These sorts of bans are often celebrated by the Counter-Strike community, because, aside from interfering with the CS2 skin and key market, farming accounts generally have a negative effect on gameplay, either throwing matches by being AFK in-game or by having the match played by bots. After revealing the ban wave, Magal encourages players to report farming bans by email (csgoteamfeedback@valvesoftware.com).
According to the affidavit, the FBI sought information during a probe into a threatening message received by Alexis Wilkins, the girlfriend of FBI Director Kash Patel. The email, sent from the address peaty_terms_1o@icloud.com, reads, "Do you know how happy I'll be when your c**t ass face is canoed by an...
Build fast, beautiful, fully customizable websites without subscriptions, lock-in, or cloud-based limitations. Zero One turns Kirby CMS into a powerful self-hosted website builder, giving you the freedom, privacy, and control that SaaS platforms can’t offer. It includes a visual layout builder, form builder, header and footer builder, SEO tools, GDPR features, multilingual support, AI-ready integrations, and a flexible design system. Whether you're a freelancer, agency, or privacy-focused business, Zero One lets you create modern, scalable websites you can host anywhere with no monthly fees and no vendor lock-in.
NoteGPT is an AI learning assistant for students, educators, professionals, and creators. It converts YouTube videos, lectures, meetings, and PDFs into concise notes and summaries, generates flashcards, and lets you chat with models like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and DeepSeek. Use transcription, PDF translation, and writing helpers to research and draft faster. You can create podcasts with text-to-speech and voice cloning, and design or edit images for slides and visuals. It is available on web and Chrome with strong privacy safeguards.
Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao (CZ) has cautioned the public against trusting persons claiming to manage cryptocurrency project listings on Binance.
These scammers offer to list crypto projects on Binance, claiming to work for the company or to be acquintances/ friends of CZ.
The executive distanced himself from such persons, saying he intends on blacklisting them in an effort to promote the security of user funds.
You can safely assume anyone who claims to be able to help you list your project on Binance (CEX) is a SCAMMER, especially if they say they know CZ or is a good friend, etc.
99.999% of the time, I don't know them. If I do, I will put them on a blacklist. Stay SAFU!
CZ impostor warning comes amid rise in crypto scams
Crypto-related fraud and theft rose from $12 billion in 2024 to an all-time high of $14-$17 billion in 2025. The methods of attack encompassed:
Social engineeringm which accounted for 65% of all crypto scams and was more prevalent than technical exploits.
AI-powered scams (deepfakes and automated phishing) which achieved 4.5 times higher profitability than traditional methods. Deepfakes impersonating exchange executives and celebrities rose by 700% in 2025.
Impersonation scams which grew by a staggering 1,400% year over year.
Retailers accounted for 74% of all losses, while persons over 60 years of age suffered the highest losses at $3.2 billion.
In January 2026, financial losses related to crypto fraud reached $370 million, the highest monthly total in nearly a year.
Recently, crypto and blockchain investigator ZachXBT flagged more than 10 coordinated X accounts that manufactured panic in order to drive followers to crypto scams. Known as “doomposting,” the exploit netted at least six-figure profits before X suspended these accounts.
1/ I uncovered a coordinated network of 10+ accounts manufacturing viral panic about war and politics to drive traffic to crypto scams.
Strategy: >Purchase accounts with followers >Doompost multiple times per day >Repost content from alt accounts >Promote fake giveaway or scam… pic.twitter.com/uMjCSQUzwp
Community reaction ranged from support to questioning CZ’s goodwill following allegations of Iran-linked flows and money laundering on Binance.
Just today, the Australian Federal Court fined the exchage A$10 million for client misclassification that led to A$8.66 million in trading losses.
Government action
Brazil has now announced its intentions to direct the proceeds of crypto-related crimes to its national treasury to fund public projects and establish strategic reserves. Nations implementing similar agendas include the US, the UK, China, and North Korea.
While Bitcoin sits near $70,000 and many investors are questioning whether they missed the rally, macro investor Lawrence Lepard is making a bullish case: the biggest move is still ahead, and the window to buy cheap is closing fast.
Buy the Dip or Regret It
Lepard’s message to anyone sitting on the sidelines is clear. “Think of it the way you think of food. Filet mignon is on sale, you go buy it,” he said. “If you can buy Bitcoin at $70,000, that is great.” For long-term investors, the current price is not a warning sign. It is an opportunity.
He manages money on a multi-year timeframe and says he has high confidence that Bitcoin reaches $200,000, driven not by speculation but by the structural collapse of the dollar’s purchasing power.
The Fed Is Printing Again
The trigger for Lepard’s thesis is already in motion. The Federal Reserve has quietly returned to money printing, currently running at $40 billion per month, what analyst Lyn Alden has called the “gradual print.” While it is not the trillions printed during COVID, Lepard believes it is the beginning of a much larger wave.
“The next print will be bigger than the last one,” he warned. With the US deficit running at over $2 trillion annually and a war adding hundreds of billions more, he sees no path forward that does not involve significantly more money creation.
Dollar Losing Reserve Status
Lepard draws a direct parallel to Britain’s Suez moment, the point at which the pound lost its global dominance. He believes the US dollar is experiencing the same slow-motion collapse, accelerated by geopolitical conflict and fiscal irresponsibility.
“If you are saving money, you have to save in things the government cannot print,” he said plainly.
Bitcoin Over Gold
While Lepard is bullish on both Bitcoin and gold, he sees Bitcoin as the better buy at current levels, with greater upside potential as institutional adoption accelerates and available supply continues to shrink through ETF lockups and long-term holding.
His timeline for the broader system to face a breaking point: somewhere in the next 12 to 18 months. The avalanche, he says, is already built. Nobody knows which snowflake triggers it.
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has made one of his boldest public predictions yet, telling an audience at FII Priority that the CLARITY Act will pass by the end of May 2026, and that the stablecoin payment revolution is no longer a question of if but when.
“People Are Exhausted. That Is When They Finally Compromise”
Garlinghouse was candid about the state of crypto legislation in Washington. Speaking about the CLARITY Act, which is designed to define what counts as a security and what counts as a commodity in the digital asset world, he acknowledged the bill has moved slower than expected, largely because banks have reopened debates around how stablecoin yields and rewards should work.
But he is not pessimistic. Two days before the interview, he was in Washington meeting with key figures involved in the legislative process, and what he heard gave him confidence.
“The person I trust on how the sausage is made said when people are their most exhausted and most annoyed, that is when they finally compromise,” Garlinghouse said with a laugh. “I think we are there. I will predict by the end of May we will get something across.”
A Night and Day Difference From the Biden Era
Garlinghouse pointed to a landmark moment that has already changed the landscape dramatically. Nine days before the interview, the SEC and CFTC jointly confirmed that 16 digital assets are commodities, a move that would have been unthinkable under the previous administration.
“Think about the contrast between that and the Biden war on crypto that drove it offshore in the United States,” he said. “We have already made huge progress in this administration to provide structure and clarity.”
He also credited the GENIUS Act, passed last summer, as a major turning point that unlocked real corporate interest in stablecoins. Fortune 2000 CEOs and CFOs are now actively asking whether their companies should be using stablecoins, a conversation that simply was not happening at scale before.
The Stablecoin Wave Is Coming and It Is Coming Fast
On the broader question of where crypto goes next, Garlinghouse was direct. He referenced predictions made by some of the biggest names in traditional finance, including Stanley Druckenmiller, who said all payments will be done through stablecoins by 2030, and BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, who has predicted all assets will eventually be tokenised.
“I do not think they are too far off,” said fellow panelist Zach, who was seated alongside Garlinghouse. “This is just an improved system to what currently exists.”
Garlinghouse closed with a line that summed up his entire outlook in a single sentence, borrowing from a well-known framework: “People overestimate what happens in five years and underestimate what happens in 10 years.
What This Means for XRP and Ripple
For Ripple specifically, Garlinghouse said that the company does not have a strong vested interest in the stablecoin yield debate that has slowed the CLARITY Act down. Ripple launched its own stablecoin RLUSD and has positioned itself as payments infrastructure rather than a yield product. That gives Ripple a relatively neutral seat at the table while the banks and crypto platforms fight over the rewards question.
With the CLARITY Act potentially weeks away from a Senate vote, and Garlinghouse putting his personal credibility behind an end of May timeline, the next few weeks could define the regulatory future of the entire US crypto industry.
T-Mobile customers in the United States will now have to pay slightly more if they decide to return their smartphones, including popular Samsung Galaxy devices. The carrier has quietly increased its restocking fees across all device categories, adding an extra $5 compared to previous rates.
As one of the largest wireless providers in the country, T-Mobile offers customers a return window for devices they no longer wish to keep. However, like other major carriers, it applies a restocking fee to discourage unnecessary returns and to offset logistical costs.
Under the updated policy, devices priced at $600 or more, mainly flagship models such as the Samsung Galaxy S26 or the latest foldable phones, will now require a $75 restocking fee. Previously, this fee was $70.
Mid-range devices priced between $300 and $599 will now have a $50 fee, up from $45. While budget devices under $300 will cost $25 to return, compared to the earlier $20.
Although the increase is relatively small, it still represents an additional cost for customers who may change their minds after purchasing a device. Restocking fees are to discourage returns based on minor preferences.
Despite the fee, customers are still eligible to receive a refund for the device, minus the restocking charge. This policy ensures that while consumers have flexibility, the carrier is compensated for handling returned products.
Pi Network price is stalling near $0.18 as bearish models flag a possible drop toward $0.14, even as mainnet upgrades, a DEX launch and a Consensus 2026 push aim to anchor real‑world Web3 use. Pi Network’s PI (PI) token, the…
JUST price is consolidating around $0.058 after an RSI 80+ spike, as a $21m Q1 buyback‑and‑burn plan, new Bitkub listing and rising TRON DeFi usage test how far the deflation trade can run. JUST’s (JST) governance token JST, which underpins…
Shelly could be about to release its new Presence Gen4 sensor. Unveiled several months ago, this smart home product supports Zigbee and Matter, and offers a wide range of customization options.
Higher PS5 and PS5 Pro prices have rocked the industry and strained already depleted budgets. Even so, one analyst predicts the Switch 2 may not be an affordable alternative for long. Nintendo and Xbox consoles are facing a stubborn memory shortage and challenges due to the Iran conflict.
Citizen’s EO2023-00W Promaster Dive is finally making its way to the US market. It brings with it a color-shifting dial, a unidirectional bezel, and the same reliable, solar-powered functionality the line is known for.
LG has now released its latest 17-inch laptop across China and Japan. Scheduled to receive a global launch later this year, the Gram Pro 17 combines a 2.5K display with up to 32 GB of RAM, Panther Lake processors and a 77 Wh battery inside a housing that weighs less than 1.4 kg.
LG has finally expanded its 14-inch laptop offering with models featuring Intel's Panther Lake platform. Supposedly lasting up to 3 hours longer than their AMD Gorgon Point counterparts, LG's new Gram 14 laptops still weigh just over 1 kg and can be configured with up to 32 GB of RAM.
LG has started selling new 16-inch laptops with AMD Gorgon Point and Intel Panther Lake processors. Featuring a new Aerominum composite body, the Gram Pro 16 has reached China and Japan with optional 120 Hz OLED displays and a 77 Wh battery across all SKUs before an eventual global release.
Epic Games Store has confirmed its game giveaway plans for early April 2026. Reverting to one title, the storefront has decided to offer a slice-em-up brawler with online multiplayer and cross-platform support.
Deal | One can currently add five games to their Epic Games library for free. Available to claim for a short time in some cases, the new freebies span Android, iOS, macOS and Windows. Havendock, Hyper Echelon, Lucky Goal, Symmetry and The Wreck giveaways end at different times.
A retailer has revealed an alleged global release date for the long-awaited DJI Osmo Pocket 4. Not only that, but the same retailer has also shared evidence to suggest that DJI has already shipped retail units globally.
Tesla doesn't have a full-size family SUV at the moment, but it may be thinking of adding one to its portfolio due to popular demand. The Model Y L won't cut it, it seems, especially in the US, where 3-row SUVs are much larger.
Ayaneo has announced that it will be making production and price changes to some of its handhelds. While some devices will cost more, others like the Pocket S Mini and the Pocket Vert will no longer be available to buy once current stock is depleted.
A few days ago, the upcoming Honor 600 and Honor 600 Pro leaked in official-looking renders, and in the meantime the former was also spotted on Geekbench rocking the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 SoC.
Now, Honor has officially started teasing the duo in Malaysia, where it's put up a special microsite for their upcoming launch. Three themes are teased as you can see in the images below: "Next Design", "Next AI", and "Next-Gen Camera".
Honor 600 series teaser images
The design is, according to the aforementioned leaked renders, heavily inspired by the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max,...
Apple is now sending Lock Screen notifications to iPhones and iPads running older versions of iOS and iPadOS to alert users of web-based attacks and urge them to install the update.
The development was first reported by MacRumors.
"Apple is aware of attacks targeting out-of-date iOS software, including the version on your iPhone. Install this critical update to protect your iPhone," the
England and Uruguay face off in a friendly at Wembley Stadium. Stay with us for minute-by-minute coverage!
England and Uruguay meet at Wembley Stadium this Friday. It is one of the most intriguing friendlies of the FIFA March break, pitting one of Europe’s top national teams against a consistently competitive South American side.
Both teams advanced smoothly through qualification for the 2026 World Cup. The Three Lions dominated their group in the European Qualifiers, winning all of their matches, while Uruguay established a solid system under the guidance of coach Marcelo Bielsa.
Thomas Tuchel will use this match as an opportunity to give certain players a chance to compete for a spot on the final 26-man roster representing England this summer in North America.
Friday’s game is the first of two matches each national team will play during the March international break. Next Tuesday, England will face Japan, while Uruguay take on Algeria on the same day.
England's Marcus Rashford and Uruguay's Federico Valverde.
The projected lineups for the international friendly Morocco vs Ecuador.
The week in sport is dedicated to national teams as the international break continues. In this case, Morocco play a friendly against Ecuador at 4:15 PM ET at Riyadh Air Metropolitano, Atletico Madrid’s stadium.
Morocco have been in the headlines lately because of a huge scandal around the Africa Cup of Nations, which they lost in the final to Senegal. However, the Confederation of African Football gave them the title after they appealed because their rival had abandoned the field.
Ecuador were the most solid team in the South American qualifiers, allowing the fewest goals with five in 18 matches. That put them in second place in the standings and secured qualification comfortably.
Morocco vs Ecuador lineups
Mohamed Ouahbi may set this lineup in his first match as manager after Walid Regragui’s firing: Yassine Bounou; Achraf Hakimi, Issa Diop, Chadi Riad, Noussair Mazraoui; Azzedine Ounahi, Neill El Aynaoui, Ismael Saibari; Brahim Diaz, Ayoub El Kaabi, Abde Ezzalzouli.
Ouahbi replaced Regragui as Morocco’s manager (Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images for UEFA)
Sebastián Beccacece may set this lineup: Hernán Galíndez; Ángelo Preciado, Joel Ordóñez, Piero Hincapié, Pervis Estupiñán; Moisés Caicedo, Alan Franco, Kendry Páez; Gonzalo Plata, Enner Valencia, Bryan Ramírez.
Morocco and Ecuador groups in the World Cup
These teams have good expectations for the World Cup, where they will be in the following groups: Morocco are in Group C with Brazil, Scotland and Haiti, while Ecuador are in Group E with Ivory Coast, Curaçao and Germany.
Morocco and Ecuador play an international friendly
SK hynix’s potential U.S. listing could raise $10-$14 billion to help it build more capacity, encourage others to follow, and end the 'RAMmageddon' memory shortage.
The European Union's top executive body has confirmed a cyberattack after hackers reportedly stole reams of data from the European Commission's cloud storage.
Fenerbahçe'de Domenico Tedesco bilmecesi çözülüyor mu? 1907 Derneği'nde camiaya seslenen Alman teknik adam, gelecek sezonun planlarını şimdiden hazırladı. Şampiyonlar Ligi hedefinden transfer listesine kadar kritik açıklamalarda bulunan Tedesco'nun sözleri "gelecek sezon devam edileceği yönünde sözler verilmiş" şeklinde yorumlandı.
Fenerbahçe teknik direktörü Domenico Tedesco, 1907 Derneği’nde gerçekleştirilen toplantıda camiaya umut dolu mesajlar verdi. Sanki gelecek sezon kalması garantiymiş gibi 2026-27 sezonuna dair çarpıcı detaylar paylaştı. Milli ara sonrası çok daha güçlü bir Fenerbahçe izletme sözü veren Alman teknik adam, hedeflerini ve oyun planını açık yüreklilikle anlattı.
- Fenerbahçe ile yola devam etmek istiyorum. Şampiyonlar Ligi'nde yer almak en büyük hedeflerimden biri. Sezon öncesi kampını ve transfer sürecini bu takımın başında geçirmek, önümüzdeki sezona damga vuracak kadroyu ve oyunu hazırlamak istiyorum.
SANTRFORU TALISCA OLACAK
Takımın son dönemdeki performansına da değinen Alman, savunma zafiyetlerini gidermek için yoğun mesai harcadıklarını belirtti. Son üç antrenmanın tamamen defans bölgesi ve gol yememe üzerine kurulu olduğunu vurgulayan Tedesco, hücum hattındaki planını ise şu sözlerle açıkladı:
- Benim oyun planımda ana santrforum Talisca. Cherif de oldukça potansiyelli bir oyuncu ve ondan da en iyi şekilde yararlanacağız.
ASIL SINAV BEŞİKTAŞ
Tedesco’nun özgüven dolu açıklamaları taraftarı heyecanlandırsa da spor kamuoyunda temkinli bir bekleyiş hakim. Özellikle Karagümrük maçındaki performans sonrası eleştiri oklarının hedefi olan Alman teknik adamın kaderini, önündeki zorlu fikstür belirleyecek. Tedesco için asıl sınav, milli ara sonrası çıkacağı Beşiktaş derbisi ve Türkiye Kupası’nda finale yükselme mücadelesi olacak.
Galatasaray'ın Uruguaylı yıldızı Lucas Torreira katıldığı yayında dikkat çeken açıklamalarda bulundu. Torreira, Beşiktaş maçlarında sürekli kırmızı kart gördüklerini söyledi.
Galatasaray'ın Uruguaylı yıldızı Lucas Torreira, vatandaşı Guille Parado'nun canlı yayınına katıldı. Torreira dikkat çeken açıklamalarda bulundu.
Lucas Torreira, Beşiktaş maçlarında sürekli kırmızı kart görmelerine isyan etti. Uruguaylı futbolcu, eksik kaldıklarında savunmaya daha çok dikkat ettiklerini söyledi.
"Bir kişi eksik kaldığımızda bazen en iyi savunmayı yapıyoruz. Daha çok kenetleniyoruz. Beşiktaş maçında da oldu. Yine bizden bir kişi atıldı. Zaten son 3 yıldır neredeyse her maç bir kişi atılıyor bizden. Bazen 11’e 11 oynarken bu kadar savunma yapmıyorsun."
Dünyanın en iyi futbolcularını kendine göre sıralayan Lucas Torreira, "Fede Valverde, Victor Osimhen ve Kylian Mbappe şuan dünyanın en iyi oyuncuları" dedi.
Lucas Torreira ayrıca Galatasaray'ın Avrupa'da son takımı olacağını söyledi.
"Galatasaray'ın Avrupa'daki son kulübüm olacağını düşünüyorum. Başka bir yere gitmek istemiyorum. Kulübe, hocaya büyük bir saygı ve minnet duyuyorum çünkü her zaman bana güvendiler ve arkamda durdular."
Galatasaray'da 4. sezonunu geçiren Lucas Torreira, 3 Süper Lig, Türkiye Kupası ve Süper Kupa şampiyonlukları yaşadı. Sarı kırmızılılarda 168 maçta forma giyen 30 yaşındaki futbolcu, 10 gol atarken, 16 asist yaptı.
Maaş krizinden Icardi'nin ihtarnamesine kadar ortaya atılan iddialar gerçeği yansıtıyor mu? Sarı-kırmızılı yönetim, UEFA'ya sunulacak "borçsuzluk kağıdı" öncesi tüm taşları yerine oturtuyor. İmaj hakları detayı ve yönetimden gelen "tezgah" çıkışının perde arkası çok dikkat çekiyor. İşte Galatasaray'da yaşanan son gelişmeler...
Galatasarayyönetimi, 30 Mart tarihinde UEFA’ya sunulacak olan "borçsuzluk kağıdı" için tüm hazırlıklarını tamamladı. Kulüp kaynaklarından alınan bilgilere göre, sarı-kırmızılıların Avrupa kupalarına katılımı veya lisans alması önünde herhangi bir finansal engel bulunmuyor. Son günlerde Mauro Icardi’nin kulübe ihtarname çektiği yönündeki haberler gündemi meşgul etse de, bu durumun UEFA lisansını etkilemeyeceği netleşti.
ÖZDEMİR VE KAVUKÇU CEVAP VERDİ
UEFA, kulüplerin finansal incelemelerinde imaj hakları anlaşmalarını kapsam dışında tutuyor. Bu nedenle, imaj haklarına dayalı olası bir uyuşmazlık "borçsuzluk kağıdı" alınmasına engel teşkil etmiyor. Kısa süre önce de ortaya atılan "Galatasaray 3 aydır maaş ödemiyor" haberlerine hem Başkan Dursun Özbek hem de yönetici Abdullah Kavukçu cephesinden yalanlama gelmişti.
YÖNETİMİ YIPRATMAK İÇİN YAPILIYOR
Dursun Özbek ve ekibi, bu haberlerin yönetimi yıpratmak amacıyla kurulmuş bir tezgah olduğuna inanıyor. Kulüp, ödemelerin düzenli yapıldığını ve finansal yapının planlandığı gibi ilerlediğini vurguluyor. İşte yapılan açıklama:
- Kimseye tek kuruş borcumuz yok. Çıkarılan bu haberlerin tamamı yönetimi ve camiayı karıştırma amaçlıdır.
Romanya karşısında tam 111 kez topla buluşan, 4 top kapıp 8 ikili mücadelenin 7'sini kazanan bir 'modern dinamo'... Galatasaray Teknik Direktörü Okan Buruk'un Hakan Çalhanoğlu ısrarı sadece bir transfer arzusu değil; İtalya'da devleşen kaptanın 'kontrollü agresiflik' sanatına duyduğu hayranlık.
Okan Buruk’un Galatasaray'da orta sahadaki liderliği için neden Hakan Çalhanoğlu’nda bu kadar ısrar ettiği, kaptanın Romanya maçı performansıyla bir kez daha gün yüzüne çıktı. Sadece bir oyun kurucu değil, aynı zamanda savunma bakanı gibi çalışan Hakan, istatistikleriyle "neden vazgeçilmez" olduğunu kanıtladı.
SANATKAR ZARAFETİYLE OYNADI
Çalhanoğlu, oyunun her anında sorumluluk alarak maçın en fazla topla buluşan ismi (111 kez) oldu. Pas trafiğini yönetmekle kalmayıp, 6/8 uzun pas isabeti ve 2 anahtar pas ile hücumun yönünü tayin eden tecrübeli yıldız, aynı zamanda 6 şutla sahanın en çok gol arayan ismi olarak dikkat çekti.
Hakan’ı asıl özel kılan ise hücumdaki estetiğini, İtalya’da kazandığı sertlikle birleştirmesi. Bir "sanatkar" zarafetiyle oynamasına rağmen defansif aksiyonlarda devleşmesi.
İŞTE ROMANYA İSTATİSTİKLERİ
-Top Kapma: 4 kez (Maçın lideri)
-İkili Mücadele: 8/9 başarı oranı
-Sahipsiz Top Kazanma: 7 kez (Maçın ikincisi)
-Pas Arası: İlk üçte yer aldı.
BURUK'UN ARAYIŞININ MERKEZİ
Milli takımı kusursuz bir stratejiyle yöneten Hakan Çalhanoğlu, İtalya Ligi'nin meşhur "kontrollü agresiflik" kavramını sahaya tam anlamıyla yansıttı. Milli takımın lideri ve kaptanı olduğunu bir kez daha kanıtladı. Okan Buruk’un sistemindeki "merkez" arayışının neden tam karşılığı olduğunu gösterdi.
Galatasaray camiası imaj hakkı kriziyle çalkalanıyor! Kulübe ulaşan ihtarname sonrası gözler Arjantinli yıldıza çevrildi. Yönetime göre Mauro Icardi'nin bu hamleden haberi bile yok, ancak menajer Elio Pino cephesinden gelen açıklamalar kafaları karıştırdı. İşte 4 milyon Euro'luk krizin perde arkası...
Galatasaray’da son günlerin en çok konuşulan ismi yine Mauro Icardi… özel hayatındaki gelişmeler, yine izin takması ve tartışılan "ihtarname" krizi Arjantinliyi yine gündeme taşıdı.
ICARDI'NİN HABERİ YOK
Yöneticilere göre ihtarname ile Icardi’nin doğrudan bir ilgisi yok. 4 milyon Euro'luk imaj haklarıyla ilgili yaşanan bu gerilimin rutin bir gelişme olduğunu savunuyor.
ELIO PINO AÇIKLADI
Daha önce de benzer bir süreç yaşanmış ve imaj hakkı ödemeleri üzerinden dönen tartışmalar, Arjantinli yıldızın gerçek maaş verilerinin kamuoyuna yansımasına neden olmuştu. Ancak bu kez menajer Elio Pino, yaptığı kısa ve net açıklamayla, "Galatasaray ile aramızda hiçbir sorun yok" diyerek iddiaları yalanladı.
SALI GÜNÜNE KADAR YOK
Sakatlığı ve özel hayatındaki süreç nedeniyle bir süredir ülkesinde bulunan Icardi'nin İstanbul'a dönüş takvimi de netleşmeye başladı. Yıldız golcü, kızlarıyla birlikte vakit geçirmek adına Cuma gününe kadar ek süre aldı. Evlatlarıyla hasret giderdikten sonra Türkiye'ye hareket edecek. Normal şartlarda İstanbul’da olması beklenen Icardi’nin, gelişen şartlara göre 31 Mart Salı günü de takıma katılabileceği konuşuluyor.
30 MART'A KADAR İZİN
By-u arada yoğun maç trafiği (Şampiyonlar Ligi, Türkiye Kupası ve Süper Lig) nedeniyle yorgun düşen futbolculara teknik direktör Okan Buruk, 30 Mart'a kadar süre verdi. Osimhen yarın gelse de 3 gün boyunca takım izinli olduğu için idmana çıkamayacak.
Futbol üzrə Azərbaycan millisinin baş məşqçisi Ayxan Abbasov bu gün Sent Lüsiya yığmasına qarşı keçirdikləri oyunu şərh edib.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, sözügedən komandalar “FIFA Series – 2026” beynəlxalq turniri çərçivəsində bu gün Mehdi Hüseynzadə adına Sumqayıt şəhər stadionunda üz-üzə gəliblər.
Millimiz bu görüşdə 6:1 hesablı qələbəyə sevinib. Ayxan Abbasov oyundan sonra təşkil edilmiş mətbuat konfransında fikirlərini bildirib:
“Bu gün yağışlı havada bizi tək qoymayan azarkeşləri təbrik edirəm. Belə havada oynamaq çətin idi. Meydança ağırlaşdığından, hər iki komanda çətinlik çəkirdi. Erkən qol vurmaq istəyirdik və buna nail olduq. Özümüzə inam baxımından bu qalibiyyət sevindiricidir. Syerra Leone ilə matça ciddi hazırlaşacağıq. Növbəti rəqibimiz daha güclüdür. Azarkeşlərimizi sevindirmək istəyirik”.
Qeyd edək ki, Azərbaycan millisi bu turnir çərçivəsində növbəti oyununu martın 30-da Syerra Leone yığmasına qarşı keçirəcək.
Azərbaycan millisi “FIFA Series-2026” beynəlxalq turnirində Sent Lüsiyaya keçirdiyi oyunda tarixinin ən böyükhesablı qələbəsini qazanıb.
Arena.az bu barədə AFFA-nın rəsmi saytına istinadən xəbər verir.
Ayxan Abbasovun yetirmələri Mehdi Hüseynzadə adına Sumqayıt şəhər stadionunda keçirilmiş görüşdə rəqibini 6:1 hesabı ilə məğlub edərək 1999 və 2017-ci illərdəki rekordunu yeniləyib.
Millimiz buna qədər ən böyükhesablı qələbələrini AÇ-2000-in seçmə mərhələsində Lixtenşteyn (4:0) və DÇ-2018-in seçmə mərhələsində San Marino (5:1) üzərində əldə etmişdi.
Bundan başqa, milli komandamız tarixində ilk dəfə bir oyunda 5-dən çox qol vurub.
Xatırladaq ki, Azərbaycan millisi ölkəmizdə təşkil edilmiş “FIFA Series-2026” beynəlxalq turniri çərçivəsində Syerra Leone yığması ilə də qarşılaşacaq. Bu oyun isə martın 30-da baş tutacaq.
Futbol üzrə Azərbaycan millisi bu gün ölkəmizdə keçirilən “FIFA Series – 2026” beynəlxalq turniri çərçivəsində ilk oyununa çıxıb.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, Ayxan Abbasovun rəhbərlik etdiyi millimiz turnirdəki ilk matçında Sent Lüsiya yığması ilə qarşılaşıb.
Sumqayıtda keçirilmiş görüşü Gürcüstandan olan hakimlər briqadası idarə edib. Mehdi Hüseynzadə adına Sumqayıt şəhər stadionunda təşkil edilmiş matçın baş hakimi Georgi Kruaşvili olub.
Yeddi qolun qeydə alındığı oyun millimiz üçün uğurlu alınıb. Belə ki, komandamız yekunda darmadağına sevinib.
Qeyd edək ki, bu, Azərbaycan millisi üçün 2026-cı ildə ilk oyun idi. Komandamız martın 30-da məhz bu turnir çərçivəsində Syerra Leone yığması ilə də üz-üzə gələcək.
FIFA Series-2026 27 mart
Azərbaycan – Sent Lüsiya 6:1 Qollar: Emin Mahmudov, 2-pen. Rəhim Sadıxov, 21. Musa Qurbanlı, 37. Toral Bayramov, 64. Vüsal İsgəndərli, 86. Rüstəm Əhmədzadə, 89 – Donovan Filipp, 52-pen. Baş hakim: Georgi Kruaşvili Baş hakimin köməkçiləri: Levan Varamişvili, Georgi Elikaşvili Dördüncü hakim: Koba Revazaşvili (Hakimlər briqadası Gürcüstandandır). Sumqayıt. Mehdi Hüseynzadə adına Sumqayıt şəhər stadionu.
Azərbaycan: 23. Rza Cəfərov (1. Səlahət Ağayev, 46), 14. Elvin Bədəlov (18. Cəlal Hüseynov, 46), 15. Bədavi Hüseynov (4. Rahil Məmmədov, 46), 2. Rəhman Daşdəmirov (15. Abdulla Rzayev, 74), 3. Elvin Cəfərquliyev (7. Toral Bayramov, 46), 21. Qismət Alıyev (17. Vüsal İsgəndərli, 46), 13. Emil Səfərov (6. Abdulla Xaybulayev, 46), 20. Rəhim Sadıxov (26. Ayxan Hüseynov, 46), 8. Emin Mahmudov (k) (16. Ceyhun Nuriyev, 46), 9. Renat Dadaşov (11. Xəyal Əliyev, 46), 22. Musa Qurbanlı (19. Rüstəm Əhmədzadə, 46). Ehtiyat oyunçular: 2. Aydın Bayramov, 5. Anton Krivotsyuk, 10. Aleksey İsayev, 24. Mustafa Əhmədzadə. Baş məşqçi: Ayxan Abbasov.
Sent Lüsiya: 1. Devon Sent Priks, 4. Eymani Butçer (8. Trent Aleksander, 46), 5. Doneal Lionel, 6. Melvin Doksilli (k), 7. Kiqan Koll (14. Ridel Stanislas, 46), 9. Donovan Filipp, 10. Şevon Biron (17. Jahlil Evans, 71), 11. Arkell Cud-Boyd, 13. Bayan Aman (18. Tyerri Morille, 88), 19. Alvinus Myers, 21. Şaquan Nelson. Ehtiyat oyunçular: 16. Adee Germe, 3. Ayani Luis, 12. Hemayel Çarleri, 15. Lester Jozef, 22. Mervin Sent Romain, 23. Darren Donaye. Baş məşqçi: Stern Con.
Çölün derin sessizliği, 28 Mart günü saat 19:35'te 30. kez dünyanın en hızlı ve en pahalı safkanlarının nal sesleriyle bozuluyor. Tek bir gecede 12 milyon dolarlık bir rüyanın gerçeğe dönüşeceği bu destansı düelloda, tarih ve teknoloji Meydan'ın ışıkları altında muazzam bir şovla birleşiyor. Dubai World Cup'ı, TJK TV Canlı, TAY TV canlı nasıl izlenir ve tüm detaylar haberimizde..
Galatasaray'ın sezon başında Manchester City'den kadrosuna kattığı yıldız oyuncu İlkay Gündoğan, sarı-kırmızılıların yaptığı programda kariyerine dair önemli itirafta bulundu.
Basketbol Süper Ligi Play-Off sıralamasını yakından ilgilendiren maçta lig 3.'sü Bahçeşehir Koleji, 4. sırada yer alan Trabzonspor'u deplasmanda 81-71 yendi.
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2026 FIFA Dünya Kupası Avrupa Elemeleri play-off turu finalinde 31 Mart Salı günü deplasmanda Kosova'yla karşılaşacak A Milli Futbol Takımı, hazırlıklarına başladı.Devamı için tıklayınız
“FIFA Series 2026” yoldaşlıq turnirində keçirilən Azərbaycan – Sent Lüsiya oyunundan (6:1) sonra meydan sahibi komandanın baş məşqçisi Ayxan Abbasov jurnalistlərin suallarını cavablandırdı.
Futbolpress.azxəbər verir ki, mütəxəssis əvvəlcə oyunla bağlı fikirlərini bölüşdü…
– Bu hava şəraitində bizi tək qoymayan azarkeşlərə təşəkkür edirəm. Oyuna gəlincə, belə havada oynamaq ağırdır. Hər iki komanda da çətinlik çəkirdi. Buna baxmayaraq, futbolçuların işi, diqqəti, qol vurmaq istəyini gördük. Özümüzə inam üçün bu hal sevindiricidir. Heyətdə yeni adlar var idi. Bundan sonrakı oyuna vaxtımız azdır. Hazırlaşırıq. Qalib gəlmək istəyirik. Rəqib daha güclü, yaxşı komandadır. Matça hazır olub, yaxşı nəticə ilə azarkeşlərimizi sevindirmək istəyirik.
– Bu oyun bizim milliyə nə verdi və nəyi görmək istəyirdiz, nə gördünüz?
– Bundan əvvəlki oyunlarımızın hamısı çox ciddi rəqiblərə qarşı idi. Millidəki futbolçuların döyüşkənliyi ilə öyünürdük. Bilirik ki, Millətlər Liqasında qalib gəlmək məcburiyyətindəyik. Bu gün futbolçuların qol vurmaq, qələbə istəyi var idi. Millinin oyunlarında məncə, nəticə önəmlidir. Hər xal, hər statistika vacibdir.
– Nə üçün futbolçular oyuna Azərbaycansayağı yanaşırdılar. 4:1 öndə olsaq da, futbolçu rəqib meydançada simulyasiya edirdi…
– Bu, düzgün fikir deyil. Bu gün hava şəraitini nəzərə almaq lazımdır, sürüşkənlik var idi. Millətlər Liqasında heç bir futbolçunu itirmək istəmirik. Belə hallara diqqət etməlidir.
– Çoxlu dəyişikliklər oldu. Optimal formanı tapmaq istəyirdiniz, ya hamıya şans vermək?
– Hamıya şans vermək, görmək istəyirik. Komandada rəqabət var. Heyətdə dəyişiklik ola bilər. Zədələr məsələsi də var. Bəzi futbolçuların forması daha yaxşıdır. Hər kəsi görürürük. Bugünkü oyun əlavə şans idi.
– Son 24 saat ərzində sizə qarşı olan tənqidlər oyuna hazırlığa mane olmurdu?
– Diqqəti qorumaq lazım idi. Çox da bu məsələyə köklənmirdik. Tənqidləri normal qarşılayıram. Açıqfikirliyiksə, hər kəs bəyənməyə bilər, hamının öz fikri var. Bu, milli komandadır. Millinin heyəti açıqlananda hərənin öz versiyaları yaranır, normaldır. Bir şeyə əminəm, alnım açıqdır, heç vaxt nəyəsə qərəzli yanaşmıram və yanaşmaram da. Hərdən görünür ki, kimin daxilində nə var, elə fikirləşir.
– 6:1 hesabının rekord olacağını bilirdiniz?
– Dünən mətbuat konfransında bildirilmişdi, bilirdik. Yada salınmışdı. Futbolçulara belə tapşırıq verməmişdik ki, rekord olmalıdır. Oyun, temp, hücumlar, qol istəyirdik. Çox qol vurmaq sevindirir.
– Bu qələbənin Sumqayıtda qazanılması sizə necə təsir edir? Növbəti rəsmi oyunların burda keçirilməsi təklifi ilə çıxa bilərsiniz?
– Sumqayıt mənimçün doğmadır. 4 ilə yaxın burda işləmişəm. İlklərə imza atmışıq. Milli komandanın oyunlarının bölgələrdə də olmasını istəyirik. Sumqayıt da bu variantlardan biridir.
– Növbəti görüş Syerra Leoneyə qarşıdır. Bugünkü performans növbəti rəqibə qarşı planlarda hansısa dəyişikliyə səbəb olacaq?
– İki oyun planımız var idi. Oyundan əvvəl də fasilədən sonra çox dəyişikliyi düşünürdük. Eləməyə də bilərdik. Lakin hesab imkan verdi ki, bu addımı ataq. Bəzi futbolçulara istirahət verdik. Növbəti oyunu fərqli oynamaq istəyirik. Litvanı, Lixtenşteynlə oyunları da düşünürük. Bəzi məsələləri bu oyunlarda görmək istəyirik. Son 15 dəqiqədə fərqli sistemlə oynadıq.
“FIFA Series 2026” yoldaşlıq turnirində keçirilən Azərbaycan – Sent Lüsiya oyunundan (6:1) sonra qonaq komandanın baş məşqçisi Störn Con jurnalistlərin suallarını cavablandırdı.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, mütəxəssis oyunla bağlı fikirlərini bölüşdü…
– Belə nəticəni gözləyirdinizmi?
– Bu nəticəni gözləmirdim. İlk dəqiqələrdə penalti oldu. Rəqibin fiziki və taktiki baxımdan bizə təzyiq göstərəcəyini bilirdik. Sadə səhvlər etdik. Belə səhv edirsənsə, mütləq şəkildə cəzalanacaqsan.
– Bir oyundan ötrü bu qədər məsafə qət edib, Azərbaycana gəlməyə dəyərdi?
– Məyusedicidir. Bura gələnə kimi 4 uçuş keçirmişik. İki yoldaşlıq oyunu olacaqdı. Hər bir halda, təcrübə qazandıq. Avropa komandasına qarşı oynadıq. Bir oyun keçirmək məyus edir.
– Azərbaycan millisinin tarixinə düşdünüz. Bu, yığmamızın ən böyük hesablı qələbəsi oldu.
– Azərbaycan yaxşı təşkilatlanmış komandadır, topla yaxşı davranırlar. oyundan əvvəl də demişdim ki, ciddi yanaşmalıyıq. Azərbaycan Avropa komandasıdır və Fransa, Ukrayna kimi top komandalara qarşı mübarizə aparıblar. Bu qədər qol buraxmaq istəməzdik.
– Oyun planında Azərbaycan yığmasından nə gözləyirdiniz və nə gördünüz?
– Oyundan əvvəl rəqibin fiziki cəhətdən güclü olduğunu bilirdik. Bir neçə ay bundan əvvəl oyunun olacağını bilirdik və təhlillər aparmışdıq. Məğlubiyyətə görə yox, buraxılan qol sayına görə məyusam. Gənc oyunçularımız üçün yaxşı təcrübə oldu. Evə qayıdandan sonra başladığımız yola davam edəcəyik.
Ukrayna millisi DÇ-2026-nın seçmə mərhələsinin İsveçlə pley-off oyunundan (1:3) qabaq İspaniyada qarət olunub. Msport.az xəbər verir ki, bu barədə “The […]
“FIFA Series 2026” çərçivəsində keçirilən Azərbaycan – Sent Lüsiya oyunundan (6:1) sonra millimizin baş məşqçisi Ayxan Abbasov jurnalistlərin önünə çıxıb. […]
“FIFA Series 2026” çərçivəsində keçirilən Azərbaycan – Sent Lüsiya oyunundan (6:1) sonra qonaqların baş məşqçisi Störn Con jurnalistlərin suallarını cavablandırıb. […]
Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti had picked Wesley to be in the starting XI for last night’s 2-1 friendly defeat to France and he was replaced by Roger Ibanez at the 71st minute.
However, both Wesley and Raphinha felt pain in the back of their right thighs during the match.
Wesley picks up injury with Brazil
NAPLES, ITALY – FEBRUARY 15: Wesley of AS Roma injured during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and AS Roma at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on February 15, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
It was with the Giallorossi that he first made his mark, after experiences at Chelsea and Fiorentina.
Roma could welcome Salah back after 9 years
KIRKBY, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 08: Mo Salah of Liverpool FC warms up during a training session at AXA Training Centre on December 08, 2025 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)
Salah has still made a significant impact at Liverpool this season with 10 goals and nine assists in 34 competitive appearances, but had differences with manager Arne Slot.
It is widely assumed that he will now move to either MLS for San Diego, or into the Saudi Pro League where Al-Ittihad and Al-Qadsiah are interested.
Nicolò Fagioli insists he was not surprised at being snubbed by Italy for the World Cup play-offs, but Fiorentina teammates Moise Kean and Edin Dzeko will be ready.
CREMONA, ITALY – MARCH 16: Nicolò Fagioli of ACF Fiorentina in action during the Serie A match between US Cremonese and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Giovanni Zini on March 16, 2026 in Cremona, Italy. (Photo by Marco M. Mantovani/Getty Images)
It was widely expected that he would receive a call-up from Gennaro Gattuso for the World Cup play-offs, but he was not included.
“There was controversy over these call-ups, but it would’ve been the same if I had been called up or anyone else, because that is how it works in Italy.
“All we should do is cheer on the Azzurri against Bosnia, wishing them all the best. I hope to do enough to earn my place in the squad in June.”
FLORENCE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 7: Nicolò Fagioli of ACF Fiorentina controls the ball during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and Torino FC at Artemio Franchi on February 7, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Some of his teammates are in the Italy squad after the 2-0 victory over Northern Ireland, as Kean was on target following the Sandro Tonali opener.
“Kean struggled more this season, but that’s because in Italian football they study you more carefully after a successful campaign,” insisted Fagioli.
“He also had some injuries and wasn’t in the best shape, but he gave us a big hand to get us out of the difficult situation at Fiorentina. He’s a great player and is proving it for the Nazionale too.”
EMPOLI, ITALY – JUNE 09: Nicolo Fagioli of Italy in action during an International Friendly between Italy and Bosnia & Herzegovina at Stadio Carlo Castellani on June 09, 2024 in Empoli, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)
Fagioli is also familiar with Bosnia and Herzegovina centre-forward Edin Dzeko, who scored the equaliser against Wales last night, forcing extra time and an eventual victory on penalties.
Now they will face Italy in the World Cup play-off final on Tuesday March 31.
“Bosnia are a tough opponent, there is no such thing as an easy game now, we saw how well-organised Northern Ireland were, despite not having any great individual talents.
“Bosnia have a lot more quality in the side, including Dzeko. I got along very well with him at Fiorentina, I was sad he didn’t get to fully prove himself here, but we all know what kind of a player he is.
“I wish him all the best, just maybe not against Italy…”
CARDIFF, WALES – MARCH 26: Edin Dzeko of Bosnia and Herzegovina scores his team’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-off match between Wales and Bosnia and Herzegovina at Cardiff City Stadium on March 26, 2026 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
Does Fagioli have any advice about how Italy can stop Dzeko on Tuesday?
“It’s difficult, he has good technique, and is phenomenal in the air. Italy’s defenders need to be really focused.”
FERRARA, ITALY – MARCH 26: Daniele Ghilardi of Italy U2 Luis Hasa of Italy U21 scores the opening goal during the UEFA Under21 EURO Qualifier match between Italy U21 and Turkey U21 at Stadio Paolo Mazza on March 26, 2024 in Ferrara, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Tonali’s goal and assist for Italy against Northern Ireland allowed the Azzurri to secure a 2-0 victory on Thursday and qualify for the World Cup play-off Final.
Ex-Italy and Juventus midfielder Tacchinardi, a Bianconeri fan, reacted to Tonali’s performance on social media, asking his friend and Juventus director Chiellini to sign the Newcastle star this summer.
TURIN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 16: General view inside the stadium prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between Juventus and Borussia Dortmund at Juventus Stadium on September 16, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
“Super Chiellini, bring him to Turin, a proper player,” Tacchinardi wrote in an Instagram story published the day after the game.
BERGAMO, ITALY – MARCH 26: Sandro Tonali of Italy scores his team’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Italy and Northern Ireland at Stadio di Bergamo on March 26, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Tonali has scored three goals and provided seven assists in 47 appearances across all competitions with Newcastle this season.
The 25-year-old has also scored four goals in 31 appearances with the Italy national team.
Picture: Tacchinardi asks Chiellini to sign Tonali
Alessio Tacchinardi’s Instagram story on March 27, 2026.
The 2026 NCAA Men’s Hockey Tournament continues Friday when the Western Michigan Broncos take on the Minnesota State Mavericks in a first-round regional semifinal matchup in Loveland, Colorado.
Apr 10, 2025; St. Louis, Missouri, UNITED STATES; Denver Pioneers defenseman Kent Anderson (21) blocks a shot by Western Michigan Broncos forward Owen Michaels (34) in overtime during the Frozen Four college ice hockey national semifinals at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
How to Watch No. 4 Western Michigan vs Minnesota State
Western Michigan enters as a No. 4 seed with one of the more balanced rosters in the field, combining offensive depth with strong defensive structure. The Broncos have been led by forwards Alex Bump and Ryan McAllister, who have driven scoring throughout the season.
Minnesota State brings its signature disciplined style into the tournament, relying on structure, defensive positioning, and efficient puck movement. The Mavericks are known for limiting high-danger chances, making them a difficult opponent in single-elimination play.
This matchup could come down to pace, with Western Michigan looking to push the tempo while Minnesota State aims to slow things down and control possession.
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The 26-year-old United States international attacker has signed on with the American National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) club until 2030.
Macário joined Chelsea from OL Lyonnes back in summer 2023. She went on to make 59 appearances for The Blues in all competitions in which she scored 15 goals. The player won two Barclays Women’s Super League titles, two Subway Women’s League Cups and the Adobe Women’s FA Cup with Chelsea.
A return home to the United States has been on the agenda for some time for Macário and her move to San Diego Wave has now been sealed.
After joining San Diego Wave, Macário said “I’m really excited to join San Diego Wave FC and begin this next chapter of my career at home in San Diego. This city has played such an important role in my journey, and the opportunity to come back and represent it means a lot to me.
“From my first conversations with the Club, I felt the ambition and the vision for what we can accomplish together, including bringing trophies to this city. I’m grateful for the belief they’ve shown in me, and I can’t wait to get started and give everything for this team and my community.”
San Diego Wave have paid an undisclosed fee to Chelsea to secure Macário’s services.
Which team will end the 2025-26 NCAA men's hockey season with a championship celebration?
This year's tournament features a 16-team field with three Hockey East squads earning berths. Merrimack won the automatic bid, and Providence and UConn secured at-large bids.
Regional semifinal games will be played on March 26 and 27. Regional winners will advance to the Frozen Four, and the championship game will be held on April 11.
Here is everything you need to know about the 2026 NCAA men's hockey tournament, including TV and streaming options for games.
How to watch NCAA men's hockey tournament: TV channels, live streams
NCAA men's hockey tournament games will air nationally on ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU. Every game can be streamed live on the ESPN app.
Now you can watch ESPN without cable. Stream live NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB and college sports, plus "SportsCenter," "First Take" and all your favorite ESPN shows — anytime, anywhere — only in the new ESPN app.
Report: World-class Liverpool star could follow Salah out of the door at Anfield
Liverpool Face Double Exit Storm as Isak Eyes Barcelona Move
Liverpool’s summer rebuild, already destabilised by the confirmed departure of Mohamed Salah, could yet take another dramatic turn. Reports emerging from Spainish site Fichajes suggest that Alexander Isak, signed less than a year ago in a record-breaking deal, is now angling for an early exit — with Barcelona positioned as his preferred destination.
It is a storyline that carries all the hallmarks of modern football volatility: big money, bigger expectations, and a player whose first impression has been disrupted by circumstance rather than lack of quality.
Photo IMAGO
Isak Situation Raises Eyebrows
When Isak arrived at Anfield for a British-record fee reportedly in the region of £125 million, the narrative felt pre-written. Liverpool were investing not just in a striker, but in a focal point for the next tactical cycle under Arne Slot.
Yet football rarely adheres to script.
Injuries have curtailed the Swede’s rhythm, limiting both continuity and chemistry within a reshaped attacking unit. Now, according to the original source report from Spain, Isak “has his heart set on a move to Barcelona” and has already instructed his representatives to begin exploring an exit route.
That claim, while eye-catching, sits on uncertain ground. There has been no corroboration from English outlets, and within Liverpool’s internal framework, such a rapid turnaround would represent a significant deviation from their recruitment logic.
Barcelona Interest and Financial Reality
Barcelona’s interest, while plausible on a stylistic level, runs headlong into economic reality.
The Catalan club’s well-documented financial constraints make any deal north of £100 million difficult to rationalise. Even with creative accounting and staggered payments — hallmarks of their recent transfer activity — committing such resources to a player coming off an injury-hit season would be a calculated gamble.
From a footballing perspective, Isak’s profile fits: mobile, technically assured, capable of linking play while stretching defensive lines. But the financial mechanics remain the sticking point.
For Liverpool, the equation is more straightforward. Having committed a record outlay, sanctioning a sale within 12 months would represent not just a financial loss but a strategic misfire — something the club have historically avoided.
Liverpool Rebuild Under Pressure
This potential saga unfolds against the backdrop of a broader transition.
Salah’s impending exit — confirmed after nine years at the club — marks the end of an era. His departure alone forces a recalibration of Liverpool’s attacking structure, both tactically and commercially.
Layer on top the possibility of losing Isak, and the rebuild begins to look less like evolution and more like enforced reconstruction.
There is, however, a counterpoint worth emphasising. Isak’s first season has been shaped heavily by injury disruption. Judging his Liverpool trajectory on that sample size risks overlooking the longer-term projection that justified the initial investment.
Liverpool’s recruitment model has typically been patient, data-driven, and resistant to short-term noise. Allowing a marquee signing to depart prematurely would contradict that philosophy.
Rumour Versus Reality in Transfer Window
Transfer windows thrive on speculation, and this story carries all the ingredients: a high-profile player, a global club like Barcelona, and a narrative of dissatisfaction.
But context matters.
Isak’s reported frustration may well be genuine — elite players expect immediate impact — yet the leap from frustration to departure is significant. Liverpool, armed with both contractual leverage and strategic intent, are under no pressure to facilitate an exit.
Moreover, Barcelona’s financial position introduces a layer of improbability that tempers the headline.
In practical terms, this feels less like an imminent transfer and more like a rumour fuelled by circumstance: a disrupted debut season, a high price tag, and the ever-present allure of Barcelona.
For Liverpool, the focus remains clear. A post-Salah era demands stability, not further upheaval. Retaining Isak, allowing him a full pre-season, and integrating him into Slot’s system appears the more coherent path.
Whether this story gathers momentum or fades into the background noise of transfer speculation will depend on the coming months. For now, it sits firmly in the realm of possibility rather than probability — a reminder that in modern football, perception can move faster than reality.
Wakefield Trinity have signed National Rugby League star Roger Tuivasa-Sheck from New Zealand Warriors for the 2027 season.
The 32-year-old, primarily a full-back or winger, will move to Belle Vue as one of the biggest names to trade Australia's domestic scene for the Super League.
A dual-code international, Tuivasa-Sheck has made 235 appearances in the NRL since his debut for Sydney Roosters in 2012.
"I'm grateful for the opportunity to join Wakefield and compete in Super League," Tuivasa-Sheck, who will sign a two-year deal, told the club website.
"My family and I are really excited for the move and new challenge. From the conversations I've had, I can see the club is heading in a really positive direction and I'm looking forward to being part of that journey."
In 2018, while in his first spell at the Warriors, Tuivasa-Sheck was named full-back of the year and won player of the year at the Dally M awards - the official annual awards ceremony of the NRL.
A year later, he won the Rugby League World Golden Boot Award for the best international player of the year.
Tuivasa-Sheck played 20 times for the Kiwis' rugby league side before switching codes to union and signing a deal with New Zealand Rugby.
He made his debut for the All Blacks against Ireland in Wellington in July 2022 at centre and went on to play twice more for the international side.
After returning to rugby league in 2024, Tuivasa-Sheck switched to play for Samoa's national team - the country of his birth.
"Bringing someone like Roger to Wakefield is a huge shift in the landscape of Super League," said Ste Mills, Trinity's director of rugby.
"We believe he is one of the final pieces to our puzzle and someone of his calibre and experience will only help propel the club towards silverware."
Wakefield have made a bright start to the 2026 Super League season, winning three of their opening five league matches.
In their first season back in Super League last year following relegation in 2023, Daryl Powell's side reached the play-offs by finishing sixth, but were beaten by Leigh in the eliminator round.
This season, Powell was able to convince 2025 NRL Grand Final winner Tyson Smoothy to leave Brisbane Broncos, as well as experienced Samoan hooker Jazz Tevaga joining the West Yorkshire outfit from Manly Warringah Sea Eagles.
But Tuivasa-Sheck is the biggest name of the three to join Trinity as their new-look squad continues to be internationally restructured.
Powell said: "He's a super high-quality signing for both the Super League competition and of course for Wakefield Trinity and we look forward to welcoming him into our family and helping us achieve our ambitions in the near future."
Wakefield continue their Super League campaign with a trip to York Knights on Friday night [20:00 GMT].
'A bona-fide superstar'
Tuivasa-Sheck scored 12 tries in 19 games for New Zealand Warriors in 2025 [Getty Images]
To lure a name such as Tuivasa-Sheck to Super League is an impressive statement of intent for Wakefield Trinity, who just two years ago were playing in the Championship.
RTS is a bona-fide superstar who has been at the top of rugby league during his career - an electrifying runner with all the weapons in his arsenal to break lines and create tries for team-mates, and who remains a key figure for NZ Warriors.
Is he the same player who was at his peak before going to rugby union for two years to fulfil an All Black ambition? No, and his form is not quite as devastating.
He's still a class act but as England found against Samoa in the 2024 Test series when they marshalled him fairly well, previously it might have been tougher to limit the impact of such a dynamic force.
Yet this is still a mega signing particularly in the context that a new National Rugby League franchise in Perth Bears will take part in the 2027 season and would likely have coveted such a player.
The days of NRL stars in Super League were supposed to be over, given the immense financial muscle of the southern hemisphere game, but Trinity have bucked that trend here, albeit he is 32 now.
Tuivasa-Sheck will bring focus, attention and stardust to Wakefield, a signing almost as impressive as Australia icon Wally Lewis in the 1983-84 season.
'The King' pulled big crowds at Belle Vue back then and put money in the coffers despite his wages. Trinity would love to feel that kind of effect from RTS.
The Georgia Bulldogs brought in the nation's No. 32 transfer portal class with nine total commitments. Among teams ranked in the top-50 incoming transfer classes, only Notre Dame (seven) brought in fewer transfers.
Georgia's offseason emphasis was on roster retention as opposed to bringing in new transfers, but the Bulldogs will still have a lot of new faces after losing over 10 players to the 2026 NFL draft and 15 players to the NCAA transfer portal. As usual, Georgia emphasizes competition, so it will be interesting to see who emerges as top players this spring.
"A lot of those guys that came in think they should have been playing more where they were, and they're going to have an opportunity to prove that here," Georgia coach Kirby Smart said. "Some of the guys that left here probably felt they should have been playing more, and maybe we didn't. Then, the guys we signed certainly all believe they can play here, and time is going to tell whether they're ready to or not."
Georgia fans will soon find out just how ready Georgia players are. The Bulldogs have their annual spring game, G-Day, on April 18.
The Bulldogs along with the rest of college football won't have an opportunity to fortify their roster this spring as there is no spring transfer window. We still expect players to try to move teams this spring (likely via the legal system).
Jersey numbers for every Georgia football transfer
All jersey numbers are per DawgNation. We are considering Bryson Beaver to be a transfer even though he transferred from Oregon right after signing out of high school.
Follow UGA Wire on Instagram or Threads for more Georgia football coverage!
Leicester City fans are also within their rights to feel concern around a football club that earlier this season received their first ever points deduction.
However, I think it's fair to point in the direction of significant investment from the owners as the main reason behind these losses - in a failed attempt, to re-establish themselves in the Premier League.
While Leicester City clearly has some way to go to become more self-sufficient, supporters could take a form of relief from the fact that the club believe they have sufficiently fallen in line with the financial rules (PRS) in the Premier League for 2024-25, falling under the £35m allowable loss due to the add-backs.
There are some positive trends in amongst all the numbers within the murky world of football finance. One of those, is the reduction in staff costs. Down from over 100% of total revenue the previous year to around 82% in this year.
The overriding feeling though should be that it's clear that the club appear to be moving in the right direction financially, but there is a fair way to go both on and off the pitch to take Leicester City back to where they feel they belong.
Dennis Rodman and Hulk Hogan posing backstage with the "Too Sweet" taunt after welcoming the NBA legend into the nWo. - WWE
In the late 1990s, the New World Order stable absolutely dominated WCW, with the faction responsible for much of the promotion's success at the time. Eventually, WCW began to bring in celebrities like NBA legend Dennis Rodman, who became a member of the nWo in 1997.
Speaking on his "Hall of Fame" podcast, Booker T looked back at Rodman's time in WCW and had only good things to say about spending time with the basketball player backstage. "Rodman was off the chain, man, back in the day. I loved it!" he said. "It was major, man, and I was a fly on the wall just watching it go down and it was a spectacle."
"It was a highlight for me to watch Dennis go out and just be Dennis," he added, explaining that unlike some of the other members of the locker room, he had no issue with Rodman being in pro wrestling, and actually loved what he brought to the product. "It was the wild, wild west. Hogan and those guys, they were just... Man, it was a party, dog! It was a party with those guys! Cocaine and strippers? That's the least of the party."
The NBA Hall of Famer is now set to join the WWE Hall of Fame as well, as he was recently announced to be inducted into the celebrity wing this year. That ceremony will take place next month ahead of WWE WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
If you use any quotes from this article, please credit the "Hall of Fame" podcast, and provide a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.
Mar 26, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; Fans react as Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes (30) walks off the field after being taken out of the game against the New York Mets during the first inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Paul Skenes took the mound on Opening Day as arguably the best pitcher in all of baseball. He left the mound mere minutes later, having been shelled. Fantasy baseball managers now may panic a little bit, but today, we measure whether you really should be worried or not. Is something missing, or is it a one-off? Let us aid your confidence today.
Skenes went out against the Mets and pitched 0.2 innings with a 67.50 ERA (5 earned runs), 2 walks, and 1 strikeout. That result is as bad as it gets for a guy like Skenes. Surely, your fantasy baseball team has suffered, but that is baseball. Nothing is a sure thing, especially on Opening Day.
Skenes is still going to be valued as a top-3 pitcher in all of baseball. However, he may have lost his SP1 designation for the time being. All reports are that Skenes is not injured, and there are no rumors to the contrary. It was purely one bad game, so we brushed it off.
Skenes has been drafted so high for one reason, and one big reason only - he is the reigning Cy Young Award Winner. Skenes has performed among the best pitchers since his major league debut. In each season, Skenes has put out a sub-2.00 ERA, which is rare for any pitcher to achieve, especially a non-reliever.
Over both seasons, Skenes added a sub-1.00 WHIP with nearly 11 strikeouts per 9 innings. Skenes is a bit iffy in his breaking ball run value, though he's still in the top 1% of MLB pitchers in his fastball and off-speed pitches. Skenes is in the top-1% of all pitchers.
We can be concerned after one starts; that is totally okay. However, to full on panic after one bad game, and against an elite Mets offense, is irrational. If Skenes continues to struggle throughout April, then we can begin to panic. Most likely, that will not be the case unless an injury arises. There is zero reason or rumors to discuss any injury right now.
Put Skenes back on the bump for his next game day, watch for the best, and hold on to your star. Is it literally not even April yet? We are just getting started. Let the man get warm - panic none.
The NBA's process of finding new ways to deter teams from tanking is currently focused around three separate concepts to change the draft lottery, two people with knowledge of the discussions surrounding the issue told The Associated Press on Friday.
The concepts — they are not yet finalized proposals — were presented to the league's board of governors by NBA executives earlier this week, the people said.
The people spoke on condition of anonymity because none of the details have been shared publicly.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Wednesday he expects a special meeting of owners to take place in May to vote on changes to the lottery, vowing that the league would fix the tanking issue. And one of the people who spoke with the AP on Friday said it's almost certain that the concepts will change or at least be tweaked in the coming weeks, with a possibility of more ideas being presented to owners as well. The league's general managers — for some time — have also been weighing in with ideas for potential changes.
ESPN first reported that the concepts were shared with the governors.
“I will say again, as I’ve said this before, this is not a new issue in this league,” Silver said this week. “You can go back to the ’60s, when coin tosses were used to determine who got the first pick, then in the ’80s, when a draft lottery was created. That lottery has been modified four times since then. Does not seem to be operating optimally where we are now.”
The changes — whatever they end up being — won't be in place for this year's lottery, which will be held in May.
The current rules
The 14 teams that don't make the NBA playoffs go to the lottery, where a four-number combination of ping-pong balls are drawn to decide the order of the top four teams in the draft.
The teams with the worst three records all have a 14% chance of winning the No. 1 pick — and none of the teams with the worst five records can finish lower than eighth in the lottery. The odds of winning the No. 1 pick decrease gradually for the other 11 teams outside the top three, from 12.5% for the team with the fourth-worst record to 0.7% for the team with the 14th-worst record.
“Incentives need to be fixed,” Silver said. “We will fix them. I’m looking forward to that.”
Concept 1: An 18-team lottery
The 10 teams that don't make the playoffs and the eight teams that reach the play-in tournament all would be headed to the lottery. The bottom 10 teams would all have 8% odds of winning the lottery, and the odds would decrease from there.
This is the scenario where the 18th-worst team — a playoff team — could still win the lottery. It would have a 1% chance of winning.
Concept 2: The WNBA model
The WNBA lottery is for the worst teams over a two-season span, not just the previous season. An idea the NBA is considering would be similar to that.
But the NBA would also have a floor for wins as well — the current idea there being 25 wins per season. It would mean that if Team A won 31 games over two seasons, it would have the same odds of winning the No. 1 pick as a team that won exactly 50 games over those two seasons. That floor would be in place to give teams no incentive for trying to lose every game.
Concept 3: Better odds for more teams
A third idea being presented is one where the five worst teams would all have 11% odds of winning the No. 1 pick — instead of the current three-teams-at-14% model.
There would be some pick protections in that model as well, keeping the worst teams from falling too far in the draft.
Official: Four Barcelona players start for Spain against Serbia
FC Barcelona have a large representation in the Spain national team squad for their friendly matches in the current international break.
Indeed, as many as seven Blaugrana stars have been called up to the squad by manager Luis de la Fuente as final preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup get underway.
And, four of the seven Barça stars feature in the starting lineup for tonight’s friendly match against Serbia at Estadio de La Ceramica.
Indeed, defender Pau Cubarsi, midfielders Pedri and Fermin Lopez, and forward Lamine Yamal all start for La Roja against Serbia.
While Pedri and Lamine Yamal have been permanent fixtures in the Spain setup under De la Fuente, Cubarsi and Fermin will be aiming to cement their places in the side with strong performances leading up to the World Cup.
Meanwhile, two Barcelona stars, Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres, find themselves among the substitutes and are expected to get minutes off the bench later in the game.
Goalkeeper Joan Garcia, who has earned his first-ever call-up for Spain, is not part of the squad for tonight’s friendly.
Having already lost one player, Raphinha, to an injury while playing for Brazil, Barcelona will be hoping there are no more casualties for them in the current international break.
MONACO (AP) — Novak Djokovic has pulled out of the Monte Carlo Masters after having skipped the Miami Open with a right shoulder injury.
“We send him our best wishes and hope to see him back on court very soon,” the clay-court tournament wrote Friday in announcing Djokovic's withdrawal in an Instagram message.
The post didn't specify the 38-year-old Djokovic's reason for pulling out, but the 24-time Grand Slam champion hasn't played since losing in three sets to Jack Draper in the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open two weeks ago.
CLEVELAND - 2009: George Warhop of the Cleveland Browns poses for his 2009 NFL headshot at photo day in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by NFL Photos)
When it comes to the NFL draft process, when information is conveyed or leaked is almost as important as what actually happens at college Pro Days. Often, early information shortly after the NFL combine and around each Pro Day seems to be more accurate than anything that stirs up in the last two weeks leading up to each NFL draft.
OT Kadyn Proctor has rarely seen his name mentioned as an option for Cleveland’s top pick in the draft. If Proctor was mock drafted to the Browns, it was often with the latter first-round pick, with a wide receiver selected with the earlier selection. Proctor is ranked 21st overall on the Consensus Big Board, and the fourth highest behind Francis Mauigoa, Monroe Freeling, and Spencer Fano.
Very few NFL mock drafts have Proctor being selected in the Top 15, but ESPN’s Field Yates noted that the massive offensive tackle was impressive at his Pro Day:
Alabama OT Kadyn Proctor had a lot of people buzzing here at pro day. His movements skills during the on-field drills were exceptional. And you could hear the sound of him hitting the bags from the opposite side of the field.
He’s got a busy slate of visits between now and the…
Foot speed has been a concern for Proctor’s ability to protect the blindside regularly, so those movement skill drills were vital. As was his ability to keep his weight down throughout the draft process:
In what ended up being interesting timing, I had someone today tell me to assume Proctor was Cleveland’s top pick until I heard otherwise. This was not someone who believes Proctor deserves to be selected with the sixth overall pick, however:
I understand the rationale even if I vehemently disagree with it. He’s not better than Jedrick Wills as a prospect, though he does at least seem to care
They noted that the Browns could get lucky with a trade down while still getting Proctor, as there are a couple of players that teams do not want to miss out on but that wouldn’t fit a Cleveland need.
Shortly after, ESPN Cleveland noted that Yates also had a similar thought about Proctor to the Browns:
Alabama OT Kadyn Proctor could be in play for the Browns at no. 6 overall, per @FieldYates 👀👀👀
We always discourage “helmet scouting” (judging a player based on a former player at the same position from the same school), but Cleveland fans have some draft trauma from the selection of Wills out of Alabama back in 2020. The comment under the ESPN Cleveland post indicates those feelings are very strong.
NFL teams are always enamoured with size and athleticism. Proctor has the size and, at a more reasonable rate, has the athleticism that HC Todd Monken and OL coach George Warhop may love:
Kadyn Proctor 6065 352 9 3/4 hand 33 3/8 arm 81 5/8 wing
According to Jeff Risdon, the Browns would not be alone in thinking higher of Proctor than the media and fans:
Both teams view Proctor as someone they expect will be selected in the first “15 or so picks,” to quote one. The area scout revealed that his team very strongly believes that Proctor will be a top-10 pick. After noting my flabbergasted reaction, he reminded me that NFL coaches–even more than scouts and front offices–covet size. And the 6-foot-7, 352-pound Proctor certainly has that…
As noted, when information comes and who it comes from is always important. Different sources have now noted that Proctor has a much higher value in NFL spheres than elsewhere.
How would you feel about Proctor being the Browns pick at #6? Where would you feel comfortable trading back to and still being able to get him?
Rick Pitino has worked wonders in his three years at St. John's, and the Red Storm are on the cusp of their first Elite Eight trip since 1999 when they face top-seeded Duke on Friday night in the Sweet 16.
The 73-year-old legendary coach has proven he still has the ability to coach at an elite level, but he has also retained his sense of humor. During a Thursday press conference ahead of the Duke showdown, Pitino — who coached stints in the NBA with the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks — was asked about the NBA's waning popularity amid college basketball's growth.
Pitino didn't miss a beat in attributing a cause for that discrepancy.
"I think the resurgence of St. John's," he said with a wry smile.
I asked Rick Pitino, who coached in the NBA near the height of the league's popularity, why college basketball's popularity is at an all-time high while interest in the NBA is declining.
The response garnered quite a few laughs from the press pool, and while there are likely other factors at play to explain the dynamic, Pitino has certainly put the Red Storm back on the college basketball map.
In the 24 years between St. John's last Elite Eight trip and Pitino's hiring in 2023, the program reached the NCAA tournament just five times, never advancing beyond the Round of 32. He has now led the Red Storm to back-to-back NCAA tournaments, winning its first March Madness game since 2000 last season and reaching the Sweet 16 for the first time since that 1999 run this year.
The NBA will have to hope that St. John's run ends on Friday, for the sake of its viewership.
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Whatever happens this time, Georgio Poullas won’t be surprised. It doesn’t matter if Arman Tsarukyan takes another swing at him on the wrestling mats. It doesn’t matter if their return match at RAF 7 this Saturday turns into a full-scale fistfight right off the bat.
After his last experience on the mat with the UFC lightweight contender, Poullas insists he’s beyond any capacity for astonishment when it comes to the behavior of Tsarukyan — during or after the actual competition.
“I can tell you, I’ll be ready for it this time, whatever happens,” Poullas told Uncrowned. “It was a coward move, what [Tsarukyan] did. He waited until I wasn’t looking. I mean, if you’re going to hit me, hit me when I’m looking at you. Don’t be a coward about it.”
In case you’re among the small segment of the population who somehow missed the viral video moment from their first encounter at RAF 6, here’s a quick summary of how things went down:
— Tsarukyan took exception to Poullas’ use of clubbing hands to the head early on in their wrestling match and responded with a blatant open-hand slap that cost him a point.
— Poullas kept at it, and was eventually penalized a point himself.
— Order threatened to dissolve entirely. Tsarukyan took a swipe at Poullas between rounds. RAF officials had to walk on the mats and try to cool everyone down.
— Tsarukyan won a narrow victory on points (5-3). Then the real fun started.
The part of the video that spread far and wide on the internet was Tsarukyan shoving Poullas onto his back after the match had clearly ended, then getting on top of Poullas and punching him in the head before outside forces could intervene. Tsarukyan also attempted a knee strike on Poullas as bodies came tumbling onto the mat, but by then the chaos of the moment had gotten in the way of any effective, targeted violence.
If you go back and watch the RAF broadcast on FOX Nation, you’ll hear commentators expressing regret and disapproval at this display. Won’t someone think of the children watching and the example we’re setting? That sort of thing. But honestly? The moment was perfect for the viral video age. It takes a lot for a clip from some freestyle wrestling event to break containment and find its way into the open waters of social media. A post-match brawl will do it, though. And when it includes a notoriously hot-headed UFC title contender, even better.
Many of the initial reactions focused on that part, on Tsarukyan himself, and on the question of what exactly his problem might be. This is the same guy who, while making his walk to the cage at UFC 300, paused to attack a fan who directed an unkind hand gesture his way. More recently he head-butted an opponent — and seemingly injured him — during the ceremonial weigh-ins the day before their fight. Now it seems he can’t even get through a wrestling match without misbehaving in some memorable fashion.
Poullas, of course, has his own theories about what set Tsarukyan off in their match.
“I think when he gets a tough opponent who frustrates him, he acts out,” Poullas said. “He obviously doesn’t have respect for his opponents. I think when he’s challenged or frustrated, he doesn’t know how to handle it.”
But especially for someone like Poullas, this was not all bad news. He’s a guy who knows a little something about self-promotion via viral video. If you’d heard of him before this, it probably wasn’t as a mid-level college wrestler at Cleveland State or Rider University. More likely it was as the guy from social media promising $1,000 to anyone on the street who could take him down.
“Take me down, get $1,000” is exactly the kind of gimmick that Instagram and TikTok are made for, so this worked well as an attention-getting routine. (Poullas claims he was never taken down in these impromptu challenge matches, though there are dissenting opinions on that.) Even now, if you type his name into Google, you’re less likely to see Poullas identified as a standout wrestler than as a “social media influencer.”
It’s a job title Poullas doesn’t shy away from, in part because it arose out of necessity.
“It doesn't bother me. I mean, I am an influencer and I am a wrestler, but why do people know me? Because of social media, because I post my wrestling clips out there,” Poullas said. “The reason why I did what I did was because there weren't many social media wrestlers. There was no one doing what I'm doing. There wasn't money to be made in the sport. I enjoyed wrestling. I wanted to grow the sport. So it was a win-win for me. Make some money and promote the sport of wrestling and have fun with what I'm doing. Ultimately it all worked out for me.”
You can see how a guy with that approach wouldn’t mind a viral moment on the wrestling mats opposite a top UFC contender. In the attention economy of the internet, getting into a brawl with Tsarukyan was arguably even better than beating him would have been. Poullas’ only regret is that Tsarukyan got his shots in and then disappeared in the throng of bodies on the mat before Poullas had a chance at payback.
Georgio Poullas' rematch with Arman Tsarukyan headlines RAF 7 on Saturday. (Photo via Real American Freestyle)
“Anything that happens like that, a brawl with two high-level guys, it’s bound to be viral,” Poullas said. “I'm not upset at the fact that it happened. It brought a lot of attention to this sport and I think it did great things for the sport. In the heat of the moment, yeah, I wanted to fight the guy. I was looking for him, but there were just so many people out there so quick that I didn't get a chance to throw a punch back. But I think for the sport and just the virality of it, I think it was a good thing.”
It did earn Poullas the rematch on Saturday, just one month after that first meeting. And it has successfully kept his name in headlines. It might have even helped him open the door to some opportunities in MMA — Poullas told Uncrowned he has agreed to a contract for an MMA fight, but said he was unable to discuss specifics yet — now that even more fans from all corners of the fight sports world know his name.
But now comes the part where he has to deal with an angry pro fighter who has a reputation for lashing out violently even when it costs him. You just never know what you’re going to get with Tsarukyan, or when you’re going to get it. He’s proven that he doesn’t mind straying outside the rules or well beyond the bounds of competition. And now he has even more motivation to do so.
“I won’t be surprised if there’s another brawl,” Poullas said. “I’ll be ready.”
And if it does come to that, Poullas added: “I’d love a chance to punch that guy in the face.”
Port Vale will have "one hell of a go" at staying in League One, says manager Jon Brady.
Vale's chances of staying up look very slim, 11 points adrift of safety at the bottom of the table.
They have nine games to play - two more than Exeter City, who are one place above the relegation zone - but need to improve on a record of two wins in their last 11 league matches.
"If we're not going to be good enough at the end of the season, we're not going to make it, at least what we're going to do is give it one hell of to go," said Brady, who has been in charge at Vale since early January.
"I feel that the players have, overall, apart from one game where we probably hold our hands up and it wasn't good enough from start to finish - the Bradford game [a 2-0 loss].
"We've made changes since we've come in, we've been a lot more competitive and we've got a group who are really pulling together.
Goals, as well as wins, have been hard to come by for Vale with only 29 scored in their 37 league games so far - only Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship, with 24, have scored fewer in the English Football League.
Despite four teams having a worse expected goals ratio (xG) in the division, Port Vale's conversion rate is only 6.94% according to Opta, who also put their goals-to-expected goals-ratio at -12.22%.
Brady said the fact that their leading scorers - Ben Waine and Jayden Stockley - only have three league goals each was "not good enough".
"Unfortunately at the moment we seem to score and then try and protect the lead," he said.
"You are doing the right things, you're getting in those positions. But you can't work on ifs, buts and maybes.
"They're learning, but the hardest thing in football is to put the ball in the back of the net.
"It's decision-making in that moment. It's in and around the box at times, taking that extra pass. When we shoot from 35-40 yards I go nuts."
Vale go to Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday [15:00 GMT] hoping to cut the gap to safety to single figures.
And Brady says he will not stop telling his players they can still stay up.
"I have to come in and bounce in each day and lead from the front and show our players, our staff that we're positive," he said.
"We have belief that we can win games, perform better than we have done and get the results."
Lionel Messi’s World Cup decision will be up to him.
The Argentine champion and two-time MLS MVP with Inter Miami has yet to formally commit to playing with Argentina again this summer, although he appears in promotional content for the World Cup this year.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is set to appear in two friendlies with Argentina during this current FIFA international window, and his World Cup status was a topic of discussion. Argentina will face Mauritania on March 27 and Zambia on March 31.
Argentine national team coach Lionel Scaloni said Messi has “earned the right” to weigh his decision, adding there’s “no rush” on a choice.
“That’s a question more for him,” Scaloni said during a press conference on March 26. “As far as I’m concerned, you already know where I stand. I’ll do everything I can to make sure he’s there. I believe that, for the sake of football, he has to be there.”
“It’s difficult because it is not just the Argentinians who want to see him, everyone wants to see him,” he added.
“I want him to be there. It’s up to him to decide. He’s earned the right to make that decision with peace of mind. We’re in no rush about it. We know whatever he decides will be best for the team and for him. We hope he will be there.”
Messi has said on several previous occasions his physical condition and personal readiness will also be key factors if he joins Argentina in a World Cup title defense.
Messi, Argentina’s all-time leading scorer with 115 goals, was the Player of the Tournament in Qatar in 2022.
Argentina will open its World Cup defense on June 16 against Algeria in Kansas City, followed by Group J matches against Austria and Jordan.
Reigning division champs collide again at T-Mobile Park as the Cleveland Guardians and Seattle Mariners lock horns — and it’ll take some special hitting to top last night’s home run blitz.
These teams combined for six dingers in yesterday’s season opener, with Cleveland picking up a 6-4 win, and my Guardians vs. Mariners predictions expect Jose Ramirez to lead the charge for the visitors in this rematch.
Get the lowdown on this clash with my free MLB picks for Friday, March 27.
Guardians vs Mariners predictions
Guardians vs Mariners best bet: Jose Ramirez Over 1.5 total bases (+140)
If you’re in the market for consistent production, look no further than Jose Ramirez. His hit totals for the past four seasons read: 168, 172, 173, 168 – and there’s no sign of decline for the wily veteran.
Ramirez thumped a two-RBI double last night to turn the contest in the Cleveland Guardians favor, and he’s had success against Seattle Mariners starter George Kirby to the tune of a 6-for-12 record, with three doubles and a homer.
When the Mariners go to the bullpen, it’s worth noting that Ramirez also has a pair of hits against key relievers Gabe Speier and Andres Muñoz.
COVERS INTEL: George Kirby allowed a .264 average to left-handers last season, and that lines up nicely for the switch-hitting Ramirez and the other lefties in the Guardians lineup
Guardians vs Mariners same-game parlay (SGP)
I’ll take the run line with a pesky Cleveland offense that’s packed with lefties, while trusting that Gavin Williams – coming off a 3.06 ERA last year – can match Kirby.
The visitors, and they’ve got a real lead-off weapon in rookie Chase DeLauter, who marked his first regular season outing with two solo dingers last night.
Then it’s all about the elite hitting on show. Ramirez has already opened his RBI account for 2026, and Julio Rodriguez can point to three career hits against Williams. J-Rod went 0-for-4 yesterday, but he finished with 174 hits and 95 RBIs in 2025.
Guardians vs Mariners SGP
Guardians +1.5
Jose Ramirez Over 0.5 hits
Julio Rodriguez Over 0.5 hits
Guardians vs Mariners home run pick: Cal Raleigh (+290)
After a magical run last year, Cal Raleigh didn’t do himself any favors during the WBC, but look for his bat to do the talking tonight. Another regular season with 60 homers might be a stretch, but I’m wagering on The Big Dumper to mash his first long ball of the year here.
2026 Transparency record
Best bets: 1-0, +0.65 units
SGPs: 0-1, -1 units
HR picks: 0-1, -1 units
Guardians vs Mariners odds
Moneyline: Cleveland +143 | Seattle -158
Run line: Cleveland +1.5 (-150) | Seattle -1.5 (+130)
Over/Under: Over 7 (-105) | Under 7 (-115)
Guardians vs Mariners trend
The Over is 7-3 in the past 10 meetings between these teams. Find more MLB betting trends for Guardians vs. Mariners.
How to watch Guardians vs Mariners and game info
Location
T-Mobile Park, Seattle, WA
Date
Friday, March 27, 2026
First pitch
9:45 p.m. ET
TV
Apple TV
Guardians starting pitcher
Gavin Williams (2025: 12-5, 3.06 ERA)
Mariners starting pitcher
George Kirby (2025: 10-8, 4.21 ERA)
Guardians vs Mariners latest injuries
Guardians vs Mariners weather
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
The FC Barcelona player is suffering from an issue in his right thigh.
An early exit that raises doubts about his physical condition and worries FC Barcelona, his club, given the crucial end-of-season fixtures that are coming up.
George Gervin, Caleb Williams Credit: Cooper Neill/Getty; Jesse Grant/Getty
NEED TO KNOW
Caleb Williams has filed a trademark application for his "Iceman" nickname
George Gervin, an NBA Hall of Famer, has long gone by the same nickname
Gervin said he had no beef with 24-year-old Bears quarterback, "but that name is taken"
The Iceman cometh — and he’s trying to take away a nickname long held by an NBA Hall of Fame player.
Last week, Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams filed four trademark applications on “Iceman,” the nickname he earned from fans last season for having ice in his veins in numerous come-from-behind victories, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
But the legal move didn’t sit well with a legendary former San Antonio Spurs star who is known by the moniker: George “Iceman” Gervin.
Caleb Williams on the sidelines during the national anthem prior to an NFL divisional playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams at Soldier Field on Jan. 18, 2026 in Chicago. Credit: Brooke Sutton/Getty
“I’ve got nothing but respect for [Williams],” Gervin, 73, told the Sun-Times. “He’s already proved greatness and his potential upside is great. Like an ‘Iceman.’ But that name is taken.”
So, four days after Williams filed the applications, Gervin also moved to trademark “Iceman,” as well as “Iceman 44,” in reference to his jersey number. According to the application, the nickname was first used by him in commerce in 1979, the San Antonio Express-News reported.
At least one member of Gervin’s camp, Jerald Barisano, president/CEO of Gervin Global Management, said he had always believed the name had been trademarked, per the Sun-Times.
When the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office reviews the applications — which could take months — Barisano said he and Gervin are “hoping the inspectors will do the right thing.”
“All they’ve got to do, is, do one Google search and they’ll see hundreds and hundreds of articles on the ‘Iceman,’ George Gervin,” he said.
George Gervin during a 1978 NBA game against the Washington Bullets. Credit: Focus on Sport/Getty
Gervin, known for his signature finger roll shot, won the NBA scoring title four times and played with the Spurs for 11 years.
Heisman Trophy winner Williams, 24, steered the Bears to a turnaround season full of dramatic wins— some in cold conditions — but they ultimately came up short of the NFC championship game, losing in the Divisional Round of the playoffs.
Gervin, who said he has no beef with the signal-caller, is seemingly unimpressed: “I’m really the ‘Iceman’ in sports,” he said.
He added, “All I’m saying is: Young fella, we’ve already got one ‘Iceman.’ ”
Inter Miami have announced that a stand at the club's new stadium will be named after club captain Lionel Messi (Scott Taetsch)
A spectator stand at Inter Miami's new stadium is to be named in honor of Argentina superstar and club captain Lionel Messi, the Major League Soccer franchise announced on Friday.
Inter Miami said in a statement the club's new 26,700-seat arena, to be known as Nu Stadium, would include the "Leo Messi Stand" when it hosts its first game on April 4.
"Inter Miami CF is excited to announce Leo Messi stand, with our number 10 and captain set to become part of a rare and unique case in global sports: an athlete regularly playing at his home stadium with a stand named in his honor," Inter Miami said.
The Nu Stadium is a permanent, purpose-built replacement for Inter's temporary home at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, where the club have played since joining MLS in 2020.
Messi joined Inter three years ago, transforming the club's fortunes in the process by leading them to four trophies including the 2023 Leagues Cup and the 2025 MLS Cup.
Inter said naming the stand after Messi was a reflection of the 38-year-old Argentine's ongoing impact with the club.
"Traditionally, tributes look to the past. They are built from nostalgia. From memory," Inter said in a statement.
"This one is different. This one is born from the present. From what is happening right now. From what you feel every time Leo steps onto the pitch.
"Recognizing someone is not always about closing a chapter. Sometimes it is about realizing you are witnessing something unique."
Throughout the season, no two players have dominated headlines like the Boozer brothers, Cameron and Cayden.
Not only are the duo some of the most talented freshman in the country, they are also the sons of former Duke star, Carlos Boozer, who won a national title with the school in 2001 and went on to play 13 years in the NBA.
Ahead of Duke's Sweet 16 matchup against St. John's, Duke head coach Jon Scheyer spoke about Carlos Boozer's impact and what it's meant having him on the sidelines to support the team and his sons.
"Carlos from a former player's perspective, just coaches guys," he said. "It's been awesome to see that connection, but also he's just been dad, which has been just a special thing."
Although Boozer previously worked as an ACC Network analyst, he won't be in the studio for Friday's game against St. John's.
Boozer will more than likely be sitting courtside, cheering on his sons and his alma mater, as they hope to advance to the Elite Eight.
The Philadelphia 76ers have not had Tyrese Maxey since March 7 when the All-Star guard suffered a right finger tendon strain injury. The Sixers have relied on others to step up in his place and help them get the job done, but they would, obviously, like to have their star guard back.
Maxey has been seen in workouts using his left hand, but most recently, he has begun to shoot right-handed which is a big step forward for him. He's averaging 29.0 points on the season and has been fantastic in a number of areas.
"I feel pretty good," Maxey told reporters at practice on Friday. "Yeah. I just got a new splint. I don't know if it was yesterday or a couple days ago. I've been working conditioning-wise, doing all the things that they need me to do. So, we'll see."
As Philadelphia moves forward, it has nine games left and is in prime position to climb back into the top 6 of the Eastern Conference playoff picture. The Sixers are only half a game back of the Toronto Raptors for the sixth and final guaranteed playoff spot, and they own the tiebreaker, so there is a big chance for them. Especially, if Maxey can return after his re-evaluation at the end of March.
"Yeah, I think the main thing is just feeling comfortable and kind of listening to the doctors, listening to the people, that's the training staff, and it's hard sometimes, but they always want what's best for us as players," Maxey added. "Just keep listening to them, and whenever they allow me to get back out there and do more and more things, and I’ll keep doing that."
When the injury happened in the loss to the Atlanta Hawks in early March, it certainly looked bad. Maxey had a collision with teammate Adem Bona when both were going for a rebound with 16 seconds left in the game. Maxey then looked like he had a shocked look on his face and he was trying to get off the court as quickly as possible. He reflected on that night.
"When it happened, I'm just like, ‘Oh, man.’ Like, I knew something wasn't right, you know what I mean?" Maxey began. "Like, I get hit all the time, and I just bounce back up, but like, the way it felt, the way my finger was bending, it just didn't seem right. I knew something was wrong, and I was really trying to roll myself off the court so I didn't get ran over."
Smart move by Maxey as he was looking to figure out a way to stay safe at that point.
"I was trying to explain that," he finished. "They were like where are you going? I was rolling off the court. Like, it hurt, but it didn't hurt that bad, trying to get off the court so nobody ran me over anything. Bona already ran me over. I like to play. I like being out there every single night for my teammates, for this organization. So it was a little sad, but, man, like I said, I got some good rest, though. I definitely got some good rest, and I feel pretty good."
The Sixers will begin a 3-game road trip on Saturday against the Charlotte Hornets. The hope is that Maxey will be able to return after this upcoming trip.
Jonah Tong | (Photo by Tanner Gatlin/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
First Half Record: 31-44 (7/10, International League East Division)
Second Half Record: 46-29 (2/10, International League East Division)
When the 2025 season began, the Syracuse Mets had an assortment of the Mets’ top prospects and an additional nineteen players with major league experience. Syracuse had ended the second half of the 2024 season as one of the worst in the International League, but with so much talent on board, expectations were that the team would turn things around.
All in all, the team got off to a sluggish start and struggled to really build momentum, with the promotion-and-demotion of players augmenting the Mets’ lineup really having an effect on the team. They ended the first half with a 31-44 record, 7th in the International League East Division, 16.0 games behind the first place Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, and were one of the bottom teams in all of Triple-A baseball. In the second half, Syracuse benefited from promotions from Double-A Binghamton, with top prospects such as Carson Benge, Jett Williams, Jonah Tong, Nolan McLean, and Ryan Clifford all suiting up for Syracuse. Additionally, a handful of players who had otherwise struggled in the first half righted the ship to some degree. The team went 46-29 in the second half, their magic number running out in the last week of the season.
Dick Scott will be returning as team skipper, his fourth year as manager. Joining him will be John Nogowski, who will be serving as bench coach, A.J. Sager, who will be serving as pitching coach, and Nate Irving, who will be serving as hitting coach. Nogowski will be replacing 2025 bench coach J.P. Arencibia, while Sager will be reprising his 2025 role and Irving will be replacing 2025 hitting coach Rick Guarno.
The 2026 season will be Dick Scott’s thirteenth year in the New York Mets organization. Besides coaching Syracuse for the last four, he also served as Coordinator of Coaching Development and Instruction in 2021-2022, New York Mets bench coach in 2016-2017, Director of Player Development in 2012-2015, and was a Minor League Field Coordinator in 2011-2012.
The 2026 season will be John Nogowski’s first season not just with the Mets, but as a coach. The infielder attended Florida State University and was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 34th round of the 2014 MLB Draft, the 1,032nd player selected overall. He was released in 2017, signed a contract with the Sioux City Explorers of the American Association a few months later, and then was signed by the St. Louis Cardinals a few weeks later. He remained in their organization for the next few years, making his MLB debut in 2020, and was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for cash considerations in July 2021, getting released by them at the end of the season.
A.J. Sager will be returning to the role that he held last season for Syracuse and will be returning to the Mets for his sixth season. Prior to serving as pitching coach for the Syracuse Mets, he was the pitching coach for the Binghamton Rumble Ponies in 2022-2023 and was pitching coach for the Brooklyn Cyclones in 2021. Before he was a coach in the Mets organization, he was a coach for twenty years with the Detroit Tigers.
The 2026 season will be Nate Irving’s first season as Syracuse hitting coach and will be his second season with the Mets. In 2025, he served as Binghamton Rumble Ponies hitting coach. Prior to joining the organization, he coached in the Cincinatti Reds system, serving as hitting coach for the Single-A Daytona Tortugas in 2024, the ACL Reds in 2023, and as bench coach for the Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts in 2022. Additionally, he served as a hitting coach for the Bravos de Margarita of the Venezuelan League during the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 seasons.
The Syracuse Mets will be opening the 2026 season against the Worcester Red Sox at Polar Park this afternoon at 4:05 PM EDT. And here’s their full Opening Day roster.
NEWARK, NJ - MARCH 08: Evgenii Dadonov #33 of the New Jersey Devils skates with the puck during a game between the Detroit Red Wings and New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on March 8, 2026 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Andrew Mordzynski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
I do not at all enjoy making this kind of case, but it is one that needs to be made.
Last night, Evgenii Dadonov played his 19th game of the season in the place of the injured Arseny Gritsyuk. Why is this such a problem? Per Sheldon Keefe, Gritsyuk is considered week-to-week. That means that, unless the team calls someone up from Utica, Evgenii Dadonov will play 20 or more games this season. When Dadonov signed with the New Jersey Devils, he signed a bonus-laden contract that would have paid him up to $3.25 million in total. $1 million is set as his base salary, while the performance bonuses account for $2.25 million. Per PuckPedia, here is that breakdown:
$250K PB at 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 GP; $300K for playoffs + 40 GP; $300K winning round 1; $200K winning round 2; $100K winning east; $100K for winning cup — must play 50% GP each round for bonus
With the Devils well over the $95.5 million cap ceiling this year, the Devils have already incurred a $250,000 penalty on their cap for next season from Dadonov’s contract. The moment he steps on the ice in a Devils uniform again, that turns to a $500,000 penalty. Regardless of how much I respect Evgenii Dadonov as a player, there are only two scenarios in which I would be willing, if I were in Tom Fitzgerald’s position, to let him ride as the third line left wing:
If the Devils were in a playoff spot or within immediate striking distance of one
If Evgenii Dadonov was a productive player for the team this season
Unfortunately, the 37-32-2 Devils are 10 points out of the Wild Card and 11 points out of the Metropolitan Division. With 11 games to play, it would likely require winning every remaining game to make the playoffs, and even that might not do it. Further, Evgenii Dadonov has contributed zero points in 19 games played this season, averaging 10:58 of ice time per game played. By comparison, AHL fill-ins Angus Crookshank and Brian Halonen each have a goal in eight and nine games played, respectively, averaging 8:36 and 7:30 of ice time per game played.
You might say, hey! The third line looked pretty good last night with Dadonov at left wing! I would disagree, though, that Dadonov was essential for that success. With all three of Dadonov, Cody Glass, and Lenni Hameenaho on the ice, the Devils outshot Nashville 4-0 and had a 0.26—0.01 expected goals advantage. But when Dadonov skated with other lines, his expected goals percentage dropped to under 30.00%. Without Cody Glass, he had a 26.21 xGF%. Without Lenni Hameenaho on the ice, Dadonov had an 8.65 xGF%. At his age, Dadonov does not have the grit to play a fourth line game, and he has lost too many steps on offense to hang around with Jack Hughes and Connor Brown.
I would not expect Angus Crookshank to be a world-beater, by any means, but he has actually been on the scoresheet in less than half of the ice time played. Furthermore, he is only 26 years old, and Dadonov is almost certainly not in the future plans for these Devils. The fourth line only allowed one goal against when Crookshank was on the ice earlier this season (which is impressive if you recall how leaky the Glendening-led fourth line was), and Crookshank showed plenty of energy and aggressiveness out there, especially when he shared the ice with Xavier Parent.
Parent is currently tied with Brian Halonen atop the scoring leaderboard for the Utica Comets with 32 points in 53 games (Halonen has played 45 games for Utica). Angus Crookshank is sitting at 30 points in 51 games. All three have scored 19 goals, sharing the team lead. One of the three, I would argue, should get a chance at wing as long as Arseny Gritsyuk is out, and they would only have to travel to Carolina for tomorrow’s game. Unfortunately for Halonen, the two players already on the third line are Cody Glass and Lenni Hameenaho, who both have right-shots. That would probably leave it to the lefties, and I would pick the senior Crookshank for one last good audition at the end of the season.
Would it work? I liked how Crookshank skated on a previously-dreadful fourth line, and he would have a much more talented center in Cody Glass to work with at this point of the season. Glass has shown himself to be capable of carrying lines this season, not even missing a beat last night with the very-talented and fast Arseny Gritsyuk out of the lineup. I would rather give that line another guy with some edge and more speed than Dadonov still has in his legs, which would be a more natural fit than a perimeter guy like Dadonov who is mostly just a cog for moving the puck at this point, without much scoring threat left in his hands. Crookshank will forecheck, he will go to the net, and he can keep up with the speed that the New Jersey Devils have been trying to achieve since the Olympic break.
Maybe that changes over the offseason, and I hope Dadonov doesn’t go out like this, but the injuries have been too much for him and he has shown no signs of turning it around in a Devils sweater. It’s time to face facts and make sure that players like Simon Nemec have another $250,000 to work with in contract talks this offseason. For a potential longer-term extension like Nemec, an additional $250,000 in bonus overage penalty doesn’t just impact him next season, it impacts what he could possibly be offered over the next several years with the NHL’s annual average value system for cap hits. It is simply not worth it.
Your Thoughts
What do you think of the conundrum the Devils face? Should they let Dadonov try to work it out and incur an extra bonus penalty, or should they give a chance to a younger player? Leave your thoughts in the comments below, and thanks for reading.
"We are changing the way we do things at Wolves. It must always be football first and around that we are building greater clarity, accountability and longer-term thinking to create a better future" - Nathan Shi, who is still officially interim executive chairman, said in a recent statement.
You, like me, might have grown up thinking that being "football first" ought to be so intrinsic to a football club that there would be no need to actually state it, let alone revert to it, but perhaps we are products of a simpler age.
However, starting from a "football first" standpoint sounds like a good lodestar - and this is no time to be churlish.
Many Wolves fans ran through the stages of grief for their Premier League status quite early. Though the moment will still hurt when it comes - let us also make room for the possibility, however slim, that it won't come - the most intense anger associated with relegation may have already passed.
But there is a moment of opportunity here.
Like every other aspect of Wolves' probable demotion, the fracturing of the relationship between the owners Fosun and the supporters is not a product of this season alone.
Fans revered Fosun's name in the early years after the takeover; now they take it in vain. Much of the anger was directed personally at previous chairman Jeff Shi, and the appointment of Nathan Shi as his replacement in December was greeted with a lot of eye-rolling.
But the relationship is not beyond repair and Fosun continue to insist their interest remains long-term.
Nathan Shi's statement spoke of a "responsibility to them to put the right structures in place at Wolves so we can build something we are proud of again". His lack of previous football experience need not prevent him from succeeding.
Organising the right people into key positions, and taking care to ensure supporters feel invested in and respected by the club, matter more.
Announcing an average 25% cut in season-ticket prices and committing to regular meetings with the club's Fan Advisory Board and wider support forums are a good start.
The Wolves Report podcast's Ryan Leister met Nathan Shi at one of the recent meetings. "What we stated was the things you're saying are great but these things are only going to become real, and you be believed and trusted, when words become actions," said Leister.
Lost hearts and minds can be won back if the fans feel the club is listening and they can see that football is once again first. "If Nathan's saying it then great, but he has to keep showing us," Leister added.
Holmgren is a late scratch due to a right hip contusion. He’s averaging career highs of 17.9 points and 8.9 rebounds this season on 55.2% shooting from the field (35.3% from deep).
OKC will also be without Brooks Barnhizer (G League two-way), Thomas Sorber (right ACL surgical recovery) and Nikola Topić (G League assignment). Backup big man Jaylin Williams should see an expanded role in Holmgren’s absence, among others.
OKC (57-16) is looking to rebound from a 119-109 road loss to the Boston Celtics on Wednesday. That snapped the Thunder’s league-best winning streak of 12 games.
Justin Martinez covers the Thunder and NBA for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at jmartinez@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @Justintohoops. Sign up for the Thunder Sports Minute newsletter to access more NBA coverage. Support Justin's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
SAN ANSELMO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 06: In this photo illustration, the Fubo TV logo is displayed on a television screen on January 06, 2025 in San Anselmo, California. Disney announced plans to merge pay-TV streaming provider Fubo Hulu + Live TV which will have a combined 6.2 million North American subscribers. Disney will own 70% of the joint venture. (Photo Illustration by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) | Getty Images
There’s another television vendor that will be carrying BravesVision. An actual cable-like streamer, FuboTV, is part of the BravesVision family.
Atlanta Braves and Fubo Reach Multiyear Distribution Agreement for BravesVision: pic.twitter.com/zArOdmvzOG
FuboTV and Braves has agreed a multiyear partnership to carry BravesVision, the Braves’ owned and operated network. BravesVision will be available for the customers in Atlanta’s television footprint, which contains Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, and western North Carolina.
FuboTV has undergone a multitude of changes in the last decade. They attempted to carry all sports channels from Fox, Disney, NBC, and Paramount. They were blocked via their cable partners from doing so. Then they sued when Fox, Disney, and Paramount attempted to build Venu, which was to combine all their sports offerings. Now Disney owns 70 percent of the streamer. The BravesVision addition may be a swipe at fellow cableish streamer YouTube, who hasn’t carried the Braves for about a half decade.
So this might be good news for those wishing to watch the Braves on YouTube TV. But for now, BravesVision is on FuboTV. The recent BravesVision announcements haven’t stated which tier or what the price point will be. But like Spectrum and Xfinity customers, you have your option.
"His energy, his capacity to hold up the ball, his ability to keep the ball in possession" - as if to illustrate his point, Unai Emery patted his back pocket, rather in the manner of an old advert for a popular supermarket.
Any Aston Villa fan entering the radio interview room in this moment, and seeing this probably subconscious motion, would instantly have realised who the head coach was talking about.
For the second time in less than 72 hours, John McGinn had scored a goal to set Villa on course for an important win. "After it, we could get more passes and we could get in the attacking third better or easier through him," Emery added.
Most analysis of McGinn's contribution to Villa tends to focus on his personal qualities, as a leader of men and apparently inexhaustible supplier of energy, not to mention his trademark method of rolling round opponents.
That is all undoubtedly true, but it can obscure the other reason why he has remained a fundamental part of this team, as it moves up the levels with Emery: McGinn is no mere labourer, he is just as much a craftsman.
His technical ability was demonstrated once again by the precise finish he applied to an elegant free-kick routine.
With 67 minutes gone, McGinn took his leave to allow for another reassuring sight: the return of Youri Tielemans. Of the 11 first-team games he missed during his recent spell of injury, Villa won only four of them - three of which were in the Europa League. McGinn was also missing for eight of those matches.
It's no wonder then that Tielemans was cheered to the echo before he had even taken to the field at Villa Park.
"That reception is what you want as a player," Tielemans said post-match. "To be recognised like that, it's great to see." It must be because, like McGinn, Tielemans was soon gliding along.
A 25-minute pipe-opener against a subdued West Ham made for an ideal shift to dial himself back in.
The nervousness felt around Villa Park in recent weeks had gone by then. The band were coming back together and starting to play the hits. Spring has sprung in B6.
Ollie Watkins perhaps challenged his England national team omission, showing that he still has the instincts of a top striker by scoring a goal that was all instinct.
Villa's two paths to success this season will both still be clear when they reconvene after this international break.
CLEMSON — Clemson basketball looks to be players in the transfer portal when it opens.
The portal opens April 7, the day after the national championship, and closes April 21.
The Tigers (24-11) made their third straight Men's NCAA Tournament in 2026 after undergoing the largest roster overhaul in coach Brad Brownell's tenure. However, Clemson was one-and-done in March Madness for the second straight season after No. 9 seed Iowa beat the Tigers.
Clemson is losing five seniors to expiring eligibility: guards Dillon Hunter, Jestin Porter and Butta Johnson and forwards RJ Godfrey and Nick Davidson. The Tigers will potentially lose more as surprises can happen in the transfer era.
Clemson has 10 roster spots filled with five remaining on the Tigers' 2026-27 roster. Clemson only used 13 roster spots in 2025-26.
Here are all the players who are leaving and joining the Tigers via the transfer portal.
Who transferred out of Clemson basketball?
Jake Wahlin
Wahlin announced on March 27 that he is entering the portal when it opens. He spent one season with Clemson after transferring from Utah, averaging 5.3 points and 3.9 rebounds in 35 games and 29 starts. He has one year of eligibility remaining.
ANTALYA, Turkey (AP) — Players held small backpacks as Iran's national soccer team used a match against Nigeria on Friday to honor the victims of a deadly missile strike on an elementary school.
More than 165 people were killed, most of them children, when a Feb. 28 strike, likely launched by the U.S., hit the school in southern Iran. Neither the United States nor Israel has accepted responsibility for the attack, which has come under staunch criticism from the United Nations and human rights groups. The U.S. military is investigating and has said it would never target civilians.
During the national anthem Friday, the Iranian team honored the memory of the slain children by placing small pink and purple school backpacks in front of them.
Video of the ceremony also showed the players wearing black armbands in remembrance of those killed since the war began.
The match was played in Antalya, southern Turkey.
Nigeria won 2-1 in a game that was a World Cup tuneup for Iran, ahead of the tournament being co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
The Islamic Republic's team is scheduled to play three group-stage matches in June in the U.S. The Iranian ambassador in Mexico City has said the country asked FIFA to move those three games to Mexico after U.S. President Donald Trump discouraged the team from attending, citing safety concerns.
Iranian government and soccer officials have said they do not want to boycott the World Cup but that it is not possible for the national team to go to the U.S. because of military attacks on Iran by Israel and U.S.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has dampened Iran’s attempts to move its matches, saying global soccer’s governing body wants the tournament “to go ahead as scheduled.”
Separately on Friday, Iran’s judiciary threatened to seize the property of soccer player Sardar Azmoun, two semiofficial news agencies said. The announcement follows threats from Iran’s hard-liner judicial chief that authorities planned to seize the assets of celebrities viewed as critical of the government.
In July 2025, Sanchez was
arrested for firing a pistol out of his window while riding
past an automobile accident on an Albuquerque, New Mexico, highway.
The arrest reports verified the weapon in question and identified
recently spent bullet casings, while the driver, friend Derrick
Montoya, admitted to the arresting officer that Sanchez had
discharged his weapon and laughed about it.
The prosecutors
sought a sentence of two years in prison based on the
fourth-degree felony charge of discharging a firearm at or from a
motor vehicle. He was also charged with a misdemeanor of negligent
use of a deadly weapon, but per
MMAJunkie, the latter was dismissed when Sanchez agreed to a
guilty plea for the former.
The price I have to pay
Per local outlet
KRQE, Sanchez was ultimately sentenced with five years of
supervised probation, while he also will be required to complete
800 hours of community service. As he took a plea agreement, there
is no plan on an appeal. Instead, the longtime fighter took
responsibility for his actions, saying so in a pair of statements
following the sentencing hearing.
“It was a foolish decision,” Sanchez said. “I look back on it, and
I own it, and I take responsibility for it, and now I won’t be able
to have guns no more, and that’s the price I have to pay for my
wrong decision.”
He
continued, “All I can do is take accountability, own it, and
spread positivity to the youth and the next generation to change
these ways. Not to be shooting out windows like cowboys.”
Sanchez exploded onto the scene as an undefeated welterweight,
winning his first 11 matches including a triumph over Jorge
Santiago, when he appeared on the first season of “The Ultimate
Fighter” in 2005. “The Nightmare” won out the middleweight bracket
of the show, tapping Alex
Karalexis and Josh
Rafferty before claiming a decision against Josh
Koscheck to reach the finals. A quick rear-naked choke of
Kenny
Florian awarded him the vaunted six-figure contract and trophy
from the UFC brass.
The New Mexico native went on to move down to lightweight, where he
picked up a number of post-fight bonuses and challenge B.J. Penn for the
155-pound strap in 2009. Sanchez ultimately succumbed to a doctor
stoppage in the fifth frame. The bonus magnet bounced around
divisions, even going as far down as featherweight on one occasion,
and ended up departing the Las Vegas-based promotion in 2020. The
44-year-old briefly stopped off at Eagle FC in 2022, tested his
mettle in bare-knuckle boxing the year after and was linked to a
boxing match with John
Makdessi in 2025.
ORLANDO, FL - OCTOBER 26: UCF Knights defensive end Malachi Lawrence (51) looks on during a game between the BYU Cougars and the UCF Knights on October 26, 2024 at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, FL. (Photo by Ricky Bowden/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The 2026 NFL Draft is quickly approaching, Bills Mafia. President of football operations/general manager Brandon Beane will have another opportunity to add talent to Buffalo’s 2026 roster, this time trying to help new head coach Joe Brady and new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard build a new identity in Orchard Park, NY.
For this exercise, I used the Stick to the Model tool to put myself in Beane’s shoes and bring some talent to the squad in several positions where the team may count on them becoming huge contributors early on, and even starters from the get-go. I climbed and slid through five separate trades to maximize value, and I walked away with an A- grade (based on pick value and team needs). Starting from Buffalo’s original 26th-overall slot, I swapped picks with the Las Vegas Raiders, New Orleans Saints, Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Rams, and others — netting premium Day 2 capital while preserving future assets.
The current draft class is tailor-made for Brady’s vision, and for Leonhard’s (predicted) aggressive 3-4 scheme. Every pick directly addresses a roster need without sacrificing the “Best Player Available” mindset, while fitting the new defensive philosophy that emphasizes length, athleticism, and gap discipline up front.
Without further ado, here’s my first Bills’ seven-round 2026 NFL Mock Draft.
Round 1, pick 26: Trade!
Las Vegas sends picks 2.36, 3.67, and 5.134 for Buffalo’s 1.26 and 4.126
With several options of similar value on the board, and missing the second-round pick traded for wide receiver DJ Moore, Beane trades down with the Raiders, securing an extra third, and moving down from late in the first to early in the second, and from late in the fourth to early in the fifth.
Round 2, pick 36: Trade Down
New Orleans sends picks 2.42 and 3.73 for Buffalo’s 2.36
No exclamation mark on the trade alert anymore, since, as fans, you’re probably mad at me at this point. I get you, it’s not sexy to wait that long for your team’s first pick, but the Saints called offering an extra third to move up six spots, and with the value on my board still very similar, it was a no-brainer.
Round 2, pick 42: Malachi Lawrence, EDGE (UCF)
Here it is, my first addition to Leonhard’s new defense. Malachi Lawrence is a fast-rising edge prospect among this year’s draft scene, projected as a high-upside early second-round pick. His combination of elite athletic testing and a refined pass-rush arsenal makes him a premier fit for Buffalo’s transition to an attacking 3-4 defense.
Lawrence recorded a 1.59-second 10-yard split (89th percentile) and a 40” vertical jump, demonstrating the elite “get-off” needed to win the outside shoulder of NFL tackles. Unlike many “traits-only” prospects, he possesses a deep “bag” of moves, including a signature cross-chop, speed-to-power, and active hand usage that allows for frequent secondary rush wins. He finished his UCF career 10th on the school’s all-time list with 20.0 sacks, including a 2025 season where he earned First-Team All-Big 12 honors.
At 6’4″ and 253 pounds, Lawrence is a prototypical stand-up outside linebacker. He has already met with the Bills and is viewed as an ideal rotational piece who can eventually push for a starting role in this new alignment. Leonhard intends to prioritize an “attacking defense” that speeds up quarterbacks. Lawrence’s 19.2% pass-rush win rate (via Pro Football Focus/PFF) is among the best in the 2026 class, suggesting he can immediately contribute as a sub-package specialist, complementing Bradley Chubb, Greg Rousseau, and Michael Hoecht in the room.
Round 2, pick 56 — Trade Up and draft Chris Bell, WR (Louisville)
Buffalo sends picks 3.67 and 5.134 for Jacksonville’s 2.56
With Chris Bell falling in Round 2, it’s time to take a calculated risk and move up for him — and the assets acquired in the previous two trades allow me to do so. At this point, he’s the best player on my board, and there’s space for more competition for playing time.
Originally a fringe first-round prospect, a late-season ACL tear suffered in November 2025 has created a “buying opportunity” for teams willing to wait on his medical recovery. For the Bills, Bell represents the prototypical big-bodied “X” receiver they have lacked to complement Josh Allen’s elite arm strength. His rare combination of size (6’2″, 222 pounds) and speed (was projected to run a 4.40–4.44 40-yard dash at the 2026 Combine) has had scouts often compare him to A.J. Brown due to his “bully” mentality at the catch point and elite yards-after-catch ability. I can see some Eric Moulds in his game.
Before his injury, Bell was a Biletnikoff Award semifinalist in 2025, recording 72 receptions for 917 yards and six touchdowns in just 11 games. Bell is the kind of player who, when healthy, has the potential to become a true WR1, allowing DJ Moore to slide to a more suitable WR2 role as he ages.
Make #95 great again! No one better than “Big Citrus” to replace a Bills legend and become a new fan favorite, wearing the same jersey. Having accumulated mid-round picks from the Jacksonville deal allowed the Bills to land Orange without sacrificing future capital.
Orange is a premier value pick for the early third round. The 6’4″, 325-pound defender is the quintessential zero-technique nose tackle. While his box score stats are modest, his value as a space-eater makes him a foundational piece for Buffalo’s transition to a 3-4 defense under Leonhard, even though he doesn’t necessarily need a true zero-technique to run his fronts.
Orange provides a high floor as a day one run-stuffer, offering unrivaled play strength — he boasts elite weight room numbers, including a 650-pound squat and 450-pound bench press, which translate to an immovable anchor against NFL-caliber double teams. Despite his massive frame, Orange made the 2025 Feldman Freaks List thanks to a shocking 34” vertical jump, highlighting the lower-body explosiveness needed to reset the line of scrimmage.
In 50 career games at Iowa State, Orange proved to be a force multiplier, consistently commanding double teams that freed up linebackers to flow to the ball (music to Terrel Bernard’s ears). While he had only 1.0 career sack, Orange recorded 13 pressures in 2025 — ranking third on his team — showing he can collapse the pocket even when not designated as a primary rusher. With 33 5/8″ arms and 10 1/4″ hands, he can lock out blockers and maintain gap integrity, making everybody around him better.
Round 3, pick 91: Trade Down
Los Angeles Rams send picks 3.93 and 7.207 for Buffalo’s 3.91
Moving down two spots to add a seventh made sense to me here.
Round 3, pick 93: Bud Clark, S (TCU)
A highly productive four-year starter and three-time team captain, Clark is one of the premier ballhawks in this class, offering elite ball skills and alignment versatility that could see him contribute immediately in sub-packages and eventually become Cole Bishop’s long-term partner. His draft stock sits in the late Day 2 to early Day 3 range primarily due to a slender frame and age (24-year-old rookie), allowing the Bills to snag an elite playmaker at a discount.
Clark finished his TCU career with 15 interceptions and 21 pass breakups over 61 games. At the 2026 NFL Combine, Clark posted an impressive 4.41-second 40-yard dash and a38” vertical jump, confirming the range seen on tape. He allowed a meager 59.9 passer rating when targeted over his final two seasons, earning a massive 90.1 PFF coverage grade in 2024.
Leonhard values safeties who can “wear different hats.” Clark has over 500 career snaps each at free safety, box safety, and slot corner, making him a perfect “chess piece” for Leonhard’s modular system.
Buffalo sends picks 6.165 and 6.168 for Jacksonville’s 5.134
Buffalo still had to select a promising linebacker capable of, at minimum, offering some potential and athletic ability behind Terrel Bernard (whose health is a big question mark going forward). Enter Harold Perkins Jr., via LSU. After the last pick, the Bills sat out of the entire fourth round, but called up Jacksonville again to strike on another trade, moving up from early in the sixth to early in the fifth instead, and securing Harold Perkins Jr. there.
The LSU product’s stock settled into the Day 3 (Round 4–5) range due to an undersized frame (6-0 5/8”, 220 pounds) and a 2024 ACL injury. Despite these concerns, he remains an elite “boom-or-bust” value pick because of his rare athletic traits and proven ability to create havoc in the backfield.
Landing the former five-star recruit and freshman All-American in the fifth round is exceptional value here, based on untapped ceiling, athletic testing, and impressive college production. At his 2026 Pro Day, Perkins clocked a blazing 4.38-second 40-yard dash, proving his explosive speed returned after his 2024 knee injury. He’s also one of the few players in college history with 30-plus tackles for loss (35.5) and5-plus interceptions (5), showcasing a rare “defensive weapon” profile. With over 600 snaps at EDGE, off-ball linebacker, and slot defender, Perkins offers multiple paths to the field that most fifth-round picks lack.
While Perkins may struggle as a full-time 3-4 interior linebacker due to his smaller frame, Leonhard’s “concept-based” defense can hide the incoming rookie’s size by using him as a roving “joker” in passing downs. Leonhard’s history at Wisconsin suggests a heavy use of a “Star” or “Big Nickel” defender. Perkins played this exact role at LSU in 2025, specializing in blitzing from the slot and range in space. His best trait is his pass-rush productivity, posting a 90.9 PFF pass-rush grade at his peak, making him an ideal situational blitzer in an aggressive scheme.
Round 7, pick 207: Jadon Canady, CB (Oregon)
After trading up using the pair of sixth-round picks, Buffalo’s last two are in the seventh. With that, one of them was used to select Jadon Canady from Oregon. He’s a potential steal this late in this draft. While his smaller frame (5’10”, 181 pounds) and past injury history have pushed him down draft boards, his elite coverage efficiency and positional flexibility make him a high-floor prospect who can contribute immediately on special teams while developing into a specialized defensive role.
Despite his draft projection, Canady was the 10th highest-graded cornerback in the country by PFFCollege in 2025, finishing the season with an 85.3 overall defensive grade. Across 50 career games, he recorded 154 tackles, four interceptions, and 23 passes defended, showing a consistent ability to find the football across stops at Tulane, Ole Miss, and Oregon. Also, evaluators often describe Canady as a “make-it guy” — a player whose “jitterbug” energy and relentless competitive drive make him an ideal candidate for gunner roles on special teams.
Canady’s ability to transition seamlessly between boundary corner, slot, and safety across three different high-level collegiate programs demonstrates the mental processing Leonhard values. He might be a nickel candidate/special teamer early on, but don’t write him off in other roles.
Round 7, pick 220: Jaeden Roberts, G (Alabama)
Closing out this draft class with one last selection late in Round 7, the Bills add Jaeden Roberts, the big guard from Alabama. He is a massive, powerhouse interior lineman who represents a diamond in the rough in the late seventh. While his lack of elite lateral agility and “lumbering” frame (6’5″, 316 pounds) have pushed him down draft boards, his raw displacement power makes him a high-value developmental prospect for a team that prioritizes a physical run game.
Roberts is a base-block specialist. In 2024 and 2025, he was statistically one of the most efficient gap-scheme blockers in the SEC, consistently moving 300-pound defensive tackles off their spots. He played over 1,200 snaps at right guard for the Crimson Tide against elite interior talent, providing a level of “battle-tested” experience rarely found at the end of Day 3. Even if he never becomes a full-time starter, his 34” arms and massive wingspan make him an ideal “heavy” guard for goal-line and short-yardage packages.
Roberts’ best trait is his run blocking, which creates the massive lanes Josh Allen and James Cook need to reach the second level. He also provides a stout anchor in the passing game, though. His anchor strength is elite; he rarely gets pushed back into the quarterback’s lap by bull-rushers.
Roberts fits the mold of a power-first backup (like Alec Anderson initially was) who aligns with the team’s identity of being a physical, blue-collar unit. He can play the sixth offensive lineman role on heavier packages as he develops as a guard prospect.
Final Thoughts
Overall Grade by Stick to the model’s tool: A-. Scheme-Perfect and Need-Complete.
The Bills entered the 2026 draft needing edge rusher depth, interior run defense help, linebacker athleticism, secondary play makers, and offensive weapons — every box checked while perfectly aligning with Jim Leonhard’s 3-4 front and attacking style. The five trades preserved future picks and delivered high-floor, high-ceiling talent, with four picks in the top 100, maximizing the talent acquired.
Lawrence and Orange give the front seven much-needed reinforcements; Perkins and Clark add the athleticism and coverage the scheme craves; Bell and Roberts bolster Allen’s supporting cast; Canady rounds out the depth. This is exactly the kind of draft that positions Buffalo for sustained contention in the new coaching era.
All the trades were made respecting the tool and the general draft chart’s values. No trades were forced. I expect Beane to work hard to maximize value in this draft and, as opportunities appeared, I didn’t hesitate. I expect the same from him. What are your thoughts, fellow Rumblers? Let me know what you think about this one!
The former
Cage Warriors Fighting Championship titleholder will do battle
with Allan
Begosso at a 140-pound catchweight in the featured
PFL Pittsburgh prelim on Saturday at the UPMC Events Center.
Cartwright has prepared himself for long-term success, and seeing
fellow countrymen like Brendan
Loughnane excel inside the PFL only spurs his motivation. He
liked what he saw from the company in his promotional debut, as he
bested Caolan
Loughran by unanimous decision at PFL Champions Series 3 on
Oct. 3 in the United Arab Emirates.
“It was really good, and I really enjoyed it,” Cartwright told
Sherdog.com. “It was really nice, as you can imagine. Everything
was professionally run. Everyone treated me really nice. I hit the
ground running, the event was fight after fight and then,
obviously, the fight went my way, so I was happy with that. Dubai
was also very nice, as well. I couldn’t have asked for anything
better, except I wish I got the stoppage.”
Cartwright has taken the road less traveled, with stops in several
different organizations along the way. He believes he has found a
home in the PFL.
“It’s typical of my life in sport, if I’m being honest,” Cartwright
said. “I’ve always been involved in combat sports, always been
grinding through. I’ve had my ups and downs in my MMA career, but
now, I’m really looking forward to getting on a roll and spending
the next half of my career over here putting in a big stint, taking
out big names [and] putting on exciting fights and big performances
while making a run for the title in this division. I think I’m more
than capable of doing that. They’ve got these rankings out, and I
think that I’m just as good or better than every single one of
them. I’m looking forward to going out there and proving it every
single time.”
Sleepless nights
Cartwright did not have an opportunity to compete in a
million-dollar PFL tournament, so the company’s decision to move
away from the format was somewhat bittersweet for the 31-year-old
Englishman.
“It’s a double-edged sword, if I’m being completely honest—exciting
in the fact that there’s a landscape with a clear path of who I can
face and beat to climb up towards getting a title shot,” he said.
“Downside is not having an opportunity to win the tournament money.
A little bittersweet considering I love that tournament format. It
would’ve been nice. Like I said, I wouldn’t be fighting if I didn’t
think that I could beat these guys. There’s no part of me that
doesn’t think that if you chuck me in there with Taylor
Lapilus, I won’t beat him. That’s why we turn up on fight night
[and] put on a pair of gloves. We think that we are the best guys
in the world.”
While his career has not been perfect, Cartwright sports an
outstanding 13-2 record. He has never been finished in 15
professional appearances. MMA has taught him to overcome
adversity.
“It’s a refusal to give in and to accept the failures that you
have,” he said. “Everyone’s going to fail in life—your favorite
sports team, [for instance], but that doesn’t mean it makes them a
crap team. You’ve got to shake off the losses and come back, play
or fight again and play your skin off the next time, and that’s the
type of person I am. I’ve been in there, I’ve lost before and I
still have sleepless nights about those losses. All that does is
fuel you. You’ve just got to channel it and push it into the next
performance. That’s what I’m going to continue to do. I’ll just
take all the lessons with the losses and all the wins with the
positivity, and that’s why I get up in the morning.”
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage claims he has been offered an invitation to attend a Sunderland home game at the Stadium of Light, and believes more football clubs should be willing to engage with him regarding the proposed Independent Football Regulator.
The announcement follows criticism earlier this week after Mr Farage visited Ipswich Town’s Portman Road stadium on Monday, ahead of a rally in the town.
During his visit, he posed for photographs in the dressing room, media facilities and pitchside, recording a video where he thanked the Suffolk club for the “lovely welcome” he received.
Farage says he has been invited to a Sunderland game (PA)
Speaking in Sunderland, where he was launching Reform UK’s local election campaign, Mr Farage expressed his desire to attend a match at the Stadium of Light soon.
“I am hoping to go to a home game there at some point before the end of the season,” he told ITV News.
“I have been talking to one of the directors, and they would very much like to see me there for a home game. If I can make it, I will.”
Reports suggest the invitation originated from Sunderland director Juan Sartori. Sunderland has been contacted for comment regarding the invitation.
Mr Farage believes other clubs should be open to discussions about the government’s plan to introduce an independent regulator for English football, a body intended to operate separately from both the government and existing football authorities.
“Football clubs should want to talk to me,” Mr Farage stated. “You know why? The government is about to bring in a football regulator, and I think the last thing English football needs – given what a massive success the Premier League is – is a state-appointed regulator.”
He added: “It is a conversation I had at Ipswich the other day, I will have at Sunderland before very long, and I want to speak to all the clubs about this.”
He clarified his intentions, saying: “It is not about support. It is about a football club being open to leaders of national political parties.”
💥Messi in action for Argentina: friendlies LIVE on OneFootball 📲
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📆 Argentina: dates, kick-off times and how to watch
All the match details:
Argentina vs Mauritania, tonight (28 March) | Kick-off: 00:15
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Why Maverick Vinales is in danger of missing out on a 2027 MotoGP ride
KTM have not made the decision to promote Vinales to their main team, even though they need a replacement for Brad Binder next year.
KTM’s original plan was for him to be promoted, and this was before he started poorly. At the moment, he’s one of just three full-time riders yet to score a point this season.
While Alex Marquez is set to replace Pedro Acosta at KTM, Vinales was expected to fill Binder’s spot.
According to Motorsport.com, Vinales isn’t being considered as a main option for next season.
Delays to KTM deal could leave Maverick Vinales without a seat
Motorpasion Moto are reporting that while Vinales and KTM had come close to an agreement, nothing was ever made official. Now, it’s believed the talks have been ‘suspended’.
There is still a path forward if Vinales can start showing form and challenge Acosta, who remains the standout performer within the brand. But until then, nothing is set in stone.
Recovering from a shoulder injury picked up last July, Vinales has openly admitted he rushed his return to action. It’s still not clear when he’ll be fully fit again, which adds another layer of difficulty for him to show what he’s truly capable of.
With nearly 200 races under his belt and 10 wins in the premier class, Vinales thought he was set for a return to factory machinery next season. But now there’s concern that by the time he’s ready, it could be too late, with most seats already filled.
Ducati and Aprilia are said to have their line-ups finalised, waiting on formal announcements, leaving few open spots elsewhere. Over at Tech3 GasGas/Steiner Racing Team, Daniel Holgado is being rumoured as a possible replacement for Pedro Acosta next year.
Photo by Samuel de Roman/Getty Images
Jorge Lorenzo, left ‘stranded’ after Thailand GP, wasn’t happy
Meanwhile, Vinales’ relationship with Jorge Lorenzo, who was recently named his rider coach, is reportedly under significant pressure. There are even suggestions that their partnership could be nearing an early end.
Lorenzo was reportedly frustrated after being left behind following the Thailand Grand Prix. The conflict in the Middle East had disrupted travel plans for several MotoGP teams.
The five-time world champion made it back home a few days late and did not make the trip to round two in Brazil. He’s also expected to miss the upcoming race in Austin.
Lorenzo is still expected to attend the Spanish Grand Prix after this short break in the season. However, he may only be there as a television pundit rather than as part of Vinales’ support team.
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish (24-10, 14-7 ACC) meet the Vanderbilt Commodores (29-4, 13-4 SEC) on Friday afternoon in the Sweet 16 round of the 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament. Tip-off from Fort Worth, Texas will be at 2:30 p.m. ET.
This 6 vs. 2 matchup will be interesting to watch from a few perspectives. The Commodores have gone 13-4 against SEC teams, with a 16-0 record in non-conference play. As for the Irish are 14-7 against ACC teams. Hannah Hidalgo is shooting 47.5% and averaging 25.2 points for the Fighting Irish.
As for Vanderbilt, the team averages 84.9 points, 19.9 more per game than the 65.0 Notre Dame allows. Notre Dame scores 13.0 more points per game (78.1) than Vanderbilt gives up (65.1). Mikayla Blakes is shooting 46.4% and averaging 27.0 points for the Commodores.
Here is a look at the box score from Monday's second round Regional 1 in Fort Worth.
Notre Dame vs. Vanderbilt March Madness box score
Will be generated after tip-off.
Points per game
Through games Wednesday, March 25, 2026
1
Mikayla Blakes
Vanderbilt
27.0
2
Audi Crooks
Iowa St.
25.8
3
Hannah Hidalgo
Notre Dame
25.2
4
Mia Nicastro
Western Ill.
24.1
5
Hannah Wickstrom
UC Riverside
23.4
6
Jaloni Cambridge
Ohio St.
23.2
7
Shay Ciezki
Indiana
22.8
8
Adrianna Smith
Maine
22.8
9
Brooklyn Meyer
South Dakota St.
22.6
10
Halli Poock
Murray St.
22.5
What channel is Notre Dame vs. Vanderbilt on today?
Notre Dame vs. Vanderbilt How to Watch Date: Friday, March 27 Time: 2:30 p.m. ET Dickies Arena- Fort Worth, texas TV: ESPN (Available on FuboTV)
The
Professional Fighters League on Saturday will plant its flag in
domestic soil for the first time in some seven months when
PFL Pittsburgh descends upon the UPMC Events Center in western
Pennsylvania. A brief rundown for those who want to watch the
show:
Where to watch PFL Pittsburgh tonight (March 28) in the United
States
Eblen enters the cage with an outstanding 16-1 record. However, he
finds himself on the rebound for the first time as a pro after a
fifth-round submission loss to Costello
van Steenis at PFL Champions Series 2 on July 19. The
34-year-old University of Missouri alum owns wins over Gegard
Mousasi, Anatoly
Tokov, Impa
Kasanganay and Fabian
Edwards (twice). On the other side of the equation, Battle
heads into his promotional debut on a five-fight unbeaten streak.
The
Ultimate Fighting Championship refugee last saw action at UFC
310, where he eked out a split decision over Randy Brown
in their three-round encounter on Dec. 7, 2024. Battle, 31, was
later released by the organization after multiple failed weight
cuts.
Where to Watch PFL Pittsburgh tonight (March 28) in the United
Kingdom
The event will be available to watch for viewers in the United
Kingdom via YouTube, with a start time of 12 a.m. GMT. You can
watch it below: PFL Pittsburgh on
YouTube
A look at the complete PFL Pittsburgh card as of March 27,
2026:
Alexander Zverev’s Miami Open campaign has been quietly efficient, and he continued that form with a straight-sets win over Francisco Cerundolo.
Most of the spotlight has been on Jannik Sinner, but Zverev has reached the semi-finals with minimal fuss, losing just one set along the way.
Zverev will now face Sinner next, looking to snap a run of four consecutive defeats against the world number two.
Zverev achieved a rare milestone with his latest win, becoming the first player since Andy Murray over a decade ago to reach the Miami Open semi-finals after previously making it to two finals without winning the title. The German lost in both 2018 and 2023 finals and is still seeking his first trophy in Miami.
In addition, this result marks Zverev’s fifth appearance in an ATP 1000 semi-final without dropping more than one set before reaching that stage. Only Novak Djokovic (17) and Roger Federer (6) have managed that feat more often among active players.
Alexander Zverev matches Andy Murray record in Miami
Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images for Laver Cup
Zverev has had a steady presence on the ATP Tour, and his name is often linked to records set by some of the biggest names in tennis like Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Murray.
The German’s run to the Miami Open semi-finals marks his 25th appearance at that stage in a Masters event, a number reached most recently by Andy Murray back in 2015.
Zverev has become the first player born after 1990 to hit this milestone, adding another layer to his already impressive career.
While he hasn’t always been front and centre like those who followed the ‘Big Four,’ Zverev has built a career marked by consistent high-level play and notable milestones.
Zverev’s serving form could be key in Miami semi-final against Sinner
Going into the semi-final, Zverev will be considered the underdog against Sinner, mainly due to their recent head-to-head history.
The German has dropped his last six meetings with Sinner, including a straight sets defeat at Indian Wells earlier this month.
Even so, Zverev’s serve has looked sharp throughout the tournament and could play a crucial role if he’s to end that losing streak.
So far in Miami, Zverev hasn’t been broken in three of his four matches, with Marin Cilic the only player to take a set from him.
If he brings that same level of aggression to the semi-final and serves aggressively against Sinner, it’ll be one of the biggest challenges the Italian has faced so far at this event.
Chicago — Seeing the Big Ten dominate the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament and send a league-record six teams to the Sweet 16 might come as a surprise to some.
It wasn’t for Michigan guard Elliot Cadeau, who filled out his own March Madness bracket just for laughs and had three conference teams in the Final Four: Michigan, Nebraska and Wisconsin.
“It's something I expected. I played in the ACC (at North Carolina), which is a really good conference, but coming out here, it was a little bit different. There’s a lot more firepower, a lot of good teams,” Cadeau said.
“Every game I play is always against a really good player, and every team is hard to beat. Even though we're a really good team, we faced a lot of trouble against other teams.”
While only one of the three Big Ten squads Cadeau picked to reach the final weekend is still standing heading into Friday’s slate of Sweet 16 games, it doesn’t diminish what the league has accomplished.
Nine Big Ten teams earned an NCAA Tournament berth, exactly half of the league. Ohio State and Wisconsin both lost in the first round by a combined three points. UCLA beat UCF in its opener before falling to second-seeded UConn.
All the others — Michigan, Purdue, Illinois, Michigan State, Nebraska and Iowa — won their first two games, giving the Big Ten a 13-3 record in an impressive showing of conference strength. And of those 13 wins, eight were by a double-digit margin.
“I feel like we went through a gauntlet of a schedule this year,” guard Roddy Gayle Jr. said. “Playing against these guys throughout the course of the year, we beat up on each other, and I think that makes us better.
“I think the Big Ten Conference is the best conference in the world. We want everybody in the Big Ten to be successful. But seeing the success that the conference has had in the tournament is really good. And I think it speaks to how good we were in the season to be able to finish first.”
All the Big Ten’s higher-seeded teams — No. 1 Michigan, No. 2 Purdue, No. 3 Illinois, No. 3 Michigan State and No. 4 Nebraska — took care of business against lower-seeded teams in the opening weekend.
The lone exception was ninth-seeded Iowa, which knocked off No. 8 Clemson before edging top-seeded Florida, the reigning national champion, in the South Region.
“Watching that Florida-Iowa game, are you kidding me? I was pulling for those guys 100%,” forward Will Tschetter said.
“That brings a smile to your face. The Big Ten gets so much slander for our overall performance in the Big Dance. To have six teams and then have that matchup with Nebraska and Iowa with a guaranteed Elite Eight spot is super cool.”
The Big Ten’s six teams in the Sweet 16 were the most of any conference. The SEC had four of its 10 NCAA Tournament teams reach the second weekend, followed by the Big 12 at three (out of eight), Big East at two (out of three) and the ACC at one (out of eight).
“We’ve been cheering like crazy for the Big Ten and everyone’s done well,” coach Dusty May said. “The television rights and packages, everything that goes with the enterprise of college basketball, how we do in the NCAA Tournament is incredibly important. Not to mention the revenue and the shares the league gets for advancing.
“The better all of us do, I think the more it benefits all of us in the long run, because when you’re competing in the best conference, then it’s attractive to recruits and future talent.”
As Gayle pointed out, the Big Ten’s success in the NCAA Tournament speaks volumes to what Michigan was able to accomplish in the regular season — winning the outright regular-season title by four games with a 19-1 record and going undefeated on the road in league play.
Those feats look even more impressive now with how the conference has made its mark in the postseason.
“It shows how tough the Big Ten was this season and it shows that we were the best conference in America,” guard Trey McKenney said. “I think from top to bottom, there were a lot of teams that could win on any given night, and you can lose on any given night in the Big Ten.
“For us to be able to come out in first in the Big Ten regular season shows how much we were focused and how talented this team is.”
Added Cadeau: “Basically dominating a conference that is dominating the tournament makes us feel better about ourselves, for sure.”
The Big Ten will have a chance to make history with five teams reaching the Elite Eight. The record is four from a single conference, which was achieved by the Big East in 2009, the ACC in 2016 and the SEC in 2025.
The Big Ten secured three spots on Thursday, with Purdue beating No. 11 Texas, Iowa surging past Nebraska and Illinois besting No. 2 Houston. Michigan and Michigan State can add to that total with wins over No. 4 Alabama and No. 2 UConn, respectively, on Friday.
The more teams that make it, the better the odds are of the Big Ten snapping its national title drought that dates to 2000, when Michigan State last won it all. That’s something that Cadeau, McKenney and Tschetter are all aware of.
“It's definitely something that we can do and something we've been thinking about since we came here in the summer,” McKenney said. “We have the opportunity to do it. I think anything is possible with this team.”
Mock brackets aside, Cadeau feels several Big Ten teams in addition to his own have the potential to win March Madness, including Illinois, Purdue and Michigan State.
Since 2000, Big Ten teams have reached the national title game eight times and come up short, including Michigan in 2013 and 2018. That could change this season.
“When you look back and you see how talented the Big Ten Conference has been for 20-plus years, it's surprising,” McKenney said. “But I think this year is going to be the year that one of these teams gets it. Hopefully it'll be us.”
😳 All for the World Cup: football fan just sells his house
"I'm flying to the USA on June 3 and will be there for seven weeks — so that's going to cost a lot of money," Andy Milne told the Mirror a few days ago.
The devoted England fan made headlines this week when he announced that he was actually selling his house for the World Cup. Since 1982, the 62-year-old has followed the Three Lions to every World Cup — apparently at any cost.
Milne wants to sell his house in Norwich for the equivalent of around €403,979 in order to cope with the high World Cup ticket prices and attend as many matches as possible over the seven weeks. Luckily, he still won’t end up on the street.
His main residence is in Thailand. That’s also where the football fan will be traveling from to the USA on June 3. After all, he no longer has a house in England.
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The Braves are about to open a season in the NL East with a rotation that looks like it got hit by a bus in March. That’s not doom-posting – that’s simple math. The latest punch is Spencer Strider starting the season on the injured list with a left oblique strain. He was scratched late in camp, and the team is hoping it’s short-term, but obliques linger. Strider was 2 – 0 with a 3.24 ERA this spring and punched out 11 in 8 1/3 innings, which is exactly why this hurts – he was trending in the right direction. This is also the same guy who led MLB in strikeouts in 2023 with 281, won 20 games, and finished top-five in Cy Young voting. When that production is gone, you can’t fake it until you make it.
Atlanta Braves catcher Sean Murphy and pitcher Spencer Strider during the second inning against the Philadelphia Phillies | Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
And Strider isn’t the only problem. The Braves are also missing Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep, both on the 60-day IL after arthroscopic elbow surgeries, with timelines that push them out until at least late June. Joey Wentz is out for the season with a torn ACL. Friends, that’s not just one bad break – that’s your depth chart getting cut off at the knees before the first pitch.
So what do the Braves do now? They lean hard on Chris Sale as the Opening Day starter and hope the rest of the patchwork holds. The issue is that relying on Sale as the stabilizer is a gamble by itself – he’s still elite when he’s on the mound, but the Braves are already asking their most important arm to carry a heavier load because everyone else is hurt. And that doesn’t generally end well for 36-year-old pitchers with a history of injuries themselves.
And the NL East is the worst division to stumble out of the gate. Projections have the Mets, Braves, and Phillies basically packed together in the high-80s win range. That means the margin is thin – and the standings won’t care that your rotation is in rehab.
If the Braves don’t figure this out (and fast), this becomes the kind of season where you’re chasing from April, grinding from May, and praying Strider’s (and everyone else’s) return isn’t followed by the next injury headline.
This is the final step in Collins' departure from Vanderbilt. On March 3, Vanderbilt coach Mark Byington announced that Collins was no longer with the team following a lengthy injury and absence.
Collins last played for Vanderbilt on Dec. 17 against Memphis, then was sidelined with an undisclosed injury. Collins had 7.8 points and 4.2 rebounds per game as the team's top bench guard before the injury. He was originally slated to return this season, but never did, despite Byington saying he was medically cleared.
On March 21, Collins replied to a fan on his X account with the message: "thank you brother!! I loved vandy and will forever be grateful for the entire experience."
Vanderbilt was Collins' fourth college team. He averaged 11.2 points a game in nine games at TCU during the 2024-25 season before a season-ending foot injury. He also played two seasons at Arizona State, highlighted by averaging 13.4 points a game during the 2023-24 season.
He averaged 2.8 points a game at Michigan his freshman year during the 2021-22 season.
Vanderbilt (27-9) made their second consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance under Byington, but lost 74-72 to Nebraska in the second round.
Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Alex at jdaugherty@gannett.com. Follow Alex on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @alexdaugherty1. Also check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds.
After the devastating news of his cruciate ligament tear was confirmed, Joaquín Panichelli broke his silence through his social media. The forward, who will miss the 2026 World Cup, shared a reflection full of strength and determination in the face of what he described as "one of the hardest moments" of his life, especially with such important goals just around the corner.
Resilience in the face of adversity
Far from seeking pity, Panichelli struck a defiant tone in the face of fate. "I’ve always been a tough nut to crack, and I wouldn’t wish compassion on anyone," he said bluntly. The striker recalled that he was never given anything in his career and that he knows well the effort needed to earn rewards, making it clear that his mindset remains focused on self-improvement.
Promise of a stronger comeback
The footballer ended his message with a promise to keep fighting: "Life owes me dreams yet to be fulfilled. And it’s not going to hand them to me, I’m going to work for them." With an optimistic "you only live once," Panichelli begins a long road to recovery today, with the unanimous support of the football world.
With Opening Day finally done, there’s one question on a lot of people’s minds: why is Lucas Giolito still not on a roster? Many teams could use his services, and he could be a dependable middle-of-the-rotation pitcher.
The San Diego Padres are one of those teams, as FanSided’s Robert Murray points out they could use some depth in their rotation behind Michael King and Nick Pivetta.
“Why isn’t Lucas Giolito signed yet? Frankly, I’m not sure anyone in baseball knows right now. But Giolito, 31, is not on a Major League roster on Opening Day — and no one could have predicted that…The San Diego Padres continue to make sense as a destination with the team needing pitching depth. There are plenty of others that make sense, too, and it is baffling that no team is stepping up to sign the right-hander given his track record,” Murray wrote.
This past season, Giolito posted a 10-4 record, a 3.41 ERA, 121 Ks, and a WHIP of 1.290 over 145 innings pitched. With King and Pivetta, the Padres would have a solid front end for their rotation, as they could almost guarantee a series win with those three starting.
Giolito’s market value projects him to receive a three-year, $61 million deal; however, the Padres probably don’t even have to pay him that at this point. They could get him on a rental, or maybe a short-term, high AAV deal. However, with San Diego’s financial woes, the former option seems more realistic.
Hopefully, the Padres see the opportunity in front of them, and jump on it. Giolito, while still a free agent, should be a hot commodity, and other teams will start to realize that as well.
The Iowa State Cyclones punched a ticket to earn a placement in the Sweet 16 despite star forward Joshua Jefferson getting injured in the first game.
Despite not having him against Kentucky on Sunday due to a sprained left ankle, the Cyclones still won the game and advanced to play Tennessee. He got an MRI on Monday, which reportedly revealed no structural damage to the ankle. Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger told reporters Jefferson is officially a "game-time decision" for the game against Tennessee.
Before the injury, Iowa State outscored opponents by an additional 21.8 points per 100 possessions when Jefferson was on the court compared to when he was not. That ranked third-best among all players in the Big 12.
For what it is worth, CBS injury expert Marty Jaramillo said that he would "expect" Jefferson to play.
The Los Angeles Rams are everyone's dark horse pick to draft a quarterback this year. The Rams are one of the most well-rounded teams in the league, but starting quarterback Matthew Stafford is 38 years old with no clear succession plan for him when he retires.
Many have speculated the Rams might look to the 2026 NFL draft for their next franchise quarterback, but the options are limited. Fernando Mendoza is expected to go No. 1 overall to the Las Vegas Raiders, which leaves a couple of unremarkable options who could be drafted at any other point. This includes Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, who some believe could be a target for the Rams at No. 13.
ESPN's Ben Solak isn't so sure about that idea. He wrote on X that drafting Simpson would be in direct opposition to Les Snead and Sean McVay's approach to the position after the team traded away Jared Goff for Stafford in 2021.
Of all the potential Ty Simpson landing spots, the one I just can’t get my head around is the Rams.
No doubt he’s a “scheme fit.” But the whole lesson of flipping Goff for Stafford was what superior traits unlocks for McVay’s offense. Simpson would be a U-turn IMO.
Solak's analysis here isn't that Simpson is a bad prospect, but that the Rams know they need an elite quarterback to take the offense to a Super Bowl-winning level. Simpson could develop into that player, but he didn't show it in his one season as a starter at Alabama and would need a few seasons before he could rise to the level the Rams need.
The prevailing theory around the Rams' quarterback strategy is either to wait on a mid- or late-round player (perhaps LSU's Garrett Nussmeier, who the Rams are reportedly meeting with) or to find a veteran to succeed Stafford, either in free agency or via trade (Baker Mayfield, maybe).
Taking Simpson at No. 13 might be too rich for the Rams' blood, especially when they can take instant contributors on either side of the ball with the pick, or trade out of the selection to pick up more draft capital down the line.
But we'll see what unfolds in about a month when the first round kicks off.
Microsoft is finally updating its long-standing kernel policy, which previously allowed old drivers with expired certificates to run and be trusted by the Windows 11 NT Kernel. This change means that Microsoft's early 2000s program for cross-signing root programs as valid will no longer function. This program had enabled NT Kernel-trusted code signing programs to execute even after their certificates expired. As a result, third-party driver developers, such as printer makers with their old printer drivers, could run old drivers on Windows 11 without a valid security certificate. However, this is coming to an end, as Microsoft will use its April update to instruct the Windows NT Kernel to only accept new drivers signed through the Windows Hardware Compatibility Program (WHCP).
The WHCP will ensure that each driver receives a valid security certificate that meets Microsoft's security standards. This update will be implemented with OS versions Windows 11 24H2, 25H2, 26H1, Windows Server 2025, and future releases. Despite this change, Microsoft will still allow Windows to load older, trusted drivers to maintain backward compatibility and its long-standing plug-and-play feature. The April 2026 Windows update will begin enforcing the new policy in evaluation mode on supported systems. During this period, Windows will monitor driver activity and only fully activate the policy once it determines that doing so will not cause compatibility issues. Microsoft is also maintaining a curated allow list of reputable cross-signed drivers, ensuring that widely used software and hardware can continue to function where necessary, easing the transition.
Following Intel's recent launch of the Core Ultra 200S Plus desktop CPUs, Maingear has announced three new MG-1 series pre-built desktop PCs based on the new Intel Arrow Lake Refresh CPUsf. All three PCs feature the same Maingear Epic 360 AIO cooler, MG-1 case, and case fan setup, consisting of 3× 120 mm RGB intake fans, 2× 120 mm exhaust fans, and 1× 120 mm RGB rear exhaust fan. Front I/O is also identical across all three models, featuring dual USB 3.2 Type-A ports, a single USB 3.2 Type-C port, and a 3.5 mm combo audio jack, and the MG-1 PCs all come with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4. All three MG-1 systems also come with the same 32 GB of DDR5-6000 memory running in dual-channel configuration and a 2 TB T-Force A440 Gen 4 M.2 NVMe SSD, and are preloaded with "Bloatware Free" Windows 11 installations. Gamers also receive a free copy of Resident Evil: Requiem and the Intel Holiday Bundle, which offers the choice of Battlefield 6, Assassin's Creed: Shadows, Sid Meier's Civilization VII, or Dying Light: The Beast.
The Maingear MG-1 Emerald is the least expensive version of the Intel Core Ultra 200S series PCs, coming in at $2,549, and is powered by an Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus with 18 cores (6 P-Cores, 12 E-Cores) and 18 threads in an MSI Z890 Gaming Plus WiFi motherboard, paired with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 12 GB GPU and an MSI 850 W I + Gold PSU. The $3,549 Maingear MG-1 Sapphire gets the Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus with 24 cores (8 P-Cores, 16 E-Cores), an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 16 GB, and the same motherboard as the Emerald. The top-end Maingear MG-1 Amethyst keeps the same Intel Core Ultra 7 270K but bumps up the GPU to the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 32 GB, with an MSI MEG Z890 Ace motherboard, a 1250 W 80+ MSI PSU, and a whopping $5,199 price tag. The MG-1 case used in the Amethyst, Emerald, and Sapphire pre-built PCs is compatible with Maingear's MG-1 Panels, which are themed front panels that can change up the look of a PC build.
ASUS today announced two new ExpertCenter P600 AiO models, the 27-inch PM640GA and the 24-inch class PM670GA. The ExpertCenter P600 AiO is an all-in-one Copilot+ PC, designed to deliver next-generation AI performance for business. Powered by up to an AMD Ryzen AI 7 processor with up to 50 NPU TOPS, it combines immersive visuals, AI-enhanced collaboration and enterprise-grade security in a sleek and versatile design.
With its edge-to-edge touchscreen, adjustable stand options and built-in security features, ExpertCenter P600 AiO is engineered for the evolving needs of modern offices, retail counters and educational environments—empowering employees to work faster, collaborate smarter and stay more secure.
ASUS ExpertBook B3 G1, announced today, is a configurable laptop designed for business, available in 14-inch and 16-inch models and featuring a durable, lightweight design starting from just 1.44 kg, a 180° lay-flat design, advanced AI integration, enterprise-grade security, and seamless hybrid collaboration.
Powered by up to the Intel Core Ultra 7 (Series 2) processors with integrated GPU and NPU acceleration, ASUS ExpertBook B3 G1's advanced AI features—including ASUS MyExpert, Microsoft Copilot, and noise-canceling technology—streamline productivity across meetings, content creation, and multitasking scenarios. The lightweight, easily-maintained design offers extensive I/O options and support for high-speed Wi-Fi 7 connectivity. Security is strengthened by ASUS ExpertGuardian, delivering NIST SP 800-193-compliant BIOS protection, dual ROM recovery, and TPM 2.0 encryption for robust data resilience.
In the US, the standard PS5 will increase from $549 to $649, while the Digital Edition rises from $499 to $599. The PS5 Pro sees the largest jump, climbing from $749 to $899, and the PlayStation Portal moves from $199 to $249.
According to TrendForce's latest data, shipments of OLED monitors saw massive growth in 2025. Manufacturers shipped a total of 2.7 million units, marking a 92% increase compared to the previous year. The consulting firm noted that the impressive momentum has been largely sustained by substantial promotional campaigns from major industry brands.
Advertisers can now generate short videos directly inside Google Ads using Veo, Google’s most advanced generative video model — no video production required.
How it works. Upload up to three static images into Asset Studio and Veo generates videos up to 10 seconds long with natural motion, designed specifically for YouTube formats and audiences. These can then be turned into ready-to-serve ads using customisable templates.
What else it can do. Combined with Nano Banana, advertisers can adapt creatives further — swapping backgrounds, adjusting messaging, and tailoring content to specific audience interests.
The bigger picture. This follows Google’s earlier rollout of video templates and automatic video creation in Demand Gen campaigns, and represents the next step in Google’s push to make video creative accessible to advertisers of all sizes without dedicated production resources.
Why we care. Video consistently outperforms static creative on YouTube — but producing it has always required time, budget, and expertise. Veo removes most of that barrier, letting advertisers turn existing product images into polished video ads in minutes. For teams running image-heavy campaigns who have been unable to compete in video placements, this changes the equation significantly.
Early testing. Hop Skip Media founder Ameet Khabra shared some early results of the testing she did showing a video she created on LinkedIn. Her review is:
“Consumer product brands with clean imagery and inherent motion logic will get the most out of this”
The bottom line. As Google continues building AI creative tools directly into the ads platform, the gap between advertisers with production budgets and those without narrows. For anyone who struggles to get video production budget approved and have assets with inherent motion logic, now could be the best time to test AI-generated video in Google Ads.
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Carnival Corporation is seeing some small shifts around its European booking activity in the weeks since Middle East situation escalated, but CEO Josh Weinstein played down any impact, speaking on the company’s first quarter earnings call. On cruise cancellations, Weinstein was unequivocal: “We’re really not seeing anything significant to talk about with respect to cancellation...
Carnival Corporation CEO Josh Weinstein used the company’s first quarter 2026 earnings call to point out the case for fleet revitalization over newbuild growth: pointing to the AIDA Evolution program as proof of concept and said that a second Carnival Corporation brand will announce its own modernization initiative next month. Addressing analyst questions about fleet...
Crypto ETP inflows logged four consecutive weeks of positive flows, and the crypto news today shows institutional capital is back in buying mode. The retail side is searching for the entries that deliver multiples instead of percentages.
Pepeto is the unified trading platform that more than $8 million in capital already chose, with a Binance listing approaching and analysts projecting 100x to 300x from the current entry, making it the strongest listing event this quarter.
SEC Rules on 91 Crypto ETF Applications Today as Crypto News Signals a Major Shift
The SEC faces a deadline today, March 27, to deliver rulings on 91 pending crypto ETF applications spanning 24 different tokens, including XRP, Solana, Litecoin, and Dogecoin, according to Phemex.
This follows the March 17 joint SEC and CFTC ruling that classified 16 major tokens as digital commodities, which unblocked the ETF pipeline. According to CoinDesk, BTC is testing $72,000 again with ETH open interest at multimonth highs. The crypto news today is about institutional access expanding, and the projects with real products are the ones that benefit most.
Tokens in the Headlines and Where the Real Returns Are Building
Pepeto: The Unified Trading Platform Building Toward the Strongest Listing Event This Quarter
The SEC is ruling on 91 ETF applications today, and the institutional access that follows is the kind of catalyst that sends capital searching for verified presale entries with real products behind them. Pepeto is the unified trading platform for capital protection that is already live and building toward the strongest listing event this quarter, and the Binance listing approaching is the moment that converts presale math into open market returns.
The demand for this entry is building fast. PepetoSwap executes zero fee trades so every position lands at full strength, the cross chain bridge sends tokens between networks at no expense, and the risk scorer reviews every contract before capital touches it, giving the reader the protection that corrections demand.
The SolidProof audit confirmed every contract, and the cofounder who created the original Pepe coin to $11 billion with zero products designed this platform with a former Binance expert on the dev team.
More than $8 million raised during extreme fear is the conviction signal that tells the whole story, and 193% APY staking grows positions for wallets already inside. Analysts project 100x to 300x from the current entry at $0.000000186, and the signal the reader is following right now is the same one that early SHIB holders acted on when they turned $650 into $1.7 million. This is the second chance to get the kind of entry that made early movers wealthy, and the Binance listing is the event that delivers it.
Dogecoin (DOGE)
DOGE trades at $0.91 per CoinMarketCap, with sentiment dependent price action tracking BTC’s moves closely.
X Money’s crypto integration could lift DOGE, and a recovery to $0.15 delivers 50% over months, strong meme energy, while the presale math that turned early entries into wealth lives inside Pepeto right now, with a verified exchange already built.
Chainlink (LINK)
LINK sits at $8.92 per CoinGecko, holding above $9 with real oracle infrastructure behind it. A recovery to $12 delivers roughly 30% over months, a solid infrastructure play.
While presale entries with verified exchanges are where the multiples that reshape portfolios are built, Pepeto is offering that entry right now.
Crypto News Confirms the Second Chance Is Here and the Wallets Entering Now Collect First
The SEC is ruling on 91 ETFs today, and institutional access is expanding, and the market signals confirm that the next phase is about to begin. This is the second chance to get the kind of entry that made early movers wealthy in every cycle, and the SHIB truck driver turned $650 into $1.7 million from one presale position with the same math available right now.
The Pepeto official website is where that second chance is still open, and the Binance listing is the event that turns every presale wallet into the early money that this cycle’s crypto news will be talking about for years.
What is the biggest crypto news today as the SEC rules on 91 ETFs?
The SEC is ruling on 91 ETF applications today, and Pepeto is the presale that benefits most with a verified exchange and a Binance listing approaching.
Which crypto news entry offers the best returns this cycle?
Pepeto offers 100x to 300x from presale to listing with a SolidProof audit, and the Pepeto official website is where that crypto news entry is still open.
Why is Pepeto in the crypto news as a top presale entry?
More than $8 million raised during extreme fear with a live exchange makes Pepeto the crypto news entry that the SHIB and DOGE early movers are comparing to their own starts.
Ripple is holding between $60 billion and $70 billion in crypto assets, along with about $4 billion in cash, according to CEO Brad Garlinghouse. In a recent interview at the FII Priority Miami conference, he clarified that XRP held in escrow by Ripple is not included in this figure, suggesting additional reserves beyond the reported balance sheet.
This level of holdings places Ripple among the strongest players in the digital asset space, especially as it expands its institutional offerings.
RLUSD Wasn’t a Sudden Move
Garlinghouse said the decision to launch RLUSD was tied directly to Ripple’s payments operations. The company has processed more than $100 billion in cross-border transactions and was responsible for minting about 20% of the USDC supply at one point.
That experience pushed Ripple to build its own solution.
As he put it, “If we’re the number one minter on the network, why don’t we look at actually doing this ourselves?”
The shift gained urgency after the USDC de-peg during the Silicon Valley Bank collapse, which raised concerns around backing and reliability. RLUSD is positioned as a compliance-focused stablecoin aimed at institutional use.
Was it worth it?
Not everyone is convinced. Some X users argue that RLUSD’s growth, which reportedly reached a $1.5 billion market cap, may be drawing attention away from XRP. They also point to XRP’s price decline from its 2025 highs and ongoing token unlocks as concerns, while others say institutions may prefer stablecoins for settlement instead of using XRP for liquidity.
More Players Entering the Market
In the competition, Garlinghouse made it clear that more players are entering the space. Large institutions like banks are actively exploring launching their own stablecoins, which could lead to short-term expansion.
However, he doesn’t see endless growth in the number of coins. “We don’t need 50 U.S. dollar stablecoins,” he said, warning that too many options could create fragmentation similar to early banking systems.
Over time, he expects consolidation, where a few strong players dominate and specialize in different areas like payments or custody.
Moving with Clarity..
Regulatory progress is influencing the market’s direction. Garlinghouse pointed to recent U.S. efforts, including the GENIUS Act, as a factor behind growing corporate interest in stablecoins.
Stay ahead with breaking news, expert analysis, and real-time updates on the latest trends in Bitcoin, altcoins, DeFi, NFTs, and more.
FAQs
What is Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin and how big has it grown?
RLUSD is Ripple’s U.S. dollar-pegged stablecoin, fully backed and focused on compliance for institutions. It has grown to around a $1.4-1.5 billion market cap since launch, offering a stable option alongside Ripple’s payments network and XRP for faster settlements.
Does Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin compete with or hurt XRP?
RLUSD and XRP serve different roles—RLUSD provides stable dollar value for everyday transactions and settlements, while XRP excels as a fast bridge asset for cross-border transfers. Many see them as complementary in Ripple’s ecosystem rather than direct rivals, though some worry about focus shifting.
Will there be too many stablecoins in the future?
Ripple expects consolidation, not overload. A few strong, trusted stablecoins will likely dominate as regulation improves and markets mature.
Bitcoin price slid to its lowest level in nearly a month on Friday, just as David Sacks confirmed he is stepping down as President Donald Trump’s “AI and crypto czar,” amplifying anxiety over the policy outlook for digital assets. Bitcoin…
Dogecoin and Solana draw forecasts as investors eye early-stage entry opportunities like BlockDAG. Dogecoin price prediction continues to draw attention due to the coin’s history of sharp price swings and community-driven momentum. Solana price prediction 2026 remains a focus for…
Hyperliquid price is consolidating around $39 after a 49% monthly rally, as oil perps, tokenized U.S. stocks and record HIP‑3 open interest turn the DEX into a real‑world markets hub. Hyperliquid’s (HYPE) price, the core asset of the Hyperliquid perpetual…
Zcash’s ZEC is consolidating near $235–$240 after a sharp February selloff, with a $25m ZODL raise, Foundry’s new mining pool and rising shielded use turning it into a 2026 privacy‑trade leader. Zcash’s (ZEC) native token ZEC, one of the longest‑running…
Avalanche’s AVAX is grinding sideways around $9, testing key support as a bullish “digital commodity” ruling, Animoca partnership and cheaper subnets collide with thin liquidity and stubborn overhead supply. Avalanche’s (AVAX) native token AVAX, the core asset of the Avalanche…
Samsung is already working on One UI 9, the next update for Galaxy phones, and early leaks show it will bring improvements for people who need extra help using their devices. The company is testing the update internally, and some new features have been spotted in the code.
The latest codes spotted by Android Authority reveal that One UI 9 will bring exciting changes to the accessibility features. One of which is the keyboard support. Users will be able to control the on-screen mouse with a keyboard more easily.
You can now adjust the cursor speed and even use the numeric keypad as extra controls. A new keyboard shortcut will also let you turn accessibility features on or off without touching your phone. It makes it simpler to use your device in the way that works best for you.
Also, Samsung is also making some existing features easier to find. Like, the option to change swipe gestures to single taps will now be at the top of the Interaction and Dexterity menu, instead of being hidden in the Assistant menu.
Image via Android Authority
One UI 9 reportedly includes the Text Spotlight feature, which makes text bigger and easier to read, is getting improvements too. You can change the size, colors, and other settings to make reading more comfortable.
These updates are part of a “What’s new” screen that will show One UI 9 users all the new accessibility options. While Android 17, which One UI 9 is based on, won’t be finalized until later this year, it’s clear Samsung is planning ahead for users of all abilities.
Even if some features are updates to old ones, these changes show Samsung wants to make Galaxy phones easier and more flexible for everyone. It’s exciting to see the company focusing on tools that help users navigate their devices in ways that suit them best. Stay tuned for more information.
Samsung has partnered with BTS for their new “BTS WORLD TOUR ‘ARIRANG’.” The aim is to make concerts more fun and easy to enjoy for fans. This partnership uses technology to improve the live concert experience.
The main highlight of this partnership is the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. This phone has a powerful camera that can take clear photos and videos during concerts. Fans can capture their favorite moments without missing anything. They can also quickly share these memories with friends and family.
Samsung wants to bring fans closer to BTS.BTS and their fans, known as ARMY, already share a strong connection through music.Samsung is helping make this bond even stronger using its Galaxy technology. This makes the concert experience more personal and meaningful.
Image via Samsung
The tour will begin in Goyang and then travel to many cities around the world. It will continue until 2027, which gives fans in different countries a chance to attend. Along with the concerts, there will also be special events – “BTS THE CITY.” These events add more excitement to the tour.
The first “BTS THE CITY” event will take place in Seoul.Fans can join fun activities, try Galaxy features, and create stickers using AI tools. They can also win special prizes and limited-edition merchandise.
TeamPCP, the threat actor behind the supply chain attack targeting Trivy, KICS, and litellm, has now compromised the telnyx Python package by pushing two malicious versions to steal sensitive data.
The two versions, 4.87.1 and 4.87.2, published to the Python Package Index (PyPI) repository on March 27, 2026, concealed their credential harvesting capabilities within a .WAV file. Users are
Hisense’s XR10 triple laser smart projector is now available to pre-order in the US. Also spotted at third-party retailers in Europe, this model is said to offer up to 6,000 ANSI lumens brightness and wide color gamut coverage.
Tecno has now unveiled a new affordable smartphone, the Spark 50 5G, in India. It features an HD+ display, a 6,500 mAh battery, a Dimensity 6400 chipset, and a horizontal pill-shaped camera island that’s made out of 6-series aluminum.
Govee has released its new Outdoor Chromatic String Lights in Europe. These premium smart lights offer white and colored lighting effects from high-density RGB LEDs, and support for Matter.
Amazfit’s firmware version 2.16.2.1 update is currently rolling out to one of its smartwatches. According to the change log, this release improves the weather feature, as well as system stability for the Balance 2 XT smartwatch.
New Citizen Veya watches, the FE1260-09A, the FE1261-06A, the FE1262-03A, and the FE1263-01A, have been spotted at a US retailer. These sporty analog timepieces have metal bezels and casing, with different colored resin straps.
NateTheHate provided followers with a mixed bag of unofficial Switch 2 announcements. A 3D Mario release date in 2027 will cause groans, but a new Zelda game could headline the holiday season. The insider says a full-fledged The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake is incoming.
Omnissa says Windows devices in its enterprise telemetry dataset saw 3.1 times more forced shutdowns than macOS in 2025, alongside higher crash and app-hang rates.
Kodak's affordable do-it-all camera returns with the updated PixPro AZ653, adding USB-C charging to a versatile feature set, including 65x zoom and macro mode
Six Democrats sent a letter to the Director of National Intelligence seeking clarity on whether using a commercial VPN could strip citizens of their privacy rights by exposing them to foreign surveillance laws.
For less than $70 you can score the Fitbit Inspire 3 and make the most of its wide range of fitness features without having to splurge on an Apple Watch.
A stylish, highly upgradable Copilot mini PC with genuine AI credentials, impressive connectivity, and an OCuLink port for when you need a bit more processing power.
Before the Amazon Big Spring Sale ends, TechRadar's best deal hunters will be available to give personalized buying advice — here's what you need to know.
Xiaomi quietly released the affordable Redmi A7 Pro – it’s currently available in Italy and Indonesia. This phone is very similar to the Redmi A5 and Poco C71, except (as far as we can tell) it runs full-fat Android 16 / HyperOS 3 instead of the lighter Go Edition like the other two models.
The A7 Pro is powered by the same Unisoc T7250 chipset, a rather old 12nm part. The more worrying spec is the 4GB of LPDDR4X RAM – that’s not a lot for full Android and apps (Go Edition apps are lighter). For storage, you can have either 64GB or 128GB of UFS 2.2. The good news is that there’s a microSD...
A little over a week after debuting its Galaxy S26 Ultra Enterprise Edition, Samsung has seemingly also introduced a corporate-exclusive version of the Galaxy S26. The more notable bit is that we’re seeing two versions of the S26 Enterprise Edition, with one featuring 256GB storage and retailing for £899 and a second option with 128GB storage with a retail price of £660.
The 128GB storage version is pretty weird considering the regular Galaxy S26 starts with 256GB storage. The £239 lower starting price is pretty noteworthy too, but it's still not a regular phone that you can just buy...
England face Uruguay in an international friendly, with attention focused on Harry Kane.
One of the most compelling clashes of the March international break features England and Uruguay. This will be one of the last matches ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but Harry Kane will not be included in the squad.
The Bayern Munich striker, along with other squad stars such as Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka, are likely to feature in England’s second friendly during the March FIFA break, next Tuesday against Japan.
For Friday, however, head coach Thomas Tuchel will give players who have yet to secure their spot for the 2026 World Cup a chance to compete against a strong opponent like Uruguay and prove their worth for the 26-man roster.
On the other side, Uruguay likely face their final major test before traveling to North America. Coach Marcelo Bielsa, known for his demanding style, will aim for his team to perform at the highest level against one of the world’s top national teams as preparation for the big challenge this summer.
The absence of Harry Kane and other English stars from the starting XI this Friday does not mean the Three Lions will field a weak team. On the contrary, several top-level players will be included in the XI against Uruguay, such as Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden.
Thomas Tuchel’s confirmed lineup for England is: James Trafford; Tino Livramento, Fikayo Tomori, Harry Maguire, Djed Spence; James Garner, Jordan Henderson; Noni Madueke, Phil Foden, Marcus Rashford; Dominic Solanke.
Unlike England, Uruguay will field their key stars for this match. That means Federico Valverde of Real Madrid will be one of Tuchel’s main concerns, given his recent form at club level.
Marcelo Bielsa’s confirmed XI is: Fernando Muslera; Guillermo Varela, Ronald Araujo, Matias Olivera, Joaquin Piquerez; Federico Valverde, Manuel Ugarte, Giorgian De Arrascaeta; Agustin Canobbio, Rodrigo Aguirre, Maximiliano Araujo.
England's Harry Kane and Uruguay's Federico Valverde.
The man who sent into his initial retirement has revealed that he is now making a return to the sport. Pacquiao knocked out Lucas Martin Matthysse in Kuala Lumpur to regain welterweight honours and claim the WBA (Regular) crown back in 2018, after losing his WBO strap to Jeff Horn in the fight prior. The […]
Galatasaray'ın tecrübeli orta sahası İlkay Gündoğan, UEFA Şampiyonlar Ligi şampiyonluğundan sarı-kırmızılı takıma kadar uzanan yolculuğuyla ilgili çok özel açıklamalarda bulundu.
İlkay Gündoğan: “Bir gün Galatasaray için futbol oynamak.”
“Şampiyonlar Ligi'nde üç kez final oynadın. Kazandığınız şampiyonlukta neler hissettin?”
İlkay Gündoğan: “İlk iki hdefasında maalesef kaybettiğim için finali, üçüncü defasında hem İstanbul'da, benim için çok özel bir yerde o kupayı çok kazanmak istedim. Nasipmiş. Büyük bir gururdu. Hem City'nin kaptanı olarak hem de ligden ve kupadan sonra Şampiyonlar Ligi kupasını kaldırmak çok büyük bir gururdu.”
“Galatasaray formasıyla Manchester City deplasmanında sahaya çıkmak senin için ne ifade ediyordu?”
İlkay Gündoğan: “Çok gururluydum. Çünkü Galatasaray'la Şampiyonlar Ligi'nde hem kulübü, camiayı hem ülkeyi temsil etmek çok özel bir duygu. Benim için de tabii ki City deplasmanı çok daha özel bir maçtı. Galatasaray formasıyla orada sahaya çıkmak, eski takım arkadaşlarıma karşı, eski teknik direktörüme karşı... Çok mutlu bir gündü. Kaybettik maalesef ama bizim için güzel bir tecrübe oldu. Ve çok özel bir maçtı benim için.”
“Ali Sami Yen'de ilk kez sahaya çıktığında neler hissettin?”
İlkay Gündoğan: “Çok basit aslında. Büyük bir heyecan, büyük bir mutluluk ve büyük bir gurur. Kariyerimde Ali Sami Yen'de, bu taraftarın önünde bu formayla oynamak nasipmiş. Çok özel bir gündü. Hem kendim için hem ailem için. Ondan dolayı tabii çok mutluyum, gururluyum.”
Galatasaray'ın tecrübeli orta sahası İlkay Gündoğan, UEFA Şampiyonlar Ligi şampiyonluğundan sarı-kırmızılı takıma kadar uzanan yolculuğuyla ilgili çok özel açıklamalarda bulundu.
İlkay Gündoğan: “Bir gün Galatasaray için futbol oynamak.”
“Şampiyonlar Ligi'nde üç kez final oynadın. Kazandığınız şampiyonlukta neler hissettin?”
İlkay Gündoğan: “İlk iki hdefasında maalesef kaybettiğim için finali, üçüncü defasında hem İstanbul'da, benim için çok özel bir yerde o kupayı çok kazanmak istedim. Nasipmiş. Büyük bir gururdu. Hem City'nin kaptanı olarak hem de ligden ve kupadan sonra Şampiyonlar Ligi kupasını kaldırmak çok büyük bir gururdu.”
“Galatasaray formasıyla Manchester City deplasmanında sahaya çıkmak senin için ne ifade ediyordu?”
İlkay Gündoğan: “Çok gururluydum. Çünkü Galatasaray'la Şampiyonlar Ligi'nde hem kulübü, camiayı hem ülkeyi temsil etmek çok özel bir duygu. Benim için de tabii ki City deplasmanı çok daha özel bir maçtı. Galatasaray formasıyla orada sahaya çıkmak, eski takım arkadaşlarıma karşı, eski teknik direktörüme karşı... Çok mutlu bir gündü. Kaybettik maalesef ama bizim için güzel bir tecrübe oldu. Ve çok özel bir maçtı benim için.”
“Ali Sami Yen'de ilk kez sahaya çıktığında neler hissettin?”
İlkay Gündoğan: “Çok basit aslında. Büyük bir heyecan, büyük bir mutluluk ve büyük bir gurur. Kariyerimde Ali Sami Yen'de, bu taraftarın önünde bu formayla oynamak nasipmiş. Çok özel bir gündü. Hem kendim için hem ailem için. Ondan dolayı tabii çok mutluyum, gururluyum.”
Transfer piyasasında yer yerinden oynayacak! Mohamed Salah, yeni takımının yöneticilerine Okan Buruk'la çalışmak istediğini söyledi. Suudi devi Al-Ittihad, Galatasaray'ın hocasının önüne 30 milyon Euro'luk devasa bir kontrat koydu. Buruk için sadece Arabistan değil, Premier Lig ve Serie A devleri de devrede.
Galatasaray ile üst üste kazandığı şampiyonluklar ve Avrupa’da sergilediği cesur futbolla dikkatleri üzerine çeken Okan Buruk, transfer piyasasının en sıcak ismi haline geldi. Sarı-kırmızılı teknik adam için Suudi Arabistan’dan gelen teklif ise futbol dünyasında taşları yerinden oynatacak cinsten.
SALAH'IN TERCİHİ BURUK
Al-Ittihad, Mohamed Salah ile el sıkıştı. Mısırlı oyuncudan sürpriz bir hamle geldi. İddialara göre Salah, yeni dönemde takımın başında Okan Buruk’u görmek istiyor.
Mısırlı yıldızın bu talebinin arkasında Galatasaray’ın performansı yatıyor. Salah’ın, Liverpool’u İstanbul’da iki kez mağlup etmeyi başaran Galatasaray’ın oynadığı teknik ve taktik disiplinden çok etkilendiği, modern futbol anlayışını Al-Ittihad’da da görmek istediği iddia edildi.
Harekete geçen Al-Ittihad, Okan Buruk’un önüne reddedilmesi güç bir kontrat koydu. Suudi temsilcisinin, başarılı teknik adama yıllık 10 milyon Euro’dan 3 yıllık sözleşme teklif ettiği belirtiliyor. Toplamda 30 milyon Euro’yu bulan paket, Buruk’u dünyanın en çok kazanan teknik direktörleri arasına sokacak.
BURUK'UN GÖNLÜ LODNRA'DA
Kariyerine dair önemli bir karar aşamasında olan Okan Buruk’un önceliği ise halen beş büyük lig. Özellikle Premier Lig hayali var. Tottenham ile görüşmeleri de sürüyor. İtalya Serie A ekiplerinden Lazio’nun da Buruk’un durumunu yakından takip ettiği ve resmi girişimlere hazırlandığı gelen haberler arasında.
Türkiye Bocce Bowling ve Dart Federasyonu (TBBDF) koordinasyonunda düzenlenen Şehit Eren Bülbül Türkiye Dart Şampiyonası Sıralama Turları 5. Ayak Müsabakaları, Erzincan'da başladı.
Yaşar Erkan Merkez Spor Salonu'nda başlayan organizasyona 18 ilden 700 sporcu katılıyor. Sporcular; yıldız, genç ve büyükler kategorilerinde mücadele ediyor.
Açılış töreninde konuşan Vali Hamza Aydoğdu, şampiyonanın isminin Şehit Eren Bülbül olmasının ayrı bir anlam ifade ettiğini söyledi.
Bu coğrafyada gazisine ve şehidine sahip çıkan başka bir milletin olmadığını belirten Aydoğdu, şunları kaydetti:
"Biz geçmişi unutmadan geleceğe yön veren bir millet olmalıyız. Yani 'Kökü mazide olan bir atiyim' diyor şair. İnşallah sizler bir ayağınız kendi topraklarınızda, milli ve manevi değerlerle bezenmiş gençler olacaksınız, diğer taraftan da dünyanın bütün gelişimine, değişimine ayak uyduracaksınız. Ben federasyon başkanımızla da konuştum, inşallah daha büyük organizasyonları Erzincan'da yapacağız. Bu bereketli topraklardan inşallah sizlerin yanınızda yürümek üzere nice milli sporcular yetiştireceğiz."
Türkiye Bocce Bowling ve Dart Federasyonu Başkanı Erhayat Özgür Bayazıtlı ise şampiyonada mücadele edecek sporculara başarı dileyerek, "Bugün burada ülkemizin dört bir yanından gelen sporcular, hem centilmence yarışacak hem de dostluklarını geliştireceklerdir. İnanıyorum ki bu önemli organizasyon, rekabetin yanında dostluğun geliştiği, kalıcı izler bıraktığı ve centilmence yarışların sergilendiği bir müsabaka olacaktır." ifadelerini kullandı.
Konuşmaların ardından Vali Aydoğdu, Belediye Başkanı Bekir Aksun, TBBDF Başkanı Bayazıtlı, TBBDF Onursal Başkanı Prof. Dr. Mutlu Türkmen ile Gençlik ve Spor İl Müdürü Fatih Çöpür tarafından derece elde eden sporculara madalyaları takdim edildi.
21 yaşadək futbolçulardan ibarət Azərbaycan millisinin (U-21) baş məşqçisi Rəşad Eyyubov Portuqaliyaya qarşı keçirdikləri oyunu şərh edib.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, sözügedən komandalar bu gün Avropa çempionatının (AÇ-2027) seçmə mərhələsi çərçivəsində Bakıda üz-üzə gəliblər.
Rəşad Eyyubov 0:4 hesabıyla uduzduqları matçdan sonra jurnalistlərə açıqlamasında bunları söyləyib:
“Birinci hissədə oyuna köklənmə yüksək səviyyədə idi. İkinci hissədə təəssüf ki, bunu itirdik. Komanda bir az rahatlaşdı. Bizim ən böyük problemimiz standart vəziyyətlərdir. Belə epizodlardan 3 qol buraxdıq. Birinci hissəyə görə oyunçulara təşəkkür edirəm. İkinci yarıda isə yaxşı oynamadıq. Uduzmuşuqsa, deməli pis oynamışıq.
Bu tempə uyğunlaşmaq bir az çətindir. Ona görə də gücümüz birinci hissəyə yetərli oldu. Rəqib intensivlik baxımından bizdən üstün idi. Oyunçuları fiziki baxımdan optimal vəziyyətə gətirməyə çalışdıq. Amma yetərli olmadı.
Hava şəraitinin oyuna təsirinə gəlincə, şərtlər iki komanda üçün də eyni idi”.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mikel Arteta'nın futbolculuk döneminde bile liderlik yaparak taktik toplantıları yönettiğini ve antrenmanlardaki detaycılığıyla teknik direktörlüğe hazır olduğunu söyledi.
Galatasaray'da Mauro Icardi'nin adı ayrılık ile anılmaya devam ederken Arjantinli golcünün yerine gelebilecek isimler araştırılıyor. Bu doğruda sarı-kırmızılı yönetim, gündemine Folarin Balogun'ı aldı....Devamı için tıklayınız
Türkiye Sigorta Basketbol Süper Ligi'nin 24. haftasında Glint Manisa Basket'e konuk olan Beşiktaş GAİN, mücadeleyi 102-70 kazandı.Devamı için tıklayınız
SMS Grup Sarıyerspor Teknik Direktörü ve A Milli Futbol Takımımızın eski futbolcusu Servet Çetin, A Milli Takımımızın Kosova ile oynayacakları kritik karşılaşmayı değerlendirdi. İşte A Spor canlı yayınında...Devamı için tıklayınız
Real Madrid, sosyal medya hesabından milli futbolcu Arda Güler ile takım arkadaşlarının araba sürerken yaşadığı eğlenceli anları paylaşırken; Aurelien Tchouameni, Arda'dan Türk müziği açmasını istedi.Devamı için tıklayınız
Azərbaycan milli komandası “FIFA Series – 2026” beynəlxalq turnirində Sent Lüsiya yığması ilə keçirilən oyunda tarixinin ən böyükhesablı qələbəsini qazanıb.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, Ayxan Abbasovun yetirmələri Mehdi Hüseynzadə adına Sumqayıt şəhər stadionundakı görüşdə rəqibini 6:1 hesabı ilə məğlub edərək 1999 və 2017-ci illərdəki rekordunu yeniləyib. Millimiz buna qədər ən böyükhesablı qələbələrini AÇ-2000-in seçmə mərhələsində Lixtenşteyn (4:0) və DÇ-2018-in seçmə mərhələsində San Marino (5:1) üzərində əldə etmişdi.
Bundan başqa, milli komandamız tarixində ilk dəfə bir oyunda 5-dən çox qol vurub.
21 yaşadək futbolçulardan ibarət Azərbaycan millisinin baş məşqçisi Rəşad Eyyubov Bakıda Portuqaliya yığmasına 0:4 hesabı ilə uduzduqları AVRO-2027-nin seçmə oyunundan […]
Italy progressed to the World Cup play-off Final with a 2-0 win over Northern Ireland, but fans on social media still have mixed feelings regarding the Azzurri’s performance on Thursday.
Tonali and Kean scored in the second half after Italy had failed to pose much of a threat to the Northern Ireland defence in the opening 45 minutes.
As coach Gennaro Gattuso admitted at full-time, the Azzurri were too predictable and “slow” in the first half, and the Nazionale will have to assess this in the coming days as they prepare for the final against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The celebrations by Federico Dimarco and other Italian players following Bosnia’s win over Wales also drew the fans’ attention, who now hope the video doesn’t come back to haunt the national team in a few days.
Blown out of proportion always. The mistake is RAI showing these images, NOT the player’s holding a personal preference for whatever their reasons are
IF Northern Ireland had beaten Italy do you honestly think it would have been any different from your own players towards them? https://t.co/7By11nvKLx
Reckon he’s injured but miraculously recovers in time for italy’s game against Northern Ireland yeahhh he really doesn’t want to play for yous #NUFChttps://t.co/fFD4Rb78fy
Italy will have some atmosphere to compete against if we can take anything from those outstanding travelling Bosnia fans. They showed their experience and quality in that second half against Northern Ireland. Fancy them to squeeze through on Tuesday #Azzurri
It was a natural reaction that anyone would have done. Bosnia would have been buying drinks for everyone if they drew N. Ireland. Italian media should’ve been more responsible, and not making Italy out to be a villain, and give Bosnia any form of motivation. Shame on them.
Northern Ireland played well against the @Azzurri yesterday. Despite their loss let’s remember NI is a small country & the fact they were competing to qualify for World Cup vs the Italians is an accomplishment
— Sal Albanese (@salalbanesenyc.bsky.social) (@AlbaneseNYC) March 27, 2026
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The lack of option between the lines for Italy is embarrassing.
The recovery process cannot be rushed with such a delicate muscle area, and so Cristian Chivu has not called him up for any of the following games.
Inter gearing Lautaro Martinez up for comeback
MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 04: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale Milano celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Bologna FC 1909 at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
According to the latest reports, Lautaro Martinez has been increasing the amount of work he does on the field, as well as in the gym and with physiotherapy.
Inter are confident that he has fully healed, so now the plan is to gradually get him back to match fitness after more than a month without games.
When the rest of his teammates return from international duty next week, Lautaro Martinez will begin to train with them, and could even start in next weekend’s encounter with Roma.
In the captain’s absence, Inter have seen their lead at the top of the Serie A table whittled down to just six points.
Since his injury, the team picked up just two victories, three draws and two defeats in all competition.
Serie A tickets are in demand as the races for the title, Champions League and survival resume after the international break.
The weekend will begin with Sassuolo-Cagliari on Saturday, April 4 at 15:00 CET and immediately after, at 18:00 CET, Hellas Verona will host Fiorentina at the Stadio Bentegodi in a massive game in the race for survival.
The Tuscans are just one point above the relegation zone, while Verona sit 19th, level on 18 points with last-placed Pisa and are better positioned just because of goal difference.
The other teams currently involved in the race for survival are Cremonese, who will host Bologna on Easter Day, Sunday, April 5, at 15:00 CET, and Lecce, who will play at home against Atalanta the following day.
The big games of Serie A Round 31 are surely Inter-Roma on April 5 and Napoli-Milan on Monday, April 6.
Table leaders Inter are winless in the last three league games, collecting just two points in the process, while Roma sit 6th and are chasing a Champions League spot, three points behind fourth-placed Como.
Roma have won just two of the last five Serie A matches, drawing once and losing twice.
Napoli and Milan will meet at the Stadio Maradona in an encounter that will likely determine which team will go all the way to challenge Inter for the Scudetto.
NAPLES, ITALY – MARCH 06: Alisson Santos of SSC Napoli celebrates after scoring his side first goal during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Torino FC at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on March 06, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
Napoli come to this game with four consecutive victories, while Milan have won three of the last five, losing twice.
Napoli will probably have to cope without Romelu Lukaku, who has remained in Belgium without the club’s consent during the international break.
The Belgian striker will be fined, but according to Sky Sport Italia, the Partenopei have also decided to freeze him out of the team if he doesn’t return to Naples by next Tuesday.
Another team fighting for a Champions League spot is Juventus, who are level on 54 points with Roma and three points behind Como.
The Bianconeri will host Genoa on Monday, April 6 at 18:00 CET and will look to bounce back from a disappointing home draw against Sassuolo before the break.
“We are distraught with disappointment for the result, but smile anyway,” Spalletti said after a 1-1 stalemate at the Allianz Stadium.
“We create so many situations where we could’ve won it, but we have to accept the result. There were some good things in the second half, even if we moved the ball a bit too slowly.”
CHESTER, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 15: Gio Reyna #7 of United States controls the ball during an international friendly match between United States and Paraguay at Subaru Park on November 15, 2025 in Chester, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mark Smith/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The United States Men’s National Team have two big friendlies coming up, first against Belgium on Saturday followed by a match against Portugal on Tuesday. We take a deep dive into the roster on Episode 179.
The USMNT roster has 27 guys who get one final chance to leave an impression upon head coach Mauricio Pochettino and the coaching staff and hopefully have their name included on the 26-player World Cup roster. However, there will be some incredible competition in this camp. We hear from Mauricio Pochettino on why he opted to include Gio Reyna despite not having a lot of recent club minutes, and what it might mean for the guys who aren’t on the roster. We also discuss some of the exclusions from the roster and whether they might be on the outside looking in when the final World Cup roster is announced in May.
Don’t forget to follow us on Bluesky, Twitter, and YouTube! Rates, reviews, and subscriptions really help our reach wherever you get your podcasts as well as on YouTube. Head to our Linktree, which will give you access to all our affiliate links and our new Stimulus store! And finally, tag us on Twitter or email USA Soccercast at Gmail dot com with any topic suggestions or questions for the show.
No. 2 seed UConn faces No. 3 seed Michigan State in a highly anticipated Sweet 16 matchup Friday night in Washington, D.C.
The matchup is a tactical duel featuring UConn’s complex offense, which thrives on off-ball screens and cuts, against Michigan State’s disciplined defensive schemes. At its core, this game comes down to Michigan State attempting to derail UConn’s motion-based offense with their transition game and defensive rebounding.
A major focal point will be the performance of UConn forward AlexKaraban, who takes the court riding a heater, having shot 9-16 in each of the Huskies’ first two games of the Tournament. The senior is also 8-17 from beyond the arc in those games. Karaban’s outside shooting combined with Tarris Reed Jr.’s dominance on the boards – 40 rebounds in the last two games – has UConn playing some of their best basketball of the season.
Michigan State will likely counter those strengths of UConn with the quickness of Coen Carr and Cam Ward to disrupt and wear down the veteran Karaban and the combination of Carson Cooper and Jaxon Kohler to battle Reed on the boards. While those players are all large pieces for Tom Izzo the Spartans go as Jeremy Fears Jr. goes. The Sophomore point guard dished out a tournament-best 16 assists in Sparty’s 77-69 win over Louisville.
Lets take a closer look at tonight’s matchup and take into consideration lineups, injuries, and other factors affecting the line and total.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds courtesy of DraftKings recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
Game Details and How to Watch Live: Michigan State vs. UConn
Date: Friday, March 27, 2026
Time: 9:45PM EST
Site: Capital One Arena
City: Washington, D.C.
Network/Streaming: CBS
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Game Odds: Michigan State Spartans vs. UConn Huskies
The latest odds as of Friday courtesy of DraftKings:
Moneyline: Michigan State (+105), UConn (-125)
Spread: UConn -2.5
Total: 135.5
This game opened Michigan State -1.5 with the Total set at 140.5.
Be sure to check out DraftKings for all the latest game odds & player props for every matchup this week on the NCAA Basketball schedule!
Expected Starting Lineups: Michigan State vs. UConn
Michigan State Spartans
G Jeremy Fears Jr.
F Jordan Scott
F Jaxon Kohler
F Coen Carr
C Carson Cooper
UConn Huskies
G Malachi Smith
G Solo Ball
G Braylon Mullins
F Alex Karaban
F Tarris Reed Jr.
Important stats, trends and insights: Michigan State vs. UConn
UConn is 14-22 ATS this season
Michigan State is 19-15 ATS this season
The OVER has cashed in 17 of UConn’s 36 games this season (17-19)
The OVER has cashed in 16 of Michigan State’s 34 games this season (16-18)
The Spartans have won and covered the last 2 times these schools have played but they have not played since 2021
Braylon Mullins is averaging 14.5 points per game but is just 2-14 from deep in the NCAA Tournament
Jeremy Fears Jr. has tallied 27 assists but 9 turnovers through 2 games of the NCAA Tournament
Rotoworld Best Bet
Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NCAA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Friday’s game between Michigan State vs. UConn:
Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline
Spread: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on Michigan -8.5
Total: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Game Total UNDER 171.5
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CHICAGO — Yaxel Lendeborg and his Michigan teammates were none too pleased to return to the same locker room.
They still had a bitter taste in their mouths from their trip to Chicago two weeks ago. They hope this one is a little sweeter.
“We tried to switch the whole vibe in the locker room in general,” said Lendeborg, the Big Ten Player of the Year. “Everybody is sitting in different places, acting differently. We’re just trying to change everything completely.”
The top seed in the NCAA Tournament’s Midwest Region, Michigan (33-3) is back at United Center — where it lost the Big Ten Tournament championship game to Purdue — for a Sweet 16 matchup against fourth-seeded Alabama (25-9) on Friday. The Wolverines will try to set the program record for wins.
Second-seeded Iowa State (29-7) faces Tennessee (24-11) in the other regional semifinal.
Michigan’s loss to Purdue came on the heels of narrow wins in the conference tourney over Ohio State and Wisconsin.
The result didn’t hurt Michigan’s NCAA path. The Wolverines still earned a No. 1 seed.
Michigan combined to score 196 points in dominating Howard and Saint Louis in Buffalo to earn a return to Chicago. The Wolverines matched the 2017-18 team that advanced to the national title game for the most wins in program history.
Michigan is in the Sweet 16 for the second time in as many seasons under coach Dusty May. The Wolverines got knocked out by Auburn a year ago.
“I think overall we’re in a very good spot mentally,” said May, who coached Florida Atlantic to the Final Four in 2023. “I think our guys are focused on this game and the preparation that we need to have to be in position to win.”
Alabama got 24 points from Latrell Wrightsell Jr. in blowing out Texas Tech to reach the Sweet 16 for the fourth straight year. The Crimson Tide made the Final Four two years ago and advanced to the Elite Eight last season. They’ve played the past two games without star guard Aden Holloway, who was suspended indefinitely after being arrested on a felony drug charge.
Alabama’s Oats says he has ‘no reason to leave’
Alabama coach Nate Oats said he has “absolutely no reason to leave” despite being mentioned for openings elsewhere and has begun talks on a contract extension.
“They’re doing everything they can to make sure that we’ve got a competitive program,” he said.
The North Carolina job is open and some Tar Heels fans would surely welcome Oats, who has a 170-72 record and five trips to the Sweet 16 in seven seasons at Alabama. He previously coached Buffalo.
Oats got a new deal two years ago during the Final Four run. He said he does not have an offer in hand from Alabama at the moment.
“We’ve had some discussions, and it’s probably getting close,” he said. “We’ll see where it takes us.”
Otzelberger says he’s a Cyclone for the ‘long haul’
Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger also has been mentioned for the North Carolina job. Like Oats, he tried to dispel those rumors.
“We’re Cyclones for the long haul. We’re thrilled at the experience we’ve had up to this point, and we’re excited for a future even better than the five years we’ve had,” he said.
Otzelberger has led Iowa State to a 124-52 record and three trips to the Sweet 16 in five seasons.
Iowa State’s Jefferson still hopes to play
Iowa State star Joshua Jefferson will be a game-time decision against Tennessee because of a sprained left ankle, Otzelberger said.
The All-America forward was hurt minutes into the Cyclones’ March Madness opener against Tennessee State and did not play in their lopsided win over Kentucky.
“It’s ultimately Joshua’s decision,” Otzelberger said. “We love him. We support him. We’re going to give him all the information and resources. But it ultimately comes down to he’s a fierce competitor. He’s a warrior. He’ll do anything to be out there for his teammates. I know if that’s a possibility that he will take advantage of it.”
Michigan’s Lendeborg felt snubbed by Alabama
Lendeborg, Michigan’s star forward, said he hoped to get recruited by Alabama when he entered the transfer portal last year after two seasons at UAB, but didn’t get a call.
“There’s going to be a lot of extra juice for sure,” he said. “I know I’m going to try my best to be the best player on the floor tomorrow. All it is is extra motivation.”
Oats said Alabama did, in fact, check in on Lendeborg.
“We did make a call,” he said. “It never got very deep. I think there were some programs that were in a little deeper with a lot more money at the time. It’s one of those, you kind of call, see where the situation is at. Probably wasn’t something we were going to be able to do, so didn’t spend a lot of time on it.”
The New York Yankees (1-0) face the San Francisco Giants, who are 0-1 after losing their first game of the series on Opening Night. Starting pitchers are second-year pitcher Cam Schlittler for the Yankees, who posted a 2.96 ERA as a rookie, and Robbie Ray for the Giants, with a 3.65 ERA in 2025. The Yankees are favored with a moneyline of -130 at BetMGM.
How to watch New York Yankees vs. San Francisco Giants
Date: Friday, March 27
Time: 4:35 p.m. ET / 1:35 p.m. PT
Where: Oracle Park, San Francisco, CA
TV channel: ESPN Unlimited, MLB.TV (Local broadcasts: NBC Sports Bay Area, Yankees Entertainment and Sports Network)
Mississippi guard Eduardo Klafke (8) Is pressured by Texas guard Jordan Pope (0) during their 2026 SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament game at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, March 11, 2026. | DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The roster blow up and rebuild has officially begun for Ole Miss men’s basketball as guard Eduardo Klafke will transfer after the Rebels posted a losing season.
The 6’5” sophomore from Brazil played in 70 games over the last two seasons for Chris Beard. His minutes per game increased from 10 to 15 from year one to two and scoring bumped up from 1.4 points per game to 4.6 PPG, but he was an energy guy for this team it seemed like.
It is not shocking for any of this season’s players to transfer given a 15-20 overall record after a Sweet Sixteen bid in the previous year. However, it did seem like Klafke brought some spark to the court, the student section would get a little more hyped when he was in the game, and his game was slowly developing into a three point shooter with defensive ability.
Klafke visited Creighton and Xavier prior to committing to Ole Miss years ago. Creighton’s head coach Greg McDermott just recently announced his retirement, but it is unknown where the guard will land with two years of eligibility remaining.
This is likely the first of many roster changes Rebel fans can and should expect going into the offseason. If there is one player I’d bet would come back it would be Patton Pinkins since you know his dad is on the staff and all. As for the rest of the roster, there is going to be some significant change I think and not just with seniors leaving.
Ole Miss has two incoming commits from the class of 2026 in three star guard Yohance Connor (6’2” 170 lbs. Charlotte, N.C.) and three star forward Jaron Saulsberry (6’6” 180 lbs. Norcross, Ga.), but the recruiting trail has otherwise been quiet going into the offseason.
As teams complete their seasons with the Sweet Sixteen turning into the Final Four over the weekend, you’d have to assume more decisions are incoming and phones will be ringing across the country with interest. Can Beard find the right pieces to get Ole Miss back to the Big Dance in 2027? It looks to be a long road right now.
NEW YORK (AP) — Losing for the fifth time in six games and a fourth in a row sent the Dallas Stars into an introspective mode. They controlled the puck and the play for long stretches in New York against the Islanders but came away with nothing to show for it in a 2-1 loss.
“We’re trying to work hard for the end goal,” forward Colin Blackwell said. “And every team, especially on this road trip, is fighting for their playoff lives — including us.”
Dallas was one of the first two teams to clinch a playoff spot, but that does not mean things are rosy right now. This stretch has exposed some holes in their play, and the final 10 games of the regular season is all about solving those problems before the first round begins the weekend of April 18.
"We’ve got another level, and we need to find it," first-year coach Glen Gulutzan said. “There’s a natural little dip sometimes when you see that ‘X’ beside your name. ... We’ve got to get out of our lull a little bit because there’s no light switch when you go into the playoffs that you can just turn it on and start playing good. You want to make sure you’re ironing out all the kinks now.”
Right direction
Losing to the Islanders on Thursday when opposing goaltender Ilya Sorokin put on a show was a major improvement from Tuesday night, when the Stars let out-of-contention New Jersey score four times in the first period of a 6-4 loss. Gulutzan wasn't happy — there was a series of turnovers at one point — but he acknowledged his team was “moving in the right direction.”
That is mostly because it doesn't get much worse than how loosely the Stars played defensively against the Devils.
"Defensively, for sure, a lot better," defenseman Esa Lindell said. "Just got to find ways to score."
Dallas is missing injured winger Mikko Rantanen and center Roope Hintz, and the puck has not been going in the net. Over this stretch, Dallas has scored two goals a game, third worst in the league.
Tight-checking, low-scoring hockey is around the corner when the playoffs begin, and players understand the need to adapt their approach.
“We can maybe do a little bit better job of getting to the dirty areas and making sure (the opposing goaltender) doesn’t see a lot of the shots that are coming through,” Blackwell said.
Handling adversity
This isn't the Stars' longest skid this season. That was a six-gamer that began in late December and by mid-January devolved into a run of 10 losses in 12 games.
A year ago, they lost seven in a row going into the playoffs before reaching the Western Conference Final for a third consecutive spring. All in all, the core group is used to this.
“It’s the basic highs and lows,” Lindell said. “It’s a little low right now for us, and just trying to stay neutral either way you’re going and just keep working and create chances, play good defensively. That basic stuff, that helps and it will for sure turn around.”
Integrating trade deadline pickups Tyler Myers and Michael Bunting has been a challenge. Bunting was a healthy scratch at New York, and Gulutzan acknowledged Rantanen's return will change the lineup even more.
Being locked into an almost-certain first-round matchup with Minnesota gives Gulutzan and the team a little breathing room. But with the Wild right on their heels with the chance to steal home ice advantage in what should be a rugged series with very little margin for error, there is reason for urgency down the stretch.
"Every day, you can find something new to improve on," captain Jamie Benn said. "There’s points out there that we need to get. We’re not perfect by any means right now."
Sep 1, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Luis Garcia (77) reacts after retiring the side against the Los Angeles Angels during the fifth inning at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images | Erik Williams-Imagn Images
“If you can’t beat them, join them.“ Or, in this case, have them join you.
In a move that is not quite as dramatic as someone like Roger Clemens eventually making his way from Boston stardom to the Bronx, the Yankees recently signed right-handed pitcher Luis Garcia to a minor-league deal. And if you were wondering? Yes, it’s that Luis Garcia, the former Houston Astro — the man whose windup kind of makes me seasick even while sitting on the couch, but that’s a conversation for another time.
A pretty successful starter for the Astros in 2021 and 2022, Garcia ascended alongside other young arms who rose to prominence in the post-sign-stealing-scheme environment, like Framber Valdez and Cristian Javier. He had a 3.60 ERA with 324 strikeouts in 312.2 innings for the back-to-back American League champions, winning a ring in ’22.
It’s been a tough road for Garcia since then, as he’s dealt with one scarily large injury bug over the past few years, limiting the righty to just 34.2 innings since the start of 2023. It’ll be a while before Garcia can suit up in the Yankees minor-league system, reserving the entirety of this 2026 campaign for his recovery from Tommy John surgery, which he underwent at the end of last season. Alarmingly, it was Garcia’s second TJS in a rather short period, as his first came in May 2023.
If you remove the health aspect, there were never a ton of performance-related concerns around the now-29-year-old Garcia, as he delivered some productive seasons for the Astros. At the same time, two major surgeries in the span of three years put his career in jeopardy. If the Yankees can rehabilitate him, there might be a solid pitcher in here.
“It’s not working. Nobody’s scared of Celtic now,” Frank McAvennie
Frank McAvennie delivered an excellent rant earlier this week when he attended the launch of the Jim Craig statue launch at Gracie’s in Glasgow’s Merchant City…
Celtic striker Frank McAvennie is held by the throat by Rangers defender Graham Roberts as goalkeeper Chris Woods and Terry Butcher (r) look on, Butcher, Woods and McAvennie were all sent off during the Premier Division match,a 2-2 draw at Ibrox on October 17, 1987. (Photo by Allsport/Getty Images)
The legendary Celtic striker started with some praise, for Celtic Mexican maverick Julian Araujo who has made an immediate impact on all the Celtic supporters including Frank himself.
Then he turned his attention to other matters starting with his belief that Celtic should have recalled Polish defender Maik Nawrocki from his loan spell in Germany where he is currently playing in the second tier of the Bundesliga for Hannover.
“We need somebody,”Macca argued. “Listen, I’m a big fan of the boy Nawrocki. I don’t know if he’s getting a game and all that, but I like him. And I thought they should have brought him back. You know, I really do. I think he’s a good player.
“And, you know, we’ve been relying on the same boys, and it’s not working. Nobody’s scared of Celtic now. The boys that they’ve got, they’re not scared of them. And that’s not a slant on any of the managers. The management team, it’s just…The recruitment’s been terrible,” McAvennie said.
Frankie Bhoy continued: “Who’s bringing the players in? It’s been awful. And then when injuries didn’t help, you know. When you’ve got Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Jota. I mean, that’s three players, and Engels that would have been in the team right away. So that’s four players that you’ve got on the team that would make it a better team.
“I just think we’ve not prepared for anything. We’ve never prepared for anything in the summer. You know, and you can’t go out and do what Celtic have always done, wait to see if we qualify for the Champions League.
“We might not get that chance this year. Because we might be in the Europa League(or even worse, Frank – we might end up in the Conference League play-offs).
“But yeah, listen. It is what it is. That team’s not good enough at the moment. I know there’s a lot of injuries, but… No, if we’re going to lose the league, lose it with somebody that’s got a bit of a fight. I looked at the team, and I thought, they’ve given up.”
One thing that Frank McAvennie knows about more than most is goalscoring and given the absolute lack of return from the strikers signed in the summer and in the January transfer window shambles, he believes he has the answer.
Aside from Araujo, Frank also is an admirer of Benjamin Nygren. “Put him up front,”the former Celtic striker, who scored 50 goals for Celtic, said. “He’s got an eye for goal. And just leave him up there. And then you’ve got… You’re matching up in midfield, because if he doesn’t score a goal, he doesn’t do anything for us.
“So I would say, you know, he gets away, gives it away, bounces off him. I know it’s a bad pitch, but it’s not just in that game. He’s been non-existent. He’ll score two goals, he’ll get Player of the Year this year!”
Hopefully Frank has calmed down by now having got all that off his chest. He certainly does make a few valid points, particularly about playing Nygren as a nine, thus freeing up a space in the middle of the park to create more chances. If the Swede gets a sniff he usually finds the back of the net.
What have we got to lose trying it, giving the alternatives open to Martin O’Neill as Celtic face nine must win matches that would deliver a Scottish Cup and very probably an unlikely Premiership title.
Incredibly that would be our 14th in 15 seasons – that’s surely never been done before.
McAvennie was also critical of the attitude of the Celtic players in that damaging 2-0 defeat at Tannadice at the weekend, saying that they lacked fight. “I was disgusted by Celtic players rolling over at Tannadice,” Frank McAvennie told STV News, watch below…
Jim Craig at the Jim Craig Govan Foundation launch. Photo social media
Frank McAvennie was helping to launch a campaign to build a statue of Lisbon Lion Jim Craig in Govan.
Post your own thoughts in the comments section below…
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The first day of the Sweet 16 concluded, and the Big Ten came out victorious in all three of its matchups Thursday night. Unfortunately for Nebraska, its dream season finally came to an end. Illinois and Purdue both look like championship contenders. Iowa has a lot of magic on its side, and it will need it to get to the Final Four.
Here are the scores and the rest of my analysis from the Big Ten games in the NCAA Tournament from the Sweet 16 Thursday:
No. 2 Purdue 79-77 vs No. 11 Texas
Trey Kaufman-Renn made the game-winning tip-in layup to help Purdue move past Texas and into the Elite Eight. This game was as close as it gets. This was a back-and-forth match; it felt like neither team could hold onto its lead. Purdue's seniors would not be denied. Fletcher Loyer had another highly efficient game from 3, and he chipped in 18 points. Kaufman-Renn led the team with 20 points, and he had the game-winning shot. Braden Smith was as expected with his 16 points. Those 3 were huge for the Boilermakers in this win, as they have been all season long. Tramon Mark for the Longhorns went nuclear with 29 points and shooting 5-7, but ultimately, Purdue made more of the clutch plays late.
No. 9 Iowa 77-71 vs No. 4 Nebraska
3 straight tournament wins for the Hawkeyes and their first Elite Eight appearance since 1987. Ben McCollum and this group are a special team. Nebraska had control of this game, even having a 10-point lead at one point. Iowa did not have a lead in this game until the last minutes of the game. Iowa still kept itself within striking distance with its hot shooting night. Hawkeyes shot 43.3% from 3 and 51.9 % from the field. Nebraska had no issues shooting either. Both defenses are top in the conference, but this game was all about offense. Both offenses were clicking. Pryce Sandfort went off vs his former team, scoring 25 points and shooting 6-10 beyond the arc. Bennett Stirtz did not get outshone as he also stepped up and had 20 points in this game. Although both stars showed up, it was the team with guys in their rotation that stepped up that won. Alvaro Folgueiras stepped up in the clutch again with a dunk that gave the Hawkeyes the lead when Nebraska only had 4 players on the court. Making game-winning plays, situational awareness, that is how you win games. He also had 16 points off the bench, and Tate Sage had 19 off the bench. Iowa is the lowest-seeded Big Ten team to make the Elite Eight ever, but you cannot take this team lightly.
No. 3 Illinois 65-55 vs No. 2 Houston
As big a win as you could ask for by Illinois. On the road vs a really good team, essentially a home game in the tournament for Houston, but still the Fight Illini prevailed. In this matchup, Illinois' defense was the story as they forced the Houston Cougars to shoot a measly 34.4 % from the field and 28.1% from 3. Illinois, on the other hand, shot 39% from 3 and 43.1% from the field. The Fighting Illini's size also made the difference as they dominated the Couyrgars on the glass 37-25. Last year's tournament runner-up fails at their chance to redeem themselves and suffers yet another heartbreaking tournament loss. While Illinois proves just how good they are, and how this team just knows how to win basketball games. It is not a team anymore that just wins by the 3 or with their great offense; they can beat teams at their own game too.
Overview
The Big Ten will have 3 teams moving on to the Elite Eight and fighting to punch their ticket. Ben McCollum and the Iowa Hawkeyes steal the magic from the Nebraska Cornhuskers and are on a magical run of their own. Purdue continues to be fueled by their seniors, and they handle another top opponent, while Illinois is looking as good as they have all season long.
What's next
The next round will also feature another Big Ten conference matchup as Illinois will take on Iowa on Saturday. Both teams will battle it out for a chance to represent the Big Ten in the final 4. With the momentum and the level of basketball both teams are playing, that game will go down to the wire. Purdue will have their match vs Arizona on Saturday as well, and that will be the clash of two titans. Arizona matches up with Purdue very well, and already the Wildcats come in as 6.5 point favorites.
The Los Angeles Golf Club's 9-2 victory over Tiger's Jupiter Links Golf Club on March 24 averaged 989,000 viewers, 78 percent more than the finals match from Season 1 when Atlanta defeated New York. The average viewers watching on ESPN exceeded 1 million (1.09M) between 7:30 and 8:30 p.m., peaking with 1.15 million average viewers per minute.
Of course, if Tiger could have led Jupiter to victory over LA in the first match of the night, forcing a third and deciding match, those ratings likely would have been even higher.
Even with Tiger missing all of the season until this week while recovering from back surgery, total viewership for TGL's second season was 21.782 million viewers - an 8 percent increase from Season 1 (20.215 million).
Here are TGL viewership highlights on the social video front:
TGL Season 2 (19 matches) viewership on social media was 488,000, down 2 percent vs. Season 1 average (498,000).
There were 44 social videos with more than 1 million views, a 267 percent increase year over year.
March matches (3/1-3/24) averaged 556,000, up 73 percent from the March average in Season 1 (322,000).
Season 2 Playoffs (4 matches) averaged 618,000, up 42 percent vs. Season 1 Playoffs average (434,000).
TGL social video views were up 86% from Season 1 to Season 2: 232 million vs. 81.3 million.
Mar 26, 2026; San Jose, CA, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Sean Miller is seen against the Purdue Boilermakers prior to a Sweet Sixteen game of the West Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at SAP Center. Mandatory Credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images | Eakin Howard-Imagn Images
With the 2025-26 basketball season coming to a close on Thursday after an unexpected run to the Sweet 16, head coach Sean Miller and the Texas Longhorns enter the first full offseason under the new coaching staff with the NCAA transfer portal opening on April 7 and closing 15 days later.
Four players have now exhausted their eligibility — guards Jordan Pope, Tramon Mark, and Chendall Weaver, and forward Lassina Traore — eight players have remaining eligibility, and the Longhorns have four signees in the 2026 recruiting class, which ranks No. 12 nationally in the 247Sports Composite rankings.
Among the players with remaining eligibility, the two most important decisions of the offseason will come from junior wing Dailyn Swain and sophomore center Matas Vokietaitis.
A 6’, 220-pounder, Swain was a breakout star for Texas this season after transferring from Xavier, averaging 17.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists, three of the five major statistical categories in which Swain led the Longhorns. Excellent off the bounce, Swain showed the ability to get into the paint and finish around the rim, make plays for his teammates, and improved his three-point shooting from 25 percent to 34.4 percent while shooting over 80 percent from the free-throw line.
Swain’s improved shooting stroke from distance is a major catalyst in his rise up NBA Draft boards, although he’s still considered a polarizing prospect — some mock drafts have him as a lottery pick, but others don’t believe that he’s a first-round selection.
NIL and revenue sharing have changed the calculus for productive college players with questionable NBA Draft upside, but there remains plenty of upside for Swain if he chooses to enter the NBA Draft with the No. 14 pick, the last in the lottery, guaranteed $10 million over two years in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Even the last pick in the first round is guaranteed $4.5 million, including $2.74 in the first season, a number that is almost certainly higher than the commitment that the Longhorns could make to Swain to keep him in school.
But it’s still early in the pre-draft process, which will be influenced by how many players declare and how well players in the same range as Swain test and perform at the NBA Combine.
The odds probably lean towards Swain entering the draft, but the biggest guarantee at this point is that he will declare for the draft while maintaining his eligibility to receive feedback from NBA teams before making a decision about his future, which would complicate the roster building process for Miller and his staff with the NCAA withdrawal deadline on May 27.
Vokietaitis also took a significant leap forward after transferring to Texas from Florida Atlantic following a promising freshman season that earned AAC Freshman of the Year recognition. A physical force in the paint, Vokietaitis averaged 15.6 points and 7.1 rebounds per game and drew fouls at a high rate to get to the free-throw line an average of 7.9 times per game.
Because Vokietaitis lacks leaping ability that limits him as a shot blocker and rim protector and struggles with foul trouble due to immaturity and discipline issues, he’s not really a candidate to declare for the draft and remain in it, but his ability to impact games in the post and put opponents in foul trouble makes him one of the most valuable college big men in the country.
And in the current era of college basketball, that means that Vokietaitis could decide to enter the NCAA transfer portal again to secure a higher level of compensation. If that happens, Vokietaitis would be difficult or impossible to replace through the portal, so Miller and his staff will have to rely on the relationships that they’ve built with the 7’0, 255-pounder and hope that they can adequately compensate him to keep him on the Forty Acres.
Keeping Swain and Vokietaitis at Texas, combined with instant-impact signees like guards Austin Goosby and Bo Odgen, would provide Miller a strong core to built around as the team’s 2026-27 upside depends heavily on whether the Longhorns can retain one or both of Swain and Vokieaitis.
Michigan State basketball is in Washington D.C. for the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament, where the Spartans will face off with the Connecticut Huskies in the Sweet 16. Upon their arrival, the Spartans held their traditional open practice on Thursday, with a media session that ensued and UConn did the same.
Following Dan Hurley's press conference with the media, the Huskies head coach sent five of his players to podium to speak to the media. UConn had their starting five talk to the media, with Silas Demary, Solo Ball, Braylon Mullins, Alex Karaban and Tarris Reed speaking about the Michigan State matchup.
The players drew on their previous encounters with Michigan State, the players, and what the keys to the game are going to be from the Huskies' viewpoint.
Watch the full press conference from the UConn starting five:
Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on X @Rex_Linzy
FEDERAL WAY, WASHINGTON - MARCH 29: Hubert Kós of the Texas Longhorns smiles after winning the 200 yard backstroke during the Division I Men's Swimming and Diving Championship held at the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center on March 29, 2025 in Federal Way, Washington. (Photo by Mollie Handkins/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
Mollie Handkins via Getty Images
Another national record has gone down in the morning at the men's NCAA swimming and diving championships. Texas senior Hubert Kos has re-established the fastest time in history in the 100 backstroke during Friday morning's preliminary session.
The Texas standout lowered his own NCAA mark by twelve hundredths of a second, delivering another impressive swim. Already the record holder coming into the season, Kos has raised the bar even further, reinforcing his status as the most dominant backstroker in collegiate swimming.
Kos was out fast, splitting a 20.71 through his first 50 yards. He closed in a 22.37 to re-set the NCAA record and punch his ticket into tonight's finals as the top overall seed.
— Texas Men's Swimming & Diving (@TexasMSD) March 27, 2026
The Hungarian native has showcased elite front-end speed through two and half days of competition. Kos broke Texas' team record in the 100 butterfly last night, after besting Caeleb Dressel's best time, becoming the second fastest performer in history behind Florida's Josh Liendo.
Traditionally a 200 backstroker, Kos has improved greatly in the more sprint-specific 100 yard events, putting his speed on full display this week.
This prelim swim also continues a great season for Kos, who has stacked wins throughout the season, including three SEC titles. Since arriving at Texas, Kos has been a centerpiece of their program.
Kos' prelims performance sets up another fun championship final this evening where he will have a chance to be the first swimmer in history to break 43 seconds in 100 yards of backstroke. At this point Kos isn’t chasing history, he has the chance to completely rewrite it.
After there were no indivudal NCAA records broken at the women's meet one week ago, three individual records, and four overall, have been broken through the first three days of the men's meet.
Caribe tops Liendo in 50 free prelims
One of the most exciting events in swimming will be contested in this evening's finals, and Florida's Josh Liendo will be operating out of lane five.
Tennessee senior Gui Caribe stopped the clock in 18.39 seconds, one hundredth of a second ahead of Liendo in this morning's preliminaries, so he will be the top seed in the championship final.
Liendo came into the week tied with Ilya Kharun for the top time in the country, Kharun qualified third in 18.51.
"Swimflation" has continued to take over the sport as it took an 18.73 second swim to make it into the top eight and a 18.88 to score points in the top 16. There were two sub-19 second swims that won't even score points at this year's championships, which hard to comprehend.
The road to Indianapolis is open! Duke has claimed the No. 1 overall seed, joined on the top line by Arizona, Michigan, and defending champion Florida.
Follow the action with our updated digital March Madness bracket. We're tracking every matchup in real time from the First Four to the National Championship Game.
The 2026 March Madness bracket
Follow every game of every round during the 2026 College Basketball Men's Tournament.
You can also download and print our official bracket by visiting ourprintable March Madness bracketpage. Make sure you fill out your bracket and enter free bracket challenges and contests before the tournament starts for a chance to win huge March Madness prizes.
Enter the Kalshi billion-dollar bracket!
Turn this March into a life-changing experience, as Kalshi is offering one billion dollars for a perfect NCAA Tournament bracket!
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Toyota Center (Houston, TX); SAP Center (San Jose, CA); United Center (Chicago, IL); Capital One Arena (Washington, DC)
Elite Eight
March 28-29
Toyota Center (Houston, TX); SAP Center (San Jose, CA); United Center (Chicago, IL); Capital One Arena (Washington, DC)
Final Four
April 4
Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis, IN)
National Championship Game
April 6
Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis, IN)
How to read this year's March Madness bracket
This year’s March Madness bracket is split into four regions, with every team seeded from No. 1 to No. 16 based on where they landed in the field. Each game moves one team forward through the Round of 64, Round of 32, Sweet 16, Elite Eight, Final Four, and national championship.
While top seeds are built to make deep runs, every bracket has room for March Madness upsets that can shake up the tournament in a hurry. Follow the bracket round by round to track each team’s path and see how the field shrinks on the road to the title.
Choosing between a printable and digital March Madness bracket
A printable bracket is best for fans who want a simple, shareable way to track the tournament by hand, whether for office pools, watch parties, or quick reference during games.
A digital March Madness bracket, like the one on this page, offers more convenience, with daily updates, automatic score tracking, and no need to erase or reprint as results come in.
If you want a bracket you can fill out once and keep on the fridge, go printable. If you want the most accurate, up-to-date view of the tournament, a digital bracket like ours is the better choice.
The perfect March Madness bracket
A question often asked of us is whether there has ever been a perfect March Madness bracket. The answer is simple: No. And there likely never will be.
That's because the odds of successfully predicting a perfect March Madness bracket are 1 in 120.2 billion — assuming you know a little about college basketball! If you're flipping a coin? Those odds become 1 in 9.2 quintillion, per NCAA.com.
We'll research and release the official CoversMarch Madness bracket predictions. Use them to your advantage.
3
Enter contests
Now that your bracket is filled out enter as manyfree bracket contests as possible. If that's not your thing, there are plenty of other March Madness pool and game ideas to choose from.
HOUSTON — On the most critical play of Nebraska’s Sweet 16 loss to rival Iowa, the Cornhuskers had only four players on the floor, and coach Fred Hoiberg took the blame.
’Put that one on me,” he said. “It was a miscommunication and I’m the head coach.”
After Nebraska cut Iowa’s lead to three with 58.8 seconds left of the teams’ NCAA Tournament Midwest Region semifinal, the Hawkeyes’ Alvaro Folgueiras was supposed to hang around the midcourt line. As Kael Combs was looking to inbound the ball, Folgueiras started jumping and raced toward the basket.
Nebraska’s Rienk Mast wasn’t on the floor with the rest of his teammates, and as he tried to sprint from the bench down the sideline to the opposite end of the court, Combs fired a 70-foot pass to Folgueiras — who should have been covered by Mast.
Folgueiras caught the pass, took one dribble and slammed it home. He was fouled on the play and popped up screaming with joy, then converted the free throw for a six-point lead. Iowa went on to win 77-71, securing its first Elite Eight appearance since 1987.
“I saw some movement on the bench,” Folgueiras said. “I just told Kael to get me the ball because I saw that there were only four on the floor. They were trying to figure out who they were guarding.”
Iowa coach Ben McCollum made clear the play didn’t result from any brilliant strategy on his part. He was as surprised as anyone.
“I was like, I don’t know why he isn’t being guarded,” McCollum said. “I didn’t know (they only had four players on the floor), and then he dunked it, and then I’m like, ‘What the heck just happened?’”
McCollum said one of his assistants told him Nebraska didn’t have five players on the floor.
Folgueiras, a native of Malaga, Spain, described what happened in soccer terms.
“It was great to have that striker look where you get the ball against nobody,” he said.
The 20-year-old transfer from Robert Morris finished with 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting. His 3-pointer with 5:03 tied the game at 65-all, four days after his corner 3 in the closing seconds gave the Hawkeyes a second-round win over top-seeded and defending national champion Florida.
This time, he capitalized on a critical error.
“I was pretty shocked to see Alvaro wide open,” Iowa’s Bennett Stirtz said. “I didn’t even know they had four players on until we were in the locker room. Kael threw a great pass.”
Luka Dončić #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers points after a made shot during an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers, Friday March 6, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Lakers (47–26) vs. Brooklyn Nets (17–56) | Game 74 of 82
WHERE TO WATCH AND WHAT TIME
Date: Friday, March 27
Tip-off: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Crypto.com Arena—Los Angeles, Calif
TV: Spectrum SportsNet
Radio: ESPN LA 710 / 1330 KWKW
GAME PREVIEW
The Lakers (47–26) are back home after a long six-game road trip to take on the Nets (17–56) in their first of a three-game homestand.
Los Angeles went 5-1 on the trip and had their nine-game win streak snapped in Detroit, but they have won seven straight wins at Crypto.com Arena dating back to March 1.
Luka Dončić notched another 40-point outing in the last game of the road trip, scoring 43 points (six rebounds, seven assists) on 50% (15 for 30) shooting in their win in Indiana.
It was his 14th 40-point performance this season, which leads the NBA, and his 11th straight game scoring 30 or more points. L.A. has won 10 of those 11 games.
The Slovenian was also the first player since Michael Jordan in 1986 to average 40 points in a six-game span. He posted 40.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 6.3 assists while having 2.7 steals a game on the road trip.
Dončić is questionable to play against the Nets after being added to the injury report on Thursday with soreness in his left hamstring.
LeBron James flirted with another triple-double in Indiana while continuing to defy Father Time with an insane amount of explosive dunks. He finished with 23 points, nine rebounds and nine assists.
The Nets, who have the second-worst record in the NBA, come in on a nine-game losing streak, losing to the Warriors by three points on Wednesday. Brooklyn will end its four-game road trip in Los Angeles.
Tonight’s matchup marks the second and final regular-season meeting between the teams this season.
The Lakers are 24-14 on the road, while the Nets are 8-30 at home.
WHERE THEY STAND
The Lakers still stand at No. 3 in the Western Conference, 1.5 games ahead of the Nuggets at No. 4.
L.A. must stack wins against lower-tier teams, like Brooklyn on Friday, to keep their position locked. More importantly, as they’ll see Oklahoma City twice in the first week of April.
Note: L.A. owns a regular season tiebreaker against DEN, PHX and MIN.
WHAT TO AVOID
The Lakers have attempted more field goals per game than any other team in their six-game road trip. And with that, they’ve had the 5th best field goal percentage, shooting 51% overall from the floor.
But they’ve been quite the opposite from the 3-point line. The Lakers need to avoid cold stretches from 3s that could ultimately break their rhythm on offense, even with their field goals going lately.
In the road trip, the Lakers have shot the second-least amount of 3s a game and also made the second-least amount of 3s a game. L.A. also shot 34.1% from 3 in that span, ranking 24th in the NBA.
In the final stretch of the regular season, they will need to get their 3-ball going to compete with the playoff teams they’ll face in Oklahoma City, Cleveland, Phoenix and Golden State.
The Opponent
The Nets have been beyond bad this season with one of the worst offenses in the entire NBA ratig deadlast on the season, and their rankings below will tell you why.
Brooklyn continues to be without Michael Porter Jr., their sole offensive engine that has averaged 24.2 points in 52 games this season. He hasn't played since March 10 and is likely going to be shut down for the rest of the season.
Their second top scorer isn't even on the team anymore: Cam Thomas.
Brooklyn also has yet to have a player score 25 or more points in their last 10 games. Gross.
NOTABLE OPPONENT RANKS AMONG THE NBA
The Nets' current ranking:
Last (108.6) in offensive rating
26th (118.0) in defensive rating
Other rankings:
PTS — last (106.3)
FGM — last (37.5)
FG% — last (44.3%)
3P% — 28th (34.3%)
TOs — 29th (16)
REB — last (39.7)
The Nets allow the highest field goal percentage (49.4%) and 3-point percentage (38%) per game.
SEASON SERIES
Game 1 — Lakers 125-109 win vs. Nets on Feb. 3
INJURY REPORT
Lakers:
Luka Doncic (left hamstring soreness): Questionable
Rui Hachimura (right calf soreness): Questionable
Marcus Smart (right ankle soreness): Out
Adou Thiero (left knee soreness): Out
Nets:
Danny Wolf (ankle): Out
Noah Clowney (wrist): Probable
Michael Porter Jr. (left hamstring strain): Out
Egor Demin (left foot plantar fasciitis): Out
Day’Ron Sharpe (left thumb UCL tear): Out for season
THREADS FOR THE GAME
The Lakers will wear their purple Statement Edition uniform on the road, while the Nets will wear their white Association Edition uniform.
NEXT MATCHUP
The Lakers will finally have a two-day rest — their first since post-All-Star break — and play their next two games at home against the Wizards and Cavs.
The Philadelphia Eagles are no strangers to letting the board come to them on draft night. They execute their plans to perfection about as well as any other team, but the makeup of the 2026 class could force a more aggressive approach, especially at two critical positions. We've discussed the offseason needs ad nauseam, before and after the first waves of free agency. Depth at edge rusher, tight end, offensive tackle, safety, and the offensive line's interior occupy everyone's thinking, though some disagree about the order of their importance.
When it comes to priority, who will be available and which needs must be satisfied first, deeper dives suggest two positions demand immediate attention: offensive tackle and edge rusher.
Waiting could prove costly if the Eagles place edge rusher and offensive tackle on the back burner during the NFL Draft.
At offensive tackle, the issue isn't a lack of talent in this draft class. The questions are about certainty. Several of the top prospects come with question marks, whether it be consistency, measurables, or polish. That makes early investment all the more important. If Philadelphia wants a true long-term answer on the edge of its offensive line, it may have to act before the board thins out and the remaining options become developmental gambles.
Let's start with this year's crop of tackles. The concerns aren't just about need. They're about timing. This year's class features intriguing prospects, but many come with noticeable question marks, whether tied to consistency, technique, or physical traits. That uncertainty makes it too risky to wait. If the Eagles are serious about securing a long-term answer to protecting the edge and finding Lane Johnson's eventual successor, the early rounds may be their best and safest opportunity to do so.
On the defensive side of the football, edge rushers might be the deepest premium group at the top of the draft, but that doesn't mean patience will pay off. In fact, the opposite might be true. Don't be shocked if there is a run on pass rushers. The top-tier talent is expected to come off the board quickly, and once that initial wave passes, the drop-off becomes far more noticeable.
If Philadelphia wants a true difference-maker added to its rotation, it likely needs to strike within the first two rounds. Betting on finding a difference-maker on Day 3 may lead to disappointment and developmental options. That urgency is what separates these two positions from the rest of the roster needs. Depth at cornerback, for instance, remains important, but the class offers enough athletic depth to find contributors beyond the opening rounds. Interior offensive line is even deeper, with starting-caliber players expected to be available into the middle rounds. That flexibility allows the Eagles to address those spots without forcing early selections.
That brings us to safety, where the top names will go early, the overall depth suggests serviceable talent can still be found later. The Eagles seem interested in Michael Taafe. He and other quality stars like Bishop Fitzgerald have been graded on multiple platforms as potential mid-to-late-round options.
In a class defined by early strength and late uncertainty at key spots, the path forward feels clear. If the Eagles want to maximize both value and impact, offensive tackle and edge rusher should headline their draft priorities, before the opportunity slips away.
Luka Dončić | Image by Los Angeles Lakers @Lakers/X
If you still choose to boo former Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison every time you see him around town, do it.
Loudly.
And do it with passion. Let him feel all your sports hate. Let him know you will never forgive nor forget his role in the dumbest trade — sending Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers — in NBA history. And it’s certainly in the conversation for the dumbest trade in sports history.
Once you do that, though, the reality is you’re still cheering for one of the NBA’s worst teams.
The Mavs are tanking this year, which they should, so they’re probably not quite as bad as their record indicates, but they’re not a whole lot better either.
Dallas is likely to finish somewhere between the NBA’s fourth- and eighth-worst records. Any finish among the worst six is the preferred spot because the top six players in the 2026 draft are each supposed to have star potential.
This is supposed to be one of the best drafts in recent NBA history. The consensus top three prospects for the 2026 NBA Draft are Brigham Young’s AJ Dybantsa, Kansas’ Darryn Peterson, and Duke’s Cameron Boozer in whatever order you want to grab them.
The next three players mentioned are usually North Carolina’s Caleb Wilson, Houston’s Kingston Flemings, and Arizona’s Darius Acuff.
Luckily for the Mavs, Flemings and Acuff play point guard. The Mavs’ future rests on their ability to add a point guard in this draft. If they can, then their future brightens significantly. If not, they’re going to be bad for years.
Kyrie Irving will return next season after missing the 2025 season as he recovers from the knee injury he suffered last season. He’d be back if the Mavs weren’t tanking, so he should be 100 percent at the start of next season.
There’s no reason to believe he won’t be superb, but he was brought here to win a championship with Luka Doncic and he’s no longer here. Irving might be worth more as a trade chip who can help fortify the future with a bunch of No.1 picks. Besides, if the Mavs draft a point guard he needs to play — not watch Kyrie do his thing.
Irving can play shooting guard but he’s more valuable directing the attack. The question is whether the Mavs would rather have Flemings or Acuff.
Either would be fantastic.
Flemings is a better defender and probably a better all-around player. He played at Houston so you know he’s tough mentally and physically.
Acuff is like Derrick Rose 2.0. He’s a scorer and a slasher and he wants the ball in his hands with the game on the line. You can’t teach that.
Either one would remove pressure from Cooper Flagg, but give me Acuff.
Coach Jason Kidd used Flagg as a point guard early in the season with disastrous results. It’s not a position the 6-9 rookie has ever played.
Later, he played well when asked to run the point and helped the Mavs win some games. He’s not a point guard.
Period.
He can play there. He can help there. He is not a long-term option there.
Flagg has shown every indication he can help the Mavs get there. He’s averaging 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.7 assists and has shown no fear.
He attacks the basket and plays with a high IQ that makes everybody else better.
He’s an alpha.
You can win a title with him as your best player. All the Mavs have to do is build a team around him.
ECR has confirmed Hunter McElrea as the team’s first official reserve driver.
An American-born New Zealander, McElrea will travel with ECR on race weekends and, if needed, be on standby for the team’s two full-time entries. He will also support the team’s on-track testing program, as well as complete simulation work on Chevrolet’s Driver-in-the-Loop (DiL) simulator.
“I am really excited to join ECR as a reserve driver. The team has great momentum and I’m looking forward to being part of it,” stated McElrea. “The NTT IndyCar Series has always been my goal, so I’m thankful for the opportunity and ready to support ECR however I can!”
McElrea, the runner-up for the 2023 Indy NXT title, has taken part in multiple tests behind the wheel of an ECR Chevrolet-powered entry (November, 2024; February, 2026). His lone IndyCar Series debut came in 2024 with Dale Coyne Racing, where he finished 24th after contact ended his day early.
In addition to his newly-labeled role with ECR, McElrea also competes regularly in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship with United Autosports USA. He most recently captured an LMP2 class win in the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring last week. He is also a two-time IMSA Endurance Cup champion, along with being a two-time class winner at Petit Le Mans.
“Securing a reserve driver has been something that we have discussed over the last year,” said Ed Carpenter, CEO and co-owner of ECR.
“With the competitiveness of the NTT IndyCar Series now, you really need to be prepared for any scenario. Hunter has completed two tests for us over the last several years and had impressed the whole team. We are excited to have him with ECR and ready in the event we need a fill in.”
Tim Broyles, President of ECR, added, “Having a reserve driver in place is an important step in maintaining the level of performance required in this series. Hunter has done a great job when we have had him in the car for testing. He has a really strong feel for the car and is able to provide detailed feedback that helps move the entire team forward.
"While you never want to be in a position where you need to call on a reserve driver, we’re confident Hunter would step in and rise to the occasion.”
Robertson delivers emotional Salah verdict ahead of Liverpool exit
It’s becoming increasingly clear just how much Mo Salah means to us, and now Andy Robertson has delivered one of the most heartfelt tributes yet as the forward’s Liverpool exit edges closer.
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Speaking in a Scotland press conference via Sky Sports on X, the left-back didn’t hold back when reflecting on nearly a decade alongside the Egyptian King.
He said: “I’ve probably run out of words of what to say about Mo… fantastic player, unbelievable what he’s done at our football club.”
Robertson reflects on Salah’s Liverpool legacy
The Scotland captain went deeper than just numbers, highlighting the consistency and mentality that have defined the No.11’s time at Anfield.
Robertson added: “Just being able to see him grow as a player… into one of the best in the world… seeing how professional he is, how much work he puts in… it’s been a joy to watch.”
That perspective matters, because the defender has been alongside Salah since 2017, witnessing first-hand the standards that have driven Liverpool’s success in recent years.
The 30-year-old also pointed to how crucial the forward has been in difficult periods, saying: “If you look back at last season he pretty much carried us on his back at times… the numbers he produced were just ridiculous.”
Where Salah ranks among Liverpool’s greatest
What stands out most from Robertson’s comments is just how firmly he places his teammate among the club’s all-time greats, even if he stops short of calling him the outright best.
He explained: “I don’t think there’s any doubt of how much of a legend he’s at the football club… he’s in the conversation of best players ever to play for the football club.”
When pushed further, the Scotland international made his stance clear, adding: “Kenny probably pips him… but then behind that you have three or four players… and Mo Salah definitely comes into that conversation.”
For us, though, Robertson’s final point probably says it best.
He concluded: “To be able to call him a teammate but also call him a friend… it’s an absolute privilege… he’ll get the send-off he deserves because he’s a Premier League legend, but he’s definitely a Liverpool legend.”
Real Madrid set to snub Rodri transfer approach despite public come-get-me plea
Real Madrid have long been linked with Man City’s Rodri
The Spaniard opened the door to a Bernabeu transfer in March
Man City are determined to extend Rodri’s contract
Manchester City may not be subject to a transfer approach from Real Madrid for Rodri after all this summer, despite a remarkable turn of events during the March international break.
The 29-year-old surprised many supporters of the Etihad side during the opening week of the March international break by publicly opening the door to the idea of a sensational switch to Real Madrid during the upcoming summer market.
Quizzed by Spanish media on whether his history as an Atletico Madrid player would have any impact on a decision to join Real Madrid, if approached by Los Blancos, Rodri denied that to be a factor whilst pointing towards the need for talks with Manchester City officials.
“I have one year left on my Manchester City contract,” Rodri said. “At some point, we’ll have to sit down and talk.
“Even though I’ve played for Atleti (Atletico Madrid), (Real) Madrid isn’t a closed door for me – you can’t turn your back on the best clubs. Playing at the Bernabéu is always incredible, it’s very intimidating.”
Rodri continued, “I hadn’t planned to play outside of Spain but Manchester City came up (as an option in 2019). I would like to return to the Spanish league, I still follow it.
“The Premier (League) is my weakness but it is also a very demanding league. For now, I am very happy there.”
Rodri is interested in Real Madrid, but are Real Madrid interested in Rodri?
But despite consistent media reports pointing towards the inevitability of Real Madrid interest in the Ballon d’Or winner of 2024, follow-up reporting in light of Rodri’s latest comments concerning the Bernabeu has provided a fresh twist in the ever-developing tale.
According to AS’ Jose Felix Diaz, ‘everything points’ towards Rodri and Real Madrid ‘remaining apart’ from one another, despite the Manchester City’s recent public statement concerning a willingness to make a switch to the Bernabeu.
It is explained that while Real Madrid are indeed looking to sign a new midfielder during the upcoming summer market to improve upon their options, the search is ‘not focused’ on the Manchester City star.
While the 29-year-old’s physical attributes and footballing abilities are described as ‘undeniable’, Los Blancos officials are said to have ‘other targets’ for the position, and are currently awaiting the outcome of Alvaro Arbeloa’s squad across competitions this season.
What next in the Rodri, Real Madrid, and Man City saga?
For now, despite all of the talk surrounding Rodri and the Spanish capital, the aims of sporting director Hugo Viana and his Manchester City colleagues will be centred around the intention to extend their star midfielder’s contract beyond 2027.
It is understood that contract talks for the former Villarreal and Atletico Madrid man are a priority within the club, alongside Phil Foden’s contractual picture – with the England international also facing a contract expiry in the summer of 2027.
Manchester City Transfer Tracker: Live Updates on Signings, Contracts and Loans
Of the two names, Foden is far less likely to entertain the possibility of an exit from Manchester City given his close connections to the football club, and having been a player of the Sky Blue side since his early childhood.
But should City require an immediate review of their defensive midfield ranks, it remains to be seen whether Nico Gonzalez will be viewed internally as the man to succeed Rodri, or whether external recruitment will be deemed necessary.
We’re into the home stretch of the 2026 Marquette men’s lacrosse season as the only thing left to do is knock out the five games of Big East play starting on Saturday. In fact, let’s get the details on that game out of the way.
Big East Game #1: at Providence Friars (4-6, 0-0 Big East)
Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026 Time: 11:30am Central Location: Andy Glockner Memorial Bubble, Valley Fields, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Streaming: ESPN+, with Matt Menzel & Eric Simon calling the action Live Stats: Stat Broadcast
Marquette is 7-6 all time against Providence. The Golden Eagles held the early edge in the series, winning the first three games and five of the first six, including downing the Friars in the 2017 Big East championship game. It’s been mostly PC since then, with the Friars winning five of the last seven and each of the last three games. Last year’s game was a particular trouble spot, as Providence won 14-2 in Rhode Island.
Since this is the Big East opener for both Marquette and Providence, it seems like a pretty good time to take a swing around the league and see what everyone’s been up to with roughly 75% of everyone’s seasons already in the books. We’ll sort them in order of their RPI ranking through games played on March 25th, since it’s been about a week and a half since the NCAA debuted the numbers for this season. There’s an info dump with record, RPI, Inside Lacrosse media poll ranking where applicable, various stats leaders, and then the best win/worst loss according to the RPI. We’ll wrap up each section with whatever strikes my particular fancy about each team as I’m taking a look at how their spring has been going.
By the way: When it comes to the RPI rankings you see attached to anything here, please remember that there are only 77 Division 1 men’s lacrosse teams. “Oh, #39, that’s pretty good!” Yeah, sure, if this was basketball or volleyball, you’re right. Here, that’s the best team in the bottom half of the country.
Alrighty, we’ve got five non-MU teams to sift through here, let’s get going!
Georgetown Hoyas
Record: 3-4 RPI: #10 Inside Lacrosse Poll: #14 Points Leader: Rory Connor, 37 Goals Leader: Rory Connor, 29 (#1 in goals per game) Assists Leader: Liam Connor, 25 (#1 in assists per game) Goalie: Anderson Moore; 11.68 GAA, .515 SV% Best Win: at #23 Penn, 12-9 Worst Loss: vs #12 Ohio State, 10-9
How are the Hoyas still ranked when they’re under .500 through seven games? Well, for starters, holding onto the #5 spot in the preseason poll is doing a lot of work there. After that, it’s the simple concept of Georgetown’s four losses are all to teams that 1) were ranked at the time of the game and 2) are all in the top 8 of the poll right now. That includes #1 Notre Dame and #2 Richmond, by the way. So, you can see how the voters might go week by week and say “okay, but that’s not a bad loss,” and just nudge the Hoyas down a little bit.
However, at some point, losing by 6 to Notre Dame and by 4 to Richmond and by 6 to Syracuse last Sunday has to start mattering. I would presume that the loser of Saturday’s Georgetown/Denver game is going to find themselves on the outside of the Inside Lacrosse rankings. That probably means that the Big East is going to be a one-bid conference for the NCAA tournament when we work our way around to that, although I suppose a surprise champion (not DU or GU, really) could throw a wrench into that.
There’s an interesting question to be asked about precisely where Georgetown would be this season if the Connor boys hadn’t transferred over from Colgate. Rory was an honorable mention All-American for the Raiders last season and averaged dang near a hat trick per game in 47 career contests for them. This will be his only season at Georgetown, while Liam had two seasons in Hamilton and had 115 points in just 33 games. Georgetown has just one other double digit goal scorer through seven games, and no one else on the roster even has nine assists.
Denver Pioneers
Record: 4-4 RPI: #18 Inside Lacrosse Poll: #13 Points Leader: Cody Malawsky & Marek Tzagournis, 22 Goals Leader: Cody Malawsky, 17 Assists Leader: Marek Tzagournis, 10 Goalie: Grayson Manning; 7.60 GAA, .640 SV% (#1 in both) Best Win: vs #32 Air Force, 10-2 Worst Loss: at #12 Ohio State, 6-4
I don’t even know why Denver’s ranked at all. Like Georgetown, the Pioneers have only taken losses to ranked teams this season, but they don’t have the benefit of beating a ranked team to nudge them into the top 20 in the first place. I guess they wandered in by way of their 3-0 start, and then after a 6-4 loss to Ohio State, a 13-12 loss to Syracuse, and an 8-7 loss to Duke, everyone said “okay, but that means they’re good” and kept them in the rankings? They’re coming into Saturday’s game against the Hoyas on a three game losing streak — the three losses I just mentioned — so I can’t possibly see how they stay in the top 20 after a fourth straight loss, even if it is against a ranked Georgetown team. Or, heck, especially because if it’s against a Georgetown team that’s propped up by “good losses.”
As far as what to watch out for with the Pioneers, they’re going to be hard for anyone in the Big East to beat as long as Grayson Manning keeps being the best goalie in the league. He’s putting up those numbers after 180 straight minutes against ranked teams, and giving up just six to Ohio State and just eight to Duke is probably more impressive than the raw goals-per-60-minutes impact. Manning might need to keep that up, as it seems like DU doesn’t really have an elite scorer, although the Pios’ strength of schedule might be limiting their offensive output a little bit.
Marquette Golden Eagles
Record: 4-4 RPI: #33 Points Leader: Carsen Brandt, 29 Goals Leader: Carsen Brandt, 19 Assists Leader: Nolan Rappis, 11 Goalie: Lucas Lawas; 13.08 GAA, .444 SV% Best Win: at #36 Bellarmine, 15-10 Worst Loss: vs #41 Michigan, 14-7
Yeah, I was kind of surprised to find Marquette as the third best team in the league and even in the top half of the country, to be honest. Between the way they lost to Utah and Michigan as well as the Wolverines going just 2-6 since that season opener, yeah, I figured it was kind of not super great for the Golden Eagles. Still, that UM loss is their worst of the year, and Marquette had some interesting fight against the two best teams (Notre Dame & Harvard) that they faced this season. If they can pay off this RPI ranking over the next five games, that could go a long way towards making this an obviously successful campaign for head coach Jake Richard.
Villanova Wildcats
Record: 3-5 RPI: #40 Points Leader: Luke Raymond, 21 Goals Leader: Luke Raymond, 18 Assists Leader: Nolan Sabel, 9 Goalie: Denis Fargione; 10.83 GAA, .453 SV% Best Win: at #14 Penn State, 14-13, in overtime Worst Loss: at #30 Lehigh, 14-7
Well, the first thing that we have to say about the Wildcats is that I’m not 100% certain that Denis Fargione is actually their active goalie. Anthony Wilson played the full 60 minutes in that loss to Lehigh for his only action of the season so far, and that was their most recent game, 10 days ago now. As far as I can tell, Fargione finished the Towson game one outing earlier. Wilson had the Wildcats underwater 5-1 just 11 minutes in, so that would seem to be a situation where you’d switch back to Fargione if he was available, right? There are a total of four goalies on the VU roster, so I guess we’ll find out where this goes eventually?
Other than that, things have kind of gone downhill since the opening 70 minutes of lacrosse this season. I say 70 because they started off with that win over then-#7 Penn State, and a win over a ranked team is something that no one else in the league can point at right now. However, the Wildcats have lost every other game to a ranked opponent this season, falling to Rutgers, Penn, and Towson. Losing to a Lehigh team that’s now 5-4 after those losses is no way to pay off on the promise of your season, especially since they got doubled up on the scoreboard.
Mixing all of that together: Starting off Big East play against St. John’s on Saturday is going to be an interesting litmus test for Villanova. Was the Lehigh thing a one-off? Is Fargione going to be back in the cage and does that reset the Wildcats a little bit? Or do their problems compound and they take a critical loss in the standings right out of the gate?
Providence Friars
Record: 4-6 RPI: #46 Points Leader: Rhett Chambers, 45 (#1 in points per game) Goals Leader: Rhett Chambers & Richie Joseph, 20 Assists Leader: Rhett Chambers, 25 Goalie: Cam Sterritt; 10.95 GAA, .518 SV% Best Win: at #45 Holy Cross, 15-10 Worst Loss: vs #50 Fairfield, 8-7
The obvious question: Hey, wait a minute, how does Providence have two guys averaging two goals a game and a guy averaging over four points a game and thus leading the Big East, but they’re under .500? Especially with a goaltender stopping more than half the shots on cage?
Easy! According to Lacrosse Reference, the Friars turn the ball over on over 36% of their possessions, making them one of the 15 worst teams in the country at keeping track of the ball. PC coughed it up more than 54% of the time in a 21-5 loss to Duke. Okay, so maybe they were going to lose that game anyway, right? How about exactly 50% of the time in that 8-7 loss to Fairfield? They were up 5-4 at the half, then turned it over 13 times after intermission, essentially never giving Chambers and Joseph a chance to piledrive the Stags out of the game. That was after 11 first half turnovers in the first place, so the whole thing was shaky anyway.
By the way: Fairfield is only credited with 11 caused turnovers in that game. Overall this season: 179 turnovers for the Friars, just 87 labeled as caused by their opponents. Yikes!
St. John’s Red Storm
Record: 2-7 RPI: #70 Points Leader: Noah Plenn, 27 Goals Leader: Noah Plenn, 14 Assists Leader: Noah Plenn, 13 Goalie: Matt Nelson; 12.81 GAA, .505 SV% Best Win: at #67 Hofstra, 9-8 Worst Loss: vs #63 Bryant, 11-7
It feels important to note that Noah Plenn is the offensive leader for St. John’s even though he missed two games in the middle of their nine game slate to this point of the year. STJ lost both of those, 11-7 to Bryant and 19-4 to then-#19 Rutgers, both at home. He was back in the lineup for their last two games, handing out two goals and two assists in a 12-11 loss to Mercer and recording three assists in a 13-8 defeat against Brown. This is all notable because Plenn is #2 in the conference in goals per game and #3 in assists per game. Whatever else is going on with the Red Storm right now, Plenn has to be marked and marked well when the Johnnies have the ball.
Part of the reason that St. John’s is down here at the bottom of the page, coming into Big East play as one of the 10 worst RPI teams in the country, is because their strength of schedule stinks AND they’ve been losing games against said schedule. Five sub-40 losses, including two against sub-60 opponents is a great way to tank your own RPI, and throwing up a 19-4 loss against a good Rutgers team isn’t doing you any favors, either. Lacrosse Reference — doing a little bit more of an efficiency measurement than the RPI — has the Red Storm at #63 in the country instead of #70. I know, that’s not much of an improvement, but it does mean they’re maybe a little bit better than the RPI says.
Nicolas Gonzalez remains at risk of a Juventus return
Nicolas Gonzalez is enjoying a solid season on loan at Atletico Madrid, with Juventus satisfied with his progress. The winger was allowed to leave Turin temporarily to gain consistent playing time after an inconsistent 2024 to 2025 campaign had limited his role within the squad.
Since arriving in Spain, Gonzalez has rediscovered form and stability, becoming one of the more influential players in the Atletico Madrid setup. His performances have demonstrated his attacking quality and work rate, helping him establish a stronger reputation than he had during his previous spell in Italy.
Uncertain Transfer Outcome
Juventus had initially expected Atletico Madrid to retain him permanently. However, negotiations have become complicated, as the Spanish side is reportedly unwilling to meet the agreed fee of over 30 million euros. Instead, they are seeking to secure his services for a reduced amount.
As reported by Tuttojuve, this difference in valuation has created uncertainty regarding the player’s future. While a permanent move remains possible, there is an increasing likelihood that Gonzalez could return to Juventus at the end of the loan period if an agreement cannot be reached.
Spalletti’s Interest a Key Factor
A potential return to Turin may not be a setback for the player. Luciano Spalletti is understood to be a strong admirer of Gonzalez and has followed his development closely. The report suggests that the manager would welcome the opportunity to integrate him into his plans and offer him a significant role in the squad next season.
This scenario provides Juventus with flexibility, as they are confident the player can contribute effectively under Spalletti’s guidance. Gonzalez, for his part, could benefit from working within a system that values his attributes.
As a result, Juventus remain relaxed about the situation, knowing that whether he stays in Spain or returns to Italy, there is a clear pathway for him to continue developing and performing at a high level.
Tom Brady and Logan Paul - Monica Schipper/Getty Images
NFL legend Tom Brady has been teasing an appearance in WWE with the numerous shots he's taken at WWE, and veteran star Tommy Dreamer is uncertain about the angle WWE and Brady are going for heading into Wrestlemania.
Brady has had arguments with Paul about WWE wrestlers being "cute and scripted," which ruffled many feathers in WWE. The comments have stirred a hornet's nest, with Seth Rollins stating that Brady doesn't have the guts to step in the ring with him. With WrestleMania just a few weeks away, fans have been wondering how Brady fits into the scheme of things, a question that Dreamer doesn't have an answer for.
"He's an owner or he's involved with the [Las Vegas] Raiders, so if you put him out there in a wrestling crowd, I think he might get booed because it's not like a lot of Raiders fans are gonna be going to this thing called WrestleMania. If you put Gunther at a Raiders game and he sh*t on football and he sh*t on the Raiders, he'd be the heel. So Brady is kind of being this heel role, so I don't know what they're [WWE] doing. Because, again, you got to think of the payoff. If it's Logan Paul-Tom Brady in a match, I don't know if that's happening," he said on "Busted Open." "And then the other part, like when we were talking about like dealing with celebrities and a celebrity of the magnitude of a Tom Brady, if Tom Brady's secretly training, if Tom Brady's doing all this stuff, do you think Tom Brady's gonna want to lose in Allegiant Stadium in a match?"
While Dreamer isn't sure how Brady fits into the scheme of things heading into WrestleMania 42, he is sure that one other celebrity deserves a WrestleMania match — Jelly Roll. The ECW Original believes that the Grammy winner has done enough with his promos and his ability to draw fans to get himself a spot on the card at "The Show of Shows."
The 2026 MLB season is upon us as Aaron Judge and the New York Yankees enter with high expectations as they look to get back to the World Series and add another title to their trophy case.
Mar 25, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. (13) slides safely into third base against the San Francisco Giants in the second inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
How to Watch New York Yankees 2026 MLB Regular Season
TV Channel: Yes Network (local); MLB.TV (out-of-market)
You can catch the Yankees all season long with a subscription to Fubo. Regular-season games will be broadcast live locally on the YES Network and out-of-market on MLB.TV, both of which you can live stream with Fubo. The best part is that you can test out the services today for free.
The Yankees enter the 2026 season after finishing the 2025 regular season with a 94-68 record, earning one of the top seeds in the American League and ranking among the league’s elite teams in run production and overall performance. However, despite that success, their season ended without a World Series title, leaving them still chasing their first championship since 2009.
The clear centerpiece of the team remains Aaron Judge, who delivered one of the most dominant offensive seasons in recent MLB history in 2025, hitting .331 with 53 home runs and 114 RBIs while winning the AL MVP award. His production once again set the tone for the Yankees’ offense and reinforced his status as the face of the franchise.
Heading into 2026, the Yankees are focused on turning that high-level regular-season success into postseason results. With Judge leading the lineup and a roster built to contend, the expectation is not just another playoff appearance, but a legitimate push toward a championship.
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Mar 26, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets right fielder Carson Benge (3) celebrates with second baseman Marcus Semien (10) and shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) and third baseman Bo Bichette (19) and first baseman Jorge Polanco (11) and catcher Francisco Alvarez (4) after defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images
The dominant storyline regarding the Mets all offseason was about the roster turnover. If you look up and down yesterday’s Opening Day lineup, about half of the players in it are new faces, most of whom weren’t even in the organization last season. Yesterday’s 11-7 victory over the Pirates in which the Mets got the best of one of the premiere aces in the game was a total team effort that included contributions from nearly all of these new Mets.
For starters, the pitcher that took the mound to ring in the season in front of the Citi Field faithful was one of those new players. Freddy Peralta’s performance wasn’t perfect, but it was enough to earn him his first win in a Mets uniform. After giving up the two-run homer to Brandon Lowe in the first, he bounced back to strike out the next three batters and ended up racking up seven strikeouts in total. Other than the mistakes Peralta made to Lowe, who either simply had Peralta’s number or is about to enter a new era of dominance as a Pittsburgh Pirate, he had a strong Mets debut.
The final line on Freddy Peralta's Mets debut:
5 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 0 BB, 7 K, 80 pitches.
Peralta allowed a pair of Brandon Lowe homers but is in line for the win thanks to some healthy run support. pic.twitter.com/4r1CjMqjd4
The Mets were able to erase the deficit created by the Lowe two-run homer yielded by Peralta and then some in the bottom of the first, which became a marathon rally that knocked Paul Skenes out of the game with just two outs in the first. The newcomers in the Mets’ lineup were huge contributors to this rally. Bo Bichette plated the Mets’ first run of 2026 with a sacrifice fly. Jorge Polanco then singled and Luis Robert Jr. worked an 11-pitch walk—one of the key at-bats in the inning because of the bases-clearing triple that followed.
Can't forget about Luis Robert Jr.'s incredible at-bat against Paul Skenes in the first inning 🔥 pic.twitter.com/xFM6QN3KYe
Though of course the sun played a role, Marcus Semien gets credit for a double and an RBI in the inning all the same. Both Robert and Semien would go on to have a multi-hit game. Robert notched RBI knocks in both the fourth and fifth innings, the latter being a slow grounder that he beat out with his speed for an infield hit. In his very first game as a Met, Robert showed why the Mets traded for him (and why they have been trying to do so for years now). His skills on both side of the ball were on full display, as he made a diving catch in center to end the third inning as well. In fact, for all the hemming and hawing about players learning new positions, the Mets played a solid game defensively. The Mets’ new infield contingent made all of the plays—fundies that would have made Keith Hernandez proud if this game had been broadcast on SNY.
It is fitting that Freddy Peralta was followed in the game by Tobias Myers, who came with him in the trade from the Brewers. Myers gave up a solo homer to Ryan O’Hearn and nothing else over three strong innings of work, demonstrating right away the value he provides as a long man in the bullpen—a role the Mets have not had consistently filled for quite some time now.
The only new addition whose day did not quite go as well was Luis Garcia, who was tasked with protecting a six-run lead in the ninth inning. With how Myers was cruising it seemed like he might finish the game, but it seems like the Mets opted to save his bullets and turn to Garcia instead with the more comfortable lead. Garcia was shaky in the ninth, but ultimately got through it with the lead in tact. Overall, yesterday was still a very good day for the new look Mets.
Of course, not all 162 games of this long season are going to look like this—“a near perfectly executed offensive inning,” as Howie Rose described the first-inning rally in what turned out to be a near perfectly executed game all around. There are going to be bad moments where it feels like the team isn’t gelling. But you can see David Stearns’ vision for the Mets within yesterday’s win—a microcosm of what he wants this next Mets era to look like. Some of these new faces, like Bo Bichette, who has an opt-out after this season, may be fleeting pieces as this Mets puzzle comes together. Others, like Freddy Peralta, with whom the Mets are still negotiating on a potential extension, may end up staying awhile. We have a lot of season left to see if this new group has the secret sauce of a championship club. But yesterday was a good start.
“When you speak to” – Journalist shares internal feeling at Chelsea about competing for the title
People within Chelsea genuinely believe the club will compete for the Premier League title in time according to journalist Nizaar Kinsella.
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It’s been a difficult four years since the takeover by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital back in 2022, with the Blues yet to challenge for the league title.
In fact Chelsea have had just one top four finish in the last three years, and are in grave danger of failing to qualify for the Champions League once again.
Chelsea believe they will be compete for the Premier League title
The Blues have invested vast sums of money into the playing squad but have been unable to close the gap on the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool.
Chelsea last won the league under Antonio Conte in 2017 and haven’t got near since, with fans desperate for the club to challenge again.
At this point in time it feels the Blues aren’t anywhere near, and Kinsella was asked when Chelsea feel they will challenge for the Premier League in a Q & A for BBC Sport.
“I suspect Chelsea’s ownership would have hoped to be much closer to winning the Premier League by now, having owned the club for almost four years since their 2022 takeover,” he wrote.
“That would suggest they have been less successful than they expected.
“However, when you speak to those involved, they genuinely believe they will compete for the Premier League title in time, even if they recognise that other clubs hold advantages and that closing the gap has proved difficult.”
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In other news….
Chelsea continue to be linked with centre backs, with the club desperately needing to revamp that area of the squad.
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 03: A detail shot of the Los Angeles Dodgers logo on the pitcher's mound with confetti during the Los Angeles Dodgers World Series Championship celebration at Dodger Stadium on Monday, November 3, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jessie Alcheh/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Los Angeles Dodgers enjoyed an Opening Day win to begin their quest for a third straight World Series championship, defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday.
But as the team barrels toward the playoffs in its search of a “three-peat,” it has already lost some key players from its previous two championship teams.
Most notably, that includes Clayton Kershaw, a future Hall of Fame pitcher who won Fall Classic titles with the team in 2020, 2024 and 2025 before ending his career and then turning to the broadcast booth.
And now, another former Dodgers World Series title holder has ended his own playing career, though he was only a member of one of the franchise’s championship teams.
Former Los Angeles Dodgers Champion, 5-Time Gold Glover Jason Heyward Announces Retirement
“After 31 years, 16 major league seasons,” Jason Heyward wrote in an Instagram caption announcing his retirement on Friday. “I’d like to take one last time to show love to the game of baseball as a player.”
Heyward is best remembered for his time with a different pair of other National League contenders, as he played a combined 12 seasons with the Atlanta Braves and Chicago Cubs. He earned an All-Star nod, five Gold Glove Awards and three seasons of Most Valuable Player Award votes for those teams. And he was a key member of the 2016 Cubs team that ended a lengthy championship drought.
Jason Heyward Academy Releases Statement On Los Angeles Dodgers Tenure After Retirement
“Heyward was most notably with the Atlanta Braves and St. Louis Cardinals before creating history with the Chicago Cubs in the 2016 World Series, helping end one of the longest championship droughts in sports,” a release sent directly to Forbes by the Jason Heyward Baseball Academy read. “He added a second championship ring with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2024, where he was valued for his leadership and for his support of younger players on the team.”
On the field, Heyward appeared in just 63 games for the Dodgers in 2024 and he was released late in the regular season. But he played in 124 games for the 2023 Dodgers team after signing a minor league contract and then making the Opening Day roster out of camp.
In his two combined campaigns with Los Angeles, Heyward slashed just .249/.322/.446, averages that are in line with the rest of his career. And as the baseball world celebrates his standout tenure now that he’s announced its end, Dodgers fans have good reason to remember his contributions to a season that launched baseball’s latest dynasty.
Clemson forward Jake Wahlin (10) heads off during the first half against Virginia Tech in an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, in Clemson, S.C.
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Scott Kinser
Jake Wahlin is on the move again.
The Provo native, onetime BYU commit and former Utah Runnin’ Ute intends to transfer from Clemson, he shared Friday on Instagram.
“After a year in Tiger Town, I’ve built many deep and meaningful relationships I’ll forever be thankful for. I’m thankful for the coaching staff and entire community for the opportunity to be a part of an incredible culture,” Wahlin wrote. “To my teammates, thank you for an incredible year. I loved every moment competing alongside my brothers and being apart of a historic season.
“I have decided to enter the transfer portal to explore my options and determine the best path forward for my future.”
Wahlin appeared in 35 games during his lone campaign at Clemson, making 29 starts and posting averages of 5.3 points and 3.9 rebounds. The 6-foot-10 forward scored in double figures six times and helped the Tigers notch 24 victories and reach the NCAA Tournament.
A three-star recruit out of Timpview High, Wahlin initially committed to Mark Pope’s BYU program, but following his Latter-day Saint mission to Lithuania he flipped his commitment to sign with Utah.
In two seasons and 53 games with the Runnin’ Utes, Wahlin averaged 4.2 points and 3.6 rebounds per contest. His sophomore season was his most successful to date, scoring 6.3 points per game and shooting 35% from 3-point range.
Wahlin will have one season of eligibility remaining at his next destination.
Utah forward Jake Wahlin shoots the ball during the Runnin’ Utes’ exhibition game against CSU Pueblo at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024.
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Hunter Dyke
KANSAS CITY, MO - AUG 16: Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr (7) celebrates as he leaves the field after winning a MLB game between the Chicago White Sox and the Kansas City Royals on August 16, 2025, at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Kansas City has a favorable April schedule and needs to take advantage
The schedule to begin 2026 is a bit of a gift for a Royals team that has not gotten off to the strongest starts historically. Last year’s team made it to the end of April at 16-15 and even stayed above .500 through May before having one of the most atrocious months I have ever seen in June, which ended up being too much to overcome in the end. This year, the MLB schedule makers have deigned to give the Royals an early season scheduling gift. Here are the series that they will play through April:
3 games at Atlanta Braves
3 games vs. Minnesota Twins
3 games vs. Milwaukee Brewers
3 games at Cleveland Guardians
4 games vs. Chicago White Sox
3 games at Detroit Tigers
3 games at New York Yankees
3 games vs. Baltimore Orioles
3 games vs. Los Angeles Angels
3 games at Athletics
Outside of the nine-game stretch at Detroit, at New York, and home for Baltimore, the other opponents are all fine-to-bad. Milwaukee has a habit of being quite good, but they are projected for a win total in the low 80s. Atlanta is currently missing Sean Murphy, Ha-Seong Kim, Spencer Strider, and several other players right now and is quite vulnerable. Minnesota was gutted last year and only has starting pitching to lean on. There are a lot of opportunities to pick up early wins, and maybe more importantly for this team, early confidence.
The Yankees, Brewers, Braves, Orioles, and Tigers are projected to have winning records, but the Braves are not at full strength. That means half of the teams faced are projected below five hundred and they are projected to be further below .500 than the first five are projected to be above. The projected weighted average win percentage for these 31 games is just .493 helped out by that bonus fourth game against the White Sox. Of the 31 games, 16 are at home and 15 on the road, giving the Royals a slight advantage in their ballpark with new dimensions to fit them.
Getting off to a good start can be huge for this team. They have a chance to get the momentum early in a winnable division. There is only the one short stretch of nine games against Detroit, New York, and Baltimore where the goal would be to win four out of nine, and you would be happy not to have dropped more. The rest of those are all series you should feel like you can win, and it is a matter of banking as many of those as possible. Something like an 18-13 start looks very possible, which would be a nice step toward a successful season.
That would not be enough to guarantee anything over a long season, but for a team like this, it could make a huge difference.
Ben Brereton Diaz scored his 10th international goal for Chile against Cape Verde [Getty Images]
Derby County's on-loan forward Ben Brereton Diaz was on the scoresheet as Chile beat Cape Verde 4-2 in their Fifa series match in Auckland on Friday afternoon.
The 26-year-old is on a season-long loan from Southampton and opened the scoring for the South Americans in the 16th minute of the game at Eden Park for his 10th international goal in his 41st appearance.
Cape Verde who, unlike Chile, have qualified for this year's World Cup finals in the USA, Canada and Mexico, went in at the break 2-1 in front before conceding three goals in 21 second-half minutes.
Chile will play hosts New Zealand in their second game of the mini tournament on Monday, with the home nation having lost 2-0 to Finland at the same venue later in the day.
Many fantasy baseball players have wrapped up their drafts for the season. Many still are drafting, with more to come. Whatever the case, one thing is for sure — there are always productive players left on the waiver wire after drafts come to an end. Here are five who deserve more attention after Opening Day.
Jordan Romano, Los Angeles Angels (23% rostered)
It happens every season; a reliever doesn’t get highly drafted, is left on the waiver wire only to receive his team’s first save opportunity of the season. Such is the case with Jordan Romano, who earned the Angels’ first handshake of the year, against the Astros.
That’s all the signal we need in fantasy — reliever gets first save of the season, reliever gets added.
Of course, the Angels turned to Romano likely out of necessity; both Kirby Yates and Robert Stephenson are on the mend in L.A.’s bullpen. Yates would likelt be the presumed closer if not for his knee injury. Nonetheless, while those two are out of commission, Romano looks to be the guy for the Angels. Even if it’s ultimately temporary, that’s all we need to know.
Chase DeLauter, Cleveland Guardians (50%)
It’s curious to see DeLauter available in one out of every two Yahoo leagues. That likely won’t last much longer, considering DeLauter’s Opening Day performance. The rookie went 3-for-5 with two homers against Seattle on Thursday. One of those round-trippers came against Seattle ace Logan Gilbert, a solo shot.
The main reason why it’s curious to see DeLauter available in so many leagues is due to the weakness of the Cleveland lineup. Outside of José Ramírez, no one in this lineup truly moves the fantasy needle. The former first-round pick has the potential to be a multi-category contributor, and he’s already getting prime real estate in the Cleveland lineup (he batted second, between Steven Kwan and Ramírez). Consider this last call for DeLauter.
Victor Scott II, St. Louis Cardinals (7%)
Remember Victor Scott II? He’s part of the youth movement on the Cardinals, a team that is in the midst of a rebuild. And while JJ Wetherholt is grabbing all the headlines (as he should), Scott is on the other side of the spectrum; Wetherholt, a current top prospect in MLB, batted first for St. Louis — Scott, a former top prospect, batted ninth.
But you could make the argument that Scott had a better Opening Day than Wetherholt.
Scott went 3-for-4 in the Cards’ 9-7 win over the Rays, but most importantly, he collected two stolen bases in the contest. Scott’s speed has never been in question; he stole 34 bases last season, and just look at his sprint speed mark.
Scott might be more for the category-league crowd, a guy who can single-handedly win you stolen bases. You’ll just have to stomach some poor batting marks in the process. But if there’s even a minimum improvement at the plate, watch out.
Francisco Alvarez, New York Mets (29%)
Catcher was surprisingly deep this season in fantasy baseball, thanks to guys like Cal Raleigh and Shea Langeliers and Ben Rice. So it’s easy to forget about someone like Francisco Alvarez, a former top prospect who is batting at the bottom of a loaded Mets lineup.
But while that lineup is potent, it is missing a lot of power, considering Pete Alonso is in Baltimore now. Alvarez has a 25-homer season under his belt already, and his power potential was evident in the minors. He sent a monstrous 429-foot blast into the seats on Opening Day, going 2-for-4 as part of the Mets’ rout of the Pirates on Thursday.
If Alvarez continues hitting like this, there’s a possibility he can climb the Mets lineup; that’s worth a stash.
José Soriano, Los Angeles Angels (47%)
This one is more for the streaming crowd. Nonetheless, it’s not like we haven’t seen quality performances from Soriano in the past. His shutout of the Astros on Opening Day shouldn’t come as much of a shock, but it was Soriano’s first Opening Day start, so it should be recognized.
Soriano’s stuff has never been in question (his fastball velocity has a 90 grade); the 27-year-old just hasn’t been able to put it all together thus far. Regardless, it was an impressive performance, one worth a speculative stash. You don’t have to start him against the Cubs next time he takes the mound, but if he performs well again, it might be too late to add him.
Damar Hamlin is back with the only NFL team he’s ever known.
The Buffalo Bills signed the safety to a one-year deal Friday, March 27, the team said.
The 28-year-old played the 2025 season on a one-year deal with Buffalo but was limited to five games due to a pectoral injury suffered in practice that ended his season and required surgery.
Hamlin suffered a cardiac incident in January 2023 during “Monday Night Football” against the Cincinnati Bengals and was resuscitated on the field. He made a complete recovery and played in five games the next season, which helped him finish second in NFL Comeback Player of the Year voting. A sixth-round pick (212th overall) in 2021, Hamlin started all 14 games in which he played the next season and logged the first two interceptions of his career.
Since his cardiac incident – diagnosed as commotio cordis, which is rare and often fatal cardiac arrest caused by blunt force – Hamlin has worked with the American Heart Association and lawmakers to train students and staff at schools across the United States in CPR and AED use, purchase AEDs for schools and youth organizations and develop and implement emergency action plans.
Hamlin’s biggest career highlight came in the 2024 AFC divisional round when he strip-sacked Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and had a team-high eight tackles in a Bills’ victory.
The Bills also added safeties Geno Stone and C.J. Gardner-Johnson earlier this offseason.
LSU Tig͏ers’ all-͏in push͏ r͏eally͏ took shape when Lane Kiffin ar͏rived, but the story s͏tarted long before t͏hat. Brian K͏elly wa͏s f͏ired in ͏October 202͏5 ͏afte͏r LSU stumbled ͏late and fi͏nished 7-6. The Tig͏ers͏ kept the͏ir hustle on ͏a͏nd ͏pulled Kiffin͏ away from Ol͏e Miss.͏ T͏hey ͏w͏anted a clear reset.
And the money shows it. LSU has already committed huge cash across both football and men’s basketball. Let’s talk about the football program.
According to On3’s Pete Nakos, the Tigers have spent $242 million in total estimated outlay, including a $54 million buyout for Brian Kelly, a $3 million buyout for Lane Kiffin from Ole Miss, an $8 million buyout for Matt McMahon, and a $4 million buyout for Will Wade from NC State. On top of that, LSU signed Kiffin to a seven-year, $91 million deal and gave Wade a seven-year, $30 million contract.
The spending does not stop there. LSU’s estimated football payroll for 2026 is $40 million, while the estimated basketball payroll for 2026-27 is $12 million. That is before all the other roster work and staff costs.
Kiffin’s arrival also came with major roster promises. LSU reportedly told him it would back him with more than $25 million in NIL and revenue-share support. The Tigers then went all-in in the transfer portal, landing 40 new players and putting together the No. 1 transfer class in the country for 2026, per Bleacher Report.
Kelly also added fuel to the discussion. He said LSU’s current roster is worth over $40 million during a Friday appearance on SiriusXM College Sports Radio. That lines up with the aggressive spending spree LSU has embraced.
For LSU, this is not a quiet rebuild. It is a full-speed reset, and the bill is enormous.
When speaking with the media postgame, Pope revealed that he had broken his foot with five minutes left in the Longhorns' win over Gonzaga. The veteran point guard said it was a "complete break" and that he had been receiving constant treatment leading up to Thursday night. Despite the discomfort, he still made a positive impact.
In 33 minutes of action, the California native scored 12 points and recorded two rebounds. He was also efficient from three-point range, making four of his nine attempts. The Longhorns' senior finished third on the team in points, trailing Tramon Mark and Dailyn Swain.
Pope's full explanation of his broken foot situation in his press conference
Credited the Texas training staff for making feel as comfortable as possible
Just as Pope had done all tournament, he was one of Sean Miller's best players. In three games, Pope scored 40 points and made 10 three-pointers. After an up-and-down end to the regular season, he made sure that his last few games in a Longhorns uniform were performances he could be proud of.
His determination to play through injury also stood out to head coach Sean Miller. In his postgame interview, Miller praised Pope and said he was remarkable that he played with a broken foot.
"Watching him out there tonight is really remarkable, really was what he did, how he played under those conditions. I don't know how many guys that I've coached under these conditions on this stage would have chosen to play," Miller said. "It would have been very easy for him just to say, 'Make the Sweet 16. I'm not going to be 100%. I don't know how I'll look. And because of that, I can't go.' But he gave us everything and gave us the opportunity to win."
Texas guard Jordan Pope said he knew about 30 minutes before tipoff that he’d be playing on a broken foot against Purdue. pic.twitter.com/T2d2Er1s2E
Although it was not the ending Pope and the Longhorns had hoped for, the talented point guard can look back with regrets after giving his team everything in an effort to win a national title.
The possible changes to the lottery, which were introduced this week at the league’s Board of Governors meeting and will be voted on — with likely amendments — in May, widen the lottery from 14 to either 18 or 22 teams, those sources said.
Glenavon's post-split fixtures: Portadown (H), Saturday, 4 April, Ballymena United (A) Tuesday, 7 April, Bangor (A), Saturday 11 April, Crusaders (H), Saturday, 18 April, Carrick Rangers (H), Saturday, 25 April
Michael O'Connor has done a great job since coming in as Glenavon boss given they looked certain to go down when he took over in October.
While they may still be in 12th, they are just one point behind Crusaders and before their recent defeat by Larne, they went unbeaten in four league games.
One of those was a huge 3-0 victory at Seaview over the Crues that narrowed the gap.
Given they are playing teams around them and with their current good run of form, they have a good chance of avoiding the automatic drop and instead moving up to 11th and playing in the promotion/relegation play-off.
Survival is the key aim at the business end of the season and that 11 April fixture at home to Crusaders will be huge in the context of their quest to stay up.
Gateshead have signed Middlesbrough's Shea Connor and Rio Patterson-Powell on loan for the last month of the National League season.
Goalkeeper Connor, 20, has played for Boro's under-21 team this season along with winger Patterson-Powell, also 20, who has been on the bench for the first-team in the Championship.
They join a Gateshead side, 20th in the table, two points clear of relegation with six matches to play.
Michigan State basketball is in Washington D.C. for the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament, where the Spartans will face off with the Connecticut Huskies in the Sweet 16. Upon their arrival, the Spartans held their traditional open practice on Thursday, with a media session that ensued and UConn did the same.
With Michigan State loading for the Huskies, UConn head coach Dan Hurley spoke about the Spartans, previewing the matchup. Hurley has never been shy about showing his love for Tom Izzo, and he continued that effect towards Izzo and the Spartans before the Friday matchup.
He also took the Izzo approach in talking about the softness society has gotten to.
"Society has gotten soft in a lot of ways... The real world is tough and cruel... I'm preparing my players for life."
Watch Hurley's full press conference:
Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on X @Rex_Linzy
Here's another New Orleans Saints private workout before the 2026 NFL Draft. Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Zachariah Branch ran routes and returned punts for Saints coaches, per ESPN's Field Yates. Branch taught punters to shy away from him after a breakout 2023 season with the USC Trojans, having led the nation with 20.8 yards per punt return. He ended his college career with 586 punt return yards on 44 tries (an average of 13.3 yards per return) and 752 kick return yards on 39 tries (19.3). He scored a touchdown as both a punt returner and kick returner.
So it's easy to see why that alone would put him on the Saints' radar. But Branch's moves with the ball in his hands are special. He ranked tenth among 110 qualifying wide receivers in yards gained after the catch per reception, at 7.8. Pro Football Focus charting found that he forced 20 missed tackles, too, which ranked 12th. Branch led the SEC with 81 receptions last year, totaling 811 yards and six touchdown catches.
Why isn't he projected to go in the first round? Branch is seen as a Day 2 pick late in Round 2 or early in Round 3 because of some limitations to his game. He does boast 4.35 speed in the 40-yard dash but he'll need it to survive at 5-foot-9 and 177 pounds. On top of his subpar size, Branch lined up in the slot on 77.9% of his routes at the college level, and 79.2% of them last year at Georgia. His average depth of target was just 3.6 yards last season. He doesn't have much experience running NFL routes and getting open further downfield. When working against zone coverage, which he'll face on three out of every four snaps in the pros, his NFL passer rating ranked 151st among 200 qualifying wideouts, per PFF.
That's not to say Branch isn't an intriguing player. He did rank highest in NFL passing rating against man coverage, and you can't teach speed. There's just a lot he'll have to learn about getting open and making plays against pro-quality cornerbacks. He won't be able to work out of screens over and over again like he did at Georgia (accounting for 38.6% of his yards in 2025) and USC (30.0% in 2024 and 38.1% in 2023). That's not to say he can't do those things. But his previous teams not asking him to does say a lot.
Google may have saved everyone from the RAMpocalypse Finally, we have some good news from the AI space. Google has announced new tech that has sent the stock prices of memory companies lower. Why? Google’s new “TurboQuant” tech promises to reduce AI’s memory usage by 6x. This tech could cause the AI industry’s demand for […]
A newly discovered Xbox Game Pass codename, TRION, points to a first party game lineup, adding to speculation that Microsoft could be testing a different subscription offering.
Microsoft's controversial Xbox marketing campaign "This is an Xbox" was almost immediately ended after new CEO Asha Sharma came on board. Microsoft explains why.
For many, one of the factors that helped build hype for Crimson Desert leading up to the game's recent launch was its lenient minimum and recommended system requirements, and Pearl Abyss delivered on much of that hype, even though there were issues with Intel Arc GPUs at launch. Overall, the game boasted high player counts and positive retention post-launch, and Korean publication, Inven, reports that the game sold over 2 million units on launch day and 3 million within four days. Pearl Abyss has also reportedly started the R&D process for a potential Nintendo Switch 2 port of Crimson Desert.
According to Pearl Abyss CEO, Heo Jin-Young, there will be a compromise in graphical quality with a potential Switch 2 port, but he also notes that the studio cannot make any promises about a future Switch 2 release. However, the studio is committed to expansion into multiple platforms, including mobile, as a medium-to-long-term strategy. The studio is also considering the possibility of mods for Crimson Desert, but it seems reluctant to support mods, because it would require the studio to open up parts of the proprietary game engine. Aside from the potential Switch 2 port, Pearl Abyss plans to support Crimson Desert in the long term with new content and by expanding on the game's existing content—all while the original core developers from Crimson Desert work on the studio's next title, DokeV, an open-world creature-collector action-adventure game that was announced in 2021 and is slated for launch sometime in 2028.
In a sharply worded 43-page order, US District Judge Rita F. Lin said the government's actions appeared to be driven by retaliation rather than legitimate security concerns. "The record supports an inference that Anthropic is being punished for criticizing the government's contracting position in the press," Judge Lin wrote. "Nothing...
According to France-based tipster Gyo, the PlayStation Portal is expected to rise from €219.99 to €249.99 following the hike, while the PS5 Slim Disc Edition could increase from €549.99 to €649.99. The PS5 Pro is also set to become €100 more expensive, going from €799.99 to €899.99.
French industrial gas supplier Air Liquide opened a new factory near the port of Taichung, Taiwan, on Wednesday, as the semiconductor industry faces a worsening helium shortage.
Google is testing AI-generated summaries in YouTube feeds, replacing video titles with auto-written synopses.
Some YouTube users are seeing video titles replaced by AI-generated summaries in the Android app. Reports on Reddit showed title-less video cards with collapsible summary boxes instead.
The details. Video thumbnails remain, but titles are missing in some cases.
AI summaries appear in expandable text boxes beneath each video.
Users must tap to expand summaries to understand the content.
The test appears limited to YouTube on Android.
What it looks like. Here’s a screenshot Reddit user GrimmOConnor shared:
Why we care. This further abstracts creator metadata and reduces control over how your YouTube content appears. Titles remain a critical ranking and click-through signal. Replacing them with AI summaries can impact keyword targeting, brand voice, and intent matching — and increase the risk of inaccuracies that hurt performance.
Google confirmed a “small” and “narrow” experiment replacing original page titles with AI-generated versions in Search results.
According to Google, the goal is to better match queries and improve engagement.
But examples showed Google shortening or rewording headlines, changing tone and meaning.
Reaction. Early feedback suggests a worse browsing experience. Expanding summaries slows discovery and adds friction to content selection, which runs counter to YouTube’s engagement goals.
What’s next. There’s no official confirmation from YouTube on a broader rollout. The missing titles may be a bug, but the AI summary feature aligns with Google’s broader push into generative AI.
Looking to take the next step in your search marketing career?
Below, you will find the latest SEO, PPC, and digital marketing jobs at brands and agencies. We also include positions from previous weeks that are still open.
Job Description Salary: $21.27-$25.85 hourly The Marketing Specialist Acquisition will play a key role in overseeing and managing Syntrios digital marketing efforts to drive awareness, engagement, and conversions. This role is responsible for overseeing and executing integrated campaigns across several online channels. Key Responsibilities: Implement, monitor, and improve PPC campaigns (Google, Bing, etc.) Plan and […]
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Description Lightburn is hiring a Search Optimization Manager to drive the research, strategy, and execution of SEO and emerging search optimization needs. This role combines deep analytical research with hands-on optimization to improve visibility, discoverability, and performance for a wide range of clients. You’ll own SEO and GEO strategy for clients by conducting competitive analysis, […]
Job Description The intern supports strategic projects within the Organic Growth and Digital Strategy teams. These projects include tracking brand visibility across Large Language Models (LLMs), assisting with AI-driven search analysis, documenting organic discovery trends, and supporting brand authority research across search engines and social platforms. This opportunity provides a unique, “behind-the-scenes” view of how […]
Benefits: Competitive salary Health insurance Opportunity for advancement Paid time off Training & development Digital Marketing Specialist (SEO Focus) Company: Direct Clicks Inc. Job Type: Full-Time or Hourly Based on Experience Location: Remote Candidates must be located within driving distance of Roseville, Minnesota for occasional in-person team meetups. About Direct Clicks Inc. Direct Clicks Inc. […]
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We’ve all seen the charts going viral on LinkedIn. They’re everywhere at this point. Multiple industry studies, even this research from Semrush, confirm that Wikipedia and Reddit are the top-cited domains across major LLM platforms — and CMOs are running with this data.
The response is predictable: Just search for any bottom-of-funnel (BOFU) software query, and you’ll find Reddit threads in the top-ranking positions. This is exactly why the market is currently flooded with “Reddit SEO” agencies:
Just stop.
Taking this macro context — or a few isolated, high-ranking SERPs — and pivoting your entire GEO strategy toward Reddit or Wikipedia is a massive strategic error for the majority of B2B brands.
Why CMOs are misguided by the Reddit hype
The algorithmic tide is running toward massive community forums and open-source encyclopedias. That shift is real — but how it’s being interpreted isn’t.
The charts driving this executive FOMO are mathematically accurate, but they’re strategically misguided. Applying them as a universal GEO playbook ignores why that aggregate data exists and why certain pages rank for high-intent queries.
Reddit is the primary target because it’s perceived as easier to influence. While the industry respects Wikipedia’s ironclad editorial guardrails, Reddit is often viewed as an open loophole.
This is a classic case of marketing whiplash, where teams abandon foundational principles to chase the shiny new object.
To understand why Reddit and Wikipedia are a high-effort, low-upside channel for the vast majority of brands, you have to look at the context executives ignore.
“Wikipedia, Reddit, and YouTube are heavily cited by LLMs because they are massive websites with a topical footprint that spans into a million different areas.”
By default, they’ll always get the most aggregate LLM citations.
High-ranking Reddit threads on BOFU queries can’t be reproduced
When you see a Reddit thread driving CTR for a specific BOFU software query, it’s tempting to view it as an SEO loophole that can be easily reverse-engineered. This is incorrect.
In reality, this is a scenario where the “voice of the customer” largely dictates who gets recommended.
This isn’t an SEO hack or a growth trick. It’s the culmination of years of actual human peer reviews and real discussion on a topic that has reached a definitive consensus. Your marketing team can’t microwave this historical, multi-year, authentic brand sentiment.
Claiming you need a Reddit or Wikipedia strategy because they are the most-cited domains overall is like claiming spaghetti carbonara is the most-eaten dish in Italy. Yes, it’s ubiquitous and popular, but just because it’s everywhere doesn’t mean you should put it on the menu at a high-end steakhouse.
The illusion of ‘hacking’ Reddit and Wikipedia for AI visibility
Even if you ignore the macro context and decide to aggressively pursue a Reddit or Wikipedia SEO strategy, you’ll quickly realize how LLMs actually process data.
Hacking them for AI citations is an illusion built on a fundamental misunderstanding of what LLMs are looking for. When you look at the mechanics of AI citations, two massive roadblocks emerge.
Historical consensus can’t be microwaved
Thirsty SEO agencies will frequently pitch Reddit marketing services, promising to generate hundreds of upvotes and comments to trigger LLM visibility. But the data shows LLMs don’t care about manufactured virality.
Up to 80% of Reddit threads cited by AI have fewer than 20 upvotes, according to Semrush. More importantly, the average age of a cited post is roughly 900 days. LLMs are surfacing historical, established consensus, not yesterday’s growth hack.
Wikipedia editors will just delete you
The exact same brutal reality applies to Wikipedia. A Princeton University study analyzing AI-generated Wikipedia content revealed exactly what happens when marketers try to “hack” the encyclopedia with generative tools.
Researchers found that when users utilized AI to create self-promotional pages for businesses, the articles were mathematically lower in quality, lacking proper footnotes and internal links.
The result?
Human moderators quickly identified the low-effort content, deleted the pages for “unambiguous advertising,” and actively banned users.
Paraphrasing destroys narrative control
Even if you successfully infiltrate a subreddit or a Wikipedia page without getting banned, you lose control over your product positioning. Benji Hyamnotes that Reddit mentions are typically too short and lack the depth necessary for an LLM to associate your product with a specific problem and solution.
The Semrush data also proves this: AI tools don’t quote Reddit word-for-word. They blend and paraphrase discussions (showing a semantic similarity score of just 0.53).
Your carefully crafted value proposition will be mashed up with random, anonymous user comments, or stripped down to dry, encyclopedic neutrality, diluting your brand narrative entirely.
Posting on Reddit isn’t an SEO strategy — it’s shouting through a bus window, hoping to join the conversation. At best, it’s a short-term tactic. At worst, it actively damages your brand.
The lack of ROI is only half the problem when it comes to building a Reddit or Wikipedia presence. The much larger issue is the active harm it can inflict on your brand’s image.
Brands that treat these platforms as loopholes for AI citations fundamentally misunderstand their architecture.
As Eli Schwartzpoints out, trying to replicate decades of genuine human conversation with templated brand messaging isn’t just ineffective — it’s a massive reputational hazard.
Reddit communities are aggressively moderated
Subreddits and wiki pages are policed by passionate human moderators and veteran Wikipedia editors. They’ve seen every variation of corporate infiltration.
A new account dropping a link, manufacturing enthusiasm, or violating Wikipedia’s strict conflict of interest (COI) guidelines is flagged, reverted, and banned almost immediately. Sometimes, this is accompanied by a public callout (featured on subreddits like r/hailcorporate), causing more brand damage than the campaign was ever worth.
LLMs ingest deleted spam and banned accounts
This is the most critical and misunderstood risk. Reddit sells its data directly to companies like Google and OpenAI. Wikipedia’s entire edit history is completely open source.
LLMs aren’t just scraping the public-facing websites. They’re receiving the entire firehose of data (including deleted posts, reverted wiki edits, and banned accounts). When your agency’s fake comments or promotional product descriptions get removed by moderators, those AI models still see the manipulation.
Astroturfing creates a permanent negative trust signal
Because the AI models have full visibility into the moderation pipeline, links or mentions flagged as inauthentic carry negative weight. By attempting to game the system, you’re essentially training the AI to associate the brand with spam and coordinated manipulation.
Once you accept that hacking Reddit or Wikipedia is both ineffective and dangerous, you have to look at where LLMs are actually pulling their answers from when a buyer is ready to make a purchase. When you filter for high-intent, BOFU prompts, the “Reddit/Wikipedia is everywhere” narrative falls apart.
Using AI visibility platforms like Scrunch AI exposes Reddit’s and Wikipedia’s true influence on specific target categories. For one B2B client, tracking 300+ custom prompts generated thousands of LLM responses, but just two specific Reddit threads were responsible for the vast majority of citations.
The Wikipedia data was even more revealing.
For high-intent software queries, the encyclopedia barely registered. When AI tools cited Wikipedia, they were almost exclusively scraping broad, top-of-funnel category definitions, or pulling background facts from a specific company’s history page.
Data from Grow and Convert shows the same thing. For trucking software queries, LLMs consistently cited domains like PCS Software and TruckingOffice.
For project management queries, the AI cited specialized software review sites and niche blogs.
If you’re chasing platforms simply because they cover massive topical geography, you’re making a painful error. You don’t need to be visible everywhere. You only need to be visible in the specific digital neighborhood that influences your flagship category.
How to actually earn AI recommendations: Owned content and niche citations
Winning in AI search requires optimizing for targeted influence rather than aggregate metrics. The most effective GEO strategy abandons massive topical geography and focuses entirely on the pillars you can actually control.
Publish deep, human-written owned content
Your website remains your most powerful asset. To be recommended, you must provide the specific, granular depth the AI needs to understand your value. Your key product and solution pages need to explicitly cover:
Who the product is for.
How it’s used.
The specific pain points it solves.
Its core benefits.
This depth is exactly what gives you a chance at showing up for the highly specific, long-tail queries a customer types into an AI when evaluating products.
Execute targeted citation outreach
Use AI visibility tools to identify the specific, niche domains that currently influence your flagship categories. Once you know which industry blogs, review sites, and peer publications the LLMs are actually citing for your BOFU queries, execute targeted outreach to earn your place on those exact lists.
If you want a Reddit or Wikipedia strategy, respect their ecosystems
Reddit and Wikipedia carry real authority, and earning trust there is valuable independent of AI visibility. If you choose to invest in them, it must be a long-term play, not a marketing hack.
Engage authentically on Reddit: Answer questions, provide unique insights, and participate in discussions where your buyers actually hang out. Build street cred before recommending your own tools.
Build a branded subreddit for transparency: Create an official space for your team to share expertise, host AMAs, and answer product questions openly.
Monitor conversations for product insights: Use the platform to spot emerging pain points and shifts in sentiment before they hit traditional search engines.
Leave Wikipedia to the experts: If your brand genuinely deserves a Wikipedia page, it will be created by independent editors using reliable secondary sources. Don’t try to write your own product entry.
The path to AI visibility runs through your own domain and the highly specific digital neighborhoods your buyers trust. AI engines reflect the authority you already have. If you want the algorithm to recommend your brand, then you have to do the work to actually be recommendable.
Holland America Line is partnering with Jefferson’s Bourbon to age whiskey at sea across its fleet, the cruise line said in a press release. Announced on International Whiskey Day, March 27, this marks the distillery’s first partnership with a cruise line for its Ocean Aged at Sea Bourbon series, following 35 bottled voyages on cargo...
The Litecoin price is slowly gaining attention, not due to its strength, but rather because it is entering one of the critical support zones. The price has plunged by 2.19%, trading at $53.78 in the past 24 hours. There has been a marginal rise in the volume, which seems to have intensified the upward pressure. As LTC approaches the $50–$60 zone, the chart is showing repeated reactions from this area across multiple cycles.
The question now is simple: is this a base forming for the next move up, or is this support finally giving way?
On the higher timeframe, Litecoin has tested this zone multiple times and bounced each time. That kind of repeated reaction usually means one thing—buyers are active here. Price is now back in the same region, but with a different structure. The recent move down has been sharp, and momentum isn’t strong yet. Still, the fact that LTC is holding above this zone keeps the bullish case alive.
As seen in the above chart, the range between $50 and $60 is the key demand area, wherein the price has reacted multiple times. Hence, if the structure loses this range, the rally could lose its strength. However, the price still sits above the range, indicating it has entered a decisive point. The repeated bounces from a multi-touch support base, which often leads to strong moves if held.
The Litecoin (LTC) price is not trending right now, but it’s sitting at a level that decides what comes next. If the $50–$60 zone holds, a bounce toward $100 first becomes likely. From there, continuation toward $150 and $200+ opens up if momentum builds. But if this level breaks cleanly, the entire bullish setup fails, and LTC could enter a deeper correction phase. For now, this is a reaction zone, not a breakout zone.
Bittensor’s TAO is consolidating near $328 after a triple‑digit AI‑sector rally, with rich valuations, hot RSIs and a new golden‑cross fractal all flagging room for a 40% corrective dump toward $200 if profit‑taking accelerates. Bittensor’s (TAO) native token TAO, a…
Bitget CEO Gracy Chen says a $1t single‑day US stock wipeout is accelerating a global macro risk reset, while lower leverage helps Bitcoin act more like a neutral portfolio allocation than a pure risk punt. In the wake of a…
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong says big banks are “undermining” President Trump’s crypto agenda by pushing CLARITY Act language that would ban 4–5% stablecoin yields now fueling Coinbase’s $1.35b revenue line. In a Fox Business interview, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong accused…
Solana meme coin WhiteWhale has crashed about 50% after its founder quit over family pressure and “pump the price” demands, locking $13m in tokens as the meme hangover deepens. Solana (SOL) meme coin WhiteWhale has crashed by roughly 50% after…
Cybersecurity researchers have disclosed details of a now-patched bug impacting Open VSX's pre-publish scanning pipeline to cause the tool to allow a malicious Microsoft Visual Studio Code (VS Code) extension to pass the vetting process and go live in the registry.
"The pipeline had a single boolean return value that meant both 'no scanners are configured' and 'all scanners failed to run,'" Koi
Samsung recently started expanding the One UI 8.5 beta program to more Galaxy devices, including the Galaxy S24 series. This beta lets users try new features and changes before the official update is released to everyone. But there’s bad news for Galaxy S24 users who haven’t participated in the beta update yet.
According to the information, the One UI 8.5 Beta program for the Galaxy S24 series seems to have filled up very quickly in India. Many users reported on Samsung’s Community forum that they were unable to join the beta program through the Samsung Members app.
When users tried to register, they saw a message saying the program had already reached its participant limit. Multiple users faced the same issue, which shows that all available slots were filled quickly.
Image via Reddit
Samsung has not shared how many people could join the beta, but the fast response clearly shows strong interest from users. Now, more Galaxy S24 users in India are not able to join the beta.
One UI 8.5 beta was released just recently, and within less than a day, it became fully available in India. This means new users cannot join the program right now. Those who missed it will need to wait and see if Samsung opens more slots or releases the stable version in the coming months.
Until then, users can expect the official update after proper testing is completed. However, Samsung confirmed One UI 8.5 Beta expansion will continue in April 2026 too. Stay tuned for more information.
The market for used EVs is currently gaining significant momentum across Europe. According to dealers, rising fuel costs have sparked a rapid surge in interest. This trend is consistently reflected on online platforms, even though market dynamics vary between individual regions.
Volkswagen appears to be responding to criticism of its touch-heavy interiors. According to TopGear, brand boss Thomas Schäfer has said that real buttons and proper door handles will once again play a bigger role in future models.
A new Kickstarter project promises not only to protect the Mac Mini from power outages, but also claims to have solved Apple's design dilemma surrounding the power button.
Rockstar is recruiting new game testers in India. Since QA roles like these become especially important in the final phase of development, that could be a good sign for the release of GTA 6.
When it comes to HBO’s new Harry Potter series, most people are looking first at the cast, the sets and the script. But one crucial factor in its success is often overlooked: the music. Why the new score by Hans Zimmer and Bleeding Fingers could become the series’ biggest nostalgia hurdle.
After almost seven years since the first announcement, Crimson Desert released just over a week ago and gamers have taken a liking to it. In an interview with a Korean publication, Pearl Abyss has shared information about the future of the game.
A Mac user since the 1980s — and former Apple magazine editor — looks back on 50 years of Apple to explore how it went from rebellious outsider to tech giant while still managing to feel a little magical.
As TechRadar's deals editor, I've spent hours shopping Amazon's Big Spring Sale so you don't have to – here are 25 deals that are actually worth buying.
Handala, a pro-Iranian hacking group allegedly working for Iran’s government, published emails it said were taken from the Gmail account of FBI director Kash Patel.
When an 82-year-old Kentucky woman was offered $26 million from an AI company that wanted to build a data center on her land, she said no. Sure, that same company can try to rezone 2,000 acres nearby anyway, but as AI infrastructure stretches further into the real world, the real world is starting to push back. That tension is everywhere […]
AI chatbots have become an intrinsic part of our online activity, and as usual, there are different camps. Some use ChatGPT while others prefer Claude or Google's Gemini. These chatbots are programmed to learn from your behavior, interests and past interactions to serve you more relevant information and answers. So if you decide to switch from one AI service to another, you'd have to start from scratch, as your chat history won't be available.
Google is making the switch much easier with the latest update to Gemini. The company has now added a new Import memory tool that lets you...
Switzerland square off with Germany in a 2026 international friendly. Here’s all the key information you need, including kickoff time and how to watch the match on TV or through streaming platforms in the United States.
Here are all of the details of where you can watch Switzerland vs Germany on US television and via legal streaming:
Expect pressure to be on Germanyas they look to silence growing doubts following a string of disappointing showings in recent major tournaments. Loaded with elite talent and depth, the traditional powerhouse hasn’t translated that quality into consistent results, turning this matchup into a crucial tune-up to rebuild confidence.
On the other side, Switzerlandcontinues to earn respect across Europe with its organized, resilient style and proven ability to challenge top-tier opponents, making them a legitimate threat to pull off another statement result. With both teams heading in opposite directions in terms of expectations, this friendlycarries plenty of intrigue.
More details on how to watch
With Fubo, you can watch Switzerland vs Germany and tons more games. With the legal streaming service, you can watch the game on your computer, smartphone, tablet, Roku, Apple TV or hook it up to your TV with Google Chromecast.
Now with Fubo, you can stream USA Network, ESPN, ESPN2, CBS, CBS Sports Network, FS1, FS2, beIN SPORTS, beIN SPORTS en Español, beIN SPORTS Connect, beIN SPORTS XTRA, NBC, CNBC, USA, FOX, FOX Soccer Plus, FOX Deportes, Universo, Telemundo and Galavision.
Plus Fubo, the legal streaming service, also streams Liga MX, World Cup, Women’s World Cup, MLS, UEFA Champions League (in Spanish), Europa League (in Spanish), Primeira Liga, Ligue Un, World Cup qualifiers, NWSL, select USMNT games, select USWNT games, select Mexico games, select England games and more.
The Fubo app is available for Windows PC, Mac, Apple iPhones, Android phones, Amazon Fire TV, Android Mobile, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Hisense TVs, iOS devices, LG TVs, Samsung Smart TVs, Vizio Smartcast TVs and Xbox One.
If you’re planning to follow more games on this platform, you can check out the full Fubo soccer schedule to stay up to date with upcoming matches available via the service.
How to watch anywhere with VPN
If you’re abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) in order to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as NordVPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming. If you are not sure which VPN to use, check out World Soccer Talk’s guide to the best VPNs for streaming soccer.
To find out when soccer games are on, download the free Soccer TV Schedules App which includes listings of all of the live soccer matches available in the United States (available on Apple iOS devices and Android devices).
Netherlands play against Norway in a 2026 international friendly. Here’s all the key information you need, including kickoff time and how to watch the match on TV or through streaming platforms in the United States.
Here are all of the details of where you can watch Netherlands vs Norway on US television and via legal streaming:
A high-profile international friendly is on deck as Netherlandscontinues molding a roster loaded with talent and aiming for a serious push at the 2026 World Cup, testing its progress against top-tier opposition. On the other side, Norwayreturns to the global spotlight and brings star power with Erling Haaland leading the attack.
The Nordic side is hoping to carry that momentum into the tournament with a statement performance against one of Europe’s traditional heavyweights—don’t miss this must-watch showdown as both sides sharpen their edge for what’s ahead.
More details on how to watch
With Fubo, you can watch Netherlands vs Norway and tons more games. With the legal streaming service, you can watch the game on your computer, smartphone, tablet, Roku, Apple TV or hook it up to your TV with Google Chromecast.
Now with Fubo, you can stream USA Network, ESPN, ESPN2, CBS, CBS Sports Network, FS1, FS2, beIN SPORTS, beIN SPORTS en Español, beIN SPORTS Connect, beIN SPORTS XTRA, NBC, CNBC, USA, FOX, FOX Soccer Plus, FOX Deportes, Universo, Telemundo and Galavision.
Plus Fubo, the legal streaming service, also streams Liga MX, World Cup, Women’s World Cup, MLS, UEFA Champions League (in Spanish), Europa League (in Spanish), Primeira Liga, Ligue Un, World Cup qualifiers, NWSL, select USMNT games, select USWNT games, select Mexico games, select England games and more.
The Fubo app is available for Windows PC, Mac, Apple iPhones, Android phones, Amazon Fire TV, Android Mobile, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Hisense TVs, iOS devices, LG TVs, Samsung Smart TVs, Vizio Smartcast TVs and Xbox One.
If you’re planning to follow more games on this platform, you can check out the full Fubo soccer schedule to stay up to date with upcoming matches available via the service.
How to watch anywhere with VPN
If you’re abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) in order to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as NordVPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming. If you are not sure which VPN to use, check out World Soccer Talk’s guide to the best VPNs for streaming soccer.
To find out when soccer games are on, download the free Soccer TV Schedules App which includes listings of all of the live soccer matches available in the United States (available on Apple iOS devices and Android devices).
England face off against Uruguay in a 2026 international friendly. Here’s all the key information you need, including kickoff time and how to watch the match on TV or through streaming platforms in the United States.
Here are all of the details of where you can watch England vs Uruguay on US television and via legal streaming:
Momentum and pride will be on the line when two global powers, Uruguayand England, clash in a headline international friendly during this FIFA Matchday window, with both sides already securing their spots in the 2026 World Cup.
England, led by star striker Harry Kane, enters in strong form and looks to continue sharpening a squad widely viewed as a legitimate title threat, while Uruguay turns to Federico Valverde for a response after a tough 5-1 setback against the United States raised concerns about their current level.
More details on how to watch
With Fubo, you can watch England vs Uruguay and tons more games. With the legal streaming service, you can watch the game on your computer, smartphone, tablet, Roku, Apple TV or hook it up to your TV with Google Chromecast.
Now with Fubo, you can stream USA Network, ESPN, ESPN2, CBS, CBS Sports Network, FS1, FS2, beIN SPORTS, beIN SPORTS en Español, beIN SPORTS Connect, beIN SPORTS XTRA, NBC, CNBC, USA, FOX, FOX Soccer Plus, FOX Deportes, Telemundo, Universo and Galavision.
Plus Fubo, the legal streaming service, also streams Liga MX, World Cup, Women’s World Cup, MLS, UEFA Champions League (in Spanish), Europa League (in Spanish), Primeira Liga, Ligue Un, World Cup qualifiers, NWSL, select USMNT games, select USWNT games, select Mexico games, select England games and more.
The Fubo app is available for Windows PC, Mac, Apple iPhones, Android phones, Amazon Fire TV, Android Mobile, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Hisense TVs, iOS devices, LG TVs, Samsung Smart TVs, Vizio Smartcast TVs and Xbox One.
If you’re planning to follow more games on this platform, you can check out the full Fubo soccer schedule to stay up to date with upcoming matches available via the service.
How to watch anywhere with VPN
If you’re abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) in order to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as NordVPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming. If you are not sure which VPN to use, check out World Soccer Talk’s guide to the best VPNs for streaming soccer.
To find out when soccer games are on, download the free Soccer TV Schedules App which includes listings of all of the live soccer matches available in the United States (available on Apple iOS devices and Android devices).
Joaquin Panichelli suffered a serious injury and will not be able to join Lionel Messi with Argentina at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The March FIFA international break got off to a disastrous start for Argentina, as Joaquin Panichelli suffered a serious injury during Thursday’s training session that will sideline him for an extended period. As a result, Lionel Messi loses another teammate ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
“The tests carried out today on forward Joaquin Panichelli confirmed a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee,” Argentina announced Friday through their official X account. “Stay strong, Joaco! We’re with you.”
This represents a blow not only for the March friendlies against Mauritania and Zambia in Buenos Aires, but also for his upcoming club and international commitments. The knee injury will require Panichelli to undergo surgery and begin a lengthy recovery process expected to take at least six months.
As a result, the striker has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2025-26 season with RC Strasbourg in Ligue 1, as well as the early months of the following campaign. More importantly, it will also keep him out of the 2026 World Cup.
— Selección Argentina in English (@AFASeleccionEN) March 27, 2026
Scaloni’s options to replace Panichelli
Joaquin Panichelli was part of a group of players competing in recent months for one of the final spots on the 26-man roster set to represent Argentina in North America this summer. Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez are the two center forwards whose places, barring any unexpected issues, are all but secured. However, a third option at the position still needs to be determined to provide depth if needed during the tournament.
Panichelli was among those in contention, earning consideration thanks to his performances with RC Strasbourg. He received his first call-up and made his debut for Argentina in November 2025, coming on in the final minutes of a 2-0 win over Angola. He was looking to solidify his place during the March friendlies. With his injury, the leading candidate to fill the third striker role for the World Cup is Palmeiras star Jose Lopez.
Third absence for Argentina ahead of the World Cup
In all three cases, the players were competing for a spot on the 26-man roster that will represent Argentina in North America this summer. None were expected starters in Lionel Scaloni’s plans, but they were viable options depending on each match’s needs.
Argentina players Lionel Messi and Joaquin Panichelli.
Algeria will face Guatemala in a 2026 international friendly. Here’s all the key information you need, including kickoff time and how to watch the match on TV or through streaming platforms in the United States.
Here are all of the details of where you can watch Algeria vs Guatemala on US television and via legal streaming:
Momentum is quietly building around Guatemala, a program that continues to trend upward despite falling short of qualification for the upcoming FIFA World Cup. With long-term belief growing that a historic first appearance on soccer’s biggest stage isn’t far off, this FIFA Matchday friendly offers a critical checkpoint in that progress.
Standing in their way is Algeria, a World Cup–bound side bringing experience and urgency as it fine-tunes form and chemistry against a motivated opponent eager to prove it belongs on the global stage—making this a matchup you won’t want to miss.
More details on how to watch
With Fubo, you can watch Algeria vs Guatemala and tons more games. With the legal streaming service, you can watch the game on your computer, smartphone, tablet, Roku, Apple TV or hook it up to your TV with Google Chromecast.
Now with Fubo, you can stream USA Network, ESPN, ESPN2, CBS, CBS Sports Network, FS1, FS2, beIN SPORTS, beIN SPORTS en Español, beIN SPORTS Connect, beIN SPORTS XTRA, NBC, CNBC, USA, FOX, FOX Soccer Plus, FOX Deportes, Universo, Telemundo and Galavision.
Plus Fubo, the legal streaming service, also streams Liga MX, World Cup, Women’s World Cup, MLS, UEFA Champions League (in Spanish), Europa League (in Spanish), Primeira Liga, Ligue Un, World Cup qualifiers, NWSL, select USMNT games, select USWNT games, select Mexico games, select England games and more.
The Fubo app is available for Windows PC, Mac, Apple iPhones, Android phones, Amazon Fire TV, Android Mobile, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Hisense TVs, iOS devices, LG TVs, Samsung Smart TVs, Vizio Smartcast TVs and Xbox One.
If you’re planning to follow more games on this platform, you can check out the full Fubo soccer schedule to stay up to date with upcoming matches available via the service.
How to watch anywhere with VPN
If you’re abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) in order to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as NordVPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming. If you are not sure which VPN to use, check out World Soccer Talk’s guide to the best VPNs for streaming soccer.
To find out when soccer games are on, download the free Soccer TV Schedules App which includes listings of all of the live soccer matches available in the United States (available on Apple iOS devices and Android devices).
has been a dominant force in the super-middleweight division for a number of years but his era could be set to come to an end, especially as a new fighter has announced his move to the 168lb scene. Canelo dethroned Rocky Fielding to get his hands on the WBA super-middleweight world title back in 2018, […]
FIFA 2026 Dünya Kupası Elemeleri Play-off Yarı Final maçında Slovakya'yı 4-3 mağlup ederek finalde A Milli Takımımızın rakibi olan Kosova'da Vedat Muriqi karşılaşmanın ardından dikkat çeken açıklamalarda bulundu.
FIFA 2026 Dünya Kupası Elemeleri Play-off Yarı Final maçında Slovakya'yı 4-3 mağlup ederek finalde A Milli Takımımızın rakibi olan Kosova'da Vedat Muriqi, karşılaşmanın ardından konuştu.
"KÜÇÜK BİR ADIM DAHA KALDI"
Muriqi, "Çok önemli bir galibiyetti, evet kutluyoruz, eğleniyoruz çünkü hak ettik ama henüz hiçbir şey başarmış değiliz. Dünya Kupası'na ulaşmak için, tarih yazmak için önümüzde sadece küçük bir adım daha kaldı.
"TÜM FUTBOLCULARIN ZİRVESİ"
Her zaman söylemişimdir, bir futbolcu olarak hayalim ve kendi ülkesini temsil eden tüm futbolcuların zirvesi Dünya Kupası'nda yer almaktır. Bu yüzden umarım kişisel olarak bu hedefime ulaşırım ve sonrasında Kosova'nın dört bir yanındaki insanlara mutluluk veririz.
"BUNU HAK ETTİK"
Mutluyuz, tüm insanlar kutlasın çünkü bunu hak ettik. Kosova'ya, nerede olurlarsa olsunlar tüm Arnavutluk'a destekleri için çok teşekkür ediyorum ve Türkiye'ye karşı oynayacağımız son maçta da destek bekliyoruz.
"ZAYIF NOKTALARINI ÇOK İYİ BİLİYORUZ"
Türkiye'nin kalitesini biliyoruz, Slovakya'dan daha iyi bir takım olduklarını düşünüyorum ama onların zayıf noktalarını da çok iyi biliyoruz. Elimizden gelenin en iyisini yapacağız ve taraftarımızın desteğiyle işimizin biraz daha kolay olacağına inanıyorum." ifadelerini kullandı.
Kosova ile Türkiye arasında oynanacak final maçı, 31 Mart Salı günü 21.45'te başlayacak.
Beşiktaş'taki 2022/23 sezonunda gösterdiği performansla akıllarda kalan deneyimli hücumcu, ligde kalma mücadelesi veren İngiltere Championship takımlarından Blackburn Rovers'a imza attı.
Son olarak bu sezon İngiltere Championship ekiplerinden Sheffield Wednesday'de forma giyen Nathan Redmond'ın yeni takımı belli oldu.
Bu yılın başında Sheffield Wednesday'den ayrılan Redmond, Blackburn Rovers'a imza attı. Kulübün internet sitesi üzerinden yapılan açıklamada Redmond'la kısa süreli bir sözleşme imzalandığı belirtildi.
Kariyerinde daha önce İngiltere'de Burnley, Southampton, Norwich City, Birmingham City ve Burton Albion formalarını giyen deneyimli oyuncu, 2022/23 sezonunda Beşiktaş'ta kiralık olarak oynamıştı.
Redmond kariyeri boyunca 495 maça çıkarken 58 gol ve 65 asist kaydetti.
LİGDE KALMA MÜCADELESİ VERİYOR
İngiltere Championship'te kötü bir sezon geçiren Blackburn Rovers, ligde kalma mücadelesini sürdürüyor.
Sezonun bitimine 7 hafta kala 43 puanla 19. sırada bulunan Blackburn, küme düşme hattının 4 puan üstünde yer alıyor.
“FIFA Series-2026” beynəlxalq turniri çərçivəsində keçiriləcək Azərbaycan – Sent Lüsiya oyununun başlanma saatında dəyişiklik edilib.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, bu barədə AFFA-nın rəsmi saytı məlumat yayıb.
Xəbərdə vurğulanır ki, hava şəraiti və yollarda sıxlığın yaranması ilə əlaqədar “FIFA Series -2026” beynəlxalq turniri çərçivəsində keçiriləcək bu qarşılaşmanın vaxtı dəyişdirilib. Mehdi Hüseynzadə adına Sumqayıt şəhər stadionunda təşkil olunacaq qarşılaşmaya FIFA ilə razılığa əsasən, saat 19:10-da start veriləcək.
Yeri gəlmişkən qeyd edək ki, Azərbaycan – Sent Lüsiya matçı üçün heyətlər də açıqlanıb. Komandalar meydana aşağıdakı heyətlərlə çıxacaqlar:
Azərbaycan: 23. Rza Cəfərov, 14. Elvin Bədəlov, 15. Bədavi Hüseynov, 2. Rəhman Daşdəmirov, 3. Elvin Cəfərquliyev, 21. Qismət Alıyev, 13. Emil Səfərov, 20. Rəhim Sadıxov, 8. Emin Mahmudov (k), 9. Renat Dadaşov, 22. Musa Qurbanlı. Ehtiyat oyunçular: 1. Səlahət Ağayev, 2. Aydın Bayramov, 4. Rahil Məmmədov, 5. Anton Krivotsyuk, 6. Abdulla Xaybullayev, 7. Toral Bayramov, 10. Aleksey İsayev, 11. Xəyal Əliyev, 16. Ceyhun Nuriyev, 17. Vüsal İsgəndərli, 18. Cəlal Hüseynov, 19. Rüstəm Əhmədzadə, 24. Mustafa Əhmədzadə, 15. Abdulla Rzayev, 26. Ayxan Hüseynov. Baş məşqçi: Ayxan Abbasov.
21 yaşadək futbolçulardan ibarət Portuqaliya millisinin (U-21) baş məşqçisi Luis Freyre Azərbaycan yığmasına qarşı keçirdikləri oyunu şərh edib.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, sözügedən komandaların bu gün Avropa çempionatının (AÇ-2027) seçmə mərhələsi çərçivəsində Bakıda baş tutmuş görüşü Portuqaliya yığmasının 4:0 hesablı qələbəsi ilə yekunlaşıb.
Luis Freyre matçdan sonra təşkil edilmiş mətbuat konfransında bunları söyləyib:
“Asan oyun olmayacağını bilirdil. Rəqib hər matçda maksimumunu verməyə çalışır. Azərbaycan millisinin hücumda sürətli oyunçuları var. Buna görə də əks-hücumlarda diqqətli olmalıydıq. Futbolçularımız yaxşı hücumlar qurdular və bunlardan yararlandılar. Azərbaycan yığması ikinci hissədə yoruldu və müdafiəyə çəkildi. Bu da bizim qol vurmağımızı asanlaşdırdı.
Hər şey bizim özümüzdən asılıdır. İlk dəqiqələrdən oyuna ciddi yanaşmasaydıq, bu, bizə baha başa gələ bilərdi. Futbolçularım oyuna ciddi yanaşdılar və sonda istədiyimiz nəticəni qazandıq.
Oyunun əvvəlindən axıra kimi yağış yağdı. Amma bunun gedişata ciddi təsir göstərdiyini deməzdim. Yağış topun hərəkətinə heç bir çətinlik yaratmırdı.
Azərbaycan millisi güclü rəqiblərlə oyunlarda müdafiədə inamlı çıxış etməyə çalışır. Azərbaycanda oyunçu seçimi üçün nə qədər imkanların olduğunu bilmirəm. Komanda müdafiədə yaxşı çıxış edir. Hücumda da sürətli oyunçuları var. Əks-hücumlardan yararlana bilərlər.
Azərbaycanın U-20 millisinə baş məşqçi təyin olunmuş Rui Jorje çox təcrübəli məşqçidir. Uzun illər Portuqaliyanın U-21 millisini çalışdırıb, iki dəfə Avropa çempionatının finalında oynayıb. Fikrimcə, o, işinin öhdəsindən gələcək”.
Antalya'da Nijerya ile hazırlık maçı yapan İran Milli Futbol Takımı oyuncuları, seremoniye savaşta hayatını kaybeden çocuklar için ellerinde okul çantasıyla sahaya çıktı.
Son dakika Galatasaray haberleri: Son üç sezondur Galatasaray'ı şampiyonluğa taşıyan teknik direktör Okan Buruk ile ilgili sıcak gelişmeler yaşanıyor. Adı Tottenham, Lazio ve Al-Ittihad ile anılan tecrübeli...Devamı için tıklayınız
FIFA 2026 Dünya Kupası Elemeleri Play-off Yarı Final maçında Slovakya'yı 4-3 mağlup ederek finalde A Milli Takımımızın rakibi olan Kosova'da Vedat Muriqi karşılaşmanın ardından dikkat çeken açıklamalarda...Devamı için tıklayınız
Hava şəraiti və yollarda sıxlığın yaranması ilə əlaqədar “FIFA Series – 2026” beynəlxalq turniri çərçivəsində keçiriləcək Azərbaycan – Sent Lüsiya oyununun başlanma saatında dəyişiklik edilib.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, Mehdi Hüseynzadə adına Sumqayıt şəhər stadionunda təşkil olunacaq qarşılaşmaya FIFA ilə razılığa əsasən, saat 19:10-da start veriləcək.
Portuqaliyanın U-21 millisinin baş məşqçisi Luis Freyre Azərbaycanın U-21 yığmasına qalib gəldikləri oyundan sonra fikirlərini bölüşüb.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, mütəxəssis jurnalistlərin suallarını cavablandırıb:
– Asan oyun olmayacağını bilirdik. Rəqib hər matçda maksimumunu verməyə çalışır. Azərbaycan millisinin hücumda sürətli oyunçuları var. Buna görə də əks-hücumlarda diqqətli olmalıydıq. Futbolçularımız yaxşı hücumlar qurdular və bunlardan yararlandılar. Azərbaycan yığması ikinci hissədə yoruldu və müdafiəyə çəkildilər. Bu da bizim qol vurmağımızı asanlaşdırdı.
– Hesab amma asan oyun keçdiyini göstərir…
– Hər şey bizim özümüzdən asılıdır. İlk dəqiqələrdən oyuna ciddi yanaşmasaydıq, bu, bizə baha başa gələ bilərdi. Futbolçularım oyuna ciddi yanaşdılar və sonda istədiyimiz nəticəni qazandıq.
– Hava şəraiti oyununuza nə dərəcədə təsir etdi?
– Oyunun əvvəlindən axıra kimi yağış yağdı. Amma bunun gedişat təsir göstərdiyini deməzdim. Topun hərəkətinə heç bir çətinlik yaratmırdı.
– Azərbaycan millisi ilə iki oyun keçirdiz. Sizcə, millimizin problemi nədir?
– Güclü rəqiblərlə oyunlarda müdafiədə inamlı çıxış etməyə çalışırlar. Azərbaycanda oyunçu seçimi üçün nə qədər imkanların olduğunu bilmirəm. Komanda müdafiədə yaxşı çıxış edir. Hücumda da sürətli oyunçuları var. Əks-hücumlardan yararlana bilərlər.
– Azərbaycanın U-20 millisinə portuqaliyalı baş məşqçi təyin olunub. Bununla bağlı fikirləriniz necədir?
– Ruy Jorje çox təcrübəli məşqçidir. Uzun illər Portuqaliyanın U-21 millisinin çalışdırıb, iki dəfə Avropa çempionatının finalında oynayıb. Düşünürəm ki, o işinin öhdəsindən gələcək.
The American has struggled so far this season with injuries, poor form, and the change of tactics under coach Max Allegri.
Although he has a healthy tally of 10 goals and three assists in 27 competitive games, he is yet to score in 2026, firing blanks in his last 12 appearances.
Pulisic secure of Milan status
PISA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 13: Christian Pulisic and Luka Modric of AC Milan celebrates the victory after during the Serie A match between Pisa SC and AC Milan at Arena Garibaldi on February 13, 2026 in Pisa, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
His current contract only runs to June 2027, although there is an option to extend by another year that is controlled by the club.
According to Calciomercato, this is why the negotiations with Milan for a new deal are not considered to be a priority right now.
There are many reasons to suggest Pulisic and the Rossoneri intend to continue together in future.
MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 28: Christian Pulisic of AC Milan celebrates after scoring their team’s first goal during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Hellas Verona FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on December 28, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
This is partly because the American would be able to benefit from tax incentives in the Growth Decree for another five years, as long as he purchased a house on Italian soil.
The idea would be to meet at the end of the season to discuss a slight wage increase from his current €4m per year net, signing on until June 2031.
If that doesn’t happen, Milan can still use their option to extend until 2028, giving them more leverage in case of a potential sale.
The USMNT forward arrived at San Siro from Chelsea in 2023 at a cost of €20.8m plus bonuses.
Calhanoglu and Vincenzo Montella’s Turkiye beat Romania 1-0 on Thursday to qualify for the World Cup play-off Final against Kosovo.
Calhanoglu was subbed off in the dying minutes due to a suspected calf injury, but according to recent reports in Italy, the Turkish star only had a cramp and should be available for Tuesday’s Final.
Calhanoglu didn’t even mention his latest injury problem in a post-match interview with Sky Sport Italia.
The Inter star, however, revealed that Chivu contacted him right after the match to receive a fitness update.
SASSUOLO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 08: Cristian Chivu head coach of FC Internazionale during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and FC Internazionale at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on February 08, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
“He was looking at my physical condition because I had come back from an injury after one and a half months,” Calhanoglu said.
“He already texted me now, asking how I am. For me, Mr Chivu is special. I’m always thankful to him at Inter because they gave me time and preparation to be fit for this game, so I’m always thankful to my coach, Chivu.”
MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 06: Hakan Calhanoglu of FC Internazionale Milano celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Como 1907 at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on December 06, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Calhanoglu has been on and off the pitch for Inter in 2026 due to physical issues.
Since January, he has made five Serie A appearances and missed six league games due to injuries.
After the break, Inter will host Roma at the Stadio Meazza on April 5.
Having already lost Ivan Provedel for the season, Lazio are bracing themselves after Edoardo Motta pulled out of the Italy Under-21 squad with an injury.
The Biancocelesti had signed 21-year-old Motta in January from Reggiana as their reserve goalkeeper, but were not expecting to be so reliant on him already.
BOLOGNA, ITALY – MARCH 22: Edoardo Motta of Lazio celebrates saving a penalty with teammates during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and SS Lazio at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on March 22, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
There is no confirmation of what exactly Motta is suffering from, but if he is not available for next weekend’s Serie A match against Parma, then they’ll have to look to third-choice Alessio Furlanetto, whose only experience is in Serie C.
Motta was released by the Azzurrini along with Frosinone striker Antonio Raimondo following the 4-0 victory over North Macedonia.
They were replaced in the group by Spezia goalkeeper Diego Mascardi and Juve Stabia forward Alvin Okoro, the latter promoted from the Under-20 team.
Italy’s Under-21 side is back in action on Tuesday March 31 against Sweden for the European Championship qualifiers.
Zenica’s Bilino Polje Stadium will host the World Cup play-off Final between Italy and Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday, March 31.
It’s an away fixture for the Azzurri, as determined by a draw that took place this past December.
Although the stadium picked by the Bosnian football federation only has 15,600 seats, the Azzurri must surely be prepared for a hostile welcome.
The Bosnian FA announced on X on Friday that tickets for the Final against Italy are sold out.
Enthusiasm in the country is running high as Bosnia and Herzegovina secured a spot in the Final after a penalty shootout victory over Wales on Thursday.
CARDIFF, WALES – MARCH 26: Edin Dzeko of Bosnia and Herzegovina celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammates during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-off match between Wales and Bosnia and Herzegovina at Cardiff City Stadium on March 26, 2026 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
Veteran Edin Dzeko, a former Fiorentina, Roma and Inter star, scored a late equaliser last night, forcing the game to extra time and then penalties.
Just a few hours later, the federation confirmed that tickets for the final against Italy are no longer available.
ZENICA, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA – OCTOBER 11: General view of the of a stadium Bilino Polje prior to the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League A Group A3 match between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Germany at on October 11, 2024 in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images)
Bosnia and Herzegovina have only played once in the World Cup, in 2014, which is also the last time Italy played in the competition, having failed to qualify in 2018 and 2022.
Italy have booked their spot in the World Cup play-off final, and the Azzurri boast an impressive head-to-head record against their upcoming opponents, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
How have Italy previously fared against Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Italy is the highest ranked nation that does not have a place at the 2026 World Cup wrapped up. Gennaro Gattuso’s side finished second in their World Cup qualifying group behind Norway, which condemned them to the play-offs for the third tournament cycle in a row.
The Azzurri fell short at this stage heading into the two previous World Cups. They have not qualified since 2014 and have not played a knock-out game at the tournament since beating France to claim the trophy in the 2006 final.
Second-half goals from Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean sealed a 2-0 victory at home against Northern Ireland in Thursday evening’s play-off semi-final, which has set up a final date with Bosnia away from home on Tuesday evening.
Since the inception of the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team in 1995, Italy have faced them six times: Twice in friendlies, twice in qualifying for EURO 2020 and twice in the 2020-21 Nations League campaign.
Italy have won four of their six previous meetings against Bosnia, have drawn one and lost one.
MILAN – NOVEMBER 16: Gennaro Gattuso looks on prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match against Norway at San Siro Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Milan. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Italy’s only ever loss against Bosnia came in their first meeting 30 years ago, which was an international friendly on November 6, 1996 and ended 2-1 in favour of the hosts. Enrico Chiesa scored Italy’s only goal that game, assisted by Gianfranco Zola.
The other five meetings between Italy and Bosnia have all come within the last seven years.
Italy won 2-1 at home and 3-0 away when the two nations met in qualifying for EURO 2020. The Azzurri were held to a 1-1 draw at home, but beat Bosnia 2-0 away during the 2020-21 Nations League campaign, and Italy were also 1-0 victors when the two sides met in a friendly just before EURO 2024 two summers ago. Davide Frattesi provided the only goal of the game on that occasion.
Italy are preparing for the World Cup play-off Final to be played away in Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday, March 31.
The Azzurri progressed to the Final by beating Northern Ireland 2-0 in Bergamo on Thursday, while Bosnia and Herzegovina secured a victory on penalties away at Wales.
Azzurri coach Gennaro Gattuso has a few days to work with the team, but Italian media are already suggesting that the CT could make a couple of line-up changes for the Final.
UDINE, ITALY – OCTOBER 14: Gennaro Gattuso, Head Coach of Italy, looks on prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Israel at Stadio Friuli on October 14, 2025 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
As highlighted by Calciomercato.com, Alessandro Bastoni’s fitness must be assessed as the Inter star returned to action against Northern Ireland after spending the previous two weeks on the sidelines and was subbed off around minute 60 after receiving a yellow card.
If Bastoni is fit to start, he’ll surely retain his starting spot; otherwise, Federico Gatti seems favourite over Alessandro Buongiorno and Giorgio Scalvini to join Gianluca Mancini and Riccardo Calafiori in a three-man defence.
MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 14: Francesco Pio Esposito of Inter warms up prior to the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Atalanta BC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on March 14, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Even Italy and Inter legend Beppe Bergomi argued last night that Pio Esposito, scorer of three goals in six Italy appearances, should be considered for a starting spot in the Final.
This puts the Azzuri into the next round of World Cup qualification as they bid to make it to this summer’s tournament in North America.
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Tonali scored the opening goal in some style as Italy eventually broke down a resilient Northern Ireland side, and it was the perfect response from the Magpies star after constant transfer gossip over his future dominating recent headlines.
Sandro Tonali transfer timeline
6th March – Arsenal chief Andrea Berta working on a deal for Tonali, according toTuttosport.
12th March – Tonali part of three-man list of midfield targets for Man Utd, according to theSun.
24th March – Tonali wanted by both United and Man City but prefers a return to Serie A, according totalkSPORT.
As well as that, the Shields Gazette have reported on Tonali and Newcastle having a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ over his future, which the club have denied.
Sandro Tonali lets his football do the talking
Tonali has done well to put the speculation to one side, with the 25-year-old playing a key role in helping his country one step closer to World Cup qualification.
Newcastle fans will no doubt still be keen to hear a more positive update on Tonali, whose agent seems to be doing his bit to fuel speculation at any given opportunity.
Still, NUFC fans can also expect more quality displays from Tonali if last night’s performance is anything to go by, and that can only be good news.
The Catalan giants are exploring options for a new left-back amid some doubts over Alejandro Balde’s future, with Hall said to be on their list.
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That’s according to a report from Sport, as cited and translated by Sport Witness, while earlier today we covered Mundo Deportivo‘s claims that Manchester United were among the clubs to enquire about Balde.
Man United’s interest in Balde comes as they’ve also been linked with Newcastle’s Hall in a report from Sky Sports, so it will be interesting to see how these transfer sagas impact each other.
Lewis Hall impressed against Barcelona recently
Barca will have had a good look at Hall after his impressive showing in that Champions League last-16 first leg encounter at St James’ Park.
The England international was one of the best players on the pitch that night, earning a 7.23 out of 10 rating on WhoScored.
Lewis Hall’s performance vs Barcelona
7.23 overall rating
Pass success
82%
Key passes
5
Dribble success
67%
Aerials won
100%
Interceptions
1
It’s not surprising to see Hall now being linked with bigger clubs like Man Utd and Barcelona, and it will be interesting to see where he ends up.
Newcastle will surely be keen to keep hold of the talented 21-year-old, but it might not be easy, especially if he ends up having a strong 2026 World Cup with England this summer.
Barcelona to replace Alejandro Balde with Lewis Hall?
It’s perhaps slightly surprising to see Barcelona eyeing Hall when they already have Balde in that area of their squad.
Still, perhaps with Financial Fair Play to be taken into consideration, the La Liga giants are open to allowing a former academy graduate to go for pure profit.
That could be important for Barca while their finances have not been great for some time, though some might feel Hall is not necessarily that much of an upgrade for someone who also probably wouldn’t come cheap.
Arsenal are reportedly one of the clubs keeping a close eye on developments regarding Barcelona forward Ferran Torres.
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The versatile Spain international has shone during his time at Barca but could surprisingly be available this summer due help the club with their financial problems.
That’s according to a report from TEAMtalk, who mention Arsenal alongside Manchester United and Atletico Madrid as potential suitors for Torres.
The report states that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is a long-time admirers of Torres, who has also previously played in England with Manchester City.
Arteta was Pep Guardiola’s assistant at City before becoming Gunners boss, and although he and Torres did not overlap at the Etihad Stadium, it’s possible that he’d been monitored by the club’s coaching staff for a while before he actually joined.
Where next for Ferran Torres?
Arteta’s desire to work with Torres could put Arsenal in a good position for his signature this summer, but the 26-year-old will also want to play regularly.
Despite contributing 16 goals and one assist in all competitions this season, Torres hasn’t quite established himself as a regular starter for Barcelona, so he’ll want a more important role wherever he goes next.
Arsenal have a lot of attacking options, so it’s not guaranteed he’d start much at the Emirates Stadium, but perhaps that could change if injury-prone forwards like Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus leave.
Man Utd, meanwhile, might also find a role for the former City man after slightly inconsistent form from Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko this term.
Barcelona making changes up front
TEAMtalk also suggest one reason Barcelona are looking to offload Torres is so they can use him in potential swap deals.
Offering Torres to Atletico Madrid could help the Catalan giants in their pursuit of Julian Alvarez, while it might also be a good way to bring the price tag down for on-loan Marcus Rashford if they want to sign the United star permanently.
It will be interesting to see if there are any Arsenal players who might be of interest to Barca in such a deal, but no obvious candidates come to mind.
Crystal Palace could reportedly be set to bank more money from the sale of Michael Olise to Bayern Munich as he’s now being strongly linked with a transfer to Liverpool.
The France international has become established as one of the best players in the world during his time in Germany, and it makes sense that we’re now seeing speculation about him coming back to the Premier League.
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Still, Bild report that Liverpool might have to pay as much as £173m to persuade Bayern to let Olise go, with the 24-year-old potentially becoming the most expensive Premier League signing of all time.
This would eclipse the record-breaking fees the Reds themselves paid for Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz last summer, and it could also mean extra cash for Olise’s former club Crystal Palace.
Crystal Palace negotiated sell-on clause in Michael Olise deal
Olise shone during his time at Palace and it looks like the south London club expected there might be even more money to make from him further down the line.
According to reports, the Eagles insisted that Bayern give them 15% of any future sale, which could mean they receive as much as £26m if Olise really does end up joining LFC for £173m.
That might not be earth-shattering money that can help them land the best players in the world, but it’s also a pretty significant amount considering they already sold Olise to Bayern for £50m two years ago.
This could go down as smart business by Palace, even if it’s obviously a blow to have lost a world class talent like this.
Liverpool might not be able to afford such a high fee, however, and are also being linked with other top attacking players such as Yan Diomande, Morgan Rogers, and Anthony Gordon.
Chelsea have an interest in Tottenham wonderkid central defender Luka Vuskovic ahead of the summer transfer window, CaughtOffside understands.
The talented 19-year-old has been linked with a host of top clubs, including Chelsea, in German media, and our sources have confirmed these claims to be accurate.
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The Blues are known for scouring the market for the best young players in world football, and Vuskovic certainly looks to be establishing himself in that department.
The Croatia international is yet to play a single minute for Spurs but has looked hugely impressive with his defensive displays for Hamburg during his loan spell in the Bundesliga this season.
“It’s true that Chelsea are interested,” one well-connected source told us. “They’ve done their homework on him and he’s high up on their list as they look for a new centre-back.”
Luka Vuskovic transfer won’t come cheap
Other sources also confirmed Chelsea’s interest, while others once again mentioned Bayern Munich as being big admirers of the teenager, though it’s unclear if a defender is a priority for them at this stage.
Chelsea’s interest is the strongest for the moment, according to most of the people we’ve spoken to, but others such as Liverpool and Barcelona could also be in the mix.
However, one issue for interested clubs is that Tottenham are not at all keen to let Vuskovic go, and he may already have a market value of around €100m (£86m).
Chelsea have shown that they are prepared to invest big money in elite young talents like that, so it might be that this kind of deal isn’t beyond them.
Still, Spurs are in control of the situation as Vuskovic is tied down to a contract until 2030.
For what it’s worth, THFC sources insist they have not been approached over Vuskovic and that they do not plan to sell.
That sends a clear message, but the nature of the transfer market is often such that clubs don’t enter into direct negotiations until quite late on after talks between other parties.
It has not yet been confirmed if Chelsea have spoken to anyone around Vuskovic, but the sense is that that could happen soon.
Bayern Munich’s honorary president Uli Hoeness says not even €200m would be enough for Liverpool to bring Michael Olise to Anfield this summer. A potential move to Merseyside has been mooted for Olise, after it was announced on Tuesday that Mohamed Salah would be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season. Salah has reportedly […]
Bayern Munich’s honorary president Uli Hoeness says not even €200m would be enough for Liverpool to bring Michael Olise to Anfield this summer. A potential move to Merseyside has been mooted for Olise, after it was announced on Tuesday that Mohamed Salah would be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season. Salah has reportedly […]
Diego Simeone agrees to extend Atletico Madrid tenure
Diego Simeone is currently in the midst of his 14th season as head coach of Atletico Madrid, but there has been doubts about a 15th. The Argentine has been linked with taking over as Inter manager, although there is now considered to be no chance of this happening in the summer of 2026.
Atleti’s new era, spearheaded by Apollo Sports Capital, has also led to doubts about whether Simeone will remain in charge, but Diario AS have confirmed that he will. Talks recently took place between the 55-year-old and the club’s hierarchy, during which an agreement was reached for him to remain in charge until at least the end of the 2026-27 season.
Simeone has a clause in his contract that allows him to leave for nothing at the end of the season, but both he and Atleti have no plans for it to be activated. Together, they hope to bring more success back to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, starting with the ongoing Copa del Rey and Champions League.
Atleti-Simeone talks planned for season’s end
The report has revealed that Atleti and Simeone will sit down together again at the end of the season. At that time, talks are expected to take place regarding a contract renewal offer, as the Argentine will only have 12 months left on his current deal by the time the summer comes around.
Atleti may have struggled to compete with Barcelona and Real Madrid in recent seasons, but for now, there does not appear to be any need for them to part ways with Simeone. He still appears to be the best man for the job, although it is inevitable that his time in charge will come to an end in the next few years.
But there needs to be no thought of that right now. Simeone is fully focused on leading Atleti to a successful end of the season.
‘Powerful’ Man Utd star ‘delights’ coaches as he returns to grass training
Injured Manchester United left-back Patrick Dorgu has made an important stride in his path towards full recovery.
The youngster made quite an impact in Michael Carrick’s first two matches in charge. The interim head coach deployed him in a more advanced position on the left wing, and the Copenhagen native proved the 44-year-old right by scoring in the victories over Manchester City and Arsenal.
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Over the last two months, Dorgu has had his highs and lows in his rehabilitation process. But after increasing his world load in recent weeks, he has now made a significant step towards recovery.
In his latest update for the CentreDevils, Man Utd insider Sully revealed that the 21-year-old is now back on grass training.
As the Carrington insider explains, the Danish international had spent the previous weeks working on his strength and conditioning work at the gym, but has finally resumed outdoor training.
Although he’s only training lightly on the grass, Sully notes that the Man Utd coaches have been ‘delighted’ with his progress.
Why Dorgu’s comeback is important for Man United
Dorgu’s current objective is to return to action before the end of the season, offering a boost for Carrick’s team in the final push towards Champions League qualification.
In the Dane’s absence, the interim head coach has been trying several options on the left wing, mainly Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, but neither is considered a natural fit for the role.
The same can be said about the left-footed Dorgu, hence why INEOS are planning to sign a right-footed left winger in the summer, but the injured star did manage to deliver in his solitary two outings under Carrick.
Dorgu is originally a left-back, so he would also offer a natural replacement to Luke Shaw, who has been ever-present in the starting lineup this season, albeit with different characteristics.
The former Lecce man might not be as defensively apt as Shaw, but he’s certainly more explosive in his attacking forays. Ruben Amorim once described him as a ‘powerful’ player.
The Brooklyn Nets (17-56) have one game left on their west coast road trip before they get to head home to begin a six-game homestand prior to ending their season on the road. Brooklyn has been having a tough time winning games lately as they bring a nine-game losing streak into Friday's game at the Los Angeles Lakers (47-26) and if you're wondering where you can watch all the action live, you've come to the right place!
The Nets come into this matchup following a 109-106 loss at the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday in which Brooklyn played well for three quarters before dropping the ball in the fourth quarter to a Warriors team missing Stephen Curry. Forward Ziaire Williams once again led the way for the Nets with his 19 points and six steals while forward Jalen Wilson had 15 points and three rebounds off the bench.
The Lakers enter this contest after a 137-130 win at the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday in which Los Angeles nearly lost a game that they led by as many as 29 points to one of the worst teams in the league in the Pacers. Guard Luka Doncic had 43 points and seven assists while guard Austin Reaves had 25 points and eight assists in the winning effort.
Here is what you need to know to get ready for this matchup:
How To Watch
Date: Friday, Mar. 27
Time: 10:30 PM ET
Location: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Channel: YES Network
Notable Injuries
Nets: OUT: Egor Demin (plantar fascia), Day'Ron Sharpe (thumb), Michael Porter Jr. (hamstring), and Danny Wolf (ankle). PROBABLE: Noah Clowney (wrist).
Lakers: OUT: Marcus Smart (ankle), and Adou Thiero (knee). QUESTIONABLE: Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Rui Hachimura (calf).
"Hot Rod" Hundley does a little dance and throws an imaginary ball during his halftime retirement ceremony in 2009 at EnergySolutions Arena.
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Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
Editor’s note: This story was originally published on March 27, 2025.
A look back at local, national and world events through Deseret News archives.
“Hot” Rod Hundley, longtime voice of the Utah Jazz and former two-time NBA All-Star, died on March 27, 2015. He was 80.
Hundley was a Hall of Fame broadcaster who followed the Jazz from their inception in 1974 in New Orleans through 35 seasons before retiring from that post in 2009. He remains beloved in the Beehive State.
“Hot Rod was the voice of the Utah Jazz for 35 years and his voice was synonymous with Jazz radio,” Utah Jazz owner Gail Miller said in a news release when he died. “The expressions he used throughout the game broadcasts are legendary.”
Utah Jazz announcer "Hot Rod" Hundley talks with Jazz head coach Jerry Sloan in December 1988.
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Utah Jazz
Think about some of Hundley’s catchphrases:
“You gotta love it, baby!”
“With a gentle push and a mild arc, the old cow hide globe hit home.”
“Yo-yo, belt-high dribble.”
When “Hot Rod” said “the Mailman,” “Big T” or the “Fastest of ‘Em All,” Jazz fans knew who he meant.
According to his obituary, Hundley was a two-time first-team All-American as a collegiate player at West Virginia, and had a six-year career with Minneapolis/Los Angeles Lakers before becoming the New Orleans/Utah Jazz TV and radio broadcaster for the franchise’s first 35 years. He retired in 2009 after calling 3,051 games. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease 18 months later.
Hot Rod Hundley, above center, poses with the other 1957 College All-America team members.
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Courtesy Rod Hundley
Here are some stories from Deseret News archives on Hundley and his career:
Senior Liverpool figures have made 5-word transfer claim which could worry Reds supporters
Senior figures at Liverpool have appeared to drop a hint that the upcoming transfer window will be significantly less spendthrift than the summer of 2025.
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The Reds sought to build upon last year’s Premier League title triumph by splashing out almost £450m on new signings, twice breaking their all-time transfer record with £100m+ deals for Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak.
However, the trolley dash hasn’t had the desired effect on the pitch, with Arne Slot’s side languishing in fifth place and struggling to qualify for the Champions League, and there’ll also be a major void to fill in the team once Mo Salah departs at the end of this campaign.
What’s been said from inside Liverpool about their transfer business?
Liverpool fans hoping for another eventful summer transfer window might have to adjust their expectations, based on a five-word claim which has reportedly been made behind the scenes at Anfield.
A report for The Athletic on Friday outlined: ‘Last summer’s record-breaking £450m spending spree, which was partly financed by around £220m in sales, won’t be repeated. That was described by senior Anfield figures as “doing three windows in one”, such was the turnover in personnel.
‘The money available this summer will be influenced by whether Liverpool secure Champions League qualification. Either way, there is an expectation that Liverpool will sign a winger, as the squad is in urgent need of an injection of pace, but there are no guarantees that it will be a marquee name.’
Liverpool have major issues to address this summer, too
It always seemed unlikely that LFC would replicate the extent of last summer’s spending, but many fans would argue that multiple new additions will be needed in the upcoming transfer window, regardless of whether or not the Reds qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Their fate in that regard will obviously have a major bearing on how much money Liverpool will have at their disposal for new signings, but either way, there are several parts of the squad which could do with addressing in the market.
The addition of a right-sided winger has become a priority following the news of Salah’s impending exit, and while Michael Olise and Yan Diomande remain coveted targets to fill that void, the reality of stumping up the cash for either will be challenging, to say the least.
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Signing a versatile defender would also be most welcome, with the Reds having to get by with just three senior centre-backs this season and seeing right-back duo Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley missing large chunks of action due to injury.
The business that Liverpool complete in the summer might be contingent on who’s calling the shots from the dugout – will Slot survive to next August if the Reds aren’t in the Champions League, or will there be a new face in charge with his own preferences on tactics and personnel?
Whatever might happen over the next couple of months, we shouldn’t expect to see a repeat of last year’s bonanza spending, but LFC have some major issues to address in the market regardless of how far their budget may stretch.
Sky Sport Italia claims that Romelu Lukaku will be frozen out of the Napoli squad if he doesn’t return to the club’s training centre before next Tuesday, but according to Il Mattino, the striker is planning to remain in Belgium for at least another week.
Napoli star Lukaku refused to resume training with his club on Thursday, remaining in Belgium to continue his recovery and regain full fitness for the final part of the season.
According to Il Mattino, Belgian doctors have informed Lukaku that he’s nowhere near the fitness level required for the 2026 World Cup, so he decided to remain in Antwerp to continue individual training.
The Naples-based paper reports that Lukaku is aware that Rasmus Hojlund has become Napoli’s primary attacking option and fears he won’t improve his shape by working with the Partenopei during the break.
NAPLES, ITALY – FEBRUARY 10: Romelu Lukaku of SSC Napoli reacts after missing a penalty in the penalty shootout during the Coppa Italia match between SSC Napoli and Como 1907 at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on February 10, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
According to Il Mattino, Lukaku has even informed Napoli that he’d need from seven to ten days of individual work before returning to the club.
epa12016519 Napoli’s Romelu Lukaku warms up ahead of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Bologna FC and SSC Napoli, in Bologna, Italy, 07 April 2025. EPA-EFE/SERENA CAMPANINI
Sky Sport, however, says Napoli are unwilling to wait this much, so they will surely fine their striker and will even freeze him out of the team if he fails to return before next Tuesday.
Lukaku suffered a severe muscle injury in August and only returned to action in recent weeks. He has barely played 40 minutes in Serie A since his return, scoring one goal in seven appearances across all competitions.
Inter Milan Still Interested In Bayern Munich Midfielder Linked With Rivals AC Milan & Napoli
Inter Milan remain in the race for Leon Goretzka despite reports suggesting their interest had cooled, with the Bayern Munich midfielder set to leave as a free agent this summer and the Nerazzurri quietly keeping the door open.
In reality, the trail has not gone cold.
Goretzka simply requires careful and discreet handling given his status as a Bayern player.
The Germany international ticks multiple boxes for Cristian Chivu.
He offers physicality, quality and Champions League pedigree, precisely the box-to-box profile Inter want to add to their midfield this summer.
Inter Milan Face Competition But Refuse To Rule Out Move For Bayern Star Goretzka
His salary represents the main obstacle.
Goretzka currently earns significantly more than Inter’s typical wage structure allows.
The club believe they can negotiate that figure down to an acceptable level for a player of his calibre, and on a free transfer, the financial case becomes easier to justify.
Competition is fierce.
AC Milan and Napoli are also tracking the situation closely, and clubs from the Premier League and elsewhere will enter the picture too.
Inter, however, have no intention of walking away.
Gyokeres scores stunning hat-trick to fire Sweden to World Cup qualification play-off final – Arsenal internationals round-up
Viktor Gyokeres scored a stunning hat-trick to fire Sweden to the World Cup qualification play-off final to face Poland.
The Arsenal forward scored all three goals as Sweden beat Ukraine 3-1 in Valencia, Spain.
Sweden now have a one-off game to book their place at the World Cup this summer.
Gyokeres’ Arsenal team-mate Christian Norgaard also got on the scoresheet for his country, scoring for Denmark in their World Cup qualification play-off semi final against North Macedonia.
Denmark won 4-0 to set up a clash with Czechia for a place at the World Cup.
Riccardo Calafiori played the entirety of the game as Italy beat Northern Ireland 2-0. They will now face Bosnia and Herzegovina in their World Cup qualification play-off final.
Elsewhere, Gabriel Martinelli started for Brazil and played just over an hour in a 2-1 friendly defeat to France in the USA.
And Max Dowman played 88 minutes in England under-19s 2-0 defeat to Serbia.
Pundit explains how much lack of balance Juventus has
Pundit Carlo Nesti has praised the attacking strength of Juventus, noting that they are currently among the most dangerous offensive sides in Europe. However, he has also highlighted a significant weakness in their overall balance, particularly when the team is forced into defensive situations.
Juventus have shown clear improvement under Luciano Spalletti, who has transformed them into a dynamic attacking unit. Their ability to dominate possession and push high up the pitch has made them a formidable opponent. Nevertheless, this approach appears to come at a cost when they lose control of the ball.
Defensive Fragility Exposed
While their attacking play has been widely praised, Juventus continue to struggle when transitioning into defence. The moment they lose possession, the team often looks vulnerable, exposing gaps that opponents can exploit. This lack of defensive stability has prevented them from being considered a complete side.
As reported by Tuttojuve, Nesti offered a critical assessment, stating:
“Spalletti’s Juve is an attacking team, massing into the opposition’s half, but never scoring with their center forwards, forcing everyone to make an absurd effort, which pays off.
“In fact, when it loses the ball, it inevitably falters, and becomes the seventh best defense in the league, too little.
“This means that the black and white team continues to have the same, cursed construction flaws as Giuntoli, the lack of balance.”
Need for Tactical Balance
Nesti’s comments underline a recurring issue within the Juventus setup, the absence of balance between attack and defence. While their forward play has improved significantly, their inability to maintain structure when possession is lost remains a concern.
The club are expected to retain faith in Spalletti moving forward, giving him time to address these shortcomings. If Juventus are to compete consistently at the highest level, improving their defensive organisation will be essential.
Although the squad includes several capable defenders, the overall system must evolve to provide greater protection. Resolving this imbalance could be the key to turning Juventus into a truly complete and successful team.
Steven Gerrard thinks Arsenal should replace these two stars
Arsenal will continue to strengthen their squad as the team evolves, with Steven Gerrard suggesting that two players may need to be replaced due to underwhelming performances.
The Gunners have been the best team in England this season, with several players delivering excellent performances. These contributions have been crucial in ensuring consistent results whenever they take to the pitch. While certain individuals have stood out, it is the collective effort that has proved most valuable to Arsenal, allowing them to maintain a high standard of performance.
Areas Identified for Improvement
Despite their strong displays, there are still aspects of the squad that could be improved. As the team continues to develop, changes are expected, particularly at the end of the current term. Gerrard has pointed specifically to the left side of the attack as an area that may require attention.
‘I think Arsenal will potentially go for a player on the left,’ Gerrard told TNT Sports.
‘I don’t think Gabriel Martinelli has been as good as he was previously maybe and Leandro Trossard is a good player but that is an area they might look at in terms of how to get the team and squad better.’
Continued Evolution and Investment
Arsenal are aware that continued improvement is essential if they are to remain competitive and secure as many trophies as possible, or even exceed expectations. The evolution of the squad will inevitably involve difficult decisions, including replacing certain players who have not consistently performed at their highest level.
In recent transfer windows, the club have demonstrated their ability to compete financially with the top sides in world football. Their willingness to invest in key areas has already strengthened the squad significantly, and there is every expectation that this approach will continue.
As the team progresses, strategic recruitment and careful squad management will be vital. Arsenal’s ambition to remain at the summit of English football will depend on their ability to build on their current success while addressing the areas identified for improvement.
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Inter Milan Look To Extend Dutch Star’s Contract And Use Him As Mentor For Highly-Rated Transfer Target
Inter Milan want to keep Denzel Dumfries beyond this season and are planning to make a push to retain the Dutch wing-back, potentially using him as a mentor if a new player like Marco Palestra arrives.
According to L’Interista, the club’s intention is clear, they want Dumfries in the squad for the 2026-27 season.
His return from injury has only reinforced that view.
Since coming back in February, his importance to Cristian Chivu’s system has been immediately evident.
Palestra Remains Name In Red On Inter Notebook, Despite Dumfries Future
Regardless of Dumfries’ future, Inter plan to strengthen on the right flank this summer.
The idea is to bring in a player who can serve as the long-term starter in that position, with Dumfries potentially transitioning into a senior mentor figure alongside him.
Juventus After Toulouse, Porto, and Olympiacos Goalies
Juventus are tracking all sorts of options to address their need for a new goalie, and, while Inter are sprinting to capture Guglielmo Vicario, the Bianconeri, after probing Alisson and Emiliano Martinez, are doing their due diligence on some younger foreign players, like Guillame Restes, Diogo Costa, and Konstantinos Tzolakis.
According to Calciomercato, the first one is the favorite of CEO Damien Comolli, who saw him grow at Toulouse. He debuted in Ligue 1 when he had just turned 18 and has piled up 101 appearances, keeping 28 clean sheets and allowing 129 goals. He manned the sticks for the French Olympic Team in 2024, winning a silver medal. His price tag is roughly €20M.
While Restes has strong supporters in Juventus management, Luciano Spalletti prefers a surefire veteran who wouldn’t need to learn the ropes at a big club. Diogo Costa would be a compromise between the two visions, as he’s 26 and has played at a high level at Porto for years, La Gazzetta dello Sport informs. His name has come up in conversations with Jorge Mendes involving Bernardo Silva. On the other hand, he is extremely expensive, as his price tag is €45/50M.
The Old Lady might prefer Marco Carnesecchi at those numbers. Their officials have also scouted Tzolakis in a recent mission in Greece, where they also took a closer look at Ernest Poku and Christos Mouzakitis, TuttoSport relays.
Our Take on the Next Juventus Goalie
We’ll see whether Comolli will still be at the helm at the end of the season, plus his Toulouse exit wasn’t exactly peachy, which wouldn’t help if they wanted Restes. Michele Di Gregorio’s downfall might scare them away from signing shot-stoppers from smaller sides, as talented as they might be.
Lazio suffer new injury scare as Motta leaves Italy U21 squad
Having already lost Ivan Provedel for the season, Lazio are bracing themselves after Edoardo Motta pulled out of the Italy Under-21 squad with an injury.
The Biancocelesti had signed 21-year-old Motta in January from Reggiana as their reserve goalkeeper, but were not expecting to be so reliant on him already.
BOLOGNA, ITALY – MARCH 22: Edoardo Motta of Lazio celebrates saving a penalty with teammates during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and SS Lazio at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on March 22, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
There is no confirmation of what exactly Motta is suffering from, but if he is not available for next weekend’s Serie A match against Parma, then they’ll have to look to third-choice Alessio Furlanetto, whose only experience is in Serie C.
Motta was released by the Azzurrini along with Frosinone striker Antonio Raimondo following the 4-0 victory over North Macedonia.
They were replaced in the group by Spezia goalkeeper Diego Mascardi and Juve Stabia forward Alvin Okoro, the latter promoted from the Under-20 team.
Italy’s Under-21 side is back in action on Tuesday March 31 against Sweden for the European Championship qualifiers.
Italy 2-0 Northern Ireland – Inter Milan Defender ‘Holding His Own But Not At His Best’
Inter Milan star Alessandro Bastoni delivered a controlled but below-par performance as Italy won 2-0 over Northern Ireland, playing 64 minutes before making way for Juventus defender Federico Gatti as Gattuso managed his fitness carefully ahead of Tuesday’s play-off final against Bosnia.
The Inter Milan centre-back has been carrying a shin injury since the Milan derby and his physical limitations were visible at times during the evening in Bergamo.
To his credit, Bastoni compensated with experience and positional intelligence, reading the game well to ensure Northern Ireland, who offered little attacking threat, never truly troubled him.
A yellow card prompted Gattuso to withdraw him as a precaution, with the Bosnia clash firmly in mind.
Italy 2-0 Northern Ireland – Italian Media Modest In Assessment Of Inter Star Bastoni
The Italian media were broadly in agreement, via L’Interista.
It was a solid, professional showing from a player who was clearly not at full capacity.
Corriere dello Sport were the most generous, awarding 6.5.
“He organises and holds the defence together. He is not at his best and it shows occasionally, he misjudges a header from a corner, but he often manages to mask it.”
Gazzetta dello Sport settled on a 6.
“The Irish, toothless, cannot unsettle him, and his head stays clear. But he lacks the typical enterprise of someone who knows how to win ground. The yellow card counsels caution. He comes off.”
Tuttosport also gave 6, with an encouraging forward-looking note.
“Our most dangerous centre-back in terms of offensive contribution, he holds his own despite not being at peak fitness, competing with intensity without taking risks. Substituted, also with Tuesday evening in mind.”
Italy 2-0 Northern Ireland: Mixed Reviews For Inter Milan Stars As Azzurri Qualify For World Cup Play-Off Final
Italy secured a 2-0 victory over Northern Ireland to advance in the World Cup playoffs, with Inter Milan’s quartet of Bastoni, Barella, Dimarco and Esposito all playing their part to varying degrees of acclaim from the Italian media.
Barella was the standout among the Inter contingent, earning a 7 from Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews.
Indeed, he described as one of the best in midfield, moving everywhere and frequently finding Politano.
Gazzetta and Tuttosport both awarded him 6.5, with the latter noting some imprecision but praising his balance and composure in holding the midfield together across 90 minutes.
Italy 2-0 Northern Ireland – Inter Star Pio Esposito Catches The Eye From The Bench
Dimarco earned consistent scores across the board.
Gazzetta gave him 6.5 for adapting to the game’s rhythm without overextending himself.
Tuttosport matched that, noting that his left foot always threatened something.
Corriere awarded a 6, acknowledging he was too isolated and received little support from Calafiori.
Although his legs held firm throughout.
Bastoni received more mixed verdicts.
Corriere rewarded him with 6.5 for organising the defence and masking his lack of full fitness.
Gazzetta and Tuttosport were slightly more cautious, both awarding 6, with the latter noting he avoided risks sensibly given his physical condition.
A yellow card prompted Gattuso to substitute him.
Pio Esposito was the brightest spark from the bench.
All three outlets awarded 6.5, Gazzetta praised his energy immediately on entering, Corriere highlighted his assist for Kean’s second goal, and Tuttosport noted his trademark directness despite Hume saving his header.
Roma to Try to Reunite Stellar Borussia Dortmund Duo
Julian Brandt will leave Borussia Dortmund on a free transfer, and Roma have entered the race to sign him. The Giallorossi have had a few contacts with Francesco Randazzo, who represents the player in Italy, La Gazzetta dello Sport informs.
Juventus and Como are lurking, but the capital club has been more active so far. The attacker is expected to pick a team that plays in the UEFA Champions League. He’d reunite with Donyell Malen in the Eternal City. The two starred together for four productive seasons in Germany.
Brandt earns roughly €3.5M per year, and Roma would be able to offer him a small pay rise. They have set the bar at €4M in their relatively new wage policy. He’ll likely fetch larger offers from other sides, but the Giallorossi would guarantee a prominent role and have a very ambitious project. The 29-year-old has piled up 300 appearances with Borussia Dortmund, tallying 56 goals and 69 assists.
In the same role, the capital club is currently expected to move on from Paulo Dybala. His salary is way too high, especially given his frequent injury woes. He could depart without even a real negotiation. Moreover, they are leaning toward not buying out Bryan Zaragoza, who hasn’t done enough to justify a €13M disbursement. They’d have to pay a €500k penalty to Bayern Munich if that were the case.
Our Take on Roma and Brandt
He’s a juicy target for a lot of teams, and they have a couple of advantages. However, the Serie A sides would easily be blown out of the water if the top Premier League franchises muscled their way into a bidding war.
History favours Italy ahead of Bosnia and Herzegovina World Cup play-off final
Italy have booked their spot in the World Cup play-off final, and the Azzurri boast an impressive head-to-head record against their upcoming opponents, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
How have Italy previously fared against Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Italy is the highest ranked nation that does not have a place at the 2026 World Cup wrapped up. Gennaro Gattuso’s side finished second in their World Cup qualifying group behind Norway, which condemned them to the play-offs for the third tournament cycle in a row.
The Azzurri fell short at this stage heading into the two previous World Cups. They have not qualified since 2014 and have not played a knock-out game at the tournament since beating France to claim the trophy in the 2006 final.
Second-half goals from Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean sealed a 2-0 victory at home against Northern Ireland in Thursday evening’s play-off semi-final, which has set up a final date with Bosnia away from home on Tuesday evening.
Since the inception of the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team in 1995, Italy have faced them six times: Twice in friendlies, twice in qualifying for EURO 2020 and twice in the 2020-21 Nations League campaign.
Italy have won four of their six previous meetings against Bosnia, have drawn one and lost one.
MILAN – NOVEMBER 16: Gennaro Gattuso looks on prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match against Norway at San Siro Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Milan. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Italy’s only ever loss against Bosnia came in their first meeting 30 years ago, which was an international friendly on November 6, 1996 and ended 2-1 in favour of the hosts. Enrico Chiesa scored Italy’s only goal that game, assisted by Gianfranco Zola.
The other five meetings between Italy and Bosnia have all come within the last seven years.
Italy won 2-1 at home and 3-0 away when the two nations met in qualifying for EURO 2020. The Azzurri were held to a 1-1 draw at home, but beat Bosnia 2-0 away during the 2020-21 Nations League campaign, and Italy were also 1-0 victors when the two sides met in a friendly just before EURO 2024 two summers ago. Davide Frattesi provided the only goal of the game on that occasion.
Juventus prepare contract offer for Kessié as Al Ahli talks stall
Tuttosport reports that Juventus are preparing an offer to sign Franck Kessié as a free agent, as the ex-Milan and Atalanta star has put contract talks with Al Ahli on hold.
Juventus are expected to make an attempt to sign ex-Milan and Atalanta star Kessié as a free agent.
The midfielder’s contract with Al Ahli expires at the end of the season, and according to Tuttosport, the 29-year-old has ignored a two-year extension offer from the Saudi Pro League club.
The Turin-based paper claims that Kessié is tempted to return to Serie A in the summer, even if leaving the Saudi Pro League will necessarily mean a lower salary from 2062-27.
TURIN, ITALY – MARCH 07: A detailed view of the corner flag inside the Juventus Stadium prior to the Serie A match between Juventus FC and Pisa SC at Juventus Stadium on March 07, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Giuseppe Cottini/Getty Images)
According to the report, Juventus are ready to offer Kessié a two-year contract worth €5m per season. The ex-Milan star currently earns €14m at Al Ahli.
Tuttosport mentions other Serie A clubs who might be potentially interested in the Ivory Coast international.
JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA – APRIL 29: Franck Kessié of Al-Ahli Saudi reacts during the AFC Champions League Elite Semi Final between Al Hilal and Al Ahli at King Abdullah Sports City Hall Stadium on April 29, 2025 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)
Among them are Roma, coached by Gian Piero Gasperini, who previously worked with Kessié at Atalanta and Inter, who are looking for a midfielder with Kessié’s characteristics for next season.
Kessié is only one of the free agents targeted by Juventus for 2026-27, as the Bianconeri have already begun preliminary talks with Bernardo Silva and Leo Goretzka as well.
Barcelona star on Atletico Madrid shortlist of Antoine Griezmann successors
Earlier this week, Antoine Griezmann finalised his departure from Atletico Madrid, as he penned a contract with MLS side Orlando City, whom he will join at the end of the European season. The 35-year-old will bring down the curtain on his successful Los Colchoneros spell, and the club has now started their search for his replacement.
Sporting director Mateu Alemany will be tasked with identifying Griezmann’s successor, which will be easier said than done. However, he has already drawn up a three-man shortlist, and as per Sport, it is headlined by Paris Saint-Germain’s Lee Kang-in.
Atleti wanted to sign Lee in January, when they were looking to replace Atalanta-bound Giacomo Raspadori. They ended up settling on Ademola Lookman, but they have not forgot about the South Korea international, who will have chances to return to La Liga in the summer.
Greenwood, Ferran Torres complete the list
Mason Greenwood is also on Atleti’s radar, with club officials having been impressed with his efforts at Marseille. The former Getafe winger is appreciated for his finishing, speed and experience in La Liga, qualities that would allow him to be a more direct offensive reference in the post-Griezmann era.
Ferran Torres completes the list, with Alemany a big fan of the player he signed as Barcelona sporting director in 2022. The Catalans are increasingly open to allowing the former Manchester City forward to leave, as they plan to retain the services of Robert Lewandowski alongside a new number nine – which could be Atleti’s Julian Alvarez.
It promises to be another busy summer for Atleti, who want to continue closing the gap to Barcelona and Real Madrid above them. Whoever comes in to replace Griezmann will have big shoes to fill, which is why the pressure is on Alemany to ensure that the right selection is made.
Newspaper verdicts after Italy 2-0 Northern Ireland: Tonali, Kean and Politano praise
The Italian press have had their say on Italy’s 2-0 World Cup play-off semi-final victory over Northern Ireland, and many feel that there were encouraging signs from Gennaro Gattuso’s side in their second-half performance after what was widely described as a difficult first 45.
How did the press in Italy react to Northern Ireland victory?
Italy beat Northern Ireland thanks to goals from Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean in Bergamo on Thursday evening, and will now go on to challenge Bosnia and Herzegovina away from home for a spot in the final tournament on Tuesday night as a result.
The Azzurri are the highest-ranked nation in the World that has not yet qualified for the World Cup, and despite being the second-most successful nation in the tournament’s history, Italy has not appeared in the competition since 2014. They have not featured in a knock-out game since winning the trophy in 2006 either.
La Gazzetta dello Sport admits that this is not a brilliant Italy side compared to some of its great teams of years gone by, but says that there is enough individual quality, particularly from Tonali.
BERGAMO – MARCH 26: Sandro Tonali celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammates Mateo Retegui and Moise Kean during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Italy and Northern Ireland at Stadio di Bergamo on March 26, 2026 in Bergamo. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
La Gazzetta dello Sport also says that Gattuso’s side showed the required level team spirit against Northern Ireland, and that this is a quality that Gattuso has picked up from his former mentor Marcello Lippi.
Similarly, Corriere dello Sport editor Ivan Zazzaroni suggests that Italy’s biggest strength heading into the Bosnia and Herzegovina play-off final will be its unity.
He points to the team that won the European Championship in 2021: Despite the fact that there was arguably more quality in that side compared to the current squad, it was the togetherness that got the Azzurri over the line after coming into the final as underdogs against hosts England.
BERGAMO – MARCH 26: Players sing the national anthem prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Italy and Northern Ireland at Stadio di Bergamo on March 26, 2026 in Bergamo. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
The Italian newspapers are widely in agreement over the best performing Italy players against Northern Ireland on Thursday night. Tonali has stolen most of the headlines, Kean has earned praise for his goal as well, but Tuttosport has also singled out Matteo Politano for praise, while others have praised Pio Esposito and Marco Palestra for their showings off the bench.
On the other hand, most papers agree that Mateo Retegui was the worst performing Italy player on the night, with most outlets handing him a score of 5/10.
Decision made: Midfielder to leave Real Madrid this summer
Real Madrid will be busy during the upcoming summer transfer window, both in terms of signings and exits. In regards to the latter, two players are already all-but confirmed to be leaving, with those being David Alaba and Dani Ceballos.
The former will not have his contract renewed before it expires in June, while Marca have reported that Ceballos also has no future at the Bernabeu. He is keen to move on when the summer transfer window opens, and Real Madrid are happy to let him go – as long as they receive an acceptable offer.
Ceballos, who has been injured since February, does not have a place in Real Madrid’s future plans. The emergence of Thiago Pitarch has seen his prominence drop further, and with a new midfielder set to be signed in the summer, he would be surplus to requirements for the 2026-27 season.
Ceballos has clear preference for his next club
Ceballos has already started thinking about his summer plans, and according to Marca’s report, he has a clear preference for his next club: Real Betis. He is dreaming of a return to his boyhood club, whom he has come close to re-joining on multiple occasions in the last few years.
However, a return to Betis won’t be straightforward. Los Verdiblancos are unlikely to have much margin for the move, and a lot will depend on whether Real Madrid’s terms are deemed acceptable by sporting director Manu Fajardo and co.
For now, Ceballos’ immediate focus is making a return to action with Real Madrid. He hopes to end his Bernabeu spell on a high before moving on in the summer, and at that point, his next destination will become more clear. Betis will certainly be in the mix, but they won’t be the only ones, with clubs in La Liga and the Premier League also keeping tabs on his situation.
Arsenal star shows his world-class potential playing for his country
Viktor Gyokeres has struggled to consistently deliver since joining Arsenal in a high-profile summer move to the Emirates Stadium. The striker arrived with significant expectations after scoring close to 100 goals across two seasons for Sporting Club, attracting interest from several of Europe’s leading clubs.
Arsenal ultimately secured his signature after the player made it clear that they were his preferred destination. Despite that strong start, his time in North London has not yet matched the standards he set in Portugal, with inconsistency affecting his overall impact.
International Form Offers Encouragement
While his club performances have been mixed, Gyokeres has provided a timely reminder of his quality on the international stage with the Sweden national team. As reported by Football Insider, he produced an outstanding display by scoring a hat trick in their World Cup playoff match against Ukraine national team.
His goals were instrumental in securing Sweden’s place in the playoff final, keeping their hopes of qualifying for the World Cup alive. The report highlights that he was one of the standout performers in the match, delivering a performance that underlined his attacking ability and composure in front of goal.
Crucial Moment Ahead
Sweden now finds itself just one victory away from qualification for the tournament in the summer, and it will be relying on Gyokeres to maintain his form in the decisive fixture. His recent performance could serve as a turning point, potentially restoring confidence after a challenging period at club level.
For Arsenal, his international success will be viewed as a positive development. It suggests that, despite his struggles in England, he retains the qualities that made him such a sought-after striker.
If he can translate this form back to club football, Gyokeres may yet prove to be a valuable asset as Arsenal continue their push for major honours.
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Sheffield United Should Consider These Exciting Options If Star Player Leaves This Summer – Opinion
Turkish side Trabzonspor remain keen on signing Gustavo Hamer from Sheffield United ahead of the summer transfer window, according to fresh reports from Turkey.
A report by Kuzey Ekspres claims that the Super Lig outfit are planning to “sit down” with the Blades at the end of the season to explore a potential deal for the 28-year-old. With just over a year remaining on his contract at Bramall Lane, this summer could represent a key decision point for both player and club.
However, negotiations may not be straightforward. The same report suggests a deal could cost in the region of €20 million (around £17.2 million), a figure that would significantly exceed Trabzonspor’s previous £6 million bid. Whether the Turkish club are prepared to bridge that gap remains to be seen, particularly given Hamer’s importance to Sheffield United’s midfield.
The Dutch-Brazilian has been a standout performer this season, registering 10 assists and two goals in 30 appearances. His creative output, ability to progress the ball, and set-piece quality make him one of the Blades’ most influential players. As such, any departure would leave a sizable gap in the squad, one the club must be prepared to fill.
Sheffield United Should Consider Ibrahim Osman As Hamer Replacement
The 21-year-old is a player I wrote a player suggestion piece on last summer. Having watched a few of his games last season, it’s clear to see what his strengths are. He is very fast as well as powerful in full stride. He can play on the left flank where he cuts inside, or he can play on the right as an old-fashioned winger where he beats his man on the outside and then either drives into the box and cuts it back, or fires a cross in, which is something we hugely lacked last season from open-play.
Compared to attacking midfielders and wingers in the Eredivisie last season, he ranked in the 93rd percentile for progressive carries, 98th percentile for carries into the penalty area, 99th percentile for take-on attempts and 87th percentile for successful take-ons.
Osman’s profile is that of a direct dribbler, an athletic wide player who thrives in transition-heavy systems.
This term, at Birmingham, he’s stood out for:
Dribbling volume: Osman consistently ranks highly for successful dribbles per game, showing strong 1v1 ability and close control at pace. He averages over 1.5 successful dribbles per game.
Chance creation: While still developing his final product, Osman produces a steady stream of key passes and cut-backs from wide areas. He’s averaged almost one chances created per game.
Defensive work rate: His pressing intensity and recoveries align well with United’s current high-energy system which has seen players like Andre Brooks thrive in this season.
Stylistically, Osman differs from Hamer. While Hamer operates more centrally as a creative hub, dictating tempo and delivering from deeper zones, Osman is more of a threat from wide areas. However, Sheffield United wouldn’t have to change their attacking structure much with Osman still being more of an inverted player similar to Hamer. Despite being completely different players, Osman could help replace Hamer’s output particularly in transitions and chance creation from one-vs-one situations down the flanks.
Tyreece Campbell to the Blades?
Another interesting option Sheffield United could consider is Tyreece Campbell of Charlton Athletic.
Campbell is an emerging wide talent who offers a different profile compared to Hamer.
His game is built around:
Explosive pace and direct running: He thrives in one-vs-one situations and looks to attack full-backs aggressively, stretching defensive lines. He averages 1.3 successful dribbles per game and an impressive 53% success rate.
Ball-carrying ability: Campbell is effective at progressing the ball upfield using his burst of acceleration, particularly in transition phases.
Work rate and pressing: He contributes defensively, tracking back, again, similar to United’s current system. He averages over three ball recoveries per game and over two defensive contributions.
One thing he needs to work on though is developing his end product; while not yet as consistent in front of goal or with final passes, his underlying attacking intent is clear. He currently has three goals and two assists in 39 appearances.
At 22, Campbell would represent more of a developmental signing compared to a ready-made option, but one with significant upside. In a system that encourages transitions and gives him space to attack, he could grow into a dangerous Championship-level winger, thus offering Sheffield United a cost-effective replacement option if Hamer departs.
With interest from Trabzonspor intensifying and Hamer entering the final year of his deal, Sheffield United face a crucial summer. If they decide to cash in, reinvesting smartly will be key.
No Contact Yet Between Inter Milan & Barcelona Over Italy Defender As Player Open To Move
Inter Milan and Barcelona have held no direct contact over Alessandro Bastoni despite the Italy defender emerging as the Catalan club’s number one summer target, with transfer expert Gianluigi Longari of Sportitalia moving to clarify the true state of affairs.
According to Longari, via FCInter1908, the valuation figures that have circulated in recent days, swinging from €50 million to €90 million, are the product of speculation rather than any genuine negotiation.
“Inter and Barcelona have never had any kind of direct contact,” he states clearly.
“The figures that have emerged as hypothetical valuations are the result of mere interpretations, or even functional to what could become a sort of arm wrestle within a negotiation that has not yet seen the light of day.”
Bastoni Open To Barcelona But Staying At Inter Milan Would Be A Decision Of The Heart
What is certain, however, is Bastoni‘s personal position.
The Inter defender views the Barcelona opportunity with genuine enthusiasm.
Longari goes further, no offer from any other club or league would attract the same level of interest from the 1999-born defender.
Barcelona’s board share that enthusiasm unanimously.
Unlike other defensive targets linked to the club, such as Croatia’s Vuskovic, Bastoni has attracted complete internal agreement as the priority signing for Hansi Flick’s backline.
The key variable remains Bastoni’s contract situation.
His current deal runs until 2028 at €5.5 million rising to around €7 million this season, signed in 2023.
Barcelona have outlined figures significantly higher than that to his agents.
Staying at Inter, therefore, would not be a financial decision. It would be a matter of loyalty and belonging.
Inter Milan Desperate To Trigger Serbia Talent’s Buy-Back Clause As Atletico Madrid & Borussia Dortmund Circle Club Brugge Man
Inter Milan are determined to trigger the Dortmund linked Aleksandar Stankovic buy-back clause this summer, with the Serbia midfielder identified as a cornerstone of the club’s midfield rebuild regardless of what else happens in the transfer window.
According to Tuttosport, via FCInterNews, the Inter hierarchy are united on this point.
Whatever occurs with Calhanoglu’s future or the pursuit of Manu Koné, Stankovic returns.
The club see him as next season’s Pio Esposito.
Indeed, a young player ready to step up and make the first team his own.
The two even played together in Inter’s youth teams under Cristian Chivu.
Atletico Madrid & Dortmund Circle Stankovic As Inter Prepare To Move
Calhanoglu: Inter and Chivu ‘gave me time’ to prepare for Turkiye games
Inter star Hakan Calhanoglu is thankful to the Nerazzurri and coach Cristian Chivu for giving him ‘time’ to prepare for Turkiye’s World Cup play-off.
Calhanoglu and Vincenzo Montella’s Turkiye beat Romania 1-0 on Thursday to qualify for the World Cup play-off Final against Kosovo.
Calhanoglu was subbed off in the dying minutes due to a suspected calf injury, but according to recent reports in Italy, the Turkish star only had a cramp and should be available for Tuesday’s Final.
Calhanoglu didn’t even mention his latest injury problem in a post-match interview with Sky Sport Italia.
The Inter star, however, revealed that Chivu contacted him right after the match to receive a fitness update.
SASSUOLO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 08: Cristian Chivu head coach of FC Internazionale during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and FC Internazionale at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on February 08, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
“He was looking at my physical condition because I had come back from an injury after one and a half months,” Calhanoglu said.
“He already texted me now, asking how I am. For me, Mr Chivu is special. I’m always thankful to him at Inter because they gave me time and preparation to be fit for this game, so I’m always thankful to my coach, Chivu.”
MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 06: Hakan Calhanoglu of FC Internazionale Milano celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Como 1907 at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on December 06, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Calhanoglu has been on and off the pitch for Inter in 2026 due to physical issues.
Since January, he has made five Serie A appearances and missed six league games due to injuries.
After the break, Inter will host Roma at the Stadio Meazza on April 5.
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UEFA has now confirmed the dates and times for the remaining rounds of the competition, and if Arne Slot’s side eliminate the reigning champions, their semi-final matches against either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich would take place on Tuesday 28 April and Wednesday 6 May, both with 8pm kick-offs.
The final will once again be staged on a Saturday (30 May in Budapest), but from this year the kick-off time has been brought forward to 5pm GMT.
How does Liverpool’s April fixture schedule currently look?
As it stands, Liverpool will have six matches across three different competitions in the month of April, beginning with the FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester City next Saturday lunchtime.
However, if the Reds were to defeat Pep Guardiola’s side and also knock PSG out of the Champions League, they’d have a further two matches in their diary for next month, with their Premier League home game against Crystal Palace having to be moved (most likely being brought forward by a few days).
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Liverpool’s fixtures in April if they reach FA Cup and Champions League semi-finals
*Possible refixture date if fixture needs to be moved, should Liverpool reach FA Cup semi-finals
**Potential fixtures for Liverpool if they reach the semi-finals of both competitions. If LFC lose in the FA Cup quarter-finals, their Premier League game at home to Crystal Palace will remain a 3pm kick-off on 25 April.
(Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images)
A sequence of eight games in 25 days would test the physical and psychological limits of Slot’s squad to their extremities, but that’d still be much preferable to the alternative of being dumped out of both competitions we still have a chance of winning this season.
Irrespective of what happens in the FA Cup and Champions League quarter-finals, Liverpool will have a taxing schedule in April against a Man City side buoyed by Carabao Cup success, two meetings against a prolific PSG outfit and a first Merseyside derby at the Hill Dickinson Stadium against an in-form Everton.
By this time next month, we could either be revelling in a late-season revival from the Reds, or wallowing in self-pity as this hitherto nightmarish campaign sinks even lower.
How to watch England v Uruguay, predicted line-ups and more
England welcome Uruguay to Wembley Stadium on Friday evening, offering Thomas Tuchel a valuable opportunity to experiment with his squad ahead of this summer’s World Cup.
Marcelo Bielsa also returns to England with Uruguay, having become a cult hero in Yorkshire during his three-and-a-half-year spell with Leeds United.
Here’s everything you need to know about the game…
England last tasted defeat 290 days ago and have won their last six consecutive matches.
Tuchel’s side have also kept a clean sheet in each of those games, highlighting their defensive solidity heading into the summer tournament.
He has used this window to split the squad, resting several key players until the game against Japan next week. Dean Henderson, Dan Burn, Marc Guéhi, Ezri Konsa, Nico O’Reilly, Elliot Anderson, Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Morgan Rogers, Anthony Gordon, Bukayo Saka and Harry Kane will all play no part in Friday’s fixture.
This decision opens the door for players such as James Garner, Noni Madueke and Adam Wharton to push their case for World Cup selection.
Uruguay arrive in less convincing form. They suffered a heavy 5-1 defeat to Mauricio Pochettino’s USA in their last outing.
The last meeting between these sides came in the group stage at the 2014 World Cup, when a Luis Suarez brace cancelled out Wayne Rooney’s strike.
“The choice was for [Ben] White because I saw him play in the [Carabao Cup] final, in the Champions League match before and he was back to his old self. It was a chance to meet him in person and see how he reacts with the group.
“I know what Trent can give us so the choice was for Ben and Tino Livramento, to stick with the guys who had a good camp with us in September, November, December. They also need the minutes, there are a lot of players in this position, Djed Spence as well, who also fight for a ticket. I didn’t want to leave them out.
“I know that it creates noise when you leave a player like Trent out. We had a call, I tried to explain the situation. He just has to accept it.”
Bielsa on facing England: “Every match is an opportunity.
“Obviously I’m not unaware of the quality of the teams we’re up against, but I always prefer that the games we play in demand the very best from us.
“Competing against an English team, given the history of English football and the type of competition in which 90% of their players participate, is always a test that demands the best from us to overcome.”
Nervous Wait For Inter Milan After Talismanic Midfielder Forced Off In Turkey Play-Off Win Over Romania
Inter Milan face a nervous wait over Hakan Calhanoglu after the Turkey midfielder was forced off late in his side’s 1-0 World Cup play-off win over Romania, with the club monitoring his condition closely.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Calhanoglu felt his calf tighten after striking a shot from distance in the closing stages and immediately left the pitch.
Initial reports, however, offer encouragement. Early indications suggest the issue was cramp rather than a muscular injury.
If this is indeed the case, Inter boss Cristian Chivu will be relieved it is not more serious.
Turkey Through To Play-Off Final As Inter Milan Await Update On Calhanoglu
Turkey join Italy in reaching the play-off final, with both nations now one win away from securing their place at the World Cup.
For Inter, the priority is getting Calhanoglu back fit and available to play Roma.
Given his injury-interrupted season, any recurrence of a calf problem would be a significant blow.
Indeed, both for Inter’s title push and for Calhanoglu’s own future at the club.
Rumours have linked the Turkish star persistently with a move to the Super Lig.
With Galatasaray thought to be amongst the frontrunners.
Which, meanwhile, hinges heavily on him finishing the season in good health.
A full assessment of his condition is expected in the coming days.
Italy 2-0 Northern Ireland – Inter Milan Starlet Praised For ‘Positive Influence, Candidate To Start Against Bosnia’
Pio Esposito helped transform Italy in the win over Northern Ireland, with the Inter Milan starlet earning unanimous praise from the Italian media and immediately positioning himself as a candidate to start Tuesday’s World Cup play-off final against Bosnia.
The 20-year-old came off the bench with Italy leading 1-0 and immediately injected energy and directness into an attack that had been functional rather than inspired in the first half.
His combination play with Kean was instant and instinctive, he forced a goal-line save from Hume with a well-directed header, and he played a key role in the build-up to the second goal.
In the space of thirty minutes, he made a compelling case for a starting role in the most important fixture of Italy’s recent history.
Pio Esposito Earns Unanimous 6.5 Against Northern Ireland As Italy Media Back Him To Start Final
All three major Italian outlets awarded him 6.5, via L’Interista.
Indeed, a unanimous verdict that underlines the consistency of his impact.
Gazzetta dello Sport captured his effect perfectly.
“The quicksilver quality is not a cliché, Pio has it and it shows, because even those around him feel his positive influence. He now puts himself forward as a candidate for the final act on Tuesday evening.”
Corriere dello Sport focused on the immediacy of his contribution.
“He comes on and finds Kean instantly, before he has even warmed up his boot. He tries with a header, Hume saves on the line. And he starts the move for the second goal.”
Tuttosport were equally impressed. “He comes on and immediately gets his head on it, only Hume disagrees, producing a desperate last-ditch save.”
The message from all three outlets is the same. Esposito belongs in this team, and Tuesday could be his night.
Man Utd find two new allies on Rashford front as Barcelona ‘issue’ resurfaces
Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford is facing an uncertain future at Barcelona, but two suitors are ready to offer him alternative accommodation.
The 28-year-old finally sealed his dream move to the Blaugrana last summer, joining the club on loan with an option to buy for €30 million (circa £26m).
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Although he’s playing second fiddle behind Raphinha and Lamine Yamal, the Englishman has made the most out of his chances, as evidenced by his solid numbers.
The Blaugrana have been trying to reopen negotiations with Man Utd while requesting a discount. Nevertheless, several reports in the British media confirmed that the Premier League giants are in no mood to discuss new terms, insisting that the LaLiga leaders must either activate the optional clause by paying the sum agreed upon last summer, or simply send the attacker back to Carrington.
A recent report from ESPN also revealed that Rashford is no longer an unwelcome figure at Man Utd following Ruben Amorim’s departure, so the club wouldn’t mind bringing him back to back to the fold, even though the priority is to cash in on his services.
PSG & AC Milan lurking as Barcelona negotiate with Man Utd
According to The Daily Briefing, Barcelona’s re-emerging financial ‘issue’ could prevent them from buying Rashford, but it could also be a ploy to lower the asking price.
Either way, the Catalans’ stance has opened the door for other suitors to pounce on the situation and try to secure the England international’s services next summer.
The source reveals that AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain have already enquired about the 28-year-old’s availability. Both clubs were linked with the player last year.
TDB expects other clubs to join the race if Barcelona decide to pull out. Nevertheless, Rashford is still keen to extend his Spanish experience, and the Blaugrana are still tipped to find an arrangement with Man Utd.
Juan Laporta and Deco could try to mitigate the financial cost of the operation by proposing multi-year instalments, a solution that the Red Devils shouldn’t object to.
Zenica’s Bilino Polje Stadium will host the World Cup play-off Final between Italy and Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday, March 31.
It’s an away fixture for the Azzurri, as determined by a draw that took place this past December.
Although the stadium picked by the Bosnian football federation only has 15,600 seats, the Azzurri must surely be prepared for a hostile welcome.
The Bosnian FA announced on X on Friday that tickets for the Final against Italy are sold out.
Enthusiasm in the country is running high as Bosnia and Herzegovina secured a spot in the Final after a penalty shootout victory over Wales on Thursday.
CARDIFF, WALES – MARCH 26: Edin Dzeko of Bosnia and Herzegovina celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammates during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-off match between Wales and Bosnia and Herzegovina at Cardiff City Stadium on March 26, 2026 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
Veteran Edin Dzeko, a former Fiorentina, Roma and Inter star, scored a late equaliser last night, forcing the game to extra time and then penalties.
Just a few hours later, the federation confirmed that tickets for the final against Italy are no longer available.
ZENICA, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA – OCTOBER 11: General view of the of a stadium Bilino Polje prior to the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League A Group A3 match between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Germany at on October 11, 2024 in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images)
Bosnia and Herzegovina have only played once in the World Cup, in 2014, which is also the last time Italy played in the competition, having failed to qualify in 2018 and 2022.
O’Neill believes ‘we had a strong claim for a penalty’ in Italy 2-0 Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland head coach Michael O’Neill said that he was ‘proud’ of his young Northern Ireland team that lost 2-0 to Italy in the World Cup play-off semi-final on Thursday evening, but argued: ‘I think we had a strong claim for a penalty’.
Second-half goals from Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean handed Italy a 2-0 victory over their visitors from Northern Ireland in Bergamo on Thursday night, which means that Gennaro Gattuso’s side will now go on to face Bosnia and Herzegovina away from home on Tuesday night for a spot in the final World Cup tournament.
O’Neill reacts to Italy 2-0 Northern Ireland: ‘Strong claim for a penalty’
Italy are the highest-ranked nation in the World not to have qualified for the 2026 World Cup, which meant that they were the strong favourites at home against Northern Ireland, who were missing two of its key Premier League players in Conor Bradley and Dan Ballard and named a starting XI with an average age of 22.5 years.
“I’m very proud of the performance first of all, the players gave everything,” said O’Neill after full-time.
“I thought first half we were terrific in terms of our shape and our structure, we made it difficult for Italy. We had to defend corners, but we defended them extremely well.”
BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA – NOVEMBER 14: Michael O’Neill, Head Coach of Northern Ireland looks on prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Slovakia and Northern Ireland at Kosicka Futbalova Arena on November 14, 2025 in Bratislava, Slovakia. (Photo by David Balogh/Getty Images)
The Northern Ireland head coach does feel that his side should have been awarded a penalty against Italy on the night, though.
“I felt at times we could have been a little bit better on the ball, I thought we had opportunities where we maybe just overhit the pass or maybe made the wrong option at times. I think we had a strong claim for a penalty with the handball as well.
“Second half, we gave them a couple of moments that we created ourselves. The goal’s poor from our point of view. Terry (Devlin)’s out of shape and then Isaac (Price) is not in the position we’d really want him to be in. The ball’s headed down into a poor area and the one person you don’t want landing on the ball at that point in time is Tonali and it’s a strong hit.
BERGAMO, ITALY – MARCH 26: Sandro Tonali of Italy scores his team’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Italy and Northern Ireland at Stadio di Bergamo on March 26, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“But again, I felt like there was always something for us in the game. The second goal obviously takes it away from you a little bit, but we had a couple of chances towards the end to try and make it a little bit tense, but look, it was a very young team tonight, I think the average age of the team was just 22. They gave everything, that’s all we can ask.
“I’m very proud of them and I think we showed that we’ve made huge strides as a team as well.”
A new date is yet to be confirmed for City’s home clash with Crystal Palace, which was postponed due to our participation in last week’s Carabao Cup final.
Meanwhile, the fixture with Burnley at the end of April could still be subject to change should we reach the semi-final of the FA Cup.
Stay tuned to mancity.com and our official app for all fixture updates as they are confirmed.
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Inter Milan Star Jubilant As Poland Book World Cup Play-Off Final Place With Victory Over Albania
Piotr Zielinski was the hero as Poland beat Albania to reach the World Cup play-off final, with the Inter Milan midfielder scoring the decisive goal and delivering an emotional reaction afterwards.
Speaking to TV PSport, via FCInterNews, the Inter star was effusive in his praise for the squad.
“An enormous thank you to the whole team for how we started the second half,” he said.
“We fought and we wanted to win. Our opponents had two counter-attacks but Kamil Grabara was ready. We won this match and we did it for all of Poland. We know we have another final to win.”
Inter Star Zielinski Reveals Poland Dressing Room Confidence Before Albania Clash
Zielinski also revealed the belief that existed within the squad from the very start of the game.
“We started brilliantly. Bereszynski told me that after the first 15 minutes he thought we would win 3-0 or 4-0 because we were playing so well,” he said. “However, we needed to confirm it with a goal. In the end our opponents scored first, but that only fired us up.”
He acknowledged the difficulty of the task too.
“Everyone knew the technical quality was on our side. But in football you also have to run, fight and give your heart. The Albanians gave us a real battle. They are a team that could have made history. We are glad quality won out in the end.”
Zielinski left the pitch ten minutes after scoring as a precaution.
“I had some small muscular problems last year so now I treat any tension carefully. I prefer to come off to avoid another injury.”
“Everyone at Chelsea would like to sincerely thank Catarina for her contribution to our success, and we wish her well during the next chapter of her career back home in the United States,” the club said in a statement.
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Inter Milan & Italy Legend Claims: ‘I Would Start Inter Youngster In Attack’ For World Cup Play-Off Final Against Bosnia
Giuseppe Bergomi has backed Pio Esposito to start for Italy in the World Cup play-off final against Bosnia, with the Inter Milan and Italy legend impressed by the youngster’s impact as a substitute against Northern Ireland.
Speaking on Sky Sport after the 2-0 victory, via FCInter1908, Bergomi was clear in his assessment.
“He came on well,” he said of the Inter forward, who played the final half hour of the match.
Italy now face Bosnia in the play-off final, the Balkan side edging through on penalties against Wales, with former Inter striker Edin Dzeko scoring a late equaliser to force extra time.
Bergomi Puts Inter Starlet Pio Esposito In His Italy Starting XI For Bosnia Final
On the team selection for the final, Bergomi offered a detailed verdict.
“The formation? I would think carefully about the wide areas, Dimarco and Politano are the ones who run most and that is where you can consider making changes,” he said.
In midfield, however, he would make no alterations.
“I would not change anything there, Barella, Locatelli and Tonali. You need energy on the pitch.”
His boldest call came up front. “In attack I would start Esposito,” he said directly.
He also addressed the defensive setup. “If Bastoni is fit, I would play him alongside Calafiori at centre-back.”
Italy are preparing for the World Cup play-off Final to be played away in Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday, March 31.
The Azzurri progressed to the Final by beating Northern Ireland 2-0 in Bergamo on Thursday, while Bosnia and Herzegovina secured a victory on penalties away at Wales.
Azzurri coach Gennaro Gattuso has a few days to work with the team, but Italian media are already suggesting that the CT could make a couple of line-up changes for the Final.
UDINE, ITALY – OCTOBER 14: Gennaro Gattuso, Head Coach of Italy, looks on prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Israel at Stadio Friuli on October 14, 2025 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
As highlighted by Calciomercato.com, Alessandro Bastoni’s fitness must be assessed as the Inter star returned to action against Northern Ireland after spending the previous two weeks on the sidelines and was subbed off around minute 60 after receiving a yellow card.
If Bastoni is fit to start, he’ll surely retain his starting spot; otherwise, Federico Gatti seems favourite over Alessandro Buongiorno and Giorgio Scalvini to join Gianluca Mancini and Riccardo Calafiori in a three-man defence.
MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 14: Francesco Pio Esposito of Inter warms up prior to the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Atalanta BC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on March 14, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Even Italy and Inter legend Beppe Bergomi argued last night that Pio Esposito, scorer of three goals in six Italy appearances, should be considered for a starting spot in the Final.
Mar 26, 2026; San Jose, CA, USA; Texas Longhorns guard Jordan Pope (0) walks off the court after losing to the Purdue Boilermakers during a Sweet Sixteen game of the West Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at SAP Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images | Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
In the post-game press conference in San Jose after the No. 11 seed Texas Longhorns suffered a heartbreaking 79-77 loss to the No. 2 seed Purdue Boilermakers on Thursday, Texas senior guard Jordan Pope was finally ready to clear the air.
Initially ruled questionable for the Sweet 16 matchup with what head coach Sean Miller termed a “lower-leg injury,” Pope wasn’t in the initial starting lineup, but took the court for tipoff before scoring 12 points on four threes in 33 minutes.
“Five minutes left against Gonzaga, I broke my foot, a complete break,” Pope said.
Over the days between the win over the Bulldogs on Saturday and the game against the Boilermakers on the Thursday, Pope consulted with a doctor who told him that he wasn’t at risk of any further damage to the foot by playing on it, allowing the medical staff for the Longhorns to focus on bone therapy and on icing Pope’s broken foot to limit the swelling, dogged efforts that allowed him to move around well enough to compete.
“I’m thankful,” Pope said. “I couldn’t have asked for a better team staff to have my back and to trust me and to make sure I’m good to go.”
Pope grew up in Oakland and played high school basketball in Napa, so the opportunity to play a Sweet 16 game in the Bay Area in front of his friends and family was too big to miss, even with a broken foot.
“I had nothing to lose. It was a Sweet 16, I’m back home in front of my my family, I’m playing for my teammates, my coaches. I’ll never have this opportunity again. I couldn’t let that pass. I think I would have regretted that a lot if I would have,” Pope said.
Now Pope has nothing to regret — even though Texas wasn’t able to leave SAP Center with another remarkable upset to cement Pope’s performance as one of the most iconic efforts in program history, the historic nature of the Horns going from the First Four to the final 16 as a double-digit seed does cement Pope’s toughness in Texas basketball lore.
“I don’t know how many guys that I’ve coached under these conditions, on this stage, would have chosen to play,” Texas head coach Sean Miller said. “It would have been very easy for him, just to say, ‘I made the Sweet 16, I’m not going to be 100 percent, I don’t know how I look, and because of that, you know, I can’t go.‘ But he gave us everything and gave us the opportunity to win.”
What gave Pope the strength to battle through pain and adversity was playing for something bigger than himself — his teammates, his coaches, his university. After he left everything he had on the court, what was left was pride and memories for a lifetime.
“A moment that I’m sure I’ll remember for the rest of my life,” Pope said. “We played really hard, played to the best of our capabilities, and it came up short, but this is something I’ll remember, regardless of the outcome… the way we played, family and friends in the crowd, I couldn’t have asked for anything better. And I’m just proud of myself and proud of my teammates for having my back.”
England opener Ben Duckett made his Test debut against Bangladesh in 2016 [Getty Images]
England opener Ben Duckett says greater professionalism this summer will be a major "priority" for him following a winter Ashes series blighted by off-the-field issues.
Australia clinched the Test series 4-1 to retain the urn but the disappointment of England's defeat was compounded by claims of excessive drinking by players, especially during a break between matches in the coastal town of Noosa.
One video which emerged on social media appeared to show Duckett drunk and the 31-year-old acknowledged on the eve of the English county season that aspects of his behaviour fell below the required standard.
"If we're winning that series, it's probably not news and no one cares. If Travis Head's in that video, everyone's probably absolutely loving it," Duckett said.
"We were struggling as a side, I was struggling as a player. But you shouldn't be getting yourself or putting yourself in a position like that. Any human being, let alone a professional sportsman.
"I think it's no secret that we can definitely tighten up on some areas and I think that will be the case moving forward. And to be honest, I'm all for it."
Duckett has withdrawn from the Indian Premier League in an attempt to hold on to his place in the England side and will instead play in the early rounds of the County Championship for Nottinghamshire.
He is planning to speak to England coach Brendon McCullum in the next couple of weeks but "does not know" if will be in the XI for the first Test against New Zealand in June.
The left-handed batter struggled for form towards the end of last summer and hit just one half-century in 16 innings across all formats this winter.
In the Ashes he made 202 runs in 10 Test innings at 20.20 with a top score of 42.
Duckett said it's "not a secret" that professionalism is something he's "struggled with throughout my career" but has always been willing to "hold his hands up" when he's transgressed.
However, the Nottinghamshire batter hopes placing a greater emphasis on fitness and being in the right frame of mind will prevent his international career from ending before he wants it to.
"Throughout the Ashes I was working hard and I don't think I was in really bad shape but I've always kind of gone up and down with it [fitness levels]," Duckett explained.
"I think at 26, 27 or 28 you can get away with it. Whereas I'm obviously getting older now.
"I definitely want to make that a priority moving forward. I want to prolong playing cricket for England and the professional side of that is certainly going to help."
Duckett and England fast bowler Josh Tongue are set to sit out Nottinghamshire's opening match of the season against Somerset, which starts on Friday, 3 April, but should be back for the following week's visit of Glamorgan to Trent Bridge.
"I'll just do everything I can over the next four or five weeks to make sure I'm in the best shape of my life," Duckett added.
"I can't promise that I'm going to average 75 for Notts in these games, but giving everything I can to in this little block and just see where we go from there."
Fantasy expert consensus rankings (“ECR”) are starting to pop up across the Internet, giving managers an early glimpse into how the market might value hundreds of players this summer. As we look ahead to the 2026 season, here are the biggest Los Angeles Rams bargains based on ECR.
Blake Corum is deceptively valuable in fantasy because the market looks more at players’ full seasons rather than trends. Playing behind Kyren Williams, Corum averaged only 4.8 carries in 2025’s first six games. That jumped to 10.5 the rest of the season. After catching 56 balls in college, he also has nowhere to go but up in the passing game. Corum’s RB33 ECR makes him a reasonable bargain, with the understanding that any injury to Williams could catapult Corum into the top 12.
Second-round rookie Terrance Ferguson stepped up late last season and appears primed for a strong Year 2 leap. The only player standing in his way on the TE depth chart is 33-year-old Tyler Higbee, who appears to be physically breaking down in his relative old age. Ferguson is well-positioned to earn multiple starts while also flirting with deep-league streamability even when Higbee’s on the field. That makes Ferguson a bargain at TE26 ECR.
Finally, Konata Mumpfield (WR101 ECR) is a dart-throw bargain. If he can lock down the #3 WR role, he should outperform expectations. The same goes for Xavier Smith or anyone else who earns starts alongside Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. While #3 WRs aren’t ideal investments, those outside the top 100 – when playing behind a 33-year-old wideout – have a decent chance to finish in the top 70.
Bengaluru's buildup to launching the latest IPL has been overshadowed since June by the deaths of 11 fans in a stampede outside Chinnaswamy Stadium during the team's victory parade. It took months for Bengaluru to receive permission from state authorities to host IPL matches, and state cricket officials will honor the dead by leaving 11 seats in the stadium permanently empty.
The 10-team league spans 74 matches, culminating in the final on May 31.
Here's how the tournament shapes up.
Can Bengaluru repeat?
Bengaluru, a three-time finalist, broke through with its first title in 2025 on the back of bowling led by Australia seamer Josh Hazlewood. Hazlewood hasn't played since November and is still recovering from hamstring and Achilles issues that forced him to miss the Ashes and the Twenty20 World Cup. In his absence, medium-pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar and spinner Krunal Pandya will shoulder the responsibility. Medium-pacer Yash Dayal is also absent owing to sexual assault allegations. Kohli heads the batting lineup with foreign flavor from Phil Salt and Jacob Bethell. Back-to-back titles have been achieved only twice by Chennai Super Kings in 2010-11 and Mumbai Indians in 2019-20.
Chennai or Mumbai resurgence?
Chennai and Mumbai dominate with a combined 10 titles and 16 final appearances in 18 IPLs but Chennai hasn't won since 2023 and Mumbai not since 2020.
India's T20 World Cup star Sanju Samson is Chennai's headline purchase, acquired from Rajasthan Royals. Samson was the MVP in India's third T20 World Cup triumph and it would seem to be his time as Mahendra Singh Dhoni's influence fades. Chennai let go of long-time allrounders Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran while also adding young guns Ayush Mhatre and Kartik Sharma to a lineup including skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, Dewald Brevis and Shivam Dube.
Mumbai's two playoff appearance in the last five seasons are not good enough for a franchise of its caliber. After finishing fourth last season, Hardik Pandya leads a squad bursting with big names such as Jasprit Bumrah, India's last two T20 World Cup-winning captains in Suryakumar Yadav (2026) and Rohit Sharma (2024), Proteas wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock, allrounder Shardul Thakur, and hard-hitting West Indian Sherfane Rutherford.
Another first-time winner?
Three teams have never won the IPL and Punjab Kings, the 2025 runners-up, are the front-runners to end their drought. With Shreyas Iyer and Ricky Ponting as guides, Punjab did well to retain its 2025 core. Iyer is the only IPL captain to guide three teams to the final. He scored 604 runs at a strike rate of 175 last season. Vice captain Shashank Singh says, “We didn't cross that last hurdle (in 2025) and everyone is coming this year ... more pumped up, more motivated.”
Delhi Capitals, a one-time finalist, won five of its first six games last season only to lose momentum. They need to find an optimal opening partner for Lokesh Rahul. Lucknow SuperGiants will don new colors — again. Rishabh Pant's team has gone from light blue to dark blue to red this season, a symbol of its ongoing search for its true identity.
Boy wonder
Kishan is leading Hyderabad until Australia's Pat Cummins is fit again. Cummins is expected to play in the season's second half. Hyderabad will rely on power-hitting from the likes of Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma to make up for the bowling.
Ajinkya Rahane’s Kolkata Knight Riders are already in trouble, though, missing many first-choice bowling options. Pacers Harshit Rana and Akash Deep are out for the season. The mercurial Andre Russell has gone and Cameron Green is coming off a T20 World Cup where he collected one wickets and 24 runs.
India test and ODI captain Shubman Gill leads Gujarat Titans. The Ahmedabad-based team has missed out on the playoffs only once. Gill says, “If you look at the past few seasons I have the most IPL runs. I don’t think I have anything to prove this season in particular.”
Rajasthan was second to last in 2025 but will draw eyeballs on boy wonder Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who turned 15 on Friday. He amazed the cricketing world last year with a 35-ball hundred against Gujarat Titans. His prodigious talent has only grown further. With Samson gone, Suryavanshi has become the present and future for Rajasthan.
Trayanum leaped a 37-inch vertical at pro day, according to East-West Shrine director Eric Galko. The 224-pound running back also posted 27 reps on the bench press, and ran the short shuttle in 4.19 seconds. All in all, it was a 94th-percentile pro day performance, according to RAS (Relative Athletic Score).
Great Pro Day for @ToledoFB RB Chip Trayanum, especially for a 224 pound running back.
Well-liked player in a shallow RB class, Trayanum posted a 94th percentile Pro Day, led by 27 reps on the bench, 37 on the vert and 4.19 in the short shuttle.
The Seahawks are doing an extensive amount of homework on running backs. They lost Super Bowl 60 MVP Kenneth Walker III to the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency. Zach Charbonnet has an ACL injury that threatens to derail his 2026 season. Jadarian Price, Emmett Johnson, Jonah Coleman, and Jadarian Price are some of the running back prospects being linked to the Seahawks.
Trayanum rushed for 1,015 yards for Toledo this past season. It represented a career-high amount of rushing yards for a well-traveled prospect who previously attended Arizona State, Kentucky, and Ohio State. Playing at four programs is the name of the NIL game nowadays. Trayanum found a home at Toledo, also rushing for 12 touchdowns throughout 2025.
The Las Vegas Raiders completely revamped their linebacker position in NFL free agency. General manager John Spytek signed both Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker to lucrative contracts. Before free agency opened, the Raiders may have been targeting the 2026 NFL draft to upgrade the position.
That's the indication from a recent report. Cincinnati linebacker Jake Golday is among the best prospects at the position in the 2026 NFL draft. Golday recently confirmed he had a formal interview with the Raiders at the NFL Scouting Combine.
"I had a bunch of formals at the NFL Combine," Golday recently said during an interview with NFL Draft On SI. "I believe I had about 15 or 16 in two days. I met with the Arizona Cardinals, Las Vegas Raiders, Carolina Panthers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans, Green Bay Packers, and a bunch of others."
It's worth noting the NFL Combine happens before free agency. It's plausible to believe Spytek was covering his bases in case he didn't land his desired targets in free agency. It would be somewhat surprising if the Raiders drafted Golday (or any high-ranking linebacker) after signing both Dean and Walker.
Golday previously played EDGE rusher at Central Arkansas. He entered the portal and continued a transition to linebacker at Cincinnati. Golday thrived at his new position in 2025, registering a career-high 104 tackles. The Raiders were showing interest in his services, but things have probably changed since then.
Ohio State does not just recruit linebackers. It develops identities.
Over the past two seasons, the Buckeyes have showcased two very different versions of elite linebacker play.
Sonny Styles represented the modern off-ball centerpiece. A true sideline-to-sideline defender who controlled the middle of the defense, communicated, and erased space with athleticism. Arvelle Reese, on the other hand, redefined versatility. A hybrid weapon who could align off-ball, rush off the edge, attack gaps, and disrupt offenses in multiple ways.
Now, as Ohio State looks ahead, the question is not just who steps into the linebacker room. It is what that role becomes, and that brings the focus to Riley Pettijohn.
The profile: why Pettijohn was such a coveted recruit
Pettijohn arrived in Columbus as one of the most intriguing linebacker prospects in his class. A highly rated recruit out of Texas, he brought a rare blend of size, athleticism, and positional flexibility that immediately made him stand out.
Physically, he checks every box. Around 6-foot-2 to 6-foot-3 with a strong, developing frame, Pettijohn combines length with movement ability. But what separates him is not just his measurables. It is how he moves.
He plays fast. He closes space quickly. And he has the kind of burst that shows up both when pursuing ball carriers and when attacking downhill. That profile is exactly why his long-term role has never felt locked into one lane.
Year one flashes that matter more than the numbers
Pettijohn’s freshman season was limited in terms of volume, but not in terms of impact.
In a rotational role, he recorded nine tackles, one tackle for loss, a forced and recovered fumble, and a pass deflection. Those numbers are modest, but the context matters. When he was on the field, he made plays.
More importantly, he looked comfortable. That is not always the case for young linebackers at this level. The position demands processing, discipline, and physicality all at once. Pettijohn showed early signs that the game was not too fast for him.
And that is often the first indicator of what a player can become.
The Sonny Styles path: the off-ball anchor
One possible trajectory for Pettijohn is following the Sonny Styles model.
That role is built on consistency and control. The middle linebacker is responsible for diagnosing plays, aligning the defense, and impacting both the run and pass game. It requires discipline, communication, and the ability to play sideline to sideline.
Pettijohn has the tools for it. His range and athleticism would allow him to cover ground in space. His size gives him the ability to take on blocks and hold up against the run. And as he continues to develop mentally within the system, he could grow into the kind of player who stabilizes the entire defense.
If Ohio State leans in this direction, Pettijohn becomes the foundation. The player who does everything right, consistently, and allows others to play aggressively around him.
It is the safer projection. But it may not be the most dynamic one.
The Arvelle Reese path: the Swiss army knife
The more intriguing path is the Arvelle Reese model. This is where Pettijohn’s ceiling becomes especially interesting.
Reese was not just a linebacker, he was a weapon. He lined up off-ball, rushed off the edge, attacked interior gaps, and forced offenses to account for him on every snap. His value came from unpredictability as much as production.
Pettijohn has the athletic traits to fit that mold. His burst allows him to close quickly as a blitzer. His frame gives him the ability to add strength and become more effective in pass-rush situations. And his movement skills allow him to operate in space without being a liability in coverage.
If Ohio State chooses to deploy him this way, Pettijohn does not just fill a role. He becomes a problem for offenses to solve. This is the higher-variance outcome. But it is also the higher-ceiling one.
The reality: it may not be one or the other
The most likely answer is somewhere in between. Modern defenses rarely ask linebackers to stay in one lane. The best players are the ones who can shift roles based on down, distance, and matchup. Pettijohn’s versatility makes him uniquely suited for that kind of usage.
On early downs, he could function as a traditional off-ball linebacker, fitting gaps and flowing to the ball. On passing downs, he could become a pressure piece, attacking protections and creating disruption.
That kind of flexibility is exactly what Ohio State has leaned toward in recent seasons, and it is exactly what Pettijohn offers.
Why Pettijohn’s development matters so much
Ohio State’s defense is entering a transition. Replacing players like Sonny Styles and Arvelle Reese is not just about production. It is about identity. Those players defined how the defense operated, both structurally and schematically.
Pettijohn represents the next iteration of that identity. If he becomes the off-ball anchor, the defense regains stability and control in the middle. If he becomes the hybrid weapon, the defense maintains its ability to create chaos and disrupt offenses.
Either way, his development will shape how the unit looks.
The ceiling: Next in line
Ohio State has built a reputation at linebacker. It is a position defined by evolution, from traditional thumpers to modern, versatile athletes.
Pettijohn fits the next version of that trend. He may not be fully defined yet. His role may shift, and his usage may evolve.
But that is not a limitation, it is a sign of what he can become. Because the best linebackers in modern college football are not just one thing. And Riley Pettijohn might be the next example of that at Ohio State.
This athletic season, Notre Dame made adjustments to its Leprechaun, and this week the new golf logo was unveiled to much fanfare.
The release even caught the eye of golf superstar Rory McIlroy, who commented on social media about the design. He said the “grip looks a little strong, but I love the color of the Jacket. Great logo!”
This is the latest in a series of new logos, and they have been a hit. Multiple people continue to buy them, and for some, it hasn’t been an easy get. The majority of fans, Notre Dame and others, have very positive thoughts on this golf logo.
You have to wonder what the future holds for the Irish and their new logos, especially considering the fanfare that accompanies each new release.
Grip looks a little strong but I love the color of the jacket😏 Great logo!
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FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - MARCH 26: Raphinha #11 of Brazil leaves the field at the end of the first half during the game between France and Brazil at Gillette Stadium on March 26, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Stephen Nadler/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images) | ISI Photos via Getty Images
A new update from Brazil claims that Raphinha “was already undergoing treatment before the game in Boston due to fatigue” and was taken off at half-time against France to “avoid greater risks.”
Raphinha is due to undergo tests today to determine the problem, with Globo reporting that he’s likely to miss Brazil’s next game against Croatia.
If an injury is found then Raphinha will obviously head straight back to Barcelona for treatment.
Should the report prove accurate then it will prompt the question as to why Raphinha started the friendly match if he was suffering from fatigue and requiring treatment.
Raphinha’s already been sidelined on several occasions this season with hamstring issues, and the last thing Barcelona and Brazil want right now is for him to pick up another problem.
As championship defences go, McLaren's 2026 so far has been little short of catastrophic: Oscar Piastri has yet to start a grand prix, while Lando Norris didn't even get as far as the grid in China.
Statistically Shanghai was the first time neither McLaren has started a grand prix since the 2005 US GP at Indianapolis, where it joined the other Michelin-supplied teams in withdrawing after the formation lap. Before then you have to go all the way back to 1966, when it was struggling to source competitive engines for its maiden F1 season, to see McLaren scratch two cars before a race start for reliability reasons – and even then it had ruled out the second car before the weekend even began.
In 1966 Bruce McLaren turned unsuccessfully to the small Italian manufacturer Serenissima's 3-litre V12 when his project to downsize Ford's Indy 500-winning V8 failed to deliver power and reliability. The Serenissima turned out to be short on these, too, despite the local priest in the town of Sasso Marconi blessing each block in turn as it was loaded into the McLaren truck.
In 2026, McLaren team principal Andrea Stella is placing his faith in Mercedes-Benz High Performance Powertrains (HPP) rather than the divine.
"China was definitely a challenging and frustrating event for us," said Stella ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix. "Two cars not being able to take part in a grand prix is pretty exceptional as a situation. We understand the source of the problem.
"In both cases it was related to the electrical side of the power unit. We had faults on the battery, but different faults, pretty much at the same time of the weekend, and in this sense it's quite exceptional. We have worked together with HPP to investigate the problem. We trust 100% that HPP have put in place remedials."
Norris's car didn't make it out of the garage for the Chinese GP
Norris's car didn't make it out of the garage for the Chinese GP
While the battery faults differed in their specific nature, the one from Piastri's car was salvageable while the one in Norris's suffered permanent damage. It's understood that a software problem, which McLaren initially tried to resolve in the garage by swapping the ECU, put Norris's battery beyond repair, while Piastri's issue was with an auxiliary component attached to the battery.
"HPP have very high standards," continued Stella. "When they have information to process from a fault, for sure they will execute and put in place all the necessary learnings, adaptations and actions to avoid a repeat. So, we are definitely looking forward here to having, I would say, a regular weekend, like we haven't had the chance in China and, to some extent, not even in Australia with Oscar spinning in the laps to the grid.
"We look forward as a team and, above all, we look forward for Oscar, who has not been able to have a lap in a race this season. We want to break this trend and be there."
Dec 29, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) throws a touchdown pass against the Los Angeles Rams during the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
The Los Angeles Rams face a critical juncture at quarterback. Matthew Stafford, while still performing at a high level, will not play forever, and the team must balance short-term success with long-term stability. One solution that often flies under the radar is Kirk Cousins, a seasoned veteran whose proven track record and familiarity with Sean McVay make him an ideal fit for both the present and the future.
Present
At age 38, Kirk Cousins is not in a position to demand a starting job from a Super Bowl contender. The reality is that few teams can meet his quarterback style, offer immediate competitiveness, and guarantee him the starting role. For Cousins, 2026 may require a temporary sacrifice.
Backing up Matthew Stafford in Los Angeles offers Cousins a unique opportunity. While it means giving up the immediate starting role, it also allows him to play for a team capable of contending for a Super Bowl. Add in his familiarity with Sean McVay—his former offensive coordinator and head coach—and Cousins can step into the Rams’ system seamlessly if needed. He understands the terminology, the expectations, and the culture, which reduces the risk of any adjustment period and increases the likelihood of immediate impact when called upon.
Cousins also brings a proven NFL resume to the table. Cousins had eight consecutive seasons (2015-2022) where he threw for 25 or more touchdowns—a feat that underscores his consistency, durability, and ability to perform at a high level. He would have likely had a ninth consecutive season had he not suffered an achilles tendon rupture that ended his 2023 season. His deep understanding of pro-style offenses ensures that he is more than capable of serving as a reliable backup who can maintain the Rams’ offensive efficiency.
This approach allows Cousins to continue chasing meaningful wins without the uncertainty that comes with joining a rebuilding team. A team that could also draft a rookie quarterback and make him compete for the job. For a veteran quarterback with a distinguished career, the chance to compete on a championship-caliber roster represents a fitting next chapter.
A league source says Kirk Cousins could be interested in joining the LA Rams to chase a championship under Sean McVay.
Looking ahead, Kirk Cousins could transition from a strategic backup into the Rams’ quarterback of the future. If Stafford retires after the 2026 season, Cousins would be perfectly positioned to step in as the starter in 2027. This scenario offers a dual benefit: Cousins gets to extend his career under the guidance of Sean McVay, and the Rams avoid a potential drop-off at the league’s most important position.
Timing is a critical factor. The 2026 draft class is light on quarterback talent, and the likelihood of landing a franchise-altering rookie in 2027 is uncertain. For a team with Super Bowl aspirations, relying on an unproven rookie could risk derailing competitive windows. By signing Cousins, the Rams secure a veteran quarterback capable of leading the team effectively while providing mentorship to younger players in the roster.
Cousins’ consistency and proven track record make him an ideal bridge quarterback. His ability to maintain high-level play—evidenced by eight straight seasons of 25+ touchdown passes—ensures the Rams won’t experience a sharp decline when transitioning from Stafford. He offers a rare combination of reliability, experience, and knowledge of McVay’s system, which is precisely what the team needs to safeguard its championship trajectory.
In short, Kirk Cousins and the Los Angeles Rams represent a perfect alignment of present needs and future planning. In the short term, Cousins can chase a Super Bowl and provide immediate depth and stability under Matthew Stafford. In the long term, he can step into the starting role without the team enduring a steep drop-off, ensuring the Rams remain competitive while avoiding the gamble of an unproven rookie. Cousins would finish his career in a familiar system, with a proven coach, and in a position that maximizes both his legacy and the team’s chances of sustained success. For both parties, it’s a strategic, practical, and highly compelling fit.
San Diego, California - March 20: Acaden Lewis #55 of Villanova reacts during the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament against Utah State at Viejas Arena on Friday, March 20, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Meg McLaughlin / The San Diego Union-Tribune via Getty Images)
Season averages:
Points – 12.2
Rebounds – 3.0
Assists – 5.3
Steals – 1.9
Field goal percentage – 45.6%
Three point percentage – 27%
Free throw percentage – 58.3%
Assist-to-turnover ratio – 2.41/1
Season Highs:
Points – 26 at Georgetown
Rebounds – 7 vs Georgetown and at Xavier
Assists – 12 vs Xavier
Steals – 5 at Butler
Threes made – 3 at Georgetown
Overall thoughts:
It’s uncomfortable to think where Villanova would have been this year had Lewis not committed on May 1. In all likelihood, the Wildcats would have had to start Chris Jeffrey out of the gates with Devin Askew’s injury. Throughout the year, Lewis was Villanova’s first or second most irreplaceable player.
The freshman from Washington, DC started every game for the Wildcats this year and averaged over 30 minutes per game. Lewis was selected to the All-Big East second team and was second in the conference in assists per game. The 6’2” freshman was the straw that stirred the Villanova drink, and his floor game combined perfectly with both Duke Brennan and Matt Hodge off of screens. Lewis has some of the best court vision that I’ve seen from a freshman in recent memory. When getting downhill, Lewis is able to finish with either hand near the rim at a high level. I couldn’t get enough of his layup package. Dare I say it was Kyrie-esque.
Lewis’ first season drew a number of parallels to Ryan Arcidiacono’s freshman campaign. Lewis came to Villanova in a down time, started immediately as a freshman, and led the Wildcats back to the tournament. Unfortunately, another parallel is that the Wildcats lost in the 8/9 game. Hopefully, those parallels continue into year two with a jump to a high seed in the tournament.
Where Lewis needs to improve dramatically is in his free-throw and three-point shooting. He rightfully has designs on playing in the NBA someday, and being able to shoot is a must for any shorter guard. Lewis was better as a catch-and-shoot player than off the dribble, but seeing as the ball is in his hands much of the time, he needs to become significantly more efficient in that regard. And simply put: you cannot shoot under 60% from the free-throw line as a guard. Hopefully next season, that percentage is north of 70%.
If Lewis can make those improvements to his shooting, as well as add some strength, there’s no reason to believe that he wouldn’t be on the preseason All-Big East team, and potentially the preseason Big East Player of the Year. And with those preseason honors will come high expectations. Lewis will undoubtedly be compensated more in the coming season, and with that he will be expected to be more impactful in the most important moments.
Regardless, his first season as a Villanova Wildcat was a massive success. I emphasize first season, as I sincerely hope he’s back in the blue and white next year. He’s the exact kind of guard that you try to build around.
PlayStation 5 console prices are rising, and Sony blames the “global economic landscape” Sony has officially confirmed that its PlayStation 5 consoles are set to receive a price hike. All PlayStation 5 console models are affected, including the PlayStation 5 Pro. Baseline consoles will see their prices increase by $100, while the Pro will see […]
The Geekom IT13 is our no.1 mini-PC for its reliably quick performance for productivity tasks, 4K monitor support, and compact design, and it's now on sale for a 33% Amazon Spring Sale discount.
Sony has raised PS5 prices across multiple regions, and early comparisons show Xbox hardware now offers better value in several markets, shifting the pricing landscape between the two platforms.
Alienware announced a refresh for its flagship Area-51 and Aurora gaming laptops at CES 2026, and they're now available to buy from Dell. Best part? The older models are enjoying some heavy discounts.
Stock prices of DRAM manufacturers dipped by as much as 19% over the past 5 days, over the March 24 announcement of Google TurboQuant, a new technology that Google claims will reduce the memory footprint of AI models by a factor of 6, and improve inference speeds by a factor of 8. As of this writing, Micron Technology (NASDAQ: MU) dipped 19.5% over the last 5 days. Over in Korea, SK Hynix saw its stock price drop by 6%, while Samsung Electronics saw a dip by 5%.
TurboQuant is an advanced quantization algorithm developed by Google that delivers massive data compression for LLMs and vector search engines. It effectively tackles memory bottlenecks in the key-value cache and accelerates similarity lookups without sacrificing model accuracy. TurboQuant achieves this efficiency by combining two novel techniques: PolarQuant, which simplifies data geometry using polar coordinates to eliminate traditional memory overhead, and Quantized Johnson-Lindenstrauss (QJL), a 1-bit mathematical error-checker. Capable of compressing the key-value cache to just 3 bits without requiring fine-tuning, TurboQuant enables up to 8x faster runtimes on GPUs, establishing a new standard for AI efficiency.
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Starting this month, using smart TV features on Vizio TVs will require signing in with a Walmart account. It remains unclear which models are affected, but the stipulation will likely apply to all new TV sets. The retail giant confirmed to Ars Technica that users can combine their pre-existing Vizio...
AI deepfakes make trust crypto’s scarcest asset. Proof-of-humanity can become the currency powering finance, governance and markets in the imitation economy.
PlayStation 5 consoles are once again receiving price hikes due to the global economic crisis. The disc and digital editions of the base console are $100 more expensive now, while the PS5 Pro is up $150, now costing $900. You still have a few days to secure these consoles before the new pricing comes into effect from April 2.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled against Sony Music Entertainment in its case against Cox Communications alleging that the ISP is liable for its users' illegal sharing of copyrighted content.
Just six weeks after launching its ad pilot, OpenAI has hit a significant milestone — and the platform is still in its early stages of rollout.
The numbers.
Over $100 million in annualized ad revenue, generated from less than 20% of eligible US free and Go tier users seeing ads daily
Around 85% of Free and Go users are eligible to see ads — meaning the current revenue represents a fraction of the platform’s eventual ad capacity
More than 600 advertisers are now on the platform
What’s coming next.
Self-serve advertiser access is on track to launch in April
Geographic expansion into Canada, Australia, and New Zealand is being explored
OpenAI has hired former Meta ad executive Dave Dugan to lead ad sales
Why we care. ChatGPT’s ad business has scaled to $100 million in annualized revenue in just six weeks — and that’s from less than 20% of eligible users seeing ads today, meaning the inventory is about to get significantly larger.
Self-serve access launching in April is the moment this becomes accessible to the broader advertiser market, not just the 600+ brands currently in the managed pilot. Getting in early, before competition drives up costs, is the same playbook that rewarded early movers in search and social advertising.
The quality picture. OpenAI says fewer than 7% of ads are rated by users as “low relevance” — a metric the company says they are actively focused on improving alongside user trust.
The bigger context. Ads are a key part of OpenAI’s path to profitability ahead of an anticipated IPO. Executives have told investors the company expects to generate more than $17 billion from ChatGPT consumers in 2026 — with advertising representing a meaningful slice of revenue from its free user base.
The bottom line.$100 million in annualized revenue from less than 20% of eligible users in six weeks is a strong early signal. When self-serve access opens in April and the eligible audience expands, the numbers could scale quickly — and advertisers who have been waiting on the sidelines may soon find the platform harder to ignore.
OpenAI have been pumping out the ads ads for free-tier ChatGPT users in the US for over a month now, and early testing suggests they’re more frequent and more targeted than many users might expect.
How often they appear. In a test of 500 questions across the mobile app, roughly one in five questions in a new conversation thread triggered an ad at the bottom of ChatGPT’s response — always as a website link button, always tailored to the topic of the question.
What kind of ads appeared. The range was broad — dog food, hotel bookings, productivity software, cruise vacations, streaming services, corporate credit cards, AI coding tools, and basketball tickets, among others. Travel questions triggered ads most frequently; asking for help planning a trip to Palm Springs surfaced a Booking.com ad that automatically searched for hotels in that location.
The “poaching” dynamic. When a question mentioned a brand by name — DoorDash or Netflix, for example — the ad that appeared was sometimes for a direct competitor. Marketing professors describe this as a longtime staple of digital advertising now migrating to AI.
Why we care. ChatGPT ads are appearing roughly once every five questions on the free tier, with targeting based on conversation topic and memory — making it an emerging channel advertisers should monitor, particularly given the “poaching” dynamic that allows brands to appear against competitor mentions, a tactic already proven in search advertising.
What OpenAI says.
Ads do not influence ChatGPT’s answers
Full conversation content is not shared with advertisers
Ad targeting is based on question topic, past chats, and whatever ChatGPT has stored in memory about the user
Early signals show low ad dismissal rates and no impact on consumer trust metrics
The irony. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman called ads “a last resort” in 2024, saying the mix of “ads plus AI is sort of uniquely unsettling.” The company is now expanding the rollout to Canada, Australia, and New Zealand after its US pilot.
The big picture. Neither Google’s Gemini nor Anthropic’s Claude currently features sponsored ad buttons in outputs — though Google has said it’s not ruling it out. OpenAI is essentially pioneering a new ad format, and how it handles the balance between monetisation and user trust will shape whether AI advertising becomes a lasting industry or a cautionary tale.
Spotted. Digital marketer Glenn Gabe, shared on X how the ads are showing on mobile and confirmed it isn’t showing on Plus accounts.
The bottom line. For advertisers, ChatGPT’s ad inventory is becoming real, even though there is still a long way to go to prove ROI. However the platform’s credibility depends entirely on whether users feel the ads are eroding the experience. That’s a tension worth watching closely as the rollout scales.
You know SEO improves traffic, authority, and trust. What we don’t talk about enough is how a strong SEO foundation can help other channels, including PPC.
This practical case study will show you how performance marketing scales in a high-consideration B2B medical device market and how getting SEO fundamentals firmly in place enables paid media to deliver at scale.
B2B medical device marketing breaks most performance playbooks
Marketing a premium pelvic floor chair has little in common with selling SaaS tools or consumer products. This is a high-ticket medical device with a long sales cycle and a strong reliance on medical expertise.
Buyers include doctors, fitness centers, physiotherapists, urologists, and gynecologists. They ask detailed questions and have high expectations around clinical evidence, credibility, and long-term value.
In markets like this, many common performance tactics fail quickly. Increasing bids, expanding keyword coverage, or testing endless landing page variants doesn’t compensate for a lack of credibility and topical authority.
If potential buyers don’t trust the provider behind the product, no amount of optimization will create sustainable results. That was exactly the situation we faced at the outset of this project.
Starting point: Paid media with limited topical authority
At the end of 2023, we launched our first Google Ads lead generation campaigns. At that stage:
The website wasn’t optimized to modern SEO standards and lacked topical authority.
Conversion tracking was limited, which meant conversions were often attributed to the direct channel.
There were no clearly defined Google Tag Manager (GTM) events in place.
Conversions imported from GA4 meant delayed signals and limited usefulness for bidding algorithms.
Sales were happening, but primarily driven by word of mouth rather than by clearly attributable digital touchpoints.
Still, those early campaigns revealed something valuable. We began seeing our first sales coming through paid search. That wasn’t enough to scale, but it confirmed that search demand existed and could convert once the surrounding system improved.
The turning point: Treating SEO as revenue infrastructure
In mid-2024, we made a deliberate shift, treating SEO as revenue infrastructure instead of a secondary task or a nice-to-have initiative. Rather than focusing on quick ranking wins, the goal became building topical authority in pelvic health and creating the trust layer that paid media depends on, especially in medical markets.
The emphasis was intentionally top-of-funnel. The keyword and content strategy focused on education. We:
Mapped the full informational landscape around pelvic health, pelvic floor therapy, and non-invasive treatment options using Semrush.
Focused on the questions patients actually ask, explanations of treatment mechanisms, and comparisons between different therapeutic approaches. The content avoided aggressive selling and instead aimed to educate clearly and responsibly.
Invested in long-form articles with structured sections, FAQ elements, and embedded videos featuring our physiotherapists. The objective was to build a credible resource that users and search engines would trust over time.
Semrush Position Tracking development
Authority building through medical partnerships
Our most impactful SEO lever was authority and link building. The brand already worked closely with clinics and medical professionals who used the pelvic floor chair in their practices. Instead of relying on traditional outreach or guest posting, we developed a partner-driven backlink strategy.
We provided clinics using our chair with free, ready-to-use content ranging from performance campaign visuals (B2C lead generation) to educational materials and clinical studies on the effectiveness of the technology. In return, the clinics linked to our website from their dedicated product pages, using the content we supplied and creating natural, relevant references.
These weren’t generic backlinks. They came from trusted medical domains, embedded in highly relevant content, and aligned closely with how Google evaluates expertise and trust in healthcare contexts.
Over time, this resulted in steady growth in referring domains and a significant increase in topical authority. As the network graph from our Semrush backlink analysis shows, our strongest referring pages have high authority scores.
Semrush Network Graph for backlink analysis
They originate primarily from fitness studios, physiotherapy practices, and medical clinics. These relationships position the brand at the center of a tightly connected backlink network, reinforcing topical relevance and trust within the healthcare and wellness ecosystem.
By late 2024, the impact was clearly visible. The website ranked number one for the most important generic keywords, such as “Beckenbodenstuhl” (German for pelvic floor chair), and gained visibility across a broad range of related queries.
More importantly, organic visibility began shaping brand perception. Prospects encountered the brand repeatedly during their research phase, often through AI Overviews, long before ever clicking on an ad. SEO has effectively become a trust engine.
How organic dominance reshaped Google Ads performance
This is where paid media behavior started to change. A strong organic presence does more than drive unpaid traffic. It changes how users respond to ads.
When people already recognize a brand from their organic research, paid listings feel familiar and credible rather than intrusive. This is especially true with AI Overviews, where we held top rankings for the most important generic keywords related to our product.
This effect became especially clear in competitor campaigns. Users searching for alternative pelvic floor solutions clicked on our ads because we were a brand they had already encountered organically, and click-through rates reflected that trust.
With authority finally established, we restructured our Google Ads campaigns by:
Focusing on exact match keywords for core intent.
Clearly separating brand, generic, and competitor campaigns.
Bidding aggressively on competitor terms.
This was only possible because landing pages aligned perfectly with user intent and the brand already carried organic credibility.
In several competitor campaigns (competitor names are blurred out), click-through rates reached an astonishing average of 48.29%. In isolation, those numbers might seem unrealistic. In context, they were the natural result of strong organic preconditioning, with AI Overviews playing a major role, and the brand recognition we built through consistent visibility.
Fixing the signal: GTM events and CRM feedback loops
Another major improvement came from conversion tracking. We moved away from GA4-imported conversions and implemented GTM-native events designed specifically around meaningful lead actions.
This provided Google Ads with faster, cleaner signals and significantly improved Smart Bidding performance. In high-ticket B2B and medical markets, signal quality matters far more than volume, and optimizing toward the wrong conversion can do more harm than not optimizing at all.
The final step was closing the loop between marketing and sales. By integrating HubSpot CRM, we tracked lead quality beyond form submissions and identified which leads actually converted into revenue.
That information was fed back into Google Ads, allowing the algorithm to optimize toward outcomes that truly mattered, not just surface-level conversions. In long sales cycles, this feedback loop is essential.
With approximately $12,000 in total ad spend in 2025, the combined SEO and PPC system delivered strong year-over-year growth.
Unit sales driven by SEO and PPC increased by 140% from 2023 to 2024, followed by a further 79% increase in 2025.
Across the full two-year period, this represented more than a fourfold increase in sales volume, with digital marketing playing a central role in influencing revenue throughout a long and complex buying cycle.
This translated into a return on ad spend of approximately 133x, underscoring the compounding effect of aligning organic visibility, paid media, and clean conversion data.
What actually made PPC scale: Trust, signals, and SEO
The biggest takeaway for us was that SEO shouldn’t be viewed solely as a traffic channel. It has a direct impact on the quality of signals fed into paid media platforms, and those signals ultimately determine how well algorithms can optimize.
Paid search only begins to scale once a foundation of trust is in place. In categories where consideration cycles are long and credibility matters, ads perform much better when users already recognize the brand and perceive it as an authority in the field.
Sustainable, high ROAS is rarely the result of a single optimization. It’s built through interconnected systems that align SEO, paid media, tracking, and CRM feedback regarding lead quality.
Performance marketing itself doesn’t fail in complex markets. What fails is the assumption that complexity can be solved with simple tactics.
PostZapAI is an AI-powered social media management platform for creators, agencies, and businesses. Schedule content across 9 platforms – Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Bluesky, Threads, TikTok, and Pinterest – from one dashboard. Claude AI writes platform-specific captions instantly, and a Viral Score Predictor scores your post before you publish. Content Repurpose AI turns any URL into 9 ready posts. It also includes team approval workflows, an India Festival Calendar, unified analytics, and a free Bio Page that replaces Linktree.
Rising fuel prices across Europe are driving a surge in so-called “fuel tourism”, as motorists cross borders to fill up in cheaper neighbouring countries. The trend has intensified in recent days amid higher oil prices […]
Transcend Cruises has signed an agreement with Den Breejen Shipyard for two additional new river ships, bringing its growing fleet to four vessels by 2028. The company said the agreement marks a significant expansion milestone as the company’s inaugural ship, Connect, nears completion and prepares to enter service this July as the first river cruise...
Carnival Corporation has announced financial results for the first quarter 2026 and provided an updated outlook. Diluted EPS of $0.19 and adjusted EPS of $0.20, up 50 percent compared to the prior year. Record revenues of $6.2 billion, gross margin yields up nearly 10 percent and record net yields (in constant currency), outperforming guidance on...
The TRX price is grinding higher while most of the market looks the other way. But behind the charts, something bigger is unfolding. Tron isn’t just another chain just chasing narratives anymore; in fact it’s already running scale.
The ecosystem has billions in USDT that’s a key player for its rising utility and its growth of 366 million users and 13 billion transactions is proof of that. Those aren’t projections. That’s the current usage. And yet, somehow, it still feels under-discussed. And now, today’s move is pushing it into regulation circumference.
Tron quietly dominates real-world blockchain usage today
While other ecosystems chase adoption, Tron seems to have stumbled into it and stayed longer. Massive stablecoin liquidity, consistent transaction throughput, and actual usage in payments and settlements have pushed it into a category most chains haven’t reached.
And now, things are getting official. Anchorage Digital just announced institutional-grade custody and staking support for TRX, effectively bringing Tron inside the U.S. regulatory perimeter.
.@Anchorage, home to America’s first federally chartered crypto bank, today announced that it will now support the TRON Network, bringing secure, institutional-grade custody and infrastructure to one of the largest and most widely used networks in crypto.
But let’s not pretend this is happening in isolation. Tron’s ecosystem is already deeply tied to the stablecoin movement, especially USDT and that’s where the real volume lives.
The combination of institutional custody and existing transaction scale creates a strange dynamic: infrastructure catching up to usage, not the other way around.
And then comes the next layer and that’s AI. A $1 billion TRON AI Fund has been committed to accelerating what’s being called the “agentic economy.” The pitch is simple: automated, machine-to-machine financial flows running on a network built for low-cost, predictable execution.
.@TRONDAO AI Fund is committing $1B to accelerate the agentic economy.
“TRON has the ability to sustain large-scale, real-world transaction volumes with predictable, low-cost execution.
This makes it ideal for repeated, automated interactions such as treasury management,…
Think treasury management, merchant settlements, API-to-API payments. Not flashy. But very real.
TRX price forms bullish reversal with breakout nearing
Now flip back to the charts, because this is where things get interesting.
The TRX price has been steadily climbing since early February, forming what looks like a textbook double bottom pattern. Momentum is building, and price is now pushing toward a key neckline resistance around $0.3200.
But markets don’t move in straight lines. A short-term pullback toward the 200-day EMA wouldn’t be surprising. In fact, it’d probably be healthy. More liquidity, better structure, stronger base.
Still, if that neckline breaks and holds, the next logical target sits near $0.3600. That’s where things could accelerate.
So yeah, while everyone’s busy chasing the next hype cycle, the TRX price is quietly aligning fundamentals, adoption, and structure. And those setups… they tend to matter more than people expect.
Today, the crypto market suddenly dropped by 3.4% within just a few hours, wiping billions from the total market value. At the same time, Bitcoin price fell to a two-week low and is now trading around $66,510.
Other major cryptocurrencies like ETH, XRP, Solana, and AVAX also followed the drop, each falling around 5%. As a result, market sentiment has shifted to extreme fear, with the index at 23.
So, what is really causing the crypto market to crash today?
10 Year U.S Treasury Yields Hit July High
One of the biggest reasons behind the decline is the rising U.S. Treasury yields. The 10-year yield is nearing 4.5%, its highest level since July. Higher yields make risk assets like crypto less attractive as investors shift toward safer returns.
At the same time, the U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) rose 0.57% this week to 100.148. A stronger dollar usually puts pressure on Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. Adding to uncertainty, the MOVE index, which tracks bond market volatility, jumped 18% in just 24 hours.
Analysts also point to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, creating a risk-off environment, pushing traders away from volatile assets like crypto.
Another key factor is a large batch of Bitcoin and Ethereum options expiring this Friday. The total value of expiring contracts stands around $15.58 billion, with Bitcoin accounting for roughly $14 billion. The key level traders are watching is near $75,000, often called the “max pain” point.
Ethereum also has about $2.2 billion worth of options expiring, with a key level around $2,300. Large expiries like this often increase volatility as traders adjust positions before settlement.
$451M Liquidations Hit Market Hard
Long liquidations also accelerated the drop. In the past 24 hours, 122,488 traders were liquidated, totaling $451.59 million. The largest single liquidation occurred on Hyperliquid, involving a BTC-USD position worth $3.96 million.
At the same time, institutional demand has also weakened. Bitcoin ETFs have recorded continued outflows this week, led by BlackRock, followed by Fidelity and Bitwise. This suggests large investors are reducing exposure during the current uncertainty.
As of now, Bitcoin trades near $66,500, down about 4%, while Ethereum hovers around $1,990, also showing notable losses as market pressure continues.
Bitcoin is trading at $66,553, down 3.94% on the day, with the Coinpedia technical analysis gauge reading Strong Sell and the fear and greed index sitting at 23.
For anyone confused about what is driving today’s move specifically, two significant events converged at once.
The Largest Options Expiry of 2026
At 08:00 UTC this morning, $14.16 billion in Bitcoin options expired on Deribit, representing nearly 40% of all open interest on the platform. The max pain level – the price at which the most contracts expire worthless – sat at around $75,000, roughly $9,000 above where Bitcoin is currently trading. When that gap exists, positions unwind mechanically and liquidations follow.
Over $115 million in BTC long positions were wiped in a single hour, with $70 billion erased from the total crypto market in four hours.
The technical picture compounds the pressure.
Crypto Patel noted that Bitcoin is forming the same bear flag pattern that preceded its drop from $89,000 to $60,000 in eight days earlier this year. “A daily close below $66,000 could trigger a massive breakdown targeting $46,000,” he said.
Ran Neuner agreed: “The bear flag just broke down. It’s not good. Could go as low as $50k if we don’t bounce soon.”
Iran Threatens a Second Global Shipping Chokepoint
The geopolitical backdrop intensified today as Iran threatened to block the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the Red Sea gateway through which 12% of global seaborne oil passes, in addition to the Strait of Hormuz, which has been effectively closed since the war escalated.
An Iranian military source said that “the Bab el-Mandeb Strait is considered one of the world’s strategic straits, and Iran has both the will and the ability to create a completely credible threat against it.”
The US Department of Transportation issued a formal advisory on the threat today. If both straits are disrupted simultaneously, the energy route from the Gulf to Europe would be severed end to end.
Gold Up, Bitcoin Down: What the Divergence Shows
Gold is trading at $4,438 today, up 1.36%, while Bitcoin is down nearly 4%. That divergence reflects a pattern that has played out repeatedly since the war began.
When the conflict escalated on February 28, Bitcoin initially fell to $63,106, then recovered to $73,156 within five days as investors rotated out of gold, which had hit record highs above $5,400, and back into crypto. Today that rotation has reversed, with fresh escalation pushing capital back toward traditional safe-haven assets.
Bloomberg Intelligence senior ETF analyst Eric Balchunas described the rotation that drove Bitcoin’s recovery earlier this month: “Traders were like, look, gold had a nice run. Bitcoin’s been beaten up. Let’s rotate into Bitcoin.”
Today, the trade is running in reverse.
What the Data Suggests From Here
Bitcoin ETF outflows hit $171 million on March 26. Ethereum ETFs have now seen seven consecutive days of outflows at $92.54 million, according to Wu Blockchain.
Michaël van de Poppe noted Bitcoin’s weakness heading into month end and said he remains interested in buying in the lower $60K region. The last time Bitcoin dropped sharply on Iran war news, February 28, it recovered 16% within five days. Whether that pattern repeats depends on how the geopolitical situation develops over the weekend.
$66,000 remains the key level. A daily close below it puts the $46,000 bear case in play. A hold keeps the lower $60K range, where at least one major analyst is positioned to buy, as the next significant test.
The ONDO price is on a level that’s eerily familiar and if you’ve been around since early 2024, you know exactly why that matters. The $0.20–$0.30 range isn’t just another support zone. It’s the same demand pocket that previously fueled a run past $2.00. Now? It’s lighting up again, and quietly, accumulation is picking up.
But let’s not romanticize it just yet. This isn’t a straight-line recovery. It’s a slow grind… the kind that usually precedes something bigger or nothing at all.
Demand Zone Awakens Again
Well, on its price action chart, after a heavy correction through 2025 and into Q1 2026, ONDO/USD has drifted right back into that historic accumulation range. And this time, the data suggests it’s not retail chasing shadows.
Whale transaction counts specifically transfers above $100K have clearly surged. That’s not noise. That’s increase in positioning.
At the same time, the MVRV metrics are painting a pretty brutal picture. The 1-year and 2-year MVRV ratios are deeply negative, meaning most holders are underwater. Translation? Pain. But also… potential.
Because historically, that’s where smart money starts stepping in, when most people are in stronger pain and current situation sound like they are in right now.
Tokenization Narrative Gains Strength
Now shift gears for a second. Because fundamentals are starting to creep into the picture.
A $1.7 trillion asset manager has stepped in, yes, that’s not a typo, because it just announced today. Through a partnership between Franklin Templeton and Ondo, tokenized ETFs are being brought onchain. We’re talking exposure to U.S. equities, fixed income, and even gold… without needing a brokerage account.
That’s a big deal. Investors can now use these tokenized assets as collateral or plug them into DeFi ecosystems. And the broader tokenized real-world asset (RWA) market? It’s grown roughly 360% since 2025, now sitting at $26.5 billion.
A $1.7T asset manager just tokenized its ETFs.
In a Bloomberg exclusive, Franklin Templeton and Ondo announced a partnership to bring tokenized versions of Franklin Templeton ETFs onchain, spanning U.S. equities, fixed income, and gold.
But you know the fact is that narratives alone don’t move charts anymore, the sector is not a micro niche anymore and niche that has transitioned mostly to macro. They need timing. And right now, ONDO price is sitting at a crossroads where narrative meets structure.
ONDO Price Targets And Risk Zones
So, odds suggests that if this accumulation phase actually translates into momentum, the first major test sits at the 200-day EMA band around $0.46. Clear that, and suddenly $0.75 doesn’t look so far-fetched, either.
But, there’s always a but because its not that easy for price to rise because if the catalyst fizzles out again, then expect more sideways chop. Maybe weeks. Maybe months.
Because without fresh demand, accumulation just becomes… stagnation.
Short-term MVRV is already hinting at improvement, with 30-day metrics moving toward breakeven. That’s usually the first sign of life. But it’s not confirmation. Not yet.
Still, one thing’s clear based on ONDO price analysis and it clearly points that this asset isn’t dead, yet. It’s just waiting. And whether this turns into a breakout or another drawn-out consolidation depends entirely on what comes next.
Friday, 27 March, The Cryptocurrency market turned red amid the ongoing geopolitical uncertainties over risky assets. Bitcoin lost its $70,000 strong region and slipped below to the $67,000. Ethereum, Solana, and major cryptocurrencies face decline.
In this bearish crypto trend, a few altcoins, Stargate(STG), Ondo Finance, Canton, LayerZero, and Chillz network moved bullish. Their price action, fundamentals, and community sentiments still point towards continued upward momentum.
STG Coin Looks Strong
Stargate Finance, STG, hit a yearly high today at $0.2818 after the announcement of being acquired by LayerZero. STG can now be supplemented directly with ZRO with a 1:1 ratio.
Currently trading at $0.2794 with 52% surge in 24 hours and a 24-hour trading volume growth of massive 724%, a 40%-45% surge in 2h. STG coin also experiences activity in both Spot and features, and the TVL too remained near neutral at $1.2 m.
STG/USDT 4-hour chart shows the price spiked long out of the upward channel, and also near the second bar of ascending resistance.
Stargate STG
The price now is above all the Fibonacci and EMA’s, the RSI at 80 is in the overbought zone with trend sidelined, not declined.
With the social media sentiment, increasing volume SGT shows sideways movement for a few sessions and makes higher highs and higher lows. If Sertup goes right $0.3 is a psychological resistance.
If the trend is reversed, we have support levels at $0.25 and $ 0.17.
ONDO loses strength midway
Ondo Finance surged today to a high of $0.289 and is currently trading at $0.268 with 24h rally of 4.81%. This growth came after its partnership announcement with Franklin Templeton.
The Partnerships yield tojenoce 5 of Franklin’s tokens on the Ondo Global Markets platform. Later, the ETF will be made available to the US market with Defi usability.
ONDO/USDT 4-hour chart shows the price action in a slightly down-facing channel, where $0,29 acting as a strong resistance zone.
Ondo Finance
The short-term picture for Ondo coin looks constructive as the price sits above SMA-20 and SMA-50 at $0.2604, and the Ichimoku Kijun at $0.2664 adds a support level just below.
The RSI is at 55 in corrective mode. The Average Directional Index ( ADX) shows the Ondo coin trend is loosening but facing upwards. A 2 candle close above $0.2753 will trigger buyers again.
In case of invalidation, $0.2388 is at the lower Support
Canton, CC, needs a push.
Canton network’s native coin, Canton(CC), is among the gainers’ list in this negative market momentum. The crypto surged to the daily high of $0.147 from a low of $0.134. This surge was due to the news of Visa becoming a Canton super validator.
Canton Netework (CC)
As seen on CC/USDT, Canton is moving in a downward triangle channel pattern with a strong support at $0.1415 and resistance at $0.1483. RSI is sitting at 50 neutral, with neutral momentum. Watch for the trend confirmation of a close above $$0.1483.
XRP price analysis shows the market entering a critical phase as conflicting signals begin to emerge beneath the surface. With XRP price trading around $1.33, derivatives data reflects a sharp increase in open interest, pointing to growing trader participation. At the same time, liquidation heatmaps reveal clearly defined liquidity zones, suggesting that price is now trading between key levels where strong reactions are likely.
This combination of rising positioning and structured liquidity zones often precedes significant moves. As volatility compresses and pressure builds, XRP appears to be approaching a decisive moment where the next breakout could define its short-term trend.
XRP Open Interest Climbs, Signaling Volatility Expansion
Recent derivatives data shows XRP’s open interest climbing to 14.8%, marking a notable increase in leveraged positioning across major exchanges.
This rise reflects renewed interest from traders positioning ahead of a potential move. Typically, such increases signal that the market is preparing for expansion, as both long and short positions build simultaneously. However, higher open interest also introduces increased volatility. As leverage builds, price movements tend to accelerate, often leading to sharp directional moves once key levels are tested.
In XRP’s current structure, the rise in open interest suggests that the market is coiling for a breakout, with positioning building ahead of a potential volatility expansion phase.
XRP Liquidation Map Identifies Key Support and Resistance Zones
Liquidation heatmap data provides a clearer picture of where liquidity is concentrated, helping define XRP’s key reaction zones. A dense cluster of liquidity is visible around the $1.25–$1.30 region, establishing this area as a strong support zone. This level has consistently attracted buying interest, as liquidity below it creates conditions for potential rebounds.
On the upside, significant liquidation concentration is observed near $1.45, marking it as an immediate resistance level. Beyond that, a larger liquidity pocket exists between $1.90 and $2.00, which could act as a major barrier if bullish momentum develops. These zones do not indicate weakness but rather highlight where price is likely to react. Markets are naturally drawn toward liquidity, and XRP is currently positioned between these key levels, suggesting that the next move may be driven by a liquidity sweep rather than gradual momentum.
Sharpe Ratio Turns Positive, Suggesting Stabilization
Amid rising activity, XRP’s Sharpe Ratio has turned positive, indicating an improvement in risk-adjusted returns. This shift suggests that recent price performance is becoming more efficient relative to volatility, pointing to early signs of stabilization.
While not yet confirming a strong bullish trend, it reflects a transition from weaker conditions toward a more balanced market environment. Historically, such improvements often precede more sustained price movements, as stability returns beneath short-term fluctuations.
XRP Price Analysis: What’s Next for XRP?
XRP price is trading within a defined range between support and resistance liquidity zones. The $1.25–$1.30 region remains a critical support level. Holding this zone is essential for maintaining the current structure and preventing further downside.
On the upside, $1.45 acts as the immediate resistance level. A breakout above this zone could trigger a move toward the $1.90–$2.00 region, where the next major liquidity cluster sits. While a break below $1.20 could push XRP price toward the $1.05-$1.10 range. As price continues to compress within this range, the likelihood of a breakout increases. The direction of this move will largely depend on which liquidity zone is tested and cleared first.
Final Words
XRP is currently positioned in a high-liquidity, high-volatility environment, where multiple signals are converging. The rise in open interest highlights growing participation, while liquidation heatmaps define clear reaction zones. At the same time, improving risk metrics suggest that the market may be stabilizing beneath the surface. This setup typically leads to decisive price action, as markets move toward liquidity clusters before establishing direction.
If XRP breaks above resistance with strong follow-through, it could initiate a recovery phase. However, a move below support may trigger a downside liquidity sweep before any sustained upside develops. For now, XRP remains in a compression phase, where the next move is likely to be sharp, fast, and driven by liquidity dynamics rather than gradual sentiment shifts.
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Samsung recently released a new Camera Assistant update with version 4.5.00.20, but Galaxy S26 users should be careful. The update brings some improvements, but it also has a frustrating bug.
The main change in this update is the 24MP photo option. Before, it was hidden in the advanced settings, so many people didn’t notice it. Now, Samsung has moved it to the main settings screen.This makes it easier and faster to switch to 24MP mode without going through multiple menus.
The 24MP mode gives better photo detail than the regular 12MP mode but avoids the problems of very high-resolution photos. Also, the update is reported to improve camera stabilization, helping you take clearer photos even if your hands shake slightly.
However, there’s a big issue with this update. Many Galaxy S26 users report (via @Wvisioncreation) that switching between 12MP and 24MP doesn’t work properly.After switching away from 24MP, the camera sometimes won’t go back unless you wait, try again, or restart your phone. This bug keeps repeating, which can be very annoying for anyone who likes using both modes.
While the update makes the 24MP option easier to use and improves stabilization, the bug reduces its usefulness. Many users are frustrated because updates are supposed to fix problems, not create new ones.
For now, Galaxy S26 owners might want to avoid updating to version 4.5.00.20 until Samsung releases a fix. It’s always good to check user reports before installing updates, mainly when a new feature comes with bugs.
The update improves 24MP access and camera stability, but the switching bug makes it less reliable. Galaxy S26 users should wait for a more stable version before updating. Stay tuned for more information.
Currys has launched its Easter sale right now with discounts of up to 40% available across thousands of products, so I've searched the sale and hand-picked the 16 best deals on top-rated tech we love.
The tech giant's claim that it has not seen any successful spyware attacks targeting Apple devices with Lockdown Mode enabled comes amid a leak of hacking tools targeting users running devices with older software.
Garmin claims to have improved its Garmin Coach service across multiple high-end smartwatches. Also featuring a potential Garmin Connect issue, v26.06 is currently being beta tested across Enduro 2, Fenix 7, Quatix 7 and Marq Gen 2 smartwatches with Pro versions to follow.
iQoo has launched two new smartphones, the Z11 and the Z11x, in China. iQoo packs massive batteries in both smartphones. To be more precise, the former ships with a 9,020 mAh battery, while the latter comes with a 7,050 mAh cell. The Z11 features an AMOLED panel and a Dimenity 8500 chipset.
Philips has revealed a new 240 Hz OLED gaming monitor backed by RGB Q-Stripe technology. Spanning 32-inches, the Evnia 32M2N8900X surpasses its predecessor in several areas.
The Creality Sermoon P1 is an all-in-one professional 3D scanner for fast, accurate capture with built-in processing as well as flexible scanning modes. A current promotion bundles the scanner with a SPARKX i7 3D printer for free.
Omnissa says Windows devices in its enterprise telemetry dataset saw 3.1 times more forced shutdowns than macOS in 2025, alongside higher crash and app-hang rates.
Xiaomi has launched a new budget smartphone with 5G connectivity. Also featuring MicroSD card expansion and a 3.5 mm jack, the new release combines this hardware with a massive battery and a 120 Hz display. The Redmi 15A 5G will receive updates until 2032, too.
PocketBook has released its latest Onyx Boox alternative in the US. Priced to undercut Onyx Boox's equivalent 10.3-inch E Ink tablets, the PocketBook InkPad One also includes a stylus for note-taking purposes.
Deal | The LG UltraPC 16 (2023) is now on sale at Staples for much less than the MSRP of MacBook Neo. However, despite costing less than $500, the LG UltraPC 16 features 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage, both of which are double the amount of RAM and storage that you get in the MacBook Neo.
The Kwynex is a new modular mechanical keyboard featuring a detachable touchscreen and fingerprint sensor for biometric authentication. The display also offers a rather high 4K resolution and an ultrawide aspect ratio.
Apple was founded in 1976, so the iPhone manufacturer is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. One of the most unusual products to celebrate this anniversary is the Jobs Limited Edition of the Apple iPhone 17 Pro, which includes a piece of the Apple founder's turtleneck sweater.
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is here, and for yet another year, we get a rather modest upgrade over the previous generation. And at this point, it has become an age-old question: should you go for the newer Galaxy or the older Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra will do just fine?
With Samsung's long software support promise of 7 years of OS upgrades and security patches, the latest generation has one fewer advantage over the older one, so even if you choose to go for the S25 Ultra, you won't be missing out on important software upgrades.
Despite the lack of proper hardware upgrades, the Galaxy...
As expected, Tecno has unveiled its latest Spark series smartphone in India. The Spark 50 is a 5G phone that comes with a 6,500mAh battery and a Dimensity 6400 chipset. It will be available for purchase starting April 3.
The handset comes with a 6.78-inch display with an HD+ resolution and a refresh rate of 120Hz. It’s an LCD panel that offers up to 560 nits brightness and 240Hz touch sampling rate.
You get a 6nm octa-core MediaTek Dimensity 6400 SoC with a Mali-G57 MC2 GPU. The phone can be configured with up to 6GB LPDDR4x RAM and 128GB UFS 2.2 storage. There’s a microSD card slot...
The American winger, already under scrutiny due to his recent dip in form, now finds himself at the center of a growing concern tied to international duty.
The situation surrounding Christian Pulisic has taken a tense turn as Massimiliano Allegri monitors his condition closely at Milan. The American winger, already under scrutiny due to his recent dip in form, now finds himself at the center of a growing concern tied to international duty. What initially appeared to be a routine international break has evolved into a potential complication for his club.
At club level, Pulisic’s season has been marked by inconsistency. After a strong start, injuries disrupted his rhythm, and he has yet to score in 2026, raising pressure as the Rossoneri continue their push in the Scudetto race. While his recent assist against Torino offered a glimpse of recovery, questions remain about whether the 27-year-old winger can sustain his impact during the decisive stretch.
With multiple players departing for international duty, Milan faces a delicate balancing act between maintaining momentum and managing player fitness. The United Statesnational team has scheduled high-profile friendlies, placing additional physical and mental demands on key players like Pulisic.
Behind the scenes, however, a deeper concern has emerged. The issue is not just about form or fitness. It is about the hidden toll of the international schedule, something that could significantly affect the player’s readiness upon his return to club duty.
Christian Pulisic of the USMNT
In fact, Pulisic is expected to travel approximately 15,328 kilometers (9,524 miles) within just a few days during the international break, raising serious doubts about his ability to return fully rested and match-fit for Milan’s crucial upcoming fixtures.
Travel strain raises alarm for Allegri
According toLa Gazzetta dello Sport, Milan’s international players will collectively travel over 100,000 kilometers (62,137 miles) during the break, with Pulisic among the most affected. This extensive travel is not just a logistical detail; it is a physical challenge.
Long-haul flights, time zone changes, and limited recovery time can significantly impact performance, especially for a player already managing form and fitness issues. Allegri’s concern is rooted in past experiences, where international breaks have led to injuries within the squad.
The timing is particularly problematic. Milan faces a crucial match against Napoli immediately after the break, and any drop in Pulisic’s condition could weaken the team’s attacking options at a pivotal moment in the title race.
Christian Pulisic of AC Milan in action during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Parma Calcio 1913
International duty adds pressure ahead of World Cup
For Pulisic, the stakes extend beyond club play. The upcoming friendlies against Belgium and Portugal are not just preparation matches, but key moments in the national team’s build-up to the 2026 World Cup. Performances in these games carry significant weight, influencing selection decisions and tactical planning.
This dual responsibility places the USMNT star in a demanding position. He must balance delivering for his national team while preserving his fitness for the Italian side’s domestic ambitions. The compressed schedule leaves little room for recovery, amplifying the risk of fatigue or injury.
Christian Pulisic (left) and Massimiliano Allegri (right)
The soccer world was expecting a blockbuster clash as Lionel Messi prepared to lead Argentina against the rising force of Lamine Yamal and Spain.
The soccer world was expecting a blockbuster clash as Lionel Messi prepared to lead Argentina against the rising force of Lamine Yamal and Spain. The Finalissima 2026 fixture, scheduled for March 27, promised a rare intercontinental showdown between two champions, blending experience and youth on one stage. Anticipation had been building for months, with fans eager to witness one of the most symbolic matchups in international soccer.
Yet, despite all expectations, the highly anticipated clash is not taking place today. The sudden absence of the fixture has left many questioning what exactly changed in the final days leading up to the scheduled date. What was supposed to be a celebration of global soccer excellence has instead turned into one of the most puzzling developments of the international calendar.
The narrative surrounding the match has been filled with speculation. From logistical challenges to disagreements between governing bodies, multiple factors appeared to complicate the situation behind the scenes.
However, the Argentina vs Spain Finalissima 2026 clash is not taking place because the match was officially cancelled following security and logistical concerns linked to the geopolitical situation in the Middle East, alongside failed attempts to relocate or reschedule the fixture.
It is with great disappointment that we confirm the cancellation of the 2026 Finalissima, due to circumstances and scheduling constraints that made the match impossible to reschedule.
According to UEFA, “due to the current political situation in the region, the Finalissima between UEFA EURO 2024 winners Spain and CONMEBOL Copa América 2024 champions Argentina cannot be played as hoped in Qatar on 27 March.”
The match was originally scheduled to take place at Lusail Stadium in Qatar, a venue known for hosting major international events. However, escalating conflict in the Middle East created serious safety concerns, including travel disruptions and airspace restrictions, making it impossible to guarantee the security of players, officials, and fans.
Despite Qatar’s proven ability to host large tournaments, governing bodies ultimately determined that the broader instability in the region posed too great a risk. As a result, the decision was made to cancel the match rather than proceed under uncertain conditions.
General view inside the Lusail stadium, what would’ve been the Finalissima’s venue.
Attempts to save it and what comes next for both teams
Before reaching that conclusion, organizers explored several alternatives. Proposals included moving the match to the Santiago Bernabeu, staging a two-legged tie between Madrid and Buenos Aires, or finding a neutral European venue.
However, none of these solutions proved viable. Disagreements between federations over scheduling, venue neutrality, and competitive balance prevented a compromise. Spain’s tight calendar and Argentina’s preference for specific conditions further complicated negotiations.
🎙️ “Desde el primer momento hemos querido jugar la Finalissima”.
➡️ “Aprovecho para felicitar a la @rfef por el trabajazo que ha hecho para disputar este partido por todos los medios y los que vamos a jugar finalmente”.
— Selección Española Masculina de Fútbol (@SEFutbol) March 20, 2026
La Roja’s coach, Luis de la Fuente, highlighted the situation: “Everybody knows my disposition was to play the Finalissima… Two don’t play if one doesn’t, and we wanted to play.” His comments reflected the frustration on the European side as talks ultimately broke down.
With the Finalissima cancelled, both teams have shifted focus. Spain will face Serbia as part of its March schedule, using the opportunity to evaluate players ahead of the World Cup. Argentina, meanwhile, continues preparations through alternative friendlies against Mauritania and Zambia, prioritizing squad cohesion and tactical readiness.
Spain's Lamine Yamal and Argentina's Lionel Messi.
considers himself the greatest fighter of his generation, but admits the all-time number one spot belongs to another man. The 38-year-old called time on his glittering career last December, several months after he became a three-division undisputed champion against Canelo Alvarez. Prior to their September showdown, many questioned whether Crawford, who claimed his first world […]
The BYD Sealion 7 is the best-selling car in Albania in February.
Our local partner CE Auto shows the Albanian new care market standing at 1,050 units in February and 1,903 year-to-date. This month BYD monopolises the Top 5 with the Sealion 7 at #1 with 16.6% share followed by the Yuan Plus at 14.3% and the Seagull at 12.7%. The Yuan Plus and Song Plus complete the Top 5 with the Tang at #7 and the Fang Cheng Bao Tai3 at #9. The Skoda Kamiq, China-imported VW Tharu and Skoda Scala are the only non-BYD models in the Top 10.
According to local consultancy CE Auto, new car sales in Serbia are up 10.5% year-on-year in February to 2,380 and up 7.8% year-to-date to 4,225. The Skoda Octavia is stable and reclaims the pole position it held over the Full Year 2025, toppling the Skoda Fabia (+106.8%) down to #3 for the month but surging year-on-year. The Fabia stays #1 year-to-date with a tiny 5-sales gap over the Octavia. In fact Skoda monopolises the Top 4 with the Kamiq (+32.5%) at #2 and Karoq (+78.4%) at equal #3. Skoda also places the Scala at #8 and the Superb at #9.
Futbolda 2025-2026 sezonu kulüp lisans süreci tamamlandı. Lisans alanlar ve eksikleri tamamlayamayanlar belli oldu.
Futbolda 2025-2026 sezonu kulüp lisans süreci tamamlanırken, en üst 3 ligde yer alan kulüplerden 11'i UEFA, 58'i ulusal lisans almaya hak kazandı.
Türkiye Futbol Federasyonundan yapılan açıklamada, TFF Kulüp Lisans Kurulunun Ulusal Kulüp Lisans Sistemi kapsamında Trendyol Süper Lig, Trendyol 1. Lig ve Nesine 2. Lig'de yer alan kulüplerin başvurularını; sportif, sosyal ve çevresel sürdürülebilirlik, altyapı, personel-idari, hukuki ve mali kriterlere göre incelediği belirtildi.
İnceleme neticesinde Süper Lig'den 6, 1. Lig'den 12 ve 2. Lig'den 17 kulübe ulusal lisans verildiği aktarıldı.
Eksikliklerini tamamlayamayan Adana Demirspor, MKE Ankaragücü, Adanaspor, Yeni Malatyaspor, Bucaspor 1928, Merkür Jet Erbaaspor ve İskenderunspor'a ise 3'er puan silme cezası uygulandığı bildirildi.
Böylece 2025-2026 sezonunda en üst 3 ligde yer alan kulüplerden 11'inin UEFA, 58'inin ise ulusal lisans sahibi olduğu kaydedildi. Turkcell Kadın Futbol Süper Ligi'nde mücadele eden 5 kulübün de UEFA lisansı almaya hak kazandığı ifade edildi.
Son incelemenin ardından ulusal lisans almaya hak kazanan kulüpler şöyle:
Süper Lig: TÜMOSAN Konyaspor, Hesap.com Antalyaspor, Zecorner Kayserispor, Mısırlı.com.tr Fatih Karagümrük, Kocaelispor, Natura Dünyası Gençlerbirliği
TFF, A Milli Futbol Takımı aday kadrosunda bulunan santrfor Semih Kılıçsoy'un Ümit Milli Takım'a geçtiğini duyurdu.
A Milli Futbol Takımı aday kadrosunda bulunan santrfor Semih Kılıçsoy, Ümit Milli Takım kadrosuna alındı.
Türkiye Futbol Federasyonunun açıklamasına göre 2026 FIFA Dünya Kupası play-off maçları için A Milli Takım aday kadrosuna davet edilen Semih, Romanya ile dün oynanan karşılaşmanın ardından Ümit Milli Takım aday kadrosuna geçti.
2027 UEFA Avrupa 21 Yaş Altı Şampiyonası finallerine gidebilmek için Hırvatistan ile grup liderliği mücadelesi veren ve maç fazlasıyla liderlik koltuğunda oturan Ümit Milli Takım, rakibiyle 31 Mart'ta deplasmanda kritik bir müsabakaya çıkacak. Osijek kentindeki Opus Arena'da oynanacak maç, TSİ 18.30'da başlayacak.
Kötü bir sezon geçiren Efes, Fransız pivotu Vincent Poirier ile yollarını ayırmaya hazırlanıyor.
Sezon başında geçirdiği diz sakatlığı sonrası ameliyat olan ancak geri döndükten sonra bir türlü istenilen form seviyesini yakalayamayan Fransız pivotun, Efes ile 2027 yazına kadar sözleşmesi bulunuyordu. Bu sezon Poirier, Efes’in 34 Euroleague maçından sadece 12’sinde forma giyip, 7,2 sayı ve 4,1 ribaunt ortalaması tutturdu. Hatırlanacağı üzere Poirier, Efes’e 2025 yazında 4 sezon formasını giydiği R.Madrid’den gelmişti.
Kulübün açıklamasına göre Kemerburgaz Metin Oktay Tesisleri'nde, teknik direktör Okan Buruk yönetimindeki antrenman, salonda kuvvet çalışmasıyla başladı.
Sahada koşu ve topa sahip olma uygulamalarıyla süren idman, çift kale maçla tamamlandı.
Galatasaray, 31 Mart Salı günü yapacağı antrenmanla hazırlıklarına sürdürecek.
Sarı-kırmızılı takım, Trendyol Süper Lig'in 28. haftasında 4 Nisan Cumartesi günü Trabzonspor'a konuk olacak.
Amed Sportif Faaliyetler Kulübü, FIFA'nın verdiği transfer yasağının kaldıralacağını açıkladı.
Amed Sportif Faaliyetler Kulübü, futbolcu Bobby Adekanye'nin transferine ilişkin doğan bonservis bedeli nedeniyle açılan dosyada gerekli ödemenin yapıldığını ve geçici transfer yasağının kaldırılacağını bildirdi.
Kulüpten yapılan açıklamada, Hollanda'nın Go Ahead Eagles Kulübünden 8 Ocak 2025'te transfer edilen Adekanye'nin bonservis bedeline ilişkin ilgili kulübün FIFA'ya başvuruda bulunduğu belirtildi.
Söz konusu ödemenin kulüp tarafından gerçekleştirildiği aktarılan açıklamada, ödeme belgelerinin FIFA'nın ilgili sistemlerine yüklenmesinin ardından geçici transfer yasağının kaldırılacağı ifade edildi.
21 yaşadək futbolçulardan ibarət Azərbaycan millisi (U-21) bu gün Avropa çempionatının seçmə mərhələsi çərçivəsində növbəti sınağına çıxıb.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, AÇ-2027-nin seçmə mərhələsinin B qrupunda yer almış millimiz 6-cı oyununda doğma meydanda Portuqaliyanın müvafiq yaş qrupundan ibarət komandası ilə qarşılaşıb.
Bakıdakı 8-ci km stadionunda təşkil edilmiş oyunun baş hakimi yunanıstanlı Xristos Vergetis olub. Ona həmyerliləri Andreas Fotopulos və Konstantinos Staikos kömək ediblər. Dördüncü hakim funksiyasını Aleksandros Katsikoyannis yerinə yetirib.
İlk hissəsi qolsuz bitmiş oyun komandamız üçün uğursuz alınıb. İkinci hissədə 4 cavabsız qol buraxmış yığmamız ağır məğlubiyyətə üzülüb.
Xatırladaq ki, U-21 yığmamız daha öncə keçirdiyi 5 oyunda 2 heç-heçə və 2 məğlubiyyət görüb, 1 qələbə qazanmışdı. Komandamız hazırda 5 xalla 5-ci sırada qərarlaşıb. Keçirdiyi 6 oyunun 5-də qalib gəlib, 1-də heç-heçə etmiş Portuqaliya yığması isə 16 xalla qrup lideridir.
AÇ-2027-nin seçmə mərhələsi B qrupu 27 mart
Azərbaycan – Portuqaliya 0:4 Qollar: Qonsalo Moreyra, 51. Tyaqo Parente, 54. Yussef Parente, 66. Joao Simoes, 75. Hakimlər: Xristos Vergetis, Andreas Fotopulos, Konstantinos Staikos, Aleksandros Katsikoyannis (Yunanıstan). Bakı. 8-ci km stadionu. Saat 15:00.
Azərbaycan: 22. Xəyal Fərzullayev, 2. Eşqin Əhmədov, 3. Rüfət Abbasov, 5. Emin Rüstəmov (k), 7. Murad Məmmədov, 10. Edqar Adilxanov, 11. Nahid Əliyev, 15. Oruc Məmmədov, 18. Raul Məmmədov, 19. Əkbər Eyyubov, 20. Şahin Şahniyarov. Ehtiyat oyunçular: 1. Səlim Həşimov, 4. Elgün Dünyamalıyev, 6. Bilal İsmayılov, 8. Emil Süleymanov, 9. Şahin İbrahimov, 13. Nuğay Rəşidov, 14. Nadir Orucov, 21. Okan Təhməzli, 23. Nihad Əhmədzadə. Baş məşqçi: Rəşad Eyyubov.
“Arsenal”ın baş məşqçisi Mikel Arteta “topçular”ın 24 yaşlı ingiltərəli sağ cinah hücumçusu Noni Madueke haqda qənaətini açıqlayıb.
Arena.az ispan mütəxəssisin müvafiq açıqlamasını təqdim edir:
“Fikrimcə, Noni xasiyyətə malikdir. O, xüsusən meydanda işlər pis getdikdə, meydana çıxıb müdaxilə etməyə və oyuna təsir göstərməyə qabildir. Onun müəyyən keyfiyyətləri var ki, uğura müvəffəq ola bilər”, deyə Arteta vurğulayıb.
“Arsenal”ın baş məşqçisi “topçular”ın müstəsna cəhəti ilə bağlı qənaətini də açıqlayıb:
“Qələbəyə doğru yorulmaz surətdə can atmağımız… Bu, komandamızın ən yaxşı xüsusiyyətlərindəndir”, deyə Mikel Arteta vurğulayıb.
Xatırladaq ki, “Arsenal” İngiltərə Premyer Liqasının cari mövsümündə 31 oyuna topladığı 70 xalla vahid liderdir. “Topçular” 21 qələbə qazandıqları halda 7 heç-heçə ediblər, 3 məğlubiyyətə üzülüblər. London təmsilçisi bu mövsüm çempionluğa əsas namizəd hesab olunurlar.
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Fenerbahçe'de derbi hariç her şey konuşuluyor!
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Salah Galatasaray'a gelebilir! Suudi Arabistan ihtimali düştü
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yeahhh he really doesn’t want to play for yous 
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How to watch IndyCar at Barber: Weekend schedule, start time, TV
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McLaren: We’re still behind Mercedes and Ferrari despite topping FP2 in Japan
Rising fuel prices across Europe are driving a surge in so-called “fuel tourism”, as motorists cross borders to fill up in cheaper neighbouring countries. The trend has intensified in recent days amid higher oil prices […] 
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The BYD Sealion 7 is the best-selling car in Albania in February.
The Skoda Karoq ranks #3 in Serbia in February.
