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PSG ‘feel like champions’ as Ligue 1 title nears, says Luis Enrique

Coach Luis Enrique says Paris Saint-Germain "can feel like champions" knowing they could seal the Ligue 1 title this weekend but warned his players not to let their level drop

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Updated 28 March 2025

AFP

March 28, 2025 21:41

PSG ‘feel like champions’ as Ligue 1 title nears, says Luis Enrique

“We’re never champions until it’s mathematically certain, but we can feel like champions,” Luis Enrique told reporters
“We’re going to use these last eight matches for other goals, to be competitive against all opponents”

Updated 28 March 2025

AFP

March 28, 2025 21:41

POISSY, France: Coach Luis Enrique said Paris Saint-Germain “can feel like champions” knowing they could seal the Ligue 1 title this weekend but warned his players not to let their level drop.
The unbeaten league leaders go to second-bottom Saint-Etienne, where a win would secure an 11th French title in 13 seasons if Marseille lose away to Reims and Monaco draw with Nice on Saturday.
“We’re never champions until it’s mathematically certain, but we can feel like champions, we’re the best team in Ligue 1,” Luis Enrique told reporters on Friday.
“We’re going to use these last eight matches for other goals, to be competitive against all opponents... to be ready for the three months that remain.
“There’s the French Cup and the Champions League, where we want to be right to the end.”
PSG face second-tier Dunkerque in the semifinals of the French Cup in Lille next week before taking on Aston Villa in the last eight of the Champions League.
Luis Enrique doesn’t believe the possibility of wrapping up a record-extending 13th Ligue 1 title on Saturday should have any effect on his team’s mindset.
“It seems totally unimportant to me, there are eight games left in the league, we want to be competitive because that will prepare us in the best way for the other competitions,” said the Spaniard.
“I feel almost the same as I did this time last year, we were almost champions, in the semifinals of the cup and quarter-finals of the Champions League, with young players who have a year’s more experience.”
PSG will be without Lee Kang-in against Saint-Etienne after the South Korean picked up an ankle injury on international duty. Achraf Hakimi is also being rested after playing for Morocco in World Cup qualifying.

Pacers beat Knicks to move one win shy of reaching NBA Finals

Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton drives to the hoop past New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges (25) during the fourth qua

Updated 13 sec ago

AFP

May 28, 2025 08:17

Pacers beat Knicks to move one win shy of reaching NBA Finals

Indiana, who blew a 20-point lead in a Game 3 home loss, seized a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference finals with the home triumph
Haliburton: Guys put me in position to make plays and play my game and man, it’s a big win for us

Updated 13 sec ago

AFP

May 28, 2025 08:17

WASHINGTON: Tyrese Haliburton delivered his second career playoff triple double to power Indiana over New York 130-121 on Tuesday, lifting the Pacers one win from the NBA Finals.

Haliburton scored 32 points, passed off 15 assists and grabbed a career-high 12 rebounds while making no turnovers over 38 minutes becoming the first player in NBA playoff history with 30-15-10 and no turnovers.

Indiana, who blew a 20-point lead in a Game 3 home loss, seized a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference finals with the home triumph.

“I was just trying to be aggressive, trying to respond,” Haliburton said.

“I felt like I let the team down in game three so it was important to come out here and just make plays.

“Guys put me in position to make plays and play my game and man, it’s a big win for us.”

Game 5 is set for Thursday in New York’s Madison Square Garden.

“I’m excited about it. It’s going to be a lot of fun,” Haliburton said.

“It’s a tough environment to play in. We’ve got to be ready. Just one more game, take what we can from this and be ready for game five.”

The East winner will face either Oklahoma City or Minnesota in the NBA Finals starting June 5.

Haliburton’s father was in the arena after a month-long ban following an on-court incident with Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo earlier in the playoffs.

“Hell yeah. I’m glad pop is in the building,” Haliburton said. “It makes it that much more sweet. Had a little bit to do with it.”

Haliburton, who also had four steals, made 11-of-23 shots from the floor and 5-of-12 from three-point range.

“We tried giving him different looks,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said. “We’ll look at the film. We just have to do better.”

Pascal Siakam added 30 points for the Pacers while Bennedict Mathurin scored 20 points off the bench for Indiana.

“We just wanted to come out with more energy, more urgency,” Siakam said.

“I thought we did that from the beginning. They made runs but we stuck to our game plan.”

Indiana coach Rick Carlisle praised Mathurin. “He was great. He gave us a huge lift,” he said.

Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 31 points while Karl-Anthony Towns had 24 points and 12 rebounds, O.G. Anunoby had 22 points and Mikael Bridges netted 17 points. New York gave up 17 turnovers.

“Our defense wasn’t good enough. Our defense and turnovers probably hurt us,” Thibodeau said. “The important thing is to reset. We’re not playing the series. We’re playing the game.”

Towns suffered a left knee injury defending a drive by Myles Turner with 2:10 remaining but stayed in the game.

“He was able to go back in. That was a good sign,” Thibodeau said. “We’ll see how he is after he’s evaluated.”

“I’m only thinking about the loss. I’m not thinking about that right now,” Towns said when asked about his knee.

The Pacers last made the NBA Finals in 2000 and have never won the NBA title.

The Knicks, on the brink of elimination, have not reached the NBA Finals since 1999 and their last crown was in 1973.

“You’ve got to give it your all,” Brunson said. “It’s that simple.”

Indiana led 43-35 after the first quarter as Haliburton had 15 points, six assists and five rebounds to start his no-turnover night.

“To not have any turnovers is pretty remarkable,” Carlisle said. “I know he takes great pride in it. That’s a motivating factor.”

The Pacers led 69-64 at halftime and stretched the lead to 102-91 entering the fourth quarter.

New York went on a 10-2 run to pull within 115-109, but could not catch Indiana and Obi Toppin’s three-pointer with 46 seconds remaining to establish a 126-116 Indiana lead sealed New York’s fate.

Topics: NBA

Eala sees ‘new era for Filipino sport’ after first Grand Slam match win

Updated 28 May 2025

AFP

May 28, 2025 02:27

Eala sees ‘new era for Filipino sport’ after first Grand Slam match win

Eala: I’m feeling good, it’s my debut in Grand Slam doubles so I’m feeling happy to be playing with Renata and to have my first Slam win
Eala is part of a new generation of Filipino sports stars
She lifted the 2022 US Open girls’ singles trophy and reached the semifinals at Miami in March when, ranked 140th in the world, she beat three Grand Slam winners in Jelena Ostapenko, Madison Keys and world No. 2 Iga Swiatek

Updated 28 May 2025

AFP

May 28, 2025 02:27

PARIS: Alexandra Eala on Tuesday achieved a first Grand Slam match win for a Filipino woman, saying she hoped her doubles success at the French Open was part of “a new era for sport” in her country.

She teamed up with Mexico’s Renata Zarazua to defeat Britain’s Emily Appleton and Spain’s Yvonne Cavalle-Reimers 7-5, 6-4 and book a place in the second round.

The win came two days after the 20-year-old, the first woman from her country to compete in a Grand Slam, was eliminated in the first round of the singles by Emiliana Arango of Colombia 6-0, 2-6, 6-3.

“It’s so heartwarming,” Eala told AFP of her Grand Slam match win.

“Of course, it’s always good to come back and compete well after a singles loss, especially after a tight one.

“I’m feeling good, it’s my debut in Grand Slam doubles so I’m feeling happy to be playing with Renata and to have my first Slam win.

“Of course, it was a difficult (singles) loss but in the end I think there’s things to take away and I try to do better in the doubles.”

The support from home has been “positive,” she said.

“They’re happy to see a Filipino competing in the main draw in Paris.”

Eala is part of a new generation of Filipino sports stars. She has trained since the age of 13 at Rafael Nadal’s academy in Mallorca, Spain.

She lifted the 2022 US Open girls’ singles trophy and reached the semifinals at Miami in March when, ranked 140th in the world, she beat three Grand Slam winners in Jelena Ostapenko, Madison Keys and world number two Iga Swiatek.

“I think we’re entering a new era for Filipino sport,” the 73rd-ranked player said, pointing to the success of gymnast Carlos Yulo who took two gold medals at the Paris Olympics last year.

“Filipinos are very talented and very hard workers. There’s a support, a community, because it’s not often you (have) seen Filipino athletes excel on the international stage, so every time someone does good we’re very happy for them.”

Topics: Alexandra Eala French Open Women’s doubles

Nicklaus surprised by McIlroy skipping his PGA Memorial event

Updated 28 May 2025

May 28, 2025 02:21

Nicklaus surprised by McIlroy skipping his PGA Memorial event

Nicklaus said he has not heard from McIlroy since the Northern Ireland star captured his fifth major title and first Masters to complete a career Grand Slam
McIlroy will miss the Memorial for the first time since 2017, instead playing next week’s Canadian Open as his tuneup for the following week’s US Open

Updated 28 May 2025

May 28, 2025 02:21

WASHINGTON: Jack Nicklaus said Tuesday that he was surprised Masters winner Rory McIlroy did not tell him in advance that he was not playing in this week’s Nicklaus-hosted PGA Memorial tournament.

Nicklaus, an 18-time major winner, predicted McIlroy’s triumph last month at Augusta National after hitting his own ceremonial opening tee shot.

Nicklaus said he has not heard from McIlroy since the Northern Ireland star captured his fifth major title and first Masters to complete a career Grand Slam.

McIlroy will miss the Memorial for the first time since 2017, instead playing next week’s Canadian Open as his tuneup for the following week’s US Open at Oakmont.

“I didn’t have a conversation with him, no,” Nicklaus said, calling that “a little bit” of a surprise.

“It surprised me. But guys have got schedules and got things they do. And I haven’t talked to him for him to tell me why or why not. It’s just his call,” Nicklaus said.

“I made a lot of calls that I had to make when I played to play or not play... sometimes you have to make those calls.

“I don’t hold anything against Rory for that. I know he likes to play so many in a row. He likes to play the week before a US Open. And so that’s what he’s doing.

“I mean, I’m a big Rory fan, I always have been. I’m sure that I will remain that way. I just, I was a little surprised, yes.”

Nicklaus said he had no problem about McIlroy not giving him advance warning about his absence.

“I’m not going to throw Rory under the bus. I like Rory too much,” said Nicklaus. “He’s got to make his own calls on things. Could he have done ‘em differently? Probably. But that’s all right. I probably could have done some of mine differently too. So I’m not complaining about Rory.”

Nicklaus said he sent McIlroy a congratulatory letter shortly after the Masters victory last month.

“I told him I don’t think anybody has won by having four double bogeys,” Nicklaus said. “And I said, ‘But that just showed me how much talent you have to overcome that to win and how you played some unbelievably spectacular shots.

“I was very happy for him. It was a great win.”

Topics: Jack Nicklaus PGA Memorial tournament Rory McIlroy

Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi team up to launch a soccer club in Uruguay

Updated 27 May 2025

May 27, 2025 22:12

Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi team up to launch a soccer club in Uruguay

Suarez announced on Tuesday he has founded a professional soccer team in his native Uruguay
The team formerly known as Deportivo LS will now be called LSM

Updated 27 May 2025

May 27, 2025 22:12

MONTEVIDEO: Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi have been partners on the pitch for several years. Now they’re teaming up off it as businessmen.

Suarez announced on Tuesday he has founded a professional soccer team in his native Uruguay, and he is bringing his Inter Miami teammate along on the project.

Suarez, the all-time scoring leader of Uruguay’s national team, explained in a video posted on his social media accounts that the team formerly known as Deportivo LS will now be called LSM and will start playing professional soccer in the Uruguay’s fourth division.

“Deportivo LS are a family dream that began in 2018. We have grown a lot with more than 3,000 members,” Suarez said. “I want to offer Uruguayan soccer, the place I love and where I grew up as a child, opportunities and tools for teenagers and children to grow.”

The 38-year-old Suarez retired from international soccer last September, played with Messi at Barcelona for six seasons, and they’ve been teammates the past two years with Inter Miami.

“I’m proud and happy that you chose me, so I hope to contribute everything I can to continue growing and, above all, to be by your side in this,” said Messi, who was sitting alongside Suarez in the video.

It’s still unclear what Messi’s role will be in the project, although local media reported that he will be a partner. It was also reported that Álvaro Recoba, a former player for the Uruguay national team and Inter Milan, will be the team’s coach.

The announcement also launched the club’s Instagram account, which had over 40,000 followers two hours after its creation.

Suárez and his family opened an 20-acre sports complex in 2018 in Ciudad de la Costa on the outskirts of Montevideo. It has numerous activities for more than 3,000 members.

The club have a synthetic turf stadium with a capacity for 1,400 spectators, among other fields.

Topics: Luis suarez Lionel Messi Inter Miami Deportivo LS

Jitesh, Kohli power Bengaluru into IPL qualifier 1

Updated 27 May 2025

AFP

May 27, 2025 18:40

Jitesh, Kohli power Bengaluru into IPL qualifier 1

Bengaluru chased down 228 to go second in the 10-team table in the last league match of this season
Result pushed Gujarat Titans into third spot — they will face Mumbai Indians in the eliminator on Friday

Updated 27 May 2025

AFP

May 27, 2025 18:40

LUCKNOW: Skipper Jitesh Sharma hammered an unbeaten 85 and Virat Kohli hit 54 as Royal Challengers Bengaluru stormed into qualifier one of IPL playoffs with a six-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants on Tuesday.

Bengaluru chased down 228 to go second in the 10-team table in the last league match of this season and set up a meeting with table-toppers Punjab Kings on Thursday.

The result pushed Gujarat Titans into third spot. They will face Mumbai Indians in the eliminator on Friday.

The top two teams have two shots at reaching the final on June 3 as the loser of qualifier one will face the winner of eliminator in qualifier two to decide the second finalist.

Lucknow skipper Rishabh Pant signed off with an unbeaten 118 off 61 balls in his team’s 227-3, but in reply Bengaluru achieved victory with eight balls to spare.

Kohli set up the chase with his 30-ball knock and after his departure stand-in-skipper Jitesh put on an unbeaten stand of 107 with Mayank Agarwal, who hit 41, to trump Lucknow, who were already out of the playoffs.

The 36-year-old Kohli, who earlier this month announced his Test retirement alongside Rohit Sharma, went past 9,000 runs for Bengaluru — the most by a batsman for one team in men’s T20 cricket. The next is Rohit for Mumbai with 6,060.

Kohli put on 61 runs with opening partners Phil Salt, who made 30, but the chase wobbled after Lucknow hit back with wickets. New Zealand quick Will O’Rourke took two in two.

Jitesh turned things around with his first IPL fifty. He hit eight fours and six sixes, including the winning hit over the fence, in his 33-ball knock.

Earlier Pant, who struggled for runs after being brought by Lucknow for a record $3.21 million in the auction, saved his best for last as he hit his season-best score.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Pant, a swashbuckling left-hander, reached his 100 in 54 balls and celebrated with a somersault. He had scored only 151 runs from 12 previous innings and averaged just 13.72.

Pant led the charge in a 152-run second-wicket stand with Mitchell Marsh, who hit 67 off 37 balls, after the captain promoted himself to number three in the batting order.

Pant, who hit 11 fours and eight sixes in his 61-ball knock, went past his previous best of 63 this season but Bengaluru and Kohli had the last laugh as they hunt for their first IPL title.

Topics: Indian Premier League (IPL) Royal Challengers Bengaluru Lucknow Super Giants

PSG ‘feel like champions’ as Ligue 1 title nears, says Luis Enrique

PSG ‘feel like champions’ as Ligue 1 title nears, says Luis Enrique

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Eala sees ‘new era for Filipino sport’ after first Grand Slam match win

Eala sees ‘new era for Filipino sport’ after first Grand Slam match win

Andreeva digs deep to sweep past Bucsa, into French Open second round

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PSG ‘feel like champions’ as Ligue 1 title nears, says Luis Enrique

PSG ‘feel like champions’ as Ligue 1 title nears, says Luis Enrique

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