Football’s paradox: the game is ever more team-oriented on a tactical level while many fans are now obsessed by individualsThe journalist in the seat next to mine at Portugal’s 6-1 win over Switzerland at the World Cup – French, late 20s – had been shooting some video content outside and arrived just after half-time. Portugal were already 3-0 up and, with Gonçalo Ramos replacing Cristiano Ronaldo in the starting lineup, playing by far their best football of the tournament. The reporter was devastated. He wanted to see Ronaldo.That Portugal had improved without their star player was of no concern to him. When Ronaldo came on after 74 minutes, he couldn’t have been more excited if he had been a teenager...
The US Open’s breakout star didn’t get the result he wanted in Friday’s semi-final against Novak Djokovic, but promises to remain an exasperating foe on tour for years to comeAfter dispatching with upstart Ben Shelton to advance to his 10th US Open final, Novak Djokovic glowered at the Arthur Ashe crowd as he pantomimed himself answering an imaginary phone and slamming down the receiver. There was no question the cold call was meant for the American, who turned off many observers by celebrating his semi-final victory over compatriot Frances Tiafoe in similar fashion. The Serb was also chilly to Shelton when they met at net for the customary post-match handshake.But in his post-match news conference Shelton – to his immense...
It is likely India 2023 will be a wonderful tournament, but it will also be a six-week campaign rally before April’s electionThe ICC World Cup opening ceremony takes place just under a month from now at the Narendra Modi Stadium, the day before the opening game at the Narendra Modi Stadium, prelude to a tournament where it turns out almost all the most urgent events, India v Pakistan at the Narendra Modi Stadium, England v Australia at the Narendra Modi Stadium, the Narendra Modi Stadium World Cup final, will take place at the Narendra Modi Stadium.It is a spectacular Narendra Modi Stadium too, the second largest sports arena in the world after the Rungrado 1st of May Stadium, North Korea,...
Hosts ride a wave of patriotic fervour inside the Stade de France to recover from dismal start and stun New ZealandFrom the top deck of the Stade de France came a tricolor, a shimmering butterfly of red, white and blue, floating through the sultry Paris night, catching the disco lights as it fell to earth. Then another. And another. Then – a little less poetically – a can of Coke Zero, spraying little droplets of brown liquid across a dozen rows. The air was thick with joy and sweetness. Nobody was leaving. In an unfathomable September heatwave, France was having a scorching summer party, and even though the game was over, all eyes were on the dancefloor.Damian Penaud, the man...
The Blues’ 11.8 (74) to 9.14 (68) elimination final win at the MCG helped expunge memories of the past decade Friday was 10 years to the day since Carlton last won a final. September 8, 2013 was one of those footy days that sticks in your marrow. On a perfect spring afternoon, in front of the loudest, most engaged crowd, Carlton ran all over the top of an emerging but rickety Richmond. I’ve never seen a more desolate supporter base than the yellow and blacks that afternoon.The Blues had been parachuted into the finals because of the Essendon scandal. But they had Chris Judd. The most even-tempered of footballers, he had been angered, of all things, by Richmond’s drum ensemble,...