Striker Meerdink gets first call-up for Netherlands
AMSTERDAM :Mexx Meerdink has been handed a first call-up by the Netherlands as they look to find additional striking options for this month's World Cup qualifiers.
Finland Sport News
Panthers finalizing extension with Niko Mikkola, sources say - ESPN
The Florida Panthers are finalizing a long-term extension with defenseman Niko Mikkola, sources told ESPN on Thursday.
Panthers' Aleksander Barkov has surgery to repair ACL, MCL injuries - ESPN
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov needed surgery Friday to repair the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his right knee, injuries that will likely sideline him for the regular season and potentially the playoffs as Florida tries to win a third consecutive Stanley Cup.
Panthers' Aleksander Barkov set to miss months after surgery - ESPN
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Florida captain Aleksander Barkov could miss the entire regular season because of a knee injury, a major blow to the Panthers and their quest to win a third consecutive Stanley Cup.
Giannis calls Greece's bronze his 'greatest accomplishment' - ESPN
RIGA, Latvia — Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 30 points and grabbed 17 rebounds, leading Greece to a 92-89 win over Finland in the bronze medal game at EuroBasket on Sunday.
Arsenal spoil Ange return, Woltemade earns Newcastle win
LONDON: A Martin Zubimendi double took Arsenal top of the Premier League as Ange Postecoglou’s first game in charge of Nottingham Forest ended in a 3-0 defeat, while Nick Woltemade’s debut goal earned Newcastle’s first win of the season against Wolves on Saturday. Postecoglou made a swift return to north London after being sacked by Tottenham in June but did not enjoy a dream debut in the Forest dugout against a ruthless Arsenal. Mikel Arteta’s men had two weeks over the international break to mull over losing 1-0 to title rivals Liverpool due to Dominik Szoboszlai’s stunning free-kick. But the Gunners made it three wins from four games thanks to an unlikely goalscoring hero. Zubimendi scored just 10 times in 236 games for Real Sociedad and commanded a £60 million ($81 million) fee in the transfer window due to his defensive abilities and distribution from the base of the midfield. However, the Spanish international smashed home a blistering volley from outside the box to break Forest’s resistence on 32 minutes. “Unbelievable from Zubimendi,” said Arteta. “Two very difficult goals in terms of execution. He’s come into the club and you feel a real presence, a real authority with everything he does on the pitch.” It took less than 60 seconds into the second half for Viktor Gyokeres to double Arsenal’s lead from Eberechi Eze’s cross before Zubimendi headed in his second of the game. A comfortable victory achieved without William Saliba and Bukayo Saka and, for much of the match, Martin Odegaard or Declan Rice underlined the depth of quality in Arsenal’s squad as they aim to go one better after three consecutive second-placed finishes. - Instant hero Woltemade -
Iraqi footballer ‘drowned in bid to enter Greece by small boat,’ Naft Al-Basra club says
BEIRUT: Iraqi footballer Basil Saad’s death has been confirmed by his club, Naft Al-Basra, which said the midfielder drowned while crossing the Mediterranean in a bid to enter Greece. News of Saad’s death comes almost a year after Iraqi media reported on the player’s “inexplicable” disappearance. On Friday his club posted an obituary on social media mourning the player. The club wrote: “Naft Al-Basra Sports Club and all its staff extend their deepest condolences and sympathies to the family of our former player Basil Saad, who passed away following a tragic drowning incident in Turkiye.” The 27-year-old footballer was reported to have left Turkiye with 23 other people on a small boat heading toward Greek island of Symi in an attempt to migrate to Europe. There have been no reports on how he reached Turkiye. According to media reports, the boat stopped close to the island and those on board were told to swim to shore. Saad is believed to have drowned 50 meters offshore. His father told Iraqi iNews Channel that his son disappeared on Sept.
Barca’s Flick blasts Spain over Yamal injury issue
BARCELONA: Barcelona coach Hansi Flick lashed out at the Spanish national team on Saturday after Lamine Yamal was ruled out of his team’s La Liga clash against Valencia. The 18-year-old winger did not train with the Spanish champions because of a groin issue ahead of the game on Sunday, and is also a doubt to face Newcastle in the Champions League on Thursday. Yamal played twice for Spain in 2026 World Cup qualifying wins against Bulgaria and Turkiye last week. “He will not be available — for me it’s a pity. He went to the national team with pain, he did not train, he got painkillers for playing,” Flick told a news conference Saturday. “In every match they were three goals (or more) ahead, he played 79 and 73 minutes.