Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao during a timeout in Game 6 against Ginebra in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
ANTIPOLO—Coach Yeng Guiao conceded that Barangay Ginebra proved itself as the better team as Rain or Shine suffered another semifinal disappointment.
The Elasto Painters’ promising PBA Commissioner’s Cup campaign drew to a close on Sunday here after they fell 118-107 before a big crowd at Ynares Center.
“I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished this conference,” Guiao said. “We made it all the way to the semifinals. We’ve lost a couple of players (Felix Lemetti and Luis Villegas) along the way, but we still put up a good fight against Ginebra.
“Ginebra deserves to win the finals. They played with consistency in this series. They shot the ball well, especially from the three points. Justin Brownlee and RJ [Abarrientos] just carried them on their shoulders. We found it hard to really match up with those two guys.
“They deserved to make it to the finals. We wish them the best of luck in the finals. On our side, we’ll start preparing for the next conference. We will determine who our import will be,” he added.
Rain or Shine lost in the semis for the fifth time in the last six conferences, but its clash with Ginebra was its best chance of finally breaking through.
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The Elasto Painters took Game 1 and later tied the best-of-seven at 2-2 before going down in the last two games.
“Of course, there’s a sense of frustration, but we still have a long way to go. We still have a long way to go. We still need to learn how to build a team that can compete in the finals,” said Guiao.
“We’re happy about our import, JJ (Jaylen Johnson), but Brownlee played a different game. He could be the best import of all time, considering all that he’s achieved in all the years that he’s played. We gave ourselves a chance.
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“Actually, every game, we have a chance to win. There’s a chance that whatever momentum we build up, at the point where we can probably turn the tide, they have an answer. That’s how it is.”
Rain or Shine now ponders how it can build on the Commissioner’s Cup into the season-ending Governors’ Cup set to open in July. The Elasto Painters won their first seven games before finishing the eliminations at 9-3 for third in the standings.
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They eliminated San Miguel Beer in the quarters to forge a matchup with Ginebra.
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump marked his 80th birthday Sunday night with a celebration on the South Lawn, where 14 fighters from around the world battered one another inside a wire-mesh cage during the UFC Freedom 250 spectacle.
Trump walked out of the Oval Office at around 8:30 p.m. ET alongside UFC CEO and president Dana White in what was best described as a fighter’s walkout.
President Donald Trump and Dana White, UFC president and CEO, arrive for UFC Freedom 250 on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on June 14, 2026.(Alex Brandon/AP)
The estimated 4,300 in attendance, which included about 1,200 active-duty service members, greeted the president with loud cheers as the occasional “Happy Birthday” was shouted from the crowd.
The event kicked off with the Marine Band’s performance of the national anthem, sung by Zac Brown, and was capped off with a flyover by the Navy’s Blue Angels and Air Force Thunderbirds.
“It was beyond anything that anybody’s ever seen in sports,” the president briefly remarked to reporters as he departed the White House ahead of Monday’s G7 summit in France.
President Donald Trump watches at the conclusion of UFC Freedom 250 on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on June 15, 2026.(Mark Schiefelbein/AP Photo)
As expected, the crowd often broke out into “U-S-A!” chants multiple times throughout the evening. It was most often heard during American Justin Gaethje’s thrilling main-card win over the previously undefeated Ilia Topuria.
Many of the fighters thanked Trump for having the “courage” to put on the spectacle, while the majority of victors jogged ringside to shake his hand or have a word after their respective bouts. The patriotic atmosphere set the tone for the remaining America 250 celebrations to come in Washington, D.C., later this summer.
The $60 million event was just the latest spectacle in Trump’s relationship with White.
President Donald Trump congratulates Ciryl Gane after his win in a heavyweight interim title bout against Alex Pereira at UFC Freedom 250 on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on June 15, 2026.(Mark Schiefelbein/AP)
White has a long-standing relationship with the president, dating back to the first UFC event under his control which was held in 2001 at Trump’s Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. He has stumped on the campaign trail for Trump on two occasions while Trump has attended four UFC fights as a sitting president.
Sunday’s fight wrapped just after 1 a.m. and featured two championship bouts – Ciryl Gane of France earned the interim UFC heavyweight title after a win over Brazil’s Alex Pereira, and lightweight champion Ilia Topuria fell to interim champ Justin Gaethje in four rounds.
President Donald Trump stands on the ring with Justin Gaethje after he won the lightweight championship bout over Ilia Toupruia at UFC Freedom 250 on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on June 15, 2026.(Alex Brandon/AP Photo)
Fit-again Indian javelin throw superstar Neeraj Chopra will return to competitive action at the Doha Diamond League on June 19. The 28-year-old has been recuperating from a back injury which has prevented him from competing so far in the season. “First throw of 2026 lands in Doha! Neeraj Chopra returns to competitive action on June 19,” his management firm Vel Sports announced on Instagram. Chopra is a late addition to the event as his name was not in the list announced by the organisers on June 12. In May last year, the two-time Olympic medallist India had breached the coveted 90m mark at the same venue. He had recorded 90.23m to finish second behind Julian Weber (91.06m) of Germany.
Chopra was on Sunday named in India’s athletics squad for the upcoming Commonwealth Games, subject to achieving the Athletics Federation of India’s (AFI) qualifying standard of 82.61m.
The Doha Diamond League was to be originally held on May 8 as the season-opening event but was postponed due to the ongoing West Asia conflict.
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Delhi vs Mumbai IPL 2026: Fans Flood Arun Jaitley Stadium for High-Voltage Clash
A popular AEW star’s recent contract situation led fans to believe CM Punk might be rejoining the promotion, and a mix of excitement and other reactions surfaced online.
The aforementioned star, who is a former TNT Champion, is Jack Perry. The Jungle Boy has been a part of All Elite Wrestling since its inception and has been a regular fixture. Moreover, he has achieved significant accolades, such as becoming the TNT, National, and World Tag Team Champion, and has been part of memorable moments in AEW.
However, recent reports stated that Jack Perry’s contract is set to expire, and he is currently negotiating a deal with the Jacksonville-based promotion. On the other hand, a rumor mill ran regarding CM Punk’s return to All Elite Wrestling amid an extended absence from WWE since the RAW after WrestleMania 42. Interestingly, both men have a heated history, getting into a real-life backstage fight at All In 2023, which led to Punk’s firing from the company and eventual return to WWE.
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Upon Perry’s rumored contract situation becoming public, fans exploded with reactions on social media. One fan openly said that AEW was trading him with The Best in the World.
“We’re trading him for cm punk.”
@WrestlePurists @WONF4W We’re trading him for cm punk😭❤️
A major section of the fans either took shots at their heated past or speculated regarding a potential match between them down the line.
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@WrestlePurists @WONF4W Could he actually work with Punk ever again?
@WrestlePurists @WONF4W CM Punk vs Jack Perry Summerslam
@WrestlePurists @WONF4W CRY ME A RIVER JACK AND TAKE YOUR PAY CUT 🤣🤣
On the other hand, some fans acknowledged his place and contributions in AEW and believed he would remain with the company.
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@TheDrainmaker He’s not going anywhere He’s an integral part of the product & both his performance as well as his booking post his return from injury have been great imo
@TheDrainmaker New contract might mean a push up the card for JP I’m interested to see what happens
CM Punk’s take on AEW President Tony Khan
In an interview on The MMA Hour in 2024, CM Punk gave his take on AEW President and CEO Tony Khan. The Second Saint City said that while Khan was a good person, but lacked leadership skills.
“I don’t like the drama, but the truth is the truth. He’s not a boss, he’s a nice guy, and I think ultimately that is a detriment to the company but it’s not my company. I’m an outsider. I thought I was brought in to sell merchandise and tickets and draw numbers for pay-per-views and stuff, and I clearly did that, but that’s not what the place was about, and some people didn’t like that,” he said.
As the rumors continue to swirl, it remains to be seen where Punk and his former arch-rival, Jack Perry, will eventually end up.
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Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith lines up in the secondary during an NFC Wild Card matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium. The longtime defensive leader took the field on Jan. 13, 2025, in Glendale, Arizona, bringing veteran experience and stability as Minnesota opened its postseason run against an NFC contender. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Will he or won’t he? That’s the question regarding longtime Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith that fans have asked since January: whether the veteran defender will return for Year No. 15. And according to Ben Leber, a former Vikings linebacker, Smith could slow-roll the decision and possibly return after the bye week in October.
It’s the latest in Smith’s return-or-retire saga that remains one of Minnesota’s top summer storylines.
Vikings’ Safety Room Has Enough Flexibility to Wait
Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith prepares on the sideline before a home matchup against the Houston Texans at U.S. Bank Stadium. The veteran defender went through warm-ups on Sep. 22, 2024, in Minneapolis as teammates stretched nearby and fans settled into their seats ahead of another regular-season test for Brian Flores’ defense. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
Leber on Smith
Leber is quite connected to the Vikings, working as a media member for the club and crossing over into KFAN’s layer of Vikings coverage.
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He said on his YouTube channel this week about Smith, “I could see him coming back and saying, ‘Okay, I’ll use the bye week to sort of make sure that I’m in football shape. Maybe be on a snap count for the first game or two after that.’”
“And then after that, he’s playing full-time. But I get the sense that he’s not done. He’ll play for part of the season, but I think that’s a major factor because we saw what happens when he’s not in the lineup.”
If Leber is correct, it would be a first-of-its-kind arrangement for Smith, who has never waited this long to announce his decision.
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The Safety Situation
Depending on rookie Jakobe Thomas’s game-readiness — he’s a 3rd-Round rookie from Miami and fruit of the Jonathan Greenard trade to the Philadelphia Eagles in April — the safety room is well-stocked, though Smith would obviously provide a familiar veteran boost.
These are the safeties six weeks before training camp without Smith:
Josh Metellus
Jay Ward
Theo Jackson
Jakobe Thomas
Tavierre Thomas
Kahlef Hailassie
Metellus played through a torn labrum last year, leading some fans to question his effectiveness. Fully healed, Metellus should be in line for a bounceback year. Ward finished the 2025 campaign strong, even swiping Jackson’s starting job in December.
Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith participates in pregame drills before a matchup with the San Francisco 49ers at U.S. Bank Stadium. The longtime defensive leader warmed up on Sep. 15, 2024, in Minneapolis as fans filled the venue and Minnesota prepared for an early-season showdown against one of the NFC’s top contenders. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
The Thomases will make the active roster, and Jakobe could be an x-factor if Smith remains retired.
Our Brevan Bane wrote this week, “While some Vikings fans may want Smith to stay off the roster to focus on younger players like Jay Ward and Jakobe Thomas, it feels like there would be a bit of a gaping hole in the Vikings’ secondary without Harrison Smith. Sure, names like Theo Jackson and Josh Metellus have proven they can provide solid play when called upon. The issue is that Metellus is more of a liability if he plays deep safety.”
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“If Harrison Smith, who can do everything, doesn’t come back, then we will have to hope that Jay Ward or Jakobe Thomas are ready to step into those shoes. We can take comfort in the fact that Brian Flores is the defensive coordinator. He will surely maximize all of the talent in the room, but he would also love to have Harrison Smith back.”
A Diplomatic Approach to Year No. 15
Minnesota’s bye week occurs after the October 11th game in New Orleans, when the Vikings will either have a 5-0, 4-1, 3-2, 2-3, 1-4, or 0-5 record.
If Smith follows the Leber theory, he can basically gauge whether a return to the only NFL employer he’s ever known is worth it. That is — if the Vikings have a 1-4 or 0-5 record, clearly trending in the wrong direction, would it be worth it to come back for one final ride?
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On the other hand, if Minnesota hangs tough and posts a winning record in September and October, Smith may not want to miss out on the fun. Leber’s idea enables Smith to “wait and see.”
The Quote from January 2024
Near the end of the 2023 campaign — the “Joshua Dobbs season,” when the Vikings lost Kirk Cousins to an Achilles tear — Smith told reporters, “Whenever I retire, I’m not going to tell you. You’ll figure it out. … I’ll say this, it’s hard to have the ability to play and not have the desire to play. I’m not trying to be ominous or anything. Right now, my shoulder hurts.”
Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith lines up on defense during a road contest against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. The veteran playmaker took the field on Sep. 14, 2023, in Philadelphia as Minnesota battled the defending NFC champions in a nationally televised matchup early in the regular season. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Some have wondered recently if that quote is playing out in real time. Smith boldly told the world that when he retires, the event will transpire without fanfare. Perhaps that’s ongoing, and folks have misinterpreted his current status.
Of course, Leber’s theory this week disagrees. Still, at some point, Smith will fulfill his own prophecy. For 2026’s sake, it’s a matter of now or the 2027 offseason.
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Smith turned 37 in February.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker
Monday begins a week of celebration for those in the Tri-State area in the U.S. For New York Knicks fans, it’s reveling in the team snapping a 53-year title drought with a Game 5 victory over the San Antonio Spurs. For those who are Knicks fans and pro wrestling fans, it’s praise for Danhausen, whose “uncursing” of the franchise may have led to that very championship.
Danhausen was everywhere during the week. He was on “SportsCenter” and crashing Pat McAfee’s simulcast of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden. His face was printed on T-shirts in the WWE Shop. And now, his face could be on a float or a blimp in middle of the Canyon of Heroes when the Knicks celebrate their championship later this week.
Danhausen talks to the media before Game Three of the 2026 NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden in New York, N.Y., on June 8, 2026.(Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE)
Whether you believe it or not, Danhausen’s seance for the Knicks and taking Matt Cardona’s watch as part of the sacrifice to keep the Knicks “uncursed” on “Friday Night SmackDown” proved to work. Jalen Brunson, a mega WWE fan in his own right, scored 45 points in the clincher on his way to becoming the NBA Finals MVP.
The Danhausen praise was palpable on social media.
Remember, he tried to “uncurse” the New York Mets too. However, he explained to Fox News Digital in April that it was more of a “layaway situation.”
The jubilation that Knicks fans experienced, Mets fans, New York Jets fans and maybe even Brooklyn Nets fans might have to pony up some “human monies” to lift the sports curse that is cast on other franchises in the New York metropolitan area.
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Danhausen enters the ring during a WWE live event at MEO Arena in Lisbon, Portugal, on June 3, 2026.(Andrew Timms/WWE via Getty Images)
For now, Danhausen might be the most over pro wrestler on the WWE roster or any roster across the world. Respect the curse and let’s hope it doesn’t come for you.
Thekla’s war on Stardom
Thekla with the championship at the AEW Double or Nothing event in Queens, N.Y., on May 25, 2026.(Lee South/AEW)
AEW women’s world champion Thekla has set her eyes on Stardom and re-opened the wound that formed following her departure from New Japan Pro-Wrestling.
Thekla has admitted that she did get fired from New Japan for attacking director Taro Okada, who is also the president of Stardom. She attacked him again during Slam Fest when Stardom held its showcase in Las Vegas in April. Last week on “Dynamite,” she spit on the Stardom logo ahead of Forbidden Door and called on Stardom to send its best.
Ask and you shall receive, Thekla.
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In what’s set to be a wild Forbidden Door pay-per-view, Thekla will put the AEW Women’s World Championship against Starlight Kid – the leader of the Neo Genesis stable and former wonder of Stardom champion.
It might be Thekla’s biggest opponent of her title reign and if she’s not careful, she could easily lose that belt. The Triangle of Madness, which includes Julia Hart and Skye Blue, will have to be on their toes as AZM, Mei Seira, Miyu Amasaki and Ema Maishima could also be lurking in the background to support Starlight Kid.
Slammiversary card builds out
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA)’s Slammiversary is inching closer. The event is one of the biggest pay-per-views on the promotion’s calendar and, after last week’s “Impact,” the card got a bit clearer.
Each championship will be defended at the event. Fans in Denver nearly got to see Nic Nemeth call his shot and take an opportunity to defeat Mike Santana for his TNA World Championship, following his match with Eric Young. Instead, Nemeth took his cheap shot at the end of the night but already agreed to the match for Slammiversary.
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Pro wrestling fans are still waiting for bated breath to see who will be in the Ultimate X match for the X Division Championship. But here’s what we’ll get so far.
Heather by Elegance and M by Elegance (c) vs. Rosemary and Allie for the TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Championship.
Eric Young vs. Ricky Sosa
Eddie Edwards vs. Moose
Lei Ying Lee (c) vs. Xia Brookside for the TNA Knockouts World Championship.
Brian Myers vs. Bear Bronson (c) vs. Matt and Jeff Hardy vs. Vincent and Dutch for the TNA World Tag Team Championship.
Mike Santana (c) vs. Nic Nemeth for the TNA World Championship.
Slammiversary will take place on June 28 at the Agganis Arena in Boston.
TNA dropped a teaser vignette last week and pro wrestling fans have speculated that it could be the return of Amazing Red.
Amazing Red was a TNA original when the company was founded as a territory under the National Wrestling Alliance. He’s a three-time X Division champion and was a tag team champion with Jerry Lynn. He’s performed in several other promotions since then, while also founding House of Glory.
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Amazing Red back in TNA and being include in one of the most innovative matches of this generation would certainly draw eyeballs and add to the intrigue of the match, which already includes X Division champion Cedric Alexander and Leon Slater.
Zaria wins singles gold in NXT
Zaria celebrates her win during NXT at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Fla., on June 9, 2026.(Connor Kvatek/WWE)
A new era began at NXT. Zaria defeated Tatum Paxley to become the new NXT women’s North American champion.
It was a long time coming for Zaria who ended her feud with Sol Ruca just a few weeks prior. Zaria has proved to be a dominant force at NXT and there’s no one, right now, who can step to her.
Paxley’s reign ends after 94 days. She is on the poster for NXT Great American Bash, which is set to take place on June 28.
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Who will stand up to Zaria now? Will Paxley get her rematch? Fans will have to tune in on Tuesday to find out.
Miz speaks with Danhausen during SmackDown at BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on May 1, 2026.(Meg Oliphant/WWE)
The Miz reappeared on “SmackDown” after he was electrocuted by Danhausen’s mystery device. He was only speaking in catchphrases. Kit Wilson tried to make Danhausen fix The Miz, but he got electrocuted as well.
WWE women’s U.S. champion Tiffany Stratton appeared on a livestream with Blake Monroe. “The Glamour” smashed Stratton’s head into a cake. It may soon be time for Monroe to have a match and her sights appear to be set on Stratton.
A massive match was set for AEW Forbidden Door. Kenny Omega accepted Zack Sabre Jr.’s challenge and the two global phenoms will do batter in San Jose, California, on June 28.
Killer Kross defended the Major League Wrestling World Heavyweight Championship against Matt Riddle.
Matt Justice went to crazy lengths to try to beat Josh Bishop in a street fight. But Justice’s wild spot from the balcony went awry and Bishop came out the winner.
Lio Rush won the Ring of Honor TV Championship in a three-way match against AR Fox and Action Andretti.
Deonna Purrazzo retain the Ring of Honor Pure Women’s Championship with a victory over Olympia.
Athena retained the Ring of Honor Women’s Championship with a win over Syuri.
Mark Davis retained the AEW National Championship over Ace Austin.
Konosuke Takeshita retained the AEW International Championship with a win over Lee Johnson.
Gabe Kidd made his return to the ring after an injury. He returned at New Japan’s Dominion and declared himself for the G1 Climax.
Gabe Kidd enters the ring during New Japan Pro-Wrestling at Edion Arena Osaka in Osaka, Japan, on Feb. 11, 2026.(Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)
Shota Umino defeated Andrade and Drilla Moloney to become the new IWGP global heavyweight champion.
Yota Tsuji defeated Callum Newman to become the new IWGP heavyweight champion.
Great-O-Khan and Henare defeated Yuto-Ice and Oskar (The Knockout Brothers) to win the IGWP tag team champions.
Aaron Wolf defeated Ren Narita to win the IWGP Never Openweight Championship.
Yoh defeated Douki to win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship.
MyAEW has been adding new promotions to its streaming service and C4 Wrestling became the latest company to get added to the mix.
The National Wrestling Alliance crowned new women’s tag team champions on “Powerrr.” Kenzie Paige and Kylie Paige (Pretty Empowered) def. Marti Belle and Allysin Kay (The Hex) and Clara Carter and Hollyhood Haley J.
Marcus Rashford will hope to star for England at this summer’s World Cup but faces an uncertain future at Manchester United
10:16, 15 Jun 2026Updated 10:17, 15 Jun 2026
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Marcus Rashford faces the prospect of being disappointed as reports emerge claiming that he is set to be denied a spot in England’s starting line-up for their World Cup opener. The Manchester United star is currently with the Three Lions squad for the tournament in North America.
Rashford spent the season on loan at Barcelona from United last term, scoring 14 goals and providing 14 assists across all competitions, with such form earning the 28-year-old a spot on the plane that has travelled to North America.
England have made the trip to their base in Kansas City after a training camp in Miami over the last two weeks.
Thomas Tuchel’s side will face Croatia in their Group L opener on Wednesday night in Dallas, and it seems that Rashford may not get a place in the starting line-up.
According to the Daily Mail, Tuchel is expected to start new Barcelona signing Anthony Gordon on the left wing in England’s match against Croatia.
It remains to be seen if Rashford will get a spot in the team in a different position, but given that the United forward and Gordon operate on the left side of a forward line, it seems likely that he is set for a place on the bench.
Even if Rashford was to be named on the bench for the clash against Croatia, the United forward will hope to play an important role later in the game if needed.
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Rashford featured in both of England’s pre-World Cup friendlies against New Zealand and Costa Rica, but was named on the bench for the second match, where Gordon was given the nod.
Rashford’s future at United has been uncertain ever since Barcelona decided to sign Gordon from Newcastle in a deal worth £69million.
As a result, there have been rumours that the Spanish giants will no longer pay the £26million clause to sign Rashford on a permanent deal from United.
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Reports emerged on Sunday that Rashford has already explored the possibility of returning to United’s first-team squad next season, and is said to have been in regular contact with manager Michael Carrick.
After facing Croatia on Wednesday, England will also take on Ghana and Panama in their remaining World Cup group stage matches, where Rashford will hope to play a key role for his country.
Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package
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Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.
Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.
Edo Queens have been crowned champions of the 2026 Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) after finishing top of the Super Six tournament in Port Harcourt.
The final round took place on Sunday in Port Harcourt, where Edo Queens played a goalless draw against Bayelsa Queens to secure the title. The result took them to 10 points from five matches.
Edo Queens recorded three wins, one draw and one defeat. They finished level on points with Bayelsa Queens, but won the league on goal difference.
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It was a repeat of history, as Edo Queens also won their first league title in 2024 after another draw against Bayelsa Queens on the final day.
Bayelsa Queens finished second with 10 points, while Nasarawa Amazons came third with eight points after drawing with Rivers Angels, who ended fourth.
Abia Angels finished fifth with four points, while FC Robo Queens ended the competition in sixth place with three points after a 1-1 draw.
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Edo Queens coach Moses Aduku praised his players for their strong response after losing their first match of the tournament.
“We lost the first game, but the players showed character and fought back strongly. I am proud of them,” he said.
He also thanked the Edo State Sports Commission and supporters for their backing throughout the season.
The Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Amadin Enabulele, said the victory was not only about winning a trophy but also about developing young talents for the future.
The coach is the same. The system is the same. The core is the same.
That is nothing against Rod Brind’Amour, considered one of the best behind the bench in the NHL, or Jordan Staal, Jaccob Slavin, Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis, who have been the centrepiece of the Carolina Hurricanes making the playoffs year after year.
But the difference this year came from all the new talent general manager Eric Tulsky added over the past 17 months to get over the hump. It added up to the franchise winning the Stanley Cup for the second time and first since 2006.
Tulsky took a big swing by acquiring elite winger Mikko Rantanen from Colorado in January 2025 and also got veteran Taylor Hall from Chicago as part of the three-team blockbuster. When Rantanen didn’t want to be part of Carolina’s long-term future, Tulsky traded him to Dallas and received centre Logan Stankoven and two first-round picks, one of which became part of getting defenceman K’Andre Miller on July 1.
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Two days later, the Hurricanes won the bidding competition to sign top free agent Nikolaj Ehlers, the speedy winger who gave them just what they needed after seven consecutive postseason appearances without a trip to the final. Falling one goal short so many times in key situations, Ehlers, Stankoven, Hall and Miller put an end to the rite of spring of wondering where that would come from.
All of them fit in with Brind’Amour, who requires his players to commit to a demanding brand of hockey that isn’t for everyone.
“We’ve really focused on finding people who fit the way we want to play,” Tulsky said. “We ask players to play a very distinctive style, and our scouts have done a great job finding players who can come in and look their best playing the way Rod needs them to play.”
The Hurricanes’ run started with a miss
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Trading for Rantanen was a huge risk. It involved sending talented forwards Martin Necas and Jack Drury to the Avalanche in a gamble that the big Finnish winger was the missing piece.
Rantanen had six points in 13 games with Carolina, and it became clear it was not a good fit. Discussions with Toronto involving Mitch Marner did not lead to him waiving his no-trade clause, and he instead wound up in Las Vegas and was key to the Golden Knights’ run to the final.
Rather than letting the situation play out with the likelihood he would depart in free agency, Tulsky flipped Rantanen to Dallas for Stankoven and a pair of first-round picks. One went to the New York Rangers for Miller, whose presence shored up depth on the blue line.
“We never want to get worried about the what ifs,” Tulsky said. “That being said, sometimes it doesn’t go the way you hoped, and you’ve got to be ready to figure out how you’re going to move forward from there.”
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Stankoven led the team with 11 goals during this dominant run of 16 victories in 19 games.
Hurricanes make all the right moves after
It was the same old story every time. The Hurricanes weren’t just a great regular-season team that failed in the playoffs. They won at least one series in six of Brind’Amour’s first seven years as coach, including three trips to the East final.
Tulsky, a former scientist who got into the sport by blogging about it as a fan and was promoted to succeed Don Waddell two years ago, didn’t blow it up. But he didn’t stand pat, either.
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The changes — including claiming goaltender Brandon Bussi off waivers from back-to-back champion Florida just before opening night in October — worked out swimmingly. Playing in the NHL for the first time at 27, Bussi won 31 of 39 starts during the season, then stepped in during the final in place of Frederik Andersen and backstopped them the rest of the way, including a shutout in the Game 6 clincher Sunday night.
“We have the confidence in Bus,” Brind’Amour said. “He makes a ton of big saves. Even when there’s breakdowns, we trust him back there, gives us tons of confidence to play our game and just be aggressive all night.”
Aggressive is the Golden Knights’ way, going after every big-name free agent or trade candidate, and it led to the Stanley Cup in 2023 and three runs to the final in their first nine years of existence. But Carolina has also become that team.
“Fundamentally, we want to be aggressive,” Tulsky said. “Rod has the team playing very aggressive on the ice. We want to be aggressive off the ice, too. And when you have a chance to add a really high-end player, we never want to miss out on it.”
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Carolina did not miss on Ehlers, who turned out to be key and scored the empty-netter that sealed the title. Getting him, Stankoven, Hall, Miller and others also made longtime holdovers like Staal and grinding forward Jordan Martinook believe they could get the job done.
“When your team is trying to get better all the time, it’s something that you can get behind,” Martinook said. “Obviously, we took a run of Mikko, it didn’t work out, but look what we got from it. Stanks and Key, those are two of the pieces that we got from it. Hallsy was part of that, too. Those are three incredibly important pieces to our team. It just shows that they’re ready to take chances all the time.”
Ivory Coast edged Ecuador (1-0) in their opening World Cup match, thanks to a goal from Amad Diallo. This is Ivory Coast’s first World Cup victory since 2014.
Also in this sports roundup:
Germany got off to a flying start against Curaçao (7-1). The Netherlands and Japan played out a spectacular draw (2-2). In Formula 1, Lewis Hamilton secured his first victory in two years. In rugby, Stade Français qualified for the Top 14 semi-finals. Paris Basket won Game 1 of the Betclic Elite finals. Paul Seixas withdrew from the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, which was won by Isaac del Toro.
Hamzah Sheeraz won the WBO super-middleweight world title last month, and with the unbeaten star willing to have a quick turnaround, a fellow 168lber has declared that he would be ready for a short-notice opportunity to challenge the Brit.
Earlier this week, BoxingScene reported that two world titles could be up for grabs on the undercard, with both Josh Kelly and Sheeraz set for their first defences of super-welterweight and super-middleweight world honours respectively.
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While Kelly is reportedly poised to face Belfast’s Caoimhin Agyarko, Sheeraz’s opponent is unknown, with a top 15 WBO ranking being the only stipulation.
In an interview with Boxing News, 39-year-old Milorad Zizic, who is rated as the WBO #9, shared his willingness to challenge for Sheeraz’s crown, in a fight where he could join Dejan Zlatičanin as the second Montenegrin world champion in boxing history.
“It would mean a lot to me. I live for that goal. It would be a great honour for me, my family, Montenegro, and the entire Balkan region. To become only the second world champion in Montenegro’s history would be something truly special.
“It would mean everything to me. I live for boxing. I truly believe that this fight could become the upset of the decade.”
“Hamzah Sheeraz is a true champion. He’s in his prime, and I have a lot of respect for him. But believe me, he has never faced — and will never face — a puncher as devastating as I am. I respect him as a fighter, but not to the point where I think I can’t beat him. I believe in my abilities, and I’m confident I can make my dream a reality.
“It will be a war from the first bell, I know how it can be. If we fight and he survives five rounds, he will be the winner, but five rounds against me is a long time.
“If Hamzah and his team want this fight, I’m ready. If not, that’s okay too. I’ll keep moving forward, keep working, and stay focused on my journey. My time will come.”
Whilst his lead trainer is Joco Todorovic, Zizic was previously cornered by fan-favourite four-division world champion Roy Jones Jr, who continues to coach him.
Speaking with Boxing News, Jones explained why he believes Zizic would be an interesting test for Sheeraz, agreeing with Zizic’s plan to force a shoot-out.
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“Zizic is a very strong puncher, just like Sheeraz is, they are both very strong punchers. Zizic had been off for a minute, but he came back and got four quick wins, he is back active and I think that would be a great fight for Sheeraz.
“Like I said, they are both really good punchers and Sheeraz won’t meet many people that can match his punching power, but Zizic does have punching power like that.”
“He has got to go right to him. He can’t try to box him, he will go right to him. That would probably be the smartest approach because if you box him, with as long as he [Sheeraz] is, he is going to beat you.
“So your best chance is try to and get to him as quick as you can and see if he can take your punches. If you wait, he is going to get you out of there.”
News on Sheeraz’s opponent – should he feature on the card – is expected imminently, with other WBO-rated contenders, Bernardin Jakaj (#12) and Jack Bowen (#14) also available as potential opponents.
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