SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Andy Farrell and his Lions squad deserve great credit but Australia have two big questions to answer
It was totally brilliant and a massive congratulations to Andy Farrell and the whole team.
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The Guardian
5 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Luke Littler beats James Wade to claim World Matchplay crown for first time
Luke Littler won his first World Matchplay crown as James Wade's remarkable run in Blackpool fell at the final hurdle. Littler claimed a hard-fought 18-13 victory at the Winter Gardens to become the fifth player to win the PDC triple crown - Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson and Luke Humphries having also won World Championship, Matchplay and Premier League titles. Wade was in his seventh Matchplay final 18 years on from his solitary success in 2007, which came six months after Littler was born. Littler's scoring power in a high-quality contest proved decisive - he hit 17 180s to Wade's six in averaging 107 - and set a new tournament record of 64 maximums, beating Adrian Lewis' previous best of 56. 'It means absolutely everything,' Littler told Sky Sports after winning the last four legs to hold the Phil Taylor Trophy aloft. 'I idolise Phil, he's come here 16 times and won it. Now my name is on this trophy - and I can say I've completed the Triple Crown. 'Since I started on the tour and got my tour card I've always said to myself, 'as long as I win one of every major I'll be happy'. I've only got a few left to tick off and I'll definitely chase the majors I haven't won yet.' Littler had to mount another comeback 24 hours after losing the first five legs of his semi-final to Northern Ireland's Josh Rock. Wade stormed into a 5-0 lead but did not have a single dart at a double in the second mini-session as Littler levelled in style. The 42-year-old left-hander produced an 11-darter in the next, but Littler responded by winning successive legs to lead for the first time at 7-6. Wade managed to keep in touch, helped by a bull finish in the 19th leg, and fought back from a double break down to cut the gap to just one at 14-13. But Littler pulled away and crossed the line in style with a 115 out shot (20-57-38), the biggest finish of the match. 'A little bit,' Littler said when asked if he had felt in control. 'Five-nil down once again, I said, 'I've been here before, what are you doing?' But I managed to pull it out of the bag and win the next five. I've shown I can come back from 5-0 or 7-3 down. I'm happy I can pull myself out of these scorelines, but I don't want to be 5-0 down again. James started to drop off a bit and I started to find my best darts.' Sign up to The Recap The best of our sports journalism from the past seven days and a heads-up on the weekend's action after newsletter promotion By winning the title 18-year-old Littler became the youngest ever champion in Matchplay history, six years younger than Wade when he lifted the title.
Sky News
5 minutes ago
- Sky News
Lionesses praised after winning Women's Euros - with bus parade confirmed this week
England fans across the country have heaped praise on the team after winning Euro 2025, with a bus parade celebration set for Tuesday. Sarina Wiegman's Lionesses took home their second Euros trophy in consecutive tournaments after beating Spain 3-1 on penalties in the final. Chloe Kelly scored the winning spot-kick following two huge saves from goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, after Alessia Russo scored an equaliser to send the game to a shootout. 2:21 After England win, it was announced that an open-top bus parade will be held in London on Tuesday along The Mall, which will start at 12.10pm. The celebrations will culminate in a stage ceremony at the Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace at approximately 12.30pm Fans can attend for free, and Sky News will broadcast it live. 'You've made the nation proud' - Starmer Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was among the millions congratulating the Lionesses, posting on social media to praise the champions "What a team. What a game. What drama," he said. "You dug deep when it mattered most and you've made the nation proud. History makers." The roof almost came off the Manchester clubhouse where Ella Toone started her journey Greg Milam Chief North of England correspondent @GregMilamSky Nowhere was the roar for the Lionesses louder than in the Astley and Tyldesley Miners Welfare club on the outskirts of Manchester. The club where a five-year-old Ella Toone started her journey to England stardom, like so many places across the country, hosted nail-biting, table-thumping and, ultimately, deafening watch parties. The roof almost came off the clubhouse when Chloe Kelly's winning penalty went in. Red bucket hats emblazoned with Toone's now-famous 'Buzzing My Head Off' catchphrase were thrown in the air. "Absolutely ecstatic," said Lorraine Warwick-Ellis, who runs the pathway development for women and girls at the club. "I was very nervous, very worried about penalties but we did it in the end." The success of the Lionesses has driven a huge boom in the popularity of women's and girls football in recent years. She hopes this win will have a similar effect. "I hope it cements the girls who are already here, keeps them engaged, and I hope it brings more girls down who want to be footballers and see that it's open for everybody." It had been a pretty sombre watch for much of the game after Spain took the lead - but it erupted into life after Alessia Russo's equaliser. The shootout was the usual emotional rollercoaster but young fans seem to have greater faith in the Lionesses. Among the jubilant teenagers celebrating in the clubhouse were two who have followed Toone's path to academies at professional clubs. "It's unbelievable, they're amazing, Chloe Kelly, I just don't know what to say about her," said Natasha Greenhouse. "We knew if it went to penalties that they'd do it." Tamsin Gallagher said: "They've done it the hard way all the way through the Euros but we all believed in them. Come on England." The party in Manchester and around the country and only just begun. 16:49 Prince William and Princess Charlotte, who were in attendance at St Jakob-Park in Basel, added on social media: "What a game! "Lionesses, you are the champions of Europe and we couldn't be prouder of the whole team. Enjoy this moment England." King hails Lionesses... and calls for World Cup In a post on the official Royal Family account on X, King Charles also sent his "most heartfelt congratulations on winning the Euros 2025" to the Lionesses. "For more years than I care to remember, England fans have sung that famous chant 'football's coming home'," he said. "As you return home with the trophy you won at Wembley three years ago, it is a source of great pride that, through sporting skill and awesome teamwork, the Lionesses have made those words ring true. "For this, you have my whole family's warmest appreciation and admiration. More than that, though, you have shown through your example over past weeks that there are no setbacks so tough that defeat cannot be transformed into victory, even as the final whistle looms." The monarch ended his statement by saying "the next task is to bring home the World Cup in 2027 if you possibly can!" Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy added: "What an absolutely extraordinary achievement by our Lionesses - once again they have made history and united the country with pride and joy."
The Independent
34 minutes ago
- The Independent
Lionesses set for bus parade celebration after dramatic Euros win
The Lionesses are set for an open-top bus parade in central London as part of the celebrations following their historic Euros win, but there are no plans for a bank holiday. England fans erupted with joy across the country as the team defended their Euros title in a penalty shootout win over Spain in the final in Basel, Switzerland, on Sunday. Chloe Kelly scored the winning spot-kick following two huge saves from goalkeeper Hannah Hampton – sending supporters in fan zones into raptures. The King said the team had the royal family's 'warmest appreciation and admiration' following their victory, adding: 'The next task is to bring home the World Cup in 2027 if you possibly can.' The team will attend a homecoming celebration event on Tuesday, with a ceremony due to take place outside Buckingham Palace. There will be an open-top bus parade along the Mall before the ceremony at the Queen Victoria Memorial, the FA said. Fans can attend for free and it will be broadcast live on BBC, ITV, and Sky. However, it is understood Downing Street has no plans for a bank holiday to mark the Lionesses' triumph. Supporters stood on tables, waved flags, threw drinks in the air and excitedly hugged each other as England claimed victory, while the Prince of Wales and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer watched on from the stands in Basel. Alessia Russo gave the Lionesses hope of retaining their Euros title with her second-half equaliser after Mariona Caldentey netted the opener for Spain in the 25th minute. In a statement posted on X after the game, Charles said: 'This brings you, your manager and all your support team my most heartfelt congratulations on winning the Euros 2025. 'For more years than I care to remember, England fans have sung that famous chant 'football's coming home'. 'As you return home with the trophy you won at Wembley three years ago, it is a source of great pride that, through sporting skill and awesome teamwork, the Lionesses have made those words ring true. 'For this, you have my whole family's warmest appreciation and admiration.' The King added: 'More than that, though, you have shown through your example over past weeks that there are no setbacks so tough that defeat cannot be transformed into victory, even as the final whistle looms. 'Well done, Lionesses.' A picture of the Prince of Wales with his arm around his daughter Princess Charlotte was posted to X following the presentation of the trophy to the Lionesses, with the caption 'champions of Europe'. The pair congratulated the team in a short statement, saying: 'What a game! Lionesses, you are the champions of Europe and we couldn't be prouder of the whole team. Enjoy this moment England.' The statement was the first message Charlotte has personally signed on the Prince and Princess of Wales's X account. Tower Bridge was lit up in red and white following the Lionesses' victory, the City Bridge Foundation said. Sir Keir was the first to congratulate England on their win – posting on X: 'Champions! Congratulations Lionesses – what a team. What a game. What drama. 'You dug deep when it mattered most and you've made the nation proud. History makers.' William was spotted in the stands applauding and celebrating with those around him – including Princess Charlotte. As the presentation ceremony took place, the Prince of Wales was among those to congratulate star striker Michelle Agyemang on being named young player of the tournament. William exchanged words with Agyemang, appearing to say 'well played, fantastic, well done'. Agyemang, 19, who had one England cap before the tournament, scored crucial equalisers in the Lionesses' quarter-final and semi-final comebacks. There was non-stop applause in her home town of South Ockendon as fans saw the Arsenal forward step through a guard of honour to pick up her award. Supporters at her old club Brandon Groves AFC danced a conga line to the sounds of Vindaloo after England's victory. The club's vice-chairwoman, Paula Howes, said Agyemang will help give youngsters the 'motivation and drive' to progress from grassroots football to the top of the game. She said: 'I think she (Agyemang) has got that determination and that drive on the pitch, and the girls can connect with that. 'It is also knowing that she is a local girl as well, I think that helps give them the motivation and drive, to know that you can start at grassroots football and progress up to the higher level, if you work at it.' The National Autistic Society congratulated their ambassador Lucy Bronze on the Lionesses victory, adding: 'We hope she has inspired the next generation of autistic girls to follow their dreams.' Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy also gave her reaction to the win, saying: 'What an absolutely extraordinary achievement by our Lionesses – once again they have made history and united the country with pride and joy.' England's path to the final was marked by late drama. They sealed their spot with a last-gasp extra-time win over Italy, following a penalty shootout victory against Sweden in the quarter-finals after nearly crashing out in extra time.
