anysportsfeeds.com

Blog

  • Premier League trio reportedly interested in winter move for Julian Brandt


    With his contract expiring in the summer of 2026, Julian Brandt’s future at Borussia Dortmund remains uncertain.

    According to Caughtoffside, Newcastle United, Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur are all monitoring the midfielder’s situation with a view to making a move in January.

    If Dortmund choose not to extend Brandt’s contract, January will be their final chance to secure a transfer fee for the 29-year-old.

    “The contract is running out, but the future is open,” Ricken told Sky.

    “We’re watching how the season unfolds. He’s working his way out of a rough patch, and I can also imagine a contract extension if his performances are right.”

    Brandt joined Dortmund from Leverkusen in 2019.



    Source link

  • The Hoddle of Coffee: Tottenham Hotspur news and links for Tuesday, September 23

    The Hoddle of Coffee: Tottenham Hotspur news and links for Tuesday, September 23


    I set a new personal best at the half marathon. How did I get here, and where do I go next?

    At Mile 3 of my half marathon this weekend I had a little conversation with myself: “Am I really going to try to keep running this fast? Screw it, why not.”

    And I kept going as hard as I possibly could.

    Splits: 6:36.4 / 6:44.1 / 6:45.5 / 6:50.4 / 6:46.5 / 6:40.1 / 6:40.9 / 6:33.8 / 6:37.0 / 6:37.3 / 6:45.6 / 6:45.7 / 6:56.1

    During a typical run I like to doze off, look at the birds in the sky and wave to the passers-by, but today I was laser-focused on churning out mile after mile at muscle-tearing pace.

    I’ve run this fast before – but not at such a distance for such a sustained period of time. My previous personal best at the half marathon was 1:35.06 this time last year. In my 14-mile run two weeks before this, I ran 13 miles in 1:33.xx.

    Perhaps a week’s buildup of anxiety helped me to attack this race with such ferocity. I don’t know. I’m glad I went to bed early on Friday night instead of seeing Wet Leg (but, boy, I hated selling that ticket).

    This also wasn’t the running calendar I had envisioned this year. I was supposed to run the Avenue of the Giants in May, but then a hamstring injury sidelined me. And that, like some cruel pokemon, evolved into a hip injury.

    I have been going to physical therapy since early March. I have one more appointment next week and, with luck, it’ll be the last one.

    And so here I am. My attempt to hit a new personal best at the marathon was derailed early on. My hopes of running one in the fall were similarly destroyed. And I put everything into this race on Sunday.

    I needed to test my hip. I needed to put it through immense pressure to give myself the confidence I need to carry on with my amateurish running ambitions. I endured the biting cold of January and February during my ill-fated marathon training, and suffered through the suffocating humidity of July and August just to get back to where I think I should be.

    Should – Should – Should. A word that fear latches on to you during the most difficult parts of a run.

    Should I continue running this fast? What if I’m not good enough? What if I can’t do anymore? I’m afraid I don’t have it in me to run a marathon again.

    And, I think, in circumstances hyper-tailored like this one, repression can be a good thing. And I shoved it down. Pushed it away. Shut down my anxiety, my doubts, my fears. Everything.

    I stared at the path before me and I attacked it with mindless ferocity.

    I collapsed at the finish line. My quadriceps were on fire. My hamstrings were screaming. My breathing was laboured.

    I looked at the heart rate on my watch: 181 average / 198 max (omg !!!!!!).

    And then I slumped back onto the grass and threw my hands on my face, and then lay prostrate.

    It felt unbelievable, truly. I still don’t know if I can do that again, but of course I’m going to try.

    Now it’s time to map out the remainder of the calendar year. And then soon, 2026.

    Fitzie’s track of the day: Walk of Life, by Dire Straits

    Football London: “Spurs star claims he ‘suffered broken bone’ before scoring first goal of season”

    BBC: “Tearful Dembele wins Ballon d’Or as PSG dominate”

    ESPN: “Barcelona, Spain star Aitana Bonmatí wins third straight Ballon d’Or”

    0 Comments



    Source link

  • 🏆 Most debated Ballon d’Or wins: Nedved, Ribéry, Messi, CR7 💥


    The Ballon d’Or is the most coveted individual trophy in football. Every year, it crowns the best in the world, blending talent, charisma, and achievements.

    Watch the entire Serie BKT live with LaB Channel on OneFootball. Click here to purchase LaB Channel on promotion for only €69.99 per year and watch on all devices.

    In 2025, the winner was Ousmane Dembélé, the driving force of Paris Saint-Germain, with 53 matches, 35 goals, and 16 assists in the season that culminated with the Champions League victory.

    If this year’s choice seems to have convinced everyone, in the history of the award there have been editions that have divided the football world.

    1996 – Sammer stuns Ronaldo

    Germany triumphs at the European Championship and the Ballon d’Or goes to Matthias Sammer. But Ronaldo “The Phenomenon” is already explosive, and many see him as the true dominator of the year. The victory by just one point leaves discussions open for months, with the added regret of a great Alex Del Piero.

    2001 – Owen against Totti and Kahn

    Michael Owen lifts the Ballon d’Or thanks to successes in the UEFA Cup, European Super Cup, and English domestic cups. But he wins neither the Premier League nor the Champions League. Oliver Kahn, hero of the final against Valencia, and Francesco Totti, a protagonist with Italy at the Euros, are pushed into the background.

    2003 – Nedved and the “injustice” to Maldini

    Pavel Nedved wins the award, surpassing Thierry Henry and leaving Paolo Maldini only in third place. The Milan captain, European champion, Coppa Italia, and Super Cup winner, seemed to have everything to win, but the jury chose the Czech from Juventus.

    2005 – Ronaldinho and Gerrard’s shadow

    Ronaldinho plays a magical season and conquers the world with his class. However, the sensational comeback in Istanbul led by Steven Gerrard with Liverpool makes many think that the Reds’ captain deserved at least to finish higher than third place.

    2010 – Messi ahead of Sneijder

    Inter wins the Treble with Wesley Sneijder at the heart of the play and Diego Milito as the driving force. Yet the Ballon d’Or once again goes to Lionel Messi. A decision that infuriated Inter fans and even Massimo Moratti, convinced that the Dutchman deserved more.

    2013 – Ronaldo ahead of Ribery

    Bayern Munich dominates everything with Franck Ribery as the undisputed star, but the Ballon d’Or goes to Cristiano Ronaldo. A choice that left the French striker bitter and convinced he had missed the opportunity of a lifetime.

    2014 – Ronaldo against Neuer

    Cristiano Ronaldo repeats the following year thanks to Real Madrid’s “Decima.” Yet just a few months later, Germany wins the World Cup with a sensational 7-1 over Brazil and Manuel Neuer plays an extraordinary tournament. The idea that a goalkeeper can never truly win this award returns to being a common feeling.

    2021 – Messi ahead of Lewandowski

    Ten years later, new controversies. Messi lifts his seventh Ballon d’Or but Robert Lewandowski, coming off an extraordinary season with the Bundesliga goal record, is left empty-handed. Many believe that the “Flea” also benefited from the canceled 2020 edition, which would have gone to the Pole.

    2025 – Dembélé beats Yamal

    This year’s winner was Ousmane Dembélé, the driving force of PSG who managed to bring home the Treble.

    A triumph for the Frenchman – never in the top 30 before this edition’s victory – that is sparking debate: for many, the one who deserved the title of best in the world was Lamine Yamal.

    The Barcelona gem must ‘settle’ – so to speak – for the Kopa Trophy, the award for the best young player, won for the second year in a row.

    This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.

    📸 FRANCK FIFE – AFP or licensors



    Source link

  • ESPN analyst throws shade at Auburn’s Bruce Pearl, suggests he was pushed out for being ‘divisive

    ESPN analyst throws shade at Auburn’s Bruce Pearl, suggests he was pushed out for being ‘divisive


    The Auburn basketball team will be under new leadership this coming season. However, the change won’t be drastic, as top assistant Steven Pearl will take over for his father, Bruce Pearl. The announcement came on Monday in somewhat shocking fashion.

    “Bruce Pearl is expected to retire as the head coach at Auburn, sources tell me and Pete Thamel. His son, Steven, is expected to be the head coach for the upcoming season,” ESPN insider Jeff Borzello posted.

    This conclusion to the most successful coaching career in Auburn basketball history comes shortly after Bruce Pearl hinted at retirement in early September. There was a sense that it might be coming soon—but not as soon as leaving before the season even began.

    “Not that much longer Jon. I think it’s kind of a balance of life, of time, of work. I love Auburn, I truly do. I want to do it when I am on top of my game. We owe that to our players and our fans. As you get a little bit older, you take it one day at a time,” Pearl said to CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein.

    While many fans were saddened to see his career come to an end, ESPN’s Michael Wilbon didn’t hold back in sharing his honest thoughts on Pearl’s legacy and character.

    “He had become a divisive person, it seems to me, intentionally. And I hope there was pressure to just get him out,” Wilbon said on Pardon The Interruption.

    Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp

    Wilbon clearly takes issue with how Pearl had been presenting himself publicly. Whatever Pearl had been doing in recent years, Wilbon believes it created unnecessary tension and division.

    Now that Pearl is gone, Wilbon appears to hope that Auburn played a role in encouraging his exit. However, if that were truly the case, it raises the question: Why would the university immediately promote his son to replace him? Despite Wilbon’s frustration with Pearl’s public persona, the university’s decision seems to reflect continuity and trust in the Pearl family’s leadership.



    Source link

  • Lions outmuscle and outplay Ravens in big Monday night road win

    Lions outmuscle and outplay Ravens in big Monday night road win


    Man, what a game!

    Monday night’s matchup between the Lions and Ravens in Baltimore was billed as a potential Super Bowl preview. NFL fans would be lucky to get the rematch in February after an epic battle between two great teams on Monday Night Football in Week 3. Detroit prevailed, 38-30, in a hard-fought, thrilling matchup.

    It was a fantastic, entertaining game from the opening drives. Detroit scored first with a masterful 11-play drive from QB Jared Goff. Baltimore quickly matched it in eight plays, with each team picking up four first downs along the way. The defenses then traded 3-and-outs, a strong indication of just how tightly contested the game would remain all night.

    The Lions masterfully balanced runs and passes, with Montgomery having an outstanding game. His 72-yard scamper set up another TD as part of a 96-yard drive. Detroit’s special teams were troublesome all night, but the offense and defense picked them up with smart, fundamentally sound and aggressive football.

    The defense did its part far beyond reasonable expectations. Detroit sacked Jackson seven times, including two from Al-Quadin Muhammad. Aidan Hutchinson bagged a sack and forced a fourth-quarter fumble on Derrick Henry. Derrick Barnes made several plays as a delayed rusher, foiling several would-be escapes from the perennial MVP candidate. The Lions defense largely neutralized Henry, holding him to 50 yards on 12 carries, including two red zone stuffs in the first half.

    It wasn’t all perfect. Cornerback Terrion Arnold had a rough night in coverage. The Lions dropped two interceptions, one from Brian Branch and another, in the end zone, by D.J. Reed. Jackson made some great throws, notably a second-half TD strike to TE Mark Andrews, the first of two scoring connections between them.

    Back to the Henry lost fumble. The Lions cashed that in with another Montgomery touchdown, extending the lead to 38-24 with under two minutes to play. That TD was set up on a brilliant 4th-and-2 play-action pass connection from Goff to St. Brown that befuddled the Baltimore defense. The Ravens did answer with a Jackson-to-Andrews score, but Sam LaPorta snagged Baltimore’s onside kick to effectively end the game.

    Detroit ran the ball 38 times for 224 yards and four touchdowns. Goff was not sacked once all night, and the Lions did not turn the ball over. The Lions dialed up a winning gameplan, with both coordinators winning their individual chess matches against their Baltimore counterparts. OC John Morton showed creativity and a keen sense of how to attack the Ravens depleted defense. DC Kelvin Sheppard called about as masterful a game as anyone can against Jackson and the Baltimore offense.

    With the win–Detroit’s first ever in Baltimore against the Ravens–the Lions improve to 2-1. Baltimore falls to 1-2 with the loss. The Ravens lone win came against Detroit’s Week 4 opponent, the Cleveland Browns, whom the Lions host in Ford Field on the short week on Sunday.



    Source link

  • Nets did not sign F Ricky Council IV for camp due to injury

    Nets did not sign F Ricky Council IV for camp due to injury


    The Brooklyn Nets have training camp beginning on Wednesday as they prepare for their preseason slate that will see them play two games in China against the Phoenix Suns. Brooklyn was trying to construct the roster while doing what needed to be done for them to ensure that they would meet the salary floor, but there is one player who wasn’t brought to camp for a specific reason.

    NetsDaily reported on Monday that the reason that forward Ricky Council IV isn’t being brought to camp as previously reported is due to an injury. NetsDaily went on to note that there isn’t any indication on the severity of Council’s injury, but it seems that there was enough of an injury that caused Brooklyn to think twice about bringing the young forward to camp.

    More to the point, NetsDaily reported on Sunday that Council would not be joining the Nets for training camp, but did not specify the reason for Council not being there. In the same post on X, NetsDaily went on to note that forward Fanbo Zeng would be signed to an Exhibit 10 contract as opposed to a Two-Way deal, a move that the team indicated as such when they released training camp roster on Monday.

    The 2024-25 season was the best campaign that Council had in the NBA since leaving Wichita State to pursue his professional basketball career. Council played in 73 games last season for the 76ers and he averaged 7.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game while shooting 38.2% from the field and 25.8% from three-point land in 17.1 minutes per contest.

    As of this writing, the Nets have put together their 21-player roster together for training camp, but they will have to cut down the roster to 18 players (15 standard, 3 Two-Way) prior to the beginning of the regular season. Time will tell who the Nets let go after training camp, but the good news is that there is now clarity on why Council isn’t competing for a roster spot on Brooklyn’s team.



    Source link

  • Takeaways from the first half of a 14-14 tie

    Takeaways from the first half of a 14-14 tie


    With the second half underway, we’re looking at takeaways and observations from the first 30 minutes of play.

    Detroit flew into Baltimore, and it’s been explosive play after explosive play in a fun-filled first half that saw the Ravens break out the All-Black uniforms against the beast of the NFC North.

    With the second half underway, we’re looking at takeaways and observations from the first 30 minutes of play.

    Derrick Henry is back

    Early in the second quarter of last week’s win over Cleveland, tight end Mark Andrews had more rushing yards (2) than star running back Derrick Henry (-5). Overall, Henry has five carries for five yards, and the Ravens have eight rushing yards on 24 offensive plays in the first half. That wasn’t the case on Monday night. Henry scored a 28-yard touchdown on the Ravens’ first drive and finished the first half with eight carries for 41 yards (5.1 avg) and one rushing touchdown.

    Lamar Jackson

    Jackson is 8-9 passing for 98 yards (10.9 avg), one touchdown, and a near-perfect 149.1 rating in the first half. Jared Goff was 14-17 passing for 135 yards, no touchdowns, and a 99.8 rating.

    Teddye Buchanan

    Roquan Smith has four tackles in the first half, but it’s the rookie linebacker who is leading Baltimore with seven stops.

    Defensive tackle plays without Nnamdi Madubuike

    John Jenkins has three tackles and one tackle for loss in relief of Madubuike. Detroit has 57 rushing yards as Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery have combined for 18 carries and 50 yards.

    Lions‘ impressive drive

    Detroit took a 14-7 lead after an 18-play 98 98-yard drive that ate up 10 minutes, 48 seconds of clock and was punctuated with a physical touchdown run from David Montgomery. The Lions have 192 yards in the first half.

    Ravens’ red zone failure

    After driving down the field, Baltimore had four tries from the Lions’ 3-yard line or closer and couldn’t get into the end zone. On fourth-and-goal, the Ravens went with a quick snap and had Lamar Jackson roll right looking for a receiver, but he eventually fumbled while attempting to shake off a defender.

    It’s the first time in eight red-zone trips this season that Baltimore failed to score.

    Random notes

    Detroit dominated time of possession, holding the ball for 19:48 in the first half.

    Devontez Walker has one catch for 34 yards, and it’s his first NFL reception that didn’t go for a score.



    Source link

  • Jordan Addison is back, after three-game suspension

    Jordan Addison is back, after three-game suspension


    The Vikings will be getting a lift to their offense, as they prepare to take off for two games in Europe.

    Receiver Jordan Addison was reinstated on Monday, after completing a three-game suspension arising from a DUI-related guilty plea.

    The NFL has given the Vikings a two-day roster exemption, until Wednesday. They’ll need to create a spot on the 53-man unit by then for Addison.

    In his third season, Addison had 911 receiving yards as a rookie as 875 receiving yards in 2024. He has scored 20 total touchdowns.

    He rejoins a unit headlined by Justin Jefferson. Others on the depth chart include Adam Thielen, Jalen Nailor, Tai Felton, Myles Price, and Tim Jones.

    The Vikings play the Steelers in Ireland on Sunday, before traveling to London to face the Browns in Week 5.





    Source link

  • Sixers announce the signings of Emoni Bates, 3 others ahead of camp

    Sixers announce the signings of Emoni Bates, 3 others ahead of camp


    The Philadelphia 76ers will officially begin preparation for the 2025-26 season with media day on Friday and begin training camp on Saturday before they begin their preseason schedule on Oct. 2 in Abu Dhabi. The Sixers will face the New York Knicks both Oct. 2 and Oct. 4 from the Etihad Arena.

    As the Sixers begin to head to camp, they have announced some signings to the roster. Through an official announcement, the Sixers will bring in Emoni Bates, Kennedy Chandler, Malcolm Hill, and Jaylen Martin.

    Bates played in 25 games for the Cleveland Cavaliers over the previous two seasons and averaged 3.1 points after being selected 49th overall in 2023 out of Eastern Michigan. He has 50 games of G League experience with the Cleveland Charge as he averaged 19.8 points and 5.6 rebounds.

    Chandler has played in the G League with Raptors 905 and the Long Island Nets, and has played with the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA. Hill has NBA experience with the Chicago Bulls and the Atlanta Hawks while Martin has played for the Brooklyn Nets and the Washington Wizards.

    It will be interesting to see what these four youngsters can do with the Sixers. One has to assume they will head to Philadelphia’s G League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats, after training camp.



    Source link

  • Cardinals offense struggling to close games. Losing RB James Conner for the season won’t help

    Cardinals offense struggling to close games. Losing RB James Conner for the season won’t help


    TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Arizona’s offense has had three chances in three games to close out a win this season and failed in all three instances.

    The first two times, the Cardinals’ defense was there to save the day.

    Advertisement

    The third time, the team wasn’t as fortunate.

    Arizona (2-1) lost its first game of the season on Sunday, falling 16-15 to San Francisco after a 35-yard field goal by Eddy Pineiro in the final seconds. Even worse for the long term, veteran running back James Conner is out for the season after suffering a foot injury in the loss.

    “You hate that it happens, I feel terrible,” coach Jonathan Gannon said. “It’s tough to replace, but we have to. So that’s what we’ll do.”

    The 30-year-old Conner has been the driving force behind the Cardinals running game over the past four-plus seasons, running for more than 3,700 yards and 38 touchdowns. He’s also the emotional leader of the locker room and his toughness is widely respected.

    Advertisement

    Emotions were raw after Sunday’s game.

    “JC is everything, means everything,” quarterback Kyler Murray said. “I really don’t want to talk about it right now.”

    Conner’s absence means more carries for the other backs, including Trey Benson and Emari Demercado. Benson — a second-year player — has a team-high 125 yards rushing this season and is averaging 6 yards per carry.

    It’s not just the running game that needs work. The Cardinals rank near the bottom of the NFL in passing yards and some costly drops by receivers hurt the offense on Sunday.

    The good news is that with all the issues, Arizona is still 2-1.

    Advertisement

    Things could be much worse.

    The Cardinals have a quick turnaround this week, hosting the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday night.

    “I told the coaches, the sky’s not falling, there’s no panic in my game,” Gannon said. “I told the team that and I haven’t lost confidence. We lost a game. The things over the first three weeks that we haven’t done a good enough job — we’ve got time to correct it.

    “But we’ve got to correct it.”

    What’s working

    The Cardinals look like a very good defensive team, giving up just 17 points per game, which ranks fifth in the league. Arizona would like to be putting a little more pressure on opposing quarterbacks, but otherwise, there’s not much to complain about. The 39-year-old Calais Campbell continues to produce in his 18th NFL season, forcing a holding penalty in the end zone that resulted in a safety and gave the Cardinals a late 15-13 lead before the 49ers rallied.

    Advertisement

    What needs help

    Gannon said he has no problems with the play-calling of offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, but for whatever reason, the Cardinals haven’t been able to close games. Petzing is also struggling to get the most out of second-year receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., who hasn’t been the elite option the Cardinals need.

    Stock up

    Mack Wilson Sr. — The linebacker was everywhere on Sunday, finishing with a team-high 12 tackles and a huge hit on Christian McCaffrey that forced a turnover on downs. He’s been one of the leaders on defense. Even so, the 27-year-old isn’t satisfied: “We just need to find a way to close out games better, but on both sides of the ball, and kind of just get better, learn from it, and move forward.”

    Advertisement

    Stock down

    Harrison Jr. — It was the second straight quiet game for the frustrated receiver. He was targeted six times, but caught just three of them for 44 yards and also had a drop when he was wide open. It’s only three games into the season, but last year’s No. 4 overall pick hasn’t made the jump that the Cardinals had hoped.

    “To go out there and not play anywhere near the best of my abilities is frustrating,” the receiver said. “It hurts the team and I have to get better.”

    Injuries

    The Cardinals hope OT Paris Johnson (knee) and CB Will Johnson (groin) can return for the Seahawks game after being inactive against the 49ers.

    Key number

    495 — The Cardinals have 495 yards passing so far this season, which ranks 27th.

    Next steps

    The Cardinals host the Seahawks on Thursday night.

    ___

    AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL



    Source link