Crosby, Ovechkin, Ovi Jr. embrace the shared spotlight at All-Star Skills

February 4, 2023

Crosby, Ovechkin, Ovi Jr. embrace the shared spotlight at All-Star Skills

SUNRISE, Fla. — First, Sergei Ovechkin’s presence caught the crowd off guard. Then, the little guy managed to surprise his old man, too.

Everybody in FLA Live Arena knew Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby were going to team up in some capacity in the breakaway challenge at the NHL All-Star Skills. What we didn’t know was that, after P.K. Subban — one of the night’s best-dressed hosts — got Sid and Ovi to sign an all-star jersey for him, a third party was going to get involved.

Before bearing down on Florida Panthers legend Roberto Luongo — who dusted off the pads for this celebratory night — Ovechkin and Crosby were joined by the former’s young son. Skating right between his dad and his dad’s longtime rival, Sergei — with Ovi Jr. stitched on the back of his Washington Capitals reverse-retro — called for the puck every second that it was on anyone else’s stick. And when dad finally put it on a tee for him right in front of Luongo, he went forehand-backhand into the net.

“Great move,” Ovechkin said at the end of the night. “I thought he was just going to take a slapshot.”

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A skills competition can be clunky, even downright awkward sometimes. At their best, though, they can provide moments that stick. And according to Ovechkin, Sergei couldn’t wait for his. “Obviously Sergei was very happy, always smiling, always asking when the hockey is going to be,” Ovechkin said. “I said, ‘Listen, wait, wait, wait.’ At the end, he was a little upset everything was over.”

As much as Sergei stole the show, this was always about fans’ and players’ ability to see Sid and Ovi — both in their 18th NHL seasons — do something together on the ice that was an acknowledgement, however small, of the influence they’ve had on a generation of kids who grew up watching them do battle.

“Those were a couple of the first guys I grabbed a picture with for my son, I threw him in there,” said New York Islander Brock Nelson.

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No doubt, kids were getting passed around like water bottles on the bench, as one player would hand his son or daughter off to a fellow NHL star and pull out the phone. But with all the lighthearted, even goofy happenings, you can still be in awe of pure skill. Maybe Connor McDavid didn’t win the accuracy shooting because Nazem Kadri hit all four targets in less time in their semifinal showdown, but McDavid went a cool eight-for-eight on his two attempts at exploding the red and white circles affixed to the net’s four corners.

“I don’t think anyone is surprised,” said Nelson, who actually beat Kadri in the final of the accuracy shooting competition. “He’s the best in the world and he’s probably the guy it’s coolest to be around and see up close an personal. To see him [go] eight-for-eight doesn’t surprise me.”

To be sure, it’s not just the kids who are excited to be around all this talent. David Pastrnak, who provided a signature moment himself with a Happy Gilmore impersonation during the breakaway challenge (why don’t the Bruins just wear those Ray Bourque era sweaters all the time?), had a huge grin talking about how he’d gotten every guy in the dressing room to sign the stick that was leaning on the bench beside him. Johnny Gaudreau said it was awesome being sandwiched beside Ovechkin and Crosby in the dressing room that housed the Eastern Conference players. And basically, to a man, they all talked about just loving being around the two guys who’ve defined nearly two decades of NHL play.

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“It means a lot,” said Crosby when asked how it feels to know the reverence other players have for him and Ovechkin.

As for whether these moments carry more weight for Crosby now that he’s a 35-year-old vet rather than a fresh-faced kid, the Pittsburgh Penguins captain noted it’s never been lost on him how unique these opportunities are.

“I like to think every time I went that I appreciated it and tried to make the most of it,” Crosby said. “But yeah, you understand as you get older that you don’t know how many more you’re be a part of. I’ve always appreciated the opportunity to see familiar faces and to meet new guys and just see what guys are capable of up close, see all the skill that’s here in the league.”

As for the idea that, after their long history of battling in playoff series and on the international stage, it would be at all odd for Crosby and Ovechkin to hook up in this event, the former doused that with the same kind of cold water he experienced being dunked by Mikko Rantanen in the South Florida original splash shot competition.

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“Coming [into the league] and the expectations before we played [an NHL] game against each other, it was already a rivalry, it was kind of set up that way,” he said. “I think over time you understand, yeah, it gets heated, it’s intense on the ice, you both want to have success. But you appreciate playing against each other for as long as it has been.”

Wearing his white all-star hoodie, Crosby acknowledged it was a little tough leaving the pool in the afternoon to come to the rink. “I was trying to get the bus pushed back a little bit,” he said with a laugh.

But, of course, duty called and both Crosby and Ovechkin likely knew on some level how much them even making this small gesture would be a cool moment for those tuning in. And also the goal-scorer himself.

“That’s a special moment,” Ovechkin said. “The fans love it. It’s great for the game, for both of us and obviously Sergei as well.”

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February 3, 2023

Six Nations 2023: Warren Gatland says Ireland opener ‘a free hit’ for Wales as ‘buzzing’ England prepare for debut under Steve Borthwick

Post By zittrexstore Sports aviva, Bath, Biarritz, Bristol, Cardiff, Cipriani, club, Cup, Danny, Dragons, Fixtures, Gloucester, Guinness, Harlequins, Heineken, Irish, League, Leicester, Leinster, live, London, Magners, Munster, Nations, Newcastle, News, Northampton, Ospreys, Perpignan, premiership, Results, Rugby, Sale, Saracens, Scarlets, scores, Sharks, Six, Sky, Sports, Stade Francais, tigers, Tri Nations, Ulster, Union, video, Wasps, watch, Worcester, World No Comments

Ireland prop Finlay Bealham, Wales head coach Warren Gatland and England prop Ellis Genge are just some of the names in the news this week…

We hear from all four camps ahead of Saturday’s Six Nations opening weekend, as Wales host Ireland in Cardiff and England face Scotland at Twickenham…

Gatland: Ireland clash a ‘free hit’ for us | Farrell: ‘No such thing in Test rugby’

Wales boss Warren Gatland has claimed Saturday’s Six Nations opener between Wales and Ireland at the Principality Stadium is a “free hit” for the hosts.

Marginal title favourites Ireland kick off their campaign against Wales, and arrive as the world-ranked No 1 team following a spell of sustained success that saw them claim a Test series triumph against the All Blacks in New Zealand, beat South Africa and Australia and also land a Six Nations Triple Crown.

Wales have claimed four successive Six Nations victories at Ireland’s expense on home soil, while the Gatland factor also cannot be ignored.

His second stint as Wales head coach begins just over three years after the first one ended. When he last held the post between 2008 and 2019, Wales won four Six Nations titles, three Grand Slams and reached two World Cup semi-finals.

“I suppose the free hit for us is that the expectation and pressure is on them (Ireland) to win as favourites,” Gatland added.

“It hasn’t always been the easiest tag for Irish and Welsh teams in the past to carry going in as the favourites.

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Wales head coach Warren Gatland says the past week has been ‘a challenge’, but insists focus for the players is wholly on their Six Nations opener against Ireland

“You can get an upset because there is a huge amount of history and rivalry between those two nations and there has been a lot of close games.

“The secret, and I am sure Andy will be talking about this, is that you don’t run away from that, you look to embrace the expectations of being the No 1 team in the world.

“That is definitely the attitude I would be taking if I was in the Ireland camp. I’ve had that experience in the past with Wales, having to handle the favourites’ tag.

“There were probably one or two games in the autumn when they (Ireland) were under a little bit of pressure and they could have lost or it could have gone the other way, but they knew how to close the game down and manage it.

“We had that experience in 2018 and 2019 with Wales. We went through 14 matches unbeaten, and the thing about that is you’ve got a team that has composure, takes their moment and is able to manage games.

“That is probably the Irish team at the moment.”

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The Welsh Rugby Union’s acting chief executive, Nigel Walker admitted the organisation had been in denial, despite the warning signs, after allegations of sexism, misogyny and a toxic culture at the organisation were revealed

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Welsh Rugby Union chairman Ieuan Evans has vowed that an external taskforce will be established to help tackle the recent discrimination allegations

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has backed “massive personality” Finlay Bealham to fill the void left by star prop Tadhg Furlong.

Australia-born Bealham will make his full debut in the championship at the age of 31 by deputising at tighthead on the back of some standout displays for Connacht and a series of impressive Test outings from the bench.

Farrell is hopeful Furlong (calf) will be back in contention for next week’s Round 2 clash with France but has full faith in his understudy, who has won 23 of his 27 international caps as a replacement.

“He’s not quite ready,” Farrell said of Furlong. “In fact, he’s progressing pretty well but he’s not quite there yet.

“He could possibly be there in the next few days or week or whatever, but we just think that Finlay deserves it as well.

Key man Tadhg Furlong (calf) has been ruled out injured for Ireland's opening Six Nations clash vs Wales in Cardiff

“He’s playing some outstanding rugby at this moment in time. The last game he played, he scored a hat-trick, he’s scrummaging very well, so he deserves a start.

“Tadhg will keep working away to hopefully be fit for the French game.

“Coming back from the autumn, or any camp he’s been in with us, he (Bealham) has had that trust.

“He’s a massive personality within our squad, he’s very popular, but coming out of the autumn and how that translates, going back to Connacht and his performances since then has been top-drawer.”

Connacht tighthead Finlay Bealham is the man to come in for Furlong, and head coach Andy Farrell says he deserves his place

Farrell is happy the Principality Stadium roof will be closed for the encounter as he is eager for his in-form team to handle the loudest possible atmosphere.

However, the Englishman laughed off claims from rival Gatland that the clash is a “free hit” for Wales due to Ireland’s position at the top of the world rankings.

Farrell said: “A free shot in Test match rugby? Where do you get them from?

“We’d love to be able to buy one of those. Maybe I’ll buy him a free shot after the game.

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Ireland boss Farrell says there is an extra layer of spice to the Six Nations this year

“But there’s absolutely no doubt that Warren will expect his side to win…and so do I. I expect our side to win.

“His past record shows what he’s about in this competition. Finding a way to win has always been key to those teams, and we’re very aware of that.”

Wales: 15 Liam Williams, 14 Josh Adams, 13 George North, 12 Joe Hawkins, 11 Rio Dyer, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Tomos Williams; 1 Gareth Thomas, 2 Ken Owens (c), 3 Tomas Francis, 4 Adam Beard, 5 Alun Wyn Jones, 6 Jac Morgan, 7 Justin Tipuric, 8 Taulupe Faletau

Replacements: 16 Scott Baldwin, 17 Rhys Carre, 18 Dillon Lewis, 19 Dafydd Jenkins, 20 Tommy Reffell, 21 Rhys Webb, 22 Owen Williams, 23 Alex Cuthbert

Ireland: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Mack Hansen, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 James Lowe, 10 Johnny Sexon, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park; 1 Andrew Porter, 2 Dan Sheehan, 3 Finlay Bealham, 4 Tadhg Beirne, 5 James Ryan, 6 Peter O’Mahony, 7 Josh van der Flier, 8 Caelan Doris.

Replacements: 16 Rob Herring, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Tom O’Toole, 19 Iain Henderson, 20 Jack Conan, 21 Conor Murray, 22 Ross Byrne, 23 Bundee Aki.

Genge: Buzzing England squad excited under Borthwick | Gray keen to seize Six Nations chance: ‘Previous results vs England give us belief’

England prop Ellis Genge says he is “buzzing” to be back working alongside Steve Borthwick – but has vowed to “kick on and create something new” ahead of his country’s Six Nations opener against Scotland.

Under Borthwick’s tutelage at Leicester, Genge, 27, skippered the Tigers to last season’s Premiership title – nine years after they were last crowned kings of the English domestic game.

Borthwick transformed Leicester’s fortunes in just two seasons as head coach and he has now been tasked with reversing England’s slump following the dismissal of Eddie Jones.

Kevin Sinfield followed Borthwick from Leicester as defence coach, while Tigers tighthead Dan Cole, 35, is back in the England set-up after three years away.

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New England head coach Steve Borthwick says he is as excited as the supporters for the Calcutta Cup match against Scotland

“I probably did think that I wouldn’t be coached by him again, so I’m buzzing to be working back with Steve and Kev,” said Genge, who moved to his home-town club Bristol following Leicester’s championship triumph.

“But what’s unspoken is that we don’t want to rekindle that Leicester relationship. We want to kick on and create something new.

“We haven’t been speaking about the good old days, even though it was only last year. We’ve been trying to kick on and master what we’re trying to do here.”

Genge, capped 43 times by England, having made his debut in 2016, added: “When he (Borthwick) was captain for England, it probably didn’t end the way he wanted it to end.

“He spoke really well in the meeting the other day. When you hear a coach who has been in that role, numerous times, and ended up captain and then having it taken away from him, you know he really understands.

England loosehead Ellis Genge lauded praise on new head coach Borthwick and the start he has made to the job

“A lot of coaches always say you’ve got to be better at this, got to be better at that. And Steve does that, but he looks at your super strength and says, ‘That is what I want you to be incredible at’.

“He doesn’t shout, he doesn’t bawl, he’s not one of those that’s going to hang you out to dry in front of people. Don’t get me wrong, he will do if he needs to. But most of the time he speaks calmly and he knows what he’s trying to get across and he makes a very good point of doing that.”

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England second row Maro Itoje says Borthwick has made it clear that every player in the squad must fight for their shirt

England will be back in front of the Twickenham crowd for the first time since they suffered a humbling 27-13 defeat to South Africa in November – Jones’ last match in charge.

Genge concluded: “I don’t think we’re a desperate team but we are extremely keen.

“Eddie is an absolutely world-class coach. Rightly or wrongly, the regime has been changed. Whether or not it was on the back of that performance against South Africa, I can’t speak on that.

“But what I can tell you is that we’ve had a great week’s preparation, and we’re excited to move forward.”

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Borthwick has called on his players to keep fighting for their places and does not close the door on the possible inclusion of Manu Tuilagi in the future

On the Scotland side, Richie Gray is relishing this year’s Six Nations as he admits there were times in recent seasons when he wondered if he would get to play in the tournament again.

The 33-year-old Glasgow lock has won 69 caps but has been on the periphery of the national team for much of Gregor Townsend’s five-and-a-half-year reign.

Gray has made only three Six Nations appearances under the current head coach, with the last of those coming at home to Wales in February 2021.

However, after making a positive impression following a surprise recall to the squad for the recent autumn Tests, he is in line to start Saturday’s Calcutta Cup match.

“Yeah, probably,” he said, when asked if he thought occasions such as this weekend’s Twickenham showdown were in the past for him. “For two years, maybe more than that, I wasn’t really getting in.

Scotland lock Richie Gray says he thought his Six Nations days might be over, adding there is belief they can beat England again

“With the strength and depth across the second row, it’s an area we’re really strong at, so there were a few moments when you go, ‘I might struggle to get back in here’.

“From that perspective, I’m very fortunate to be back here. I’m making the most of my time and enjoying it as much as I can as I’m very aware how quickly it can all pass by.”

Gray was among the substitutes two years ago when Scotland won at Twickenham for the first time since 1983.

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Scotland boss Gregor Townsend has backed Luke Crosbie to bring his Edinburgh form to the national team in Saturday’s Six Nations opener against England

Townsend’s team have claimed the Calcutta Cup in four of the last five years and Gray feels they can draw confidence from memories of 2021 as they bid to ensure Borthwick gets off to a losing start.

“In 2021 we won down there, albeit in very different circumstances with no crowd, but we take belief from that,” he said. “Recent results against England have been favourable, but we’re under no illusions as to how big the challenge is.

“They’re under new management so will have a point to prove. They’ll also be hurting from the autumn and will come out all guns blazing, so we’ll need to match them.

“They’ve got quality across the board. If you look at Borthwick and how he played at Leicester with that traditional strong English pack who want to take you on up front. We’re aware of that as a pack of forwards, it will be a challenge. But one I hope and believe we can match.

“That’s the challenge, to do it when there are 80,000 getting behind their team. How do we react under that pressure? But I certainly believe we can.”

England: 15 Freddie Steward, 14 Max Malins, 13 Joe Marchant, 12 Owen Farrell, 11 Ollie Hassell-Collins, 10 Marcus Smith, 9 Jack van Poortvliet; 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Jamie George, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 4 Ollie Chessum, 5 Maro Itoje, 6 Lewis Ludlam, 7 Ben Curry, 8 Alex Dombrandt

Replacements: 16 Jack Walker, 17 Mako Vunipola, 18 Dan Cole, 19 Nick Isiekwe, 20 Ben Earl, 21 Ben Youngs, 22 Ollie Lawrence, 23 Anthony Watson.

Scotland: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Kyle Steyn, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Ben White; 1 Pierre Schoeman, 2 George Turner, 3 WP Nel, 4 Richie Gray, 5 Grant Gilchrist, 6 Jamie Ritchie (c), 7 Luke Crosbie, 8 Matt Fagerson

Replacements: 16 Fraser Brown, 17 Jamie Bhatti, 18 Simon Berghan, 19 Jonny Gray, 20 Jack Dempsey, 21 George Horne, 22 Blair Kinghorn, 23 Chris Harris

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#Nations #Warren #Gatland #Ireland #opener #free #hit #Wales #buzzing #England #prepare #debut #Steve #Borthwick

February 3, 2023

NBA Roundup: Bucks’ Antetokounmpo scores 54 in win; Canadians Barrett, Murray shine

Post By zittrexstore Sports No Comments

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 20 of his 54 points in the fourth quarter and the Milwaukee Bucks overcame a 21-point deficit to beat the Los Angeles Clippers 106-105 on Thursday night for their sixth consecutive victory.

Antetokounmpo also had 18 rebounds. The Greek star reached the 50-point mark for the third time in his last 11 games. He had a career-high 55 on Jan. 3 against Washington and scored 50 in only 30 minutes Sunday against New Orleans.

The Clippers lost for the second time in eight games and failed to capitalize on a couple of Milwaukee turnovers in the closing seconds. Former Toronto Raptors star Kawhi Leonhard missed an 18-footer in the final second while being guarded by Wesley Matthews with help from Pat Connaughton.

Antetokounmpo made two free throws with 1:47 remaining to put the Bucks ahead 106-105, giving them their first lead since the second quarter. Kawhi Leonard missed a 12-footer and Paul George had an air-ball a 3-pointer on the Clippers’ next two possessions.

George stole the ball from Jrue Holiday and the Clippers called a timeout with 27.1 seconds left, but Leonard missed a jumper. Antetokounmpo got the rebound but threw the ball out of bounds, giving Los Angeles possession with 15.1 seconds left.

The Clippers again got the ball to Leonhard, who missed once more.

Former Raptor Norman Powell scored 26 points to lead the Clippers. Leonard had 17 points, 11 rebound and five assists, but shot 7 of 26. Marcus Morris and George had 16 points each. Zubac had 12 points and 13 rebounds.

KNICKS 106, HEAT 104

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NEW YORK (AP) — Canadian RJ Barrett rebounded from a late-game benching with 30 points, Isaiah Hartenstein made big plays on both ends of the floor in the final minute and New York beat Miami.

New York pulled out the victory after Erik Spoelstra correctly challenged a call that turned a Heat foul into a Knicks turnover. But Tyler Herro’s potential winning 3-point attempt bounced off the rim.

Julius Randle added 23 points, 10 rebounds and six assists for the Knicks, who pulled within a game of Miami for sixth place in the Eastern Conference, the final guaranteed playoff spot. Quentin Grimes scored 17 points, though his biggest play was a pass.

The Knicks’ lead was down to one when he dribbled into the middle and fired a pass underneath to Hartenstein for a dunk with 33 seconds left. After Herro’s tying 3-point attempt rimmed out, the Heat got a steal and got another chance to tie, but Hartenstein knocked away a pass and the Knicks got it to Randle all alone for a dunk and a 106-101 lead.

Max Strus made a 3-pointer to cut it two, setting the Heat up for another chance before Herro’s miss from the corner.

Bam Adebayo finished with 32 points and nine rebounds for the Heat, while Herro scored 25 points and Strus had 17.

The Knicks snapped a two-game losing streak despite playing without point guard Jalen Brunson, who was scratched with an illness unrelated to COVID-19.

Barrett played about five minutes to start the fourth quarter Tuesday, then never got back in the rest of regulation or overtime in the Knicks’ 129-123 loss to the Lakers. Barrett didn’t give coach Tom Thibodeau a chance to consider taking him out late this time, with some strong drives to the basket for timely baskets in the fourth.

LAKERS 112, PACERS 111

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INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — LeBron James had 26 points, seven rebounds and seven assists and pulled within 63 points of becoming the NBA’s career scoring leader as Los Angeles rallied to beat Indiana.

James has 38,325 points, with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar holding the record at 38,387.

James gave Los Angeles its first lead on a 3-pointer with 2:35 left, and Anthony Davis’ 11-footer with 35.1 seconds left was the decisive basket. Davis had 31 points and 14 rebounds.

Aaron Nesmith scored a career-high 24 points for Indiana, with Buddy Hield’s 17-foot jumper clanking off the rim in the closing seconds.

CAVALIERS 128, GRIZZLIES 113

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CLEVELAND (AP) — Darius Garland scored 32 points shortly after being left off the All-Star team and carried Cleveland following Donovan Mitchell’s ejection, leading the Cavaliers past slumping Memphis.

Garland was one of several players having All-Star-caliber seasons not named an Eastern Conference reserve by the coaches. He added 11 assists.

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Desmond Bane scored 25 points and All-Star Ja Morant had 24 points, eight rebounds and eight assists for the Grizzlies.

NUGGETS 134. WARRIORS 117

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DENVER (AP) — Canadian Jamal Murray scored 33 points and Nikola Jokic had his 17th triple-double of the season, leading Denver past short-handed Golden State.

Jokic finished with 22 points, 16 assists and 14 rebounds. He had a triple-double by the midway mark of the third quarter as the Nuggets remain unbeaten this season when he reaches the plateau.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 18 points for the Western Conference-leading Nuggets. They improved to 24-4 at home.

Stephen Curry had 28 points for Golden State.

MAVERICKS 111, PELICANS 106

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DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic scored 31 points before leaving with a right heel injury, and Dallas Mavericks on without their All-Star to hamd travel-weary New Orleans its 10th consecutive loss.

Doncic stayed in the game after taking a hard fall in the third quarter when he was winding up for a one-handed dunk on a drive and Brandon Ingram knocked the ball out of his hand as Doncic was bumped by Jonas Valanciunas.

Ingram was called for a foul, and New Orleans successfully challenged. Doncic returned after the break for the review, but after one trip down the court, the 23-year-old star screamed in frustration as he limped to the locker room without looking at the Dallas bench.

The Mavericks were up by 27 points when Doncic exited with 6:47 remaining in the third, and the lead was all the way down to four when Herbert Jones hit a layup with 58 seconds left in the game. Ingram scored 26 points.

BULLS 114, HORNETS 98

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CHICAGO (AP) — Ayo Dosunmu matched a season high with 22 points, Coby White scored 20 points and Chicago overcame shaky outings by DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine to beat Charlotte.

Dosunmu made 9 of 10 shots, and White hit three 3-pointers. Nikola Vucevic added 17 points and 12 rebounds, and Andre Drummond had 15 points and 11 rebounds. The Bulls used a big third quarter to turn a four-point halftime lead into an 85-70 advantage heading to the fourth.

Terry Rozier scored 23 points for Charlotte. LaMelo Ball, coming off a triple-double Tuesday night in a loss at Milwaukee, added 19 points, eight rebounds and six assists before getting ejected with 1:21 remaining.

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February 2, 2023

Championship football live: How to watch games live on Sky Sports and free match highlights

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Here is how you can watch Sky Bet Championship matches live across Sky Sports in February and March, as well as free match highlights throughout the entire season.

Ten new Championship games added in March

Friday March 3

Hull vs West Brom, 8pm – Live on Sky Sports Football & Sky Sports app

Saturday March 4

Blackburn vs Sheffield United, 12.30pm – Live on Sky Sports Football & Sky Sports app

Friday March 10

Stoke vs Blackburn, 8pm – Live on Sky Sports Football & Sky Sports app

Saturday March 11

Bristol City vs Blackpool, 12.30pm – Live on Sky Sports Football & Sky Sports app

Sunday March 12

Norwich vs Sunderland, 12pm – Live on Sky Sports Football & Sky Sports app

Tuesday March 14

Wigan vs Coventry, 7.45pm – Live on Sky Sports Arena, Sky Sports Football Red Button & Sky Sports app

Middlesbrough vs Stoke, 8pm – Live on Sky Sports Football & Sky Sports app

Wednesday March 15

Hull City vs Burnley, 7.45pm – Live on Sky Sports Arena, Sky Sports Football Red Button & Sky Sports app

Sunderland vs Sheffield United, 8pm – Live on Sky Sports Football & Sky Sports app

Sunday March 19

Blackburn vs Burnley, 12pm* – Live on Sky Sports Football & Sky Sports app

*subject to FA Cup

How to watch Championship matches live on Sky

Alongside featured games being shown live on Sky Sports Football, selected games will be available live for Sky Sports customers on the Sky Sports Football Red Button.

Sky Sports Football customers can also see each match streamed live on the Sky Sports app – simply sign in with your Sky iD to view and make sure you have the latest version of the app.

For Sky Q customers, the matches on the Red Button will be available in HD quality and the service comes at no extra cost. All games, including those on the Red Button, will also have their own commentators.

Midweek matches are also available to NOW Month members. However, they are not available with a NOW Day pass or in Sky pubs.

Please note: We can only show rescheduled, displaced midweek games or games taking place away from Saturday at 3pm that are not part of a regular midweek round on the Red Button where respective clubs stream them on their iFollow app.

How to watch free Championship match highlights

You can watch highlights of all Championship games with Sky Sports for free and without being a Sky Sports subscriber.

We will bring you highlights of every Championship match on the Sky Sports website and app for the majority of games shortly after full-time.

Anybody in the UK can watch highlights for free on the Sky Sports app or the Score Centre app on your iPhone or Android.

You will also be able to watch in-game goals from Sky Live games in our match blogs and on Twitter.

Championship matches live on Sky

Here are the fixtures currently confirmed to be shown live on Sky Sports Football, Sky Sports Football Red Button and the Sky Sports app. Red Button coverage gets under way five minutes before kick-off.

Friday February 3

West Brom vs Coventry, 8pm – Live on Sky Sports Football Red Button & Sky Sports app

Saturday February 4

Norwich vs Burnley, 12.30pm – Live on Sky Sports Football & Sky Sports app

Rotherham vs Sheffield United, 12.30pm – Live on Sky Sports Football Red Button & Sky Sports app

Monday February 6

Blackburn vs Wigan, 8pm – Live on Sky Sports Football & Sky Sports app

Friday February 10

Birmingham City vs West Brom, 8pm – Live on Sky Sports Football & Sky Sports app

Tuesday February 14

Birmingham vs Cardiff, 7.45pm – Live on Sky Sports Football Red Button & Sky Sports app

Coventry vs Millwall, 7.45pm – Live on Sky Sports Football Red Button, Sky Sports Arena & Sky Sports app

Norwich vs Hull, 7.45pm – Live on Sky Sports Football Red Button & Sky Sports app

QPR vs Sunderland, 7.45pm – Live on Sky Sports Football Red Button & Sky Sports app

Burnley vs Watford, 8pm – Live on Sky Sports Football & Sky Sports app

Reading vs Rotherham, 8pm – Live on Sky Sports Football Red Button & Sky Sports app

Wednesday February 15

Bristol City vs Wigan, 7.45pm – Live on Sky Sports Football Red Button & Sky Sports app

Preston vs Luton, 7.45pm – Live on Sky Sports Football Red Button & Sky Sports app

Stoke vs Huddersfield, 7.45pm – Live on Sky Sports Football Red Button & Sky Sports app

Swansea vs Blackpool, 7.45pm – Live on Sky Sports Football Red Button & Sky Sports app

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough, 8pm – Live on Sky Sports Football & Sky Sports app

West Brom vs Blackburn, 8pm – Live on Sky Sports Football Red Button & Sky Sports app

Friday February 17

Cardiff City vs Reading, 8pm – Live on Sky Sports Football & Sky Sports app

Saturday February 18

Millwall vs Sheffield United, 12.30pm – Live on Sky Sports Football & Sky Sports app

Monday February 20

Watford vs West Brom, 8pm – Live on Sky Sports Football & Sky Sports app

Saturday February 25

Coventry City vs Sunderland, 12.30pm – Live on Sky Sports Football & Sky Sports app

Monday February 27

Swansea vs Rotherham, 8pm – Live on Sky Sports Football & Sky Sports app

Tuesday February 28

Luton Town vs Millwall, 8pm – Live on Sky Sports Football & Sky Sports app

Friday March 3

Hull vs West Brom, 8pm – Live on Sky Sports Football & Sky Sports app

Saturday March 4

Blackburn vs Sheffield United, 12.30pm – Live on Sky Sports Football & Sky Sports app

Friday March 10

Stoke vs Blackburn, 8pm – Live on Sky Sports Football & Sky Sports app

Saturday March 11

Bristol City vs Blackpool, 12.30pm – Live on Sky Sports Football & Sky Sports app

Sunday March 12

Norwich vs Sunderland, 12pm – Live on Sky Sports Football & Sky Sports app

Tuesday March 14

Wigan vs Coventry, 7.45pm – Live on Sky Sports Arena, Sky Sports Football Red Button & Sky Sports app

Middlesbrough vs Stoke, 8pm – Live on Sky Sports Football & Sky Sports app

Wednesday March 15

Hull City vs Burnley, 7.45pm – Live on Sky Sports Arena, Sky Sports Football Red Button & Sky Sports app

Sunderland vs Sheffield United, 8pm – Live on Sky Sports Football & Sky Sports app

Sunday March 19

Blackburn vs Burnley, 12pm* – Live on Sky Sports Football & Sky Sports app

*subject to FA Cup

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February 2, 2023

2023 PVL All-Filipino Conference Preview

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Creamline Cool Smashers. PVL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Six of the nine Premier Volleyball League club teams opted to hire new coaches during the offseason as they seek a fresh start in the 2023 All-Filipino Conference starting on Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Unlike the past seasons when teams went through multiple signings, the PVL clubs focused on changing their respective systems and cultures by bringing in new coaches than overhauling their roster.

Most of the squads kept their core except for Chery Tiggo, which lost sought-after spiker Dindin Santiago-Manabat, who signed with the young Akari team and star hitter Myla Pablo transferring to F2 Logistics after winning a championship with Petro Gazz in the Reinforced Conference last December.

The preseason free agency was all about coaches finding their new home, except for Creamline, Akari, and Cignal, who retained their respective coaching staff.

Here’s a look at the nine participating teams before the 2023 season opens on Saturday with Creamline starting its title-retention bid against rival Petro Gazz at 6 p.m., right after the Akari-Choco Mucho clash at 4 p.m.

F2 Logistics Cargo Movers

Head coach: Regine Diego

Key losses: Tin Tiamzon, Dzi Gervacio, Des Clemente, Chloe Cortez, Alex Cabanos, Rem Cailing

Key additions: Myla Pablo, Chinnie Arroyo, Cha Cruz-Behag (returning)

2022 Season: Open (6th), Invitationals (Did not participate), Reinforced (5th)

After an underwhelming season last year, F2 Logistics signed decorated high school coach Regine Diego to call the shots and replace Ramil de Jesus, who chose his former La Salle player as his replacement.

The Cargo Movers, who missed the semifinals last season, also beefed up their line-up by adding champion spiker Myla Pablo from Petro Gazz, young hitter Chinnie Arroyo from National University, and Cha Cruz-Behag returning to action for the first time since 2018.

With Diego ushering in a new era for F2 Logistics, she is not making a “real big change” on her team composed of Kianna Dy, Ara Galang, Majoy Baron, Aby Marano, Ivy Lacsina, Kim Fajardo, and Dawn Macandili. But she is putting a premium on their connection.

The former Nazareth School champion coach is tempering her expectations in her first professional stint but as the rose among the thorns, she hopes “a woman can be the last man standing” this PVL season.

“All my team or our team can do is to do our best every game, and try to improve every day, and then let’s see,” Diego said.

Akari Chargers

Head coach: Jorge Souza de Brito

Key losses: Bingle Landicho, Gen Casugod,

Key additions: Dindin Santiago-Manabat, Bang Pineda, Eli Soyud, Camille Victoria

2022 Season: Reinforced (8th)

Akari caught the biggest fish in free agency as Manabat decided to start a new chapter in her storied career by leading a young squad.

The Chargers may have finished eighth in their first professional season but they made waves with Olympian import Prisilla Rivera leading the new team to three wins out of eight matches, including her record-setting 44 points against Choco Mucho in five sets and a four-set stunner that shattered F2 Logistics’ semifinal bid.

Aside from Manabat, Akari also signed champion libero Pineda from Petro Gazz, veteran spiker Eli Soyud from PLDT, and Camille Victoria opting to turn pro to join holdovers Trisha Genesis, Erika Raagas, Lycha Ebon, Michelle Cobb, Jaja Maraguinot, and Dani Ravena as well as veteran spiker Janine Marciano.

“We have four good guys to help us to get better. These additional players are really important. So that’s key positions. We have two opposites coming inside, Dindin and Eli. A libero who helps a lot, you as a champion. We are really thankful we have options for good players. Bang is coming together with us. From UST we have Victoria. She’s good also,” said Akari coach Jorge Souza de Brito.

“I think we are stronger than the last season. But also I’m not that surprised anymore so I think the same way we respect them [other teams], they are respecting us. It will be really hard to play against them.”

Choco Mucho Flying Titans

Head coach: Dante Alinsunurin

Key losses: Pauline Gaston, Shannen Palec, coach Oliver Almadro

Key addition: Dante Alinsunurin

2022 Season: Open (4th), Invitationals (7th), Reinforced (7th)

Dante Alinsunurin is taking his act to the PVL and he hopes he can bring his success from men’s volleyball — multiple championships with National University and the 2019 Southeast Asian Games silver medal — to the women’s league.

Alinsunurin was pleased with the team’s adjustments so far under his new system after inheriting a program and set of players under Oliver Almadro for the past four years.

Choco Mucho didn’t sign any player, making the decorated men’s coach its biggest signing. But Alinsunurin is not rushing things as he wants to establish his system to the Flying Titans first despite having a talent-rich roster composed of Kat Tolentino, Bea De Leon, Cherry Nunag, Maddie Madayag, Des Cheng, Isa Molde, Deanna Wong, Jem Ferrer, and Denden Lazaro-Revilla

As the Flying Titans have yet to reach the Finals since they joined the league in 2019 with fourth place as their best finish in the past two Open Conferences, De Leon is confident that they can finally get over the hump with Alinsunurin calling the shots.

“I think, for this conference, we’re definitely looking at a podium finish. And with our new coach, we’re confident that we can reach our [target] destination” said the Choco Mucho team captain.

Petro Gazz Angels

Head coach: Oliver Almadro

Key losses: Myla Pablo, Bang Pineda, Seth Rodriguez, coach Rald Ricafort

Key additions: Dzi Gervacio, Heather Guino-o, Jellie Tempiatura, Des Clemente

2022 Season: Open (2nd), Invitationals (6th), Reinforced (1st)

Petro Gazz may have lost two of its starters from last season and head coach Rald Ricafort, who were all instrumental in its second straight Reinforced Conference championship.

But the Angels were able to fill in the void as they tapped Ateneo women’s volleyball tactician Oliver Almadro to take over the coaching reins after he resigned from Choco Mucho in the middle of the third conference last year because he wanted to focus on his college team.

Aside from a new coach, Petro Gazz also signed Dzi Gervacio, Heather Guino-o, Jellie Tempiatura, and Des Clemente to join the still-intact roster bannered by Grethcel Soltones, Nicole Tiamzon, Jonah Sabete, Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, setter Djanel Cheng, and middle blockers Rem Palma and MJ Phillips.

Team captain Chie Saet said that their team may have undergone major changes but they promised to leave everything on the floor this PVL season.

“We lose some but we also recruited new members. With our new coach and new system, we’re excited to play this conference and we will do our best,” said Saet in Filipino.

PLDT High Speed Hitters

Head coach: Rald Ricafort

Key losses: Heather Guino-o, Chinchin Basas, Eli Soyud, George Pascua

Key additions: Ysa Jimenez, Mich Morente

2022 Season: Open (5th), Invitationals (4th), Reinforced (6th)

After a successful first stint as PVL head coach by steering Petro Gazz to its second straight Reinforced Conference title last December, Rald Ricafort decided to take on a new challenge with PLDT.

The High Speed Hitters didn’t undergo a major roster revamp as they signed Ysa Jimenez and Mich Morente to plug in the hole after letting go of Heather Guino-o, Chinchin Basas, and Eli Soyud.

But Ricafort is still inheriting an intact line-up, composed of veteran setter Rhea Dimaculangan, Mika Reyes, Dell Palomata, Jules Samonte, and libero Kath Arado.

The youthful coach said his previous success doesn’t guarantee instant success for his new team. But he promises to light a fire under the High Speed Hitters to finally get over the hump this 2023 PVL season.

“As I mentioned to the team, there’s no magic trick or shortcut, we just have to bring that fire inside the [players]. And bring back their enjoyment in playing the sport we love,” he said. “Aside from the tactics and strategies, we just want to help these players to improve and take to the next level.”

Cignal HD Spikers

Head coach: Shaq Delos Santos

Key losses: Angeli Araneta, Marist Layug, Ayel Estranero, Arianne Layug, Klarisa Abriam, Joy Dacoron

Key additions: Chinchin Basas, Gyzelle Sy, Gen Casugod, Graze Bombita (returning)

2022 Season: Open (3rd), Invitationals (3rd), Reinforced (2nd)

Coming off a banner year including a breakthrough Finals appearance in the Reinforced Conference, Cignal has nothing in mind but the PVL championship as coach Shaq Delos Santos signed new players, who are familiar with his system.

After letting go of six players including Angeli Araneta, the HD Spikers recruited former Far Eastern University stalwarts Chinchin Basas, Gyzelle Sy, and Gen Casugod, who played under Delos Santos during their collegiate careers.

Delos Santos will be coaching a team composed of former Lady Tamaraws including Rachel Anne Daquis, Gel Cayuna, and Jerrili Malabanan, while Bombita is also making her return to the Cignal roster after suffering an ACL injury last year.

After getting swept by Petro Gazz in the Reinforced Conference Finals, Ces Molina promised that they won’t stop working until they win the championship.

“We’re very proud of our team because we made three podium finishes. Not every team can do that. I think we’ll do it step by step. We got bronze and silver. Maybe next time we’ll win the gold. We won’t stop playing and learning,” said Molina, who is one of the team’s holdovers along with Ria Meneses, Rose Doria, Chai Troncoso, and libero Jheck Dionela.

Army Lady Troopers

Head coach: Randy Fallorina

Key losses: Jovelyn Gonzaga (skip), Mich Morente, Ging Balse (injury), Jem Gutierrez (injury)

Key additions: N/A

2022 Season: Open (7th), Invitationals (5th), Reinforced (9th)

Army will be missing star spiker Jovelyn Gonzaga due to her commitment to the Philippine beach volleyball team’s upcoming campaign in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia and other key players as it parades new coach Randy Fallorina, who replaced KungFu Reyes.

Besides Gonzaga, the Lady Troopers lost Morente in free agency and will miss Ging Balse and Jem Gutierrez, who are nursing injuries.

Army had no addition to its line-up after losing four players including coach Reyes after an eight-year stint. But Fallorina believes familiarity will be their biggest weapon against other club teams.

“I think the team being together for so long is the best weapon that we have [for the PVL],” Fallorina said. “It will be their experience that we can use. But you can be sure that we will fight it out every game.”

Fallorina will be pinning his hopes on Honey Royse Tubino and Jeanette Villareal, who was converted from middle blocker to opposite spiker, as well as Ivy Perez, Aubrey Paran, and Angela Nunag in their bid to end a 13-game skid dating back to the Invitationals elimination round last year followed by a winless Reinforced Conference.

Chery Tiggo Crossovers

Head coach: Aaron Velez (returning)

Key losses: Dindin Santiago-Manabat

Key additions: Pauline Gaston, Seth Rodriguez, Bingle Landicho

2022 Season: Open (8th), Invitationals (8th), Reinforced (4th)

Chery Tiggo will begin life without Manabat after six years as Reinforced Conference Mylene Paat takes the lead for the Crossovers starting this season.

The Crossovers also underwent some major changes after Manabat transferred to the Chargers, signing Pauline Gaston, Seth Rodriguez, and Bingle Landicho to beef up their line-up.

Team Manager Aaron Velez was also reinstated as head coach after coach Clarence Aying Esteban needed to take a step back as a coaching staff member due to his busy schedule.

Determined to bounce back after failing to defend their title last year, Velez wants to show a more offensive Chery Tiggo team in his comeback with Paat leading the squad, also composed of EJ Laure, Cza Carandang, Jasmine Nabor, Alina Bicar, and Buding Duremdes.

“Last conference, our team was all about defense. We lacked offensive firepower. If we will be able to execute better offense, I think we will get better results,” said Velez. “It’s more of a challenge for the other players as they will have opportunities to build their own positions first and their names.”

Creamline Cool Smashers

Head coach: Sherwin Meneses

Key losses: Alyssa Valdez (early part of the season due to knee injury)

Key additions: N/A

2022 Season: Open (1st), Invitationals (1st), Reinforced (3rd)

All members of the Creamline Cool Smashers from last season remained intact but their biggest adjustment will be Alyssa Valdez’s absence in the early part of their title-retention bid as her recovery timeline from a right knee injury is still uncertain.

Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses hopes Valdez will be fit to play by the end of February but for now, he will be making the same adjustment during the AVC Cup and Asean Grand Prix last year when they missed the three-time PVL MVP due to dengue.

Michele Gumabao will be a starter, while two-time MVP Tots Carlos will play as an outside hitter with Jema Galanza. Setter Jia De Guzman will be the team captain, leading fellow starters Ced Domingo, Jeanette Panaga, and libero Kyla Atienza.

Meneses believes keeping the same roster will still be their biggest edge in their quest to win the franchise’s sixth PVL championship.

“[Keeping our players] is an advantage because our system and chemistry will be continuous. Our number one game plan really was to retain all the players,” said the two-time champion coach. “All the other teams really beefed up their rosters. But for us, we want to improve every game. If we will improve, we will get a higher chance to win. We hope to have a good season even if we’ll miss Alyssa in the first part.”

The brand new All-Filipino Conference opens this weekend with the pre-pandemic rituals like handshakes and change courts after sets back again for the first time since 2019.

The video challenge system will be implemented every game with the nine club teams clashing in a single round-robin in the elimination round. The Top 4 squads will advance to the semifinals and will play another round-robin.

The best two teams will play a best-of-three Finals series, while the No. 3 and No. 4 seeds will clash in a bronze series.

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Neser in doubt: Star quick’s epic batting cameo clinches nervy chase for stunning Heat upset

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He’s one of Australia’s premier fast bowlers, and Michael Neser has shown he’s just as effective with bat in hand, producing a heroic counterattack to secure a stunning Brisbane Heat upset of the more fancied Sydney Sixers in the BBL Challenger final.

On a low, slow SCG pitch that proved a nightmare for batting, player of the match Neser more than doubled the next-highest score for the match, whacking an unbeaten 48 off just 32 balls – including a game-changing four consecutive boundaries off Hayden Kerr in the 16th over – to ace a difficult run chase and secure the Heat just their second BBL finals berth, a decade after their first.

All up, Neser hit seven boundaries, not only as many as the rest of his teammates combined but equal to the entire Sixers’ innings.

The 32-year old, surprisingly overlooked as part of the Test squad for the tour of India, proved a more than able replacement for departed Heat trio Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne and Matt Renshaw; while the absence of Mitchell Swepson for the same reasons was mitigated by the brilliance of spin-bowling pair Matt Kuhnemann (3/17) and Nathan McSweeney (1/21).

That duo helped restrict the Sixers, red-hot favourites heading in despite the departure of Steve Smith, to 9/116 from their 20 overs, before Neser’s late heroics saw the underdogs recover from 5/56 to win with 10 balls to spare.

It was a win to typify the Heat’s never-say-die season: in last place with just two wins from their first nine games, they have now won seven of their last eight, including three knockout finals on the road. They can head into their clash with the Scorchers with belief aplenty, though they will again need to defy the odds.

The victory sets up a trip to Perth to take on the Scorchers on Saturday night; the same opponent and state the Heat triumphed over in their one and only tournament title back in BBL02.

For the Sixers, defeat ends the storied T20 career of Dan Christian, who holds the unique distinction of BBL titles with three separate franchises: the Sixers in 2020/21, the Melbourne Renegades in 2018/19, and the Heat themselves in 2012/13.

“My mind’s now in Perth, really – I’m just stoked we made the finals,” a modest Neser said after the match.

“From being dead last on the table and now in the grand final, couldn’t think of anything better.”

After a breezy 27-run opening stand between Kurtis Patterson and Josh Phillipe was broken by breakout Heat quick Spencer Johnson, the Sixers’ innings was only downhill from there.

The turning point truly came with the wicket of Philippe, caught behind off Kuhnemann in bizarre circumstances: after a Heat review, the third umpire quickly ruled out LBW after seeing the ball brush the Sixers opener’s glove, only to seemingly forget keeper Jimmy Peirson had taken the catch.

It took an on-field protest for the review to continue, Philippe at last given his marching orders in the latest BBL third umpire farce.

From there, wickets fell at regular interviews, and just as crucially, the runs dried up. With a spin-friendly SCG pitch keeping troublingly low, Kuhnemann and McSweeney, recalled in place of Labuschagne as a batting all-rounder, proved all but impossible to get away, conceding one boundary between them.

Experienced pair Daniel Hughes and Moises Henriques fell in identical circumstances, playing back and across to good length balls that fizzed in low: Henriques trapped plumb in front for the easiest LBW of the tournament, Hughes unable to even get his pad in the way to see his furniture disturbed.

Christian, too, paid a heavy price for hitting across the line, his heave at Johnson finding naught but air as his stumps were splattered. Unquestionably the find of the tournament, the tearaway quick recovered splendidly after a shaky start with the new ball, finishing with 3/28 from his four overs.

Neser, too, finished well, ensuring any late damage by tailenders Ben Dwarshuis and Sean Abbott was limited. The 27-run opening stand ended up comfortably the best of the inning, Hughes’ patient 24-ball 23 making him the pick of the batters.

All signs pointed to the wily veteran Steve O’Keefe, playing his 100th match, to prove difficult to so much as keep out, never mind score off.

But from the moment the recalled Sam Heazlett, opening in place of Khawaja for his first match of the season and first BBL game in more than 12 months, gazumped the left-armer over mid-wicket against the spin for four, the intent was clear.

Josh Brown, another find from Premier cricket, added two colossal sixes down the ground in his next over, O’Keefe’s first two overs costing 23.

At 0/25 after three overs, the Heat were flying; however, it would once again prove easiest to bat with the new ball. Having made his way safely to 13, Heazlett torched himself to begin the rot: taking an ambitious overthrow after Silk missed the stumps at the non-striker’s end with Brown a suburb away, his desperate dive couldn’t beat a precise return throw from Dwarshuis.

From 0/31 after 20 balls, the Heat would lose five wickets for just 25 runs across the next eight overs.

Spinner Izharulhaq Naveed proved fiendishly difficult to get away, taking an outstanding return catch to remove Englishman Sam Hain to boot, while O’Keefe’s second spell saw him concede just seven extra runs and add the wicket of Peirson.

Calling the Power Surge needing 36 runs from the final six overs, with Max Bryant and Neser at the crease, was a bold ploy given the Sixers had managed just eight runs (and lost two wickets) from theirs; the plan seemed to have failed when Bryant, the final true batter left standing, crumbled under the pressure to sky Sean Abbott to long-off.

But the Sixers hadn’t counted on Neser: just when they appeared to have their noses in front, the all-rounder landed four telling blows off Kerr to swing the match in an instant.

First pulling through the gap behind square, then clipping the left-armer past mid-on, then a deft late cut that beat short third man, and lastly a magnificent straight drive worthy of many a top-order batter, Neser’s orgy of boundaries were all distinct, and each as remarkable as the others on a pitch that had previously never been conducive to shot-making.

“The opportunity was there with the ball being still reasonably hard, to get a good over out of the Surge,” Neser said of the bold decision to take the Power Surge.

“We knew it was just one really good over, and the game was ours. I thought, don’t leave it too late while the ball’s getting softer and softer.”

Needing 14 from 24 balls after the flurry, the Heat could afford to bide their time: James Bazley mustered just two runs from his 10 balls at the crease, the second a desperate attempt to give Neser back the strike that would have seen him run out by half the pitch had the throw at the stumps been true.

But it was all Neser: finishing in style with another thumping heave over mid-on to the rope, a chase that at times had seen impossible was completed with the greatest of ease.

Others have scored more this BBL tournament; there have been more spectacular innings, against tougher bowling too. But there cannot have been a more substantial knock this season than what Neser produced at the SCG, to leave the Heat one game away from the competition’s greatest ever Cinderella story.

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February 2, 2023

Tom Brady retires at 45, insisting this time it’s ‘for good’

Post By zittrexstore Sports did tom brady retire, did tom brady retire officially, did tom brady retire today, football, Football News, nfl news, Sports, Tom Brady, tom brady american football, tom brady latest news, tom brady retirement, tom brady retires No Comments

This time, American football player Tom Brady says he’s done for good. The seven-time Super Bowl winner with New England and Tampa Bay announced his retirement from the American NFL on Wednesday, exactly one year after first saying his playing days were over, by posting a brief video lasting just under one minute on social media.

Unlike last winter, though, the most successful quarterback in league history, as well as one of the greatest athletes in American sports, said his decision was final.

Truly grateful on this day. Thank you 🙏🏻❤️ pic.twitter.com/j2s2sezvSS
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) February 1, 2023

“Good morning guys. I’ll get to the point right away,” Brady says as the message begins. “I’m retiring. For good.”

He briefly retired after the 2021 season but wound up coming back for one more year with the Buccaneers. He retires at age 45, the owner of virtually every meaningful NFL passing record in an unprecedented 23-year career.

A year ago when he retired, it was in the form of a long Instagram post. But about six weeks later, he decided to return for one more run, citing “unfinished business” after an early playoff exit.

The Buccaneers — with whom he won a Super Bowl two seasons ago — made the playoffs again this season, losing in their playoff opener. And at the time, it begged the question about whether Brady would play again.

Only a couple of weeks later, he has given the answer.

“I know the process was a pretty big deal last time, so when I woke up this morning, I figured I’d just press record and let you guys know first,” Brady says in the video. “I won’t be long-winded. You only get one super emotional retirement essay and I used mine up last year.

“I really thank you guys so much, to every single one of you for supporting me. My family, my friends, teammates, my competitors. I could go on forever. There’s too many. Thank you guys for allowing me to live my absolute dream. I wouldn’t change a thing. Love you all.”

Brady is the NFL’s career leader in yards passing (89,214) and touchdowns (649). He is the only player to win more than five Super Bowls and has been MVP of the game five times. He also holds marks for regular-season wins (251), Super Bowl appearances (10), playoff games and wins (48, 35), as well as playoff yards (13,400) and TDs (88).

“Tom’s legacy is unmatched in the history of this game. All the Super Bowl titles and statistical records speak for themselves, but the impact he had on so many people through the years is what I appreciate the most,” Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht said.

“His imprint on this organization helped take us to the mountaintop. We will certainly miss him as our quarterback, but I will also miss him as a leader and friend,” Licht added. “Our entire organization is indebted to him for what he provided us over the past three years. We won’t ever forget the wins or the accolades, and his influence will be felt for years to come.”

Brady announced his retirement one day after attending the premiere of “80 for Brady” — which comes out Friday — in Los Angeles. The movie tells the story of four lifelong friends, played by Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda, Rita Moreno and Sally Field, who went to a Super Bowl to see Brady play.

He was asked Tuesday night whether he felt a connection working with women — the four stars range in age from 76 to 91 — who don’t want to retire.

“They’re working hard and they love it. So good for them,” Brady told The Associated Press. “You know, it’s just that’s what life is about. You got to, you know, wake up every day with a purpose. And when you find something you love to do, you know, it’s hard to stop. You really enjoy it. And there’s a lot of aspects that you do enjoy. So they still bring it at this age. It’s really unbelievable to watch them on set and how much energy they have. And I certainly was inspired by them and learned a lot of lessons on this whole experience.”

Famously underrated coming into the NFL — he was picked 199th in the 2000 draft by the Patriots, behind six other quarterbacks, three kickers and a punter — Brady certainly wasn’t expected to become synonymous with greatness. He played in one game as a rookie, completing one of three passes for six yards.

The next year, it all changed.

Brady took over as the Patriots’ starter, the team beat the St. Louis Rams in the Super Bowl that capped the 2001 season and he and New England coach Bill Belichick were well on their way to becoming the most successful coach-QB duo in football history.

More Super Bowl wins came after the 2003 and 2004 seasons. The Patriots returned to football’s mountaintop for a fourth time in Brady’s era a decade later to cap the 2014 season, the start of three more titles in a span of five years.

He signed with Tampa Bay in free agency in 2020 and added a seventh Super Bowl ring to his collection in his first season with his new team. The Bucs and won 37 games (including postseason) with Brady at quarterback — third most in the league over the past three seasons behind Kansas City (46) and Buffalo (41).

“I think I’ve been on the record dozens of times saying there’s no quarterback I’d rather have than Tom Brady, and I still feel that way,” Belichick said in 2021 — shortly before Tampa Bay, with Brady, came to New England and beat the Patriots in a game dubbed “The Return.” “I was very lucky to have Tom as the quarterback, to coach him, and he was as good as any coach could ever ask for.”

Brady set league single-season records for completions (490) and pass attempts (733) while throwing for 4,643 yards, 25 touchdowns and nine interceptions in his final season. The Bucs, however ranked dead last in rushing offense and, forced to rely almost solely of Brady’s arm, struggled to get the ball into the end zone.

After scoring 61 touchdowns in 2021, Tampa Bay slipped to 31 last season and averaged just 18.4 points per game — down from over 30 in Brady’s first two seasons with the Bucs.

At 8-9, Brady’s only losing season in over two decades as a NFL starter, the Bucs became just the fourth team in league history to earn a postseason berth with a losing mark in a non-strike year. The offensive struggles continued during a lopsided loss to Dallas in the NFC wild-card round.

Brady won three NFL MVP awards, was a first-team All-Pro three times and was selected to the Pro Bowl 15 times.

Brady and model Gisele Bündchen finalized their divorce this past fall, during the Bucs’ season. It ended a 13-year marriage between two superstars who respectively reached the pinnacles of football and fashion.

It was announced last year that when Brady retires from playing, he would join Fox Sports as a television analyst in a 10-year, $375 million deal.

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February 2, 2023

‘Shows our need for growth’: Bruins send Maple Leafs into break with a reality check

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TORONTO – Squint as hard as possible, and you still can’t see a way for the Toronto Maple Leafs to close the gap in the standings.

If there was any doubt that the Boston Bruins would run away with top seed in the Atlantic and a coveted home-ice advantage in the Division of Death, that idea was vanquished by the visitors’ 5-2 thumping of second-seed Toronto on Wednesday.

Despite arriving in town on their first three-game losing skid of their record-chasing campaign and eyeing a sunny bye week, “the class of the league,” according to Sheldon Keefe (and any reasonable hockey viewer of the season’s first 52 games), reminded the Leafs who stands taller when the measuring stick gets trotted out.

Following a loss that dropped his group 13 points behind Boston and swelled the Maple Leafs’ chances of finishing in the dreaded 2-3 playoff matchup versus the Tampa Bay Lightning to 90.9 per cent, Keefe reminded everyone that, hey, the game was close. Just like the last one. And that this was one of those nights where they missed Auston Matthews.

The score was 2-1 in favour of Boston heading into the third period, when the Maple Leafs opened up, and the smart and opportunistic Bruins took over something fierce.

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“The margins are thin,” Keefe said.

“But over the course of the season, it’s significant. They just stay with it. They’re 40 goals better than any team in the NHL. So, it’s a significant gap between them and the rest of the league when you look at the season in its entirety.

“But in the game, we’re right there. That’s what’s tough. Certainly, in Boston and here again tonight, we’re right there. But the difference between being right there and winning the game, being on the other side of it, that’s significant. That’s a significant challenge.”

And because these true litmus tests are so few and far between, those on the inside and outside naturally want to draw conclusions from how GM Kyle Dubas’s roster responds to these challenges.

The Maple Leafs don’t have another playoff team on their schedule until Feb. 24.

On this night, Toronto got burned by a harder, deeper, and more structured outfit.

Sure, Linus Ullmark outdueled Ilya Samsonov in the pipes, with Samsonov revealing post-game that he’d been dealing with an illness.

But we’re certainly not pinning this on goaltending.

“He’s solid,” Keefe said of Ullmark. “But their team defence helps a lot.”

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The Bruins out-blocked (22-10) and outhit (31-26) the Leafs. They also had fewer giveaways (19-10) and were more direct and punishing with their counterattacks and Grade-A looks.

“In the third, I don’t know if I’d call it cheating, but we were just pushing hard,” said Mitch Marner, after a rare defensive stinker. “Gave up a couple odd-man chances, and it cost us.”

The Bruins’ goal differential is a ridiculous plus-81. The Maple Leafs’ is plus-34.

That’s a result of dressing nine forwards with 10-plus goals and spreading them over four lines.

That’s a product of an experienced defence corps that seldom gets overwhelmed the way Rasmus Sandin and Timothy Liljegren did on the still-developing pair’s dash-3 outing.

That’s a depth that Dubas & Co. must attempt to match by the March 3 trade deadline, or risk remaining an incredible regular-season squad only.

“They’ve shown they’re at the top of the league all year,” John Tavares said, tipping the cap.

“Shows our need for growth and areas we’ve got to be better. But we’re right there. Had good looks, good opportunities.

“We have to be dialed in — every little detail.”

Post-game, the Maple Leafs room was quiet. The stalls emptied fast.

Keefe did his best to steal some positivity before the team scattered away from the grind for nine days.

“We know we’re a really good team. We’re in a really good spot. This is a tough way to go into the break, but it may be good for us,” Keefe said.

“We need a break. Everybody needs a break at this point in time. When we come back, we can be inspired by the season we’ve had here to date — yet motivated by the fact that we’ve got a ways to go. We can grow here.”

Thirty games to grow. Wow, the mountain looks steep.

How high can they stretch?

Fox’s Fast 5

• Brad Marchand believes the hockey chirp is endangered.

“Nowadays, it’s very hard to chirp anyone because of the amount of mics that are around, (attached to) certain players and refs and stuff like that,” he says. “It’s tough. Even the refs, as soon as you start talking, because there’s mics everywhere, they don’t want anyone getting in trouble. They shut it down pretty quick.”

Do players bring up opponents’ personal lives in a war of words?

“To be honest, there’s not a lot that happens out there anymore. There’s the odd one. But that’s typically when tempers get high, and guys are taking shots at one another,” Marchand says.

“You say things in the heat of the moment, and if a mic catches it, you have to deal with the consequences.”

So, who’s trying to keep snappy on-ice insults alive?

“(Drew) Doughty’s pretty funny. He’s just always yapping. (Claude) Giroux’s pretty funny, too.”

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• Because the benches at Scotiabank Arena are short, Bruins backup goalie Jeremy Swayman chose to go watch the game from the dressing room, giving his teammates more seat room.

He returned to the ice to give Ullmark a big bear hug, though.

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• Wayne Simmonds has more fights (two) than points (one assist) this season. A proud, respected veteran doing anything he can to keep his NHL career going at this stage.

He sent Boston goal-scorer A.J. Greer into concussion protocol with this punch:

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(Yes, Greer did return after passing tests.)

• Marner was a minus-4 for the first time since Nov. 8, 2021.

• Psyche!

In a prank concocted by Marner following Tavares’s 1,000th game Sunday, Liljegren, holder of the player-of-the-game belt, passed the prize to Mark Giordano instead of the captain.

In on the joke, Giordano began giving a speech before breaking his straight face and passing the belt to Tavares.

“Mitchy was the first one who mentioned it. And Lily had it, so he jumped on. It was a good one,” Giordano explains.

“The joke got a few guys, and they were already pretty upset that we didn’t give it to John, so I had to turn it over pretty quick.”

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February 1, 2023

India vs New Zealand live score over 3rd T20I T20 6 10 updates | Cricket News

Post By zittrexstore Sports 2023, 2023 Live Cricket Score, 2023 live score, 2023 score, cricket live score ndtv sports, India vs New Zealand, India vs New Zealand ball by ball score, India vs New Zealand Live Cricket Score, India vs New Zealand live score, India vs New Zealand today match score, Live India vs New Zealand, live score No Comments

A dedicated team of experts bring you live score, live cricket score, live match update on Sports.NDTV.com. After 10.1 overs, New Zealand, chasing a target of 235, are 56/8. The live updates of India vs New Zealand scorecard is also available. It is the perfect platform to follow your favourite teams in India vs New Zealand, 2023. Keep a track on your favourite batsmen and bowlers through India vs New Zealand, 2023 today match, ball by ball commentary, India vs New Zealand, India vs New Zealand live score, India vs New Zealand scorecard. Follow the excitement of the India vs New Zealand, 2023 on Sports.NDTV.com as you can follow live match updates and live cricket score through our platform.

9.6 overs (1 Run)
Short and on off, Daryl Mitchell pulls it towards deep square leg for one more.

9.5 overs (1 Run)
Full and on off, Blair Tickner drives it through cover-point for one.

Drinks break! Well, there is not much to say here. India are on the cusp of a series win here. They have been lethal with the ball so far and haven’t let the Kiwis off the hook. So, it is Blair Tickner who joins Daryl Mitchell at the crease. The Kiwis would like to eat up as many balls as possible to delay the victory for India.

9.4 overs (0 Run)
OUT! TAKEN! Another one bites the dust! Hardik Pandya gets his thrid wicket! He serves this full and on off, Lockie Ferguson clears his front leg and goes for the slog, but he loses his grip as he connects with the ball and hits it with the bottom half uppishly towards mid on. Umran Malik there take a good catch. This is turning out to be embarassing for the Kiwis.

9.3 overs (0 Run)
Full and on off, Lockie Ferguson drives it straight to covers.

9.2 overs (0 Run)
Back of a length and outside off, Lockie Ferguson looks to cut it away, but fails to connect.

9.1 overs (1 Run)
Short and on middle, Daryl Mitchell pulls it towards deep square leg for a single.

8.6 overs (0 Run)
A dot to end the over! Shivam Mavi bangs in a bouncer, on off, Lockie Ferguson looks to pull it away, but misses.

Lockie Ferguson comes in at number 9.

8.5 overs (0 Run)
OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Two wickets in the over for Shivam Mavi! He bowls this back of a length and around off, Ish Sodhi makes room to push it away, but does so uppishly towards point. Rahul Tripathi here moves to his right and pouches it safely before rolling over on the ground. New Zealand lose their seventh wicket.

8.4 overs (0 Run)
Shivam Mavi greets Sodhi with a short delivery around off, Ish Sodhi leaves it alone.

8.3 overs (0 Run)
OUT! TAKEN! SKY is everywhere in the field! He takes a brilliant third catch to dismiss Santner here. Shivam Mavi lands this short and on off, Mitchell Santner stays there and connects with his pull shot well towards the deep mid-wicket region. However, Suryakumar Yadav is there and he takes another great catch and does well to keep his balance to no go over the ropes. Santner cannot believe that he has found a fielder here, but he has to go back to the hut. New Zealand six down now!

Ish Sodhi is the new man in.

8.3 overs (1 Run)
Short and down the leg side, Mitchell Santner misses his flick. Wided.

8.2 overs (1 Run)
On a length and on off, Daryl Mitchell guides it towards point where a slight misfield from Rahul Tripathi allows a run.

8.1 overs (1 Run)
Shivam Mavi starts with a back-of-a-length delivery, on middle, Mitchell Santner nudges it towards mid-wicket for a single.

7.6 overs (3 Runs)
Floated, full and on off, Mitchell Santner drills it wide of deep point where Shivam Mavi covers his ground well to the right and puts in a dive to keep it inside. Three runs taken!

7.5 overs (1 Run)
Kuldeep Yadav decides to bowl a on-pace delivery, on a length and on middle, Daryl Mitchell flicks it through square leg for one.

7.4 overs (6 Runs)
SIX! BANG! This is flighted, full and on off, Daryl Mitchell skips down the track and smokes it over the long off fence for a biggie.

7.3 overs (1 Run)
A bit short and on off, Mitchell Santner eases it towards mid off for a run.

7.2 overs (0 Run)
Tossed up, full and off, Mitchell Santner dabs it towards short covers.

7.1 overs (1 Run)
Kuldeep Yadav begins with a floated delivery, on off, Daryl Mitchell uses his feet and tucks it to the right of the bowler. There is a bit of hesitation between the batters, but in the end the run is completed.

6.6 overs (2 Runs)
Umran Malik lands this short and on middle, Mitchell Santner pulls it towards deep mid-wicket and comes back for the second.

6.5 overs (1 Run)
Back of a length and on off, Daryl Mitchell knocks it towards extra covers for one more.

6.4 overs (0 Run)
Short and on off, Daryl Mitchell mistimes his pull shot towards deep mid-wicket for a run.

6.3 overs (1 Run)
Back of a length and on off, Mitchell Santner forces it towards wide mid off for one.

6.2 overs (0 Run)
Full and on off, Mitchell Santner pushes it towards covers where the fielder dives to his right to stop it.

6.1 overs (4 Runs)
FOUR! Nice shot! Umran Malik bowls this short of a length and on off, Mitchell Santner stays there and punches it through extra covers for a boundary.

5.6 overs (0 Run)
Back of a length and outside off, angling away, Daryl Mitchell lets it go to the keeper.

5.5 overs (6 Runs)
SIX! Daryl Mitchell goes big now! Arshdeep Singh serves this full and on off, Daryl Mitchell shows the full face of the bat and lofts it over the long off fence for a biggie.

5.4 overs (1 Run)
On a length and on middle, Mitchell Santner knocks it past the bowler towards mid on for a run.

5.3 overs (1 Run)
Short again and outside off, Daryl Mitchell pulls it towards deep square leg for a single.

5.2 overs (0 Run)
Short of a length and on leg, Daryl Mitchell taps it down to the leg side.

5.1 overs (0 Run)
Arshdeep Singh bowls this on a good length and on off, angling away, Daryl Mitchell looks to play at it but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Match Reports

India vs New Zealand: India vs New Zealand, 2023 Live Cricket Score, Live Score Of Today’s Match on NDTV Sports

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February 1, 2023

How the January window changed WSL transfers forever: Alessia Russo bid and Bethany England’s British record move help spark new era

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The January transfer window was another watershed moment for the WSL, from record bids and moves to Aston Villa and Tottenham proving their mettle in the transfer market.

Last window before the first £1m player?

If Arsenal are offering £500,000 for a player with six months left on their contract, then how much is a big-name player now worth when they’re committed to a club for longer?

Clubs are now trying to lock down players to longer deals in an attempt to maximise their values. For Manchester United to stand firm over Alessia Russo is a sign the market’s changed.

The current world record for a player is the £400,000 spent by Barcelona on Keira Walsh. That could seem like a bargain in the not-so-distant future.

The money being offered is a first for the women’s game, which is a positive sign according to former England forward Lianne Sanderson.

She told Sky Sports News: “To put it into perspective, in the men’s game, this is two weeks wages. In the women’s game, to see players like Bethany England and Alessia Russo being linked with this much money, it makes me so happy.

“Maybe I’ll come out of retirement, I don’t know how much I’d go for!”

Stars will emerge between now and the end of the season, especially at this summer’s World Cup. Watch this space because someone will become the first £1m player soon.

WSL must not let others be left behind

Of course, for their male counterparts, £1m for a player barely covers agents’ fees.

But the increase in money offered and paid – let’s not forget Tottenham also splashed out a British record £250,000 for Bethany England early in the window too – as well as increased integration between men’s and women’s teams could see accelerated fees over the next few years.

For example, if we consider Arsenal – the whole club, not just the women’s team – £400,000 for a player with six months left on her contract like Russo is a drop in the ocean. While we do not know the figures, Chelsea also offered a “substantial” sum to try and sign Katie McCabe from Arsenal.

The Chelsea men’s team had a net spend of £323.3m in January and, two and a half years ago, the women’s team broke the world record when they signed Pernille Harder for £250,000. Of course, that almost doubled with Walsh’s Barcelona move in the summer and could have been broken again in January.

However, you then have to ask if the already clear disparity between the “top” clubs and everyone else in the WSL will only widen as fees increase. The large offers for the players already mentioned – and explored in more detail below – are among the three clubs at the top of the table.

It is an issue that Man Utd manager Marc Skinner is wary of, saying after England’s move to Spurs: “Yes, it’s going to be a positive, but obviously when that happens there’s more expense that comes into it. You know, the clubs that can afford it can continue to grow, the clubs that can’t will have to find a different way.

“[But] the excitement around [England’s deal] just helps the fan base grow. It’s something to talk about. It helps our fans to grow, connect. I think [record fees] are going to keep going that way. It’s not going to stop now.”

Of course, there was movement between the other WSL clubs as well as bringing in talent from elsewhere, but for nowhere near the same fees. It may become harder for these clubs to navigate the transfer window as the money increases, and the league must be wary that some do not get left behind.

Days of selling to rivals are over

Chelsea wanted Katie McCabe from Arsenal. Arsenal wanted Alessia Russo from Manchester United.

Neither club had their wishes granted.

The value of winning competitions has never been higher, hence the intransigence of selling clubs when rival teams put bids in.

Yes, England, Jordan Nobbs and Lucy Staniforth were all granted moves so they can attempt to secure their World Cup places but these were also business decisions.

Tottenham and Aston Villa aren’t in contention to win the league yet so getting squad players off the wage bill to teams further down the division makes financial sense.

But clubs are now in a stronger financial position to reject the notion of making rivals stronger even when six-figure sums are offered.

This window feels like the first time that’s happened.

Why Aston Villa and Tottenham are the window winners

While much of the January attention has been on those teams challenging for the WSL title, it is in fact two teams hoping to push into the top three places that have arguably done the best business this window.

Let’s start with Rehanne Skinner’s Tottenham – their purchase of England broke the British record for a player, and they also landed 2011 World Cup winner Mana Iwabuchi on loan from Arsenal.

Two players with international and WSL pedigree, plus more importantly the ability to score and create goals. Tottenham have scored the third lowest number of goals in the WSL this season (12), and both players have already scored since their arrival.

But Spurs were trumped by Aston Villa’s January business.

After a complete summer overhaul – including the surprise arrival of Rachel Daly from Houston Dash – Villa have continued to add vast amounts of experience to their ranks. Nobbs left Arsenal for the Midlands club, while Lucy Staniforth joined on a free transfer.

The influence of such talent is already clear to see. They have beaten Tottenham and drawn with Manchester City since the WSL returned after the winter break, and look a force to be reckoned with this season.

Both Aston Villa and Spurs have proven to be shrewd in the transfer market, with a strategy to rival that of the biggest clubs. The players themselves too are not afraid to make moves away from the perceived “bigger clubs” to achieve their personal ambitions. No longer are the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City the only draws in the WSL.

The last window before the World Cup – who will stake a claim?

Perhaps the most pertinent reason for the players above to have moved – and plenty more besides across women’s football – is the upcoming Women’s World Cup this summer, now only five-and-a-half months away.

England, Nobbs and Staniforth will surely be eyeing a spot in Sarina Wiegman’s England squad. For Euro 2022, Staniforth was named in the initial 28-player team, but a season blighted by injuries saw her miss out on a place in the final 23-player squad.

Nobbs found herself injured once again while England, although part of the squad, only played a few minutes. With the likes of Ebony Salmon, Lauren James and, surprisingly, Daly now eyeing places up front, England must be at her best to make it into the final World Cup squad.

Iwabuchi too, while a seasoned international, will want to keep her fitness up ahead of the tournament in Australia and New Zealand. Japan will be one of the favourites in Group C, along with Spain, Costa Rica and Zambia.

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Match Reports

Last window before the first £1m player?

WSL must not let others be left behind

Days of selling to rivals are over

Why Aston Villa and Tottenham are the window winners

The last window before the World Cup – who will stake a claim?