Sports

Sixers edge Celtics while Thunder reach NBA-best 11-1

  • Reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 28 points and 11 assists to lead reigning champion Oklahoma City in a 126-102 home victory over the Golden State Warriors.
  • Tyrese Maxey and hometown hero Justin Edwards sparked the Philadelphia 76ers over Boston 102-100 on Tuesday while reigning champion Oklahoma City improved their NBA-best record to 11-1.
  • Reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 28 points and 11 assists to lead reigning champion Oklahoma City in a 126-102 home victory over the Golden State Warriors.
Tyrese Maxey and hometown hero Justin Edwards sparked the Philadelphia 76ers over Boston 102-100 on Tuesday while reigning champion Oklahoma City improved their NBA-best record to 11-1.
Maxey, the NBA's number two scorer this season, netted 21 points and Edwards came off the bench to score 22.
But it was Kelly Oubre's putback shot with 8.7 seconds remaining off the only miss of the night by Edwards that produced the winning points.
"Extremely tough. He fought in there," Maxey said of Oubre's final basket. "We got Justin the good look and KO got the rebound and put it back."
Boston's Derrick White missed a desperation half-court heave at the finish and the 76ers (7-4) improved to 2-1 over the Celtics this year, the games decided by a total of four points.
"That's how it goes," Maxey said. "We've played them 100 times it feels like since I've been in the NBA. They know what we're going to do and we know what they're going to do."
Maxey said winning tight games comes down to simple things.
"Resilient. We trust each other," he said. "Just try to make great plays and play great defense in the fourth quarter."
Edwards, a two-time state high school champion at Philadelphia's Imhotep High School, went 8-for-8 from the floor and 5-of-5 from three-point range in a sizzling display until his final miss that set up the winning basket.
Sixers reserve Quentin Grimes added 18 points while Boston's Jaylen Brown had a game-high 24 points.
Philadelphia was without Cameroonian big man Joel Embiid due to a sore right knee.
The Sixers led 23-22 after the lowest-scoring first quarter by each club this season and 51-41 at halftime but needed a Grimes three-pointer from half-court at the third-quarter buzzer to pull within 77-71, setting the stage for a fourth-quarter fightback.
Reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 28 points and 11 assists to lead reigning champion Oklahoma City in a 126-102 home victory over the Golden State Warriors.
Chet Holmgren added 23 points and 11 rebounds for the Thunder, who boosted their NBA-best record to 11-1 with a third consecutive triumph.
New York's Jalen Brunson scored 32 points, hitting six of nine three-point attempts, and passed off 10 assists to spark the host Knicks over Memphis 133-120.
The Knicks (7-3), who also got 21 points and 13 rebounds from Karl-Anthony Towns, stretched their win streak to five games and improved to 7-0 at home this season.
Toronto's Brandon Ingram scored 25 points and Immanuel Quigley added 24 to lift the Raptors over host Brooklyn 119-106.
The Nets sank to 1-10, matching Washington with the NBA's worst record, and 0-6 at home.
js/sla

ENG

Stokes bats away criticism of England's Ashes preparations

  • But Stokes is adamant England are ready for what will be a gruelling five-Test showdown as they bid to win a first series in Australia since 2010-2011.
  • Captain Ben Stokes denied Wednesday that England were undercooked for the Ashes series against Australia after a chorus of criticism led by legends Ian Botham and Geoffrey Boycott.
  • But Stokes is adamant England are ready for what will be a gruelling five-Test showdown as they bid to win a first series in Australia since 2010-2011.
Captain Ben Stokes denied Wednesday that England were undercooked for the Ashes series against Australia after a chorus of criticism led by legends Ian Botham and Geoffrey Boycott.
England's full squad only assembled in Perth last weekend, some coming from a white-ball series in New Zealand where they crashed 3-0, while others arrived in dribs and drabs.
They only have one red-ball warm-up game before the opening Test in Perth on November 21 -- a three-day clash against a second-tier England A starting on Thursday.
In contrast, almost all of Australia's Ashes squad have been playing domestic Sheffield Shield matches around the country.
Boycott wrote in a recent column for British newspaper The Telegraph that England's preparations were "madness".
"If they win in Australia it will be in spite of their lack of match practice, not because of it. Match practice would give them a better chance," he said.
Botham last month said a lack of warm-ups against Australian state sides "borders on arrogance" and renewed his criticism this week.
"I think historically, you have to acclimatise when you come down here," he said in Melbourne.. 
"You've got to remember there's 24 million people down here, not 11. And you have to take that on board.
"The ball does seem to get to you quicker (in Perth) and the light's different. There's all kinds of things go into the melting pot." 
But Stokes is adamant England are ready for what will be a gruelling five-Test showdown as they bid to win a first series in Australia since 2010-2011.

Jam-packed schedule

"I don't really know what we're supposed to do, to be honest," said the talismanic all-rounder, who has not played any cricket since July after a shoulder injury.
"The schedule is pretty jam-packed to be able to sort of prepare the way our teams probably would have done 10-15-20-30 years ago.
"There's a lot of factors that have changed over the years of cricket. 
"So in terms of preparation, we've been preparing for this for a very long time. We put a lot of time and effort into how we prepare for every series, and that hasn't changed with this one. 
"So from the 21st of this month, we know that we would have put everything possible that we could have done to be in the right place."
Assistant coach Marcus Trescothick also defended England's lead-up, saying: "Times have dramatically changed in the way that cricket is done.
"If you look at the situation around the world, everyone does the same nowadays. You turn up, play a game and into the series you go."
England, who last lifted the Ashes urn at home in 2015, have a terrible recent record in Australia, losing 13 of the last 15 Tests. The other two were drawn.
Stokes insisted past results meant little.
"They're a phenomenal team, especially in their home, so we know the next two-and-a-half months is going to be tough for us," he said of Australia. 
"But I think all the series that have gone past, whether that be in Australia or England, I don't think count for much."
mp/dh

Global Edition

France aim to secure World Cup place as Paris marks attacks anniversary

BY ANDY SCOTT

  • On Friday, November 13, 2015, a series of attacks in Paris and around the Stade de France during a friendly match between Les Bleus and Germany left a total of 130 people dead.
  • France's World Cup qualifier against Ukraine on Thursday will be a poignant occasion as it takes place on the 10th anniversary of the 2015 Paris terror attacks.
  • On Friday, November 13, 2015, a series of attacks in Paris and around the Stade de France during a friendly match between Les Bleus and Germany left a total of 130 people dead.
France's World Cup qualifier against Ukraine on Thursday will be a poignant occasion as it takes place on the 10th anniversary of the 2015 Paris terror attacks.
On Friday, November 13, 2015, a series of attacks in Paris and around the Stade de France during a friendly match between Les Bleus and Germany left a total of 130 people dead.
Most of those who were killed lost their lives at the Bataclan concert hall in the city, where the US band Eagles of Death Metal was playing.
But one person died near the Stade de France in the northern Paris suburb of Saint-Denis, where multiple explosions took place as suicide bombers attempted to enter the ground.
The stadium was packed with France's then-president, Francois Hollande, among the close to 80,000 spectators in attendance for the game against Germany -- the match was played to a conclusion despite the unfolding events, with France winning 2-0.
A decade on, none of the France players involved that night will feature against Ukraine across the capital at the Parc des Princes, but national team coach Didier Deschamps remains in charge of Les Bleus.
"Deep down, I think it would have been better if we could have avoided playing on November 13," Deschamps admitted as he spoke to reporters last week to announce his squad.
A minute's silence will be held ahead of kick-off to remember the victims of the attacks, and Deschamps added: "There is an obligation to remember what happened, but there is a football match to be played too."
The game is potentially decisive for France as they seek to secure qualification for next year's World Cup in North America.
Les Bleus, winners of the World Cup in 2018 and runners-up in Qatar in 2022, are on top of the four-team Group D with two matches remaining.
They sit three points clear of Ukraine in second, meaning a win here will wrap up qualification with a game to spare -- but if they slip up they will still be in a position to finish first when they go to Azerbaijan on Sunday.
Ukraine realistically have to win the game to stand a chance of beating the French to top spot, and are otherwise aiming to hold off Iceland to finish second and go into play-offs.
Veteran midfielder N'Golo Kante, now playing in Saudi Arabia, was brought back into the France squad for the games and could make his first international appearance in exactly a year.
Randal Kolo Muani of Tottenham Hotspur had been recalled too, but was later forced to withdraw from the squad with a broken jaw.
Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele of Paris Saint-Germain is a notable injury absentee for France, who won 2-0 against Ukraine in the reverse fixture played in Poland in September.
bur-as/lp

Finals

Alcaraz fights back to beat Fritz at ATP Finals

  • "I will try not to think about it," Alcaraz said of the year-end number one ranking.
  • Carlos Alcaraz battled to victory over Taylor Fritz at the ATP Finals on Tuesday, moving to within one win of securing the year-end number one ranking for the second time.
  • "I will try not to think about it," Alcaraz said of the year-end number one ranking.
Carlos Alcaraz battled to victory over Taylor Fritz at the ATP Finals on Tuesday, moving to within one win of securing the year-end number one ranking for the second time.
The five-time Grand Slam champion made it two wins from two in the Jimmy Connors Group with a comeback 6-7 (2/7), 7-5, 6-3 victory over last year's runner-up Fritz in Turin.
He would have qualified for the semi-finals if Alex de Minaur beat home hope Lorenzo Musetti in Tuesday's second match.
But Musetti, who only qualified for the Finals on Saturday after Novak Djokovic pulled out with injury -- shortly after beating the Italian in the final of the Athens event -- beat the Australian 7-5, 3-6, 7-5.
"I'm really happy that I was able to come back, find my good tennis," Alcaraz said.
"I just tried to make the most of the opportunities that he gave to me. I think we played great tennis, some great points."
Alcaraz, who was replaced by rival Jannik Sinner as world number one following the Paris Masters earlier this month, will finish 2025 at the top of the rankings if he beats Musetti on Thursday.
Sinner has to successfully defend his Finals title, unbeaten, to have any chance of ending the season as number one for a second straight year.
"I will try not to think about it," Alcaraz said of the year-end number one ranking. "It's going to be a really big match."
Alcaraz now holds a 5-1 winning record against Fritz, whose only win against the Spaniard came at the Laver Cup in September.
The United States' Fritz will face De Minaur in his last group contest.

Gruelling first set

Fritz swept aside Musetti in his opener on Monday with a dominant serving display.
Alcaraz immediately showed he would put up stronger resistance on return, but Fritz managed to hold in a lengthy first game, hitting three aces and saving two break points.
The Spaniard also had to dig deep to level at 1-1, staving off three break points himself.
He appeared to have made the most of that mistake as Fritz was broken for the first time in the tournament, but Alcaraz could not consolidate the break and dropped serve too.
Both players' serves continued to be tested, with Alcaraz seeing off two more break points in the eighth game as the first set eventually went to a tie-break.
But Fritz powered through the breaker, sealing a one-set lead after 70 minutes with his sixth ace.
Some brutal hitting with his forehand brought up the first break point of the second set for Fritz in the fifth game, but Alcaraz came out on top in a dramatic rally to save it.
Alcaraz saw off a second break point with an ace and finally got out of the draining, 21-minute service game when Fritz fired long, celebrating as if he had won the match.
Fritz fought through a difficult game himself to make it 4-all after Alcaraz netted a return on break point, as the second set edged towards another tie-break.
But the American buckled under the pressure in the 12th game, as two wild unforced errors helped bring up three set points for Alcaraz.
The 22-year-old took the second opportunity, with a rasping passing shot forcing a deciding set.
Fritz managed to stay on serve early in the third set, but the momentum of the match had shifted and Alcaraz grabbed the crucial break in the sixth game.
Sixth seed Fritz showed great resolve to save three match points in game eight, but Alcaraz successfully served it out to love, sealing the win as Fritz blasted a backhand wide.
jc/lp

SRI

Pakistan upstage Sri Lanka in first ODI as Agha and Rauf shine

  • For Sri Lanka, debutant Kamil Mishara, who scored 38, and Pathum Nissanka, who made 29, set the platform with a solid 85-run opening stand before Rauf dismissed both the openers and Kusal Mendis (nought) in the space of just five runs.
  • Pakistan rode on a fighting century from Salman Agha and four wickets from Haris Rauf to beat Sri Lanka by six runs in the opening one-day international in Rawalpindi on Tuesday.
  • For Sri Lanka, debutant Kamil Mishara, who scored 38, and Pathum Nissanka, who made 29, set the platform with a solid 85-run opening stand before Rauf dismissed both the openers and Kusal Mendis (nought) in the space of just five runs.
Pakistan rode on a fighting century from Salman Agha and four wickets from Haris Rauf to beat Sri Lanka by six runs in the opening one-day international in Rawalpindi on Tuesday.
Agha scored an unbeaten 105 off 87 balls which guided Pakistan to an imposing 299-5 before Rauf grabbed 4-61 to keep Sri Lanka to 293-9 in 50 overs, giving the home team 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
The match went ahead despite a suicide attack just a few miles from the stadium in the twin city of Islamabad, which killed at least 12 people and left several injured.
The Pakistan Cricket Board said security around the visiting team had been increased following the attack.
For Sri Lanka, debutant Kamil Mishara, who scored 38, and Pathum Nissanka, who made 29, set the platform with a solid 85-run opening stand before Rauf dismissed both the openers and Kusal Mendis (nought) in the space of just five runs.
Sadeera Samarawickrama (39) and skipper Charith Asalanka (32) fought their team back with a fourth wicket stand of 57 but Rauf broke the stand with Babar Azam taking a splendid slip catch to send Samarawickrama back.
Sri Lanka were down and out at 210-7 but Wanindu Hasaranga fought a lone battle with a fiery 52-ball 59 to bring the equation to 23 in the last two overs, before holing out with eight balls and 21 needed.
Hasaranga hit seven boundaries while Janith Liyanage hit two sixes and as many boundaries in his 28. 
Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi said his team put a good total.
"Agha and (Hussain) Talat batted very well to take us to 299," said Shaheen. "A target of 300 was good and then Haris gave us crucial wickets."
Asalanka admitted bowlers conceded extra runs.
"The way Agha and Talat batted, it took the game away," said Asalanka. "We gave away too many runs, it should have been under 270."
Earlier, Agha hit his second ODI century while Talat made 62, lifting the home team from a precarious 95-4 after they were sent in to bat.
Sri Lanka spinner Hasaranga had jolted the home team with figures of 3-54, before Agha and Talat added 138 for the fifth wicket to revive the innings.
Talat was finally dismissed in the 44th over, having hit a six and six fours in his maiden ODI fifty.
Agha struck nine boundaries, helping Pakistan add 104 in the last 10 overs alongside Mohammad Nawaz who scored a brisk 23-ball 36 not out.
It was pacer Asitha Fernando who provided the tourists a breakthrough in the fifth over when he trapped opener Saim Ayub leg-before for six.
Fakhar Zaman (32) and Babar Azam (29) added 54 runs for the second wicket as Pakistan crawled to 28 in the first 10 overs and finally reached 50 in the 16th.
Hasaranga then produced a 16-ball spell of destruction, removing Zaman, Azam and Mohammad Rizwan (five).
The remaining matches are on Thursday and Saturday, also in Rawalpindi.
sh/lp

ENG

Ford returns to pull England strings against All Blacks

  • "Without doubt, New Zealand are one of the best teams in the world and facing them is always a special challenge."    
  • Sale fly-half George Ford was recalled to England's starting line-up to face New Zealand at Twickenham as coach Steve Borthwick announced seven changes on Tuesday to the side that beat Fiji last weekend.
  • "Without doubt, New Zealand are one of the best teams in the world and facing them is always a special challenge."    
Sale fly-half George Ford was recalled to England's starting line-up to face New Zealand at Twickenham as coach Steve Borthwick announced seven changes on Tuesday to the side that beat Fiji last weekend.
Ford, who pulled the strings in the win over Australia in the first of the Autumn internationals, sat out the 38-18 victory over Fiji as Fin Smith took charge. 
With Borthwick naming a 6-2 split on the bench, Fin Smith drops out of the matchday 23 while Marcus Smith drops down to the replacements to make way for Freddie Steward at full-back. 
Wing Tommy Freeman and second row Ollie Chessum have failed to recover from their respective hamstring and ankle injuries so miss out.
Tom Roebuck returns to fill the number 14 jersey while Alex Coles is the beneficiary of Chessum's absence, forming a second row partnership alongside skipper Maro Itoje who also comes back into the side after starting on the bench against the Fijians.
Sam Underhill moves into the back row with Chandler Cunningham-South dropping to the bench. 
"I’m pleased with the progress we are making," said Borthwick.   
"Without doubt, New Zealand are one of the best teams in the world and facing them is always a special challenge."    
England round off their Autumn internationals when they face Argentina at Twickenham on November 23.   
England (15-1):
Freddie Steward; Tom Roebuck, Ollie Lawrence, Fraser Dingwall, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso; George Ford, Alex Mitchell;Ben Earl, Sam Underhill, Guy Pepper, Alex Coles, Maro Itoje (capt), Joe Heyes, Jamie George, Fin Baxter
Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, Chandler Cunningham-South, Tom Curry, Henry Pollock, Ben Spencer, Marcus Smith
bsp/dmc

SerieA

Atalanta turn to Palladino after Juric sacking

  • Atalanta said in a statement that Juric and his coaching staff had all been dismissed on Monday as they became the fourth Serie A club to change coach this season after Juventus, Genoa and Fiorentina. jr/nf/bsp 
  • Atalanta announced the arrival of Raffaele Palladino as coach on Tuesday, following on from the sacking of Ivan Juric.
  • Atalanta said in a statement that Juric and his coaching staff had all been dismissed on Monday as they became the fourth Serie A club to change coach this season after Juventus, Genoa and Fiorentina. jr/nf/bsp 
Atalanta announced the arrival of Raffaele Palladino as coach on Tuesday, following on from the sacking of Ivan Juric.
The 2024 Europa League winners said in a statement the former Italian international had signed a contract until June 30, 2027. 
Palladino, 41, cut his coaching teeth at Monza, first with the youth teams before taking charge of the first team in 2022 and competing in two seasons in the top flight. 
He then joined Fiorentina, finishing sixth in Serie A before surprisingly departing last July after only one season in charge. 
Palladino arrives at a club that has not recovered from the departure of its iconic coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who left in the close-season after nine years in Bergamo to join Roma. 
Struggling Atalanta have won only four matches this campaign -- two in Serie A and two in the Champions League -- out of a total of 15 played. 
In the league, they have lost two games in a row and lounge in 13th place after 11 rounds, with only six points separating them from the relegation zone. 
Atalanta said in a statement that Juric and his coaching staff had all been dismissed on Monday as they became the fourth Serie A club to change coach this season after Juventus, Genoa and Fiorentina.
jr/nf/bsp 

SRI

Agha hundred lifts Pakistan to 299-5 in 1st Sri Lanka ODI

  • Sri Lanka must chase down a target of 300 to take the lead in the three-match series. sh/nf/jc
  • Salman Agha cracked a brilliant century to lead Pakistan to 299-5 against Sri Lanka in the opening one-day international in Rawalpindi on Tuesday.
  • Sri Lanka must chase down a target of 300 to take the lead in the three-match series. sh/nf/jc
Salman Agha cracked a brilliant century to lead Pakistan to 299-5 against Sri Lanka in the opening one-day international in Rawalpindi on Tuesday.
The match went ahead despite a suicide attack just a few miles from the stadium in the twin city of Islamabad, which killed at least 12 people and left several injured.
The Pakistan Cricket Board said security around the visiting team had been increased following the attack.
Agha scored an unbeaten 105 off 87 balls for his second ODI century while Hussain Talat made 62, lifting the home team from a precarious 95-4 after they were sent in to bat.
Sri Lanka spinner Wanindu Hasaranga had jolted the home team with figures of 3-54, before Agha and Talat added 138 for the fifth wicket to revive the innings.
Talat was finally dismissed in the 44th over, having hit a six and six fours in his maiden ODI fifty.
Agha struck nine boundaries, helping Pakistan add 104 in the last 10 overs alongside Mohammad Nawaz who scored a brisk 23-ball 36 not out.
It was pacer Asitha Fernando who provided the tourists a breakthrough in the fifth over when he trapped opener Saim Ayub leg-before for six.
Fakhar Zaman (32) and Babar Azam (29) added 54 runs for the second wicket as Pakistan crawled to 28 in the first 10 overs and finally reached 50 in the 16th.
Hasaranga then produced a 16-ball spell of destruction, removing Zaman, Azam and Mohammad Rizwan (five).
Sri Lanka must chase down a target of 300 to take the lead in the three-match series.
sh/nf/jc

Sports

Cristiano Ronaldo says 2026 World Cup 'definitely' his last

  • The five-time Ballon d'Or winner is hoping to play at a sixth World Cup next year.
  • Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo on Tuesday said next year's World Cup would be his last as he winds down one of the all-time great careers.
  • The five-time Ballon d'Or winner is hoping to play at a sixth World Cup next year.
Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo on Tuesday said next year's World Cup would be his last as he winds down one of the all-time great careers.
The 40-year-old forward, with more than 950 club and international goals, also said he would retire from football in "one or two years".
"Definitely, yes," he told a Saudi forum by video link, when asked if 2026 would be his final World Cup. "I'm gonna be 41 years old and I think it will be the moment."
Ronaldo, who began a lucrative stint at Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr in 2023, also elaborated on comments last week when he said he would retire "soon".
"Let's be honest, when I mean soon, it's probably one or two years I'll still be at the game," he said.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner is hoping to play at a sixth World Cup next year. He came closest to lifting the trophy on debut in 2006, when Portugal lost to France in the semi-finals.
Portugal have yet to qualify for the 2026 tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico, but can secure their spot if they beat Ireland on Thursday.
Last month, Ronaldo became the top goalscorer in World Cup qualifying history when he netted twice against Hungary to reach 41 goals, overtaking retired Guatemalan international Carlos Ruiz's 39.
The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus forward is also the all-time leading international goalscorer with 143 strikes.
During an interview on Piers Morgan Uncensored last week, Ronaldo opened up further about the realities of his looming retirement.
"It will be difficult? Yes. Probably will cry, yes. I'm an open person. It will be very, very difficult, yes," he said.
Ronaldo joined Al Nassr after leaving Manchester United for a second time in late 2022, a move that heralded a influx of late-career stars to the oil-rich kingdom.
Ronaldo initially signed for 200 million euros a year, according to a source close to Al Nassr at the time, and inked a two-year contract extension in June.
Last month, he was named by Bloomberg as the sport's first billionaire, and topped the Forbes list of highest-paid footballers for the sixth time in a decade.
With on-and off-field earnings of an estimated $280 million, Ronaldo will earn more than double that of second-placed rival Lionel Messi during the upcoming season, according to Forbes.
Saudi Arabia, which is spending big on sports and entertainment as part of its economic diversification plan, was named as host of the 2034 World Cup last December.
ds/th/jc

Sports

Who can qualify for 2026 World Cup in next round of European qualifiers

  • Group D (France, Ukraine, Iceland, Azerbaijan) -- Two-time World Cup winners France will qualify for the 2026 finals with victory over Ukraine on Thursday.
  • The penultimate round of European qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup takes place on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
  • Group D (France, Ukraine, Iceland, Azerbaijan) -- Two-time World Cup winners France will qualify for the 2026 finals with victory over Ukraine on Thursday.
The penultimate round of European qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup takes place on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Here, AFP Sport takes a look at which teams can book a place at the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico with a match to spare:
Group A
(Germany, Slovakia, Northern Ireland, Luxembourg)
-- No team can qualify in the next round of fixtures. Luxembourg are already out of contention for the top two places that either give direct qualification for first place or a place in a playoff for second place.
Group B
(Switzerland, Kosovo, Slovenia, Sweden)
-- Switzerland will qualify for a sixth successive World Cup finals with victory over struggling Sweden on Saturday if Kosovo fail to beat Slovenia. 
The Swiss will also qualify with a draw if Kosovo lose.
Group C
(Denmark, Scotland, Greece, Belarus)
-- No team can qualify in the next round of fixtures. Denmark and Scotland are already confirmed as the top two.
Group D
(France, Ukraine, Iceland, Azerbaijan)
-- Two-time World Cup winners France will qualify for the 2026 finals with victory over Ukraine on Thursday.
Group E
(Spain, Turkey, Georgia, Bulgaria)
-- European champions Spain will qualify if they see off Georgia on Saturday and Turkey fail to win against already-eliminated Bulgaria. 
Spain, World Cup winners in 2010, will also wrap up top spot with a draw if Turkey suffer a shock defeat.
Group F
(Portugal, Hungary, Republic of Ireland, Armenia)
-- Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo will secure their ticket to the finals with a win over Ireland on Thursday, or with a draw if Hungary fail to beat Armenia. Ronaldo announced Tuesday the 2026 World Cup would be the sixth and final of his career.
Group G
(Netherlands, Poland, Finland, Lithuania, Malta)
-- The Netherlands will qualify with a win over Poland on Friday. Lithuania and Malta are already unable to finish in the top two.
Group H
(Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Romania, Cyprus, San Marino)
-- Austria will confirm first place if they beat Cyprus on Saturday and Bosnia and Herzegovina do not win against Romania.
Group I
(Norway, Italy, Israel, Estonia, Moldova)
-- Norway will reach their first World Cup since 1998 with a win over Estonia if Italy do not beat Moldova on Thursday. 
A victory over the Estonians would all but secure a place for Norway, though, due to their far superior goal difference over four-time world champions Italy.
Group J
(Belgium, North Macedonia, Wales, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein)
-- Belgium will qualify if they win in Kazakhstan on Saturday, leaving North Macedonia and Wales to fight for second place.
Group K
(England, Albania, Serbia, Latvia, Andorra)
-- England have already qualified. 
Albania can secure a play-off place if they beat Andorra and Serbia lose to England.
Group L
(Croatia, Czech Republic, Faroe Islands, Montenegro, Gibraltar)
-- Croatia will seal top spot if the beaten finalists in 2018 avoid a shock home defeat by the Faroe Islands on Friday.
The third-placed Faroes will be out of top-two contention with a loss.
jc/gj

Sports

Yamal released from World Cup qualifiers by 'upset' Spanish federation

  • The recommended recovery time after such a procedure is seven to 10 days, according to the RFEF statement, with the federation deciding "to release the player from the current squad" to prioritise Yamal's "health, safety and well-being".
  • Lamine Yamal has been released from the Spain squad for their upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifying matches after undergoing treatment, the Spanish football federation (RFEF) announced Tuesday.
  • The recommended recovery time after such a procedure is seven to 10 days, according to the RFEF statement, with the federation deciding "to release the player from the current squad" to prioritise Yamal's "health, safety and well-being".
Lamine Yamal has been released from the Spain squad for their upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifying matches after undergoing treatment, the Spanish football federation (RFEF) announced Tuesday.
The federation's medical team announced "their surprise and upset" after discovering on Monday that the 18-year-old "had undergone an invasive radiofrequency procedure to treat his pubic discomfort that same morning", a statement Tuesday said.
Yamal had been due to report for international duty on Monday for the start of the Spain team's training camp.
"This procedure was performed without prior notification to the national team's medical staff, who only learned of the details through a report received... last night (Monday)," the statement added.
The recommended recovery time after such a procedure is seven to 10 days, according to the RFEF statement, with the federation deciding "to release the player from the current squad" to prioritise Yamal's "health, safety and well-being".
The Barcelona star has suffered from a groin problem in recent weeks and was forced to miss Spain's last round of qualifiers in October.
Spain top Group E with a 100 percent record after four outings, and can book their spot at the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico over the next two matchdays.
They take on Georgia on Saturday in Tbilisi, before welcoming Turkey to Seville on November 18.
bdx/ig/nf/jc

Sports

Pistons win streak hits seven on night of NBA thrillers

  • In another overtime drama, Norman Powell scored 33 points and Andrew Wiggins added 23, including the winning dunk at the overtime buzzer to lift Miami over Cleveland 140-138, ending the Cavaliers' four-game win streak to leave both clubs 7-4.
  • Cade Cunningham's triple double, Daniss Jenkins's three-pointer at the buzzer and Javonte Green's overtime dunk lifted Detroit past Washington 137-135 on Monday, stretching the Pistons' win streak to seven games.
  • In another overtime drama, Norman Powell scored 33 points and Andrew Wiggins added 23, including the winning dunk at the overtime buzzer to lift Miami over Cleveland 140-138, ending the Cavaliers' four-game win streak to leave both clubs 7-4.
Cade Cunningham's triple double, Daniss Jenkins's three-pointer at the buzzer and Javonte Green's overtime dunk lifted Detroit past Washington 137-135 on Monday, stretching the Pistons' win streak to seven games.
In an unexpected thriller, the NBA's second-best team barely outlasted a Wizards club that fell to an NBA-worst 1-10 with their ninth consecutive loss.
"We knew how big this game was for us," Jenkins said. "We wasn't going to let nothing stop us from getting this W."
Cunningham made 14-of-45 shots and 16-of-18 free throws for a career-high 46 points and added 12 rebounds, 11 assists, five steals and two blocked shots as Detroit improved to 9-2.
"He's the one who is going to lead this team whatever we do," Detroit's Jalen Duren said of Cunningham. "And to see him fight through and be the great player he is gave us the confidence."
Jenkins came off the bench for a career-high 24 points and eight rebounds while Duren added 19 points and 14 rebounds for the Pistons.
C.J. McCollum, who led Washington with 42 points, sank a floater with 14 seconds remaining to give the Wizards a 126-121 lead.
But Jenkins, who hadn't played in three games, sank a three-pointer with three seconds remaining and, after a Kyshawn George free throw for Washington, hit another three-pointer at the buzzer to equalize at 127-127 and force overtime.
"I know what I'm capable of. I just had to believe in myself and trust in my work," Jenkins said.
Added Duren: "He never shies away from the moment. He's going to be a great player in this league and that showed tonight."
In the extra session, Duncan Robinson's three-pointer gave Detroit the lead and Green's dunk made it 136-133 with 25 seconds remaining.
George added a layup for the Wizards and Duren sank a free throw to create the final margin and McCollum missed two three-point attempts in the dying seconds.
In another overtime drama, Norman Powell scored 33 points and Andrew Wiggins added 23, including the winning dunk at the overtime buzzer to lift Miami over Cleveland 140-138, ending the Cavaliers' four-game win streak to leave both clubs 7-4.
Jaime Jaquez's jumper with 7.1 seconds remaining lifted Miami level at 128-128 to force overtime.
Powell sank two free throws with 6.5 seconds left for a 138-135 Miami edge but Donovan Mitchell, who led the Cavs with 28 points, made a three-pointer with 0.4 of a second remaining to equalize.
Miami, however, won at the buzzer when Wiggins made an alley-oop dunk off a pass from Nikola Jovic.
Another tension-packed contest came in Orlando, where Desmond Bane's three-pointer at the final buzzer gave the host Magic a 115-112 home victory over Portland.
Paolo Banchero led the Magic with 28 points while Bane added 22, missing all five of his three-point shots before hitting the game winner.

Wemby sparks Spurs

Victor Wembanyama delivered a dominating performance with 38 points, 12 rebounds, five blocked shots and five assists to lead the San Antonio Spurs in a 121-117 triumph at Chicago.
The Frenchman was 11-of-19 from the floor, including six-of-nine from three-point range, and 10-of-10 from the free throw line.
Luka Doncic had a game-high 38 points with seven assists and six rebounds to lead the Los Angeles Lakers in a 121-111 victory at Charlotte.
Austin Reaves added 24 points and Japan's Rui Hachimura contributed 21 for the Lakers.
Czech reserve guard Vit Krejci scored a career-high 28 points, hitting nine-of-13 shots from the floor -- eight-of-10 from three-point range -- to lead the Atlanta Hawks over the host Los Angeles Clippers 105-102.
James Harden matched a club record with his seventh triple double for the Clippers with 35 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds but the team's losing streak reached five games.
Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 30 points and added eight rebounds and six assists in a 116-114 Bucks victory at Dallas.
Grayson Allen scored 42 points, hitting 12-of-17 shots from the floor and 10-of-15 three-pointers to lead host Phoenix over New Orleans 121-98.
Anthony Edwards scored 35 points and Julius Randle added 27 to power Minnesota's 120-113 victory at Utah.
js/dh

women

'Joy to beloved motherland': N.Korea football glory fuels propaganda

BY KANG JIN-KYU

  • Nuclear-armed but impoverished, North Korea is more often in the news for sanctions-busting ballistic missile launches, but sees investment in sporting success as a way to vindicate its political system.
  • North Korea is basking in its dominance of women's youth football after a third World Cup win in just over a year, sporting success that is being used to justify the secretive state's political system.
  • Nuclear-armed but impoverished, North Korea is more often in the news for sanctions-busting ballistic missile launches, but sees investment in sporting success as a way to vindicate its political system.
North Korea is basking in its dominance of women's youth football after a third World Cup win in just over a year, sporting success that is being used to justify the secretive state's political system.
A 3-0 win against the Netherlands in Morocco on Saturday saw the North Koreans lift a second successive Women's U-17 World Cup, and fourth in all, following their victory 12 months ago. 
The back-to-back U-17 triumphs came after North Korea, which is largely closed off to the outside world, also won the Women's World Cup at under-20 level in September 2024.
The North Koreans swept all before them in Morocco, scoring a tournament record 25 goals and conceding just three as they won all seven of their matches.
The triumph saw North Korea's propaganda machine swing into action on Monday with the team's exploits seized upon by state media as bringing "joy to our beloved motherland". 
The Rodong Sinmun newspaper blazed a state news agency KCNA piece across its front page trumpeting: "Our players ran across the pitch waving the dignified flag of our republic with pride."
Nuclear-armed but impoverished, North Korea is more often in the news for sanctions-busting ballistic missile launches, but sees investment in sporting success as a way to vindicate its political system.

'Inspiration to the people'

The victory served as "great encouragement and inspiration to all the people ... to host the 9th Party Congress as a victorious and glorious event," said state mouthpiece KCNA.
It was referring to the once-every-five-years gathering of the country's highest decision-making body presided over by leader Kim Jong Un.
A year ago, officials staged a street parade upon the players' return from the U-17 World Cup.
Hong Min, analyst at Seoul's Korea Institute for National Unification, told AFP he expected a repeat of those celebrations in Pyongyang in the next few days.
"There is a strong perception that the country is culturally backward and isolated," he said. 
"So they will want to use this to project an image that their social and cultural foundations are strong and vibrant."
Hong said children with athletic potential were selected early for training.
"The North finds elite athletes at a very young age and pours in deep investment at a state level with an aim to stage them in global competition," Hong said. 
"Players in return feel they must repay such investment with their performances." 
He said such an approach was "commonly seen in socialist countries" where the state takes a central role developing elite athletes.
The strength in women's football is a contrast to the North Korea's men, who are ranked 120th by FIFA and have not qualified for a World Cup since 2010. 
The senior North Korea women's team are ranked 10th and will be one of the favourites for next year's Women's Asian Cup in Australia. 
Of the 12 teams that have qualified, only Japan (eighth) have a higher world ranking. 

Stricter approach

Lee Jung-woo, a senior lecturer in sports and leisure policy at the University of Edinburgh, said North Korea takes a stricter approach to youth sport than countries in the West. 
"In youth football, I think European sport organisations highlight more on having fun," he said in an interview with German outlet DW.   
But in North Korea, young players "join very highly disciplined, highly systematic and highly professionalised training regimes, so in early ages they can excel".
The Netherlands U-17 coach Olivier Amelink conceded that the North Koreans had been in a class of their own in skill, fitness and intensity.
"I don't think we could have beaten them. I think the gap ... is simply too big to compete with them at the moment," he told FIFA.com. after the final.
"They outplayed us throughout the entire match."
North Korea's Yu Jong Hyang was the player of the tournament, netting a joint-record eight goals in the finals to take home both the Golden Boot award for top scorer and Golden Ball for player of the tournament. 
"Our players played the final match wonderfully," said midfielder Ri Ui Gyong, who scored the third goal in the final. 
"All 25 goals were incredible, and we scored them because our players believed in each other and gave it their all." 
kjk/ep/dh

Europe

NHL unveils new Zurich office as part of global push

  • "By investing in a new office, we're positioning ourselves to further, and better, grow the game of hockey outside of North America."
  • The National Hockey League announced the opening of its new office in Zurich, Switzerland, on Monday as a base for boosting the league's global presence, especially in Europe.
  • "By investing in a new office, we're positioning ourselves to further, and better, grow the game of hockey outside of North America."
The National Hockey League announced the opening of its new office in Zurich, Switzerland, on Monday as a base for boosting the league's global presence, especially in Europe.
The office will focus on international operations, strategy, and development, including media and sponsorship sales.
"We're at a pivotal moment in our global journey," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said.
"Establishing our corporate presence in Europe marks a critical step forward, allowing us to deepen our connection with international fans and partners alike.
"By investing in a new office, we're positioning ourselves to further, and better, grow the game of hockey outside of North America."
That includes the NHL Global Series games coming Friday and Sunday when the Nashville Predators meet the Pittsburgh Penguins in Stockholm, Sweden.
NHL players are set to compete in next February's Winter Olympics in Italy and the 2028 World Cup of Hockey, which could see some games played in Europe.
js/sla

Finals

Sinner dominates injury-hit Auger-Aliassime in ATP Finals opener

  • - 'Fired up' Fritz - Earlier Fritz got his bid for a first ATP Finals crown off to the best possible start with a comprehensive win over Musetti.
  • Italy's Jannik Sinner got his title defence off to a solid start with a dominant straight sets win over ailing Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime at the ATP Finals on Monday in Turin. 
  • - 'Fired up' Fritz - Earlier Fritz got his bid for a first ATP Finals crown off to the best possible start with a comprehensive win over Musetti.
Italy's Jannik Sinner got his title defence off to a solid start with a dominant straight sets win over ailing Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime at the ATP Finals on Monday in Turin. 
Nine days after their duel in the final of the Paris Masters, Sinner was again the strongest winning 7-5, 6-1. 
But fellow Italian Lorenzo Musetti was earlier outclassed 6-3, 6-4 by American Taylor Fritz.
After a tight first set, Sinner swept aside Auger-Aliassime, who had been hampered by a left calf injury by breaking serve to rush to a 3-0 lead. 
He broke him a second time to close out the match with an ace after one hour 41 minutes.
"Obviously winning the first match is very important in this competition and this format," said 24-year-old Sinner.
"It was a very tough match until 6-5. I had some chances to break. He served very well, only once I missed a return, but it can happen. He played some very aggressive tennis, so I’m happy to overcome a very tough test today.
"I hope it‘s nothing too serious," Sinner added of his rival. "I wish him obviously a very speedy recovery and hopefully he is back to 100 percent physically."
Sinner notched his 27th consecutive victory on his preferred indoor hard courts surface and took the lead in the Bjorn Borg Group, which will also see the world number two face Germany's Alexander Zverev and American Ben Shelton. 
The native of South Tyrol, the German-speaking region of northeastern Italy, won the 2024 edition of the tournament which brings together the eight best players of the year, by stringing together five wins without dropping a single set.
The 2025 edition could allow him to finish the season as world number one, currently held by his great Spanish rival Carlos Alcaraz, who has beaten him four times this year.

'Fired up' Fritz

Earlier Fritz got his bid for a first ATP Finals crown off to the best possible start with a comprehensive win over Musetti.
The 28-year-old American, who lost to Sinner in last year's final, was out of the blocks quickly in the Jimmy Connors group match, taking an early break and holding on to pocket the first set.
The crowd did their best to lift a visibly fatigued Musetti who was a late addition to the line-up.
He only qualified for the Finals on Saturday after Novak Djokovic pulled out with injury, shortly after beating the Italian in the final of the Athens event. 
Winning 84 percent of his first serves and giving away just four break point chances, none of which were taken, Fritz continued to control the match.
The American broke to go 3-1 up and served cleanly all the way to the line.
"I am really happy. I thought I did a lot of things really well," Fritz said. 
"I did a great job early on in the match to serve my way out of trouble and save some break points. The whole second set I played well and had a lot of chances to break that I didn’t get. 
"I am really happy I was able to serve it out there and it didn’t come back to ruin it."
Fritz qualified sixth for the Finals and after finishing runner-up last year is gearing up for another tilt at the title. 
"Every time I come here, I like the conditions and it is very easy to get motivated and fired up," said Fritz. 
"You can lock in, it is the last tournament of the year and it is the ATP Finals, it's a big deal.”
Neither player will have time to rest as both are back on court on Tuesday. 
Fritz faces Carlos Alcaraz who also got off to a winning start by beating Alex de Minaur on Sunday while Musetti takes on the Australian.
bsp-ea/lp

SerieA

Atalanta sack coach Juric after poor start to season

  • Atalanta said in a statement that Juric and his coaching staff had all been dismissed.
  • Croatian Ivan Juric has been sacked as coach of Atalanta after back-to-back Serie A defeats left them in the bottom half of the table, the club announced on Monday.
  • Atalanta said in a statement that Juric and his coaching staff had all been dismissed.
Croatian Ivan Juric has been sacked as coach of Atalanta after back-to-back Serie A defeats left them in the bottom half of the table, the club announced on Monday.
Atalanta slipped to a 3-0 home loss to Sassuolo on Sunday which dropped them to 13th in the standings.
The Bergamo club had started the season with a nine-match unbeaten streak in the league, albeit with seven of them draws, before losing to Udinese and Sassuolo.
Atalanta said in a statement that Juric and his coaching staff had all been dismissed.
Juric lasted less than two months last year in a miserable spell at Roma, before taking over at English side Southampton.
He stepped down when the Saints became the earliest team to ever suffer relegation from the Premier League in early April.
Juric replaced hugely successful previous boss Gian Piero Gasperini who left Atalanta for Roma in the summer after nine years in charge.
Atalanta have fared better in Europe this season than domestically and sit 16th in the Champions League table with seven points from four games.
jr/jc/ea

Sports

Gattuso wants 'maximum commitment' as Italy's World Cup bid on the line

  • And they can still mathematically finish first, and qualify directly for the next World Cup in north America, by beating Moldova and Norway. 
  • Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso on Monday called for "maximum commitment" from his side as the Azzurri's bid to qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup is no longer in their hands.
  • And they can still mathematically finish first, and qualify directly for the next World Cup in north America, by beating Moldova and Norway. 
Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso on Monday called for "maximum commitment" from his side as the Azzurri's bid to qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup is no longer in their hands.
Italy play away in Moldova on Thursday and host Norway in Milan on Sunday. The Italians are second in Group I three points behind leaders Norway.
"This won't be a simple outing; I want to see maximum commitment to continue what we started in September," Gattuso told a pre-match press conference. 
"Against Moldova, we'll try out players who haven't had much playing time, but we have to think about ourselves and not about what Norway will do," he continued. 
"The match against Moldova is the most important because the one against Norway is easier to prepare for. We know that this Norwegian team can cause us problems, with their speed, their physical presence, their exceptional style of football," the former AC Milan and Napoli coach said.
Italy failed to reach the last two World Cup tournaments. They are guaranteed to reach the play-offs as second in their group.
And they can still mathematically finish first, and qualify directly for the next World Cup in north America, by beating Moldova and Norway. 
However, they would need to win by scoring a lot of goals in each match to overtake Norway, who have a significantly better goal difference. 
Gattuso will be without Fiorentina striker Moise Kean, who has scored six goals in his last four appearances for the national team, and was injured while playing for his club.
Liverpool winger Federico Chiesa has decided against playing for Italy during the November break. Chiesa has not played for the Italy national team since the 2024 Euros.
Since succeeding Luciano Spalletti, who was dismissed after the 3-0 defeat in Oslo in early June, Gattuso has revitalised Italy, who have now racked up four consecutive wins with 16 goals scored. 
The former AC Milan star also clarified that the training camp initially considered to prepare for the playoffs at the end of March could not take place "due to a lack of available slots in the schedule". 
"It's up to us to do our best by scouting players both in Italy and abroad," he added.
jr/ea/lp

Sports

Injured Courtois set to miss Belgium World Cup qualifiers

  • Belgium will qualify for next year's World Cup if they win in Kazakhstan on Saturday.
  • Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is a doubt for their World Cup qualifiers against Kazakhstan and Liechtenstein after pulling a leg muscle playing for Real Madrid, the Spanish club said on Monday.
  • Belgium will qualify for next year's World Cup if they win in Kazakhstan on Saturday.
Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is a doubt for their World Cup qualifiers against Kazakhstan and Liechtenstein after pulling a leg muscle playing for Real Madrid, the Spanish club said on Monday.
Courtois, 33, suffered an adductor injury during Madrid's goalless league draw at Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.
Madrid did not specify the estimated duration of the goalkeeper's absence, but Spanish press reports claimed he will be out for between 10 and 12 days.
Courtois could therefore be back for their La Liga match against Elche on November 23.
Belgium will qualify for next year's World Cup if they win in Kazakhstan on Saturday.
They round off their Group J campaign against Liechtenstein three days later.
rsc/chc/ea/iwd/jc

BRA

Three things we learned from the Sao Paulo Grand Prix

  • After watching team-mate Oscar Piastri build a 30-point lead with cool assurance, he has changed, taking the 24-year-old Australian's role as McLaren's Mr Cool.
  • McLaren's Lando Norris took a 24-point lead in Formula One's drivers championship after winning Sunday's Sao Paulo Grand Prix in a race which dished up plenty of drama.
  • After watching team-mate Oscar Piastri build a 30-point lead with cool assurance, he has changed, taking the 24-year-old Australian's role as McLaren's Mr Cool.
McLaren's Lando Norris took a 24-point lead in Formula One's drivers championship after winning Sunday's Sao Paulo Grand Prix in a race which dished up plenty of drama.
AFP Sport looks at three things we learned from an action-packed weekend in Brazil.
Norris coming of age
After his relatively muddled and self-effacing spell in combat with Max Verstappen 25-year-old Briton has emerged in a re-invented persona.
After watching team-mate Oscar Piastri build a 30-point lead with cool assurance, he has changed, taking the 24-year-old Australian's role as McLaren's Mr Cool.
The light-humoured boy-next-door, who was so upset by his loss of the title in Brazil last year that he did not sleep for 40 hours, is not indulging his feelings anymore or over-stressing on details. He does not engage in the public self-analysis that was part of his charm. 
"Just ignore everyone that talks crap about you and just focus on yourself," he said to explain his new winning mode. 
"I cared a lot about people's perspective and how I am portrayed and things in the media – probably too much."
His shift has not reduced his appeal, but has added steel. The humour remains, if mostly ironic and there is a more serious streak, too. The boy from Glastonbury, who turns 26 on Thursday, is ready to be a champion.
Piastri, without a podium in five Grands Prix since Monza in early September, has lost his personal momentum. His confidence is diminished and his results, more than Norris's resurgence, have lost him the initiative. 
Both have seven wins this year, but Norris, crucially, has 10 podiums to Piastri's eight and of those, eight are second places to Piastri's three. 
Verstappen realistic but unready to concede
"We never give up," said the four-time champion on Sunday at Interlagos after finishing third, from a pit-lane start, behind Norris and a spirited Kimi Antonelli in his Mercedes.
Later, he added a 49-point deficit was "too many points to really have a proper chance". 
But, he said, he will try; starting, most probably, with a gamble in Las Vegas, where he won in 2023 and was fifth last year.
"If you look at the whole season, we gave away too many points from the beginning until mid-season. For us, now it's about trying to just have these highlights, have good race weekends and see what we can do."
Norris certainly sees him as a title rival. 
"I'm sure Max is going to be a threat in terms of races and you never know with the championship. So, it's pointless trying to guess… Max is always a threat, always there, always fighting to the end." 
Ferrari disarray compounds Hamilton misery
Another double DNF for Ferrari compounded the misery and misfortune for seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton as he retired following two collisions and a penalty after crash-victim Charles Leclerc also retired. 
Without a podium in a record 21 races for Ferrari, Hamilton pledged to fight on, but Ferrari dropped to fourth, with 362 points, in the constructors’ championship in which Mercedes, on 398, are now second (behind champions McLaren), ahead of Red Bull, on 366. 
Recent results suggest Ferrari are struggling with a dysfunctional race team as they rebuild for 2026 and a new rule-book. 
Hamilton's last podium was in Las Vegas a year ago.
The prospects are dim.
McLaren are winning, Mercedes look strong with Antonelli belying his teenage years and Verstappen is chomping at Red Bull's bit. 
Ferrari cannot wait for this season to end.
str/iwd/nr

ESP

ASC acquire majority share in Atletico Madrid

  • The deal was announced after ASC reached an agreement with the club and their main shareholders, Miguel Angel Gil Marin, Enrique Cerezo, Quantum Pacific Group, and funds managed by Ares Management. 
  • Atletico Madrid will come under new ownership after global sports investment company Apollo Sports Capital (ASC) reached a deal to become the majority shareholder, the Spanish La Liga club announced on Monday. 
  • The deal was announced after ASC reached an agreement with the club and their main shareholders, Miguel Angel Gil Marin, Enrique Cerezo, Quantum Pacific Group, and funds managed by Ares Management. 
Atletico Madrid will come under new ownership after global sports investment company Apollo Sports Capital (ASC) reached a deal to become the majority shareholder, the Spanish La Liga club announced on Monday. 
The deal was announced after ASC reached an agreement with the club and their main shareholders, Miguel Angel Gil Marin, Enrique Cerezo, Quantum Pacific Group, and funds managed by Ares Management. 
According to the Spanish press, Atletico have been valued at around 2.5 billion euros ($2.89 billion). 
"As part of the agreement, Miguel Angel Gil and Enrique Cerezo will continue to lead Atletico Madrid as CEO and president, respectively, and will remain shareholders, ensuring the continuity and vision of the project and its leadership," the club said in a statement. 
Gil Marin was Atletico's majority shareholder with Holdco, a company that controlled the club with a 70.39 percent stake, while Quantum Pacific, a British company created by Israeli magnate Idan Ofer, held 27.81 percent. 
In Holdco, Gil Marin holds 50.82 percent of the shares, but Ares Management has 33.96 percent and Cerezo has 15.22 percent.
"ASC's investment will strengthen our club's position among the football elite and support our ambition to deliver long-term success for our millions of fans around the world," the statement said. 
"As long-term investors, ASC and the current shareholders will work with Atletico Madrid's management to strengthen the club's financial solidity, its sporting competitiveness, and its contribution to the community," the club continued.
Atletico are currently fourth in La Liga, six points behind city rivals Real Madrid who top the table. 
rsc/rs/mcd/bsp/iwd