London, United Kingdom | AFP | England face New Zealand in the World Cup final on Sunday knowing years of planning come down to a single day at Lord’s. When England exited the 2015 edition with an embarrassing defeat by Bangladesh, few were tipping them as potential champions in four …
Read More »Vettel warns Ferrari need to step up to challenge Mercedes
Silverstone, United Kingdom | AFP | Sebastian Vettel warned Ferrari on Friday his team needs to take a ‘significant step’ if they are to mount a challenge to Mercedes at this weekend’s British Grand Prix. The four-time world champion finished fourth behind pace-setting Valtteri Bottas, the Finn’s Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton and third-placed Charles Leclerc …
Read More »Federer downs Nadal to set up Djokovic duel for Wimbledon title
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Roger Federer reached his 12th Wimbledon final on Friday, defeating old rival Rafael Nadal, 11 years after the Spaniard triumphed in their epic 2008 title showdown at the All England Club, a match widely regarded as the greatest ever played. The 37-year-old eight-time champion won …
Read More »Barcelona bag Griezmann after stumping up 120 million euros
Barcelona, Spain | AFP | Barcelona announced the signing of Antoine Griezmann on Friday after the Spanish champions paid La Liga rivals Atletico Madrid the 120 million euro ($135 million) release clause required to sign the World Cup winner. “The player will sign a contract with his new club for the …
Read More »Koscielny rebellion adds to Arsenal gloom
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Arsenal captain Laurent Koscielny’s decision to boycott the club’s pre-season tour over a contractual dispute is the latest blow in an unsettling summer for the Gunners. Facing a third consecutive season outside the Champions League, Arsenal are attempting to play catch up with their rivals …
Read More »Tour de Impossible? Pakistan hosts ‘world’s toughest cycle race’
Khunjerab , Pakistan | AFP | Finishing nearly 5,000 metres above sea level after hundreds of kilometres winding past blackened glaciers and snow-capped peaks: a new Pakistani race presents a world-class challenge for cyclists — climbing towards the “Roof of the World”. The Tour de Khunjerab — its name a homage …
Read More »Algeria beat Ivory Coast on penalties to reach semi-finals
Suez, Egypt | AFP | Africa Cup of Nations title favourites Algeria defeated the Ivory Coast 4-3 on penalties in Suez Thursday to the relief of Baghdad Bounedjah and set up a semi-final showdown with Nigeria. The quarter-final finished 1-1 after extra time with Sofiane Feghouli giving Algeria a 20th-minute lead …
Read More »Troost-Ekong lifts Nigeria past South Africa in quarter-finals
Cairo, Egypt | AFP | William Troost-Ekong’s late winner sent Nigeria through to the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday after a tense 2-1 victory over South Africa in Cairo. Samuel Chukwueze fired the Super Eagles ahead in the first half in front of a healthy, largely pro-Nigerian …
Read More »Hamilton aims to bounce back with record sixth home win
Silverstone, United Kingdom | AFP | Lewis Hamilton is aiming to bounce back from a rare weekend of disappointment by winning his home British Grand Prix for a record sixth time this weekend — and in front of the biggest crowd at the historic Silverstone circuit in nearly three decades. …
Read More »Federer, Nadal setup Wimbledon blockbuster, Djokovic faces Bautista Agut
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal set up a Wimbledon semi-final blockbuster on Wednesday, 11 years after their epic 2008 title duel which is widely regarded as the greatest Grand Slam final ever played. Eight-time champion Federer racked up his 100th match win at Wimbledon and …
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