List of All Articles with Tag 'sport'

The most disruptive year in golf is coming to an end

West Ham and Fiorentina play out the Europa Conference League final on Wednesday in Prague

David Moyes admitted it was “surreal” to walk out at the Eden Arena in Prague preparing for his first European final, the “biggest moment” of his career. Moyes’ West Ham face Italian side Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final in the Czech capital on Wednesday night. The 60-year-old, who began his managerial career with Preston in 1998, is yet to lift a major piece of silverware, the Community Shield with Manchester United in 2013 notwithstanding. Moyes is looking to become the first British manager since Sir Alex Ferguson, the man he replaced at the then champions, to lift a trophy, and join the former United boss in the pantheon of great Scottish managers in the English game. Moyes, who has attended plenty of European finals in his role on UEFA’s technical committee, and his players got a first look at the final venue on Tuesday evening. “It is slightly surreal,” he said. “Today, to turn up and have your own dressing room is a big thrill for me. I really hope I can take it to the next level and win the game. “I’ve had a really good career since I started coaching at 35. Over a thousand matches, been in some finals, had some promotions. But this is the biggest moment. To be a coach for as long as I’ve been, you’re obviously doing something right.” Moyes also categorically denied suggestions that he could step down after the final, regardless of the result. “It’s great to be sitting here in a European final, for any manager it’s a thrill, one of the pinnacles you can get in football as a coach,” he added. “Hopefully it’s the start. I’ve always said the best years are still to come and I’m certainly enjoying the moment and being here.” Moyes’ father, David Snr, has attended all their European away matches and will once again be in the crowd at the 20,000 capacity stadium – hopefully. “I think he’ll be in the pub,” smiled Moyes. “But to be in this position is very good and good for my family, and I hope they can enjoy it. Hopefully I can give him something he can remember.” Declan Rice will captain the Hammers in what will almost certainly be his final game for the club with Arsenal and Manchester United among those vying for his signature. Rice, predictably, was not put up in front of the media, high in the home of Slavia Prague, after the on-pitch walkabout. Instead, it was left to winger Jarrod Bowen to swat aside questions over the England midfielder’s future. “As his team-mates we are excited to go out for a final tomorrow with him as our captain,” said Bowen. “When I joined three years ago, never in my wildest dreams would I have thought we would be in the final. “We are team-mates and friends and to win it for everyone would be so special. That’s what our focus is on.” Moyes has a fully-fit squad, bar injured striker Gianluca Scamacca, as West Ham bid to end a trophy drought stretching back to 1980’s FA Cup win over Arsenal. Cup goalkeeper Alphonse Areola will start but regular number one Lukasz Fabianski, something of a penalty-saving expert over the years, could still have a major role to play if the final goes to a shoot-out. “We’ve got those thoughts,” said Moyes. “It’s about planning, I’ve got my thoughts – but won’t reveal them if you don’t mind.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Novak Djokovic fights back to book place in French Open semi-finals Report into discrimination within cricket to be published soon – Lucy Frazer I was raging in Brisbane but now I’m comfortable with rotation – Stuart Broad

Rangers have confirmed goalkeeper Jack Butland has agreed a four-year contract to join the club from Crystal Palace. Butland, who has most recently been on loan at Manchester United, will officially move to Ibrox on July 1, subject to international clearance. The 30-year-old has signed after first-choice goalkeeper Allan McGregor retired at the end of the season. Jon McLaughlin and Robby McCrorie remain under contract. “I’m over the moon,” Butland told Rangers’ official website. “The club speaks for itself. No matter where you are in football, you know about Rangers Football Club. This is a huge opportunity for me, and I’m delighted to be here. “I feel great and motivated at the age that I am, and I feel excited at what the future holds. Doing that at a club that is equally as passionate about winning and being at the top was huge for me. “It’s an important summer for the club and we need to get off to a good start. Getting the work done early is hugely important, so that we’re settled and raring to go when we come back in.” Butland joins Kieran Dowell and Dujon Sterling as new signings for Rangers and manager Michael Beale is happy to bring in a player of the goalkeeper’s experience. Beale: “I am delighted that we have recruited Jack. It was clear from our first meeting that we have a strong alignment on football and his development moving forward. “At 30, he is coming into the prime years of his career having already amassed huge experience with 300 appearances in senior football, including almost 90 in the Premier League. “In addition, he has played for England at every level, including nine caps for the senior team and five for the Great Britain Olympic team. “I feel that we have recruited an excellent goalkeeper and, importantly, a top person. We are delighted to have Jack and his young family arriving in Glasgow and look forward to seeing him excel in his time at Rangers.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

French Open organizers will celebrate a “Pride Day” on Wednesday to mark the 10th anniversary of the first same-sex marriage in France

Two Cleveland Browns defensive players were robbed at gun point by six masked men outside a downtown night club, according to police

Kyle Busch continues to lead a return to the upper echelon for Richard Childress Racing

Live TV caught the unfortunate moment a hockey reporter was forced to stiff-arm a fan who insisted on interrupted her coverage. Samantha Rivera of CBS Miami was covering the Florida Panthers vs the Vegas Golden Knights when the fan tried to shove his way into the frame, forcing her to make him back off with her arm. “Listen, I don’t give a damn what team you’re rooting for - get the hell out of my face when I’m working and respect that I’m here to do my job,” she later wrote on Twitter. "Excited to get back home to some classy Panthers fans for Game 3!“ Click here to sign up for our newsletters

Aryna Sabalenka has spoken at a postmatch news conference after beating Ukraine's Elina Svitolina to reach the French Open semifinals for the first time

Rory McIlroy's road to the U.S. Open goes through Canada

Kyle Walker was not involved as Manchester City held an open training session on Tuesday ahead of the Champions League final. The England full-back was substituted in the latter stages of City’s FA Cup final victory over Manchester United at Wembley on Saturday. All other players were present as City continued preparations for the encounter with Inter Milan in Istanbul this weekend. Pep Guardiola said at a press conference later in the afternoon that Walker had sat out the session to avoid aggravating a back problem. The City boss said: “He has had a little bit of a disturbance in his back. “Yesterday he was not good, today he was a little bit better but we didn’t want to take any risks. We will see in the next days.” Guardiola referred to Saturday’s final being a “dream” opportunity for his side. City are bidding to win the competition for the first time, having been runners-up to Chelsea two years ago. He said: “In two days we will travel to Istanbul. It’s a dream. “Two years ago we were there, but it’s a different circumstance. It’s about what you have to do in 95 minutes to be better than the opponent. In one single game you have to be better.” Guardiola was criticised for his team selection after the 2021 final loss to Chelsea, particularly his decision to leave out midfielder Rodri. He said: “It was a game plan like it will be on Saturday and if I tell you the reason why I made the decision maybe you’ll think I’m right. “But if I win I’m right and if we lose I’m wrong. In this business, you have to accept it.” Read More A look at one-off EPL nationalities as Postecoglou becomes first Australian boss Bastoni at the back with Martinez in attack – Inter Milan’s key players Football says goodbye to Zlatan Ibrahimovic – Monday’s sporting social Finals are 50-50 – Kevin De Bruyne not saying City are favourites to beat Inter Football rumours: Manchester City look to tie down Erling Haaland to new deal The sporting weekend in pictures

Brighton midfielder Alexis Mac Allister is to undergo a medical with Liverpool. The PA news agency understands the Seagulls have given permission for the 24-year-old World Cup winner to begin the process of finalising his transfer to Anfield. Mac Allister’s father, Carlos, who acts as his representative, arrived at the weekend for talks regarding the Argentina international’s future. It is understood the Argentina international has a release clause, believed to be between £45million and £55m, in a contract he only signed in October, and Brighton allowing him to have a medical means Liverpool are edging closer to securing a player who emerged as their top transfer target after pulling out of the race for Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham. Seagulls boss Roberto De Zerbi admitted last month he is already resigned to losing Mac Allister, who was key in securing their first European participation with a sixth-placed finish in the Premier League, just five points behind Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp is looking to rebuild a midfield which misfired this season and Mac Allister has been a long-term target, with James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain departing at the end of their contracts. Liverpool were also interested in Mason Mount, entering the final 12 months of his contract at Chelsea, but Manchester United appear to be the front-runners and Klopp does not want to get into a protracted – and often expensive – process so has moved on to other players. The Reds have been linked with Bayern Munich’s Ryan Gravenberch, Nice’s Khephren Thuram and Borussia Monchengladbach’s Manu Kone and will be looking to get their business done early in time for the start of pre-season on July 8. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live