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The 42
20 hours ago
- Sport
- The 42
Ireland's Fiona Murtagh wins silver at European Rowing Championships
TOKYO OLYMPIC MEDALLIST Fiona Murtagh added an individual European Championship silver to her collection with a brilliant performance in the women's single sculls A final in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. The Galwegian, who was part of the women's four who won Olympic bronze in 2021, chased home winner Lauren Henry of Great Britain to win her first solo medal at a major regatta. Murtagh's silver success is Ireland's second medal at these championships following Fintan McCarthy and Konan Pazzaia's bronze in the men's double sculls on Saturday. Henry and Murtagh set a challenging early pace in Sunday's final with little to choose between them through the opening 1000m, Henry leading by just six tenths of a second. Advertisement Henry, who is the reigning Olympic champion in the quadruple sculls, upped the pace in the back half of the race, stringing out the field, but Murtagh had the power and stamina to keep chase all the way to the line. Henry took gold in 7:17.80, with Murtagh second in 7:21.11, while Frida Nielsen of Denmark won bronze in 7:23.57.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
How the England Lionesses' turbulent week ended in triumph... and raised hope of more Euro glory this summer, writes TARA ANSON-WALSH
As major tournament preparations go, England 's build-up to this summer's European Championship has been anything but conventional. To say the last week has been a turbulent one for England head coach Sarina Wiegman would be an understatement. Aside from the news dominating the headlines — the sudden retirement of fan-favourite Mary Earps — Wiegman was dealt another blow with the withdrawal of Millie Bright from the squad. The centre-back, who captained England to the World Cup final in Australia two years ago, described on a podcast how she was 'mentally and physically' at her limits. Speaking to former Lioness Rachel Daly, Bright said: 'That is a really hard decision but I think you know better than anyone — sometimes you just have to take that time for yourself. You need to value your mental health and body, and just say that no, right now is not the time for you.' Pressed on whether she can expect the Chelsea captain — who partners Leah Williamson at the heart of the defence — back for the Euros, Wiegman said: 'We'll stay in contact and I hope she feels better soon, but I don't know that at the moment.' The absence of Earps and Bright from the dressing room leaves a leadership vacuum and there are doubts over other key Lionesses. Lauren James is yet to return after pulling up with a hamstring injury a month ago, while Georgia Stanway, who hadn't played since last December, remains a balancing act. The midfielder came on for the last 15 minutes against Portugal on Friday, but it remains to be seen how her knee responds. Ella Toone and Alessia Russo missed the game with calf injuries, though Wiegman said these were 'not long-term' issues. The Dutch coach dislikes anyone on the outside getting wind of an upset within her walls but she could not silence the noise surrounding Earps's shock withdrawal, no matter how skilfully she batted off questions about her team's unity by reiterating 'we must move on'. While Portugal have routinely fallen short on the international stage, they are a team who have often been a thorn in England's side — eking out draws in their last two meetings in the build-up to the 2023 World Cup and more recently in the Nations League. So the Lionesses' six-goal victory — with only two games to go before they begin their Euros defence — served as a powerful statement of intent. With Wiegman due to name her Euros squad on Thursday, the players' focus quickly returned to how they would best book a seat on the plane to Switzerland. Youngsters Grace Clinton, Jess Park, and Aggie Beever-Jones capitalised on the extended absences of some of Wiegman's stalwarts. While it was 21-year-old Beever-Jones' hat-trick that stole the show, Clinton, 22, and Park, 23, showed again that they belong in this team. Clinton, the Manchester United central midfielder, worked relentlessly between the boxes and proved useful defensive cover. Manchester City's Park showed her physicality at No 10, fending off Dolores Silva before picking out the perfect pass for Beth Mead to run on to and score England's fourth. Responding to a question about how the off-pitch drama may have affected the team's mentality, Clinton appeared unfazed, saying: 'The off-pitch stuff is sad and sometimes people feel it more than others. We are all professionals here and when we do step on the pitch, we all know we've got a job to do and it's good that we've done it tonight.' Four different goalscorers and a hat-trick on her Wembley debut for Beever-Jones was certainly one way of changing the narrative. Up next are world champions Spain, where a victory will put an end to any concerns that these Lionesses have let the last week get to their heads before another monumental summer.
Metro
a day ago
- Sport
- Metro
Tottenham 'confident' of beating Arsenal and Chelsea to sign £54m winger
Tottenham are growing confident of beating Arsenal and Chelsea to sign Leroy Sane on a free transfer from Bayern Munich this summer, according to reports. Sane looked on course to sign a new contract with Bayern this month before he opted to switch his representation to Pini Zahavi's agency. The Germany international's salary demands have now increased and Bayern have been unable to reach an agreement with the winger. Bayern now face the prospect of losing their £54.8 million signing from Manchester City on a free transfer when his contract expires at the end of June. Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham are all in the running to sign Sane if he rejects Bayern and decides to leave the Bundesliga champions as a free agent this summer. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. But according to FootMercato, Spurs are 'growing in confidence' that they will win the race to sign Sane. The report adds that Sane also has offers from Turkey and the Saudi Pro League and he has not made a decision over his future at Bayern. Speaking this week, Germany's World Cup and European Championship winner, Lothar Matthaus, urged Bayern not to let Sane go 'under any circumstances'. 'There's no need for a spectacular new signing just because Florian Wirtz's transfer didn't work out,' Matthaus told SportBild. More Trending 'For the spectacle, you have Olise on the right, and Musiala at number 10. And on the left, I'd plan on Sane. For me, he's a player I wouldn't let go under any circumstances. 'When a player leaves on a free transfer, then – to put it bluntly – it really annoys Bayern. 'But that's not the only reason I'd extend his contract. It's because of Leroy's quality. He also has good contact with Kompany and is in the same league as Olise, Davies, and Musiala. That atmosphere in a team is important. 'Whether he then works more or less backward is not crucial. I would extend Sane's contract. There's no need for a top signing on the wing if Sane extends.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Barcelona reveal transfer stance on £58million Arsenal and Chelsea target MORE: Antony sends emotional message to Real Betis as Man Utd return looms MORE: Chelsea and Arsenal target Rodrygo makes decision after Xabi Alonso message
ITV News
a day ago
- Sport
- ITV News
'We should be having goal-line technology' Jess Fishlock on Denmark game
Wales suffered Women's Nations League relegation after losing 1-0 away to Denmark in controversial fashion in Group A4. Rhian Wilkinson's team realistically required victory in Odense to avoid being sent down to League B but Pernille Harder's 48th-minute strike consigned them to a third defeat of the campaign and bottom spot. It could have been a different story had Jess Fishlock's first-half effort been awarded, with her follow-up shot seemingly crossing the line but not given by the officials and with no VAR in operation, Wales went down narrowly. Speaking to BBC Sport after the game, she said "We should be having goal-line technology because it's so obviously a goal "It needs to be better. At this level, we need the technology and we need everything to ensure that it's fair." A 2-1 home loss to Denmark in April put Wales on the verge of relegation from the top tier and they got off to a poor start on Friday with defender Mayzee Davies forced off after only six minutes. The 18-year-old sustained a knee issue which could put in doubt her participation in this summer's European Championship. The early change rocked Wales as Harder headed against the crossbar soon after before Olivia Clark was required to make two saves in quick succession. Wales did regroup and a moment of controversy occurred midway through the half when Ceri Holland was denied by Maja Bay Ostergaard and Fishlock sent an effort towards goal, but Stine Ballisager got back to clear. Replays later appeared to show the ball had crossed the line, but it remained goalless at the break after Amalie Vangsgaard squandered a fine opportunity for Denmark and Harder was twice thwarted in quick succession. It would not take Harder long after half-time to break the deadlock, though, as the Danish forward slotted home in the 48th minute. Wilkinson's side responded well with a Fishlock header sent over before Holland had a shot saved by Ostergaard. Hannah Cain and Rachel Rowe were introduced, but Wales failed to find a leveller and relegation to League B was confirmed.
Egypt Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- Egypt Today
Concentration not obsession needed in Champions League final, says Inter coach Inzaghi
Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi during training REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach/File Photo (Reuters) - Inter Milan are determined to avenge their 2023 Champions League final loss, though manager Simone Inzaghi warned on Friday against letting determination become obsession against Paris St Germain in this year's final. While Inter's domestic campaign ended trophyless, in Europe, Inzaghi and his players are desperate to banish the ghosts of Istanbul and their defeat to Manchester City, but they will not let their resolve turn into fixation ahead of Saturday's showdown in Munich. "I have seen determination and not the obsession that shouldn't be there," Inzaghi told reporters. "Instead, there should be the right concentration and determination, and this is what the guys have shown me in these days. "I asked during the week for concentration and determination, but not obsession, we must be free, free of mind in preparing in the best possible way." Inzaghi believes his squad is experienced and successful enough to be able to put those plans in place on Saturday, and put behind them the disappointment of losing their Serie A title to Napoli. "The psychological side is important, we worked in the best way, leaving aside the disappointment," Inzaghi said. "We know how certain matches are prepared, we have world champions, we have European champions. "We have also gained experience on how to reach the Champions League final, which is a very important match, just like a World Cup final, a European Championship final." Inzaghi will go into the biggest game of the season with his whole squad available, confirming that defender Benjamin Pavard is fit having missed the semi-final win over Barcelona and the final four league games. "The guys are all available and this year, out of 59 matches, in just three games we have had all 23 available," Inzaghi said. "It gives a coach great confidence. Having everyone available is better than anyone could ask for, because you know you can count on all the players, players that I am proud to coach." Inzaghi was asked what his team needs more than anything else in order to defeat Luis Enrique's PSG, a side which has won every trophy they have competed for so far this season. "Aggressiveness, clarity, there could be many more because to play a match like this, to win, to win such an important match, it will take everything," Inzaghi said. "It will take everything, along with all the details that we are trying to take care of in the best possible way, knowing that in front of us we have a great team that has deserved the final, like Inter, which has incredible strength and a great coach." Reflecting on their previous defeat to City in a similar vein, team captain Lautaro Martinez, who boasts a World Cup win and two Copa Americas titles with his national team, is raring to add a club-level achievement to his resume. Despite a recent leg muscle injury sustained in the first leg of Inter's semi-final against Barcelona, the Argentinian striker said he is in top form and believes that the lessons learned from their previous loss to City will prove instrumental in securing Inter's first Champions League title in 15 years. "You win finals by playing the perfect game and taking care of all the small details," Martinez said. "It's a final, we have to be concentrated and prepare for the game in the best way possible so that we're focused, rested and ready for whatever PSG throw at us. "We have an opponent we respect, but we know we can hurt them. We just have to think positively. I've been living and playing in Italy for several years, in a club that embraced me like a child. I'm happy with this journey and the second chance to play in a final. We deserve it for the sacrifices we've all made together."
