Latest news with #resilience
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lucy Bronze's iconic moment saves England and seals her place as a Lionesses legend
"One of a kind," Sarina Wiegman said of Lucy Bronze. Her "fighter" of a full-back certainly offered an image that will go down in England folklore, albeit after a team performance that won't quite be mentioned as prominently. Only the spirit, appropriately, will prevail. After a series of absurd misses, in what might well have been one of the worst penalty shoot-outs in football history, a hobbling Bronze ripped off the strapping on her left leg, and strode forward. An astonishing eight of the 12 previous penalties had been squandered. Some had been missed in scarcely believable fashion, the emotional momentum of the shoot-out veering as wildly as some of the shots. So, Bronze just smashed it straight into the roof of the net. 'I just felt a little bit tight at the end of the game and I thought, I just need to get through to make sure I can keep going,' Bronze said. 'I thought, it's going to hinder me in a penalty. I didn't expect it to go to the sixth penalty, and then it was my penalty. I thought, I need to take this off. I'm going to actually smack it.' 'That resilience, that fight," Wiegman enthused. The manager ended up conjuring another image about Bronze. 'The only way you get her off the pitch is in a wheelchair.' Bronze was the personification of England perseverance, which is one quality you can certainly bank on - even in a performance like this. The kick similarly represented a decisiveness that had been missing from the previous 10 minutes, and most of the game. It also seemed to scramble Sweden for one final kick, as the 18-year-old Smilla Holmberg became just the latest player to sky the ball. This time, it was enough. Bronze's force had driven England into the semi-finals of Euro 2025 - and that after her late goal had sparked the comeback. Her team are now somehow 90 minutes from another final, albeit after a display where they really only played well for a few minutes. Much of that was down to the transformative Chloe Kelly. The obvious discussion now will be over what this emotion does for the team, over the resolve, whether there will now be a momentum from this, a relief that releases them. Wiegman said it was the most chaotic game she'd ever been part of. 'I can't remember anything like this,' she said. Over an hour later, while appearing at her press conference after 1am in Zurich, the manager said she was 'still hyper, still emotional'. But, if we're talking about intangible elements like that, you simply have to focus on the psychodrama of the penalties. It was unlike almost any witnessed in football history, and a rare occasion where the final score of the regulation five each - 2-2 - equalled the actual game. While Bronze finally seized the moment, it's hard not to feel that Sweden ultimately - and calamitously - let it slip away. And that's not just because they were 2-0 up in the 79th minute - a fact that almost felt irrelevant given everything that happened after that. Hannah Hampton later said she could barely remember the first 45 minutes. Her save early in the second half kept England in it, to go with those in the shoot-out. 'That was crucial,' Wiegman said. Sweden still had the chance to secure their semi-final place as it was 2-2 with that very last regulation penalty, an anticipation only heightened as goalkeeper Jennifer Falk sensationally turned around and actually take it. Saving three penalties evidently wasn't enough for her. She wanted to be a treble hero, with the last word. It wouldn't even be the second or third last word. Hampton admitted she was 'surprised' and briefly 'panicked'. For all their preparation, England didn't have the data on her on the opposing goalkeeper's penalty record. All of that went out the window, with Falk's shot. The goalkeeper was the first to sky had to show them how it was the nature of the shoot-out naturally draws most focus, and is pretty much all most people will remember after that, there was still a performance that should draw at least some concern. 'I didn't enjoy it,' Wiegman said, albeit with laughter. She also pointedly disagreed with some criticisms of England's performance before Kelly dramatically transformed it from the 70th minute. The back-and-forth nature of the shoot-out actually reflected England's display in some ways. England got it wrong, then got it right, then got it wrong again, only to display that vintage individual resolve to somehow get through. One of the most remarkable aspects - before the penalties - was that Wiegman made the exact same mistakes as against France in the opening game. It was as if nothing had actually been learned, and that the recent revival was because of the poverty of opposition in the Welsh and Dutch games. England were still woefully vulnerable to pace. Keira Walsh had again been dominated in midfield, and Wiegman's side badly struggled to play through it. Sweden clearly targeted Jess Carter for pressing, but Leah Williamson wasn't exactly sure-footed beside her. This was the source of both Swedish goals. Kosovare Asllani strode through after two minutes, and Stina Blackstenius - whose pressing was causing all manner of problems - scorched through for the second. England's response was so meek until eventually, and what felt so belatedly, Wiegman made three subs. They were surprising subs, especially in removing Georgia Stanway and Ella Toone and not bringing on a replacement midfielder. England front-loaded and went direct. Kelly, who followed Wiegman's triple-change, played a superb ball for Bronze to head in brilliantly at the back post. She defiantly kicked a hoarding, in a foreshadowing of what was to come. Sweden just didn't expect what came next to arrive so quickly. England went straight for goal again. Kelly was this time central and, within two minutes, Michelle Agyemang had turned it in. A new hero. Delirium. But not quite a new direction. The one issue with Wiegman's subs was that they were right for the situation but not for an open game. Extra-time did look a lot like England were just trying to play through it and maybe take a chance. It also comes at a cost, despite the prize of that semi-final. Having gone the distance, all of Williamson, Bronze and Lauren James will need patching up. Williamson is of most concern, having rolled her ankle. Apart from the physical recovery, there's also going to have to be a lot of thought about the team for that semi-final. "I need to calm down," Wiegman said, as Hampton answered a Facetime from family in the press conference. It was that kind of mood. But danger awaits. Italy will surely have taken note of the blueprint to play this England. Wiegman's side have twice struggled in this tournament against quick and physical pressing teams. There were even signs of that going much further back, to the 2023 World Cup. Except, England still go that bit further in this tournament. Wiegman's sole defeat in knockout football is still that 2023 World Cup final to Spain. They still persevere. They still have that resolve, that grit. 'I think that's a quality that is so strong in this team, that togetherness and fighting back,' Wiegman said. 'It shows so much resilience.' England found a way. So much of that was through Bronze.
Malay Mail
16 hours ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
OCBC Hong Kong Unveils New Brand Campaign
HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 23 July 2025 - OCBC Bank (Hong Kong) Limited ("OCBC Hong Kong") remains committed to supporting both businesses and individuals with comprehensive banking solutions. Over the years, the Bank has stood alongside countless enterprises and generations of Hong Kong people, helping them grow and thrive. Starting this month, OCBC is proudly launching a new brand campaign in key markets including Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, and Malaysia. In Hong Kong, the Bank is featuring, world champion and gold medalist in the Women's Individual BC3 Boccia event, in the brand campaign. Her inspiring journey of resilience and determination in overcoming adversity to pursue her aspiration embodies the Bank's commitment to uplifting individuals and communities in realising their the campaign, Yuen Kei shares: "I need to fill my glass with water before I can pour for others". Her words deeply resonate with OCBC Group's purpose — to enable people and communities to realise their aspirations — and serve as a compelling reminder for everyone to take the first step toward their order to deepen the interaction between the public and customers with the brand, thereby driving the realisation of aspirations, starting today, OCBC Hong Kong is launching the "Aspiration Leave" themed initiative on its official Instagram account @ocbc_hk. Participants who share their aspirations and plans for achieving them will have the chance to win exciting addition, OCBC Hong Kong recently partnered with selected local SMEs* to launch a collaborative initiative that encourages employees to take "Aspiration Leave" — empowering them to pursue personal aspirations and give greater meaning to their time. Participating SMEs receive funding and promotional opportunity from OCBC Hong Kong, while also fostering stronger communication and team spirit, contributing to a more positive and engaged workplace culture. The initiative attracted over a hundred employee applications within a short period, their aspiration stories will be shared on OCBC Hong Kong's social media channels, continuing to ignite motivation across the city., said: "Starting this month, OCBC Group is launching a new brand campaign across key markets, centered on the theme 'Purpose is about lifting others'. This embodies our 'One Group' commitment to help customers realise their aspirations. In Hong Kong, we feature a story that reflects the city's resilient spirit and the pursuit of aspirations amid adversity. Through this campaign, we aim to inspire individuals not only to pursue their own aspiration but also to uplift those around them. We are engaging the broader community and strengthening our support for SMEs via this initiative. As a vital pillar of Hong Kong's economy, SMEs are driven by passionate individuals who strive to make meaningful contributions to society. OCBC Hong Kong is proud to stand alongside them and support them in their journey toward realising their aspirations."Admazes LimitedBergner (HK) LimitedBrand Meditech (Asia) Company LimitedGrandasy Engineering Co LtdHobbyDigi LimitedKooly Shop LimitedLou PichounMak's NoodleMaple Bear Canadian International Kindergarten Hong KongU Park LimitedHashtag: #OCBCHongKong The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About OCBC OCBC is the longest established Singapore bank, formed in 1932 from the merger of three local banks, the oldest of which was founded in 1912. It is one of the world's most highly-rated banks, with Aa1 by Moody's and AA- by both Fitch and S&P. Recognised for its financial strength and stability, OCBC is consistently ranked among the World's Top 50 Safest Banks by Global Finance and has been named Best Managed Bank in Singapore by The Asian Banker. OCBC is the second largest financial services group in Southeast Asia by assets. The Group offers a broad array of commercial banking, specialist financial and wealth management services, ranging from consumer, corporate, investment, private and transaction banking to treasury, insurance, asset management and stockbroking services. OCBC's private banking services are provided by its wholly-owned subsidiary Bank of Singapore, which operates on a unique open-architecture product platform to source for the best-in-class products to meet its clients' goals. Its insurance subsidiary, Great Eastern Holdings, is the oldest and most established life insurance group in Singapore and Malaysia. Its asset management subsidiary, Lion Global Investors, is one of the leading asset management companies in Southeast Asia. Its brokerage subsidiary, OCBC Securities, is one of the leading securities firms in Singapore. The Group's key markets are Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Greater China. It has over 400 branches and representative offices in 19 countries and regions. For more information, please visit to learn more about OCBC Hong Kong.
The Guardian
18 hours ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
Sam Docherty exits the game with respect that transcends allegiances
When North Melbourne's Ben Cunnington retired a couple of years ago, he said he has lost the will to compete. After missing a season with a back injury, he then endured nine weeks of chemotherapy. His farewell speech was one of the few times he spoke to the media. He said life had thrown too much at him to obsess over footy any more. But the more life and football threw at Sam Docherty, the more desperate he was to get back. Only now could he properly recognise it for was it was – a kind of stubbornness, a mad optimism bordering on recklessness. Like Cunnington, he eventually realised that there was nothing more to give, and nothing more to prove. 'I'm tired and I'm exhausted,' he said yesterday. 'I've had a few speed bumps along the way.' He had 16 surgeries in his career. He had three knee reconstructions. During Covid, he was diagnosed with stage two testicular cancer. Within a year, it had spread to his lymph nodes, his lungs and his stomach. Like Cunnington, he had months of chemo. When they retire, footballers stand in an auditorium and sniffle their way through their notes. They say things like, 'It goes quicker than you think boys.' Docherty did something different. He thanked his nurses and his psychologist, who were all in the room. He apologised to all the medical staff who'd given him bad news over the years. He said everything he did in football was about making his dad proud. Eddie Docherty was a famous name at the Phillip Island football club. Sam Docherty was on a high-altitude camp, just 24 hours after he'd met his new Carlton teammates, when he was informed his dad had died from a heart attack. He was 53. Docherty played at Carlton through some dire times. He sat through so many crisis meetings. He started again under a lot of new coaches. He always seemed to be playing on blokes who were taller and bigger. It's why he choked up yesterday when he acknowledged Patrick Cripps. They were together through the rebuilds and sackings and thrashings. They were together when everything finally clicked under Michael Voss. 'I hope you get what you deserve in footy,' he told the man who took over from him as captain. In the 2023 semi-final, Docherty was the fulcrum in one of the most significant moments in the club's recent history. Former fitness boss Andrew Russell says it was the most exhilarating 10 minutes he's had in sport, and he was there for four premierships at Port Adelaide and Hawthorn. Docherty had earlier dislocated his shoulder and had it yanked back in. With seconds remaining and the MCG quaking, his young opponent overcommitted, Docherty kept his head, and set up the match-winning goal. In the opening round five months later, as Brisbane played almost flawless football, Docherty twisted awkwardly. He sat out the second half on the bench, hoping it was just a hyperextended knee, and watched his team launch one of the most incredible comebacks in the history of the sport. But by the next morning, the adrenalin had worn off, and the knee had blown up. He was in the car in Brisbane when the doctor called. He'd ruptured his ACL for the third time. True to type, he relentlessly and successfully embarked on an accelerated six-month recovery. The great players all exited the game differently. As Ted Whitten stalked the lane-ways of Footscray on the way to his final game, he was asked how he felt: 'It feels bloody awful,' he said. 'I don't feel very happy at all.' With great reluctance, and not a lot of foresight, Gary Ablett Sr exited with a limp, a leather jacket, and a barely coherent press conference. Nathan Buckley finished on the bench, his hamstring torn, his hands behind his head, his team a functional ruckman short of pulling off one of the great preliminary final heists. Chris Judd exited on a stretcher. Docherty goes out on his terms. As he did the media rounds yesterday, he was backdropped by photos of Carlton champions past. Hawthorn and Geelong fans would contest this, but it would be hard to walk into any football club in Australia and see a better array of talent framed on the walls. By deeds and by force of personality, they are known by their nicknames – Jezza, Big Nick, The Buzz, The Dominator, The Flying Doormat, Sticks, SOS and Diesel. Doc doesn't have their accolades, their flags, their highlights reels. But he retires as universally admired as any of them, a respect that transcends club allegiances, and a mark of both the footballer and the man. The Cats hold the longest current winning streak against another side after 13 wins against the Kangaroos by an average 45 points. It's 30 years since Ted Whitten, blind and dying, did his final lap at the MCG. 'How much longer,' he whispered to his son, 'I'm buggered.' He was just 62. When he died several months later, Les Carlyon paid tribute in The Age. 'If you saw him as a kid, you can still see him in your mind, running hither and thither, always doing something, always looking pretty. When he booted a long drop kick, he would bring both arms to shoulder height, big hands open, like an eagle balancing itself after a rash swoop. There was even grace he in the way he cocked an elbow before whacking someone. As kids, we watched him and saw everything we wanted to be, and everything we never could be.' On Monday night, as part of the Western Bulldogs' celebrations to mark 100 years in the VFL/AFL, Whitten was judged the best player to wear the red, blue and white. He was voted ahead of Marcus Bontempelli, Chris Grant, Gary Dempsey and Doug Hawkins. Carlton's former captain has been an inspiration while overcoming significant challenges on and off the field, but will play his 184th and final game on Thursday night after calling time on his football career. 'It's something that I've chased with you and wanted to have with you for the whole time I've been at the club, and that's all our goal has ever been,' Docherty said to the current Blues skipper. 'Hopefully you get the success you deserve across your career.' 'There's a lot of blood and concussion, and we don't want to see that, but it's a decision that's made right at the very last second,' Port's Travis Boak said on AFL 360. 'I'm not sure what else he could have done.' Steven May's collision with Francis Evans on Saturday night that left the Carlton player concussed and missing a tooth was sent straight to the tribunal and has been referred to by some as the toughest decision the league has been faced with, one that will 'decide the future of the game'. Sign up to From the Pocket: AFL Weekly Jonathan Horn brings expert analysis on the week's biggest AFL stories after newsletter promotion Toby Greene agreed with Boak: 'There's going to be those incidents three or four a year for the rest of time, that's the way the game is.' Any thoughts you want to share? Reply to this email or send your views to fromthepocket@ Which rivalry has the closest all-time win-loss record between the clubs? a) Adelaide v Port Adelaideb) Brisbane v Gold Coastc) Fremantle v West Coastd) GWS Giants v Sydney Answers in next week's newsletter, but if you think you know it, hit reply and let me know. Last week's answer: Which club has the longest current winning steak against Geelong? GWS Giants have won their past four clashes. Congratulations to Jack Delaney, who was first to reply with the right answer. Fremantle keep their heads as Collingwood get the wobbles in close finishes. Sydney player Riak Andrew faces AFL suspension over homophobic slur. Former Sydney player Brandon Jack talks about the underbelly of elite sport, writing his first novel and why he doesn't need to use the word 'masculinity'. The Victorian gambling regulator is considering whether to make an unprecedented intervention in a dispute between the AFL and bookmakers. Reply to this email and drop me a line, or email fromthepocket@ Have a friend who might? Forward this to them, or tell them how to get it.
Globe and Mail
a day ago
- Globe and Mail
Kavya Travel Encourages Travellers to 'Expect the Unexpected'
Industry Leader Advocates for Personal Travel Readiness and Resilience Amid Growing Disruptions Worldwide In response to increasing travel disruptions around the world, Kavya Travel is calling on travellers to take greater personal responsibility for their travel experience by preparing for last-minute changes before they happen. The announcement follows the release of their widely shared article, 'Expect the Unexpected,' which outlines how simple habits and smart planning can protect travellers from delays, cancellations, and costly last-minute detours. 'We're not saying you should fear the worst,' says a lead travel coordinator at Kavya Travel. 'But if you fly often enough, something will go wrong. You don't need to panic—you just need a plan.' Why It Matters Now According to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics, over 22% of U.S. flights were delayed in 2023, and more than 160,000 were cancelled entirely. Extreme weather, staffing shortages, and infrastructure issues continue to disrupt global travel. And yet, less than 40% of travellers report having a backup plan, according to a 2024 survey by Travel Weekly. 'The numbers don't lie,' says a senior trip planner at Kavya Travel. 'Delays are normal now. The travellers who get through it smoothly are the ones who prepare for it like it's part of the plan—not a freak accident.' Practical Advice from the Field Kavya Travel isn't advocating for expensive tools or advanced strategies. They're asking travellers to control what they can—before the gate announcements begin. Some of their top recommendations include: One of their agents recalled a client whose connection through Frankfurt was cancelled due to a strike. 'She had her documents in one folder, her backup route ready, and a local hotel bookmarked. She didn't even call us—she handled it in minutes,' the agent said. 'That's the level of calm we want for everyone.' Don't Just React—Rehearse Another common theme in 'Expect the Unexpected' is mental preparation. 'Most people freeze the moment something goes wrong,' said a Kavya team lead. 'But you wouldn't wait until the fire starts to read the fire escape plan. We tell travellers to mentally walk through 'what if' scenarios before they go.' This mindset can turn delays into detours, and disruptions into new stories, rather than complete disasters. What Travellers Can Do Today Kavya Travel urges travellers to take five simple steps before their next trip: Print or download all tickets, IDs, and confirmations Identify one alternate flight or route for your journey Save emergency contacts and embassy info if going abroad Pack a carry-on kit with the essentials you need for 24 hours Choose flights with longer layovers and flexible change options 'These are five things anyone can do with 30 minutes of effort,' the team says. 'And they'll save you hours of frustration later.' Travel Will Always Be Unpredictable Kavya Travel recognises that no one can prevent all travel issues—but believes everyone can be better equipped to handle them. 'You can't control the weather, the staff shortages, or the runway delays,' the article concludes. 'But you can control how ready you are. And that can make the difference between a ruined trip and a story you'll actually want to tell.' To read the full article, visit the website here. About Kavya Travel: Kavya Travel is a travel planning service known for its hands-on, real-world solutions to travel disruptions. With years of experience guiding travellers through complex itineraries and unexpected obstacles, Kavya Travel offers practical support and advice rooted in everyday traveller needs. Media Contact Company Name: Kavya Travel Email: Send Email Country: United States Website:
The Independent
a day ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Ian Wright reacts to England's Jess Carter suffering racist abuse at Women's Euro 2025
Ian Wright maintains 'we can't stop racism' and has urged parents to help make their children resilient after England's Jess Carter suffered racist abuse during the Women's Euro 2025. The Lionesses have decided against taking the knee before their semi-final against Italy following a dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Sweden, arguing that the anti-racism message is not 'as strong as it used to be'. Carter has received widespread support in the camp with Lucy Bronze revealing that there is 'anger' and 'sadness' in the group after Carter detailed how she had been the target of 'vile' and 'abhorrent' social media abuse during the championship in Switzerland. 'Everything that the knee represents, justice, equality, I would still take the knee if I was playing today,' Wright said on ITV Sport. 'In respect of Jess, the support around her, nothing I can say. 'I've said everything I have had to say, nothing gets any better. What I would say now, prepare your children and family, make them resilient. 'It's going to come. I would urge people to get your kids resilient and build resilience against [racism], it's always going to happen. We can't stop it.' The Lionesses released a statement, insisting that 'we and football need to find another way to tackle racism' while the anti-discrimination group Kick It Out backed the players' decision and called on social media companies to do more to combat racist abuse. While Bronze added: 'It was driven by the group - obviously certain individuals more than others. I think it was just the fact that we feel as a collective, is the message as strong as it used to be? Is the message really hitting hard? 'Because to us it feels like it's not if these things are still happening to our players in the biggest tournaments of their lives. It's about putting another statement out there to say, it's something that still is a problem. 'It's something that still needs to be put right. More needs to be done in football, more needs to be done in society. What that is right now as an individual, I don't exactly know.' England manager Sarina Wiegman told the BBC that her players decided to stop taking the knee because its impact was 'not good enough' while defender Alex Greenwood said the anti-racism gesture has "lost its purpose". Lionesses midfielder Georgia Stanway said: 'It's just to change it up. We felt like the knee was just a little bit repetitive, we felt like it's come to a point where the knee isn't doing what we wanted it to do, so now our decision is to stand and hopefully that will bring up more conversation, more change and hopefully get the topic [spoken about].'
