10 h. ago Northampton’s Fin Smith: ‘We love being written off. We’d back ourselves against anybody’

England and Lions fly-half on run to Champions Cup final, controlling his inner demons and playing junior tennis alongside Jack Draper“I was always angry,” Fin Smith remembers as he explains his transition from a volatile young tennis player into the decisively calm fly-half for Northampton, England and the Lions who is as serene as he is interesting. Smith has had a remarkable year so far but there is an understated lightness about him as he recalls playing in tennis tournaments alongside Jack Draper, the current world No 5.“As an 11-year-old tennis player I was very angry,” he says at Franklin’s Gardens, having just completed Northampton Saints’ final training session before they face Bordeaux on Saturday in the Champions Cup final. “I used to blow up and smash rackets a lot. But getting that out of my system at a young age, while facing set points and match points, can only benefit me when I’m playing rugby under pressure and really taking on an internal battle.” Continue reading...

Politics

11 h. ago Arsenal’s comeback queens face ultimate Barcelona test in Champions League final

New chapter in Arsenal’s storied history awaits as they aim to end continental drought in a sold-out Lisbon finalAfter 18 years, Arsenal are back in the biggest game in women’s European football with a dream to end their long wait for continental glory. They face the holders, the favourites and the much-revered Barcelona, who are aiming to win the Champions League for a third consecutive season on a picture-perfect weekend in Lisbon.Strolling along tree-lined paths through the Portuguese capital’s sun-kissed Parque Eduardo VII, as a group of Barcelona fans cross paths with two Arsenal supporters wearing full red-and-white kit and exchange a few friendly quips about Saturday’s final, it is hard not to feel a pang of sympathy for the 3,467 attendees who saw Arsenal lift the Uefa Women’s Cup – as it was known in 2007 – in the somewhat less glamorous surroundings of Boreham Wood FC’s Meadow Park. In those days, the competition concluded with a two-legged home-and-away final. Arsenal fol...

Sport

22 h. ago Alessia Russo has hit another level – but will it be enough against Barça?

Arsenal’s No 9, who is described as hard-working and humble by her coach, knows she won’t get many chances in the Champions League final on SaturdayArsenal step on to the pitch at the Estádio José Alvalade on Saturday to face the most almighty challenge in their first Champions League final since 2007. Against a Barcelona side who dominate the ball like no other, opportunities will be limited and for a forward, there are few greater tests, as every fleeting chance matters.Alessia Russo, tasked with leading the line in a stacked Arsenal attack, has the opportunity to make a statement as well as earn a place in history. Continue reading...

Events

46 h. ago Northampton’s Champions Cup final date with Bordeaux should be all

We can expect Phil Dowson’s Saints to hit the accelerator in Cardiff against a French side packed with creative talentHow do Northampton Saints go again? After pulling off a stunning upset to avenge last season’s semi-final defeat by Leinster and take their place in Saturday’s final, the question is how do Phil Dowson’s side overcome one of the French giants, Bordeaux, to clinch the Champions Cup?Had the final been a week later I’d have feared for Northampton but they are helped by the ability to distract themselves with Premiership action, and I think the manner of victory over Leinster plays into their hands. Northampton need to focus on being unashamedly themselves. In Dublin the gameplan was to put the car into fifth gear from the first whistle and that’s precisely what they did. When your approach is so authentic and in keeping with your culture, it makes it that much easier. Continue reading...

Sport

61 h. ago Phil Foden admits to facing challenges ‘off the pitch mentally’ this season

‘It’s been difficult,’ says Manchester City forwardFoden won PFA Player of the Year award a year agoPhil Foden has revealed he has faced challenges “off the pitch mentally” this season and that an ankle injury sustained against Manchester United in April has hampered him and is not 100% healed.The Manchester City forward has struggled to recapture last term’s impressive form that featured a career-high 27 goals and being voted the Professional Footballers’ Association players’ player of the year and the football writers’ player of the year. He has managed only 10 goals, has not scored since January and was only a 76th-minute replacement in Saturday’s 1-0 FA Cup final defeat by Crystal Palace. Continue reading...

Politics

66 h. ago Sheffield United fan explains why he wants his side to LOSE playoff final to Sunderland

Sheffield United will face Sunderland on Saturday in the Championship play-off final, though one Blades fan has made it clear he does not want the Blades to earn promotion

Sport

3 d. ago Gary Lineker’s huge net worth and ‘weird' relationships with ex wives

Lineker is poised to leave the BBC following his final episode on Saturday after 26 years at the helm, with plans for him to host next year's World Cup coverage now scrapped.

Politics

4 d. ago Dortmund banish some of their 2023 ghosts while Leipzig and Freiburg create their own | Andy Brassell

Niko Kovac oversaw a remarkable comeback but there is plenty of work to be done for BVB to challenge Bayern againThe last time Borussia Dortmund had enjoyed an end-of-season run-in as successful as this was that season. Nearly two years on Niko Kovac and company didn’t quite lay the ghost of 2023 but began to definitively draw a line under the fallout from it. On this occasion BVB faced what should have been a straightforward final day task at home and made it so. Where they had been cowed by nerves against Mainz in the last game of 2022-23 and let the Bundesliga slip through their collective fingers, this time they were ready to receive an unexpected opportunity.This time there was the right to a celebration, and there was the feeling that it had been earned. Pointing out that Saturday’s final-day win over already-relegated Holstein Kiel perhaps salvaged the bare minimum – a top-four place – from this season would be to miss the point and to disregard the context. BVB had been lang...

Politics

4 d. ago ‘Annoyed’ Man United boss had frosty phone call with FA Cup hero Dean Henderson

Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson was Crystal Palace's hero in the FA Cup final on Saturday, yet his career began at Man United where tensions ultimately became frayed

Politics

4 d. ago Dean Henderson reveals six words that sparked Pep Guardiola heated exchange

Dean Henderson has revealed what he said to Pep Guardiola that led to a heated confrontation between the pair during the FA Cup final between Crystal Palace and Manchester City on Saturday, 17 May.

Politics

5 d. ago Eurovision and FA Cup Final viewing figures as one got two million more than the other

The Eurovision Song Contest 2025 had millions of people tuning in for the grand final on Saturday, 17 May – a lot more than those who watched the FA Cup Final

Politics

5 d. ago Crystal Palace duo miss FA Cup celebrations after being taken to hospital from Wembley

Crystal Palace beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final on Saturday but two of their star players were forced to miss their late-night celebrations after being taken to hospital

Politics

5 d. ago Crystal Palace FA Cup heroes Marc Guehi and Adam Wharton rushed to hospital after Wembley triumph as midfielder shares update from sickbed

Eberechi Eze was Palace's hero in their 1-0 win against Manchester City in the final on Saturday, his goal bringing the Eagles their first major trophy in their 120-year history.

Politics

5 d. ago Dean Henderson shares exactly what he said to Pep Guardiola in Man City FA Cup final row

Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson was at the centre of a number of controversies during Man City's FA Cup final defeat on Saturday afternoon

Politics

5 d. ago Pep Guardiola statement sends worrying Erling Haaland message amid Man City troubles

Manchester City lost the FA Cup final 1-0 to Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Events

5 d. ago Gary Lineker leaves BBC pundits in stitches with brutal dig at Wayne Rooney's managerial career

Gary Lineker couldn't help himself at half-time of the FA Cup final on Saturday, as the Match of the Day host took a cheeky swipe at Wayne Rooney's struggling managerial career

Politics

6 d. ago Puzzling Celtic banner is purest form of ingratitude and I want person who made it to explain something – Hugh Keevins

Celtic will go into the Scottish Cup final against Aberdeen on Saturday looking to create a world record.

Events

6 d. ago Journalism rallies down stretch for sensational win in 150th Preakness

Pre-race favorite Journalism wins Preakness at PimlicoRispoli is first Italian jockey to win a Triple Crown racePreakness moves to Laurel Park next year amid rebuildJournalism surged from behind to win the 150th Preakness Stakes on Saturday, capturing the middle jewel of the Triple Crown in the final race before Pimlico Race Course is demolished and rebuilt.Trained by Michael McCarthy and ridden by Umberto Rispoli, Journalism left things late before fulfilling his status as the 8-5 morning-line favorite, bursting through a gap and accelerating past the half of the field over a thrilling stretch run to claim victory. The win marked McCarthy’s second Preakness triumph and Rispoli’s first Triple Crown victory, making him the first Italian jockey to secure a win in one of America’s marquee races. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago Brendan Rodgers vows 'no barriers' on Celtic in the Champions League but boss offers one caveat

Hoops lifted the Premiership trophy this weekend and have the chance to clinch the treble in next Saturday's Scottish Cup Final.

Sport

6 d. ago Eurovision fans say 'it's going to be interesting' as UK act 'booed' during final

Eurovision fans are convinced that the UK act were booed during the start of the Grand Final on Saturday evening. The international song contest took place in Basel, Switzerland as the United Kingdom were represented by Remember Monday

Sport