Latest news with #EuropeLeague
Washington Post
4 days ago
- Sport
- Washington Post
NBA's talks about new league in Europe are continuing, though the process remains in early stages
OKLAHOMA CITY — The NBA's talks with FIBA and other entities about the process of adding a new league in Europe are continuing, Commissioner Adam Silver said, though he noted that it may take at least a couple more years to turn the ideas into reality. Silver spoke at a league event to unveil a refurbished Boys & Girls Club in Oklahoma City on Friday — an off day for the NBA Finals — and said it's difficult to put a specific timeline on the Europe plans.
Sydney Morning Herald
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘He's still with me': Ange Postecoglou recalls late dad after historic Europa League win
Key posts 10.20am 'It cost us in the league': Ange takes blame for Europe focus 9.50am Amorim has 'nothing to show' Man United fans after loss 9.42am Party time for Ange despite unclear future 8.17am 'The toughest thing I've done': Ange 8.15am Ange channels 'favourite PM' Keating 8.11am Ange begins his victory lap 8.09am Watch: Post match press conferences 7.30am Spurs beat Man Utd 1-0 in scrappy Europa League final Latest posts Latest posts 10.51am That's all for now By Roy Ward What a magical morning. That's all we have for now from our live blog as Australia celebrates Ange Postecoglou leading Tottenham Hotspur to the Europe League title in Bilbao, Spain. Spurs won the match 1-0 after a Brennan Johnson goal just before half-time and Postecoglou has become the first Australian and first Greek-born manager to win a major European title while the club has broken its 17-year trophy drought as well. So from Athens to Melbourne to Tottenham to Bilbao and beyond - there will be joyous celebrations going on. A huge thanks to Vince Rugari for leading the blog through all the chaos of this match, it's been a pleasure to step in and handle things post game. We will have more coverage to come from Vince in the coming hours, so please keep an eye out on ourwebsites. Bye for now and have a lovely day. 10.34am Spurs player ratings Here are the player ratings for the Spurs players today via The Telegraph, London. Guglielmo Vicario The Tottenham goalkeeper looked nervous at times. Never more so in the second half when he almost handed United an equaliser with a desperately bad punch. In the first half, he needlessly patted the ball out for a corner. But he did save from Garnacho and made a crucial last-gasp stop. 6 Pedro Porro It was Porro's early cross that had Onana in trouble and almost found Richarlison. The right-back took most of the set-pieces and was Tottenham's most creative player in the absence of James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski in the first half. He was less of a threat when Spurs retreated, but defended well. 7 Cristian Romero A serial winner with his country Argentina, Romero was one of the few Tottenham players with some real trophy pedigree on his side. He had to cut out a dangerous Dorgu cross and, starting as captain for the night, was first to argue the case of his team-mates with the referee and the opposition. 8 Micky van de Ven Got Vicario off the hook with an incredible acrobatic clearance to stop Hojlund's header crossing the line. The Dutchman had been wrapped in cotton wool since the semi-final victory over Bodo/Glimt, with Ange Postecoglou keeping him fit for the final. That move was justified, as nothing and nobody could get past Van de Ven. 9 Destiny Udogie Perhaps the hardest task of the Tottenham players by trying to keep Diallo quiet. The Manchester United winger danced his way around Udogie on more than one occasion in the first half, but Tottenham's left-back broke up the pitch effectively when he had the chance. 6 Yves Bissouma The midfielder stayed down after being fouled by Mazraoui. No free-kick was given and he did not need treatment. That summed up an all-action display from Bissouma, who, along with Bentancur, did his best to keep Fernandes quiet. 7 Rodrigo Bentancur This has been a strange season for the Uruguayan following a lengthy suspension and injuries. But he has been an important presence in the latter stages of the Europa League. In Bilbao he battled hard for every ball and tried to break up United's attacks. 7 Pape Sarr With Maddison and Kulusevski both out injured, Sarr was given the role as Tottenham's advanced midfielder. Postecoglou's team lacked some craft without their most creative players, but Sarr made a vital contribution with the cross from which Spurs opened the scoring. 7 Brennan Johnson It is normally Johnson at the back stick for Tottenham, but this time the forward made his presence felt at the front post. He was adjudged to have got the slightest of touches to help the ball over the line after Sarr's cross had hit Shaw. Johnson will go down in the history books as Tottenham's first goalscorer in a final since Jonathan Woodgate in 2008. 8 Richarlison This was Potescoglou's big decision. Tottenham have been statistically better with Richarlison in the team this season, but it was still a surprise that he went with the Brazilian over club captain Son Heung-min. The Brazilian was a physical presence for Postecoglou's team and turned his way into space a couple of times. 6 Dominic Solanke Held the ball up well as Tottenham maintained their Europa League tactic of going long when they needed to. The striker passed up a great chance when he failed to control a pass from Bissouma that would have put him through on goal. 6 Substitutes Son Heung-min (for Richarlison 67), Kevin Danso (Johnson 78), Archie Gray (Sarr 89), Djed Spence (Udogie 89). Subs not used: Austin (g), Whiteman (g), Gray, Davies, Scarlett, Tel, Moore, Odobert, Ajayi. The Telegraph, London 10.20am 'It cost us in the league': Ange takes blame for Europe focus By Roy Ward We touched on Ange Postecoglou's cheeky retort to one of his critics, former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, following this morning's Europa League win. But Carragher asked Postecoglou a great question on CBS Sports about how he kept his belief that the team could win in Europe despite their struggles and the Spurs coach gave an excellent answer. Here you can see the inter-play between Ange, a shouting Micah Richards and Carragher before the questions began. 'This has been the toughest couple of years I've had in my career, but I knew it going into it because this club has had world-class managers, a lot better credentialled than I am, and haven't been able to get there,' Postecoglou told CBS Sports. 'I knew I had a massive challenge in front of me ... this year we had the added stress of the injury situation. 'I've just had this laser focus, I still believed we could win something this year. We went deep into the Carabao Cup and, once we were knocked out of that, my focus became Europe. 'That has cost us in the league and that is down to me. But I just had a feeling inside me that this was achievable this year, and I'm thankful it all worked out.' 10.02am South Melbourne's tribute to Ange South Melbourne, Ange Postecoglou's home club, have paid a glowing video tribute to their favourite son's success with Tottenham this morning. Check out this video, which has some choice cuts of Ange's playing days and his early coaching stint at the club. 9.50am Amorim has 'nothing to show' Man United fans after loss Under even more pressure after losing the biggest game of the season, Ruben Amorim was left asking Manchester United fans to have some faith in the future. His team lost 1-0 to Premier League rival Tottenham in the Europa League final on Thursday AEST as United caps off one of the worst seasons in club history. 'I have nothing to show to our fans, I'm really honest with that,' Amorim said. 'But again, I will continue to do things the way I know.' Amorim said he 'will not quit' or 'change,' and didn't want to talk about his future right after the loss. 'We have to see. This moment, I'm not going to be here defending myself. I have nothing to show to the fans and say, 'I'm going to improve because of this...'' he said. 'So in this moment, it's a little bit of faith. Let's see. I'm always open. If the board and the fans feel that I'm not the right guy, I will go the next day. But I'm really confident about my job.' The 40-year-old Amorim, who took over in November after the firing of Erik ten Hag, has led United to 16th in the Premier League, where it has a club-record 18 defeats in a single campaign since the Premier League began in 1992. The team's last hope of playing in a European competition next season was to win today. 'We have two plans for the market and we have to understand it is tough for a club like ours not to be in the Champions League,' Amorim said. 'But we have to use the other side. We have more time to think and to work hard during the week and to be better in the Premier League, that will be our focus.' Amorim said he felt his team played better than Tottenham and deserved the victory on Wednesday. 'We didn't perform perfectly today, but we were better than the opponent,' he said. 'In the second half, we tried everything with the central defenders, with players wide, the process going in the box. There are some days I have said we were really poor, but I think today was not that day. We were not perfect though and we have a lot to improve.' 9.42am Party time for Ange despite unclear future By Roy Ward Spurs coach Ange Postecoglou can't be sure of his future at the club, but he plans to coach the last Premier League game of the season this weekend and then take a family holiday and see what fate has in store for him. Critics have circled in the second half of the season as the club struggled to win EPL games and fell to the lower end of the table, but this breakthrough Europa League title has shown the potential of Tottenham under Postecoglou. It also showed he was willing to adjust his tactics to fit the moment, but when asked about his future, Postecoglou made his case. 'I said yesterday that I'm, kind of, not relaxed, that is not the word, because I'd be disappointed if we couldn't continue on this path,' he said. 'But you know, I said it's not a criticism. I understand why it would be difficult for a club like this to buy into one person's vision. 'I remember when, even when I signed, the club really, even Daniel [Levy] sort of said, you know, we went after winners. It didn't work. And now we've got Ange and, mate, I'm a winner. I've been a serial winner my whole career. It's what I've done more than anything else. 'I know people talk about my football, which I'm very proud of, but I know people dismiss my achievements, because they didn't happen to happen on this side of the world, but for me, they're all hard-earned. 'And all I've done my whole career is win things, and I understand, obviously, the way things have gone in the league, you know, people are rightly to be concerned about, I said, I don't think there's a true reflection of where we're at. 'But whatever happens, my self-belief in what I do doesn't waver, and I'll continue to kind of push on to do what I do.' 9.27am Johnson claims winning goal Spurs forward Brennan Johnson bundled in a scrappy goal in the 42nd minute en route to Spurs' first silverware since they won the 2008 League Cup and their first European title since 1984. There was some conjecture that it should have been recorded as an own-goal after the ball hit defender Luke Shaw, but Johnson has claimed it. Johnson's goal was not the prettiest, as Pape Sarr's cross appeared to glance off both him and United defender Luke Shaw then beyond goalkeeper Andre Onana. 'I knew I touched it, and then I kind of looked up because I didn't catch it clean and then the ball was trickling in the goal. I can't describe the feeling,' the 23-year-old said. The Welsh star added he was overjoyed for his club. 'I'm so happy right now,' said a smiling Johnson. 'This season hasn't been good at all, but I swear not one of us players right now care about that. This is what it's all about, this club hasn't won a trophy for 17 years. 'Honestly, this is what it means. It means so much. All the fans get battered, we get battered, for not winning a trophy, for not winning anything. But we had to get the first one in a while today. I'm so happy,' he told TNT Sports. The Europa League has been the one positive for both Spurs and United, with United languishing 16th in the Premier League and Tottenham 17th. 'Ever since I came here, it's been 'Tottenham are a good team but can never get it done'. We got it done,' Johnson said. Roy Ward with Reuters 9.12am Big profits to come for Spurs According to various reports, Tottenham should take home around 26 million pounds (AUD$54 million) in total prize money for winning this season's Europa League, but the big prize is a UEFA Champions League berth next season. Spurs will now be one of six Premier League sides in next year's competition, in which teams earn more than almost AUD$2 million for each win in the league phase before earning much richer pay days should they progress through the knockout stages. Some outlets have suggested that when you pull together additional TV revenue, home game profits, sponsorship bonuses and other rewards, today's win could earn Spurs countless millions during next season's Champions League and this is despite Spurs being destined to finish well down the table after struggling in the EPL. Please note, some of these figures are estimates based on this season's prize money.
Daily Mirror
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Haaland admission to Crystal Palace star shines new light on Man City fiasco
Crystal Palace lifted the FA Cup on Saturday at Wembley following a 1-0 victory over Manchester City but many within the game are still questioning why Erling Haaland didn't take the penalty that was missed by team-mate Omar Marmoush Crystal Palace wing-back Daniel Munoz has revealed he told Erling Haaland that Omar Marmoush would miss his penalty during Saturday's FA Cup final. The Egyptian attacker appeared to grab the ball from his Norwegian team-mate before his spot-kick was saved brilliantly by Dean Henderson. Eyebrows have since been raised that Marmoush took the penalty ahead of Haaland, Manchester City's regular taker. Munoz, however, claims the 24-year-old took no issue with relinquishing his responsibilities for his fellow attacker because Marmoush had previously scored eight of his last night penalties. The defender told 10 Sports Colombia: 'I asked him why he didn't take the penalty, since he was the team's top scorer. He told me that his teammate was also a good kicker. So, I told him, 'If you don't take the penalty, he'll miss.' And he missed.' Munoz provided the assist for Eberechi Eze's first-half winner as Palace marched on to win their first ever major trophy while also earning a golden ticket into next season's Europe League. Speaking after the defeat, City boss Pep Guardiola insisted he had no input on the decision which saw Marmoush take the penalty. The Spaniard said: "I thought he would want to take it but they didn't speak. "That moment for the penalty, it's the feeling and how they feel. They decided Omar was ready to take it. Omar took a lot of time when the ball was stopped, so it put more pressure on him, and Henderson made a good save." Meanwhile, Palace goalkeeper Henderson claimed he'd have been less confident about keeping Haaland out had the former Borussia Dortmund frontman stepped up to the plate. Henderson, who was fortunate to avoid a first-half red card after handling outside of his box, said: 'To be fair, Haaland might have stepped up, I wasn't sure which way he'd go. He gave it to Marmoush, I knew which way he was going, I knew I'd save it." Wayne Rooney, who was working as a pundit on the match for the BBC, claimed Haaland may have shirked the chance to take the penalty because of the pressure, stating: " Erling Haaland is a world-class forward, but when we are talking about Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, there is no way they are giving that ball away. "That is what separates them two players from Erling Haaland or Kylian Mbappe and these players. They are selfish and they want to score every game. When he misses chances I think you can see it gets to him and it does affect him. Maybe the thought of taking a penalty at Wembley might have been too much for him. You never know, he is a human being." City return to Premier League action on Tuesday evening when they host Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium.
Glasgow Times
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Jim Goodwin: Fourth and Europe a really successful season for Dundee United
The Terrors, who returned to the William Hill Premiership this season, had lost their four post-split matches going into the final fixture against the Dons, who were two points ahead and looking in fine fettle when Danish attacker Jeppe Okkels scored after 15 minutes. However, United levelled after 56 minutes through defender Declan Gallagher before loan striker Sam Dalby's penalty in the 62nd minute secured United fourth, which brings a potential Europe League qualifying place, although Aberdeen are able to swipe it back if they win the Scottish Cup against Celtic next week. Goodwin said: 'Today's performance just pretty much summed up what this group have been all about all season. 'Numerous times throughout the campaign we've come from behind to win games and draw games. We've scored late winners throughout the course of the season. 'Today, the character was called into question again. At half-time, we were trailing and I thought the players were outstanding. They never stopped believing. 'It's our third game in seven days. We're down to the bare bones, as you can see, with the bench six substitutes, so not a great deal of options in terms of trying to change things up and get some fresh legs on there. 'I just think it's a fantastic way to finish off what's been a really successful season for the club. 'People have questioned our character and questioned the players about being on holiday too early and about downing tools. I think today's performance showed that was never the case.' Aberdeen, who had a place in Europe secured going into the game, have lost four games in row going into next week's final against the Hoops but manager Jimmy Thelin is confident that his side will be ready. He said: 'It's the last game of the season, it's a huge game. We have been involved in a lot this season and done really well, but it was not enough. We were close to a better position. 'We are in a final so every game that has been available for us to play, we've played. This last punch, I can't imagine this will be a problem for anyone, because not everyone can play in the Scottish Cup final. 'It doesn't happen every year. I can't see that anyone will have problems to get the spirit or bravery to play this game. 'We know what people think, but it's for us to win everything and try to do that. We can't be afraid of this game, and have to do much better as a team to win this game.'
Rhyl Journal
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Jim Goodwin: Fourth and Europe a really successful season for Dundee United
The Terrors, who returned to the William Hill Premiership this season, had lost their four post-split matches going into the final fixture against the Dons, who were two points ahead and looking in fine fettle when Danish attacker Jeppe Okkels scored after 15 minutes. However, United levelled after 56 minutes through defender Declan Gallagher before loan striker Sam Dalby's penalty in the 62nd minute secured United fourth, which brings a potential Europe League qualifying place, although Aberdeen are able to swipe it back if they win the Scottish Cup against Celtic next week. Goodwin said: 'Today's performance just pretty much summed up what this group have been all about all season. 'Numerous times throughout the campaign we've come from behind to win games and draw games. We've scored late winners throughout the course of the season. 'Today, the character was called into question again. At half-time, we were trailing and I thought the players were outstanding. They never stopped believing. 'It's our third game in seven days. We're down to the bare bones, as you can see, with the bench six substitutes, so not a great deal of options in terms of trying to change things up and get some fresh legs on there. 'I just think it's a fantastic way to finish off what's been a really successful season for the club. 'People have questioned our character and questioned the players about being on holiday too early and about downing tools. I think today's performance showed that was never the case.' Aberdeen, who had a place in Europe secured going into the game, have lost four games in row going into next week's final against the Hoops but manager Jimmy Thelin is confident that his side will be ready. He said: 'It's the last game of the season, it's a huge game. We have been involved in a lot this season and done really well, but it was not enough. We were close to a better position. 'We are in a final so every game that has been available for us to play, we've played. This last punch, I can't imagine this will be a problem for anyone, because not everyone can play in the Scottish Cup final. 'It doesn't happen every year. I can't see that anyone will have problems to get the spirit or bravery to play this game. 'We know what people think, but it's for us to win everything and try to do that. We can't be afraid of this game, and have to do much better as a team to win this game.'
