BEB Weekend Sports: News!

England head to semis


England reached the World Cup semi-final for the first time since Italia 90 as Harry Maguire and Dele Alli struck either side of the interval to beat Sweden in Samara.

Gareth Southgate's side will now face Croatia in Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium on Wednesday after overcoming a stubborn Sweden challenge in this quarter-final, with help from a magnificent display by goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

Maguire, outstanding once more, broke the deadlock on the half-hour when another England set-piece bore fruit - Leicester City's powerful defender flashing a header past Sweden keeper Robin Olsen from Ashley Young's corner.

Everton keeper Pickford then snuffed out Sweden's hopes of recovery with a superb save from Marcus Berg, before England sealed their victory after 58 minutes when Alli headed in Jesse Lingard's cross at the far post.

The Three Lions are in the last four for only the third time. They went on to win their home tournament in 1966 but lost to West Germany on penalties in 1990.

But the peculiar way this World Cup has shaped up means they will now play the team ranked 20th in the world for a place in the final - against either Belgium or France.

Conte back for pre-season training at Chelsea


Chelsea boss Antonio Conte returned to pre-season training on Saturday, despite speculation over his future at Stamford Bridge.

Blues players not involved in World Cup duty have two days of tests at the club's Cobham training ground before full training restarts.

It is understood Conte held meetings and, unless the situation changes, will fulfil the final year of his contract.

The Italian's future has been the subject of intense rumour for months.

Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri has held talks about replacing Conte but he remains contracted to the Italian club, who have already appointed Carlo Ancelotti to be their new coach.

Conte, 48, also has a clause in his contract that guarantees him a pay-off, thought to be £9m, for the final year of his deal.

This would be reduced if the former Italy and Juventus coach got another job, but most of the vacancies he would be interested in have now been filled.

Conte won the Premier League in his first season at the club in 2017, followed by the FA Cup in May of this year.

Chelsea's first pre-season game is in Australia, against Perth Glory on 23 July

Joshua Signs 2 Fight Deals For Wembley Stadium


Unified heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua will return to Wembley Stadium for his next two fights.

Joshua, 28, has signed a two-fight deal to compete at the national stadium on 22 September and 13 April.

The WBA, IBF and WBO champion beat Wladimir Klitschko there in April 2017 but has since fought twice at Cardiff's Principality Stadium.
"Being north London born and raised, it is in my blood. Wembley just added a fourth lion to the den," said Joshua. 
"The opportunity to fight in such an iconic stadium is normally a once-in-a-career opportunity, so to be given the chance to fight there again is amazing."
His opponent on 22 September will be confirmed next week but is expected to be Russia's Alexander Povetkin, the WBA's mandatory challenger, with a view to facing American WBC world champion Deontay Wilder for all four belts in April.

Ruthless Rafa powers past De Minaur


Rafael Nadal produced a ruthless display to defeat talented Australian teenager Alex de Minaur and reach the Wimbledon fourth round.

The two-time champion arrived at the All England Club having not played a grass-court event, but his growing confidence was clear to see as the 32-year-old thrilled the Centre Court crowds with a 6-1 6-2 6-4 victory in baking hot conditions.

De Minaur, world No 80, is making good strides in the men's game but the 19-year-old was no match for an assertive Nadal, who hasn't lost a set at this year's Championships.

Nadal is yet to progress past the fourth round in his last five visits but he appears to be relishing in the warmer Wimbledon conditions as he eventually made the first breakthrough on his fifth break point of the fourth game.

Nadal will now face the world number 93 Jiri Vesely after the 24-year-old prevailed over the 19th seed Fabio Fognini 7-6 (7-4) 3-6 6-3 6-2.

from Bola Esho's Blog

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