Knights Reach Stanley Cup Final after win over Stars

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May 30, 2023

William Karlsson, William Carrier and Jonathan Marchessault are finally getting another chance in the Stanley Cup Final, after the first one that came so quick for the Vegas Golden Knights.

They are going back after making sure they didn’t need another game against the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference Final.

Karlsson scored two goals and had an assist while Carrier and Marchessault also scored for the Knights in a 6-0 rout Monday night over the Stars, who had extended the West final to six games after losing the first three.

“We’ve worked hard as a group. That was the goal since year one, to come back here,” Marchessault said. “Our best game is yet to come. That’s the mentality we need to have.”

Reilly Smith, Brayden McNabb and Shea Theodore were also part of that inaugural 2017-18 Knights season that ended in a Cup Final, when they won Game 1 against the Washington Capitals before losing four in a row.

Keegan Kolesar and Michael Amadio each had a goal and an assist for Vegas, which hosts Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final against Florida on Saturday night.

The Knights led the Western Conference in the regular season with 51 wins and 111 points. The Panthers completed a four-game sweep of Carolina in the East final last Wednesday, but their 40 wins and 92 points in the regular season were the fewest among the 16 teams that began these NHL playoffs.

Adin Hill stopped 23 shots for his second career playoff shutout — both against the Stars. The other was 4-0 in Game 3 last Tuesday, when the Knights were already within one win of clinching the series before Dallas overcame 1-0 and 2-1 deficits in both Games 4 and 5.

Varner birdies Last hole to win LIV Golf at Trump National

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Emenike Agu

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May 30, 2023

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Harold Varner III won his first LIV Golf event when he two-putted from about 35 feet for birdie on the par-5 18th hole at Trump National in LIV Golf-DC.

Varner won by one shot over Branden Grace of South Africa, who moments earlier holed about a 20-foot birdie putt on the tough par-4 second hole, his last of the shotgun start. Grace closed with a 66.

Mito Pereira, the 36-hole leader, shot 71 and finished third.

Varner won for the first time on American soil. He never won on the PGA Tour before signing on with the Saudi-funded league. His previous two professional wins were the Australian PGA Championship and the Saudi International.

“I’m getting better at golf,” he said. “That’s always been my goal. I think big things are coming.”

Varner, who opened the 54-hole event with a 64, started the final round one shot behind Pereira. But the Chilean bogeyed his first two holes.

Varner holed a bunker shot for birdie at the 11th, and he made about a 12-foot birdie putt on the 15th that gave him a two-shot lead. Grace birdied two of his final three holes.

Varner finished at 12-under 204 and made $4 million.

Torque won the team competition.

Brooks Koepka had a 70 and tied for 12th a week after he won the PGA Championship at Oak Hill for his fifth major.

Hearn confirms Joshua Vs Whyte In August

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Emenike Agu

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May 30, 2023

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Anthony Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has revealed the rest of the former heavyweight boxing champion’s fights this year, starting with a date with Dillan Whyte in August.

Hearn, yesterday, revealed that Joshua’s camp has received communication from fury’s team about a potential fight. Fury has been linked to most heavyweights as he searches for a summer opponent and has now turned his attention back to Joshua.

“The gypsy king’s promoters have made contact with Hearn about a Wembley fight for September, although the match room boss denies a ‘draft contract’ has been received.

“Aj had been expected to return this august in the UK, most likely against Dillian Whyte and then take on Deontay wilder in Saudi Arabia in December.
Hearn admitted they are ‘interested’ in a fury fight, but are unlikely to divert from their original plans in the ‘hope’ the WBC champion is genuine.

Right now, our plan remains the same, august and wilder in December; so, we’ll see what happens in Saudi Arabia this week. That’s our plan, that’s what we’re moving forward with this week, if we can’t make that happen we’ll 100 per cent look at the fury fight. “Will we give up those fights and the massive payday against wilder on the hope of making the fury fight, probably not, but I will go through the motions and see where we go with it.

Mourinho Locks Down Roma Training Ahead Of Europa League Final

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Emenike Agu

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May 30, 2023

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Jose Mourinho does not want anything to leak out of Trigoria ahead of the Europa League final against Sevilla, so he has locked down Roma’s final training sessions.

The Giallorossi will face off against the Spanish outfit in the Europa League final on May 31 at the Puskas Arena in Budapest.

Mourinho guided Roma to their first ever major European honour in the Europa Conference League last season and he’s desperate to continue his success this season in the Europa League. Winning this trophy would also qualify the team for next season’s Champions League.

As highlighted by Corriere dello Sport, Mourinho has decided to close off Roma’s final training sessions at Trigoria, partly out of superstition and partly to avoid leaks.

Only technical and medical staff are allowed to attend the training sessions, with other club employees forced to stay away.

The Portuguese coach did something similar ahead of the Conference League final against Feyenoord last season.

Osimhen Pens Emotional Letter After Bagging MFR Award

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Emenike Agu

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May 30, 2023

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Super Eagles forward Victor Osimhen has penned an emotional acceptance letter after being honoured with (MFR) national award.

Osimhen bagged a brace against Bologna and now has 25 Serie A goals for the season, surely enough to lock down the Capocannoniere title, took to Twitter to celebrate the milestone.

“Today, I feel so blessed and grateful as I announce that I have been awarded the prestigious Member of the order of the Federal Republic (MFR) award by the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Today also marked my 100th game for Napoli and I was fortunate to score 2 goals for my club, it is an amazing moment and feeling for me to be able to achieve this feat for this great club.

“This MFR recognition also means a lot to me, as it symbolizes the appreciation and support of the great Nigerian people for the dedication and hard work they have always put into their individual career to make Nigeria Proud.

“My deepest gratitude goes to the Federal Republic of Nigeria for recognising me at such a national level, and I am so humbled and grateful. I am proud to be a Nigerian and represent Her.

“I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development for their continuous efforts in promoting and developing sports in our country. Their support has contributed to the growth of myself and every other athletes in the country.

“To my amazing family, who have been my rock and source of inspiration throughout my journey, I am forever indebted to your love and support. I love you all and this award is as much yours as it is mine. And to my fans and supporters, both in Nigeria and around the world, you all are super amazing and I am so grateful for all you do for me.

“Your constant support, well wishes and cheers have uplifted me in moments of triumph and provided solace during challenging times. I am immensely honored to achieve this feat for Napoli and I’m also honored to receive this MFR award, and I consider it a responsibility to continue striving for excellence, more records and making meaningful contributions to people’s live with the sport I love. Thank you everyone.”

Transfer: Flying Eagles Goalie, Aniagboso Moves To Ukrainian Club, FC Polissia

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Emenike Agu

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May 30, 2023

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Ukrainian Premier League club, FC Polissia Zhytomyr has announced the signing of Flying Eagles goalkeeper, Chijioke Aniagboso.

Aniagboso penned a five-year contract with the newly promoted club.

FC Polissia beat the Ukrainian Persha Liha last weekend.

The young goalkeeper is currently with the Nigeria U-20 side at the World Cup in Argentina.

Aniagboso caught the eye of FC Polissia scouts during the 2023 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations in Egypt.

The 19-year-old will join the squad in preparation for the 2023/24 season.

French Open 2023: Novak, Alcaraz Begin with wins

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Emenike Agu

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May 30, 2023

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Novak Djokovic began his campaign for a record 23rd men’s grand slam singles title with victory and world number one Carlos Alcaraz also progressed to the second round at Roland Garros.

Serbia’s Djokovic, a two-time champion in Paris, claimed a 6-3 6-2 7-6 (7-1) win over Aleksandar Kovacevic.

Us open champion Alcatraz also came through in straight sets, beating Italian Flavio Cobolli 6-0 6-2 7-5.

The two are in the same half of the draw and could meet in the semi-finals.

After beating Kovacevic, who is of Serbian heritage, Djokovic wrote on a camera lens: “Kosovo is the heart of Serbia. Stop the violence.”

The statement was a reference to recent tension in Kosovo, which declared independence from Serbia in 2008.

Spain’s Alcaraz cruised through the first two sets before eventually taking his fifth match point after Cobolli had threatened to force a fourth set.

The 20-year-old will face japans’ Taro Daniel next as he continues his bid for a second major title.

U20WC: Earthquake Hits Nigeria Vs. Argentina R-16 Match Venue

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Emenike Agu

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May 30, 2023

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An earthquake measuring 4.8 on the Richter scale was recorded on Monday, May 29 in the San Juan Province, where Nigeria’s Flying Eagles will do battle with their Argentine foes for a quarterfinal ticket at the ongoing Fifa U20 World Cup.

According to Argentine newspaper Cronista, the province of San Juan registered this Monday a tremor of 4.8 degrees on the Richter scale with a depth of 129 kilometers, which was also felt in Mendoza, San Luis, Córdoba and La Rioja .

The National Institute for Seismic Prevention reported that the tremor occurred at 1202 hours, and it was felt 156 kilometers east of the city of San Juan, 181 kilometers north of the city of San Luis and just over 50 kilometers from Chepes, La Rioja.

Local authorities are alert and monitoring the situation to rule out possible aftershocks and guarantee the safety of the population.

Six matches have already been held at the Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario, San Juan, including Argentina’s 5-0 win over New Zealand and all the group matches involving the United States.

The Flying Eagles will face the most successful nation in FIFA U20 World Cup history, Argentina at the Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario, San Juan on Wednesday, with the game scheduled to start at 2200 hours.

Nigeria have met the Argentines once in previous editions of the Fifa U20 World Cup, in Netherlands 2005, where they were beaten 2-1 by a team inspired by Lionel Messi.

Bellingham Named Bundesliga Player of The Year

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Emenike Agu

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May 30, 2023

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Dortmund’s teenage midfielder Jude Bellingham was on Monday named Bundesliga player of the season. This comes two days after the heartbreak of watching his team lose the German title in the last match, to top rival, Bayern Munich.

Dortmund, coming from behind, racked up a point after playing a 2-2 draw against Mainz. The 19-year-old England international collected most votes in a ‘team of the season’ poll. However, he could not feature in the last match of the season due to a late knee injury.

Bellingham appeared in 31 of his team’s 34 games starting in 30. He recorded 2,693 league minutes, the most of any player at the club, scoring eight goals and providing four assists.

The midfielder, who signed for Dortmund at 17 from English championship team Birmingham city for 29 million Euros ($32 million), had a starring role in England’s midfield at the world cup last year.

Bellingham has been heavily linked with a move to real Madrid or Manchester city in the summer.

When he led his team out at cologne in October, Bellingham became the youngest match captain since the Bundesliga started recording the data in 1995.

His coach, Edin Terzic, called Bellingham “the oldest 19-year-old in the world.”

According to Bundesliga statistics, over the season, Bellingham also covered more distance (322 km) than any of his teammates and won 482 ‘duels,’ a league high.

Bellingham was one of four Dortmund players in the team of the season selected by a vote of ‘fans, clubs and experts’.

Iheanacho Eyes Quick Leicester Return To EPL

By

Emenike Agu

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May 30, 2023

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Nigeria international Kelechi Iheanacho hopes to be back in the English Premier League soon after Leicester City were relegated to the Championship on Sunday.

With Southampton already relegated and Leeds United not having their fate in their own hands, the other team looking likely to be relegated were Leicester and Everton.

Though the Foxes claimed a 2-1 win over West Ham United in the final game of the 2022/23 season, it was not enough to keep them in the topflight as fellow strugglers Everton also managed a 1-0 win over Bournemouth, a vital victory enough to keep the Toffees in the Premier League ahead of the Foxes.

Despite limited playing time this season with 1,121 minutes of action in the Premier League, the Super Eagles forward had 10 goals contribution (five goals and five assists) for the Foxes.

In a video uploaded on the club’s Youtube channel, the 26-year-old could not hide his displeasure at Leicester’s relegation but hoped the club would be back to topflight football soon.

“I don’t even know how I feel right now. I’m so disappointed. I don’t know what to say. I want to thank the football club, the fans, and everyone that supported us right from the start till now. I know it is a hard one to take. Whatever it is, we would keep going and stay strong, and hopefully, we would get back up.

“It is a downturn now. Nobody is really happy at this time. It is about timing for the club and everyone. We just need to take a chill and move on. It is not what we want. We can’t go back now thinking about it. We just have to move forward.

“The fans were really amazing and even till the end they were just clapping and showing their support. It is a hard one to take but I just want to thank them for all their support and for everything they’ve done for the club. We will just try our best to come back up.”