What did Pressley say after Alloa defeat?
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Scotsman
25 minutes ago
- Scotsman
Derek McInnes hails Hearts new boys and warns Sunderland to expect 'proper match'
Jambos ease into Premier Sports Cup last 16 Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Hearts manager Derek McInnes hailed the impact of his new signings after a place in the last 16 of the Premier Sports Cup was secured with a 4-0 win over Dumbarton at Tynecastle. Second half strikes from summer recruits Alexandros Kyziridis and Claudio Braga put the seal on the victory after Lawrence Shankland and Michael Steinwender had netted with headers before the break. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Kyziridis made it two goals in two appearances following his move from MFK Zemplin Michalovce while Braga now has three goals in four games since arriving from Aalesund. Hearts netted four goals in each of their group stages matches to claim maximum 12 points and progress to the next round, almost certainly as one of the seeded teams. And McInnes has been pleased with the contribution of his new attackers. Claudio Braga (second from left) celebrates with James Wilson, Adam Forrester and Blair Spittal after making it 4-0 to Hearts over Dumbarton at Tynecastle. (Photo by Paul Devlin / SNS Group) | SNS Group "Both of them have made a quick start," he said. "Supporters like what they see - as do we. Both boys are desperate to do well. We've made it clear to them that it covers a multitude of sins if you work hard for supporters and the fans need to see that. It's fundamental for all the players. The games coming up will be a big step up from this, both physically and in terms of intensity. But all the new lads can be pleased with their introduction considering we were just back over a month ago." Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Hearts new host Sunderland in Craig Gordon's testimonial on Saturday before starting their William Hill Premiership campaign at home to Aberdeen on Monday, August 4. "It's clearly a step up," McInnes said looking ahead to the visit of the Black Cats. "It's a testimonial for Craig and both clubs are here to honour him. At the start and end it will feel like that for Craig, but once the ball rolls it will feel like a proper game. Scotland v England, a Premier League team coming up and thinking back as a player, you would love to pitch yourself against them. I think it will be a really good test for us." Hearts' Alexandros Kyziridis celebrates with James Wilson (L) after making it 3-0 over Dumbarton at Tynecastle. (Photo by Paul Devlin / SNS Group) | SNS Group Shankland headed the opener in the 17th minute from Stephen Kingsley's cross and Michael Steinwender headed home from a corner seconds before the half-time whistle. Scott Tomlinson almost stunned the home support in the opening seconds of the second half when he hit the bar from a tight angle after robbing Kingsley of possession near the corner flag. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But Hearts were soon back in control and Kyziridis scored his second goal in as many games as the winger jinked his way into the box before sending an angled drive just inside the far post. Braga then converted Cammy Devlin's cutback in the 72nd minute to move Hearts on to a goal difference of 11 and ensure they will be the only top-flight side to boast a perfect record in the group stage. Championship Airdrie continued their 100 per cent record with a 2-1 victory over Montrose to move above Alloa on goal difference in Group C. The group, which features already-eliminated Dundee, will be decided on Saturday when Alloa visit Lanarkshire in a winner-takes-all tie. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Diamonds opened the scoring in the 56th minute at Gayfield when Euan Henderson's cross found its way into the net. The visitors doubled their lead six minutes later when Lewis McGrattan knocked the ball home after Henderson was brought down as he looked set to convert the rebound from his own saved shot.
The Guardian
26 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Bonmatí's angle-defying strike against Germany sends Spain to Euro 2025 final
From Sydney to Basel with two years and, for those who took in both Euro 2025 semi-finals, several lifetimes in between. Spain will be England's opponents in the decider on Sunday, ensuring a delicious rerun of the World Cup final, but that barely tells the story of a tie with a resolution arriving only seven minutes from the end of extra time. The scorer simply had to be Aitana Bonmatí, whose meningitis infection last month cast a severe cloud over Spain's preparations. They will now play to win their first European Championship title but it was impossible not to sympathise with an excellent Germany side and, particularly, their goalkeeper, Ann-Katrin Berger. She had been immaculate until Bonmatí, slipped in towards the right byline by Athenea del Castillo, let fly from a tight angle and beat her inside the near post. Germany had come agonisingly close to victory themselves and sank to the floor in deflation at the end. With its oval curves and all-encompassing athletics track this venue lacks the acoustic force that propelled England and Italy on Tuesday night. The stakes here were no lower, though, and the context a novelty. It has taken a colossal stretch, down the years, for Germany to be cast as plucky underdogs but they could make that case here. Christian Wück's weakened team spluttered through the group stage but located staggering depths of resolve in edging past France despite being a player short for 107 minutes. They would be required to 'suffer' to stand any chance of going one better, according to Wück. That was hardly rocket science: Spain's football has been several levels above the rest in a tournament high on drama but variable on technical quality. The world champions had barely been scratched in progressing this far, a shade of doubt perhaps offering itself in the time it took to puncture a resilient Switzerland in their quarter‑final on Friday. The Germany captain, Giulia Gwinn, a high-profile absentee since sustaining a competition‑ending knee injury against Poland, was again named among the substitutes and watched in full kit. She had no chance of taking active part but perhaps a 12th player would do no harm. In the event those on the pitch started brightly and should have been rewarded. The winger Klara Bühl had already caused flutters before, in the eighth minute, running clear down the inside-left channel from a long pass from Berger. Opportunity begged but, with Catalina Coll to beat, Bühl dragged her finish across goal. On the quarter-hour Bühl had another shot blocked. Germany were putting the yards in for Wück, breaking quickly and denying Spain any semblance of rhythm. When Esther González found a half-space in the box, a heavy touch saw her surrounded and the chance extinguished. She was booked for stopping the resulting counter but soon became involved more constructively. A snap shot from 15 yards forced Berger, hero of the quarter‑final, to tip over acrobatically; Spain, crowded out until then, had finally showed up. They came again, Berger gobbling up before Clàudia Pina could exploit an inventive free-kick routine. But it was Giovanna Hoffmann, the Germany centre-forward, who had more to rue when air-kicking from a superb position on the half-hour. Jule Brand had forced the opportunity with tricky work on the right; for all their uncertainties, Germany were posing plenty of the questions. In outmuscling Olga Carmona before she could enter the Germany box, Carlotta Wamser offered an accurate precis of events. Spain's threat is never fully dulled, though, and they turned the screw towards half-time. First Irene Paredes met a Pina corner and only Berger's right post kept the score level, the keeper rooted as the ball rebounded out. Then Berger was forced to deny González and Pina, both of whom had run in behind, in quick succession and Germany were relieved to cling on. Sign up to Moving the Goalposts No topic is too small or too big for us to cover as we deliver a twice-weekly roundup of the wonderful world of women's football after newsletter promotion This had been bright, intelligent fare: a notch superior to almost everything served up the previous night. Germany needed to retain a threat after the interval while bolting the door against opponents who could scent blood. Their support screamed for handball when another Bühl effort struck Paredes; there was no genuine case and they had better cause to be exercised when Berger took a hefty blow after another timely stop at Ona Batlle's marauding feet. Berger got up, which felt crucial given Spain had already scored nine second-half goals this summer. In the 58th minute she was thankful to a block from Sophia Kleinherne, who diverted the previously quiet Bonmatí's shot wide after Spain's most incisive move of the game. Nonetheless it was hardly as if Germany found themselves relentlessly pegged back. Bühl threatened yet again, Coll repelling her low drive. 'Sí se puede' ('Yes we can') rang out from the contingent behind Berger's goal, but as the minutes ticked down it was far from certain that Spain actually would. Montse Tomé rolled the dice, replacing González and Pina. Germany looked tired but it was only a remarkable double save from Coll, who denied Bühl and Wamser in rapid succession, that thwarted them at the end of normal time. Bonmatí would inflict the cruellest of blows with penalties looming.
Daily Mail
26 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Why Michelle Agyemang must be allowed to cause havoc from the start for England in the Euros final - as dust settles on dramatic victory over Italy
Now the dust has settled on Tuesday's chaotic Euros semi-final victory over Italy, Sarina Wiegman may need to reach for the aspirin. Michelle Agyemang's explosive cameos have handed the Dutch coach a selection headache and there is a compelling case for the teen sensation to be promoted to the starting XI for Sunday's final. It is hard to question a coach who has just reached her fifth consecutive major tournament final but if England deliver another display like those against Sweden and Italy, Sunday could be painful viewing. Wiegman is known for being reluctant to roll the dice and has made just two changes to her starting line-up this tournament, yet twice England have had to call upon their super-subs to rescue them at the death. Wiegman has insisted: 'I'd like to go ahead in the beginning and stay ahead. We prepare for every scenario but we don't say, 'Let's go behind and score at the end'.' Starting Agyemang would be her boldest move yet. The 19-year-old — whose name means 'saviour of the nation' in the Akan language of her parents' native country, Ghana — wasn't even supposed to be here. She was sent out on loan by Arsenal last summer to 'continue her development' at Brighton, where she made just three starts. Then came the sliding-doors moment just two months before Wiegman named her Euros squad, when Alessia Russo suffered a knock and Agyemang was called up to replace her for their Nations League game against Belgium. England were 3-1 down when she was introduced in the 80th minute. Just 41 seconds later, Leah Williamson's looping cross found her. One touch to control with her thigh, and another to blast it into the roof of the net. Agyemang, who was a ball girl at Wembley for Wiegman's third game in charge of England in 2021, has made a huge impact off the bench at this tournament, not just for her goals but for how she has elevated England's overall attacking threat. In the quarter-final against Sweden, England had managed just one shot on target before she came on in the 70th minute. By the end of extra time, they had had another three. In the Italy clash, England had just one Opta-defined 'big chance' before she came on in the 85th minute but by the end, they had created four more. Agyemang offers something different in the final third and with Lauren James an injury doubt for Sunday, the case for starting her only strengthens. Against Germany, who would likely line up with a back three, Agyemang could partner Russo to stretch their opponents' disciplined defensive unit. Italy played with a similar system which frustrated England but the Lionesses were far more effective after Aggie Beever-Jones and Agyemang came on in the 85th minute to play up front together. Against Spain, Agyemang would be the perfect agitator against the world champions' unsettled defence. England players had a recovery session following Tuesday's gruelling semi-final with Italy, which included spending time in a state of the art cryotherapy chamber Spain have fielded three different centre-back pairings at this tournament and Agyemang could have a field day against Irene Paredes, 34, on the break. Spain like to keep the ball on the floor and Agyemang would be effective latching on to long balls and bullying defenders. Agyemang is grounded in humility. She is deeply religious and plays the piano — hers has been brought out to Switzerland for the Euros — and as the youngest member of the squad, her team-mates often remark on her composure and maturity. But it's her strength that stands out. Bronze, a guiding presence for Agyemang, puts it best: 'You see it when she comes on — defenders are petrified of her. They have played 90 minutes and then they have to come up against Michelle. I sure wouldn't want that to be me!' Agyemang also brings technical finesse. Her audacious lob in extra time against Italy which kissed the bar was a moment of real quality. 'Nobody knows anything about her, she's only played a few minutes against Belgium and a few minutes in the season with Brighton,' Bronze added. 'She's a bit of the unknown and brings something different which maybe other teams aren't used to.'
