Latest news with #semiFinals
News.com.au
10 hours ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Brumbies playing ‘two grand finals' to avoid ugly Super Rugby history
The Brumbies are looking to avoid an unwanted piece of history this weekend, as the first team in Super Rugby history to lose four successive semi-finals. The Canberra side have been knocked out at the final four stage the previous three seasons, and no side has failed on four consecutive occasions. So they're treating Saturday's semi against the Chiefs in Hamilton as the first of two grand finals. 'We're pouring absolutely everything into this one because we know we need to, because at the end of the day we fell short the last three years,' Brumbies lock Tom Hooper said. 'I think you take a lot of learnings out of the last three years, it's all been building to a head for a long time now. 'Obviously we've lost against the Chiefs earlier in the year (49-34 in Hamilton) and we took a lot of stuff out of that game that we needed to improve on, and we're looking to make sure we're putting that into practice this weekend. That game was, if you just look at the score, probably not really reflective of how tight that one was. 'For me, the grand final is this weekend. We've got two grand finals left and we're going to pour absolutely everything into it.' There is added incentive for Hooper to finish with silverware, given he is departing the Brumbies to join English club Exeter alongside teammate Len Ikitau. 'That's why I've been flogging myself on the weekend, I've been draining myself every week,' Hooper said. 'It's like driving down a highway. You don't need a full tank to make it to the end of the road. So the end of the road's coming up and I've filled up my tank this week, but I'm about to empty it again and I'll do it again next week. 'After that I'll just be filling it up with a couple of pina coladas somewhere, just relaxing after the season with the trophy in my hand.' While there has been criticism of the finals format given the Chiefs lost to the Blues last week and the Brumbies beat the Hurricanes, but the Chiefs get to host the semi-final given they finished first, Hooper dismissed any notion it is unfair. 'At the end of the day, we knew throughout the course of the season we needed to finish in those top two positions for that very reason,' Hooper said. 'Obviously, we fell short against the Crusaders. That means we have to go across the ditch and beat them on their home soil, which is nice. 'The Chiefs deserve it because they reaped the rewards of their hard work throughout the season. 'There's only 11 teams in this competition and they've obviously been the best team throughout the majority of the year. 'Even though they didn't have one of their better nights on the weekend against the Blues, they still deserve a home semi-final in my eyes because we should have done better throughout the season and we dropped a few games that we shouldn't have.'
Reuters
4 days ago
- Sport
- Reuters
China's Shi downs Wang to set up semi-final clash with Antonsen
June 6 (Reuters) - Defending champion Shi Yuqi of China powered past compatriot Wang Zhengxing 21-13 21-6 in the Indonesia Open on Friday to set up a semi-final clash with last year's runner-up Anders Antonsen. Shi, who won the Malaysia and All-England Opens this year, took just half an hour to beat Wang while twice runner-up Antonsen of Denmark defeated Hong Kong's Lee Cheuk Yiu 23-21 21-9. Thailand's world number one Kunlavut Vitidsarn eased past Frenchman Alex Lanier 21-12 21-16 to set up a semi-final clash with the 2019 winner Chou Tien-chen of Taiwan, who took out China's Li Shifeng after losing the first game. In the women's draw, defending champion Chen Yufei withdrew due to injury, allowing her fellow Chinese opponent Han Yue to advance to the semi-finals. World number two Wang Zhiyi of China took down compatriot Gao Fangjie 21-18 23-21. Women's top seed and Olympic Champion An Se-young continued her dominant form, dispatching Thailand's Pornpawee Chochuwong, seeded sixth, 21-11 21-10 in under 40 minutes. Japanese third seed Akane Yamaguchi crushed home hopes by beating Putri Kusuma Wardani, the last remaining Indonesian in the women's singles draw.
The Independent
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Carlos Alcaraz v Lorenzo Musetti live: Scores and updates from French Open semi-final before Djokovic v Sinner
Carlos Alcaraz bids for a second consecutive French Open final but Lorenzo Musetti stands in the defending champion's way on men's semi-final day at Roland Garros, before a blockbuster between Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner. Alcaraz, 22, played his best match of the tournament so far in dismissing Tommy Paul in the quarter-finals and has won his last five matches against the eighth seed Musetti, including two on clay this season. Musetti, 23, will be out for revenge after defeats to Alcaraz in the Monte Carlo final and Rome semi-final, as the Italian aims for a first grand slam final. Later, Djokovic takes on World No 1 Sinner in the second of a mouthwatering pair of semi-final matches in Paris. Djokovic is bidding to become the oldest male grand slam champion in the Open era but Sinner has won the last two grand slam titles and has beaten Djokovic in their last three meetings. What happened in the quarter-finals? Carlos Alcaraz defeated Tommy Paul 6-0 6-1 6-4 in just 94 minutes to return to the French Open semi-finals for the third year in a row and described how it felt to play the 'perfect' tennis match by saying: 'I could close my eyes and everything went in'. Almost half of the total points won by Alcaraz were winners, with the Spaniard hitting 40 across the straight-sets win in what was his best display of the tournament so far. He was interviewed by three-time French Open champion Mats Wilander, who asked Alcaraz how it felt to play the 'perfect' match at Roland Garros. 'I could close my eyes and everything went in. My feeling today was unbelievable,' Alcaraz told the crowd. Carlos Alcaraz on 'perfect' match: 'I could close my eyes and everything went in' Alcaraz needed just 94 minutes to defeat Tommy Paul 6-0 6-1 6-4 Jamie Braidwood6 June 2025 10:15 Preview: Carlos Alcaraz vs Lorenzo Musetti Carlos Alcaraz looks to return to the French Open final when he faces Italy's Lorenzo Musetti at Roland Garros. Defending champion Alcaraz increased his winning run at the tournament to 12 matches with the 'perfect' performance against Tommy Paul in the quarter-finals. The 22-year-old Spaniard won his first French Open title when he defeated Alexander Zverev and a blockbuster could await with Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic on the other side of the draw. Musetti, the eighth seed, will be the underdog as he looks to reach his first grand slam final. The 23-year-old had a brush with some controversy during his quarter-final win over Frances Tiafoe after kicking a ball at a line judge. This will be the third time Alcaraz and Musetti have met on the clay this season, with Alcaraz winning the Monte Carlo final and beating the Italian in the Rome semi-finals. Carlos Alcaraz vs Lorenzo Musetti start time: When is French Open semi-final? Alcaraz and Musetti meet for the third time on clay this season with the Spaniard so far having the upper hand Jamie Braidwood6 June 2025 10:05 French Open order of play - Friday 6 June Court Philippe-Chatrier From 1:30pm BST [2] Carlos Alcaraz vs Lorenzo Musetti [8] Not before 6pm BST [1] Jannik Sinner vs Novak Djokovic [6] Jamie Braidwood6 June 2025 10:02 Good morning It's men's semi-finals day at the French Open with two blockbuster matches to decide the line-up for this year's showpiece at Roland Garros. Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz first takes on Italian eighth seed Lorenzo Musetti, who is aiming to reach his first grand slam final at the age of 23. Alcaraz has been in brilliant form during the tournament but Musetti has the clay-court game to potentially upset the Spaniard. Later, there's a huge clash between Novak Djokovic and World No 1 Jannik Sinner. Djokovic is coming off an impressive win over Alexander Zverev in the quarter-finals while Sinner has been in dominant form, having won the last two grand slams at the US Open and Australian Open. Jamie Braidwood6 June 2025 10:00
The Sun
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
‘How did this get through?' fume Britain's Got Talent fans as they rip into ‘shocking' semi-final act
BRITAIN'S Got Talent fans fumed, 'How did this get through?' as they ripped into one "shocking" semi-final act tonight. ITV viewers were left baffled while watching novelty act Papi advance further in the competition with a performance involving squeaky rubber chickens. 4 The Taiwanese performer, who gained attention earlier in the series for his comedic renditions of Queen songs, returned to the BGT stage to perform a medley using the toys as instruments. While judge Amanda Holden appeared amused, even standing up at the end of his set, Simon Cowell, Bruno Tonioli and Alesha Dixon gave him the red buzzer. And fans watching at home weren't won over either, sharing their frustration over his inclusion in the semi-finals. One wrote on X, formerly Twitter, "Why the f**k would you put that through of actual talented people, make it make sense because that was fucking shocking. You judges put it though, d**kheads #bgt." Someone else said: "Is this what #BGT #BritainsGotTalent has come too, someone squeezing rubber chickens!!!" A third raged: "How the hell did this guy, with squeaky toys, get through to the semi finals? #BritainsGotTalent #bgt." One more fumed: "This could quite possibly be the WORST Semi Final act I've ever seen #BGT." Their frustration didn't end there. Earlier in the show, bored fans branded a segment as "done to death" and insisted the show "needs to move on". The cast of Come Alive! The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular kicked off proceedings - but not all viewers were left happy. Bored Britain's Got Talent fans slam segment saying it's been 'done to death' and insist show 'needs to move on' One viewer wrote on X: "I said this last year. The Greatest showman has been done to death already!! "BGT needs to come up with a new thing!!!" Another added: "I know the other judges mock Simon and his Greatest Showman obsession in their private group chat." While a third chimed in: "Every year there's stuff from this musical." A fourth shared: "#BGT can Simon Cowell not move on from the Greatest Showman." Meanwhile, competing for spots in the final were Hear Our Voice, IDOLLS, Papi Bucket, TK Magic, Joseph Charm, Maya Giotea, Max Fox and Obsequious. Britain's Got Talent airs on ITV1 and ITVX. Timeline of BGT Winners Britain's Got Talent has been thrilling fans since it burst onto the scene in 2007. Here we take a look at all the BGT winners - from the first ever one to the most recent: 2007: Paul Potts - The first ever winner of BGT was opera singer Paul Potts. He saw off competition from Connie Talbot, The Bar Wizards, Bessie Cursors, Damon Scott and Kombat Breakers to win. 2008: George Sampson - In series two of Britain's Got Talent a young George Sampson wowed judges and viewers with his impressive dance moves. 2009: Diversity - Dance troupe Diversity scooped the BGT crown and beat of competition from singer Susan Boyle, who was strongly tipped to win the show. 2010 - Spellbound: Gymnastic troupe Spellbound really impressed judge Simon Cowell with their stunning routines and incredible stunts in 2010. At the time, the music mogul said: 'I can only say on live television that was one of the most astonishing things I have ever seen.' 2011 - Jai McDowall: Viewers were stunned when Jai McDowall won the show in 2011, as young singer Ronan Parke was the favourite to win the series. 2012 - Ashleigh and Pudsy: Ashleigh Butler and her adorable pooch Pudsey stole hearts when they performed in series six of the talent show. 2013 - Attraction: Hungarian shadow artist group Attraction won the seventh series of Britain's Got Talent. The squad had taken part in the German version of BGT in 2012, however, they had only placed seventh. 2014 - Collabro: Classical music band Collabro faced tough competition in the 2014 final as all the finalist were singers, but they went on to scoop the crown. 2015 - Jules O'Dwyer & Matisse: Dog lovers everywhere could't get enough of Jules O'Dwyer and pet pup Matisse. The impressive duo even performed on a tightrope to secure their win. 2016 - Richard Jones: Army man Richard Jones became the first magician in the show's history to win Britain's Got Talent. 2017 - Tokio Myers: Pianist Tokio Myers impressed the judges with his blend of classical and electronic music. 2018 - Lost Voice Guy: Stand-up comedian Lost Voice Guy, who performs with a speech synthesiser, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when he was six months old. However, he defied the odds and is a BGT champ. 2019 - Colin Thackery: Veteran army officer Colin Thackery warmed the nations hearts with his singing voice. He was crowned winner of BGT after singing Michael Ball's Love Changes Everything. 2020 - Jon Courtenay: Singer and pianist Jon Courtenay was Ant and Dec's Golden Buzzer act. After he won the £250,000 prize he said: ""Just amazing, I can't believe it." 2022 - Axel Blake: Comedian Axel Blake scooped the crown after the show was off air for two years during Covid. 2023 - Viggo Venn: Known for his high-vis jackets, comedian Viggo Venn was victorious in 2023. 2024 - Sydnie Christmas: The reigning champ is singer Sydnie Christmas. 4 4 4
BBC News
09-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'Full English' - reaction to Man Utd and Spurs' Europa League wins
"It's a full English in the Europa League final," jokes the Daily Express back page after both Manchester United and Tottenham thrashed their semi-final opponents over two are bidding to end a 41-year wait for European success and a first trophy of any kind in 17 years, while United know a win would secure their second European trophy in eight eyes are now on Wednesday, 21 May.
