Prediction: Brighton and Hove Albion to win 2-0 Best Odds: 11/1 Bookmaker: Zetbet Newcastle United and Brighton and Hove Albion will lock horns with each other in the Premier League this coming weekend. The match between Eddie Howe’s side and Fabian Hurzeler’s team will be held at St. James’ Park and is scheduled to kick […]
NEW DELHI: Angkrish Raghuvanshi, who plays for Kolkata Knight Riders, has been fined 20% of his match fee and given one demerit point for breaking the IPL Code of Conduct during a match against Lucknow Super Giants.
The incident happened after he was given out for obstructing the field. Upset with the decision, Raghuvanshi hit the boundary cushion with his bat and threw his helmet in frustration.
The IPL confirmed the punishment in an official statement. "Angkrish Raghuvanshi, batter and wicket-keeper, Kolkata Knight Riders, has been fined 20% of his match fee and has also accumulated one Demerit Point for breaching Level 1 of the IPL's Code of Conduct for Players and Team Officials during Match No. 38 against Lucknow Super Giants," the IPL statement said.
The league further explained the exact reason for the action. "Raghuvanshi was found to have breached Article 2.2 of the IPL's Code of Conduct, which relates to 'abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during a Match.' The incident occurred in the 5th over, when, after being given out for 'obstructing the field', Raghuvanshi struck the boundary cushion with his bat in an aggressive manner and subsequently threw his helmet into the dugout in a similar manner," the statement added.
Raghuvanshi accepted the offence and the punishment. Level 1 breaches usually lead to fines or warnings depending on how serious the act is.
Despite the controversy, the match itself was a thriller. KKR edged past LSG in a Super Over after both teams scored 155.
Rinku Singh played a key role with an unbeaten 83, helping KKR recover from a shaky start.
LSG forced a Super Over thanks to a last-ball six, but KKR held their nerve to win, with Rinku earning Player of the Match.
Barrett, from Duloe, drew inspiration for his costume from his Kubota M7-154 tractor [Michael Barrett]
A Cornish dairy farmer has completed the 2026 TCS London Marathon dressed as a tractor.
Michael Barrett said he was attempting to break the Guinness World Record for fastest marathon dressed as a heavy duty vehicle (male); as well as raising money for charity, which saw him get sponsorship from the manufacturer of the tractor that his costume was based on.
Barrett ultimately crossed the finish line about 30 minutes behind the 2021 record of 4 hours 50 minutes and 54 seconds, in part due to what he called a "costume malfunction".
He said: "It was tough. It was very hot, which didn't help, but it was very enjoyable."
Barrett, from Duloe, near Liskeard, drew inspiration from his Kubota M7-154 tractor and used bath panels from his bathroom renovation to create a lightweight costume.
The bath panels were attached to an aluminium frame, with bucket lids as wheels, a roof panel, exhaust pipe, and completed with an orange flashing LED beacon.
He said: "I had a swimming pool rubber ring around my waist to stop the costume from swinging around too much and that got a puncture about 4.5 miles [7.2km] in.
"I'm not sure how much it affected things, but it affects you mentally."
He said: "The record was four hours and 50 minutes. Unfortunately, I did five hours and 23 minutes.
"The end game was completing it."
Barrett, who ran a sub-four hour London Marathon in 2010, said the crowd had been "amazing" but "that's definitely it now".
"I don't think I'll worry about doing another one now. I've done two and one was a bit of out of the ordinary, so I'm done," he said.
The farmer was aiming to raise £6,500 for Cornwall Hospice Care and exceeded his target by more than £600.
He said he was "overwhelmed" by the response to his fundraising.
"Everyone has been so generous and for Kobuta and [tractor sellers] Vincents to sponsor me. It's been brilliant."
It wasn't hard to find mock drafts predicting edge rusher Rueben Bain would be off the board in the first 10 picks, but it wound up being a little later in the first round before his name was called.
Bain remained available until the Buccaneers plucked him with the 15th overall selection, which is often the kind of scenario that leads to players saying they'll have an extra chip on their shoulder toward the teams that passed on him. Bain avoided going to that well in his first press conference with the Bucs, however.
Bain said his "mindset is always to have a bit of edge to me" and that his experience with the draft last Thursday isn't going to alter that.
"I feel like it won't change anything," Bain said, via a transcript from the team. "My motivation is myself. I always want to be the best player on the field no matter what. No outside factor is going to kind of weigh into that. I'm going to play the game just as if I was playing anybody else – that's with all my effort. When you see that, people are going to see the kind of player I am."
Bucs General Manager Jason Licht said it was a pleasant surprise that Bain was available to the team with the 15th pick and they'll continue to celebrate their good fortune if his college production carries over to the NFL ranks.
Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James isn’t going to sugarcoat it, he played a significant role in the team getting blown out by the Houston Rockets in Game 4 on Sunday. James shouldered the blame for the loss after the game, saying the Lakers’ struggles “started with me, obviously.”
It was an extremely muted performance for James, who scored 10 points on 2-of-9 shooting in the 115-96 loss. His struggles from the field were one thing, but his game-leading eight turnovers were what stuck with James following the game. "My turnovers were unacceptable,” he told ESPN.
It was a frustrating performance for most members of the Lakers, who were without both Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves in the loss. James wasn’t the only member of the team who struggled, with both Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard going 3-of-8 from the field.
The one Lakers player who stepped up in the contest didn’t make it to the fourth quarter. Center Deandre put up 19 points before he was ejected in the third quarter after elbowing Alperen Şengün in the head. After the contest, members of the Lakers and Şengün said they didn’t think Ayton should have been ejected for his actions.
With the loss, the Lakers still lead the series 3-1. Prior to Game 4, Houston has struggled without Kevin Durant, who has missed three of the four games in the series due to two different injuries.
Durant’s return would certainly help lift the Rockets moving forward, but pulling off a comeback could be tough. No team has ever rallied back from a 3-0 deficit to win a playoff series in the NBA.
If the Lakers want to keep it that way, the team will need to find a way to pick up the pieces and pull out one more win. Their next opportunity to close out the series will take place Wednesday, when both teams take the court for Game 5.
The dust has settled on the 2026 NFL Draft. Trades were made. Risks were taken. Futures were reshaped. The Philadelphia Eagles added eight players to the nest as part of a solid class of rookies.
Now comes the real question. Has anything actually changed in the NFC East? It doesn't seem to be the case at the top, but it's hard to tell with those other three teams. Oh well. That won't stop anyone from guessing.
5th Round, Pick 178: QB Cole Payton, North Dakota State
6th Round, Pick 207: G Micah Morris, Georgia
7th Round, Pick 244: S Cole Wisniewski, Texas Tech
7th Round, Pick 251: DT Uar Bernard, International Player Pathway Program
7th Round, Pick 252: OLB Keyshawn James-Newby, New Mexico
The Eagles remain the team to beat. It's early, but there's a legitimate case to be made that Philadelphia could claim the division crown for a third consecutive season. Their draft wasn't about playing it safe. It was about being aggressive with a purpose. Moving up to secure Makai Lemon signaled urgency at wide receiver. There were questions at other positions. Additions like Eli Stowers and Markel Bell brought versatility and size, while later-round swings on players like Cole Payton and Uar Bernard reinforced the Eagles' belief in development.
They didn't make the most picks. They made the ones they wanted, for the most part. This isn't rebuilding. Philadelphia is reloading.
1 No. 11 (from Dolphins) Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State 1 No. 23 (from Eagles) Malachi Lawrence, DE, UCF 3 No. 92 (from 49ers) Jaishawn Barham, DE, Michigan 4 No. 112 Drew Shelton, OT, Penn State 4 No. 114 (from Eagles) Devin Moore, CB, Florida 4 No. 137 (from Eagles) LT Overton, DE, Alabama 7 No. 218 (from Titans) Anthony Smith, WR, East Carolina
The Dallas Cowboys made real progress. Their defense, in particular, took a step forward with multiple additions and key draft weekend moves. Caleb Downs headlines a group that could help stabilize a unit that struggled mightily a season ago. Still, improvement doesn't automatically equal consistency. Until Dallas proves it can put everything together over a full season, there's a ceiling on how high they can climb.
The New York Giants may have had one of the more intriguing drafts in the division. Adding premium talent early in the process, under a new coaching regime, signals a shift in direction. There's upside here, particularly if their young quarterback takes the next step.
But upside and results aren't the same thing. At least not yet. Stay tuned. This is a team that could climb the ladder this season.
Round 6 (via SF) - #209 - Matt Gulbin, C, Michigan State
Round 7 - #223 - Athan Kaliakmanis, QB, Rutgers
The Washington Commanders feel like a team still searching for stability. There are pieces to like, especially on defense, but questions linger across the roster. Injuries, inconsistency, and depth concerns keep them in a holding pattern for now. Let's keep things simple. The NFC East isn't lacking drama or talent, but when the conversation turns to hierarchy, it still runs through Philadelphia.
Until someone proves otherwise, the Eagles aren't just competing for the crown. They're defending it, and they have the tools to do so successfully.
The two Champions League semifinals that start this week have a bit of a beauty and the beast contrast.
Paris Saint-Germain vs. Bayern Munich on Tuesday pairs two easy-on-the-eye attacking teams playing arguably the highest quality technical soccer in the world today.
Atletico Madrid vs. Arsenal on Wednesday is a clash of traditionally durable styles with tight defenses.
Titleholder PSG and Bayern each has won the Champions League in the past six seasons.
Atletico and Arsenal never have been European champion and are a combined 0-for-4 in finals.
PSG and Bayern have a total of 24 domestic league titles between them in the last 14 seasons. Bayern is already Bundesliga champion this season and another French title is likely coming to Paris next month.
Atletico was twice Spanish champion in that period, while Arsenal is in a duel with Manchester City to earn a first English title in 22 years.
What the semifinals have in common is being rematches from this season’s league phase, which were won by Bayern and Arsenal.
The real final?
PSG vs. Bayern would be many people’s choice of the ideal final, after their majestic displays in the quarterfinals to eliminate, respectively, Liverpool and Real Madrid. They are the tournament joint top scorers this season, each with 38 goals.
It was the final in 2020 when Bayern became European champion for the sixth time and PSG lost its first title match appearance.
That game in Lisbon was the strange climax to the delayed, pandemic-affected season — played in an empty stadium in mid-August. It was decided by Kingsley Coman, the former PSG trainee who eventually starred in Munich.
It was also the only time Bayern advanced to the final in its last six semifinal appearances. The five losses were against Spanish opponents and the one victory was against a French team. Lyon was beaten in a single-leg game at the lockdown Lisbon mini-tournament.
Still, PSG under coach Luis Enrique peaks in the second half the season, finding a new level since signing Georgia winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in January last year.
The return game is on Wednesday next week in Munich, where PSG routed Inter Milan to win its first European title.
A-game in Madrid
Arsenal’s record as the only unbeaten team in this season’s Champions League will be tested in the intense atmosphere of the Metropolitano Stadium.
Arsenal has conceded just five goals in 12 games so far, the kind of record associated with Atletico during coach Diego Simeone’s long reign of mostly feisty soccer.
This is a more expansive Atletico version, with a surprising 26 goals conceded in 14 Champions League games this season. Julián Alvarez has got nine of the 34 scored at the other end.
The semifinal pairs two of Europe’s long-serving top-tier coaches: Simeone in a remarkable 15th season — often described as the highest paid club coach in world soccer, earning about $35 million — and Arteta in his seventh with Arsenal.
Still, Arsenal’s 4-0 win over Atletico in October feels a long time ago. A four-goal burst in 15 second-half minutes, including two from Viktor Gyokeres, showed a freedom Arteta’s team has found hard to recapture in a tense second half the season.
Atletico’s path to the semifinals has been taking first-leg leads — ambushing Tottenham at home then winning at Barcelona — before riding out severe pressure in the return game. That will be in London on Tuesday of next week.
Rwanda partners
All four semifinalists have a sponsor deal with the same nation state in Africa.
Arsenal led the way with a “Visit Rwanda” sleeve patch deal eight years ago that ends after this season. The club posts annual messages on its social media account marking the genocide there three decades ago.
The sponsorships with Arsenal, Bayern and PSG were criticized last year by neighboring Congo because of Rwanda’s backing for the M23 militia in conflicts in the eastern part the country.
Weeks later, Atletico announced a three-year deal with Rwanda, noting “the club’s values of resilience, discipline, and excellence closely align with Rwanda’s national ethos and transformation journey.”
When the Congolese government’s request for European soccer clubs to end the sponsorships — worth tens of millions of dollars — had no effect, it started a similar strategy. Congo now sponsors Barcelona, AC Milan and Monaco.
MK Dons chief executive Neil Hart says planning for League One has already begun following Saturday's promotion and that they are ultimately targeting a Championship spot.
The Dons will be crowned League Two champions on Saturday if they can match or better the result of the London side.
Paul Warne's side finish their campaign away to Fleetwood, while Bromley host Walsall.
Hart, who took over as CEO in 2024 after spells at Burnley and Bolton, said he was in the Stadium MK boardroom on Sunday to begin preparations for third-tier football.
"It's 27 April and we're done, we know our destiny, come August we know we're playing in League One, so we've got to get that planning in place, we've got to be clear in what we're doing," he told BBC Three Counties Radio.
"Clearly we've got to bring some more quality into the squad, clearly there's work to do off the pitch and we've got to position the club financially so we can go and compete, and that work is under way."
MK Dons brought in 10 new players last summer, including former Sheffield Wednesday forward Callum Paterson, while Warne joined as manager.
Warne has won promotion to the Championship four times, with Rotherham and Derby, and his appointment hinted at the club's long-term goals beyond this campaign.
"I think we're going to be a bit more ambitious than survival (next season)," he said.
"We want to go up and be competitive and give ourselves the best chance of being in the top six region, that's where we want to be."
While declining to set a target for next season, Hart admitted the club's ambition lay in the second tier and that Dons owner, Fahad Al Ghanim, was "invested in taking the club forward".
"We should be definitely (in the Championship) and that's where we want to be," Hart said.
"There's a lot of work to get there, but we want to realise the ambition, not just the stadium, but the size of the city and the region, and we want to give people a club to be proud of and come and support to get involved in.
"We want 20,000 to 25,000 people in that stadium week in, week out, but we've got to deliver the football and we've got to get it right, and that's what we're trying to do."
James Gladstone and the Jacksonville Jaguars’ front office sure did turn some heads following the selection of Texas A&M’s tight end Nate Boerkircher with the 56th overall selection.
From Gladstone’s perspective, the move was an attempt to get out in front of an expected run on tight ends with the NFL moving in the direction of multiple tight end sets.
Boy, was he right. Following the selection of Boerkircher, 4 of the next 17 picks were at the tight end position. Among the teams that selected a tight end was Gladstone’s old mentor, Les Snead, and the Rams, who battered the Jaguars in multiple tight end sets last season.
So who is Nate Boerkircher? A walk-on at Nebraska, Boerkircher ended up transferring to Texas A&M after some disappointing years with the Cornhuskers. His numbers didn’t improve too much in College Station, but NFL teams finally got a glimpse of what he can do.
Standing 6’6”, 245 pounds, Boerkircher has the desired size and athleticism (8.90 RAS), but simply wasn’t a focal point in the Aggies’ offense. Across his six-year collegiate career,
Boerkircher accrued just 38 receptions for 417 yards. Half of those receptions and yards did come during his final season with the Aggies, however.
While the statistical production wasn’t what you would expect from the 56th overall pick at the position, much of it was outside of his control. According to ProFootball, Boerkircher had an “elite” separation rate of 86.4%, yet managed just 22 targets. His 0.55 EPA per target and 142.1 NFL Rating when targeted ranked 3rd and 4th in the tight end class, respectively.
So when he was given the opportunities, he produced. There’s still just a lot of unknowns surrounding a player with just 38 career receptions. He’s shown flashes, but just hasn’t proven all that much yet. The Jaguars believe he can provide them with much more than he did for the Cornhuskers or Aggies.
Boerkircher’s calling card and much of the reason Jacksonville elected to draft him is his ability to run-block. Boerkircher lined up inline on 69% of snaps and was PFF’s 13th highest-graded run-blocking tight end among Power 4 conferences. The Jaguars saw firsthand just how big a blow to the run game losing Brenton Strange was last season.
It’s pretty clear the Jaguars will be utilizing multiple tight end sets far more frequently going forward. It’ll no doubt help their middling run game, but the question is, how much is that really worth? Gladstone and the Jaguars obviously believe Boerkircher brings enough to the table to warrant the 56th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
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SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - JANUARY 27: Jalen Haralson #10 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looks on during the game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Purcell Pavilion on January 27, 2026 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) | Getty Images
One of Tennessee’s biggest pickups in the transfer portal to this point has just become official. Jalen Haralson, a 6-7, 220 pound small forward from Notre Dame, officially put pen to paper on Friday morning. Haralson, a former McDonald’s All-American prospect, was ranked as the 25th overall player in the portal, according to 247Sports.
Haralson averaged 16.2 points and four rebounds last season for the Fighting Irish, earning All-ACC honorable mention status.
“We are delighted to have Jalen joining the Tennessee basketball family and feel he is a superb fit here,” Rick Barnes said. “Jalen has tremendous positional versatility on both sides of the floor, which is a valuable asset.”
Haralson is the 14th McDonald’s All-American prospect to come through the Tennessee basketball program. He’s expected to slide into a similar role that Nate Ament played this past season, one that eventually had Ament looking like one of the best players in the country.
Though Haralson will need to continue to develop his shot, his ability to get downhill and finish in the paint is special. We saw Ament really come into his own doing just that last season, and Haralson will bring more of that ability next season.
“He is an aggressive, downhill driver who does an excellent job of drawing fouls and getting to the line,” Barnes continued. “Jalen can grab a rebound and get the break going, as he possesses a good handle, stellar passing ability and a high basketball IQ. He is well-suited for the pick-and-roll game and is also great at cutting to the rim. Jalen is looking forward to being part of our program and helping us win.”
Tennessee has replaced nearly its entire roster so far this offseason, but they’ve really yet to add a true point guard. VCU transfer Terrence Hill Jr. will have the title, but Barnes certainly could use Haralson in a bit of a point-forward look, using some of that versatility he spoke of.
Haralson joins Hill, sharpshooting guard Tyler Lundblade, big-time scoring guard Dai Dai Ames, rim protector Miles Rubin and depth post player Braeden Lue so far in Tennessee’s transfer portal class. The Volunteers will also return Troy Henderson and DeWayne Brown, while signing four prospects from the high school ranks.
The 2026 NFL draft has come and gone, and the Miami Dolphins added 13 prospects through the seven-round event over three days.
While there's nearly a full year until next year's draft, experts, including CBS Sports' Cooper Petagna, are already projecting who teams will take in 2027. In his way-too-early mock, he has the Dolphins taking Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith at pick No. 3 overall.
"Ranked as the No. 1 overall prospect by 247Sports in 2024 and often described as a 'generational talent,' Smith has lived up to the billing through his first two seasons," Petagna wrote. "A rare physical specimen, he became just the second receiver in program history to post back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. His blend of size, speed and strength -- paired with elite intangibles -- makes him one of the most complete receiver prospects in years."
Smith, 20, was a five-star recruit out of Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory School in Hollywood, Florida. He committed to Ohio State over several other big schools.
In his two seasons with the Buckeyes, he's caught 163 passes for 2,558 yards and 27 touchdowns. He's earned All-All-Big ten and All-American honors both years and won a national championship in 2024.
Miami desperately needs wide receiver help, and while they took three in this year's draft, none of them are on the same level of Smith.
England midfielder Missy Bo Kearns says Aston Villa’s club doctors likely saved her life after she suffered a miscarriage and contracted sepsis.
Kearns, 25, and her partner Liam Walsh, a midfielder for Luton Town, announced her pregnancy at the beginning of March, but shared the news that she had suffered a miscarriage later that month.
The Aston Villa midfielder explained she had been doing gym work at the club earlier that day before experiencing “the shivers”. She assumed this was a pregnancy symptom, but Villa doctor Jodie Blackadder-Weinstein checked her temperature, which was 42°C, and told her to call Walsh and go to the hospital.
“I’m so thankful for the doctors here at Villa, because if I was at home that day, and I probably would have rung my mum saying, ‘Oh, I feel a bit like flu-ish symptoms’. Everyone would just say, ‘Have a sleep’ or whatnot,” Kearns told ITV News.
“And Jodie made me go to the hospital, and I was not wanting to go, because there’s nothing worse than going to a hospital.
“But they probably saved my life because I had sepsis, and while having that, I wasn’t even thinking about the sepsis. It was ‘I’ve lost my child’.”
Kearns described feeling a “different kind of grief”, as she deals with the loss of her baby, coupled with the emotional ups and downs of pregnancy and hormonal changes. She emphasised the importance of her and others talking about their experiences, adding: “I just hope that people may not suffer in silence now”.
“I think people might not realise how much of a toll it actually has on someone,” she said. “Everyone knows how hard it must be to lose a child, but obviously, because of the highs of finding out you’re pregnant, and the stress of being pregnant, and the worries of getting past the 12-week mark, and it’s so stressful, even though it’s so exciting.
“To then have that crash, and then suddenly you’re not pregnant, and your hormones change, your symptoms start to go, like overnight. I think it’s a different type of grief.”
Kearns’ plan while pregnant had been to return to playing and to make Sarina Wiegman’s England squad for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil. She has been capped five times at international level since her senior debut against Spain in June 2025, and says a World Cup place remains her ambition.
NEW DELHI: The Virat Kohli frenzy has well and truly taken over Delhi. Fans are expected to turn up in huge numbers at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, many sporting jerseys with "Kohli" or "Virat" on their backs. And once the IPL 2026 clash between Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru gets underway, one chant is set to echo across the ground - "Kohli! Kohli!"
Delhi is ready to welcome its biggest cricketing icon, and the excitement to watch him play at his home ground is palpable among fans.
With massive crowds expected, authorities have made elaborate arrangements.
Apart from heightened security and surveillance, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has stepped in to ease travel concerns for spectators by extending train services.
In a big relief for cricket lovers, DMRC has announced extended last train timings on all lines on April 27 to ensure a smooth and hassle-free journey for fans returning home after the night match.
130550254
DC vs RCB IPL match: Delhi Metro revised last train timings (April 27)
Line
Route
Normal Last Train
Revised Timing
Line 1
Shaheed Sthal – Rithala
23:00
00:10–00:15
Line 2
Samaypur Badli – HUDA City Centre
23:00
Up to 00:20
Line 3/4
Dwarka – Vaishali / Noida
22:50–23:00
Up to 00:00
Line 5
Kirti Nagar – Mundka
22:45–23:00
Up to 01:00
Line 6
Kashmere Gate – Raja Nahar Singh
23:00
Up to 00:25
Line 7
Majlis Park – Shiv Vihar
22:40–23:00
Up to 01:55
Line 8
Botanical Garden – Krishna Park Ext.
22:50–23:00
Up to 00:45
Line 9
Dwarka – Dhansa Bus Stand
23:00
Up to 01:30
Airport Express
New Delhi – Yashobhoomi
23:15–23:40
Up to 01:00
Important note for passengers
Timings may change depending on match completion
Plan exits in advance to avoid last-minute rush
Use smart cards or digital payments for quicker movement
Wisconsin basketball released its official returning nucleus ahead of the 2026-27 season Sunday.
Roughly one month removed from its NCAA Tournament loss to No. 12 High Point, Wisconsin announced senior center Nolan Winter, junior guard Jack Janicki, junior forward Austin Rapp, sophomore center Will Garlock, sophomore guard Hayden Jones and sophomore guard Zach Kinziger will represent UW once again this fall.
While none of the names come as much of a surprise, fans can rest assured that this version of Wisconsin will remain intact following the spring transfer portal window.
Since the season finale, starting guard John Blackwell committed to Duke, Nick Boyd declared for the NBA draft, Aleksas Bieliauskas transferred to South Carolina, and both Andrew Rohde and Braeden Carrington exhausted their collegiate eligibility.
In the portal, Wisconsin acquired guard Trey Autry, wing Eian Elmer, and big man Victory Onuetu. While those are great additions, it's important to note that all three will compete as seniors.
While those playmakers figure to make notable contributions during the course of the 2026-27 campaign, Winter and Rapp will assume the bulk of the returning workload following productive showings in the 2025-26 window. Winter averaged 13.1 points and a team-best 8.5 boards in 30.6 minutes per game a season ago, while Rapp notched 10.7 points and 4.0 rebounds per contest in 23.1 minutes per appearance.
Standing behind both the offensive and defensive backfields for much of the Oregon Ducks' 2026 spring game, head coach Dan Lanning got a firsthand look of the Fighting Ducks and Combat Ducks.
He saw several players in particular stand out, with pass rushers Bleu Dantzler and Aydin Breland each recording multiple sacks. Wide receivers Evan Stewart and Dakorien Moore had big days, both going over 100 yards receiving with a touchdown apiece. Others struggled, with the offensive line faltering for parts of the day to protect the quarterback and open up running lanes. Cornerback Brandon Finney Jr. allowed several catches down the field in man coverage against Moore.
But all in all, it was a day in which the improvement of the group was showcased from the first day of spring practices prior to Oregon's spring break in late March. For Lanning, a couple aspects in particular stuck out.
"I think the intelligence of this group is really high," he told reporters postgame. "The acumen and ability to execute offensive and defensive plays is really up there. They know and understand what we're trying to do."
He revealed several times throughout the press conference that the schemes that the Ducks put on the field were rather vanilla, so as to not put too much on film, as the game was broadcast on Big Ten Network. Therefore, the plays that we saw, which takes into account the improvements that were demonstrated on the field, is just the tip of the iceberg.
"We have a lot of stuff packaged well that these guys can operate really well, so I'd say that part is ahead," Lanning said. "We became a much more connected team this spring, and that has to continue as we go through the remainder of this offseason."
On Saturday, as is often the occurrence during spring games, the defensive front seven on both teams won the battle against the offensive line. Oregon quarterbacks were sacked upwards of ten times, while the running backs struggled to break free up the middle.
"We have to get stronger," Lanning said. "We have to continue to become the physical team that we've been here in the past. There are a lot of areas still for growth, but I think we're a really smart team right now and understand what we want to accomplish."
The talent is clearly there to compete — and win — a national championship come this fall. The execution and intelligence of the team, considering it's the end of April, is very high. The physicality will have to step it up, but an entire set of summer workouts and fall practices remain before the Ducks will take the field again at Autzen Stadium for their 2026 season-opener against Boise State on Sept. 5.
And if history is any indication, Lanning will have his team prepared and ready come that day, building upon a very successful spring ball.
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The Denver Broncos may have landed another undrafted free agent gem.
Our unofficial UDFA tracker for the Broncos has 14 players so far, including Texas A&M linebacker Taurean York. He seems to be the most notable name on the list.
Last summer, Trevor Sikkema of Pro Football Focus dubbed York one of his favorite prospects in the 2026 NFL draft class. Earlier this month, Brian Kelly named York his top sleeper in this year's draft.
York (5-10, 226 pounds) was extremely impressive with the Aggies, earning Freshman All-American honors after totaling 74 tackles, three sacks and a forced fumble in his first season. He followed that up by totaling 82 tackles, five pass breakups, 2.5 sacks and one interception as a team captain in 2024.
Last fall, York earned third-team All-SEC recognition after leading the team with 73 tackles, three pass breakups and one sack, once again as a captain. NFL.com's Lance Zierlein had York projected as a sixth- or seventh-round pick going into the draft.
LB Taurean York signed as an undrafted free agent with the Broncos
So, why wasn't York drafted? His measurables and "relative athletic score" were underwhelming, but Zierlein put it this way: "Linebackers with York’s size/length typically face uphill roster climbs, but his tape appears good enough to warrant a backup role with instant special-teams value."
The Broncos gave York $325,000 in guarantees, including a $25,000 signing bonus, according to the Denver Gazette's Chris Tomasson. That's a big contract for a UDFA, and it likely reflects Denver's confidence in York. Among the team's UDFAs, the 20-year-old linebacker has to be considered an early favorite to make the 53-man roster this summer.
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 23: Makai Lemon of Southern California poses for a photo after being selected 20th overall by the Philadelphia Eagles during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to my way too early 2027 mock draft.
Just kidding, that sounds terrible and we should federally prosecute those who do that.
Over the course of the 2026 NFL Draft, there was a lot to love in terms of what specific teams did over the course of the three-day event. The other side of that coin being that there were also teams who kept making the wrong choice at such a consistent degree to where it became almost impressive. Here’s a look and the good and the bad of the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Good
Philadelphia Eagles
Took every bit of willpower in my body not to slam my computer against my desk like Jake Gyllenhaal in Prisoners while writing this. It’s insufferable listening to everyone go “HoWiE dOeS iT aGaIn” after just… drafting good players who fell in his lap. But his season, Roseman and the Eagles did the equivalent of a Money in the Bank cash in, jumping in front of the Steelers to steal Makai Lemon from their grasp as general Manager Omar Khan was on the phone with the former USC star. They then selected Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers, who will serve as an instant upgrade over Grant Calcaterra and an eventual replacement for Dallas Goedert and got Miami offensive tackle Markel Bell at the beginning of the third round after a trade with the Jets. To go three-for-three in the first three rounds of the draft is a job well done.
New Orleans Saints
I said it on Thursday, and I’ll say it again – the Saints are winning the NFC South. They added the most explosive receiver in the class in Jordyn Tyson, and double-dipped by adding Bryce Lance in the fourth round. They also added some young talent on defense, taking Georgia defensive tackle Christen Miller in the second round and Ohio State safety Lorenzo Styles in the fifth. These pieces, combined with Travis Etienne in free agency and the emergence of Tyler Shough, the Saints will be eating beignets, tossing beads, and doing other New Orleans tropes in the playoffs. And yes, I had to Google how to spell beignet by typing “binyay” and assuming it would give me the correct spelling, which worked.
Washington Commanders
Their defense was the Washington AARP cards in 2025. Bobby Wagner, Marshon Lattimore, Von Miler – that would have been a legitimately great core in 2019. They selected perhaps the most athletic linebacker in this class in Sonny Styles with the No. 7 overall pick, and also got some offensive help for Jayden Daniels with wide receiver Antonio Williams in round three and running back Kaytron Allen in round six. The Commanders didn’t have a ton of picks to work with, but they made the most of their selections and got multiple instant difference-makers.
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins snagged two of my favorite players in the draft, and they play the same position. Getting Jacob Rodriguez in round two and Kyle Louis in round 3 gives them two players in the middle of their defense they can build around as they lay the foundation for the future. Landing Kadyn Proctor at tackle in the first round, as well as Chris Bell at receiver in round three gives the Dolphins a good young corps to move into this new era.
Cleveland Browns
This is the second straight year I’ve loved the Browns’ draft. They get Spencer Fano to be their new staple at left tackle, and then double dipped at receiver with KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston to strengthen arguably the weakest unit on their roster. Getting Toldeo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren at the tail end of the second round was tremendous value, and I like the addition of the uber-athletic quarterback Taylen Green out of Arkansas. If this can finally start translating into wins for the Browns, we’ll look back on these last two drafts very fondly.
The Bad
Jacksonville Jaguars
If you are reading this, check your phone – there is a greater than zero chance that James Gladstone like what he saw in your lateral movement skills at the catering table at the packed corporate event. You kept everything together, you went from chicken to lettuce wraps in a flash, and they really think you can be a nice asset in their pass protection.
Yeah, God only knows what the Jaguars saw in a few of these guys. They drafted the No. 678 player on the consensus big board in the sixth round in Stanford wide receiver C.J. Williams. Then in the seventh, they took player No. 679 in Middle Tennessee State linebacker Parker Hughes. Additionally, with their first pick (No. 56 overall), they took tight end Nate Boerkricher, who had 38 receptions in five collegiate seasons. They did land Oregon guard Emmanuel Pregnant in the third round, which was a good value selection, but the vast majority of their picks were reach after reach.
Buffalo Bills
Find someone who loves you as much as Brandon Beane loves trading down in the draft and subsequently passing up on good players. The chair of the 26th pick was too big, so Buffalo traded it to the Texans. The 28th pick chair was too small, so they traded it to the Patriots. God only knows what was wrong with the 31st pick, but they moved out of that one, as well. Finally, after finding the perfect recliner to sit in, the Bills stayed put at pick No. 35. However, if there is one thing Brandon Beane loves, it’s an underwhelming edge rusher, so they took T.J. Parker instead of Kayden McDonald, who would have filled a major need at defensive tackle. Later on, Buffalo moved up four spots in the second round to draft Ohio State cornerback Davison Igbinosun, a player they likely could have gotten in the fourth round. Beane is bad at drafting, that’s not exactly news, but even their good picks, like Skyler Bell, are hard to get excited for after Joe Brady talked about how good he is in the screen game. That high-pitched ringing sound you just heard was all of Bills Mafia screaming in unison.
Arizona Cardinals
“Give me more money” Jacoby Brissett, “Trailer Park Jake Plummer” Gardner Minshew, and “I can’t throw that far” Carson Beck – what a quarterback room. Taking Beck to kickoff the third round is a massive reach for a limited quarterback who lacks a big arm and athleticism to make plays outside the pocket. Jeremiyah Love is a tremendous player, but giving him north of $50 million guaranteed before he ever takes a snap is bizarre. Plus, taking a running back in the top five as a bad team with several holes is a big no no, especially after they just signed Tyler Allgeier and still have James Conner. Any good they did do is largely negated due to two bad decisions in the first three rounds.
San Francisco 49ers
Credit to Grant Cohn for flat out asking John Lynch why the 49ers constantly reach on players because it’s amazing how the 49ers overcome their terrible drafts year in and year out. They took Ole Miss wideout Deshaun Stribbling with the 33rd overall pick when he was considered a late Day Two, early Day Three guy. And, as is tradition, they took a running back in the third round when he was a late fourth round projected player. It’s just incredible that the 49ers constantly win despite their inability to draft well.
Los Angeles Rams
Yeah, the Ty Simpson pick will either make the Rams look like geniuses or he’ll be shipped to the Bengals along with four first-round picks when they trade for Joe Burrow in 2027. Which, if that happens and it was all a big-brain decision to draft Simpson solely for that purpose, props to Les Snead. But reaching for tight end Max Klare in the second round was unnecessary and marked the second straight year they over-drafted a tight end in round two. 25 year-old tackle Keagan Trost in round three also felt like a bit of a reach, especially when he probably needs to be kicked inside to guard.
Apr 26, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; A fan sits alone in the sixth inning of the game between the Colorado Rockies and the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images | Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Meet the Mets
The Mets lost twice to the Rockes in the span of six hours. Do you really want to hear any more?
Chris Sale passed Chuck Finley on the strikeouts leaderboard and recorded the 150th win of his career in the Braves’ 6-2 win over the Phillies.
In a 10-inning contest, Dicky Lovelady enjoyed the greener pastures of Washington got his first victory in a Nationals uniform in a 2-1 contest against the White Sox.
Dec 6, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Nate Frazier (3) rushes for a touchdown during the third quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2025 SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images
We mocked plenty of 2026 mock drafts before the real thing happened a few days ago, so let’s get a really early start on mocking a few 2027 mock drafts to see what they think the Chicago Bears will do.
First up, SB Nation’s James Dator has the Bears picking at 27 (so a second consecutive postseason, I like it) and he has them going with Georgia running back Nate Frazier.
A first-round running back?
Yeah, that makes sense considering 2026 is the final contracted year for D’Andre Swift, and Frazier’s sprinter speed would be a complement to the physical Kyle Monangai. As a true freshman in 2024, Frazier rushed for 671 yards (5.0), and last year he ran for 947 (5.5).
The USA Today has the Bears picking 28th (playoffs again!) and going with Ahmad Moten, defensive tackle from Miami (Fla.). Here’s what they said about the selection.
Dennis Allen’s defense might require more meaningful disruption from the interior than Gervon Dexter Sr. and Grady Jarrett can provide. Moten’s quick-twitch movements that leave plodding blockers playing catch-up could yield the level of penetration that Allen relishes.
It’s certainly possible that the Bears’ 2026 draft board didn’t have many day 1 or 2 defensive linemen, and their college scouts saw 2027 as the better option.
CBS Sports has the Bears at 17 in their 2027 mock (just missing the playoffs), and they also have the Bears going d-line with Matayo Uiagalelei, EDGE, Oregon.
The younger brother of DJ Uiagalelei, Matayo has carved out his own path in Eugene as one of the most talented pass rushers in the country. A former two-way standout at St. John Bosco, he pairs suddenness and athleticism with a dense frame, offering three-down versatility. While his motor can run hot and cold, the talent is undeniable.
Jacob Infante’s 2027 Bears mock has them picking 19th (which would be a first round playoff exit).
The odds at the FanDuel Sportsbook has the Bears with the eigth best odds to make the playoffs in the NFC at +106, which means the oddsmakers have them just missing the seven team tourney.
What are your thoughts on these way too early mocks?
Matt Fitzpatrick is now a five-time champion on the PGA Tour after claiming the title at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans with his brother Alex.
The Fitzpatrick brothers clinched a one-shot victory at TPC Louisiana, which has helped Alex Fitzpatrick earn a PGA Tour card through 2028.
Fantastic teamwork was key to the success, along with admirable resilience after the pair lost a four-shot lead on the back nine.
But one-time PGA Tour winner Michael Kim has focused on another, more unique aspect of Matt Fitzpatrick’s game following the win, sharing insight into why he chips cross-handed.
Michael Kim explains why Matt Fitzpatrick chips cross-handed
Kim explained on X: “Wonder why Matt Fitz chips cross-handed?
“It works because it’s easier to keep the hands ahead of the clubhead which makes contact much more consistent.
“Also if your right hand gets too jabby during the downswing, it won’t affect the swing as much as your left hand will act as a natural buffer.
“You shouldn’t hit full swing shots cross-handed though.”
Kim was then asked why he thinks it works for some players and not for others, to which he replied: “It’s just awkward at first and many don’t like how it looks compared to others.
“You have to be ok with people looking at you funny.”
Fitzpatrick is clearly okay with that, with the Englishman currently third in the world rankings behind only Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy thanks to his recent efforts.
On the PGA Tour in 2026, he’s currently ranked 12th for Proximity to Hole and 23rd for scrambling.
Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images
Matt Wallace congratulates Matt Fitzpatrick and Alex Fitzpatrick on Zurich Classic win
The Fitzpatrick brothers were not the only English duo to have taken on the event, with Marco Penge and Matt Wallace also teaming up.
They finished in a tie for 30th on 20-under, 11 shots behind the Zurich Classic champions at TPC Louisiana.
Following their partnership, Wallace has taken to social media to share his excitement for his compatriot, as well as sending a message to the winners.
Wallace wrote on X: “This boy is the future. Absolute pleasure to partner [Marco Penge].
“Not having the weekend we wanted stings a little more when you play for someone else too. We’ll be back.
“Congrats to the Fitzs. Amazing watch.”
Penge was quick to reply, saying: “Loved every minute of it! I look forward to getting back at it next year partner.”
Norwegians Kristoffer Reitan and Kris Ventura and Americans Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer finished in a tie for second at the PGA Tour event, while major champions Brooks Koepka and Shane Lowry were among the pairings to have missed the cut.
Injured Real Madrid mainstay on track to return for El Clasico vs Barcelona
At this stage of the season, even the smallest fitness update can be important, and for Real Madrid, the latest news surrounding Thibaut Courtois could not have come at a better time.
According to Melchor Ruiz, the Belgian goalkeeper, who has been sidelined in recent weeks, is making steady progress in his recovery.
In fact, there is growing optimism that he could return in time for the highly anticipated El Clasico on 10 May, a fixture that could be a title-defining match for Real Madrid.
What happened to Courtois?
Courtois’ injury dates back to March, when the club confirmed he had suffered a muscle issue in the rectus femoris of his right quadriceps.
That came shortly after he was forced off during the Champions League clash against Manchester City, where he had already been struggling with adductor discomfort.
At the time, the expectation was that he would be out for approximately six weeks, a timeline that is now reaching its conclusion.
Courtois could return in time for El Clasico. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
However, despite nearing full recovery, he is not expected to return immediately, with the upcoming league match against Espanyol likely to come too soon.
Real Madrid struggled
What makes his absence even more noticeable is the impact it has had on the team’s results.
In the seven matches Courtois has missed so far, Real Madrid have managed to win just two, which is why his potential return for El Clasico carries such weight.
If he can recover in time, Courtois would not only bring experience back into the defensive line but also provide a psychological boost to the entire squad.
Facing Barcelona at the Camp Nou is never straightforward, and having a player of his calibre available could prove decisive.
For now, caution remains the priority and the club is carefully managing his recovery to avoid any setbacks, especially given the importance of the upcoming fixtures.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 02: Max Fried #54 of the New York Yankees pitches during the first inning against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park on September 02, 2025 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Outside that pair of series against the Athletics and Rays, this Yankees team has been pretty adept at quickly brushing off losses. That’s something they’ll look to do in the backend of this road trip after missing out on a sweep opportunity against the Houston Astros. After Luis Gil’s increasingly disappointing efforts on Sunday—ultimately leading to his demotion—the Yankees will start the series against the Rangers with the best they have to offer on the mound in a three-game set of high-profile pitching matchups.
Monday: Max Fried vs. Jack Leiter(8:05 pm ET)
Already making his fifth start on the road in 2026, Max Fried has been superb early on, but if there is one element to his game that’s lacked a bit, it is in the strikeout department—not that this is ever the primary aspect of his game. The Rangers’ offense presents quite the opportunity for Fried and other left-handers on the Yankees pitching staff—Texas has struggled the most against southpaws in the big leagues, only one of 30 clubs with a strikeout rate of at least 30 percent against them, and also boasts a pitiful 67 wRC+. Further damaging the Rangers’ prospects against left-handers is the absence of Wyatt Langford, their premier right-handed hitter and one of the more exciting young players in the American League, currently on the IL.
One of the few pleasant pieces of news for the Rangers last season was that Jack Leiter established himself as a solid starter. However, in the middle of a campaign that placed him seventh on the Rookie of the Year voting roll call, Leiter had his shortest outing against the Yankees. The young right-hander struggled with the free passes—conceding four of them—and not even finishing four innings. Yankee hitters will once again look to work deep counts against Leiter. It’s a bumpy start to 2026 for the former Vanderbilt standout, as he hasn’t finished the sixth since March and has allowed 12 runs on 17 hits and 9 walks across his last trio of outings (14.1 innings) against the Dodgers, A’s, and Pirates.
Tuesday: Cam Schlittler vs. Jacob deGrom(8:05 pm ET)
For the first time since he squared off against George Kirby in his second start of the season, Cam Schlittler will not be the center of attention of a pitching matchup, as he and the Yankees face one of the more dominant starters of this century of baseball. There is not a whiff of hyperbole in that statement when you assess what deGrom has done—the two-time near-unanimous Cy Young Award winner’s level of dominance in a post-prime period with the Rangers only enhances his legend, still just about as good as it gets out there. He has a 2.13 ERA and a 1.066 WHIP in his five starts for 2026, fanning 35 — including 10 Bucs his last time out.
It remains to be seen how Giancarlo Stanton will recover in the following days, having been out of the lineup on Sunday. Jasson Domínguez’s reported promotion seems to indicate that an IL stint is a lock (and Domínguez will be ready to face the Rangers’ righties from his superior side). If the Yankees’ designated hitter is indeed unable to suit up on Tuesday, it’ll be a particularly impactful hit; Stanton has potent numbers he has shown against deGrom over the years, hitting four home runs in 27 at-bats against him, doing so with a .333 batting average. Other than Stanton, the Yankee hitter who has faced deGrom the most is Cody Bellinger, also featuring quality numbers against the Rangers ace with a pair of bombs in 19 at-bats.
Wednesday: Will Warren vs. Nathan Eovaldi (2:35 pm ET)
On one side, an undefeated pitcher, who has been quietly solid early on in 2026 (only 11 qualified pitchers have topped Warren’s 0.9 fWAR in 31.1 innings); on the other, a starter that, as of Sunday, April 26th, is tied for the league lead in losses with four. As a former Yankee, it’s weird to think that Nathan Eovaldi has faced them more than any other club in his career as a big leaguer. Eovaldi was so magnificent last year that with this disappointing beginning to his 2026 campaign, the veteran is only four earned runs away from matching his total the previous season (25), achieved in exactly 130 innings of work.
While the results for Eovaldi have been vastly underwhelming, nothing under the hood corroborates the potential expectation of a rapid decline, so the Yankees should expect the usual customer who has a 3.22 ERA in 24 career appearances against them. While Stanton’s numbers against deGrom stand out more and the impact of his potential absence might be especially hurtful, his career stats against Eovaldi are also impressive. The currently sidelined Yankees DH has four bombs in 38 at-bats against Eovaldi, facing him one more time than Judge, who has gone deep twice with a .324 average facing him.
Some in Chelsea’s boardroom are pushing for 2 former players to take on manager role
Apparently, there are some in Chelsea’s board room who want Frank Lampard and John Terry back at the club.
This time, they want them to be coaches within the first team, if an exclusive report from Caught Offside today is to be believed.
EXCLUSIVE! Chelsea showing interest in strong Premier League centre forward!
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I mean, if they want to give fans something to celebrate and get them on side again, then this would be a smart move. I’m sure many Chelsea fans would love Lampard back at the club, especially if it was alongside Terry. Those are two absolute club legends right there. Some would also be a bit sceptical about that though and would be against it. I think overall though, some nostalgia baiting might work quite well right about now!
Terry and Lampard being considered?
The report is all around new managers, and it says that Andoni Iraola of Bournemouth has become the front runner. But it also mentions Terry and Lampard.
They state that whispers from inside the club’s boardroom suggest some voices are actively pushing for the return of absolute club icons John Terry or Frank Lampard, hoping their legendary status alone can inject some desperately needed fighting spirit into a fragile dressing room.
In other news today
Robert Sanchez was a key figure in Chelsea’s cup win yesterday, and he got some well earned praise from his manager at full time. Callum McFarlane says Sanchez’s saves were massive yesterday!
McFarlane has also explained his tactical approach in the lead up to the game and how they looked to use Sanchez, as well as ‘athletes’ to unlock Leeds.
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Check out the latest edition of Simon Phillips’ SPTC podcast here:
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 23: A screen shows Fernando Mendoza of Indiana after being selected first overall by the Las Vegas Raiders during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images)
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The 2026 NFL Draft is complete. There were winners and losers. Heisman finalist Diego Pavia became the first finalist since 2014 who was not drafted. Quarterback Ty Simpson vaulted his consensus status and was drafted 13th by the Los Angeles Rams.
Some teams drafted with a win-now mentality, while other teams were building a foundation for 2027 and beyond. But how did the teams within their respective divisions fare? Let’s begin by looking at the runner-ups AFC.
AFC East
Home of the runner-up to the Super Bowl Champions, the AFC East has two teams in rebuild and two teams that are Super Bowl or bust for the upcoming season.
New York Jets: Pre-Draft Needs: QB, WR, EDGE, CB, LB
The Jets finished the draft with eight total picks, three of which were first-round picks. And while the landing spots did not do much for fantasy football. The picks will provide an upgrade to a team that was 31st in sacks (26), 32nd in interceptions (0), 29th in total points scored per game (17.6), and whose tight ends had the second-fewest receiving yards (593) and tied for the fewest touchdown catches (2).
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 23: David Bailey of Texas Tech poses after being selected second overall pick by the New York Jets during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
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R1 P2, Edge, David Bailey, Texas Tech
R1 P16, TE, Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon (pick acquired from Sauce Gardner trade with Indianapolis)
R1 P30, WR, Omar Cooper, Jr, IU
R2 P50, CB, D’Angelo Ponds, IU
R4 P103, DT, Darrell Jackson Jr., FSU
R4 P110, QB, Cade Klubnik, Clemson
R6 P188, G, Anez Cooper, UMiami
R7 P228, S, VJ Payne, Kansas State
GRADE A
LAWRENCE, KS - NOVEMBER 28: Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier (4) looks to throws as offensive lineman Caleb Lomu (71) blocks in the second quarter of a Big 12 football game between the Utah Utes and Kansas Jayhawks on November 28, 2025 at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, KS. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
New England Patriots: Pre-Draft Needs: EDGE, OL, LB, WR, TE, Safety
The Patriots finish the draft with nine total picks. The Super Bowl runner-ups needed help on the offensive line, a replacement for Stefon Diggs, and help to correct their 31.1% pressure rate, which was 21st in the league last season.
R1 P28, OT, Caleb Lomu, Utah
R2 P55, Edge, Gabe Jacas, Illinois
R3 P95, TE, Eli Raridon, Notre Dame
R5 P171, DB, Karon Prunty, Wake Forest
R6 P196, OT, Dametrious Crownover, Texas A& M
R6 P212, LB, Namdi Oloiazor, TCU
R7 P234, QB, Behren Morton, Texas Tech
R7 P245, RB, Jam Miller, Alabama
R7 P247, LB, Quintayvious Hutchins, Boston College
GRADE B
Buffalo Bills: Pre-Draft Needs: LB, WR, EDGE, CB
The Bills, after trading back three times, finished the draft with 10 picks, although none in the first round. The Bills are in a Super Bowl or Bust season. Their free agent acquisition of wide receiver D.J. Moore from the Chicago Bears was a start, but they still entered the receiver-heavy draft needing a bit more help for 30-year-old quarterback Josh Allen.
R2 P35, Edge, T.J. Parker, Clemson
R2 P62, CB, Davison Igbinosun, OSU
R4 P102, OT, Jude Bowry, Boston College
R4 P125, WR, Skylar Bell, UConn
R5 P167, S, Jason Kilgore, South Carolina
R5 P181, DT, Zane Durant, PSU
R7 P220, CB, Toriano Pride Jr., Missouri
R7 P239, P, Tommy Doman, Florida
GAINESVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 22: Florida Gators kicker Tommy Doman (19) punts during the game between the Florida Gators and the Tennessee Volunteers on November 22, 2025 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field in Gainesville, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The Dolphins entered the draft with 13 picks, including two in the first round. After releasing receiver Tyreek Hill and trading receiver Jaylen Waddle, they needed receiver help for newly signed quarterback Malik Willis. Their defense finished last season 27th in rushing yards allowed per game (132.4), 16th in sacks (39), and 23rd in interceptions (9), making secondary and defensive line help also a need.
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 23: Alabama defensive lineman Kadyn Proctor reacts after being chosen 12th overall by the Miami Dolphins in the green room during the the first round NFL football draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
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R1 P12, OT, Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
R1 P27, CB, Chris Johnson, San Diego State
R2 P43, LB, Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech
R3 P75, WR, Caleb Doublas, Texas Tech
R3 P87, TE, Will Kacmarek, OSU
R4 P130, Edge, Trey Moore, Texas
R4 P138, S, Kyle Louis, Pitt
R5 P158, S, Michael Toaffe, Texas
R5 P177, WR, Kevin Coleman Jr., Missouri
R5 P180, TE, Seydou Traore, Mississippi State
R6 P200, G, D.J. Campbell, Texas
R7 P233, Edge, Max Llewellyn, Iowa
GRADE C
AFC EAST
The Jets may have propelled themselves ahead of Miami, and the Patriots look to maintain the status quo. The draft in the AFC East was about two teams rebuilding, looking towards the future,e one team trying to maintain 2025 momentum, and one team desperately trying to get over the playoff hump. Look for the Jets to be the surprise in the East, which could just mean surpassing expectations.
AFC West
The AFC West looks to be the fight of the 2026 season. The Kansas City Chiefs are looking to regain dominance, the Denver Broncos are looking to retain the title, and the Las Vegas Raiders are looking to shock the world. Will the Los Angeles Chargers be the team outside looking in?
Las Vegas Raiders: Pre-Draft Needs: QB, DT, OL, WR, CB
The Raiders were abysmal in every way last season. From their 5.0 yards per dropback (28th), to their last place in the NFL in points per game (14.2), yards per game (247), and plays per game (55.8). Their defense allowed 25.8 points per game (25th) while collecting only eight interceptions (27th) and 37 sacks (19th). So, the Raiders entered the draft with 10 total picks and the first pick of the draft.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 12: Maxx Crosby #98 of the Las Vegas Raiders is introduced to the NFL 2025 game at Allegiant Stadium on October 12, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Raiders defeated the Titans 20-10. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Chargers: Pre-Draft Needs: Guard, Edge, Safety, LB, DT
Los Angeles Chargers' quarterback #10 Justin Herbert scores during the NFL game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers at the Neo Quimica Arena Stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on September 5, 2025. (Photo by NELSON ALMEIDA / AFP via Getty Images)
AFP via Getty Images
The main goal for the Chargers is to keep quarterback Justin Herbert safe. Last season, he was sacked 54 times. The offensive line (which was without its two premier offensive linemen for most of the season) had a league low 53.9% pass block win rate. Depth at the offensive line position would be nice. The Chargers went into the draft with eight picks.
R1 P22, Edge, Akheem Mesidor, University of Miami
R2 P63, C, Jake Slaughter, Florida
R4 P105, WR, Brenen Thompson, Mississippi State
R4 P131, S, Genesis Smith, Arizona
R5 P145, DT, Nick Barrett, South Carolina
R6 P202, G, Logan Taylor, Boston College
R6 P206, G, Alex Harkey, Oregon
GRADE B-
Denver Broncos: Pre-Draft Needs: OL, LB, CB
The Jaylen Waddle trade with the Miami Dolphins was essentially the Broncos ' first-round selection. After that, replacing defensive end John Franklin-Myers and finding a reliable running back to add to the loaded running back room were necessities. With seven picks and the first one coming in the third round, it was quality over name recognition.
R3 P66 DT, Tyler Onyedim, Texas A&M
R4 P108 RB, Jonah Coleman, Washington
R4 P111, OT, Kage Casey, Boise State
R5 P153, TE, Justin Joly, NC State
R7 P246, S, Miles Scott, Illinois
R7 P256, TE, Dallen Bentley, Utah
R7 P257, LB, Red Murdock, Buffalo
EAST HARTFORD, CT - SEPTEMBER 28: Buffalo Bulls linebacker Red Murdock (2) looks to make the stop as UConn Huskies running back Mel Brown (7) carries the ball during the college football game between the Buffalo Bulls and the UConn Huskies on September 28, 2024, at Pratt & Whitney Stadium in East Hartford, Connecticut. (Photo by Williams Paul/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
GRADE C
Kansas City Chiefs: Pre-Draft Needs: Edge, CB, WR, DT, TE, OL
The Chiefs found themselves in unfamiliar territory, picking in the top-10 with two picks in the first round, with their quarterback rehabbing from a knee injury, offensive weaponry questions, and their secondary depleted by free agency losses. They finished with seven picks in the draft.
R1 P6, CB, Mansoor Delane, LSU
R1 P29, DT, Peter Woods, Clemson
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 25: Peter Woods #11 of the Clemson Tigers tries to tackle Mario Anderson #24 of the South Carolina Gamecocks in the third quarter during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 25, 2023 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
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R2 P40, Edge, R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma
R4 P109, S, Jadon Canady, Oregon
R5 P161, RB, Emmett Johnson, Nebraska
R5 P176, WR, Cyrus Allen, Cincinnati
R7 P249, QB, Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
GRADE C-
AFC SOUTH
The AFC South is littered with teams that were “full of potential” and then lost momentum at the end of the season or got spanked in the playoffs. And oh, there is Tennessee with new head coach Robert Saleh, definitely making a statement to be included in the conversation.
Last season, rookie quarterback Cam Ward’s receiving weapons were: team-leading receiver, tight end Chig Okonkwo with 560 yards, who is no longer there; veteran receiver Calvin Ridley, who played in only seven games and had 17 receptions; and Day 3 rookie receivers Elic Ayomanor (515 yards) and Chimere Dike (423 yards).
R1 P4, WR, Carnell Tate, OSU
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 29: Carnell Tate #17 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs for a touchdown after a catch during the third quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
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R1 P31, Edge, Keldric Faulk, Auburn
R2 P60, LB, Anthony Hill Jr., Texas
R5 P142, G, Fernando Carmona, Arkansas
R5 P165, RB, Nicholas Singleton, PSU
R6 P184, DT, Jakie Marshall, Baylor
R6 P194, C, Pat Coogan, IU
R7 P225, TE, Jaren Kanek, Oklahoma
GRADE B
Indianapolis Colts: Pre-Draft Needs: Edge, WR, LB, Safety, OL
The Colts will enter the 2026 with questions: a quarterback depth chart that shows the first two quarterbacks injured, who will replace Michael Pittman, and how they will fix an offensive line that was 30th in pass rush win rate at 29.1%. They had no pick in the first round due to the Sauce Gardner trade with the Jets, leaving them with eight picks, the majority coming in Day 3.
R2 P53, LB, CJ Allen, Georgia
R3 P78, S, A.J. Haulay, LSU
R4 P113, G, Jalen Farmer, UK
R4 P135, LB, Bryce Boettcher, Oregon
R5 P156, Edge, George Gumbs Jr., Florida
R6 P214, Edge, Caden Curry, OSU
R7 P237, RB, Seth McGowan, UK
R7 P254, WR, Deion Burks, Oklahoma
GRADE B-
Houston Texans: Pre-Draft Needs: OL, DT, LB
While the offensive line was revamped in free agency, and the Texans acquired running back David Montgomery, adding depth with their eight picks could have been a priority.
R1 P26, G, Keylon Rutledge, Georgia Tech
R2 P36, DT, Kayden McDonald, OSU
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 24: Ohio State Buckeyes defensive tackle Kayden McDonald reacts reacts as he puts on a hat after being selected by the Houston Texans for the 36th pick overall in the second round in the green room during the NFL football draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 24, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
The Jaguars did not have a pick in the first round due to moving up to acquire Travis Hunter in the 2025 NFL Draft. They did have 11 picks to replace linebacker Devin Lloyd and running back Travis Etienne Jr.
R2 P56, TE, Nate Boekircher, Texas A&M
R3 P81, DT, Albert Regis, Texas A&M
R3 P88, G, Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon
R3 P100, CB, Jalen Huskey, Maryland
R4 P119, Edge, Wesley Williams, Duke
R5 P164, TE, Tanner Koziol, Houston
R6 P191, WR, Josh Cameron, Baylor
R6 P203, WR, OJ Williams, Stanford
R7 P233, Edge, Zach Durfee, Washington
R7 P240, LB, Parker Hughes, Middle Tennessee
AFC North
The AFC North has three new head coaches. Two perennial playoff teams stuck in a playoff loop, quarterbacks Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson, one abysmally poor defense, two defenses that are meh, and the Cleveland Browns.
The Browns played the third-most offensive line positions last season. They had 14 different offensive line combinations in at least 10 snaps. They also rotated two rookie quarterbacks, and their best receiver was rookie tight end Harold Fanin Jr. Their receivers were the worst in the NFL in receptions (117), yards (1467) and touchdowns (4).
They had 10 picks including two in the first round.
R1 P9, OT, Spencer Fano, Utah
R1 P24, WR, KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 13: KC Concepcion #7 of the Texas A&M Aggies jumps to catch a pass between Jalen Stroman #7 and Mark Zackery IV #24 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during a college football game on September 13, 2025 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The Ravens’ defense finished 28th in pass rush win rate (29.9%) and in sacks (30). Their star quarterback was sacked 36 times in 13 games and they lost star center Tyler Linderbaum in free agency. They finished the draft with 11 picks.
PISCATAWAY, NEW JERSEY - NOVEMBER 29: Olaivavega Ioane #71 of the Penn State Nittany Lions looks on against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Piscataway, New Jersey. The Penn State Nittany Lions defeated the Rutgers Scarlet Knights 40-36. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
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R1 P14, G, Olaivavega Ioane, PSU
R2 P45, Edge, Zion Young, Missouri
R3 P80, WR, Ja’Kobi Lane, USC
R4 P115, WR, Elijah Sarratt, IU
R4 P133, TE, Matthew Hibner, SMU
R5 P162, CB, Chandler Rivers, Duke
R5 P173, TE, Josh Cuevas, Alabama
R5 P174, RB, Adam Randall, Clemson
R6 P211, P, Ryan Eckley, Michigan State
R7 P250, DT, Rayshaun Benny, Michigan
R7 P253, G, Evan Bernsten, Northwestern
GRADE A-
Cincinnati Bengals: Pre-Draft Needs: DB, Slot Receiver, OL
The Bengals’ defense gave up a league high 6.2 yards per play and were 30th in points allowed per game (28.9). They did not have a first round pick due to the trade for Dexter Lawrence, which gave them seven total picks in the draft.
Another year another season the Steelers are held captive without a franchise quarterback waiting for the decision of 42-year old Aaron Rodgers. They have 10 picks in the draft.
R1 P21, OT, Max Iheanachor, ASU
R2 P47, WR, Germie Bernard, Alabama
R3 P76, QB, Drew Allar, PSU
R3 P85, CB, Daylen Everette, Georgia
R4 P121, WR, Kaden Wetjen, Iowa
R5 P169, TE, Riley Nowakowski, IU
MIAMI GARDENS, FL - JANUARY 19: TE Riley Nowakowski #37 of the Indiana Hoosiers runs with the ball after a catch during the Indiana Hoosiers versus the Miami Hurricanes College Football Playoff National Championship Game Presented by AT&T on January 19, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
R6 P210, DT, Gabriel Rubio, Notre Dame
R7 P224, S, Robert Spears-Jennings Oklahoma
R7 P230, RB, Eli Heidenreich, Navy
GRADE B-
AFC Draft Grades
Once again the difference between fantasy and reality rears its pretty lil head. We are trepeditious regarding the weapons the Browns acquired for fantasy football purposes. However, there is little doubt that they should help the team be respectable in the AFC North. While the Jets made a swing for the fences in the AFC East, the consensus is it may have them jump the Dolphins but the Patriots and Bills still reign supreme. The AFC West promises to be a shoot-out with the Raiders coming out of the draft and free agency a-blazing. And the AFC South is anybodies guess as the Jaguars draft was quizzical and the Texans’ best pick up was a defensive tackle.
This article was originally published on Forbes.com
This brings the offseason roster to 81 players. The offseason limit is 91 players, including the team’s International Pathway Program player, former rugby player-turned-pass-rusher T.J. Maguranyaanga, which means that Washington will be looking to add ten more players to fill out the training camp roster.
The addition of undrafted college free agents will be the immediate priority, but those signings won’t be officially announced for a few more days. Rumors and reports of UDFA signings are notoriously unreliable, but Hogs Haven will keep you abreast of reports as they surface and will publish the official list of UDFAs when the team makes the announcement later this week.
Getting younger and faster
Speed
The theme of this offseason has been “younger and faster”, especially on defense. Anyone who has been following free agency and the draft will know that — outside of, perhaps, the final 2 or 3 draft picks — Adam Peters has definitely been adding speed.
In free agency, we saw a distinct difference between 2025, when the bulk of free agents signed were 30 y.o. or older, and this season, when 12 of the 14 free agents signed from other teams were between 26 and 29 years of age.
In the draft, Washington’s 6 draft picks had an average age of about 22.5 years of age compared to the league-wide average of 22.67, ranking as the 12th-youngest draft class overall. The two defensive picks — Sonny Styles & Joshua Josephs — have an average age of less than 22 y.o.
Among Washington’s draft picks, only center Matt Gulbin (24) and RB Fatman Allen (23) are on the ‘older’ side, and both are offensive players. Sonny Styles is the youngest of the draft picks at just 21 years of age. The other 3 players — Antonio Williams, Joshua Josephs and Athan Kaliakmanis — are all 22.
The defense, with 11 new players among the likely 53-man Week 1 roster, is definitely getting younger and faster than it was in 2025.
The updated offseason roster/depth chart
In the chart, the 14 players signed from other teams as veteran free agents (9 on defense; 5 on offense) are highlighted in pink, including former Washington players Tim Settle and Dyami Brown. The 6 newly drafted players are highlighted in yellow.
The numbers that appear beside some players’ names are 2025 cap hits per Over the Cap. I have not included cap hits below $1.5m. Newly drafted players do not have cap hits listed.
The Commanders currently have 40 defensive players, 38 offensive players and 3 special teams players.
Please note that assigned positions are my own personal opinions; they do not necessarily represent the thinking of Washington’s coaches or front office, nor are they necessarily consistent with fan consensus, or the thoughts of other writers on Hogs Haven. Finally, when it comes to backup players, I don’t put much effort into making sure that they are on the right or left or behind the specific player that they backup. I mostly just try to fit everyone on the chart efficiently.
It’s also probably worth noting that my goal is primarily to illustrate the full offseason roster, not to create a conventional depth chart. I have, for example, 12 positions on offense and 13 on defense. Readers can imagine 11 or 12 personnel (or whatever else) on offense, as well as multiple defensive alignments.
Notes:
Wide Receiver
No doubt the most common objection in the comments section will be my decision to list drafted rookie Antonio Williams — almost universally regarded as a slot receiver — as the starting wideout opposite Terry McLaurin. This is a considered decision made for a few reasons, but the weightiest of them is that GM Adam Peters’ comments about Williams in his Friday night press conference focused almost exclusively on Williams’ 2024 season and his abilities playing outside, mentioning his ability to play the slot as ‘flexibility’. At the moment, the Commanders have other options at slot receiver, but lack a clear starter opposite McLaurin. Based on the general manager’s comments, I think he believes he has drafted a player who can fill that role — at least unless/until the team acquires a player better suited to the role.
Here’s much of what Adam Peters had to say about Antonio Williams on Friday:
So, this guy’s a tough kid and you go back and watch his 2024 film, you really get to see what a special talent he is. I’d describe him as just a great athlete. Great athlete, really fast and he’s fast in a lot of different ways. He’s fast at the 40 time. The GPS is really, really high on him. End game. And then the old scout’s eye, you see him, he plays fast and he plays at a high level. He’s an NFL route runner. He can win versus press. He can beat man coverage and so we really like the versatility of him as well. He can play inside. He played a lot inside this year. He played outside last year and that’s really the thing that differentiated him from a lot of guys is winning outside and winning against really good players outside, especially in 2024. So, NFL route runner there’s just a lot of really, really good things about him an d just an all around great package. So thrilled to have him, thrilled to add him to the wide receiver room and just a happy, good couple days here.
I think, if he could, he can play Z and F or you know, Z and slot. And so, he’ll work at both of those. There are things that he can show you can play outside: He’s not huge, but he is not small. He ’s just a hair under six feet and he’s a really tough player and he’s got really good releases. He plays really fast. So those things allow him to win on the outside versus bigger corners. So even though he is not a 6-4 guy, he can still win on the outside and his speed and his releases and his route running and his details allow him to do that. And the same thing with inside is he can win with his quickness as well.”
I think the [game] that really sold it for me was playing Georgia in 2024, and just seeing him play outside and just seeing him win like you would see NFL guys win on Sundays.”
He is a good blocker as well. He’s a willing blocker; he is a tough blocker and he is willing to sell out over the middle. You know, there’s a lot of plays where he is exposed but will go up and get it, and he’s not worried about getting hit — and that impressed me a lot too. actually. I saw that — I wasn’t expecting that — and then seeing that on the tape it was really a pleasant surprise.” He’s not huge, but he is not small either. Where they’re not the 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 guys, they can play and they can run and they can do the other things that maybe allow you to play outside.”
Defensive alignments
As mentioned in the notes under the chart, 13 defensive positions are shown, with 3 DTs, 2 DE/EDGE, 3 LBs, 3 CBs and 2 safeties. Obviously, only 11 players will take the field at one time, but this should allow readers to mix & match players to imagine anything from nickel coverage to 3- or 4-man fronts, to a 5-man ’bear’ front.
I don’t think we’ll have a clear picture of the actual defensive scheme(s) employed by new defensive coordinator, Daronte Jones, until we see the players on the field in preseason — and we may not see the real defensive scheme until the regular season.
We won’t have to wait for training camp for the process to begin, however. The offseason conditioning program for veterans began on April 20th and rookie minicamp will take place in early May, with 3 OTA sessions between May 27th and June 11th. The offseason programs will wrap up with minicamp June 16-18. The players will enjoy a 5-week break before training camp kicks off in late-July.
Apr 24, 2025; Green Bay, WI, USA; The Dallas Cowboys logo is projected on the video board during the NFL Draft at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Draft season has now ended and that can mean only one thing – 2027 mock drafts! That’s right, if you thought you were done with mock drafts, think again. We’re already looking to the next draft even though it may be hard to top the one that just went past.
Seriously, it feels like the Cowboys really nailed the 2026 draft, headlined by the Caleb Downs pick. The Cowboys also picked up Malachi Lawrence with their second first-round pick, courtesy of the Micah Parsons trade. The Cowboys will only have one first-round pick in 2027 because they traded the Jets the other one in the Quinnen Williams deal. The Jets get the better of either Dallas’ or Green Bay’s pick.
SB Nation has a 2027 mock out today and they have the Cowboys giving the 16th pick to the Jets, and keeping the 19th pick courtesy of the Packers. And here is where they went with it.
19 Dallas Cowboys (via Packers) Mark Fletcher RB Miami
It’s extremely hard to understand why Dallas would even consider doing that. Javonte Williams just gave them a very productive season, and they re-signed him for three years with two basically guaranteed. The Cowboys loved everything Williams did for them last year. Barring injury, it’s hard to imagine Williams not having a significant role in the Cowboys offense over the next couple of years.
You could make a case for a wide receiver if Dallas never comes to a deal with George Pickens and he leaves either through free agency or trade. The cornerback situation has a lot of bodies but nothing feels like a sure thing there yet, so it could end up being an issue. Offensive tackle could also be a weakness before the 2027 draft.
Running back? Not so much, and that comes with the whole positional value argument attached. What do you think will be the Cowboys biggest need by then?
William Liang-Imagn ImagesWilliam Liang-Imagn Images
The Colorado Avalanche joined the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round as the only two teams to sweep. The Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres both had opportunities to take big leads in their series in the highly skilled Atlantic Division. One of them did, the other didn’t. Also, the Anaheim Ducks pulled off a comeback, capped by a controversial OT game-winner.
All that and more on this edition of Deen’s Daily — April 27.
Colorado Hockey Now
The Avalanche are heading to the second round and they’ll have two days off before practicing on Wednesday to prepare for their next opponent.
Colorado won Game 4 by a final score of 5-1, completing their first series sweep since the 2022 Western Conference Final.
In four games, the Avalanche only gave up five goals. They scored 11 times on goalie Anton Forsberg and another two into an empty net.
Stanley Cup Playoffs Recap
Game 4 Recap — Sabres 6 at Bruins 1 — (BUF leads 3-1)
The Sabres dominated the Bruins early and didn’t let up. They skated to a commanding 6-1 victory and can finish off the top wildcard team in the Eastern Conference in five games at home.
Game 4 Recap — Lightning 3 at Canadiens 2 — (Series tied 2-2)
Like the first three games, this one was just minutes away from overtime before Brandon Hagel scored his second goal of the third period and sixth of the series to give the Lightning a late lead. Tampa Bay trailed 2-0 before mounting the comeback as they even the series at 2-2.
Game 4 Recap — Oilers 3 at Ducks 4 — (ANA leads 3-1)
The Edmonton Oilers have their backs against the wall. In perhaps the most controversial ending to a game so far, the Oilers fell 4-3 in overtime to the Anaheim Ducks to fall behind 3-1 in the series. It looked like a good goal to me. Simple geometry tells you that. But I’m still curious how the officials called it a conclusive goal before going to review.
Either way, the team that deserved to win did. Anaheim is one win away from a second-round playoff berth.
Long distance runner Sabastian Sawe became the first person to ever run a marathon in under two hours, completing the London Marathon in a blistering 1:59.30. The Kenyan racer ran an unbelievable 4:33 per mile pace for over 26 miles. For context, the fastest mile ever run in human history was by Moroccan man Hicham El Guerrouj at an incredible 3:43.13, meaning Sawe ran 50 seconds off the fastest pace for over 26 miles.
So what was the record-setter wearing for this historic run?
That would be the brand new Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3. The sneaker was announced on April 23, and the London Marathon was its course debut. Sawe and the race runner up Yomif Kejelcha -- who ALSO broke two hours with a 1:59.41 -- were both rocking the new shoes, and what a way to introduce them to the world.
On the women's side, Ethiopian runner Tigist Assefa ran the fastest marathon in women's history, coming in at 2:15.41. What shoes was she wearing? That's right, the Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3. Not a bad advertisement for your new shoe.
The Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 became available in limited quantities on April 25, costing £500 (about $675).
Not a lot of things went right for the New York Rangers during the 2025-26 season. And some of that misfortune already carried over into the offseason.
This time, however, it wasn’t the Rangers fault nor was it much a of a surprise.
Instead it was old friend Artemi Panarin and his new team, the Los Angeles Kings, who let the Rangers down.
The Kings were swept in the first-round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, losing Game 4 to the Colorado Avalanche by a 5-1 final on Sunday. Had the Kings won that series, the third-round pick the Rangers received from the Kings as part of the Panarin trade in early February would’ve turned into a second-rounder this year.
THE BREADMAN ARTEMI PANARIN FINALLY BREAKS THROUGH FOR THE KINGS LATE IN THE 3RD 😱🚨 pic.twitter.com/7t0AtezOk1
No such luck for the Blueshirts, who themselves failed to even qualify for the playoffs this season, finishing last in the Eastern Conference with 77 points. But on the outside looking in, the Rangers had a rooting interest when the Kings qualified for the postseason, hoping that Panarin and Co. would upset the Presidents’ Trophy winners, who had an NHL-best 55 wins and 121 points this season.
The Kings lost a pair of one-goal games in Colorado to open the series, including a 2-1 overtime defeat in Game 2. Panarin scored each of their goals in the first two games, and assisted on another in L.A.’s 4-2 loss at home in Game 3.
Panarin finished second on the Kings with three points, each on the power play, in the series, behind only forward Alex Laferriere, who had four points (all assists). Stymied at every turn, the Kings scored only five goals in the four-game sweep, and Panarin recorded just four shots on goal, despite averaging more than 21 minutes TOI. He recorded one shot on goal and four attempts Sunday.
Of course, the Kings wouldn’t have made the playoffs without Panarin. With just 225 goals scored, the Kings were the lowest-scoring team to qualify for the postseason. Even the Rangers (238) scored more goals this season. And it didn’t help that the Kings lost one of their key forwards, Kevin Fiala, to a season-ending injury during the Milan-Cortina Olympics.
But Panarin played at a point-per-game pace for the Kings after coming over from the Rangers, where he led the Blueshirts in scoring each of his first six seasons on Broadway. Panarin had 27 points (nine goals, 18 assists) in 26 games for the Kings, who squeaked into the playoffs with 90 points, a minus-22 goal differential, and incredibly just 22 regulation victories.
This was the fifth straight year the Kings were bounced in the first round of the playoffs. And it wasn’t a surprise at all that the League-best Avalanche took them out this spring.
So, the Panarin trade is now officially complete. The Rangers received forward prospect Liam Greentree and a third-round selection in the 2026 NHL Draft. One other condition wasn’t met by the Kings: had they advanced to the Western Conference Final this season, the Rangers would’ve received an additional fourth-round pick in the 2028 draft.
The Rangers have 11 picks in this year’s draft, including a pair of first-rounders. They have the third-best odds to win the NHL Draft Lottery on May 5, with an 11.5 percent chance to land the No. 1 overall pick, per Tankathon. That pick is guaranteed to be a top-5 selection, at worst. Their second first-round selection will be the better of the Carolina Hurricanes or Dallas Stars first-rounders, as part of the K’Andre Miller trade to Carolina last summer.
Barring any other trades, the Rangers plan to be on the clock seven times in the first three rounds. They have the two first-rounders, one second-round selection, and four picks in the third round — their own, and ones from the Islanders, Kings, and Buffalo Sabres.
As for Panarin, he’s set in Hollywood for the next two seasons. The 34-year-old, who’s 46 points shy of 1,000 in the NHL, signed a two-year, $22 million contract with the Kings after they acquired him.
Almost as soon as the 2026 NFL Draft had ended, they were signing Georgia Tech QB Haynes King to an undrafted free agent contract.
Yes, UDFAs generally have an uphill climb to make the actual roster. They often are angling for a spot on the practice squad.
There's a reason to believe the Panthers actually have a fascinating plan in mind for King, though.
This is just speculation, but it would make a lot of sense because of one obvious shortcoming of Bryce Young, pun slightly intended -- he can't help in the short-yardage run game.
The Panthers don't use the tush push, for example, because Young is much too small for it.
Young can scramble in space, but he isn't going to line up in shotgun or under center and power forward for a few yards.
King, though? He was one of the best rushers in college football in 2025, any position. He just happens to be a quarterback.
And yes, he's probably a good enough passer to be a long-term backup, but the Panthers could think more near-term here, too.
King would make sense as a specialty package guy, even as a rookie. Sure, the defense would probably assume he's running, but he's a good enough thrower that it wouldn't be a totally sure thing.
It's definitely something you'd expect the Panthers to consider. And if it gives King a role right away, that's a big deal for the undrafted rookie, too.
Newcastle United Under-18s 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers Under-18s 1
After a goalless first-half at the Magpies' Little Benton Academy, the hosts took the lead inside the opening two minutes of the restart through Alfie Hutchison's opener, with the Dunfermline-born teenager also scoring in August's reverse win against Wolves.
United's youngsters doubled their advantage in the 67th minute courtesy of Muawiya Ghanem's strike, with the promising 15-year-old making his first start at Under-18 level in the process.
Newcastle's hopes of a clean sheet were dashed in the 89th minute as Elliott Saba set up a nervy finale but Chris Moore's side managed to see out the contest to move into third place of the table.
Newcastle United Under-18s: Roman Dowell, Jack Patterson, Luke Gilligan (Ezra Tika-Lemba 90), Aaron Epia, Henry Johnson (c) (Thomas Old 66), Matty Taylor (Jack Callaghan 64), Alfie Hutchison (Leon Mukumbira 80), Muawiya Ghanem, Kacey Wooster, Alex O'Donovan, Alfie Seldon.
What can Steelers fans expect of Allar? Check out thoughts from across the NFL below:
What kind of player was Drew Allar with Penn State football?
Allar was an uber-talented quarterback who produced impressive statistics but never fully developed at Penn State as many expected.
That meant he didn't build on his strong start in 2023 and turn into the big-game-winning, first-round NFL Draft pick many pegged him for a year ago.
Allar struggled through an inconsistent start to his senior season with the Nittany Lions before breaking his ankle amid the team's stunning spiral. He then embarked on a six-month journey to rehab his body and football image before the draft.
Drew Allar biggest Penn State football highlights
He started 35 games over three seasons and began his college career as an FBS record-breaker: He did not throw an interception in his first 311 Penn State passes. He earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors his first two seasons and ended his career as PSU's all-time leader in completion percentage (63.2)
He is the only FBS quarterback since 1956 with 900-plus career pass attempts, 50-plus touchdown passes and 12 or less interceptions.
One of his best statistical games was his first as a Penn State starter, against West Virginia in 2023: He was 21-of-29 passing for 325 yards and three touchdowns.
They're saying this about Drew Allar in the NFL
Allar begins his Steelers' career in an unsettled quarterback room. He's one of three backups fighting for positioning as the team awaits word on whether future hall-of-famer Aaron Rodgers will play the 2026 season. Can Allar overtake veteran Mason Rudolph or second-year Will Howard?
"The former five-star recruit has long tantalized with his build and capacity for threatening defenses vertically in the passing game. But a final season in which many expected Allar to make a long-awaited leap in his development laid bare all his shortcomings. Before suffering a season-ending ankle injury, he was repeatedly undone by sloppy footwork, erratic ball placement and a hesitant approach that consistently leaves him out of rhythm.
With their focus on physical traits, the Steelers might be adopting an "I can fix him" mentality here. Allar, however, can't be trusted to step in for Aaron Rodgers anytime soon, regardless of whether the four-time NFL MVP re-signs with the team. And while it's understandable that the Steelers would want to bring along a passer behind Rodgers, they very well might be looking to do so with another passer in the near future."
ESPN, Brooke Pryor: "Picking Allar signals the Steelers' belief in (head coach Mike) McCarthy's ability to develop quarterbacks because Allar is far from a finished product. But at 6-foot-5 and 235 pounds with big hands and long arms, Allar has the measurables valued by the veteran coach. The quarterback guru, though, will have his work cut out for him as he'll have to work to develop both Allar and 2025 sixth-round pick Will Howard."
The Athletic, Nick Baumgardner: "Drew Allar is absolutely intriguing ... with terrific arm talent and above-average mobility. He has every tool in the shed. (But) he was never consistent with his feet or in big moments during his run at Penn State though and could be a boom-or-bust prospect. I think Allar has a higher ceiling than Will Howard, for whatever that’s worth."
Frank Bodani covers Penn State football for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him at fbodani@ydr.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @YDRPennState.
Since the NFL Draft is complete, we figured, why not dive into some way-too-early rookie of the year candidates for 2026?
An abundance of talent was taken from the wide receiver position, which has us thinking that without a deep premier-level quarterback class, and unless Jeremiyah Love wins it with the Arizona Cardinals, chances are that a wideout could take home the crown. A rookie wide receiver has won the award the past three out of five years. It appears that Fernando Mendoza will not start in Las Vegas immediately, ruling him out as well.
It would be hard for Jeremiyah Love to win, due to the fact that the Cardinals are expected to struggle again for the most part, but if Arizona lets him be the workhorse back, and doesn't split too many carries, as long as he stays healthy, it is a real possibility for Love.
My vote is for Carnell Tate, a rookie wide receiver out of Ohio State University. Tate will be relied on heavily as the number-one option immediately. As long as Cam Ward can get him the ball, and the two develop the chemistry downfield to air it out and win some games, Tate may have this one in the bag, even on a bad team.
In 2025, despite playing second fiddle to the Los Angeles Rams' potent passing offense, running backs Kyren Williams and Blake Corum established themselves as one of the premier one-two running back duos in the NFL. Rushing for almost 2,000 yards combined in the regular season, while adding 16 rushing touchdowns, both backs are poised for another outstanding campaign.
Williams, who is seeking his fourth straight 1,000-yard season, spoke recently about how their selfless nature and competitive spirit powers the Rams' underrated rushing attack.
“I think we feed off each other really well," stated Williams. "I think we both have that competitive mindset to where no matter whose number is called, we're going to go out there and make those plays when they need to be made. I can't wait for this year to continue to grow that relationship that you were talking about on the field and off the field. I feel like we have a lot more growing to do off the field than we do on the field because that's just what we do. Being able to continue to work with Blake and to be around him and all the other running backs. We were able to bring back our room, that was something for me that was huge. I'm super excited to keep working with those guys.”
During the 2025 season, both players would often say that they received information from the other, helping them set up their approach to defenses. Their work has clearly paid off and with various changes around the league, the Rams could be on the verge of the NFL's top rushing duo in 2026.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 17: Catcher Bo Naylor #23 of the Cleveland Guardians watches the scoreboard during the top of the fifth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Progressive Field on April 17, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Russell Lee Verlinger/Cleveland Guardians/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Good feeling’s gone.
The Guardians have now lost two straight series to the injury-depleted Astros and injury-depleted Blue Jays. Not great, Bob.
Nicole has the recap of a feckless performance by the hitters against Patrick Corbin. I had forgotten that Corbin inexplicably owns Jose Ramirez. Meanwhile, Steven Kwan has a 73 wRC+, Kyle Manzardo has a 58 wRC+, George Valera has a 55 wRC+, Juan Brito has a 44 wRC+ and Bo Naylor has a 9 wRC+. Those numbers have to change, one way or another. Also, I don’t know that they can continue to play Fry in right field or Brito at second base, defensively.
Aside from that, how was the play, Mrs. Lincoln?
Guardians Weekly featured Gavin Williams and Peyton Pallette, and a focus on the Hill City Howlers.
AROUND MLB:
The Tigers beat the Reds, the Royals beat the Angels, and the Twins and White Sox lost.
The Arizona Cardinals completed their 2026 NFL draft class over the weekend. They selected one player in every round, five on offense and two on defense. They kicked things off with running back Jeremiyah Love with the third overall pick and wrapped things up with tackle Jayden Williams in Round 7.
While what we will see mostly is analysis in terms of grades for different teams and player, what roles are reasonable and likely scenarios for each player in the draft class?
Let's have a look at each player.
RB Jeremiyah Love
As the third overall pick and because of his immense offensive talent, he likely will be the No. 1 running back as a rookie. He will likely get the most offensive touches on the team and lead the team in rushing.
G Chase Bisontis
The hope is that he can beat out Isaiah Adams and be their starting right guard.
QB Carson Beck
Because of the quarterbacks already on the roster (Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew), Beck projects as their No. 3 QB, but because of how bad the Cardinals are expected to be, it isn't unreasonable to think he might get some starts as a rookie late in the year.
DT Caleb Proctor
He should be part of the defensive line rotation, probably playing 15-20 snaps a game.
WR Reggie Virgil
While he might get some offensive snaps, he should play mostly on special teams.
LB Karson Sharar
If he plays much on defense, things aren't going the way they should. He should contribure immediately on special teams.
OL Jayden Williams
He won't likely see the playing field. He will probably spend most of the year inactive.
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
Heading into the 2026 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears were expected to look into a long-term option at center following Drew Dalman's surprise retirement this offseason. And they did just that with the selection of Iowa center Logan Jones in the second round.
Head coach Ben Johnson said the Bears were "smitten" by Jones during the pre-draft process, and when getting their pick of centers with the 57th overall pick, Jones was the clear choice for all.
“We were really smitten with Logan throughout the process," Johnson said. (Offensive Line Coach) Dan Roushar, (Assistant Offensive Line Coach) Kyle DeVan, went out and went to several places this springtime to make sure we could identify the guys that we felt really good about. Obviously, Logan was at the top of the list for us. And so, we felt convicted as a staff, coaching staff and personnel side, that he was our guy."
Johnson raved about Jones as a player, including his work both in the run game and pass protection. Center is one of the most important positions in Johnson's offense, so this selection speaks volumes about Jones' long-term fit.
"The mental is top notch," Johnson said. "We saw all the traits that we're looking for, whether it's the run game or in pass-pro, and we brought him in for a top 30, and I think that's when it really solidified it for us that ‘yeah, he's got the makeup.’ The guys at Iowa were raving about him, and then just the next level in terms of the football IQ as well. So, I think none of us have any qualms that he'll be able to download the information and, once again, it's just another spot that we'll have high level competition at.”
While the Bears acquired veteran Garrett Bradbury via trade before free agency, Jones will get an opportunity to compete for the starting job as a rookie. As a prospect, Jones was labeled a Day 1 starter, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see him beat out Bradbury, who was acquired for a 2027 fifth-round pick and has just one year left on his deal.
Nelly Korda dominated the field from start to finish in claiming the third major championship of her career, winning the Chevron Championship by five strokes Sunday, April 26, at Houston's Memorial Park.
Korda, 27, becomes just the fourth American woman since 1990 to win at least three majors, joining Meg Mallon, Betsy King and Patty Sheehan.
"I feel very relieved after what I felt mid-round, the nerves of holding that lead and the golf course," said Korda, "and I just feel so happy."
Korda took control at Memorial Park on Day 1 and never relented, building her lead to as many as eight as she set or matched scoring records throughout the week. On Sunday, the lead never dipped lower than four strokes. She ultimately won by five at 18 under, with major champions Patty Tavatanakit and Ruoning Yin taking a share of second.
After a weather-shortened victory to start the season at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, Korda took a six-week break from competition and came back to finish runner-up three times.
Korda went into the final round in Houston with a five-shot lead and worked hard to protect it, changing her strategy to the point it felt uncomfortable. It worked.
"For me I'm like having to play defensive at some point but also not wanting to get too defensive because I want to play my own game," she said. "That's where I struggled this weekend of, OK, I wanted to be aggressive on this hole, but if I make a big mistake, I mean, that cuts my lead."
This marks Korda's seventh time taking over the No. 1 position. She has collectively spent 108 weeks in the No. 1 position over the course of her career.
After winning major No. 3, Korda is now five points shy of the 27 required to enter the LPGA Hall of Fame.
She'll have a chance to add to those credentials in the second major of the season at the U.S. Women's Open, June 4-7 at Riviera Country Club outside Los Angeles.
Oxford fans have remained upbeat following Saturday's relegation from the Championship [Getty Images]
Oxford United fans have struck an optimistic tone despite the club's relegation from the Championship.
The U's fate was sealed ahead of their 4-1 home win against Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday afternoon, with Charlton's defeat of Hull in the early kick-off sending the club down before a ball at the Kassam was kicked.
It brings to an end a two-year spell in the second tier for Oxford after they won promotion via the League One play-offs in 2023-24.
"Relegation feels a lot different than I remember it," he said.
"We spent so long trying to get into League One, and now here we are trying to avoid it."
"In a completely different way, we're going into it looking forward to it, knowing that it's on us to take it by storm."
"Today feels like a 'right, let's have it next year'," Liam added.
Saturday's 4-1 win against Sheffield Wednesday was not enough to prevent the U's relegation [Getty Images]
Saturday was the first time Oxford United experienced relegation since dropping out of the Football League in 2006.
Will Lankshear, Oxford's top goal scorer this season, said the result had been "bittersweet".
"It's extremely disappointing but we have to move on, and the crowd are here supporting us to the very end - I think they've been outstanding all season," the 21-year-old striker, on loan from Tottenham, said.
He added: "It's such a beautiful club."
Also speaking on BBC Radio Oxford, U's fan Matt said: "We're coming straight back up."
"We've got to be positive - I've learnt from following Oxford that there's no point being negative," he said.
"I beg everyone that's had a season ticket to renew that season ticket - show the players how much the club means to us."
On loan striker Will Lankshear said Oxford was a "beautiful club" [Getty Images]
Manager Matt Bloomfield, who joined the U's in January to replace the sacked head coach Gary Rowett, said he was feeling a "complete mix" of emotions.
"Obviously, extreme disappointment at what's happened today in terms of the position of the football club," he said.
"But that's certainly mixed in with pride at our supporters, the way that they've supported the boys over the season and today - I think it's there's also a lot of hope for the future."
He added: "I'm really excited about the future, but I have to admit obviously that my overriding feeling today is one of extreme disappointment."
Mark Gronowski is the winningest quarterback in college football history at the Division I level.
He's now joined the Miami Dolphins in hopes of making their roster.
The Dolphins signed the former South Dakota State and Iowa star as an undrafted free agent, and there are both questions and intrigue surrounding him.
In the Big Ten, Gronowski didn't look like a prototypical NFL passer. He did have a 63.4% completion rate, but he threw for just 1,741 yards with 10 touchdowns and 7 interceptions.
Sure, that's why he went undrafted, but it also raises the question of whether he can even stick around down the depth chart while having less than ideal passing ability.
But then you expand further, and you start to wonder whether Gronowski may actually have a fascinating role even early in his career.
At Iowa in 2025, Gronowski also rushed for 545 yards and 16 touchdowns -- and that's while accounting for the fact that QB rushing yards are depleted by sacks in college football.
COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS - DECEMBER 20: Nate Boerkircher #87 of the Texas A&M Aggies reacts after a first down in the first half against the Miami Hurricanes during the 2025 College Football Playoff First Round Game at Kyle Field on December 20, 2025 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The 2026 Jaguars draft class is in the books. Ten prospects received a phone call from a 904 number this weekend, welcoming them to Jacksonville and the NFL. Some names will be familiar to us, others less so. But what is there to learn about the newest members of Duval Nation? We bring you five things to know about each new member of the Jags’ roster, starting with second round selection Nate Boerkircher, TE, Texas A&M:
Not many second round draft selections begin their college career as a zero-star recruit. But that’s exactly what Nate Boerkircher was coming out of Aurora high school in Nebraska. A tight end with zero scholarship offers, Boerkircher decided to walk-on with his home town team in 2020, spending four years with the Cornhuskers. He finally earned a scholarship as a sophomore in 2023, primarily through unmatched work ethic and embracing special teams.
Despite never having more than six catches in any season, Boerkircher’s team-first mentality saw him coveted by a host of schools in the transfer portal, and he headed to College Station for his final college season. He tripled his receiving output with the Aggies, but caught the eye mostly in the run game as one of the most dominant inline blockers in the Power 4. 61% of his snaps for Texas A&M came on run plays, and his ability to open run lanes for ball carriers appealed to James Gladstone, completing quite the journey for Boerkircher.
Little Bork
Boerkircher wasn’t always the hulking, 6’5”, 245lb specimen we saw suit up in maroon this past season. In fact, part of the reason he flew under the radar as a high school recruit will have been his late physical development…
Whilst at Aurora, Nate played on the same team as his older brother Ian, who was significantly larger in size. This led to the younger Boerkircher being given the nickname ‘Little Bork’ – a nickname that quickly became ironic as the tight end grew to be the same size as his elder sibling before following him to Lincoln, where they both suited up for the ‘Huskers.
An NFL profile
Nate Boerkircher is a TE prospect in the 2026 draft class. He scored a 8.89 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 163 out of 1456 TE from 1987 to 2026.https://t.co/HOWI1AF1sgpic.twitter.com/TjI9qiMEV5
Boerkircher’s selection at number 56 overall may have turned a few heads – his college production is modest after all. However, his blend of size and athleticism delivers a profile ideal for the pro’s…
A strong performance at his Pro Day saw Boerkircher deliver some eye-opening speed for a guy clocking in at taller than 6’5”. An average forty time was sweetened by some strong splits, and Boerkircher really showed his athleticism and change of direction in the three-cone drill.
For those unaware of Kent Lee Platte (better known as ‘MathBomb’, he’s the creator of the Relative Athletic Score, a metric that combines size, strength and athleticism that compares profiles of NFL Draft prospects. Boerkircher’s RAS comes in at 8.89 (out of a possible perfect 10), putting him in the top 11% of all tight ends recorded since 1987. These numbers suggest that, from a physical and athletic standpoint at the very least, the Jaguars’ second round pick should adapt well to life in the NFL.
Academic excellence
Gladstone likes to talk about ‘intangibly rich’ draft prospects – those that bring more to the team than just the raw skills needed to play the game. In this regard, Boerkircher stands out; a finance major who graduated at Nebraska almost two years ago, he was a three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection, reserved for the conference’s football stars that excelled in the classroom as well as on the football field.
Boerkircher was also named to the Tom Osborne Citizenship team during his time with the Huskers, an award that recognizes student-athletes that demonstrate exceptional community service, mentorship and academic dedication. Named after Nebraska’s legendary head coach, it is an honor reserved for those who have completed at least six service projects alongside their sports and studies.
Nate Boerkircher’s contribution to the Tom Osborne Citizenship Team didn’t stick to the classroom. His involvement with pediatric brain cancer awareness centers on his partnership with the Archer Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting families affected by DIPG (Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma), an aggressive and inoperable brain tumor.
The foundation was inspired by Archer, a five-year-old boy diagnosed with DIPG in late 2023. Boerkircher used his platform as a college athlete to drive both awareness and funding for the cause, fundraising through on-field performance and social media activities, including raising $1 for every share of a campaign post on Instagram. The funds raised through these initiatives provided direct financial relief to families, helping cover daily expenses, travel for clinical trials, and creating special experiences for children battling the disease.
Boerkircher’s dedication to local philanthropic causes will be well received in Jacksonville, who have the honor of having one of their own (Arik Armstead) receive the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award two years ago for similar levels of community service.
In an era where the sites of the 1935 PGA Championship, 1937 Ryder Cup and 2051 U.S. Open already have been announced (plan your trips to Oak Hill, Congressional and Oakland Hills, respectively), it was an oddity that the site of the 2028 Open Championship was still unknown a little more than two years before it is to be played. That is until Monday when the R&A announced that Royal Lytham & St. Annes would be the site for the 156th playing of the game’s oldest championship.
Located 50 miles north of Liverpool along England’s west coast, Lytham will be hosting the Open for the 12th time, the most recent coming in 2012 when Ernie Els won for the second time, claiming the claret jug as Adam Scott stumbled with bogeys on the final four holes. The dates for the event are Aug. 3-6, later than the Open is traditionally held in order to accommodate the 2028 Olympics being played that July in Los Angeles.
“This is one of golf’s most cherished and historic venues and The Open’s return to these famous links will spark huge interest among fans to be part of one of the world’s great sporting events and celebrate the rich traditions of golf’s original Championship,” said R&A CEO Mark Darbon in a press release. “We are grateful to the members of Royal Lytham & St Annes and the local authorities for their support in making this happen. We look forward to enjoying another fantastic championship on England’s golf coast in 2028.”
Past Open champions at Lytham include Bobby Jones, Bobby Locke, Peter Thomson, Bob Charles, Tony Jacklin, Gary Player, Seve Ballesteros, Tom Lehman, and David Duval.
“We are honored to be chosen as the host venue for the 156th Open in 2028. The Club has a long and successful association with The Open, and we take great pride in our place within the Championship’s history,” said Tim Walker, Chairman of Council at Royal Lytham & St Annes, who made a nod to Lytham’s Open history. “It is fitting that this announcement comes as we mark 100 years since Bobby Jones’ victory here in 1926 and the granting of our Royal status. We look forward to welcoming the world’s leading players, together with spectators and audiences from across the globe, to our links on England’s golf coast.”
The 2026 MLB season is through five weeks. Following suit with previous seasons, this is the common point in the schedule where players break out of early-season slumps. Of course, certain players are continuing their outstanding production. This is what makes baseball the greatest sport in the world. Entering week six, here are the top 10 catcher rankings.
Sep 24, 2025; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin (30) strikes out while batting against the Washington Nationals during the seventh inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Entering the week, Baldwin is leading MLB catchers in hits. The second-year catcher is Atlanta’s most consistent hitter. Matt Olson is the only Braves position player with a higher WAR than Baldwin.
2. Shea Langeliers, Athletics
Langeliers is continuing to have success at the plate. He’s quickly become one of the league’s top offensive catchers. Entering the week, he leads the Athletics in batting average and home runs.
3. Dalton Rushing, Los Angeles Dodgers
Rushing is on one of the hottest streaks in baseball. He is ranked among the league leaders in home runs and has 30% less at-bats. Los Angeles will find a way to keep Rushing in the lineup.
4. Liam Hicks, Miami Marlins
Hicks is the reason Miami is contending in the NL East. The season has a long way to go, but Liam Hicks has been one of the team’s best hitters. Entering the week, he leads the Marlins in RBI.
5. Dillon Dingler, Detroit Tigers
Oct 10, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Detroit Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler (13) singles against the Seattle Mariners during the twelfth inning during game five of the ALDS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
Dingler has established himself as a dependable catcher. He’s shown offensive prowess and won his first Gold Glove Award during the 2025 season. Entering the week, he has the second-best OPS for the Tigers.
6. William Contreras, Milwaukee Brewers
Contreras started slowly but quickly rebounded. He’s locked in and making solid contact at the plate. The veteran will be a key piece as Milwaukee battles for the NL Central crown.
7. Carson Kelly, Chicago Cubs
Carson Kelly is a late bloomer. He had modest success early in his career and has become an offensive threat for a second consecutive season. Last season, he finished one home run short of tying his career high.
8. Hunter Goodman, Colorado Rockies
It was only a matter of time before Hunter Goodman found his stride. The Colorado catcher is starting to resemble last season’s form, where he reached 30 home runs and 90 BRI. His recent success is directly correlated to the team’s recent stretch of home games.
9. Ryan Jeffers, Minnesota Twins
Sep 3, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers (27) hits a single against the Chicago White Sox in the fourth inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
Jeffers is making the most of receiving the majority of playing time for Minnesota. Since 2024, he has become the Twins’ starter behind the plate. If he stays locked in, he can reach 20 home runs for the second time in his career.
10. Cal Raleigh, Seattle Mariners
Raleigh was expected to regress after reaching 60 home runs in 2025. He’s faced adversity through the first month of the season. However, Cal Raleigh is starting to turn a corner.
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🚨 HEADLINES
🏒 Sweeps complete: The Hurricanes and Avalanche are moving onto the conference semifinals after sweeping the Senators and Kings, respectively. The Flyers, up 3-1 on the Penguins, could join them in the second round as soon as tonight.
🏀 Wolves lose two starters: The good news for the Timberwolves is that they're up 3-1 on the Nuggets. The bad news? Superstar Anthony Edwards will miss multiple weeks (knee) after exiting Game 4, and starting guard Donte DiVincenzo (Achilles) is out for the season.
⚾️ Red Sox clean house: The last-place Red Sox fired skipper Alex Cora and five other coaches on Saturday amid an abysmal start to the season. Former big leaguer Chad Tracy, who manages Boston's Triple-A team, will take over as interim manager.
⛳️ Captain Furyk: Jim Furyk has reportedly been named captain of the 2027 U.S. Ryder Cup team. The 17-time PGA Tour winner, who also led the squad in 2018, will be tasked with injecting new life into an American team that has lost two straight Ryder Cups, and nine of the last 12.
🎾 No Alcaraz in Paris: Two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz will miss next month's French Open as he recovers from a wrist injury, leaving the door wide open for Jannik Sinner to complete the career Grand Slam at Roland Garros.
Sawe crosses the finish line in London. (Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images)
Today's top story is written by Dylan Dittrich — one of the sharpest minds in sports business, and an expert in sneakers. You'll be hearing a lot more from him soon.
On Sunday, Sabastian Sawe broke the most vaunted running barrier since Roger Bannister notched his sub-4 mile, clocking 1:59:30 at the London Marathon to become the first person to duck under the two-hour barrier in an official race.
The second-place finisher, Yomif Kejelcha, also crossed the line in under two hours, running 1:59:41 in his marathon debut.
Jacob Kiplimo rounded out the podium in 2:00:28, eclipsing the prior world record in a performance that would've been considered generational on any other day in history.
The race within the race: Both Sawe and Kejelcha are Adidas athletes, and their achievements dealt a dual blow to Nike's marathon credentials. In addition to shattering the late Kelvin Kiptum's world record, they also relegated Eliud Kipchoge's unofficial sub-2 performance in the Nike-sponsored "Breaking2" to footnote status.
Both runners wore Adidas' Adios Pro Evo 3 shoe, unveiled last week. You, too, can lace up the lightest racing shoe Adidas has ever produced for a mere $500 (it goes on sale at 10am ET today).
Most hobby joggers will pass, but sponsorship at this level is less about the specific product itself, and more about the halo effect of demonstrating technological prowess and excellence in performance. Mission accomplished.
The scoreboard: Of the 36 available podium places in the last six traditional marathon majors, athletes wearing Adidas sneakers account for 17, compared to seven for Asics, six for Nike, two for Under Armour, two for On and one each from Puma and Hoka.
Sawe poses with his new world record time written on his Adios Pro Evo 3 shoe. (Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images)
Take that for data: Achievements of this magnitude invite skepticism in a sport too often marred by doping scandals. But Sawe has receipts.
In the buildup to his 2025 Berlin victory, Adidas contributed $50,000 to the Athletics Integrity Unit to cover the cost of testing him as frequently as possible — an effort to strike a victory for clean sport.
He was tested 25 times ahead of Berlin and reportedly followed a similar protocol ahead of London. Any disbelief in Sawe's performance, then, is the product of its sheer insanity rather than doping suspicions. $50,000, well spent.
Bottom line: He came. He Sawe. He conquered.
P.S. … Beyond supershoes, the biggest factor enabling recent leaps in marathon performance is fueling. Endurance athletes are training the gut to ingest insane amounts of carbs every hour, and advances from Maurten and other sports nutrition companies have made that easier. Here's how Sawe fueled on race day.
🏈 NFL DRAFT: GRADES FOR EVERY TEAM
(Henry Russell/Yahoo Sports)
The 2026 NFL Draft is officially in the books. How did each team fare? Here are our official draft grades, courtesy of Nate Tice and Charles Robinson.
NFC East
Giants: A
Commanders: B+
Cowboys: B+
Eagles: B+
NFC North
Bears: B
Vikings: B
Lions: B-
Packers: C+
NFC South
Buccaneers: A
Saints: A-
Panthers: B
Falcons: C+
NFC West
Cardinals: B-
49ers: B-
Seahawks: B-
Rams: D+
AFC East
Patriots: B
Bills: C+
Dolphins: C
Jets: C-
AFC North
Browns: B+
Ravens: B
Steelers: B
Bengals: D
AFC South
Titans: A
Texans: B+
Colts: B
Jaguars: D-
AFC West
Chiefs: B+
Raiders: B
Broncos: C
Chargers: D
The NFL's traveling circus: The three-day event drew 805,000 fans to Pittsburgh's North Shore, smashing the previous attendance record held by Detroit (700,000 in 2024). Next up: The highly-anticipated 2027 NFL Draft on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
📸 THROUGH THE LENS
Korda took a dip after winning the Chevron Championship, as is tradition. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Houston, Texas — Nelly Korda (-18) cruised to a wire-to-wire victory at the Chevron Championship, winning by five strokes to claim her third career major title and return to No. 1 in the world.
Historic start: Not only is Korda just the second woman to win three majors this decade (Minjee Lee), she's also the third woman ever to open a season with five consecutive top-two finishes (Karrie Webb in 2000; Annika Sorenstam in 2001).
One of Wemby's seven blocks in Sunday's victory. (Jenny Kane/AP Photo)
Portland, Oregon — Victor Wembanyama filled up the stat sheet (27 points, 11 rebounds, 7 blocks, 4 steals) in his return from a concussion as the Spurs crushed the Trail Blazers in Sunday's rollercoaster Game 4, turning a 17-point halftime deficit into a 114-93 victory to take a 3-1 series lead.
The Oilers look back at the Ducks' game-winning goal. (Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Anaheim, California — The Ducks took a commanding 3-1 series lead over the Oilers on Sunday after Ryan Poehling's overtime game-winner just barely got over the line for a 4-3 victory, pushing the two-time defending Western Conference champions to the brink.
Avondale, Louisiana — Brothers Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick held on to win the Zurich Classic by a stroke, birdieing the 72nd hole (thanks to Matt's clutch bunker shot) to finish a tournament-record 31-under par.
Siblings on fire: Matt, the No. 3 golfer in the world, has won two straight events and three of his last four. Alex, No. 140 in the world, also won his previous start (on the DP World Tour), and Sunday's victory earned him his PGA Tour card through 2028.
💯 BIG NUMBERS
(Hector Vivas/Getty Images)
⚾️ 34.2 scoreless innings
Padres closer Mason Miller earned his MLB-leading 10th save on Saturday in Mexico City against the Diamondbacks, while also extending his scoreless streak to a franchise-record 34.2 innings.
Record books: Miller is less than seven innings away from the all-time record for relievers (41 straight scoreless innings), set by Orioles closer Gregg Olson in 1989-90. But he's still a ways away from breaking the MLB record (59 innings), set by Dodgers starter Orel Hershiser in 1988.
🥎 169 home runs
Oklahoma softball has blasted a record-shattering 167 home runs this season, eclipsing their own mark of 161 set in 2021 for the most in NCAA Division I history. The Sooners are currently 46-6 (!), with 32 of those wins coming via the mercy rule (!!).
Freshman sensation: Oklahoma freshman Kendall Wells is responsible for 36 of the Sooners' 169 long balls, putting her just one shy of matching Laura Espinoza's NCAA single-season record set with Arizona in 1995. Espinoza reached that mark in 72 games; Wells has played just 51.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola celebrates the game-winner. (Michael Regan/The FA via Getty Images)
⚽️ 4th straight final
Manchester City scored two late goals in a thrilling 2-1 victory over Southampton on Saturday to become the first team ever to reach four consecutive FA Cup finals.
Last two standing: Chelsea blanked Leeds, 1-0, in the other semifinal to clinch their first trip back to the title game since reaching three straight from 2020-22.
🎾 24 in a row
Jannik Sinner cruised past Elmer Møller on Sunday at the Madrid Open for his 24th consecutive victory in a Masters 1000 event, breaking a tie with Rafael Nadal for the fourth-longest streak ever.
Who's he chasing? Take a wild guess. The only men with longer streaks than Sinner are Novak Djokovic (31 straight in 2011; 30 straight in 2014-15) and Roger Federer (29 straight in 2005-06).
📺 WATCHLIST: MONDAY, APRIL 27
Rudy Gobert has held Nikola Jokić relatively in check so far. (Aaron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
🏀 NBA Playoffs
The top-seeded Pistons get things started on the road against the Magic (8pm ET, NBC), who've taken a surprising 2-1 lead. Then the Thunder go for the sweep against the Suns in Phoenix (9:30pm, NBCSN), and the Timberwolves (up 3-1) will try to finish off the Nuggets in Denver (10:30pm, NBC).
Right where they want 'em? Only 4% of NBA teams down 3-1 in a seven-game series have come back to win that series (13 of 298). But Denver is responsible for the last two instances (both in 2020), and they're suddenly facing a team that doesn't have its star player.
🏒 NHL Playoffs
Tonight's slate begins in Pittsburgh (7pm, ESPN), where the Penguins (down 3-1) will try to extend the series against the Flyers. Then it's off to Salt Lake City, where the Mammoth hold a 2-1 lead against the Golden Knights (9:30pm, ESPN).
So you're saying there's a chance? NHL teams facing 3-1 deficits have won the series 9% of the time (32 of 356), most recently in 2023. So while the Penguins aren't in great shape, history says they have a much better chance of advancing than the Nuggets.
More to watch:
⚾️ MLB: Rays at Guardians (6:10pm, FS1) … Cleveland rookie Parker Messick (3-0, 1.76 ERA) has the third-best ERA in baseball.
🎾 Tennis: Madrid Open (7:30am, Tennis) … Round of 32 for the men, Round of 16 for the women.
Got plans tonight? Gametime is the best place to score last-minute tickets to the events in your city. Get tickets now!
⚾ MLB TRIVIA
(Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
Aroldis Chapman notched his 1,341st strikeout on Sunday, passing Goose Gossage for second all-time among relievers.
Question: Who's the only reliever with more career strikeouts?
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Microsoft’s finally fixing Windows Update – Here’s how Microsoft’s finally listening to feedback. Windows users are finally getting more control over Windows Update. Starting now, with Windows 11’s Dev Channel and Experimental versions, users have new options that give them control over Windows updates. In time, these changes will roll out to all Windows 11 […]
Kbank partnered with Ripple to test blockchain-based overseas remittances as South Korean companies prepare for new stablecoin and digital asset rules.
Banking Circle's stablecoin settlement launch follows its CASP approval, entering a crowded market with SocGen, Sygnum and a 12-bank euro stablecoin consortium.
Microsoft is rebooting the Windows Insider Program, lowering barriers, improving quality, and bringing back the passion that shaped Windows 10 and Windows 11.
The card, an Asus ROG Strix RTX 4090, arrived at the repair shop with a no-detect issue. At first glance, nothing appeared especially suspicious. The board had not been obviously baked, the memory chips were present, the GPU core was there, and the usual signs of a harvested card were missing.
ASML expects to produce at least 60 EUV systems this year, up sharply from 2025, with capacity rising to at least 80 systems annually in the next phase. At the same time, the firm is working to improve throughput, including upgrades that allow some machines to process more wafers per hour.
The iPhone Fold is arriving to the market several years after Apple’s competitors have refined multiple versions, which only means that the next category to introduce this unique form factor will be the iPad. While this product would be the obvious choice, a new report states that there’s a chance that the foldable tablet launch may not happen, and it boils down to reasons such as price, design complications, and software optimizations. Even if Apple manages to scale past the internal problems surrounding the iPad Fold, its potentially exorbitant price will threaten its popularity In Mark Gurman’s latest ‘Power On’ newsletter, […]
The performance gap between an eGPU and a GPU installed via the PCIe interface natively disappears with the latest MCIO 8i connector. GPD Intros GPD BOX Mini and G2 External GPU With MCIO 8i Connector That Deliver 4x Bandwidth of OCuLink The external GPUs have always been trailing behind the traditional desktops due to the limitation of bandwidth as a result of the absence of native PCIe interface. We do have some good options to bring the performance closer to the conventional PCIe 4.0 x4 setup, but it's not enough since modern GPUs work much better at PCIe 4.0 x8 […]
Being a roguelike, Saros expects you to build your loadout as you proceed through Carcosa. However, the random generation of weapons and Artifacts can often make a Cycle more difficult than expected. However, there is a simple re-roll trick that lets you start every run with your preferred weapon. The Secret to Starting Weapons To get the exact weapon you want, you need to take advantage of a specific quirk in Saros: your next run always begins with the same weapon type you were holding when your previous run ended. Whether you were defeated by an enemy or manually decided […]
While Saros offers a diverse arsenal of Soltari weaponry, two specific Shotgun variations stand out as the undisputed best choices for clearing biomes. If you are struggling with fast-moving enemies or bosses that leave little opportunities for you to attack, using Stalwart or Annihilator Shotguns is the most effective way to turn the tide. How to Unlock Shotguns Shotguns are not available in the starting area. You will unlock them for the first time in the second biome, the Ancient Depths. The Power of Stagger Damage Still, what makes every Shotgun superior to other early-game weapons is their ability to […]
In Saros, the Eclipse is dangerous in more ways than one, introducing more powerful enemies that can inflict an altered status condition known as Corruption. While most players will instinctively try to avoid it as much as possible, the game rewards those who understand when to embrace it. Mastering the balance between a fully working suit and a corrupted one is the key to mastering the game's most powerful offensive builds. What is Corruption? During the Eclipse, you will encounter enhanced versions of enemies that fire a different projectile type. Distinguished by their yellow color, these projectiles cause Corruption upon […]
Saros gameplay mechanics are the natural evolution of those seen in Returnal, with additional layers of complexity added to defense. Instead of dashing through enemy attacks, the game is all about mastering a sort of rock-paper-scissors defensive loop between your Dash, Shield, and Parry. The last is the riskiest and most satisfying, but before you can pull it off, you must unlock it. How to Unlock Parry Parry is the only defensive option in the game that has to be unlocked before it can be used. To do so, you will have to reach the Blighted Marsh biome and play […]
Survival in Saros depends not only on your skills, but also on Arjun’s high-tech suit. Understanding the balance between the three Growth Attributes of the suit and how to improve them is often the difference between a successful Cycle and a quick trip back to the Passage. The Three Growth Attributes None of the Growth Attributes enhances Arjun's attack power or speed. However, Traversal Boost is there to make traversal faster and more enjoyable. How to Improve Stats Growth Attributes in Saros are not static and can be enhanced both permanently and temporarily. Permanent Upgrades Permanent stat increases are handled […]
While most folks play Pokémon relatively casually, simply catching critters that look cool and building whatever team suits their fancy, there's always been a more hardcore, competitive side to the franchise. This competitive aspect of Pokémon has traditionally been rather difficult to get into, but the Poké powers that be are looking to change that with Pokémon Champions, the recently released free-to-play battle-focused game designed to be the new home of the franchise’s competitive scene. Does Pokémon Champions successfully open up a previously difficult-to-access side of the franchise? Or is it less than super effective? Roll on for the answer. […]
While Saros doesn't waste much time teaching the basics of the game, including the Dash maneuver used to avoid enemy attacks, the game often glosses over other mechanics that can make exploring Carcosa smoother and more fun. This is the case of the Traversal Boost ability, which can be a big help if you feel like Arjun is moving too slowly between combat arenas. How to Sprint (Traversal Boost) While Traversal Boost would have worked wonders in a game where repositioning is key to surviving its intense combat encounters, it cannot be used when enemies are present. If you hold […]
The Carcosan Modifiers system in Saros allows you to manipulate the difficulty of a Cycle by altering specific parameters. While the system is entirely optional, and provides neither direct resource bonuses - like increased Lucenite - nor penalties, it is the most powerful tool at your disposal if you are struggling with the game's intense combat. How to Unlock Carcosan Modifiers To unlock this system, you must complete the Shattered Rise biome and defeat the first boss, Prophet. Once the boss is down, the system becomes available at the Primary Unit for all future runs. How the Modifier Dial Works […]
Coming after Returnal, Saros marks Housemarque's return to the roguelite genre with yet another gripping dark space adventure where protagonist Arjun Devaraj faces not only the bullet hell unleashed by the many threats on planet Carcosa, but his own past. In this complete walkthrough and guide hub, you will find anything you need to learn to master the bullet ballet that defines the experience, and have fun while doing so. Getting Started Although generally easier than Returnal, Saros has its unique quirks you need to understand from the beginning of your exploration of Carcosa to improve some of the experience's […]
A major DRAM & NAND crisis is impending as Samsung faces an 18-day strike in May, which could disrupt the global supply chain. DRAM & NAND Output Will See Up To 4% Disruption In May As Samsung Faces 18-Day Strike DRAM & NAND production is already facing supply constraints, and to make matters worse, Samsung union workers are expected to go on an 18-day strike as the company is unwilling to meet the salary-related demands. As per reports, Samsung's union workers are asking the company for bonuses, demanding a 15% of Samsung's annual operating profit, which amounts to around $30 […]
Mass Effect Andromeda is still vividly remembered by fans of the series and the internet as a whole for being a very underwhelming game. Still, not everyone associates bad memories with the latest main entry in the series developed by BioWare. Tom Taylorson, voice actor for the male version of protagonist Ryder, stated in a fresh interview with We Are Mass Effect that it was the best thing he has ever worked on, but it was done dirty by its publisher EA and by the toxic atmosphere it launched in, where it quickly became the punching bag of the week […]
Save nearly $1,200 on a $4,000+ gaming PC build with this Newegg combo deal, featuring the 9950X3D2, flagship Asus ROG Crosshair X870E motherboard, 64GB of G.Skill Ripjaws DDR5 RAM, and a 4TB Samsung 990 Pro SSD.
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The XRP price has been stuck in a range between $1.41 and $1.44 for the past few days. The volume is on the rise while the volatility has decreased to a large extent, which creates a significant mismatch, suggesting big players are still active, absorbing the liquidity. Currently, XRP is holding steady as the broader crypto market shows mixed momentum, but unlike other altcoins, it has yet to make a decisive move. Price action remains compressed within a tight range, signaling a phase of consolidation rather than clear trend direction.
This raises a key question: is XRP building pressure for a breakout or simply lacking the catalyst needed to move? With volatility declining and participation still limited, XRP appears to be in a waiting phase, where the next major trigger could define its direction.
XRP Price Analysis: Compression Builds Near Key Levels
XRP is currently consolidating around the $1.36–$1.41 range, holding just above an ascending trendline that has been acting as dynamic support since April. This suggests buyers are gradually stepping in at higher levels, preventing deeper downside despite broader market uncertainty. At the same time, price continues to struggle at the 0.236 Fibonacci level at $1.426, which has made this range a pivotal barrier to break.
The MACD shows a drop in the buying pressure while the levels are heading towards a bearish crossover, hinting towards more downfall. However, the 50-day MA is offering a strong base that could prevent extended bearish action. The current move remains weak and lacks strong follow-through, while the volume remains relatively muted. This indicates that the XRP price is still in a waiting phase rather than a confirmed trend. Currently, the price is building pressure between the resistance and support zones, which often sets up a breakout, but the direction may depend on the next catalyst.
What’s Holding XRP Back Right Now?
Despite holding structure, XRP is not attracting strong follow-through demand, and the reasons are more structural than technical. First, there’s no fresh catalyst. Unlike other altcoins benefiting from ecosystem growth or news-driven momentum, XRP is still tied to its broader narrative around regulation and institutional use. Without a new development, the price remains stuck in a waiting phase.
Second, capital rotation is favoring other altcoins. Tokens with active narratives—whether infrastructure plays like LINK or ecosystem-driven coins—are currently drawing more attention, leaving XRP relatively underallocated in the short term. Third, volume and participation remain muted. The recent price action shows low conviction from both buyers and sellers, which explains the tight consolidation. Until volume expands, XRP is likely to remain range-bound.
In short, XRP isn’t weak—it’s just lacking a trigger, and that’s what’s keeping the price compressed despite a stable structure.
What Could Trigger the XRP Price Rally?
XRP price remains in a consolidation phase, holding above $1.36 support while facing resistance near $1.42–$1.50, with no decisive breakout yet. The structure suggests pressure is building, but the next move depends on a clear catalyst. A breakout above $1.50 with strong volume could push XRP toward higher levels, while failure to hold $1.36 may trigger a move back toward $1.10–$1.20 support.
At the same time, XRP’s muted momentum reflects a lack of immediate drivers. A surge in volume, broader altcoin strength, or any regulatory or institutional development could act as the trigger needed to break this range. Until then, XRP remains in a waiting phase, where direction will be defined by whichever side gains control first.
Strategy purchased 3,273 Bitcoin worth about $255 million at an average price of $77,906 per coin. The company now holds 818,334 BTC bought for around $61.8 billion in total. Its average purchase price stands at $75,537 per Bitcoin. The company also reported a 9.6% Bitcoin yield so far in 2026. The latest purchase shows Strategy is continuing its aggressive Bitcoin accumulation strategy despite market volatility, reinforcing confidence in Bitcoin as a long-term treasury asset.
An emergency fund is a reserve of capital designed to cover unexpected expenses. Its defining feature is immediate availability. Returns are secondary. In crypto, this requirement introduces a constraint: many yield products restrict access through lock-ups or withdrawal conditions. A liquid structure is possible when assets, access conditions, and platform design are aligned.
Clapp, a regulated crypto investment platform that combines wallet, savings, and fiat access in one system, provides a framework where emergency funds can remain accessible while generating yield.
What Makes an Emergency Fund Usable
A functional emergency fund meets four criteria:
Immediate access: funds can be withdrawn at any time
Capital stability: value does not fluctuate materially in the short term
No withdrawal penalties: access does not reduce principal or yield
Operational simplicity: funds are available without additional steps
If any of these conditions are not met, the fund may fail at the moment it is needed.
Why Many Crypto Savings Products Fall Short
A large share of crypto yield products prioritizes returns over usability. Common limitations include:
fixed-term lock-ups
staking periods with delayed withdrawals
tiered rates tied to token holdings
withdrawal limits or access windows
These structures are designed for long-term allocation. They do not support emergency use cases.
Market behaviour in 2026 shows a shift toward liquidity-focused products, where access is treated as a primary requirement rather than a trade-off for yield.
Structuring a Liquid Emergency Fund With Clapp
A liquid setup depends on asset selection and access conditions.
Stable Assets
Emergency reserves require price stability. Stablecoins such as USDC and USDT, along with fiat balances like EUR, reduce exposure to market volatility. This ensures predictable value.
No Lock-Up Conditions
Funds must remain fully accessible. Fixed-term products, even when offering higher rates, do not meet emergency fund requirements.
Instant Withdrawals
Access should be continuous. Funds must be available 24/7 without delays or approval processes.
Yield Without Restrictions
Flexible savings allow funds to earn interest while remaining accessible. Interest is calculated daily and compounds automatically.
Clapp Flexible Savings follows this model. Funds remain liquid, interest is credited daily, and withdrawals are available at any time without lock-up constraints.
Practical Setup Using Clapp
A structured allocation improves reliability.
Example: 10,000 USDT emergency fund
8,000 USDT allocated to Clapp Flexible Savings
2,000 held USDT as an immediately available balance within the Clapp wallet
This allocation reflects typical usage patterns. Most emergency funds are not deployed at once. They are accessed incrementally.
Under normal conditions, the 8,000 USDT generates yield continuously. Clapp offers a 5.2% APY for stablecoins, so:
Clapp imposes no restrictions on withdrawals, and interest compounds automatically.
*These figures are illustrative and based on assumed rates for explanatory purposes. Actual returns may vary depending on market conditions, asset selection, and platform-specific rate adjustments. Interest rates are not guaranteed and can change over time.
Real-World Scenarios
Unexpected Expense
A €2,500 expense arises. Funds are withdrawn instantly from the Clapp balance. No asset sales are required. No delays occur.
Income Disruption
A freelancer experiences a temporary drop in income. The emergency fund covers living expenses. The remaining balance continues to generate yield within flexible savings.
Market Volatility
Crypto markets decline. The emergency fund remains stable due to its allocation in stable assets. No forced liquidation occurs.
Crypto vs Traditional Emergency Funds
Factor
Bank Savings
Clapp-Based Emergency Fund
Access
Immediate
Immediate
Yield
Low
Higher (variable)
Flexibility
High
High
Operational flow
Separate systems
Unified
A Clapp-based structure integrates savings, liquidity, and access within one system, reducing the need for transfers between institutions.
How Clapp Supports Emergency Fund Requirements
Clapp integrates the key components required for a liquid reserve:
support for stablecoin and fiat balances
flexible savings with daily interest and no lock-up requirements
instant withdrawals at any time
low minimum deposit thresholds
Funds remain within one environment, which reduces operational friction and ensures consistent access.
Risks and Considerations
Emergency funds require a conservative approach.
Stablecoin risk: depends on issuer stability and reserves
Platform risk: funds are held within a service provider
Regulatory environment: varies by jurisdiction
Diversification across assets and liquidity sources can reduce exposure to these risks.
Final Assessment
A crypto-based emergency fund is viable when structured around liquidity. Stable assets, unrestricted access, and flexible yield mechanisms form the foundation.
Clapp supports this structure by combining daily yield with immediate access, allowing funds to remain both functional and productive. The defining variable remains unchanged: the certainty that capital is available when required.
Well-known crypto analyst Michael van de Poppe believes Bitcoin could be preparing for new all-time highs later in 2026. After recently hitting a 12-week high, Bitcoin saw a small pullback but is now trying to reclaim the $80,000 level.
The sharp recovery has caught many traders by surprise, and now van de Poppe believes BTC will hit around $150k to $160K.
Here’s how high he believes Bitcoin could go in the coming months.
Is the Bitcoin Bottom Already In?
In a recent YouTube video, Michael van de Poppe believes Bitcoin is entering a key phase where long-term growth could follow. After dropping near $60,000 earlier in February, the price has bounced back strongly, surprising many traders.
This kind of recovery is not unusual. Markets often move against public sentiment.
One key signal he pointed to is the Sharpe ratio, a tool used to measure risk compared to return. Current levels look similar to past bear market bottoms seen in 2015, 2018, and 2022.
These readings often suggest Bitcoin is undervalued and may offer a better risk-reward setup for investors. While short-term pullbacks can still happen, the overall structure points toward long-term strength.
Bitcoin vs Gold Rotation
Another factor Poppe highlighted is the relationship between Bitcoin and gold. He believes money often rotates between both assets as investors look for stores of value.
When gold rises sharply, Bitcoin can lag for some time. But once gold peaks, Bitcoin has often started outperforming later. He also noted Bitcoin’s valuation against gold has reached one of its lowest levels ever, something previously seen near past market bottoms.
Bitcoin To hit New ATH: $150K–$160K
Based on past cycles, he said Bitcoin could rise 30% to 50% within three months after a confirmed low. According to the poppe analysis, $79,000 is a crucial resistance level.
If Bitcoin breaks above it, the next target range could be between $86,000 and $95,000. A further breakout may push prices toward $110,000 over the next six months.
Looking further ahead, Bitcoin could reach between $150,000 and $160,000, setting new all-time highs by late 2026 if the trend continues.
On the downside, $73,500 is an important support level. If this level holds, the uptrend remains intact. If it breaks, Bitcoin could retest lower levels before moving higher again.
Onyxcoin price has moved into a new range after surging over 50%, with the Upbit listing bringing fresh liquidity into XCN price action. Instead of reacting with a short-lived spike, the move held above resistance, indicating that buyers are stepping in at higher levels. This shift reflects a transition in market behavior, where demand is no longer waiting at lower zones. With XCN price maintaining strength after the breakout, attention now turns to whether this structure can carry forward into the next phase.
Upbit Listing Sparks Liquidity Shift for XCN Token
The Upbit listing introduced a new layer of demand, and the impact is visible in how the XCN price now reacts to market pressure. As access expanded, buying activity shifted from passive accumulation to active participation, lifting the Onyxcoin price directly through resistance levels.
ONYXCOIN SURGES 50% AFTER UPBIT LISTING
Onyxcoin $XCN has rallied sharply following confirmation of its Upbit listing. The token jumped about 50% in the last 24 hours.
At peak, gains extended beyond 64% after the announcement.
This change in order flow allowed price to establish itself in a higher range instead of rotating back into previous zones. Such transitions typically mark the beginning of price discovery, where liquidity moves with the trend rather than waiting below it.
How the Breakout Resets Onyxcoin Price Trend
Before the listing-driven move, the Onyxcoin price remained confined within a defined consolidation range, with repeated rejection limiting upside. That structure has now changed. The breakout pushed the XCN price above this range and, more importantly, held it there. The absence of a return to prior levels indicates that the market has accepted a new value zone.
Pullbacks are now being absorbed within this higher range, showing that demand is adjusting upward rather than retreating. This is how a market transitions from accumulation into expansion. With the structure reset, the focus shifts to how the XCN price behaves around its new base. The $0.0060–$0.0065 zone now acts as immediate support. Holding above this level keeps the breakout intact and maintains the current structure.
On the upside, the recent high near $0.0085 becomes the next area of interest. A sustained move above this zone would extend the range, opening the path toward the $0.010–$0.012 region. A move back below support would weaken momentum, but as long as the Onyxcoin price holds above the breakout zone, the structure remains aligned with continuation.
Derivatives Activity Signals Rising Participation
The shift in the Onyxcoin price is supported by broader market participation. As the XCN price advanced, derivatives activity expanded alongside it, with volume surged 10882% and open interest around 430% to $8.60M. This reflects new positions entering the market rather than reactive short covering.
At the same time, positioning remains balanced, allowing the move to develop without immediate signs of excess. This type of participation typically supports continuation, provided liquidity remains consistent.
XCN Price Outlook: Can the Breakout Sustain?
With the breakout holding, the Onyxcoin price remains supported above the $0.006 zone, keeping the current structure intact. A move above $0.0085 would confirm continuation toward the $0.010–$0.012 range, while a drop below support would shift the XCN price back into consolidation. For now, the trend remains aligned higher as long as the base holds.
Chainlink is gaining renewed attention as its ecosystem expands beyond crypto-native use cases into mainstream financial infrastructure. Recent integrations with platforms like Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Coinbase are positioning Chainlink as a critical layer for delivering real-world data to blockchains.
But while adoption is accelerating across institutional and enterprise platforms, LINK’s price action has remained relatively muted. This raises a key question: is the market underpricing Chainlink’s growing role in the future of tokenized assets and on-chain finance?
Institutional Adoption is Exploding
Chainlink’s latest integrations highlight its push into real-world infrastructure, moving beyond traditional oracle use cases.
AWS Marketplace integration: Chainlink services are now accessible through AWS, allowing developers and enterprises to easily integrate blockchain data feeds into applications. With AWS controlling a significant share of global cloud infrastructure, this opens the door for broader enterprise adoption.
Coinbase DataLink integration: Coinbase is leveraging Chainlink to bring real-time trading data on-chain, improving transparency and enabling more reliable decentralized applications.
These developments signal a shift: Chainlink is no longer just a crypto tool; it is becoming foundational infrastructure connecting traditional finance, cloud services, and blockchain networks.
Chainlink Price Analysis: Building Pressure for a Breakout?
Chainlink is currently consolidating within a symmetrical triangle pattern, with price compressing between higher lows near $8.10–$8.30 and resistance around $9.40–$9.50. This tightening range typically signals a volatility expansion ahead, as buyers and sellers approach a decision point.
Momentum indicators show gradual strength building. The RSI is trending upward near 54, indicating improving buying pressure, while the MACD has flipped bullish but is on the verge of undergoing a bearish crossover. However, price still sits below the key $10.10 resistance zone, which previously acted as a rejection area.
A breakout above $9.50 could push LINK toward $10.10, with further upside toward $11.00 if momentum sustains. Besides, a failure to break higher and a drop below $8.10 support could invalidate the structure, leading to a move back toward the $7.50–$7.80 range.
Overall, LINK is not trending yet — it is coiling for its next major move, with direction likely determined by the upcoming breakout.
Chainlink Price Outlook: Breakout or Breakdown Ahead?
Chainlink is approaching a critical point as price compresses between $8.10 support and $9.50 resistance, signaling an imminent breakout. The current structure suggests a buildup in momentum, but confirmation is still pending. A sustained move above $9.50 could drive LINK toward the $10.10–$11.00 range, aligning with broader market strength. However, failure to break higher and a drop below $8.10 may trigger renewed selling pressure, pushing the price back toward $7.50–$7.80.
The live price of the TAO crypto is $ 249.58371774.
Bittensor Price could show a reversal to $500 be H1 2026.
TAO’s long-term outlook targets $1,000–$3,000 by 2030
Bittensor (TAO) has gained attention as a decentralized protocol focused on artificial intelligence. The network enables participants to build, share, and evaluate machine learning models through a blockchain-based system.
The project combines AI infrastructure with token incentives. This model positions TAO crypto within a growing segment of crypto tied to AI development. TAO price outlook depends on both technical patterns and network activity.
The daily chart for TAO/USDT shows that April saw a decline after March’s recovery. Currently, TAO is positioned below a “death cross” formed between the 20-day and 50-day EMA bands. The price is hovering below $260 and struggling to find the liquidity needed to trigger a reversal.
Without a significant influx of fresh demand to reclaim the 200-day EMA and subsequently challenge the psychological $300 level, the bearish grip on the market is expected to strengthen as we move into May.
Looking ahead in May, the outlook depends on whether TAO price can maintain its current local floor around $240. If it fails to spark a relief rally toward the $300 resistance zone, we may see the downtrend continue toward the primary demand block between $160 and $210.
Therefore, Investors should monitor a decisive daily close above the immediate EMA cluster, as this could signal a trend shift. Otherwise, the market appears set to test levels below $200 before a meaningful bottom is established.
On April 10th, Covenant AI a major project on TAO announced they are leaving bittensor and reportedly sold 37,000 $TAO worth over $10 million.
On March 16th, Grayscale posted about its Bittensor Trust for private placement, offering eligible accredited investors direct exposure to the TAO ecosystem. This move underscores growing institutional interest in decentralized AI, as Grayscale highlights the protocol’s role in leveraging economic incentives for open-source development.
Coinpedia’s Bittensor (TAO) Price Prediction 2026
The weekly chart for Bittensor (TAO/USDT) reveals a well-defined long-term range that has governed price action since the network’s explosive growth in 2024. This structural parallel channel is anchored by a significant accumulation floor near $160–$200 and a formidable overhead supply ceiling around $720–$760.
In Early 2024 saw TAO price reached its All-Time High (ATH) of approximately $760. Despite a volatile year, the price repeatedly cycled between the channel’s borders, demonstrating high demand at the lower bounds and aggressive profit-taking at the upper extremes.
But throughout 2025, market momentum shifted into a lower-intensity regime. The price largely remained capped under the $500 psychological barrier. A brief Q4 2025 rally attempted to reclaim the upper range but was rejected at $535, leading to a sharp retracement back to the primary demand zone by early 2026.
By Q1 2026, the price has successfully defended the $160–$200 support zone for the third time in two years. This “triple-bottom” characteristic suggests strong institutional interest at these valuations, and the rally to $352 was proof of that.
But, it has faced resistance in Q2’s April and has slipped below the $300 demand area. Now, it did fall on the news, but from a price-action perspective, it looks like a short red candle after 3 months of a rally. So the chances are that it’s a healthy dip for its bullish structure to be maintained for months ahead. But if it’s a healthy dip, it needs to jump back above $ 300; if it doesn’t, it might crash lower, revisit $160-$200 support, and spend the entire Q2 there consolidating, or could seek even deeper levels.
If the TAO price can maintain above $300, then $352 and $396 during this period would be revisited before the first half of 2026 concludes, clearing the technical path for a retest of the $500 supply area. A sustained close above the mid-range would then signal long-term extension in the rally, possibly to the upper border of this parallel channel by year’s end.
Data from Taostats, the primary ecosystem tracker for Bittensor, highlights a period of aggressive expansion in the network’s infrastructure. From March 2023 through June 2025, the number of active subnets experienced a parabolic climb, ultimately reaching a peak of 129. This growth underscores the rapid scaling of Bittensor’s decentralized AI architecture and its ability to attract diverse, specialized compute layers.
Over the last 365 days especially, the chart reveals a shift from rapid expansion to a phase of high-level stability. While the total number of subnets has plateaued at its upper limit, the network has maintained a consistent and active presence throughout the year.
This steady horizontal trend is significant, as it demonstrates a matured ecosystem where the network size remains robust and functional, providing a reliable foundation for the protocol’s ongoing operations.
Bittensor Crypto Price Prediction 2026 – 2030
Year
Potential Low ($)
Potential Average ($
Potential High ($)
2027
400
720
1000
2028
600
820
1200
2029
800
1150
2000
2030
1000
1800
3000
Bittensor (TAO) Price Prediction 2027
As per the Bittensor Price Prediction 2027, Bittensor may see a potential low price of $400. The potential high for Bittensor price in 2027 is estimated to reach $1000.
TAO Crypto Price Prediction 2028
In 2028, Bittensor price is forecasted to potentially reach a low price of $600 and a high price of $1200.
Bittensor Price Forecast 2029
Thereafter, the Bittensor (Bittensor) price for the year 2029 could range between $800 and $2000.
Bittensor (TAO) Price Prediction 2030
Finally, in 2030, the price of Bittensor is predicted to remain steadily positive. It may trade between $1000 and $3000.
The long-term projection assumes Bittensor sustains relevance in enterprise blockchain use cases, with growth moderating over time as the asset matures.
Year
Potential Low ($)
Potential Average ($)
Potential High ($)
2031
1200
1800
3000
2032
1600
2300
3300
2033
1900
3400
4000
2040
3200
5800
7800
2050
6500
8500
10000
Bittensor Crypto Price Market Analysis
Year
2026
2027
2030
Changelly
$620.00
$850
$1200
CoinCodex
$540.00
$900
$1400
WalletInvestor
$760.00
$950
$1550
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What Is Bittensor?
Bittensor operates as a decentralized marketplace for machine intelligence. It uses a system of subnets where contributors train and validate AI models.
The protocol runs on a mechanism known as Yuma Consensus. This system distributes rewards based on the usefulness of contributions rather than computing uptime alone.
The TAO token serves several functions:
Secures the network through staking
Provides access to AI services
Rewards contributors
The total supply is capped at 21 million tokens, similar to Bitcoin.
FAQs
What is Bittensor (TAO) and how does it work?
Bittensor is a decentralized AI network where users share and train models. TAO tokens reward valuable contributions and enable access to AI services.
What is the price prediction for Bittensor (TAO) in 2026?
TAO is expected to trade between $160 and $500 in 2026, with a potential retest of higher resistance if bullish momentum continues.
How much will Bittensor (TAO) be worth in 2030?
By 2030, TAO could trade between $1000 and $3000, supported by growing demand for decentralized AI and sustained ecosystem expansion.
What is the price prediction for TAO in 2040?
TAO may reach between $3200 and $7800 by 2040 if adoption of decentralized AI accelerates and the network maintains long-term relevance.
How high can TAO price go by 2050?
By 2050, TAO could climb as high as $10,000, assuming strong global AI demand, continued innovation, and consistent network growth.
Is Bittensor (TAO) a good long-term investment?
TAO shows long-term potential due to its AI focus and token utility, but investors should consider market risks and evolving competition.
What could drive Bittensor (TAO) price growth?
Key drivers include AI adoption, subnet expansion, institutional interest, and increased demand for decentralized computing resources.
South Korea’s K Bank, the country’s largest internet-only bank, has teamed up with Ripple to pilot blockchain-based cross-border payments across two corridors: the United Arab Emirates and Thailand.
K Bank operates entirely online with no physical branches, making it one of South Korea’s fastest-growing financial institutions and a natural fit for blockchain-based payment rails that bypass traditional correspondent banking infrastructure.
Additionally, previously, France launched a regulated euro stablecoin on the XRP Ledger and Japan made XRP spendable for millions.
Instead, she explains that this is a pattern showing where the real global wealth transfer is happening, quietly through financial infrastructure, not price action.
Institutional Moves, Not Retail Hype
According to Stevenson, these developments are not driven by speculation but by deep institutional adoption.
In France, Société Générale deployed a MiCA-compliant euro stablecoin on the XRP Ledger after passing strict compliance, legal, and risk checks. This shows XRP is being used for regulated financial products, not just trading.
In South Korea, Kyobo Life Insurance used Ripple Custody to pilot real-time settlement of tokenized government bonds. These are among the safest assets in finance, meaning this shift is structural, not experimental.
In Japan, XRP was integrated into payments, making it usable for 44 million consumers across 5 million merchants, proving real-world usability at scale.
Stevenson says these moves reflect institutions building on XRP infrastructure, not testing it.
Three Layers of Finance Converging
The pattern becomes clearer when all three developments are viewed together.
France represents the stablecoin and digital currency layer. South Korea brings in real-world assets through tokenized bonds. Japan covers the payments layer with everyday transactions.
Three different parts of the financial system are moving onto the same infrastructure at the same time.
Stevenson notes that patterns like this do not come from isolated decisions. They emerge when regulation, technology, and institutional confidence align after years of development.
Where the Real Wealth Transfer Is Happening
Stevenson says most investors are focused on XRP’s price, waiting for a breakout. But the real shift is happening underneath.
Banks, insurers, and payment systems are integrating XRP into core financial processes. Every stablecoin transaction on XRP Ledger uses XRP for fees, and real-time settlement systems reduce inefficiencies in traditional finance.
This is where the global wealth transfer is taking place, through infrastructure being built and adopted at scale.
The price may follow later, but the foundation is already being laid.
Sei (SEI) remains in a bearish trend in 2026, with price approaching the $0.020 demand zone. A strong rebound could push SEI back toward $0.10–$0.20 by year-end.
Long-term projections remain bullish for Sei, with analysts forecasting steady growth that could push SEI toward the $1.26–$1.45 range by 2032.
Originally recognized as the first sector-specific Layer 1 blockchain, Sei has evolved into a powerhouse of parallelized execution. While its initial mission focused on optimizing decentralized exchanges (DEXs), the 2024-2025 “V2” upgrade transformed Sei into the Parallelized EVM. This pivot allowed the network to combine the vast developer ecosystem of Ethereum with the blazing-fast performance typically reserved for non-EVM chains like Solana.
As we move through 2026, the network is undergoing its most ambitious technical overhaul yet: the Sei Giga upgrade. By implementing the “Autobahn” consensus and asynchronous execution, Sei aims to support over 200,000 transactions per second with sub-400ms finality. From institutional real-world asset (RWA) tokenization to high-frequency gaming and AI-agent economies.
Planning on investing in this crypto project but concerned about its prospects? Fear not and scroll down, as in this article, we have uncovered the market trends of SEI price prediction from 2026 up until 2032.
As the first quarter closed on a bearish note, investors are now looking for opportunities in the second quarter.
The first quarter has extended the downturn from 2025 into 2026, with the January-to-March period presenting ongoing challenges. Notably, the SEI price fell below the $0.100 threshold, indicating a continued bearish trend, and by March, it even reached a low of $0.050.
However, in April, signs of gradual bullish strength are emerging. If the SEI price experiences further bullish development, it could rise in May to retest the upper edge of the existing falling wedge pattern.
On the other hand, this sustained downward movement could lead to additional declines if market conditions remain unchanged, raising concerns about approaching the lower boundary of a falling wedge pattern in May.
Recent News/Updates
Coinbase has officially integrated the Sei EVM, transitioning all SEI network transactions to the new standard for enhanced compatibility and performance. This significant update, which enables native EVM support for all sends and receives on the platform, was publicly announced by the Sei Network team on April 14.
Sumvin, Inc. officially launched on February 26, 2026, utilizing Sei’s sub-second finality for AI-powered financial execution.
Coinbase Markets announced on February 27th that Sei will transition from Cosmos-based transactions to an EVM-only architecture. They will be facilitating this migration to the Sei EVM, which will take place from April 6-8, 2026.
Coinpedia Sei (SEI) Price Prediction 2026
The technical outlook for Sei (SEI) in 2026 reflects a challenging macroeconomic trend defined by a persistent descending structure. Looking back at the weekly chart, 2024 was marked by two significant but ultimately capped rallies: an explosive surge to the $1.00 mark in the early months, followed by a secondary peak near $0.70 late in the year 2024. Both movements highlighted intense bearish pressure, as sellers consistently utilized these rallies to exit positions, effectively constraining the price within a tightening range.
This market structure deteriorated further in 2025 when the SEI price failed to hold the critical $0.30 demand zone. The breakdown confirmed that the SEI asset had abandoned traditional horizontal support levels and is favoring a massive falling wedge pattern.
This technical formation has been dictated by three clear resistance touches, the most recent occurring in September 2025. While analysts initially hoped the early 2023 demand floor would exhaust the selling pressure, the first quarter of 2026 saw a continuation of the slide, with the price slipping beneath the psychological $0.10 support area.
Current price action suggests that the SEI price is now gravitating toward the lower boundary of the falling wedge. This decline is expected to persist through mid-2026 until the price meets the primary demand area situated around the $0.020 mark. This level represents a deep value zone where selling exhaustion is highly probable.
If buyers successfully defend this floor, the resulting spike in demand could ignite a trend reversal, potentially driving the SEI token price back toward the $0.10 and $0.20 levels. Under a highly bullish recovery scenario, a retest of the $0.30 breakdown point remains a possibility before the year concludes.
Sei (SEI) Long-Term Price Projections: 2027 – 2032
Year
Minimum Price ($)
Maximum Price ($)
Average Price ($)
2027
0.2450
0.2940
0.2500
2028
0.3550
0.4260
0.3650
2029
0.5240
0.6190
0.5350
2030
0.7850
0.9050
0.8060
2031
0.8900
1.1000
0.9950
2032
1.2600
1.4500
1.3210
Sei (SEI) Price Prediction 2027
The SEI price forecast maintains an upward climb throughout 2027. Market analysts project the SEI token will fluctuate between $0.2450 and $0.2940, centering on an annual average SEI/USD price of $0.2500.
Sei Crypto Price Prediction 2028
Growth is expected to accelerate in 2028 as ecosystem maturity attracts deeper liquidity. SEI crypto price is projected to trade within a bullish corridor of $0.3550 to $0.4260, maintaining a robust year-round average of $0.3650.
SEI Token Price Prediction 2029
By 2029, SEI token’s price movements are anticipated to reach a significant peak of $0.6190. On the lower end, strong support is expected at $0.5240, leading to a projected average trading cost of $0.5350.
SEI Price Prediction 2030
Entering the new decade, SEI Crypto’s valuation is expected to be driven by global market recognition. Projections suggest a price range of $0.7850 to $0.9050, with an expected average price of $0.8060.
SEI/USD Prediction 2031
The bullish momentum continues into 2031, with the high target set at $1.1000. While retracements may dip toward $0.8900, the overall market equilibrium is expected to sit near $0.9950.
Sei (SEI) Price Prediction 2032
Based on current expert modeling, 2032 represents a major milestone for the token. SEI is estimated to range between $1.2600 and $1.4500, with an average valuation of $1.3210.
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FAQs
What is the Sei (SEI) price prediction for 2026?
SEI may drop toward $0.020 before recovering. If demand returns, it could rebound to $0.10–$0.20, with a bullish case targeting $0.30 by year-end.
How high can Sei (SEI) price go by 2030?
By 2030, SEI could reach between $0.7850 and $0.9050, with further upside possible if ecosystem growth and adoption accelerate
What is the Sei Crypto price prediction for 2040?
By 2040, SEI could exceed $2–$3 if long-term adoption, scalability, and real-world use cases expand, though such projections remain speculative.
Is Sei (SEI) a good long-term investment?
SEI shows long-term potential due to its high-speed infrastructure and upgrades, but it remains a high-risk asset dependent on adoption and market trends.
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Anthropic’s Claude Mythos Preview has dominated security discussions since its April 7 announcement. Early reporting describes a powerful cybersecurity-focused AI system capable of identifying vulnerabilities at scale and raising serious questions about how quickly organizations can validate, prioritize, and remediate what it finds.
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Leaked changelog reveals the Stable One UI 8.5 for the Galaxy S23 Ultra focuses more on refinement than headline-grabbing additions. It brings a noticeable design refresh and a handful of practical upgrades across the system.
Samsung is leaning into a cleaner, more layered design with transparent blur effects and floating UI elements. It feels closer to a polish pass than a redesign, but the improved depth and readability make navigation smoother, via TarunVats.
Lock screen customization also gets better, with smarter wallpaper fitting, new clock styling options, and downloadable interactive wallpapers.
On the AI front, the Stable update expands existing capabilities rather than introducing the newest Galaxy AI tools. Photo Assist now supports continuous image generation without forcing users to save each version.
Bixby has also been improved to better understand natural language commands and provide quicker answers, along with an accessible conversation history panel.
Several newer AI features seen on the Galaxy S26 lineup are absent. There’s no sign of Call Screening, Creative Studio, upgraded AI Audio Eraser, Notification Highlights, or Now Nudges in this build, suggesting Samsung is keeping those exclusive.
Camera changes are relatively minor, limited to a few new portrait filters. The Weather app adds precipitation graphs and a pollen index, while the Clock app introduces weather-based alarm backgrounds.
Here’s the complete One UI 8.5 update changelog
Visual design
Fresh new look
One UI seamlessly integrates into your daily routine by combining immersive visuals with meaningful personalization for a more refined and sophisticated design. Transparent blur effects add depth and make content easier to navigate, while floating elements react organically to your workflow for a more focused experience. Through familiar and intuitive data visualization, One UI delivers a design that feels both personal and relatable, helping you focus on what matters.
Galaxy AI
Continuous image generation
Keep creating without stopping. Photo Assist now lets you generate AI images using different features from the results screen without saving each iteration. When you’re done, you can review all your creations in your history and pick your favorites.
Bixby
Smarter device control
Talk to Bixby in your own words. Bixby is now better at finding the setting or feature you need, even if you don’t use exact commands or feature names. Just say what you need and let Bixby do the rest.
Ask anything, anytime
Whether you need a quick answer or detailed information, just ask Bixby for an instant response. There’s no need to spend time on multiple searches or switching between apps.
Conversation history
Looking back at past conversations with Bixby is easier than ever. You can now access your conversation history from the side panel in the Bixby app.
Camera
New portrait filters
Three new filters are available to add vibrant film-like effects to your pictures.
Home and Lock screens
Automatic Lock screen layout
Wallpapers with pictures of people or pets now fit perfectly every time. When you choose a photo for your Lock screen, the photo will automatically be adjusted to best fit your clock and widget layout.
New downloadable wallpapers
Discover new wallpapers featuring interactive elements. Wallpapers are downloadable so they don’t use up your storage space when not in use.
More customizable clock fonts
Personalize your Lock screen clock. You can now adjust the thickness of more font styles to match your preferred look.
Weather
Enhanced weather widget
Quickly check upcoming precipitation in the Weather widget on your Home screen. The widget now shows a graph if precipitation is expected in the next few hours.
Pollen index
Check how much pollen is in the air to help manage your allergies. You can check pollen levels for trees, grass, and ragweed.
Communication
Direct voicemail
Can’t answer right now? Let callers record a voice message directly on your phone that you can listen to later. The message will appear on your screen as it’s being recorded so you can answer at any time.
Clock
Weather alarm backgrounds
Wake up to an alarm that gets you ready for the day’s weather. Your alarm screen can now show the current weather conditions as a background when it rings.
Time zone converter
Compare time zones at a glance. The new slider in the Clock app makes it easy to check the time difference between places around the world.
Connectivity
Storage Share
Access your files anywhere. Files from your other Samsung phones, tablets, and PCs are available in the My Files app on your phone. You can also access your phone’s files on other Samsung devices, even your TV.
Auto Hotspot
Share your phone’s internet connection more easily. You can now share your hotspot with your Samsung account family group, or create your own hotspot sharing group with anyone you choose.
Family device sharing
Easily connect and share files, screens, cameras, storage and more with your family. Family device sharing lets you use features like Quick Share, Camera Share, Storage Share, Auto Hotspot, and Multi control with Galaxy devices that belong to your family members.
Quickly connect to Smart View devices
Connect to your favorite display faster. You can now add a shortcut on your Home screen to instantly mirror your phone’s screen to a TV or other display device.
Enhanced Auracast features
It’s easier than ever to listen to and broadcast sound with Auracast. Options for both broadcasting and listening are now located in the Audio broadcast menu in Settings.
Voice broadcasts
Broadcast your voice to people around you with Auracast. In addition to media sound, you can now broadcast your voice using your phone’s built-in microphone.
Quick Share
Avoid unwanted sharing requests
You can now set Quick Share to only receive files from other devices signed in to your Samsung account or Google account.
Samsung Health
Enhanced weekly reports
See a fuller picture of your health each week. Weekly reports now include data from your medication tracker and mindfulness sessions.
Upgraded sharing experience
Share your workouts your way. Mix and match your exercise stats with photos from your workout to create the perfect social media post.
Start meditations from your watch
Find calm right from your wrist. You can now start favorite or recommended meditations directly on your Galaxy Watch without picking up your phone.
Antioxidant measurements from your watch
Check your antioxidant levels anytime. Measure directly from your Galaxy Watch, even if it’s not connected to your phone. Works with Galaxy Watch8 and Galaxy Watch Ultra.
Battery and power
Revamped battery info
See your battery use more clearly. The redesigned Battery settings screen makes it easier to check remaining time, charging status, and daily usage over the past week.
Improved Power saving
Use Power saving to make your battery last longer without charging. Choose Standard for moderate savings and customizable limits, or choose Maximum to turn off all non-essential features and make your battery last as long as possible.
Security and privacy
Privacy alerts
Stay informed about your privacy. You’ll now get alerts when an app’s permissions could put your personal data at risk along with suggestions for what you can do about it.
Theft protection
Keep your phone and data safe in case it is lost or stolen. Turn on Failed authentication lock to automatically lock the screen in case there are too many failed attempts to verify your identity using your fingerprints, PIN, pattern, or password. Identity check also protects even more settings than before.
Turn off Auto Blocker temporarily
If you need to temporarily disable Auto Blocker’s security protection, a new option lets you turn it on automatically 30 minutes later so you don’t forget.
Check the security status of your devices
Keep all your devices protected. Knox Matrix now shows when any of the supported devices signed in to your Samsung account need a software update for the latest security protections.
Accessibility
Easily control Bluetooth hearing aids
Access settings for your Bluetooth hearing aids directly from the Accessibility shortcut. A pop-up will appear that lets you change your hearing program, turn Ambient sound on or off, and more.
Control magnification with mouse or keyboard
Keep what you need magnified in view with these new options. You can make the magnified area follow the cursor as you type or move when you change focus using the keyboard. When using a mouse, you can make the magnified area shift as you move the pointer to the edge of the screen.
Dwell action and Corner actions
The Auto action after pointer stops feature has been divided into two features. Dwell action lets you set custom actions when your mouse stops moving for a certain amount of time. Corner actions let you set a different action for each corner of the screen.
Even more improvements
More customizable quick panel
Arrange your quick settings just the way you like them. You can now add, remove, reorder, and reorganize controls in the quick panel.
Early alerts for reminders
Get alerts before reminders are due to make sure you don’t forget important tasks. You can choose how far in advance to get an alert for each reminder.
Insert tables in Samsung Notes
Organize information in your notes with tables. You can adjust column widths, colors, and border designs while the auto calculation feature helps you stay productive and save time.
Redesigned New tab page
The page that appears when you open a new tab in Samsung Browser has been redesigned to help you quickly access the websites and features you need the most. The New tab page now shows the current security status as well as open tabs from Samsung Browser on other devices.
Partial screen recording
Include only what you need in your screen recordings. You can now select only the part of the screen that you want to record.
Calculator nudges
Save time on calculations. Numbers and formulas copied to your clipboard will be suggested when you open Calculator so you can enter them with a quick tap.
Keep window sizes in DeX
DeX now remembers your app window sizes and positions. When you open an app again, it appears just as you left it.
Triple Zero service enhancement
Software enhancement to provide an additional layer of connectivity to Triple Zero services during emergency service outages.
After the Galaxy S23 series, Samsung pushed the One UI 8.5 Beta 2 update to the Galaxy A36, Galaxy A55 and Galaxy A35. The software is now available for Beta participants in India.
It is a cleanup-focused update, targeting a few noticeable annoyances from the first build. Users can identify the update via the PDA build version ZZDC/7/9, which also carries the latest April 2026 security patch.
The most important fix addresses Bluetooth behavior. Autoscan wasn’t triggering properly when users entered the Bluetooth menu, which could make device discovery feel broken.
Performance tuning is also part of this build, as spotted by Mohammed Khatri. Samsung has worked on reducing the lag when pulling down the Quick Panel, which should make everyday interactions feel smoother and more responsive.
On the UI side, there’s a fix for an issue where the message input field would overlap with the navigation bar. It’s a small bug, but one that directly impacts usability while typing.
Lastly, Samsung has patched System UI ANR (probably App Not Responding) issues that appeared after FOTA (firmware over-the-air) updates. This should improve overall stability and reduce random freezes tied to system processes.
Overall, Beta 2 doesn’t bring new features, but it tightens up performance and fixes some rough edges from the initial release.
One UI 8.5 Beta 2 changelog for Galaxy A36, A55 and A35
Fixed an issue that Bluetooth Autoscan did not work when entering Bluetooth
Improved the Sluggish/Delay when lowering the Quick Panel
Fixed an issue that overlaps the message input window with the navigation bar
Samsung is days away from pushing the stable One UI 8.5 build, but the latest Beta is still flagging optimization and touch delay issues on the Galaxy S25 series.
While testing Beta 10 on the Galaxy S25 Ultra, I ran into a system-level warning that should not be showing up this late in the cycle. A pop-up appeared stating that “One UI Home isn’t optimized for the latest version of Android.”
What followed was more concerning.
Touch input started lagging, not outright freezing, but delayed enough to break interaction flow, with some taps not registering at all.
The issue became more obvious when using the search. Triggering it caused a full launcher crash; the UI didn’t reboot cleanly either.
Instead, the system entered a half-responsive state. The Quick Panel could still be pulled down, which suggests the system UI thread was alive, but actions inside it were dead. Tapping “Start Recording” or similar toggles did nothing.
There is a workaround, and it’s oddly manual, via MojoTrick. Repeatedly swiping back to the home screen eventually restores responsiveness. That lines up with a temporary blockage in the launcher or UI rendering pipeline.
This bug sits in an uncomfortable spot. The fact that it’s tied to One UI Home optimization suggests something isn’t fully aligned between One UI 8.5 and the underlying Android build.
With the stable rollout expected this Thursday, the question is simple: Does Samsung already have a patched build ready, or is this slipping into release firmware unnoticed?
Leaks surrounding the Steam Controller are still rolling in, and the latest round gives another look at it before release. This leak, which originates from an accidentally published 4Gamer review, shows how the wireless controller compares to the Sony PS5 DualSense through real-world images.
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The...
Think about the last time you binged those true crime documentaries. The next time you opened your streaming app, the homepage likely shifted. Investigative series rose to the top. Maybe a notification alerted you when a new series dropped. Promotional emails highlighted only what you hadn’t watched. You didn’t see the data parsing or the decisioning behind it. You just looked forward to enjoying the next title.
That’s the standard. According to the Adobe 2025 AI and digital trends report , 71% of consumers want personalized — or personally relevant — offers and information, and 78% expect seamless experiences across channels. Yet fewer than half of brands consistently deliver.
The issue is structural. When customer data lives in disconnected systems, teams will struggle to align insight, timing, and execution quickly enough to take meaningful action. AI can’t magic the problem away. According to the Adobe 2026 AI and digital trends report, fewer than half of organizations say their data foundation is adequate to support AI at scale.
At the initial stages of the modernization journey, the path to personalization can feel daunting. But progress will be easier than you think when you introduce a foundation for a unified customer experience.
The real barrier to personalization: Disconnected journeys
Most brands have plenty of data. It’s cohesion they lack. Your marketing team likely runs email, web, mobile, paid media, support, and even in-person channels. Each collects important signals, but are they sharing context across channels fast enough to shape the next interaction?
If not, impact is immediate. A customer browses a product online, then receives an email with a different price. Or a subscriber contacts support and has to repeat their story to multiple team members before getting help. Or a loyal customer happily purchases your product—only to see the same ads promoting it in their feed for weeks after.
Even minor bumps along the customer journey chip away at trust. Nearly half of customers say they disengage when promotions feel irrelevant or mistimed.
Delivering a unified customer experience requires continuously updating your understanding of each customer and then immediately sharing that insight across every department and touchpoint.
This can require substantial change. But taking the following steps makes the path ahead more straightforward:
Step 1: Build a unified customer profile
A unified experience starts with a single, living view of the customer.
Instead of keeping separate records for each channel, create a dynamic profile that reflects behavior, preferences, and history across all departments as customer activity happens in real time. Every click, purchase, service interaction, and loyalty update should feed into the same source of truth.
With that information, customer segmentation becomes smarter and messaging becomes more relevant. Customers stop receiving duplicative or contradictory communications. And performance can be more accurately measured across the full lifecycle.
This shift moves your marketing strategy from channel and campaign management to customer-first engagement. With a unified profile in place, teams respond to customers as individuals, not isolated events.
Step 2: Connect insights to activation in real time
Accurate data doesn’t create value on its own. Those behavior signals must trigger action to shape meaningful engagement. Cart abandonment should prompt a quick follow-up (but not too quickly). Product recommendations should reflect recent browsing and past purchases. Irrelevant offers should be removed entirely. Journeys should evolve as preferences change.
Relevance largely depends on timing and second chances don’t come easily. Results from a Cognition Neuroscience Research project show the brain processes digital advertising in less than 400 milliseconds. Customers decide almost instantly whether a message applies to them. If systems can’t recognize context and activate insight within that window, the moment passes — and so does the opportunity to connect.
AI supports this speed at scale. It identifies patterns in customer data, anticipates purchase intent, flags churn risk, and determines next-best actions within milliseconds. Its effectiveness, however, depends on accurate, unified data. Reliable inputs enable relevant outcomes.
Step 3: Scale securely in the cloud
Privacy expectations are rising, and protecting customer data is a top priority. As organizations unify more signals and activate them in real time, governance can’t be layered on later. It has to be built in from the start.
To sustain a unified customer experience at scale, organizations need a modern cloud foundation that allows teams to process and activate data where it lives, reduce latency, limit unnecessary movement, and strengthen security controls.
In the cloud, data ingestion and activation happen faster. Infrastructure grows alongside customer volume. Compliance frameworks are embedded, not bolted on. And technology teams spend less time maintaining custom connections and more time enabling innovation.
Make every interaction count
Personalization succeeds when brands are prepared for the right moment, not just the right message. When your data foundation is unified, activation happens in real time, infrastructure is more secure, and personalization stops feeling experimental. Instead, it becomes operational. And relevance becomes repeatable.
Adobe Experience Platform on Amazon Web Services (AWS) brings these elements together and simplifies execution for your teams. Adobe Experience Platform creates real-time customer profiles that power segmentation, analytics, and journey orchestration across touchpoints. Deployed natively on AWS, it runs on scalable infrastructure designed for speed, resilience, and security—while reducing technical maintenance and complexity.
Read the eBook, Capturing attention in the age of AI, to learn more about howAdobe and AWS provide the holistic view of your customer, which marketers need to deliver personalization, build retention, and increase customer lifetime value.
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Fenerbahçe'den ayrılan Jhon Duran, vatandaşı Davinson Sanchez'in yaptığı derbi paylaşımına alev emojileri gönderdi. Victor Osimhen'in gazeteci arkadaşı Buchi Laba ise buna sessiz kalmadı.
Fenerbahçe'nin büyük umutlarla kiraladığı Jhon Duran, beklentilerin çok altında kalmıştı. Kolombiyalı forvetle devre arasında yollar ayrıldı. Al-Nassr'a dönen oyuncu, sonrasında bu kez Zenit'e kiralandı. Galatasaray ve Fenerbahçe arasındaki karşılaşmayı ise takip etti.
FENERBAHÇELİLERİ KIZDIRDI
Duran, Galatasaray'da forma giyen vatandaşı Davinson Sanchez'in derbi paylaşımına alev emojileri attı. Elbette bu hareket, Fenerbahçe taraftarlarını çok kızdırdı. Osimhen'in gazeteci arkadaşı Buchi Laba ise sosyal medya hesabından bu olayla ilgili bir açıklamada bulundu.
SAYGISIZLIK ÇILGINCA
Buchi Laba, "Fenerbahçe'den ayrılan oyuncuların kulübe gösterdiği saygısızlık gerçekten çılgınca bir seviyede. Ben Galatasaray'dan giden herhangi bir futbolcunun kulüple ilgili kötü konuştuğunu görmedim. İki takım arasında gerçekten çok ciddi bir fark var" ifadelerini kullandı.
Galatasaray derbide ezeli rakibi Fenerbahçe'yi 3-0 mağlup ederken Osimhen tek başına 13 kez rakip ceza sahasında topla buluştu. Bu rakam; takım halinde Fenerbahçe'den yüksekti. Ayrı durum, şutlarda da yaşandı.
Haftanın, belki de sezonun maçında Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe'yi 3-0 mağlup etti. İki takım arasındaki puan farkı da 7'ye çıktı. Uzun süre kolundaki kırık sebebiyle takım arkadaşlarını yalnız bırakan Victor Osimhen, Gençlerbirliği mücadelesinin son bölümünde şans bulmuştu.
8'E KARŞI 5 ŞUT
Yıldız forvet, derbiye ise ilk 11'de çıktı. Nijeryalı futbolcu, 13 kez rakip ceza sahasında topla buluştu. Fenerbahçe takım halinde bunu 10 kez yapabildi. Victor Osimhen ayrıca toplamda 8 şut çekti. Fenerbahçe'nin şut denemeleri ise 5'te kaldı. Bu rakamlar, gerçekten inanılmazdı.
DEĞERİNİ TEKRAR GÖSTERDİ
Galatasaray'ın ilk golünü kaydeden Osimhen, rakip savunmayı sürekli rahatsız etti. Onun yokluğunda Sarı-Kırmızılılar zorlanmıştı. 27 yaşındaki santrfor ne kadar değerli olduğunu tekrar gösterdi. Avrupa'nın birçok dev ekibi onu takip ediyor. Galatasaray ise oyuncu ayrılmak istemediği sürece satış kararı almayacak.
Galatasaray'dan ayrıldıktan sonra futbolu bırakan ve ailesiyle birlikte dünyayı gezen Dries Mertens, Fenerbahçe derbisi sonrasında çok konuşulacak bir paylaşım yaptı. Eşinden de bir hamle geldi.
Geçen sezon sonunda mukavelesi biten Dries Mertens, aktif futbol yaşantısını noktalamıştı. Sonrasında ailesiyle birlikte dünya turuna çıktı. Arada İstanbul'a gelip tribünlerle de buluşmuştu. Belçikalı unutulmaz oyuncu, Galatasaray'ın 3-0 kazandığı Fenerbahçe derbisi sonrasında sosyal medyasından bir hamlede bulundu.
KULÜP HESABINDA PAYLAŞILMIŞTI
Galatasaray'ın maç skorunun paylaşıldığı görselde müzik olarak "Fincanı taştan oyarlar" şarkısı kullanılıyordu. Mertens bunu kulübün "X" hesabından aldı ve yeniden paylaştı. Oyuncunun eşi Kat Kerkhofs da kendi sosyal medyasından skor tabelasını paylaştı. Ayrıca, "Cim Bom Bom Forever (Sonsuza kadar Cim Bom Bom)" mesajını yayınladı.
İSTANBUL'A GELECEKLER
Mertens Ailesi'nin, şampiyonluğun kazanılması durumunda sezon sonundaki kutlamalara geleceği öğrenildi. Elbette Sarı-Kırmızılı tribünlerin sevgilisi olan Ciro da organizasyonda yer alacak. Ciro İstanbul'a geldiğinde yeni doğmuştu. Adeta taraftarlarla birlikte büyüdü.
Galatasaray devre arasında Tottenham'dan Mathys Tel için bazı girişimlerde bulunmuştu. Temasların devam ettiği öğrenildi. 21 yaşındaki futbolcu konusunda sürpriz gelişmeler yaşanabilir.
Galatasaray'da Mauro Icardi'nin mukavelesi sezon sonunda bitecek. Çok büyük bir ihtimalle de Arjantinli forvet, bedelsiz olarak kulüpten ayrılacak. Yönetim bu sebeple konuyla ilgili çalışmalarını sürdürüyor. Cim-Bom devre arasında Tottenham'dan Mathys Tel için bazı girişimlerde bulunmuştu.
35 MİLYONA ALMIŞLARDI
Bu dosyanın kapanmadığı öğrenildi. Taraflar arasındaki temaslar sürüyor. Tottenham'da mutlu olmayan Fransız futbolcu ayrılmak istiyor. İngiliz ekibi, 21 yaşındaki golcüyü bu sezon başında 35 milyon euro karşılığında Bayern Münih'ten transfer etmişti. 30 Haziran 2031 tarihine kadar mukavelesi bulunuyor.
OPSİYONLU KİRALAMA
Santrfor ve her iki kanatta görev yapabilen 1.83 boyundaki futbolcu, Premier Lig'de 27 karşılaşmaya çıktı. Sahada ise sadece 1.004 dakika kaldı. 3 gol üretti. Küme düşmeme mücadelesi veren Tottenham, oyuncunun ayrılığına sıcak bakıyor. Galatasaray'ın satın alma opsiyonlu kiralama formülünü düşündüğü öğrenildi. Konuyla ilgili gelişmeler, önümüzdeki haftalarda netleşecek.
Fenerbahçe'nin yaz transferinde anlaştığı ancak transferini gerçekleştiremediği Manchester City'nin Everton kiralık oynayan yıldız futbolcusu Jack Grealish fazla alkol nedeniyle baygınlık geçirdi.
Fenerbahçe yaz transfer döneminde Manchester City forması giyen Jack Grealish'i gündemine almıştı. Anlaşma sağlansa da transfer gerçekleşmemişti. Yıldız futbolcu ise kararını Everton'a kiralık olarak giderek vermişti.
BAYGINLIK GEÇİRDİ
Fenerbahçe'nin iyi ki transferi gerçekleşmemiş dediği bir olay yaşandı. Everton'a kiralık olarak giden Jack Grealish sakatlığı nedeniyle geçtiğimiz şubat ayında ayağından ameliyat olmuştu. Bu operasyon sonrası sezonu kapatan yıldız futbolcu bir mekanda fazla alkol alması nedeniyle baygınlık geçirdi.
Mekanda bulunan insanlar uyandırılmaya çalışılan Grealish'in fotoğrafı kısa sürede yayıldı. Jack Grealish daha öncede alkol problemleriyle gündeme gelmişti. Yıldız futbolcunun fotoğrafları sosyal medyada eleştiri yağmuruna tutuldu.
Misir yığmasının və İngiltərənin “Liverpul” klubunun cinah hücumçusu Məhəmməd Salah üçün cari mövsüm erkən başa çatıb.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, bu barədə Britaniya mətbuatı məlumat yayıb.
Misirli hücumçu Premyer Liqanın 34-cü turunda qarşılaşdıqları “Kristal Pelas”la oyunda bud əzələsindən zədə alıb. Onun təxminən 4 həftə sonra meydana qayıdacağı bildirilir. “Liverpul”un isə Premyer Liqada 4 oyunu qalıb. Bu isə o deməkdir ki, mövsümün sonunda “Liverpul”dan ayrılacaq 33 yaşlı oyunçunun İngiltərə klubundakı karyerası sona çatıb.
Məhəmməd Salah 2017-ci ilin iyul ayından “Liverpul”da çıxış edir. İngiltərə nəhəngi həmin dövrdə futbolçunun “Roma”dan keçidi müqabilində 42 milyon avro məbləğində xərc çəkmişdi. Hücumçunun “Liverpul”la müqaviləsinin müddəti 2027-ci ilin iyun ayının sonuna qədər qüvvədə idi. Amma futbolçu cari mövsümün sonunda ayrılmaq istədiyi üçün klub onun gedişinə razılıq verib.
Salah cari mövsümdə “qırmızılar”ın heyətində 39 oyuna çıxıb, 12 qol vurub, 9 məhsuldar ötürmə müəllifi olub. Misirli hücumçunun “Liverpul”un heyətində çıxışının ümumi mənzərəsi 440 oyun, 257 qol, 122 məhsuldar ötürmədən ibarətdir.
Salah “Liverpul”la bütün mümkün ali klub yarışlarının qalibi olub.
Misirli ulduz həmçinin “Fiorentina”, “Çelsi”, “Bazel” və “Əl-Mukavilun” klublarında çıxış edib.
Məhəmməd Salah hazırda kapitanı olduğu, 2011-ci ilin sentyabr ayında debüt etdiyi Misir yığmasının heyətində 113 oyun keçirib, 65 qol vurub və 35 məhsuldar ötürmə verib.
“Transfermarkt” internet-portalı 33 yaşlı misirli hücumçunun transfer dəyərini 30 milyon avro məbləğində qiymətləndirir.
Dallas Mavericks, kulüp yönetiminde önemli bir değişime hazırlanırken, basketbol operasyonlarının başına getirmek üzere Tim Connelly'i kadrosuna katma konusundaki ilgisini sürdürüyor.
NBA'in eski yıldız oyun kurucularından Rajon Rondo'nun, New Orleans Pelicans'ın başantrenörlük pozisyonu için değerlendirilen adaylar arasında yer aldığı bildirildi.
Houston Rockets'ın yıldız oyuncusu Alperen Şengün, playoff serisinin 4. maçında Los Angeles Lakers pivotu Deandre Ayton'ın kendisine dirsek atmasının ardından oyundan ihraç edilmesine ilişkin dikkat çeken bir değerlendirmede bulundu.
Ümummilli Lider Heydər Əliyevin anadan olmasının 103-cü ildönümünə həsr edilən avarçəkmə üzrə “Prezident Kuboku 2026” reqatası Ağdərədə start götürüb.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, Qarabağın dilbər guşəsi Ağdərədə təşkil olunan tədbirdə əvvəlcə Dövlət Himninin səsləndirilib.
Sonra Vətən uğrunda canlarından keçmiş şəhidlərin xatirəsi bir dəqiqəlik sükutla yad edilib.
Ardınca reqatanın ilk dəfə Sərsəng su anbarında keçirilməsinin qürurverici olduğunu bildirən gənclər və idman naziri Fərid Qayıbov təşkilatçılığın ildən-ilə təkmilləşdiyini deyib.
Nazir idmançıların yarışdan zövq alacaqlarına inandığını bildirib.
Ardınca nümunəvi çıxışlar start götürüb. Tədbir çərçivəsində milli musiqi və rəqs nümunələri də nümayiş etdirilib.
Daha sonra akademik avarçəkmə, kayak, kanoe, draqon qayıqları və yelkənli qayıqlar üzrə idmançıların nümunəvi çıxışları və ilk yarışlar keçirilib. İştirakçı ölkələrin bayraqlarını daşıyan skuterlər su üzərində dövrə vurublar.
Qeyd edək ki, “Prezident Kuboku 2026” beynəlxalq reqatasının rəsmi açılış mərasimi sabah Mingəçevirdə keçiriləcək.Yarışda Azərbaycan, Çexiya, Gürcüstan, Almaniya, Yunanıstan, Qazaxıstan, Qırğızıstan, Litva, Moldova, Rumıniya, Serbiya, İsveç, Tacikistan, Türkiyə, Ukrayna və Özbəkistandan 100-dən artıq idmançı mübarizə aparacaq. Reqataya mayın 1-də yekun vurulacaq. (Report)
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, komandanın hücumçusu Məhəmməd Salah sıradan çıxıb. Bu barədə klubun mətbuat xidməti məlumat yayıb. Bud nahiyəsindən zədə alan futbolçu mövsümün qalan oyunlarını buraxacaq.
Bununla da, Salahın “Liverpul” karyerası başa çatıb. O, daha əvvəl yayda klubdan ayrılacağını bildirmişdi.
“Şamaxı” Misli Premyer Liqasının XXIX turunda “Kəpəz”i məğlub edib – 2:0.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, “şirlər”in futbolçusu Ravil Qafarov bu görüşdə meydana çıxmaqla Premyer Liqada debüt edib. O, oyunun ikinci hissəsində Rüfət Abbasovu əvəzləyib.
“Şamaxı” çempionatda 29 turdan sonra 35 xalla 8-ci sıradadır.
Yazın gəlişinə rəğmən havalar hələ soyuq keçsə də, Azərbaycan Premyer Liqasında temperatur çox qalxıb.
Turnir cədvəlinin “zirzəmisində” də, avrokuboklara vəsiqə uğrunda da şiddətli mübarizə gedir. Kimisi APL-i tərk edəcək, kimisi Avropaya vəsiqənin sevincini yaşayacaq… və bu arada, çempionluq uğrunda mübarizə son illərdə ilk dəfə “erkən doğuş” yaşadı.
Sona 4 tur qalmış, 13 xallıq fərq yaradan “Sabah”ın kürsünü əldən verməyəcəyi dəqiqdir.
“Bayquşlar”la “atlılar” Azərbaycan Kubokunda münasibətlərinə aydınlı gətirdi.
Diqqətləri üzərinə çəkən bu çəkişmə illər sonra ölkə futboluna canlanma gətirib. Ona görə də son ərəfələrin əsas manşetləri məhz bu iki klubla bağlı olur.
Maraqlı məqamlardan biri də proseslərin baş rolunda olan bu klubların növbəti mövsümə necə keçəcəyidir.
“Futbolpress.az” araşdırıb, yay fasiləsində “Qarabağ”ın 5, “Sabah”ın isə 10 futbolçu ilə müqaviləsi bitir.
“Atlılar”ın nə qərar verəcəyi hələ tam məlum deyil, amma heyəti gücləndirməkçün ciddi səbəblərin qabardığı bir mövsüm yaşadı.
“Futuristlər” isə gələcəyə daha yaxşı getmək üçün siyahıdakıların əksəri ilə anlaşma əldə etməyə çalışır. Məlumata görə Mikels, Pokatilov, Sekidika, Simiç və Puxaçla danışıqlar başlayıb və əsasən razılıq əldə olunub.
Güclülərin daha da güclənməsi daimi ehtiyacdır. Reallaşması diləyilə…
Müqavilə ilə “Barselona”ya məxsus olan Ansu Fatinin gələcək taleyi maraq doğurur. Msport.az xəbər verir ki, hazırda icarə əsasında “Monako”da çıxış […]
Ruben Amorim 2026/27 mövsümündə fasilə götürməyi planlaşdırır. Msport.az xəbər verir ki, portuqaliyalı məşqçi yanvar ayında “Mançester Yunayted”dən ayrıldıqdan sonra işsiz […]
İngiltərə Kubokunun 2025/2026-cı illər mövsümünün növbəti finalçısı müəyyənləşib. Msport.az xəbər verir ki, evdə “Lids”i 1 qolla məğlub edən “Çelsi” finala […]
Former Italian striker Pasquale Luiso recalls his time at Vicenza, especially his goal at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea in the Cup Winners’ Cup and explains why he rejected offers from Milan, Lazio and Roma: ‘I preferred being a small-club top scorer.’
Former Vicenza star Luiso released an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport to talk about his career as a footballer, during which he scored 25 goals in 87 Serie A matches.
The former Italian striker became an icon in the 90s for his bicycle kick goals, especially one against Milan in 1996.
Luiso was playing for Piacenza back then, bagging 14 goals in 32 appearances, attracting interest from many top clubs in Italy.
“Both Milan and Roma wanted me. The following year, Lazio too. But I always said no,” he said.
“I wanted to play, not to be the fourth striker. I preferred being a small-club top scorer to being one of many on a big team. Of course, maybe two forwards get injured, and you play, but I was afraid of rotting on the bench.
“It was a different kind of football back then. On the pitch, we used to really go at each other. I remember clashes with Montero; we’d beat each other up for 90 minutes,” he continued.
“Then, off the pitch, we were friends. Same thing against Andrea Sottil, as well as Ferrara and Nesta. They were incredibly strong defenders, and every match against them felt like a war.”
In the summer of 1997, despite requests from Milan and Roma, Luiso joined Vicenza.
“I couldn’t have made a better decision. Guidolin was a master, even if we didn’t talk much. Practically, never,” he recalled.
“He said he didn’t want to hug us or give us compliments. Football, for him, was his fake world. He limited himself to the pitch and the dressing room; for everything else, he kept to himself. And I think he paid a bit for that. On top of that, he was incredibly superstitious. He would put plasters on his fingers because he used to bite them so much…”
During the 1997-98 season, Vincenza beat Chelsea 1-0 at home in the first leg of the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup semifinal. They went on to lose the decider 3-1 at Stamford Bridge, with Luiso scoring the only goal for the Italian side.
2 Apr 1998: GianLuca Vialli of Chelsea beats a Vicenza tackle during the European Cup Winners Cup semi-final between Vicenza and Chelsea played at the \ Mandatory Credit: Ben Radford /Allsport
“So many memories! We won the first leg at the Menti, and in the return match, I scored, silencing the opposing fans,” said the ex-Italian striker.
“I even told them to shut up, since they were booing. I also had a goal disallowed, which should have stood. Who knows how it would have gone otherwise? Gianluca Vialli played against us. He was my absolute idol. When I was a kid, I used to wear my socks down in his honour. He gave me his shirt, and I still keep it today like a relic.”
Luiso never got to make his senior Italy debut, but had been long considered by the Azzurri coach back then, Cesare Maldini.
16 Apr 1998: Pierluigi Brivio of Vicenza loses his cool with Jody Morris of Chelsea in the European Cup Winners” Cup Semi-final at Stamford Bridge, London, England. Chelsea won the match 3-1 to go into the Final. \ Mandatory Credit: Stu Forster /Allsport
“Look, I was an ‘unpolished’ footballer. I couldn’t juggle the ball twice in a row,” Luiso admitted.
“I came through with hunger and the desire to conquer the world. On the pitch, I was unbearable for both teammates and opponents. I wasn’t pleasant to watch. Just the fact that [Cesare] Maldini thought about me was already a source of pride. And besides, in my time, there would have had to be an epidemic. Up front, we had phenomenal players.”
The situation of Italian football is much different now.
“I’m not saying this out of arrogance, but I think today I would score goals at will and probably be a starter for the national team,” Luiso said.
“When I played, everything was different. It was another kind of football.
“I’m enjoying life now. I’d like to return to football, but I don’t know,” he concluded.
“Nobody has ever called me. Maybe it’s because I’m not very social, and I’ve never sold myself well. I run a car rental business with my brother, and sometimes I go and help out.”
According to reports in Italy, VAR officials were allegedly influenced by external figures, such as referees’ chief Gianluca Rocchi, who used ‘coded messages’ to suggest whether to alert the referee on the pitch.
Serie A and Serie B designator Rocchi is under investigation for suspected participation in sports fraud and has therefore suspended himself from his duties.
Serie A referee scandal: latest updates
The former international referee is expected to be heard by the Milan Prosecutor on April 30, while the FIGC Prosecutor has denied having requested documents from authorities in the ongoing criminal investigation.
Rocchi is suspected of influencing VAR decisions, as a video appears to show.
On March 1, 2025, VAR official Daniele Paterna reviewed a potential penalty for Udinese in their home game against Parma and initially seemed reluctant to urge the on-the-pitch referee to the pitchside monitor.
However, Paterna suddenly turned right, seemingly talking to someone outside the VAR room. Paterna asked, ‘Is that a penalty?’ before telling the referee to review the incident on the monitor.
Repubblica reports that investigators believe VAR officials were aware of coded messages that would be used to assess controversial incidents and, therefore, to determine whether to alert the referee on the pitch.
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 05: Referee Gianluca Rocchi during the UEFA Champions League group H match between Chelsea FC and AFC Ajax at Stamford Bridge on November 05, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
A raised hand meant ‘do not intervene’, while a clenched fist meant ‘send the referee to monitor’.
“Whether these are exaggerations or even smear tactics burn out of internal feuds within the refereeing world, or instead pieces of evidence supporting the allegations, will become clear when the prosecutors reveal their findings,” wrote Repubblica.
BERGAMO, ITALY – MAY 12: Referee Simone Sozza checks the pitch side VAR monitor during the Serie A match between Atalanta and AS Roma at Gewiss Stadium on May 12, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
VAR supervisor Andrea Gervasoni is also under investigation and, just like Rocchi, he’s expected to be heard on April 30.
Rocchi is also accused of having appointed referees who were liked by Inter during the 2024-25 campaign, yet no evidence has emerged.
Nerazzurri President Marotta has insisted that the club is not involved in the scandal and, currently, no Inter representative is under investigation.
Manchester United are preparing for a busy summer transfer window as they look to strengthen the squad.
The primary focus of the Red Devils will be the midfield position which needs the most attention considering Casemiro is leaving and due to the inconsistent performances of Manuel Ugarte.
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After previously shutting down all approaches, the Seagulls have finally cracked the door open for a potential sale, and two of England’s biggest clubs are already circling.
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According to Nicolo Schira, Man United are ready to make an offer for the young midfielder but this time they are likely to face competition from Premier League rivals Chelsea.
The Red Devils actually had a verbal agreement in place with the Cameroonian international last summer, and the player was reportedly extremely keen on a move to Old Trafford.
However, the deal collapsed when Brighton slapped a jaw-dropping valuation of over £100 million on his head, pricing the new INEOS regime out of the move.
Fast forward to the end of the 2025/26 campaign, and the landscape has shifted. Baleba has enjoyed a solid season on the South Coast, racking up 27 Premier League appearances and cementing his reputation as a combative, high-energy defensive midfielder.
United are currently preparing a massive fresh offer to finally get their man.
Arsenal are reportedly closely monitoring Real Madrid attacking midfielder Brahim Diaz as a potential transfer target for this summer.
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The 26-year-old is not always a regular in the Real Madrid starting line up, but he’s still managed an impressive record of seven goals and seven assists in all competitions for club and country this season.
Diaz certainly looks like someone who could fit in well at Arsenal due to his technical ability and intelligence, and his ability to play a variety of midfield roles.
According to Fichajes, this has the Gunners keeping a close eye on his situation ahead of the summer, when it’s expected that Madrid could let him go for around €40m.
Brahim Diaz transfer could be one to watch for Arsenal
Even if Diaz probably wouldn’t be the name at the top of every Arsenal fan’s list of targets, the Morocco international looks a smart option on the market due to his low cost.
One imagines he’d probably only come in to add depth to Mikel Arteta’s squad, which is pretty much what he’s already doing at the Bernabeu, but all big clubs need a strong bench they can rely on over a long and difficult campaign.
Tottenham have confirmed that Xavi Simons has a serious injury that has ended his season and will keep him out of the 2026 World Cup this summer.
The Netherlands international would surely have had a key role to play for the Dutch national team at this summer’s World Cup in North America, but he’s now out after rupturing his ACL.
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Simons had to go off during Spurs’ win over Wolves at the weekend, and looked in a lot of pain, with journalist Ben Jacobs now reporting on today’s update from the club.
Tottenham have confirmed the seriousness of the injury, with Simons now set to undergo surgery in the coming weeks…
Spurs confirm Xavi Simons has ruptured the ACL in his right knee.
He undergo surgery in the coming weeks, missing the end of the season and World Cup.? https://t.co/N9fgUNpR10
This is a huge blow for a talented young player, who will now have to wait another four years before getting the chance to play for his country at a World Cup.
It’s also a worry for Spurs as they remain in the relegation zone and need everyone fit if they are to stand a strong chance of staying up.
Xavi Simons says “life can be cruel” after injury nightmare
Jacobs also quoted Simons as saying how disappointed he is with the news of his injury ending his World Cup hopes.
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“They say life can be cruel and today it feels that way,” the 23-year-old said.
“My season has come to an abrupt end and I’m just trying to process it. Honestly, I’m heartbroken. None of it makes sense.
“All l’ve wanted to do is fight for my team and now the ability to do that has been snatched away from me… along with the World Cup.”
Simons joined THFC from RB Leipzig last summer and has looked like one of the team’s better performers for much of what has ultimately been a really disappointing season for the north London club.
Liverpool shattered the British transfer record, handing Newcastle United a jaw-dropping £125 million to bring Alexander Isak to Merseyside.
He was supposed to be the undisputed focal point of Arne Slot’s new-look attack.
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Fast forward to today, and the dream move has quickly turned into a nightmare.
Now, club legend Jamie Carragher is publicly voicing the exact fears that have been quietly brewing among the fanbase.
It’s no secret that Isak has had a rough go of it. A brutal leg fracture sustained against Tottenham back in December derailed his momentum just as he was trying to find his feet in Slot’s system.
Jamie Carragher issues warning about Alexander Isak
Carraghers feels more pessimistic about Isak and his claim would worry the Liverpool faithful.
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“[The big-spending summer] hasn’t worked,” he told the Liverpool Echo.
“It might work in the future because I don’t think you can judge every signing in the first year.
“But I’ve said this before; my experience as a Liverpool player, every player who came to the club, I can’t remember one who didn’t really do much in his first season, and then was a revelation afterwards. Isak hasn’t got going. He obviously got the injury, but he didn’t look great to start with.”
Liverpool striker has to prove his worth at Anfield
There is no denying Isak’s natural talent, his time at St. James’ Park proved he can be one of the most lethal, dynamic finishers in the Premier League.
However, history is a heavy burden to carry. With a staggering £125m price tag on his back, stiff competition for starting minutes, and the pressure of a massive summer rebuild looming large, the Swedish international faces a monumental task to rewrite Carragher’s harsh narrative and salvage his Liverpool career.
Isak has a long way to go to prove himself as a success at Anfield. The fans will support him, the manager will back him but the question remains, can he justify the monumental price tag attached to his name? Time will tell.
Verdict: PSG over 1.5 cards Best Odds: 19/20 Bookmaker: Dachbet In what is a blockbuster Champions League semi-final showdown, PSG will welcome Bayern Munich to Paris for their first-leg battle on Tuesday night. PSG Starting with the hosts, while PSG might have been left shocked earlier in the month as they fell to a 2-1 […]
Official: Real Madrid confirm muscle injury to key superstar
Real Madrid have issued an official statement confirming that key forward Kylian Mbappe has sustained a muscle injury.
The French superstar had to be taken off late in the game against Real Betis this past week due to a hamstring strain. Initial scans had been positive but after he underwent an MRI today, a muscle injury has been confirmed.
“Following tests carried out today on our player Kylian Mbappe by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with a semitendinosus muscle injury in his left leg. His recovery will be monitored,” the statement read.
While the official update from the club does not specify a recovery timeline, there is hope at Real Madrid that Mbappe could still feature for the club before the end of the season.
This comes amidst speculation that the France captain might not play again in La Liga this term so as to avoid any risk heading into the World Cup in the summer.
With big games coming up against Espanyol and Barcelona, Real Madrid will miss their top goalscorer’s services.
At the post-match press conference, Arbeloa had already confirmed the issue, but was awaiting the detailed tests that confirmed the muscle problem.
The timing of the injury is considered critical for the Spanish club in the final stretch of the season.
Real Madrid are second in La Liga with 74 points, eight behind rivals Barcelona.
With the decisive Clásico scheduled for May 10, Mbappé’s absence could be crucial to Los Blancos’ title hopes.
The team’s next match will be on May 3 against Espanyol.
Beyond the impact on the club, the news is also raising concern in France with less than two months to go before the start of the 2026 World Cup.
Although the initial information indicates that the striker is not at risk of being left out of the final squad list, time out at this stage could affect his match sharpness and physical preparation for the World Cup opener.
Now, both Real Madrid’s coaching staff and the French national team staff are closely monitoring the No. 10’s day-to-day progress to see whether he will be fit to play in the final matches of the half-season.
Read the full statement
Following tests carried out today by Real Madrid Medical Services on our player Kylian Mbappé, he has been diagnosed with an injury to the semitendinosus muscle in his left leg. His recovery will be monitored.
Sometimes, the most telling evaluation doesn’t come from scouts. It comes from the head coach who saw it every day.When the Baltimore Ravens selected Adam Randall in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, they weren’t just adding depth to the backfield. They were investing in a projection, one that Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney believes has a ceiling few prospects in this class can match.
Randall's story is what makes him so intriguing. At 6-foot-3 and over 230 pounds, he doesn't look like your typical modern running back. He looks like a sledgehammer, but that's only part of the equation.
A former wide receiver, Randall brings natural hands, open-field instincts, and explosiveness that shows up quickly once he finds space. It's a rare blend: size, speed, and receiving ability wrapped into one developmental prospect. That's seemingly part of the reason why Dabo Swinney could offer a critique about his former tailback that's so glowing.
Clemson HC Dabo Swinney on new Ravens RB Adam Randall:
"I think Adam Randall is one of the more unique players in this draft. I told a couple of GMs before the draft that I think he's a steal. He's like getting three players with one pick because I think he's just scraping the…
Randall only began taking meaningful snaps at running back recently, which makes his flashes even more encouraging. There's rawness to his game, particularly in pass protection and the finer details of the position. But those are areas that can be developed over time.
And he's just getting started...
Dabo Swinney's belief in Adam Randall should carry weight.
Swinney's endorsement cuts through any uncertainty. Few people understand Randall's growth curve better than the coach who oversaw his transition and watched his confidence build. That belief matters, especially for a player still learning the nuances of the position. It also aligns perfectly with Baltimore's approach. The Ravens don't need Randall to be the finished product right away. After all, Derrick Henry is still leading the room. That said, Randall has something many young backs don't have: time.
He has time to develop. He has time to refine and learn from one of the most physically dominant runners of this era.That's what makes this pick so fascinating. Randall may have entered the league under the radar, but the tools and the endorsement behind them suggest something much bigger could be coming.
Muirfield has hosted the Open Championship on 16 occasions [SNS]
Chief executive Mark Darbon says the R&A are having "ongoing dialogue" with Muirfield with a view to returning the Open Championship to the Gullane course.
Darbon also says there are "challenges" with bringing the event back to Turnberry.
Royal Lytham & St Annes will host the Open in 2028, with this year's 154th tournament taking place at Royal Birkdale and next year's staging at The Old Course at St Andrews.
Muirfield will host this year's Women's Amateur Championship from 22-27 June.
"We've got a great ongoing dialogue with Muirfield," Darbon said.
"There are some things we need to overcome to facilitate a modern Open Championship - the practice ground is one of those, along with a few on-course infrastructural points."
On US President Donald Trump's Turnberry, Darbon commented: "We really like the golf course.
"But there are challenges around staging a modern Open - primarily road, rail and accommodation infrastructure."
Manchester United could be set to move for Premier League midfielder
Xavi Simons Transfer Latest: Manchester United Track Tottenham Situation
Simons finds himself at a pivotal moment. “Xavi Simons is facing a critical situation at Tottenham Hotspur. The London club’s season has been disappointing, and his future is uncertain.” according to Fichajes. That uncertainty has been driven by results, with Tottenham now entrenched in a relegation battle. “The team is fighting to avoid relegation, a scenario unthinkable just a few months ago.”
Tottenham Crisis Shapes Transfer Plans
The wider context is unavoidable. “This sporting crisis directly impacts the club’s planning.” Spurs are braced for potential change across the squad, and Simons is among those assessing his position. “Given this situation, several players are considering leaving. Xavi Simons is one of the first to consider a change of direction.”
Photo IMAGO
Relegation would significantly alter the club’s trajectory. “Tottenham Hotspur faces a potential complete overhaul. Relegation would be a devastating blow.” In that scenario, Simons’ departure becomes increasingly likely. “In that case, Xavi Simons would be free to leave. His price would drop to around €45 million, an attractive figure in the market.”
From a recruitment standpoint, that valuation presents opportunity. Clubs across Europe are alert to situations where quality becomes available below peak market value.
Manchester United Monitor Developments
Manchester United have positioned themselves accordingly. “Manchester United are closely monitoring Xavi Simons’ situation.” Their strategy reflects a focus on emerging talent capable of contributing immediately while developing long term.
The rationale is clear. “They are looking to strengthen their squad with young talent and leadership.” With ambitions tied to European competition, United require players who can influence high level fixtures. “The Old Trafford club is preparing for its return to the Champions League.”
Photo IMAGO
Simons aligns with that profile. “His creativity, vision, and attacking prowess make him a top priority.” There is also recognition of timing. “Manchester United sees this as a market opportunity that’s hard to ignore.”
Premier League Future Remains Viable
A domestic move is firmly under consideration. “Xavi Simons’ future could remain in the Premier League.” Continuity offers advantages, particularly in terms of adaptation and performance consistency. “Changing teams, but not competitions, is a viable option.”
United’s project provides a defined pathway. “Competing for titles and progressing in Europe are clear objectives.” That clarity stands in contrast to Tottenham’s current position. “Tottenham Hotspur is experiencing a period of uncertainty. This tips the scales towards a move away.”
For Simons, the decision will centre on stability and ambition. “Staying at Tottenham would involve taking significant sporting risks.” Those risks are amplified by the threat of relegation and the subsequent impact on competitive level.
Summer Window Set to Decide Outcome
The coming transfer window is expected to bring resolution. “The summer transfer window will be crucial.” Discussions are ongoing, with multiple variables influencing the outcome.
The player’s intent appears increasingly aligned with a move. “Everything points to Xavi Simons not continuing in North London.” United remain prominent in the narrative, supported by financial capacity and strategic direction.
Competition within the Premier League remains intense. Manchester City, Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC continue to set performance benchmarks, shaping recruitment strategies across rival clubs.
As outlined, “Xavi Simons is set to be one of the key figures of the summer.” His next move will reflect both market dynamics and the evolving ambitions of the clubs involved.
Our View – EPL Index Analysis
For Manchester United, this situation represents a calculated opportunity. Supporters will recognise the value in targeting a player who has already demonstrated Premier League adaptability. Simons offers creativity and forward drive, qualities that can elevate United’s attacking structure. If the reported fee holds around €45 million, it would be viewed as strong business in a competitive market. Fans would expect him to contribute immediately while developing into a central figure.
From a Tottenham viewpoint, the tone is markedly different. There is an acceptance that uncertainty invites exits. Supporters may feel frustration that another promising talent could depart before the club establishes stability. Simons has shown flashes of quality, and losing him would reinforce concerns around long term planning.
There is also a broader theme. Tottenham’s position near the bottom has shifted perception externally. Rivals are circling, identifying opportunities. For Spurs fans, the priority is clear. Survival must be secured, followed by a defined strategy that retains key players and rebuilds confidence.
In both camps, this potential transfer carries weight. For United, it signals ambition. For Tottenham, it underlines the consequences of instability.
Real Madrid make direct contact with World Cup-winning manager – report
In a major development, COPE (h/t RM4Arab) reports that Real Madrid have made direct contact with Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni as the hunt for a new head coach for the summer steps up.
Club president Florentino Perez is exploring all his options as Alvaro Arbeloa is expected to be removed from his position as the first-team head coach at the end of the season.
Scaloni high on Real Madrid’s list
Following a disastrous second half of the season, where they crashed out of the Copa del Rey to a lower division outfit, fell 11 points behind Barcelona in La Liga, and got eliminated from the UEFA Champions League vs Bayern Munich, the change is imminent.
Arbeloa, despite having some support from the locker room, will not continue beyond this season.
Names such as Jurgen Klopp, Mauricio Pochettino, and even former boss Jose Mourinho have been doing the rounds as possible candidates to take over the reins.
The next Real Madrid manager? (Photo by Marcos Brindicci/Getty Images)
However, Scaloni, too, is on the agenda, after the excellent job he has done with the Argentina national team, leading them to the 2022 FIFA World Cup triumph.
Now, it is being suggested that there have been direct talks between the Argentine manager and Real Madrid over the possibility of a move.
If Los Blancos do decide to go down this route, they would have to wait for Scaloni’s arrival until after the World Cup in North America, for he will be leading the Albiceleste at the tournament this summer.
Scaloni, though, has no experience managing a club, with his only assignment at a club level being a season-long tenure as the assistant manager at Sevilla.
So, it will be interesting to see whether Real Madrid are prepared to take a bet on the 47-year-old to replace Arbeloa in the summer.
Torino 2-2 Inter Milan – German Defender Urges Nerazzurri To “Get Serious” After Being “Too Casual” In Turin
Inter Milan defender Yann Bisseck delivered an honest verdict on Sunday’s 2-2 Serie A draw at Torino.
Speaking to Nuova DS via FCInterNews, the 25-year-old urged his teammates to bounce back against Parma next week.
Cristian Chivu’s side squandered a two-goal lead at Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino yesterday.
Indeed, Marcus Thuram gave the Nerazzurri a narrow half-time advantage after heading home Federico Dimarco’s cross in the 23rd minute.
Furthermore, Yann Bisseck made it 2-0 for the visitors just after the hour mark. Indeed, the star center-back scored his third league goal in the 2025/26 campaign.
Dimarco registered his 17th Serie A assist of the season, setting up the former Aarhus man on a silver platter.
Though it looked like Inter would secure a fourth consecutive league win, Torino salvaged a point.
Giovanni Simeone sparked the comeback in the 70th minute before Nikola Vlasic converted a controversial penalty to restore parity.
As a result, the San Siro giants failed to beat Torino for the first time in eight Serie A clashes.
Goalscorer Yann Bisseck Offers Honest Admission on Torino 2-2 Inter Milan Draw
Asked what happened yesterday, Bisseck replied: “Good question. Torino did well – they didn’t give up.
“We had a bit of fatigue, a bit of carelessness, maybe even too much. A strong team like ours, once you’re 2-0 up, that shouldn’t happen anymore.”
Then, he urged his teammates to put Sunday’s disappointment behind them and prepare for the upcoming game against Parma.
Indeed, the Nerazzurri could seal their 21st Scudetto with a home win against season-long bottom-half strugglers next weekend.
“We have to do it, there’s nothing else to say. We have to win,” Bisseck insisted.
Finally, he discussed a potential title celebration at San Siro.
“First, we have to play 95 minutes of serious football,” he added. “Then if we do what I think we can do, we can have a nice celebration.”
The Frenchman has suffered an injury to the semitendinosus muscle in his left leg, and the length of his absence is unknown.
Real Madrid have just confirmed Kylian Mbappé’s injury, and everything suggests that the Frenchman will not play again for Los Blancos for the remainder of the season.
According to the club, he has suffered an injury to the semitendinosus muscle in his left leg. A problem that will keep him out for the rest of the season and allow him to arrive at the World Cup in good condition.
Mbappé may be saying goodbye in this way to his bid for the Pichichi, ending his second season in white with plenty of goals, but without a single title.
Substituted due to injury on Friday night against Real Betis, Kylian Mbappé is suffering from an injury to the semitendinosus muscle in his left leg, Real Madrid announced in a medical statement published this Monday afternoon!
"Following the tests carried out today by the Real Madrid medical department, our player Kylian Mbappé has been diagnosed with an injury to the semitendinosus muscle in his left leg. His condition will be closely monitored," the club's medical report states.
Manchester United boss Michael Carrick says central defence is not a position he is worried about even though he had to use Noussair Mazraoui as a stand-in at Chelsea last week.
With Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez both suspended, and Leny Yoro joining Matthijs de Ligt on the injured list, 19-year-old Ayden Heaven was Carrick's only recognised centre-back in the win at Stamford Bridge.
Maguire is available for Monday's game against Brentford at Old Trafford but given Martinez's patchy injury record and De Ligt's continued absence, it has been suggested Tottenham's Micky van de Ven could be a summer target, even though United's priority remains central midfield.
While Carrick accepts it is difficult to talk about the future too much, he is happy with his current crop of central defenders.
"It's not an area of concern for me," he said. "We've got a mixed blend of experience, real quality and two promising young players who have already shown what they can do.
"I haven't got concerns. I can't really get involved in what the future looks like, because I'm not sure myself."
The Brentford game will be the 22nd successive match De Ligt will have missed with a back complaint, having started all 15 Premier League games up to that point.
De Ligt was pictured running and doing fitness work on United's Carrington training pitches at the end of last week.
While Carrick accepts the training is "only in a small capacity", he is not prepared to rule the 26-year-old Netherlands defender out for the rest of the season.
"I am certainly hoping there is a chance that he can [play] without putting any pressure or deadlines on it," he said.
"Of course, it's something we're working towards but he needs to come back at the right time - when he's ready."
The Buffalo Bills added to their secondary by selecting Missouri cornerback Toriano Pride Jr. with the 220th overall pick in the seventh round.
It was the third defensive back taken by the Bills in the 2026 draft (CB Davison Igbinosun at pick No. 62, S Jalon Kilgore at pick No. 167).
Pride Jr. is a lightning-fast corner who ran a 4.32 40-yard dash at the combine and held his own in the SEC despite being a bit undersized for the position (5-10, 185). The senior recorded two interceptions with one being returned for a touchdown in each of his last two seasons.
He has great recovery speed and plays the deep ball well. He is also willing to come downhill in run support.
Bottom line
The Bills and general manager Brandon Beane are continuing to revamp and retool the secondary for first-year defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard. Pride Jr. has a clear path to a roster spot right now as a cornerback after the departures of Tre'Davious White, Taron Johnson and Dane Jackson, and also the ongoing medical concerns of Dorian Strong.
Projected as a seventh-round pick, Pride Jr. has the athletic upside to be a diamond in the rough and is more than worth the seventh-round dart-throw.
The two-month journey to a Stanley Cup has begun, with the NHL's best teams trying to work their way through the brackets to the best trophy in sports.
Only one thing is certain about what's to come in the postseason: The league will have a new champion in 2026. The Florida Panthers missed the playoffs after lifting the Cup the last two years and making the Final the year before that, guaranteeing a changing of the guard this June.
The Avalanche were the class of the league during the regular season, taking the Presidents' Trophy by eight points over the Hurricanes, and have to be considered the favorites. Contenders abound, though, from the 'Canes to the Stars to the Sabres, back in the playoffs after a 14-year absence.
However it shakes out, there will be playoff hockey to watch daily for weeks to come, and it doesn't get much better than that.
Here's everything you need to know about when and where to watch today's games in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Stanley Cup Playoffs will be broadcast across ESPN and TNT Sports platforms, with six different channels being destinations for games. The Stanley Cup Final will be exclusively on ABC.
Fans can live stream every game from the Stanley Cup Playoffs on DIRECTV. Games appearing on ESPN networks, including ABC, can also be streamed live on fubo and the ESPN app.
Catch every game – try DIRECTV FREE today! Stream live MLB, March Madness, soccer and more with must-have sports channels like TNT, TBS, truTV, ESPN, FS1, and NFL Network—all included with DIRECTV.
Start your FREE trial now and never miss a moment of the action. No contracts, no hassle, just wall-to-wall sports and entertainment.
Teams will be “queueing up” for Premier League manager who Chelsea aren’t so keen on
Chelsea’s hunt for a new manager could line up perfectly with Eddie Howe’s departure from Newcastle, and one pundit would like that.
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Football fans are often keen to see their manager sacked, especially when things really aren’t working out.
But often, once it comes to looking at the list of favourites to replace the fired coach, they end up having second thoughts. Is this really better than what we already had?
Chelsea fans almost universally wanted Liam Rosenior fired – but we’re not sure many of them would be happy were he replaced by Eddie Howe. And that’s a real possibility, with the Newcastle coach high on the lists from the bookies.
Eddie Howe timing with Chelsea could line up perfectly
One person who would be in favour is Paul Merson. His piece from the Metro today makes it very clear he’s a fan of the former Bournemouth coach’s:
“I’m a big fan of Eddie Howe. If Eddie Howe leaves Newcastle, they’ll be queueing up around the corner for him.
“He’s just had injuries and with the [Alexander] Isak thing at the end of the season. I think Eddie has done enough to decide whatever he wants at the club. I think there’s a genuine love for him up there.”
In other news…
Enzo Fernandez was the TNT Sport man of the match, but Joe Cole had a different suggestion of a player who played a crucial tactical role.
Robert Sanchez was picked out for praise for his performance in the game by pundits and by his manager Calum McFarlane.
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Check out the latest edition of Simon Phillips’ SPTC podcast here:
The Edmonton Oilers are in trouble. Connor McDavid's future is in doubt.
And it all was made worse by a controversial game-winning goal by the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday night.
The overtime goal was called as such on the ice, then held up after video review.
The problem, in essence, is that camera angles didn't see the puck definitively go across the goal line. But because the angles also can't totally confirm that the puck didn't cross, the call on the ice stands.
"The issue I have with this is I don't understand how you can say that puck is completely crossing the goal line. There's no official behind the net there."
The reality, whether the Oilers agree with it or not, is that they're now down 3-1 in the series to Anaheim.
This was an Edmonton team expected to be dangerous because of its two superstars, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
McDavid didn't even tally a point in either of the first two games of the series. This hasn't been his best stretch of hockey, and the Oilers may not be deep enough around him to overcome that.
They'll have to rattle off three consecutive wins, or the worries about McDavid's future will start getting louder.
He signed a two-year contract extension before this season to eliminate the stress of a contract year. But now those next two years look shaky.
After two years in a row of losing in the Stanley Cup Finals, bowing out in the first round would be a rough look. McDavid is going to have to decide whether his best shot to actually hoist the Cup is elsewhere.
An Edmonton rally and deep playoff run can still change the vibes. But right now, the controversial ending on Sunday has the Oilers on the brink of disaster.
Tony Howarth says he is "absolutely" going to race again in the iconic costume [EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock]
A man who ran the London Marathon dressed as the Blackpool Tower said it was "great to put Blackpool on the map".
It was the 10th time Tony Howarth has run the race, and the third dressed as the famous seafront attraction.
Completing the race in 4 hours 46 minutes, the 67-year-old said he "absolutely loved it, the atmosphere was just tremendous, it's electric".
Tony, who has raised £70,000 over the years for Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Samaritans, added: "It's a good outfit to wear. It gets recognised as Blackpool Tower but also the Eiffel Tower, Rapunzel's tower, Big Ben, and someone even shouted out 'ooh look he's wearing a chess piece'."
He explained the costume was "actually quite light, it's got superb shoulder pads and a strap inside so it's not shaking about".
But "if it's windy then you've had it really, it's the leaning tower of Blackpool".
'Millions benefit'
Fortunately, this year "the weather was perfect, a nice sunny day but cool as well".
"I've only ever been training in it two or three times because I borrow it from a guy that lives in London whose got a production company, but who is from South Shore in Blackpool," he told BBC Radio Lancashire.
He said he was "absolutely" going to race again in the iconic costume "and I'll keep going as long as I can".
"You've got thousands of people running the marathon, raising millions for charity and millions benefit," he said.
"It's just good spirits all round, you can forget all the other stuff that's happening in the world.
The NBA Playoffs are underway, with two months of postseason basketball set to determine which team will take home the Larry O'Brien Trophy in 2026.
Oklahoma City took that honor last year and appears primed for a repeat after posting the league's best regular-season record at 64-18. The Spurs and Pistons also solidified their contender status by reaching the 60-win mark and the 2024 champion Celtics will like their chances as well.
Nothing is certain once the playoffs roll around, though, except the stars will be out and high drama awaits on the road to the NBA Finals.
Here's everything you need to know about when and where to watch today's games in the NBA Playoffs.
NBA Playoff action is spread across ABC, ESPN, NBC and Prime Video, though the NBA Finals remain on ABC. Fans have a wide range of streaming options to catch the postseason, including Prime, the ESPN app, and Peacock, with each service carrying specific games depending on their broadcast rights.
All games airing on ABC, ESPN and NBC are also available via DIRECTV Stream.
Catch every game – try DIRECTV FREE today! Stream live MLB, March Madness, soccer and more with must-have sports channels like TNT, TBS, truTV, ESPN, FS1, and NFL Network—all included with DIRECTV.
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NBA Playoffs daily schedule 2026
Tuesday, April 28
Matchup
Time (ET)
Watch
Celtics vs. 76ers Game 5
7 p.m.
ESPN, ESPN app, DIRECTV
Knicks vs. Hawks Game 5
8 p.m.
NBC, Peacock, DIRECTV
Spurs vs. Trail Blazers Game 5
9:30 p.m.
ESPN, ESPN app, DIRECTV
Wednesday, April 29
Matchup
Time (ET)
Watch
Pistons vs. Magic Game 5
7 p.m.
Prime Video
Cavs vs. Raptors Game 5
7:30 p.m.
ESPN, ESPN app, DIRECTV
Thunder vs. Suns Game 5*
9:30 p.m.
Prime Video
Lakers vs. Rockets Game 5
10 p.m.
ESPN, ESPN app, DIRECTV
* if necessary
Thursday, April 30
Matchup
Time (ET)
Watch
76ers vs. Celtics Game 6*
TBD
TBD
Hawks vs. Knicks Game 6*
TBD
TBD
Timberwolves vs. Nuggets Game 6*
TBD
TBD
Trail Blazers vs. Spurs Game 6*
TBD
TBD
* if necessary
Friday, May 1
Matchup
Time (ET)
Watch
Magic vs. Pistons Game 6*
TBD
TBD
Raptors vs. Cavs Game 6*
TBD
TBD
Rockets vs. Lakers Game 6*
TBD
TBD
Suns vs. Thunder Game 6*
TBD
TBD
* if necessary
Saturday, May 2
Matchup
Time (ET)
Watch
Celtics vs. 76ers Game 7*
TBD
TBD
Knicks vs. Hawks Game 7*
TBD
TBD
Spurs vs. Trail Blazers Game 7*
TBD
TBD
Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Game 7*
TBD
TBD
* if necessary
Sunday, May 3
Matchup
Time (ET)
Watch
Pistons vs. Magic Game 7*
TBD
TBD
Cavs vs. Raptors Game 7*
TBD
TBD
Thunder vs. Suns Game 7*
TBD
TBD
Lakers vs. Rockets Game 7*
TBD
TBD
* if necessary
NBA Playoffs round-by-round schedule 2026
Play-In Tournament: April 14-17
First round: April 18
Conference semifinals: May 4-5 (possible move up to May 2-3)
Conference finals: May 19-20 (possible move up to May 17-18)
Former Wisconsin and Iowa State offensive lineman Dylan Barrett signed with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent Saturday.
Barrett joined a list of several former Badgers, including cornerback Nyzier Fourqurean, safety Austin Brown and wide receiver CJ Williams, to sign as a free agent following the 2026 NFL draft.
The St. Charles, Illinois, native arrived in Madison in 2020. 247Sports, ESPN and Rivals all considered the 6-foot-5, 320-pound lineman a three-star recruit from his class, and he received offers from over 10 Division I programs.
After redshirting in 2020, Barrett appeared in 13 games over four seasons, a majority of which came on special teams. The lineman, who committed while Paul Chryst served as head coach, elected to transfer to Iowa State after Luke Fickell secured the job in November 2023. With the Cyclones, he started 16 total games across two seasons, including 14 games at left guard. He logged over 300 snaps at the position in both 2024 and 2025, and he appeared at right guard at times as well.
Green Bay's offensive line room is headlined by Jordan Morgan, Aaron Banks, Sean Rhyan, Anthony Belton and Zach Tom.
Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
Rummenigge reveals why Bayern missed out on Dembélé and Doué
When Bayern Munich face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday, they will be up against two players they once targeted in the transfer market: Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué.
The Bavarians showed serious interest in Dembélé as early as 2016, when he was still at Stade Rennes, but ultimately lost the race to Borussia Dortmund.
In an interview with t-online, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Bayern’s CEO at the time, reflects on why the club failed to bring the 2025 Ballon d’Or winner to the Allianz Arena.
“I was still CEO when we tried to sign Dembélé. We – and above all our sporting director at the time, Michael Reschke – wanted him very badly, but Dortmund got there first,” Rummenigge said.
“He played for Stade Rennes at the time. The club owners also owned Puma. Dortmund had a Puma kit deal, so they had an advantage. As an Adidas club, we were not preferred. He was a great talent, but as seen, he quickly left Dortmund for Barcelona. There’s no question he is a very good player, but he is also someone who needs guidance.”
Eight years later, in 2024, Bayern attempted to sign another highly-rated French talent, Désiré Doué, also from Stade Rennes, but PSG won the race. Rummenigge explains:
“We would have liked to sign him – he would have suited us very well. But he chose Paris because he wanted to stay in his French homeland. In the future, we will also miss out on players because more money may be paid elsewhere. You have to accept that, as it's part of the business. As you can see, both Paris and we can live very well with our situations.”
Will Ferry says he will "always be thankful" for getting the opportunity to join Dundee United after admitting there weren't many takers for him when he made the move.
The 25-year-old, who joined in the summer of 2024, delivered a standout performance, netting twice in their 3-0 Scottish Premiership win over neighbours Dundee at Tannadice on Sunday.
After the game, manager Jim Goodwin hailed the impact he has made at Tannadice since arriving from Cheltenham Town two years ago.
"I didn't have too many takers when I came to United," Ferry said. "I will always be thankful for getting that opportunity in the first place, especially to the gaffer who had that bit of confidence in me.
"I would like to think I have been good, without sounding arrogant. I like to think I have done a good job. I have not been ripping up trees, I have not been a superstar, I know my place, but I like to think I have been consistent enough to start pretty much every week.
"I have loved the two years I have been here so far. I think you could see how much I enjoy it out there when I get a goal - it is almost a bit of relief every time I score.
"It has been a good two years of my life so far, so I can't complain."
Ferry has scored four goals in his past four games. Prior to that, he had failed to find the net in his previous 76 games for United.
So what has made the difference in recent weeks?
He added: "A bit of confidence. Players thrive on confidence, no matter what level it is. I can't tell you why I have got confidence now when I haven't had it previously. It is just something that sometimes just clicks into place.
"Even when it came to the second goal, earlier in the season I might have turned it down or tried to put a cross in, but sometimes things are just going your way and you make good decisions.
"I haven't got an explanation for it. I would like to think it is something that would carry on, but I am not going to take it for granted. It has been a good couple of weeks, especially today.
"I am not going to take it for granted. I am going to keep working hard and hopefully I will be the top goalscorer by the end of the season."
Royal Birkdale will be hosting The Open for an 11th time - and first since 2017 [Getty Images]
The Open Championship's final round may be brought forward in an "attempt to avoid a clash" with the World Cup final this summer.
Golf's oldest major, which is being played at Royal Birkdale in Southport, finishes on Sunday, 19 July, the same day as football's showpiece takes place in the United States.
The World Cup final, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, is scheduled to kick-off at 20:00 BST, while The Open's final round traditionally finishes around 18:30.
"We're conscious of other events happening on that date," said R&A chief executive Mark Darbon.
"Of course, some things are out of our control in terms of play-offs and the like, but we will attempt to avoid a clash.
"I think we're all looking forward to an England-Scotland final, so let's see how that plays out."
Should two or more players be tied for the lead at the end of the four rounds, a three-hole play-off will determine the winner, with sudden death holes following if required.
Darbon also announced that this year's Open will attract a record crowd of more than 300,000 spectators across the week, with practice days from 12-15 July before the first round is played on Thursday, 16 July.
And in an effort to "elongate the event week" the R&A has introduced the 'Last-Chance Qualifier' to be held on Monday, 13 July.
That will feature 12 players competing over 18 holes with the winner securing the 156th and last place in the Championship.
"We have had over one million applications the last few years for tickets, and we're absolutely at capacity on our championship days," said Darbon.
"Our attendance on the practice days is really strong, but we wanted to create additional things for them to see, and do that sensitively and in line with the context and nature of the rest of our championship.
"The Last-Chance Qualifier fits that ambition. We're looking forward to see how that goes this year, and we'll resolve and refine it into the future."
Another new initiative will see the likes of former Birkdale Open winners Jordan Spieth and Padraig Harrington play alongside local favourite Tommy Fleetwood and fellow Englishman Justin Rose in a 'Heroes Classic' on the Tuesday.
The three-hole competition will see teams of three play a Texas scramble format which will give all players the opportunity to hit shots.
"If we can create a memory that inspires someone to be involved in the game and dream big, that is a wonderful thing," said Fleetwood, who is from Southport.
Rose, who shot to fame as an amateur when he finished joint fourth at Birkdale in 1998, added: "The Open in 1998 was a special moment and brings back so many fond memories, especially winning the Silver Medal as a young amateur.
"To return now, in a different stage of my career, is something I'm excited about."
Reigning AIG Women's Open champion Miyu Yamashita and G4D Champion Brendan Lawlor are also taking part, alongside high-profile figures from sport and entertainment, including R&A ambassadors Bryan Habana and Kathryn Newton.
The last six years could not have been more different for the Edmonton Oilers and Anaheim Ducks. In 2026, these two teams finished the regular season just one point apart and are ready for an opening-round matchup.
This marks the Ducks' first playoff appearance since 2018, when they lost in the opening round. With playoff hockey coming back to Anaheim, the Ducks look ahead to a matchup that is certainly winnable.
Oilers' fans have experienced heartbreak in back-to-back years, making it to the Stanley Cup finals two years in a row, only to lose twice to the Florida Panthers. But the Panthers are absent from this year's playoff.
The Oilers have pulled off major comebacks in previous playoff series and have another strong resume this season. But with the Ducks looking better than they have in years, this matchup could go either way.
Here's what you need to know to watch Oilers vs. Ducks, including broadcast information and start times.
Games in the Oilers vs. Ducks series will air on multiple channels.
Fans can stream every playoff game live on DIRECTV, which offers a free trial to new users. Games on ABC and ESPN networks can also be streamed on the ESPN app or fubo, which also has a free trial.
NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs schedule, key dates for 2026
Here are the key dates to know for the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs and offseason. Some series start dates could move up depending on when previous series end.
Barcelona superstar’s agent set for key meetings with future close to being defined
According to SPORT, the future of FC Barcelona veteran superstar Robert Lewandowski is now very close to being resolved.
The Polish striker will make a decision in the coming days and everything indicates that he will either remain at FC Barcelona or accept one of the proposals received from Italian football.
Pini Zahavi making moves
As per the report, the agent of the forward, Pini Zahavi, is already in Italy to hold two decisive meetings with Juventus and AC Milan before travelling to Barcelona to review all scenarios with the player himself.
Options from the Major League Soccer or Saudi Arabia are not currently priorities for the 37-year-old veteran.
The decisive stage has arrived for Lewandowski, and the striker wants to have alternatives to Barcelona’s renewal offer in case he ultimately decides to leave.
He is aware that his sporting importance in the team has declined and wants clarity about the role he would have next season if he stays.
Either Barcelona or Italy for Lewandowski. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
The renewal would be for one year only, with a significant salary reduction in a contract model consisting of a fixed salary representing 50% of his current earnings, plus variables.
More than a financial issue, Lewandowski wants to understand Hansi Flick’s plans and how his minutes would be managed. He is willing to accept a more secondary role, but not a merely symbolic one.
This is where the Italian proposals come into play. Both Milan and Juventus aim to sign him by making a financial effort that would match Barcelona’s renewal proposal.
However, there is a key difference: both clubs are willing to offer a two-year contract, which would allow him to extend his career at the highest level and guarantee him a starting role.
In any case, Lewandowski would only consider offers from teams competing in the UEFA Champions League, something Milan are close to securing, while Juventus are not yet certain.
Lewandowski’s agent is currently in Italy to meet with both clubs. He was seen at San Siro this weekend and will listen to their proposals before travelling to Barcelona to speak with the player.
Kroupi’s agent has reportedly met with City director Hugo Viana, who has also been impressed with his skillset. However, City have yet to contact Bournemouth over a potential deal.
The Cherries want to keep Kroupi beyond this summer, but could consider a sale if they receive at least a €80 million offer for him.
City will face competition for his signing as Arsenal have contacted his agents, while Paris Saint-Germain are also considering a move for the France youth international.
The Cityzens are only likely to make a move for Kroupi if there is an attacking departure.
They are currently well-stocked at centre-forward — Kroupi’s natural position — with Erling Haaland, Omar Marmoush, and Antoine Semenyo providing depth.
However, Marmoush could leave in search of regular playing time. Aston Villa are said to be interested in the Egypt international, after exploring to sign him on loan in January.
Marmoush’s departure would free up space and the proceeds from his potential sale could be used to fund a move for Kroupi.
It remains to be seen whether Kroupi would be open to joining City given the uncertainty of playing regularly. He would be expected to play second fiddle to Haaland.
Fine margins will decide the title race, with Manchester City well placed for the run home
Manchester City booked themselves a place in this season’s FA Cup final with a 2-0 win over Southampton at Wembley on Saturday. As Pep Guardiola’s side created history and became the first team to make four consecutive FA Cup finals, Arsenal beat Newcastle 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday to move to the top of the Premier League table. As of right now, Arsenal sitting top of the Premier League with 73 points, having played 34 games. City are second on 70 points, having played 33 matches. The title race is on a knife’s edge, but Manchester City are well placed for the run-in, as it is likely that fine margins will decide who wins this season’s Premier League title.
Manchester City are where they want to be for the run-in.
Only two weeks ago, Arsenal sat nine points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League title. Even football line betting in Uganda had Mikel Arteta’s side as unbackable favourites to claim the Premier League title. A lot has changed since then. Arsenal were beaten 2-1 by Bournemouth two weeks ago. Pep Guardiola’s side then beat the Gunners 2-1 in a pulsating top-of-the-table Premier League clash and followed that victory with a 1-0 victory over Burnley. Coupled with City’s 3-0 win over Chelsea, Manchester City moved to the top of the Premier League before Arsenal beat Newcastle 1-0 on Saturday.
This is the position Pep Guardiola’s side wanted so desperately to be in entering the run-in. They overhauled Arsenal and are playing their best football of the season. There were stages across the 2025-26 season where it didn’t appear that this City side was ready to mount a meaningful Premier League title challenge. It seemed that this Manchester City side was building for next season when the penny would drop. However, the momentum has swung, and it does seem that this iteration of City is ready for what lies ahead across the final five games of the Premier League season.
Manchester City have their destiny in their own hands. As do Arsenal, given that both teams were level on 70 points, and on goal difference before Arsenal’s win over Newcastle. Pep Guardiola’s side would have dreamt to be in this position earlier this season. They are now in it, and it is exactly where they want to be with all to play for.
Fine margins will likely decide this season’s Premier League title race.
From here, given how tight it is at the top of the Premier League, fine margins will likely decide this season’s title race. If both teams win all of their five remaining matches, goal difference will decide the title race. However, to get to that point, a lot has to occur. It does seem unlikely at this stage that both teams will win each of their remaining matches. Pressure and fine margins in games will dictate the title race.
Every moment in every match that Manchester City and Arsenal play from here has high stakes attached to it. Every save, every missed and taken chance, and even every defensive mistake will have major consequences attached to it. A Premier League title is the prize for whichever team can handle their moments. Both teams know the stakes, and whatever team has the luck, and can negotiate the fine margins will likely emerge victorious in the title race. It is as simple as that from here.
From a Manchester City point of view, they have been here many times before and emerged successfully. While this is a new-look City team, they have players who have been here before, and in Pep Guardiola, they have a proven winner as manager. Perhaps that will tilt the title race Manchester City’s way. That remains to be seen. Fine margins will decide this season’s race to win the Premier League title, and you do sense that this is exactly where City want to be as the 2025-26 season reaches its crescendo.
Bayern to offer free-scoring Harry Kane a new contract
Bayern Munich will negotiate with Harry Kane over a new contract at the end of the current season.
The England captain's current deal expires at the end of next season but Bayern want to keep hold of their star striker.
"Getting Harry Kane to Munich was an important coup in the history of the club," Bayern board Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said about the 32-year-old.
"It is known that he had a release clause. He didn't trigger that and signalled that he would definitely stay in Munich. And, as agreed, now those responsible in the operational area will hold talks with him at some stage after the season."
Kane has been in incredible goalscoring form since making his move from Tottenham Hotspur to the Bundesliga in the summer of 2023.
In total, Kane has played 141 games for Bayern since his arrival scoring 138 games. This season he's well above a goal-a-game ratio, scoring 53 times in just 45 fixtures.
Rummenigge also underlined that Bayern had no intention of selling Michael Olise despite interest from Liverpool and other clubs stating that there's 'no price tag that would make us bat an eyelid.'
PSG host Bayern Munich in a monster UEFA Champions League semifinal first leg in Paris on Tuesday, as the reigning champs face a brilliant Bayern side.
In the knockout rounds Luis Enrique's PSG have beaten Monaco, Chelsea and Liverpool en-route to the semifinal and they have improved massively as the tournament has gone on. PSG are the reigning European champions for a reason and as well as controlling games in midfield and pressing high, Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia are so dangerous on the break.
After a brilliant league phase, Bayern Munich have beaten Atalanta and Real Madrid in the knockout rounds to book their spot in the final four. Vincent Kompany's side have already wrapped up the Bundesliga title with several weeks to spare too, as they look like scoring three or four goals every time they step onto the pitch. Harry Kane is fit and in fine form and Bayern are probably the favorites to win this tournament.
For live updates and highlights throughout PSG vs Bayern Munich, check out PST's live blog coverage below.
How to watch PSG vs Bayern Munich live, stream link and start time
Kick off time:3pm ET Tuesday (April 28) Venue:Parc des Princes — Paris TV Channel/Streaming: Paramount+
PSG team news, focus
Fabian Ruiz is back fit and ready to play a key role in midfield in the final weeks of the season, while Vitinha is also expected to be available so PSG are basically at full strength with Nuno Mendes also recovering from injury. The trio of Dembele, Doue and Kvaratskhelia are a real handful but PSG need to keep it tight at the other end and need a big performance from goalkeeper Matvey Safonov.
Bayern Munich team news, focus
Kompany will be missing from the sidelines due to suspension but his impact is clear as Bayern are playing with full confidence and the Belgian coach is beloved by his players. Young star Lennart Karl is out through injury with experienced duo Raphael Guerreiro and Serge Gnabry also out. Michael Olise and Luis Diaz will be tasked with feeding Kane with chances and that trio have been superb this season and tore PSG apart in Bayern's league phase win in Paris.
PSG vs Bayern Munich prediction
This feels like it could be quite an open first leg with PSG knowing they need a lead to take with them to Bavaria for the second leg. PSG 2-2 Bayern Munich.
UNITED STATES - MAY 26: Basketball: NBA Finals, Philadelphia 76ers Julius Dr, J Erving (6) in action, making dunk vs Portland Trail Blazers, Game 2, Philadelphia, PA 5/26/1977 (Photo by James Drake/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images) (SetNumber: X21496 TK1)
The ABA and the NBA merged in 1976, and one of the big reasons was Julius Erving.
The ABA never really had any national television exposure, but everyone knew who Dr. J was. The afro, the kneepads, the dunks…everyone understood that he was a phenomenon, and that, once the 1976-77 season started, fans would get to see a lot of the Doctor.
He was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers after the merger, and that team was insane.
Aside from Erving, it had George McGinnis, a ball-dominant power forward, World B. Free, and Darryl Dawkins. They also had Doug Collins, Henry Bibby, Caldwell Jones, and Kobe Bryant’s dad, Joe, but the first four players really were the ones who drew the most attention, although at 6-6, Collins was an unusually tall guard for the day.
Philly got to the NBA Finals, where they met Bill Walton and the Portland Trail Blazers.
That series would be framed as a traditional NBA team vs. one that was more ABA-ish.
Portland ultimately won the championship 4-2, thanks largely to Walton’s exceptional brilliance, but before the series turned, the Sixers were up 2-0, and America got to see Erving’s brilliance up close and personal.
Joan Mir believes Johann Zarco’s performance at the Spanish Grand Prix does not alter Honda’s overall situation in MotoGP, despite the marque securing its best finish of the season.
LCR rider Zarco was able to mix with the Ducatis and Aprilias for much of Sunday’s race at Jerez, consolidating fifth position after a slow launch from the first row.
A late drop in tyre performance allowed Trackhouse duo Raul Fernandez and Ai Ogura to move ahead, but seventh place still marked Honda’s best finish in a Sunday race this year.
It further lent credence to claims that poor one-lap pace is holding back Honda in MotoGP, with the RC213V having again proved competitive in race trim.
However, Mir believes Zarco’s excellent qualifying performance in mixed conditions actually skewed the picture, suggesting the result owed more to track position than outright speed.
“I’m happy for Johann, but we know here that everyone’s pace is very similar,” he said. “If you start up front, you can afford to ease off a bit and still finish in seventh place.
“Someone in front crashed [Marc Marquez], then it’s eighth. Whatever the case, it doesn’t tell me anything I don’t already know about this bike.
Joan Mir, Honda HRC
Joan Mir, Honda HRC
“We start up front, we fall back. If the race is five laps more, he will finish 10th, and if it's 10 laps more, he will finish 15th. And if you try anything else, you end up on the ground like what’s happened to us lately.
“So, it's not a matter of what the result that the other can accomplish. I know my potential, I know everything, but the reality is that we must accept the potential of the actual package and react.”
While Honda has made tangible gains compared to last year, Ducati and Aprilia have also delivered significant improvements to strengthen their stranglehold on MotoGP. On Sunday, the two Italian manufacturers locked out seven spots inside the top 10, leaving just three positions up for grabs for Honda and KTM.
KTM has fixed its tyre degradation issues to a large extent, with Enea Bastianini also emerging as a credible challenger over the last two weekends to assist Pedro Acosta’s efforts on the factory bike.
Honda has had a trickier run lately, not helped by Mir crashing out of the opening three grands prix of the season, including after qualifying fifth in Austin.
While Zarco took satisfaction from his result at Jerez, he stressed that aerodynamics remained the weak link for Honda in 2026.
Johann Zarco, Team LCR Honda
Johann Zarco, Team LCR Honda
“We worked on set-up, I'm sure we can improve the pace and the feeling on the bike by finding an even better set-up, plus me improving my riding on the bike,” he said. “So we need to make this compromise better and extract the best of what we have.
“If we look at the bike from outside, maybe we missed something on aero and on the fairing, but this won't change for the year. That's the limit of Honda at the moment.
“They are working on it, [but] they didn’t find anything better in aerodynamics. So we cannot think about the other bikes. There are differences and that's why we lose. We need to find out how to use our material better.”
Seve Ballesteros won two of his three Open titles at Royal Lytham & St Annes [Getty Images]
The Open will return to Royal Lytham & St Annes in 2028, with US President Donald Trump's Turnberry, and Muirfield, among the courses to miss out.
Turnberry last hosted The Open in 2009 - five years before Trump bought the course - while Muirfield has not held the tournament since 2013.
Last year R&A officials met with Trump's son Eric to discuss the tournament returning to Turnberry.
At the time R&A chief executive Mark Darbon said there were "big logistical issues" at the venue.
Darbon also acknowledged that the UK government had spoken with the R&A about Turnberry hosting The Open.
Asked on Monday about Turnberry and Muirfield's futures as Open venues, he said "dialogue was ongoing".
It will be the 12th time The Open has been held at Royal Lytham, which last staged golf's oldest major in 2012.
Darbon said: "This is one of golf's most cherished and historic venues."
The return to Lytham will mark the third time in six years that the north-west coast of England will host the tournament.
The Open was held at Royal Liverpool in 2023 and will be hosted by Royal Birkdale in Southport from 16-19 July this year.
In 2027 the Old Course in St Andrews will stage the event for a record-extending 31st time.
The Open, the final major of the year, is usually held during the third week of July, but is being pushed back to 3-6 August in 2028 to avoid clashing with the Los Angeles Olympic Games golf competitions, which are being played from 19-29 July.
Why Royal Lytham got the nod
Lytham, near Blackpool, has a pedigree of hosting some of golf's most prestigious tournaments.
It has staged 11 Opens, five Women's Opens, two Ryder Cups, five Senior Opens, the Walker Cup and the Curtis Cup.
Despite being close to the coast, players and spectators cannot see the sea, with the tight plot of land hemmed in by a railway track and houses.
The R&A has required Lytham to carry out significant work to create space for the demands of a modern Open.
The main change centred around remodelling the par-five 11th - turning it from a dog-leg to a 601-yard straight hole by removing numerous bushes - to allow for the construction of a new practice area.
There have also been improvements to the course's internal road system to provide better access and for routine maintenance.
The changes will be in the spotlight when the course hosts the AIG Women's Open from 29 July to 2 August.
The Open first went to Lytham in 1926, with legendary American amateur Bobby Jones, who would go on to help design Augusta National and co-found the Masters, winning the first of three Claret Jugs.
Spanish great Seve Ballesteros claimed two of his three Open wins in Lytham, in 1979 and 1988.
Why not Turnberry or Muirfield?
Turnberry, which hosted the most recent of its four Opens in 2009, has significant logistical issues, despite its Ailsa Course being recognised as one of the world's finest layouts.
Darbon said last year that he "would love" to return to the Ayrshire course on the west coast of Scotland and that a feasibility study had been commissioned.
It appeared to be a softening of the R&A's stance given Darbon's predecessor, Martin Slumbers, strongly suggested in 2021 that the course would not be restored to the Open rota while Trump was associated with the venue, expressing concerns that the focus would be on issues off the course.
Trump bought the resort in 2014 and has spent £200m on improvements.
BBC Sport was told last year that the UK government had asked the R&A about its position.
Darbon has said the main issue is not who owns Turnberry but whether the venue and town are equipped to cope with the number of people attending the tournament.
He pointed out that the total attendance at Turnberry 17 years ago was 120,000, while Royal Portrush, last year's Open hosts, coped with 280,000 spectators.
Muirfield, 18 miles to the east of Edinburgh, is one of Scotland's most historic courses and has hosted The Open 16 times, although not since 2013.
Two logistical issues are hampering the course now.
Darbon has pointed to infrastructure challenges around practice facilities, while the long-term staging of the Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club - next door to Muirfield - creates further complications.
Last week the Scottish Open signed a deal to stay at the Renaissance until 2030, with the tournament played in the week before The Open to allow players time to adapt to the unique challenges presented by seaside links courses.
BALTIMORE, MD - APRIL 26: Red Sox Interim Manager Chad Tracy speaks to the media prior to the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Sunday, April 26, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Alyssa Piazza/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Hello and happy Monday, folks. Anything big happen over the weekend?
What a whirlwind we’ve gone through in the last few days. Managers being fired, CBOs being pinned for drastic organization changes, questions about which players would be saying what in the clubhouse after Alex Cora’s departure, the works.
But as a way to start moving forward, I pose to you: do you have any initial feelings about interim manager Chad Tracy at this point in time? Hard to judge a guy after exactly one (1) MLB game under his belt as the skipper—tied for the best winning percentage in league history as things stand, by the way—but I’ve heard some great things from those who have played or worked with him.
Not just saying this because I now am covering him: I have never heard a single thing but unbelievable praise for Chad Tracy.
The umpire refused Rybakina's request to come down from her chair to look at the disputed mark [Getty Images]
Elena Rybakina said she did not trust the electronic line-calling system at the Madrid Open following a disputed decision in her three-set win against Zheng Qinwen on Sunday.
The Kazakh remonstrated with the umpire after Zheng was awarded an ace for a serve when the Chinese player was 30-0 up and 4-3 down in the second set.
Rybakina, who went on to win 4-6 6-4 6-3, pointed to the mark and asked umpire Julie Kjendlie to come down to have a look at it on the clay court, but the official said she could not do so.
"The system is wrong, this is not a joke," Rybakina told the official, who said she had to go with the electronic line-calling system.
"Well with this thing, I won't trust it at all, because there was no mark even close to what the TV showed."
Last year at the Madrid Open, men's player Alexander Zverev was warned for a taking a picture of a contested ball mark during another electric line-calling controversy at the tournament.
The German said there was a "malfunction in the system" after a ball was called in but which he argued had gone wide.
Zverev ended up bringing his phone out of his bag and taking a picture of the mark before being given a warning for unsportsmanlike conduct.
"It was, I think, similar to what Zverev had last year because it was in front of her nose. You can't not see it. It was pretty frustrating," Rybakina added.
"It's kind of a stolen point. I understand it was her serve and she was serving really well, but it's really frustrating."
Former Colorado defensive end Keaten Wade was not one of the 257 players selected in the 2026 NFL Draft. However, on Sunday, he was given a shot at making an NFL roster after receiving a rookie minicamp invite with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Wade will have a set of practices to impress the Chiefs' coaching staff and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. If the Chiefs like what they see, Wade could stay on the roster throughout OTAs and maybe even training camp.
Last season with the Buffs, Wade played and started in 12 games, finishing with 46 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, nine quarterback hurries, 2.5 sacks, two pass breakups and a forced fumble. He was arguably Colorado's top defensive lineman.
Wade played two seasons at Colorado, transferring from Kentucky after the 2022 season.
— Colorado Buffaloes Football (@CUBuffsFootball) April 26, 2026
Wade joins a group of six former Buffaloes to sign with a team post-draft. Wade and quarterback Kaidon Salter are two of three players receiving rookie minicamp invites.
As a team, Colorado did not have any players selected in the seven-round NFL draft, but the program's success with undrafted free agents should be noted. In the last 11 seasons, CU has had at least one undrafted free agent make a final 53-man roster.
No. 7 Texas A&M (33-8, 14-6 SEC) pulled off its fifth consecutive SEC series win after defeating Florida 5-1 on Sunday afternoon, and after losing Game 1 9-2 on Friday night, Texas A&M's prolific offense came allive in back-to-back days, led by junior first baseman Gavin Grahovac's consistent and powerful bat, while freshman outfielder Jorian Wilson has also been playing out of his mind over the last two SEC series.
Once an undervalued recruit with elite potential based on his 6'4", 240-pound frame, Wilson outright earned a spot in the starting lineup after showcasing his strength at the plate, starting every game since the Aggies' road series vs. Missouri, and has since hit 11 home runs and averaged .330 with 26 RBI on the year thus far.
Against the Gators, Wilson hit solo homers in Games 2 and 3, combined with five hits, while his MLB-level throw to home to keep Florida from making it a two-run game reached epic proportions, and further solidified Wilson's standing as one of the country's top freshmen with an extremely bright future.
Fellow freshman third baseman Nico Partida, who's hitting .317 with 12 homers and 38 RBI, is already considered a first-round pick in the 2028 MLB Draft, and after the last two SEC series road wins over LSU and Florida, Jorian Wilson's many tools are now evident to every national scout.
Second-year head coach Michael Earley should be considered a finalist for SEC Coach of the Year at this point, as the Aggies are in the running to be in first place in the SEC by Monday morning. Even more impressive, Earley's ability to evaluate undiscovered talent led to Jorian Wilson making his way to College Station.
Look for Wilson to potentially be named SEC Player of the Week after this weekend's performance.
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
Newcastle set sights on Jackson after Bayern decision
Newcastle United have set their sights on Nicolas Jackson after Bayern Munich confirmed they will not sign the Chelsea loanee on a permanent deal this summer.
Jackson has spent the current season on loan at Bayern from Chelsea, where he has scored 10 goals in 29 appearances.
A clause to make the move permanent for a fee of £56.2m was included in the loan arrangement, though Jackson has not made the appearances required to make that clause mandatory.
Bayern have decided against pursuing the player permanently, despite being satisfied with his displays as back-up to Harry Kane this season.
Talksport are reporting that Newcastle are ready to make a move. A centre-forward is top of the club’s list of priorities for the summer window, with last season’s recruits, Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade, disappointing this season.
Jackson is viewed as a Premier League-ready option to improve the club’s frontline, while the Senegal international is set to leave Chelsea permanently. Aston Villa have also been linked, with Unai Emery having worked with Jackson at Villarreal.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has suggested it will be a big summer for his squad, following a disappointing Premier League campaign.
“If the team’s not performing then, potentially, there might be bigger changes in the summer than was maybe previously first thought,” he said last week.
“I think you have to react to what you see and that goes on a daily basis, a weekly basis, behind the scenes. It’s about attitude, commitment to the team.”
Nelly Korda is a major champion once again after her wire-to-wire win at The Chevron Championship.
Korda secured a five-stroke victory at Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston, claiming her second win at the event and the third major championship win of her career.
She dominated the first major of the 2026 season, comfortably defeating Patty Tavatanakit and Ruoning Yin in T2.
She’s now added another win to that record, which will also help her return to the top of the Women’s World Golf Rankings.
The American is set to reclaim the top spot for the first time since Jeeno Thitikul rose to world number one in August 2025.
Korda will soon mark her 109th career week at the summit, which is a position she certainly doesn’t look like giving up anytime soon.
Her third career major championship win also brings her one step closer to another phenomenal milestone in women’s golf.
With her successful run in Houston, Korda earned two points towards the LPGA Hall of Fame, and needs just five more to claim a place among the exclusive group of golfing icons.
Agent attends Milan-Juventus clash ahead of Lewandowski talks
Sunday’s showdown between Milan and Juventus had a special guest in Pini Zahavi, the agent who represents Robert Lewandowski.
The experienced Barcelona hitman is currently running on an expiring contract, leaving his future up in the air.
In recent weeks, the 37-year-old has been linked with several potential destinations, including the two Serie A giants who played out a goalless draw at San Siro on Sunday.
Juventus & Milan to discuss Lewandowski with his agent
According to Tuttosport, Zahavi is currently touring around Europe to find Lewandowski a new club, although the Barcelona chapter hasn’t been fully closed yet, as the two parties are still willing to discuss the possibility of extending their collaboration for another year.
This weekend, the agent took the opportunity to attend the clash between Milan and Juventus, two of the Pole’s main suitors. He is thus expected to hold talks with the two Serie A giants who are sorely missing firepower upfront, as illustrated by Sunday’s stalemate.
But as the Turin-based newspaper reveals, Juventus are more likely to pursue the former Dortmund and Bayern Munich star than Milan, who have identified Atletico Madrid’s Alexander Sorloth as their top target
Why Juventus are interested in Robert Lewandowski
This summer, Juventus are expected to ring the changes up front. The management will be desperate to offload Lois Openda following a horrendous first season in Turin, even though his book value is likely to deter any potential buyers.
On the other hand, Luciano Spalletti could be willing to give Jonathan David another opportunity, but the Canadian would also be sold for the right offer.
Arkadiusz Milik could rescind his contract after two campaigns wrecked by injuries, while Dusan Vlahovic’s future remains shrouded in mystery, as the two parties have yet to find an agreement on a contract renewal.
Juventus are still determined to bring Randal Kolo Muani back to Turin, but it remains to be seen if they can find an agreement with Paris Saint-Germain.
Therefore, the Bianconeri are keeping their options open, and Lewandowski could represent an enticing opportunity for the short-term, as the team has been lacking a consistent goalscorer.
Nevertheless, the Polish legend will likely command a hefty salary, so it remains unclear if the Serie A giants will be willing to meet it.
Michigan edge Derrick Moore (8) celebrates a sack against Michigan State quarterback Alessio Milivojevic (11) during the second half at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Saturday, October 25, 2025. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The 2026 NFL Draft is in the books and, as usual, it was full of surprises.
The Arizona Cardinals went running back with the third-overall pick. The Los Angeles Rams selected a quarterback in the first round as an heir to Matthew Stafford. Jermod McCoy fell all the way to the fourth round amid concerns surrounding his knee.
In comparison, the Detroit Lions had a modestly surprising draft, but there were still some moves—or lack thereof—that raised eyebrows.
Today’s Question of the Day is:
What surprised you the most about the Detroit Lions’ 2026 NFL draft?
My answer: I was surprised by the emphasis on pass rush.
It is not surprising that the Lions went heavy on defense in the draft—entering the draft with a below-average depth chart, they needed reinforcements across multiple positions. However, I really expected Detroit to look for players built for run defense. Crushing the can has been the motto of the Lions defense for a few years now, with players like Tyleik Williams, Josh Paschal, Brodric Martin, and Ahmed Hassanein being a few examples of draftees with an acumen for run defense. Besides Aidan Hutchinson, the only drafted players that were pass rush-orientated were Mekhi Wingo and James Houston.
In the 2026 draft, Detroit added three linemen, all of whom have pass rush as a strength. Second-round pick Derrick Moore could be the 2026 counterpart to Al-Quadin Muhammad, a player used primarily as a pass rusher (although Moore has the ceiling to be an every-down player). Sixth-round pick Skyler Gill-Howard provides the team with some much-needed interior pass rush, as Wingo has seemingly fallen out of favor in Detroit. With the final pick of their draft, Detroit added Tyre West, a larger defensive end in the mold of Tyler Lacy that can bring pressure from inside and out. Even linebacker Jimmy Rolder could factor in as a pass rushing SAM linebacker (although WILL is more likely his future position).
Aside from the signing of DJ Wonnum—the frontrunner to start across from Hutchinson—the Lions have done little to bolster their run defense. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as the pass rush was sorely lacking consistency last season, but it is nonetheless an interesting pivot for this organization. Plus, free agency tends to have a second wave following the draft, so Detroit could still add to their run defense. In particular, another nose tackle to replace DJ Reader and Roy Lopez could be needed (Reader returning could still be in the cards, however).
Is this a sign that the Lions want to prioritize pass rush next season? Perhaps, though it could also be a case of Detroit seeing potential in their new rookies to grow as run defenders. We likely will not know how the scheme materializes until Week 1.
Guardiola: Nunes ‘one of the best right-backs in the world’
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes Matheus Nunes is developing into ‘one of the best right-backs in the world’.
Nunes has deputised as a makeshift right-back for Manchester City for much of the campaign, with the Portugal international tasked with filling a problem position.
The 27-year-old has had an excellent season in the position, scoring once and providing five assists in 30 Premier League appearances. Only eight players in the Premier League have created more goals this season.
Nunes has made notable strides forward in the unfamiliar defensive role, and Guardiola believes has has all the attributes to become one of the very best right-backs in the world.
He praised the improvements in Nunes’s defensive awareness throughout the course of the campaign.
“Matheus Nunes is becoming one of the best right-backs in the world,” the Spaniard said.
“Defensively, attention to the line, arriving to the by-line – many, many good things!”
Now that the NFL Draft is over, it's all about focusing on figuring out the 53-man roster for the New England Patriots.
The New England Patriots are aiming to return to the Super Bowl and wash out the bad taste of last year’s bitter defeat. After a robust 2026 NFL Draft class, there stands to be some changes to the roster.
Who's in? Who's out? Here is how I'd project the 53-man roster moving forward.
Note: Players with a single asterisk (*) are 2026 draft picks and players with double asterisks (**) are 2026 undrafted free agents.
New England Patriots Way-Too-Early 53-man roster prediction
Quarterback (2)
IN: Drake Maye, Tommy DeVito OUT: Behren Morton*
The skinny: No surprises here with the top two. Drake Maye should continue to play at an MVP level. I’m not sure if Morton will be rostered every week, and seems likely to be snuck through as a PS member to be the emergency quarterback on gamedays.
The skinny: The top two backs are locked in with Stevenson and Henderson. The selection of Jam Miller is a perfect complement, and he should lock up the RB3 job early on in the room. Reggie Gilliam’s ability to handle running back and tight end duties allows them to get flexible with the roster numbers.
Wide Receiver (7)
IN: Romeo Doubs, Kayshon Boutte, Kyle Williams, Mack Hollins, Pop Douglas, Efton Chism III, Kyle Dixon** OUT: Jeremiah Webb, John Jiles, Nick DeGennaro**, Jimmy Kibble**, Cameron Dorner**
The skinny: I’m not entirely convinced this is how this room will look when the preseason begins (cough cough). However, with no additions in the draft, I’m pretty confident in everyone from last year keeping their jobs heading into this year. UDFA Kyle Dixon got a massive $252k deal in guarantees to sign, giving him pretty good odds of being a promising lock.
Tight End (4)
IN: Hunter Henry, Julian Hill, Eli Raridon*, Tanner Arkin** OUT: Jack Westover, CJ Dippre, Marshall Lang,
The skinny: Head coach Mike Vrabel said the team wanted to get more multiple, and I believe. Henry is the obvious TE1, but I think Eli Raridon can be a contributor early on. Hill was brought in to improve their run blocking, and I think Arkin can make the roster for the same reasons. With Gilliam rotating into this room as well, it’s bully ball time in New England.
Offensive Line (9)
IN: Will Campbell, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Jared Wilson, Mike Onwenu, Morgan Moses, Caleb Lomu*, Dametrious Crownover*, Ben Brown, Caedan Wallace OUT: James Hudson III, Marcus Bryant, Lorenz Metz, Sebastian Gutierrez, JonDarius Morgan**, Jacob Rizy**, Mehki Butler, Andrew Rupcich
The skinny: The starting lineup should remain the same as it was heading into the draft, but the depth is dramatically improved. Caleb Lomu and Dametrious Crownover likely lock up the depth tackle spots, pushing Hudson and Bryant out. Ben Brown and Caedan Wallace are valuable swing linemen as well.
Defensive Tackle (6)
IN: Milton Williams, Christian Barmore, Cory Durden, Joshua Farmer, Eric Gregory, Leonard Taylor III OUT: Jeremiah Pharms Jr., David Blay Jr.**
The skinny: Surprisingly, the New England Patriots didn’t draft a single defensive tackle after being rumored to for months. This room should still be a strength of the team. However, they are banking on a lot of young talent in Farmer, Durden, and Taylor to take that next step.
Edge Rusher (5)
IN: Harold Landry, Dre’Mont Jones, Gabe Jacas, Elijah Ponder, Quintavyious Hutchins* OUT: Bradyn Swinson, Jesse Luketa, Korey Foreman**
The skinny: Mike Vrabel has frequently rostered four edge rushers, but this room is too deep to do so this year in my opinion. The starting three is set with Landry, Jones, and Jacas. However, Elijah Ponder was a tremendous rookie on special teams. I think Hutchins’ draft capital might give him the edge over a disappointing rookie season from Bradyn Swinson.
Linebacker (4)
IN: Robert Spillane, Christian Elliss, Namdi Obiazor*, K.J. Britt OUT: Chad Muma, Otis Reese, Amari Gainer, Jordan Kwiatkowski**
The skinny: Spillane and Elliss will be their starting linebackers, to no surprise. However, don’t be shocked if Obiazor carves out a strong role, especially on early downs. Britt is the special teams ace of the room, and that will be his ticket onto the roster over the field.
Cornerback (5)
IN: Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis III, Marcus Jones, Karon Prunty*, Kindle Vildor OUT: Charles Woods, Kobee Minor, Marcellas Dial Jr., Brandon Crossley, Kenneth Harris**, Channing Canada**
The skinny: New England had their starting trio set heading into the draft, while Vildor adds inside-outside ability. The addition of Prunty likely rounds out the room, keeping out the field.
Safety (4)
IN: Kevin Byard, Craig Woodson, Brendan Schooler, Dell Pettus OUT: Mike Brown, John Saunders Jr.
The skinny: There was some speculation the Patriots could draft a safety this year. However, the team didn’t, locking up the same rotation as they had pre-draft. Byard and Woodson should be one of the best safety duos in the AFC. Meanwhile, Schooler and Pettus are valuable special teams assets.
Specialists (3)
IN: Julian Ashby (LS), Andy Borregales (K), Bryce Baringer (P) OUT: Niko Lalos
The skinny: There weren’t any additions to compete at kicker or punter, locking in Borregales and Baringer. The battle between Ashby and Lalos could go into camp, but I have to imagine the draft capital and experience of Ashby would win out in the end.
Juventus player ratings vs Milan: Conceicao the only spark in attack
On Sunday evening, Milan and Juventus seemed content to share the spoils, much to the disappointment of the thousands at San Siro and millions watching all over the globe.
The Bianconeri had the bulk of possession, but only created a few chances. For their part, the Rossoneri almost snatched the lead through Alexis Saelemaekers, whose effort crashed against the post. However, Max Allegri’s men were too passive for the large part.
So, here are our player ratings for Juventus, who remained fourth in the Serie A table following their goalless draw against Milan.
Juventus XI (3-4-2-1)
Michele Di Gregorio – 6
The Italian goalkeeper comfortably dealt with Adrien Rabiot’s central shot in the first half, while the woodwork stood for him against Saelemaekers.
Pierre Kalulu – 7
A formidable defensive display from the former Milan defender, who frustrated Christian Pulisic.
Gleison Bremer – 7
The Brazilian stood his ground and won the vast majority of his duels against Rafael Leao and Co. He also pushed forward and tested Mike Maignan with a low drive.
Lloyd Kelly – 7
An almost flawless display from the Englishman who didn’t put a foot wrong all game.
Weston McKennie – 6
The USMNT star didn’t enjoy his best outing compared to some of his inspiring performances this season. But he did have his moments, especially after moving to the left flank.
Manuel Locatelli – 6
For some reason, the Juventus captain didn’t miss a chance to hurt his former teammate Adrien Rabiot, and he eventually received a yellow card for his troubles. Picked up Conceicao with a couple of delightful long passes.
Khephren Thuram – 6.5
The Frenchman had a goal ruled out for offside, but more importantly, he made vital defensive contributions and carried the ball forward on several occasions.
Andrea Cambiaso – 5.5
Another lukewarm display from the Italian international, who struggled to contain Alexis Saelemaekers. Found himself in promising positions in attack, but his delivery was rather poor.
Francisco Conceicao – 7
The Portuguese winger was Juve’s most inspirational player. Dribbled past his market almost at will, and made some outrageous ball controls, but just lacked the finishing touch.
Jeremie Boga – 5
The Ivorian had his worst performance since joining Juventus. He was suffocated by Fikayo Tomori and made wrong decisions while in promising positions.
Jonathan David – 5.5
The Canadian embarked on a solo run out of nowhere, but went down too easily following a slight push from Matteo Gabbia. A frustrating evening all in all, even if Spalletti praised him afterwards.
Substitutes
Emil Holm – 5.5
The Swedish international showed his attacking limitations, as he wasn’t able to add a spark at a time when Juventus were chasing a result.
Teun Koopmeiners – 6
A positive cameo from the Dutchman, who was willing to get his hands dirty in the middle of the park. Did well to retrieve the ball on a couple of occasions.
AUBURN, ALABAMA - OCTOBER 18: Connor Lew #75 of the Auburn Tigers runs on the field during the game against the Missouri Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 18, 2025 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cincinnati Bengals looked at building for the future as they kicked off Day 3 of the NFL Draft, selecting Auburn center Connor Lew at No. 128 in the fourth round.
Lew was one of the better interior linemen in this year’s class, but a torn ACL suffered in October caused him to drop a little further than where he would have been originally selected.
Cincinnati felt comfortable with his injury status and upside as a potential successor to Ted Karras. And, shortly after being selected by the Bengals, Lew also gave a thumbs-up about his comeback from the ACL injury.
Connor Lew says no concerns in ACL recovery.
"The knee is great. No setbacks. If anything I'm a little ahead of schedule. Thinking I will be 100 percent for camp."
Going into the Draft, some pundits had Lew as a fringe first round talent, but one likely to get picked on Night 2. Because of a late-season ACL injury, Lew was available to the Bengals in the fourth.
Lew is known as a very cerebral player and one who studied aviation in college. He is known as a great technician at the position with good size (6’3”, 310). There are questions on his play strength, but he was a very effective lineman for the Tigers.
Cincinnati parted ways with the enigmatic Matt Lee, a 2024 seventh-round selection, shortly before the Draft. Because of that, it was widely thought that Cincinnati would be seeking a developmental center in this year’s class.
As for the injury, it’s good news for the Bengals, and they undoubtedly made their check-ups on the progress. Let’s hope Lew’s assessment of the injury is accurate, and he will be ready to go for training camp.
CINCINNATI, OHIO - OCTOBER 11: Wide receiver Jeff Caldwell #9 of the Cincinnati Bearcats seen in action during the game against the UCF Knights at Nippert Stadium on October 11, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Kansas City Chiefs may have scored one of the steals of the offseason as an undrafted free agent, as they agreed to terms with former Cincinnati wide receiver Jeff Caldwell. He is a 6-foot-5 pass-catcher that CBS Sports ranked as the No. 167 overall prospect in this entire class. NFL.com also projected him as a fourth-round pick. Yet, Caldwell went undrafted!
If you’re looking for a lofty NFL comparison for this prospect, Hall of Fame wide receiver Calvin Johnson’s name has been thrown around. Let’s take a look at Caldwell, and why he’s arguably the most intriguing undrafted free agent this year.
Not only does Caldwell possess great size at nearly 6-6 and 216 pounds, but he’s also a freak athlete. At the NFL combine, he ran a 4.31 40-yard dash, registered a 1.48 10-yard split, 42-inch vertical and 11-foot-2 broad jump. He ranked in the top four among all receivers in those drills, plus the 1.48 10-yard split ranked No. 1 among everyone in Indy.
Describing Caldwell as a winner of the genetic lottery is an understatement. If you subscribe to the Relative Athletic Score, Caldwell registered a perfect 10.00 out of 10.00. It ranked No. 2 out of 3,926 wide receivers from 1987 to 2026, behind only … Calvin Johnson. Again, this guy went undrafted.
Smith, 32, played nine seasons in the NFL but has not appeared in a game since 2023.
“Dear Football,” Smith wrote in his announcement. “When I first started out this journey in seventh grade, I didn’t know what the other side would hold. . . . Football has made me feel and experience every emotion imaginable.
“Thank you to all that has helped me through the years along my football career. It has allowed me to grow and experience life in ways I can’t put into words.”
The Buccaneers made Smith a second-round pick in 2015, and he played eight seasons in Tampa. He spent 2023 with the Chiefs.
Smith won two Super Bowl rings, one with the Bucs and one with the Chiefs.
Following the 2026 NFL Draft, Texas A&M running back E.J. Smith – Emmitt Smith’s son – signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent. Smith played six years of college football, four at Stanford and two at Texas A&M.
In his six seasons, Smith had 207 carries for 969 yards and nine touchdowns plus 71 receptions for 470 yards and one touchdown.
The Chiefs already drafted Nebraska ball-carrier Emmett Johnson in round five and agreed to terms with undrafted free agent RBs Jaydn Ott and E.J. Smith, but Stewart might be the most interesting backfield addition of all.
Per fantasy football expert and podcaster Scott Barrett, “projected UDFA RB Terion Stewart narrowly edges out Ashton Jeanty and Bijan Robinson as the most elusive RB in PFF College history.”
Barrett included a graphic in his post, which shows Stewart as the only CFB running back with a missed tackles forced per attempt over 0.4, not to mention an average yards after contact over 4.5 yards.
2. His 46 catches ranked second in the FBS among all running backs.
Johnson was more than just a runner for Nebraska, recording 46 catches – the second-most among all FBS running backs – for 370 yards and three touchdowns.
Here’s more on Johnson’s pass-catching ability from The Athletic’s Dane Brugler:
“He’s a savvy pass-catcher with crisp route breaks that allow him to win against linebackers 1-on-1 (a ton of flare routes on his tape).”
It all helped Johnson become the only player in the FBS to average more than 150 scrimmage yards-per-game.
3. Johnson is as sure-handed as they come.
Despite touching the ball 297 times last season (with 251 carries and 46 catches), Johnson logged just one fumble and one drop over the course of the campaign.
Simply put, when the ball went Johnson’s way, it almost always resulted in a positive play.
“No new update right now,” Lynch said regarding Aiyuk on Saturday during his post-draft news conference, per team transcript. “We’re available. Give us a call. And like I said earlier, I think it’s the prudent thing to do. He’s an extremely talented player. He’s been an extremely effective player in our league; situation didn’t work itself out here. That’s not to say that it can’t be rekindled somewhere else. And we’d be happy to do something with anyone if the opportunity presented itself.”
Aiyuk has been destined for a San Francisco exit for months now after the team placed him on the reserve/left squad list in December. Lynch acknowledged in January that it was “safe to say” Aiyuk had played has last down as a Niner, but the months ticking along have done nothing to diminish the 49ers’ interest in getting something for the wideout after getting nothing from him in 2025.
“Not anytime soon,” Lynch said when asked if he was planning on releasing Aiyuk.
The former JUCO, New Mexico State and Vanderbilt quarterback became the first Heisman Trophy finalist to go undrafted since Northern Illinois QB Jordan Lynch was not picked in the 2014 draft.
Following the draft’s conclusion on Saturday, Pavia did not sign with an NFL team as a free agent. He reportedly visited the Carolina Panthers before the draft, but no other visits were publicized.
Yet on Sunday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Pavia has accepted an invitation to join the Baltimore Ravens at their minicamp next week, finally giving the undrafted free agent an NFL landing spot. The Ravens currently have Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley on their QB depth chart.
Based on a viral interview clip with Jon Gruden earlier this spring made it appear that Pavia had not hired an agent ahead of the predraft process.
The Chiefs’ defense should immediately feel an impact from Thomas on pass downs or two-minute drill situations. Kansas City will want Thomas on the field for as many opponents’ pass plays as possible, because he is immediately the most dangerous edge rusher on the team because of the get off.
Defensive ends George Karlaftis and Ashton Gillotte will likely be the starters and lead the way on early downs, but Thomas will live on third down, and should live primarily on the edge in those pass-rush setups.
Of course, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo will get creative, but he shouldn’t overcomplicate it when Thomas’ first step on third and long is enough to mess with a protection or disrupt the pocket. He and George would be the primary edge rushers for Spags’ third-down packages, and the presence of Thomas should also mark the end of the strategy to align defensive tacke Chris Jones on the edge.
He likely won’t complain. Jones has been missing an edge rusher who can aid his pass rush by forcing quarterbacks to step up in the pocket toward him.
“I loved him today” – Joe Cole picks alternate Chelsea man of the match who filled crucial tactical role
Joao Pedro got praise from Joe Cole for a really tough showing leading the line against Leeds at Wembley yesterday afternoon.
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Joe Cole was a pundit for TNT Sports last night, watching Chelsea take on Leeds in the FA Cup semi final. The former Blue picked out a starter who had made a real difference for his old team last night:
“[Joao Pedro] plays with that flair, I loved him today he was dropping off in the pockets. He did his centre forward job, he held up the play and when he got into good positions he was picking the right passes.”
Joao Pedro returns to play crucial role for Blues
Tosin embraces Robert Sanchez. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
While the TNT coverage had goalscorer Enzo Fernandez as Man of the Match and many others praised our defence too, we definitely had Joao Pedro as the outstanding player in the game. Chelsea decided to play the ball long a long, over the top of Leeds’ press, and it was essential the striker was able to hold the ball up.
He consistently won those battles and allowed his team to get higher up the pitch.
In other news…
Robert Sanchez was picked out for praise for his performance in the game by pundits and by his manager Calum McFarlane.
McFarlane’s tactical breakdown for the game was really fascinating, and he explained to TNT Sport how he countered the Leeds press.
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Chelsea consider new head coach with £17.3m release clause
Chelsea have included Porto manager Francesco Farioli on their shortlist to replace Liam Rosenior, but face a fee to agree a deal.
Farioli has impressed in his debut campaign at Porto, having led the Portuguese side to the brink of a first league title in four years. Porto have lost once in 31 league games this season and are one win from Primeira Liga success.
The 37-year-old’s immediate impact saw him handed a new contract in January, despite only arriving at The Estádio do Dragão last summer. That contract represents a blocker for Chelsea, given it runs until 2028 and contains a €20m (£17.3m) release clause.
According to journalist Nicolo Schira, Chelsea have approached Farioli to determine his interest in taking charge at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea are no strangers to paying release clauses, with their appointments of Graham Potter (£21.5m), Andres Villas-Boas (£13.3m) and Enzo Maresca (£10m) among the most expensive managerial appointments of all time.
However, fresh from a huge pay-off for Liam Rosenior, the West Londoners could look to more cost-effective alternatives.
Several options, including outgoing Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, are available as free agents this summer.
Detroit Tigers infielder Kevin McGonigle has been a great addition to the Tigers' roster since debuting in March. The 21-year-old has adjusted well to the big leagues, hitting .330 with a .951 OPS, two home runs, two triples (leading the American League) and walking 16 times to 15 strikeouts.
McGonigle’s hitting ability was never a question, with a 70/80 hit grade. However, his hitting ability has led to a high on-base percentage (.423), putting him in rarified air with one of the greatest Tigers, Hall of Famer Al Kaline.
Kevin McGonigle joins Detroit Tigers legend Al Kaline for one of the longest on-base streaks
According to Tigers PR on X, McGonigle has reached base safely in 24 consecutive starts. McGonigle’s streak is the longest by a player 21 or younger in the Tigers' history since Kaline had 34 from July 26 to August 28, 1956.
Kevin McGonigle has now reached base safely in 24 consecutive starts.
It's the longest streak for a Tigers player aged 21-or-younger since Al Kaline reached base in 34 straight starts from July 26 to August 28, 1956.#DNMWpic.twitter.com/vD7Yjt5i8q
Kaline had a great season in 1956, making his second of his 18 All-Star teams and hitting .314 with a .913 OPS, 27 home runs, 128 RBI in 153 games. Kaline would also finish third in the MVP voting that season behind New York Yankees catcher Yogi Berra (second place) and Yankees outfielder Mickey Mantle (first).
McGonigle’s impressive start to the season could have him playing in his hometown of Philadelphia this summer in the All-Star game. Switching between third base (15 games, 32 defensive runs saved) and shortstop (18 games, zero defensive runs saved), McGonigle will have an uphill battle to secure a spot.
Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez will likely secure his sixth straight All-Star nod even though he's hitting .229. However, shortstop seems like McGonigle’s best chance to make the team, with some of the best shortstops off to slow starts.
For just the third time in more than three decades, UW will be hiring a new athletic director.
Chris McIntosh left earlier in April to take a new position with the Big Ten as its deputy commissioner for strategy. Marcus Sedberry will serve as interim athletic director during the national search.
Pat Richter had the job for about 15 years in the 1990s and 2000s, followed by Barry Alvarez’s 17 years in the job and McIntosh’s five years. Alvarez and McIntosh were internal hires, and Richter came across town from Oscar Mayer in Madison.
Many names could be floated in the coming weeks and months as people who should receive consideration. It could be any of the names mentioned below or none of them. Any inclusion (or exclusion) on the list below does not necessarily indicate interest from UW or the potential candidates themselves.
Wisconsin’s lack of announced search committee or search firm adds to the uncertainty at this point in the process. This is all while UW also lacks a permanent chancellor amid Jennifer Mnookin’s move to Columbia University.
Here is an early look at candidates who could be potential fits for the Badgers, depending on what UW is looking for in its next AD:
Marcus Sedberry, interim AD at Wisconsin
If Wisconsin chooses to take the internal route again, all signs would point toward Sedberry.
UW tapped him to be the interim AD after four years as deputy AD at Wisconsin. He has supervised football since arriving in 2022 and added football general manager responsibilities in 2025.
Sedberry previously worked at Baylor, Arkansas, Central Florida and the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles. His role at Baylor as senior associate athletic director included oversight of the football program.
Oversight of Wisconsin football is not necessarily the best resume item after the Badgers’ first back-to-back losing seasons since the early 1990s, but Sedberry will have the opportunity to prove himself as he inherits several challenges.
Jamie Pollard combines strong Wisconsin connections with a proven track record as a power-conference athletic director.
Pollard’s 21-year tenure at Iowa State has been undeniably successful. Football reached new heights under Matt Campbell, men’s basketball has reached the Sweet 16 in three of the last five seasons and women’s basketball last missed the NCAA Tournament in 2017-18.
The Oshkosh native previously spent seven years with the Badgers under Richter and Alvarez’s leadership. He has other connections to the state, too, as a UW-Oshkosh alum who spent two years as an accountant in Milwaukee before beginning his college athletics career.
Pollard is 61, though, and would need to leave an athletic department that he has called home for more than two decades. At the same time, a Big Ten school’s resources can be appealing as the top two conferences separate themselves financially from the rest of the pack.
Brad Alberts comes with an impressive résumé in the professional sports ranks.
Alberts has been the president of the NHL’s Dallas Stars since 2018 and the team’s CEO since 2020. It’s been a successful tenure, too, as the Stars have played postseason hockey in seven of the last eight seasons. He had various roles tied to sponsorships and sales for pro sports teams such as the Stars and MLB’s Texas Rangers before that.
He has connections to the state as a Ripon College alum and a Delavan native. Do those connections provide a strong enough pull to bring him back to his home state and away from a premier pro sports job? We may soon find out.
Sean Frazier, AD at Northern Illinois
Sean Frazier did enough to be a finalist for the AD job last time around (and may be the most logical finalist to be in the running again in 2026).
The Journal Sentinel reported that the three finalists in 2021 were McIntosh, Frazier and Beth Goetz before UW unsurprisingly hired McIntosh. Goetz, then at Ball State, now holds an enviable position as rival Iowa’s athletic director (where the Hawkeyes are in a good spot in football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball).
That leaves Frazier, who was Alvarez’s deputy AD in Madison from 2007-13 before taking the top job at Northern Illinois.
Since then, Frazier helped the Huskies earn a football-only invitation to join the Mountain West Conference and was one of five finalists for the Sports Business Journal’s 2021-22 athletic director of the year. His NIU football program has earned only three bowl berths in the last seven years, though, and exceeded eight wins once in the last 11 years.
Shawn Eichorst, deputy AD/COO at Texas
Shawn Eichorst has notable experience as an athletic director in the Big Ten and ACC and plenty of connections to Wisconsin although his last experience in the Big Ten did not end on a high note.
Eichorst – a Lone Rock native and UW-Whitewater alum – was a deputy AD under Alvarez at Wisconsin before leading athletic departments at Miami (FL) from 2011-12 and Nebraska from 2012-17.
His nearly-18-month tenure at Miami included the hiring of men’s basketball coach Jim Larranaga. At Nebraska, he most notably fired Bo Pelini (who went 67-27 in eight seasons) and hired Mike Riley, who went 19-19 in three seasons before Eichorst’s successor fired him.
He joined Texas’ athletic department in 2018 and has been the Longhorns’ deputy AD and chief operating officer.
David Harris, AD at Tulane
David Harris has experience as a Division I athletic director, connections to Wisconsin and the Midwest and a strong football hire on his résumé.
Harris began his tenure as the athletic director at Tulane in early 2024 and replaced Houston-bound Willie Fritz with Jon Sumrall, whose success has included a College Football Playoff berth in his second season. (Sumrall then left to take the Florida job.)
Harris previously spent nearly eight years as the AD at FCS-level Northern Iowa. He worked before that with Pollard at Wisconsin and then Iowa State. He was promoted three times during his four-year UW tenure, according to his old Iowa State bio.
Garrett Klassy, AD at Fresno State
Garrett Klassy is another sitting Division I athletic director with plenty of connections to Wisconsin.
Klassy is a New Glarus native and Wisconsin alum who began his career in the UW ticket office and has since worked at Tulane, Alabama, Oregon, George Washington, UIC, Nebraska, Houston and now Fresno State.
That includes experience as athletic director at UIC from 2017-19, at Nebraska on an interim basis in 2021 and at Fresno State since 2024. He oversaw UIC’s first 20-win men’s basketball season since 2004 and the then-Horizon League school’s arena naming rights deal.
Klassy has led Fresno State during the Bulldogs’ upcoming move to the reformed Pac-12 and hired football coach Matt Entz, who won nine games (including the Arizona Bowl) in his first season.
For just the third time in more than three decades, UW will be hiring a new athletic director.
Chris McIntosh left earlier in April to take a new position with the Big Ten as its deputy commissioner for strategy. Marcus Sedberry will serve as interim athletic director during the national search.
Pat Richter had the job for about 15 years in the 1990s and 2000s, followed by Barry Alvarez’s 17 years in the job and McIntosh’s five years. Alvarez and McIntosh were internal hires, and Richter came across town from Oscar Mayer in Madison.
Many names could be floated in the coming weeks and months as people who should receive consideration. It could be any of the names mentioned below or none of them. Any inclusion (or exclusion) on the list below does not necessarily indicate interest from UW or the potential candidates themselves.
Wisconsin’s lack of announced search committee or search firm adds to the uncertainty at this point in the process. This is all while UW also lacks a permanent chancellor amid Jennifer Mnookin’s move to Columbia University.
Here is an early look at candidates who could be potential fits for the Badgers, depending on what UW is looking for in its next AD:
Marcus Sedberry, interim AD at Wisconsin
If Wisconsin chooses to take the internal route again, all signs would point toward Sedberry.
UW tapped him to be the interim AD after four years as deputy AD at Wisconsin. He has supervised football since arriving in 2022 and added football general manager responsibilities in 2025.
Sedberry previously worked at Baylor, Arkansas, Central Florida and the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles. His role at Baylor as senior associate athletic director included oversight of the football program.
Oversight of Wisconsin football is not necessarily the best resume item after the Badgers’ first back-to-back losing seasons since the early 1990s, but Sedberry will have the opportunity to prove himself as he inherits several challenges.
Jamie Pollard combines strong Wisconsin connections with a proven track record as a power-conference athletic director.
Pollard’s 21-year tenure at Iowa State has been undeniably successful. Football reached new heights under Matt Campbell, men’s basketball has reached the Sweet 16 in three of the last five seasons and women’s basketball last missed the NCAA Tournament in 2017-18.
The Oshkosh native previously spent seven years with the Badgers under Richter and Alvarez’s leadership. He has other connections to the state, too, as a UW-Oshkosh alum who spent two years as an accountant in Milwaukee before beginning his college athletics career.
Pollard is 61, though, and would need to leave an athletic department that he has called home for more than two decades. At the same time, a Big Ten school’s resources can be appealing as the top two conferences separate themselves financially from the rest of the pack.
Brad Alberts comes with an impressive résumé in the professional sports ranks.
Alberts has been the president of the NHL’s Dallas Stars since 2018 and the team’s CEO since 2020. It’s been a successful tenure, too, as the Stars have played postseason hockey in seven of the last eight seasons. He had various roles tied to sponsorships and sales for pro sports teams such as the Stars and MLB’s Texas Rangers before that.
He has connections to the state as a Ripon College alum and a Delavan native. Do those connections provide a strong enough pull to bring him back to his home state and away from a premier pro sports job? We may soon find out.
Sean Frazier, AD at Northern Illinois
Sean Frazier did enough to be a finalist for the AD job last time around (and may be the most logical finalist to be in the running again in 2026).
The Journal Sentinel reported that the three finalists in 2021 were McIntosh, Frazier and Beth Goetz before UW unsurprisingly hired McIntosh. Goetz, then at Ball State, now holds an enviable position as rival Iowa’s athletic director (where the Hawkeyes are in a good spot in football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball).
That leaves Frazier, who was Alvarez’s deputy AD in Madison from 2007-13 before taking the top job at Northern Illinois.
Since then, Frazier helped the Huskies earn a football-only invitation to join the Mountain West Conference and was one of five finalists for the Sports Business Journal’s 2021-22 athletic director of the year. His NIU football program has earned only three bowl berths in the last seven years, though, and exceeded eight wins once in the last 11 years.
Shawn Eichorst, deputy AD/COO at Texas
Shawn Eichorst has notable experience as an athletic director in the Big Ten and ACC and plenty of connections to Wisconsin although his last experience in the Big Ten did not end on a high note.
Eichorst – a Lone Rock native and UW-Whitewater alum – was a deputy AD under Alvarez at Wisconsin before leading athletic departments at Miami (FL) from 2011-12 and Nebraska from 2012-17.
His nearly-18-month tenure at Miami included the hiring of men’s basketball coach Jim Larranaga. At Nebraska, he most notably fired Bo Pelini (who went 67-27 in eight seasons) and hired Mike Riley, who went 19-19 in three seasons before Eichorst’s successor fired him.
He joined Texas’ athletic department in 2018 and has been the Longhorns’ deputy AD and chief operating officer.
David Harris, AD at Tulane
David Harris has experience as a Division I athletic director, connections to Wisconsin and the Midwest and a strong football hire on his résumé.
Harris began his tenure as the athletic director at Tulane in early 2024 and replaced Houston-bound Willie Fritz with Jon Sumrall, whose success has included a College Football Playoff berth in his second season. (Sumrall then left to take the Florida job.)
Harris previously spent nearly eight years as the AD at FCS-level Northern Iowa. He worked before that with Pollard at Wisconsin and then Iowa State. He was promoted three times during his four-year UW tenure, according to his old Iowa State bio.
Garrett Klassy, AD at Fresno State
Garrett Klassy is another sitting Division I athletic director with plenty of connections to Wisconsin.
Klassy is a New Glarus native and Wisconsin alum who began his career in the UW ticket office and has since worked at Tulane, Alabama, Oregon, George Washington, UIC, Nebraska, Houston and now Fresno State.
That includes experience as athletic director at UIC from 2017-19, at Nebraska on an interim basis in 2021 and at Fresno State since 2024. He oversaw UIC’s first 20-win men’s basketball season since 2004 and the then-Horizon League school’s arena naming rights deal.
Klassy has led Fresno State during the Bulldogs’ upcoming move to the reformed Pac-12 and hired football coach Matt Entz, who won nine games (including the Arizona Bowl) in his first season.
Noctua releases 3D CAD models for most of its products Noctua has released official 3D CAD models for many of its products, enabling CAD users and animators to incorporate Noctua products into their designs and renders. These models are free to download for many Noctua products and are available as STEP files. These files are […]
Alien Isolation’s sequel will use Unreal Engine 5 – Creative Assembly Confirms Creative Assembly have recently released a teaser trailer for what could be Alien Isolation 2. Now, a Creative Assembly job listing has confirmed that their sequel to Alien Isolation will be “built in Unreal Engine 5”. Gamers should note that the original Alien […]
Amazon is hosting a Gaming Week sale, and one of its most lucrative discounts happening right now is for the WD_Black C50 Storage Expansion Cards for Xbox, with 50-66% price cuts to their 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB variants.
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma highlights how rising memory costs could impact pricing and availability for the next-generation Xbox, Project Helix, while confirming development kits are planned for next year.
The crypto market news today turned on April 23 when Anchorage Digital activated institutional Solana staking through Marinade per Cointelegraph, and SoFi Bank flipped on XRP deposits for its 13.7 million customers per Yahoo Finance. When custodians and consumer banks open the floodgates in one week, sidelined capital hunts for entries that can outpace blue chips.
Pepeto pulled past $9.45 million as the Binance listing draws near, with a verified exchange already running, the original Pepe Coin founder behind the build, and a presale floor that makes it the cleanest 100x setup into the next leg.
Anchorage and SoFi Mark a Turning Point and the Crypto Market News Today Shifts
Anchorage Digital said institutional clients can now stake SOL through Marinade while keeping full custody, picking between compliant validator sets or yield-optimizing strategies per Anchorage Digital. The same week SoFi added XRP deposits beside Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana for its 13.7 million members, putting Ripple’s token inside a major U.S. digital bank.
A Goldman Sachs survey shows 71% of institutional managers plan to add crypto exposure this year while only 7% are already in. Fresh institutional rails unlock the next pool of capital, and the presale launches into the friendliest entry window the asset class has ever offered.
Pepeto, Solana (SOL), and XRP: The Entry That Launches Into the Strongest Institutional Window in Crypto History
Pepeto
When Anchorage opens institutional SOL staking and SoFi flips on XRP deposits in one week, the next wave of capital is no longer if but when. Pepeto is launching into that wave with the Binance listing closing in, $9.45 million committed during peak Fear, and analyst projections pointing toward 100x because the product layer backs the call.
The crypto market news today is exactly why a contract scanner reading every smart contract before a wallet connects matters now. PepetoSwap clears each trade at zero cost, and the cross-chain bridge ferries tokens between Ethereum, BNB, and Solana with no fees attached.
Over $9,450,000 has rolled in at $0.0000001866 with 178% APY staking. SolidProof finished a complete audit, and the founder who scaled the original Pepe Coin into an $11 billion market cap on 420 trillion tokens engineered this exchange beside a senior Binance developer leading the build.
Anchorage and SoFi just confirmed the door is opening. The largest crypto fortunes have all started with the same first step: entering before the crowd noticed. Pepeto at presale pricing is that step, and the Binance listing is when the rest of the market shows up.
Solana (SOL) Price at $86.06 as Anchorage Staking Brings Institutional Yield Online
Solana (SOL) trades at $86.06 per CoinMarketCap, up 1.8% after Anchorage opened institutional SOL staking through Marinade. Solana topped the dApp revenue table for five weeks running and handled 41% of total DEX volume in Q1 2026.
Support holds at $80 with resistance at $95 and $105. At a $46 billion market cap, a push to $95 means roughly 10% over weeks, not the multiple that flips a portfolio overnight. Institutional staking is a long-term story for SOL, while presale entries deliver a steeper return inside one event.
XRP prints $1.42 per CoinMarketCap, with cumulative spot ETF flows past $1.28 billion and SoFi flipping on deposits for 13.7 million customers. Whale wallets absorbed the recent dips while spot ETF products logged zero outflows since April 9.
Support sits at $1.35 with resistance at $1.50 and $1.65. XRP still trades around 58% under its $3.40 record from 2018, with a full reclaim unlikely before late 2027. From $1.42 to $1.50 is roughly 5% over weeks, not the listing multiplier presale entries carry.
Conclusion
The crypto market news today is plain. Anchorage, SoFi, and Morgan Stanley are all moving toward the rails that pipe institutional money into crypto. SOL and XRP still offer steady setups. But the verified exchange opens a wider return window with the Binance listing closing in and 100x to 300x building as the presale fills.
Your search led you to the right answer: Pepeto. The wallets that flipped small money into real wealth in crypto all did one thing: they bought before the crowd recognized what they were buying. The Pepeto official website is where that entry sits today, and the Binance listing turns this presale price into the kind of returns late buyers will spend 2026 wishing they had taken.
What drove the crypto market news today to shift toward institutional adoption in April 2026?
Anchorage Digital opened institutional Solana staking through Marinade on April 23, while SoFi Bank turned on XRP deposits for 13.7 million customers the same week. Goldman reports that 71% of institutional managers plan to add crypto exposure this year.
Is Solana (SOL) a strong buy at $86.06 after the Anchorage staking launch?
Solana (SOL) trades at $86.06 with a $46 billion market cap and targets $95 for roughly 10% upside over weeks. Pepeto through the Pepeto official website opens presale entry at $0.0000001866 and 100x listing returns that SOL at this size cannot deliver.
Pi Network holds approximately $1.85 billion in market capitalisation, accounting for nearly 95% of the $1.94 billion mobile mining sector, according to market data.
The figures put Pi Network in a position of near-total dominance within its category, with no other project coming close in terms of market value. The mobile mining segment, which was largely overlooked in earlier crypto cycles, has grown into a tracked and traded market, with Pi Network as its central asset.
Whether that attention translates into longer-term utility and adoption remains an open question, with the network still working through its mainnet development and ecosystem build-out.
Pi Price Analysis
Pi is currently trading around $0.1797, up 4.32% over the past 24 hours, with trading volume near $34 million. Short-term action shows a slight 0.85% dip in the last hour, hinting at a brief cooldown after the recent push.
Pi is sitting in a make-or-break zone right now, around $0.17–$0.18. If buying continues and hype builds into events like Consensus 2026, there are chances it pushes higher toward $0.25 and possibly even $0.40 as some analysts expect.
Over 10.29 billion PI is already in circulation out of a 100 billion max supply. Meanwhile, exchange outflows are exceeding inflows by about 310,000 tokens, meaning more supply is moving off exchanges. Token unlock pressure is also easing, reducing immediate selling risk.
Upcoming Catalysts
The Protocol 22 upgrade has reached its deadline, introducing smart contracts and expanding what the network can actually do beyond mining.
Founders Chengdiao Fan and Nicolas Kokkalis are set to appear at Consensus 2026 in Miami. That kind of exposure usually brings fresh attention right when interest is already growing.
The network also reports over 18 million KYC-verified users, giving it one of the largest active user bases in crypto.
Why This Phase Feels Important
This isn’t just about a short-term price move. The market is starting to position itself for what comes next. If utility begins to kick in after the upgrade, Pi starts moving beyond just a mining narrative into something more functional.
One X user points out that it’s still early. Mining continues, rewards are still available, and there’s no reason to stop while billions of tokens remain unmined. He argues the real value will come from demand and usage, not just supply mechanics.
YoungHoon Kim, the world’s Highest IQ 276 holder, was recognized by the World Memory Championships and claims a cryptocurrency “supercycle” could begin within the next 30 days.
With Bitcoin currently grinding near $78,000 and market momentum building, the timing of the call has made it impossible to ignore.
Few Words. Maximum Impact.
In a recent X post, YoungHoon Kim stated that a full cryptocurrency supercycle will arrive within the next 30 days
While there was no chart attached. No data. No long thread breaking down the reasoning. Just this:
“I THINK WE WILL SEE THE SUPERCYCLE IN 30 DAYS. 100%”
The idea of a crypto supercycle refers to a long and powerful rally where prices rise much higher than usual market cycles. According to the prediction, Bitcoin and altcoins could enter a strong upward phase soon.
The claim quickly gained attention, especially as Bitcoin is already trading below $80K levels, and institutional demand remains steady
The Community Fires Back
The post quickly gained attention, crypto X. One user says, “Your track record of predictions is seriously lacking.”
Another X users comment that, “I am starting to doubt that you are the highest IQ person, Younghoon Kim.”
That reply got attention because it was not completely wrong.
On March 16, 2026, yhbryankimiq posted “XRP supercycle confirmed,” but that move never happened as strongly as claimed.
Then on March 29, 2026, he said, “Crypto is about to explode,” but the market mostly stayed quiet in the following weeks.
That makes three big predictions in just over a month. Each was shared with full confidence.
On the other hand, veteran crypto analysts like Michael van de Poppe are openly targeting $86,000 to $88,000 for Bitcoin over the next one to two weeks.
30 Days on the Clock
The prediction is now live. The clock is running. By late May 2026, the market will have given its verdict.
If Bitcoin breaks $100,000, altcoins go parabolic, and institutional money floods in at a scale nobody has seen before, YoungHoon Kim will have called one of the most important moments in crypto history with pinpoint timing.
If it does not happen, it joins the XRP supercycle, and the crypto explosion calls in a growing list of confident predictions that the market quietly ignored.
GPU prices have stopped getting worse, but they have not gotten much better either. Demand has fallen, prices remain elevated, and most graphics cards still sell well above MSRP worldwide.
Intel is not only rolling right now, but also operating smartly, driving its revenue up by salvaging CPU dies and selling them off to hungry AI customers. CPUs Demand Is So High Right Now That Intel Got an Unexpected Margin Lift By Selling Salvaged Chips CPU demand is going off the charts as AI inferencing continues to surge with the arrival of Agentic AI. In countless posts, we have stated why CPUs have become so important for AI, a market that was previously dominated by GPUs. Now, AI inferencing is going after CPUs and Memory, in a big way, and […]
Foxconn will be the lead supplier for NVIDIA's Groq 3 LPX, a chip designed specifically to boost AI inferencing capabilities. NVIDIA Vera Rubin Platforms To Benefit Greatly From Groq 3 LPX For Boosting AI Inferencing, Driving Foxconn's Share To Record Levels At GTC 2026, NVIDIA announced its Groq 3 LPX chip, in addition to the Vera Rubin AI platform. The Groq 3 LPX is an LPU that is designed to boost AI inferencing by up to 35x. The Groq 3 LPX rack will feature a total of 256 chips with 128 GB of SRAM and 12 TB of DDR5 memory, […]
Today, Sony announced pricing changes for its PS5, PS5 Pro, and PS Portal consoles across South Korea and Southeast Asia, effective May 1, 2026. Sony cited "continued pressures in the global economic landscape" as the reason. This follows similar hikes already announced for North America, Brazil, Europe, and Japan, which came into effect on April 2, 2026. You can find tables detailing the new, higher pricing in each territory below. New PS5 Console Prices by Territory Territory PS5 PS5 Digital PS5 Pro South Korea ₩948,000 (~$693) ₩858,000 (~$627) ₩1,298,000 (~$949) Singapore SGD 849 (~$629) SGD 764 (~$566) SGD 1,167 (~$864) Malaysia MYR 2,799 […]
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced has long been one of the worst-kept gaming secrets of the current console generation due to so many leaks over the years, but there's a second series remake that could earn the honor in the future. Following reports that Ubisoft is remaking other entries in its popular series besides its acclaimed fourth entry, known YouTuber and reliable series leaker j0nathan revealed that the very first Assassin's Creed game is getting a full remake. Unfortunately, the leaker didn't add much else on the matter other than that they have known since 2023. However, this is still […]
IteroGO offers GPS-synchronized audio walking tours in over 20 languages that work fully offline. You can browse city routes created by verified local guides, download them once, and enjoy audio playback as you reach each stop. Guides create tours from their phones, set prices, and earn revenue per download with a generous share, reaching travelers worldwide.
Laiki is a dating app where your AI does the searching and first conversations for you. Connect the apps you already use like music, books, calendar, and photos, so Laiki learns your taste, values, and the kind of person you click with. Your AI has real conversations with other people's AIs to test compatibility, and you receive a handful of vetted introductions each week with a full picture of why you fit: values, humor, life goals, and looks. If both want to meet, Laiki picks a time and place and then steps aside. No swiping, no openers to strangers, no burnout. Your raw data never leaves your device. Currently in private beta, launching on iOS and Android.
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OpenAI has reportedly partnered with chipmakers and a manufacturing firm to develop an AI-focused smartphone, with mass production targeted for 2028. According to a recent post from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the company is working with MediaTek and Qualcomm to co-develop…
Qantas will be the first airline in the world to offer a purpose-built Wellbeing Zone located between the Premium Economy and Economy cabins, where passengers can: enjoy a selection of premium self-serve refreshments such as hydration therapy […]
IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed Holiday Inn Express Sapporo Susukino in Japan, expanding its presence in one of the country’s busiest tourism markets. The 223-room hotel is scheduled to open in July 2026 after […]
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Turkey has secured Formula 1’s return to Istanbul Park from 2027, signing a guaranteed five-year deal that officials say could reshape the city’s standing as a premium global tourism destination. The agreement was confirmed following […]
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Framework is steadily growing with new products and availability in more regions. The company's latest notebook is the Framework Laptop 13 Pro. Framework's continued march forward has apparently attracted Dell's attention, as Dell is allegedly trying to sabotage Framework's influencer marketing on X.
TerraMow has announced a new all-wheel-drive robot mower called the X AWD, featuring several innovations. Among other things, it eliminates the need for turning maneuvers and includes an interface for expansions.
Update | (Update: 9.4mm, not 9.23mm) Leaked schematics from a case manufacturer detail the possible dimensions of the upcoming iPhone Fold. The leak suggests a folded thickness of 9.4mm - notably thinner than previous 11mm rumors. The drawings outline a 167.59mm x 120.59mm footprint, a rather prominent camera bump, and Touch ID on the side.
While may have outlined his three-fight plan, a new contender has entered the fray, with the hope of landing a shot at the Ukrainian and claiming the unified heavyweight world titles. Next month’s meeting with Dutch kickboxer Rico Verhoeven kickstarts what Usyk anticipated to be a run of three fights of his choice before a […]
An unbeaten world champion has said he would move up to heavyweight and challenge in an audacious attempt to define his legacy. Despite being at the tail-end of his illustrious career, Usyk is still widely regarded as the pound-for-pound No.1, given his accolades between cruiser and heavyweight. Even in his last outing, a rematch with […]
Süper Lig'in 31. haftasında Galatasaray, sahasında Fenerbahçe'yi ağırladı. Galatasaray, RAMS Park'taki maçı 3-0'lık skorla kazanırken tabiri caizse şampiyonluk için geri sayıma geçti. Maçın ardından sevinen Galatasaraylı futbolcu Roland Sallai'ye ise Fenerbahçe forması giyen İsmail Yüksek tepki gösterdi.
Süper Lig'de dün akşam oynanan Galatasaray-Fenerbahçe derbisinde gülen taraf 3-0'lık skorla Galatasaray oldu. Sarı-kırmızılılar bu galibiyetle şampiyonluğa bir adım daha yaklaşarak resmen geri sayımı başlattı. Fenerbahçe'de ise durumlar gittikçe kötüleşti. Şampiyonluk hayalleri bir kez daha yıkıldı. Yönetim çatırdamaya başlarken istifa sesleri yükseldi.
SEVİNMEYE TEPKİ
Öte yandan maç sonu ise gerginlikler yaşandı. İddialara göre, maç sonunda sevinen Galatasaraylı futbolcu Roland Sallai'ye İsmail Yüksek tepki gösterdi. İsmail Yüksek, Sallai'nin sevincini abartılı buldu ve karışmak istedi. Yine aynı iddialara göre İsmail Yüksek'in Sallai'ye ''saldırmak istediği'' belirtildi.
Ancak, İsmail Yüksek iki takımın oyuncuları tarafından sakinleştirilerek soyunma odasına götürüldü. Böylelikle büyük bir tartışmanın da önüne geçilmiş oldu.
MAÇ SONU AÇIKLAMA
Öte yandan İsmail Yüksek maç sonunda yaptığı açıklamayla da dikkat çekti:
-Anlatamıyorum ki. Konuşamıyorum! Dilim varmıyor artık. Çok üzücü bir durum. Geçen hafta da söyledim utanç verici bir durum! Bu kadar gelmiş taraftarın önünde böyle bir skor yakışmıyor. Bu armaya, oyuncu grubuna yakışmıyor. Özür dilemek istiyorum ama kabul göreceğini düşünmüyorum taraftarımız üzerinde! Bir şey diyemiyorum!
Kocaelispor maçı sonrası PFDK'ya sevk edilen ve 15 günlük hak mahrumiyeti cezası alan Galatasaray'ın teknik direktörü Okan Buruk'un oğlu Ali Yiğit Buruk bu kez de gündeme yaptığı paylaşımla geldi.
Süper Lig'de dün akşam kritik bir maç oynandı...Galatasaray'ın evinde Fenerbahçe'yi ağırladığı dev derbide 3-0'lık skorla gülen taraf Galatasaray oldu. Fenerbahçe şampiyonluk şansını elinin tersiyle itmiş oldu. Sarı-kırmızılılar ise bu galibiyet ile mutlu sona bir adım daha yaklaştı.
Öte yandan maçtan sonra Galatasaray cephesinden peş peşe paylaşımlar gelmeye devam etti. En dikkat çeken paylaşım ise Okan Buruk'un oğlu Ali Yiğit Buruk'tan geldi.
Fenerbahçe'nin Hollandalı oyuncusu Oosterwolde'un dün gece doğum günüydü. Maçtan sonra kutlayan Galatasaray tarafı oldu. Ali Yiğit Buruk yaptığı paylaşımla bir kez daha gündem oldu.
İşte o paylaşım:
?? Ali Yiğit Buruk'tan Jayden Oosterwolde'ye: Doğum günün kutlu olsun, afiyet olsun ????" pic.twitter.com/uV6TsfWjm4
— Peşindeyiz Galatasaray! (@PesindeyizApp) April 26, 2026
Sərbəst güləş üzrə Avropa çempionu olmuş Ali Tsokayev (92 kq) Albaniyada keçirilmiş yarışla bağlı təəssüratlarını bölüşüb.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, o, Azərbaycan Güləş Federasiyasının mətbuat xidmətinə açıqlamasında bunları söyləyib:
“Bu, böyüklərin Avropa çempionatında debütüm idi. Keçən ay U-23 Avropa çempionatında qalib olmuşdum. Üzərimdə əməyi olan bütün məşqçi heyətinə, məni dəstəkləkləyənlərə öz minnətdarlığımı bildirirəm. Final görüşü istədiyim kimi başlamadı. Görüş bir az gərgin keçdi və bir qədər təzyiq var idi. Amma şükür, nəticə istədiyim kimi oldu. Gələn il, inşallah, 97 kq-da çıxış etməyi planlaşdırıram”.
Xatırladaq ki, Albaniyanın paytaxtı Tiranada keçirilmiş Avropa çempionatına 92 kq çəki dərəcəsində qatılmış Ali Tsokayev belaruslu Yaraslav Yadkovskiyə tam üstünlüklə (10:0) qalib gəldikdən sonra gürcüstanlı dünya və Avropa mükafatçısı Miriani Maysuradzeyə gücünü göstərib – 5:0. Tsokayev yarımfinalda isveçrəli Samuel Şerrerə də şans tanımayıb – 6:0. Ali finalda bolqarıstanlı Ahmed Batayevlə güləşib. Rəqibinə 5:3 hesabıyla qalib gələn güləşçimiz ilk dəfə qatıldığı Avropa çempionatında fəxri kürsünün ən yüksək pilləsinə qalxıb.
UEFA Başkanı Aleksander Ceferin, İtalya Futbol Federasyonu'nun kayyuma devredilmesi durumunda İtalyan kulüplerini UEFA turnuvalarından men edecek ve EURO 2032 ev sahipliğini İtalya'dan geri alacak.
Galatasaray Fenerbahçe'yi 3-0 mağlup ederek şampiyonluk için büyük avantaj yakaladı. Karşılaşma sonrası stat hoparlöründen Kerem Aktürkoğlu'nun sesleri yankılandı.
Joao Palhinha, kiralık olarak formasını giydiği Tottenham'ın küme düşmesi halinde Bayern Münih'e dönecek. Beşiktaş, durumunu yakından takip ettiği oyuncu için sezon sonunda hamle yapacak
Dünya Badminton Federasiyası (BWF) üzv federasiyalar üçün məlumat sessiyaları keçirib.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, federasiyalara yeni 3×15 hesab sistemi barədə izah verilib. Bu məsələ Dünya Badminton Federasiyasının İllik Ümumi Yığıncağında səsverməyə çıxarılıb.
BWF üzvləri bu sistemi təsdiqləyib. Yeni formatın 4 yanvar 2027-ci ildən tətbiq olunması planlaşdırılır.
3×15 hesab sistemi təklifi badmintonda mövcud 3×21 formatının əvəzinə setlərin 15 xala qədər oynanılmasını nəzərdə tutur. Məqsəd oyunların daha dinamik, qısa və tamaşaçılar üçün daha cəlbedici olmasına nail olmaqdır.
BWF bununla bağlı təqdimat slaydları, rəsmi hesabatlar və digər məlumat materiallarını üzv assosiasiyalar üçün əlçatan edib.
Qeyd olunan linkə keçid etməklə yeni formatla bağlı bütün məlumatları əldə edə bilərsiniz.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, komandanın hücumçusu Kilian Mbappe sıradan çıxıb. Bu barədə İspaniya mətbuatı məlumat yayıb. Fransalı futbolçu zədə səbəbindən mövsümün qalan hissəsini buraxacaq.
Mbappe La Liqada 28 oyunda 24 qol vurub, 4 məhsuldar ötürmə edib.
“Real”da daha əvvəl Eder Militao və Arda Güler zədə səbəbindən mövsümü bitirib.
“Barselona”nın ulduzu Robert Levandovski mövsümün sonunda klubu tərk edəcək. Msport.az xəbər verir ki, 37 yaşlı polşalı forvardın kataloniyalılar ilə müqaviləsi […]
Türkiyə Superliqasının 31-ci turunda “Qalatasaray”a məğlub olan “Fənərbağça”da baş məşqçi Domeniko Tedeskonun gələcəyi sual altına düşüb. Msport.az xəbər verir ki, […]
“Liverpul”un futbolçusu Məhəmməd Salah üçün mövsüm erkən başa çatıb. Msport.az xəbər verir ki, misirli hücumçu Premyer Liqanın son turunda “Kristal Pelas”la oyunda bud […]
Johan Cruijff will forever be remembered as one of the best players and coaches of all time, but back in 1994, his Barcelona side underestimated Milan, who secured an historic 4-0 victory in the Champions League Final.
Forget the last 15 years during which Milan have failed to leave their mark on the Champions League: the Serie A giants remain one of the most successful clubs in the competition, having lifted the trophy seven times. Only Real Madrid have more with 15.
Back in the days, Milan were the team to beat as they reached three consecutive Champions League Finals from 1993 to 1995.
On May 18, 1984, they won the fifth Champions League in their history, beating Cruyff’s Barcelona 4-0 in Athens.
On the eve of the game, the Catalans’ coach looked beyond confident, telling the media: “Barcelona are favourites. We’re more complete, competitive and experienced than [in the 1992 final] at Wembley. Milan are nothing out of this world. They base their game on defence; we base ours on attack.”
Barcelona had already won the Champions League (European Cup) in 1992, beating Sampdoria at Wembley Stadium.
Back then, it was already possible to gamble on football matches, but nowadays, an overview of the latest betting bonuses massively helps football fans spot the best offers, especially the wagering rules and limits, so they can make smarter, more confident bets.
Cruijff’s words surely produced a positive effect in the Milan squad, as Marcel Desailly, one of the legendary players of that Rossoneri team, said in a recent interview with the Italian Football Podcast.
“His words helped a lot. The coach didn’t give the speech at the hotel but in the dressing room, with the assistant coach who had a copy of the newspaper with the quote that we were crap,” said the former France defender.
“What are you talking about? We had Donadoni, Albertini, Savicevic and me all international players. So, saying that Milan wasn’t anything special as we were about to win the Serie A, really motivated us.
MADRID, SPAIN – APRIL 20: Fabio Capello attends the Sporting Mixed Zone ahead of Laureus World Sports Awards Madrid 2025 at Palacio De Cibeles on April 20, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images for Laureus)
“Capello and his assistants were very, very smart by giving us the adrenaline to make the difference. Barcelona was a bit deluded in their motivation. Because they had already won La Liga a couple of weeks earlier.
“So, automatically their adrenaline had dropped, so to bring back into the system the motivation back against a Milan that was like a wolf, they couldn’t make it. And also, with an amazing Marcel Desailly, they couldn’t make it [laughs].”
The last time Milan won the Champions League was in 2007, again in Athens, but against Liverpool, with Carlo Ancelotti in charge.
Manchester United and England legend Wayne Rooney insists he’s now backing Arsenal to edge Manchester City in this season’s title race.
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The Gunners beat Newcastle at the weekend to go back to the top of the Premier League table, though Man City have a game in hand.
It’s looking extremely close between the two teams, but Rooney feels that Bukayo Saka’s return from injury will be “huge” for Mikel Arteta’s side, while he also feels City will slip up due to having harder fixtures.
Arsenal have not been in great form in recent times, and lost that crucial six-pointer at the Etihad Stadium, but they have also been without key players due to injuries.
Wayne Rooney on Arsenal’s title hopes
Not only is Saka’s return a boost, but Arsenal have also had to cope without the likes of Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz for most of the campaign.
It’s perhaps not totally unfair to say that if AFC had had a fully fit squad more often then they might well have been further ahead by this point.
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Rooney clearly feels Saka coming back is a big boost for the north Londoners, as he backed them to just about get over the line due to City having one or two tough fixtures they could slip up in.
“Bukayo Saka has been great for Arsenal over the last few years – maybe this season he hasn’t hit the heights but he’s such an important player,” Rooney said on his BBC podcast.
“So to get him back at this time of the season is going to be massive, it’s going to be really important. He’s clearly one of the leaders in there so to have him back is huge.”
He added: “Having someone you know you can rely on out there is really important and all those Arsenal players know they can rely on Saka and know what he brings to the team.
“It’s huge for Arsenal, absolutely huge.”
Discussing the title race between Arsenal and City, Rooney added: “I think Arsenal will win the title and I do think they will win it.
“I thought the Newcastle game was so important and thought if they won that they could go on to win every game. If they didn’t they could have fallen apart but to win that game was so big.
“Man City have a couple of tricky games in there and I can see them slipping up once or twice. Man City have the trickier fixtures, if you look at Arsenal’s last four games they are really winnable, all four of them.
“The City ones, there’s a couple you think they could slip up, like Everton and Bournemouth. I give the edge to Arsenal based on the fixtures.
“Man City’s fixtures are a little bit trickier than Arsenal’s – I think Arsenal will win every game and Man City will mess up once or twice.”
Arsenal can still have a great season
Arsenal are clearly not out of this title race just yet, despite their recent blip, and they also have a Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid to look forward to.
For all the criticism Arteta has had over the team’s playing style and for all the talk of the side bottling it, there’s still a potential Premier League and Champions League double on the cards for the club.
It’s very fine margins, though, with MCFC also perhaps on course for a memorable campaign as they could win a domestic treble.
Pep Guardiola’s side have already beaten Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final, and won this weekend to set up an FA Cup final clash against Chelsea.
Still, it seems Farioli remains one of a number of leading candidates for the Blues, who plan to contact him and Andoni Iraola over taking over as the permanent successor to Liam Rosenior, who was sacked last week.
Who is Francesco Farioli and is he the right pick for Chelsea manager?
Farioli may be relatively young, but he has a decent amount of experience in the game, so could be a good option for Chelsea as they try to rebuild next season.
Currently at Porto, Farioli has also managed Nice and Ajax, and has been influenced a lot by Roberto De Zerbi after working as part of his coaching staff earlier in his career.
Farioli’s tactics are fairly typical of the modern game, with a lot of emphasis on dictating the play through control of possession, whilst also pressing aggressively without the ball. This has often seen his teams dominate games and concede few goals.
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It’s certainly easy to see that kind of style working well for CFC, though of course it will be a bigger challenge for him trying that in the Premier League.
Francesco Farioli not keen on Chelsea project
This is not the first time we’ve heard reports about Farioli not being keen on Chelsea, though, as O Jogo also made this claim earlier this season.
There will likely be a few other managers out there who are concerned about how the club’s project has gone under this ownership, so that’s something Chelsea will have to work around.
It seems they remain big admirers of Farioli so might try again to convince him, but perhaps they should also focus more on managers who are keen to buy into what these owners are trying to do.
Dutch manager has failed in all competitions this season
It’s a harsh assessment, but one that highlights the massive stakes at play.
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Following the disastrous recruitment missteps of the previous summer window, Liverpool’s top brass knows they cannot afford another expensive mistake.
Injury issues have not helped Slot this season but the manager has failed to get his summer signings going after spending heavily on them.
The style of football is what the fans don’t want to see at Anfield. It is failing miserably to get results as well as contributing to changing the over all mood at the club.
Yes, Slot has managed to stabilize the team recently. Grinding out three consecutive league wins is no small feat in a tense, high-pressure top-four race. But for many supporters and critics alike, the general decline hasn’t truly been reversed.
The England international has done well on loan at Barca this season, but it seems the Catalan giants have not yet made a final decision on whether or not to keep him.
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That’s according to reliable journalist Matteo Moretto, who says that there have recently been new talks between Man Utd and Barcelona to try to resolve the issue…
El futuro de Marcus Rashford en el Barcelona aún no está decidido al 100% ya que el club sigue valorando cuál es la mejor opción tanto desde el punto de vista deportivo como económico.
El futbolista quiere quedarse en el Barcelona. El Manchester United no bajará del precio… pic.twitter.com/4N84aJ2gzU
Posting on X, Moretto said: “Marcus Rashford’s future at Barcelona is not yet 100% decided, as the club continues to evaluate what the best option is from both a sporting and economic perspective. The footballer wants to stay at Barcelona. Manchester United will not go below the price agreed upon in the summer. Recently, there have been contacts between the parties, and Hansi Flick will have some weight in the final decision.”
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It’s perhaps slightly surprising that Barcelona are unsure about keeping Rashford, who looks like a reliable option to have in their squad after a record of 13 goals and nine assists in all competitions.
The 28-year-old probably isn’t the cheapest option out there due to United being stubborn about their demands for him, while he’s also likely on high wages.
Barcelona have financial issues that have restricted them in the market in recent years, but it’s also hard to imagine they’ll find a better option than this without paying a lot of money.
Liverpool are ready to make major changes at the end of the season.
With both Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson announcing that they will leave the Premier League side at the end of the season, the Reds will be out in the market for new players and signings who can bring them out of the crisis they suffered this season.
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Naturally, both Salah and Robertson are attracting attention from some top clubs ahead of the summer transfer window.
Atletico Madrid join race for Liverpool defender
Atletico Madrid have joined Tottenham in the race to sign Robertson, according to the Daily Record.
The left-back recently announced his decision to leave the club at the end of the season.
The Scottish defender claimed that it is time for him to ‘move on’ and look for a new challenge in his career.
The Spanish giants were heavily linked with the Scotland captain last summer after Liverpool brought in Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth for £40m to be his long-term successor.
While a move didn’t materialise then, Atletico has now revived their interest, sensing a massive opportunity to grab a world-class talent on a free transfer.
From a tactical perspective, it feels like a match made in heaven. Robertson’s relentless energy, grit, and defensive tenacity perfectly align with Simeone’s philosophy.
Plus, with Atletico currently sitting comfortably in La Liga’s top four and fresh off a massive Champions League quarter-final aggregate win over Barcelona, they can offer the high-stakes European football Robertson still craves.
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Spurs have been chasing Robertson since January and were reportedly in advanced talks to keep him in the Premier League. However, their league position and possible relegation could derail their move for Robertson.
With the 2026 World Cup kicking off on June 11, the Scotland captain reportedly wants his club future entirely sorted before he heads to the tournament.
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It’s been a bit of a chaotic period under this Chelsea ownership, with the west Londoners also going through other big-name managers like Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter, and Mauricio Pochettino.
Merson now feels Chelsea need to be moving for Howe, who he feels is likely to have teams queuing up for him if he ends up leaving his role at St James’ Park any time soon.
Chelsea urged to hire Eddie Howe as manager
Merson says he’s a big fan of Howe and thinks he’d be ideal for Chelsea, though the pundit also said he could see him being a future England manager.
“I’m a big fan of Eddie Howe,” Merson told Sky Sports, as quoted by the Metro. “If Eddie Howe leaves Newcastle, they’ll be queueing up around the corner for him.
“So that tells you everything. Be careful Newcastle. Chelsea would take him tomorrow morning, you’d like to think so wouldn’t you?
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“In my opinion, they’d take him all day long. We’re talking about a next England manager, 100 per cent.
“As I say, everybody would be queueing up to take Eddie Howe, he’s a top manager.”
Eddie Howe’s credentials
Howe has done an impressive job at Newcastle, and was also highly regarded during his time as Bournemouth manager.
The 48-year-old has twice guided Newcastle to Champions League qualification, while he also ended the club’s decades-long wait for silverware last season when they beat Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final.
Howe record
Wins
Draws
Losses
Win %
Bournemouth
143
77
136
40.2
Newcastle
110
47
70
48.5
It’s certainly easy to imagine Howe being successful at a top club, but Chelsea is a unique kind of challenge at the moment due to the ownership and recruitment structure.
A lot of good managers have found it difficult at CFC, and even if Howe might be a tempting option for the Blues, he might do well to wait and see if any other options become available.
Manchester United, for example, might be a better environment for him, and that’s another big job that could realistically be an opportunity for him this summer.
Arsenal and Chelsea scouts were reportedly present as Ajax winger Mika Godts scored one of the goals of the season at the weekend.
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If you haven’t already seen this absolutely sublime solo effort, stop what you’re doing and take a look at the clip below for an example of what an outrageous talent this guy is…
It’s no wonder they’re comparing Godts to Chelsea legend Eden Hazard, and it seems only a matter of time before someone snaps the young Belgium international up.
According to TEAMtalk, scouts from both Arsenal and Chelsea were watching this game, with the Gunners described as having long had Godts on their radar.
And if the 20-year-old needed one statement goal to really launch his career and convince everyone what he’s capable of, this may have been it.
The report also notes that Godts has 16 goals and 12 assists this season – hugely impressive numbers for such a young player, and just the kind of consistent end-product that Mikel Arteta’s side have been missing from inconsistent performers like Gabriel Martinelli, and even from star player Bukayo Saka, who has had a lot of injury problems.
Mika Godts looks like just what Arsenal are missing
Arsenal have had issues in attack all season, even if they have done well to grind out results that have helped them to the top of the Premier League table and the semi-finals of the Champions League.
Godts looks like a player with the skills to make AFC a bit more unpredictable, with that quick footwork and flair that can change a game in an instant.
Still only 20 years of age, he will also surely continue to improve, so would make sense as a smart long-term investment for a number of top clubs.
Chelsea are well known for focusing on recruiting elite young talents, so would also do well to snap him up if possible, though he’d surely favour the Emirates Stadium right now if he wants to play in the Champions League and challenge for major silverware.
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Inter Milan are interested in signing Emiliano Martinez from Aston Villa in the summer transfer window, according to Football Insider. Martinez could have left Villa last summer, and the future of the Argentine goalkeeper is once again the subject of speculation. Inter are looking for a goalkeeper to replace Yann Sommer, and Martinez reportedly ‘ticks […]
Nottingham Forest could sell Morgan Gibbs-White in the summer transfer window, if they get relegated to the Championship at the end of the season, according to Football Insider. Journalist Pete O’Rourke said: “He’s a top player, Gibbs-White, 12 goals in the Premier League. That’s the most of any midfielder in the league. “Look, Forest have […]
Inter Milan are interested in signing Emiliano Martinez from Aston Villa in the summer transfer window, according to Football Insider. Martinez could have left Villa last summer, and the future of the Argentine goalkeeper is once again the subject of speculation. Inter are looking for a goalkeeper to replace Yann Sommer, and Martinez reportedly ‘ticks […]
Nottingham Forest could sell Morgan Gibbs-White in the summer transfer window, if they get relegated to the Championship at the end of the season, according to Football Insider. Journalist Pete O’Rourke said: “He’s a top player, Gibbs-White, 12 goals in the Premier League. That’s the most of any midfielder in the league. “Look, Forest have […]
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke does not want Pascal Struijk to leave in the summer transfer window, according to Football Insider. The defender has been on the books of Leeds since January 2020 and is under contract at the Premier League club until the summer of 2027. Journalist Pete O’Rourke said: “From Leeds’ perspective, they […]
LUCKNOW: Sunil Narine has fought and won countless battles for Kolkata Knight Riders over the years. On Sunday night at the Ekana Stadium, the veteran once again stood at the centre of chaos, entrusted with bowling the first Super Over of this IPL in a finish that swung violently till the final delivery.
Lucknow Super Giants, who had clawed their way back to force the tie, erred immediately by sending an out-of-form Nicholas Pooran to open the Super Over alongside Aiden Markram. Narine flighted the first ball, bowled it slower through the air, and rattled Pooran’s stumps to decisively tilt the contest.
Markram followed three balls later, dismissed on the boundary as Rovman Powell and Rinku Singh combined to complete a superb catch under pressure. With just two runs to defend, Rinku needed only one ball, calmly striking it away to seal KKR’s second win of the season.
Earlier, chasing 156, LSG endured a roller-coaster pursuit. Brief contributions from Rishabh Pant and Ayush Badoni offered hope, but wickets continued to stall momentum. With 17 required in the final over, Kartik Tyagi bowled two costly waist-high no-balls and conceded sixes, yet still had seven to defend off the final ball. Mohammed Shami, however, held his nerve, dispatching a length delivery into the stands to force the Super Over.
The defeat will sting LSG fast bowler Mohsin Khan the most. The left-armer delivered a sensational spell of 5/23, nearly dragging his side home by restricting KKR to 155/7 despite a defiant 83 from Rinku Singh (51 balls).
Mohsin ripped through the top order early, dismissing Tim Seifert for a duck and removing captain Ajinkya Rahane for 10 in successive maiden overs. The innings took an extraordinary turn when Angkrish Raghuvanshi became only the fourth batter in IPL history to be given out obstructing the field, reacting angrily as he walked off.
With KKR struggling at 31/4, Cameron Green and Rinku steadied things before Mohsin struck again. Rinku then launched a late counter-attack, adding 62 off 29 balls with Narine, including four consecutive sixes in the final over, to give KKR a fighting total, one that ultimately proved just enough in a night where Narine’s calm proved decisive once more.
Brief Scores: Kolkata Knight Riders 155/7 (Rinku Singh 83 not out, Cameron Green 34; Mohsin Khan 5/23) tied with LSG 155/8 (A Markram 31, R Pant 42, A Badoni 24; V Arora 2/24, V Chakravarthy 2/33). Super Over LSG 1/2 in 0.3 overs lost to KKR 2/0 in 0.1 over.
In modern Formula 1, continuity is considered the ultimate virtue. Drivers like Lewis Hamilton or Max Verstappen define an era with a single team over years, sometimes over a decade. But behind the glamour of these long-term marriages hides a completely different species of racing driver: the nomads.
Drivers whose careers read like an prologued journey through the paddock and whose mailing addresses changed almost as quickly as their sets of tyres.
But who stayed the shortest in one place? We have undertaken a statistical analysis to identify the drivers who changed teams most frequently in relation to their total grand prix starts.
Of course, a line has to be drawn somewhere; otherwise, Jack Aitken would win by default, having averaged only one race per team – having only driven one single race in his entire career at Sakhir 2020 as a Williams stand-in.
For our ranking, we have therefore set the requirement that a driver must have switched teams at least three times to truly count as a nomad. Additionally, the requirement was that they must have made at least one start in this millennium – because Formula 1 statistics become increasingly diluted the further back you go.
This is also what placed our #1 on this list, as the driver only competed in two grands prix in the 2000s – all others were prior to that.
Had we set the threshold slightly lower, namely at two switches, Sakon Yamamoto would have won, having competed in 21 starts for three teams: Super Aguri, Spyker, and HRT. This gives the Japanese driver an average of only seven races per team - exactly how many he drove as a replacement for each of the three squads.
In this regard, the sheer number of teams was actually not the deciding factor and would only have led to confusion, as the example of 10th-placed Heikki Kovalainen shows: Renault, McLaren, and Lotus are clear. And then?
Podium: second place Heikki Kovalainen, Renault
Podium: second place Heikki Kovalainen, Renault
Caterham was officially a different team than Lotus, but the Finn didn't have to go looking for a new apartment. And does his appearance for Lotus – the other Lotus, namely Lotus Renault – in 2013 count as a new team or still as Renault?
Because of this, we kept it simple: If a driver changed addresses, it counts as a new team, even if they had been there once before.
To find out who switched even more often than Kovalainen, read on here.
The top 10 nomads of modern F1
10. Heikki Kovalainen: 4 teams in 111 races
His career began in 2007 at Renault as the successor to Fernando Alonso; a year later, he replaced the Spaniard once again, this time at McLaren. Driving alongside Lewis Hamilton, who became world champion in 2008, he managed only a single grand prix victory in Hungary. In 2010, the Finn found a new home at the newcomer Lotus but had no real chance of scoring points for three years. In 2013, he returned once more to Enstone, where he filled in for Kimi Raikkonen for two races at Lotus Renault (which was indeed a different team).
The Mercedes junior entered F1 in 1994 with Sauber, where he stayed for three years. In 1997, he moved to Williams, where he became world championship runner-up as Damon Hill’s successor. However, the German was mostly overshadowed there by Jacques Villeneuve and moved on to Jordan. He experienced his best years there and was a long-term contender in the 1999 title race. In 2001, however, he was fired during the season and moved to Prost in an exchange with Jean Alesi, where he drove for five races. His next stop, Arrows, shut down during the 2002 season before the circle closed with a farewell season at Sauber.
One wouldn’t have thought the Pole would appear here after the first years of his career, as he remained loyal to BMW-Sauber for three and a half years after his 2006 debut. In 2010, he moved to Renault, where he stayed for only one year – though involuntarily. His horrific rally accident before the 2011 season initially ended his F1 career. However, Kubica fought his way back and completed a comeback season with Williams in 2018, which proved to be sobering in an underperforming car. In 2021, he also stepped in for Kimi Raikkonen at Alfa Romeo for two races.
The classic pay-driver of the 90s, who nevertheless performed quite respectably. Despite modest prior success, he was signed by Forti in 1995 because he brought a lot of money from Brazil. He was actually supposed to stay there for three years, but Forti was a hapless case. Consequently, Diniz moved to Ligier after just one year and then to Arrows a year later, where he managed to last two years. The Brazilian also stayed for two years at his final stop, Sauber, before his career ended following a scoreless 2000 season.
Herbert also just barely qualifies for this list due to his final season in 2000. The Briton was dismissed by Flavio Briatore after only a few races at Benetton in 1989, had a brief stint at Tyrrell, and was then active for Lotus until 1994, before completing one start for Ligier. After returning to Benetton alongside Michael Schumacher, he moved via Sauber to Stewart, where he took a surprise victory at the Nurburgring in 1999. Jaguar bought the team, but after the 2000 season, Herbert’s time in Formula 1 was over.
After stints at Arrows and Jaguar, driving two seasons for each, he signed as a test driver for McLaren, where he replaced Juan Pablo Montoya, first temporarily and then permanently at the end of 2006. This was the Spaniard's most successful period in F1. De la Rosa moved back into the second tier to make way for Lewis Hamilton, but received an unexpected comeback chance at Sauber in 2010. He drove his final season in 2012 for the hopelessly outclassed backmarker team HRT.
Originally, he was supposed to share a cockpit with Christian Klien during Red Bull’s 2005 entry, but Liuzzi only got four races and became one of the drivers for Red Bull’s new second team, Toro Rosso, the following year. After being outperformed there by Sebastian Vettel, he joined Force India as a test driver. In mid-2009, he replaced Giancarlo Fisichella, who had moved to Ferrari as Felipe Massa’s replacement, and remained on board through 2010. In 2011, there was one final, unsuccessful swan song season with backmarker HRT.
After two races for Lotus at the end of 1994, the Finn actually seemed stable. Three years at Tyrrell was an enormously long time for a driver in the 90s, but after that, Salo became the king of team-switching. He first went to Arrows for one season before 1999 became his major year. That season, he became the ultimate "super-sub" for two teams: first replacing Ricardo Zonta at BAR for three races, and then Michael Schumacher at Ferrari - he famously handed a victory in Hockenheim over to team-mate Eddie Irvine. Salo then found a seat at Sauber and helped Toyota enter F1 in 2002.
The Dutchman was passed around the midfield in the 90s. With Benetton, Simtek, Footwork, Tyrrell and Stewart, he drove for five teams in five years between 1994 and 1998. In 1999, he also nearly became the replacement at Jordan for Damon Hill, who wanted to quit spontaneously. Arrows is the only team where Verstappen stayed for more than a year, but with only three points-scoring finishes in two years, success remained elusive. After a scoreless 2003 season with Minardi, he bid farewell to F1.
The Italian still holds the record for the most world championship starts without ever scoring a point. With Scuderia Italia (1993), Minardi (1995), Forti (1996), and Minardi again (1999), the machinery was simply too poor – though it almost worked out at the Nurburgring in 1999. In the current millennium, Badoer drove only two races: in 2009 as a replacement for the injured Felipe Massa. Ferrari rewarded him at the time for his long years of service as a test driver, but the comeback turned into a disaster, and Badoer was taken out of the car after only two races.
MADRID — Seven days in, the Madrid Open and the players left in the field could really use a break.
First, there was the torrent of withdrawals, some for acute injuries and some for players managing their bodies, a month out from the climax of the clay swing at the French Open.
Then came the pollen, yellow and white snowflakes of allergy-inducing grains from the vegetation around the Caja Mágica, the tennis center roughly six miles south of Madrid’s city center. It swirled in the air and fell on the courts, sometimes in a blanket, reddening players’ eyes and irritating their throats.
Then came the sickness.
The 2025 Australian Open champion Madison Keys withdrew due to illness April 24. Marin Čilić, the 2014 U.S. Open champion, gave João Fonseca a walkover the following day. Liudmila Samsonova gave Linda Nosková one too.
“Hi everyone,” Čilić said on social media.
“Unfortunately, I got food poisoning yesterday. After trying to recover all night, my body is unfortunately exhausted and not at the proper level to get into the battle.”
On the same day, seven-time Grand Slam champion Iga Świątek retired in the third set of her match against Ann Li, having appeared to struggle in her practice and throughout the match. “The last two days were pretty terrible. I think I have some virus, so it’s been some hours, fine, some hours, pretty bad,” she said in a mixed zone afterward.
Sunday, it was Coco Gauff’s turn. She was puking in the bathroom between the first two sets of her three-set win over Sorana Cîrstea. Gauff teared up on and off throughout the afternoon on Court Manolo Santana. She said it was the worst she has felt on a tennis court — ever.
Gauff said she felt “a little weird” Saturday night but woke up feeling fine. The nausea came on in the middle of the first set on a sun-splashed day in the Spanish capital. Then came some actual throwing up, in the bathroom and at the side of the court.
“I just didn’t want to throw up in the middle of a point, which I almost did at one point,” she told a huddle of reporters.
She took some pills, which helped manage the queasiness. She told herself just to get through the second set so she wouldn’t have to quit. But then Cîrstea started to spray errors and grow frustrated, and then Gauff found herself surviving the second set and cruising through the third.
“It’s just a virus going around between the city and then I think the players got it, and then I think I got it from another player that was sick and their locker is close to mine,” Gauff said.
“What can you do except just try to get through it.”
Gauff’s diagnosis of herself and the tournament put her in line with the event’s organizers, who have had to work overtime trying to tamp down rumors that the food in the player dining area might be the source of the problems.
“There is no issue with the food. It is a gastroenteritis virus, like any other virus, but the food is perfectly OK,” Rafael Plaza, a spokesperson for the tournament, wrote in a message Sunday.
The intestinal issue comes on the heels of the pollen struggles that have plagued the tournament in the past. Jannik Sinner mentioned it after a loss to Alexei Popyrin in 2021, and even for players who do not have severe hayfever, it can have enough of an impact on congestion and breathing to cause issues.
There is plenty of overgrowth around the Caja Mágica, and a warm and dry spring has compounded the problem this year. Plaza said this has been the worst season for pollen in years. Climate change has made matters worse, extending the growing season. Some rain would help, and there is some in the forecast for the second week, but there isn’t much the tournament can do to make it better. Madrid’s largely idyllic climate this time of year comes with some disadvantages.
Dr. Robby Sikka, the medical director for the Professional Tennis Players Association, said pollen-induced allergic reactions can go well beyond itchy eyes and runny noses.
“For athletes, it can be a performance issue,” Sikka wrote in a text message last week. “When pollen counts are high, players are breathing huge volumes of air during long, high-intensity matches. If they are mouth-breathing, they bypass some of the nose’s natural filtering system, so more pollen and irritants can reach the lower airways. That can trigger inflammation, coughing, chest tightness, or exercise-induced bronchospasm.”
Gauff gave her on-court interview with an ice towel around her neck, putting it to her mouth several times as she spoke to try to avoid spreading it, and also keeping it close in case there were any lingering symptoms about to emerge. She said hydration and rest were on her schedule for the afternoon following the 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 win over Cirstea.
Caty McNally, who saved a match point with a nasty backhand drop shot before prevailing over Kateřina Siniaková in three sets, 6-3, 2-6, 7-6(2), said the virus has spared her so far. After two years of injuries and surgery, McNally will make a rare appearance in the round of 16 at a WTA 1000 Monday and isn’t taking any chances.
“My only diet on site is chicken and rice,” McNally said. “There are a couple of good places that I’ve been eating, back by the hotel, and I’ve just been keeping it really simple, like really simple foods.”
Welcome back to the Monday Tennis Briefing, where The Athletic will explain the stories behind the stories from the past week on court.
This week, yet another player could not put away a cramping opponent, a top star made positive moves on a crucial shot, and a college tennis program was axed as the name, image and likeness (NIL) era continues to impact the sport.
If you’d like to follow our fantastic tennis coverage, click here.
How can tennis stars stay composed when an injured opponent is on the other side of the net?
Ugo Humbert is not the first player to lose to someone who can barely move around the court, and he will not be the last.
On Saturday at the Madrid Open, Humbert’s opponent, Térence Atmane, was sprawled on his back in agony, covered in brick dust, and two points from losing the second set in a tiebreak. That would have meant playing a third set, which looked entirely beyond Atmane. Humbert had sportingly provided a chair for his opponent before the tiebreak, perhaps in a moment of French camaraderie, and perhaps feeling that there was no chance he could lose the set.
Well: He could.
Serving up 7-6(3), 6-6(2-5), Atmane was so stricken that he could not even complete his service motion, swatting forehands into the service box instead of even trying to hit a regulation over- or underarm serve. It worked the first time …
… So he did it again, and it worked again. In reply, Humbert did what most tennis players do against an injured opponent. He played just as he might have done if Atmane could move properly, using the same shots and making the same errors. This dynamic plays out across tournaments, big and small, as the physically compromised player is forced to do as much as they can on every ball with minimum exertion, while the opponent can get lost in overthinking.
Keeping the ball in the court feels overwhelmingly important, so changing strategy — using more angles or drop shots — feels too risky. So after Atmane won both of his service points despite not hitting a proper serve at all, Humbert gathered himself to hit two of his own.
On the first point, he missed a first serve, made the second, but played too conservatively. In the second point, he made a first serve, but he played the rally too cautiously again and missed at the net.
That left Atmane serving at 7-6(3), 6-6(6-5), and by moving about during the previous two points, he had unlocked his muscles just enough to hit a real serve just when he needed one: On match point. He made it, ripped another backhand and Humbert missed again to lose the match. Then came an unsurprisingly cool handshake, before Atmane sheepishly held his hands palms to the ground, as if to apologize for the win.
Humbert had a case for complaint: Atmane was allowed to go well past the allotted 25 seconds between points on several occasions without a warning, committing enough time violations that he could have received a point penalty, or perhaps two. But when those points started, Humbert found his brain scrambled by what was going on across the net. While Atmane’s limited movement focused his mind on what he had to do, Humbert found himself with a buffet of tantalizing options, but was far more paralyzed than the opponent who had been writhing in the clay minutes before sealing a 7-6(3), 7-6(5) victory.
— James Hansen
Has Iga Świątek started to turn a corner on a shot that can limit her on the court?
At January’s Australian Open, Iga Świątek spoke about the difficulty of making fundamental changes mid-season. “I see Carlos Alcaraz, for example, changing his serve every year,” she joked in a news conference. For her, Świątek said, these things take “much longer.”
The seven-time Grand Slam champion was speaking after losing in the quarterfinals to Elena Rybakina, a match that showcased the difference between the two players’ serves. Rybakina’s serve gave her a platform to attack, or it simply won points outright; Świątek’s meant pretty much every point began at neutral. The disadvantage eventually took its toll in an unraveling straight-sets defeat, a recurring theme during Świątek’s uneven start to 2026.
She parted ways with coach Wim Fissette in March, only eight months after they had won Wimbledon together, and with new coach Francisco Roig in tow, Świątek has set about making a change she knew she needed, but that is so hard to implement during the relentless tennis season.
At the end of March, footage emerged of Świątek working on her serve before the Stuttgart Open, bending her right arm at the elbow earlier in her swing to abbreviate it, get more power, and reduce the number of places in the motion her kinetic chain can be interrupted.
After beating Daria Snigur to reach the third round of the Madrid Open, Świątek admitted that in Stuttgart, she had been caught between her old habits and serving the way she and Roig were working on, during a run that ended in a semifinal. But in her first match in Madrid, Świątek said she was properly implementing the changes for the first time. A 6-1, 6-2 win saw the world No. 4 make 70 percent of her first serves and win 78 percent of those points.
TC's Alison Riske-Amritraj breaking down Iga's slight service adjustment.
Biggest change is Iga's starting position which gives her an earlier elbow bend in that serving arm. pic.twitter.com/nLqGNmOgO9
“I was supposed to serve like that in Stuttgart, but it was on and off!” Świątek told Sky Sports.
“So, the last few days on the practice court, I was really making sure my elbow was in the right position and today was the first match where I felt it was how I wanted.
“The serve was great. I need to get used to the movement and that was a good step forward.
“In Stuttgart, I thought it was going to be a bit easier for my body to remember it on its own but I realised that no, I still need to think about it a lot.
“I was naive to think that way because one week is not enough for the body to remember the movements.
“I don’t care that it is the middle of the season because maybe it wasn’t that visible but we adjusted my serve a few times a year last year and it wasn’t a comfortable situation for me when I constantly needed to change something.
“But still, the changes weren’t what we wanted in the end, they were just steps forward. Now I have made a big change, but I can stay with it if it goes well and adjust little things, so I have much more belief in it.
“I did not feel comfortable in Indian Wells and Miami with my serve, so that was the best time to change it, just because of the feeling. I did not care it was before the clay, I wanted to feel good on my serve.”
Improvements to Świątek’s serve would make a substantial difference to her prospects. Yes, she has a complex game, but the serve is absolutely fundamental for any player. When she won Wimbledon last year, Świątek won points on her first serve more frequently (78 percent) than any other player who played more than one match.
— Charlie Eccleshare
What did a huge celebration mean for Stefanos Tsitsipas?
On the face of it, a 27-year-old two-time Grand Slam finalist beating an unheralded world No. 90 would not be a cause for big celebration.
But when that former Australian Open and French Open finalist is Stefanos Tsitsipas, who has almost dropped out of the world’s top 100, every victory feels like a major success.
Tsitsipas was within a set of winning the 2021 French Open but is now the world No. 80, and hadn’t won a match on clay this year until he beat American lucky loser Patrick Kypson Thursday. He did so by the narrowest of margins, eking out a 3-6, 7-6(6), 7-6(4) win to reach the second round of the Madrid Open.
When it was over, Tsitsipas yelled before raising his arms aloft. After shaking Kypson’s hand, he put his finger to his ear, asking the crowd for more noise. He then gestured for more and raised his hand again in celebration.
Not so long ago, it would have been unthinkable to see Tsitsipas wildly celebrating progress to the second round of an ATP Masters 1000. Even needing to play a first-round match at an event like this would have been hard to imagine, given that the 32 seeded players are given a bye. That was always Tsitsipas, until his ranking dropped from No. 30 to No. 80 over a couple of months from late February to last week, as points from last year fell off his total.
A chronic back injury, uncertainty over his best racket and a loss of confidence have combined to leave Tsitsipas a long way from the days when he was tipped as a major champion in the making as a teenager. He admitted a few months ago that in 2025, those persistent lower back problems forced him to consider retirement.
Celebrating so passionately against Kypson can be seen as a reflection of how far Tsitsipas has fallen, but few would begrudge him the moment after a rough year. Victory did not come easily, either, and he could be seen berating his father, Apostolos, during a change of ends. Apostolos was also given an all-too-common coaching violation.
But his son backed up the win by beating the increasingly consistent Alexander Bublik 6-2, 7-5 in the following round and setting up a match against Spanish qualifier Daniel Mérida.
Charlie Eccleshare
Why did one college sports program axe tennis?
So much of the talk around college tennis these days centers on what a great training ground it is for the professional tours.
With the new rules of college sports allowing athletes to get paid, promising tennis players in their late teens and early 20s can make money, face solid competition, not worry about paying for rent or food or a coaching staff, and train in top-notch facilities while getting an education, if they are interested in doing so.
The flip side of all that is an increasingly competitive and expensive system for sustaining a top-level tennis program. As the revenue sports (football and basketball) adopt a similar approach, competing meaningfully in those already expensive sports becomes even pricier. Consequently, resources can be pulled into them from elsewhere in colleges’ programs.
Some top tennis programs have benefactors who can help cover the costs. The programs without outside investment struggle to compete — or, in the case of the University of Arkansas, decide they don’t want to anymore.
“After considerable reflection and thoughtful discussion, we have made the very difficult decision to discontinue our men’s and women’s tennis programs,” vice chancellor and director of athletics Hunter Yurachek announced late last week.
“We understand the disappointment and emotion this news will bring to many. The landscape of college athletics continues to evolve, requiring us to make challenging choices as we balance competitive opportunities, resources and the long-term sustainability of our department.”
Razorback tennis, which produced a bevy of players with pro tour rankings points, will disappear at the end of the current season. The decision has sparked an outcry that college sports in general, and college tennis specifically, have already reached an inflection point. John Isner, who played for the University of Georgia, said that the post-name, image and likeness (NIL) “college landscape is out of control” on X.
“Flat out ruining college sports and now a very proud men’s and women’s program is being cut altogether because of all this BS. This is a travesty.”
Patrick McEnroe, who led player development at the U.S. Tennis Association from 2008 to 2014, described the situation as “very serious”.
Current players at the University of Arkansas will have their scholarships honored through the completion of their degree programs if they choose to remain at the university, Urachek said. They will also continue to have access to the support services. They just can’t play intercollegiate tennis anymore.
— Matt Futterman
Shot of the week
Aryna Sabalenka described this single-handed backhand winner as the “shot of her life.” She probably isn’t wrong:
📅 Coming up
🎾 ATP
📍Madrid: Madrid Open (1,000) featuring Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, Casper Ruud, Rafael Jódar.
📺 UK: Sky Sports; U.S.: Tennis Channel 💻 Tennis TV
🎾 WTA
📍Madrid: Madrid Open (1,000) featuring Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina, Mirra Andreeva.
📺 UK: Sky Sports; U.S.: Tennis Channel
Tell us what you noticed this week in the comments below as the men’s and women’s tours continue.
CHENNAI: The stark contrast in Powerplay efficiency proved decisive as Gujarat Titans dismantled Chennai Super Kings by eight wickets at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday.
The stars of the show were South African paceman Kagiso Rabada (3-25), who broke the back of the CSK top-order, and in-form ‘home boy’ B Sai Sudharsan (87,46 balls; 4x4, 7x6), whose orthodox strokeplay propelled GT to fifth on the table with eight points. CSK now have six from eight and their hopes of a last-four berth are fast diminishing.
The tone was set early when the Titans’ pace duo of Rabada and Mohammed Siraj ripped through the hosts with a ferocious opening spell on a rare lively Chepauk surface, restricting them to a paltry 28-3 in the Powerplay. On the other hand, GT’s openers mastered the two-paced conditions, during their chase of a tricky 159. Captain Shubman Gill (33) and Sudharsan helped the Titans race to 55-0 in the first six overs, effectively seizing control despite a disciplined opening from Anshul Kamboj, who conceded just 3 runs in his first two overs.
Sudharsan continued his stellar run this season and remained unfazed even after losing Gill in the seventh over. His innings, marked by control and clean striking, was studded with seven sixes and four fours. The youngster and the No. 3 batter Jos Buttler, hardly put a foot wrong and went on to stitch a 97-run partnership for the second wicket. With CSK’s attack offering little resistance, the duo turned the chase into a formality, finishing it off with 20 balls to spare.
However, Rababa and Siraj set up the win under the sweltering sun. They bent their backs, got bounce off the Chepauk surface, occasionally pitching one up, making it difficult for the CSK openers Sanju Samson and Ruturaj Gaikwad.
Rabada’s clinical double-strike, pounding in at 148–149 kph, removed the man in form Samson and Urvil Patel, playing his first game of this IPL. Siraj followed up with a cross-seamer to send back the ‘Impact Player’ Sarfaraz Khan for a golden duck, and suddenly skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad (74*, 60b; 4x6, 6x4) was watching his side crumble before the Powerplay had even run its course.
The nightmare only deepened as the bowlers forced a suffocating dry spell. There were no boundaries for five overs, and the pressure mounted when left-arm spinner Manav Suthar dismissed Dewald Brevis just as he looked to break the shackles. By the time CSK crawled to 50 in 12 overs, they had recorded their second-slowest team fifty in IPL history and the slowest by any side this season.
With the innings stalling at a precarious 43-3 at the halfway stage, Gaikwad finally took charge and played a gritty knock. He began shifting gears slowly and stitched together a recovery with useful cameos from Shivam Dube, Kartik Sharma, and Jamie Overton. En route, he brought up a much-needed half-century -his first in 11 IPL innings and his first this season -on a surface that remained far from easy for batters.
In a frantic penultimate over burst, Overton hammered four consecutive boundaries off Arshad Khan to inject momentum as the hosts collected 107 runs in the final eight overs.
However, the early damage proved too great to overcome, as the recovery ultimately fell short against GT’s well-settled top order.
Wisconsin’s women's hockey team kept the celebration going in Madison this week, bringing its trophy tour to American Family Children’s Hospital.
The Badgers spent time with patients, families, and staff, posing for photos, sharing conversations, and giving kids a chance to see the trophy up close. The stop was a part of Badger Fridays, a program where UW athletes connect with the community by spending time with younger fans through reading, art, and visiting.
Stops like this are a regular part of being a Wisconsin athlete and a reminder that college athletics still hold the community-based aspect that separates them from their professional counterparts. Championship moments and big seasons don't just stay in the locker room; they make their way around Madison, where players are reminded of who they represent every time they put on the jersey.
The trophy was the reason for the visit, but the day was about more than hardware. It was another reminder that the impact of a Wisconsin program can stretch well beyond the ice.
Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion.
Placing a bet on the Kentucky Derby has the same appeal, innocence even, as filling out an NCAA Tournament bracket during March Madness. Picking winners can be based on knowledge or, in the case of many, based solely on liking the horse’s name or jockeys silks, in the same way choosing a basketball team for its mascot or colors sometimes yields success.
There’s something building on the horizon that could ultimately take the fun out of it.
There’s no joy in finding out the game is rigged.
Computer-assisted wagering (CAW) barely caused a blip two decades ago, but improved technology, and an increase in volume, threatens to destroy the integrity of betting on horse racing by allowing what's akin to insider trading to thrive.
A level playing field is all we ask for, and that is truly becoming a facade with the CAW groups taking over.
Velocity, which is owned by Churchill Downs Inc., is one of the groups of high-volume bettors using CAW. The biggest team is believed to be the Elite Turf Club, owned by the New York Racing Association and The Stronach Group, the latter of which owns Gulfstream Park and Santa Anita Park.
It’s a secret society of sorts, existing and operating outside of perusing a Daily Racing Form to handicap races. They’re tapping into algorithms and artificial intelligence to process data and fluctuations in seconds, then make automated bets on a grand scale. And their ability to wait until the last millisecond to drop bets in odds-changing sums has skewed the scales in their favor.
The language in the lawsuit didn’t mince words and simply labeled it illegal:
“As a result of this scheme, the betting pools are not being operated lawfully as parimutuel wagering and have become illegal gambling operations. And the “odds” presented to the average bettor at the time a bet is placed are false as a result of the manipulation of the bettors’ pool.”
There’s no application the general public can use to get into the club. There’s not a lot of transparency from the tracks about the groups, either.
The CAW players work covertly, to the extent that there’s not even a way to know how much money they’re dropping in a given pool that may influence the odds in a race.
There needs to be.
Transparency is the first place to start with making CAW acceptable. It’s not that the technology is harmful and should be abandoned. And horse racing tracks certainly don’t want to push away high-volume bettors whose participation helps drive up purses.
But some of their advantages need to be curtailed. Perhaps a separate pool for CAW bets that would manipulate odds? Perhaps a time limit to prevent last-second bets of a certain volume from doing the same? California and New York made the change in win pools already, as they now close CAW bets two minutes before post time. Kentucky needs to explore following suit.
And we haven’t even dipped into how the rebates that CAW players earn have to be torn apart and re-imagined. They get a percentage of their total wagering volume back regardless of results. That allows their betting style to play out more like a trading strategy than handicapping.
As Kentucky Derby 152 approaches, bettors will take to the windows and the kiosks with visions of winning big on the Run for the Roses.
It’ll draw the old and, hopefully, the not-too-young. It will welcome the patrons who sit on Millionaires’ Row and those with infield tickets. It contrasts women clutching Hermes Birkin bags, standing tall in their best Christian Louboutin red-bottom heels, against disheveled-looking men in the old pair of lucky loafers they only break out for Derby Day.
Through the course of the day’s races leading up to Race 12 and the most exciting two minutes in sports, everyone — no matter their socioeconomic status, education level or ethnicity — has the same chance to hit that trifecta or Pick Six and walk away feeling like a million bucks.
And that level of equality must be protected at all costs.
Keith Abney II never played slot cornerback in college. He was ticketed for nickel duties before his sophomore season, but when Arizona State lost a starting cornerback to the transfer portal Abney moved outside.
Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes saw Abney excel in his two seasons as a starting outside cornerback for the Sun Devils, when he had five interceptions and forced two fumbles.
But Holmes said Abney, the Lions’ first of two fifth-round picks in last week’s NFL draft, “might tilt a little bit more” to playing inside in Detroit.
“He’s another instinctive guy that he could find the football, he can trigger, he can tackle, he’s pretty sticky,” Holmes said Saturday in Allen Park after the draft. “He was just a simple one [for us to draft] because we had him ranked a couple rounds higher than where he was, so that was a no-brainer for us.”
The Lions return starting outside cornerbacks D.J. Reed and Terrion Arnold, plus do-it-all backups Rock Ya-Sin and Avonte Maddox, and added two potential slot cornerbacks in free agency in Roger McCreary and Christian Izien.
McCreary played 167 of his 210 coverage snaps out of the slot last season for the Los Angeles Rams, according to the NFL’s Next Gen stats, while Izien started at slot corner for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers early in his career before moving to safety.
Abney, a shade under 5 feet 10 and 187 pounds, has similar size to Izien and McCreary.
And while Holmes said that won’t hinder Abney’s ability to play outside – “I do think he can play outside for sure,” Holmes said – he said Abney is rich in two traits he looks for in slot corners: toughness and instincts.
“You’ve got to do a lot of things at that nickel spot,” Holmes said. “Yeah, you want speed to be able to match vertically, but you want a guy that has a little bit more short-area suddenness just to handle the two-way goes and to be able to get off the spot. But there’s a lot of run action coming at you, too, at that spot. So, he’s going to be just fine.”
Abney said he practiced some as Arizona State’s backup slot cornerback last season but had to stay outside when injuries struck the Sun Devils’ secondary “so we can get elite play on the outside.”
In Detroit, he said he’s willing to play wherever for a team he called “a perfect fit” for his skills.
“I just want to win games,” Abney said. “If it takes me to play nickel to win games, that's what we're going to do. Outside, safety, anything, I just want to win. So whatever coach's plan is to put the team in best position to win, I'm willing to do anything, willing to play any role."
Keith Abney II never played slot cornerback in college. He was ticketed for nickel duties before his sophomore season, but when Arizona State lost a starting cornerback to the transfer portal Abney moved outside.
Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes saw Abney excel in his two seasons as a starting outside cornerback for the Sun Devils, when he had five interceptions and forced two fumbles.
But Holmes said Abney, the Lions’ first of two fifth-round picks in last week’s NFL draft, “might tilt a little bit more” to playing inside in Detroit.
“He’s another instinctive guy that he could find the football, he can trigger, he can tackle, he’s pretty sticky,” Holmes said Saturday in Allen Park after the draft. “He was just a simple one [for us to draft] because we had him ranked a couple rounds higher than where he was, so that was a no-brainer for us.”
The Lions return starting outside cornerbacks D.J. Reed and Terrion Arnold, plus do-it-all backups Rock Ya-Sin and Avonte Maddox, and added two potential slot cornerbacks in free agency in Roger McCreary and Christian Izien.
McCreary played 167 of his 210 coverage snaps out of the slot last season for the Los Angeles Rams, according to the NFL’s Next Gen stats, while Izien started at slot corner for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers early in his career before moving to safety.
Abney, a shade under 5 feet 10 and 187 pounds, has similar size to Izien and McCreary.
And while Holmes said that won’t hinder Abney’s ability to play outside – “I do think he can play outside for sure,” Holmes said – he said Abney is rich in two traits he looks for in slot corners: toughness and instincts.
“You’ve got to do a lot of things at that nickel spot,” Holmes said. “Yeah, you want speed to be able to match vertically, but you want a guy that has a little bit more short-area suddenness just to handle the two-way goes and to be able to get off the spot. But there’s a lot of run action coming at you, too, at that spot. So, he’s going to be just fine.”
Abney said he practiced some as Arizona State’s backup slot cornerback last season but had to stay outside when injuries struck the Sun Devils’ secondary “so we can get elite play on the outside.”
In Detroit, he said he’s willing to play wherever for a team he called “a perfect fit” for his skills.
“I just want to win games,” Abney said. “If it takes me to play nickel to win games, that's what we're going to do. Outside, safety, anything, I just want to win. So whatever coach's plan is to put the team in best position to win, I'm willing to do anything, willing to play any role."
Wirtz admits he needs to “feed” world record signing more
Florian Wirtz drives Liverpool surge with Kop-end goal and Isak connection against Palace
Liverpool’s late flourish against Palace carried the unmistakable imprint of Florian Wirtz, whose stoppage-time strike settled nerves and sealed a 3-1 win that could prove decisive in the race for Champions League football. Speaking after the match, as reported by the original source on Liverpoolfc.com, the German playmaker framed the result in blunt, purposeful terms.
“I think we needed these three points, especially at home,” Wirtz said. “So, really happy that we keep them here.”
There was no glossing over the challenge Palace posed. Their direct approach and willingness to stretch the pitch forced Liverpool into a disciplined defensive display before quality told at the other end.
“We knew before the game what was coming,” Wirtz explained. “They play a lot of balls in behind, take not too much risk, just looking for deep runs, so I think we defended it quite well.”
That blend of tactical awareness and attacking execution defined Liverpool’s performance. They absorbed pressure, trusted their structure, and waited for the moments that would tilt the game.
Photo IMAGO
Kop-end goal seals momentum
The defining image of the afternoon came deep into stoppage time, Wirtz gliding onto a precise delivery before striking cleanly towards the Kop. It was a finish that combined instinct with execution, and one that extinguished any lingering hope Palace might have had.
“First of all, I knew that Joey would throw the ball over me,” he said. “Then a good pass from Macca, and I had to take the risk to just hit it on target. I hit it quite well so I’m happy about that. Sometimes you can feel it that it’s a good strike.”
That Kop-end goal was more than a flourish. It was a statement of control, a reminder that Liverpool possess the cutting edge required in tight contests. The timing of the strike, arriving just as Palace sensed an opening after pulling a goal back, underlined its importance.
Isak partnership growing influence
Much of Liverpool’s attacking promise revolved around the link-up between Wirtz and Isak. The striker, returning from injury, found the net and offered a focal point that had been missing in recent weeks.
“Especially as a striker it’s always important to score goals so I’m happy for him,” Wirtz said. “I hope it’s the start of many and he can keep going like this.”
Wirtz was clear about the dynamic required to unlock Isak’s potential. Service is everything.
“I think it’s also important for him that we feed him with balls because if he’s just there on top alone, then it’s hard for him to score goals. He needs the balls to score them and as you could see today, if he gets the chance, he normally scores.”
There is a growing understanding between the pair, one built on timing, movement and trust. If sustained, it could become a decisive factor in Liverpool’s run-in.
Champions League push intensifies
With the victory over Palace, Liverpool strengthened their grip on a top-five position, opening a valuable gap with only four matches remaining. The significance of the result was not lost on Wirtz.
“It is a massive three points today,” he said. “It was clear for us that this game today is really important for the qualification for the Champions League. It’s not done yet, we have a few more games, but a good step today.”
There was also praise for the defensive resilience that underpinned the win, particularly goalkeeper Freddie Woodman.
“He was unbelievable today,” Wirtz added. “He had two or three top saves so I’m really happy for him. He saved us the points.”
In a season defined by fine margins, performances like this carry weight. Liverpool did not dominate throughout, nor did they cruise to victory. Instead, they showed the hallmarks of a side learning how to win when conditions are less than perfect.
Against Palace, it was the combination of structure, opportunism and individual brilliance that made the difference. At the heart of it all was Wirtz, orchestrating, finishing, and articulating a performance that could yet shape Liverpool’s season.
Barcelona handed two major boosts as they close on La Liga title
Barcelona can secure the La Liga title as early as next weekend, should they win at Osasuna and Real Madrid fail to defeat Espanyol. However, the trip to Pamplona will be a tricky one for Hansi Flick’s side, who were defeated 4-2 at the same venue last season.
To make it more difficult, Barcelona will be without the services of Lamine Yamal, whose hamstring tear has ruled him out for the remainder of the season. However, they are able to get two piece of good news on the injury front, with Diario AS reporting that Raphinha and Marc Bernal are due back in group training this week.
Raphinha injured his hamstring while in action for Brazil a month ago, and Barcelona have been counting down the days until his return, such is his important to Flick. He should be able to receive the medical green light in for the trip to Osasuna at the weekend, and the same should be said for Bernal, who has been out for three weeks with a sprained ankle.
Returns come at good time for Barcelona
The return of Raphinha in particular is very timely for Barcelona, given Lamine Yamal’s absence. He can be used on the right wing, although the likelihood is that he will regain his place on the left, where Marcus Rashford and Fermin Lopez have deputised in the last month.
As for Bernal, he will find it difficult to regain the starting spot he had prior to his injury. Frenkie de Jong’s return to action, coupled with Gavi’s impressive performance levels, will mean that the teenager has work to do if he is to find his way back into Flick’s plans before the end of the season.
The hope for Barcelona is that Raphinha and Bernal are back in training on Monday or Tuesday, which will give them plenty of time to earn the medical green light before the weekend.
ORLANDO – The Detroit Pistons, once again, are facing an uphill battle.
They will look to bounce back against the Orlando Magic in Game 4 on Monday (8 p.m., Peacock), after dropping Game 3, 113-105. A 26-8 rally in the fourth quarter erased a 17-point deficit and gave the Pistons the lead, 105-104, with 2:52 to play.
But they went scoreless the rest of the way, and the Magic used a 9-0 run to take a 2-1 series lead.
"It’s one game at a time, and that’s what playoff series are," coach J.B. Bickerstaff said postgame. "We come down here, we win on Monday, we take homecourt advantage back. Today’s game, we’ll learn from it. But it’s over with and it gives us more opportunities, more film to watch, more time to prepare, to get ready for Monday.
"But you can’t hang onto it and our guys have been consistent all year, that we’ve been able to move on from the next. I trust our guys that we’ll focus on it, we’ll learn from it, we’ll study it, we’ll get better at it and then Monday we’ll be ready to go."
Here are two questions the Pistons will have to answer in Game 4, plus a Magic vs. Pistons prediction.
Saturday comfortably was Cunningham's worst game in the series – 27 points (on 8-for-23 shooting), nine assists, five rebounds and nine turnovers. He settled down in the fourth quarter, leading their 18-point run with 12 points, four assists and one turnover, and hit the tying pull-up 3-pointer and split a trip at the foul line to briefly take the lead.
"It’s a possession game in the playoffs in general," Cunningham said postgame. "That’s why I say a lot of this falls on my shoulders where I have to be better and make sure that I’m doing a good job of getting the ball out to my guys and making sure that they can make plays out of it and just making sure we have shots on the rim. Too many times we’re having empty possessions giving the ball back to them."
Orlando scored 24 points off 16 Pistons turnovers, seven of which were committed in the first quarter. Four of those were by Cunningham. He's coming off his best season as a playmaker, averaging more assists than last season (9.9, from 9.1) while reducing his turnovers (3.7, from 4.4). They can't afford much slippage from him moving forward.
Can Jalen Duren's offensive execution match his defense?
Though the first-time All-Star has yet to find his comfort zone offensively, he submitted his best defensive stretches of the playoffs on Saturday. He tallied eight points, nine rebounds and five blocks. His struggles on the offensive end (3-for-10 shooting) didn't impact his defensive effort to the extent it did in Games 1 and 2. He made good rotations more consistently and was active as a shot blocker.
"He’s been great," Cunningham said. "Presenting himself at the rim, making them have to score over him, I think he’s been doing a great job. He’s done a lot of really good things in series that don’t show up on the stat sheet. Obviously blocks does, but making guys score over him. It’s tough for guys to get over him and he’s strong in the air and all that stuff. I think he’s done a great job of that and we’re going to continue to need that from him."
It was an uneven game for Duren, who was benched − along with backup Isaiah Stewart − for third-stringer Paul Reed early in the third quarter after a rough start to the second half. But Duren made strides in the right direction on one end of the floor, which he and the Pistons both hope is an omen for his play moving forward. Through three games, he's averaging just nine points on 41.7% shooting (10-for-24), far below his regular-season averages of 19.5 points on 65% shooting.
Pistons vs Magic prediction for Game 4
The Pistons have yet to submit a complete effort in the playoffs. Despite that, no game has gotten away from them. A 17-point deficit dissipated quickly in the fourth quarter once Cunningham locked in, and the team rallied behind him. With their backs against the wall, they've consistently responded this season and should do so on Monday in Game 4 as well. The pick: Pistons 101, Magic 94.
ORLANDO – The Detroit Pistons, once again, are facing an uphill battle.
They will look to bounce back against the Orlando Magic in Game 4 on Monday (8 p.m., Peacock), after dropping Game 3, 113-105. A 26-8 rally in the fourth quarter erased a 17-point deficit and gave the Pistons the lead, 105-104, with 2:52 to play.
But they went scoreless the rest of the way, and the Magic used a 9-0 run to take a 2-1 series lead.
"It’s one game at a time, and that’s what playoff series are," coach J.B. Bickerstaff said postgame. "We come down here, we win on Monday, we take homecourt advantage back. Today’s game, we’ll learn from it. But it’s over with and it gives us more opportunities, more film to watch, more time to prepare, to get ready for Monday.
"But you can’t hang onto it and our guys have been consistent all year, that we’ve been able to move on from the next. I trust our guys that we’ll focus on it, we’ll learn from it, we’ll study it, we’ll get better at it and then Monday we’ll be ready to go."
Here are two questions the Pistons will have to answer in Game 4, plus a Magic vs. Pistons prediction.
Saturday comfortably was Cunningham's worst game in the series – 27 points (on 8-for-23 shooting), nine assists, five rebounds and nine turnovers. He settled down in the fourth quarter, leading their 18-point run with 12 points, four assists and one turnover, and hit the tying pull-up 3-pointer and split a trip at the foul line to briefly take the lead.
"It’s a possession game in the playoffs in general," Cunningham said postgame. "That’s why I say a lot of this falls on my shoulders where I have to be better and make sure that I’m doing a good job of getting the ball out to my guys and making sure that they can make plays out of it and just making sure we have shots on the rim. Too many times we’re having empty possessions giving the ball back to them."
Orlando scored 24 points off 16 Pistons turnovers, seven of which were committed in the first quarter. Four of those were by Cunningham. He's coming off his best season as a playmaker, averaging more assists than last season (9.9, from 9.1) while reducing his turnovers (3.7, from 4.4). They can't afford much slippage from him moving forward.
Can Jalen Duren's offensive execution match his defense?
Though the first-time All-Star has yet to find his comfort zone offensively, he submitted his best defensive stretches of the playoffs on Saturday. He tallied eight points, nine rebounds and five blocks. His struggles on the offensive end (3-for-10 shooting) didn't impact his defensive effort to the extent it did in Games 1 and 2. He made good rotations more consistently and was active as a shot blocker.
"He’s been great," Cunningham said. "Presenting himself at the rim, making them have to score over him, I think he’s been doing a great job. He’s done a lot of really good things in series that don’t show up on the stat sheet. Obviously blocks does, but making guys score over him. It’s tough for guys to get over him and he’s strong in the air and all that stuff. I think he’s done a great job of that and we’re going to continue to need that from him."
It was an uneven game for Duren, who was benched − along with backup Isaiah Stewart − for third-stringer Paul Reed early in the third quarter after a rough start to the second half. But Duren made strides in the right direction on one end of the floor, which he and the Pistons both hope is an omen for his play moving forward. Through three games, he's averaging just nine points on 41.7% shooting (10-for-24), far below his regular-season averages of 19.5 points on 65% shooting.
Pistons vs Magic prediction for Game 4
The Pistons have yet to submit a complete effort in the playoffs. Despite that, no game has gotten away from them. A 17-point deficit dissipated quickly in the fourth quarter once Cunningham locked in, and the team rallied behind him. With their backs against the wall, they've consistently responded this season and should do so on Monday in Game 4 as well. The pick: Pistons 101, Magic 94.
Mike Tomlin has broken his silence on his shocking decision to step down as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and it apparently wasn't an easy one to make.
Tomlin, who made his NBC debut on Sunday, explained his thought process about why he finally decided to leave the Steelers after 19 years.
"It's probably not an overnight decision, but it's probably not something I could articulate or share with people," Tomlin said via NBC's Football Night in America. "It's just, there's a loneliness in leadership. I just thought it was a good time for me, personally. And by that, I mean just where I am in life. I thought it was a good time for the organization, to be quite honest with you. We didn't have a lot of success in the playoffs in recent years. There's just some veteran players, guys like Cam Heyward, and T.J. Watt, and [Chris] Boswell, that I thought were worthy of the excitement and the optimism associated with new leadership."
Mike Tomlin joins Maria Taylor to talk about his new role on Football Night In America on NBC and Peacock! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/dxiLKFQlw4
Tomlin, who was the head coach of the Steelers for almost two decades, decided to leave Pittsburgh following another first-round playoff loss, a pattern that had become all too familiar.
Here's to hoping Tomlin finds success and joy in his new endeavor as a sports analyst for NBC, where he'll have the opportunity to comment on his Steelers from afar.
For up-to-date Steelers coverage, including any offseason moves, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
The 2026 NFL Draft is behind us, and teams are preparing to get a first look at their new draftees as rookie minicamps are about to take center stage.
For the Tennessee Titans, it will be a great chance to get a closer look at what many consider another solid haul for general manager Mike Borgonzi. Although that isn’t a unanimous opinion. In fact, Bucky Brooks of Fox Sports believes the Titans were one of the biggest losers in the draft.
The 2026 draft pivoted when the Titans shocked the world with the Carnell Tate pick at No. 4 overall. Although most observers viewed the Ohio State star as the No. 1 wideout in the class, the decision to take a collegiate WR2 over a freakishly athletic pass rusher (Arvell Reese) and off-ball linebacker (Sonny Styles) has put Robert Saleh’s debut class under the microscope. Perhaps Tate will silence the critics by playing at a superstar level, but he will need to adapt to a new role and more responsibility as the WR1 for a team that lacks an elite supporting cast around him.
The Titans traded back into the first round to acquire a big-bodied edge rusher, Keldric Faulk, with modest sack production. While there was plenty of love in the scouting community for the Auburn star as a run defender, the Titans are counting on the 21-year-old to transform into an Arik Armstead-type defender with inside-outside versatility. Considering how collegiate sack production typically translates into NFL performance, the Titans will need their second first-rounder to remake his game to match his draft expectations.
With second-round pick Anthony Hill slated to be a Day 1 starter at middle linebacker, the Titans are counting on three developmental playmakers to fill voids on a squad looking to climb out of the AFC South cellar.
The logic being displayed by this (and a few other national) takes is somewhat confusing. Tennessee chose to add a weapon with the fourth overall selection, and they clearly scouted and valued Carnell Tate as a player, and are being somewhat criticized for drafting a player that was widely regarded as a top 5 to 10 player in this class.
Yes, the pick went against what many “experts” perceived as the team's biggest need, but those needs were based on opinion and perception rather than on what the coaching staff and front office believe. Only time will tell what this draft class accomplishes, but to list this Titans’ draft class as a loser because they went against outside expectations is somewhat frustrating, and a perfect example of why grades or evaluations should be made at least two years after the fact. Just look back at the opinions on another Ohio State wide receiver taken fourth overall: Marvin Harrison Jr.
No. 7 Texas A&M (33-8, 14-6 SEC) is possibly the hottest team in the country after winning its fifth SEC series, defeating Florida on the road for the first time since joining the SEC, and after losing Game 1 9-2, the Aggies stormed back on Saturday, winning 8-4, while Sunday's rubber-match was never in doubt thanks to impressive pitching from Weston Moss, Gavin Lyons, and closer Clayton Freshcorn.
The biggest takeaway from the weekend has to be the play of freshman outfielder Jorian Wilson, who recorded five hits and two home runs, hitting his 11th homer on Sunday, while his eye-popping throw from right field to catch Bear Harrison to prevent a Florida run might earn the young star an SEC Player of the Week award by Monday morning.
Texas A&M has now won nine out of its last ten games, and is heading back to Blue Bell Park for the first time in nearly three weeks, set to host Tarleton State before Auburn comes down for another crucial SEC series.
Across the rest of the SEC, Georgia's road series win over Ole Miss was similar to the Aggies' comeback over the Gators, while Texas has now won back-to-back series after defeating Vanderbilt, following Texas A&M's sweep of the Longhorns two weeks ago.
Before hosting Auburn, Texas A&M remains in sole second place in the SEC standings, trailing Georgia by just half a game, while the Bulldogs' early series win over the Aggies will serve as a head-to-head advantage down the stretch.
Updated SEC Standings
Georgia (34-11, 15-6 SEC)
Texas A&M (33-8, 14-6 SEC)
Texas (32-9, 13-7 SEC)
Mississippi State (34-10, 13-8 SEC)
Auburn (30-13, 12-9 SEC)
Florida (29-16, 11-10 SEC)
Ole Miss (31-14, 11-10 SEC)
Arkansas (29-16, 11-10 SEC)
Oklahoma (29-14, 11-10 SEC)
Alabama (29-16, 10-11 SEC)
Vanderbilt (29-19, 10-11 SEC)
Tennessee (29-15, 10-11 SEC)
Kentucky (27-15, 9-12 SEC)
South Carolina (22-23, 7-14 SEC)
LSU (24-21, 6-15 SEC)
Missouri (21-23, 4-17 SEC)
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
Matt Fitzpatrick is the hottest golfer on the planet right now and remains the top earner on the PGA Tour entering a key stretch of tournaments.
Fitzpatrick won the Zurich Classic on April 26 and he and his brother Alex both took home $1,372,750. That enabled Fitzpatrick to stay ahead of Scottie Scheffler for first place on the Tour money list with more than $10.5 million.
Scheffler, who did not play at the Zurich Classic, remains at just over $8.4 million, and Cameron Young, also idle, has nearly $7.7 million.
In his last five starts, Fitzpatrick has finished second at The Players, won the Valspar Championship, tied for 18th at the Masters, won the RBC Heritage and then won the Zurich Classic with his brother.
Money list may get volatile
The next three tournaments will see the PGA Tour’s biggest stars coming out of a post-Masters hibernation in some cases.
The Tour returns to the Doral Blue Monster Course in Miami, April 30-May 3, for the Cadillac Championship, then goes to Quail Hollow in Charlotte the following week for the Truist Championship. Both are signature events with purses of $20 million and $3.6 million for the winner.
After that will be the PGA Championship May 14-17 at the Aronimink Golf Club near Philadelphia. The purse won’t be announced until the week of the tournament but given last year’s purse and first-place check ($19 million and $3.42 million), the combined total of the next three tournaments will be at least $59 million total, with $10.62 going to the winners.
🥱Serie A, 0-0 problem! It’s a record, is our football boring? The fix... 👀
Serie A has a problem, and its name is boredom. Last night’s 0-0 at the Meazza, in what was supposed to be the headline match of the 34th round, instead turned into the worst possible advertisement for Italian football, in a weekend when the spotlight was already on our league for a far less noble reason: the investigation into the work of referees’ chief Gianluca Rocchi.
A point that moves Milan and Juve up the table, but one that disappointed the San Siro crowd, who at the final whistle did not spare either side from boos. The numbers on chances created speak clearly: 0.65xG for the Rossoneri against 0.52xG for the Bianconeri. Little, far too little.
The one between Allegri and Spalletti, however, was not an isolated case. In the reverse fixture, in fact, Juve-Milan had also ended goalless, with the only difference being that back then Igor Tudor was sitting on the Old Lady’s bench. Sticking with yesterday, the Meazza clash was the third goalless draw of the round, after Hellas-Lecce and Fiorentina-Sassuolo. Again, not exactly the best way to promote the product.
🫣 A record number of 0-0s!
The tally of 0-0 draws has now risen to 30 in Serie A, an extremely high number. Across Europe’s top five leagues, no one can keep up with us. The Premier League is on 23, Ligue 1 on 18, La Liga on 13, and the Bundesliga, finally, has just 12 goalless matches.
With two more matches still to be played tonight, there is a risk the season record could be matched or even broken, considering that in Matchday 7 there were as many as four 0-0 draws and only eleven goals in total.
Leading this special table is Parma, who have finished a match without conceding or scoring as many as 6 times. Then come Verona and Cremonese on 5, and the group made up of Como, Lazio, Genoa, Pisa, Fiorentina and Lecce on 4.
🤔 The solution from... Serie B?
Looking at the teams involved, it becomes clear how many of these 0-0s are driven by fear or a lack of motivation. So why not take a cue from Serie B, one of the most unpredictable and exciting leagues in the world?
Thanks to the playoffs and playouts, in fact, there is currently not a single club without a goal to fight for. The promotion race is one of the best ever, with three teams battling for two spots with just 180 minutes left. There is also a dogfight in the playoff zone, where aside from Palermo and Catanzaro, certain of finishing 4th and 5th respectively, everyone from 6th-placed Modena to 10th-placed Carrarese can still dream.
At the bottom, finally, nobody is safe, not even 14th-placed Padova who, with a difficult chain of results, could slip from 14th to 18th, which would mean relegation.
⏳ No more time should be wasted
In short, something should also be rethought when it comes to Serie A. Perhaps by introducing a playout, which would already halve the number of “safe” teams and therefore teams with no motivation left. The same system would probably be complicated for the Scudetto and Champions League places, but a solution for the spots that lead to European competition could also come from introducing a playoff for, for example, the Conference League.
For now, it is just an idea. With the FIGC without a president, the national team out of the World Cup and without a head coach, and the chaos surrounding the investigation into the work of the referees’ chief, the Serie A format is probably not the priority right now. It seems clear, however, that sooner or later things will have to change, one way or another. Our football has already lost too much time and, above all, appeal.
Johnson had a tremendous final season with the Huskers in 2025. He tallied 241 carries for 1,451 yards and 12 touchdowns. He was a key piece of the offense and carried the team on his back in multiple games. Now, he will have a chance to blossom with one of the best organizations in the NFL.
The Minneapolis native is the first Husker running back selected in the NFL draft since the Detroit Lions selected Ameer Abdullah with pick 54 in the second round. Johnson was named the Big Ten Running Back of the Year for his performance last season.
Nebraska and Chiefs fans were excited for Johnson’s selections. We compiled some of the best reactions from social media and placed them below.
Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson is @PSchrags’ favorite NFL prospect in the draft 👀
“Johnson was a beast last year… he seems to do it all. Now, he doesn’t have that top-line speed, but I love producers—especially in big conferences—who step up and play in big games.” pic.twitter.com/d7mOyjJvol
— Check the Mic with Steve Palazzolo & Sam Monson (@CTM_Show) April 22, 2026
#Chiefs No. 161 pick, RB Emmett Johnson says he's ready to get to work in Kansas City.
He adds, "My whole life I've been passed on and doubted, so I just know that as long as I got faith in myself and my abilities, nothing else matters." pic.twitter.com/MZT3dbIRIU
Johnson was the only player in the FBS to average more than 150 scrimmage yards-per-game in 2025. He led the Big 10 with 1,451 rushing yards and finished second among all FBS running backs in catches (46). Scored 15 TDs, too.
Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes and opinions.
There’s a lot of high school sports going on this time of year to put it lightly. Every sport is in postseason mode, with softball in district tournament play and every other sport in either regional or state tournaments.
To try to keep track of everything, the PNJ created a guide for state playoff events this week. You can check out a schedule for district softball here.
Some sports have already started the path to a state championship, while others had their brackets released this weekend. Below is a breakdown along with dates, for where Pensacola teams stand in each sport.
Check back throughout the week for roundups on area postseason sports action.
Baseball
(All regional semifinals will be a best 2-out-of-3 series, with game 1 on Friday, game 2 and an if necessary Game 3 on Saturday)
Region 1-6A semifinals
No. 5 Tocoi Creek at No. 1 Pace
No. 6 Oakleaf at No. 2 Buchholz
Analysis: Pace (24-4) continued its walkoff magic against Lake Howell in the regional quarterfinals, with Bryce Hatton dashing home on a groundball to second base in the bottom of the seventh for a 3-2 win. Now, they face a Tocoi Creek (15-13) squad that kept Tate’s bats mostly silent. Look for South Florida commit Kaleb Stockwell to try to do the same to the Patriots in game one.
The winner will either see defending regional champion Buchholz (20-7) or an upstart Oakleaf (13-14) squad that mercy ruled Bartram Trail in the regional quarterfinals.
Region 1-4A semifinals
No. 5 St. Augustine at No. 1 Choctawhatchee
No. 7 Escambia at No. 3 Clay
Analysis: Escambia (16-12) gets a rematch with Clay (15-13) after a stellar performance by Clayton Sanders on the mound at Bishop Kenny in the regional quarterfinals.
Clay threw a combined no-hitter in a 4-0 win over Wakulla in the regional quarterfinals, with Florida commit Ryan McMahan walking three and striking out 10 in six innings pitched. The Blue Devils swept Escambia 2-1, 6-2 in this same round a year ago.
Choctaw (23-5) swept St. Augustine (15-13) in the regional quarterfinals last year and is looking to advance to the regional finals for the first time since 1999.
Region 1-3A semifinals
No. 4 West Florida at No. 1 South Walton
No. 3 Suwanee at No. 2 Fernandina Beach
Analysis: West Florida (18-8) gets another shot at South Walton (24-4) after the Seahawks beat the Jaguars 3-1 in the District 1-3A final on April 16.
South Walton is perfectly set up for a best two-out-of-three series with three Power 4 commits in Coleman Borthwick (Auburn), Griffin Loy (Virginia) and Denton Lord (Mississippi State).
West Florida sophomore Harrison Vernier will take the mound Friday night for Game 1 coming off a 61-pitch shutout against Baldwin in the regional quarterfinals.
Fernandina Beach (22-4) will match up with a Suwanee (17-11) team that cruised past a West Nassau team that had several seniors miss the regional quarterfinals due to prom.
Rural Region 1 semifinals
No. 4 Chipley at No. 1 Northview*
No. 2 Jay at No. 3 Holmes County*
Analysis: Rural teams around the state start their march to Fort Myers after a two week layoff.
Rural District 1 champion Northview (18-8) matches up with a Chipley squad it beat 17-3 on Feb. 24. Jay (14-7) has to travel despite being the higher seed after Holmes County (12-14) won the Rural District 2 title. The Blue Devils ended the Royals season in the regional a year ago on their way to a state championship.
Beach volleyball
All district champions marked with an asterisk (*)
Region 1-2A quarterfinals (April 27)
No. 8 Beachside at No. 1 Chiles*
No. 4 South Walton at No. 5 Ponte Vedra*
No. 7 Crestview at No. 2 Bishop Kenny*
No. 6 Leon at No. 3 Gulf Breeze*
Analysis: Gulf Breeze will have to be road warriors if it wants to win a third straight state championship. The Dolphins lost at Bishop Kenny on March 9 and split with Chiles during the regular season. Gulf Breeze will play in the regional semifinals on Thursday if it advances.
Flag football
All district champions marked with an asterisk (*)
Region 1-3A quarterfinals (Wednesday)
No. 8 Nease at No. 1 Ponte Vedra*
No. 5 Bartram Trail at No. 4 Oviedo*
No. 7 Lincoln at No. 2 Chiles*
No. 6 Pace at No. 3 Niceville*
Analysis: Pace (11-6) is hoping the third time is the charm against Niceville (15-2). The Eagles beat the Patriots 39-20 on March 26 and 20-0 in the District 1-2A championship on April 23.
The top five seeds in the region are all ranked in the FHSAA 3A top 10. That includes undefeated Ponte Vedra (17-0) and defending state runner-up Chiles (14-2).
Region 1-2A quarterfinals (Tuesday)
No. 8 Menendez at No. 1 Choctawhatchee*
No. 5 Booker T. Washington at No. 4 St. Augustine*
No. 7 Godby at No. 2 Paxon*
No. 6 Yulee at No. 3 Arnold*
Analysis: Booker T. Washington (10-2) dropped from the No. 3 seed to the No. 5 seed after losing to Fort Walton Beach in the District 1-2A semifinals and now has to make the long trip to St. Augustine as a result. Neither the Wildcats nor the Yellow Jackets (12-5) have won a state playoff game.
Choctaw (14-3) and Paxon (14-2) are the only teams in the region ranked inside the top 20 in 2A. The Indians were 2A state runner-up last year.
Analysis: Wesley Morrill’s overtime goal against Nease sent the Dolphins to a third straight regional semifinals and avenged a regional semifinal loss to the Golden Bears a year ago. Gulf Breeze (11-7) will look to avenge another recent loss, as Fletcher (11-6) beat the Dolphins 8-5 on Feb. 14.
Gulf Breeze has lost five straight regional semifinals, while the Senators have never been to a regional final.
Ponte Vedra (17-2) will likely await in the regional final on May 1. The Sharks stomped Niceville 21-3 in the regional quarterfinals to take the first step to back-to-back Final Four appearances.
Tennis
FHSAA State Championship
April 27-May 1, Sanlando Park, Red Bug Park and Sylvan Lake Park
Analysis: Pensacola Catholic’s boys team was the only area team to qualify and they’ll compete in the 1A state championship April 29-May 1 at Red Bug Lake Park.
The FHSAA has only listed full qualifiers for 4A and 2A on its website, and Pensacola’s Cash Schweigert will compete in the 2A singles tournament.
Track and field
Region 1-1A and Region 1-2A championships, May 1 (Pine Forest)
Region 1-3A championship, May 2 (Pine Forest)
Analysis: Arguably the state’s toughest region will flock to Pine Forest's impressive facility to try to qualify for the FHSAA state championship. The top two finishers in each event will automatically qualify state, which will be held May 6-9 at the University of North Florida.
All district champions marked with an asterisk (*)
Region 1-2A quarterfinals
No. 8 St. Augustine* at No. 1 Gulf Breeze*
No. 5 Bartram Trail at No. 4 North Bay Haven
No. 7 Belleview* at No. 2 Beachside*
No. 6 Nease at No. 3 Choctawhatchee
Analysis: A year after advancing to the Final Four in just their second season as a program, Gulf Breeze (18-5) is the top seed in the region. The Dolphins will have to play all regional matches at the yet to be opened Soundside High School due to end of year testing, but still will make every team come to Santa Rosa County.
Gulf Breeze swept St. Augustine (7-16) in the regional quarterfinals a year ago, and could play North Bay Haven (5-10) for a fifth time this year in the regional semifinals. Beachside (15-11) is the only other team in the region with a winning record, while Gulf Breeze is the only team ranked inside the FHSAA 2A top 20.
For every prospect that entered its name in the NFL Draft poll, every aspect of their game has been evaluated, from athleticism to skill set, while parts of their personal background has been examined.
For the newest Miami Dolphin, one item from his background has made some waves.
Dolphins first-round pick Kadyn Proctor has an obsession with cologne. That was one of the topics the 6-foot-7, 352-pound offensive lineman discussed during his introductory press conference on Friday.
Proctor stated that he owns more than 300 bottles of cologne.
“Yeah, I got a problem. But it’s a good problem to have,” said Proctor, who revealed he was wearing Clive Christian Blonde Amber when his name was called by commissioner Roger Goodell on Draft night.
The problem started as a kid as he never went to elementary or grade school without spraying on cologne from the collections of his father, Konta Collins, and stepfather, Kevin Perkins. Following the compliments heard from classmates, an obsession was born.
Proctor’s passion first made headlines during SEC Media Day last summer. With his collection standing at 170 bottles at the time, the lineman explained why it’s important for a man his size to smell good.
"How I see it is, if you're a big guy, you can't stink,” Proctor told reporters last July. “You got to be fresh, man. Because the narrative right now is if you're big, you stink, you smell, you're sweaty. That's not how it goes for me. That's why I be saying flip the narrative."
Proctor added on Friday that he used his NIL money during college to grow his personal collection.
He also admits that he’s received free bottles of cologne as a result of the publicity.
“It’s definitely good to be out there and have people know that you love smelling good,“ Proctor said with a smile at the podium. “They want to send you their product and it’s always good getting free stuff.”
Patrick Bernadeau is a sports reporter for Treasure Coast Newspapers. He can be reached at 772-985-9692, on X at @PatBernadeau or via email at pbernadeau@gannett.com.
All signs point to clear skies on May 1, but the weather is hardly ever predictable during Kentucky Derby weekend. The high of 65 degrees, according to weather.com, for the Kentucky Oaks can quickly turn into a colder, rainy climate, especially with the later post time, which could be trouble for the fillies in the race.
Only one of the fillies has previously raced on a muddy or sloppy track heading into the Oaks race at Churchill Downs. The rest will be at a disadvantage, including Meaning, who topped the Oaks leaderboard with 126 points coming into the contest. Sired by Gun Runner, the filly is 3-0-0 over four career starts, but all have been on a fast track.
So, in the event of rain, who will have the upper hoof in the 152nd Oaks race?
Here's the lone filly who has raced in muddy and/or sloppy conditions and how she fared:
The filly has a pair of top-two finishes when racing on a sloppy track. In her first-ever race, Luv Your Neighbor won the maiden special weight on Sept. 10 at Colonial Downs in New Kent, Virginia. Three months later, the 3-year-old was the runner-up in an allowance optional claiming at Fair Grounds in New Orleans.
Luv Your Neighbor has an overall record of 1-4-1 over seven starts with $204,071 in career earnings.
Reach Louisville football, women's basketball and baseball beat writer Alexis Cubit at acubit@gannett.com and follow her on X at @Alexis_Cubit.
Bayern Munich's Harry Kane celebrates scoring his side's first goal during the German DFB Cup semifinal soccer match between Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich at BayArena. Federico Gambarini/dpa
Bayern Munich will start contract renewal talks with forward Harry Kane after the season and winger Michael Olise is not for sale, supervisory board member Kar-Heinz Rummenigge has said.
Former Bayern CEO Rummenigge told the t-online portal on the eve of Tuesday's Champions League semi-final at Paris Saint-Germain that regarding Kane it is Bayern's "clear aim to renew his contract."
England captain Kane came to Bayern in 2023 from Tottenham Hotspur for a club record €100 million ($117 million) and has scored 138 goals for them in 141 matches. He has a contract until 2027.
"Getting Harry Kane to Munich was an important coup in the history of the club," Rummenigge said.
"It is known that he had a release clause. He didn't trigger that and signalled that he would definitely stay in Munich. And, as agreed, now those responsible in the operational area will hold talks with him at some stage after the season."
Rummenigge said that Kane has undergone a transformation under coach Vincent Kompany from a striker who scored many goals to "a playing striker" who also drops back into midfield, which he named "very important" for Bayern's game.
Almost as important is French winger Olise, who arrived in 2024 from Crystal Palace and boasts 39 goals plus 45 assists.
Olise is said to have caught the interest of European top clubs but Rummenigge effectively declared the "wonderful player" not for sale because Bayern bosses decided several years ago "not to sell any player in the future who we would miss for sporting reasons.
"This unwritten rule still applies today. For a player like Olise, there’s no price tag that would make us bat an eyelid," Rummenigge said.
The Eagles selected eight players in the 2026 NFL draft, with Howie Roseman getting tremendous value with his first four picks. Value is an integral part of the draft process. Understanding the board is vital to judging how teams maximized value during the draft. Establishing actual “value” on NFL draft prospects is incredibly difficult, with all 32 NFL teams having different schemes, cultures, and ideas of what elite talent looks like.
Arif Hasan of Wide Left Football creates the go-to consensus board, ranking the top 300 players in the draft class based on 101 big boards from draft analysts. As Hasan noted, “the consensus of these experts does a better predictive job than individual experts.”
With the draft now final, here are Philadelphia's picks, consensus rank, pick number, and the difference between the two.
1st round-20th overall: Makai Lemon, WR, Southern Cal
Consensus rank: 12
Pick number: 20
Difference: +8
Considered one of the top pass catchers in the draft, Lemon was the third wide receiver selected and went eight picks later than he was ranked.
2d-54: Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt
Consensus rank: 58
Pick number: 54
Difference: -4
The second-best tight end on the board, Stowers went four higher than he was ranked, signifying the value he had on the Eagles' draft board.
3d-68: Markel Bell, T, Miami
Consensus rank: 116
Pick number: 68
Difference: -48
The Eagles aren't known to reach, but landed the giant offensive tackle 48 spots higher than expected.
5th-178: Cole Payton, QB, North Dakota State
Consensus rank: 127
Pick number: 178
Difference:+51
A player who can do some thinking, he'd be a potential third or fourth round pick. Payton fell into the Eagles' lap, highlighting the value Philadelphia had to secure.
6th-207: Micah Morris, G, Georgia
Consensus rank: 221
Pick number: 207
Difference:-14
Philadelphia felt strongly about Morris' unique intangibles and landed the former Georgia offensive guard some 14 picks before his expected draft rank.
7th-244: Cole Wisniewski, S, Texas Tech
Consensus rank: 228
Pick number:244
Difference:+16
A talented safety who could replicate Reed Blankenship's rise, Wisniewski fell into the Eagles' lap late in round seven.
7th-251: Uar Bernard, DT, Nigeria
Consensus rank: 358
Pick number: 251
Difference: -107
A 300+ pound defensive player who can run faster than running backs, the International Pathway Program pick was scooped up by Philadelphia in the seventh round when most prognosticators didn't have him on draft boards.
7th-252: Keyshawn James-Newby, Edge, New Mexico
Consensus rank: 303
Pick number: 252
Difference: -51
The talented edge rusher was projected as an undrafted free agent; instead, he'll join the Eagles as a seventh-round pick.
Amazon and New Heights, with retired Philadelphia Eagles legend Jason Kelce and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, will bring a special live edition of their Wondery podcast, “New Heights Live in LA,” to Los Angeles at the historic Orpheum Theatre on June 15.
The live podcast will take place in front of fans and soccer enthusiasts in connection with the World Cup kicking off in Los Angeles. Tickets can be purchased beginning today. The “New Heights Live in LA” recorded episode will be available on YouTube, Prime Video, and wherever podcasts are available on Wednesday, June 17.
New News ... WE'RE DOING IT LIVE!!!
New Heights Live is coming to the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles on June 15th!!!
“We’re excited to announce we’re getting outta the house this summer and bringing our live show to the West Coast for ‘New Heights Live in LA.’ When the World Cup is bringing the world together, we couldn’t think of a better time to party with the 92%ers.” said the Kelce brothers in a joint statement, “The energy of a live show is unmatched, and we can’t wait to have some unforgettable moments with the fans, have a blast with some ‘friends of the show,’ and get everyone fired up to cheer on Team USA.”
Earlier this year, they launched Kelce Clubhouse, a dynamic retail and content destination inspired by “New Heights,” and will release No Dumb Questionswith HarperCollins in June.
The high school sports calendar is going full steam ahead as we enter the final week of April.
Pace (6A), Escambia (4A) and West Florida (3A) baseball advanced to their respective regional semifinals, which will be best two-out-of-three series on Friday and Saturday. Northview and Jay will play in the Rural Region 1 semifinals as the rural state playoffs get going this week.
Pensacola Catholic boys tennis advanced to the 1A state championship for the first time since 2023 after winning the Region 1-1A championship and will play April 29-May 1 at Sylvan Lake Park.
Weightlifting regionals were held over the weekend, with Pace (3A) and Jay (1A) sweeping their respective regional titles as athletes from around the area qualified for the state championship in Lakeland in two weeks.
Gulf Breeze boys lacrosse is moving on in the state playoffs as well and will play Fletcher at Atlantic Coast High School in the Region 1-2A semifinals on Tuesday. The Dolphins beat Nease 8-7 in overtime in the regional quarterfinals on April 24, avenging a loss to the Golden Panthers in the regional semifinals a year ago.
Gulf Breeze beach and boys volleyball brought home district titles last week and will host regional quarterfinals on Monday and Thursday, respectively. The Dolphins boys volleyball team is the top seed in Region 1-2A, but will play all regional matches at the yet to be opened Soundside High School due to end of year testing at Gulf Breeze.
Pace and Booker T. Washington flag football are heading on the round for the opening round of the flag football state playoffs, with the Wildcats playing in the Region 1-2A quarterfinal on Tuesday and the Patriots playing in the Region 1-3A quarterfinal on Wednesday.
Track and field takes the next step in their postseason this week too, with all three regional meets featuring area teams at Pine Forest High School. The Region 1-1A and Region 1-2A meets will be May 1, while the Region 1-3A meet will be May 2.
Oh, and softball district tournaments begin this week. Pace (6A), Escambia (4A) and Northview (Rural) are top seeds in their respective districts.
A jam-packed schedule means a bevy of nominees for the Florida Power & Light PNJ Athlete of the Week.
Last week West Florida baseball’s Owen Morgan won the boys award and Escambia softball’s Callie Menard won the girls award. Morgan totaled 53.97% of the vote, while Minard totaled 69.17% of the vote.
Voting closes at 11 a.m. Saturday, and the winners will be announced each Monday after the poll closes. Each weekly winner will be awarded a PNJ Athlete of the Week shirt provided by BSN SPORTS. An athlete can only win one time per season.
Nominees will be accepted via phone or email, but the poll is decided by PNJ staff. Send nominations by Sunday night.
The high school sports calendar is going full steam ahead as we enter the final week of April.
Pace (6A), Escambia (4A) and West Florida (3A) baseball advanced to their respective regional semifinals, which will be best two-out-of-three series on Friday and Saturday. Northview and Jay will play in the Rural Region 1 semifinals as the rural state playoffs get going this week.
Pensacola Catholic boys tennis advanced to the 1A state championship for the first time since 2023 after winning the Region 1-1A championship and will play April 29-May 1 at Sylvan Lake Park.
Weightlifting regionals were held over the weekend, with Pace (3A) and Jay (1A) sweeping their respective regional titles as athletes from around the area qualified for the state championship in Lakeland in two weeks.
Gulf Breeze boys lacrosse is moving on in the state playoffs as well and will play Fletcher at Atlantic Coast High School in the Region 1-2A semifinals on Tuesday. The Dolphins beat Nease 8-7 in overtime in the regional quarterfinals on April 24, avenging a loss to the Golden Panthers in the regional semifinals a year ago.
Gulf Breeze beach and boys volleyball brought home district titles last week and will host regional quarterfinals on Monday and Thursday, respectively. The Dolphins boys volleyball team is the top seed in Region 1-2A, but will play all regional matches at the yet to be opened Soundside High School due to end of year testing at Gulf Breeze.
Pace and Booker T. Washington flag football are heading on the round for the opening round of the flag football state playoffs, with the Wildcats playing in the Region 1-2A quarterfinal on Tuesday and the Patriots playing in the Region 1-3A quarterfinal on Wednesday.
Track and field takes the next step in their postseason this week too, with all three regional meets featuring area teams at Pine Forest High School. The Region 1-1A and Region 1-2A meets will be May 1, while the Region 1-3A meet will be May 2.
Oh, and softball district tournaments begin this week. Pace (6A), Escambia (4A) and Northview (Rural) are top seeds in their respective districts.
A jam-packed schedule means a bevy of nominees for the Florida Power & Light PNJ Athlete of the Week.
Last week West Florida baseball’s Owen Morgan won the boys award and Escambia softball’s Callie Menard won the girls award. Morgan totaled 53.97% of the vote, while Minard totaled 69.17% of the vote.
Voting closes at 11 a.m. Saturday, and the winners will be announced each Monday after the poll closes. Each weekly winner will be awarded a PNJ Athlete of the Week shirt provided by BSN SPORTS. An athlete can only win one time per season.
Nominees will be accepted via phone or email, but the poll is decided by PNJ staff. Send nominations by Sunday night.
Class 5A and 6A got the first round started on April 23-24, playing the extra round. But now the rest of the AHSAA classes will make their playoff debuts Monday and Tuesday.
Below is the schedule for the second-round of the AHSAA boys soccer playoffs, and scores once contests are final.
2026 AHSAA boys soccer playoffs second round scores, schedule
Class 7A
Monday, April 27
Enterprise at Auburn, 8 p.m.
Tuesday, April 28
Daphne at Davidson, 7 p.m.
McGill-Toolen at Fairhope, 7:45 p.m.
Opelika at Montgomery Academy, 7 p.m.
Hewitt-Trussville at Thompson, 7 p.m.
Grissom at Florence, 6:30 p.m.
Prattville at Vestavia Hills, 7 p.m.
Scottsboro at A.P. Brewer, 7 p.m.
Bob Jones at Huntsville, 7 p.m.
Class 6A
Monday, April 27
Pelham at Calera , 7 p.m.
Randolph School at Cullman, 7:30 p.m.
Athens at Gadsden City, 6 p.m.
Garden Dale at Homewood, 7 p.m.
Pinson Valley at Mountain Brook, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, April 28
Northridge at Briarwood Christian, 7 p.m.
Wetumpka at St. Paul's Episcopal, 7 p.m.
Pike Road at Spanish Fort, 7 p.m.
Class 5A
Monday, April 27
Indian Springs at Marbury, 7 p.m.
East Limestone at Guntersville, 7 p.m.
Douglas at John Carroll Catholic, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, April 28
Russellville at Scottsboro, 7 p.m.
Lincoln at Springville, 7:30 p.m.
Charles Henderson at Faith Academy, 7 p.m.
Eufaula at St. Michael Catholic, 7 p.m.
Sylacauga at Brewbaker Tech, 6 p.m.
Class 4A
Monday, April 27
Hamilton at St. John Paul II, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, April 28
Bullock County at St. Luke's Episcopal, 7 p.m.
Trinity Presbyterian at Westminster at Oak Mountain, 7 p.m.
Satsuma at Dale County, 7 p.m.
Fultondale at Saint James, 7:30 p.m.
Hokes Bluff at White Plains, 6:30 p.m.
West Morgan at Mars Hill Bible, 7 p.m.
Munford at Oneonta, 6 p.m.
Class 1-3A
Monday, April 27
Houston Academy at Bayshore Christian, 6 p.m.
Glenwood at Altamont, 6 p.m.
Cottage Hill at Providence Christian, 6 p.m.
Tuscaloosa Academy at Lee-Scott Academy, 6:30 p.m.
Saks at Susan Moore, 6 p.m.
Tanner at Collinsville, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, April 28
Coosa Christian at Weaver, 5 p.m.
Geraldine at Madison Academy, 7 p.m.
Jaeden Day covers high school sports, Alabama State football and Auburn recruiting for the Montgomery Advertiser/USA Today. You can find him on X at dayjaeden12, or reach him at JDay@montgome.gannett.com.
Five candidates are finalists for the 2026 Michigan Mr. Volleyball Award.
The Michigan Interscholastic Volleyball Coaches Association debuted the Mr. Volleyball award last season. Similar to the Michigan Miss Volleyball Award, the organization nominates seniors based on both individual and team success, along with taking into consideration each players' academic accomplishments.
Boys volleyball is the newest spring sport sponsored by the Michigan High School Athletic Association. It began as a club sport in 2018 on the west side of the state with four schools. This season, 118 schools are competing for the first MHSAA state championship.
Here are this year's five nominees, in alphabetical order:
The buzz: Burns led Saline to semifinal appearances in 2023 and 2024, when the Michigan Boys Volleyball organization oversaw the tournament. Saline has a 71-14 record over the past three seasons. Burns received first-team all-state honors for the previous two seasons and was second-team all-state in 2023.
College plans: Long Island University.
Quinn Cochran
School: Jenison.
Position: Outside hitter/setter.
Height: 6-2.
Stats: None provided.
The buzz: Cochran earned second-team all-state honors last season and was all-state honorable mention in 2024. He has also been a team captain for the Wildcats for the past two seasons.
The buzz: Cryst led Grand Haven to the state finals the past three seasons, with his squad finishing as runner-up in each appearance. The Buccaneers have a three-season record of 134-13. Cryst has earned first-team all-state honors for 2024 and 2025.
The buzz: Dorbin entered the starting lineup for the Eagles as a freshman in 2023. Lakeland went undefeated in conference play last season and won its second consecutive conference title. Last season, Dorbin earned first-team all-state honors
College plans: Undecided.
Charlie Engelhardt
School: Farmington.
Position: Setter/libero.
Height: 5-11.
2025 stats: 3.5 assists per set, 4 digs per set, 0.5 aces per set, 2.49 passer rating.
The buzz: Engelhardt has been a part of Farmington's program since its inception four seasons ago. He has received first-team all-conference honors every year since 2023 and was second-team all-state last season.
First-round action for AHSAA Class 5A-6A teams wrapped up April 23-25, trimming the field for the next stage of the bracket. Now, the remaining classifications begin their postseason runs April 27-28, while Class 5A and 6A programs move on to second-round games during that stretch.
Those larger classifications will have an extra round on the road to the finals. All roads ultimately lead to Huntsville, where state title matches are scheduled for May 6-9.
Below is the schedule for the next slate of the 2026 AHSAA girls soccer playoffs, with scores to be added as games go final.
Stanhope Elmore at St. Paul’s Episcopal, 4:45 p.m.
Briarwood Christian at Benjamin Russell, 5 p.m.
Pike Road at Spanish Fort, 5 p.m.
Cullman at Decatur, 5 p.m.
Class 5A
Monday, April 27
Indian Springs at Marbury, 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 28
Westminster Christian at Guntersville, 5 p.m.
Crossville at John Carroll Catholic, 5 p.m.
Charles Henderson at St. Michael Catholic, 5:30 p.m.
Westbrook Christian at Springville, 5:30 p.m.
A.P. Brewer at East Limestone, 6 p.m.
Sylacauga at Elmore County, 6:30 p.m.
Carroll at Elberta, 7 p.m.
Class 4A
Monday, April 27
Munford at Cherokee County, 5 p.m.
Wilson at St. John Paul II, 5 p.m.
Oneonta at White Plains, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, April 28
Geneva at St. Luke’s Episcopal, 5 p.m.
Montgomery Catholic at Westminster School, 5 p.m.
Danville at Mars Hill Bible, 5 p.m.
Orange Beach at New Brockton, 5:30 p.m.
American Christian at St. James, 5:30 p.m.
Class 1A-3A
Monday, April 27
Altamont at Lee-Scott Academy, 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 28
Glenwood at Tuscaloosa Academy, 5 p.m.
Collinsville at Madison Academy, 5 p.m.
Clements at Whitesburg Christian, 5 p.m.
Childersburg at Glencoe, 5:30 p.m.
Bayshore Christian at Houston Academy, 6 p.m.
Northside Methodist at Mobile Christian, 6:30 p.m.
Susan Moore at Donoho, 6:30 p.m.
Maxwell Donaldson, Amelia Hurley and Jaeden Day cover Alabama high school sports and more for the USA TODAY Network. Reach out to them at MDonaldson@usatodayco.com; AHurley@usatodayco.com and JDay@usatodayco.com.
NEW DELHI: Yuzvendra Chahal brimmed with confidence after Punjab Kings scripted T20 history at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, pulling off the highest successful chase in men’s T20 cricket by hunting down a daunting 265 against Delhi Capitals.
“It will be hard for any team to face our batting line-up,” the veteran leg-spinner said.
Chahal stressed that belief coursed through the camp even before a ball was bowled. “We accepted the total and were feeling very positive before the innings. We know the quality we possess with the bat. It was a batting-friendly wicket, and we needed an excellent start if we were to chase such a big score. We got exactly that.”
Openers Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya provided the perfect launchpad, smashing 116 runs in the Powerplay alone. “Prabhsimran and Priyansh gave us the momentum we needed in the first six overs. That helped our batters through the middle overs and put the bowlers under pressure,” Chahal said.
While Punjab’s batting unit continues to shine, Chahal acknowledged the mounting challenge bowlers face in high-scoring encounters, especially with modern regulations such as the Impact Sub rule. “I can understand why dealing with the Impact Sub rule can be challenging, but you have to adapt; that’s what the tournament demands. This is the direction the format is heading in, and we have to find solutions because we can’t change it. It becomes even more difficult on smaller grounds.”
With 13 points from seven matches, Punjab Kings sit firmly atop the IPL 2026 standings.
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The winners will be featured in the top performers section in the following Tuesday's Daily American print edition.
This week's polls are below:
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Adam Ripple is the Daily American sports editor. He can be reached at 814-444-5926. Follow him on X @ARipple_DAsport. Follow Daily American Sports on Facebook and @dailyamericanmedia on Instagram.
All the while, Harrison is recovering from a neck injury as she aims to defend the UFC bantamweight title for the first time. She was scheduled to do so against a returning Amanda Nunes in January, before she sustained her injury.
UFC women’s bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison (Getty)
Harrison, 35, and Rousey, 39, actually have similar backgrounds, with the latter winning Olympic judo bronze for Team USA in 2008, before Harrison won gold in the same discipline in 2012 and 2016. Rousey also held the UFC bantamweight title from 2013 until 2015.
Rousey actually retired after a knockout loss to Nunes in 2016, but now she is back to face Carano, a fellow Strikeforce legend, who hasn’t fought since 2009. And Rousey has been typically outspoken during the build-up, leading Harrison to respond.
“I’m just going to go ahead and say I could be meaner,” Harrison said during on Saturday. “I think that it would be really hard... I can’t imagine what it would be like for someone to come in and beat everything I’ve ever done. That would be hard. I get it.
“Imagine hating me and I’m just over here in my backyard feeding chickens. It’s got to be rough.”
“I think that the part that bothers me most about Ronda is at one point she was a real athlete. She was training for the Olympics. She’s an Olympic bronze medalist. She became a UFC champion. She was really trying to chase greatness. I will never take away the fact that Ronda is probably the most-important female fighter; if it weren’t for her, for sure I wouldn’t be where I’m at. I wouldn’t have a job.
“But this fight [with Carano] is not the greatest fight of all time. It’s between someone who hasn’t fought in 10 years and is coming off two knockout losses, and another woman – again another legend, another pioneer, but [who] hasn’t fought in 17 years and is in her 40s. Don’t call it the greatest fight of all time.
Ronda Rousey (left) boldly claimed her bout with Gina Carano is the biggest MMA fight of all time (Getty)
It is unclear when Harrison will return to the cage, but she is still expected to fight Nunes next time out.
Harrison was a lightweight champion in the PFL before debuting in the UFC in 2024 and cutting down to bantamweight. Her UFC debut was a submission win over Holly Holm, who dethroned Rousey via KO in 2015, and Harrison next outpointed Ketlen Vieira before challenging Julianna Pena last June. Harrison submitted Pena to become bantamweight champion.
Tottenham have been dealt a major blow in their fight for Premier League survival after Xavi Simons was ruled out for the rest of the season with a serious knee injury.
The club confirmed the Netherlands international has ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and is expected to be sidelined for around eight months. The injury also means Simons is set to miss this summer’s World Cup, leaving the 23-year-old devastated.
Simons suffered the injury during Spurs’ 1-0 win over Wolves on Saturday. He went down after a collision with Hugo Bueno and initially tried to continue, but quickly collapsed again in front of Tottenham’s medical staff. He was later stretchered off the pitch at Molineux.
The setback is a huge one for Spurs and manager Roberto De Zerbi, who has already seen several key players sidelined since taking charge. Spurs are battling to avoid relegation and, despite ending a long winless run with victory at Wolves, they remain in the bottom three.
The midfielder will undergo surgery in the coming weeks before beginning rehabilitation with the club’s medical team.
The 2026 World Snooker Championship takes place at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield from 18 April to 4 May - and you can watch every shot of the tournament live on the BBC.
Top seed Zhao Xintong, who became the first champion from China by beating Mark Williams in last year's final, is the favourite this year.
Ronnie O'Sullivan hopes to win a record eighth world title at the age of 50 - 25 years after claiming his first - to move clear of Stephen Hendry as the championship's most successful player.
World number one Judd Trump aims to lift the trophy for the second time, while other contenders include former champions Neil Robertson, John Higgins, and Shaun Murphy.
The 50-year-old has not won a ranking title this season and has played a limited schedule, but opened his campaign with an emphatic 10-2 win over He Guoqiang.
O'Sullivan is currently 9-7 up against Higgins in the second-round in a best-of-25 contest which continues on Monday afternoon at 13:00 BST.
The Englishman, whose most recent world title triumph was in 2022, is making his 34th consecutive appearance at the World Championship.
O'Sullivan, who made the sport's highest-ever professional break with a 153 at the World Open in March, is seeded 12th and is in the same half of the draw as defending champion Zhao.
'The Rocket' lost 17-7 with a session to spare to Zhao in the semi-finals last year.
With comprehensive television coverage across BBC One, BBC Two and BBC Four, and uninterrupted streaming on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app, audiences won't miss a moment from the first break to the final frame.
Legends of the game Hendry, Steve Davis, John Parrott, Ken Doherty and Dennis Taylor will offer their expert analysis throughout the tournament.
The BBC Sport website and app will provide daily coverage via live streams and live text pages, including updates from our reporters at the Crucible.
BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds will have regular updates throughout the Championship.
BBC Sport social media channels will deliver behind-the-scenes content as well as highlight clips from the tournament and player interviews.
All times BST and subject to late changes, while session times could finish earlier or later than listed below. *denotes final session
Monday, 27 April
13:00
John Higgins (5) 7-9 Ronnie O'Sullivan (12) *
Mark Selby (7) 7-9 Wu Yize (10) *
19:00
Chris Wakelin (13) 6-10 Neil Robertson (4) *
Hossein Vafaei 7-9 Judd Trump (2) *
Live coverage
13:00-23:00 - uninterrupted coverage on BBC iPlayer, website and app
15:00-17:00 - BBC Two & Red Button
19:00-22:00 - BBC Four & Red Button
Highlights
00:00-02:00 - World Championship Extra on BBC Two
Quarter-finals (best of 25 frames)
Tuesday, 28 April
10:00
Zhao Xintong (1) v Shaun Murphy (8)
Mark Allen (14) v Barry Hawkins (11)
14:30
John Higgins (5)/Ronnie O'Sullivan (12) v Chris Wakelin (13)/Neil Robertson (4)
Mark Selby (7)/Wu Yize (10) v Hossein Vafaei/Judd Trump (2)
19:00
Zhao Xintong (1) v Shaun Murphy (8)
Mark Allen (14) v Barry Hawkins (11)
Live coverage
10:00-23:00 - uninterrupted coverage on BBC iPlayer, website and app
10:00-12:15 - BBC Two
10:00-14:00 - Red Button
14:15-18:00 - BBC Two & Red Button
19:00-22:00 - BBC Two & Red Button
Highlights
00:00-02:00 - World Championship Extra on BBC Two
Wednesday, 29 April
10:00
John Higgins (5)/Ronnie O'Sullivan (12) v Chris Wakelin (13)/Neil Robertson (4)
Mark Allen (14) v Barry Hawkins (11)
14:30
Zhao Xintong (1)/Ding Junhui (16) v Shaun Murphy (8) *
Mark Selby (7)/Wu Yize (10) v Hossein Vafaei/Judd Trump (2)
19:00
John Higgins (5)/Ronnie O'Sullivan (12) v Chris Wakelin (13)/Neil Robertson (4) *
Mark Selby (7)/Wu Yize (10) v Hossein Vafaei/Judd Trump (2) *
Live coverage
10:00-23:00 - uninterrupted coverage on BBC iPlayer, website and app
10:00-11:15 - BBC Two
10:00-14:00 - Red Button
14:15-18:00 - BBC Two & Red Button
19:00-22:00 - BBC Two & Red Button
Highlights
00:00-02:00 - World Championship Extra on BBC Two
Semi-finals (best of 33 frames)
Thursday, 30 April
Live coverage
13:00-23:00 - uninterrupted coverage on BBC iPlayer, website and app
13:00-16:00 - BBC Two
19:00-22:00 - BBC Two
Highlights
00:00-02:00 - World Championship Extra on BBC Two
Friday, 1 May
Live coverage
10:00-23:00 - uninterrupted coverage on BBC iPlayer, website and app
10:00-12:00 - BBC Two
14:15-18:00 - BBC Two
19:00-22:00 - BBC Two
Saturday, 2 May
Live coverage
10:00-23:00 - uninterrupted coverage on BBC iPlayer, website and app
10:00-12:30 - BBC Two
14:00-16:30 - BBC One
16:30-17:30 - BBC Two
19:00-22:00 - BBC Two
Final (best of 35 frames)
Sunday, 3 May
Live coverage
13:00-23:00 - uninterrupted coverage on BBC iPlayer, website and app
13:00-16:00 - BBC Two
19:00-22:00 - BBC Two
Monday, 4 May
13:00-23:00 - uninterrupted coverage on BBC iPlayer, website and app
13:00-16:00 - BBC Two
19:00-22:00 - BBC Two
What is the highest break?
Chang Bingyu made a magnificent 147 break against Luca Brecel in the qualifying tournament to earn himself a £147,000 bonus and a shot at the £15,000 highest break prize.
The Chinese player, who lost his match to Brecel, also made a 147 in the qualifying tournament for the UK Championship and earned the £147,000 bonus on offer for any player making two maximums in snooker's major tournaments.
The highest break at the Crucible is currently 140, a score achieved twice by Mark Allen and once by Murphy.
Northern Ireland's Mark Allen made a 147 break in his second-round match against Chris Wakelin last year, becoming only the 11th player to make a 147 at the Crucible.
The maximum was the 15th at the venue in the tournament's history and the first since Selby's clearance in the 2023 final.
Results
Second round
Shaun Murphy (8) 13-3 Xiao Gudong (9)
Zhao Xintong (1) 13-9 Ding Junhui (16)
Barry Hawkins (11) 13-9 Mark Williams (6)
Mark Allen (14) 13-9 Kyren Wilson (3)
First round
Zhao Xintong (1) 10-7 Liam Highfield
Mark Allen (14) 10-6 Zhang Anda
Barry Hawkins (11) 10-4 Matthew Stevens
Mark Williams (6) 10-4 Antoni Kowalsk
Xiao Guodong (9) 10-6 Zhou Yuelong
Ding Junhui (16) 10-5 David Gilbert
John Higgins(5) 10-7 Ali Carter
Kyren Wilson (3) 10-7 Stan Moody
Wu Yize (10) 10-2 Lei Peifan
Judd Trump (2) 10-5 Gary Wilson
Shaun Murphy (8) 10-9 Fan Zhengyi
Chris Wakelin (13) 10-6 Liam Pullen
Ronnie O'Sullivan (12) 10-2 He Guoqiang
Mark Selby (7) 10-2 Jak Jones
Hossein Vafaei 10-3 Si Jiahui (15)
Neil Robertson (4) 10-4 Pang Junxu
Who were the 16 qualifiers?
Moody and Liam Pullen both made their debuts after coming through the qualifying tournament at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield.
Moody gave 2024 champion Wilson a tough test before falling to a 10-7 defeat, while Pullen lost 10-6 to 13th seed Chris Wakelin.
China's He was another debutant, while Antoni Kowalski, 22, became the first player from Poland to play at the Crucible.
Former finalists Matthew Stevens, Ali Carter and Jak Jones all claimed one of the 16 qualifying places before being beaten in the first round.
Iran's Hossein Vafaei was the only unseeded player to make it into the second round thanks to a comprehensive 10-3 victory over 15th seed Si Jiahui.
Rob Baxter's side have lost their last two Prem matches [Getty Images]
Exeter boss Rob Baxter says he is unhappy with the attitude his players showed in their 34-31 loss at Gloucester.
Chiefs conceded four tries before half-time, but rallied to get within three points of the Cherry and Whites before Ethan Roots was sent off in the closing stages.
"I'm frustrated by how things unravelled around that lack of emotional preparedness for the game," Baxter told BBC Radio Devon.
"I said before the game my biggest concern was actually that Gloucester had been on the end of quite a bad scoreline last week, because it's actually rare that you don't get emotional responses in teams.
"Gloucester did get an emotional response, and I think maybe we did as well, but our emotional response was backwards, not forwards, and theirs was certainly a step up."
Exeter made eight changes to their side with one eye on this Saturday's European Challenge Cup semi-final at Ulster.
Baxter defended his decision to make so many changes - with six of them coming in his forward pack.
"I still think we did the right thing making some changes because we can't just keep running the group over and over again and we have to improve," he said.
"We have to improve the depth. We're not going to improve it without it playing against some tough lessons.
"The good thing we can do, with some of the guys who stepped in today and potentially aren't going to be involved next week, is they can have a bit of a tough review this week based on what they have to do and how they have to turn up and perform."
Australia centre Len Ikitau made his return to the Exeter side after four months out with a shoulder injury [Getty Images]
Having not reached the play-offs since 2021, Exeter's hopes of a return are still in their hands.
They are a point above fifth-placed Bristol in the final play-off place and three behind third-placed Leicester, who were beaten at Saracens on Saturday.
Exeter face a tough end to the season with fixtures against second-placed Bath, Harlequins, Leicester and sixth-placed Saracens in their final four Prem games.
"Our next Prem game is Bath at home, we've got to go to Harlequins in the Big Game, we actually need to roll our sleeves up and get on with things a bit better than we did today," Baxter added.
"But on the whole we have this season, so I'm not looking at us on the slide now, I'm thinking we've still got plenty left in the tank.
"We've rested quite a large number of players today who should be absolutely flying next week.
"We're under a bit of pressure, but it's a privileged pressure because every game means something.
"For some clubs they're not in that scenario. We need to make sure it brings the best out of us, not the worst out of us.
"Unfortunately there were times today where I think it brought the worst out of us, that's the bit we've got to try and work with the players to improve."
Preston North End boss Paul Heckingbottom has praised his depleted squad after the side claimed a 3-2 win over Sheffield United on Saturday.
The 48-year-old made four changes to face his former side, with defender Andrew Hughes, who had scored North End's only goal in their previous 2-1 loss to Birmingham City, missing out.
"I'm proud of the players," Heckingbottom told BBC Radio Lancashire.
"We had a lot of damage coming out of the game on Wednesday night [at Birmingham City] that we weren't really aware of.
"We were missing a lot of key players, but the boys who had to go again were excellent, and the ones who we put back in were very good. I'm proud of what they did today.
"I don't think we've been good enough at set-plays all season, and you've just seen the value of them."
Keith: These players should hang their heads in shame. The difference between the Brighton game and this game, performance-wise, cost a man his job. Having said that... come on, the Chelsea!
James: Slightly more tense than I was hoping for but, nevertheless, job done and on to what will be a very tough final. Manchester City will no doubt be favourites but, as we saw in last season's final, anything can happen.
Chris: Much, much better but we still need to keep improving to get anywhere near a Champions League place or a result against City in the final. Caicedo is still kicking everything that moves and he needs to show some discipline. If we can keep improving from this result, who knows? As long as we keep going forward - and not backwards and sideways - we may surprise a few people.
David: Not pretty but we needed to win - it didn't matter how. We showed grit, determination and skill (not to mention the dark arts). About time!
Seb: As a Chelsea fan of 30 years, this is a team that I just can't remotely like. The gamesmanship, petulance and egos might reflect modern football (ugh) but it does ill to the legends of Chelsea - Vialli, Di Matteo, Zola etc - who won my adoration as a 10-year-old. We very well might go on to win the FA Cup but it doesn't feel the same somehow.
Valentine: It was a gritty performance from Chelsea. Congratulations to the lads.
Brian: Good, solid performance overall. Joao Pedro was outstanding - he is different class. Great saves from Sanchez to keep us in it. Need to play like this for the remaining games but so good to get to a final again, which we will win 1-0. Come on, Chelsea.
Paul: That is what a real manager can do for a team. Give them belief, not just talk a good game - and pick the right players at the back, not leave all the best defenders on the bench. The last manager didn't know what he was doing.
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 23: Sonny Styles of Ohio State celebrates after being selected seventh overall pick by the Washington Commanders during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Ohio State has always been loaded with NFL talent, but the Buckeyes’ 2024-25 national title team may have been their most stacked roster to date.
With the conclusion of the 2026 NFL Draft, all 11 defensive starters from Ohio State’s College Football Playoff National Championship victory over Notre Dame on Jan. 20, 2025 have now been drafted to the NFL, with each and every guy being taken within the first five rounds of the last two NFL Drafts.
As if that wasn’t impressive enough, several rotational guys on defense from that year’s squad are also now on their way to the league. In fact, every defensive player to receive at lease five snaps against the Fighting Irish has either been drafted to the NFL or is still on the Ohio State roster waiting for their chance in the 2027 NFL Draft.
The only outlier among that group is Mitchell Melton, who played eight snaps in the national title game but transferred to Virginia, where he became an UDFA and signed with the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.
Here is where every one of those 11 starters was taken in order of draft position between the 2025 and 2026 NFL Drafts. All recruiting rankings are based on the 247Sports Composite.
The Starters
Sonny Styles – 2026 Rd 1 Pick 7 – Commanders
A homegrown talent, Styles came to Columbus as a five-star safety out of Pickerington, Ohio. Despite reclassifying and getting to Ohio State a year early, Styles did play a little bit for the Buckeyes as a freshman when he should’ve still been a high school senior.
Styles then played more than 540 snaps as a sophomore at safety, where he racked up 53 total tackles with 4.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. It wasn’t until his junior season that Styles made the transition to linebacker, where after a bit of a slow start, he quickly became one of the very best at the position in all of college football.
By the end of that 2024 season, Styles was an absolute stud at linebacker under the tutelage of James Laurinaitis. He posted 100 total tackles with 10.5 tackles for loss and six sacks that year, and followed it up 82 tackles and 6.5 tackles for loss in 2025 as one of the nation’s most dependable and consistent defenders.
Styles was taken with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft by the Washington Commanders.
Caleb Downs – 2026 Rd 1 Pick 11 – Cowboys
Downs has been a star since he first stepped foot on a college campus, beginning his career at Alabama. A five-star safety and a top-10 player nationally, Ohio State finished second in his recruitment to the Crimson Tide, and Downs would tally more than 100 tackles as a freshman under Nick Saban.
Once Saban announced his retirement, Downs took his talents to Columbus, where he spent the final two years of his career as the focal point of the Buckeyes’ defense both under defensive coordinators Jim Knowles and Matt Patricia. The true do-it-all athlete managed 147 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and four interceptions in his two years at Ohio State.
Downs’ contributions extend way past the box score. The quarterback of the defense, Downs seemed to always be where the action was happening, whether he was lined up deep at safety, in the middle of the field as a linebacker or even down near the line of scrimmage.
For his efforts, Downs earned two-time Unanimous All-American honors, the 2025 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Award, as well as the Jim Thorpe Award and Ronnie Lott Trophy in his junior campaign. He was selected at No. 11 overall by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Tyleik Williams – 2025 Rd 1 Pick 28 – Lions
Unlike Ohio State’s two first round picks in 2026, Williams did not come to Columbus as a cant-miss, five-star talent. The Virginia native was no slouch by any means, ranking as the No. 25 DL and No. 166 player nationally in the 2021 recruiting class, but he became a true star with the Buckeyes.
The latest in a string of incredibly disruptive interior lineman at Ohio State, Williams did a little bit of everything on Larry Johnson’s defensive line, as the 6-foot-3, 330-pound tackle was adept at both rushing the passer and stopping the run. All told, Williams posted 136 total tackles, 27 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks in his time in Columbus.
Williams was taken with the No. 28 overall pick by the Detroit Lions in the 2025 NFL Draft.
JT Tuimoloau – 2025 Rd 2 Pick 45 – Colts
Alongside Williams on that defensive line was Tuimoloau, a former five-star prospect and one of the very best overall players in the 2021 class as the No. 2 DL. The Washington native was a massive recruiting win for the Buckeyes, but for awhile it didn’t look like Tuimoloau could quite live up to the billing.
More of a run-stopping defensive end rather than a pass-rusher, Tuimoloau wasn’t that same flashy edge player like the Bosas and Chase Youngs before him. However, when the lights shined the brightest, the lineman played some of the best football of his career.
After notching 11 total sacks over his first three seasons in Columbus, Tuimoloau broke out for 12.5 sacks in his senior campaign, with 6.5 of those coming in the College Football Playoff. Tallying 61 tackles and 21.5 TFLs as well in 2024, Tuimoloau became a second round selection by the Indianapolis Colts in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Davison Igbinosun – 2026 Rd 2 Pick 62 – Bills
Igbinosun had a fascinating college career. After spending his freshman season at Ole Miss, Iggy followed running back Quinshon Judkins to Ohio State, where he became a three-year starter for the Buckeyes at cornerback.
One of college football’s most physical cover corners, that physicality got Igbinsoun in trouble far too often when it came to penalties. In 2024, the New Jersey native was the most penalized player in the sport, racking up an astonishing 16 flags that year — most of which were either defensive holding or pass interference.
Still, Igbinosun’s coverage skills were undeniable, and he was a crucial part of the Buckeyes’ defense even despite the flags. The young defensive back refined his game in his senior season, earning only five flags in 2025, and finished his Ohio State career with 157 tackles, four TFLs, 22 PBUs and four interceptions.
Igbinosun was a late second round selection by the Buffalo Bills in the 2026 NFL Draft, where he joins former teammate Jordan Hancock.
Cody Simon – 2025 Rd 4 Pick 115 – Cardinals
Simon was a high four-star prospect in the 2020 class, ranking as the No. 4 LB and No. 75 overall player. The New Jersey native spent five seasons at Ohio State, redshirting his freshman year but playing more than 1,800 career snaps as a Buckeye.
Simon saved his best season for last as Sonny Styles’ running mate. One of the very best linebacker duos in the country, Simon led the team with a whopping 112 total tackles to go along with 12.5 TFLs, seven sacks and seven PBUs.
The stud defender had a great rookie year with the Arizona Cardinals after being selected in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, finishing fourth on the team with 76 total tackles.
Lathan Ransom – 2025 Rd 4 Pick 122 – Panthers
Ransom was a four-star prospect out of Arizona in the 2020 class, coming in as the No. 11 safety and No. 167 player nationally. The 6-foot-1 athlete overcame a number of injuries during his time at Ohio State, but still managed to log more than 2,400 snaps as a Buckeye.
The defensive back’s career was nearly over before it even started, having broken his leg on special teams coverage during the Rose Bowl against Utah at the end of the 2020 season. Despite missing all of spring camp the following season, Ransom was back on the field for preseason practice. Beginning the year as a backup, it wasn’t long before Ransom took over a starting job that he would not relinquish.
As a senior in 2023, Ransom was having another great season, but it would be cut short by a foot injury suffered against Wisconsin. Taking advantage of the extra year of eligibility due to COVID rules, Ransom announced he would return for Ohio State in 2024, and the rest is history.
Ransom went on to have the best season of his career, posting 76 tackles with nine TFLs, a sack, a pick and a fumble recovery for a touchdown. Ransom was then taken in the fourth round by the Carolina Panthers in the 2025 NFL Draft, starting six games and recording an interception in his rookie season.
Jack Sawyer – 2025 Rd 4 Pick 123 – Steelers
Like Tuimoloau, Sawyer had a bit of a tough time living up to his recruiting ranking. Sawyer came to Ohio State as one of the very best players in the 2021 class, a five-star prospect and the No. 1 player in Ohio in the cycle. A homegrown talent with sky high expectations, Sawyer struggled to find consistency early on.
Sawyer showed flashes of tremendous talent over his first two years on campus, tallying 9.5 TFLs and 7.5 sacks as a freshman and sophomore. The defensive end was even better in 2023, posting 10 TFLs and 6.5 sacks, but he finally put it all together in his final season at Ohio State.
Sawyer had what should have been a legendary play by an Ohio native with a goal line interception against Michigan in The Game, but the Buckeyes managed to lose a 13-10 contest to the Wolverines, so that would ultimately be forgotten. Instead, Sawyer came up with an even bigger moment in the College Football Playoff — a game-ending pick-six in the final minutes against Texas to send Ohio State to the national title game.
All told, Sawyer finished his senior campaign with 59 total tackles, nine TFLs and nine sacks, plus the pick-six. He was taken in the fourth round by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Ty Hamilton – 2025 Rd 4 Pick 148 – Rams
Hamilton was never a flashy player at tackle like the Tyleik Williams’ and Kayden McDonald’s of the world, but he did his job incredibly well and was a consistent force up the middle for Ohio State. Just a three-star prospect ranked in the low-700s as a recruit, Hamilton was largely an afterthought early in his career.
After redshirting as a freshman, Hamilton played between 250-350 snaps for the Buckeyes each of the next three seasons, posting 65 total tackles and seven TFLs over those three years. The tackle really came into his own as a senior, notching career-highs across the board with 51 tackles, six TFLs and 3.5 sacks.
Hamilton was a fourth round selection by the Los Angeles Rams in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Jordan Hancock – 2025 Rd 5 Pick 170 – Bills
Hancock was maybe one of the most underrated players on Ohio State’s entire national championship team. A former top-75 prospect and an important recruiting win over Clemson, where he had initially been committed, Hancock was never a guy who stuffed the stat sheet, but his role was paramount to everything else the Buckeyes were doing on defense.
Hancock was responsible for locking down the middle of the field from his nickel safety/slot corner role, and he did that about as well as anyone in the country. The Georgia native started each of his last two seasons at Ohio State, totaling 98 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks and three interceptions as a Buckeye.
Hancock was taken in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills.
Denzel Burke – 2025 Rd 5 Pick 174 – Cardinals
Burke had a bit of an up-and-down career at Ohio State. At times the Arizona native looked like he could be the next big cornerback to come out of Columbus, but at others he found himself running behind receivers who were en route to the end zone.
Perhaps the worst game of Burke’s career came early in that 2024 season against Oregon, where PFF credits him with allowing seven catches on seven targets for 162 yards and two touchdowns. To Burke’s credit, he did not allow that bad performance to sour the rest of his season, as the corner allowed more than three receptions in a game only once the remainder of the year.
Notre Dame tried to go after Burke in that national title game, but the DB allowed only three catches for 19 yards on seven targets. Playing more than 2,600 snaps in his Ohio State career, Burke finished with 28 PBUs and four interceptions across four seasons.
Burke was a fifth round pick by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2025 NFL Draft.
The Rotational Guys
Four reserves on that Ohio State College Football Playoff National Championship team went on to play massive roles for the Buckeyes in 2025, with all of them being taken in the 2026 NFL Draft…
Arvell Reese – 2026 Rd 1 Pick 5 – Giants
Reese played six snaps in the national title game
2024 totals: 43 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, 0.5 sacks
2025 totals: 69 tackles, 10 TFLs, 6.5 sacks – All American
Kayden McDonald – 2026 Rd 2 Pick 36 – Texans
McDonald played eight snaps in the national title game
2024 totals: 19 tackles, 1.5 TFLs
2025 totals: 65 tackles, 9 TFLs, 3 sacks – All American
Lorenzo Styles – 2026 Rd 5 Pick 172 – Saints
Styles played five snaps in the national title game
2024 totals: 16 tackles, 4 PBUs
2025 totals: 30 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 3 PBUs
Caden Curry – 2026 Rd 6 Pick 214 – Colts
Curry played six snaps in the national title game
2024 totals: 22 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks
2025 totals: 66 tackles, 16.5 TFLs, 11 sacks
Who’s Left?
Only four other Ohio State defensive players logged at least five snaps in that national title game against Notre Dame:
Jermaine Mathews Jr. (23 snaps) – still on team, potential 2027 NFL Draft pick
Kenyatta Jackson (15) – still on team, likely 2027 NFL Draft pick
Eddrick Houston (11) – still on team, likely 2027 NFL Draft pick
Mitchell Melton (8) – transferred to Virginia (UDFA in 2026 – Colts)
But the Liverpool captain is convinced his departing teammate will to everything in his power to return before the end of the season and play for the club again.
“I hope so,” said the defender. “There will be a medical assessment and then that will determine what the issue is going to be. I know he is doing everything in his power to be back on the pitch as soon as possible.”
Liverpool have four matches remaining, starting with Sunday’s trip to Old Trafford, with their other trip being to Aston Villa. They are at home to Chelsea on 9 May and Brentford on 24 May, in what had shaped up as Salah’s final game for the club.
“If you get injured at this stage of the season, especially in the situation he is in, there is only two more home games left for him it’s a combination of feelings that go through your mind when you go off,” Van Dijk said.
Mohamed Salah suffered a hamstring injury against Crystal Palace (Reuters)
“The reality is he has to get scanned, assessed, hopefully he won’t be long but at this point I don’t know. Maybe he’s back next week, maybe not. I have no idea.”
Salah is the third highest scorer in Liverpool’s history, with 257 goals in 440 appearances, and Van Dijk believes his achievements – including winning the Champions League in 2019, the Premier League twice and the PFA Player of the Year award three times – mean he will be celebrated, whether or not he is able to play for the club again.
“He will get the send-off regardless,” he added. “I don’t think that is the thing at this point, we shouldn’t think too far ahead. Knowing Mo he is a quick healer with the right people around us and let’s see.”
Ty Simpson, Mike Vrabel, Spencer Fano and Makai Lemon all played their parts in this year’s draft. Composite: Guardian Picture Desk
Grading a draft immediately after it happens is an interesting concept – a bit like giving out marks for a meal in a restaurant right after you order. But the NFL Draft Industrial Complex will not rest until verdicts are handed out, so here we are.
So, with the standard disclaimer that we won’t know for years just how these moves turn out – who had the last pick of the 2022 draft leading his team to a Super Bowl appearance? – here’s a rundown of what caught our eye over the last few days.
WINNER: Cleveland Browns
We are not used to praising the Browns this time of year – there are reasons that this was the franchise immortalized in the legendarily awful Draft Day movie. But it’s tough to argue with the draft class Cleveland put together. The Browns traded down from the sixth to the ninth overall pick, and selected Utah offensive lineman Spencer Fano. Fano is one of the cleanest blockers in this class, and he’ll help a Browns line that had the mammoth but raw Dawand Jones last season. General manager Andrew Berry said that the plan is to park Fano at left tackle and leave him there.
Then, with the 24th and 39th overall picks, the Browns took two receivers to add to a very thin group. First up was KC Concepcion, dismissed by some as a gimmick receiver, but the tape shows a fully formed weapon if he can solve his drop problem (he had seven in 2025). At pick 39, 6ft 4in Denzel Boston is a big, fast, contested-catch wizard who brings skill sets the Browns’ receiver group lacked in 2025.
But the steal of the Browns’ draft may well be Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, who they took at No 58. The 6ft 4in, 201lbs McNeil-Warren may have the most pure athletic upside of the do-it-all defensive backs in this draft class, and the two other such players – Caleb Downs (Dallas Cowboys, 11th overall pick) and Dillon Thieneman (Chicago Bears, 25th overall pick) went much higher than McNeil-Warren.
Add in athletic quarterback Taylen Green, and the Browns had a fascinating draft – in a good way. We still don’t know who Cleveland’s quarterback will be in 2026, but that’s just the way the Browns seem to roll.
LOSER: Jermod McCoy
If McCoy’s draft position was solely based on his 2024 season with the Tennessee Volunteers, when he allowed just 31 catches on 62 targets for 386 yards and an opponent passer rating of 53.6, he would have gone in the first half of the first round. Unfortunately, McCoy missed the entire 2025 season due to a torn ACL, but when he performed well at Tennessee’s pro day in March, most analysts believed that he had shown enough of a recovery that teams would still be keen on him.
Before the draft, however, multiple reports said that McCoy may need surgery to repair a bone plug, a procedure that would most likely see him miss the entire 2026 season. In the end, the Raiders selected McCoy with the first pick of the fourth round, presumably thinking that using a lower-round pick was worth the risk.
“All my doctors that did my surgery, they told me I’m good,” McCoy said in his post-draft press conference. ”I feel like I’m good, but if there’s something that they’re wanting me to do for the longevity of my career, I’m willing to do that. I’m going to listen to the team, because I feel like they have my best interest. So, honestly, whatever the team’s plan for me is, I’m going to do that.”
We don’t yet know how things will go for McCoy, but right now, every possible outcome is in play – from multiple All-Pro nods, to a future in which the NFL is denied to him through no fault of his own.
WINNERS: AJ and Avieon Terrell, Atlanta Falcons
Speaking of cornerbacks who were selected later than they expected, it was a bit of a surprise when Clemson’s Avieon Terrell, who looked like a future first-rounder in college, lasted until the 48th overall pick when he was grabbed by the Falcons. The good news? Avieon will be teammates with his older brother AJ, who the Falcons picked in the first-round of the 2020 draft.
AJ and Avieon will become the third known set of brothers in NFL history to play in the same secondary, following in the footsteps of Jason and Devin McCourty of the New England Patriots from 2018 to 2020, and Lyle and Glenn Blackwood of the Miami Dolphins from 1981 to 1986.
“Just getting that call, it was a blessing,” he said after the pick was made. “My heart dropped. AJ played it cool. I didn’t even know it was going to happen, but once I’d seen that call, it felt good and I already knew what time it was.”
Well, this one got interesting in a hurry. With the 13th pick, the Los Angeles Rams selected Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, a one-year starter whose performance waned as the 2025 season went along. Even with the reigning NFL MVP Matthew Stafford already under center, the move raises questions because of the significant draft capital spent on a prospect with major questions surrounding his potential in the pros. Instead of addressing quarterback, where they already have Stafford, Los Angeles could have used the 13th pick to fortify a roster that is already in the Super Bowl conversation – especially after acquiring the Kansas City Chiefs’ top two cornerbacks, Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson, through trade and free agency.
At the press conference after the pick, Rams general manager Les Snead talked far more than head coach Sean McVay did, and for the most part, McVay looked despondent. This led to some damage control. On Friday, McVay said that his demeanor was the result of his relationship with Stafford – he didn’t want to appear too happy about the Simpson pick, because he wanted to show respect to the veteran. Whether that’s true or not, using a first-rounder on a quarterback who appears to lack the talent to ever reach Stafford’s level raises all sorts of questions.
WINNER (as usual): Howie Roseman, general manager, Philadelphia Eagles
Roseman is a familiar figure in the winners category of the draft. One of the NFL’s most astute executives was at it again this year, and he once again helped his team immeasurably. Before we even get to the actual draft, we should mention the trade with the Minnesota Vikings for edge-rusher Jonathan Greenard, who fills a right-now need, and signed a four-year, $100m deal with his new team.
In the first round, the Eagles traded up with the arch-rivals Dallas Cowboys to select USC receiver Makai Lemon, who has what it takes to be the team’s new No 1 receiver with AJ Brown likely to be traded. In the second round, Philly selected Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers, who could eventually replace Dallas Goedert. In the third round, Roseman selected Markel Bell, a massive (6ft 9in, 346lbs) blocker who has some of the same traits as starting Eagles left tackle Jordan Mailata.
In the fifth round, the Eagles took North Dakota State quarterback Cole Payton, another one-year starter, but in this case, one with a combination of passing and rushing ability that makes him the perfect backup for Jalen Hurts. Sixth-round pick Micah Morris, a guard from Georgia, and seventh-round pick Cole Wisniewski, a safety from Texas Tech, could contribute sooner than later.
As usual, Roseman went after the guys he knew would help, he did it without overspending on cap space or draft capital, and his team will be better for it. Some guys just know how to do this job.
LOSER: Mike Vrabel, head coach, New England Patriots
The alleged extramarital affair between Vrabel and NFL reporter Dianna Russini, has caused its own set of complications. Russini has resigned from The Athletic, and Vrabel announced that he would miss the third day of the draft to engage in counseling.
We are not here to impugn Vrabel’s focus on his family, but a head coach is fairly important in a team’s draft process, and one wonders if this could not have waited an extra day.
New England’s general manager, Eliot Wolf, was asked over the weekend what the Patriots would be missing in Vrabel’s absence.
“The stability of him as a person, some of the leadership, some of the presence,” Wolf said. “He does a nice job for us with the undrafted players. Obviously, he’s a tremendous recruiter, so that’s maybe something that we’ll be missing. But again, we’re very confident in the people we have with the process. The assistant coaches have done a tremendous job, as have the scouts, preparing for day three. And we’re excited about it.”
If you’re missing anything in a draft due to your head coach’s indiscretions, that’s not a great look.
Can the Penguins send their first-round series back to Philadelphia with a Game 5 win?
Pittsburgh secured its first victory of the 2026 NHL Playoffs on Saturday, avoiding a sweep against a Flyers squad that outscored the Penguins, 11-4, through the first three games of the series. Sidney Crosby had two points (one goal, one assist) in the 4-2 win, and Arturs Silovs finished with 28 saves in his first postseason start with the Pens.
If the Penguins want to be the first team to overcome a 3-0 deficit since 2014, they will need to carry the momentum from Game 4 into PPG Paints Arena on Monday night.
Here is everything you need to know about Penguins vs. Flyers, including TV and streaming options for Game 5 of the first-round series.
How to watch Penguins vs. Flyers Game 5: TV channel, live stream
Penguins vs. Flyers will air locally on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Game 5 will also be available to stream on SNP 360 and fubo.
Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100-plus top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
Penguins vs. Flyers Game 5 start time
Date: Monday, April 27
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Penguins vs. Flyers is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, April 27. Game 5 will be played at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh.
Penguins vs. Flyers schedule: Philadelphia leads 3-1
The Pittsburgh Steelers had a 2026 NFL Draft that was, well, perplexing to put it nicely. There are a lot of ways to skin a cat when it comes to the draft process, and in three to four years, there's a chance we look back on the class and the prevailing notion was dead wrong.
So today, we are going to name the three biggest overreactions to what the Steelers just did over the course of the weekend. Let's jump in.
Overreaction No. 1: Max Iheanachor is another Broderick Jones
Look, if we want to reprimand what happened in the first round and the phone-gate debacle, that's fine. But as Omar Khan said after the draft, the Steelers stuck true to their board and went with their highest rated player once Makai Lemon was poached by the Eagles.
And yes, Iheanachor is raw. Yes, he didn't start playing football until very recently and was mostly a soccer player. But the truth is, there might not be a tackle with higher potential and a greater ceiling than Iheanachor.
The feet, the length, the traits, it's all there. Sure, the Steelers will need to be patient, but this isn't a player who is fundamentally flawed the way that Jones was. This is a player who you don't have to fix; you have to build up. So it's far too soon to write off Iheanachor.
Overreaction No.2: Mike McCarthy doesn't like Will Howard
When the rhetoric coming out of Pittsburgh is always about how much the Steelers love Will Howard, and on day two, with their third pick in the draft, the Steelers take another quarterback that many view as a reach, it's easy to see why some may believe that McCarthy doesn't like Howard.
The truth is, McCarthy doesn't know what he likes. He needs to see both Allar and Howard competing in a live environment before making any rash decisions. And when you don't have an obvious quarterback of the future, taking as many shots as possible makes a lot of sense.
Overreaction No.3: Omar Khan was carried by Mike Tomlin
If you look at Omar Khan's draft history since he took over for Kevin Colbert in 2023, you see draft classes littered with talent and starters. And honestly, just about every time it reached Sunday of draft weekend, the consensus view was that Khan and the Steelers nailed the draft.
Well, the only obvious difference in the decision-making process this year was no Mike Tomlin. And under Mike Tomlin, the Steelers were at every big-time Pro Day, the Senior Bowl, and well represented at the NFL Combine. A lot of that changed this year, but it doesn't mean that Omar Khan wasn’t heavily involved, if not making picks, before.
We’ll see if the media and fans, or Khan and co., are right in 3-4 years.
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 23: Kadyn Proctor of Alabama poses for a photo after being selected 12th overall by the Miami Dolphins during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images) | Getty Images
To quote Jon- Eric Sullivan: “Fast gets slow, but big doesn’t get small”. The Miami Dolphins have a new philosophy heading forward and it showed during the draft. The previous iteration of the Dolphins was based around speed and unfortunately, Sullivan’s quote became pretty true. This new regime wants to change the opinion of this team and wants to build a physical football team heading forward. We saw that with their first selection in Kadyn Proctor, who is a massive human being along the offensive line.
You can check out that story here, and the rest of the day’s round-up below.
Miami Dolphins Discussion: UDFA Edition We ask Miami Dolphins fans which undrafted free agents will make the final roster and which might contribute in 2026.
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 01: Jacob Rodriguez #10 and Romello Height #9 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders lines up against the Oregon Ducks during the fourth quarter of the 2025 College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on January 01, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Nguyen: NFL Draft’s 10 best scheme fits: Giants, Cowboys, Bucs among teams picking perfect pieces (paywall) “I thought Stribling would be a perfect fit for the 49ers because of his ability to run after the catch, and he’s the best blocking receiver in the draft, both skills that former 49er Jauan Jennings was adept at. Stribling averaged 7.3 yards after the catch, which was slightly higher than Omar Cooper Jr., whom many regarded as the best YAC receiver in the draft.
I’m sure coach Kyle Shanahan envisions Stribling as a supercharged version of Jennings. Jennings was a big possession slot receiver, whereas Stribling can play outside and win deep with speed and physicality at the catch point. According to Matt Harmon’s reception perception, Stribling’s best route is the dig (83.3 percent success rate), a prominent route in Shanahan’s offense and one of Brock Purdy’s favorites. Stribling will give the 49ers a physical runner after the catch, one they really don’t have after moving on from Deebo Samuel last season and Jennings this season, and with tight end George Kittle recovering from tearing an Achilles tendon in the playoffs.”
Evaluating 49ers’ 2026 draft class: No A’s, some eyebrow-raisers and one polarizing pick (paywall) “The 49ers’ still-good-but-getting-geriatric offense desperately needed an infusion of speed. And Stribling ran a 4.36-second 40-yard dash that’s even more impressive given his size (Note: Boston isn’t known for his wheels and passed on running a pre-draft 40). Stribling had strong production at Power 5 schools, was one of 16 draft prospects given the 49ers’ gold-helmet designation for qualities such as work ethic and character and is an elite run blocker.”
Despite the cautious tone, Kittle emphasized that his recovery is trending in the right direction.
“Achilles is doing great,” Kittle said. “We’re 13 weeks out of surgery. I think I’m ahead of schedule. My surgeon’s super happy with it. So, we’re on track to play a lot of football next season. So, I’m in a great place.”
MESA, ARIZONA - MARCH 24: Jasson Domínguez #24 of the New York Yankees high fives teammates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run against the Chicago Cubs during a spring training game at Sloan Park on March 24, 2026 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
MLB Trade Rumors | Mark Polishuk: Jasson Domínguez is being called up to the big-league roster from Triple-A ahead of the upcoming series against the Rangers. He fills the spot opened by Luis Gil’s demotion to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, and could factor into the DH and outfield pictures with Giancarlo Stanton sidelined with a calf injury. After getting optioned to the minors out of spring camp, Domínguez has performed well to open the season, slashing .306/.404/.471 with three home runs, 13 RBIs, eight stolen bases, a 135 wRC+, and almost as many walks as strikeouts in 22 games. His defense will not come under as much scrutiny with the 23-year-old slated to mostly DH, and he’ll look to improve upon his 103 wRC+ in 122 games last season. The Yankees will face three righties in this upcoming series against the Rangers, allowing the switch-hitting Domínguez to contribute from his superior side.
The Athletic | Brendan Kuty ($): Gil’s demotion to Triple-A opened the spot on the roster for Domínguez’s call-up. He got shelled for six runs in four innings in the series finale against Houston and always looked like the first name to be called with Carlos Rodón and Gerrit Cole nearing their returns to the rotation from injury. Until Rodón is ready to return, the Yankees will likely use Ryan Yarbrough in a spot start, though they are also weighing calling up one of their top prospects including Carlos Lagrange or Elmer Rodríguez (they are at least able to skip his next start due to the Thursday offday).
Aaron Boone and Matt Blake said they hope Gil can work on finding a consistent release point and better command in the minors. His path back to the majors is uncertain with Will Warren and Ryan Weathers ahead of him in the rotation pecking order. In four starts, Gil is 1-2 with a 6.05 ERA, 8.43 FIP, more walks than strikeouts, and -0.4 fWAR across 19.1 innings.
MLB.com | Steve Schaeffer: Domínguez’s promotion coincides with lingering uncertainty over the severity of Giancarlo Stanton’s calf injury. He was removed from Saturday’s game in Houston with right calf tightness after feeling discomfort running the bases and missed the final two games of the series. The team said they will make a final decision on Monday as to whether he will go on IL. In 24 games, Stanton is hitting .256/.302/.422 with three home runs, 14 RBIs, and a 101 wRC+.
New York Daily News | Gary Phillips: The Yankees have made several ill-advised ABS challenges over the last few weeks and have had to institute a fining system for particularly egregious decisions. To hold each other accountable for wasting challenges, players are fining themselves $500 for a challenge on a pitch that is fully inside of the strike zone, Jazz Chisholm Jr. even fining himself $1,000 for challenging a strike right down the middle against the Astros on Saturday. The Yankees have made the second-most challenges in baseball but own the ninth-worst success rate (43-percent). Boone has even indicated that some players might have their ABS challenge privileges revoked if they don’t follow the guidelines laid out by the team at the start of the year, Boone notably calling José Caballero into his office for a “stern” one-on-one meeting about wasting challenges.
New York Post | Greg Joyce: The Red Sox front office made waves when they fired manager Alex Cora and much of his staff on Saturday, Triple-A skipper Chad Tracy replacing him yesterday in a win over Baltimore. Cora had been at the helm of the team for eight years and won the 2018 World Series, but with the Red Sox in last place, Cora had to go. Also getting the axe is former Yankees hitting coach Dillon Lawson — his second midseason firing in just a few years — and Jason Varitek, who had been serving as the club’s game planning and run prevention coach (the longtime catcher was reassigned within the organization). Boone is close friends with Cora from their time working together on ESPN broadcasts, and revealed he reached out with words of support for his now-former rival manager.
It ended in a goalless draw between AC Milan and Juventus on matchday 34 of Serie A, a result that brings both sides closer to their objective of qualifying for the Champions League. On a night at San Siro in which Saelemaekers' strike against the bar was the clearest chance, Luka Modrić once again shone brightest.
It was a commanding performance from the Croatian, the heartbeat of the Rossoneri midfield and influential in both defence and attack. Substituted in the 80th minute after a collision with Locatelli, his display included 53 successful passes as well as several fine touches to evade the Juventus press.
He also won four of six duels, made three recoveries, and provided calmness and quality throughout the game. As the games go by and the minutes add up, Luka's level of performance does not drop, despite the fatigue of the season run-in.
This was more than appreciated by the Rossoneri fans, who voted him MVP of AC Milan v Juventus with 43% of the vote, ahead of Saelemaekers on 30% and Adrien Rabiot on 15%. Now, focus turns to the away fixture against Sassuolo on Sunday at 15:00 CEST at the Mapei Stadium, with hopes of a swift recovery for Luka.
Valve Steam Controller release date revealed by leaked review Another review outlet has accidentally leaked its Steam Controller review. While the review is now hidden, it has unveiled the release date for Valve’s new controller. According to 4Gamers, the controller will be released on May 4th at 3 PM in Japan local time. Last week, […]
Intel's Arc gaming GPU roadmap is in a weird state, as the company has reportedly been reshuffling a significant portion of its dedicated Arc desktop GPU launches for the upcoming quarters. Currently, Intel offers its second-generation "Battlemage" architecture, based on the Xe2 IP, as a dedicated desktop gaming GPU in the form of the B580 mid-range graphics card. For those interested in Xe3-based "Celestial" or Xe3P-based "Crescent Island" dedicated GPU variants, Intel leaker Jaykihn has confirmed that there won't be an update anytime soon. Even the next-generation Xe4 "Druid" is being reconsidered for dedicated gaming GPUs. Intel has previously confirmed that it will continue GPU development, but desktop gamers might not be the primary focus, leaving notebook users in a better position.
Intel currently offers new GPU IP through integrated graphics, such as the Arc B390 iGPU found in "Panther Lake" processors, which use Xe3 IP. However, desktop dedicated GPUs are still using Xe2, and even for a maxed-out "Battlemage" configuration, Intel only offers the Arc Pro B70 and Arc Pro B65 graphics cards. These cards maximize the BMG-G31 Xe2 silicon but are intended for professional users. A recent driver update added the ability to play games on these cards, but they are still primarily designed for AI workloads and professional visualization, and they are priced higher than what the average gamer would want. Gamers are still seeking clarity about future updates, and the lack of recent rumors regarding an additional Arc gaming discrete GPU is concerning. Below are older roadmaps, and we expect to see an updated version sometimes in the near future as Intel confirms changes.
Crypto has opened the door to a different way of handling money, but it also comes with its own set of risks. Stories about lost access, hacked wallets, or fake platforms are not rare anymore. The good part is that most of these situations can be avoided with some awareness and a few practical habits.
According to Influere Investigations, a leading name in crypto security, people often underestimate how small mistakes can lead to bigger problems over time. Below are some grounded, realistic ways to better protect your crypto without overcomplicating things.
Start with the basics: wallet safety
The first layer of protection is your wallet. Whether you use a mobile app, desktop software, or a hardware wallet, how you manage access matters more than the type itself.
A strong password is a given, but it’s not enough on its own. Two-factor authentication adds an extra step that makes a big difference. It may feel like a hassle at first, but it blocks most simple intrusion attempts.
Another thing people overlook is where they store their security phrase. Writing it down and keeping it offline is still one of the safest approaches. Saving it in cloud storage or sending it to yourself by email creates unnecessary exposure.
Experts from Influere Investigations often point out that many incidents don’t involve advanced attacks. They come from poor storage habits or shortcuts taken during setup.
Be careful with links and messages
A common way people lose access to their crypto is through fake websites or phishing messages. These can look very convincing. A platform login page might seem identical to the real one, but a small difference in the URL can make all the difference.
If you receive a message asking you to “verify” or “secure” your account, take a step back. Avoid clicking links directly. Instead, go to the official website manually.
It’s also worth mentioning that no legitimate service will ask for your private keys or security phrase. If something like that appears, it’s a clear red flag. Analysts highlight that slowing down for a few seconds before acting can prevent most of these situations. Quick reactions are often what attackers rely on.
Use trusted platforms, but stay alert
Choosing where you store or trade your crypto matters. Well-known platforms usually have stronger security practices, but that doesn’t mean users can switch off completely.
Always double-check URLs, especially if you’re logging in from a new device. Bookmarking official pages can help avoid confusion later. Also, avoid sharing too much about your holdings online. Even casual posts can attract unwanted attention. It’s not about being secretive, just cautious.
From what Influere Investigations analysts have observed, many issues happen when people assume that a platform alone will handle all aspects of safety. In reality, personal habits still play a big role.
Keep your devices clean and updated
Security doesn’t stop at the wallet or platform level. The device you use matters just as much. Make sure your operating system and apps are updated regularly. Updates often fix vulnerabilities that could otherwise be used to gain access. Avoid installing random extensions or software, especially from unknown sources. Even something that looks harmless can carry hidden risks.
Using antivirus tools and scanning your system from time to time is a simple step that many skip. It doesn’t guarantee full protection, but it adds another layer. Influere Investigations often reviews cases where compromised devices were part of the problem, even if the user didn’t notice anything unusual at first.
Separate long-term storage from daily use
Not all crypto needs to be treated the same way. If you hold assets for the long term, consider keeping them in a more secure environment that you don’t access daily. For smaller amounts used for trading or regular activity, a more accessible wallet might make sense. The idea is to limit exposure. If one part is affected, the rest remains untouched.
This approach might seem a bit extra, but it’s a common practice among experienced users. It reduces the impact of potential issues. As noted by security experts, spreading risk instead of concentrating everything in one place is a simple but effective strategy.
Get an outside perspective when unsure
Sometimes, it’s not clear whether a situation is safe or not. Maybe something feels off, but you can’t quite tell why. This is where getting a second opinion can help. influereinvestigations.com focuses on reviewing situations and pointing out potential risks people might miss. They don’t step in or act on behalf of users, but they can help clarify what’s going on and what steps might make sense next.
Final thoughts
Keeping your crypto safe doesn’t require complex tools or deep technical knowledge. Most of it comes down to awareness, consistency, and avoiding rushed decisions.
Small habits, like checking links, storing your security phrase properly, and keeping your devices clean, go a long way. According to Influere Investigations, people who take these basics seriously are far less likely to run into serious problems.
Solana is closing in on a decisive test near $86, with the price holding firm at a level that has yet to reject the move. While the market remains pinned below resistance, the structure behind it has already taken shape. A higher timeframe cup-and-handle formation is nearing completion, and network growth continues to expand alongside rising liquidity, both aligning with the current price strength. With pressure building at this level and no rejection so far, the next move from here carries more weight, either confirming the breakout or keeping the market within its current range, a setup that has been widely discussed across recent Solana News.
Network Growth Builds, but Momentum Remains Uneven
Solana’s underlying network strength continues to expand, even as speculative activity remains soft. Upgrades like Firedancer and Alpenglow are improving scalability and execution speed, positioning the network for sustained demand. At the same time, stablecoin supply has climbed to around $17.4 billion, with growing activity in real-world assets and consistent on-chain usage.
SOLANA ECOSYSTEM WATCH: WHAT'S MOVING ON-CHAIN THIS WEEK$SOL is trading near $86 with the network now sitting at the intersection of major upgrades and a sluggish memecoin recovery. Firedancer is running over 1M TPS, Alpenglow is delivering sub-150ms finality, and the SEC-CFTC… pic.twitter.com/hDdGZMbJZI
However, momentum from high-risk segments has yet to recover, with memecoin-driven activity and network revenue still below prior peaks. This leaves Solana in a position where the foundation is strengthening, but broader momentum is yet to fully align with it.
Solana’s price structure aligns with a developing cup-and-handle formation, where the broader rounding base has already formed and price is now consolidating within the handle phase. While, support continues to hold during this consolidation, with pullbacks getting absorbed early and failing to extend lower. This reflects controlled positioning rather than distribution, keeping the structure intact beneath resistance.
The handle is compressing price just below key levels, with repeated tests failing to trigger downside continuation. This behavior indicates that selling pressure is not expanding despite resistance holding. If this structure confirms with a breakout, the pattern extends beyond short-term targets.
Based on classical technical projections, a completed higher timeframe cup-and-handle opens the possibility of a broader expansion phase, with some long-cycle projections placing Solana price toward the $500 region. That scenario, however, remains conditional on sustained structure, liquidity continuation, and macro alignment.
Key Levels in Focus as SOL Price Tests Resistance
The $86 zone remains the immediate level in play, with price continuing to press against it without meaningful rejection. A sustained move above this region would confirm a breakout from the current compression and open the path toward the $95–$100 range, where the next supply cluster is likely to emerge.
On the downside, the $80–$82 region acts as the first layer of support, where recent pullbacks have been absorbed. Holding above this zone keeps the current structure intact and maintains breakout pressure. A deeper shift below this range would weaken the setup, exposing the $74–$76 area as the next demand zone and signaling a return to broader consolidation rather than continuation.
Outlook
Holding near $86 keeps the structure intact, with the market positioned just below a key resistance zone. If pressure continues to build without rejection, the setup remains aligned for a breakout into a higher range. Failure to hold this structure would keep SOL within consolidation, delaying the move. For now, SOL remains at a decision point, with the next move likely to define short-term direction.
The Sui price is facing renewed pressure after a series of exploit-related incidents shook confidence across its DeFi ecosystem. Reports of multi-million-dollar losses linked to protocols such as Volo and Scallop triggered immediate selling, with traders reacting to heightened security concerns.
Despite the negative headlines, SUI’s price reaction has remained relatively controlled compared to typical post-exploit crashes, suggesting the market is not fully capitulating. This puts SUI in a critical spot, balancing fear-driven selling and potential dip-buying interest as the broader crypto market attempts to hold on to its recent gains.
SUI Exploit: What Happened and Why It Matters
The recent selling pressure on Sui follows a series of exploit-related incidents that impacted its DeFi ecosystem and raised fresh security concerns. Volo Protocol reportedly lost around $3.5 million after an admin key compromise, while Scallop faced losses due to a vulnerability in a deprecated contract. These back-to-back incidents triggered a decline in confidence, prompting traders to reassess risk exposure across SUI-based protocols.
Such exploits tend to have a broader impact beyond the affected platforms, as they highlight potential weaknesses in ecosystem security and increase the likelihood of liquidity outflows. In the short term, this has led to cautious sentiment and selling pressure on SUI, with market participants closely watching whether the token can stabilize or face deeper downside as trust rebuilds.
SUI Price Analysis: Holding Structure or Losing Momentum?
Sui is currently showing signs of short-term stabilization after its sharp February decline, with price consolidating in the $0.90–$1.00 range. The chart indicates a gradual higher-low formation, dropping below the ascending trendline, suggesting buyers are attempting to build a base. However, price continues to struggle near the $0.95–$1.00 resistance zone, indicating a lack of strong breakout momentum despite recovery attempts.
The RSI has maintained a significant upward trajectory, but the latest drop in the price has caused the levels to break the ascending trend line or support. On the other hand, the CMF has been constantly forming lower lows and highs, hinting towards a constant outflow of liquidity. With the momentum fading, the SUI price is now believed to drop below $0.9 and hit the local base, followed by which a rebound may be expected.
What’s Next for SUI Price?
Sui price is holding above the $0.90 support zone despite exploit-driven sentiment damage, but continues to face resistance near $0.95–$1.00, keeping the market in a fragile balance.
Holding above $0.90 and reclaiming $1.00 could open a move toward $1.10–$1.15 as confidence returns. While a breakdown below $0.90, especially toward $0.81 support, could trigger further downside and extend the correction.
For now, SUI’s next move hinges on one question: will buyers defend $0.90 and push back above $1.00, or will fading confidence trigger another leg lower?
Binance received nearly $6 billion in stablecoin deposits during March and April, including $3.5 billion in April alone. This happened even as global tensions and inflation fears created uncertainty in financial markets. The inflow shows that many traders are moving money back to the exchange, likely preparing to buy crypto assets again. Earlier months had seen heavy withdrawals, so this marks a reversal in trend. If stablecoin deposits continue rising, it could support stronger crypto market activity and improve short-term investor confidence.
Last week, we learned more information on the Steam Controller via an early review by YouTuber Techy Talk that went live before the end of the embargo. Japanese publication 4Gamer has made the same mistake today, and its early review confirmed the controller will be released in just a week, on May 4. While the publication already took their early review down and their social media post promoting it, it wasn't swift enough to prevent some eagle-eyed Reddit users from saving both. Gaming Leaks and Rumors user ___Steve managed to save the images that accompanied 4Gamer's review, which offer a […]
Intel Core 5 320, a Wildcat Lake CPU designed for budget laptops, has been tested, showcasing good numbers against its competition. Intel Wildcat Lake, Core 5 320, Shows ST and MT Wins Against Current-Gen Chips While Offering 50% iGPU Performance With Just A Quarter of The Xe3 Cores Wildcat Lake should turn out to be a surprise hit from Intel if OEMs build upon the reference design and specs. Just recently, we saw a stunning reference design from Intel, featuring an aluminum body, stunning colors, and decent specs for an everyday PC. Now, we have the first independent benchmarks coming […]
According to movie insider V Scooper, Nintendo is pitching a movie based on its sci-fi franchise Metroid. V Scooper added that Sony Pictures and Universal Pictures are fighting to win the rights to produce it: Metroid, last I heard a few months ago, was still in a bit of a push between studios, no updates since. Sony is one of the stronger contenders for Metroid, Universal is also fighting for it, both are leaning for live action but this could change. Both studios have experience adapting Nintendo IPs to the big screen. Universal, through its Illumination subsidiary, was extremely successful […]
Google's next-generation TPUv8e AI chip will reportedly utilize Intel Foundry's EMIB packaging, marking a series of wins for Intel in recent days. Intel Foundry Might Be Making Google's Next-Gen TPU With Its Advanced Packaging "EMIB" Capabilities Intel has been in the limelight for the past couple of days as it buisnesses gain traction from the recent surge in Agentic AI, which has led to CPUs becoming the hottest commodity after GPUs and memory. Now, reports are coming from Taiwanese outlet, Commercial Times, that Google will leverage Intel's EMIB technology for its next-generation TPU chip. Intel Foundry has already secured Tesla […]
A few hours ago, British developer Creative Assembly and publisher SEGA have posted what looks like a teaser trailer for Alien: Isolation 2 on the official YouTube channel of the first game. The teaser is only 25 seconds long, and most of the video is pitch black, but you can see the Creative Assembly and 20th Century Studios (which owns the IP) logos. The trailer is titled "False Sense of Security," and its description reads: "A feeling of being safer than one really is." Interestingly, DSO Gaming spotted that Alien: Isolation 2 will be powered by Epic's Unreal Engine 5 rather […]
Read to Unlock turns reading into screen time you actually earn. Scan a physical book page with your camera, answer a quick comprehension question, and collect credits to spend on your favorite apps. Use it to build a steady reading habit and enjoy guilt-free scrolling. The iOS app works without an account and enforces discipline that builds over time.
Saarathy is a multi-platform organizational suite that provides an all-in-one communication solution for any community. It offers a rich framework including chats, emails, calls, tasks, files, calendar, web hosting, support, networking, administration, and more. As sovereign software, it is self-hostable on cloud or PC and can be white-labeled with your own branding. Saarathy is approved by the Government E Marketplace, India, and is commercially available at $5 per user per year.
Qvery is an autonomous AI agent that tracks your brand’s visibility across AI search. Add your brand and it auto-generates topics and queries, runs daily checks in ChatGPT and Google AI Mode, and logs every citation and competitor it finds. From these responses, Qvery delivers insights like Visibility, Share of Voice, and Sentiment so you can measure, compare, and act on. The roadmap expands into a suite of marketing agents, including Mention Builder, UGC Agent, and Content Optimizer.
XRP price has been consolidating over the past week, holding the $1.40 support despite market volatility. But now a potential bearish MACD crossover threatens a breakdown below the major support level. According to data from crypto.news, XRP (XRP) price rallied…
South Korea’s internet-only lender KBank has entered into a strategic partnership with Ripple to test blockchain-based cross-border remittances. According to multiple local media reports, the collaboration focuses on a proof-of-concept designed to measure improvements in transaction speed, cost efficiency, and…
Cybersecurity researchers have disclosed details of a telecommunications fraud campaign that uses fake CAPTCHA verification tricks to dupe unsuspecting users into sending international text messages that incur charges on their mobile bills, generating illicit revenue for the threat actors who lease the phone numbers.
According to a new report published by Infoblox, the operation is believed to
Samsung is sweetening the deal on its mid-range phones in South America, quietly rolling out a Spotify Premium bundle for buyers of select Galaxy A series devices in the region.
Spotify Premium is being offered to Samsung Galaxy buyers across countries in South America, reports ETNews. It’s a smart play, and it tells you a lot about how nervous Samsung actually is.
Buyers of the Galaxy A57, A37, A17, and A07 pick up three months of Spotify Premium at no cost. Existing subscribers aren’t left out either; they can snag up to two bonus months depending on conditions.
Benefits of Spotify Premium include ad-free streaming, offline downloads, and curated recommendations. Samsung fans buying Galaxy A phones are getting free access, and it should be available globally.
Latin America shipped 140.5 million phones last year, and Samsung held the top spot with 46.9 million units. Omdia reported that the Korean company’s shipments were carried largely by a 32% surge in entry-level A0x and A1x models.
South Americans consume content, including music, video, and social media, eagerly. Attaching a streaming benefit to a phone purchase isn’t random. It’s targeted at a behavior that already exists, just redirected toward the Galaxy ecosystem.
Rising memory costs are squeezing manufacturers across the board this year, and inventory strategies in the region are tightening. Bundling Spotify is the move you make when a race to the bottom stops being an option.
Selfie camera cutout is a major thing remaining to be innovated on mobile displays, and it looks like Samsung is already on it. It seems Samsung had a way to reduce the Galaxy S26 Ultra selfie camera cutout, but S27 Ultra may adopt it.
Galaxy S26 Ultra was introduced in February 2026, and in particular, it brings a bigger selfie camera hole over its predecessor. The shift results in a wider field of view on the front camera to improve group selfies.
Samsung seems to have had a new technology to shrink the selfie camera cutout, which was skipped on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, reportedly debuting with the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and potentially expanding to the Galaxy S27 Ultra.
Recently, tipster IceUniverse revealed that Samsung could use a new technology in the Galaxy Z Fold 8’s cover screen. The new solution significantly reduces the diameter of the hole of the front camera on the display.
With under-display camera tech, which isn’t favorable for premium phones, it’s great to see the hole is getting smaller. Galaxy Z Fold 8 may bring the innovation, which could potentially head to the S27 Ultra next year.
Ice Universe today posted a handful of images of the Galaxy S26 Ultra with its actual selfie camera cutout (4.0mm) and how it could have looked if the Fold 8’s tech (2.5mm) was adopted in it. The difference is big; big enough to flip the script.
That said, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 may bring a preview of the Galaxy S27 Ultra’s possible selfie camera hole. The Unpacked is likely to take place in late July in London, while the Galaxy S event may take place early next year.
Deal | The Casio Amazon storefront has slashed the price of the MTP-B145-2A2V retro-looking watch, making it more affordable than its list price. The analog watch has a minimalist dial design, a blue-finished dial, a date window, 5 bar (50 m) water resistance, and a stainless steel case and band.
Sony has officially confirmed hardware price hikes in more Asian markets. Gamers in the affected countries will pay more for the PS5 and PlayStation Portal, following increases in the US, UK, Europe, and Japan.
FIFA Heroes has slipped past its April 28 release date to May 2026. The 5v5 arcade football game remains in early access ahead of a full global rollout.
Chinese brand TOPC has launched a new mini PC with an MCIO port. This PCIe 4.0 x8 interface can offer better eGPU performance than traditional OCuLink PCIe 4.0 x4. The system is powered by an AMD CPU, and in China, it starts at CNY 2,699, around $395.
French law enforcement agencies have been investigating wrench attacks and found that some of the alleged offenders were involved in multiple incidents
About 3.5% of informed traders, including market makers and skilled takers, capture over 30% of profits on prediction platforms, while about 67% of users absorb the entirety of losses.
Western Union CEO Devin McGranahan said the company will focus on expanding adoption and embedding digital assets into its core money movement platform going forward.
The Xiaomi 17T could debut as early as next month, according to a recent rumor. While several details about the device have already surfaced in recent weeks, it has now appeared on the Geekbench benchmarking platform.
A Xiaomi phone with the model number 2602DPT53G, which is said to be the Xiaomi 17T, has been listed on the Geekbench AI website.
Xiaomi 15T
According to the listing, the phone is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8500 chipset, in line with an earlier leak. It is shown running Android 16 and equipped with 12GB of RAM. In Geekbench AI tests, the device scored 1,017...
vivo is reportedly working on the successor to its X300 series, with a launch expected later this year. A new leak has now revealed more details about the upcoming X500 lineup.
According to a tipster, the vivo X500 series could include a Pro Max variant this time. The lineup is said to feature models with 6.4-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes.
vivo X300 Pro
The Pro Max model is tipped to sport a 50MP primary camera using a LOFIC sensor, alongside a 200MP periscope telephoto camera. It is also expected to include a multispectral sensor.
A separate leak from last week hinted at...
The Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua super fight may yet face another obstacle, reminding fans of failed attempts to make it happen in the past. This generation’s heavyweight ‘Battle of Britain’ edges closer, with no promotional politics or title obligations standing in the way. Following Fury’s comeback win over Arslanbek Makhmudov this month, he confirmed […]
Beşiktaş, sol bek için Bayer Leverkusen'den Alejandro Grimaldo'yla ilgileniyor. Ancak Kartal'ın, diğer talipler dışında çözmesi gereken daha ciddi bir problem bulunuyor.
Beşiktaş, yıllardır süren sol bek problemini Alejandro Grimaldo'yla çözmek istiyor. 30 yaşındaki futbolcunun Bayer Leverkusen'le mukavelesi 30 Haziran 2027 tarihinde bitecek. Yani 2026 yazında sözleşmesinin son senesine giriyor. Bu sebeple de satış listesine koyuldu.
SORUN SADECE PARA DEĞİL
Kartal, İspanyol futbolcuda maddi şartları zorlayacak. Ancak olay bununla bitmiyor. Alejandro Grimaldo'nun ailesinin, İspanya'ya dönmek istediği belirtildi. Ayrıca Beşiktaş haricinde Barcelona da devrede bulunuyor. Fakat Barça'dan şu ana kadar resmi bir hamle gelmedi.
2016'DAN BERİ İSPANYA DIŞINDA
1.71 boyundaki futbolcu, 2016'ın Ocak ayında Barcelona'nın B takımından Benfica'ya transfer olmuştu. 2023'te ise bedelsiz şekilde Bayer Leverkusen'in yolunu tuttu. Alejandro Grimaldo, çok uzun bir süredir ülkesi İspanya'nın dışında oynuyor. Ailesi de bu sebeple geri dönmek istiyor. Kartal'ın, oyuncu dışında aile bireylerini de ikna etmesi gerekebilir.
Galatasaray karşısında kötü performans gösteren isimlerden biri Milan Skriniar'dı... Tecrübeli stoper, sakatlıktan %100 dönemedi. Yaz döneminde herkes forvet takviyesini konuşuyor. Ancak defans hattı komple değişebilir...
Fenerbahçe'nin kaptanı Skriniar, sakatlığı sebebiyle takım arkadaşlarını yalnız bırakmıştı. Ve Sarı-Lacivertliler bu dönemde kritik puan kayıpları yaptı. 31 yaşındaki tecrübeli savunmacı, sakatlıktan %100 şekilde dönemedi. 3-0 kaybedilen Galatasaray derbisinde de sahanın en kötülerinden biriydi.
İŞTE RAKAMLAR
Slovakyalı stoperin Galatasaray karşısındaki performansı şöyleydi:
İkili Mücadele: 1 Kazanılan/3 Kaybedilen
Kaybedilen Hava Topu: 3
Sahipsiz Top Kazanma: 1
Top Çalma: 1
Uzaklaştırma: 4
Faul: 1
Tecrübeli futbolcu ayrıca topla çok az buluştu. Onun performansı, transfer dönemini bile etkileyebilir.
HER TARAFA YENİ YÜZLER
Fenerbahçe'nin, Skriniar'ın yerine bile stoper alabileceği konuşuluyor. Savunmanın sağına ve soluna da takviye gerekiyor. Sarı-Lacivertliler'de ağırlıklı olarak golcü transferi konuşuluyor. Ancak defansta bir kriz olduğu açık. Şu anda kadroda bulunan birçok savunmacıyla 2026 yazında yollar ayrılabilir.
Galatasaray'ın, Napoli'den satın alma opsiyonuyla kiraladığı Noa Lang için Beşiktaş'ın bir ilgisi var. Kartal'daki en büyük çekince; Lang'ın Rashica'ya dönüşmesi!
Galatasaray devre arasında Napoli'den Noa Lang'ı kiralamıştı. Teknik Direktör Conte ile sorunlar yaşayan Hollandalı kanat oyuncusu, 30 milyon euroluk satın alma opsiyonuyla birlikte Sarı-Kırmızılılar'a geldi. 26 yaşındaki futbolcu, Süper Lig'de 10 karşılaşmaya çıktı.
ÇOCUKLUĞUNDA OYNADI
Sahada 553 dakika kalan Noa Lang, 2 asist üretti. Galatasaray'ın satın alma opsiyonunu kullanması beklenmiyor. 1.73 boyundaki kanat, sezon sonunda Napoli'ye dönecek. Orada 30 Haziran 2030 tarihine kadar mukavelesi bulunuyor. Çocukluğunda bir dönem Beşiktaş altyapısında oynayan Lang'a Kartal'ın bir ilgisi mevcut...
MİLOT RASHİCA KORKUSU
Beşiktaş'ı bu transferde en çok düşündüren konu ise Milot Rashica örneği... Rashica da tıpkı Lang gibi kiralık olarak Galatasaray forması giymişti. Ancak oradaki performansını Beşiktaş'ta gösteremedi. Aynı sıkıntının Lang'da da yaşanmasından korkuluyor. Kartal'ın transfer listesinde farklı alternatifler de var.
Galatasaray'ın Alman yıldızı Leroy Sane, 3-0 kazanılan Fenerbahçe derbisinde gol atmadı ve asist yapmadı. Ancak buna rağmen maçın kahramanı oldu. Tribünde Almanya Milli Takımı'nın yetkilileri de vardı. Sane, Dünya Kupası'ndaki yerini de garantiledi.
Leroy Sane, Fenerbahçe derbisinde şu istatistiklere imza attı:
Asist Beklentisi: 0.47
Kilit Pas: 5
Pas İsabeti: %88 (43/49)
Rakip Yarı Sahada Pas İsabeti: %89 (41/46)
Başarılı Çalım: %71 (5/7)
İsabetli Orta: %57 (4/7)
Sahipsiz Top Kazanma: 3
Topla Buluşma: 75
30 yaşındaki kanat oyuncusu, gol veya asist katkısında bulunmasa bile derbinin kahramanı olmayı başardı.
NOTLAR ALDILAR
Fenerbahçe karşılaşmasında Almanya Milli Takımı'nın yetkilileri de tribündeydi. Leroy Sane sadece kendi taraftarlarına değil, onlara da resital sundu. Tecrübeli yıldız, Dünya Kupası kadrosundaki yerini de garantiledi. Zaten son dönemlerde davet alıyordu...
BEDAVA GELMİŞTİ!
Galatasaray, 1.83 boyundaki futbolcuyu bu sezon başında bedelsiz olarak kadrosuna katmıştı. Sarı-Kırmızılılar, Bayern Münih'le sözleşmesi biten yıldızı adeta kaptı. Leroy Sane, Süper Lig'de 25 karşılaşmaya çıktı. Sahada 2.087 dakika kaldı. 7 gol ve 5 asismt üretti.
Beşiktaş, Bayer Leverkusen'in 27 yaşındaki stoperi Edmond Tapsoba'yı kadrosuna katmak istiyor. Oyuncunun önceliği Premier Lig'di... Ve Everton Kulübü devreye girdi. Bu gelişme, Kartal açısından işleri epey zorlaştırabilir.
Beşiktaş, kaliteli bir stoper konusunda çalışmalarını sürdürüyor. Listenin zirvesinde ise Bayer Leverkusen'den Edmond Tapsoba var... Burkina Fasolu savunmacının önceliği ise Premier Lig'de oynamaktı. Ve alınan bilgilere göre Everton devreye girdi. Leverkusen'le görüşmelere başladılar.
HER ŞEY BİTMEDİ
Ancak Everton Kulübü'nün temaslara başlaması, her şeyin bittiği anlamına gelmiyor. Yine de işlerin zorlaştığını söylemek mümkün... 1.94 boyundaki stoper, bu sezon Bundesliga'da 26 karşılaşmaya çıktı. Sahada 2.306 dakika kaldı. 5 gol ve 3 asist üretti. Bu rakamlar; savunmada görev yapan bir oyuncu için gerçekten de etkileyici...
20 MİLYONA ALMIŞLARDI
Bayer Leverkusen, Edmond Tapsoba'yı 2020'nin Ocak ayında Vitoria Kulübü'nden transfer etmişti. O dönemde 20 milyon euro bonservis bedeli ödediler. 27 yaşındaki futbolcunun 30 Haziran 2028 tarihine kadar mukavelesi bulunuyor. Edmond Tapsoba, Burkina Faso Milli Takımı'nın formasını da 60 kez giydi. Ülkesi adına 4 gol kaydetti.
Trabzonspor, Trendyol Süper Lig'in 31. haftasında deplasmanda TÜMOSAN Konyaspor ile karşılaşacak. Trabzonspor-Konyaspor maçı ne zaman, saat kaçta ve hangi kanalda canlı yayınlanacak? Detaylar haberimizde...
Trabzonspor, Trendyol Süper Lig'in 31. haftasında deplasmanda TÜMOSAN Konyaspor ile karşılaşacak. Ligin son 2 haftasında Corendon Alanyaspor ve RAMS Başakşehir ile berabere kalarak şampiyonluk yarışında yara alan bordo-mavili takım, Konya deplasmanından galibiyetle ayrılarak zirve mücadelesini sürdürmek istiyor.
Bordo-mavililerde Savic, Batagov ve Okay Yokuşlu'nun sakatlıkları bulunuyor. Uzun süreli tedavisi tamamlanan Visca'nın ise hazır olmaması nedeniyle kadroda yer alması beklenmiyor.
KONYASPOR-TRABZONSPOR MAÇI NE ZAMAN, SAAT KAÇTA VE HANGİ KANALDA CANLI YAYINLANACAK?
MEDAŞ Konya Büyükşehir Stadı'nda saat 20.00'de başlayacak karşılaşmayı, hakem Halil Umut Meler yönetecek. Karşılaşma beIN Sports 1'den canlı yayınlanacak.
Trabzonspor ile TÜMOSAN Konyaspor, Konya'da yapacakları maçla Trendyol Süper Lig'de 50. kez karşı karşıya gelecek.
İki takım arasında geride kalan 49 lig maçında Karadeniz temsilcisinin galibiyetlerde 25-12 üstünlüğü bulunuyor. Rekabetteki 12 müsabakada ise taraflar sahadan beraberlikle ayrıldı.
Trabzonspor, söz konusu maçlarda 80 kez rakip fileleri havalandırdı, kalesinde 58 gol gördü.
KONYA'DA EN ÇOK BERABERLİK
Trabzonspor ile TÜMOSAN Konyaspor karşısında Konya'da oynanan karşılaşmada en çok beraberlik sonucu alındı.
Söz konusu 24 maçta bordo-mavililer, 8 galibiyet yaşadı. Konya temsilcisi 6 kez kazanırken 10 karşılaşma ise beraberlikle sona erdi.
SON 5 DEPLASMANDA TEK GALİBİYET
Trabzonspor, deplasmanda TÜMOSAN Konyaspor önünde son 5 lig maçının sadece 1'ini kazandı.
Söz konusu dönemdeki 2 maç beraberlikle tamamlanırken, 2 karşılaşmada da ev sahibi takım galip geldi.
İki takım arasında 2020-2021 sezonunda oynanan karşılaşma 1-1, 2021-2022 sezonundaki müsabaka ise 2-2 beraberlikle sona erdi. 2022-2023 sezonunda ise TÜMOSAN Konyaspor 2-1 galip geldi.
2023-2024 sezonunda oynanan müsabaka bordo-mavililerin 3-1'lik üstünlüğüyle sonuçlanırken geçen sezon da ev sahibi takım sahadan 1-0'lık galibiyetle ayrılmayı başardı.
İki takım arasında Trabzon'da oynanan sezonun ilk maçını Trabzonspor 3-1 kazandı.
Beşiktaş, Trendyol Süper Lig'in 31. haftasında sahasında Mısırlı.com.tr Fatih Karagümrük ile karşı karşıya gelecek. Beşiktaş-Fatih Karagümrük maçı ne zaman, saat kaçta ve hangi kanalda canlı yayınlanacak? Detaylar haberimizde...
Beşiktaş, Trendyol Süper Lig'in 31. haftasında sahasında Mısırlı.com.tr Fatih Karagümrük ile karşı karşıya gelecek. Beşiktaş, Süper Lig'de oynadığı 30 maçta 16 galibiyet, 7'şer beraberlik ve yenilgi yaşadı. Siyah-beyazlı futbol takımı, topladığı 55 puanla 4. sırada yer aldı.
Fatih Karagümrük ise çıktığı 30 müsabakada 5'er galibiyet ve beraberliğin yanı sıra 20 kez sahadan yenilgiyle ayrıldı. Kırmızı-siyahlı ekip, 20 puanla 18. ve son basamakta bulunuyor.
Beşiktaş, ligde çıktığı son maçta deplasmanda Samsunspor'a, Fatih Karagümrük ise evinde ikas Eyüpspor'a 2-1'lik skorlarla mağlup oldu.
BEŞİKTAŞ-FATİH KARAGÜMRÜK MAÇI NE ZAMAN, SAAT KAÇTA VE HANGİ KANALDA CANLI YAYINLANACAK?
Tüpraş Stadı'nda oynanacak mücadele saat 20.00'de başlayacak. Karşılaşmayı hakem Batuhan Kolak yönetecek. Karşılaşma beIN Sports 2'den canlı yayınlanacak.
MUHTEMEL 11'LER
Beşiktaş: Devis Vasquez, Gökhan Sazdağı, Agbadou, Uduokhai, Rıdvan, Ndidi, Cerny, Orkun, Olaitan, El Bilal Toure, Hyeon-Gyu Oh.
Fatih Karagümrük: Grbic, Esgaio, Biraschi, Lichnovsky, Mladenovic, Barış Kalaycı, Kranevitter, Bartuğ, Tiago Çukur, Larsson, Serginho.
KALEDE DEVIS VAZQUEZ
Beşiktaş'ın devre arasında kiralık olarak kadrosuna kattığı kaleci Devis Vasquez'in Fatih Karagümrük karşısında forma giymesi bekleniyor.
Kolombiyalı file bekçisi, teknik direktör Sergen Yalçın'ın görev vermesi halinde ilk kez siyah-beyazlı formayı giyecek.
Beşiktaş'ta sarı kart cezalısı kaleci Ersin Destanoğlu, mücadelede görev yapamayacak.
BEŞİKTAŞ'TA EKSİKLER
Beşiktaş'ta Fatih Karagümrük karşılaşmasında üç oyuncu forma giyemeyecek.
Siyah-beyazlı ekipte sakatlığı bulunan Kartal Kayra Yılmaz'ın yanı sıra, sarı kart cezalısı Amir Murillo ile kaleci Ersin Destanoğlu, mücadelede formasından uzak kalacak.
Fatih Karagümrük'te ise Joao Camacho, Ahmet Sivri ve Moussa Kone'nin forma giymesi beklenmiyor.
SARI KART SINIRINDAKİ OYUNCULAR
Beşiktaş'ta Fatih Karagümrük maçı öncesinde üç oyuncu ceza sınırında yer alıyor.
Siyah-beyazlılarda Emmanuel Agbadou, Rıdvan Yılmaz ve Salih Uçan, söz konusu karşılaşmada sarı kart görmesi durumunda gelecek hafta oynanacak Gaziantep FK maçında cezalı olacak.
Fatih Karagümrük'te sarı kart ceza sınırında bulunan Ivo Grbic ve Ricardo Esgaio ise Beşiktaş müsabakasında aynı durumu yaşadığı takdirde Gençlerbirliği karşılaşmasında cezalı duruma düşecek.
Beşiktaş GAİN, yarın akşam Fransa'da sadece bir maç değil, İstanbul'da şampiyonluk kupasını kaldırma şansı için parkeye çıkacak. Tüm gözler, "Kartal"ın geri dönüş mücadelesinde olacak.
Beşiktaş GAİN Erkek Basketbol Takımı, BKT Avrupa Kupası (EuroCup) final serisi ikinci maçında kader randevusuna hazır. Siyah-beyazlılar, seride 1-0 geride olduğu Fransız temsilcisi Cosea JL Bourg ile deplasmanda karşı karşıya gelecek.
Ekinox Salonu'nda oynanacak dev karşılaşma yarın akşam TSİ 20.30’da başlayacak. Siyah-beyazlılar kupa umudunu son maça taşıma savaşı TRT Spor'da canlı yayınlanacak.
İstanbul’da oynanan serinin ilk maçında rakibine 72-60 mağlup olan Beşiktaş, seride 1-0 geriye düşmüştü. İki galibiyete ulaşan takımın şampiyonluk kupasını kaldıracağı eşleşmede Beşiktaş’ın tek bir opsiyonu kazanmak.
Beşiktaş kazanırsa seri 1-1’e gelecek ve şampiyonluk maçı 1 Mayıs Cuma günü İstanbul’da oynanacak.
JL Bourg kazanırsa seriyi 2-0’a getirerek kupanın sahibi olacak.
Sezonun bitimine 3 hafta kala Fenerbahçe'yi geçme şansını bir kez daha yakalayan Trabzonspor'da teknik direktör Fatih Tekke tüm planlarını 3 puan üzerine yaptı. Stoper hattındaki revir görüntüsü bile bordo-mavililerin hocasının beklentisinin önüne geçemedi.
Trabzonspor daha önce iki kez "ben almayayım" diyerek reddettiği Fenerbahçe'den bir ikram daha aldı... Galatasaray'a 3-0 yenilen sarı-lacivertliler bir kez daha "biz istemiyoruz, siz gidin" diye Trabzonspor'a Şampiyonlar Ligi yolu açtı.
Bordo-mavilier bu akşam ligde herhangi bir iddiası olmayan Türkiye Kupası yarı finalisti Konyaspor'a konuk olacak. Ancak bordo-mavililer sezonun en kritik "revir" görüntüsüyle hazır.
YA OZAN YA LÖVİK
Savic ve Batagov sakatlıkları nedeniyle kritik maçta yok. Zaman zaman stoperde oynayan Okay da bu maçta forma giyemeyecek. Sakatlık kervanına katılan son isim de genç stoper Taha Emre oldu.
Fatih Tekke bu akşam ya Lövik’e güvenecek... ya da tecrübesiyle Ozan Tufan’ı stopere çekecek.
4 YIL SONRA YENİDEN
Galibiyet gelmesi halinde Trabzonspor, Fenerbahçe’yi geride bırakarak ikincilik koltuğuna oturacak. Ligin bitimine 3 hafta kala ele geçirilecek bu avantaj, takımı hem mental hem de stratejik olarak zirveye taşıyacak. Eğer Trabzonspor bu sezonu ikinci sırada bitirmeyi başarırsa, 4 yıl aradan sonra yeniden Şampiyonlar Ligi'ne adım atacak.
SEZON ERKEN AÇILACAK
Sezonu erken açacak olan bordo-mavililer, 2 ön eleme turunu geçmesi halinde gruplara kalacak. Gruplara katılım, kulüp tarihinin en büyük mali gelirlerinden birini kasaya koyacak. Matematiksel olarak şampiyonluk ihtimali hâlâ masada olsa da, camianın ve teknik heyetin öncelikli hedefi gerçekçi bir başarı olan lig ikinciliği.
Sadettin Saran, Ederson'ın sözleşmesini tek taraflı feshetmesi için içeride kalan son 3 aylık maaşını ceza olarak ödememe karar aldı... bu durumda Brezilyalı kaleci CAS'a gidecek. 1.5 yıl sonra çıkacak karara göre Fenerbahçe 200 bin Euro civarında faiz ödeyecek. İddialara göre Saran bu faizi cebinden ödemeyi kabul etti.
Fenerbahçe yönetimi zaten ilk günden bu yana çok yüksek maaş aldığı için göndermek istediği Ederson konusunda sürpriz bir karar alma aşamasında... gelen bilgilere göre sarı-lacivertli yönetim Galatasaray derbisinde kendini bile isteye attıran Ederson'a tarihi bir ceza kesecek.
Sarı-lacivertli yönetim Brezilyalı kalecinin yıllık maaşının brütünün yüzde 25'ini ceza olarak kesecek... bu sayede Ederson'un bu durumu "sözleşmenin kulüp tarafından ihlali" olarak gösterip sözleşmesini tek taraflı feshetmesinin önünü açacak. Zaten 3 ay geriden gelen maaşında yer alan 2 milyon 750 bin euro'luk kısmı ödemeyecek.
Başkan Sadettin Saran çok kızdığı Ederson'dan bu şekilde intikam alacak. CAS sonunda ortaya çıkacak tüm faizi cebinden ödeyecek.
FIFA ve CAS süreçlerinin toplamda yaklaşık 1,5 yıl sürüyor. Böyle bir durumda 2 milyon Euro'nun faiz yükü yaklaşık 206-207 bin Euro olacak.
Fenerbahçe Başkanı Sadettin Saran 3-0 kaybettikleri Galatasaray derbisinden sonra kendisine yakın yöneticilere adeta günah çıkardı... en büyük hatalarını bir bir sıraladı.
Başkan Sadettin Saran kendisine ayrılan sürenin sonuna geldiğini itiraf etti... dün akşam 3-0'lık Galatasaray yenilgisinden sonra kendisine yakın yöneticilerle kısa bir toplantı yaptı. Bugün "seçim" kararını açıklayacaklarını söyledi. Ayrıca yaptığı hatalar yüzünden özür diledi.
Başkan Saran'ın itiraf ettiği hataları ve yöneticilerin de "biz seni uyardık" dediği hataları birbir sıraladı:
- Seçim kazanmadan önce "maaşları ödeyemez" diyenlerin seçimi kazandıktan sonra sırtımı sıvazlayıp yüzüme gülmesine kandım. Onları dinlemek ise en büyük hatamdı.
- İnanmadığım halde Tedesco ve hayal satan Devin'le (Özek) çalışmaya devam etmemeliydim. Aykut hoca (Kocaman) ve Volkan'a (Demirel) ayıp ettim.
- UEFA'nın yaptırımı falan dinlemeyecektim ültimatom falan boş işmiş... o gece Tedesco'yu gönderip Tuncay (Şanlı) ile devam etmeliydim. Bugünden daha iyi olacağı kesin.
Galatasaray cephesi 3-0'lık zafere rağmen Yasin Kol'u suçlamaya devam ediyor... Başkan Özbek'e göre en az iki penaltıları verilmedi. Diğer yöneticilere göre penaltılar verilse ve maç erken kopsa belki de derbiden 6-7 farklı skorlar çıkacaktı.
Galatasaray bulutların üzerinde... 4'üncü kez üst üste şampiyonluk için artık sarı-kırmızılı camia saatleri saymaya başladı. Başkan Dursun Özbek'in de keyfine diyecek.
Derbiden sonra şu ifadeleri kullandı:
Son derece mutlu oldum! Fenerbahçe'ye karşı hak ettiğimiz bir galibiyet aldık, hakeme rağmen aldık! Verilmeyen penaltılar...
Başkan Özbek'e göre Yasin Kol iki penaltılarını birden atladı... eğer ilk yarıda Yasin Kol çalması gereken penaltıları çalsaydı, fark daha önce açılacaktı.
Galatasaraylı yöneticiler ise Yasin Kol'un görevini yaptığını iddia ederek, "6-0, 7-0 bitecek tarihi bir maç Yasin Kol yüzünden 3-0 bitti" diye isyan etti.
Tedesco'yu bu kez UEFA'da kurtaramayacak gibi duruyor... çünkü Mart ayında FFP denetimi tamamlandı. Alman teknik adama 2.5 milyon Euro tazminat verilip gönderilmesi, sezonun Tuncay Şanlı ile tamamlanması Fenerbahçe'nin ilk önceliği gibi duruyor.
Fenerbahçe'de bugün öğlen saatlerinde başlaması planlanan yönetim kurulu toplantısında önemli kararların alınması bekleniyor... bu kararların başında da Tedesco'nun görevden alınması, sezonun kalan 3 maçının ise Tuncay Şanlı ile tamamlanması gündemde.
Daha önce Mourinho’nun tazminat yükünü atamadığı için UEFA ile yüzyüze kalmak istemediği için Tedesco’yu kovamayan Fenerbahçe yönetimi bu kez çok daha rahat.
Çünkü Mart ayındaki kritik FFP denetimi tamamlandı... bazılarına göre sorunlu geçti. Yönetime göre ceza çıkacak bir durum yok. Bu yüzden Tedesco'nun kovulup sezonun geri kalan 3 maçının Şanlı ile tamamlanmasında ve camianın seçime Şanlı ile gitmesinde bir engel kalmadı.
Alman kaynaklarına göre yıllık 2.5 milyon Euro kazanan Tedesco’nun görevine son verilmesi durumunda, kulübün kasasından bu yılın sonuna kadar olan maaş hak edişi ve gelecek yılın 2.5 milyon Euro tutarındaki garanti ücreti tazminat olarak çıkacak.
Başkan Sadettin Saran iddia edildiği gibi seçim kararını bugün açıklarsa en erken 16-17 Mayıs tarihlerinde bir seçim sandığı Fenerbahçe kongre üyelerinin önüne gelir. Ancak beklenti ve makul tarih olarak 30-31 Mayıs veya 6-7 Haziran tarihleri öne çıkıyor.
Galatasaray'a 3-0 kaybeden Fenerbahçe bir sezonu daha "ellerim bomboş" şarkısıyla kapatacak... bugünün beklentisi ise öğle saatlerinde yapılacak yönetim kurulu toplantısından seçim kararının çıkması. Başkan Sadettin Saran zaten sezon sonunda bir seçim vadetmişti. Her ne kadar sonradan "pişman" olduğu her halinden belli olsa da Mayıs sonu Haziran başı gibi bir seçim kaçınılmaz.
İLK OTURUMDA ZOR
Eğer bugün yani 27 Nisan tarihinde resmi duyuru yapılırsa 15 günlük yasal duyuru süresi de eklendiğinde ilk toplantı en erken 12-13 Mayıs civarında yapılabilir. Ancak seçim için hafta sonları tercih edilir... bu da 16-17 Mayıs tarihini öne çıkarıyor.
İlk toplantıda 30 ila 40 bin üyenin katılımı teknik olarak imkansız... bu yüzden seçim genellikle bir sonraki haftaya kalır. Bu durumda seçim en erken 23-24 Mayıs veya tüzükteki 15 günlük süre ve hazırlıklar baz alındığında Haziran başı (örneğin 30-31 Mayıs veya 6-7 Haziran) olarak belirlenebilir.
Mehmet Ali Aydınlar'ın kaçarı yok... artık Fenerbahçe'de başkan adayı olarak görülen birinci isim. Camiada herkes "tek adaylı" ve o adayın da Aydınlar olduğu seçime hazırlanıyor. Peki Aydınlar'ın listesinde kimler olacak?
Fenerbahçe'de Başkan Sadettin Saran veda hazırlığında... hatta bugün seçim kararını ve aday olmayacağını camiayı duyuracağı iddiaları var. Her ne kadar Barış Göktürk ya da Hakan Safi gibi isimler konuşulsa da camiada yetersiz bulunuyorlar.
Sarı-lacivertli camianın 'ağır topları'nın bir süredir ikna etmeye çalıştığı Mehmet Ali Aydınlar ise teslim olmuş durumda. Adaylığı artık kaçınılmaz bir hal aldı.
Ancak burada Aydınlar'ın kuracağı yönetim kurulu Aziz Yıldırım ve Ali Koç'tan alacağı destek açısından çok önemli.
Aziz Yıldırım'a kaybettiği 2013'te Aydınlar'ın listesi şu isimlerden oluşuyordu:
- Hamdi Akın, Nezih Barut, Şaban Erdikler, Necdet Ersoy, Selim Koray, Recep Tanrıverdi, Nuri Tuna, Cem Topçuoğlu, Mehmet Torun, Tankut Turnaoğlu, Dursun Ekşioğlu, Faik İçmeli, Metin Şen, Engin Keçeli, Mehmet Okay, Nejat Taşdemir, Erkan Güral, Esra Kazancıbaşı Öztekin, Selim Ergüder, Hasan Tanyeli, Ekrem Eray Arda.
Yıldırım bu isimlerden Hamdi Akın'a net şekilde karşı. Ali Koç ise daha önce çalıştığı sonra yollarını ayırdığı Erdikler, Metin Şen gibi isimleri veto edebilir.
Futbol üzrə Azərbaycan milli komandasının yarımmüdafiəçisi Ozan Can Kökçü “Volendam”ın ötən gecə keçirdiyi oyunda iştirak etməyib.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, sözügedən komanda Niderland çempionatının (Erediviziya) 2025/2026-cı illər mövsümünün 31-ci turunda “Herakles”lə qarşılaşıb.
“Volendam” səfərdə baş tutmuş bu oyundan qələbə ilə ayrılıb – 2:0.
Ozan bu görüşün sonunadək ehtiyatda qalıb.
“Volendam” 31 turdan sonra 31 xalla 18 iştirakçı arasında 15-ci pillədə qərarlaşıb. Ozan bu oyunların 27-də iştirak edib, 1 qol vurub, 2 məhsuldar ötürmə müəllifi olub.
Xatırladaq ki, Özan Can Kökçü 2025-ci ilin may ayında “Volendam”la 1+1 illik müqavilə imzalayıb. O, Niderland klubuna Finlandiya təmsilçisi HJK-dan azad agent kimi keçib. Millimizin üzvü Niderland klubunun heyətində bütövlükdə 30 oyuna çıxıb, 1 qol vurub, 2 məhsuldar ötürmə verib.
Ozan daha öncə Niderlandda “Eyndhoven”, “Valveyk” və “Telstar”ın, Türkiyədə “Bursaspor” və “Girəsunspor”un, Azərbaycanda “Sabah”ın da uğurları üçün çalışıb. Azərbaycanın U-20 və U-21 yığmalarının formasını geyinmiş futbolçu 2022-ci ildən əsas millimizə dəvət alır. O, Azərbaycan milli komandasının heyətində 14 oyuna çıxıb, 2 məhsuldar ötürmə müəllifi olub.
Sərbəst güləş üzrə Avropa ikincisi olmuş Azərbaycan təmsilçisi Arseniy Djioyev (86 kq) çıxışı ilə bağlı təəssüratlarını bölüşüb.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, o, Azərbaycan Güləş Federasiyasının mətbuat xidmətinə açıqlamasında bunları söyləyib:
“Allaha şükür olsun ki, bu nəticəni əldə etdim. Fürsətdən istifadə edib, Azərbaycan Güləş Federasiyasına, məni dəstəkləyən hər kəsə öz minnətdarlığımı bildirmək istəyirəm. Bizə bu cür şərait yaradan federasiyamıza təşəkkür edirəm. Çəkdiyimiz əziyyət onu göstərir ki, gələcəkdə qızıl medal da əldə bilərik. Çalışacağam ki, bu medalın əyarını qızıla çevirim”.
Xatırladaq ki, Albaniyanın paytaxtı Tiranada təşkil edilmiş yarışa 86 kq çəki dərəcəsində qatılmış Arseniy Djioyev (86 kq) əvvəlcə ukraynalı Denis Bikova (10:0), daha sonra moldovalı Yevgeni Mihaelkana (11:0) tam üstünlüklə qalib gələrək yarımfinala vəsiqə qazanıb. Bu mərhələdə isə latviyalı İvars Samusonok vaxtından əvvəl xalçanı məyus tərk edib – 12:2. Arseniy finalda rusiyalı İbrahim Kadiyevlə üz-üzə gəlib. O, minimal fərqlə məğlub olub (1:2) və gümüş medala sahib çıxıb.
Futbol üzrə Azərbaycan millisinin hücumçusu Renat Dadaşov Polşanın “Motor” komandasının “Vidzev”ə qarşı keçirdiyi oyunu buraxıb.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, 26 yaşlı hücumçunun komandası Polşa çempionatının 2025/2026-cı illər mövsümünün 30-cu turu çərçivəsində “Vidzev”lə qarşılaşıb.
Lyublin təmsilçisi bu rəqiblə səfərdə üz-üzə gəlib və 0:2 hesablı məğlubiyyətə üzülüb. Renat bu görüşün iştirakçısı olmayıb. O, sonadək ehtiyatda qalıb.
30 turdan sonra 39 xalı olan “Motor” hazırda Polşa çempionatının turnir cədvəlində 18 iştirakçı arasında 9-cu pillədə qərarlaşıb. Renatın komandası keçirdiyi 30 oyunda 9 qələbə qazanıb, 12 heç-heçə edib, 9 məğlubiyyətə üzülüb.
Xatırladaq ki, Dadaşov “Motor”la 2025-ci ilin yayında 1+1 illik müqaviləyə imza atıb. O, Lyublin klubunun heyətində meydana çıxdığı 20 oyunda fərqlənə bilməyib.
Renat Dadaşov ötən mövsümü Polşanın digər klubu “Radomyak”da keçirib. Amma o, mövsüm bitən kimi sözügedən klubu tərk edib və “Motor”la razılaşıb. Renat karyerası ərzində “Qrasshopper”, “Tondela”, “Eştoril”, “Pasuş de Ferreyra”, “Hatayspor”, “Ankaragücü” kimi klublarda da forma geyinib. O, Azərbaycan milli komandasının heyətində meydana çıxdığı 43 oyunda 6 qol, 2 məhsuldar ötürmə müəllifi olub.
Galatasaray, 23 Mayıs'ta seçime gidecek. Sarı-kırmızılılarda seçimin ardından teknik direktör Okan Buruk ile 2 yıllık yeni sözleşme imzalanması bekleniyor.
Beşiktaş'ta özellikle sezonun ikinci devresinde gösterdiği performans ile alkış toplayan Ersin Destanoğlu, yeni sözleşme konusunda istediği kararı verecek.
Bəlli ki, millinin baş məşqçisi postu strateji yerdir. Deməli, Ayxan Abbasovun dedikləri daim diqqətdə saxlanılmalıdır. Görək strateji posta kim qoyulub, necə fikirləşir, proseslərə yanaşması nədir və s.
29-cu turun “Şamaxı” – “Kəpəz” (2:0) oyunundan sonra mətbuat konfransında Abbasova verilən sual və onun cavabına diqqət yetirək:
– AFFA rəhbərliyi ilə söhbətlərinizdə çempionatdakı hakim səhvlərini müzakirə edirsiniz? – Cahangir müəllimlə söhbətlərimizdə bütün mövzulara toxunuruq, hakimlik də bunların arasındadır. Federasiya da səhvlərin az olmasını istəyir. Lakin həqiqəti demək lazımdır, burda medianın, AFFA-nın, klubların da payı var. Bəzən lazımsız ajiotaj yaradır, futbolumuzu sanki şouya çeviririk. Türkiyəyə baxıb, müəyyən addımlar atırıq. Bəzi gənc hakimlər də səhvlərdən tam şəkildə qurtula bilmirlər. Mənimlə razılaşmaya bilərsiniz, amma bu gün səhvsiz yer yoxdur. Hər şeyi hakimlərin üzərinə yıxmaq da düzgün deyil. Klubların haqqına girilib, bunu da demək lazımdır. Amma çıxış yolu hakimləri silmək deyil. Onlar da təcrübə qazanmalıdır, üzərlərinə bu qədər getmək olmaz. Səhvlər həddən artıq müzakirə olunanda, bəzi hakimlərdə qorxu yaranır.
Abbasov, etiraf edirik, qarışıq dönəmdən keçirik. Ancaq bu qarışıqlığın içində fikirlərin də qarışması üçün hər hansı zəmin yoxdur.
Qarışıqlıqda media tərəf kimi göstərilir. Qarışdırmayaq…
Ümumiyyətlə, gəlin belə edək: media deyəndə nə nəzərdə tutulur?
Kiminçünsə “sarı mətbuat” nümunəsi də mediadır.
Futbol aləmindəki oxucu kütləsi nə boyda olar?
Onların neçə faizi peşəkar KİV oxuyur?
Ümumiyyətlə, peşəkarla “obıvatel” ayırımı edə bilən məşqçi, futbolçu, futbol funksioneri nə qədərdir?
Bunu ayırd edə bilməsək – ki bilmərik – dəyərləndirmədə mizanı qaçırmaq ehtimalı böyükdür.
Peşəkar mühakimə, təhlil qabiliyyətli media ümumi kütlənin 10-15%-ni təşkil edər, ya etməz.
Bu kiçik faiz Azərbaycan futbolu başda olmaqla, idmanında əsas hərəkətverici qüvvədir.
Olmasaydı, nələr olardı…
Gələk məğzə. Hakimlərin qınanması onların səhvinə görə deyil, qələtinə görədir. Əslində “qələt” ərəbcədən tərcümədə elə “səhv”dir. Sizin üstünə çox da gedilməməsini məqbul bildiyiniz hakim nöqsanları yığılıb qalaq-qalaq, nə boyda səhv tayası yaradıbsa, vəziyyəti ifadə etməkçün qələt sözünü işlətməyə bilmirsən.
Mövsüm sonunda milliyə görə tərk edəcəyiniz klub baş məşqçiliyi postu bu həqiqətin toksikliyini sizə də az yaşatmayıb.
Absurd hakim səhvlərindən şikayətlənən APL məşqçiləri arasında aktivlərdən olmusunuz.
İndi nə oldu?
Sizin çıxışınızdakı ideyanı əslində anlayırıq. Lap yaxşı anlayırıq. Neqativ periodun uzun-uzadı keçməməsi naminə elə danışırsınız. Lakin medianın (peşəkar medianın) ucuz şouya çevrilməsində rolu yoxdur. Məsələni “maski-şou”ya çevirənlər var.
Bəli, AFFA-nın iki ildən çoxdur təmərküzləşə bilməyən yeni idarəçiliyi bu cür şouların mənbə və mənsəbini görə bilmədiyi (?) üçün vəziyyət “şou” halını alır.
Bu haqda ipucu xarakterli məqalələr dərc etməkdən usandıq, irəliləyiş yoxdur ki, yoxdur. Davam edir özbaşınalıq.
Futbol naminə bir yaxşı iş görüləndə bir hakim qələti vurub o yaxşı işin gözünü deşir. Bir zəhmət, artıq suların hardan bulandığını sezib, bilib, real addımlar atsın da AFFA. Bu ki, özbaşına olası iş deyil.
Qələtləri də gənc hakimlərdən çox təcrübəlilər edir. Odur ki, təcrübə qazanılası bir şey yoxdur. Səhnə qurulub və oyun gedir.
Ssenarisi və oyunçuları bəlli tamaşa.
Bir-birimizi ittiham etməklə heç nəyə nail ola bilməyəcəyimiz bir şounun içindəyik.
Freddi Merkurinin oxuduğu kimi, “The show must go on!” – Tamaşa davam etməlidir…
AFFA-nın təşkilatçılığı və FIFA-nın dəstəyi ilə “FIFA Women’s Development Programme” çərçivəsində 8-10 yaşlı qızlar üçün futbol festivalı keçirilib.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, Lənkəran Olimpiya İdman Kompleksində baş tutan tədbirdə 63 qız iştirak edib.
Proqram çərçivəsində iştirakçılar üçün sadə futbol məşqləri, estafet oyunları və əyləncəli fəaliyyətlər təşkil olunub. Həmçinin milli komandanın futbolçuları ilə fotozona yaradılıb və məşqçilər tərəfindən topla ilkin davranış qaydaları göstərilib. Qızlar həm əyləniblər, həm də futbol bacarıqlarını inkişaf etdirmək imkanı qazanıblar.
Tədbirdə AFFA-nın baş katibinin müşaviri Orxan Həsənov, Qadın Futbolu Departamentinin rəhbəri Zümrüd Ağayeva, assosiasiya nümayəndələri, qadınlardan ibarət milli komandaların məşqçiləri və oyunçuları iştirak ediblər. Millinin üzvü Mədinə Curuqova festivalın gənc səfiri seçilib.
İştirakçılar AFFA tərəfindən idman geyimi, toplar və gödəkçələrlə təmin olunublar.
Bu cür festivalların gələcəkdə də davamlı keçirilməsi planlaşdırılır. Layihənin təşkilində əsas məqsəd qızlar arasında sağlam həyat tərzini təşviq etmək, futbola marağı artırmaq, gələcəkdə onları liqalara və milli komandalara hazırlamaqdır.
AFFA-nın təşkilatçılığı və FIFA-nın dəstəyi ilə “FIFA Women’s Development Programme” çərçivəsində 8-10 yaşlı qızlar üçün futbol festivalı keçirilib. Msport.az xəbər […]
Saelemaekers hits the crossbar, Roma and Como remain at a distance.
Inter, it’s yours
Great Toro comeback, but the Scudetto is three points away
+10 with four games remaining. Party ready at San Siro against Parma on Sunday. Marotta: ‘Fans, be calm, we are not involved in the scandal. We’ve always been correct.’
The referees shield themselves.
Rocchi and Gervasoni heard on Thursday, and they might not reply to the prosecutors. The investigation is nearly closed; it started a year ago.
FIGC commissioner, the Government pushes, the board is divided.
Corriere dello Sport
Referees, the prosecutors investigate: Inter’s rebellion
Marotta: ‘We are not involved.’
‘We’ve always acted with the utmost fairness, never indicated unwanted referees.’ Chiné: ‘I’ve never asked for the documents.’ Rocchi: ‘Heard on Thursday? We’ll see.’ The Government wants to appoint a commissioner.
It doesn’t end here
Draw (0-0) in the match between Allegri and Spalletti: Fabregas and Gasperini are three points behind Lucio.
Champions League race: Milan, Juve, Como and Roma within six points
Disallowed Thuram goal and Saelemaekers’ crossbar. Little emotions at San Siro. Cesc wins 2-0 in Marassi. Four games to go: a race for two spots.
Napoli, McTominay’s record
13 goals so far, the next one will mark a personal record
Roma, Malen leaves the others behind
181m invested in No.9 since 2020: Donyell is the leader
Arezzo celebrate: Here’s Serie B
Bucchi beats Torres (3-1): 80 points in 36 matches.
Tuttosport
Simeone+Vlasic: 15 minutes of fury block Inter’s joy.
Toro’s comeback with pride
Thuram and Bisseck appear to legitimise the Nerazzurri’s certainty of winning at the Grande Torino, but D’Aversa gets the substitutions right: Zapata and Nije give a shake. Ilkhan lights up, and the stadium finally gets excited. The coach: ‘The attitude has changed too, Cholito was so determined!’ Duvan: ‘We must rebuild our relationship with the fans.’ Chivu needs three points for the Scudetto.
Once upon a time, there was Milan-Juve
A disappointing 0-0 at San Siro
Thuram’s disallowed goal for offside and Saelemaekers’ crossbar were the only highlights; then the two teams settled for a goalless draw, as in the reverse fixture. Allegri slips -2 from Napoli, Spalletti remains fourth, but Como and Roma get closer: ‘Now let’s see who is worthy of Juve.’
According to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, the Gunners are heavily monitoring his situation and are fully prepared to launch a blockbuster bid if Real Madrid decide to cash in.
After arriving in Spain with sky-high expectations, the teenager struggled to lock down consistent minutes under manager Xabi Alonso.
The situation got so tense that his father, Douglas Sousa, recently hit out at the Spanish giants in the media, claiming they had essentially “taken away his playground.”
Endrick has revived his career away from Real Madrid
Seeking a fresh start and regular playing time, Endrick secured a winter loan move to Olympique Lyonnais, a decision reportedly influenced by his wife, Gabriely Miranda.
He is playing with a smile on his face again, and Europe’s elite are taking notice.
Arsenal’s recruitment team has reportedly been tracking the Brazilian’s resurgence very closely.
Mikel Arteta is always on the hunt for dynamic, versatile forwards, and Endrick’s explosive pace, physical strength, and lethal left foot make him a dream fit for the physical demands of the Premier League.
Arsenal are waiting to see if they can sign the Brazilian
The North London club is ready to strike the second an opportunity arises. However, pulling this deal off will be incredibly difficult. Despite his frustrations earlier in the campaign, Real Madrid still view Endrick as a generational talent and a massive part of their long-term future.
He is tied down to a contract until the summer of 2030, meaning Florentino Perez holds all the cards and has absolutely no financial pressure to sell his prized asset.
If Endrick decides he wants guaranteed starter status rather than returning to a rotation role in Spain, he might just force the issue himself.
While a summer transfer currently remains a long shot, Arsenal are making sure they are first in line if the Brazilian’s Madrid dream officially comes to an end.
When Xavi Simons arrived at Tottenham Hotspur last August in a high-profile £51.8 million move from RB Leipzig, he was supposed to be the creative spark.
Fast forward to the spring of 2026, and the dream has turned into an absolute nightmare.
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According to sources in Spain, Manchester United are closely monitoring the 23-year-old Netherlands international Xavi Simons, lining up a sensational summer swoop to bring him to Old Trafford.
Tottenham could be open to a fire sale
To understand why Simons might be packing his bags so soon, you only need to look at the current Premier League table. Tottenham’s season has been nothing short of a disaster.
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Roberto De Zerbi’s heavily-invested squad is in genuine danger of dropping down to the Championship.
Reports suggest that the financial reality of relegation could see Simons leave for an absolute pittance, potentially as low as £26 million.
For a player who was widely regarded as one of the best young No. 10s in European football just a year ago, that price tag represents an incredible market opportunity for Man United.
Simons will be a gamble for Man United due to his injury
There is, however, a massive elephant in the room: Simons’ fitness. Just this past weekend, the Dutch playmaker was stretchered off during a clash against Wolves, with scans confirming a devastating ACL rupture.
He is facing up to eight months on the sidelines, meaning whoever buys him won’t see him kick a competitive ball until at least January 2027.
So, why would Man United want to invest in a player who is facing a serious rehabilitation process?
The Red Devils need players who can make instant impact in the team and challenge for a place in the starting line up straightaway.
A fully fit Simons offers a level of technical brilliance and versatility that is incredibly rare.
Buying him while he’s injured is undeniably a massive risk, but it’s precisely that injury, combined with Tottenham’s league struggles, that makes this heavily discounted fee possible in the first place.
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With eight wins, two draws, and just two defeats in 12 games, no Premier League side has racked up more points during his time in charge. He has transformed a wildly inconsistent squad into a cohesive unit that currently sits comfortably in third place, firmly on track to secure Champions League football.
Despite his brilliant job at Old Trafford, Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants the club to consider former England boss Gareth Southgate for the Man United job, according to TEAMtalk.
While director of football Jason Wilcox and CEO Omar Berrada are conducting a thorough managerial search, the ultimate decision rests with Ratcliffe.
Since stepping down from the Three Lions post in July 2024 following the Euro 2024 final against Spain, the 55-year-old Southgate has been biding his time away from management.
Ratcliffe believes Southgate’s profile is perfect for the club
Former England coach Gareth Southgate (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Ratcliffe reportedly believes Southgate’s profile, man-management skills, and experience handling immense media pressure perfectly align with the heavy demands of Old Trafford.
While other heavyweights like Thomas Tuchel, Julian Nagelsmann, and Carlo Ancelotti have been floated by the board, Southgate’s name keeps surfacing as a serious, genuine threat to Carrick’s permanent ambitions.
As we head into the final stretch of the season, Man United find themselves at a massive crossroads.
Do they reward the undeniable results and internal harmony that Carrick has built, or do they pivot to the established, higher-profile vision that Ratcliffe seems to crave with Southgate?
It’s entirely up to INEOS to decide if they want to roll the dice on a new era or stick with the man who successfully brought the magic back to the Theatre of Dreams.
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke does not want Pascal Struijk to leave in the summer transfer window, according to Football Insider. The defender has been on the books of Leeds since January 2020 and is under contract at the Premier League club until the summer of 2027. Journalist Pete O’Rourke said: “From Leeds’ perspective, they […]
While Aston Villa might have been frustrated on Saturday lunchtime as they were hit with a 1-0 loss away at Fulham, Unai Emery’s men could be set for an historic month in the Midlands. Travelling to local rivals Nottingham Forest on Thursday night as they get their Europa League semi-final adventure underway, the Villains are […]
Real Madrid ready for massive clearout as eight players face exit – report
Change is no longer a possibility at Real Madrid – it is becoming an inevitability.
After a disappointing campaign that has raised serious questions about the squad’s balance and long-term direction, the club is now preparing for what could be one of the most significant rebuilds in recent years.
Reports from Defensa Central suggest that as many as eight players are currently facing uncertain futures, with the club internally assessing who fits into the next phase of the project and who does not.
Three veterans in spotlight
Among the most straightforward cases are David Alaba and Dani Carvajal.
Unless there is a late and unexpected turnaround, their departures appear almost certain, marking the first steps in what could be a wider squad reset.
Another situation that continues to attract attention is that of Antonio Rudiger. Unlike Alaba and Carvajal, the German defender does have a renewal offer on the table.
However, the lack of response so far has created uncertainty and the club is reportedly unwilling to improve their current proposal, meaning the next move rests entirely with the player.
Who are the other players?
Further down the squad, several players are facing a different kind of reality.
Camavinga could be sold to generate revenue. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images)
The likes of Dani Ceballos and Fran Garcia have both struggled for consistent minutes this season.
That lack of involvement has naturally led to frustration, and both players are now open to exploring exits if suitable offers arrive.
However, the more complex decisions lie elsewhere.
The futures of Eduardo Camavinga, Gonzalo Garcia, and Raul Asencio present a different kind of dilemma.
These are not fringe players lacking quality, but individuals whose roles within the squad are now being reassessed.
Internally, there is a growing belief that certain departures may be necessary to sign new players.
Lastly, there is the unique case of Franco Mastantuono. Unlike others on the list, Real Madrid are not looking to sell him outright.
Instead, the plan is to send the young talent out on loan, allowing him to gain valuable experience before potentially reintegrating into the squad in the future.
At the end of the final home game of the season, Stoke's players were sent out to do a lap of appreciation, honouring the fans, and were faced with row upon row of empty red seats.
The supporters have stuck with their team admirably this season, but over the last few weeks patience that was wearing thin has been worn through.
The performance against Portsmouth was abject, lacking enthusiasm, energy, desire and resolve from more than a handful of players in red and white.
After the game manager Mark Robins said players would be "cut loose."
Damningly, he added that Stoke "need to move people on who are mercenary, don't want to train and don't want to work hard."
Robins reiterated again that the club has a lot of work to do and fans are again staring down a summer during which one failed project will be torn down and another one put in place, all in the space of three or four months.
He has repeatedly said that greater physicality will be a priority and promised significant change and a focus on players with the right mindset to compete.
Everyone associated to Stoke will hope it's ninth time lucky for a club stuck in Championship purgatory.
Apr 26, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (5) shoots the ball as Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) defends during the third quarter during game four of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center.
HOUSTON -- The Los Angeles Lakers were bracing for a sweep Sunday night in Houston.
After an emotional Game 3 overtime victory that defied the laws of win probability, the Lakers needed 48 more minutes to eliminate the Houston Rockets and advance to the Western Conference Semifinals for the first time since 2023.
The mission was not accomplished in a 115-96 Game 4 defeat, but the Lakers finally unlocked the version of Deandre Ayton they awaited all series. With the offense struggling to the tune of 24 turnovers and a 5-of-22 showing from three, Ayton kept his team afloat through two-and-a-half quarters with one of his best showings donning purple and gold.
The former No. 1 overall pick combined for a mere eight points in his prior two outings. But on Sunday night, he contributed a team-high 19 points — six more than the next closest Laker — on an efficient 9-of-12 shooting, regularly getting favorable position in the post to drain high-percentage hook shots.
“It’s been tough for DA,” Lakers point guard Marcus Smart said. “We’ve been hard on him. He’s been hard on himself. [The media] has been hard on him. It’s all good though. He’s been taking it and embracing it and trying to get better and better. Today he showed that. He came out, we relied on him a bit more, he made plays for us.”
However, Ayton’s stellar night came to an abrupt halt with 5:41 remaining in the third quarter when his left elbow collided with the face of Rockets center Alperen Sengun. After a lengthy review, Ayton was assessed a flagrant 2 — warranting an ejection from the contest.
“I was really just trying to brace the contact with Sengun,” Ayton said. “We’re both sweaty guys. I just slipped off his shoulder, and literally, my elbow hit him right above his shoulder. It looked crazy on camera, but I’m not a guy who is a dirty player or plays like that. If anything with me trying to play dirty, I’d be hurting myself. I just hope he’s alright and he doesn’t think it was intentional.”
Ayton’s teammates vehemently disagreed with the decision to eject their starting center, believing the contact was incidental and did not meet the criteria for a flagrant 2.
“We all understood it was some BS,” Smart said. “That’s what we felt. He was just trying to brace himself. Two guys who were sweating their butts off playing the game, his arm slips up. But we’re proud of the way he handled it, and I think that just speaks volumes about who he is and his progression. He’s learning. He could have easily — and it probably would have been justified — if he went off. But he kept his composure and stayed positive. That’s only going to help him and this team.”
Combining regular season and playoffs, Game 4 was Ayton’s 519th game of his NBA career. It also marked his first career ejection. Rockets head coach Ime Udoka was also surprised by the officials’ decision to remove Ayton from the game, implying the grounds for an ejection have become too strict in recent years.
“It looked intentional, but I was surprised it was a flagrant 2,” Udoka said. “That’s the NBA nowadays. They call it a little softer than they used to.”
Ayton’s teammates complimented his poise through the frustrating moment in the Lakers’ 19-point road defeat. But the center looks to channel that frustration into positive energy, as Los Angeles retakes the hardwood Wednesday night at home for a potential closeout Game 5.
“We’re pretty angry,” Ayton said. “I’m pretty angry. Honestly I wish we could play tomorrow. I have a lot of energy now. We’re gonna go back, watch the film, and turn up our level of intensity a little bit higher as well. And we’ll have our fans out there cheering for us.”
HOUSTON — In order to achieve something that had never been done before — clawing back from a 3-0 playoff deficit — Rockets head coach Ime Udoka had to attempt the impossible by calling on a few lineups that hadn’t played more than a few seconds prior to Game 4.
Udoka had raved about the prospect of playing small for weeks leading up to the playoffs — and teased the idea every now and then — his passion about the strategy was Houston’s worst-kept secret. The potential for speed, switching, versatility and chaos as an in-game changeup outweighed the ability to predict the future.
The Rockets’ desperation naturally played a part in Sunday night’s brawl; the sheer pride, ego and confidence displayed for months wouldn’t so easily go into the night without some resistance. But in a first-round series that has been decided by timely chess moves and adjustments, Udoka’s latest trick delayed a dance with disaster, reinvigorating a group not ready to call it quits on its season.
“The switching was good for us,” Udoka said following Houston’s 115-96 win. “We like small [ball] and the fact that some guys are out — obviously Kevin [Durant] — we can activate Dorian [Finney-Smith] and certain guys, so there will be lineups that we haven’t seen as much of. Everyone that came in contributed, defensive intensity was on point, focus was good and that’s the result you get, holding them under 100.”
Houston’s small ball, with at least four defenders on the floor at all times who can switch any matchup, slowed the game down for a Lakers team that had found success hunting and exploiting matchups in this series. Game 4 was always going to be a mud-wrestling bout — this matchup was already operating at the league’s second-lowest pace — but the uglier the game got, the slower it became and the longer it wore on, fortune favoring the fierce. The Lakers scored just 84.7 points per 100 half-court plays, which ranks in the 16th percentile of all playoff games to date, were woeful from deep (5-of-22) and turned the ball over 25.6% percent of offensive possessions, the worst in the postseason.
The thinking is simple: small ball breeds switching, and switching breeds stagnation. During the regular season, the Lakers scored just 0.97 points per chance against opponent switches, according to Synergy tracking data — a workable number and worthy gamble for a Rockets team desperate to leave the casino with something. Houston isn’t a heavy switching group by nature, a byproduct of playing Alperen Şengün and Reed Sheppard, which comes with hesitancy.
Still, the Rockets had been able to find success when they did switch, allowing .946 points per chance, just outside the top 10. That math works against a player even as great as LeBron James, who is shooting around 36% from 3 on five attempts per game. Houston begins the possession below with Finney-Smith on James, who motions for Deandre Ayton to screen to get Jabari Smith Jr., a perceived mismatch. Notice how quickly Houston aligns itself to switch and extend, ensuring James’ potential driving lane is being monitored and he only has the option to launch a deep triple.
Pertaining to James, the most important player atop the scouting report, small ball played a pivotal role in keeping him off balance, rushing his play and causing mistakes. LeBron struggled tremendously in Game 4, finishing the night with 10 points on 2-for-9 shooting along with a game-high 8 turnovers — his second straight game with that many cough-ups. Smith, who anchored Houston’s small lineups as a multi-faceted stretch center, instructed his teammates on assignments coming up the floor. In the blink of an eye, Smith was able to align his feet with James’ dribble, angle his body toward the ever-eager Tari Eason, who is there to simply blow up the action. Udoka praised Eason’s ability to go rouge defensively, citing his uncanny instincts and timing.
“It’s tough,” Smith said. “It’s not easy. We try to help each other. We all hang our hat on the defensive end. Me, Tari and Amen [Thompson] try to set the tone to start the game. Try to anchor the defense, be in the right spot, be vocal and focus on the mental side of it, too. We gotta get better at the mental side of it, knowing who to close out on, who to rotate off of, and knowing where to be. And I think we did that tonight.”
Where the Lakers might continue to find difficulty, even as they return home for a closeout Game 5, is exactly how the Rockets set up when they indeed go small. (LIneups that didn’t feature a center in Game 4 were plus-16 in 19 possessions). The lack of a traditional center puts more emphasis on perimeter accountability, pushing Houston’s defensive shell further out. Think of the shell as the total surface area connecting each individual player’s feet on the ground. The closer they are together, the more compact the shell and vice-versa.
NBC broadcast screengrab
Being further out and closer to the opposition allows for more aggression, particularly in the passing lanes, where the Rockets rank No. 1 among playoff teams with 91 deflections. Houston also tied a franchise-record in steals in Game 4 with 17, with Smith and Eason combining for 8. Smith’s presence, experience as a small ball center and physicality continue to be extremely useful tools for Udoka as the Rockets extend the series.
“We’ve played them four times now, so you kind of know the tendencies of guys,” Smith said. “You know some sets they run. I’m just trying to use my voice as much as I can to help people be in spots, fly around and help. Try to stop what they’re doing.”
"We know we can do it!" – Jackson Irvine backs St. Pauli's survival hopes after Heidenheim setback
FC St. Pauli suffered a major setback in their bid to avoid relegation at the weekend, falling 2-0 to bottom-placed 1. FC Heidenheim.
With just three games left to play, the Kiezkicker sit in the relegation play-off spot in 16th, five points behind 15th-placed local rivals Hamburger SV and just one point above 17th-placed Wolfsburg.
Speaking after the match, St. Pauli captain Jackson Irvine admitted the frustration of the defeat, but called for focus on the final stretch of the season, maintaining belief that the team can still secure survival.
“It’s tough because we had a huge chance. If you don’t reach your peak performance in this league, you’ll get rolled over. We were too passive and didn’t put the tackles in, and when you make the wrong decisions on top of that, you lose the game. It’s as simple as that," Irvine said.
"We have to focus on the last three games and the nine points that are up for grabs. The task now is to pull together and regroup. We all have to look at ourselves and what we can control as a group. We know we can do it – we’ve put in some good performances, especially at home, even if the results haven’t always gone our way.”
St. Pauli face Mainz, RB Leipzig and Wolfsburg, respectively, in their last three league games of the season.
Jersey Bulls Women have won every game they have played this season [BBC]
Jersey Bulls Women completed a perfect season as they thrashed Milford and Witley 12-3 to win their league title.
The islanders - in their first-ever season in English league football - won every game they played in South East Counties Women's Football League Surrey Division One.
"The idea of the Jersey Bulls Women was set up for the better players on the island to get opportunities to go off, but it was also for them to then become role models, which they've taken on and for younger players to look up to them," manager Chad Morris told BBC Radio Jersey.
"All the credit's got to go the players. They could have switched off today and I'd have moaned at them, but really you couldn't moan at them because they'd done the job; it's been a hard season.
"We sat here in June and wanted dedication and for them all to buy into it, but that's easy to do in June when it's sunny and you're sitting here in your shorts.
"It's a different matter at 04:30 in January when you're travelling away and it's freezing cold, so I've got nothing but praise for them, they're a great bunch of players and the effort and the dedication they put in is just unreal."
Top scorer Anita Tavares gave Bulls an eighth-minute lead before Milford pulled a goal back a minute later.
Roisin Flynn scored the first of five goals soon after before Sam Silva Pinto made it 3-1 after 15 minutes.
Flynn got her second before the visitors scored again to make it 4-2 at half time.
The hosts ran riot in the second half as they scored five goals in the first 20 minutes to take it to 9-2 - Holly Sundby scoring a hat-trick and Flynn and Tavares each getting another.
Flynn hit two more while Leah Morris also got on the scoresheet in between a third Milford goal.
"It was absolutely amazing," said Tavares, who took her tally to 41 goals for the season.
"It was such a nice feeling to win it with these girls. We've obviously played the whole season and won every single game, gone unbeaten, so it's just an amazing feeling to be crowned champions."
Tavares will be leaving the side to head off to university, as will Morris, meaning there will be some changes for the 2026-27 campaign.
"There'll be players coming back from uni plus academy players coming in, so that's like the evolution of a football team and this happens," manager Morris explained.
"We might have to tweak a bit how we play and we're going up a league so we need to have a look at them.
"It keeps changing year after year with younger players coming in, players coming back from uni, some players leaving, so it's a case of a season by season but the strength to your team is to build a way of playing around that."
🗞️Today’s front pages: El Clásico could seal Barça’s title
Although the spotlight in the press is on a historic event, in football Barça and their possible La Liga title this weekend are already making headlines.
The week begins with several fronts open: on one side Real Madrid against La Liga, on another Atleti gearing up for the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals, and on another, a Barça side doing the math to become La Liga champions.
Real Madrid’s ‘real problem’ may not be the bench – It is inside the dressing room
At some point, patterns stop being coincidental and start becoming reality.
For Real Madrid, another trophyless season is forcing a difficult but necessary question: Is the problem really the managers, or something much deeper?
In less than 12 months, the club has already cycled through three managers, and now even Alvaro Arbeloa finds his future hanging in the balance.
If he departs, which is a certainty, he will become the third managerial casualty in a single year, meaning by the summer, the team will have its fourth manager in nearly a year.
This is a statistic that points towards instability at a structural level rather than isolated failures.
Mbappe’s arrival and further destruction
When different managers fail under similar circumstances, attention inevitably shifts towards the players.
In that context, the arrival of Kylian Mbappe appears to have been a turning point, but not necessarily in the way many expected.
On paper, signing one of the world’s best players should elevate a squad. Instead, it seems to have disrupted an already delicate balance.
Before Mbappe’s arrival, the hierarchy within the squad was at its peak.
Players like Vinicius Jr. and Jude Bellingham were naturally emerging as leaders, driving the team forward through strong performance.
But the introduction of a global superstar altered that dynamic, creating a shift not just in roles, but in perception and status.
The issue is not competition, as top teams like Real Madrid thrive on it. Rather, the problem is when status outweighs structure.
Three managers have failed
Ancelotti’s end to his Real Madrid tenure was tough. (Photo by Ruano Carneiro/Getty Images)
Managers like Carlo Ancelotti, Xabi Alonso, and now Arbeloa have all faced similar challenges.
Each has made tactical errors, yes, but the recurring theme has been their struggle to fully control a dressing room filled with strong personalities and established egos.
Ancelotti, in his final stretch, appeared to prioritise stability over confrontation.
Known for his calm authority, he chose to go through the situation carefully rather than risk open conflict, even as signs of disconnect between the squad and coaching staff became increasingly visible on the pitch.
Alonso’s tenure, meanwhile, happened more publicly. His tensions with Vinicius complicated his authority within the group, and ultimately, the club’s decision to back the player over the manager sent a powerful message.
That message may have long-term consequences, as it more or less conveyed the idea that player influence had reached a level where it could directly influence managerial futures.
Then there is Arbeloa
Now, with Arbeloa, the situation appears slightly different, but not necessarily resolved.
While he has managed to bring a degree of calm to parts of the squad, cracks are still evident.
Reports of friction involving players like Dani Carvajal and Dani Ceballos show that tensions have not disappeared. Instead, they have simply shifted.
Interestingly, a section of the dressing room is said to support Arbeloa’s continuity.
But that backing shows uncertainty about what comes next and whether a new manager would challenge the existing power dynamics more aggressively.
This is where the real issue lies.
Real Madrid are not lacking talent, nor are they short of tactical ideas. What they are struggling with is control – the ability to establish a clear hierarchy where the manager’s authority is unquestioned.
Until that balance is restored, changing coaches will continue to be a temporary solution to a deeper problem.
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