Preview: Sligo Rovers and Derry City in Europa action
Sligo Rovers and Derry City fly the flag for Ireland in European action on Thursday night.
Soccer Sport News
Zion Williamson, Pelicans aim to end ‘negative’ narratives
NEW ORLEANS: A few months after Zion Williamson was left entirely out of Pelicans promotional material regarding ticket renewals, the injury-riddled star forward was back to being celebrated Wednesday as a supremely influential figure in New Orleans’ future.
All eyes on Banchero, as NBA Summer League is set to open
LAS VEGAS: In Las Vegas, there’s always a big show happening.
Cobble king Clarke rules Tour de France stage five with bike throw
ARENBERG, France: Simon Clarke of Israel Premier Tech won stage five of the Tour de France on Wednesday in a photo finish after a 157km run from Lille to Arenberg featuring 20km of cobbled mining roads.
Putellas loss strikes blow to Spain’s hopes of Euro 2022 breakthrough
MADRID: Spain’s ambitions of a breakthrough on the women’s international stage at Euro 2022 have been rocked by a sickening knee injury to reigning Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas. The Barcelona midfielder was expected to be one of the shining lights of the tournament until she ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament in training on Tuesday. Spain had been pre-tournament favorites with the bookmakers thanks to the rise of Barca as a dominant force of the club game. However, Putellas is the second key player ruled out in a matter of weeks after all-time top goalscorer Jennifer Hermoso also suffered a knee injury. “23 Alexias....for one dream,” Spanish sports daily Marca splashed across their front page on Wednesday with a picture of the remaining squad members. But there is no sugar-coating how devastating a blow to Spain’s chances losing Putellas is. The 28-year-old has become a icon at the Camp Nou with 90,000 chanting her name during Barca’s Champions League win over Real Madrid earlier this year that broke the world record for attendance at a women’s match. “Yesterday was the day to accept it,” said Putellas’ club and international teammate Patricia Guijarro on Wednesday. “We are desperate to get started and now we are triply determined.” Guijarro is one of nine Barcelona players still in the squad. Barca Femeni cruised to the Spanish title last season with 30 wins out of 30, scoring 159 goals and conceding just 11. They also made the Champions League final, although missed out on retaining the trophy, and a treble, after being pipped in the final by Lyon.
Mead gives England winning start in Women's European Championship
MANCHESTER, England: Beth Mead scored the only goal of the game as host England beat Austria 1-0 in front of a tournament-record crowd of 68,871 at Old Trafford in the Women’s European Championship opener on Wednesday.
Sadlier: Cagey England win won't dim the Euro hype
Whether the narrow win over Austria will heighten the expectations around hosts England at Euro 2022, or put a dampener on the hype, remains to be seen according to the RTÉ soccer panel.
Hosts England open Euro 2022 account with victory in front of record crowd
Hosts England made a winning start to their Euro 2022 campaign beating Austria 1-0 in front of a tournament record crowd of 68,871 at Old Trafford on Wednesday.