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  • Bislett Games Men — Warholm Takes Rivals, Shock Win For Young

    Bislett Games Men — Warholm Takes Rivals, Shock Win For Young

    Nico Young’s powerful finish made him only the third American man ever to win a Diamond League 5000. (DIAMOND LEAGUE AG)
    OSLO, NORWAY, June 12 — The 60th Bislett Games featured pre-meet buzz around two possible men’s World Records: in the newly official 300H and the 5000. Only one mark came under threat, but both contests delivered thrilling performances.

    World Athletics only made the 300H official this year, so the record attempt had less buildup than the rare in-season clash between the big three in the 400H: reigning Olympic champ Rai Benjamin, 2021 gold medalist Karsten Warholm, and 2022 world champion Alison dos Santos. (The trio will meet again soon in Stockholm for a 400H showdown.)

    Warholm has embraced the 300H, setting his latest World Record of 33.05 on April 26 in Xiamen. Competing before a supportive home crowd at Bislett Stadium, the Norwegian aimed to reaffirm his dominance in the shorter version of his main event.

    The final event of a bright Nordic evening, Warholm, in lane 7, exploded down the backstretch. Benjamin, from lane 5, was level and surged ahead around the curve. But he slowed on the homestretch and clipped the last hurdle, losing steam. Warholm kept attacking and surged into the lead to win in 32.67.

    Benjamin narrowly held off dos Santos for second, finishing 33.22 to the Brazilian’s 33.38.

    “It went well, although I was worried when Rai was coming strong. I had to push off the last hurdle to win,” said Warholm. “I usually tire at the end of the 400, so 300 suits me better. But I’ll be ready for Sunday’s 400.”

    Benjamin accepted the outcome with class. “I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I’m happy overall,” said the American, opening his 2025 outdoor season after one indoor race. “Oslo gave us this amazing stage. Races like this help all of us. I thought I’d run faster, but that last hurdle hurt me.”

    In the 5000, lights were set to pace for 12:35.36 — the World Record by Joshua Cheptegei in 2020. The early splits (2:33.04 at 1000 and 5:07.31 at 2000) showed promise, but it became clear the record wouldn’t fall. Instead, the race turned tactical and tense. At 4000m, Britain’s George Mills led, with Ethiopians Biniam Mehary and Kuma Girma and American Nico Young closely tracking him.

    Young, 22, used the same furious finish that won him the Philadelphia Grand Slam 3000 on June 1. He kicked hard off the final curve, pulling ahead of Mehary to take the win — just the third American to do so in a DL 5000 after Ben True (New York, 2015) and Paul Chelimo (London, 2018).

    Young’s 12:45.27 makes him the 13th-fastest man ever and the No. 2 American in history (the fastest U.S. time outdoors).

    “It was wild,” said Young, who placed 12th in last year’s Olympic 10,000. “I wasn’t totally sure what to expect coming in, but I’m proud I hung on. There were so many possible outcomes.”

    Mehary (12:45.93), Girma (12:46.41), and Mills (12:46.59) all ran PRs. Mills broke Mo Farah’s long-standing British Record (12:53.11 from 2011). Graham Blanks, off the pace early, finished strong in 7th at 12:48.20 — now the No. 3 American all-time.

    The men’s 800 began quickly, and Olympic champ Emmanuel Wanyonyi looked to be fading late, but he surged to win in 1:42.78. He edged Mohamed Attaoui (1:42.90) and Paris bronze medalist Djamel Sedjati (1:43.06), racing for the first time since last September.

    Portugal’s Isaac Nader shocked in the Dream Mile, grabbing the lead with 200m to go and powering to victory down the stretch. His 3:48.25 set a new Portuguese Record.

    “I’m thrilled to win so decisively — my main goal was the national record and I got it,” said Nader, who placed 4th in the 1500 at World Indoors. “This gives me confidence for Tokyo. This is just the start of my season.”

    Australian teen Cam Myers finished fast on the inside for 2nd in 3:48.87. A total of 11 runners dipped under 3:50, including Vince Ciattei, 8th in 3:49.37 — making him the 12th-fastest American of all time.

  • 2025 Demon Deacons Football Analysis: Predicted Wins, Season Overview, and Standout Players

    2025 Demon Deacons Football Analysis: Predicted Wins, Season Overview, and Standout Players

    Wake Forest Demon Deacons Key to the Season
    Prevent teams from completing passes. Wake Forest’s pass defense was one of the nation’s worst—only Mississippi State allowed a higher completion rate. The Bulldogs gave up completions on 70.4% of throws, and Wake Forest followed closely at 70.3%. The Demon Deacons were 3-1 when opponents were held to 66% or less, but just 1-7 when they weren’t.

    Wake Forest Demon Deacons Key Player
    Melvin Siani, OT Soph. The offensive skill talent is solid—one of the two quarterbacks will settle in. But it all depends on the line’s ability to hold off pressure. Among the transfer newcomers, the 6-6, 302-pound Siani from Temple must become a starter. If he performs well, the tackles could turn into a team strength, because …

    Wake Forest Demon Deacons Top Transfer, Biggest Transfer Loss
    Top Transfer In: Fa’alili Fa’amoe, OT Sr. One of the portal’s premier tackles, the 6-5, 317-pound senior had options. The former Washington State standout followed coach Jake Dickert to Wake and is expected to secure one of the tackle roles.
    Top Transfer Out: Luke Petitbon, C Sr. Once again, the O-line was a weakness, but some solid pieces exited. Petitbon, a seasoned 6-2, 295-pound center who led the line, will now take charge of Florida State’s front.

    Wake Forest Demon Deacons Key Game
    Georgia Tech, Sept. 27. Wake Forest edged Georgia Tech 9-6 to win the 2006 ACC title, but has lost all four meetings since. Wake doesn’t play a road game in September, but travel starts after this. A 2-2 start is the floor. If NC State goes down, it sets up Wake’s first 4-0 start since 2021.

    Wake Forest Demon Deacons Top 10 Players

    1. Nick Andersen, S Sr.
    2. Dylan Hazen, LB Sr.
    3. Demond Claiborne, RB Sr.
    4. Fa’alili Fa’amoe, OT Sr.
    5. Gabe Kirschke, EDGE Jr.
    6. Davaughn Patterson, S Soph.
    7. Quincy Bryant, LB Sr.
    8. Carlos Hernandez, WR Jr.
    9. Robby Ashford, QB Sr.
    10. Matthew Dennis, PK Sr.

    Wake Forest Demon Deacons 2024 Fun Stats
    – 4th Quarter Points: Opponents 117, Wake Forest 56
    – Sacks: Allowed 42 for 227 yards, Made 20 for 124 yards
    – 4th Down Conversions: Opponents 10-of-14 (71%), Wake Forest 16-of-25 (64%)

    Wake Forest Demon Deacons 2025 Season Prediction, Win Total, What Will Happen
    The schedule gives Wake Forest a real shot at a bowl. Clemson, Miami, and Louisville are off the slate, and the key clashes against SMU, NC State, and Georgia Tech are all at home. The team leaves North Carolina just four times. Oregon State is a tough road test, but coach Jake Dickert knows them well.

    Three wins—Delaware, Kennesaw State, Western Carolina—make a solid base, and the team should stay in the bowl hunt into late November.
    Set The Wake Forest Win Total At … 5
    Likely Wins: Delaware, Kennesaw State, Western Carolina
    50/50 Games: at Duke, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, NC State, at Oregon State, SMU, at Virginia, at Virginia Tech
    Likely Losses: at Florida State
    2025 Wake Forest Preview
    Wake Forest Offense Breakdown
    Wake Forest Defense Breakdown

  • Noah Could Never’ – Warning upset sent to world’s fastest man Lyles as Tyreek Hill runs best 100m time in LA

    Noah Could Never’ – Warning upset sent to world’s fastest man Lyles as Tyreek Hill runs best 100m time in LA

     

    Tyreek Hill and Noah Lyles calling out each other

    Miami Dolphins star Tyreek Hill is in his best shape to race Noah Lyles after clocking his fastest career time in Los Angeles.

    The highly anticipated race between world’s fastest man Noah Lyles and Tyreek Hill will be one for the ages after the NFL star clocked a new Personal Best (PB) in his first 100m race since 2014 at the Last Chance Sprint Series in Los Angeles.

     

    The Dolphins wide receiver powered to an impressive legal time of 10.15s (1.2) to break his PB set way back in 2012 when he was 18 years old. It was also his first official 100m race since 2014.

     

    He obliterated the field in Los Angeles as Assani Hampton finished second in 10.26s, while Martinez was third in 10.66s.

     

    Shortly after his brilliant performance, Hill brought out a written note with the inscription “Noah Could Never” in retaliation to Lyles as a response to him “Tyreek Could Never” after winning Lyles won his 60m race at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix.

     

     

     

    Lyles then backed up his message during a post-race interview: “Hey, when you’re ready to actually put some words down and you’re actually ready to race, see me. I’m right here, I ain’t going nowhere, but all I know is your football season is over, you ain’t got no excuse now,” said the Olympic 100m champion.

     

     

    Noah Lyles is the world’s fastest man as the World and Olympic champion. Photo. Imago

    Noah Lyles and Tyreek Hill’s Beef

    In August 2024, after Lyles blazed to the 100m gold medal in Paris, Hill said he could beat Lyles in a race — “Sign the contract and lock in that 50-yard race.”

     

    The Miami Dolphins star initially challenged the world 100m champ during an interview with Up & Adams on Aug 12, saying, “I would beat Noah Lyles [in a race]. I wouldn’t beat him by a lot, but I would beat Noah Lyles.”

     

     

    NFL star Tyreek Hill is a Miami Dolphins wide receiver | Imago

    Lyles will then respond to his claim during an appearance on the Nightcap podcast, adding that he was skeptical about the seriousness of Hill’s claim.

     

    I’m not doing again — Tyreek Hill’s wife files for DIVORCE less than 2 years after their wedding amid complaints of domestic dispute

    I’m not doing again — Tyreek Hill’s wife files for DIVORCE less than 2 years after their wedding amid complaints of domestic dispute

    “He’s challenging me to race in the 100? We can race,” Lyles said. “If he’s serious about it, if he’s truly serious about it — I’m not talking about, you’re just talking on the internet and you ain’t actually coming to me and talking to my agent and saying let’s set something up — if you’re serious about it, you’ll see me on the track.”

     

    Meanwhile, Hill feels he’s “got to do this for the guys that play my sport” and showcase that NFL athletes “did run track at some point, and we can come and take over your sport at any moment if we really wanted to.”

     

    Noah Lyles and Tyreek Hill agree to race each other

    After months of challenges and online jabs, the sports stars finally agreed to race each other this spring or summer, just before the US Championships in July, although the venue is still to be determined.

     

    According to PEOPLE, they will finally bury the hatchet in a race, and Hill’s performance in LA shows he’s been doing the work to be in the right shape for the showdown.

     

    Michael Johnson didn’t pay me my worth – Noah Lyles reveals on turning down Grand Slam Track

    Michael Johnson didn’t pay me my worth – Noah Lyles reveals on turning down Grand Slam Track

    Lyles is yet to kick off his outdoor season, and when he does, fans will be expecting him to go lower than 10.15s if he’s to stand a chance against Hill.

  • Usain Bolt named the ‘hardest’ race at the Olympics and science backs up up his claim

    Usain Bolt named the ‘hardest’ race at the Olympics and science backs up up his claim

     

    Usain Bolt believes one race on the track is harder than rest and science agrees with the Jamaican sensation.

     

    Bolt, with eight Olympic gold medals to his name, is the fastest man over 100m and 200m and his world-record times do not look like they are going to be beaten anytime soon unless the world’s first ‘digital smart track’ has a monumental impact on speed.

     

    But while he is in his own late at two distances, Bolt once gave an emphatic response about another race which he would no intention of competing in.

     

    Though he also holds the record for the fastest sprint over 150 metres, there was clamour for Bolt to put on his spikes and race for the 400 metres.

     

     

     

    However, in 2010, the 38-year-old explained that he did not have any interest in doing so.

     

    “I don’t want to do 400m,” Bolt said, as per The Independent.

     

    “A lot of people want me to but I don’t want to do it. But if I have to do it I guess I will do it,”

     

    “If it takes that for me to become a legend in the sport I guess I will but otherwise I wouldn’t want to do it.”

     

     

     

    Asked why he didn’t want to race in the 400 metres, Bolt simply added: “Training. It’s very hard.”

     

     

    Usain Bolt won gold in two Olympics events.

    Science agrees with Usain Bolt race claim

    Bolt’s comments about 400 metres being the hardest to run are backed by science – as per the YouTube channel Outperform.

     

     

     

    Because of the distance and speed, the race requires the body to use three energy systems.

     

    First starting with an energy store that allows runners to have a quick burst fo find top speed for the first 50 metres and five to 10 seconds, with the next 150 metres coming at below maximum speed as lactic acid kicks in and causes muscle fatigue.

     

    The next 150 metres sees runners run at below their maximum speed, with lactic acid causing the muscles to fatigue.

     

    Afterwards, anaerobic energy is produced for the the next 100 metres but will do so at a slower rate than the two sources and the demand outweighs the supply as a result.

     

    The body will then attempt to follow this up by produce more aerobic energy but doing so to help the sprint finish is a struggle and leads to a negative impact on muscles.

     

     

     

    The video explained why no one on the planet can run the race at full-throttle for the duration, with three-time 400m Olympic champion Michael Johnson reposting it and giving it his seal of approval.

     

    “Good accurate explainer of the effects on the body of sprinting 400 meters,” he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

     

    “Understanding this process was key to me breaking the WR and consistently running 43 seconds.”

     

     

  • Tyreek Hill challenges Noah Lyles after running a 100-meter dash that wouldn’t beat Noah Lyles

    Tyreek Hill challenges Noah Lyles after running a 100-meter dash that wouldn’t beat Noah Lyles

    Tyreek Hill took his rivalry with track star Noah Lyles several steps further Friday, throwing down a 100-meter dash time that had him at the front of the pack at the Last Chance Sprint Series.

    The Miami Dolphins wide receiver recorded a personal best of 10.15 seconds in his first 100-meter dash since 2014, the best mark of the 91 sprinters to run in the heats at Sherman Oaks, California.

    Let’s make one thing clear: Hill returning to track at 31 years old and throwing down a time that wouldn’t look out of place at the world championships is an impressive achievement and a strong reminder that all your favorite NFL players are simply mutants when compared to 99.9% of the population.

    For perspective, Hill would have qualified for the semifinals of the 100-meter dash at the 2024 Olympics if he had run 10.15 seconds in Paris (Nigeria’s Favour Ashe was the final qualifier with a time of 10.16 seconds). Hill did have 1.2 mph of wind assistance in California, but there’s no denying it: Hill looked like an elite sprinter Friday. It is a credit to him that we’re even talking about him like this.

    Unfortunately, Hill is not in a feud with an elite track runner. He is in a feud with the elite track runner.

    Tyreek Hill’s time is slow by Noah Lyles’ standards

    Hill said, “Noah could never,” but the fact is Lyles has, several times, for years.

    Lyles ran a 10.14 in 2015, 13 days after his 18th birthday. Lyles won the Olympics with a time of 9.79 seconds and won the 2023 world championships with a time of 9.83 seconds. He has not run a time slower than 10.15 seconds in an event on World Athletics’ ledger since April 2022.

    A difference of a quarter of a second doesn’t sound like much, but it can separate a first- and last-place finish in an elite track event. And it takes an enormous amount of training and natural gifts to close the gap.

    Granted, Hill might beat Lyles if they raced tomorrow, but that’s because Lyles is currently dealing with an ankle injury.

    CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 29: Tyreek Hill #10 of the Miami Dolphins looks on during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field on December 29, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)
    Tyreek Hill is one of the fastest men in the world. He still has to make up some ground to catch Noah Lyles. 

    None of that means Hill is incapable of beating Lyles in a future race, theoretically. Track is all about training, and Hill could still make up some ground and/or have a really a good day while Lyles has a bad day. It just needs to be said: Hill isn’t there yet and probably has a long way to go.

    Hill probably knows that, because he told reporters last month he was planning to run a 10-flat on Friday. He also said he hopes to race Lyles soon and compete in the 2028 Olympics — as a track runner, not a flag-football player — so this isn’t close to over.

  • The one person that led Jimmy Page away from Led Zeppelin

    The one person that led Jimmy Page away from Led Zeppelin

     

     

    From day one, Led Zeppelin was always the brainchild of Jimmy Page. Sure, the band could have been a democracy when it wanted to, but there was nothing on any of their records that didn’t get Page’s approval or had his signature touch for production behind the scenes.

    Although most of the members were free to do whatever they wanted in between the studio and the road, Page always had a limited time to take breaks before the next album whirlwind started back up again.

     

    Because if Page had his way, Zeppelin would probably still be going to this day, pumping out whatever riffs were floating around in his head. The entire group had the makings of a superband, and when John Bonham passed away after In Through the Out Door, it would have been foolish to think that any kind of drummer had the technical chops to replace him on the drum stool.

     

     

    But, really, the end of Zeppelin finally allowed Page to work with people he never got the chance to in the early days. He had always been a fan of Paul Rodgers when putting together the Swan Song label and signing Bad Company, but after needing a musical incubation chamber after Zeppelin, The Firm was the best way he could have moved on from his old band and still bust out the violin bow on his guitar when he wanted to.

     

    Looking back on his main outfit, though, Page wanted to keep himself laser-focused on getting the guitars to sound as roaring as possible and make sure every aspect of the mix was perfect. And while there would be the occasional guest vocal from someone like Sandy Denny, Roy Harper was among the only people in the greater rock sphere that Page could set aside time for.

     

    He already gave the vocalist his spotlight at the tail end of Led Zeppelin III, but he had a certain camaraderie with Harper that went far beyond a fly-by-night friend. So when Harper asked Page to throw in some guitar licks on his album Stormcock, Page broke his one rule and stepped out of the studio for a bit to have a break from his usual wheelhouse.

     

    According to the guitarist, this was the only instance where he would have set aside time for someone other than Zeppelin, saying, “The only deviation from that was my playing with Roy Harper on Stormcock. He and I were playing the two acoustics, and that was really cool.

     

    I really admired Roy’s work and still do. I saw him the last time he played at the Palladium in London and it was absolutely extraordinary. It was spine-chilling – the stuff he was coming up with, the new material he’d written. But that was the only area really where I stepped out of Led Zeppelin, because if I wasn’t on the road I was writing for the next album.”

     

    But given the circumstances, Page did end up giving the world a look at another version of his sound that he kept under wraps. Many of Zeppelin’s acoustic performances were few and far between by the time they started working on Physical Graffiti, so hearing him make an unintended sequel to the material on Led Zeppelin III felt like seeing a vision of what Zeppelin would have been like as a more folksy affair.

     

    Then again, many fans shouldn’t have become used to Page taking a break all that often. He had plenty of ideas in the tank to carry Zeppelin on for multiple decades if he could, but sometimes it’s better to contribute to a few songs to break up the monotony of being in the studio too long.

     

     

  • Chris Cole, Justin Williams ready for larger roles for stacked Georgia football LB group

    Chris Cole, Justin Williams ready for larger roles for stacked Georgia football LB group

     

     

    Georgia’s inside linebacker position is stacked with talent, including returning leading tackler CJ Allen and experienced junior Raylen Wilson.

    Sophomores Chris Cole and Justin Williams, both former five-stars, are expected to play larger roles this season.

    Cole and Williams impressed during Georgia’s spring game, showcasing their play-making abilities.

    Despite losing players to the NFL draft, Georgia’s linebackers are still ranked among the best in the nation.

    Here’s a familiar storyline for Georgia football heading into a new season: There’s talent overflowing at inside linebacker once again.

     

    Behind leading returning tackler CJ Allen and experienced junior Raylen Wilson are a couple of former five-stars that looked the part of being ready for larger roles this spring.

     

    Sophomores Chris Cole and Justin Williams give defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann more play-making pieces to use.

     

    “I think the biggest thing is getting guys to play winning football,” Allen said.

     

    The 2021 Georgia national championship team had first-round draft pick Quay Walker, Butkus Award-winner Nakobe Dean and fellow third-round draft pick Channing Tindall.

     

    Even with Jalon Walker gone to the Falcons in the NFL Draft’s first round and Smael Mondon to the Eagles in the fifth earlier this spring, Georgia’s linebackers are ranked the fourth best in the nation at the position by Pro Football Focus.

     

    It cites Allen’s 89.8 run-defense grade, which ranked seventh among FBS linebackers last season, and Wilson’s 66.3 coverage grade, which was 12th among SEC linebackers.

     

    Then there are Cole and Williams, best of friends who enjoy making TikToks together. They showed what they could bring this season during Georgia’s spring G-Day game.

     

    Cole pressured the quarterback around left tackle, ran down a ball-carrier on a 2-yard run, deflected a pass over the middle and was credited with six tackles, all solo.

     

    Williams dropped a tight end for a tackle on a short pass and broke up a fourth-down pass during a day when he tallied nine tackles, including three for loss.

     

    “They enjoy each other,” coach Kirby Smart said. “They compete. They love the game of football. …It’s not the ratings or the stars or all those things. It really isn’t. It’s just the kids that want to play the game the most right now and those are the ones that play the best, and those two guys personify that.”

     

    Last season, the 6-foot-3, 235-pound Cole, who was a safety before moving to linebacker his senior season at Salem (Va.) High, recovered two fumbles including one for a touchdown, had four tackles against Florida and two with a pass breakup in the win at Texas en route to being named to the SEC All-Freshman team. He had 16 total tackles in a backup role.

     

    The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Williams played sparingly last season but was named a high school Butkus Award finalist as a senior at Oak Ridge High in Conroe, Texas, after racking up 108 tackles, 9 ½ sacks and seven forced fumbles as a senior.

     

    “I feel like we got good depth on the defense, especially at inside ‘backer with the young guys coming on,” Wilson said. “

     

    That includes 2025 five-star Zayden Walker and 2024 four-star Kris Jones, who moved to outside linebacker this spring.

     

    Cole said he “learned so much,” from Mondon and Walker about football, including film work and how to play fast.

     

    Williams is motivated by watching Cole bring it in practice.

     

    “I don’t want to do comparisons, but he’s like J-Walk,” Williams said. “He’s versatile. He can do pass rush, he can cover. He can key the line, he can play run. …He makes me a better player every day. Seeing him go chase the quarterback, it makes me like, ‘Dang, I’ve got to go pick it up.’”

  • Crystal Palace Frontrunners to Sign ‘Very Fast’ Star, Willing to Trigger Release Clause

    Crystal Palace Frontrunners to Sign ‘Very Fast’ Star, Willing to Trigger Release Clause

    Crystal Palace have the “edge” over other teams in the race for Millwall defender Japhet Tanganga, according to Daily Express reporter Charlie Gordon.

    The 2024/25 season will be forever remembered by Palace fans, who watched their club win their first-ever piece of major English silverware after beating Manchester City 1-0 in the FA Cup final. This victory also gave the Eagles a place in next season’s Europa League, another first for the South London side.

    Such accomplishments are a testament to the amazing work Oliver Glasner has done since moving to Selhurst Park in early 2024. The former Frankfurt boss has instilled a high-energy brand of football and has developed a number of Palace players, such as Marc Guehi, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Adam Wharton and Eberechi Eze to name just a few.

    With European football now on their calendar, it is no surprise that Palace are already looking to make moves this summer. Recent reports have suggested that the club are leading the race for this brilliant Championship defender.

    Palace Keen on Tanganga

    Defender has a low release clause

    Japhet Tanganga during a pre-match warm-up at Millwall

    The Daily Express’ Charlie Gordon has reported that Crystal Palace currently have the advantage in the race for Japhet Tanganga. A defender that can cover almost anywhere in the backline, Tanganga started his career with Tottenham Hotspur, departing the club permanently last year for Millwall, who he played for on loan in the second half of the 2023/24 season.

    Japhet Tanganga 24/25 Season Stats

    Competition

    Appearances

    Goals

    Yellow Cards

    Minutes Played

    Championship

    40

    2

    6

    3,553′

    FA Cup

    3

    0

    1

    270′

    Tanganga enjoyed a strong campaign in what was his first full season for Millwall, with many clubs interested in the defender this summer. That interest has only been intensified by the fact that Tanganga has a clause in his contract which would allow him to leave for just £1.2 million, should he go to a Premier League side.

    Glasner’s three-at-the-back system means that Tanganga, who former manager Jose Mourinho called “very fast,” would certainly have ample minutes were he to move to Selhurst Park, particularly given that Palace will have to rotate their team with Europa League fixtures in mind. For such a low fee, it would be nothing but a bargain should the Eagles land Tanganga this summer.

  • Hamilton’s latest statement on Fred Vasseur is reminiscent of Schumacher

    Hamilton’s latest statement on Fred Vasseur is reminiscent of Schumacher

     

    Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has received the full backing of his two drivers after a wave of stories about his future at the team. There was talk in Italy that Vasseur could pay the price for a disappointing season.

     

    Heading into round 10 at the Canadian Grand Prix, Ferrari are 197 points behind McLaren. They have scored just three podiums in nine events and have virtually no chance of winning the championship from here.

     

    Recent reports claimed Vasseur has just three races to save his job. His contract expires at the end of the year and there have apparently been no talks over an extension.

     

    Position Constructors’ Standings Points

    1

    McLaren Racing

    362

    2

    Scuderia Ferrari

    165

    3

    Mercedes-AMG Petronas

    159

    4

    Red Bull Racing

    144

    Ferrari scoffed at the speculation over Vasseur, refusing to dignify it with a response. That suggests the Frenchman remains on solid ground.

     

    Lewis Hamilton has publicly stated that Vasseur is the reason he’s at Ferrari, and reiterated his belief that the 57-year-old will lead the team to the top. Charles Leclerc expressed a similar sentiment, saying that the 2023 appointee should be allowed to implement his vision.

     

    Lewis Hamilton sticks up for Ferrari team principal as Michael Schumacher once did

    Auto Motor und Sport journalist Michael Schmidt notes that Hamilton’s statement is ‘reminiscent’ of what Michael Schumacher said in his first year at Ferrari. Schumacher finished third in the 1996 standings, well adrift of champion Damon Hill.

     

    Ferrari also scored less than half the points of a dominant Williams outfit, winning just three races. This put pressure on team manager Jean Todt, who hadn’t furnished his blockbuster signing with a contending car.

     

     

    However, Schumacher declared that ‘if Todt goes, I’ll go too’ in a clear message to the Ferrari hierarchy. That ‘put an end’ to the scrutiny on Vasseur’s compatriot.

     

    While Hamilton hasn’t been quite as emphatic – his stock isn’t necessarily as high as Schumacher right now after an underwhelming start – he too has made it clear that he’s strongly opposed to a change.

     

    Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari looks on in the garage

     

    Hamilton worked with Vasseur in the junior categories, so their relationship dates back more than 20 years. Schumacher and Todt went on to win five straight championships between 2000 and 2004.

     

    Former Ferrari boss Stefano Domenicali reveals what he’s now told Fred Vasseur

    Speaking to L’Equipe, former Ferrari boss Stefano Domenicali – now the CEO of Formula 1 – relayed the passionate advice he’d given Vasseur. Domenicali delivered the teams’ last title – the 2008 constructors’.

     

    “I told him, and I’m telling you officially: I believe in him!” he said. “He must not fall into the trap of weakening in the face of these attacks, because they always come. Let him work in peace, that’s how Ferrari will return to the top.”

     

    Domenicali resigned from his position at Ferrari in 2014, with Marco Mattiacci arriving as a short-lived replacement. Maurizio Arrivabene and Mattia Binotto have tried and failed to end the team’s drought since.

     

    Martin Brundle says Ferrari would be ‘nuts’ to let Vasseur go right now. He’s adamant that a change of leadership isn’t the solution to the team’s problems.

  • Warriors snatch late win against Giants – Wigan Warriors

    Warriors snatch late win against Giants – Wigan Warriors

     

    Match Report as Wigan Warriors win against Huddersfield Giants at FLAIR Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

    Tries from Marshall, Field and a Farrimond double led Wigan to victory.

     

    Match Report as Wigan Warriors win against Huddersfield Giants at FLAIR Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

    Liam Marshall became Wigan’s all-time Super League try scorer on Saturday afternoon, making it 148 tries whilst also celebrating his 200th Wigan appearance in the win.

     

    Despite opening the scoring, Wigan conceded two first half scores from George Flanagan and George King, both converted by full-back Flanagan to see Wigan trail 12-4 at the break.

     

    Jai Field hit back after the restart for Wigan before former Warrior Joe Greenwood extend the Giants’ lead again to 18-10. A late converted double from Jack Farrimond saw the Warriors snatch the two-points in a 22-18 win to remain firmly in second spot in the Super League table.

     

     

     

    After a quieter start to the fixture at FLAIR stadium, it was an historic opening try for the Warriors as Liam Marshall opened the scoring to become our all-time leading try scorer, surpassing Pat Richards with an effort on the edge with some slick work in the build-up courtesy of a Junior Nsemba offload before Field and Wardle combined to send Marshall in. Adam Keighran was unable to convert the score as we led 4-0.

     

    Just 7 minutes later though and Huddersfield responded as they worked the ball left from a penalty to see full-back George Flanagan in to level the scores, before converting his own score to give the Giants the 6-4 advantage.

     

    Marshall thought he’d added to his tally and got Wigan back in front almost immediately, but under immense pressure the effort was chalked off as a No Try by the video referee with the winger forced into touch before he could ground the ball.

     

    Huddersfield looked bright and forced a goal line drop out just after the half hour to put Wigan under some pressure and it paid as interchange George King powered over from close range to extend their lead, with Flanagan adding the extras in front of the sticks to see the Giants in with the 12-4 lead at the turnaround.

     

    Wigan were quick to respond from the restart as a high kick on the last from Harry Smith was spilled backwards by Flanagan towards the in-goal after a big hit from Jai Field, with the Warriors full-back also pouncing on the loose ball to score. Adam Keighran was on target this time as the Warriors reduced their deficit to just two-points.

     

    The hosts increased their advantage back to 8-points on 55 minutes though, after Leroy Cudjoe ran the ball up to the line, from the play-the-ball a fired pass to Joe Greenwood saw the towering second rower crash over. Flanagan made it three from three with the boot for 18-10 in Huddersfield’s favour.

     

    Wigan tried their luck through Junior Nsemba just after the hour before he was wrapped up for a turnover, before the introduction of Patrick Mago on 66 minutes ignited some go forward for Wigan, but a pass to the left edge found touch before Liam Marshall was then stopped in his tracks as Huddersfield continued to deny the Warriors going into the final 10 minutes.

     

    Wigan’s persistence paid as Jack Farrimond got Wigan over again in the 73rd minute, with space on the left Jai Field flashed through the defence before getting a pass inside to Jack Farrimond at speed to dive over the whitewash for Wigan’s third of the afternoon. Adam Keighran converted the score as Wigan sat two-points adrift with 5 minutes to play.

     

    A late flurry from Jack Farrimond saw him dive over for his second of the afternoon on 79 minutes, snatching the two-points out of Huddersfield’s grasp as Liam Marshall converted the late score from the touchline to see Wigan to a 22-18 victory in Round 14.

     

    Gallery:

     

     

    Image: Bernard Platt

    Huddersfield Giants: George Flanagan, Jacob Gagai, Taane Milne, Sam Halsall, Jake Bibby, Tui Lolohea, Adam Clune, Oliver Wilson, Zac Woolford, Tristan Powell, Sam Hewitt, Joe Greenwood, Leroy Cudjoe.

     

    Interchange: Ashton Golding, George King, Tom Burgess, Kieran Rush.

     

    18th Player: Matty English.

     

    Tries: Flanagan (19′), King (38′), Greenwood (55′)

     

    Goals: Flanagan 3/3

     

    Wigan Warriors: Jai Field, Zach Eckersley, Adam Keighran, Jake Wardle, Liam Marshall, Jack Farrimond, Harry Smith, Ethan Havard, Brad O’Neill, Liam Byrne, Junior Nsemba, Liam Farrell, Kaide Ellis.

     

    Interchange: Patrick Mago, Kruise Leeming, Tyler Dupree, Harvie Hill.

     

    18th Player: Jacob Douglas.

     

    Tries: Marshall (12′), Field (41′), Farrimond (73′, 79′)

     

    Goals: Keighran 2/3, Marshall 1/1

     

    Referee: Liam Moore

     

    Attendance: 4,982