SOCCER
Beckenbauer honored
The German Super Cup is to bear the name of Franz Beckenbauer, who died earlier this year, from next year, the German Football League (DFL) announced on Friday. Beckenbauer, nicknamed “Der Kaiser” for his dominant style on the field, was one of the greatest players of all time and died in January aged 78. He won the German Bundesliga five times as a player (1969, 1972, 1973, 1974 and 1982) and the German Cup four times (1966, 1969, 1969 and 1971). “The annual duel between the German champion and the German Cup winner will in future be called the Franz Beckenbauer Super Cup,” the DFL said in a statement. The 2025/26 edition of the Franz Beckenbauer Super Cup would take place on Aug. 16 next year.
RUGBY
Canada get new coach
Steve Meehan, an Australian with coaching experience in England and France, was named coach of the Canadian men’s national rugby team on Friday. Meehan’s 17 years in the coaching ranks include a stint as head coach of Bath in the English Premiership from 2006 to 2011, winning the European Challenge Cup in 2008. He served as an assistant coach with France’s Top 16 2003 and 2004 champions Stade Francais as well as Toulon, the Western Force and Queensland Reds of Super Rugby and Japanese side Kintetsu Liners. Meehan replaced Welshman Kingsley Jones, who mutually parted ways with the Canadian national squad after they failed to qualify for the Rugby World Cup in France last year. Jones finished 14-34 in test matches. Rugby Canada high performance director Stephen Aboud led the search process for a replacement. “Steve brings proven experience in coaching successful teams and a strong track record for improving players,” Rugby Canada chief executive officer Nathan Bombrys said. “We believe Steve’s positive coaching and leadership will create the right environment for our team to achieve the growth needed to reach their potential and qualify for the Rugby World Cup,” he added. The 2027 Rugby World Cup is to be held in Australia.
SOCCER
Deila joins Atlanta United
Ronny Deila, who captured two Scottish Premiership crowns with Celtic and a Mayor League Soccer (MLS) Cup with New York City FC (NYCFC), was named the new head coach of Atlanta United on Friday. The 49-year-old Norwegian manager was sacked this week by United Arab Emirate side Al Wahda after coaching in Belgium with Standard Lige and Club Brugge. He joins Atlanta United’s newly appointed sporting director, Chris Henderson, in trying to spark the club back to its MLS championship form of 2018. “We’re thrilled to welcome Ronny as the new head coach of Atlanta United,” club president Garth Lagerwey said. “He has a proven track record of winning in multiple leagues around the world, including the 2021 MLS Cup with NYCFC, and his knowledge of MLS was a key factor in our search,” he said.” We believe his style of play aligns with the club’s philosophy as we look to build a team that will compete for trophies consistently,” he added. Deila went 46-29 with 15 drawn in all competitions with NYCFC from 2020 to June 2022 when he took charge of Brugge. He also won Scottish crowns with Celtic in 2015 and 2016.
A seven-year-old horse had to be euthanized on Friday after breaking its back on the final fence of a Grand National steeplechase race that it won despite sustaining the serious injury. It follows the death of four horses at the Cheltenham Festival last month — including one after the prestigious Gold Cup. Gold Dancer was competing in the Mildmay Novices’ Chase during Ladies Day at Aintree’s Grand National Festival. The horse managed to cross the finish line approximately four lengths ahead of runner-up Regent’s Stroll. “The winner of our second race of the day, Gold Dancer, was pulled up after
Taiwanese gymnast Tang Chia-hung on Sunday topped the men’s horizontal bar event at the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) World Cup in Osijek, Croatia, scoring 15.233 to take his third title this season. Tang delivered an outstanding performance in the final, earning a difficulty score of 6.500 and an execution score of 8.633 with a 0.1 stick bonus. His closest competitor was Milad Karimi of Kazakhstan, who finished second with 14.933 points. It was Tang’s third gold medal in the FIG World Cup series this year, following his horizontal bar wins in Azerbaijan on March 8, and in Turkey on March
Hans Niemann declares he would become a “stone cold killer” in a Netflix documentary released on Tuesday about his feud with five-time classical world champion Magnus Carlsen, a pledge that injects new edge into the lingering fallout from the cheating scandal that shook elite chess. “I’m gonna be a stone cold killer the rest of my life,” the US’ Niemann says in the film. “I’m going to become the best player in the world, and no one is going to believe that now, but this clip will play over and over again in 10 years — just wait.” “I just
The Daredevils yesterday took eight catches in the final as they eked out a victory in the Taiwan Cricket Triangular Tournament against PCCT at Yingfeng Cricket Ground in Taipei’s Songshan District. PCCT’s batting lineup collapsed after they asked the Daredevils to bowl in the T20 decider of the weekend tournament that also involved the Formosa Cricket Club. PCCT were bundled out for 76 in 16.2 overs against a disciplined Daredevils attack. Ninad Malwade was the top scorer in the innings with 21, but he was among those who offered chances to the fielders. Shane Ferreira and Jason Cameron took three wickets each, with
RSS