Leicester City win FA Cup for the first time
Youri Tielemans produced one of the great FA Cup final goals to give Leicester City the trophy for the first time in their history with victory over Chelsea at Wembley.
The Belgian settled a closely contested encounter with a spectacular right-foot drive that flew beyond Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga into the top corner from 25 yards in the 63rd minute.
It sent manager Brendan Rodgers racing down the touchline in celebration although Leicester's fans - inside Wembley as 21,000 supporters formed the biggest attendance since lockdown - had to survive a nerve-jangling closing phase before they could celebrate the win in their first final since 1969.
The Foxes were indebted to two crucial saves from keeper Kasper Schmeichel, who turned former Leicester defender Ben Chilwell's header on to a post then produced an even better stop to turn Mason Mount's powerful shot wide.
And in a final act of drama, Wes Morgan bundled into his own net following a last-minute goalmouth scramble before it was ruled out by the barest of margins following the intervention of VAR.
Leicester closed out the win to spark emotional scenes as those inside Wembley rejoiced in a landmark victory.
Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been ruled out of this summer's European Championship because of a knee injury.
Zlatan to miss Euro 2020 due to knee injury
Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been ruled out of this summer's European Championship because of a knee injury.
The 39-year-old was recalled to the Sweden squad in March after coming out of international retirement.
A post on Sweden's official Twitter account said Ibrahimovic had told coach Janne Andersson he could not play at Euro 2020 because of his injury.
He suffered the problem playing for AC Milan in a win at Juventus on 9 May.
Ibrahimovic, who has netted 62 times for Sweden and is his country's record goalscorer, was substituted after 66 minutes during the 3-0 victory over Juve.
He marked his return to international football after a five-year absence with an assist when Sweden beat Georgia in a World Cup 2022 qualifier in March.
The Euros take place between 11 June and 11 July, having been delayed by a year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Kobe Bryant has been posthumously inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Bryant formally inducted into Hall of Fame in postponed ceremony
Kobe Bryant has been posthumously inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
The five-time NBA champion died, aged 41, in a helicopter crash in January 2020 alongside his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others.
He was presented at the ceremony in Connecticut by NBA great Michael Jordan and his widow, Vanessa, accepted his induction on his behalf.
In a speech, she said:
"You did it, you're in the Hall of Fame now."Vanessa Bryant added:
"You're a true champ. You're not just an MVP, you are an all-time great. I'm so proud of you. I love you forever and always, Kobe Bean Bryant."Los Angeles Lakers great Bryant retired in 2016; he was the NBA Most Valuable Player in 2008, was Finals MVP twice and earned 18 All-Star selections.
He was in the United States team that won Olympic gold in 2008 and 2012.
The 2020 Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony was delayed by a year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Rafael Nadal secured his place in the Italian Open final with a 6-4 6-4 win over American Reilly Opelka.
Nadal to play Djokovic in Rome final
Rafael Nadal secured his place in the Italian Open final with a 6-4 6-4 win over American Reilly Opelka.
At 2-1 down in the first set Nadal had to save four break points, but he then broke his big-hitting rival in the next game before going on to claim the set.
One break of serve was also enough for the 34-year-old Spaniard in the second set as he secured victory in Rome.
Nadal will play world number one Novak Djokovic, who beat Italian Lorenzo Sonego 6-3 6-7 (5-7) 6-2, in the final.
Djokovic was on court twice on Saturday as he came from a set down to beat Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas in their rain-affected quarter-final before playing Sonego after Nadal's match.
Against Tsitsipas, the Serb trailed 6-4 2-1 when the match was suspended because of rain on Friday, but he broke serve twice when it resumed on Saturday to force a decider.
He then twice recovered from a break down in a see-saw final set to win 4-6 7-5 7-5 and reach the last four.
Sonego had also been in action on Saturday as he beat Andrey Rublev 3-6 6-4 6-3 to set up the semi-final with Djokovic.
Nevertheless, the pair produced an enthralling match lasting two hours and 44 minutes.
Djokovic had served for the match at 6-5 up in the second set against 26-year-old Sonego only to be broken.
Djokovic had served for the match at 6-5 up in the second set against 26-year-old Sonego only to be broken.
He was then 3-0 up in the tie-break but lost 7-5 as an inspired Sonego levelled after a second set which lasted 91 minutes.
However, Djokovic reasserted himself in the third before eventually prevailing to set up a sixth Italian Open final against Nadal.
"Rome is such an important tournament for me. To be in the final again is so important for me," said Nadal.
However, Djokovic reasserted himself in the third before eventually prevailing to set up a sixth Italian Open final against Nadal.
"Rome is such an important tournament for me. To be in the final again is so important for me," said Nadal.
from Bola Esho's Blog
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