
Thousands celebrate NBA champion Nuggets at parade
Thousands of supporters watched along the streets of Denver on Thursday as the NBA champion Nuggets celebrated their first league...
2023-06-16 02:15

Michael O’Neill urges Northern Ireland to embrace challenge against Denmark
Michael O’Neill has told his young Northern Ireland players to embrace the challenge of taking on Denmark in Copenhagen on Friday night. O’Neill said this Euro 2024 qualifier was not only the hardest fixture on paper but the “hardest fixture full stop” as Northern Ireland travel to take on the top seeds in Group H at the always noisy Parken Stadium. Jamal Lewis has been added to an already lengthy injury list which has robbed O’Neill of half a dozen of his most experienced players, and with Shane Ferguson also out there is a shortage of left-sided players. O’Neill will try to get as much experience as he can into his starting 11, but there will be no option but to rely on younger players too, with Conor Bradley and Shea Charles among the contenders to start. “This is a good game for us,” O’Neill said. “It’s a young squad, we’ve got seven under-21 players with us. We’ll rely heavily on our experienced players as well. It’s a game we can only gain from really. “Obviously we were disappointed with the home game against Finland (a 1-0 defeat in March), we felt we deserved more than we got, so we’ve got to try and make up points somewhere along the line. This is a hard place to play, but we’ll go with the intention of trying to find something from the game.” The 38,000-seater Parken Stadium can become an intimidating place for visiting teams, but while it might be unlike anything Northern Ireland’s younger players have experienced before, O’Neill does not want them to shy away. The thing I've enjoyed in working with the younger players is I see their attitude to the game, it's very positive, I don't think they'll have a fear Michael O'Neill “I think they should embrace it really more than anything else,” he said. “The message will be go out and enjoy playing in a stadium like this… “The thing I’ve enjoyed in working with the younger players is I see their attitude to the game, it’s very positive, I don’t think they’ll have a fear. “There’s a lot of self-belief and abilities in the likes of Shea Charles, Isaac Price, Conor Bradley, Trai Hume, they play in games where they’ve a lot of expectancy where they’re currently playing their football. “I think we have to have that mindset that we’ve got everything to gain from Friday night and not fear the atmosphere but look forward to it.” One key challenge for Northern Ireland will be limiting Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen’s ability to dictate play from the centre of pitch. “We understand we are dealing with a top level player here,” O’Neill said. “It’s brilliant seeing him back playing international football. “The days of man marking players is more difficult now but as a team we have made the midfield players in particular very aware of the Danish midfield and Christian Eriksen is the major player in that midfield. He is a hugely experienced player at international level. “I think to deal with players at that level it’s more about what we do as a collective as opposed to possibly that designated player to deal with that situation.” Both sides come into the game nursing disappointments from the last round of fixtures in March. Denmark suffered a shock defeat to Kazakhstan, blowing a 2-0 lead as their unfancied hosts scored three in the last 20 minutes, while O’Neill’s first game back in charge at Windsor Park ended in that loss to Finland. O’Neill insisted he was not interested in making any sort of statement by claiming a big scalp on Friday, but his mind is on making up for what he sees as lost points. “It would give us six points and it would make up for the disappointment of Finland,” he said. “I don’t think it’s about sending out a statement. I think this group could be very tight. Results have demonstrated that. “If you can take anything off the number one seed in the group it is a massive achievement.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Republic boss Stephen Kenny hopes to exorcise ghost of Cristiano Ronaldo Ashes rivals unite in honour of Nottingham victims on opening day of series Ben Stokes urges his England players to become a part of Ashes folklore
2023-06-16 01:58

Bears DT flames Packers fans for 'obnoxious' behavior in NSFW rant
Chicago Bears defensive tackle Justin Jones didn't hold back when talking about fans of the Green Bay Packers, much to the delight of the Windy City faithful.The Chicago Bears have been at the mercy of the Green Bay Packers for the last several years, but defensive tackle Justin Jones does ...
2023-06-16 01:49

NBA Draft rumors: Thompson twins drafted together, Lillard watches workout, Raptors target
With less than a week to go, NBA draft rumors are flying — Damian Lillard is watching workouts, the Thompson twins have a chance of ending up together and more.NBA draft rumors: Damian Lillard attends workouts for playerAccording to Sean Highkin of the Rose Garden, Damian Lillard was in at...
2023-06-16 01:23

Boxing Day 2023/24 Premier League schedule
The Premier League games you can expect to watch on Boxing Day during the 2023/24 season.
2023-06-16 01:16

3 players the Warriors should target if they can trade up in the NBA Draft
NBA Draft rumors are buzzing about the Warriors trying to trade up. Who could they target if they move toward the top of the draft?The Warriors and their fans have been focused on the middle of the first round for weeks. But it might be time to start scouting a little higher. They hold the No. 1...
2023-06-15 23:54

Prosecutors offer to drop 5 charges against Sam Bankman-Fried if judge sets second trial
Federal prosecutors agreed to drop five of the 13 criminal charges against FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried if the court would set a second trial for those charges early next year.
2023-06-15 23:53

Fever vs. Sky prediction and odds for Thursday, June 15 (Indiana great underdog bet)
The Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky face off for the second time this season on Thursday night after playing an overtime thriller back on June 6.Chicago (5-5) ended up winning that game, but the team has a lengthy injury report for Thursday’s game – including star guard Kahleah Copper....
2023-06-15 23:48

Nuggets ready to celebrate their 1st NBA title with parade through the streets of downtown Denver
Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets are assembling for a parade Thursday through downtown Denver to celebrate their first NBA title
2023-06-15 23:47

European Central Bank hikes interest rates to highest level in 22 years
The European Central Bank raised interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point Thursday and signaled another hike to come next month, unmoved by evidence of a mild recession in the 20 countries that use the euro.
2023-06-15 23:24

Italy reassessing GLAM scheme to handle state-guaranteed loans, sources say
By Giuseppe Fonte and Valentina Za ROME Italy is reassessing how it plans to deal with billions of
2023-06-15 23:24

US Economy Is Still Hanging Tough But Showing Signs of Slowing
The US economy is holding up but losing steam. While an advance in retail sales last month exceeded
2023-06-15 23:21