46 h. ago How Scandinavian clubs fell behind the WSL – can they regain lost ground?

Once they seemed an unstoppable force but a huge gap between the Nordic leagues and Europe’s elite has emerged in the past 20 yearsFor a brief period in the early 2000s, Scandinavian clubs seemed unstoppable in European women’s football. Umeå lifted the Uefa Women’s Cup in 2003 and again in 2004, using a blend of technical skill and tactical intelligence. The Swedish side were a powerhouse and attracted top talent from around the world, including Marta, widely regarded as the greatest ever female player.That dominance feels very distant. In 2025, a Norwegian, Swedish or Danish club winning the Women’s Champions League is almost unthinkable. Vålerenga were the only Scandinavian team to reach the Champions League league stage this season and they did not qualify for the knockout phase. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago European football: Napoli hold off Lazio in fiery contest with three red cards

Spinazzola and Rrahmani goals earn 2-0 away winSevilla slump to 3-0 home defeat against LevanteFirst-half goals from Leonardo Spinazzola and Amir Rrahmani helped Napoli claim a 2-0 victory at Lazio on Sunday in a heated contest that featured three red cards.Victory moves Napoli back to one point behind Serie A leaders Milan, who won 1-0 at Cagliari on Friday. Inter sit third but can reclaim top spot with victory at home to Bologna later on Sunday.This story will be updated Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago European football: García back to haunt Espanyol as Barcelona go seven clear

David’s failed Panenka costs Juventus against LecceChelsea target Rosenior’s Strasbourg draw at NiceThe Barcelona manager Hansi Flick hailed Joan García as one of the best goalkeepers in the world after the former Espanyol player delivered a decisive performance against his old club in the Catalan derby on Saturday.García was instrumental in Barcelona’s 2-0 victory, producing a series of outstanding saves, with the league leaders extending their lead at the top of the La Liga standings to seven points. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago European football: David’s failed Panenka costs Juventus against Lecce

McKennie equalises in 1-1 draw but Juve’s title bid hitEspanyol ban fans with Barcelona shirts at city derbyJuventus’s Serie A title hopes were dealt a blow as they were held to a 1-1 draw at home by relegation-battling Lecce on Saturday, with the hosts coming from behind but failing to win after Jonathan David had a Panenka-style penalty saved.Juventus remain fifth on 33 points, five off the leaders, Milan, who have played a game less. Lecce are 16th on 17 points, five points above the relegation zone.This story will be updated Continue reading...

Economics

1 week ago European giants watching Cardiff City talent after nudge from familiar face

The Cardiff City youngster has enjoyed a stellar few months for club and country

Politics

1 week ago John Robertson: ‘The Picasso of football’ who helped Nottingham Forest to two European Cups

The Scotland winger won the European Cup in successive seasons with Forest, scoring in the 1980 final

Politics

1 week ago John Robertson, Nottingham Forest and Scotland legend, dies aged 72

Winger was important part of Brian Clough’s famous sideScored in Scotland’s 1981 win over England at WembleyJohn Robertson, the Nottingham Forest and Scotland legend, has died at the age of 72. Robertson was a hugely important part of the great Forest team that under Brian Clough rose from the second tier of English football to win multiple major honours, most famously back-to-back European Cups.Robertson assisted the decisive goal in the first European Cup triumph in 1979 and scored the decisive goal in the second, contributions that mark him out as one of the most remarkable players in British football history. He earned 28 Scotland caps, notably scoring the winning goal in a Home Championship victory over England at Wembley in May 1981. Clough described him as “the Picasso of our game”. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago European football: Lamine Yamal on target as Barcelona battle past 10

Barcelona head into new year on top of La LigaKoke, Gallagher and Griezmann strike for AtléticoBarcelona secured a composed 2-0 La Liga victory at Villarreal on Sunday thanks to goals from Raphinha and Lamine Yamal in a match that tilted firmly in the visitors’ favour when the hosts were reduced to 10 men just before the break.It took just 12 minutes for Barcelona to take the lead from the penalty spot after Santi Comesana blocked Raphinha with his back as the winger tried to break through and the Brazilian calmly converted the spot-kick.This story will be updated Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Aston Villa looking for 10th consecutive win, European football and more – matchday live

⚽ Discussion, news and buildup to all Sunday’s action⚽ Live scores | Tables | Saturday’s reports | Mail us hereThere’s some interesting debate raging below the line about the tempestuous meeting between Tottenham and Liverpool last night, where Xavi Simons and Cristian Romero were sent off but Micky van de Ven, whose challenge ended Alexander Isak’s involvement was not.Thomas Frank was certainly of the view that Simons sending off was unjust. “I don’t like those types of red card because I think the game is gone if that’s a red card,” he told the BBC soon after the game finished. “I don’t think it’s a reckless tackle. I don’t think it’s exceptional force. We have the referee’s call and that was a yellow, so that’s why I don’t think that’s a red.” Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago European football: Mbappé matches Ronaldo’s record as Real close on Barça

Mbappé makes it 59 goals in a year in win over SevillaJuventus stay in Serie A race with 2-1 win over RomaKylian Mbappé equalled Cristiano Ronaldo’s record of 59 goals in a calendar year for Real Madrid with a late penalty in his side’s 2-0 home win over Sevilla in La Liga on Saturday, the French forward celebrating his 27th birthday in style.Mbappé missed several earlier chances before getting his chance from the spot four minutes from time and he made no mistake to net his 59th goal in as many games across all competitions in 2025 to level Ronaldo’s 2013 haul. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago ‘Even bankers aren’t taking that much’: Bosman at 30 and what the future holds for transfers

Revolution is still being sought three decades after the landmark ruling with a Dutch lawyer calling for a collective bargaining agreement for playersOn 15 December 1995, judges at the European court of justice (CJEU) took two minutes to bring an end to a legal process that had lasted five years. The Bosman rule, as it was known, was to stand, the judges said. European football clubs were no longer allowed to demand transfer fees for players whose contracts had expired, with governing bodies stopped from capping the number of Europeans in any team. The man whose dogged legal pursuit had brought about these changes, Jean‑Marc Bosman, emerged from a crowd of cameras and well‑wishers to give his verdict. “I have got to the top of the mountain and I am now very tired,” he said.For Bosman himself, it was downhill from there. “In the past I got a lot of promises but never received anything,” he told the Observer in 2015, claiming he “earned nothing” from the changes that ensued. He went b...

Politics

3 w. ago European football: Real Madrid relieve pressure on Xabi Alonso with crucial win at Alavés

Rodrygo keeps Real within four points of Barça at topInter win 2-1 at Genoa, as Milan draw and Napoli loseRodrygo secured a crucial 2-1 victory for Real Madrid at Alavés in La Liga, ending a dismal run of form and keeping them within four points of the leaders, Barcelona.Real, under pressure after two successive defeats in all competitions, broke the deadlock through Kylian Mbappé’s stunning first-half strike. However, a resilient Alavés levelled in the 68th minute through Carlos Vicente. The visitors restored their lead eight minutes later, courtesy of a counterattack led by Vinícius Júnior, whose assist was converted by Rodrygo. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago European football: Inter make no mistake and go top after rivals falter

2-1 win at Genoa lifts Inter as Milan draw and Napoli loseHarry Kane rescues a draw for Bayern against MainzInter moved to the top of Serie A with a 2-1 victory at Genoa thanks to first-half goals from Yann Bisseck and Lautaro Martínez. The result put Inter on 33 points, one ahead of their city rivals Milan and two ahead of Napoli, both of whom failed to win earlier in the day. Genoa are 16th with 14 points.Inter’s match was preceded by unrest outside the stadium as supporters of both teams clashed, with several vehicles set on fire before police restored order. The incident did not delay kick-off. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago European football: Ekkelenkamp’s stunner for Udinese hits Napoli off course

Champions miss chance to go top as Milan drop pointsReal Sociedad sack Sergio Francisco after Girona defeatNapoli missed the opportunity to move top of Serie A after suffering a deserved 1-0 defeat at Udinese. The visitors had a chance to take first place after Milan earlier drew with Sassuolo but Napoli struggled against an aggressive Udinese, who had two goals disallowed.Napoli are second with 31 points, one point behind Milan and a point ahead of third-placed Inter, who play at Genoa later on Sunday. Bologna host Juventus in the night match. Udinese are 10th with 21 points. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago European football: Bartesaghi’s double not enough as Milan held by Sassuolo

Laurienté equalises for visitors after defender’s two goalsReal Sociedad sack Sergio Francisco after Girona defeatMilan had to settle for a 2-2 draw against Sassuolo at San Siro after Armand Laurienté’s late strike for the visitors ensured the Serie A title race remains finely poised. Milan are top by one point with 32 points from 15 matches but can be overtaken by Napoli, the defending champions, who visit 12th-placed Udinese later on Sunday. Sassuolo sit ninth on 21 points.The visitors stunned Milan in the 13th minute when Andrea Pinamonti’s clever layoff set up the midfielder Ismaël Koné, who expertly chipped Mike Maignan to open the scoring.This story will be updated Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago European football: Raphinha sinks Osasuna to consolidate Barcelona’s lead

Real Madrid, who play on Sunday, now trail by seven pointsLeverkusen’s Terrier hits back-heel volley against CologneRaphinha struck twice late in the second half as Barcelona secured a hard-fought 2-0 victory over a resolute Osasuna side, extending their lead at the top of La Liga to seven points. Hansi Flick’s men now sit on 43 points, comfortably clear of second-placed Real Madrid, who have a game in hand and play at Alavés on Sunday.Despite their control of the game, Barcelona struggled to break down Osasuna’s deep defensive block until the 70th minute when Pedri’s incisive pass cut through the visitors’ defence, finding Raphinha in his stride. The Brazilian forward took a controlled touch before unleashing a thunderous strike from the edge of the area, the ball arrowing inside the left post to finally break the deadlock. Raphinha sealed the win in the 86th minute. A deflected cross from Jules Koundé on the right found the Brazilian unmarked at the far post, and he calmly volleye...

Politics

3 w. ago European football: Griezmann strikes to end Atlético’s losing run in La Liga

Substitute scores late in 2-1 win over ValenciaSimeone’s side had lost last two in the leagueAtlético Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann came off the bench to guide them to a 2-1 victory over struggling Valencia, helping snap their losing run in La Liga and stay in touch with the frontrunners.Koke opened the scoring in the 17th minute, his first league goal in nearly two years, but Lucas Beltrán provided the equaliser for the visitors in the 63rd minute with a stunning strike from the edge of the box.This story will be updated Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Broken Celtic fanatics trigger Hotline meltdown as incredible claim about Wilfried Nancy rings loudest

Ryan McDonald takes your calls after another sobering European night for Scottish football

Sport

3 w. ago Man Utd news: 'Transfer opportunity' for January as Ruben Amorim has big decision to make

Manchester United face Bournemouth on Monday night as they look to strengthen their bid for European football next season but in the meantime the January transfer window is looming

Politics

3 w. ago Aberdeen's sorry European campaign dies as jeered fallen Chelsea star and Strasbourg kids hit summit

Dons are outclassed by French side - all that is left is beers in Prague

Events