Judd Trump charged into the semi-finals, beating Luca Brecel in a high-quality match, while Ronnie O’Sullivan repelled a stirring fightback from Si Jiahui at the World Snooker Championship in Sheffield. Trump will face Mark Williams in the last four after the Welshman’s epic 13-12 victory over John Higgins, which went to the final black. O’Sullivan … Read more
‘Gold, like our club,” says Vítor Pereira, pointing towards his glass of Asahi. “This is the colour.” The charismatic Wolverhampton Wanderers head coach has just taken a sip of beer and something of a breather halfway through an hour-long conversation at the Inn at Shipley, a pub on the outskirts of the city, taking in … Read more
Not long ago, the results might have been seismic. Or at the very least, worthy of an eyebrows-raised remark. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, the two leading lights of their generation, the dominant on-field forces for most of this century, both going out of continental competition in the semi-finals? Both in upsets? On the same … Read more
An international team of solar physicists led by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) have traced giant tides of plasma beneath the Sun’s surface at a region called near-surface shear layer (NSSL). According to a study published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters, the plasma’s currents shift with the Sun’s magnetic heartbeat and could have a … Read more
Dorian Finney-Smith slams his hand in frustration against an empty chair on his way to the shower. The locker room is so silent you could hear a pin drop. In spite of every expert prediction, it was not “Lakers in five,” or, at least, not on the right end of five. The LeBron James, Luka … Read more
New South Wales overpowered a mistake-prone Queensland side 32-12 in a compelling but ultimately one-sided Women’s State of Origin opener in front of a record crowd at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday, thanks to key contributions from three debutants. Late try-scorer Abbi Church was incisive at fullback, Jayme Fressard crossed twice on the left wing and … Read more
The former England international Eni Aluko’s appearance on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour prompted lines to be drawn between her and fellow pundit Ian Wright. “There’s a finite amount of opportunities and I think that men need to be aware of that,” said Aluko, when asked whether it was wrong that Wright was covering women’s … Read more
Key events Show key events only Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature Jayme Fressard is beaming after scoring two tries on debut. “It’s been a very long time in the making, finally getting this opportunity in front of you all out here at Suncorp, and in front of my family and friends.” Share … Read more
This was a title win that has felt inevitable since December, at which point Chelsea had won their first nine Women’s Super League matches of the season. In truth, it had felt likely long before that, in a campaign where one squad has looked uncatchable and – unbeaten with just two more games to go … Read more
This column begins with a confession. One I am afraid and not a little ashamed to make. One that my instincts tell me I should be taking to a priest who is bound to silence, or at the very least an understanding therapist. Certainly not to a forum of sports fans with strong opinions and … Read more