Sports

Craig Bellamy: Harsh lesson in England defeat before Belgium clash

Craig Bellamy: Harsh lesson in England defeat before Belgium clash

Bellamy was on something of a charm offensive when he faced the media before this fixture. There was to be a new and bigger English audience to see what the Welsh public had already witnessed: his evolution from a combustible, confrontational player to a controlled, deep-thinking coach.This was the sternest examination so far of that new image.He simmered on the Wembley touchline as he watched his team fold obligingly in the face of torrential English pressure.Bellamy kept his cool on the surface but did he manage such calm in the changing room too?"I quite enjoyed half-time," he said."I was like,…
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World Cup qualifying: ‘Chronic Scotland prevail in Hampden head-wrecker’

World Cup qualifying: ‘Chronic Scotland prevail in Hampden head-wrecker’

We wondered which version of Greece would turn up in Glasgow - the side that hammered Scotland 3-0 or the one that got hammered 3-0 by Denmark last time out. Emphatically, it was the latter, but football is about results. At the break, it was 0-0, a mercy for the Scots given that Greece had confused the life out of them with their movement. Scotland didn't know whether to press or not, such was Greece's ability to pop it about. Steve Clarke's side looked like a disorganised rabble just waiting to be put out of their misery.They had no attempt…
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Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025: South Africa stun India after Nadine de Klerk heroics

Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025: South Africa stun India after Nadine de Klerk heroics

Six days ago in Guwahati, Proteas skipper Wolvaardt was facing up to the media after her side had been bowled out for 69 in a 10-wicket thrashing by England."We will put this behind us as quickly as we can," she said. But even she could not have expected what has followed.They cruised to victory over New Zealand to get themselves back on track. One win, one loss after two games against their biggest competitors for a top-four place.Australia and India were supposed to be a level above, so facing the co-hosts had the potential to scupper South Africa's momentum all…
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Ricky Hatton funeral: ‘Saint of Manchester’ remembered as city prepares for farewell

Ricky Hatton funeral: ‘Saint of Manchester’ remembered as city prepares for farewell

Rock band Oasis, who Hatton adored and would later befriend, were building on Manchester's reputation as a capital of the music world.Manchester United were dominating English football.Hatton was playing his part in the ring and also giving his Manchester City-supporting backers something to cheer while their team struggled in the Red Devils' shadow.In the city centre, a new venue opened and staged a Torvill and Dean performance on its opening night."It was fortunate that they built the Manchester Arena when they did," said Speak of the indoor venue that welcomed its first customers in 1995.This is where Hatton had 15…
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England vs Wales: Striker Ollie Watkins set to start in absence of Harry Kane

England vs Wales: Striker Ollie Watkins set to start in absence of Harry Kane

England head coach Thomas Tuchel is poised to hand striker Ollie Watkins his first international start since November in the friendly against Wales on Thursday night.Captain Harry Kane is unavailable after picking up a foot injury while playing for Bayern Munich at the weekend - but hopes to be fit to face Latvia in Tuesday's World Cup qualifier.It is understood Watkins is in line to replace England's record scorer as the lone centre-forward for the visit of Craig Bellamy's side to Wembley.The Aston Villa striker has been a regular in the England set-up since his debut in March 2021, but…
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Manchester United: Bruno Fernandes not interested in move to Saudi Pro League

Manchester United: Bruno Fernandes not interested in move to Saudi Pro League

Bruno Fernandes has no interest in moving to the Saudi Pro League at the end of the season, BBC Sport understands.The Portugal midfielder rejected huge offers from Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad last summer in order to stay at Manchester United.Sources close to the United skipper have completely rejected recent suggestions he is ready to quit Old Trafford after the World Cup next summer and accept a Saudi offer.BBC Sport has been told that is not the case and Fernandes, whose United contract runs to 2027, with the option of an additional year, is only interested in playing in major European leagues.As…
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Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner: Are tennis courts being slowed to aid superstars?

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner: Are tennis courts being slowed to aid superstars?

Bates was on tour between 1980 and 1996. He rarely played on a slow court."In that period of time, there were two completely separate tours," he explained."You had all the players who played on the clay, and then you had everyone else who played on the fast courts and the only time you would see the clay court players would be at the French [Open] and the only time we would see them would be at Wimbledon and the other Slams."All the indoor courts we played on were super slick. It was a question of how quick you could get…
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England v Wales: We want to test ourselves against the best – Ben Davies

England v Wales: We want to test ourselves against the best – Ben Davies

Davies has played against England three times, including a 2-1 loss at Euro 2016 - a result that still rankles."The 2016 one, it still hurts the last-minute goal to concede, but in that one we were playing a game more result-dependent," he said."We're very lucky in this team that we have incredible guys all across the board, players that come in, players that maybe don't play every single time but show their best foot every time they come in."It's just a fun environment to be around. We enjoy each other's company on the pitch, off the pitch. It feels like…
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World Grand Prix: Luke Humphries and Gary Anderson into quarter-finals

World Grand Prix: Luke Humphries and Gary Anderson into quarter-finals

World number one Luke Humphries moved into the quarter-finals of the World Grand Prix in Leicester with a comfortable 3-1 win over Krzysztof Ratajski.Humphries, 30, was champion in 2023 and runner-up last year, and reached the last eight after a half-time adjustment - hitting six 180s and averaging 95.58 at the 'double in, double out' tournament.He said: "I went off at the break and said to myself 'you must be doing something different because you don't play like this usually'."So I slowed my throw down and I started hitting the trebles. On the practice board I am hitting everything and…
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Maya Le Tissier: Is it time for Man Utd ‘rock’ to start for England?

Maya Le Tissier: Is it time for Man Utd ‘rock’ to start for England?

Manchester United coach Marc Skinner was quick to shut down an obvious line of questioning around his match-winner Maya Le Tissier after the club's Champions League debut."Your next question is probably 'should she start for England'," he said. "I am not here to answer that."Despite becoming one of the most consistent defenders in the Women's Super League, making a record 71st consecutive appearance in last week's 1-1 draw with Chelsea, central defensive anchor Le Tissier has had limited exposure at international level.Marshalled by Le Tissier, United had the WSL's second-best defence last season, conceding just 16 goals in 22 games.The…
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