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'I love you and I'll miss you'
'I love you and I'll miss you'

BBC News

time3 hours ago

  • Sport
  • BBC News

'I love you and I'll miss you'

Nelson Semedo says his time at Wolves has helped him grow as both an athlete and a captain departs having made 182 appearances across five seasons for the Old Gold."The time has arrived and I want to thank you all for these five years," Semedo said on Instagram. "You made grow so much as a athlete and as a person."I always tried my best every single day to represent this club in a way it deserves and I made sure that I always left the pitch with nothing else to give."Things took lots of time, but the club knows that I have always been transparent with them because I really want us to be on the level we must be."I love you and I'll miss you. Once a Wolves always a Wolves."What do you think of Semedo's exit?

Sharon Osbourne emotional as family look at Ozzy Osbourne tributes in Birmingham
Sharon Osbourne emotional as family look at Ozzy Osbourne tributes in Birmingham

Yahoo

time5 hours ago

  • Entertainment
  • Yahoo

Sharon Osbourne emotional as family look at Ozzy Osbourne tributes in Birmingham

Sharon Osbourne was visibly emotional as fans shouted 'Ozzy Ozzy Ozzy' during a procession through the streets of Birmingham in honour of the heavy metal star. Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy, who played a farewell gig in the city earlier this month, died at the age of 76 last Tuesday. His wife, former X Factor judge Sharon, 72, could be seen hugging the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Zafar Iqbal, after she arrived at the Black Sabbath bench where floral tributes have been laid. She was helped out of the first vehicle in the cortege by her and Ozzy's son Jack, who joined her at the event along with their daughters Aimee and Kelly – who all raised their hands in a peace sign while paying their respects. Sharon and the couple's children could be seen wiping away tears at the bench as they inspected tributes, with members of the crowd shouting 'we love you Ozzy'. Each family member carried a pink rose, wrapped in black paper tied with a purple ribbon, that they laid on top of the many other floral tributes that sat next to a poster of the star, which said: 'Birmingham will always love you'. Sharon kissed the flower she was holding before laying it in the middle of the tributes. The hearse carrying Ozzy's coffin passed the star's childhood home in Lodge Road, Aston, at about 12.45pm on Wednesday on its route into Birmingham city centre. Flowers have been placed outside the terraced property, close to Villa Park, while the owners of the house have put up a picture of Osbourne in the front bay window. The Jaguar hearse and six Mercedes funeral cars, accompanied by police motorcycle riders and a police car, drove slowly along the street on Lodge Road, watched by a handful of fans and the current owner of the house. The hearse, adorned with purple flowers spelling out 'Ozzy', then made its way down Broad Street before stopping at the Black Sabbath bench, where thousands of tributes, balloons and flowers have been left. Musicians from Bostin Brass played Black Sabbath songs to accompany the cortege, and fans threw flowers at the hearse while it slowly passed through the city. Fans also left tributes outside a mural on Navigation Street, which was created ahead of the Back to the Beginning concert at Villa Park, which took place a few weeks ago. One Osbourne fan, called Goose, told the PA news agency that Osbourne 'was a family member' and said they discovered heavy metal as a teenager. 'That's when I found, like millions of people around the world, that there was music that was for us, something that understood us,' they said. 'We knew that there was somebody out there that felt the way that we did and it was a constant presence. 'Ozzy helped give that to the world. He was a family member. He felt like a family member to so many people and he touched so many people's lives.' Evie Mayo, from Wolverhampton, said the heavy metal star had inspired her and everyone in Birmingham. She told PA: 'I think he was so influential, he was such an inspirational person. I think he really impacted everyone here, especially in Birmingham as well. 'Now that he's not here any more, you can feel the impact of it. He inspired a lot of people and he was a great person.' She added: 'He inspired me by… I love his music, absolutely love his music. I'm learning guitar so that I can learn some of his songs.' Osbourne and his Black Sabbath bandmates – Terence 'Geezer' Butler, Tony Iommi and Bill Ward – were recently given the freedom of the city of Birmingham, which recognises people's exceptional service to the city. The group, which formed in 1968, is widely credited with defining and popularising the sound of heavy metal. Osbourne, who also had a successful solo career, found a new legion of fans when he appeared in the 2000s reality TV series The Osbournes, starring alongside his wife Sharon and two youngest children, Kelly and Jack. The music star, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2019, performed his last gig on July 5 in a concert that also saw performances from the likes of Anthrax, Metallica and Guns N' Roses. Osbourne died just over two weeks after Black Sabbath were reunited barely two miles from where they first played together more than 50 years ago.

Emotions run high as Giants farewell netball legend in Super Netball win
Emotions run high as Giants farewell netball legend in Super Netball win

The Australian

time2 days ago

  • Sport
  • The Australian

Emotions run high as Giants farewell netball legend in Super Netball win

Emotions ran high as Giants Netball farewelled their retiring skipper Jo Harten in style, celebrating a 15 point win over the Melbourne Mavericks in Sydney. One of her club's foundation players, Harten announced this week that she was calling time on a decorated 20 year playing career. Jo Harten celebrates victory in her farewell match. Picture:With her long term coach, Julie Fitzgerald, in tears on the sidelines before the match even started, the former English Rose played a pivotal role in the win, using her game smarts to outfox opponents in the 74 to 59 point Super Netball victory. Harten went on to finish the match with 33 points, including seven from range, with a buzzer beater as her last ever touch of the ball. Speaking post match, Fitzgerald said, 'Watching her grow into the person she's become is probably more important to me than the netball. 'It's going to continue. She might take her bib off but she'll still have a big impact on netball in the world.' Jo Harten with Julie Fitzgerald post-match. Picture:Giants started slowly without youngster Erin O'Brien, who'd been named at goal defence but was missing when the opening whistle blew. One of her side's most consistent performers, O'Brien appeared halfway through the first quarter with a heavily strapped shoulder, after tweaking it in their warmup. With her return, the Giants upped their tempo after a poor start, to bring the scores back to almost level at quarter time. O'Brien went on to have a huge influence on the game, picking off five gains, as she underscored her credentials for a possible Diamonds' callup. With both sides ramping up their defensive pressure, while also making a range of attacking errors, there were multiple changes of possession in the second quarter. Centre Molly Jovic ran a marathon for the Mavericks as the ball pinged from end to end, finishing with 42 feeds and two valuable pickups. With the game locked on level terms at half time, Giant Jamie-Lee Price told commentary that the game was 'messy'. She said, 'We're getting plenty of ball, but we're just not scoring off it.' 'It's so simple, just score goals. I feel like we should be ahead by way more, but we're just making errors.' Despite most Mavericks playing for contracts, a blistering Giants second half saw them take the eventual win. Eight spaces still remain on the Melbourne based side's roster, and they could snaffle Jamie-Lee Price. Commentator Kim Green potentially let the cat out of the bag, letting slip that she has played her last game for the Giants. While the co-captain has a year left to run on her contract, there's been plenty of speculation that she will be released to head south and join her AFL-playing partner in Melbourne. HARTEN HANGS UP HER DRESS Jo Harten retires as one of netball's greats, having played 202 National League games and 117 tests for England. Among those was the Roses' historic Commonwealth Games medal in 2018, where they upset Australia on home soil. Known for her leadership, court craft and accuracy under the post, Harten has coaching experience with the Roses already under her belt, as she views a possible career in that space. MAVERICKS ON A MISSION As the Super Netball season comes to a close, Mavericks will be on a mission to bolster their ranks. Currently, captain Amy Parmenter and defender Kim Brown are the only two players contracted for 2026, with even the future of coach Tracey Neville up in the air. If the injury plagued side is hoping to climb the ladder next year, they will need a mixture of better luck and stronger roster in several areas of the court. With teams unable to talk to players from other clubs until the season has ended, it could explain why they still have a number of contracts waiting to be filled. THUNDERBIRDS THROUGH AFTER THRILLER The equation was simple for the Adelaide Thunderbirds and Sunshine Coast Lightning, win and play finals, lose and it's season over. And it was the Adelaide Thunderbirds who set up their chance at Super Netball history, with a 59 to 55 point victory and the chance to contest for their third premiership. With finals essentially starting a week early for the two sides in a do or die clash, it was MVP Matilda Garrett who led the way for the Thunderbirds, as they jumped to third on the ladder, with the chance to host the minor semi final pending results of the final game of the round. With their season on the line, both teams did well to hold their nerve and play measured netball in the first quarter. Thunderbirds defender Matilda Garrett pressures Lightning's Sophie Fretwell. Picture: Getty Images It was just before half time that the Thunderbirds cracked the game open. In a defensive unit normally headlined by Latanya Wilson, it was some Garrett magic that turned the fates of the Thunderbirds. She reeled in two intercepts and a rebound in the second quarter that allowed her side to jump out to a seven point lead heading into the main break. After her buzzer-beating two point shot to win the game last week, it seemed Fretwell's same accuracy to post failed to make the trip to Adelaide. Missing all three of her attempts, it was left to Reilley Batcheldor and Cara Koenen to do the heavy lifting, scoring three and four shots respectively. But with the damage already done, it was too late for the Lightning. With Courtney Bruce out for a second week in a row with a calf injury, Ash Ervin was tasked with quelling the impact of sharp shooter Romelda Aiken-George. While they matched each other for height, the strength of Aiken-George reigned supreme as she finished top scorer with 43 from 54. Romelda Aiken-George was key again for the Thunderbirds. Picture: Getty Images Highlighting the importance of the game, Aiken-George barrelled into the crowd on multiple occasions, running at speeds rarely seen since her glory days. Never in Super Netball history has a team won the premiership from third place, and only once has it been done from fourth, so the Thunderbirds face an uphill battle to be the first club to win three titles. They will be sweating on the fitness of goal attack Lauren Frew, who left the court in the last quarter with either a cramp or calf injury. Liz Watson holds possession for the Lightning under pressure from Thunderbirds' Sanmarie Visser. Picture: Getty Images THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO The thrilling win gives the Adelaide Thunderbirds the chance to defend their premiership, and strive for the elusive threepeat. They are just the second team to have the chance at this impressive feat, with the Lightning falling short in 2018 after succumbing to the Swifts in the Grand Final. With both NSW Swifts and Melbourne Vixens dropping form in the back half of the season, West Coast Fever are set to be their biggest hurdle on the way to a historic victory. Ashleigh Ervin could have a decent shot at selection for the Diamonds. Picture: Getty Images DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH With the Australian Diamonds squad set to be announced next week, there are a few players on the fringe of the squad who will be hoping for reselection. There is yet another injury cloud now looming over Courtney Bruce, who has missed the last two games and spent a significant portion of 2024 on the sidelines. Enter Ash Ervin. The 190cm goal keeper was named in the squad last year, but failed to get out on court. With minimal experience other than Sarah Klau, this could be her chance to nab a spot ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Pospisil gets a heartfelt sendoff at National Bank Open
Pospisil gets a heartfelt sendoff at National Bank Open

Globe and Mail

time3 days ago

  • Sport
  • Globe and Mail

Pospisil gets a heartfelt sendoff at National Bank Open

Vasek Pospisil's last-ever professional match was a gruelling three-setter that ended in a standing ovation Sunday night at the National Bank Open, followed by a teary farewell speech. On a hot, humid evening, before a big opening night crowd, the Vernon, B.C. native stretched out his farewell night of pro tennis as best he could. He winced through pains and crushed some winners too, before ultimately losing to Argentina's Bagnis Facundo, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3. 'I have mixed emotions when it comes to this sport,' Pospisil reflected afterward. 'It's a really, really tough sport, physically and mentally, and at some point you burn out. At least I did.' From Vernon, B.C. to Wimbledon, Vasek Pospisil's tennis career proves 'Anything is Pospisil' With the loss, the 35-year-old Canadian called time on an 18-year tennis career that saw him reach a career-high singles ranking of No. 25, and a win a Wimbled doubles title. As a long-serving member of Team Canada, he also helped deliver the country's first-ever Davis Cup title in 2022. Pospisil was also an outspoken advocate for athlete rights, founding the first Professional Tennis Players Association alongside Novak Djokovic in 2019. The veteran player from Vernon, B.C received a main-draw wild card for the event in Toronto to play his farewell. A large group of his friends and family attended Sunday's farewell match. Another Canadian trailblazer, doubles legend Daniel Nestor, was there watching. Pospisil's mom Mila was there, and his dad Milos too, who coached him until he was 20. They made lengthy father-son trips by car or in a mobile home to save money in the early days. Canada had welcomed the couple and their two older sons after they escaped the former Czechoslovakia. Vasek was born in Vernon shortly after, in 1990. Pospisil had been largely absent from tournaments in recent years as he rehabbed various injuries. Prior to Sunday, he'd played just two singles matches in 2025, both at Challengers in Canada, each losses in qualifying. His last ATP Tour-level appearance was the 2024 National Bank Open in Montreal, where he lost in the first round. In this edition Sunday night, for his finale, Pospisil drew a fellow 35-year-old for an opponent, a player ranked 772nd who came through qualifying. Bagnis was leading 4-2 in the opening set when Pospisil left the court with a trainer to treat an apparent groin injury. The near-full Sobey's Stadium cheered the Canadian's return a few minutes later. 'I wish I could have not pulled my muscle in the fifth game of the match and enjoyed the match a bit more,' Pospisil would later say, with a chuckle. The 6-foot-4 player from B.C appeared to wince and step gingerly while moving about the court when the match resumed. Pospisil has had several injuries throughout his career and has spent much of the past few years rehabbing. During his best years on the ATP Tour, Pospisil had made the quarterfinals in singles at Wimbledon and reached three tour-level singles finals. Longevity is hard in this physically demanding sport. It's gruelling to come back when you've been away. Pospisil lost the first set and then appeared to find a second wind while breaking Bagnis early in the second and giving his family a big fist pump as the Toronto crowd got a chance to bellow. The Canadian delivered a huge winner down the line to make it 5-3, clenching his fist and roaring like he used to, as his family rose to their feet. He forced a third set and hollered again. Pospisil tired down the stretch. The third set had some of those beauty drop shots that helped Pospisil succeed in doubles. Fans chanted his name. Ultimately the Canadian ran out of steam. After the loss on Sunday, Canadians rose to their feet to salute the long-standing player. 'It's kind of tough to win a match like that on one leg. Of course, I wasn't going to retire or pull out, I had to finish my last match,' he said. Then a thank-you video played inside Sobey's Stadium with a montage of Pospisil's biggest career moments. Through tears, he then delivered an emotional thank-you speech to everyone seated in his player box – from family to coaches and Davis Cup teammates. 'Thanks for telling me over the years that a Pospisil never quits,' he said to his father. When asked in his post-match press conference why he always prioritized playing for his country while many ATP players choose not to make the time for it, the freshly retired player responded frankly: 'I don't understand players that don't play Davis Cup and don't play Olympics. I genuinely don't,' said Pospisil. 'I think it's just a no-brainer to play for your country, and it's good for everybody, good for you, good for your energy. . . Okay, prioritize a week of rest to have you fresh for one of a thousand tournaments that you're going to play in your career, or go and represent your country… I think, a lot of times, it comes down to money for these guys, and that's just not the right way to look at it.' Pospisil is the first of two significant Canadian tennis players to mark their official retirements at the current NB Open. Genie Bouchard will also call it a career at the WTA edition in Montreal.

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