Football News

On: July 4, 2024 By: admin

The official player of the match against Hungary and Germany, Granit Xhaka was also described as “the best player on the pitch” by Roy Keane in Switzerland’s 2-0 win over Italy in the round of 16. He is having an extraordinary Euro 2024.

England await in the last eight and, with concerns over an injury, it is no exaggeration to suggest that Switzerland’s hopes may hang on Xhaka’s fitness. There is much at stake. He could be one more big performance away from being the player of this tournament.

For English audiences, those who recall Xhaka being booed from the field by his own supporters when an Arsenal player in 2019, all this requires a bit of mental recalibration. He has morphed into one of the best midfielders in the world in these past two years.

“My bags were packed. The passports were out,” he later revealed when discussing that day against Crystal Palace that resulted in him being stripped of the Arsenal captaincy. Instead, he stayed and became a driving force in the club’s revival under Mikel Arteta.

This past season, Xhaka won the double with Bayer Leverkusen, surely the outstanding accomplishment in European football in 2024. At 31 years old, the boy famously trusted with his parents’ house keys as a kid has finally grown up. A late bloomer, after all.

Arteta began the process. Xhaka had won back the crowd long before he departed, scoring twice in his final appearance for the club and being serenaded from the field. Reimagined as a No 8 on the left of midfield, it better suited the strengths of his game.

The Arsenal coach recognised that while the statuesque Xhaka has the physique to dominate midfield, he is at his best with the ball at his feet in the attacking half of the field rather than focusing on shutting down the opposition when his team are without it.

At Euro 2024, only Toni Kroos and Joshua Kimmich have completed more passes in the final third. And Xhaka has been doing it for Switzerland not the highly fancied host nation. If that sample is small, consider that he has been doing it all year for Leverkusen.

Xhaka was the catalyst for Xabi Alonso’s remarkable side when in possession. Not only did he complete more passes than any other player in the Bundesliga last season but he also topped those charts in the opposition half and the final third of the pitch as well.

Nobody played more accurate forward passes than Xhaka, 708 of them, moving Leverkusen into the final third on a league-high 440 occasions. His influence on his side is illustrated by the fact that he featured in more pass sequences than anyone else too.

“He has had a huge impact on the team since day one,” says Alonso, adding simply: “If you have good midfielders, you play better.” Leverkusen’s sporting director Simon Rolfes sees it much the same. “He is an exceptional player. He sets the tempo for our team.”

In his own words, Xhaka was signed to “stabilise this young team”. – to be Alonso’s eyes and ears on the pitch. He is already taking his coaching badges. And while he stops short of seeing himself as a father figure, his importance to club and country is obvious.

Rolfes refers to his influence “on and off the field” – something that Switzerland coach Murat Yakin had in mind when calling him “top class” and a “role model” following his standout performance against Germany, in which they were just minutes from victory.

What happens next? Switzerland have reached the quarter-final of a major tournament on four occasions but never gone further. If history repeats, Xhaka can return to his club with head held high, proud of his summer efforts. And yet, there is another scenario.

Vinicius Junior is odds-on favourite to win the Ballon d’Or with Jude Bellingham next in the betting. Kylian Mbappe and Toni Kroos are the other contenders and international silverware for any of the four this summer would put them in pole position for the award.

But if it is Switzerland, now three wins from history and in the more inviting half of this Euro 2024 draw, then can any of football’s superstars truly claim to have had a better season than Xhaka? Unlikely glory with Leverkusen and now starring for his country.

It was Xhaka who scored the only goal in the German Cup Final in Berlin to complete the double. If Switzerland somehow find their way back to the Olympiastadion next weekend, this season of all seasons for Granit Xhaka could have a sensational ending.

Michael Smith takes aim at Peter Wright after England’s World Cup of Darts win | Darts News

On: July 1, 2024 By: admin

Michael Smith hit back at comments from Peter ‘Snakebite’ Wright and admitted talk from the two-time world champion spurred him to victory at the World Cup of Darts.

Smith partnered world No 1 Luke Humphries for the pairs event in Frankfurt, where England defeated Austria 10-6 in the final to claim a fifth World Cup title.

They were top seeds for the four-day event but had come under scrutiny pre-tournament about whether they would work well together in the team event, while Wright said ahead of their semi-final clash that Scotland would “smash up England”.

Smith and Humphries saw off the Scottish pair 8-4 to secure their spot in the final, where they claimed the first England win since Phil Taylor and Adrian Lewis in 2016, with ‘Bully Boy’ criticising Wright’s form in his World Cup winners’ press conference.

“Before the semi-final, Peter Wright walked past, asking Luke how his shoulder,” said Wright. “The guy’s just averaged 78 and he’s tried giving me s***?

“I was like, ‘what are you doing?’ And then had an argument, or not an argument, but tried to give a bit of banter behind the stage. It’s just the same as everything else.

“That guy should have some strong shoulders because he’s been holding the Premier League up for two years.

“He annoyed me today and I think that spurred me on in that semi-final. I’ve never given it that large ever.

“I needed to get that out because it really annoyed me.”

How England claimed World Cup glory

The title favourites raced into a 5-1 lead over 2021 runners-up Rowby-John Rodriguez and Mensur Suljovic, Humphries taking out 151 in the sixth leg and 121 in the next before Austria hit back to reduce their deficit to 6-4.

A 180 from Humphries then set up Smith, who had struggled with his doubles early on, to take out double 15 before finishes of 130 and 112 from Humphries took England to the brink of victory.

Suljovic took out 98 to keep the match alive but Smith sealed the win on double eight in the next leg.

“I felt the biggest buzz I’ve had since the Worlds,” Humphries told Sky Sports. “We really wanted this, we really believed we could win it. You’ve got a cheat code, the world No1 and No 3 against the field, it’s quite tough for everyone else but after that first game we played and we clicked.”

Smith was full of praise for team-mate Humphries, adding: “How good was this man in the final? He hit everything. My [double] tops was non-existent and every single shot I left him, bang, bang, bang…. thank you so much mate, you’ve just got me the gold medal.”

What’s next on Sky Sports?

The 2024 Betfred World Matchplay will take place from July 13-21 at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool. The iconic summer tournament will see 32 of the world’s top stars battling it out across nine days for the Phil Taylor Trophy and £800,000 in prize money.

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World Cup of Darts: Luke Humphries and Michael Smith’s England defeat Austria in final | Darts News

On: June 30, 2024 By: admin

The dream team of Luke Humphries and Michael Smith gave England a record-breaking fifth World Cup of Darts title and first since 2016 with a 10-6 victory over Austria.

World Cup debutant Humphries and 2023 world champion Smith delivered the goods to secure England’s first World Cup triumph in eight years.

Phil Taylor and Adrian Lewis were the only players to have lifted the World Cup title for England since the tournament’s inception in 2010, but Humphries and Smith created their own history with a dominant success on German soil at the Eissporthalle in Frankfurt.

World Cup of Darts – Results


Quarter-finals	Austria	8-7	Croatia
	Belgium	8-7	Italy
	England	8-4	Northern Ireland
	Scotland	8-7	Sweden

Semi-finals	Austria	8-4	Belgium
	England	8-3	Scotland

Final	England	10-6	Austria

“I felt the biggest buzz since winning the Worlds. We really wanted this. We really believed we could win it and after that first game we played, we clicked,” Humphries told Sky Sports.

“You’ve got a cheat code, the world number one and number three against the field, it’s quite tough for everyone else but after that first game we played and we clicked. We were only worried about ourselves. We knew if we played our best, we could do it and we did.

“I just hope we get to come back next year and defend it together as champions.”

Smith was full of praise for team-mate Humphries, adding: “How good was this man in the final? He hit everything.

“My [double] tops was non-existent and every single shot I left him, bang, bang, bang…. thank you so much mate, you’ve just got me the gold medal.”

A 180 from Humphries then set up Smith, who had struggled with his doubles early on, to take out double 15 before finishes of 130 and 112 from Humphries took England to the brink of victory.

Suljovic took out 98 to keep the match alive but Smith sealed the win on double eight in the next leg.

England deserved to be crowned champions

“No one has got within four legs of England, they’ve been that dominant,” said Mark Webster, a 2010 World Cup of Darts finalist for Wales.

“They were pushed in that final but they just all the answers including those big finishes from Luke Humphries.

“They functioned as a team throughout. They were heavy favourites and lived up to it. They’re deserved champions.”

Tale of the Tape

World Cup of Darts: Roll of Honour

England had earlier beaten Northern Ireland 8-4 in the quarter-finals and Scotland by the same score in the last four, while Austria edged past Croatia 8-7 in the quarter-finals before an 8-3 win over Belgium in the semis.

What’s next on Sky Sports?

The 2024 Betfred World Matchplay will take place from July 13-21 at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool.

The iconic summer tournament will see 32 of the world’s top stars battling it out across nine days for the Phil Taylor Trophy and £800,000 in prize money.

2024 Betfred World Matchplay
Schedule of Play
Saturday July 13 (7.30pm)
4x First Round

Sunday July 14 (1pm)
Afternoon Session
4x First Round

Evening Session (7pm)
4x First Round

Monday July 15 (7pm)
4x First Round

Tuesday July 16 (7pm)
4x Second Round

Wednesday July 17 (7pm)
4x Second Round

Thursday July 18 (8pm)
2x Quarter-Finals

Friday July 19 (8pm)
2x Quarter-Finals

Saturday July 20 (8pm)
Semi-Finals

Sunday July 21 (1pm)
Afternoon Session
Women’s World Matchplay

Evening Session (8pm)
Final

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India beat South Africa to win T20 World Cup after fine death bowling and Suryakumar Yadav’s stunning catch | Cricket News

On: June 30, 2024 By: admin

India edged South Africa to win their second T20 World Cup title and first since 2007 as an astounding catch from Suryakumar Yadav and excellent death bowling clinched a nerve-shredding seven-run victory in Barbados.

South Africa – playing in their first World Cup final in either T20 or 50-over cricket after winning a semi-final at the eighth attempt against Afghanistan – looked poised to reach their target of 177 when Heinrich Klaasen (52 off 27) took Axar Patel’s 15th over for 24, trimming the requirement to 30 from 30 balls.

However, Jasprit Bumrah (2-18) shipped only six runs combined from the 16th and 18th overs, while Klaasen snicked Hardik Pandya (3-20) behind in between and after the Proteas could muster only four runs off Arshdeep Singh’s 19th, the new ask became 16 off six.

David Miller (21 off 17) then thought he had crunched Hardik’s first-ball full toss for six, only for the twinkle-toed Suryakumar to pull off a spellbinding grab at long-off as he caught the ball, threw it back into play before his momentum took him over the rope, and then pouched it again when he returned to the field – it was a moment as breath-taking as it was important.

South Africa managed only eight further runs as they ended on 169-8 and India became the first team in the history of the Men’s T20 World Cup to go through a whole tournament unbeaten, dashing the Proteas’ hopes of claiming that achievement for themselves.

India had last won a global ICC event at the 2013 Champions Trophy, with their previous World Cup success the 2011 50-over edition on home turf.

This T20 triumph for India comes seven months after they lost the 50-over World Cup final to Australia in Ahmedabad – their only defeat in that competition. History would not repeat itself.

Kohli back in the runs in thrilling World Cup final

Earlier, Player of the Match Virat Kohli (76 off 59 balls) – who has now confirmed his retirement from T20 internationals -ended a slump in form, which had seen him average less than 11 in the tournament with 75 runs in seven innings and a best of 37, by underpinning India’s total of 176-7 after his side had sunk to 34-3 inside five overs.

Rohit Sharma’s men were on the back foot as the skipper (9) and Rishabh Pant (0) both fell sweeping Keshav Maharaj in the second over, with their plight worsening when Suryakumar (3) holed out off Kagiso Rabada three overs later.

But Kohli, who had struck three boundaries in Marco Jansen’s 15-run first over before reining himself in, found a fine ally in the enterprising Axar (47 off 31), with the latter dominating a fourth-wicket stand of 72 from 54 balls before he was brilliantly run out by Quinton de Kock.

Kohli also stitched a half-century alliance with Shivam Dube (27 off 16) as he notched a 38th T20 international fifty from 38 balls prior to being caught at deep midwicket off Jansen in the penultimate over.

India looted the highest score in a Men’s T20 World Cup final, eclipsing the 173-2 Australia posted against New Zealand in the 2021 final in the UAE, but Maharaj (2-23) and Anrich Nortje (2-26) limited their opponents to a gettable score.

It looked out of South Africa’s reach as the Proteas plummeted to 12-2 with Reeza Hendricks (4) bowled by a gorgeous out-swinger from Bumrah and captain Aiden Markram (4) edging Arshdeep behind on the drive.

De Kock (39 off 31) and Tristan Stubbs (31 off 21) rallied the first-time finalists with a quick-fire 58, with the sixes they smoked including one from De Kock off Kuldeep Yadav that went out the ground.

Stubbs was bowled around his legs by Axar but De Kock and Klaasen then added 36 off 23 deliveries and when De Kock was pouched at deep fine leg – straight after hitting a four in that area – Klaasen and Miller pounded boundaries, with Klaasen hammering three in a row off Axar to make South Africa favourites.

However, Bumrah’s frugal two-over spell, which also included castling Jansen, dragged India back into the game and his efforts came in a successful cause as Suryakumar’s scarcely believable catch went a long way to breaking South Africa’s hearts in Bridgetown.

What’s next?

The next global event in men’s cricket is the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan in February and March, at which the host nation will be joined by India, South Africa, England, Australia, New Zealand, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.

Another T20 World Cup will then be held in India and Bangladesh in early 2026.

Bangladesh will also host the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup, with that competition beginning in Dhaka on Thursday October 3 and concluding in the same city on Sunday October 20.

The top two teams in each first-round group will qualify for the semi-finals.

Women’s T20 World Cup groups

Group A: Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
Group B: South Africa, England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Scotland

Every match from the Women’s T20 World Cup will be live on Sky Sports, with England vs South Africa the opening game on Thursday October 3 (10am start UK and Ireland time).

Ferguson hopes to practice with Fleetwood ahead of Open

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Scotland begin their Americas tour by inflicting a heavy 73-12 defeat on Canada; Scotland rested a host of key players and had to come back from an early deficit but did so in style, scoring 11 tries in the process

Ireland’s James Lowe had try ruled out, while South Africa’s Cheslin Kolbe saw try stand after critical reviews from TMO Ben Whitehouse; Springboks hold on to beat Ireland in Pretoria; Watch southern hemisphere summer tour action live on Sky Sports

By Michael Cantillon

Story of the game

‘England so close to creating history’

What they said

What’s next?

Rasulov overcomes Ok as British star Barboza wins

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World Matchplay schedule:

Saturday July 13 (7.30pm)

Sunday July 14

Monday July 15 (7pm)

Tuesday July 16 (7pm)

Wednesday July 17 (7pm)

Thursday July 18 (8pm)

Friday July 19 (8pm)

Saturday July 20 (8pm)

Sunday July 21

When and where is the World Matchplay?

What is the format?

Who are the previous winners?

Live World Matchplay Darts

How England claimed World Cup glory

What’s next on Sky Sports?

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World Cup of Darts – Results

England deserved to be crowned champions

Tale of the Tape

World Cup of Darts: Roll of Honour

What’s next on Sky Sports?

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Score summary – South Africa vs India

Kohli back in the runs in thrilling World Cup final

What’s next?

Women’s T20 World Cup groups