List of All Articles with Tag 'sp'

Hibernian didn't wait a second before promoting their upcoming UEFA Europa Conference League clash against Aston Villa. They did it in fairly unique style by referencing a legendary WWE matchup that still has meaning to this day, and in a way that got Hibs legend and current Villa icon John McGinn involved. The first-leg tie at Easter Road next Wednesday has been billed as a 'Ladder Match for the custody of John McGinn' in a tweet by the Scottish side. McGinn, the current Villa captain is still beloved on the green side of Edinburgh, and it is the first time he has played against Hibernian in a competitive fixture since leaving the club. Of course, there's a deeper layer of reference in the tweet as well - and it involves WWE, Eddie Guerrero, Rey Mysterio and Rey's son Dominik Mysterio. At Summerslam 2005, a heated storyline between Mysterio and his close friend Guerrero came to a head in a match that would decide the custody of Dominik Mysterio. The build-up involved uncomfortable segments between the trio ahead of the ladder match. The stipulation of the fateful match was odd. Bizarrely, Dominik's custody papers hung in the air above the centre of the ring, with the winner being the wrestler who grabbed the papers. The would also become Dominik Mysterio's 'father'. It was a controversial story, one among many, for the 00's era WWE, and it is still referenced to this day. Dominik - a wrestler in his own right - calls Eddie 'his dad' in promos, and references the late wrestling great's moves to build heat amongst WWE fans, especially when performing his father Rey. If it needs saying, Unai Emery won't be deploying ladders against Lee Johnson, and the victor of the first-leg tie at Easter Road won't be getting John McGinn (well, unless it's Villa who already have him) - they'll just get an easier time in the second leg and a better chance of progressing in the Conference League. But it's nice to see a football club having a lot of fun - and hitting the nostalgia button. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

American sprinters Noah Lyles and Fred Kerley are bringing some smack talk and even a bit of fun back to track just in time for the run-up to next year's Paris Olympics

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has backed England to complete a “remarkable” double by winning the World Cup. Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses face Spain in Sydney on Sunday morning hoping to add the most coveted title of all to their Euro 2022 success, and Magpies head coach Howe is firmly in their corner as they provide fresh inspiration for future generations. Asked if the success of the England team was good for football in general in this country, he said: “One hundred per cent, I’ve got no doubts about that. “When you look at the people that I interact with on a daily basis at the training ground or around Newcastle, a lot of those people will be young girls who are Newcastle fans, and that’s great to see. “A lot of that is down to the success of the women’s team recently, and long may that continue because we want it to be a game for everybody. “I was at the Euro final and loved that experience. The atmosphere was an amazing thing. I took my boys to the game and they loved it – that’s one of their best memories. “I certainly hope they can do it. Winning the World Cup off the back of the Euros would be a remarkable achievement for a similar group of players and the manager, so I wish them all the best.” Wiegman, who led her native Netherlands to Euro 2017 glory and the 2019 World Cup final, has enhanced her reputation since taking up the Football Association’s offer of employment to prompt suggestions she could thrive in the men’s game. Howe said: “Just look at the job she has done – I think it’s been remarkable. She’s very calm. I actually really enjoy watching her on the sideline. She never gets flustered, always calm. “I’m always looking at her thinking she’s thinking and analysing what to do next. A lot of the time when I’m watching games, I’m trying to put myself in the manager’s shoes. I think she’s done an incredible job.”

Colorado Mines quarterback John Matocha is one of the top small-college players to watch in 2023 after he won the Harlon Hill Trophy as Division II's top player last season

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Mike Gundy’s run of 17 consecutive winning seasons as Oklahoma State coach could end this year if he doesn’t find a strong replacement for Spencer Sanders at quarterback

Sarina Wiegman has quite the record. As well as leading England's Lionesses to the World Cup final this tournament, the Dutch football manager won the Euros for England in 2022, has won 18 out of 19 major tournament games, took the Netherlands to the 2019 final in France and even has a 79 per cent win rate as England boss. This is not too shabby for a manager, and yet Wiegman earns far less than Gareth Southgate, who manages the men's England team. Indeed, it has been reported she earns £400,000 which although is a staggering amount of money by most people's standards, is pennies compared to Southgate's rumoured £5 million. This could potentially change soon, as The English Football Association will consider Lionesses coach Wiegman as a candidate to take charge of the senior men's team if, or when, Southgate moves on from his role as manager, FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said. "People always say it is the best man for the job or the best Englishman," Bullingham said on Thursday. "Why does it have to be a man? "I think our answer is always: 'it's the best person for the job.' We think Sarina is doing a great job and hope she continues doing it for a long time. I think Sarina could do anything she wants in football. "If at some point in the future she decides she wants to move into the men's game, that would be a really interesting discussion, but that's for her, right? "I don't think we should view it as a step up. If she decides at some point in the future to go in a different direction, I think she's perfectly capable of that. "It's the best person for the job, if that best person is a woman, then why not? You analyse the pool for any job at that particular time and do I think there's a really strong diverse pool of both men and women for any big national job? "No, I think the talent pool is small for both actually. But I don't like the mindset that it has to be a man." Southgate's contract runs until the end of the Euro 2024. Maybe then Wiegman will get the coffers she deserves. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.