Argentina gives two Rugby World Cup debuts among 11 changes for Chile clash
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appointed former Ukrainian soccer great Andriy Shevchenko as a special adviser and British actor Mark Strong as an ambassador to the charity the Ukrainian president set up to raise money for Ukraine. It was not clear what Shevchenko’s duties as adviser to the president would entail but the former star striker for Ukraine and squads across Europe suggested it would expand on his work as ambassador of United24, a charity Zelenskyy created after Russia’s invasion in 2022. Strong, who starred in the “Kingsman” movies and “Deep State” TV show, was appointed as an ambassador of United24.
New York-based investment firm Dynasty Equity has bought a minority stake in Premier League soccer team Liverpool. Liverpool owner Fenway Sports Group said last year that it was open to selling shares. That led to speculation about a potential buyout of the six times European Cup champions. Liverpool said the the investment would “primarily” be used to pay down bank debt incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. It would also be used for capital expenses on the stadium, training ground and transfers made during the off-season. Dynasty describes itself as “a global sports investment firm focused on acquiring minority interests in sports franchises and other related assets and rights.”
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Uruguay came to the Rugby World Cup in France to win two games for the first time. Namibia was knocked off on Wednesday. Uruguay has one more chance: New Zealand next Thursday. The first meeting between Los Teros and the All Blacks will be staged in Lyon. The odds for Uruguay are astronomical but that hasn’t dimmed its excitement or anticipation. Narrow defeats to France and Italy and the win over Namibia have Uruguayans back home buzzing and prideful. They’re as keen as the players to see how they measure up against the three-time world champion. Scrumhalf Santiago Arata says, “We came here to win two games. We didn’t beat Italy but we’ve still got to play New Zealand. It will be amazing.”
It seems there’s more to Luke Donald than meets the eye. The man tasked with regaining the Ryder Cup for Europe this week has been called many things over the years from unassuming, clean cut to one of the great European golfers of his generation. But there's also a ruthless side to his captaincy that might surprise many. Shane Lowry says Donald will “call the right shots" and “make the hard decisions.” Donald is a former No. 1-ranked golfer who became an accidental captain after Henrik Stenson defected to LIV Golf and was stripped of the role.
UNDATED (AP) — Deion Sanders has turned Colorado football into an unexpected cultural phenomenon, with tremendous support coming from the Black community. Black support for Sanders and Colorado is just as much about culture and representation as it is wins and losses. Black people all over t…
New Zealand reappears at the Rugby World Cup after two weeks for a must-win pool game against Italy on Friday in Lyon. The All Blacks are in an unfamiliar must-win scenario in the pool stage after the opening defeat to host France. Italy has won both of its games. To qualify for the quarterfinals the All Blacks can’t take Italy lightly, which can’t be guaranteed following all of the unwelcome results under the reign of coach Ian Foster. Only prop Ethan de Groot, suspended for his red card against Namibia, was unavailable for selection after a timely bye week in Bordeaux cleared up the All Blacks’ injury list. Italy has never beaten New Zealand but thinks it smells blood in the water amidst a northern hemisphere renaissance.
Second-ranked Michigan will face the challenge of having to defend against the option offense when it plays its first road game Saturday at Nebraska. The Cornhuskers have been lining up in the I formation at times and mixing in a couple types of option plays to the delight of fans who remember the days when no team pounded the ground better than Nebraska. Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh said his defense must play a disciplined game in order to be in the right place at the right time to stop the variety of runs out of the option.
Fullback Martin Bogado and right winger Rodrigo Isgro will make their Rugby World Cup debuts in Argentina’s reshuffled side for its all-South American contest against Chile on Saturday in Nantes. Coach Michael Cheika made 11 changes to his starting XV from the 19-10 win against Samoa last Friday. Hooker Agustin Creevy, flyhalf Nicolas Sanchez and scrumhalf Tomas Cubelli are also selected in a team loaded with veterans. The 38-year-old Creevy will equal Mario Ledesma with his 18th World Cup appearance for Argentina.
Miguel Cabrera's career will end with the Detroit Tigers on Sunday against Cleveland at Comerica Park, where a sold-out crowd will include a few thousands fans paying for standing-room only tickets to cheer for him one more time. The 12-time All-Star leaves the game with quite a legacy. The popular player has also provided a desperately needed jolt of joy in his native Venezuela during a crisis that has pushed millions into poverty and compelled 7.3 million people to migrate. Cabrera has put himself in the conversation with all-time greats at the plate.
Former Manchester United player Jesse Lingard could be the next Premier League star to join the Saudi Arabian league. The England international is a free agent and is training with Saudi club Al-Ettifaq after leaving Nottingham Forest at the end of the last season. Al-Ettifaq is coached by Liverpool great Steven Gerrard and signed England midfielder Jordan Henderson in the offseason. The Saudi league has embarked on a spectacular spending spree this year by luring some of soccer’s biggest stars to the oil-rich kingdom. Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Karim Benzema and Sadio Mane have made the move from Europe’s biggest leagues and a slew of other top players have followed suit.
TAMPA, Fla. — Their first training camp practice was July 26. The first regular-season game was Sept. 10.
BOULDER, Colo. — Deion Sanders dunked on Cormani McClain so hard, Samari Rolle flinched. In Florida.
China blew past the 150-medal mark on Day 5 of the Asian Games. That is more than double the number of second-place South Korea as the host nation continued its decades-long domination of the event. The hosts were bolstered by multiple golds in a home sport as Chinese athletes won the men’s 70-, 60- and 56-kilogram finals in Wushu. China also won gold in the women’s 60- and 52-kilogram finals of the martial art. The Asian Games feature 12,500 participants from 45 nations and territories. That is more than the 10,500 athletes from more about 200 delegations expected at next year’s Paris Olympics.
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Back in the dark ages, back when Florida was romping by scores of 73-7 and 65-0 and 63-5, back when Steve Spurrier was having his fun in the sun and the Gators were riding a wave of 31 straight football victories over Kentucky, it seemed almost unimaginable that the Wildcats…
PITTSBURGH — As the month of October approaches, Pat Narduzzi's team finds itself in a spot few predicted it would be in through four games. Following a blowout victory over Wofford to kick off its 2023 campaign, Pitt lost its next three contests, putting it at 1-3 as it prepares for its roa…
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The Southeastern Conference may have an identity crisis. While the powerhouse league could always count on massive, ground-chewing runners, dominant defenses or skilled NFL-calibre quarterbacks, this season may be one of parity where dominance is secondary to avoiding m…
UNDATED (AP) — The Big 12's four new schools are seeing the positive effects of membership in a Power Five conference. Cincinnati, Houston, BYU and UCF accepted invitations in 2021 and are now in their first year of competition. Ticket and merchandise sales are up and so are private donation…
DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — No. 17 Duke headlines the list of Atlantic Coast Conference teams with defenses thriving early under new coordinators. The Blue Devils are among the ACC's national-best six unbeaten teams entering the Week 5 schedule. That group includes three teams in the top 12 national…
UNDATED (AP) — Michigan State has fired Mel Tucker, saying the suspended football coach failed to present adequate reasons why he should not be fired for cause after having what he described as consensual phone sex with an activist and rape survivor. The school said Wednesday that it termina…
The three letters Brooks Koepka represents in the Ryder Cup are USA. Not LIV. The five-time major champion stands out for many reasons at golf's biggest events. This time it's obvious. He's the only player from LIV Golf who has made it back to the Ryder Cup. Whether the rest of the players from LIV Golf got the short shrift is of no concern to Koepka. He says it was a rough road and everyone had the same chance. His advice is to play better. He did that by winning the PGA Championship and finishing second at the Masters.
Spanish police have raided offices of the Spanish soccer federation as part of a judicial investigation into the alleged payment of millions of euros over several years by Barcelona soccer club to the vice president of Spain’s football refereeing committee. The Guardia Civil says that its police had searched the offices of the referee committee at the federation headquarters near Madrid. No arrests have been made. State prosecutors say the club paid a former referee who was a part of the federation’s refereeing committee 7.3 million euros ($7.7 million) from 2001-18.
Italy defender Leonardo Bonucci is hoping his “crazy decision” to join Union Berlin pays off at the European Championship next year. The 36-year-old Bonucci joined Union from Italian giant Juventus on the last day of the summer transfer window. He is aiming to end his international career on a high when Italy defends its title at Euro 2024. Germany will host the tournament and Bonucci has arrived in the country a whole season before his potential teammates after choosing to leave Italy’s Serie A for the first time. Bonucci says “I know this is a crazy decision. But I need to put myself out of my comfort zone."
The Chicago White Sox are looking to end their three-game home skid with a win over the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Pittsburgh Pirates take on the Philadelphia Phillies after Connor Joe had four hits on Wednesday in a 7-6 loss to the Phillies.
Both the New York Mets and the Miami Marlins are looking for a series win with a victory on Thursday.
The Baltimore Orioles will aim for their 100th win this season when they host the Boston Red Sox.
Both the Milwaukee Brewers and the St. Louis Cardinals are looking for a series win with a victory on Thursday.
Damian Lillard traded from the Trail Blazers to the Bucks in 3-team deal
The centuries-old card game of bridge is being played at the Asian Games. Esports, chess, and bridge are among the so-called mind sports with full medal status at the two-week long, multi-sports event with more than 12,000 participants. The games offer all the traditional Olympics sports, but bridge gives the event a different look. At least nine players in the field of about 200 are over 70. The oldest is 78-year-old Masood Mazhar of Pakistan, a sharp contrast with 13-year-old Chinese skateboarder Cui Chenxi who won gold earlier in the week.
