Spain top FIFA rankings, Saudi 58th after World Cup
DUBAI: The Saudi Arabian national football team have jumped three places in the FIFA World Rankings, which were announced this week following the World Cup.
France Sport News
Kiss to keep Wallabies door open to overseas players in search of winning formula
MELBOURNE, July 23 : Australia coach Les Kiss will "look far and wide" for talent and not hesitate to select overseas-based players if they give the Wallabies the best chance of winning, signalling a pragmatic approach as he begins his tenure in the buildup to the World Cup.
Dutch riders dreaming of crazy party corner of Alpe d’Huez
VOIRON, France: Dutch corner is known for being the biggest and craziest party in cycling. Thousands of orange-clad, booze-fueled cycling enthusiasts and young revellers flock to corner seven of Alpe d’Huez every time the Tour de France climbs the iconic mountain. And they create a unique, noisy and hectic atmosphere — even by Tour de France mountain pass standards. This year, the Tour will head up the 21 Alpe d’Huez hairpins on Friday — and some of the Dutch fans rocking to Europop tunes will have already been there for days by the time the peloton passes. More Dutch riders have won a Tour de France stage on Alpe d’Huez than any other nationality, including the host country. For Dutch riders in the Tour, this will be a poignant moment. “It’s a super special mountain, of course, Dutch Mountain and the famous corner seven,” said Dutch rider Thymen Arensman before the Tour began. Arensman has been on Dutch Corner before — and not just for training rides. “I have super special memories of this climb because when I was a little kid, like so many other Dutch people, I went there with my parents on holiday,” said the 26-year-old Netcompany Ineos rider, who won two Tour stages last year. “I was really keen and eager as a little child to do this climb also as fast as possible. “So (I have) really good memories there from my childhood.” Arensman and his Netcompany team-mates trained on the Alpe d’Huez hairpins before the Tour began. “We did the climb a few times, but the climb is still just as hard as I remember as a little kid,” he added. “The famous corner seven will be amazing.” Just getting to that point of the race this year will have been no mean feat, given how hard the 113th edition of the Grande Boucle has been. A
Arsenal defender Saliba out for extended period, says club
July 22 : Arsenal and France defender William Saliba will be sidelined for an extended period after suffering a back injury during the World Cup, the Premier League club said on Wednesday.
IDF says Palestinian soccer players it targeted served Hamas and Jihad terror groups
Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan, a staunch Palestine supporter, spotted an Israeli flag in the stands on Tuesday and was not happy about it. (This video contains AI-assisted content.)
Vozinha, Haaland named in fan-voted World Cup dream team
July 22 : Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha and Norway striker Erling Haaland have been named in the fan-voted FIFA World Cup dream team, with both rewarded for standout performances during unexpected runs by their teams.
Philipsen relieved after 'rollercoaster of emotions'
VOIRON, France, July 22 : Belgium's Jasper Philipsen ended his frustrating wait for a stage win at this year's Tour de France on Wednesday, claiming victory on stage 17 after five failed attempts in bunch sprints in the opening two weeks of cycling's most prestigious race.
Philipsen sprints to victory in Tour de France stage 17, Pogacar retains overall lead
VOIRON, France, July 22 : Belgian Jasper Philipsen prevailed in a crowded rush to the finish line to win stage 17 of the Tour de France on Wednesday, moving within seven points of green jersey holder Mads Pedersen, while Tadej Pogacar retained his overall lead.