Elversberg is a small town north-east of Saarbrücken in the small state of Saarland, south-west Germany. As part of Spiesen-Elversberg, the town has a population of around 13,000 but Elversberg alone has just 7,000 people living in it. There is no train station and just three bakeries.
What is Elversberg’s back story?
The club was formed in 1907, although folded during World War I before reforming in 1918.
In 2013, the club reached the third division alongside RB Leipzig, but they were promptly relegated. After two playoff defeats in 2016 and 2017, the club finally returned to the third division in 2022 and slowly they began to gain a greater reputation.
The club’s surge coincided with the appointment of Nils-Ole Book in 2017 and head coach Horst Steffen, a former Bundesliga player, a year later. Book first joined as a scout before becoming sporting director, where he played a key role in recruitment. Steffen secured back-to-back promotions for the club as they reached the second division in 2023 as a newly-promoted side in the third division. Germany and Newcastle striker Nick Woltemade played a key role in the club’s promotion that year before moving on, and Bayern Munich’s Paul Wanner enjoyed a successful loan spell at the club a year later.
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In just their second season in the second division (2024-25), Elversberg were in the promotion playoff. A 95th minute winner from Heidenheim broke their hearts though, as they missed out on the top flight. Steffen left for Werder Bremen, star player Fisnik Asllani returned to Hoffenheim and five other key players departed. Not only did it look like the chance had gone, but the club looked more likely to battle against relegation the following season.
How did Elversberg reach the Bundesliga promoted?
Aided by continuity at leading levels of the club, Elversberg found a way to turn a desperate situation into a remarkable one. What proved particularly helpful was having the father-son duo of Frank Holzer, chairman of the supervisory board, and Dominik, the president, leading the way and also calling the shots at main sponsor Ursapharm.
The appointment of head coach Vincent Wagner from Hoffenheim’s reserve team was understated, but Wagner did not change much from Steffen’s approach. Aided by former Bundesliga legend Mike Frantz, the assistant coach, and team manager Selina Wagner, who won a Champions League with Wolfsburg, the unit off the field appeared as united as the one forming on it.
The departure of star striker Younes Ebnoutalib to Frankfurt during the transfer window and sporting director Book to Borussia Dortmund in March didn’t derail the club’s promotion ambitions. After losing to relegation battlers Fortuna Düsseldorf in the penultimate game of the season, promotion hopes were wobbling once again. But a win on the final day was enough to keep their spot in second thanks to a superior goal difference. The Bundesliga had been reached.
“A friend of mine told me this week: ‘If Elversberg get promoted, then it’s like flying to the moon.’ Well, today we made it to the moon,” Wagner said afterwards.
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Two of the key figures in Elversberg’s rise are former head coach Horst Steffen (left) and former sporting director Nils-Ole Book (right)Image: Steven Mohr/Jan Huebner/IMAGO
Where do Elversberg play?
At the Waldstadion an der Kaiserlinde, which has a capacity of 10,000 — more than the population of the town. Construction to reach Bundesliga requirements —15,000 capacity — is reportedly not expected to be finished until 2027, though Elversberg have already been granted an exemption to that rule.
Who are the key figures at Elversberg?
The strength of this team appears to be the collective, and the continuity in leadership positions, rather than one or two individuals.
On the field though, Bambase Conte was signed on loan from Hoffenheim and the attacking midfielder was integral to the club’s promotion push. Long-standing goalkeeper Nicolas Kristof enjoyed a strong campaign, as did winger Lukas Petkov who pitched in with 13 goals and seven assists. Striker David Mokwa was bought in January for just €1.5m, but aided the team down the stretch.
The squad’s average age is 25.3, making it one of the younger squads in the second division. Having reportedly made €10m from transfers and spent just €3m on new arrivals, it’s clear what this team’s approach is. But this summer, it will be intriguing to see how the club approaches the transfer market as it looks to build a squad capable of staying in the Bundesliga.
After Rodri was drafted straight into the side on Saturday, City have a fully fit squad to choose from for the final two matches of the campaign.
Rodri is highly unlikely to start against Bournemouth having played an hour in the cup final and Guardiola is set to rotate his side given the hectic recent schedule.
It would be no surprise to see Rayan Cherki and Phil Foden come into the XI while Gianluigi Donnarumma will return in goal.
Might there be some changes in defence? None of John Stones, Nathan Ake, Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias were involved at Wembley.
Alex Eala vs Oleksandra Oliynykova at Strasbourg Open.– FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP, MARTIN KEEP/AFP PHOTOS
Alex Eala opens her campaign at the WTA 500 Strasbourg Open in France against Ukrainian World No. 66 Oleksandra Oliynykova in the round of 32.
2026 Strasbourg Open schedule
8:00 p.m.**** – Alex Eala vs Oleksandra Oliynykova
Alex Eala to play at Strasbourg Open main draw
The Philippines’ Alexandra Eala returns the ball to Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina, during their match at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome, Sunday, May 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Alex Eala has entered the main draw of the Strasbourg Open in France this coming week.
The Women’s Tennis Association website and the organizers confirmed Eala’s entry after initially being listed as a qualifier in the WTA 500 tournament.
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Eala will be facing a Ukrainian qualifier Oleksandra Oliynykova to start her campaign in France — her fifth tournament on clay.
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The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 playoffs race is showing no end to its drama, with seven teams competing for the three remaining slots as the tournament enters the final week of the league stage. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) became the first team to qualify after beating the Punjab Kings on Sunday, but Delhi Capitals’ victory over the Rajasthan Royals added another layer of complexity to the top-four battle. Now, a total of seven teams are vying for the remaining three slots in the playoffs. (IPL 2026 Points Table)
While the Royal Challengers Bengaluru have sealed their spot in the next round, only two teams have been eliminated so far: the Mumbai Indians and the Lucknow Super Giants. We take a look at the qualification scenarios for the remaining seven teams:
Gujarat Titans: The Shubman Gill-led side needs just one win from their remaining two matches to officially seal qualification and firmly challenge RCB for the top spot. Even if they lose both, they are highly likely to go through on points or net run rate (NRR) unless an impractical statistical shift occurs with the trailing teams.
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Sunrisers Hyderabad: SRH control their own destiny. Two wins could potentially push them to 18 points, safely placing them in the top four and potentially allowing them to fight for a top-two spot. One win takes them to 16 points, which should comfortably clear the logjam below them due to their healthy, positive NRR.
Punjab Kings: The costly defeat to RCB means PBKS can only reach a maximum of 15 points by winning their final fixture against LSG. Because they cannot reach the 16-point safety threshold, a win is non-negotiable. Even then, they must hope that the likes of CSK, RR, and KKR fail to clear the 14-point mark cleanly with a better NRR. SRH are likely to end the campaign above PBKS, while DC can only muster a maximum of 14 points, which would be irrelevant if Punjab get to 15.
Rajasthan Royals: With four defeats in their last five matches, Rajasthan’s campaign is on the brink of a complete collapse. At present, their playoff destiny remains in their own hands. If RR win both of their remaining games, they will finish on 16 points, putting them ahead of PBKS, KKR, and DC. If they only win one, the situation will force them into an ugly NRR battle with CSK and DC, provided that either KKR or PBKS fail to reach 15 points.
Chennai Super Kings: After their recent setback against LSG, CSK find themselves in must-win territory. They must ideally win both remaining matches to reach 16 points. Winning just one match (14 points) leaves them completely dependent on RR, KKR, and PBKS not crossing the 14-point mark, as well as keeping their NRR above the competition.
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Kolkata Knight Riders: KKR are the only side apart from PBKS who can reach 15 points. That gives them a slight advantage if other teams end up managing just 14 points. The Ajinkya Rahane-led side need to win both of their remaining matches and in that case, Net Run Rate (NRR) is expected to decide their future as many teams still remain in contention. However, just one win will take them to 13 points and it is very unlikely that it will be enough for them.
Delhi Capitals: By defeating Rajasthan, Delhi kept their campaign alive, but they only have one game left, capping their maximum possible tally at 14 points. To qualify, they must win their final match-and do so by a big margin-whilst heavily relying on CSK, PBKS, and RR to lose all of their remaining fixtures, and KKR not to win more than one. Furthermore, because of their severely compromised NRR (-0.871), they desperately need massive margins of victory or a total points collapse from the rest of the field.
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Any seasoned golf traveler knows that a sturdy, well-built travel bag is essential for protecting your clubs from the chaos of airports, rental cars and baggage handlers. But protection is only part of the equation. A truly great travel bag should also be easy to maneuver, smooth-rolling through terminals, and lightweight enough that loading your clubs in and out of a car doesn’t feel like a workout. So whether you’re heading out on a buddies’ golf trip, a bucket-list resort getaway or frequent tournament travel, these are the travel golf bags golfers consistently trust to get their gear there safely.
These are the 9 best travel bags you can buy online, right now:
The Club Glove Tour Traveler SB delivers the same tour-proven protection and premium construction as the brand’s legendary Tour Traveler, but in a more compact and manageable size for us mortals who don’t travel with tour bags. Built with rugged 1680D CORDURA® ballistic nylon, padded velour-lined clubhead protection and reinforced travel-ready construction throughout, it’s designed for golfers who travel often and don’t want to compromise on protection. Features like the included stiff arm, TSA-approved lock and shock-absorbing wheelbase help make this one of the most trusted compact travel bags in golf.
1 thing we really like: Nearly all the protection and premium feel of a full-sized tour travel bag without being obnoxiously bulky to move around. Comes with a stiff arm, too.
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Club Glove Tour Traveler SB
A compact, tour-inspired travel golf bag built for serious protection and easier portability.
The Sun Mountain ClubGlider Meridian has become one of the most popular golf travel bags on the market for one simple reason: it makes traveling with clubs much, much easier. Its patented retractable kickstand system shifts much of the bag’s weight onto the wheels, reducing the strain of dragging heavy clubs through airports, hotel parking lots and rental car centers. Combined with durable ballistic nylon construction, thick club-protecting padding and smooth-rolling wheels, the Meridian is built for golfers who travel often and want the process to feel far less exhausting.
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1 thing we really like: The retractable leg system genuinely changes the travel experience and makes hauling heavy clubs feel surprisingly effortless and kinda fun.
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Sun Mountain ClubGlider Meridian
A smartly engineered travel golf bag designed to make airport travel significantly easier on your body.
The Bag Boy T-10 Hard Top Travel Cover combines the flexibility of a soft travel bag with the added protection of a crush-resistant hard top. It’s for the golfers who want extra security for their clubheads without committing to a fully hard-shell case. The T-10 comes with club protection features like dense internal padding, compression straps and a reinforced ABS base. Large skate-style wheels and multiple storage pockets also make it practical for those rough-and-tumble travel days.
1 thing we really like: The crush-resistant hard top gives added peace of mind for protecting drivers and woods without the bulk of a full-length hard case.
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Bag Boy T-10 Hard Top
A hybrid hard-top travel bag that adds serious club protection without the bulk of a full hard case.
The Sun Mountain Kube takes a different approach to golf travel by combining solid club protection with one of the smartest storage solutions in the category. Built with durable ballistic-style fabric, reinforced wear zones and protective plastic shell panels, the Kube offers impressive protection while still folding down into an incredibly compact cube when not in use. For golfers who don’t want a massive travel bag taking over the garage or closet between trips, this one makes a ton of sense.
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1 thing we really like: The worst part about travel bags is storing them when not in use. Except for this one. It shrinks and fits anywhere.
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Sun Mountain Kube
A cleverly designed travel golf bag that folds down small without sacrificing club protection.
The Izzo Golf High Roller brings a clever approach to golf travel with a unique upright rolling design that’s meant to be pushed instead of constantly dragged behind you. Its six-wheel base system, including four swivel wheels, makes maneuvering through airports noticeably smoother, while heavy-duty 1680D nylon construction and internal protective panels help keep clubs protected during transit. Add in the accordion-style collapsible design, and this becomes an especially practical option for golfers who want easier mobility and compact storage.
1 thing we really like: The way it stands up and rolls upright might turn some eyeballs, but it sure is easier than pulling one on two wheels.
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Izzo Golf High Roller
A uniquely designed upright travel golf bag that prioritizes maneuverability and compact storage.
If you’re getting a travel bag, why not get matching luggage to go with it? The Series 800 On the Go Travel Bag includes a matching three-piece setup designed to organize and protect more than just your clubs. Along with the padded travel cover, the set includes a dedicated shoe bag and carry-on bag, helping golfers keep everything together and easier to manage during travel days. Reinforced straps, heavy-duty zippers, oversized storage pockets and adjustable securing straps round out a setup that’s practical for golfers who like staying organized.
1 thing we really like: The matching shoe and carry-on bags makes you feel more put together and less chaotic during long golf trips. What a great price, too.
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Golf Gifts & Gallery Series 800 On the Go
A complete three-piece golf travel set built to keep clubs, shoes, and travel essentials organized and protected.
For golfers who want maximum club protection and want to handle most of the internal padding themselves (towels work great), the Hardcase delivers the peace of mind that comes with a hard-shell design. Its high-impact polymer exterior helps shield clubs from rough baggage handling, while the padded interior and internal securing straps help keep everything stable during transit. Despite the rugged construction, multiple handles and a combination of inline and 360-degree pivoting wheels help make it easier to maneuver than many traditional hard cases.
1 thing we really like: The combination of inline wheels and four pivoting wheels makes this hard case easy to move.
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Golf Gifts & Gallery Hardcase
A fully hard-shell golf travel case built for maximum club protection during air travel.
We get it, things are expensive these days and sometimes you’re just looking for a killer value. The Bag Boy T-460 is a lightweight, no-nonsense travel cover designed for golfers who want solid protection without a big price tag. Built from weather- and tear-resistant 600D nylon, the T-460 features reinforced corners, smooth-rolling wheels and internal compression straps to help keep clubs secure during travel. Oversized storage pockets and a lightweight overall build make it especially appealing for golfers trying to avoid extra hassle at the airport.
1 thing we really like: At just over 4.5 pounds, it helps keep overall travel weight down without feeling flimsy or underbuilt.
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Bag Boy T-460
A lightweight and affordable golf travel cover that keeps things simple, durable, and easy to transport.
The Ping Rolling Travel Cover is built for golfers who prioritize dependable club protection and who want to rep an OEM brand. Thick padding throughout the bag helps safeguard everything from lightweight carry bags to larger cart bags, while durable polyester construction, hearty zippers and tough skid rail wheels are designed to handle rough sidewalks, curbs and airport travel with ease. Multiple grab handles and a foldable design also make the bag easier to maneuver and store between trips.
1 thing we really like: The directions on how to fold it up for storage are printed on the inside.
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Ping Rolling Travel Cover
A durable, well-padded travel golf bag built to protect clubs and simplify travel days.
TOPSHOT – Italy’s Jannik Sinner holds the trophy after winning the men’s final of the ATP Rome Open tennis tournament against Norway’s Casper Ruud at the Foro Italico in Rome on May 17, 2026. (Photo by Filippo MONTEFORTE / AFP via Getty Images)
Jannik Sinner defeated Casper Ruud 6-4, 6-4 to win the Italian Open and become the first Italian man to lift the title in 50 years.
The victory also made Sinner the first man in tennis history to win six consecutive Masters 1000 titles.
The world No. 1 has now won 34 straight matches at Masters events, 29 consecutive matches overall, and 51 of his last 53 matches.
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After the match, Sinner reflected on what the moment meant to him.
“There’s no better place to complete this set,” he said after becoming the youngest man ever to complete the career Golden Masters.
“To win at least once in my career here in Rome means a lot to me.”
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Sinner later admitted the last few months have been special.
“This year was the 50th year since an Italian won… I’m really, really happy. Incredible last two and a half months.”
The 24-year-old now heads to French Open after winning every Masters event played this season: Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, Madrid and Rome.
Runners from across the globe put their physical and mental stamina to the test on May 16: to conquer the Great Wall of China Marathon. The race that starts and finishes near the Huangyaguan fortress celebrated its 23rd anniversary this year. It is known for being a particularly gruelling course, but one that’s worth it. It is even on the Forbes Top 10 List of Marathons worth travelling for.
The New York Mets took the first Subway Series of the season over the New York Yankees in dramatic fashion on Sunday afternoon.
The Mets had runners on first and third in the bottom of the 10th inning with one out and rookie Carson Benge at the plate. Benge hit a chopper over Yankees reliever Tim Hill’s head.
New York Mets’ Carson Benge celebrates with teammates after hitting into the game-winning fielder’s choice during the 10th inning against the New York Yankees in New York on May 17, 2026.(Seth Wenig/AP)
“Once it went over the pitcher’s head I kind of knew,” Benge said after the game.
Yankees infielders Anthony Volpe and Max Schuemann collided trying to make a play but neither could come up with the ball. Marcus Semien jetted home to score the game-winning run. The Mets won the game, 7-6.
The Yankees had a 6-3 lead going into the bottom of the ninth. Tyrone Taylor came up to the plate with Benge and Juan Soto on base. With two outs, he crushed a pitch to left field off David Bednar to tie the game. The next Mets heroics came in the following inning.
It was Taylor’s third home run of the season.
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“I didn’t know it was going to stay fair,” Taylor said. “I kind of waited there to see if it would.”
New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe watches New York Mets’ Luis Torrens react after hitting a two-run RBI double during the sixth inning in New York on May 17, 2026.(Seth Wenig/AP)
The Yankees went 2-7 on a nine-game road trip as they get set for a seven-game homestand against American League East rivals the Toronto Blue Jays and the Tampa Bay Rays.
“Guys are playing tough and making the plays they need to but just coming up a little bit short,” Yankees slugger Aaron Judge said. “We’ve got to have a short memory, move on and get ready … because we’ve got a big division opponent coming in.”
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Bednar blew a save for the second time in 12 chances and his ERA ballooned to a 4.95.
“Overall, it’s unacceptable, especially in that spot,” Bednar said. “It’s just very frustrating.”
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza applauded the team’s resiliency.
New York Mets’ Tyrone Taylor reacts after hitting a three-run home run during the ninth inning against the New York Yankees in New York on May 17, 2026.(Seth Wenig/AP)
“We get down. We get punched in the face. We get back up,” he said. “Today was a perfect example when, like I said, we didn’t play our best game and we still are able to shake hands at the end.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.
Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown’s season may be over but his feud with ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith heated up over the weekend.
Brown was on his livestream and came after Smith once again after the sports pundit told the NBA guard to “be quiet.” Smith previously responded to Brown accusing NBA referees of having an “agenda” against him following the Philadelphia 76ers coming back from a 3-1 deficit to win the series against the Celtics.
Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown is on the court before game seven of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, on May 2, 2026.(Winslow Townson/Imagn Images)
The five-time All-Star wrote on X earlier this month he would “be quiet” once Smith retired.
“Did he just say I needed to be quiet? Be quiet for who?” he said Sunday night. “Man, f— Stephen A. Stephen A, Stephen B, Stephen C. My offer still stands. You want me to be quiet and stop streaming, well, I want you to be quiet and get off these networks because you’re not using your platform to do real journalism. You’re using your platform to use clickbait.
“Tell this mother—-er to retire because he’s the face of clickbait media at the point and maybe with his retirement we can spark a movement to get the rest of these mother—-ers out of here — or to also have some type of … forget journalistic integrity, actual integrity in order to hold themselves accountable to the bulls— takes they put out.”
Stephen A. Smith questioned whether NBA players feel safe in Memphis, and Grizzlies guard Ja Morant responded during an NBA event in 2024.(Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)
Brown analyzed one clip of Smith speaking about Brown not having Jayson Tatum on his stream and suggested that it’s the reason why Smith is referred to as a “clown.”
It’s safe to say the Celtics had a better season than NBA fans expected. Boston came into the year without Tatum as he suffered a torn Achilles in the playoffs last year.
But Brown carried the load, playing in 71 games and averaging 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists. Brown said that Smith couldn’t understand how leadership and team chemistry helped lift the Celtics to greater heights than what was expected.
The Celtics were 56-26 and won the Atlantic Division.
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Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown dribbles the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pa., on April 30, 2026.(Bill Streicher/Imagn Images)
Football club Paris Saint-Germain lifted the Ligue 1 trophy but then lost 2-1 away to neighbours Paris FC in their last game before the Champions League final against Arsenal. There were plenty of surprises during the French football competition – some bad ones for PSG and some good ones for Marseille. In total, six French clubs will be playing in European competitions next year, like Lens in the Champions League and Rennes in the Conference League.
Suncorp Stadium will play host to Sunday’s
Round 11 NRL game between New Zealand Warriors and
Brisbane Broncos. The game kicks off at 4:05 pm with New Zealand Warriors heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the New Zealand Warriors vs.
Brisbane Broncos
game and give you our free tips and bets.
Two premiership contenders enter Sunday afternoon heading in opposite directions. Brisbane showed admirable resilience during its injury-hit winning streak, but the physical toll appears to be catching up with the Broncos as the season deepens. Fatigue and inconsistency have crept into their performances, particularly around defensive transitions and ruck speed.
The Warriors, meanwhile, are benefiting from one of the competition’s deepest squads. Fresh off the bye, New Zealand looks energised and well placed to challenge Brisbane through the middle third, where Wayde Egan’s running game becomes especially dangerous. Andrew Webster’s side has consistently generated opportunities by winning ruck speed and shifting tired defenders around the park. If the Warriors establish dominance early through possession and territory, their edge attack could create major problems for a Broncos side still searching for rhythm.
Warriors team: 1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Ali Leiataua 4. Adam Pompey 5. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Tanah Boyd 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Leka Halasima 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Erin Clark 14. Samuel Healey 15. Jackson Ford 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Jacob Laban 18. Tanner Stowers-Smith 20. Te Maire Martin 21. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava 22. Luke Hanson 23. Makaia Tafua
Broncos team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Jesse Arthars 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Phillip Coates 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Preston Riki 9. Cory Paix 10. Xavier Willison 11. Jaiyden Hunt 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Ben Hunt 15. Ben Talty 16. Va’a Semu 17. Aublix Tawha 18. Hayze Perham 19. Josh Rogers 20. Thomas Duffy 21. Luke Gale 22. Kane Bradley
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