Türkiyə Super Liqasında XXIV tura start verilib.

Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, ilk oyun günündə iki qarşılaşma keçirilib. “Trabzonspor” və “Başakşəhər” evdə qələbəyə sevinib.

Türkiyə Super Liqası
XXIV tur

27 fevral

Başakşəhər – Konyaspor 2:0
Qollar: Selke, 52, 61.

Trabzonspor – Karagümrük 3:1
Qollar: Onuaçu, 20. Nvayvu, 47, 50 – Verde, 28.

Liverpool do not plan to sell Alisson in the summer transfer window, according to Football Insider. Juventus want to sign the Brazil international goalkeeper, but the defending Premier League champions want to keep him. Journalist Pete O’Rourke said: “Yeah, obviously no surprise that someone like Juventus are looking at Alisson. He had a very good […]

The post Liverpool want to keep Alisson appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Liverpool want to keep Alisson appeared first on Soccer News.

Celtic could fail to sign Kasper Hogh from Bodo/Glimt in the summer transfer window, according to Football Insider. The Scottish Premiership giants wanted to sign the striker in January and remain keen. Journalist Pete O’Rourke said: “I think obviously (his form) might bring bigger clubs with bigger budgets into the race for Kasper Hogh. Again, […]

The post Celtic could miss out on Kasper Hogh appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Celtic could miss out on Kasper Hogh appeared first on Soccer News.

Liverpool do not plan to sell Alisson in the summer transfer window, according to Football Insider. Juventus want to sign the Brazil international goalkeeper, but the defending Premier League champions want to keep him. Journalist Pete O’Rourke said: “Yeah, obviously no surprise that someone like Juventus are looking at Alisson. He had a very good […]

The post Liverpool want to keep Alisson appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Liverpool want to keep Alisson appeared first on Soccer News.

Al-Hilal striker Darwin Nunez wants to leave in the summer transfer window, according to Football Insider. Newcastle United have been linked with the 26-year-old Uruguay international striker, but a move to Newcastle United is unlikely to happen. Journalist Pete O’Rourke said: “I think it would be a surprise move for me. “Darwin Nunez has been […]

The post Darwin Nunez wants to leave Al-Hilal appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Darwin Nunez wants to leave Al-Hilal appeared first on Soccer News.

Liverpool are interested in signing Andrea Cambiaso from Juventus in the summer transfer window, according to TuttoJuve. The Juventus-centric Italian news outlet has added that Manchester City are also keen on a deal for the left-back. Both Liverpool and Man City are said to be ready to pay between €30 and €40 million for Cambiaso, […]

The post Liverpool plan €40m bid for Andrea Cambiaso appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Liverpool plan €40m bid for Andrea Cambiaso appeared first on Soccer News.

The Brazil U-20 Women’s National Team postponed their title hopes after a 1-1 draw with Ecuador and now focuses all its energy and attention on the decisive match against Venezuela, the last-placed team in the final hexagonal of the South American U-20 Women’s Championship. Brazil enters the final round with 10 points, followed by Ecuador with 8.

Even facing an opponent that is not directly competing for the top spot in the standings or for one of the four spots at the World Cup, defender Isa Nunes reiterated that nothing will be easy and projected the match as yet another final for the Canarinha.

Isa: Brazil will be “200%” focused for the match against VenezuelaCredits: Staff Images Woman / CBF

“Our expectations are the best because of the team’s commitment. We know there are no easy opponents; it’s a high-level competition, so we’re not expecting an easy game. It’s a South American match, a tough game,” said Isa, highlighting the unity and focus of the group in pursuit of the continental title.

Asked about what has changed since the match against Ecuador, which was seen as an early final, up to the eve of the clash with Venezuela, Isa was emphatic in stressing the team’s evolution in their attitude both on and off the pitch.

Isa talks about the difference in expectations at the U-20 level after having played at U-17Credits: Staff Images Woman / CBF

“We talk a lot here that every game is a final. The match against Ecuador helped us understand that nothing is won yet and that we need to give our all in every game. Our commitment in training has doubled; if we were at 100%, now we’re at 200%. The whole team is very focused on this big final that could decide everything for us,” she explained.

With experience from a World Cup in 2024, when she played with the U-17 National Team in the Dominican Republic, Isa explains how that experience has helped her and her teammates develop in the South American U-20 Championship.

The player called for the support of Brazilian fans in the match that will decide the titleCredits: Staff Images Woman / CBF

“Here, the level is already different. I’m at U-20. We have many experienced girls who have played in other South American Championships and World Cups, so the exchange is constant. Whatever experience I can share, I do, and whatever I can learn from the more experienced players, I learn. I’m very happy to be here and I hope we can achieve even more together at the World Cup in Poland,” she said.

Message to the fans

At the end of the interview, Isa left a message for the Brazilian fans who will be following the decisive match.

“Brazilian fans! I hope you can really cheer for us in tomorrow’s match. You can expect a lot of effort, a lot of dedication. You will definitely see a group that really wants to win. We’re going all out to bring this title to Brazil,” she concluded.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

Ligue 1 McDonald’s, Matchday 24, 27/02/26

Lens have been held to an away draw against Strasbourg to kick off Ligue 1’s Matchday 24. Mamadou Sangaré cancelled out Joaquin Panichelli’s opener. The Artois side misses the chance to provisionally go top of the Ligue 1 standings.

The Match

On the back of their remarkable home win against Lyon, Gary O’Neil’s Strasbourg hosted another Ligue 1 household name in second-placed RC Lens. The visitors started on the front foot with their brand of high-octane fast press and high line. Joaquin Panichelli failed to beat Robin Risser, whose foot save denied the Argentine. But the latter won’t be denied twice.

Minutes after Strasbourg fans halted their 15-minute strike, Panichelli pounced on a big mistake from Ismaëlo Ganiou to go face-to-face again with Risser. This time, the centre-forward opted to chip the France U21 international goalkeeper and beautifully found the back of the net with a single touch.

Strasbourg’s goal opened up the game, and Lens pursued their efforts. But they were let down by their final touch with Odsonne Edouard squandering a handful of big chances. It should be noted that the Artois sive could have had a penalty after Guéla Doué tripped Saud Abdulhamid in Mike Penders’ box.

Lens continued to dominate possession, but their wastefulness remained the sticking point. They register their first shot on target thanks to a tame Wesley Saïd header, before a couple of missed chances from Florian Thauvin.

Lens finally broke Strasbourg’s resistance with a stunner from Mamadou Sangaré, who half-volleyed a cleared corner from outside the penalty box off Mike Penders’ right post and in. For the first time this Ligue 1 season, Lens equalised after they had conceded the opener.

Strasbourg thought they had been gifted the chance to restore their lead as Panichelli was tripped by Malang Sarr in the penalty box. Clément Turpin pointed to the spot, but he overturned his decision after adjuging that the Argentine initiated contact with the former Chelsea man, and not the other way around.

In the end, neither side quite deserved to come away as winners at the end of a tepid game between two of the best Ligue 1 sides this year.

Strasbourg player ratings

Mike Penders – 5

Abdoul Ouattara – 4

Ismaël Doukouré – 4

Andrew Omobamidele – 5

Guéla Doué – 5

Diego Moreira – 5

Samir El-Mourabet – 6

Valentin Barco – 6

The Argentine midfielder embodied Strasbourg’s intensity at the heart of the field. The former Brighton man offers a rare blend of physicality, leadership and technic that made him one of Ligue 1’s very best midfielders.

Julio Enciso – 4

Martial Godo – 3

The former Fulham FC winger was Strasbourg’s in-form man since the turn of the year. But tonight, he was completely off, made little to no difference and was logically hooked by O’Neil midway into the second half.

Joaquin Panichelli – 6

The Argentine centre-forward often scores against the best Ligue 1 teams, and he made no exception with second-placed Lens. The former Mirandes striker beautifully chipped Risser to go level with Marseille’s Mason Greenwood at the top of Ligue 1’s goalscoring charts.

Lens player ratings

Robin Risser – 6

Malang Sarr – 6

Ismaelo Ganiou – 3

The centre-back will not escape the blame for Joaquin Panichelli’s opener that he gift-wrapped with a poor back-pass to Risser.

Nidar Celik – 5

Matthieu Udol – 6

Adrien Thomasson – 5

Mamadou Sangaré – 6

Saud Abdulhamid – 4

Wesley Saïd – 6

Odsonne Edouard – 4

The former Crystal Palace centre-forward was all too wasteful and should have had at least one goal to his name tonight. He was the first Lens player to be recalled to the bench by Pierre Sage.

Florian Thauvin – 4

The France international looks far from the mercurial and decisive winger Lens could rely on in the first half of the season. His final touch let him down and he seems to suffer the toll of a full season as a 33-year-old nailed-on starter

GFFN | Bastien Cheval and Luke Entwistle – reporting from Strasbourg

AUGSBURG, Germany (AP) — Rodrigo Ribeiro scored for the second game in a row and Alexis Claude-Maurice added a second with the last kick of the game as Augsburg beat Cologne 2-0 in the Bundesliga on Friday.

Six days after he scored in a 3-2 win over Wolfsburg, Ribeiro's cute backheel from a cutback by U.S. defender Noahkai Banks broke the deadlock in the 55th minute.

Claude-Maurice made sure of the win deep in stoppage time when, with all of the Cologne players in the opposition box for a last-gasp corner, he charged forward and rolled the ball into the empty net.

Augsburg’s fifth win in six games left it in ninth place, tied on points with Eintracht Frankfurt, the team above it.

Cologne was missing four players with muscle injuries, a rash of absences that coach Lukas Kwasniok said was the worst he had ever faced.

The visitor was the more physical of the two sides in a hard-fought first half and was unfortunate not to go in a goal up at the break after Eric Martel’s header came back off the crossbar.

But Augsburg — wearing a one-off shirt designed to highlight the city’s history — took its chances in the second half as it roared to a club-record-equalling eight consecutive matches unbeaten at home in the Bundesliga.

Cologne has won only one of its last six league games and remained in 12th place.

___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

United Rugby Championship

Cardiff (3) 8

Try: A Davies Pen: Sheedy

Leinster (0) 7

Try: McGrath Con: Tector

Cardiff took a huge step towards making the United Rugby Championship play-offs by ending Leinster's winning streak at a rain-lashed Arms Park.

The Blue and Blacks climbed to third in the table by recording their first win against the Irish province since January 2022.

The hosts led 3-0 at the break in horrendous conditions and went into the final quarter 8-0 to the good thanks to scrum-half Aled Davies' counter-attack try.

Leinster struck with a converted try by their scrum-half Luke McGrath in the 68th minute and suddenly Cardiff, down to 14 men after a yellow card for Jacob Beetham, were creaking.

However, they held on and killed the clock expertly to end the champions' winning run in all competitions at 11 games.

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Cardiff are level on points with second-placed Leinster and crucially have a 15-point lead over those aiming to break into the top eight.

Testing conditions meant the only score of the first half came through the boot of Callum Sheedy, with the Cardiff fly-half knocking over a 19th-minute penalty.

The Blue and Blacks were left to rue the lack of a cutting edge in the 22, especially when Leinster had a spell down to 14 men courtesy of a yellow card for Charlie Tector for a high and late hit on Ben Thomas.

Tector had been introduced after just three minutes when the Irish province lost fly-half Harry Byrne, their only player released from Six Nations duty, to a head injury.

That was an enforced change but four of his fellow replacements – including former France tight-head prop Rabah Slimani and giant South Africa lock RG Snyman – were introduced by Leo Cullen with four minutes of the first half to play.

Cardiff continued to have the territorial edge at the start of the second half, despite playing into the wind, and Davies came up with a key score in the 54th minute.

Jimmy O'Brien failed to find touch with a clearance and the scrum-half ran a good supporting line to finish off the counter-attack, sparked by Cam Winnett and Mason Grady, from flanker Dan Thomas' pass.

Leinster trailed 8-0 and needed to respond, with their hopes boosted by a yellow card for Cardiff wing Beetham on 65 minutes after he was tempted into a deliberate knock-on.

Two minutes later the visitors were over when scrum-half McGrath finished off after a line break and neat offload by replacement full-back Andrew Osborne.

Tector added the simple extras to make it a one-point game but Cardiff held their nerve to earn a vital, and deserved, victory.

Cardiff coach Corniel van Zyl said: "We adapted well to the conditions because it was easier to play without the ball, so the kicking came into play.

"Leinster are a quality outfit with what they have done over the years and it was good chance for us to measure ourselves. I was pleased with the game plan and how things unfolded."

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen said: "I thought that Cardiff deserved the win.

"I am disappointed for our guys, there was lots of good effort and intent but we could get into the game. That was because Cardiff were better with their kicking strategy."

How they lined up

Cardiff: Winnett; Beetham, Millard, B Thomas, Grady; Sheedy, A Davies; Barratt, Belcher (capt), Sebastian, McNally, Nott, Lawrence, D Thomas, Basham.

Replacements: D Hughes, Southworth, Assiratti, Thornton, E Rees, Mulder, I Lloyd, Bowen.

Yellow card: Beetham 65

Leinster: O'Brien; Kenny, Ioane, Henshaw, Moloney, Byrne; Gunne, Cahir, McKee, Sparrow, Spicer, Deeny, Deegan (capt), Penny, Culhane.

Replacements: McCarthy, Usanov, Slimani, Snyman, Ericson, McGrath, Tector, Osborne.

Yellow card: Tector 12

Referee: Sam Grove-White (Scotland)

Assistant referees: Ben Whitehouse (Wales) & Carwyn Sion (Wales)

TMO: David Sutherland (Scotland)

Jersey Bulls boosted their play-off hopes with a 1-0 win at Sevenoaks Town in Isthmian League South East.

The islanders, who are unbeaten in 2026, move back into fifth place after a third win in four games.

They are two points clear of sixth-placed Faversham Town, who have three games in hand, while Bulls have played at least two more games than the rest of their rivals.

James Queree gave the Jersey the perfect start as he put his side 1-0 up with a fourth-minute penalty after Toluope Jonah was penalised for handball.

It proved to be the decisive moment of a game with few clear-cut chances as Lorne Bickley twice went close in the opening half hour for the Bulls.

Miguel Carvalho forced an excellent close-range save from home goalkeeper Jordan Perrin after he had spilled Toby Ritzema’s 34th-minute shot.

Perrin produced another excellent save to keep the Oaks in the game as he acrobatically tipped substitute James Sunley’s venomous strike over the bar 18 minutes into the second half.

The hosts failed to trouble Euan van der Vliet in the Jersey goal as Bulls kept a third successive clean sheet.

Related internet links

• Jersey Bulls

In a recent report, The Sun stated that Liverpool are trailing Arsenal in pursuit of Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon. It has been mentioned that the Reds are facing competition from the Gunners and Manchester United in the race to sign the English wide player next summer.

Gordon’s Impressive Form In English Football

Gordon is having an excellent campaign at the Tyneside club as he has produced a series of productive displays for them in the Premier League. The Liverpool-born talent has participated in 38 matches for Newcastle this season, scoring 14 goals and earning five assists across multiple competitions.

The 25-year-old is currently among the most feared attackers in European football. Thus, it makes sense for Liverpool to step up their chase to land him at the end of this campaign.

Gordon’s current deal at St. James’ Park will run out in the summer of 2029, which could make it tough for the Reds to sign him on the cheap later this year.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 21: Anthony Gordon of Newcastle United during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Newcastle United at Etihad Stadium on February 21, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

What Should Liverpool Boss Arne Slot Do With Regards To Gordon?

Gordon can use his pace well to get in behind the opponent’s backline at every chance he can get. He is a great dribbler with the ball at his feet and has got the vision to create some inviting chances for his teammates in and around the opponent’s penalty area.

The English wing wizard can strike the ball purely from long range and can contribute by scoring and creating his fair share of goals up top. Gordon is primarily a left-winger but can also operate as a right-sided wide player or as a centre-forward if asked to do so by his manager.

We can expect Gordon to bring more pace and firepower to Liverpool head coach Arne Slot’s frontline. He has what it takes to earn regular first-team football at Anfield and could serve as an ideal, long-term replacement for Mohamed Salah at the Merseyside club.

At 25, Gordon has his peak years ahead of him, which makes him an excellent option for the Reds to consider at the end of this season. With all things considered, Slot would be wise to go all out to win the race for his services in the upcoming summer transfer period.

Jarrod Bowen Transfer Latest, Manchester United and Tottenham Circle West Ham Captain

Jarrod Bowen’s future at West Ham United has become one of the Premier League’s most compelling subplots. According to a report by TEAMtalk, Manchester United and Tottenham are closely monitoring the Hammers captain as uncertainty gathers around the club’s top flight status.

Sources have informed TEAMtalk that Bowen views his future as “very open”, a phrase that will send a tremor through east London. It is not the language of rebellion, nor quite the language of certainty. It is the language of possibility.

Relegation Battle Raises Stakes

West Ham sit 18th in the Premier League, two points from safety. That reality reframes everything. Bowen, now 29, has carried much of the attacking burden, contributing eight goals and three assists in 27 league appearances, while playing almost every minute available.

Photo IMAGO

His commitment has rarely been questioned. He signed a contract in 2023 that runs until June 2030, a show of faith in the project. Yet contracts in modern football are often anchors of value rather than guarantees of permanence.

TEAMtalk report that Manchester United “could target him if West Ham go down, viewing him as a way to boost their attack”. Tottenham, meanwhile, see him as a “complete footballer” aligned with their European ambitions. Both clubs are navigating their own uncertainties, but Bowen’s profile fits a specific need, reliability, work rate and consistent output from wide areas.

Contract Strength Versus Market Reality

West Ham are described as fiercely protective of their captain. Any permanent transfer would command a substantial fee, estimated around €60million, though that valuation becomes more fluid in the event of relegation.

There is a certain symmetry to it. Bowen has been West Ham’s standard bearer in recent seasons, their most relentless runner and often their sharpest finisher. Loyalty could yet bind him to the London Stadium, particularly if survival is secured. “For now, Bowen is focused on helping West Ham climb out of trouble”, TEAMtalk state, with fixtures such as the trip to Anfield looming large.

Liverpool have been mentioned in passing, admiration for his work ethic noted, though TEAMtalk sources have played down any connection. Newcastle United and Arsenal hover at the edges of rumour, but nothing concrete has emerged.

Summer Decision Approaches

What makes this story compelling is not simply the interest from Manchester United or Tottenham, but the crossroads at which Bowen finds himself. Stay, and risk the narrowing of horizons. Leave, and relinquish the chance to become a club legend.

In modern football, ambition and allegiance often collide. Bowen’s stance being described as “very open” suggests he understands the scale of his own career window. The coming months will determine whether that openness leads to departure or renewed devotion.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

From a West Ham supporter’s perspective, this report lands with uneasy familiarity. Bowen has been the heartbeat of this side, the one player who never appears to shrink when pressure rises. If TEAMtalk are correct that his future is “very open”, then that openness reflects the broader uncertainty around the club.

A fan might argue that Bowen deserves European football. Eight goals in a struggling side is no small feat. He tracks back, he presses, he leads. Tottenham calling him a “complete footballer” feels accurate, perhaps uncomfortably so.

Yet there is another angle. If West Ham survive, why should Bowen go? He signed until 2030. He is captain. His legacy is within reach. A West Ham fan could reasonably say that building around Bowen, rather than cashing in, offers the clearest path back to stability.

Relegation would change the arithmetic. At £52.5m, the fee becomes survival funding. Still, supporters would fear the symbolism of losing their captain at the moment resilience is required most. For now, the focus remains simple, secure safety, keep Bowen, restore belief.

The Seattle Seahawks have not one, but two outstanding first-round picks from their 2023 draft class with looming contract extension talks coming. Devon Witherspoon has been a dynamite cornerback in both Pete Carroll and Mike Macdonald’s defenses, while wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba has consecutive 100-catch seasons to his name, along with an Offensive Player of the Year award.

This upcoming season will mark the end of the respective rookie deals for JSN and Witherspoon, unless Seattle exercises those fifth-year options exclusive to first-rounders. The NFL announced the values of those fifth-year options on Friday.

How much are JSN and Witherspoon’s fifth-year options?

Smith-Njigba’s fifth-year option is valued at $23,852,000, while Witherspoon’s is $21,161,000. Witherspoon is at the highest possible tier as someone who’s made at least two Pro Bowls in his first three seasons. Technically, JSN is a two-time Pro Bowl player, but his 2024 selection was as an alternate, which does not count and thus he’s only directly made one Pro Bowl. That’s the difference between JSN’s fifth-year option being the current value versus $27,298,000.

What happens if either of JSN or Witherspoon plays on their fifth-year option?

Fifth-year option salaries are fully guaranteed, so they can be off the books via trade without any dead money taken on. New York Giants pass rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux is a notable player who’s on his fifth-year option without an extension.

In a hypothetical world where JSN and ‘Spoon are somehow on their options in 2027, then that’s over $45 million in salary cap money tied to two players without contract extensions.

When is the fifth-year option deadline?

Teams have until May 1 to either exercise or decline fifth-year options. The Seahawks utilized Charles Cross’ option last year and got a deal done with their left tackle in ample time.

Sky Sports Formula 1 lead commentator David Croft sympathises with Aston Martin team owner Lawrence Stroll after the Silverstone outfit had a rocky start with a disappointing pre-season testing in Bahrain. 

Aston Martin enters the 2026 F1 season with a new power unit partnership with Honda, Adrian Newey leading the team, and the first Aston Martin F1 car designed under his direction.

While anticipation was high for the team, pre-season testing was less than ideal, with driver Lance Stroll claiming they were four seconds off the pace.

"I think there's a lot of stress at Aston Martin and I don't say that lightly at all," Croft told Sky Sports F1. "And I feel for every single member of that team, and I feel for Lawrence Stroll as well, who has poured a lot of money and his heart and soul into that project and is feeling the pain massively.

"In Adrian Newey, they have the greatest designer of a racing car ever. But Adrian's not Harry Potter. He can't just wave a magic wand and suddenly deliver the best car on the grid. He started late, came late to the project.

"The wind tunnel wasn't online when he first started. The new sim wasn't online. Things were against him. And Honda has produced a power unit that is not up to scratch yet.

David Croft, Sky TV

"There's a lot of work going on in Japan. And Andy Cowell, who was the former team principal and CEO at Aston Martin, is spending a lot of time in Japan using his experience in Formula 1 power units. He was the man responsible for the Mercedes engine in 2014 to put things right.

"But it's not a quick fix. They leave Bahrain as the slowest team, and the most unreliable team, and that is not a position they should be in, but they were always playing catch-up.

"Honda, for instance, they were pulling out of the sport and then decided they were going to stay in the sport, but by the time they'd made that decision to stay, their F1 team had kind of scattered to the wind and had gone elsewhere.

"So, they had to start all over again, which meant that they were always on the back foot. And we've seen in the past, Honda start slow but then do make great strides forward. So I don't think all is lost at Aston Martin. But I do think that they could not have had it worse in testing if they had tried."

To read more Motorsport.com articles visit our website.

The Denver Broncos have started making restricted free agent decisions — and more are on the way.

News broke on Friday that the Broncos will place a second-round tender on cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian. He will now earn $5.811 million in 2026, and a second-round price tag could prevent other teams from attempting to make an offer Denver can't match.

Meanwhile, Denver has opted not to place a tender on running back Jaleel McLaughlin, allowing him to hit free agency instead. The cheapest tender would have been $3.547 (more than J.K. Dobbins earned last season), so it's no surprise that the Broncos did not want to bring him back at that price.

Denver also has four other restricted free agents: offensive lineman Alex Palczewski, tight/end fullback Nate Adkins, tight end Lucas Krull and defensive lineman Matt Henningsen. Of those players, Palczewski seems like the strongest candidate for a tender, but none of them are guaranteed.

Broncos' other restricted free agents

• OL Alex Palczewski
• TE/FB Nate Adkins
• TE Lucas Krull
• DL Matt Henningsen

Even if these players do not receive a tender and hit free agency, the Broncos could still attempt to bring them back for less than $3.54 million. Palczewski should be a priority, and Adkins also has a strong chance to return in 2026.

Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.

This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Denver Broncos news: 4 restricted free agents remain

Draws will be on Tuesday Credits: João Gabriel Alves/CBF

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) will hold the draws for the Copa do Nordeste, Copa Verde, and Copa Sul-Sudeste on Tuesday (3), starting at 2 PM. The event will take place at the entity's headquarters in Rio de Janeiro (RJ) and will be broadcast by CBF TV.

COPA DO NORDESTE

A total of 20 clubs will compete in the Copa do Nordeste. In the first phase, the teams will be divided into four groups with five clubs each.

There will be 60 matches over ten dates, with a maximum of 10 dates for the finalists. The champion of the 2026 Copa do Nordeste will secure a spot in the third phase of the 2027 Copa do Brasil.

The 20 participating clubs will begin their quest for the title on March 25. The champion will be known on June 7, when the second leg of the final is scheduled.

COPA VERDE

The Copa Verde was created by the CBF in 2014. This year, the competition reaches its 13th edition. It will be the largest Copa Verde in history, with 24 clubs from the North, Central-West regions, and Espírito Santo, divided into two blocks with 12 clubs each: the Copa Norte and the Copa Centro-Oeste. The champion of each will secure a spot in the third phase of the 2027 Copa do Brasil.

There will be 70 matches over ten dates, with at least six games for 12 clubs, a maximum of 10 games for the finalists, starting on March 25 and ending on June 7, a period exclusive to the competition. The competition is divided into four phases: in the first, the 24 clubs are divided into four groups of six clubs, with two from the Copa Norte and two from the Copa Centro-Oeste.

COPA SUL-SUDESTE

Created by the CBF to be contested starting this season, the first edition of the Copa Sul-Sudeste will feature 12 clubs, with teams from the South and Southeast regions participating. The champion will secure a spot in the third phase of the 2027 Copa do Brasil.

There will be 42 matches over ten dates, with at least six games for 12 clubs, a maximum of 10 games for the finalists, starting on March 25 and ending on June 7, a period exclusive to the competition. The Copa Sul-Sudeste will have three phases: in the first phase, each club will play three home games and three away games; the semifinals and final will be decided in home-and-away matches.

PRESS ACCREDITATION

Journalists interested in covering the event must register via email: credenciamento@cbf.com.br. The message must include full name, CPF, company, role, and contact phone number. The registration deadline is until 2 PM this Monday (2). Incomplete and late requests will not be accepted.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

Minnesota United vs. FC Cincinnati

When: 3:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Allianz Field
Stream: Apple TV
Radio: KSTP-AM, 1500
Weather: 18 degrees, overcast, 8 mph south wind
Betting line: MNUFC plus-105; draw plus-265; Cincinnati plus-210

Form: MNUFC (0-0-1, 1 point) earned a 2-2 draw with Austin FC in the season opener after Kelvin Yeboah scored in the 90th minute last Saturday. Cincinnati (1-0-0, 3 points) got two second-half goals for a 2-0 win over Atlanta United last week.

Big question: Will the stars play?

MNUFC midfielder James Rodriguez completed his first full week of training this week and head coach Cameron Knowles said the Colombian star will be available to make his MLS debut. Knowles said James’ first game for Minnesota is not inevitable this weekend and his possible role will be determined how the game plays out and what it needs. A role off the bench seems most likely.

Cincinnati midfielder Evander subbed out of the season opener with an apparent hamstring injury, but coach Pat Noonan didn’t rule out the one-name Brazilian for this weekend.

Context: It will be one of the coldest home games in Loons’ history and Knowles knows his team needs give fans a reason to bundle up and endure the weather.

“One, to be very difficult to breakdown, and two, to entertain,” Knowles said. “… It’s going to be cold. We want to give them energy as much as they give it to us.”

Check-in: For late February, Allianz Field’s natural grass surface got positive reviews from Knowles and captain Michael Boxall.

“The pitch is in fantastic condition considering the time of year,” Knowles said.

Comment: Knowles expressed support for former Loons manager Eric Ramsay, who was fired by West Bromwich Albion earlier this week. Ramsay was winless in nine total games for the club in the English second-tier.

“He’s a fantastic person and obviously a fantastic coach and hopefully his next opportunity is a good one for him,” Knowles said.

Scouting report: The Loons conceded two goals last week — one on a corner kick and one on a back-post finish. They will need to clean up its defensive issues against striker Kevin Denkey. The former Cercle Brugge player had 15 goals in MLS last season and one already this campaign.

Prediction: Cincinnati finished second in the MLS’ overall standings last season and appear to be ready for another top-tier season. But what the heck, let’s predict pure cinema: Minnesota gets a winning-goal contribution from James’ left foot in crunch time. Loons win 2-1.

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Much has been made about Oregon Ducks tight end Kenyon Sadiq's talent on the field, as he's far and away the top tight end in the 2026 draft class. Considering his athleticism, there's high anticipation and excitement for how he'll perform during testing, if he chooses to do so in Indianapolis at the NFL Combine.

But it's something else that's stuck out thus far during his time at the combine.

"He’s walking into interviews and explaining exactly what everybody else's assignment is," NFL Network's Mike Garafolo said. "I had one guy say 'it was the best interview I've ever had.'"

At the combine, players are picked apart by not only the media, but more importantly by NFL teams. Private interviews are conducted, where players meet with team coaches and executives. It's essentially a meet and greet with some high-level football analysis and film breakdowns mixed in.

Mike Garafolo on Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq’s interviews:

"He’s walking into interviews and explaining exactly what everybody else's assignment is. I had one guy say 'it was the best interview I've ever had.'" pic.twitter.com/fokf8zYV9F

— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) February 27, 2026

And, per Garafolo's words, Sadiq's football acumen and IQ has been on full display, impressing teams along the way with his deep knowledge of the Oregon playbook. He has a quiet nature about him, but when prodded by NFL teams, it appears that Sadiq is blowing the interviews out of the water.

On Thursday, former Ducks safety Dillon Thieneman lauded the Oregon program for developing him in 2025 after transferring in after two standout seasons at Purdue. Though all of his counting stats dropped, his open-field tackling — a weakness in his game, per his own words — improved greatly, to the point where Thieneman feels like he excels at that part of the game.

Though Sadiq was at Oregon for all three seasons, it's clear that the program that head coach Dan Lanning is conducting is preparing players for the next level — with both on-field ability and the cerebral part of the game.

Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions. 

This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Kenyon Sadiq making a good impression among NFL teams at the combine

The Green Bay Packers are hiring former New England Patriots special teams coordinator Cameron Achord as the team's next special teams coordinator, replacing Rich Bisaccia, according to reporting from Tom Pelissero of NFL Network and Rob Demovsky of ESPN.

Achord, 39, was most recently the assistant special teams coordinator of the New York Giants, a job he held for two seasons under coordinator Michael Ghobrial. The Giants did not retain Achord after hiring John Harbaugh as head coach this offseason.

Achord got his start in the NFL under future Hall of Fame coach Bill Belichick, who hired him to his staff in New England in 2018. Achord spent two seasons as an assistant special teams coach under Joe Judge with the Patriots before taking over the coordinator job in 2020 when Judge left to become the Giants head coach.

In Rick Gosselin's respected special teams rankings, Achord's Patriots finished first in the NFL in 2020, 18th in 2021, 16th in 2022 and 13th in 2023. By DVOA, the Patriots ranked No. 1 in 2020, 18th in 2021, 32nd in 2022 and 28th in 2023 -- suggesting a sharp downturn after a league-best finish to start his career as a coordinator.

Achord wasn't retained by the Patriots when the franchise transitioned under Jerod Mayo in 2024.

Achord beat out Cardinals assistant Sam Sewell, Seahawks assistant Devin Fitzsimmons and Saints assistant Kyle Wilbur for the job.

In Achord, the Packers are getting a young but experienced coordinator who has run the third phase in the NFL previously.

Achord was an assistant in New England when the Patriots won Super Bowl LII following the 2018 season.

Bisaccia stepped down as the Packers special teams coordinator on Feb. 17.

This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers hiring Cameron Achord as next special teams coordinator

Parma’s run of consecutive victories was brought to an end this evening by a brave Cagliari side who gave Carlos Cuesta’s side a taste of their own medicine – although, the hosts did manage to salvage a point with seven minutes to play when Gaetano Oristanio scored to equalise after Michael Folorunsho’s opener.

It was a frustrating night for Parma, who had arrived at this fixture on the back of their stunning win against Milan at San Siro and will have harboured genuine ambitions of extending their winning streak. Cagliari, though, had other ideas, and produced a disciplined and determined display that deserved at least a share of the spoils.

The opening half was an evenly contested affair, with both sides creating half-chances without either goalkeeper being truly tested. Mateo Pellegrino was lively throughout for Parma, forcing Elia Caprile into a fine save in the 39th minute with a sharp effort from inside the box, while Cagliari’s Marco Palestra and Sebastiano Esposito both threatened on the counter without making the breakthrough.

Parma 1-1 Cagliari – Second half flurry sees Folorunsho & Oristanio get on the scoresheet

PARMA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 27: Emanuele Valeri of Parma Calcio competes for the ball with Zé Pedro of Cagliari Calcio during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and Cagliari Calcio at Stadio Ennio Tardini on February 27, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Cuesta rang the changes at half-time, introducing Gaetano Oristanio and Hans Nicolussi Caviglia in an attempt to shift the momentum, but it was Cagliari who struck first.

In the 63rd minute, substitute Michael Folorunsho, who had only entered the field two minutes earlier, produced a moment of genuine quality, receiving the ball outside the box and unleashing a thunderous strike into the top left corner that gave Edoardo Corvi absolutely no chance. It was a goal worthy of winning any game.

Parma pushed for an equaliser and were rewarded in the 83rd minute when Oristanio pounced on a loose ball inside the box to fire low into the bottom left corner, sparking jubilant scenes from the home fans.

Both sides pressed for a winner in the closing stages, with further injuries to Esposito and Emanuele Valeri adding to the disruption, but neither could find the decisive moment.

A point apiece, then, and while Parma will reflect on a missed opportunity, Cagliari will take enormous encouragement from a performance that showed real character away from home.

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Le Fee reveals why he left Roma for Sunderland: 'I was sad because I wasn't enjoying playing'

With just two players left to discuss, we’ve reached the cream of the crop in our annual Montreal Canadiens top 20 prospect rankings, as chosen by Habs fans.

Heir apparent Jacob Fowler nabbed the No. 2 spot, a testament to his incredibly encouraging development.

N.B.: To qualify for the project, prospects must be 23 years old or younger and currently playing outside the NHL. In other words, even though Canadiens players such as Lane Hutson, Juraj Slafkovsky, and Ivan Demidov are young enough to qualify age-wise, they’ve already established themselves as NHL players and are no longer considered prospects.

Previously Published Montreal Canadiens Prospect Profiles

Canadiens Prospects Who Just Missed the Cut

Canadiens Prospects Ranked 20-16

Canadiens Prospects Ranked 15-11

No.10 – Towering Hayden Paupanekis

No. 9 – Truculent Florian Xhekaj

No.8 – Highly Skilled L.J Mooney

No.7 – Extraordinary Bryce Pickford

No.6 – Cerebral Owen Beck

No.5 – Highly Mobile Adam Engstrom

No. 4 – Enigmatic David Reinbacher

No. 3 – Brilliant Alexander Zharovsky

Jacob Fowler

2. Goaltender, Catches Left, 21, Laval Rocket (AHL), 6’2″, 214 lb. Picked 69th overall in 2023.

From the moment Jacob Fowler took over as Boston College’s starting netminder, it was quite clear he had the potential to one day become a starting goaltender in the NHL.

Of course, there were some hints pointing to his excellence prior to the Canadiens selecting him in the third round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. Fowler was fresh off a dominant stretch in the USHL which powered the Youngstown Phantoms to a Clark Cup Championship, serving as the team’s Most Valuable Player due to his impressive .952 save percentage.

And yet, there were no guarantees that his game would translate to the NCAA, as it represented a significant uptick in quality of competition.

Fowler didn’t just adapt to college hockey, he quickly established himself as one of the best goaltenders in the country, putting together a 25-7-2 record in his second year with the Eagles, paired with an impressive .940 save percentage.

It was the driving force behind the decision to convince him to sign an entry-level contract, putting an end to his NCAA career after just two years in the league. It should be noted that Fowler was not the first Canadiens netminder to spend just two years in the NCAA. Both Cayden Primeau and Jakub Dobes made their jump to the professional ranks after two seasons playing college hockey, a reminder that rushing a goaltender carries a certain amount of risk.

That being said, now that we’ve had the chance to watch Fowler play in a professional league, it’s safe to say he’s offered up excellent performances despite his lack of experience, which means he’s excelled in every league, from the USHL to the NHL.

His 10-game audition with the Canadiens was not perfect, and yet, he provided the team with their best chance to win games, to the tune of a .902 save percentage. That may not seem like an excellent result, but when we consider both Samuel Montembeault (.874) and Jakub Dobes (.892) have struggled at times due to the elevated number of high-danger chances the Habs allow every night, not to mention the fact that the teams around the league are scoring more goals in recent years than the previous era, it goes to show that Fowler performed admirably in a rather difficult situation.

To put a fine point on his impressive results, we can also turn to the AHL, where Fowler has emerged as one of the best goaltenders in the league. He has a .915 save percentage, good for sixth overall in the league. This led to a well-deserved All-Star nod for the rookie netminder, yet another feather in his crowded cap.

Strengths

Fowler is a supremely boring, which is the highest compliment you can pay to a young netminder. He wastes very little energy, using elite anticipation, vision, and tracking to ensure he’s set before most shots.

That’s not to say he’s immune to being caught out of position at times, but for the most part, Fowler has shown that he can make life very difficult on opposing teams by always being ready to make a save, rather than reacting to the situation at the last moment.

This eliminates the most vulnerable situation for a goaltender: having to adjust their position as they react to a shot.

Fowler out there making casual saves on Crosby in crunch time. #GoHabsGopic.twitter.com/oME2vlsrHY

— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) December 12, 2025

His rebound control is well above average, which became very apparent during his short tenure in the NHL. Both Montembeault and Dobes can struggle when it comes to holding onto pucks, whereas Fowler showed a penchant for eliminating the second-chance opportunities that have plagued the Canadiens in 2025-26.

When rebounds were inevitable, Fowler did a great job redirecting pucks to low-danger scoring areas, once again mitigating the scoring opportunities for opposing players.

He also approached every game with the confidence and mental preparedness you’d expect from a 10-year veteran, a good reminder that he has the right type of mentality to thrive in a hockey-crazed market such as Montreal.

Weaknesses

I’ve followed Fowler’s progression closely since he made his NCAA debut, and though I maintain he’s one of the most well-rounded goaltending prospects I’ve had the chance to monitor, he does have an Achilles heel.

When the puck goes down low, and then quickly back to the slot, Fowler’s tracking, which is usually elite, suddenly becomes mediocre. This results in him sitting back a little too far in his net, giving shooters too much open net to work with.

His lateral transitions can be clunky at times, but it’s one aspect of his game that has improved by leaps and bounds over the course of the last few seasons.

He’s prone to having stretches in which he seems a little overwhelmed, at least when compared to his usual NCAA standard. I’d argue this is a result of playing behind an elite Boston College team for two years, a situation that led to many wins, but a distinct lack of shot volume.

It’s also important to note that I’m looking for nits to pick at this point.

All the issues in his game essentially require one simple solution: more experience.

In that vein, Fowler’s greatest weakness is that he’s still a rookie netminder, which isn’t necessarily a weakness, but rather, a realistic assessment of his encouraging development.

What To Expect From Fowler Moving Forward

All things considered, Fowler clearly has what it takes to become Montreal’s starter once he has accumulated enough experience, but we should guard against rushing him into the NHL, especially as the Canadiens navigate the final stretch of the season.

Yes, Fowler played well during his short stint with the Habs, but there’s something to be said about allowing him to develop in a slightly less pressure-packed situation.

In other words, the AHL is the perfect league for Fowler in 2025-26.

That may not the be case next season, especially since the Habs are dealing with goaltending woes, but despite his excellent numbers, the Canadiens cannot afford to risk his long-term potential to solve a short-term issue.

He’s a great goaltending prospect, arguably the best the team has had in decades, and his time will come sooner than later.

However, for the time being, he’s still learning on the job.

Montreal Canadiens player statistics via Elite Prospects.

Related Headlines

• Habs Daily: Dobson Impact, Zharovsky Elite Potential, Mooney
• Canadiens Highlights: Dobson Scores Twice To Secure A Point
• Canadiens Top 20 Prospects – No. 3 Brilliant Zharovsky

Billy Horschel had some words with a fan following a bad shot at the Bear Trap.

Billy Horschel has never been scared to show his emotions on the golf course, and that trend continued on Friday during the second round of the Cognizant Classic when a fan chirped him after he hit a shot into the water on the par-3 15th, the first of three holes that make up PGA National’s famed Bear Trap.

RELATED: How to Watch the Cognizant Classic

His tee shot ended up long and left of the green, right up against the grandstand. After his ball found its watery grave, a fan was giving him an earful. Horschel turned around and let them hear it.

“Who said that? I mean, I guess you guys (inaudible) feel good about yourself with a comment like that, don’t ya?”

Horschel went on to make a triple-bogey six after taking a drop in the drop zone and two putting. Despite his struggles down the stretch in Palm Beach Gardens on Day 2, the proud Floridian is on track to be around for the weekend.

London Pulse showed a "no-mercy mindset" as they got their Netball Super League title defence off to a winning start with a 56-51 victory over Manchester Thunder at the Copper Box Arena.

Having been edged out in last week's season-opening Netball Super Cup final by Loughborough Lightning, a dominant third and fourth-quarter showing enabled the home side to stretch out what had been a two-point lead at the halfway point.

Player of the match Halimat Adio hailed Pulse's "slick" display.

"It's crazy to say it, but we had a no-mercy mentality today," she said. "We want to finish off where we finished off last season.

"We want to win and we have to start that from the get-go. I think everyone did that.

"Obviously last week was really disappointing for us, but there are building blocks.

"This year the teams are really, really strong. So we need to do our homework and I think we'll be all good."

Pulse coach Sam Bird said the game had "ebbed and flowed" with Thunder scores in the last two minutes narrowing the gap to grab a league table point for finishing within five points of their opponents.

Bird's Thunder counterpart, Karen Greig, predicted it would be "a good two or three rounds" before her side find their feet despite "lots of positives".

How to follow 2026 Netball Super League on BBC Sport

BBC Sport will show one game per week during the regular season.

These are the games you can watch live on the BBC Sport website and iPlayer:

28 February: London Mavericks v Nottingham Forest (14:00 GMT)

7 March: Manchester Thunder v London Mavericks (17:00 GMT)

15 March: Nottingham Forest v Leeds Rhinos (16:00 GMT)

22 March: London Pulse v Nottingham Forest (18:00 GMT)

28 March: Loughborough Lightning v Birmingham Panthers (18:30 GMT)

4 April: London Pulse v Birmingham Panthers (17:00 BST)

11 April: Dragons v Birmingham Panthers (16:00 BST)

18 April: Loughborough Lightning v London Mavericks (18:00 BST)

Televised games in weeks 9-14 will be announced at a later date.

• All you need to know about Netball Super League 2026
• What is it like to be the youngest player in the Netball Super League?

Inter Miami will reportedly visit the White House on Thursday, March 5 to celebrate the team's MLS Cup title, according to The Athletic.

The trip that will see Lionel Messi and his teammates visit President Donald Trump will come two days before Inter Miami takes on D.C. United on March 7. Pending his attendance, it would mark the first visit for the reigning two-time MLS MVP to the White House.

Messi was previously invited in January of 2025 to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, but could not attend the ceremony hosted by former President Joe Biden due to a scheduling issue.

Inter Miami defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in December to claim the franchise's first-ever MLS Cup title. The Herons will be the first MLS team to visit the White House since 2024 when the Columbus Crew were hosted by Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, the husband of then-Vice President Kamala Harris.

David Beckham, who is co-owner of Inter Miami, was a part of the 2011 MLS Cup champion Los Angeles Galaxy who celebrated their title with former President Barack Obama.

Should Messi attend, he will be the second soccer great to meet with Trump in the past few months. In November, Cristiano Ronaldo was at the White House for a black-tie dinner along with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Alex Cora Compares Roman Anthony, Ceddanne Rafaela Collision To The Dark Knight originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Boston Red Sox experienced a scary moment during Friday's spring training game when Roman Anthony and Ceddanne Rafaela collided in the outfield in the bottom of the first inning.

Both players stayed down on the field initially, with Rafaela grabbing his leg, and Anthony clutching both his leg and arm. Red Sox fans everywhere held their breath as both guys were attended to.

Luckily, it turns out Boston caught a lucky break, as neither Rafaela nor Anthony appear to have suffered any significant injuries from the collision.

Following the game, Red Sox manager Alex Cora joked about unfortunate event.

As Cora described the complicated decision he was faced with about which player to check on first, he brought up the scene in The Dark Knight in which Batman must choose between Harvey Dent and Rachel Dawes.

An all-timer of an exchange at the end of Alex Cora's postgame scrum, where he compares rushing out to check on Roman Anthony and Ceddanne Rafaela to a scene from The Dark Knight. pic.twitter.com/xgBwoSewWV

— Mac Cerullo (@MacCerullo) February 27, 2026

Cora is obviously relieved that two of his rising stars are A-okay.

Both Anthony and Rafaela are poised for big seasons after continuing their development in 2025.

Anthony debuted on June 9 last year and delivered a strong rookie campaign in 71 games before a left oblique strain sidelined him on September 2. He batted .292 with a .396 on-base percentage and .463 slugging, tallying eight home runs, 32 RBIs, and 48 runs scored while stealing four bases. His 3.1 WAR reflected his impact, earning him third place in American League Rookie of the Year voting.

Rafaela, in his second full season, appeared in 156 games and excelled defensively, securing his first Gold Glove Award.

Offensively, he hit .249 with 16 homers, 63 RBIs, 84 runs, and 20 stolen bases, posting a 4.7 WAR. His clutch performances included a walk-off homer against the Rays and a triple on September 26 that clinched Boston's postseason berth. Despite some inconsistency at the plate, Rafaela's speed and power continued to add dynamism to the lineup.

More MLB: Meet the New Red Sox: What's Changed — and Why It Matters in 2026

D'Angelo Ponds combine results: Undersized Indiana DB turns heads with historic vertical jump originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The hope for the NFL Combine is for draft hopefuls to make a name for themselves if they haven't always had the biggest platform in their careers.

It is a time where players can show off their strengths and try to control the narrative for any weaknesses. For Indiana cornerback 5-foot-9 D'Angelo Ponds, his weakness is easy to spot. For the average NFL corner, he is certainly on the shorter side.

Even though he just won a national championship, he still needed a good combine performance to help convince teams to not define him by his frame. Ponds responded by jumping almost out of the building, with one of the best vertical jumps in recent memory. 

Here is more on Ponds' 2026 NFL Combine performance. 

MORE: Tracking all the results from the 2026 NFL Combine

D'Angelo Ponds height, weight

Ponds is on the shorter side for the typical defensive back. He was measured at the Combine at 5-foot-9, 182 pounds. Luckily for him, he showed that his small stature might not be as impactful as some may worry, with an impressive vertical.

D'Angelo Ponds vertical jump

Ponds' vertical jump went viral, partially because of his size, but also partially because of how high he jumped. He was measured at a 43.5-inch vertical. It is the best mark among cornerbacks at this year's Combine, and is currently tied with Ohio State LB Sonny Styles for the best overall vertical in the last three years. 

What a jump by D'Angelo Ponds. 43.5! pic.twitter.com/7YlVAlTTNT

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 27, 2026

MORE: Who ran the fastest 40-yard dash at the 2026 NFL Combine?

D'Angelo Ponds broad jump

This will be updated if Ponds completes a broad jump.

D'Angelo Ponds 40-yard dash

This will be updated if Ponds runs the 40.

Every year at the NFL Scouting Combine, there is at least one or two prospects at every position who make you and the Philadelphia Eagles lean forward a little more than the others. That isn't always because they have blazing 40 times. It isn't always necessarily because of viral clips or highlights. Sometimes, it happens because the résumé reads differently.

Welcome to a conversation about former Oregon Ducks standout Bryce Boettcher. A two-time Second-team All-Big Ten nod (2024, 2025), he won the Burlsworth Trophy in 2024. That's an honor given to the most outstanding FBS college football player who began his career as a walk-on.

In 2025, he was also named a First-team All-American. He's a defensive tone-setter. Oh, and by the way, he's also a legitimate pro baseball talent. Boettcher was selected in the 13th round of the 2024 MLB Draft by the Houston Astros as a center fielder. That's proof that his athleticism isn't just football fast. It's a track-the-ball-over-your-shoulder skill set for someone who is also and close-on-a-gap-in-a-hurry fast.

According to reports out of Indianapolis, Boettcher has met informally with both the San Francisco 49ers and the Eagles. That alone makes his name worth circling.

Oregon LB, Bryce Boettcher, who was drafted in the 13th round of the 2024 MLB Draft as a center fielder has met informally with the San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles.

Boettcher also met with the Niners at the Senior Bowl. #49ers#Eaglespic.twitter.com/hfDeUF2JLA

— Chase Senior (@Chase_Senior) February 25, 2026

Might the Eagles show Bryce Boettcher some serious interest?

Let's address the elephant in the room. The Oregon-to-Philadelphia pipeline hasn't exactly produced glowing returns. Casey Matthews never fully found his footing in midnight green. Kiko Alonso is best remembered as theguy Chip Kelly shipped LeSean McCoy off to acquire.

Both tenures are remembered more for inconsistency and infamous on-field moments than for sustained impact. So yes, Eagles fans are allowed to be skeptical when the Ducks label pops up, but that's hardly a reason to hold anything against Boettcher.

Here's the mature take. Helmets don't make players. Traits do. Boettcher brings range, closing speed, and the kind of multi-sport competitiveness that usually translates to special teams value at minimum and defensive upside at best.

In today's NFL, linebackers who can run and cover ground are in demand. Add baseball instincts, tracking angles, body control, and reaction time, and you have a developmental piece with real intrigue.

Is this a Day 1 headline selection? The truth is, he probably isn't, but these are the types of prospects smart teams quietly stack.

This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: NFL Combine: Eagles met with Oregon linebacker Bryce Boettcher

C.J. Stroud — at least for the most part — has stayed out of the spotlight this offseason following the Houston Texans' divisional round loss to the New England Patriots, but everyone has to step outside the house every once and while.

For Stroud, it was on a Thursday night watching a Los Angeles Clippers game.

Stroud, who is back in California for the offseason, was seen sitting courtside with Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young, watching the Minnesota Timberwolves secure another win over the Clippers. The two former 2023 draft picks have been friends for years, dating back to their time in high school growing up in the Greater Los Angeles area.

The two young quarterbacks have known each other since middle school, when they both played in Snoop Dogg’s youth football league. Young, a Heisman Trophy winner, would go on to start two seasons at Alabama under Nick Saban while Stroud committed to Ohio State, guiding the Buckeyes to a College Football Playoff semifinal.

#Texans QB C.J. Stroud and #Panthers QB Bryce Young sitting courtside together at the LA Clippers-Minnesota Timberwolves game tonight. pic.twitter.com/Kq9ZtEfJIf

— Jonathan M Alexander (@jonmalexander) February 27, 2026

The Texans and Panthers could be two of the best young teams moving into 2026. Young guided Carolina to its first playoff berth in eight years and nearly defeated the Los Angeles Rams in the wild-card round. Stroud, who struggled in the divisional round, once again secured a playoff bid for the Texans, leading them past the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night football.

The Texans own eight picks in April's draft.

This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans QB C.J. Stroud reunites with Bryce Young for Clippers game

Since Mark Bolding became the Yale women's hockey coach in 2019, the Bulldogs have broken the school record for wins in a season three times, qualified for the NCAA Tournament twice and advanced to the women's Frozen Four for the first time in school history.

This year's team came within one game of matching the program's longest winning streak of 15 games in a row that was set by the 2022-23 squad that made the run to the Frozen Four before losing in the national semifinals.

This year's winning streak helped the Bulldogs reach the 20-win mark for the third time in program history, all in the last five years, as they finished the regular season with a 22-8 record and a chip on their shoulders.

The streak ended in the regular-season finale when Yale allowed Quinnipiac to score two 6-on-5 goals in the final 1:20 of regulation and then lost the game in overtime.

"We were a little angry with the finish at Quinnipiac," Bolding said. "But that is OK, because if you are going to lose a game you don't want it to be your last one. We still have the postseason.

"In a way, it is good that it happened because our players are annoyed. They're pissed off, but it caused them to all reset their engine lights and they are now like, ‘Let's go!' It's a lot of fun to go on a streak like that, and hopefully now we can start another one."

Yale, which finished tied for the ECAC regular season title with Princeton, starts its postseason play Friday by hosting Union College in Game 1 of the best-of-three conference tournament quarterfinals.  

Game 2 is Saturday and Game 3, if necessary, is Sunday. All three games are at 3 p.m. at Ingalls Rink in New Haven.

Bolding is confident his team can go on a run, because the Bulldogs are very well-balanced in a variety of ways.

The team's two leading scorers, Carina DiAntonio and Jordan Ray, are both seniors who were part of the Frozen Four season. The Bulldogs also brought in a great freshman class, two of whom, Molly Boyle and Hannah Weyerhaeuser, are among team's top six scorers. Another first-year player, Samson Frey, is one of the top five goalies in the country statistically.

So Yale has experienced leadership and youthful talent. It also has a good balance of offense and defense, as the Bulldogs ranked fifth nationally in scoring offense at 3.53 goals per game and 11th in scoring defense, allowing 2.00 goals per game.

The defense is led by a good mix of seniors Gracie Gilkyson and Sylvia Bojarski, sophomore Sophia Levering and the freshman Boyle.

DiAntonio (21 goals, 20 assists) and Ray (16 goals, 25 assists) are tied for the team points lead with 41, which ranks them 11th nationally.

"They have really settled in and are smiling more now that they are playing together," Bolding said. "They are both very quick and do great edge work. Carina is on the wing and has great hands. She has been shooting the puck more with Jordan as her centerman, and they can both make plays.

"They are great players with how they skate and think and how hungry they are to be creative and make plays. When you get 40-plus points in college, that is pretty darned good."  

Senior forward Naomi Boucher (6 goals, 20 assists) is one of four Bulldogs with 20 or more assists.

Bolding said one of the team's main objectives this season was to score more than the last two seasons, and it has come to fruition as seven players have more than 20 points and four have more than 10 goals, with junior Stephanie Stainton (12 goals) and Weyerhaeuser (11) joining DiAntonio and Ray in double figures.

"We have been celebrating creating more offense and just letting players make plays," Bolding said. "And defending has always been a big team thing and something we talk about lot."

Boyle (8 goals, 21 assists) is the perfect combination of both as a defenseman with 29 points.

"She is just a special player," Bolding said. "She thinks the game and has a lot of poise. We knew she would be a great recruit, but to see somebody like her come in and be this productive right away really helps. She helped take some of the pressure off our senior defenseman Gracie Gilkyson (7 goals, 14 assists), who is having a very strong year."

Perhaps no one is having a better year than Frey, a freshman goaltender who ranks first nationally in win percentage (14-1, .933), second in goals against average (1.322) and sixth in save percentage (.942).

Once Bolding decided to hand the majority of the goaltending duties to the freshman, Yale started stringing together wins.

Bolding compared his goalie to former N.Y. Rangers star Mike Richter, poised and steady with an economy of movement that makes plays look easy and provides a calming presence for teammates.

"Samson has been great, consistent and maybe has made a few saves, especially early in games, that we weren't getting at the start of the year that have kept us from falling behind," Bolding said. "That has provided momentum."

That momentum has carried Yale to the cusp of its third NCAA appearance in five years. Only 11 teams make the women's ice hockey NCAA Tournament, but Yale is currently ranked No. 8 nationally, so a good showing in the ECAC Tournament should get them in.

The ECAC champion earns an automatic NCAA bid, but reaching the final could garner one of the six at-large invites. The Bulldogs are inspired to win their way in.

"The seniors were part of the (2022-23) team that had the best record in Yale history, and they want to win," Bolding said. "I think that internal motivation by our older players drives us a lot. We are happy to be where we are, but now we have to do something with the opportunity."

This article originally published at Well-balanced No. 8 Yale women's hockey begins conference postseason with eyes on NCAA Tournament.

UFC Fight Night 268 ceremonial weigh-ins are in the books, and the fighters came face-to-face before Saturday's event.

The weigh-ins took place at the UFC host hotel in Mexico City, which is nearby Arena CDMX, which hosts the card (Paramount+)

UFC Fight Night 268 is built around a flyweight headliner featuring Mexico's own Brandon Moreno (23-9-2 MMA, 11-5-2 UFC), who looks to prove he is still an elite contender against hungry replacement opponent Lone'er Kavanagh (9-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC).

Check out the video above to see highlights of the weigh-in staredowns from the 13 scheduled bouts at UFC Fight Night 268.

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Video: UFC Mexico full card faceoffs with Moreno vs. Kavanagh

Mariners predicted to trade for 3.42 ERA All-Star to add to already stacked rotation originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Seattle Mariners made it as far as they have ever made it last season, reaching Game 7 of the ALCS against the Toronto Blue Jays.

While they didn't win and make it to their first World Series, this roster is more than good enough to contend in 2026. But, even with a stacked starting rotation, the Mariners might need another high-profile starter.

Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller predicts that the Mariners will go out and trade for 3.42 ERA All-Star Minnesota Twins righty Joe Ryan. With some slightly questionable depth, Miller is predicting Seattle adds the top pitcher trade target in the middle of the season.

Mariners predicted to trade for Twins' Joe Ryan

"(Joe Ryan) Ends Season With: Seattle Mariners," Miller writes. "... Seattle is one report of 'forearm tightness' away from potentially needing to swing big for an ace-caliber arm, while also needing it to be an arm with a salary figure that doesn't break their bank."

With some slight concerns about the rotation's depth if there were to be an injury, the Mariners could be a clear fit for Ryan in a trade this offseason. He's a great starter and could be a quality top-flight starter for the next two seasons.

The Twins veteran right-hander is 29 years old and coming off a strong 2025 season, where he had a 3.42 ERA in 30 starts. He finished with 4.5 bWAR and recorded 194 strikeouts in 171 innings pitched.

While the Mariners' current rotation, with Luis Castillo, Bryan Woo, Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, and Bryce Miller, is already a set five-man rotation, the depth could be an issue.

More: Twins get devastating injury news on Pablo Lopez

Emerson Hancock and Dane Dunning might be forced into a prominent role this upcoming season if there's an injury. Logan Evans is out for the year, and while they have a few options, if the Mariners lose a top flight starer, they'd be in a bad spot.

Instead, the Mariners could splurge on someone like Ryan, adding an ace-level pitcher to an already stacked rotation, giving the Mariners what the Los Angeles Dodgers used to their advantage in their World Series run.

Having extra starting pitchers can't hurt, especially with the Mariners rotation already dealing with some slight depth concerns.

Ryan would cost a lot to acquire. But if the Mariners are ready to go all-in for the 2026 and 2027 seasons, then Ryan would be a great trade target for Seattle this season.

More MLB news:

• MLB Hot Stove tracker: Live updates on news, rumors, signings and trades for 2025 free agency
• Yankees' Jazz Chisholm reveals his 9-figure contract asking price
• Cubs' Alex Bregman makes assertive no-trade clause Red Sox statement
• German Marquez takes shot at Rockies after signing with team that 'wants to win'
• Mets fans should be concerned with Bo Bichette after fielding struggles go viral
• Giants get great news on top prospect Carson Whisenhunt with huge velocity increase
• Phillies' Jhoan Duran teases new pitch, but won't reveal what it is

Liverpool are reportedly ready to pull off an incredible €160m transfer for a world-class midfielder.

Even after recent rebuilds, there’s a strong argument that the Reds still need further midfield additions to truly compete at the highest level.

Modern football is increasingly demanding more and more from players and right now Arne Slot's midfield is devoid of much needed depth.

This is before we eve start to discuss the uncertainty that enshrouds Liverpool's key midfielders. Curtis Jones has a contract expiring in 2027 and he could leave the club this summer.

Meanwhile, Liverpool have failed to extend Ryan Gravenberch's, Dominik Szoboszlai's and Alexis Mac Allister's contracts, which all expire in the summer of 2028.

In light of this, midfield additions are a necessity this summer.

According to Sports Boom, João Neves is at the centre of a blooming transfer saga.

The world class 21-year-old is on a long‑term contract at PSG and the club reportedly values him at around €160 million, a figure that could make him the most expensive midfielder in football if any club meets it.

Yet despite his importance to PSG and his recent contract extension until 2029, elite clubs are prepared to go big to bring him in this summer, which could set the stage for a potential blockbuster move.

Among the clubs said to be tracking him are Liverpool, who see him as a potential solution to ongoing balance issues in their engine room. Scouts are believed to have been present at key Champions League matches this season, watching his ability to control games, circulate possession and break opposition pressing lines, which is exactly what Liverpool are missing in midfield right now.

Signing Neves would represent a transformative move for Liverpool.

At just 21, he is already a world-class midfielder who combines technical intelligence with an extremely high level footballing IQ and tactical intelligence.

Liverpool’s midfield has plenty of energy and work-rate with Szoboszlai and Gravenberch, but Neves brings a level of composure on the ball that allows the team to transition seamlessly from defence to attack.

One of Neves’ standout qualities is his vision and passing range. He can operate as a deep-lying playmaker, picking out long diagonal balls to stretch opponents, or he can link short passes to maintain possession under pressure.

In a Liverpool side that thrives on quick transitions and fluid positional rotations, having a midfielder who can dictate tempo and control the rhythm of games would immediately elevate the team’s attacking efficiency.

Not to mention he is also a very versatile player who has covered full-back for PSG at numerous times throughout his career.

Obviously, the price tag is a huge deterrent, but Richard Hughes has showed he can buy anyone he wants last summer, so why not dream?

The report clearly states Liverpool are ready for a move. So, this is one to watch.

Arsenal are the front-runners to sign Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon ahead of Liverpool and Manchester United this summer, according to The Sun.

The Gunners are likely to reinforce their attacking department this summer and a marquee left winger could be a top priority for manager Mikel Arteta.

Gordon has been talked about as a target in recent months, and The Sun claim that the Gunners are leading Liverpool and United in the player’s pursuit.

The Gunners believe Gordon would be happy to head South to London this summer. Arteta is reportedly a big admirer of him from his early years at Everton.

The winger will enter the last two years of his contract. The Magpies will demand £95 million for him, but Arsenal are likely to end up paying £75m to £80m.

Gordon could replace Trossard, not Martinelli

The 25-year-old has not been at his best in the Premier League this campaign, but his form has been quite extraordinary in the Champions League.

Gordon has notched up 19 goal contributions in all competitions. Out of those, he has made 12 goal contributions from just 10 European games.

The Everton graduate is primarily a left-sided winger, but can also operate from the right wing or upfront.

Arteta has a preference for versatile players and it could be a reason behind the ongoing interest.

The Sun claim that Gabriel Martinelli could depart to compensate for Gordon’s arrival, but Leandro Trossard could be the player to make way instead.

Trossard was handed an improved salary last summer without extending his deal beyond June 2027. The Belgian could be sold as he enters the last year of his contract.

The 31-year-old had a bright start to the season with the Gunners, but his form has been inconsistent in recent months. He could be shown the exit door this summer.

Gordon would be a good competitor to Martinelli. He has similar attributes as the Brazilian with his pace and quick dribbling skills, and would suit Arsenal’s playing style.

Why the Blues remain Barcelona’s only English nightmare?

The Chelsea exception: Inside Barcelona’s incredible record vs. Premier League clubs

Barcelona will meet Newcastle again in Champions League last 16 after their league-phase clash ended 2-1 for the Spanish side.

A familiar Champions League matchup

Barcelona & Newcastle United are set to face each other again in Champions League, this time in the round of 16.

The two team already met earlier in the league phase where Barcelona secured 2-1 victory. That result adds confidence for the Catalan club ahead of knockout tie that brings back familiar European opponent.

Barcelona’s strong record against English teams

Barcelona faced eight English clubs in Champions League:

Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Newcastle, Tottenham Hotspur and Leeds United

Across all these meetings, Barcelona have played 55 Champions League match against English sides. They recorded 29 win, 15 draw and 11 defeat showing clear historical edge in these European duels.

Chelsea stand out, Others struggle

Chelsea are the English team Barcelona have faced the most, with 15 match between the two side. They are also the only English club with positive record against Barcelona winning five time, drawing six and losing four.

Manchester United come next with 10 meeting, followed by Arsenal with six match. Arsenal lost all six game against Barcelona while both Man City and Man United suffered five defeat each.

Newcastle have lost four match against Barcelona placing them among the English teams that have struggled most against the Spanish giants.

Tough numbers for City & Newcastle

Manchester City hold the worst defeat rate against Barcelona in Champions League history losing 83.3% of their matches.

Newcastle follow closely, with 80% of their games against Barcelona ending in defeat.

These figures underline the challenge facing the English side as they prepare for another high-pressure knockout clash.

The Siena women's basketball team closes the regular season on Saturday afternoon against Marist at UHY Center with a first-round bye in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Tournament on the line.

If the Saints (12-16 overall, 10-9 MAAC) beat the Red Foxes, they'll earn a bye into the quarterfinals next Saturday at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. If Siena loses, it could still get a first-round bye based on other results, but could also slip into needing to play a first-round game next Thursday at Boardwalk Hall.

"There are just things we want to be able to do better in each possession," Siena coach Terry Primm said. "We know that when we do those things, it's going to equate to wins. Of course, winning Saturday puts us in a great position with that first-round bye, which I think we've had the last, maybe, four years."

Siena hasn't had to play a first-round game since 2021.

Siena helped its chances by beating Rider 67-55 on Thursday night in Lawrenceville, N.J. to snap a four-game losing streak. The Saints enter Saturday in a three-way tie for fifth with Mount St. Mary's and Sacred Heart.

The top six seeds get first-round byes in the MAAC Tournament.

Saturday's 2 p.m. game will also be Senior Day to honor graduate guards Garrisen Freeman and Jamariah Turner.  Freeman, a CSU Bakersfield transfer, and Turner, a Stillman transfer, each played one season at Siena.

Graduate guard Valencia Fontenelle-Posson of Guilderland won't participate in the ceremony. She has a year of eligibility left after losing two seasons to knee injuries. She's concluding her fifth season with the Saints.

"They call me Grandma," Fontenelle-Posson said. "Next year, I'll be Great Grandma. I'm accepting my role to be a leader."

In Thursday's win over Rider, Fontenelle-Posson matched her season high with 15 points and freshman Kaiya Rain Tucker had 13 points and a career-high 17 rebounds. Tucker is averaging 11.7 points and 11.8 rebounds over Siena's last eight games.

Ninth-place Marist (11-18, 8-11) is locked into a first-round game in Atlantic City. The Red Foxes are coming off a 48-45 win at Saint Peter's on Thursday night.

This article originally published at Siena women's basketball playing for MAAC Tournament bye in regular-season finale.

Köln left Augsburg empty-handed despite a competitive performance and coach Lukas Kwasniok did not shy away from the reality. The 2-0 loss, he argued, came down to missed opportunities, key moments, and a continued struggle to turn belief into results.

“It was a tight match. On other days, this can end in a draw,” the coach said after the final whistle. Köln had their phases in the game, particularly after growing into the contest following a difficult opening half hour. But while the visitors applied pressure at times, they failed to make it count.

“We’re missing that little bit to convert the few chances we had,” Kwasniok admitted. “In certain situations we had problems, and those cost us the game today.”

One notable decision during the match was the substitution of Eric Martel, who had been booked and was walking a disciplinary tightrope. “I had to take Martel off because he was at risk of a red card,” Kwasniok explained, making clear that the move was precautionary.

The coach also addressed the limited involvement of Said El Mala, who came on late in the game.“Thirty minutes was the maximum for him. I was happy he could play at all - he didn’t train during the week,” Kwasniok revealed.

Beyond the tactical details, the bigger issue remains Köln’s inability to translate performances into points. “We always have the feeling that we can win games. But the fact is: at the moment, we’re not managing to do it.”

Köln’s aim is to create distance from the lower end of the table, yet Augsburg proved another missed opportunity. “We want to pull away from the bottom places, but today we didn’t manage to do anything decisive to at least take a draw,” he said.

Despite the setback, Kwasniok defended his team’s mentality. “It’s rarely quiet around 1. FC Köln - whether things are going well or badly. The boys give everything, we keep marching on.” Still, he was clear about the decisive factor. “At the end of the day, we were too harmless in front of goal. On days like this, you have to fight and take a dirty 0-0. Unfortunately, we didn’t manage to do that.”

For Köln, belief remains, but as their coach openly acknowledged, belief alone is currently not enough.

When you skim Utah’s gymnastics roster, you’ll see the commonality for Ella Zirbes and Abbi Ryssman that both call Minnesota home. Then if you dive deeper, you’ll discover that both trained at the same club team, Flips.

That’s where the commonalities stop though, as each gymnast took her own path to becoming a Red Rock. For Utah, that’s a good thing, because while both are contributing greatly to Utah’s turnaround after a rocky start to the season, each is still enjoying their own journey.

Zirbes grew up in Stillwater, Minnesota, a quaint town known for its famous Stillwater Lift Bridge that connects Minnesota and Wisconsin and appears in thousands of tourists’ photos.

She was in choir from fifth grade through her senior year and says you will constantly find her singing.

“I love singing. It makes me happy and even when I try to stop, I just start up again,” Zirbes said, laughing. “I get asked a lot if I would sing the national anthem at a meet, and maybe I will, but not until I’m done with gymnastics.”

Zirbes was always committed to Utah. She tells the story of being around 9 years old at her club when a former Utah coach was visiting practice. She introduced herself to the coach and very boldly stated, “I am going to be a Utah gymnast one day.”

“It’s really just crazy that it turned out like what I said that day,” Zirbes shared.

The Red Rocks are lucky to have Zirbes, who has been a mainstay and key contributor on vault, bars and floor. Bars is where the junior shines, recording a 9.975 career high against BYU earlier this month, much to the dismay of the Red Rock faithful who believed the effort deserved a perfect score.

‘I like surprising people’

“She is one of the most underrated gymnasts in the NCAA,” said Utah coach Carly Dockendorf about Zirbes.

For anyone who isn’t sure how good Zirbes is on bars, she’s currently tied for fourth in the country with reigning NCAA champion and Olympic medalist Jordan Chiles.

“I don’t like being the superstar,” Zirbes said. “I like being more of the underdog, or underrated, because then I can just kind of work in silence and show people what I can do when it comes time to bring it to the light. I like surprising people.”

While Zirbes prefers the silence, her teammate Abbi Ryssman has had chatter all year surrounding her debut season. She’s already won three Big-12 Newcomer of the Week honors and has recorded a 9.95 on beam and gone above 9.9 on bars.

“Abbi competes like a veteran, especially after that beam fall (last meet in front of her), going up and putting up a 9.95, which I think could have gotten 10,” said Zirbes. “She’s always been amazing on beam and bars, and exudes so much confidence and calmness under pressure. If I could pick one person to look like on beam, it would be Abbi.”

Ryssman’s beam looks effortless, but it’s far from it as evidenced by her high scores that showcase her difficulty and execution. She is from Rochester, Minnesota, which is home to the renowned Mayo Clinic and the Ear of Corn Water Tower.

A different path

For Ryssman, her journey was a bit different from that of Zirbes. She joined Flips later in her club career and had committed to another program before changing to Utah.

“When I went to Flips, they helped me improve my gymnastics a lot,” Ryssman explained. “It was the detail work, and all of this opened the window for me because Utah really was a dream program.”

“My parents never pushed me to go as far as I have, but they were definitely very invested. I do think you can never really leave gymnastics behind, it’s always a part of you, so we share that.”

Utah gymnast Abbi Ryssman

The freshman has a family line for gymnastics, as her parents, Kelli and Dan, both competed for BYU. While it’s nice to have parents who “get gymnastics,” Ryssman said it never was the only focus, and she still found time to do fun things like crafting, baking and cleaning.

“My parents never pushed me to go as far as I have, but they were definitely very invested,” said Ryssman. “I do think you can never really leave gymnastics behind, it’s always a part of you, so we share that.”

While Ryssman is drawing a lot of attention with the honors and for hitting clutch routines, she’s also still learning. She credits Dockendorf and Utah sports psychologist Dr. Nick Galli for helping her.

“Nick has really helped me with my mental training, which is something we practice every day,” said Ryssman. “Carly has helped me recognize what works for me, you know, looking from an outsider perspective to identify what’s going on in your own mind and what strategies work.“

Dockendorf has praised Ryssman over the season, commending her ability to continue showing up and competing like a veteran.

Ryssman and Zirbes are back in action Sunday as No. 12 Utah travels to No. 21 Denver for the Red Rocks’ final Big 12 road meet, which begins at 2 p.m. MST.

Footballers could face sanctions for deliberately covering their mouths when addressing opponents, it is understood.

This development comes amid an investigation into Gianluca Prestianni for alleged racial abuse towards Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior during a Champions League fixture last week.

Prestianni vehemently denies using racist language, though his mouth was reportedly covered when he appeared to speak to Vinicius, with the precise words exchanged remaining disputed.

FIFA is understood to be keen to explore ways to tackle the issue, and is understood to have raised the idea of introducing a deterrent to such behaviour at a technical meeting on Friday ahead of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) annual general meeting in Wales on Saturday.

One insider referred to it as “Vinicius’ Law” and the British associations – who make up the IFAB alongside FIFA – were understood to be receptive to the idea, although as it is so early in discussions the practicalities of enforcing it would need careful consideration.

This is understood to be just the start of the discussion however, and it is not expected any formal proposal to tackle the issue will be brought forward immediately.

FIFA is also believed to have raised increasing the penalty for players walking off the pitch from a yellow to a red card in the wake of the chaos at the end of the Africa Cup of Nations final between Senegal and Morocco.

FIFA has been approached for comment.

Vinicius was allegedly abused during Real Madrid’s win over Benfica in Lisbon on February 17.

The 25-year-old left the field after reporting a member of the Benfica team – whom the Spanish side later claimed to have been Prestianni – to referee Francois Letexier.

The match was paused in line with UEFA regulations, resulting in a stoppage in play lasting 10 minutes, with Vinicius going on to play the full game in Real’s 1-0 win.

It came after the Brazilian forward had given his team the lead with a wonderful individual strike five minutes into the second half.

After celebrating in front of the home fans, the 25-year-old became visibly upset about something said to him and immediately informed Letexier.

After the game, Vinicius posted in Portuguese on his Instagram story: “Racists

are, above all, cowards. They need to put their shirts in their mouths to

demonstrate how weak they are.”

He started for Real in Wednesday’s return and had the final word as the Spanish giants reached the last 16, with a cool 80th-minute finish securing a 2-1 win on the night and 3-1 aggregate success.

UEFA had imposed a provisional sanction on Prestianni on Monday, ruling him out of the tie, although the winger had travelled to Madrid as part of the Benfica squad.

The Portuguese club had appealed against the decision to ban Prestianni, but UEFA dismissed the case on Wednesday afternoon.

On Friday, the NFL sent out a memo notifying teams that the 2026 NFL salary cap has been set at $301.2 million, a $22 million raise from last year—and just in line with previous estimates. With the setting of the salary cap, other important figures have now been solidified, including franchise tag numbers for each position, and fifth-year option figures for the 2023 NFL Draft first-round picks.

The Detroit Lions aren’t likely to use the franchise tag, but obviously the fifth-year option numbers are relevant to them. They have two first-round selections from the 2023 NFL Draft, and both are likely to see an extension in Detroit. Earlier this week at the NFL Combine, Lions general manager Brad Holmes said that running back Jahmyr Gibbs and linebacker Jack Campbell—along with second-round picks Sam LaPorta and Brian Branch—are all players they’d like to see with the team long-term.

“There’s a lot of different timelines and levers that we’ll have at our disposal, but those are all players that you rattled off that we see as key pieces that we want to keep around for a long time,” Holmes said.

How much will fifth-year options cost for Jahmyr Gibbs, Jack Campbell

Fifth-year option are based on two things: position and accomplishments. If you’ve been named to the original Pro Bowl team twice or more (not an alternate), you earn the highest level for your position. There are also separate levels for players with one Pro Bowl, players who have met a playtime criteria, and a baseline tier.

For Jahmyr Gibbs, his fifth-year option figure is $14,293,000, because he has been selected to two Pro Bowls. So if Detroit opts to activate Gibbs’ fifth-year option, he’ll be under contract in 2027 one a one-year, fully-guaranteed contract worth $14,293,000—which would be the fourth highest cap hit at running back, behind Christian McCaffrey ($26.4M), Josh Jacobs ($16.6M), and Derrick Henry ($16.3M).

For Jack Campbell, his fifth-year option is $21,925,000, because he has been selected to one Pro Bowl. That would place Campbell third among off-ball linebacker cap hit in 2027, well behind Roquan Smith ($32.7M) and Fred Warner ($29.6M).

Will the Lions pick up the fifth-year options?

Holmes was not asked directly about this, but his openness to extend both players suggests Detroit would likely be willing to pick up each option. It’s worth noting that in the past, Holmes has used the fifth-year option as a tool in adding an extra year to a new contract extension. There may not be a formal announcement of an exercise of the option, but rather tacking it on to the contract extension once the format of the deal is announced.

If the Lions were likely to pass on one of the options, it’s Campbell’s. The only reason for that being that his option is unfairly high, given that the salaries of all linebackers—including pass-rushing outside linebackers—has caused an unfairly high fifth-year option figure for linebackers. To give you a sense of just how messed up that figure is, Campbell’s fifth-year option is actually more costly than the defensive end fifth-year option at his tier ($21,512,000).

When is the deadline for fifth-year options decisions?

All NFL teams must decide whether to exercise fifth-year options of their 2023 first-round picks by May 1.

It is widely observed that Chris Ballard tends to draft players with a well above RAS (Relative Athletic Score). He is often given grief about this choice, fair or unfair. I have little doubt that the score is a factor in his draft process, but I would venture to guess that it is not at the top of his criteria. It may well, however, be a tie-breaker if the decision is close between two players. I obviously do not have any facts to back this up, but I won’t let that get in the way of the story.

I may be overstepping again here, but I would look at the roster and think that the defense needs more attention in the draft and free-agency than the offense, as long as the contracts for D. Jones, A. Pierce, and M. Pittman are not still looming. CB got in front of the microphones and told us that we need to be younger and faster on defense. I think this statement focused largely on the linebackers and edge rushers, but could include an aging Kenny Moore.

I may be wrong again, but free agents are not often “younger”? They can still be fast, but if they are chasing a second contract, they have some time in the league. To me, this would indicate that a free agent signing might be more likely at the DT position, than some of the positions that need to get younger and faster. This makes the draft the most likely place to find some speed and youth on the defensive side of the ball.

If a guy like Rodriguez ran a bad 40, would it take him off of our board? We have been clamoring for football players over athletes, but I don’t think anyone disagreed with CB’s assessment for the need to get younger and faster. How much input will Lou have? We have some sort of indication of his likes, based on the picks from last year. J.T. had a good RAS, but did not run the 40 or the 3 cone drill. Walley ran 4.4ish with a broken wrist, but he had a relatively poor RAS. Wohler actually had the highest score of the three picks.

Given those selections, it appears that Lou might look at functional speed over measured speed, which I think a lot of us could get behind. If a guy gains a step or two because he has quick recognition or better anticipation than others, he will be where he needs to be without that great 40 time.

I think the bottom line is that this draft needs to produce at least one starting LB and he needs to be one that can be an asset in coverage. It would be great if we also were able to land a pass rushing specialist, but it may be hard to turn a 2nd or 3rd round pick into a starting DE or EDGE. A more realistic goal would be to get one that develops into a starter after a few weeks.

I’ll be curious to see if CB’s win or go home situation produces a different draft strategy. What do you think?

WWE Elimination Chamber 2026 is nearly upon us, and as it does every year, the question looms — which remaining wrestlers are getting world title shots at WrestleMania? With both Royal Rumble winners having declared their respective challenges, Drew McIntyre and Jade Cargill still await their opponents; meanwhile, Roman Reigns waits to see if he will take on CM Punk as planned, or whether Finn Balor will throw a massive wrench in the Las Vegas gears by winning the World Heavyweight Championship in Chicago. Finally, AJ Lee looks to win her first championship gold in more than a decade when she takes on Becky Lynch for the women's Intercontinental title.

Who will win all these matches? That's the question we asked the Wrestling Inc. staff the moment the final Chamber spots were won. It's not the easiest question — Lynch vs. Lee was particularly tricky, and there was a significant split with at least one of our consensus Chamber predictions — but we just went 4-for-4 at the Royal Rumble, so we're feeling pretty good about our track record right now. Who's going to WrestleMania? Let's get to the picks!

Read more: How Did Cody's 'The List' Pan Out For Everyone Else?

WWE Women's Intercontinental Championship: Becky Lynch (56%)

Becky Lynch will be defending her Women's Intercontinental Championship for the second time in this reign against AJ Lee at Elimination Chamber, who will be challenging for her first title since the Divas Championship over a decade ago in her hometown of Chicago. Lynch won the title back from Maxxine Dupri on "WWE Raw" in January, having reigned for 163 days before Dupri unseated her. But Lee presents a new challenge entirely, despite this being their first-ever singles match against one another, having beaten Lynch at every turn last year.

Lee first teamed with husband CM Punk to defeat Lynch and her husband Seth Rollins at Wrestlepalooza, and then she was on the winning side beating Lynch and her team inside Women's WarGames at Survivor Series. However, the poll put to the Wrestling Inc. staff favors Lynch getting the upset victory in away territory, with 56% backing her to retain the title in Chicago. Of course, that definitely tells of a closely split vote, speaking to a belief that Lee stands a good chance of taking the title on the night.

It could be argued that Lynch needs this victory to sustain her feud with Lee, although as champion she may have her own claim to a rematch if she were to lose. And it does seem quite early in this title run, with Lynch having only defended the title one time against Dupri in their own rematch. It could be reasoned that she gets the win on this night to pull their ongoing saga back to 1-2, thus sustaining their feud along the road to WrestleMania.

Written by Max Everett

World Heavyweight Championship: CM Punk (94%)

As much as we agree that Finn Balor is deserving of another world title, especially after his initial reign with one ended prematurely, the vast majority of us at Wrestling Inc. can't overlook the location and the timing of his upcoming WWE World Heavyweight Championship match against CM Punk.

WWE Elimination Chamber, of course, will emanate from Chicago, CM Punk's hometown. It's also the place that absolutely and naturally became unglued upon "The Second City Saint's" return to WWE in November 2023. As such, we imagine that WWE will want to capitalize on that electricity once again with Punk's first televised in-ring victory in his hometown since coming back to the company.

Another factor to consider here is the timing of Balor vs. Punk. Following the 2026 Royal Rumble, Men's RR winner Roman Reigns made it clear that he'd be challenging for the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 42. In fact, Reigns declared that he personally chose to pursue the title because it was held by Punk, whom he "hates." WWE also made it clear, though, that "The Tribal Chief" wouldn't be on programming for the remainder of February, which meant that Punk wouldn't be able to directly bounce off of Reigns, his possible grand stage opponent.

In Reigns' absence, it seems that WWE has placed Punk in a feud with Balor that will simply fill time and end just before Reigns returns for the March 2 edition of "WWE Raw," when the already-advertised WrestleMania night two main event can formally begin its build.

Should Balor defeat Punk at Elimination Chamber, we believe it would serve as more of a complication, and frankly an unnecessary one, than a benefit to the story surrounding the World Heavyweight Championship this WrestleMania season. After all, Finn Balor vs. Roman Reigns doesn't scream "WrestleMania main event" to us. And even if Balor quickly dropped the title back to Punk beforehand, what would be the purpose of the reign in the first place?

Written by Ella Jay

Women's Elimination Chamber Match: Tiffany Stratton (50%)

Before the Royal Rumble last month, many believed that Bianca Belair would challenge Jade Cargill for the WWE Women's Championship at WrestleMania 42, but after Belair didn't return at the show and subsequently revealed she was undergoing surgery for her finger, the "EST of WWE" was seemingly ruled out of the two-night event. Therefore, with 2026 Royal Rumble winner Liv Morgan deciding to challenge Stephanie Vaquer for the Women's World Championship, the victor of the Elimination Chamber will determine Cargill's opponent, and our staff has chosen to pick the safe option heading into this weekend.

Out of the six women involved, Rhea Ripley, Asuka and Alexa Bliss are all seemingly tied up in tag team storylines, while a world title push for Kiana James would feel too early. With Raquel Rodriguez and Tiffany Stratton left on the board, 50% of us believe that the latter is heading to WrestleMania due to her history with Cargill. Last year, Stratton and Cargill faced each other five times, four of which were for the WWE Women's Championship. The feud finally ended when Cargill defeated Stratton for the title at Saturday Night's Main Event in November.

Although Stratton was sidelined with an injury for three months after the match, renewing the rivalry with Cargill at WrestleMania could be seen as a stale choice. With WrestleMania sales being disappointing, WWE could opt for Ripley's star power — she earned 38% of our vote, while Bliss got the remaining 12%.

Written by Julien D'Alessandro

Men's Elimination Chamber: Cody Rhodes (88%)

With all due respect to the rest of the Men's Elimination Chamber participants, the injury to Bronson Reed robbed the match of any drama it could've possible contained. There could've been stuff going down with the Vision, maybe that masked man would show up, or multiple masked men. Either way, it would've given the match something to do until its inevitable conclusion, where corporate mascot Cody Rhodes wins the match and earns a world title match at WrestleMania.

He and Drew McIntyre have been on a collision course from the jump, and 88% of the Wrestling Inc. staff think that Saturday will be when it's all finally made official. The rogue votes for LA Knight and Randy Orton came from the subsection of the writers who dare to dream, and bless them for it, but this is going to be Cody's match, through and through, if only so that he can say that he's won one when all is said and done.

Again, Bronson Reed could've really thrown a wrench in things, and Brock Lesnar announcing an open challenge suggests to us that he won't be beating someone up to take their spot. So we're just left with Cody.

Written by Ross Berman

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Read the original article on Wrestling Inc.

La Liga champions Barcelona are on the verge of closing an agreement for their first signing of the upcoming summer transfer window.

The Blaugrana-bound star? Marcus Rashford.

Frontman Rashford has of course spent the season to date plying his trade on loan at Barcelona, from Manchester United.

The Englishman has proven himself a valuable asset for Hansi Flick’s side, playing a prominent role amid the ongoing personnel problems in Catalunya’s capital.

Across 34 appearances in all competitions to date, Rashford has racked up an impressive 23 goal contributions.

Such exploits had long given rise to chatter that the Camp Nou brass would seek out a permanent deal for the 28-year-old with a view to next season.

And as alluded to above, this week, several months out from the opening of the summer transfer window, Barca have all but sewn up an agreement for precisely that.

As per a report from market insider Matteo Moretto:

‘Barcelona are very close to signing Marcus Rashford.’

Conor Laird – GSFN

Chelsea will lock horns with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium this Sunday as they look to secure a good result at home in the Premier League. The Blues were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw against Burnley recently, so they would be eager to return to winning ways in the London derby.

Liam Rosenior will set his players up in a 4-2-3-1 formation and is expected to make a couple of changes to his first XI for this game. Both Tosin Adarabioyo and Jorrel Hato could play from the start of this clash.

4-2-3-1 Chelsea Predicted Lineup To Face Arsenal

Defence

Robert Sanchez will feature in between the sticks for the Blues after he conceded one goal in his last league outing. Tosin Adarabioyo will operate alongside Trevoh Chalobah at the centre of the Chelsea backline as they look to keep things solid when defending inside their half.

Reece James will try to catch the eye as the right-back, while Jorrel Hato looks to put in a solid performance on the other side as the left-back. Both of them will have to pick and choose their moments to join in on the attack.

Josh Acheampong will offer cover for the defensive positions on the bench.

LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 21: Liam Rosenior, Manager of Chelsea, arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Chelsea and Burnley at Stamford Bridge on February 21, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Jasper Wax/Getty Images)

Midfield

Andrey Santos and Moises Caicedo will operate as the holding midfielders as they focus on making life tough for the home team in the middle of the park.

The talented trio of Pedro Neto, Enzo Fernandez and Cole Palmer will operate just ahead of them as part of the Chelsea attack. All three of them will have to combine well if the Blues want to threaten the Arsenal goal this weekend.

Romeo Lavia and Alejandro Garnacho will have to be content with a place on the bench as they wait for their chance to influence the game in the second half if required.

Attack

Joao Pedro will spearhead Chelsea‘s attack up top. He has to find a way to be a real threat in the final third.

Liam Delap and Marc Guiu will be available for selection on the bench and might come on to influence the game in the final quarter if the Blues are in need of a goal by then.

Patriots Insider Identifies 2,465‑Yard Receiver As Potential Stefon Diggs Replacement originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New England Patriots may be considering a big move involving wide receiver Stefon Diggs in the upcoming weeks.

Diggs is scheduled to carry a $26.5 million cap hit for the upcoming season. However, New England could save $20.8 million in cap space if it decides to release Diggs with a post-June 1 designation.

Patriots insider Chad Graff from The Athletic wrote on Friday that one league source believes New England may cut Diggs unless they're able to restructure his contract.

"Given that contract, one league source expects the Patriots to cut Diggs unless they’re able to dramatically lower his cap hit with a reworked contract," Graff wrote.

If the Patriots decide to part ways with Diggs, Graff has identified New York Giants wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson as a potential replacement.

"The options to replace him via free agency aren’t great," Graff added. "There’s skepticism about whether Alec Pierce will make it to the open market. The other top options would be Mike Evans or Wan’Dale Robinson."

Robinson has been in the NFL since 2022, accumulating 2,465 receiving yards and nine touchdowns over the course of 54 games.

The 25-year-old wide receiver would be a solid addition for the Patriots, but they would likely need to bring in another top receiver to complement him. This might mean trading for one or selecting another in the 31st pick of the 2026 NFL Draft.

More NFL: NFL Draft Prospects Praise Patriots' Mike Vrabel In Recent Survey

The Oklahoma Sooners have a pair of gems in their 2027 recruiting class. And the two players committed on the same day. Cooper Hackett and Kaeden Penny committed to the Sooners early in the fall, and in the latest Rivals rankings update, both are considered top-five offensive tackles in the 2027 class.

And both players hail from the state of Oklahoma.

Hackett, out of Fort Gibson, came in at No. 6 overall in Rivals' latest update and ranks as the No. 2 offensive tackle in the class. Penny, from Edmond, ranks No. 20 overall and is the No. 4 offensive tackle in the class.

The pair are the headliners in a class that has 13 players committed and ranks No. 3 in Rivals team recruiting rankings but No. 1 in the Rivals Industry team rankings.

Top OTs in the updated 2027 Rivals300 rankings‼️https://t.co/coCxIa8nSBpic.twitter.com/VOo3sOGPlE

— Rivals (@Rivals) February 27, 2026

In addition to Hackett and Penny and the No. 86 prospect in the class, Keldrid Ben, the Sooners are in the mix for several other top-100 prospects like cornerback Gabriel Osborne, linebacker Cooper Witten, Bode Sparrow, edge rusher Prince Goldsby, and cornerback Juju Johnson.

Oklahoma has made a significant investment in offensive line recruiting in recent years. They landed top 10 offensive tackles Michael Fasusi and Ryan Fodje in the 2025 class. In 2026, offensive lineman Deacon Schmidt was a big win for Bill Bedenbaugh. In the 2027 cycle, the Sooners look to have their cornerstone offensive linemen of the future in Hackett and Penny.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X (formerly known as Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions.You can also follow John on X @john9williams.

This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Oklahoma Sooners offensive tackle commits cornerstones of 2027 class

After visiting Iowa City for an official visit on Feb. 20, five-star power forward Nation Williams has listed Iowa women's basketball among her Top 10 schools that the highly-touted 2027 recruit will be considering.

Williams, a 6-foot-2 native of Las Vegas, Nevada, currently stars for Centennial High School, where she is ranked as the No. 10 player nationally, the No. 1 power forward, and the No. 1 player in Nevada, according to 247Sports' Composite for the 2027 recruiting class.

Williams was among the eight other Hawkeye recruits and prospects in attendance for Iowa's 62-44 upset win over then-No. 5 Michigan from a sold-out Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Feb. 22, and appeared to enjoy every second of her interactions with the coaching staff, players, and passionate community.

Nation Williams, the No. 11 overall prospect in the class of 2027, is now down to 10 schools, @247Sports is told. https://t.co/NiL2xAy5UWpic.twitter.com/A8oWrO9HOu

— Dushawn London (@DushawnLondon1) February 26, 2026

So far in her junior season with Centennial, she is averaging 17.3 points, 10.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.8 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game, shooting 54% overall and 50% from 3-point range, according to MaxPreps.

In addition to Iowa, the nine other programs that comprise Williams' Top 10 are Duke, Louisville, Baylor, LSU, North Carolina, Notre Dame, and Big Ten foes Michigan, UCLA, and Washington.

While Iowa is joined by an elite group of programs competing for Williams' commitment, her star-studded experience in Iowa City this past weekend likely cemented the Hawkeyes' status in her Top 10 schools.

As of Feb. 27, the only commitment to the Hawkeyes' 2027 recruiting class is top-ranked Wisconsin combo guard Jada Seubert.

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions. Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNews

This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa women's basketball among Top 10 schools for 2027 5-star PF

The tight ends officially checked in at the 2026 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, giving evaluators verified size profiles before on-field testing begins. For the position, length, and mass matter. Arm length affects catch radius and blocking surface area, while overall frame often determines whether a prospect projects as an in-line Y, move tight end, or flex option.

Below are the official measurements for the tight ends who weighed in.

Tight End Size Notes

Tallest Tight Ends

Eli Raridon and Sam Roush both measured 6'6"

Heaviest Tight End

Sam Roush at 267 pounds

Longest Arms

Michael Trigg at 34 1/4"Elite length for the position.

Largest Hands

Eli Raridon and Joe Royer at 10 3/4"

Shortest Tight End

Riley Nowakowski at 6'2"

Average Tight End In This Group

• Height around 6'4" to 6'5"
• Weight around 245 to 250 pounds
• Arm length around 32 inches

Prospects clearing 33-inch arms typically project well as in-line options, while lighter 240-pound range players often profile as move-tight ends.

This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: 2026 NFL combine: Tight end measurements

ESPN’s Rob Demovsky is reporting that the Green Bay Packers have hired Cam Achord as their next special teams coordinator, following Rich Bisaccia’s February 17th resignation from his post. Based on reporting from Sports Illustrated’s Bill Huber, the Packers planned to interview seven candidates, one of whom (Matthew Smiley) elected to take a college football opportunity before Green Bay got their hands on him, and four of them made it to the second round of interviews, which were in-person.

Per Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the interview schedule featured one coordinator candidate coming in per day from Tuesday to Friday, with Achord, who ultimately got the job, being the final interview. Other known interview candidates for the job were Kyle Wilber (Saints assistant special teams coach, did not advance to the in-person second round), Colt Anderson (49ers assistant special teams coach, did not advance to the second round) Tom McMahon (free agent), Sam Sewell (Cardinals assistant special teams coach) and Devin Fitzsimmons (Seahawks assistant special teams coach).

Here is what we wrote up about Achord in our special teams coordinator interview tracker:

Seasons as special teams coordinator

• 2020: Patriots (1st in DVOA)
• 2021: Patriots (18th)
• 2022: Patriots (32nd)
• 2023: Patriots (28th)

Cameron Achord spent the last two years with the New York Giants as the team’s assistant special teams coach, but he wasn’t retained by new head coach John Harbaugh in 2026. Achord also served in the assistant special teams coach role for two seasons (2018 to 2019) to start his NFL career before being promoted to the special teams coordinator role in New England in 2020, when he replaced Joe Judge, who was hired to be the head coach of the Giants.

Achord’s career started off hot, as the Patriots were the top team in special teams DVOA in 2020, before they averaged the 26th finish over his last three years in New England, a rarity under head coach Bill Belichick. For what it’s worth, Bisaccia’s units averaged a 21st-place finish in his four years in Green Bay.

Just officially a month away from the Atlanta Braves’ opening day, the team’s offense is showing glimpses of high intensity and promise that fans are hoping will carry over into the regular season. Taking the win (15-8) against Boston, they’re ending the first full Spring Training week on a high note and ready to build on their momentum.

The headlines speak for themselves. Not missing a beat, Ronald Acuña Jr., going 2-for-3 in his plate appearance, not only showed consistent quickness as he picked back up on his base-stealing, but he also collected his first homer of the spring that resulted in a grand slam to bring in Michael Harris II, Jonah Heim and Jorge Mateo, extending the Braves’ lead by nine runs (12-3) in the bottom of the third.

A force that continued to make noise in the Braves’ offense was Mike Yastremski, also going 3-for-3 and collecting two homers and three RBI’s of his own. This piece seems to be a smart move for the Braves’ front office, as his offensive prowess could help move the needle for the team as a whole and continue to put runs on the board to extend their campaign.

On the pitching side, Chris Sale is coming off just two innings with electric movement on the mound in his first appearance this past Sunday. In today’s matchup, it seems it wasn’t as strong a performance, only staying out for 2.2 innings; he gave up three earned runs that included two homers; however, he also collected three strikeouts to end the day. Though fans would like to see Sale out longer and more power in his arsenal that he’s displayed just last weekend, it’s still early enough in Spring Training to deem these innings as warmups to allow just enough of a feel against the competition.

Was this Sale’s best start? Not even close, but is it time to panic? Not at all. The impactful lefty is taking each opportunity as it comes and making adjustments when needed. It was after a two-run homer from Boston’s Ceddanne Rafaela that relief pitcher Darius Vine subbed in to take the mound.

One of the arguably most exciting additions to the team, Robert Suárez, also made his spring debut in today’s game. The former Padres’ closer reached 100 mph multiple times on the radar gun and almost struck out the side if not for giving up a single from a Red Sox outfielder (Braiden Ward) before reaching 100.1 mph on a four-seamer to end the inning and his stint on the mound (1 IP/ 1 H/ 0 ER/ 0 BB/ 1 K). Aaron Bummer came in to replace him at the top of the sixth.

Braves country, if there’s one thing to take away from this game, it’s that the offense as a whole would’ve made you beyond proud, and building excitement going into the regular season if they keep up with this momentum. Could this be a sneak peak on what we should expect in exactly one month from today?

Tomorrow, the fun continues as the Braves take on the Orioles with Spencer Strider taking the mound.

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SOL is down 72% from its all-time high, but several data points paint a compelling investment scenario. Is SOL trading at a deep discount?

A UBS report dinged US stocks for being “overvalued,” suggesting that better investment opportunities exist outside of US markets. Is this the next rally catalyst for Bitcoin?

Bitcoin treasury companies face investor backlash as stablecoin issuers post strong earnings and legacy payment giants navigate mounting pressure.

The system enables AI agents to automatically pay for blockchain data and compute credits in USDC, as autonomous crypto applications gain traction.

The seizures and freezing over three months were conducted by the District of Columbia’s Scam Center Strike Force, established by US Attorney Jeanine Pirro in November.

Analysts dispute claims of a daily Jane Street Bitcoin dump as spot Bitcoin ETFs post three days of inflows and DeFi debates shift to real revenue.

Bitcoin’s attempt to top $70,000 stalled throughout the week, but analysts believe that the short-term downside will be limited. Will altcoins hold on to their weekly gains?

Japan’s regulators and conglomerates are working to bring one of the world’s key funding currencies into DeFi, but retail activity remains muted.

The blockchain-based lending platform beat revenue estimates but fell short on earnings, even as annual profit reached $134 million.

The Ontario International Airport saw a huge increase in travelers going through its terminals. Ontario International Airport saw a 3.7% increase in passengers compared to last year. This positive jump seems to indicate a bright possibility for the year 2026 for the airport. It is the first positive jump that Ontario International Airport has reported in 10 years. “The Ontario International Airport is the first community airport within the last decade that has reported growth, development, and improvement year after year,” said Steven Planes, marketing manager for Ontario International Airport.

The Ontario Airport Authority reported a total of 493,000 travelers to have traveled through the airport in January of 2026, as opposed to 475,239 in January of 2025. This was primarily due to the increase in passengers in the international travel sector, therefore creating a new record.

Record-Breaking International Travel

Year after year, international travel has consistently increased, and in January of 2026, it increased by 64%, in total making the international traveler count 66,281. This was also the new record for the international travelers count, thus surpassing the previous record of 2025.

The airport leadership noted the increase in overseas travel as a sign of positive development of global connections for Ontario. The airport has opened services to Mexico, Central America, and Taiwan, reinforcing its position as a major gateway for the Inland Empire and the entire Southern California area. Officials noted the sustained need for international travel as leisure travel and business travel, as well as the strong demographic connections of the region to international markets.

While domestic travel slightly decreased, it was still strong. In January, more than 426,000 domestic travelers used the airport, which was a slight 1.9% decrease from the previous year. Still, this slight decrease alongside the increase in international travel means this January is one of the busiest the airport has seen in the last 10 years, marking a strong recovery from the dip caused by the pandemic.

A Decade of Steady Growth

They pointed out that from 2016, travel has increased by almost 70%, and this showed the transformation of the airport into a preferred option over bigger regional hubs. The airport is located 35 miles from Los Angeles and has positioned itself as a more convenient option to travelers who prefer shorter check-in lines and faster access. In January, leadership stated that they were hopeful for the next few years, as 2025 had over 7.1 million annual passengers. They also said that January was another month that followed that same trajectory. Management spoke of a pattern from the last few years of investments made in customer services, upgrades to the terminal, and improvements to relations with the airlines that created a positive image of Ontario to travelers.

The last several years have shown a positive image of Ontario to travelers. This year, Ontario was listed as 1 of the 10 most loved mid-sized airports in North America in the North America Airport Satisfaction Study by J.D. Power.

North America Airline Market Share by Passenger Volume

January had a majority of its passengers from Southwest Airlines at 34.6%. They were followed by American Airlines at 15.6%. Alaska Airlines made up 10.9% of the passengers, while Delta had 9.1% and United had 8.7%.

January also saw the start of new daily direct flights via Alaska Airlines from Ontario to Boise, Idaho. Airline officials stated that the strategy of expanding point-to-point connections remains effective and is especially valuable for destinations that attract both business and leisure travelers. They believe new connections provide more travel choices to customers and strengthen the airport’s competitive position within the travel marketplace in Southern California.

Continued Growth in Air Cargo

Positive growth was also seen in air cargo services in addition to passenger travel. Total air cargo in January went up 5.5% from January 2022 to 66,840 tons, while commercial freight alone went up 9.3% to 57,315 tons. This is while the volume of mail went down 12.6%.

The airport leadership team stated that the increase in commercial freight is likely due to national shipping trends and changing logistics needs. They stated that due to the ample capacity and operational efficiency, Ontario is still one of the top 10 air cargo hubs in the entire USA, and is positioned with the most important distribution and freeway networks in the Southern California logistics triangle.

They believe this will continue to be the case in the future as long as shipping volumes from the nation continue to be high. This provides confidence that the airport will continue to be the same as it is now in the future.

Regional Impact and Economic Significance

The new airport is a major catalyst for regional growth throughout the Inland Empire. Its design of governance through a joint powers agreement of ownership between the City of Ontario and San Bernardino County keeps decision-making local and allows governance to grow to the area’s economic demands. Increased local control of the governance structure allows for rapid and targeted investments and decisions

Governor’s strategy for growth of passenger and freight activities cites governance structure as the point of focus for the growth since 2016.

As the population of Southern California expands to the east, the importance of Ontario’s location and capacity increases. The airport serves as a major travel point for residents located in Riverside and San Bernardino counties, as it is far more convenient than the larger coastal airports.

Looking Ahead to 2026

January performance was strong, and airport officials were cautiously optimistic. Continued routes and operational improvements are expected, as well as a focus on the customer’s experience.

This winter, travelers at Ontario’s terminals enjoyed an atmosphere of quiet confidence. The airport’s record-setting beginning of the year was due to families beginning vacations, business travelers going to conferences, and international travelers visiting family. The steady growth of the airport over the last decade has transformed it from an overlooked facility to an important regional gateway.

As we enter 2026, the airport’s leadership is committed to expanding even further. With January’s figures, it looks like Ontario’s position in Southern California’s travel network will continue to expand, fulfilling the hopes of an active community to take back its airport.

In a significant shift, nationals from Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda now face shorter U.S. visa terms, joining the ranks of Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Lucia. This change comes as part of a growing international focus on citizenship-by-investment (CBI) programs in the Caribbean. The U.S. Department of State has updated its reciprocity schedules, limiting visa validity for citizens of these nations to just three months and restricting entry to a single use. This decision follows heightened scrutiny over the vetting processes in these countries’ CBI programs, which offer citizenship in exchange for substantial financial investments. Concerns have been raised about the thoroughness of background checks, with some applicants later linked to criminal activities or politically exposed backgrounds, prompting questions about the security and credibility of these programs. With other nations in the Caribbean continuing to maintain longer-term visas, this move reflects broader global concerns about passport security and the potential risks posed by weak vetting in investor citizenship schemes.

These changes are not isolated to Dominica alone. Antigua and Barbuda’s reciprocity schedule now reflects the same tighter conditions, limiting key visa categories to a three-month validity and a single entry. While several other Caribbean nations continue to enjoy longer validity and multiple-entry terms for some visitor visas, this shift highlights that visa requirements are subject to nationality-specific variations under the U.S. reciprocity framework.

It’s important to note that the validity period of a visa stamp, determined by the reciprocity schedule, is separate from the duration of stay permitted in the U.S. after admission. The length of a traveler’s stay is decided at the port of entry and is reflected on the I-94 record, not on the visa stamp itself.

Why the Change?

The tightening of visa terms for nationals of Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda coincides with growing international scrutiny on citizenship-by-investment (CBI) programs, often referred to as “golden passport” schemes. These programs, which allow individuals to acquire citizenship through significant financial investments, have been under investigation, particularly due to concerns over the integrity of the vetting processes.

Reports over the years have raised alarms that some individuals who obtained citizenship via these programs later appeared in law enforcement or sanctions-related contexts, raising questions about the effectiveness of background checks. U.S. government assessments and reports from European institutions have criticized the due diligence standards of these programs, particularly in the case of Dominica, where there have been concerns over insufficient screening procedures. In late 2025, news outlets reported that the U.S. decision to expand travel restrictions on Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda was linked to national security concerns regarding passport security and the effectiveness of their citizenship-by-investment programs.

Dominica’s Citizenship-By-Investment Program

Dominica has long operated a CBI program, enabling foreign nationals to gain citizenship by making substantial investments, typically through government fund contributions or approved real estate projects. This program has been a vital revenue source for the country, funding various public initiatives and development projects.

However, the program has faced ongoing scrutiny. Media investigations have questioned the transparency of the process and whether sufficient background checks were in place to prevent the issuance of passports to individuals with questionable backgrounds. These concerns have fueled discussions about the reliability of the CBI programs and the potential risks posed by weak vetting standards. While Dominica’s program continues to attract global investors, there is increasing pressure to enhance the integrity of these schemes.

Comparing Dominica’s CBI Program with Other Caribbean Nations

Dominica is part of a group of Eastern Caribbean nations offering similar CBI programs, including Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Lucia. These countries share the common goal of attracting foreign capital to support national development but differ in the specific investment options and pricing structures they offer.

Dominica’s program primarily focuses on contributions to government funds and approved real estate projects, with investment thresholds that have increased in recent years. Antigua and Barbuda also offers government fund contributions, alongside real estate investments, with different minimum contribution requirements. Other countries in the region, like Grenada and Saint Kitts and Nevis, provide similar pathways, with varying contributions depending on the type of investment.

In response to rising external pressure concerning oversight and the need for standardized procedures, Eastern Caribbean governments are working towards regional coordination. Efforts are underway to establish a unified regulatory framework that aims to strengthen governance, harmonize standards, and reduce the risks associated with “weak links” in the CBI system.

The Immediate Impact for Travelers

For affected nationals, the practical consequences of these updated U.S. visa rules are clear. Travelers from Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda may now find that their U.S. visa stamps are issued with shorter validity periods and limited to a single entry. These changes reflect the broader international concerns regarding the credibility of CBI programs, and they signal a shift in how major international partners assess these jurisdictions.

The United States has reduced visa validity for nationals of Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda to three months with single entry, citing heightened scrutiny of Caribbean citizenship-by-investment programs. The move aligns them with other Eastern Caribbean states facing similar restrictions amid growing concerns over passport security and vetting standards.

In conclusion, the United States’ decision to shorten visa validity for Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda signals rising global pressure on Caribbean citizenship-by-investment programs. As scrutiny over vetting standards intensifies, passport credibility and security safeguards will play a decisive role in shaping future international mobility and diplomatic trust.

For decades, the cultural and economic ties between Kazakhstan and Iran have fostered a steady flow of students, business travelers, and tourists across the Caspian. However, as of February 27, 2026, that flow has come to a somber halt. Following a series of rapid escalations in the Middle East, the Kazakhstan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has issued a “temporary refrain” order, advising its citizens to avoid Iran entirely and urging those already in the country to find a safe way home.

This isn’t merely a routine update. The language used by Astana—calling for an immediate departure and warning of “sudden escalation”—paints a picture of a region standing on a knife’s edge.

The Advisory: “Leave Now, Stay Alert”

The statement, released through the Qazinform News Agency, was direct and devoid of diplomatic fluff. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommended that Kazakhstani citizens:

• Temporarily refrain from all travel to the Islamic Republic of Iran until the situation “stabilizes.”
• Depart the country if currently residing or traveling there.
• Observe tightened security measures and exercise “extreme vigilance and caution.”
• Follow local authorities and monitor news outlets around the clock.

In an era of instant global communication, the Ministry has also opened dedicated hotlines for citizens in Iran and their worried relatives back home. While the Kazakh diplomatic missions in Tehran, Gorgan, and Bandar Abbas remain open “as usual” for now, their primary mission has shifted from trade and visas to emergency consular support and potential evacuation logistics.

The Why: A Perfect Storm of Tensions

The advisory comes against a backdrop of severe regional instability. While the Kazakhstan MFA cited general “continuing tensions,” the broader context of February 2026 includes:

1. Internal Unrest: Reports of widespread protests across 26 of Iran’s 31 provinces, sparked by economic hardship and the collapse of the local currency.
2. International Pressure: Renewed threats of intervention from global powers and the designation of certain military branches as “terrorist organizations” in reciprocal diplomatic moves.
3. Regional Spillover: The ongoing shadow war between regional actors has reached a fever pitch, with airline flight cancellations becoming the norm rather than the exception.

Kazakhstan is not alone in its caution. Major powers including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and India have all updated their advisories to “Do Not Travel” levels in the same week, citing risks of arbitrary detention and the sudden closure of land borders.

The Human Side: Families Caught in the Middle

Behind the high-level diplomatic warnings are thousands of human stories. Kazakhstan has a significant expatriate community in Iran, particularly in the northern regions like Gorgan, where ethnic Kazakhs have lived for generations.

For these families, “refraining from travel” isn’t just about a canceled holiday; it’s about missed weddings, separated families, and the anxiety of being caught in a country where internet blockages and road closures are becoming frequent. The Ministry’s advice to “carefully consider planning trips to Middle Eastern countries” more broadly suggests that Astana sees this not as an isolated Iranian issue, but as a potential regional wildfire.

Assistance and Hotlines

For those currently navigating the situation, the Kazakhstan government has provided the following emergency contacts:

• MFA Astana (Duty Diplomat): +7 (7172) 72 01 11
• Embassy in Tehran: +98 21 2256 5933 (WhatsApp: +98 936 208 4672)
• Consulate in Gorgan: +98 173 252 0443
• Consulate in Bandar Abbas: +98 930 298 57 03

Looking Forward

Kazakhstan’s foreign policy has long been defined by “multi-vectorism”—balancing ties between the West, Russia, China, and the Middle East. This urgent advisory signals that even for a neutral player like Kazakhstan, the risks in the current Iranian climate have become too high to ignore.

Until the “situation stabilizes”—a phrase that carries heavy weight in 2026—the golden domes of Esfahan and the bustling bazaars of Tehran will remain out of reach for Kazakhstani travelers. For now, the priority is simple: getting everyone home safely.

Adventure water sports tourism is gaining global momentum as the United States, Canada, Mexico, and key coastal destinations worldwide drive strong demand, pushing the market toward nearly USD 100 billion in new growth by 2032.

The global tourism industry is undergoing a powerful shift as travelers increasingly seek immersive, experience-driven holidays rather than traditional sightseeing. A newly released market study by HTF MI highlights how adventure water sports tourism is emerging as one of the fastest-growing segments within international travel, fueled by changing traveler behavior, expanding coastal destinations, and technological innovation reshaping how people explore oceans, rivers, and lakes worldwide.

Spanning more than 143 pages, the study presents a detailed overview of the global Adventure Water Sports Tourism market, outlining industry scope, evolving demand patterns, and long-term growth projections between 2025 and 2032. The report suggests that the sector is entering a period of accelerated expansion, supported by rising disposable income, digital travel planning, and a global appetite for outdoor adventure experiences.

A Market Entering a High-Growth Phase

According to market projections, the global Adventure Water Sports Tourism market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 11.9 percent from 2025 through 2032. Market value is forecast to rise significantly from approximately USD 46 billion in 2025 to nearly USD 140 billion by 2032, reflecting strong consumer demand and increasing investment across tourism infrastructure.

Adventure water sports tourism refers to travel experiences centered on recreational and adrenaline-based activities conducted in marine and freshwater environments. These include scuba diving, snorkeling, surfing, rafting, jet-ski excursions, parasailing, windsurfing, kayaking, and other aquatic adventures offered across coastal regions, island destinations, and inland waterways.

The expansion of this market signals a broader transformation within tourism, where travelers are prioritizing memorable, hands-on experiences over passive vacations.

Key Industry Participants Driving Innovation

The competitive landscape features a mix of global brands, equipment manufacturers, training organizations, and specialized travel operators contributing to industry growth. Companies and organizations shaping the sector include Red Bull, GoPro, PADI, SSI, Atlantis Dive, Blue Marlin, Poseidon Diving Systems, Mares, Cressi, Aqua Lung, Dive The World, Global Underwater Explorers, Adventure Diving, AquaCorps, and Reef Check.

These players support the ecosystem through equipment innovation, certification programs, media exposure, safety development, and curated adventure experiences that attract both beginners and experienced enthusiasts.

Activity Segments Expanding Across Travel Markets

The report categorizes the market by activity type, showing strong participation across multiple water-based experiences. Scuba diving remains a major contributor due to global certification networks and growing marine tourism awareness. Surfing continues to attract younger travelers and digital nomads, while jet ski tours and rafting experiences are gaining popularity among family and group travelers seeking accessible adventure options.

Snorkeling, often viewed as an entry-level activity, is also expanding rapidly because it requires minimal training while offering immediate interaction with marine ecosystems.

From an application perspective, adventure water sports tourism intersects with several travel segments. Adventure travel leads demand growth, followed closely by eco-tourism as sustainability becomes a deciding factor for many travelers. Recreational tourism and sports tourism continue to expand, while luxury resorts increasingly integrate water sports into premium guest experiences to enhance destination appeal.

Regional Performance and Emerging Hotspots

North America currently dominates the global market, supported by advanced tourism infrastructure, established coastal destinations, and strong participation in outdoor recreation. Mature markets in the United States, Canada, and Mexico continue to benefit from well-developed safety standards and professional certification systems.

However, Asia-Pacific is projected to be the fastest-growing region during the forecast period. Countries such as Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Australia, India, and the Philippines are attracting international travelers with diverse marine environments, competitive pricing, and expanding tourism investments. Improved connectivity and government-led tourism promotion campaigns are further accelerating growth across the region.

Other regions also contribute significantly to market expansion. Europe maintains strong demand through Mediterranean coastal tourism, while South America and the Middle East are emerging as adventure hubs due to increasing infrastructure development and destination diversification. Africa’s coastal destinations, particularly around the Red Sea and southern regions, are gaining visibility among global divers and eco-tourists.

Forces Driving Market Momentum

Several structural factors are pushing the industry forward. Travelers are increasingly choosing experiences that combine adventure, wellness, and nature exploration. Social media platforms play a major role in shaping travel decisions, with visually striking water sports content inspiring new audiences to try activities once considered niche.

Rising disposable income in developing economies is also enabling more travelers to participate in specialized tourism experiences. At the same time, improvements in safety protocols, certification systems, and professional training are making water sports more accessible and trustworthy for first-time participants.

Digital transformation is another major driver. Online booking systems, mobile travel platforms, and real-time digital guides allow travelers to plan and customize experiences easily, reducing barriers to entry.

Emerging Trends Reshaping the Industry

The study identifies several trends redefining how adventure water sports tourism operates. Eco-tourism integration is becoming central, with operators promoting reef conservation, sustainable diving practices, and low-impact tourism models. Technology adoption continues to grow through virtual reality previews that allow travelers to explore experiences before booking.

Customized travel packages are also gaining traction, combining multiple activities into single itineraries designed for families, couples, or thrill seekers. Seasonal festivals, competitions, and international sporting events are helping destinations attract repeat visitors while strengthening local tourism economies.

Challenges Facing Continued Expansion

Despite strong growth prospects, the industry faces notable challenges. Weather dependency and environmental risks can disrupt operations and create seasonal demand fluctuations. High equipment and infrastructure costs remain barriers for smaller operators entering the market.

Regulatory compliance and safety requirements vary across regions, creating operational complexity for international providers. Additionally, environmental sustainability concerns are becoming increasingly important as coral reef protection, marine biodiversity preservation, and responsible tourism practices come under greater scrutiny.

Opportunities Opening New Growth Pathways

The report highlights significant opportunities ahead. Untapped coastal areas and inland water destinations offer room for expansion beyond traditional tourism hotspots. Partnerships with online travel platforms and digital influencers are helping operators reach new audiences more effectively.

Luxury water sport experiences are emerging as a premium niche, with resorts offering personalized diving expeditions, private surf coaching, and exclusive marine adventures. Expansion of safety certifications and training programs is expected to broaden participation, while multi-activity packages designed for families and beginners may unlock entirely new customer segments.

A New Era for Adventure Tourism

As global travel continues to evolve, adventure water sports tourism stands at the intersection of recreation, sustainability, and experiential travel. The combination of technological innovation, growing environmental awareness, and rising demand for active holidays suggests the sector will remain a major growth engine within the wider tourism economy through the next decade.

With expanding regional participation and increasing diversification of experiences, the industry is moving beyond niche adventure travel into a mainstream global tourism category, reshaping how travelers engage with the world’s oceans and waterways.

Download: Water Sports Tourism Market Report https://www.htfmarketreport.com/reports/4395909-adventure-water-sports-tourism-market

This spring, North Dakota Tourism invites travellers to explore a state that offers wide-open spaces, tranquil landscapes, and budget-friendly road trip routes designed for leisurely exploration. With fewer crowds, milder weather, and scenic byways that stretch across the state’s expansive wilderness, North Dakota provides an affordable spring destination perfect for those looking to travel at a slower pace and take in the beauty of nature. Whether seeking outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply a quiet escape, North Dakota is the ideal choice for an unhurried spring road trip.

Unwind in the Theodore Roosevelt National Park and the Badlands

For those headed west along Interstate 94, a road trip through the heart of North Dakota’s Badlands is an unforgettable experience. A stop at the Theodore Roosevelt National Park offers breathtaking views and the chance to see North Dakota’s iconic wildlife, including bison, wild horses, and prairie dogs. During the spring months, these animals are especially active, adding an extra layer of excitement for nature lovers. The South Unit of the park is home to Buck Hill, where visitors can take in one of the most expansive views of the rugged terrain.

The route also offers the charming town of Medora, known for its local dining, live performances, and historic Rough Riders Hotel, making for a comfortable overnight stop. The scenic beauty and outdoor adventure opportunities make this stretch of road ideal for multi-day road trips, with plenty of attractions to explore along the way.

Highway 2: A North Dakota Gem for Spring Adventures

U.S. Highway 2, also known as the Hi-Line, offers a delightful northern itinerary brimming with opportunities for outdoor recreation, local discoveries, and historical landmarks. The route travels through picturesque towns like Grand Forks, Devils Lake, Minot, and Williston, where travellers can indulge in lakeside activities, enjoy bike rides along scenic trails, and explore historic frontier sites such as the Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site.

Springtime in North Dakota is the perfect season for birdwatching and hiking, and Highway 2 provides easy access to local attractions like regional museums and the Missouri River’s vast landscape. Visitors can enjoy affordable overnight stays in charming, walkable downtowns or more sophisticated properties like the Olive Ann Hotel in Grand Forks, which provides a relaxing base for exploring the region at a leisurely pace.

The Enchanted Highway: A Unique Spring Road Trip Experience

For travellers seeking something a little different, the Enchanted Highway offers an experience unique to North Dakota. This scenic route, famous for its whimsical roadside sculptures, allows travellers to stop frequently and take in the views of the open prairie. The route’s easy pace makes it ideal for a relaxed road trip, with plenty of opportunities to snap photos, enjoy short walks, and indulge in local delicacies along the way.

For those who want to add more to the journey, a stay in Dickinson or an exploration of the North Dakota Badlands offers even more scenic beauty and outdoor activities. This quiet, unhurried drive can be completed over a two- to three-day itinerary, perfect for those looking for an affordable, memorable spring getaway.

State Parks and Trails Come Alive in Spring

North Dakota’s state parks and trails are a must-see for spring travellers. As the weather warms, many of the state’s parks and multi-use trails reopen, providing endless opportunities to explore the state’s diverse natural landscapes. The Maah Daah Hey Trail, with its sweeping prairies and Badlands views, is a fantastic option for hiking or biking. Lake Metigoshe State Park and Turtle Mountain State Forest offer scenic trails for all levels of experience, while Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park presents a peaceful setting for casual walks and longer hikes.

With so many accessible parks and outdoor attractions, North Dakota’s spring season offers a chance to enjoy nature in its most serene and scenic form. Visitors can enjoy these outdoor adventures during the day before retreating to comfortable, budget-friendly accommodations in nearby towns.

Create Your Perfect Spring Road Trip in North Dakota

North Dakota’s Legendary Road Trip itineraries offer visitors the flexibility to design their ideal spring adventure. Whether interested in outdoor activities, history, or quirky roadside attractions, these routes allow for a combination of activities that suit individual tastes and travel styles. Flexible itineraries, affordable lodging, and scenic drives make it easy to extend a trip, explore more towns, and uncover hidden gems along the way.

This spring, take advantage of North Dakota’s open roads, inviting communities, and mild temperatures to slow down, explore at your own pace, and discover the beauty and culture of this unique state.

Enjoy Unhurried Exploration This Spring in North Dakota

North Dakota serves as an ideal spring road trip destination because it offers spacious areas and picturesque scenic routes, and affordable tourist sites. The state provides multiple chances to extend your trip by visiting Theodore Roosevelt National Park’s breathtaking landscapes and the Enchanted Highway’s delightful roadside statues. North Dakota provides visitors a memorable spring vacation experience, which appeals to nature lovers, history enthusiasts and people who seek tranquillity.

Air travel in Canada faced a sudden hurdle today as operations at Kelowna International Airport slowed to a crawl. Passengers experienced a wave of disruptions that left many stranded within the terminal. Data confirms that 8 flights were cancelled entirely, while another 19 suffered significant delays. WestJet Encore emerged as the most affected carrier struggling with these scheduling shifts, reporting a high volume of interrupted trips. This surge in interference created a ripple effect throughout the regional travel network. Highlighting a challenging day for the aviation sector in British Columbia. Short-haul routes were particularly vulnerable to these timing changes. As the situation developed, several other airlines also reported minor setbacks.

Major Airport Affected

Kelowna International Airport, a primary gateway for the Okanagan Valley, has been identified as the site of considerable operational strain today. As a central node for both domestic and regional travel, any interruption at this facility often results in a significant backlog for the national aviation infrastructure. Today, the facility has seen 8 total cancellations, while 19 flights were officially marked as delayed. For many passengers in Canada, Kelowna serves as a critical connection point, meaning these disruptions likely extend beyond the immediate region. The efficiency of the airport’s response is currently being tested as the high volume of delayed flights necessitates careful gate management and resource allocation.

Impacted Airlines

The data indicates that WestJet Encore and Pacific Coastal Airlines have been the most heavily impacted by today’s operational hurdles. WestJet Encore recorded 6 cancellations, representing a 15% cancellation rate for the carrier. Furthermore, 11 of their flights were delayed, resulting in a 28% delay rate. These figures suggest that a substantial portion of the regional travel network serviced by WestJet Encore has been compromised. Similarly, Pacific Coastal Airlines reported 2 cancellations, equating to a 14% cancellation rate. They also experienced 1 delay, reflecting a 7% delay rate for their daily schedule.

Beyond these specific figures, several other carriers were noted to be experiencing delays. These include Jazz Aviation with 2 delays, Air Canada Rouge with 2 delays and single delays recorded for Central Mountain Air, Porter Airlines and WestJet. The breadth of the affected airlines highlights the widespread nature of the interference currently being managed at Kelowna International Airport.

Probable Impact on Local Tourism

Given the status of Kelowna as a premier destination within Canada, the delays and cancellations might have a tangible impact on local tourism. Visitors arriving for scheduled tours, hotel stays and regional events are often reliant on the punctuality of regional air travel. When a high volume of flights is cancelled or delayed, the local hospitality sector frequently experiences secondary effects, such as late check-ins or the cancellation of local bookings.

In Kelowna, where the tourism economy is a vital component of the local infrastructure, the arrival of passengers is essential for the continued vibrancy of the region. The disruption of 27 total flights in a single day represents a notable percentage of the expected footfall. Consequently, local businesses may observe a temporary shift in patronage as travellers are diverted or delayed in their arrival to the city.

What Affected Passengers Can Do Now

For those currently navigating the interference at Kelowna International Airport, several steps are recommended to manage the situation effectively. Passengers are advised to remain in close contact with their respective airlines, as WestJet Encore, Pacific Coastal Airlines and the various other carriers involved are responsible for providing real-time updates regarding rescheduled departures.

It is suggested that the status of flights be monitored via official mobile applications or the airport’s digital flight boards. In cases of significant delays, passengers are often encouraged to familiarise themselves with their rights under the Air Passenger Protection Regulations in Canada. Those whose travel plans have been cancelled should seek information regarding rebooking options or potential refunds directly from the carrier’s service desk. Maintaining documented records of all communications and delays is considered a prudent measure for any passenger currently experiencing these disruptions in Kelowna.

-The information provided is sourced from FlightAware.

For decades, travelers from “trusted” nations like the United States, Canada, and France enjoyed a seamless journey into the United Kingdom. You showed your passport, received a friendly nod from a Border Force officer, and began your adventure. But as of February 25, 2026, that era of informal entry has officially come to a close.

The UK has shifted to a strict “No Permission, No Travel” policy. If you don’t have a digital “thumbs up” from the Home Office before you reach the airport or ferry terminal, you won’t just be delayed at the border—you won’t even be allowed to board your transport. This is the new reality of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).

What is the ETA?

The ETA is a digital permission to travel. It is not a visa, but rather a pre-travel screening tool. It allows the UK government to know exactly who is coming into the country before they even set foot on a plane.

Think of it as a security handshake. By providing your biographic and biometric details in advance, the Home Office can flag individuals who might pose a threat to security or who have a history of immigration violations.

Who is Affected?

The enforcement that began this week targets 85 nationalities who previously enjoyed visa-free travel. This includes visitors from:

• The United States and Canada
• Australia and New Zealand
• All EU member states (including France, Germany, and Spain)
• Select Caribbean and Asian nations

British and Irish citizens remain exempt. However, there is a significant catch for dual nationals. If you hold British citizenship but usually travel on a foreign passport (like an American one), you must now carry your British passport or a digital Certificate of Entitlement. Failure to show proof of your British nationality will result in you being treated as a foreign visitor, and without an ETA linked to that foreign passport, you will be denied boarding.

The Cost of Entry

As of February 2026, an ETA costs £16.

• Validity: It lasts for two years (or until your passport expires, whichever comes first).
• Usage: It allows for multiple entries into the UK.
• Stay Duration: You can stay for up to six months at a time for tourism, business, or short-term study.

While the current price is competitive with the US ESTA ($40) and the EU’s upcoming ETIAS (€20), the government has already signaled that a price increase to £20 is likely in the near future to further fund border modernization.

Why the “Hard Start” in 2026?

The ETA system was actually launched in phases starting back in October 2023. For over two years, the government allowed for a “grace period” where enforcement wasn’t 100% strict. This gave travelers time to get used to the app and the new paperwork.

That period of leniency ended this week. The Home Office has now “turned on” the hard enforcement. Airlines, train operators (like Eurostar), and ferry companies are now legally required to check for a digital ETA before allowing any non-visa national to board. If they fail to do so, the carriers themselves can face heavy fines. This is why thousands of travelers have reportedly been “hit” with no permission at check-in desks over the last 48 hours.

How to Avoid Being Stranded

The good news is that for most people, the process is incredibly fast.

1. Download the ‘UK ETA’ app: It’s available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
2. Scan your passport: The app uses your phone’s camera to read the chip in your passport.
3. Take a “Selfie”: You’ll need to provide a high-quality digital photo that matches your passport.
4. Answer a few questions: These relate to your criminal history and suitability to enter the UK.

While many applicants receive a decision within minutes, the Home Office officially recommends applying at least three working days before you travel. This accounts for the small percentage of cases that require manual human review rather than an automated algorithm.

The Road to a “Contactless Border”

Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Mike Tapp, has been vocal about why this change is necessary. Beyond security, the ETA is the first step toward a fully contactless border.

By the late 2020s, the UK aims to use facial recognition technology at e-gates that links directly to your digital ETA and passport. The goal is to eliminate physical queues and paper documents, making the journey into London or Edinburgh as smooth as walking through a shopping center.

A Human Perspective: The Dual-National Dilemma

The group feeling the “pinch” right now is dual nationals. Many people who have lived in the US or Australia for decades but still hold a British passport (which may have expired years ago) are finding themselves stuck.

“I’ve traveled home on my US passport for twenty years without a problem,” one traveler shared at Heathrow this week. “Suddenly, the airline told me I couldn’t board because I didn’t have an ETA, but as a Brit, I’m not even eligible to apply for one. I was in a Catch-22.”

The advice is clear: if you are British, travel on your British passport. If you don’t have one, get your paperwork in order now to avoid a very expensive and stressful day at the airport.

Qantas has announced the launch of the world’s first non-stop flights between Sydney (SYD) and Las Vegas (LAS), set to begin on December 29, 2026. Operating three times weekly on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, this seasonal service will run until March 12, 2027, specifically timed for peak events like the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and the NRL Las Vegas Festival. The direct route slashes travel time by up to five hours by eliminating layovers in cities like Los Angeles or San Francisco.

Quick Summary for Travellers

• New Route: Seasonal direct flights from Sydney (SYD) to Las Vegas (LAS).
• Aircraft: Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner (42 Business, 28 Premium Economy, 166 Economy).
• Schedule: Starts December 29, 2026, runs until March 12, 2027 (Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday departures).
• Time Savings: Up to five hours saved by bypassing US West Coast hubs.
• Events Focus: Timed for CES, NRL Las Vegas Festival, and US summer travel.

Introduction: A New Transpacific Milestone

Qantas has historically pioneered long-haul routes, and its latest announcement sets a new benchmark for travel between Australia and the United States. By introducing a direct seasonal service from Sydney to Las Vegas, the airline is addressing significant demand for streamlined travel to Nevada, removing the necessity of transferring through congested hubs like Los Angeles. This strategic addition aligns with Qantas’ commitment to network expansion and enhanced passenger convenience, leveraging the efficiency of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner to offer a premium, direct travel experience.

The Travel Angle: Convenience Meets Entertainment

For both leisure holiday-makers and corporate travelers, this new route transforms the journey to the “Entertainment Capital of the World.” Currently, travelers face long layovers, baggage transfers, and border security checks at secondary US airports before reaching their final destination. The direct 13-hour and 55-minute flight allows passengers to maximize their time in Las Vegas rather than spending it in transit.

Advantages for Travellers

• Significant Time Savings: Shaving up to five hours off the journey means arriving refreshed and ready to experience the city, particularly beneficial for short business trips or packed vacation itineraries.
• Reduced Stress: Bypassing US domestic transfers eliminates the risk of missed connections, lost luggage during transfers, and the hassle of navigating foreign airport terminals.
• Premium Aircraft Experience: The Boeing 787 Dreamliner offers improved cabin altitude, lower humidity, and larger windows, reducing jetlag and increasing overall comfort on long-haul flights.
• Strategic Timing: The service is perfectly timed for major conventions like CES and sporting events, making it easier for industry professionals and sports fans to travel directly to the venue.

Disadvantages for Travellers

• Seasonal Availability: As a seasonal route running only until March 2027, travelers looking to visit outside this window will have to revert to connecting flights.
• Limited Frequency: Operating only three times per week may limit flexibility for travelers needing to leave on specific days.
• Premium Pricing: Direct flights often command a premium price, potentially making them less budget-friendly compared to cheaper, slower connecting routes.

Economic and Tourist Impact

The introduction of this route is expected to bolster tourism between the two nations. Australia currently ranks as Las Vegas’s second-largest international source market, with over 250,000 visitors annually. The convenience of a direct flight is likely to increase this number significantly. Furthermore, the route enables high-value freight—such as electronics for trade shows—to be transported directly in the hold of the 787, benefiting both corporate sectors.

Conclusion: Planning Your Trip to Sin City

The announcement of Qantas’ direct flight to Las Vegas represents a significant improvement in connectivity for Australian travelers. While the seasonal nature of the flight requires careful planning, the benefits of speed, comfort, and reliability are undeniable. As demand for travel to North America continues to grow, this historic route stands as a testament to Qantas’ ongoing efforts to bridge the gap between continents, offering a truly frictionless travel experience to one of the world’s most vibrant destinations.

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has significant delays and disturbances with 126 delayed flights (with 1 flight cancelation), affecting domestic and International travelers. Disruptions have occurred with different types of airlines (regional vs international) affecting different types of airlines.

Airlines with delays and diturbed flights include United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Airlines and Southwest Airlines, We have also seen significant delays with international flights with Japan Airlines, Air New Zealand, and China Airlines. These delays have caused thousands of travelers to be stranded and have caused delays in their International travel.

The disruptions at LAX come at a time when the airport was expecting heavy passenger traffic, particularly as travelers prepare for upcoming events and holidays. Passengers from major U.S. cities like New York, Chicago, and San Francisco, as well as international destinations such as Tokyo, Paris, and Sydney, are feeling the effects.

Key Impacted Airlines

• United Airlines has the largest share of delayed flights, with 20 of their flights delayed, accounting for 10% of their operations at LAX today.
• Delta Air Lines and Southwest also have notable delays, with 6 and 24 delayed flights respectively, contributing to the high total delays.
• American Airlines, one of the largest carriers at LAX, faced 15 delayed flights (8% of its operations), which added to the congestion and waiting times for passengers.

International airlines have also been severely impacted. China Airlines and Air China both saw 100% of their flights delayed, with a significant proportion of passengers experiencing frustration at the airport.

Impact on Affected Cities

The delays have had a ripple effect on several major cities. Flights that were supposed to depart from LAX to cities like New York, San Francisco, and Chicago have faced multiple hours of delays, impacting passengers traveling to and from these busy urban hubs. Moreover, international passengers traveling to destinations such as Tokyo, Sydney, and Paris have had their plans disrupted, adding strain to global travel schedules.

Passenger Experience and Consequences for Tourists

For the passengers, this day’s disruptions at LAX are more than just minor inconveniences. As the delays affect a large number of flights, passengers are likely to experience extended waiting times, missed connections, and an increase in stress levels. Those with connecting flights to international destinations are likely to face even greater challenges. Airlines like Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, and JetBlue are also experiencing delays that could affect long-haul and intercontinental flights, making it harder for passengers to reach their destinations on time.

The delays and cancellations are especially problematic for tourists heading to popular destinations, including California’s tourist hotspots like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Hollywood, which depend heavily on timely air travel for international and domestic tourism. With the travel industry still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, this disruption further hinders efforts to attract tourists. Travelers from China, Japan, Australia, and Canada, who are among the highest contributors to California’s tourism, will now face more challenges in reaching their destinations.

Effects on the Tourism Industry

The tourism industry, which has seen a steady rise in numbers as travel demand increases globally, faces another setback due to this significant disruption. LAX, one of the world’s busiest airports, acts as a major gateway for international tourism to the U.S., particularly for destinations in California. The current disruptions come as the state is experiencing a resurgence in visitor numbers post-pandemic. California’s hospitality sector, including hotels, restaurants, and travel services, may suffer from these travel disruptions as tourists may cancel or delay their plans. Additionally, international tourists may reconsider travel during times of heightened uncertainty and inconvenience.

As tourists increasingly choose destinations that offer seamless travel experiences, delays at major airports like LAX could deter future visitors, particularly for short-haul and international travel. The long-term impact could see a decline in visitor satisfaction and trust in the efficiency of major airports, leading to a loss of tourism revenue.

Conclusion: A Strong Reminder of the Vulnerability of Air Travel

The setbacks in LAX show the vulnerabilities in the air travel system in the face of unforeseeable changes. Although they are still a common occurrence at large airports, the disruptions show the impact on travelers on a global scale. Today, air travelers at the Los Angeles International Airport will experience major disruptions in their travel plans and will have the potential to not arrive at their travel plans on schedule.
While LAX tries to fix the delays and help travelers, the global travel industry is restressing the need for good planning and better management in the global travel industry. Everybody in the travel industry needs to be flexible for the growing complexity in the air travel system and delays.

Source: FlightAware and Affected Airport

It’s been a chaotic day at Lic. Benito Juarez Airport which serves as Mexico City’s main international airport, as there have been 51 flight delays and 5 flight cancellations. These delays and cancellations have been an inconvenience for airport employees and travelers, as the cause of the disruption is still unknown. This is one of the most active airports in all of South America and it is clear in how Mexico City is suffering economically in relation to the impacted airlines which include Aeroméxico, United, and VivaAerobus.

Flight Delays and Cancellations: A Closer Look at the Affected Airlines
Today, various airlines operating at Lic. Benito Juarez International Airport have been hit with cancellations and delays. The national carrier, Aeroméxico, recorded 18 delays and two cancellations, significantly contributing to the overall disruption. The budget airline VivaAerobus, which serves a wide range of domestic and international destinations, also had six delayed flights and two cancellations.

International carriers were not exempt, with American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United experiencing delays that affected their scheduled departures and arrivals. United Airlines, which had one cancellation, saw an additional three delays. Notably, Hainan Airlines and All Nippon Airways, with fewer delays, experienced one and two disruptions, respectively, affecting travelers’ plans.

Affected Cities and Airlines:
Mexico City’s tourism sector is known for its strong international connections, and today’s disruptions have affected key global cities. From the United States to Asia, several destinations have seen flight delays and cancellations, leading to both immediate and potential long-term impacts on tourism. Key cities affected include:

• United States: Flights from cities like New York, Dallas, and Los Angeles have been delayed by several hours due to operational issues at the airport.
• China: Hainan Airlines, which connects Mexico City to Chinese cities, has had two flight cancellations today, further affecting passenger movement.
• Japan: All Nippon Airways’ single delay from Tokyo to Mexico City adds to the growing tension for travelers looking to visit Mexico.

Impact on Passengers:
The total number of affected passengers today exceeds hundreds, with airlines like Aeroméxico and VivaAerobus contributing to the high volume of delayed travelers. Passengers have expressed frustration as delays stretch into hours, leading to missed connections and disrupted travel plans. Airlines have been working to accommodate passengers on alternative flights, though the full extent of delays and cancellations will become clearer throughout the day.

While specific figures on the total number of affected passengers are not readily available, estimates suggest that a substantial portion of the flight traffic in Mexico City is impacted by the disruption. Many passengers are seeking assistance from ground staff at the airport to secure rebooking options or claim compensation for their delayed or cancelled flights.

Impact on Tourism:
The consequences of today’s delays extend beyond individual passengers. Mexico City’s tourism industry, a major economic driver, faces challenges as international tourists experience disruptions. With Mexico City being a hub for both business and leisure tourism, any delay in air travel can result in missed connections, lost revenue, and a potential decline in tourist satisfaction.

International travelers arriving for business meetings, cultural events, and leisure activities may find themselves delayed, affecting the overall tourism experience. With Mexico City’s tourism sector striving to recover from the pandemic, such disruptions pose a risk to maintaining the momentum of visitor numbers and tourist spending in the region. Travel disruptions, especially at a major hub like Lic. Benito Juarez, could lead to a decline in bookings for tours, accommodations, and local attractions.

Conclusion:
Since Benito Juarez International Airport’s delays and cancellations, travel networks’ widespread damage and impact on tourist travel to Mexico City can be clearly observed. The airport and delays and cancellations can be easily analyzed as an international tourist entry and exit mess. As delays, cancellations, and new bookings are a way of life, and as a result of those delays, Mexico City can expect to see dead periods in its tourism economy.

It’s recommended to be as flexible as possible, not in a transitive way, with your travel plans, as a source of tourist travel damage. If you’re in proximity to Mexico City, plan your travel to and from Mexico City with your travel plans as flexible as possible. To not cause travel damage, use a different route. Always check with your airline for updates. Considered as new material are the delays and cancellations.

Source : FlightAware and AffectedAirports

Samsung has become the first South Korean company to cross a market value of $1 trillion. This is a big moment for the company. On February 26, 2026, its total value reached about $1.025 trillion at the end of trading. It briefly became one of the 12 most valuable companies in the world.

For a short time, Samsung even moved ahead of Walmart in global rankings. Later, its value slipped slightly but remained around the $1 trillion mark. Even with the small drop, the milestone is still historic. It shows how strong Samsung has become worldwide.

According to tipster Jukan, this happened just one day after Samsung launched its new flagship, the Galaxy S26 series. The timing suggests that the launch helped boost investor confidence. However, the success was not only because of the new phones. Other parts of Samsung’s business also played an important role.

Samsung’s chip-making division, Samsung Foundry, is one of the main reasons behind this success. The company recently introduced its second-generation 2nm chip technology. Many global tech companies are working with Samsung to produce advanced chips. This has helped increase its business growth.

Another major factor is the rising demand for memory chips, mainly for AI. Samsung is one of the top memory chip makers in the world. As AI use grows, the need for advanced memory chips is also rising. This has helped Samsung earn more revenue.

A day before crossing the milestone, Samsung introduced the Galaxy S26 series.  Preorders started soon after the launch and received a positive response. You can also preorder the Galaxy S26 series now. It will be available from March 11.

The post Samsung achieves $1 trillion market cap milestone in Korea appeared first on Sammy Fans.

Few cases in recent years compare to that of Philippe Coutinho. The Brazilian midfielder was a superstar at Liverpool when Barcelona paid a massive fee to sign him in 2018. From that point on, however, things gradually went downhill, to the extent that he lost his place with the Brazil national team. In that context, Major League Soccer has emerged as a possible destination amid rumors linking him to LA Galaxy.

In recent days, details surfaced about the MLS team’s reported interest in signing Coutinho, whom they view as a potential replacement for Riqui Puig. With the Spanish midfielder ruled out for the entire 2026 season after undergoing a second knee operation related to his 2024 injury, Philippe could represent a valuable addition.

However, there is another option under consideration. “The midfielder’s future prospects are either to go to an MLS team in the United States, or even announce his retirement,” ESPN recently reported.

At just 33 years old, the end of Coutinho’s career might seem surprising, but his recent decisions and comments offer insight into his current mindset. “The truth is that I’m very mentally exhausted. I’ve always been very reserved, so saying this here isn’t easy, but I need to be honest,” the midfielder wrote on social media earlier this year after deciding to leave Vasco da Gama.

“With a heavy heart, I understand that now is the time to take a step back and end this cycle at Vasco,” he added in the same post. “My relationship with Vasco is one of love. And it will continue to be forever.”

Coutinho has another offer, though less appealing

Coutinho’s sudden departure from Vasco da Gama drew interest from several clubs intrigued by the talent of the 33-year-old. LA Galaxy appear to be an attractive option as they look to rebound from a disappointing 2025 MLS season, but there are other alternatives.

“Coutinho has received an inquiry from Russian club CSKA Moscow,” ESPN reported. However, the chances of that move materializing appear slim. “A source close to the player, however, told ESPN Brasil they would be surprised if Coutinho accepted an offer from Russian football,” the report added.

The decline of Coutinho’s career

The nearly $180 million Barcelona paid Liverpool for Coutinho in 2018 now feels like a distant memory. Over the years, the midfielder’s performances steadily declined, and his career has been marked by frequent club changes.

In 2019, Coutinho was loaned to Bayern Munich before returning to Barcelona a year later. Aston Villa became his next destination, where he spent just over a year and a half with limited success. He then moved to Al Duhail in Qatar before completing a long-anticipated return to Vasco da Gama in 2024.

Despite the excitement surrounding that move, things did not go as planned. In January of this year, the midfielder negotiated an early termination of his contract to become a free agent and determine the next step in his professional career.

Christian Pulisic will soon discover whether one of his most influential teammates remains by his side beyond the 2026 World Cup, as Milan has reportedly made a defining call on Luka Modric’s future. The Rossoneri campaign has been shaped by experience and leadership, and few figures embody that more than Modric. As speculation swirls, both Christian Pulisic and Luka Modric find themselves at the heart of a pivotal moment for the club, with the veteran midfielder’s next step poised to shape the Rossoneri’s trajectory.

At 40, Luka Modric has already surpassed 2,000 minutes in Serie A this season, becoming the only outfield player in the squad to reach that milestone. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Croatian maestro crossed the 2,000-minute mark on February 18 against Como, underlining just how central he remains to the club’s structure.

The numbers tell a compelling story. Modric has played 23 of 25 league matches, started 92 percent of them, and delivered decisive contributions in key moments. He has registered two match-winning goals and three assists, while maintaining over 90 percent passing accuracy. In one recent outing, he completed 93 passes and was named MVP, reinforcing his status as the metronome of the side.

Head coach Massimiliano Allegri has been vocal in his admiration. He described training alongside the Croatian veteran as “an enormous fortune for all players,” praising not only his technical brilliance but also his relentless professionalism. Within the dressing room, teammates affectionately call him “the Maestro.”

Three roads ahead

Despite his remarkable output, Modric’s future remains under review. The veteran joined Milan on a one-year contract after leaving Real Madrid, with an option for a further year that can only be activated with his consent.

There are three possible paths before him:

• Extend his stay at Milan, continuing to guide the midfield in a slightly reduced but still vital role.
• Return to Dinamo Zagreb, the club where his professional journey began, in what many describe as a romantic homecoming.
• Retire after the 2026 World Cup, stepping away while still performing at an elite level.

Modric will also captain Croatia at the 2026 World Cup, marking his sixth appearance at the tournament; an extraordinary achievement that already includes a 2018 final and a 2022 bronze medal.

The decision revealed

While the introduction to this saga has been filled with uncertainty, the internal mood at Milan is increasingly optimistic. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, everyone at the club is pushing for Modric’s renewal, and a one-year extension is becoming more likely.

The Rossoneri’s hierarchy, Allegri, the technical staff, and even senior advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic have reportedly urged the midfielder to clarify his intentions soon. Ibrahimovic, as reported, held direct talks and requested a timely decision to allow proper planning for next season.

Importantly, the extension clause already exists, but Milan has made it clear that it will only be activated if Modric personally wishes to continue. The respect shown toward him reflects his stature not just as a player, but as a symbol.

On the pitch, Milan is fighting for Champions League qualification — a competition Modric knows intimately, having won it six times during his glittering career in Spain. Securing a return to Europe’s top table could serve as a powerful incentive in his final deliberations.

The playoff with Benfica, which finished with a pair of victories, took Real Madrid to the round of 16 in the Champions League. They were able to defeat the Portuguese club even though they couldn’t have Kylian Mbappé in Álvaro Arbeloa’s lineup.

Real Madrid have not shown their best level this season but have remained competitive. However, Mbappé’s numbers make him the team’s standout player. With 38 goals in 33 matches, he is clearly their most dangerous attacking threat.

That is why his injury status raises concern after he missed Wednesday’s match with a knee issue. Arbeloa admitted he could be sidelined for some time: “I spoke with him, and we consulted with the medical team. We believed it was best for him to stop and recover 100%, so he can return in top form and confidence without discomfort for what’s ahead.”

Arbeloa also provided a cautious update on Mbappé’s return: “When discomfort prevents you from playing, if we want to call it an injury we can call it an injury, but it seems to be, and I hope it is, not a serious injury, a minor issue, and he can return in a few days or weeks. We have a diagnosis, but I’m not the one to disclose such data about the players’ health.”

Real Madrid with many players in doubt

Mbappé was clearly the most important absence from Friday’s training session. Another notable name was Jude Bellingham, who is still recovering from a muscle injury that should keep him out for a few more weeks.

Raúl Asensio was also not with the group after a collision during the second leg against Benfica that led the manager to substitute him immediately as a precaution.

Three more players were not part of regular training. Dani Ceballos, Dean Huijsen and Militao trained indoors with limited activity as they continue working their way back from injuries.

Real Madrid’s main challenge

Up next, Real Madrid face Getafe on Monday as they continue chasing Barcelona in La Liga. Sitting one point behind leaves little margin for rotation. The main concern now is in defense, where only Antonio Rüdiger and David Alaba are fully available.

With Celta coming after Getafe, the manager may adjust his approach in Vigo, especially with a demanding Champions League tie against Manchester City scheduled for March 11 in the first leg.

Trendyol Süper Lig'in 24. haftasında deplasmanda RAMS Başakşehir'e 2-0 yenilen TÜMOSAN Konyaspor'un teknik direktörü İlhan Palut, bir an önce düşme hattından uzaklaşmak istediklerini söyledi.

TÜMOSAN Konyaspor'un teknik direktörü İlhanPalut, Başakşehir Fatih Terim Stadı'ndaki maçın ardından düzenlenen basın toplantısında açıklamalarda bulundu.

Ligde bitime 10 maçlarının kaldığını belirten Palut, "Ligin bitmesine çok hafta yok. Her puan, her maç son derece önemli. Başakşehir ligin kalburüstü kadrolarından birine sahip ve iyi ritim yakaladılar. İlk yarıda çok fazla önde baskı yaptık. Rakibi sadece kaleci Muhammed ile oyun kurmaya zorladık. Bildiğimiz Başakşehir oyununu oynamalarını engelledik. Top bizdeyken kararlı ve çabuk olamadığımız için istediklerimizi yapamadık. 1-0 geri düştükten sonra toparlanmaya çalışırken bahsetmek bile istemediğim, bu seviyede olmaması gereken, kötünün de ötesinde bir gol yedik. Bunun kabul edilecek bir yanı yok. Maçın 60. dakikasına kadar takımımın gösterdiği performanstan şikayetçi değilim. Ofansif olarak daha etkili olmalıydık. 60. dakikadan sonra maçı kurtarmak isterken disiplinden uzak bir görüntü sergiledik. Başakşehir sahada daha diri kaldı. Pozisyonlara girdik ama plandan uzak, içgüdüsel ve arkada geniş alanlar bırakarak geldi. İkinci gole kadar oyuncularım iyi mücadele ettiler. İkinci gol ve sonrası bizim adımıza bu maçın negatif tarafıydı." diye konuştu.

Palut, 23 puanda kaldıklarına dikkati çekerek "Zamanımız çok az. Her puan önemli ve bizim bunlara ihtiyacımız var. Bugünkü maçı değerlendireceğiz. Sonrasında hemen bu yarışın içindeki bir sonraki adıma hazırlanacağız. Bize lazım olan puanları çok çabuk bir şekilde alarak düzlüğe çıkmanın savaşını vereceğiz." dedi.

Haftalar arasındaki performans dalgalanmasından ürktüğünü dile getiren Palut, "Geçen hafta Galatasaray'a karşı iyi bir galibiyet aldık. Bunun negatif etkilerini göreceğimizin çekincesini yaşadım. Maç başladıktan sonra oyuncularımın verilen göreve odaklandığını, müsabakaya hazır olduklarını gördüm. Bu beni rahatlattı. İlk gole kadar bir şikayetim yok ama ondan sonraki dağınık görüntü iyi değildi. Önceki iyi mücadelenin bir sonraki maça yansıması olarak değil gol yedikten sonra takımın hayal kırıklığı olarak görüyorum. Skor ve iyi defans yapmak önemli. Artık bir maç iyi, iki maç kötü gibi bir vaktimiz yok. Hepimiz bunun bilincindeyiz. Daha iyi olmamız lazım." ifadelerini kullandı.

"Gün şikayet etme günü değil elimizdeki oyuncuların potansiyelini sonuna kadar zorlama günü." diyen Palut, sözlerini şöyle tamamladı:

"Gerek şehirden gerekse yönetimden gereken tüm destekleri alıyorum. Ligin bitmesine az kaldı ve bizim bölgede çok takım var. Bulunduğumuz durumun ciddiyetini görüyorum. Hem kendi konsatrasyonumu hem de oyuncularımın konsatrasyonunu basit şekilde ilerletmem lazım. Sadece sonraki maça hazırlanabilirim. Diğer takımların toplayacağı puanlar konusunda da elimizden bir şey gelmez. Çok çalışıyorum ve istiyorum. İlk işimiz ciddiyeti sağlamak, ikinci işimiz bir sonraki maçtan daha fazla yükü kendimizin ve oyuncularımızın sırtına yüklememek. Umarım alnımızın akıyla buradan çıkarız."

Trabzonspor'da Chibuike Nwaiwu Fatih Karagümrük'ü 3-1 mağlup ettikleri maçın ardından konuştu.

Süper Lig'de Fatih Karagümrük'ü 3-1 mağlup eden Trabzonspor'da Chibuike Nwaiwu maç sonunda açıklamalarda bulundu.

NWAIWU: GOLLER MUTLU EDİYOR

Üç puan için çok mutluyum çünkü bizim adımıza kolay bir maç değildi. Şükürler olsun, istediğimiz üç puanı aldık. Goller beni mutlu ediyor. Her şey için Tanrı'ya şükrediyorum. Bu tarz kutlamayı seviyorum. Takım arkadaşlarıma yardım etmeyi onlarla beraber olmayı seviyorum. Takım arkadaşlarıma söylüyorum. Her zaman kramponlarını parlatıp kutlamaların içinde olmak istiyorum.

Trabzonspor, Trendyol Süper Lig'in 24. haftasında sahasında Mısırlı.com.tr Fatih Karagümrük'ü konuk etti. Bu karşılaşmada bordo-mavililerin ilk golünü atan Paul Onuachu maçın ardından değerlendirmelerde bulundu.

Trabzonspor'da Paul Onuachu, 3-1'lik galibiyet ile sonuçlanan Mısırlı.com.tr Fatih Karagümrük maçının ardından açıklamalarda bulundu. İşte Nijeryalı santrforun dikkat çeken değerlendirmeleri...

"DEVRE ARASINDAKİ KONUŞMANIN ARDINDAN..."

"Maça biraz yavaş başladık. Devre arasında soyunma odasında takım arkadaşlarımız ve hocamızla konuştuk. Enerjimizi yükseltmemiz ve daha fazlasını ortaya koymamız gerektiğini konuştuk. Bu konuşmanın ardından takım iyi bir reaksiyon verdi ve üç puanı almayı başardık. Bir santrfor olarak takımınıza yardımcı olabilmek için yeteneklerinizi kullanmak zorundasınız. Ben de bunu yapmaya çalışıyorum. Takım arkadaşlarım olmadan bunu başarmam mümkün değil. Benim gollerimden ziyade takım arkadaşlarımın hakkını vermek gerekir."

Trendyol Süper Lig'in 24. haftasında Mısırlı.com.tr Fatih Karagümrük'ü 3-1 yenen Trabzonspor'da Ozan Tufan, maçın ardından değerlendirmelerde bulundu.

Trabzonspor, Trendyol Süper Lig'in 24. haftasında sahasında Mısırlı.com.tr Fatih Karagümrük'ü konuk etti. Fırtına bu karşılaşmadan 3-1'lik skorla galip ayrılırken maçın ardından karşılaşmada 2 kez asist yapan Ozan Tufan açıklamalarda bulundu.

İŞTE OZAN TUFAN'IN SÖZLERİ:

Skor anlamında bizim için iyi bir maç oldu ancak oyun olarak eksiklerimiz vardı. Attığımız gol, tüm hafta üzerinde çalıştığımız bir organizasyondu. Bunun karşılığını sahada almak bizi mutlu etti. Normalde mevki seçmeyi çok sevmiyorum. Bugün sağ bekte hocamızın verdiği görevi en iyi şekilde yapmaya çalıştım, 2 asist yaptım. Benim asist yapmamdan çok takımın kazanması önemli.

Galatasaray'ın Juventus'u İstanbul'a davet ettiği hazırlık maçı, Barış Alper Yılmaz transferinin kilit noktası olduğu iddia edildi. Chelsea ve Juventus'un peşinde olduğu milli yıldız için dev karşılaşmanın gelirinin bonservis bedeline sayılması planlanıyor.

Galatasaray, Şampiyonlar Ligi'nin dışına ittiği Juventus'u 2 Ağustos'ta İstanbul'da hazırlık maçı oynamaya davet etti. İtalya'nın önde gelen spor gazetelerinden Corriere dello Sport'un haberine göre; dev karşılaşmanın kesinleşmesi için Galatasaray'ın ligi şampiyon olarak tamamlaması gerekiyor.

Haberin en çarpıcı detayı ise transfer gündemiyle ilgili oldu. Chelsea bir de Torino'da izlediği Barış Alper'i transfer listesine yazdı. Juventus taraftarları ise Barış Alper yönetime çağrıda bulunmaya devam ediyor.

İddialara göre, İstanbul'da oynanması planlanan bu hazırlık maçı, transferin finansmanında yöntem olacak. Juventus, Barış Alper'in bonservisinin bir bölümüne karşılık maç gelirini Galatasaray'a bırakacağı bir hazırlık maçına çıkmayı planlıyor.

Bu arada Juventus CEO'su Comolli, sarı-kırmızılı ekiple oynadıkları geçmiş maçların acısını hâlâ derinden hissettiklerini itiraf etti.

- Hâlâ Galatasaray maçının etkisinden kurtulamadım ve bunu atlatmamın yıllar alacağını düşünüyorum. Bu uzun yıllar canımızı yakacak.

FIBA 2027 Dünya Kupası Avrupa Elemeleri'nde A Milli Basketbol Takımımız, deplasmanda Sırbistan ile kozlarını paylaştı. 12 Dev Adam bu mücadeleden 82-78'lik skorla galip ayrıldı.

A Milli Erkek Basketbol Takımımız, FIBA 2027 Dünya Kupası Avrupa Elemeleri 1. Tur C Grubu'ndaki üçüncü maçında deplasmanda Sırbistan ile karşı karşıya geldi. Belgrad'da oynanan maçta 4 çeyreğin sonunda kazanan 82-78'lik taraf skorla A Milli Takımımız oldu.12 Dev Adam, C Grubu'nda oynadığı ilk 2 maçta Bosna Hersek'i 93-71; İsviçre'yi ise 85-60 mağlup etmişti.

1. ÇEYREK: Sırbistan 13-22 Türkiye

DEVRE ARASI: Sırbistan 31-46 Türkiye

3. ÇEYREK: Sırbistan 54-57 Türkiye

Trabzonspor, Trendyol Süper Lig'in 24. haftasında sahasında Mısırlı.com.tr Fatih Karagümrük'ü konuk etti. Bordo-mavililer bu mücadeleden 3-1'lik skorla galip ayrıldı. Maçın ardından Trabzonspor'da Teknik Direktör Fatih Tekke açıklamalarda bulundu.

Trabzonspor'da Teknik Direktör FatihTekke, maçın ardından düzenlenen basın toplantısında, güzel bir akşam yaşadıklarını ifade ederek "Oyunun ilk bölümünde iyi bir atak hazırlanışı ile güzel bir gol bulduk. Onun haricinde ilk 45 dakika istediğimiz olmadı." dedi.

Karşılaşmanın ikinci yarısında iyi oyun ortaya koyduklarını belirten Tekke, "Oyunun ikinci yarısında istediğimiz şeylerin çoğu oldu. Oyunun doğru anlarında arka arkaya gelen iki duran top, oyunun kolay geçtiği hissini verdi. İkinci yarı gayet iyiydik, hak ettiğimiz bir galibiyetti. Oyuncularımı tebrik ederim. Şimdi önümüzde kupa maçı var. Çok zor bir kadroya karşı oynayacağız. Kazanmak zorunda olduğumuz bir karşılaşma. Sakatlarımız var, hazır olmayan oyuncularımız var. Böyle devam edeceğiz. Bütün oyuncularımı tebrik ederim." ifadelerini kullandı.

Tekke, taraftarların tribünleri boş bırakmasıyla ilgili soru üzerine şu değerlendirmeyi yaptı:

"Bir haftadır oyuncularıma söyledim, bence çok zor bir karşılaşma oynayacağız dedim. Şunu bilmelerini istiyorum. Fatih, Ahmet, Mehmet’e destek değil, Trabzonspor'un bir yolculuğu var. Devamlı söylediğim şey, bu takım hepimizin istediği mükemmel bir takım değil. Biliyoruz bunu biz. Ama bu takım mükemmel işler yaptı yapıyor. Gençlerle, mevcut kadrosuyla herkes elinden gelenin en iyisini yapıyor, bunu taraftarımız görüyor. Kızdıkları her şeyde haklı olabilirler. Buna hiçbir şey demiyorum. Ama kızacaklarsa bana kızsınlar diyorum. Bu çocukların desteğe, arkadan itilmeye ihtiyacı var. O arkadan itici güç her zaman biz olamıyoruz, bir kişiyle değil, taraftarımızla oluyor. Özellikle dışarda bunu çok daha fazla, daha iyi hissediyoruz. Ama şehrimizde maalesef olmuyor. Taraftar kar yağmasına mı kızdı, soğuk havaya mı kızdı, bir şeye kızdı, ceza da varmış. Hepsi birer etken ama en önemli tarafı şurası. Hocam şu ilk yarı için mi geleyim, doğru. Ama şunu anlatamıyoruz. Onlar olunca daha güzel, kötü olsun ama bizim kötümüz."

Takımın çabasının olduğunu aktaran Tekke, "Burada gerçekten bir çaba var, olumlu bir hava var. Riskli haftalardayız. Bu sene Trabzonspor’un temellerinin bakış açısı olarak yaptığı şeyle beraber birçok takıma sanki örnek oluyormuş gibi hissettiğiniz oldu mu, ‘Trabzonspor gibi yapmaya çalışıyorlar’ diye. Önemli bir riskti, bu riski camia olarak biz aldık. Yolculuğa aslında sadece biz Trabzonspor olarak çıkmıyoruz. Türk futbolu adına bir şey yapmaya çalışıyoruz. Dolayısıyla hatalar oluyor, kötü oynayan oluyor, hocanın da kötü oynadığı var. Ama inanın onlar olunca daha dikkatli, daha enerjik oluyoruz. Bu ekip de öyle bir ekip, güzel bir ekibimiz var. Daha iyisi tabi olabilirdi. Ben de başkan da isterdi. Şu an buradayız. Gerçekten ciddi bir mücadelenin içindeyiz. Maçların ikinci yarıları gerçekten zor oluyor. Biz gereğini yapalım, gerisi Allah’a kalmış." diyerek sözlerini tamamladı.

Fenerbahçe'nin Galatasaray altyapısından Çağrı Hakan Balta transferi büyük yankı uyandırdı. Ceza iddialarını kulüp kaynakları yalanladı. Teknik Direktör Tedesco Çağrı dışında takip ettiği genç yetenekler için özel atletik performans ekibini devreye soktu.

Fenerbahçe altyapı yapılanmasına ve genç yeteneklerin gelişimine büyük önem veriyor. Son dönemde yaşanan Çağrı Hakan Balta transfer süreci ve teknik direktör Tedesco'nun yaklaşımı, sarı-lacivertli camiada heyecan yarattı.

Fenerbahçe cephesi Çağrı Balta transferi nedeniyle herhangi bir ceza almalarının söz konusu olmadığına inanıyor. Sarı-lacivertli yönetimin, sezon sonunda Galatasaray'a yetiştirme bedelini ödeyerek süreci hukuki prosedürlere uygun şekilde tamamlayacağı belirtildi.

Tedesco, Nottingham maçında sahaya sürdüğü Alaettin ile beraber Çağrı ve Adem Yeşilyurt'un gelişim süreçlerini en sağlıklı şekilde yönetmek için düğmeye bastı. Bu kapsamda, Atletik Performans Birimi'nin başındaki isim Cihan Mert Cengiz özel olarak görevlendirildi. Cengiz; genç futbolcuların fiziksel gelişimleri, antrenman ve maç GPS verileri, beslenme analizleri ve kas kütlesi takibi gibi konularda diyetisyen eşliğinde özel programlar uygulayacak.

Tedesco'nun altyapı oyuncularına verdiği değer, kulüpteki motivasyonu en üst seviyeye çıkardı. Bizzat altyapı maçlarını ve antrenmanlarını takip eden Tedesco, altyapı hocalarına "Ben sizden oyuncuları çıkarıp ara ara şans vereceğim" sözünü verdiği öğrenildi.

Tecrübeli hocanın, 16-17 yaşındaki Alaettin'i İngiltere'deki zorlu bir maçta forvet olarak sahaya sürmesi, altyapıdaki tüm oyunculara "hoca herkesi takip ediyor" mesajı oldu. Bu yaklaşımın, genç futbolcular arasında büyük bir çalışma azmi yarattığı ifade ediliyor.

UEFA Avrupa Ligi'nde Nottingham Forest'ı deplasmanda 2-1 mağlup eden Fenerbahçe, ilk maçtaki 3-0'lık mağlubiyet nedeniyle kupaya veda etti. Sadettin Saran'ın özel motivasyon videosuyla sahaya çıkan sarı-lacivertliler, elense de UEFA kulüpler sıralamasında 29. sıraya yükselerek modern dönemdeki en yüksek seviyesine ulaştı ve tarihi bir başarıya imza attı.

Fenerbahçe, İstanbul'da 3-0 mağlup olduğu Nottingham Forest'ı deplasmanda 2-1 yenmesine rağmen, ilk maçın skoru nedeniyle Avrupa kupalarına veda etti.

Maçın hikayesi Başkan Sadettin Saran tarafından yazıldı. Saran, iletişim ekibiyle bir araya gelerek takımın ateşlenmesi için özel bir video hazırlattı. Oyunculara izletilen videoda Saran, "Ben bugün yanınızda olamadığım için çok üzgünüm ama Fenerbahçe'ye yakışan oyunu tüm Türkiye'ye gösterin. Size inanıyorum" ifadelerini kullandı. Bu özel mesajın takıma ekstra motivasyon sağladığı ve oyuncuların sahaya yansıttığı mücadeleyle görüldü.

2-0'lık üstünlüğü yakalayarak tur umutlarını bir an için yeşerten Fenerbahçe, skoru koruyamayarak maçı 2-1 kazandı ve Avrupa defterini kapattı. Ancak alınan bu galibiyet, ülke puanı adına kritik bir öneme sahipti. Sarı-lacivertliler, bu sonuçla ülke puanına 0.2 katkı sağladı.

Avrupa'ya veda etse de Fenerbahçe, sergilediği performansla kulüp tarihine geçti. Son beş yılda Türkiye'ye en fazla puan kazandıran takım olan sarı-lacivertliler, 2026-2027 sezonuna UEFA kulüpler sıralamasında 29. sıradan kura çekimine girecek. Bu başarı, kulübün modern dönemdeki en yüksek sıralaması olan 2010 yılındaki 34. sırayı geride bırakarak tarihi bir rekor olarak kayıtlara geçti.

Polşanın “Yagelloniya” klubunun 19 yaşlı hücumameyilli yarımmüdafiəçisi Bartoş Mazurek avrokubokların tarixinə düşüb.

Arena.az xəbər verir ki, polşalı futbolçu buna Avropa Konfrans Liqasının pley-off mərhələsində İtaliyanın “Fiorentina”ya komandasına qarşı keçirdikləri cavab matçında 3 qol vurmaqla nail olub.

Mazurek 2007-ci il təvəllüdlü futbolçular arasında UEFA turnirlərində het-trik edən ilk oyunçu olub.

Xatırladaq ki, bu qarşılaşmanın əsas vaxtı polşalıların 3:0 hesablı qələbəsi ilə yekunlaşıb. İlk görüşdə “Fiorentina” bu hesabla qalib gəldiyi üçün əlavə vaxta ehtiyac duyulub. Burada 2:1 üstün olan Florensiya təmsilçisi rəqibini 5:4 hesabı ilə məğlub edərək mərhələ adlayıb. “Yagelloniya” isə bu turnirlə vidalaşıb.

Bartoş Mazurek “Yagelloniya”nın öz yetirməsidir. 2025-ci ildən Polşa klubunun əsas komandasında forma geyinən yarımmüdafiəçi indiyə qədər meydana çıxdığı 23 oyunda 4 qol vurub, 1 məhsuldar ötürmə müəllifi olub.

Polşanın U-16, U-17 və U-18 yığmalarında da oynamış Mazurek hazırda ölkəsinin U-19 millisində forma geyinir.

Alessandro Renica has sparked debate by laying the blame for Napoli’s lengthy injury list squarely at the door of Antonio Conte, arguing that the head coach’s demanding training methods have taken a significant physical toll on the squad.

The former Napoli defender, who spent six years at the club between 1985 and 1991 winning two Serie A titles, a Coppa Italia and the UEFA Cup, made his comments on Stile TV, and they are unlikely to go down well in certain quarters.

Napoli have been badly hampered by injuries this season, with Kevin De Bruyne, Zambo Anguissa, Billy Gilmour and Amir Rrahmani among the high-profile absentees at various points.

Renica: ‘Conte’s methods to blame for Napoli injuries’

Renica believes the volume and nature of Conte’s training sessions at Castel Volturno is a root cause.

“I believe all these injuries are linked to Conte’s training methods,” he said, with quotes via CalcioMercato.

“I have never attended his sessions, but you only need to listen to what the players say. De Bruyne, for example, said that in ten years at Manchester City he never ran as much as he did in three months at Napoli. Excessive dry work tends to stress the muscles, and that is when injuries occur. I have my coaching badge and have tried both methodologies, but when I worked with heavy dry training I had a lot of muscular problems.”

Rrahmani’s situation particularly concerned Renica.

“He is on his third muscular injury and has become practically irreplaceable in this defence. Having him available only intermittently really hurts.”

Renica was careful to acknowledge Conte’s broader qualities, describing him as tactically impeccable and a proven winner. But he added a pointed caveat.

“From a physical standpoint, it is a shame he does not seek to improve. Not progressing past the Champions League group stage this season against those opponents was significant, I think it is a genuine limitation.”

On Napoli’s squad quality, Renica was effusive, rating it alongside Inter as the strongest in Serie A.

“But when eight players of that calibre are missing,” he concluded, “it becomes extremely complicated, and this season, between the Champions League exit and the distance from the top of the table, more could have been done.”

Sunday evening’s clash between Roma and Juventus at the Stadio Olimpico carries enormous weight in the race for Champions League football, and both sides have received welcome fitness news ahead of what promises to be a compelling encounter.

Juventus will be boosted by the return of Gleison Bremer, who is expected to start at the heart of defence alongside Lloyd Kelly.

The Brazilian centre-back’s presence will be a significant lift for Luciano Spalletti, whose side head to Rome looking to close the gap on the top four after a difficult run of results.

With Manuel Locatelli suspended, Teun Koopmeiners is the likeliest candidate to fill the midfield void, while Jonathan David is expected to lead the attack once again, supported by Francisco Conceição, Weston McKennie and Kenan Yildiz behind him.

Roma vs Juventus – Dybala & Bremer fit again

For Roma, the headline team news is Paulo Dybala’s return to fitness, with the latest updates courtesy of Sky Sport Italia.

The Argentine forward has trained fully with the group and is available to face his former club, a fixture that always carries personal significance for ‘La Joya’.

However, a start from the first minute looks unlikely given the time he has spent on the sidelines, with Gian Piero Gasperini expected to use him from the bench. Donyell Malen is set to lead the Roma attack, with Manu Koné and Bryan Cristante providing the midfield backbone.

There is less positive news elsewhere in the Roma camp, with both Matias Soulé and Mario Hermoso ruled out of the match, leaving Gasperini with limited options as he prepares his side for a fixture that could prove pivotal in determining who secures Champions League football next season.

Simone Inzaghi arrived in Saudi Arabia as one of the hottest coaching properties in world football, fresh from back-to-back Champions League finals with Inter Milan and a contract worth a reported €26 million per season, making him the second highest-paid manager on the planet behind only Diego Simeone.

Right now, however, his golden seat is beginning to feel considerably less comfortable, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

What began as a dream appointment for Al-Hilal has unravelled at an alarming pace. The Riyadh club had stormed to the top of the Saudi Pro League with a seven-point cushion over their rivals, the kind of dominant early-season form that suggested Inzaghi had taken to his new surroundings seamlessly.

Then January arrived, and with it, the signing of Karim Benzema, a move Inzaghi himself had pushed for.

The results since have been deeply concerning.

Five draws from their last seven matches have seen Al-Hilal slip to third in the table, now four points behind leaders Al-Ahli, who count Franck Kessié and Merih Demiral among their ranks, with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr also above them.

Al-Hilal dissatisfied with Inzaghi performance

According to Arabic media, the club’s ownership is far from satisfied, and supporters have begun openly calling for Inzaghi’s dismissal. Sacking a manager on his salary would represent an enormous financial commitment, but the reports suggest it is far from an impossible outcome.

There is a painfully familiar precedent for Inzaghi here. In his first season at Inter, his side held a seven-point lead in Serie A only to be overhauled in the final weeks by Stefano Pioli’s Milan, a collapse that still stings. Now he finds himself needing to reverse a similar deficit, this time against Ronaldo and Jorge Jesus’ Al-Nassr.

The next two fixtures will be decisive.

Al-Hilal face Al-Shabab, currently twelfth in the table, before turning their attention to the Asian Champions League last 16 against Al-Saad, managed by Inzaghi’s former Italy teammate Roberto Mancini.

Win both and the pressure eases. Anything less and the questions surrounding his future will grow considerably louder.

Former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas is open to taking the Tottenham Hotspur job.

Cesc Fabregas has been doing wonders for Como in the Italian top flight, and his work hasn’t gone unnoticed. The former Spanish midfielder finds himself on the wishlist of some of the biggest clubs in England, and Tottenham are one of them. According to a report from TEAMtalk, the former Arsenal and Chelsea star is open to taking the Tottenham job.

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Cesc Fabregas has seen a rapid rise as a manager

Fabregas has emerged as one of the most exciting young managers in world football, thanks to the work he has done at Como since taking charge as their permanent manager back in 2024. He has led them in 69 matches, and he averages 1.54 points per game.

The Italian club is playing an attacking, attractive brand of football under the 38-year-old’s guidance. Como are currently sixth in the Serie A and are serious contenders for a Champions League spot. Their performances have enhanced Fabregas’ reputation as a manager, and English clubs now want him on their bench.

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Tottenham want Fabregas

While Igor Tudor has taken charge at Tottenham on an interim basis, the North London club are looking for their next permanent manager, and Fabregas is quite high on their wishlist. Despite his strong bond with Chelsea and Arsenal from his playing days, the 38-year-old is open to a move to Spurs.

The London connection won’t be a barrier if Tottenham do actually approach the Spanish manager. Apart from Spurs, there are other top clubs that would love to have him on their bench. As a result, it will be interesting to see where he ends up if he decides to move on from Como. For now, he seems focused on getting the Italian club into the Champions League.

The post Ex-Arsenal and Chelsea icon would be open to Tottenham move appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Hoping to find a route back into the Champions League spots on Saturday afternoon, Liverpool will welcome West Ham to Anfield this weekend. While Arne Slot’s camp might have already accepted that they will relinquish their Premier League crown this season, the English heavyweights have certainly turned a recent corner over the past six weeks […]

The post Liverpool vs West Ham Bet Builder Tips – 5/1 Premier League Special, Analysis & Predictions appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Liverpool vs West Ham Bet Builder Tips – 5/1 Premier League Special, Analysis & Predictions appeared first on Soccer News.

Well, Taiwan, being the center of the AI supply chain, faces a somewhat surprising problem, as according to local media, the nation's savings have soared to "historical records". Taiwan's Income Growth Is Driven By Commodity Exports Related to AI; Savings Have Now Reached Historic Levels When we talk about the influence of AI on global economics, Taiwan is one of the few nations that have seen an unprecedented rise in investment activity, driven by the fact that many elements of modern-day AI hardware are sourced from suppliers in the nation. TSMC, Foxconn, Quanta, and Wistron are among the few prominent […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/ai-demand-in-taiwan-brings-a-problem-everyone-is-eager-to-have/

Fallout 76's free Update 66 goes live across all platforms in a few days, on Tuesday, March 3. Dubbed "The Backwoods", it aims to revitalize world events and activities while also introducing an iconic Cryptic enemy, the Bigfoot. Ahead of the release, a few folks from Bethesda Game Studios provided a remote presentation to press (Wccftech included) and answered several questions in a roundtable format about The Backwoods and the game as a whole. In this article: Fallout 76 "The Backwoods" Update Overview The most sweeping change in the upcoming update is arguably the fundamental redesign of how events and […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/fallout-76-update-66-backwoods-bigfoot-party-crashers-event-overhaul/

Self-serve negative keyword lists are now live in Microsoft Advertising, according to Ads Liaison Navah Hopkins — giving advertisers long-requested control without submitting support tickets.

What’s happening. Advertisers can now create and manage shared negative keyword lists directly in the UI. Lists support up to 5,000 negative keywords (one per line) and can be applied at either the campaign or account level. Match types function the same way in Performance Max as they do in traditional Search campaigns.

• Lists can also be edited, exported as CSV files, or removed from campaigns as needed.
• Microsoft notes that match type formatting requires brackets for exact match and quotation marks for phrase match — not hyphens.

Why we care. Negative keywords are critical for filtering irrelevant traffic and protecting budgets. Making lists self-serve streamlines workflow, reduces reliance on support tickets, and gives advertisers faster control over search query exclusions.

The bottom line. Microsoft is handing more operational control back to advertisers — and eliminating friction in one of the most essential levers for campaign efficiency.

Dig deeper. How to add keywords that won’t trigger my ads (negative keywords)

Reported overall length of the Freelander E0V is above 5.1 meters, placing it in China's full-size six-seat SUV tier

The post Spied: Freelander reborn as Chery-built NEV brand breaks from JLR’s house of brands appeared first on CarNewsChina.com.

The post Bitcoin Drops to $65K Again as ETH, XRP and Solana Followed appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

The crypto market is falling again, down about 2% and now near $2.27 trillion. Bitcoin, the flagship cryptocurrency, has erased its recent gains and is down to $65,253. Ethereum fell 4% in the last 24 hours. 

Other altcoins, including XRP, Solana, Dogecoin, and Bitcoin Cash, also dropped between 5% and 18%.

So, what is pushing Bitcoin and Ethereum prices down today?

Hot U.S. PPI Data Triggers Selling

One major reason behind this drop is that the latest U.S. Producer Price Index (PPI) for January came in higher than expected. 

January’s PPI came in at 2.9% year-over-year, above the expected 2.6%. Core PPI rose to 3.6%, also higher than forecasts. This suggests inflation remains strong, reducing the chances of an early interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve. 

Higher rates usually make safer assets like bonds more attractive, pulling money away from riskier assets such as crypto.

Liquidations Hit Traders Hard

The sharp move caused heavy liquidations. Over 96,000 traders were wiped out in the past 24 hours, with total liquidations reaching around $260 million. 

Nearly 70% of these were long positions, meaning traders who were betting on higher prices were forced to close. Bitcoin alone saw around $90 million in liquidations, while Ethereum recorded about $86.5 million.

Bitcoin Set to Close February in the Red

Bitcoin has erased all the gains it made on February 26, when it briefly moved close to $70,000. Now, the month is ending on a weak note, with Bitcoin down nearly 16.75% in February.

This marks the first time in Bitcoin’s history that both January and February have closed in the red, with losses of around 10% and 16.75%.

If Bitcoin falls below the $62,553 level, it could retest the recent four-week low near $60,000.

Interestingly, on the positive side, history shows that Bitcoin has often bottomed around 23 months after its previous all-time high. We are now at that same 23-month mark.

Altcoins Follow Bitcoin’s Drop

Meanwhile, Ethereum has also moved lower, falling about 5.7% in the past 24 hours after failing to break its recent four-week high. 

Other major coins, including XRP, Solana, Dogecoin, and Bitcoin Cash, have recorded steeper losses between 5% and 18%. The broader market is clearly reacting to Bitcoin’s weakness.

The post Why Is Bitcoin Below $66,000 Despite Massive Whale Purchases? appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

On February 27, Bitcoin (BTC) was trading at $65,640, after failing to reclaim the $70K level two days ago. Its price is also below its 200-week exponential moving average (EMA) of $68,300, something that would trigger a historical additional bearish acceleration.

Source: X

Rise in Bitcoin bulk buys

As stated in its Q4, 2025 earnings report, fintech conglomerate Block Inc. (NYSE: XYZ) acquired an extra 340BTC in that quarter, bringing its total holdings to 8,883 BTC and making it the 14th largest publicly traded holder of Bitcoin globally. 

Meanwhile, the leading publicly traded holder of BTC, Strategy, just recently acquired 592 BTC, bringing its stash to a total of 717,722 BTC.

Institutionally, BlackRock led the recent $1.1 billion inflows to US spot Bitcoin ETFs, breaking a five-week outflow streak of $3.8 billion. More institutions are expected to join the crypto industry, following the implementation of the GENIUS Act.

Why is Bitcoin still showing negative price action?

Mid-term volatility in the crypto market is the product of new US import taxes and the US-Iran geopolitical tensions. Both have caused widespread capital rotation to safe havens like gold, which now trades at $5,250 per ounce (20% up since January 2026).

Heightened inflation in the US has raised expectations that the Federal Reserve will extend current interest rates, causing downward pressure on crypto assets.

Markets today recorded significant intraday volatility as $8.7 billion in Bitcoin and Ethereum options expired. Meanwhile, the “AI Scare Trade” has seen 50% of global venture capital redirected from cryptocurrencies to AI companies. The Jane Street alleged market manipulation saga has done little to help the market.

BTC price prediction

Historically, Bitcoin has always bottomed roughly 23 months after its last all-time high (ATH). Time is now due since its March 2024 ATH of $73K, suggesting future downward price action.

Kalshi prediction markets show an 85% chance that Bitcoin drops below $65,000, echoing current extreme fear market sentiment.

On the flip side, most analysts now propose an elongated cycle of BTC price appreciation, following a break in the coin’s traditional four-year boom-bust cycles.

Bing rewrote its webmaster guidelines to cover Copilot grounding, meta directive controls for AI answers, and a softened stance on AI-generated content.

The post Bing Adds GEO To Official Guidelines, Expands AI Abuse Definitions appeared first on Search Engine Journal.

Content warning: This article contains allegations of sexual assault.

The Atlanta Falcons have dismissed defensive line coach LaTroy Lewis from his role, the team announced on Friday. His dismissal follows an initial report from Darko State News stating that Lewis had been accused of rape following his time at the University of Michigan. 

The Ann Arbor Police Department also reportedly confirmed with ESPN that it is investigating sexual assault allegations against Lewis.

The Falcons stated that they were aware of the allegations and were in the process of gathering information before letting Lewis go on Friday. The team recently hired Lewis to work under new head coach Kevin Stefanski's coaching staff. 

Lewis was the defensive line coach at the University of Toledo in the 2025 season following his stint with the Wolverines.

This breaking news story will be updated.

The Buffalo Bills are keeping one of their core special teams players in Orchard Park, NY. Buffalo is re-signing safety Sam Franklin Jr. to a three-year contract worth up to $7.5 million, with $5 million coming in the first two seasons, per a source shared with ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

Franklin, who turned 30 on February 2, served primarily on special teams last season where he played on over 75% of the special team snaps, and his impact went well beyond the stat sheet. In a phase of the game that often swings field position and momentum, Franklin consistently played well, carving out a role as one of the unit’s most reliable contributors.

This is not a flashy newsreel move, but it is a foundational one. While Franklin may not headline defensive packages, his value lies in special teams. For the Bills, this signing reinforces a long-standing philosophy: special teams matter. Buffalo has consistently prioritized versatility and players who embrace the third-phase of football. Franklin fits that mold perfectly.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The NFL salary cap has topped $300 million for the first time, landing at $301.2 million in 2026 for a $22 million increase over last year.

The cap has increased 40% in just five years, since it dropped coming off the pandemic-altered 2020 season when few or no fans were allowed to attend games.

The numbers were sent to clubs Friday, and teams must be under the salary cap by March 11, the first day of the new league year.

Rapid growth has been expected since the COVID-19 season, and the biggest year-to-year increase of $31 million came from 2023 to 2024.

The cap dropped to $182 million in 2021 from $198 million going into the pandemic season. The increase has been at least $16 million each year since then, with an average increase of $24 million.

Total projected player costs, including benefits, are $378.8 million.

Wide receiver remains the second most lucrative franchise tag at $27.3 million. The quarterback tag is $43.9 million.

___

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

The players on the U.S. Olympic hockey teams don't deserve this.

Instead of simply being paraded in the Red, White and Blue, our two gold medal-winning hockey teams are being pilloried in the tiresome refrain of Red vs. Blue.

It needs to stop. Just celebrate these teams.

Team USA captain Auston Matthews shouldn't be returning to his NHL team in Toronto to questions about President Donald Trump’s geopolitical intentions related to Canada or columns questioning his loyalty to the Maple Leafs' playoff run, simply for going to the White House and the State of the Union address in Washington, D.C.

We should be celebrating the first Mexican-American to win an Olympic gold medal — against Canada, no less — not debating whether Maple Leafs fans will boo or cheer him in his first NHL game back.

Every one of Matthews' U.S. teammates shouldn't have to answer for President Donald Trump’s congratulatory locker-room phone call that included comments about the women’s team. They shouldn't be called a "clown" by Megan Rapinoe, and "Miracle on Ice" hero Mike Eruzione shouldn't feel compelled to blast the people criticizing the men's players.

We’ve forced our nation's Olympic heroes into the impossible position of having to pick a side in the culture war both major political parties allowed to foment over the past decade. These are hockey players who won gold medals at the Olympics, not statesmen returning from abroad. These are issues that go far beyond a president's phone call, or a State of the Union appearance.

OLYMPICS TV RATINGS: Men's hockey gold medal game sets unique viewership record

"The team that wins the Stanley Cup every year accepts the White House invitation to go," Matthews told reporters earlier this week. "I just think it's something that you do because we are proud Americans and whatever your political beliefs may be, hopefully something like this will bring more unity to the country. But for us, we believe it's a great honor no matter who is in office."

So much for bringing people together.

Blame Trump for bad joke, not Team USA

Is part of the problem that the current media landscape values controversy over nuance? You bet. What’s actually newsworthy too often takes a back seat to what’s trending. A standing ovation for Jack Hughes isn't just celebrated as a show of appreciation and patriotism anymore. It's viewed through the prism of left and right that overtook this hockey game over the past week.

But that’s not fair to these players, who really did nothing wrong other than, in a split-second, elect to laugh at a crude, unfunny joke the president never should have made when he called to congratulate them. It's hard for me to hold that against them, to allow it to diminish that they're the first U.S. men's hockey team in 46 years to win a gold medal at the Olympics.

Almost a week later, ever since Trump’s locker-room call set off an avalanche of opinions here and north of the border, it’s perhaps lost that this controversy boils down to one man’s failed attempt at humor.

Was he trying to crack a sexist joke by minimizing the women’s hockey team’s gold-medal accomplishment while telling the men’s team, “We're going to have to bring the women's team, you do know that?"

Or was he trying to get a laugh at the expense of Democrats when he added, "I do believe I probably would be impeached” if he didn’t invite the women’s team to the White House.

Never mind that it doesn't appear Trump ever called to congratulate the women's ice hockey team when it won a gold medal in overtime against Canada three days earlier. Neither comment he made to the men was appropriate. It was "distasteful," as women's hockey player Hilary Knight correctly put it.

But we’ve collectively spent the days since then somehow trying to make sure what Trump said to the U.S. men's hockey team lingers longer than what the U.S. men's hockey team pulled off in Milan.

See, this never was about whether the men's players should have gone to the White House, or to the State of the Union, to be fêted after an incredible accomplishment. Of course, they should have if they wanted.

This isn’t even about whether Trump should have called the men’s hockey team after its win. Of course, he should have if he wanted. U.S. Presidents have been making those sort of congratulatory calls for decades.

This is about a bad joke, and a group of hockey players who deserve better from us.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: USA hockey should be celebrated, not dragged in our culture wars

Not many people had a firm idea on who Oleksandr Usyk would face in his next scheduled fight, but I don’t think anyone had him pegged to be taking on former kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven. Today it was announced through Turki Alalshikh and Ring Magazine that ‘Glory in Giza’ will be headlined by the fight with the WBC heavyweight title on the line in Egypt, streaming live on DAZN on May 23.

“I truly respect people who reach the very top in their sport. Rico is one of them — a powerful athlete and a great champion. Being a champion isn’t just about belts” Usyk said in a press release statement. “It’s about years of hard work, discipline, and belief. I respect his journey — he’s truly the King of Kickboxing. But this is boxing — a different game, with its own rules and its own kings. I’m ready and really looking forward to meeting him in the ring. It’s going to be a unique experience for both of us, and I know the fans are excited too. A big night is coming!” 

His opponent Verhoeven shared these words.

“I spent twelve years as the undisputed heavyweight kickboxing champion and accomplished everything I set out to accomplish,” Verhoeven said. “But staying at the top for that long didn’t take away the hunger, it strengthened it. I wasn’t looking for comfort, so I started looking for the highest challenge available in another world. Usyk is undisputed in boxing. That’s the kind of challenge that motivates me. Undisputed versus undisputed. The best facing the best.”

More details on ticket information and the undercard is expected to be released in the coming weeks.

Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris and Wolves boss Rob Edwards both stood in solidarity with their players after two instances of racist abuse were reported on an “appalling” Premier League weekend.

Black Cats winger Romaine Mundle featured from the bench in the Black Cats' 3-1 defeat to Fulham on Sunday on a weekend that saw four separate cases of Premier League players receiving racist abuse and Le Bris reiterated the club's support for Mundle.

"What happened to Romaine is unacceptable, we stand with him," said Le Bris. "There is no room for racism or abuse in football or anywhere else. That's clear for us, we stand for respect, inclusion and diversity, these are the values of football and the values of the club, so it's clear."

Speaking about wider racially motivated incidents in football in recent months, he added: "I don't know really why but I repeat, we don't want to accept that.

"We have to have a clear position and I think it's the case here at Sunderland, we want to defend values and when someone, a group of people, want to threaten those values it's important to react."

Meanwhile, Wolves striker Tolu Arokodare was said to be “upset and angered” by the racism he was subjected to after Sunday’s defeat to Crystal Palace.

Arokodare missed a penalty in the 1-0 loss at Selhurst Park and subsequently received racist messages from several accounts.

Edwards said: "It's been a really difficult week for him. He was upset and angered by it, understandably so.

"We've supported him, and I've had a few individual chats with him, we've spoken about it as a group as well, to make sure that we get around him and support."

Police confirmed they are investigating a spate of online abuse directed at Premier League footballers last week, with authorities issuing a stark warning to offenders that they cannot “hide behind their keyboards”.

Kick It Out, the British-based anti-discrimination charity, reiterated its demand for social media platforms to take more robust action against such behaviour.

"This has been an appalling weekend after four players called out the racist abuse they’ve received on social media. But the sad fact is, we know it happens regularly," the organisation said.

"The message from them is loud and clear: action must follow. Players cannot be expected to tolerate this behavior, and nor should anyone else."

The Premier League also condemned the abuse, stating: "There are serious consequences for anybody found guilty of discrimination and we will offer our full support with their investigations. Football is for everyone — there is no room for racism."

Additional reporting from PA

Lauri Markkanen has been a lone bright spot in another bleak season for the Utah Jazz, but the former Arizona forward will now be missing in action for at least a few weeks.

An MRI showed that Markkanen has symptomatic hip impingement with associated inflammation and bone bruise, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Markkanen also twisted his right ankle in a Wednesday practice, sources told Charania.

Markkanen will miss at least two weeks while he recovers from the hip injury. The timing of the injury comes as the Jazz face scrutiny over alleged tanking.

The NBA recently fined the franchise $500,000 for removing Markannen and Jaren Jackson Jr. before the start of the fourth quarter in two recent games. Jackson Jr. has since undergone left knee surgery and will miss the remainder of the season.

Markkanen is averaging a career-high 26.7 points per game with 6.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists. He is in his fourth season with the Jazz. Markkanen has three years left on his contract.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Boogie Fland will have friends in every direction on the court Saturday night when No. 7 Florida hosts 20th-ranked Arkansas.

Fland, who played for the Razorbacks last season, will have his current coaches and teammates on one bench and his former coaches and teammates on the other.

“It’s going to be very special to share a court with them again,” Fland said Friday. “It was definitely circled on my calendar, just coming from there and being from there.”

Fland hopes it goes better than his previous reunion game, a loss in early December against UConn in New York City. Fland bought about a hundred tickets for friends and family to attend his homecoming and then had eight points, one rebound, one assist and no steals in 22 minutes before fouling out.

“Just keep doing what I’m doing and keep doing what we’re doing,” he said. “It’s another game, honestly. Just has different meaning.”

Florida (22-6, 13-2 Southeastern Conference) can clinch at least a share of the league's regular-season title with a victory. A win against Arkansas (21-7, 11-4) coupled with Tennessee beating Alabama would give the Gators the outright crown for the first time since 2014.

That’s the motivation Florida coach Todd Golden wants his guys focused on instead of Fland trying to beat his former team.

“It’s not about Boogie. It’s not about his matchup with Arkansas,” Golden said. “This is the two best teams in the league right now competing on ESPN with ‘GameDay’ here. There is a lot more to play for."

Fland will draw arguably the toughest assignment on the floor: trying to slow down star freshman Darius Acuff Jr., who leads the league in scoring and assists.

Acuff is looking to join Hall of Famer Pete Maravich as the second in SEC history to lead the league in those two categories in a single season. Acuff, who dropped 49 points in a double-overtime loss at Alabama last weekend, is averaging 22.2 points and 6.2 assists.

Fland, meanwhile, ranks second in the league with 56 steals.

“Very polished,” Fland said of Acuff. “Respect him, but you fear none. Got to go in there with the right mentality, just go out there and do it.”

Fland averaged 13.5 points, 5.1 assists and 3.2 rebounds in 21 games with Arkansas last season. He missed two months following wrist surgery and landed in Gainesville after going through the NBA draft process.

He was a big-money acquisition for the defending national champion Gators, a do-it-all point guard who was expected to help replace All-American Walter Clayton Jr.

But Fland has endured shooting woes all season — he is hitting a paltry 21% from 3-point range — and ended up reshaping his approach to become more of a facilitator than a force.

He has been one of the best perimeter defenders in the league all season, highlighted by an eight-steal performance in a lopsided victory against then-No. 23 Alabama earlier this month.

He found a bit of his long-range touch the last two games, knocking down three 3s at Ole Miss and two more at Texas. He made as many treys in those wins as he did in his previous 14 outings combined.

He hasn’t had multiple 3s in three consecutive games all season, a feat he will try to accomplish in front of his former coach, John Calipari, and close buddies Trevon Brazile, Nick Pringle, Billy Richmond and others.

“This all started out as a game that we love to play,” Fland said. “I feel like nowadays, you can’t make it more than that. Obviously, it is. But it’s still just a game that we love to play, and we’ve got to treat it as that.”

It’s the third time in two years the Gators have been involved in a similar reunion: they beat former Florida guard Riley Kugel and Mississippi State in 2025 and knocked off former guard Denzel Aberdeen and Kentucky two weeks ago.

“Welcome to college basketball in 2026,” Golden said. “It’s a thing, going up against your former school and where you started your career, but it can’t be the main thing. ... It’s human nature. There are going to be emotions. But it can’t be something that is at the front of our minds as we play the game.”

___

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Rob Edwards has said his decision to take Tolu Arokodare out of the Wolves team for Friday night’s Midlands derby against Aston Villa was “purely tactical” after the Nigerian forward suffered racial abuse in their last outing.

Arokodare was one of four separate instances of racism across an “appalling” weekend in the Premier League last week, with the striker missing a penalty in Wolves’ 1-0 loss at Selhurst Park and subsequently receiving racist messages from several accounts.

Edwards stood in solidarity with his player in his pre-match press conference on Thursday, saying that Arokodare was “upset and angered” by the incident.

And for the visit of third-place Villa, Arokodare was named on the bench for the first time since mid-January, having started each of Wolves’ last five Premier League outings.

The Wolves boss, however, insisted that this was not for reasons concerning his wellbeing in relation to the abuse, saying: "It was purely tactical.

“He will be on the pitch tonight and I really hope he will affect the game. He didn't start the last game against Arsenal and then really affected it when he came on, so looking forward to the same from him again."

Police confirmed they were investigating a spate of online abuse directed at Premier League footballers last week, with authorities issuing a stark warning to offenders that they cannot “hide behind their keyboards”.

Kick It Out, the British-based anti-discrimination charity, reiterated its demand for social media platforms to take more robust action against such behaviour.

"This has been an appalling weekend after four players called out the racist abuse they’ve received on social media. But the sad fact is, we know it happens regularly," the organisation said.

"The message from them is loud and clear: action must follow. Players cannot be expected to tolerate this behavior, and nor should anyone else."

The Premier League also condemned the abuse, stating: "There are serious consequences for anybody found guilty of discrimination and we will offer our full support with their investigations. Football is for everyone — there is no room for racism."

Cadillac's Formula 1 racecar will have a legendary name pushing it forward: Mario Andretti.

The American F1 team said Friday it's naming its first chassis the "MAC-26" -- the Mario Andretti Chassis 2026 --honoring the 1978 World Champion.

"Naming our first chassis MAC-26 reflects the spirit Mario carried into Formula 1 and the belief than an American team belongs on this stage," Cadillac F1 CEO Dan Towriss said. "His story embodies the American dream and inspires how we approach building this team every day."

Andretti, who won 12 Grands Prix, said: "Racing has been the joy of my life. It is the ultimate compliment that the Cadillac Formula 1 team sees those years as meaningful and worthy of recording with this honor. I cherish the opportunity that this gives me to have a lasting bond with F1 and am genuinely appreciative of everyone who continues to acknowledge my part in racing history."

Cadillac joins the grid this year as the 11th team, launching next weekend at the Australian Grand Prix. Mario Andretti was crucial to the US team's efforts after his son Michael's team was shot down by Formula 1 officials. Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas will drive for Cadillac this season, which is running Ferrari engines until its own powertrain program launches.

The Las Vegas Raiders have plenty of avenues they can go down with the 36th overall pick of the 2026 NFL draft, partially because the defense has plenty of holes that need to be filled. One of the Raiders’ biggest needs is at safety, putting Oregon’s Dillon Thieneman on general manager John Spytek’s radar.

Conveniently, Thieneman currently ranks 36th overall and as the third-best safety in the draft class on NFL Mock Draft Database’s consensus big board (as of Feb. 24), putting him in a good spot to head to Las Vegas. Also, the former Duck would bring some much-needed versatility to the Raiders’ secondary.

Thieneman was primarily a free safety during his first two college seasons at Purdue. However, after transferring to Oregon, he recorded a career-high 434 snaps in the box during the past campaign, while still playing nearly 250 snaps on the back end of the defense, according to Pro Football Focus. Additionally, he lined up over the slot for another 118 snaps.

So, beyond having experience playing multiple positions on defense, what could the former Boilermaker and Duck bring to Las Vegas? Let’s flip on the tape and find out.

Playing more strong safety in 2025 allowed Thieneman to stand out more as a run defender, recording a 75.9 PFF run defense grade and 18 ‘defensive stops’ against the run. The latter was tied for fifth among Big Ten safeties, and the clip above is a good example of how that figure came to be.

Oregon used this defensive formation a lot, where Thieneman is about six to seven yards off the line of scrimmage and in the A-gap, almost playing more like a deep middle linebacker. That can help a defender get the full picture of the offense’s play call, allowing his instincts to shine through.

Once Thieneman recognizes USC is running a halfback dive to the wide side of the field, he starts to creep down toward the line of scrimmage. However, rather than crashing downhill with reckless abandon, he’s measured to avoid getting caught in the trash and running into a block. That gives him more space to operate and make the guard miss. Considering the safety is at about a 110-pound disadvantage in that matchup, that’s a smart decision.

From there, Thieneman makes a nice form tackle, using a wide base and good knee bend to get low while wrapping up on contact, stopping the running back’s momentum and limiting the offense to a short game. Granted, that doesn’t come without some help, as being a more forceful tackler is one area of improvement for the former Duck. But the biggest reason this is a positive play for the defense is that its safety provided excellent run support.

This time, Thieneman is on the backend of the defense and lined up over the slot. His football IQ is on display pre-snap, directing traffic when the Trojans shift their two tight ends out wide and pointing out the jet sweep as soon as wide receiver and projected first-round pick Makai Lemon starts to motion across the formation.

But this isn’t just pure jet sweep from USC. It’s an inverted veer where the quarterback has the option to keep the ball and run off left tackle on the power run that the offensive line is blocking for. So, the safety stays inside the hash mark to protect against the quarterback run until he sees the handoff. Once the exchange happens, Thieneman crashes downhill and has the speed to meet Lemon at the line of scrimmage, making a nice open-field tackle for no gain.

This is a great example of a deep defender providing run support to make an impact play.

This is pretty similar to contributing as a run defender. Another element of the Oregon product’s game that stands out is his ability to defend screens, and the rep above combines a few elements from the last two clips.

Thieneman lines up in the same strong safety/deep MLB alignment seen previously, as Penn State motions the tight end to the wide side of the field and throws a swing pass to the running back. Meanwhile, Thieneman starts to cheat to the tight end pre-snap and immediately flows toward the sideline post-snap. Then, he makes a move to defeat the wide receiver’s block and be in a position to make the tackle on the running back, preventing a one-on-one situation between the running back and deep safety in the open field.

Granted, this is another example of Thieneman giving up extra yards after contact, which is going to be an issue at the next level, especially against running backs. But defensive coordinators can trust him to be in the right spot and make tackles, recording just nine misses at an 8.3 percent rate last season, per PFF. It’s just a matter of adding some extra size and strength if he’s going to be playing in the box frequently in the NFL.

We’ll take a look at another screen here, and this time, our subject comes from depth to save the defense from potentially giving up an explosive play.

It looks like the Ducks are running Cover 4, putting Thieneman 15 yards past the line of scrimmage when the ball is thrown. Once he recognizes the screen, the safety crashes downhill and pursues to the football. The latter is a basic fundamental but ends up being crucial on this rep since the cornerback misses the tackle.

Luckily, Thieneman takes a good angle to cut off the wide receiver and makes the open-field tackle to keep this play to a relatively short gain. Had he loafed and not been in the right spot, this would have been at least a first down and a potential touchdown. But the safety does his job and keeps the defense in a position to get off the field.

Moving on to a couple of coverage reps against downfield passes, the former Duck’s sure tackling continues to shine.

Penn State does gain nine yards on this play, but that’s primarily due to a good play call against Oregon’s defense. They’re in Cover 7 (a variation of Cover 3 with man-match principles), where the two defensive backs are playing with outside leverage to funnel the receivers toward the middle of the field. However, the Nittany Lions run play action where the offensive line and running back sell an outside toss toward the short side of the field, getting the linebackers to step toward the line of scrimmage and away from the drag route from the outside receiver.

As a result, the drag is wideopen for an easy pitch and catch. But Thieneman recognizes that, immediately crashes downhill from a single-high alignment and makes a great tackle to prevent yards after the catch and a first down. Facing a 2nd and one, the defense is still in an adverse situation, but it at least has a chance to get off the field with a couple of short-yardage stops thanks to its safety.

We’ll wrap up with the best play Thieneman made last season, in my opinion.

It’s overtime and Penn State needs to score to keep the game alive. They dial up a play-action pass, and the safety starts to crash downhill on the run fake. However, he uses that to his advantage by continuing to move toward the line of scrimmage well after the quarterback pulls the ball from the running back, baiting the quarterback into the throw.

Once the quarterback starts his throwing motion, Thieneman hits the brakes and pivots toward the sideline to close the gap against the tight end on a wheel route. Finally, he shows off some athleticism by going up and high-pointing the ball in the air to come down with a game-winning interception and pull off the big win on the road.

This play also had ramifications for the rest of the season. It was Penn State’s first loss, eventually leading to James Franklin getting fired as head coach, and helped propel Oregon into a 13-2 record and a run in the College Football Playoffs. Talk about making an impact!

It looks like WrestleMania 42 this coming April will have an earlier start time than expected.

On Thursday, WWE sent a mass email to its ticket holders which stated that WrestleMania 42 will begin at 2:30 p.m. Pacific, a change that has also been announced on the company's website. Following the new update, Wrestling Observer's Bryan Alvarez provided more information about the time change on social media, explaining that in-ring action for WrestleMania will not begin until 3:00 p.m. local time. The event was initially scheduled to start at 4:00 p.m.

Interestingly, the time change comes just two days after WWE revealed that NXT Stand & Deliver will not transpire over WrestleMania weekend like usual, as the event will instead take place from The Factory in Chesterfield, Missouri on Saturday, April 4. Since 2022, NXT Stand & Deliver has been held on the Saturday afternoon of WrestleMania weekend in the same host city of the promotion's biggest show of the year. A potential reason for the change could be the 10:00 a.m Pacific start time for last year's event, which resulted in talent frustration with their call time being in the early hours of the morning.

So far, Roman Reigns versus CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship and Liv Morgan versus Stephanie Vaquer for the Women's World Title are the only matches confirmed for WrestleMania, but some more matches should be added to the card following this weekend's Elimination Chamber. Additionally, WrestleMania plans are currently said to be "up in the air" due to poor ticket sales, leading there to be uncertainty regarding the creative direction for the event.

Read more: 30 Best Wrestlers Under 30 In 2025, Ranked By Wrestling Inc.

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