Tickets go on sale this week for the first pre-season game as Manchester Storm make their big return to the AO Arena and it’s a biggie – here’s all the details
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Manchester Storm make their big return to the AO Arena for their 2026/2027 season – and it will all start with a spectacular pre-season clash with fierce rivals the Sheffield Steelers. The team’s first game at the AO Arena has been confirmed to take place on Sunday, September 6.
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It marks the first time fans will get to see their team back under the lights in the Manchester AO Arena, one of the biggest indoor arenas in Europe. Announcing the pre-season game against the Steelers was the homecoming game supporters had been waiting for.
The new season ushers in a new era for Manchester Storm, who announced their move from their recent home of Planet Ice in Altrincham back to AO Arena back in April amid major excitement from fans. The ambitious move is set to see huge crowds once again able to cheer on the Elite League team for the new 2026/2027 season.
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The move sees Storm heading “back home” to the AO Arena where the team first started out in 1995.
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The tickets for the pre-season game will go on general sale to the public from Wednesday, July 8, but pre-sales will start from today, Monday July 6.
Ticket prices for the pre-season game have also now been confirmed, starting at £7.25 for juniors and £18.75 for adults. Fixtures and ticket prices for the full season will be announced in the coming weeks.
Here’s all the details of how to get tickets for the pre-season opening game below.
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When tickets go on sale
The first tickets go on sale from today. Here’s the ticket sale timeline
Monday 6 July – 9:00am
• Season Ticket Holder Pre-Sale
Tuesday 7 July – 9:00am• AO Arena Pre-Sale (available to AO Arena newsletter subscribers). Please note that Season Ticket Holder seats will still be unavailable at this stage.
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Wednesday 8 July• 8:59am – Season Ticket Holder and Venue priority window ends• 12:00noon – General Sale begins
Tickets prices for pre-season game
Ticket prices for pre-season have been confirmed as:
Adults: £18.75
Concessions (including students) and ages 13–17: £13.00
Ages 3–12: £7.25
The prices are inclusive of all booking fees – there are no additional charges.
Further game by game tickets will go on sale at a later date. Ticket prices for the season will also be confirmed in the coming weeks.
Savannah Guthrie recently opened up about their distress after Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance in February. She said that they are going through “unending trauma” and expressed gratitude to the authorities.
Nancy Guthrie disappeared from her home in February this year. She was last seen on January 31 at her home in Tucson, Arizona. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI have been working on the case since then. However, there has been no concrete evidence regarding Nancy’s whereabouts.
Amidst this, her daughter, Savannah Guthrie, spoke to KOLD 13 News about how she is handling everything. She said:
“It is five months of agony and unending trauma for our family. There is not a moment that goes by that we aren’t actively trying to find our mom.”
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She also spoke about the authorities and added:
“We thank the people of Tucson for holding her in their hearts, as well as both the FBI and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department for their tireless work on behalf of our family. Bring her home.”
Blogger Perez Hilton has reacted to Savannah Guthrie’s statement on his website, writing:
“How completely devastating. We can’t even begin to fathom what this has been like for them… We hope one day there will FINALLY be answers.”
In recent updates, there has been speculation about the ransom notes the authorities have received since Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance. Reuters reported last week that three of these were fake.
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Meanwhile, the FBI released a statement that they are investigating the notes. They added that some of these “have been deemed to be extortion attempts without legitimacy.” However, they believe that some of these notes could be legitimate.
Savannah Guthrie reacted after reports of Nancy Guthrie’s death broke last month
Celebrity Sightings In New York City – June 12, 2026 – Source: Getty
Some of the ransom notes that the authorities have received hinted at Nancy Guthrie’s death. These notes were also sent to various media outlets, like TMZ. On June 23, TodayShow co-host Craig Melvin shared this report, with Savannah Guthrie also on air.
He praised Savannah’s bravery, and she responded:
“I love you guys, and I love this place. This is unusual and unprecedented — to say the least — to be sitting here.”
She “begged” people to come forward and share any legitimate information they might have about her mother. She added:
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“This is a new story that today is on your radar, but this is the life that my sister lives, that I live, that my brother lives, that our extended families live, that our children live every day. And we are in agony and we cannot be at peace.”
Savannah Guthrie returned to the Today Show and, opening up about her decision, she added:
“So no matter how much I try to come out here every day and to smile and find that joy — and I will, I promise I will — this is a moment to tell you that we need your help. We’re begging for your help. And I’m not gonna miss that opportunity.”
She also reiterated that she and her family are willing to give $1 million as a reward for any legitimate information regarding Nancy’s whereabouts.
The 51-year-old Austrian arrives with a formidable track record, having guided Palace to their inaugural major silverware, the 2025 FA Cup, followed by a Community Shield triumph and, in May, the Conference League trophy.
Prior to his success in England, Glasner steered Eintracht Frankfurt to victory in the 2021-22 Europa League, their first major European honour in over four decades.
Glasner expressed his enthusiasm for the new role, stating: “I’m delighted to join Nottingham Forest as head coach. From my very first conversations with the owner and the leadership team, it was evident to me that they have a clear vision for this football club and complete trust and belief in me and my staff to build a strong future together over the long term.”
Vitor Pereira recently left Forest and has now been replaced by Glasner (Mike Egerton/PA) (PA Wire)
He added: “That trust and shared commitment, together with the potential that I see within the squad, were key factors for me and I am excited about what we can achieve together.”
Glasner also acknowledged Forest’s rich heritage, stating: “Nottingham Forest is a club with incredible prestige and history, a two-time European Champion with one of the most passionate fan bases in football.”
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Outlining his objectives, he affirmed: “Our aim is to build a team that can help take the club to the next level in the years ahead and that our supporters can be proud of.”
Glasner concluded: “My immediate focus is on meeting the players and staff and getting to work as we begin pre-season. I’m excited for the future and will work tirelessly to represent this great club with pride and to bring success on the pitch. I can’t wait to get started.”
Glasner takes over at Forest just days after his Crystal Palace contract expired. The Austrian coach informed Palace of his desire to leave in the early stages of the 2025-26 season before making a public statement over his future in January.
Palace went on to finish 15th in the Premier League, a point and a place above Forest. Glasner’s first competitive match in charge of Forest will be a home clash against Leeds on 22 August.
England’s Declan Rice is shown a yellow card by referee (Reuters)
In the previous game, a last-32 win over DR Congo, Bellingham received a yellow card.
But what do these bookings mean for England against Norway, and then in the semi-finals if England get that far?
First things first: group-stage yellow cards were wiped out after the group stage, so they are irrelevant here. With that in mind, here’s all you need to know:
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How many yellow cards equal a suspension?
If a player picks up two yellow cards overall across the last 32, last 16 and quarter-finals, they will be suspended.
How long is that suspension?
The suspension lasts just one game, so if a player were booked in the last 32 and last 16, they would miss a quarter-final; or if they were booked in the last 32/last 16 and the quarter-finals, they would miss a semi-final.
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When do yellow cards reset?
Yellow cards reset after the semi-finals, so a booking in the semi-finals does not rule a player out of the final, regardless of what happened in their previous knockout games.
How long is the suspension for a red card?
Jarell Quansah was shown a straight red against Mexico (Getty)
A red card (whether a straight red or the result of two yellows in one game) equals a one game ban.
However, a shocking move saw Fifa suspend the red card of USA striker Florian Balogun – earned against Bosnia in the last 32 – by a year, meaning he will be able to feature in their last-16 tie against Belgium.
There is no reset on red cards, so to speak, meaning: if a player is sent off in a semi-final, they will miss the final.
Which England players could miss the semi-finals, if England get there?
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These players must avoid a booking against Norway to be eligible in the semi-finals, if England get that far: Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice, Marc Guehi, Nico O’Reilly, Jordan Henderson.
Jarell Quansah’s red card in the last 16 means he will miss the quarter-final, but he will be back in the semi-finals if England make it to that stage.
Minnesota Vikings cornerback Isaiah Rodgers (2) reacts after breaking up a pass at U.S. Bank Stadium, with Sept. 21, 2025 placing the first-half moment in Minneapolis against the Cincinnati Bengals. Rodgers celebrates the defensive stop as Minnesota’s secondary tightens coverage and tries to swing momentum during an early-season home matchup that afternoon. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
The Vikings must make 2026 their breakout year, moving beyond just the regular season with playoff wins.
Why? Well, with a substantial portion of their offensive starters set to become free agents in 2027, the upcoming season carries pressure to perform. While Minnesota can attempt to re-sign some, or even most, of these players, retaining every key contributor appears unlikely. The defense faces fewer impending free agents than the offense, but enough to warrant discussions now.
Here’s the list of Vikings defensive starters on tap for 2027 free agency, in alphabetical order.
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Cashman and Van Ginkel Headline Minnesota’s Defensive Decisions
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman (51) reacts after a defensive stop during fourth-quarter action against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium on Dec 25, 2025. Cashman celebrated as the Minneapolis crowd roared late in the divisional matchup, adding another emotional snapshot to a Christmas Day NFC North game at home. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.
Blake Cashman (LB)
The Eden Prairie native is a tackle machine who just so happens to miss about four games per year like clockwork. He also turned 30 last month, so Cashman has probably peaked.
He’s still worth an extension, though, as off-ball linebackers can thrive well into their 30s, unlike most running backs, for example. Cashman logged a casual 144 tackles in 13 games in 2025. He’s an anchor of Brian Flores’s defense.
It’s worth noting, too — this will also apply to Andrew Van Ginkel later on this list — that Minnesota just drafted Jake Golday of Cincinnati. In theory, Golday could create an off-ramp for Cashman if new general manager Nolan Teasley doesn’t have Cashman in the long-term plans.
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Isaiah Rodgers (CB)
Rodgers inked a two-year deal during the 2025 offseason, and he did not disappoint during his maiden voyage season. In fact, he produced one of the greatest games in team and NFL history against the Cincinnati Bengals last season. He was also pretty damn solid as a whole.
The Vikings’ brass knows, behind closed doors, whether it values Rodgers for the long haul. He’s 28 and will have about three more seasons of optimal value. In the meantime, the Vikings drafted 5th-Round corner Charles Demmings from Stephen F. Austin, who could morph into a small-school gem.
Rodgers is also Minnesota’s fastest player, showcasing 4.28 speed six years ago before the 2020 NFL Draft. He can fly.
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Zone Coverage‘s Chris Schad noted on the state of the Vikings’ CB Room this offseason, “The last thing the Vikings need to do is find cornerbacks. Murphy could rebound from a tough year after being asked to play out wide more than he did in 2024.”
“Rodgers had flashes during his first season in Minnesota, and Pierre is a sleeper who allowed 16 catches for 163 yards and a touchdown with an interception, nine pass breakups, and no penalties on 35 targets with the Pittsburgh Steelers last season, according to Pro Football Focus.“
Andrew Van Ginkel (OLB)
Van Ginkel has ascended to the role of the Vikings’ top outside linebacker, a somewhat surprising but real development.
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Minnesota Vikings linebackers Andrew Van Ginkel (43) and Brian Asamoah II (6) stand on the field during a summer minicamp session at team headquarters on June 10, 2025. The two defenders worked through offseason activities in Minneapolis as Minnesota continued to shape Brian Flores’ linebacker group before training camp arrived later that summer. Mandatory Credit: Credit Needed.
Following Minnesota’s trade of Jonathan Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles last month, Van Ginkel now stands as the primary veteran presence alongside Dallas Turner, who is entering his first full season as a starter. That makes Van Ginkel critically important to Flores, who already trusts him with complex defensive assignments.
Van Ginkel’s versatility is a key asset. He can disrupt a play from the EDGE and then seamlessly drop back into coverage on the subsequent snap, executing the kind of dynamic schemes Flores is known for. His understanding of a disguise-heavy, chaotic defensive approach significantly impacts the unit’s effectiveness.
Approaching 31 this summer, Van Ginkel isn’t getting any younger. The Vikings may need to consider extending his contract if they wish to retain him beyond 2026. In his two seasons with the team, he has accumulated 18.5 sacks, 32 quarterback hits, 133 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 2 touchdowns.
For the immediate future, Van Ginkel is the defensive linchpin. While an explosive performance from Turner would be a welcome bonus, Van Ginkel remains crucial to maintaining the team’s pass rush.
Jay Ward (S) and/or Theo Jackson (S)
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No one is exactly sure which safety will start next to Josh Metellus in 2026; it’s a question to be answered at training camp and after the team definitively learns Harrison Smith’s plans.
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) stiff-arms Minnesota Vikings safety Theo Jackson (26) during first-quarter action at Ford Field on Nov 2, 2025. LaPorta created space on the play in Detroit as Jackson tried to finish the tackle, capturing an early physical moment in another NFC North matchup between division rivals. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images.
Ward came on strong last December, quietly swiping Jackson’s starting job. If Smith doesn’t come back one more time, Ward may be the Week 1 starter. Stay tuned.
In any event, both Ward and Jackson are scheduled for free agency in March. One could be extended this summer, or the front office could let it all play out. Yes, the Vikings could be safety shopping next offseason.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker
England won a thrilling, chaotic game 3-2 on Sunday to reach the quarter-finals, and they did so in Mexico City, where Mexico’s record is formidable.
The result was just the third-ever loss for Mexico at the Azteca in a competitive game, dating back to the stadium’s opening in 1966.
Dejected Mexico fans in their capital city during the game with England (Reuters)
That was famously the year England won the World Cup for the only time in their history, and now they take on Norway in pursuit of a place in this year’s semi-finals in North America – where Mexico have been co-hosts alongside the US and Canada, with no more games to be played on Mexican soil at this tournament.
ESPN Deportes said of the result: “The hopes of the Mexico City Stadium were dashed in the 101st minute. This time, the Mexican fans refused to give up, just like their national team. They didn’t abandon their own side until the very last minute, clinging to the dream that, for once, they could crush a powerhouse like England.
“The final score was 3-2 in favour of the Europeans, the most painful ‘Aztecazo’ of all. Once again, the [reality] of ‘we played like never before and lost as always’.”
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Meanwhile, El Universal also led with the word “Aztecazo”, as did AS Mexico: “the definitive ‘Aztecazo’”.
“Mexico bowed out of the World Cup with their heads held high,” said El Universal. “[Goalkeeper] Guillermo Ochoa warned the day before: clinical finishing defines the powerhouses… And so it proved. Jude Bellingham served as a reminder with his brace.”
Mexican fans fail to hide their disappointment (Reuters)
Indeed, the England midfielder struck twice in three minutes to put England 2-0 up in the first half, seemingly overwriting the dominant pre-match narrative about the altitude in Mexico City, but Julian Quinones quickly made it 2-1.
A Harry Kane penalty gave England a cushion in the second half after Jarell Quansah’s straight red card, before Raul Jimenez scored his own spot kick to give the Three Lions a long, nervy task in trying to hold on – which they did, for a 3-2 win.
“Possession, which favored the Mexican team, became a mere statistic,” El Universal continued. “[England] suffered from start to finish at the Azteca Stadium.”
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“The ‘Game of the Century’ of the new era,” said AS. “Everything stopped going right for [Javier] Aguirre’s ‘Tri’, who succumbed, but not before pushing England to their human limits in a delirious and legendary match, a golden chapter in World Cup history.
Mexico endured a 3-2 loss to England, but both teams suffered along the way (Reuters)
“It couldn’t have happened anywhere else. The Azteca Stadium – more English than ever – by fate, climate, and crowd, witnessed England exorcise their ghosts from their cursed stadium.”
Under Fifa’s disciplinary code, Ronaldo should have received a three-match ban for elbowing Dara O’Shea during Portugal’s 2-0 qualifying defeat by the Republic of Ireland in November.
He served one match in the final qualifier against Armenia – but the remaining two games of the ban were suspended.
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Ronaldo’s red card, though, was received in qualifying. It was not a red card at a World Cup.
There have been many cases of players being shown some leniency before a tournament, not just Ronaldo.
See France’s Laurent Koscielny in 2014, or Ecuador’s Moises Caicedo and Argentina’s Nicolas Otamendi before this World Cup.
At least with Ronaldo, we were given some justification, with Fifa saying it had taking into account that “he had no red cards in his other 225 international appearances”.
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With Balogun, we did not even get that.
It has left a vacuum of information which can only lead to speculation.
Why was this a special case? What factors were taken into account? Who made the decision?
BBC Sport has been told there are no suggestions that the referee asked for the suspension to be removed, or that video assistant referee protocol was not respected.
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In England, the Football Association would publish the full written reasons.
The United States have the right to ask Fifa to publish them, Belgium do not.
BBC Sport pundit Micah Richards, a former England defender, said it was a farce.
“To have it suspended for a year makes a mockery of the whole tournament,” he said.
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“It is to keep the big stars in the competition. How can that happen? Fifa needs to do better.
“It has left a bad taste in a lot of people’s mouths.”
Belgium are, of course, furious. They issued a statement on Sunday saying they were “astonished” that Balogun had been cleared to play.
The Belgian FA referenced several regulations, workshop presentations and pre-tournament co-ordination meetings.
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They are adamant that the decision contradicts the tournament regulations which state that a player “will automatically be suspended from their team’s subsequent match”.
In effect, they say Fifa used its disciplinary code to override the competition regulations.
Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia, speaking at a news conference, went further. He said: “I didn’t know that [at] the Fifa World Cup 5 July is now 1 April, and that is April Fool’s.
“We are not defending the national team or the federation, we’re defending football.”
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What must the other players sent off at this tournament be thinking?
Take Qatar’s Assim Madibo, involved in an unfortunate incident which led to a broken leg for Canada’s midfielder Ismael Kone.
There is a clear case here that Madibo did not even make a challenge, that the injury happened by chance and not because of the nature of the tackle.
Yet Fifa handed Madibo a five-game ban – an extra three on top of the standard punishment for serious foul play.
The Philippines’ Alex Eala celebrates beating Poland’s Iga Swiatek during their women’s singles third round tennis match on the sixth day of the 2026 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 4, 2026. (Photo by Henry Nicholls / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines–Filipinos can catch Alex Eala’s Wimbledon round of 16 match against Jasmine Paolini in a public watch party at Philsports Arena in Pasig City on Monday.
The watchalong, hosted by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), is free and can accommodate up to 8,000 fans on a first-come, first-served basis.
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Gates open at 5:30 p.m., while the match, which takes place at Centre Court in London, is set at 8:30 p.m.
“Alex’s victory is a source of immense pride for the nation. Hosting this watch party is our way of uniting Filipinos to celebrate her journey and to show her that the entire country is behind her,” said PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio.
The viewing party will also feature Gilas Pilipinas’ game against Australia in the third window of the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers, which tips off at 6:30 p.m.
Eala continues to make tennis history for the Philippines. She became the first Filipino to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam singles tournament after sweeping defending Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek of Poland on Saturday.
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Her victory over the world No. 3 Swiatek was her seventh career win against a top-10 player.
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At 39, Michael Hollick is not the typical rookie. In a game that often celebrates youth, his first season on the DP World Tour serves as a reminder that some journeys simply take longer to unfold — but that doesn’t make them any less meaningful.
In 2025, Hollick claimed the final available DP World Tour card by finishing seventh on the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit. After a career that had had a few unexpected turns — setbacks, a brief step away from competitive golf, and even a stint coaching — this was a chance to turn the page on a new chapter.
Once he arrived on tour, there was little sign of a player trying to catch up. Three top-10 finishes in his first four starts — including a solo fourth at the Crown Australian Open that earned him a spot at the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale — showed he belonged. Each week seemed to reinforce the last, and Hollick carried that consistency into the BMW International Open.
Sunday wasn’t flawless, but Hollick was never far from the lead. After the 16th hole, he found himself three shots behind fellow South African Hennie du Plessis. Even then, there was no change in his approach.
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“I was actually calm the whole day, stuck to the same stuff I’ve done the whole week,”
Michael Hollick reflects on his maiden win on the DP World Tour 🎙️
“You start making birdies and it’s easy to start thinking too far ahead, and I kind of brought myself back.
“I was actually calm the whole day, stuck to the same stuff I’ve done the whole week,” Hollick said after the round, “You start making birdies and it’s easy to start thinking too far ahead, and I kind of brought myself back.”
That patience paid off almost immediately. Du Plessis bogeyed the par-3 17th after missing the green, while Hollick answered with a birdie to cut the deficit to one heading into the final hole.
Following a 307-yard drive and a nervy approach shot, Hollick stood over a 19-foot eagle putt knowing exactly what it meant.
He rolled it in.
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Remarkably, it was a moment he had already imagined.
“I just said, ‘If I have a chance to win the tournament on the back nine, that’s what I want,’ and funnily enough, yesterday when I went to bed, I thought if I had the chance to make eagle at the last to win it, that would be something,” Hollick said.
The putt completed a closing 67, a winning total of 18-under, and the first DP World Tour title of his career. It also felt like the natural reward for years of persistence.
“Four years ago, I put the clubs in the cupboard and started coaching,” he said, “The first year is tough, it’s all the unknown. You’re playing your heart out to keep your card and give yourself a chance next year — but here we are.”
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The victory also secures starts in both the Genesis Scottish Open and the Open Championship, continuing a rookie season that has exceeded expectations at every turn.
For Hollick, this wasn’t simply one great week. It was the culmination of years spent rebuilding, believing and patiently working his way back. And if his first few months on the DP World Tour are any indication, this chapter may be only the beginning.
Despite coming off a defeat to Oleksandr Usyk, former long-reigning kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven could soon land another world title shot, this time at a 50,000-seat stadium.
The 37-year-old gave a tremendous account of himself in May, coming tantalisingly close to pulling off a major upset against the lineal heavyweight champion.
Prior to that, Verhoeven’s only professional boxing match came against a 0-5 journeyman, who he stopped in round two of their 2014 encounter.
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Yet despite his lack of pugilistic experience, the Dutchman was presented with an opportunity to claim Usyk’s WBC title in Egypt.
This remarkable achievement was then followed by an 11th-round knockdown, with referee Mark Lyson waving Verhoeven off on his feet after the bell had sounded.
Subsequently, the kickboxing legend entered the WBC rankings at No.8, while Usyk has now vacated his three belts and afforded Agit Kabayel an upgrade from ‘interim’ to full WBC champion.
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Speaking with Playbook Boxing, Kabayel’s manager, Spencer Brown, proposed a potential voluntary title defence against Verhoeven.
“Holland’s very close to Germany; it’s an hour away. [Verhoeven would] bring massive support, and I think that would fill 50,000 in Germany.
“It’s a sensible fight. I think Oleksandr Usyk won the fight fair and square … [But] I thought [Verhoeven] put up an unbelievable performance. I’d never seen anything like it.”
Kabayel claimed his ‘interim’ title with a sixth-round stoppage of Zhilei Zhang in February 2025, underlining his status as one of the division’s most formidable body punchers.
Now coming off a third-round finish over Damian Knyba in Germany, the unbeaten 33-year-old will be eager to defend his new strap later this year.
The former Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, is wanted by some supporters of one national team who are calling for huge changes after their World Cup exit
Brazilian supporters have called for head coach Carlo Ancelotti to be dismissed and replaced by Pep Guardiola after their elimination from the World Cup.
The five-time World Champions suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to Norway in the round of 16, with Erling Haaland scoring both goals. A brace from Manchester City striker Erling Haaland in the second half sealed Brazil’s fate, despite Neymar’s late penalty, their second of the match after Bruno Guimaraes had one saved in the first half.
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That defeat means their quest for a sixth World Cup triumph continues. The nation last claimed the trophy in 2002.
Speaking following the final whistle, Ancelotti said: “We must continue to work and improve, and find new ideas. I believe that this loss is not the end, but the beginning of a new cycle.”
Despite his measured response, Brazilian supporters took to social media to demand his dismissal. “Bruno is at fault, Endrick is at fault. But the main one responsible for the elimination is the cowardly and arrogant Carlo Ancelotti,” one wrote.
“He clearly instructed the team to let Norway have the ball. Coward. It went wrong, obviously, but he didn’t want to fix it. Arrogant. Best coach in the world… who should never coach the national team again.”
A second added: “Carlo Ancelotti is an absolute coward. An utter disgrace. He should be fired tonight.
“I like Carlo Ancelotti – who doesn’t – but I am completely unmoved by this result, and he deserves the sack,” said a third. “To choose Neymar over Joao Pedro is an injustice punishable by this sort of disgrace. I understand football is emotional, but you’re not serious if you pick Neymar in 2026.”
Supporters are in little doubt over who they’d like to see take the reins. One wrote: “This selection is begging for Pep Guardiola.” A second added: “The only manager who can save Brazil, Pep Guardiola.”
“Hey @CBF_Futebol, take advantage of this Pep Guardiola guy slipping up in the market and pay the buyout clause,” a third said.
Guardiola is currently without a club after departing Man City this summer, with former Chelsea and Leicester City boss Enzo Maresca stepping in as his successor at Etihad Stadium. The Catalan coach has been touted for the Brazil role on several occasions previously, including as recently as this year.
Back in 2015, former Brazil and Barcelona full-back Dani Alves disclosed that the iconic tactician had coveted the position ahead of the 2014 World Cup. “Pep said he wanted to make Brazil a World Cup champion and had an entire strategy to make us a world champion,” Alves told ESPN Brasil in 2015.
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“They didn’t want it, because they said that they didn’t know if Brazil would accept a foreign coach. Pep is the best coach in the world, the greatest sports manager I’ve ever seen. He revolutionised football, revolutionised a team, and we had the chance to have him with us. If you let an opportunity like this go by, then you are not really thinking about the national team.”
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Guardiola himself has conceded that he may be receptive to managing at the international level. When quizzed back in May about whether he would consider taking charge of England, he said: “I don’t have any absolute plan about my future.
“I go to rest and recover the time I missed with my kids, even though they are grown, and do many things I’ve not done that I want to do. I don’t think for one second about anything related to football for the next years. I need to rest, I need to reflect, I need to see what happened in my 17, 18 years, in my time with Barcelona, in Germany [with Bayern Munich] and here.
“After, we see what happens. I didn’t do in the past stupid things that I want to do.” Asked if this was not a no, Guardiola said: “Yeah – [but] nobody cares.”
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