Global Pulse

分类： sports

  • Morocco expects as hosts face Senegal in Cup of Nations final

    Morocco expects as hosts face Senegal in Cup of Nations final

    The stage is set for a monumental clash in Rabat as host nation Morocco prepares to challenge reigning champions Senegal in the Africa Cup of Nations final this Sunday. The Atlas Lions aim to harness their formidable home advantage to secure a first continental title in five decades, confronting a Senegalese squad determined to retain their crown.

    Morocco enters the championship match bolstered by their status as Africa’s highest-ranked team (11th globally) and their historic semifinal appearance at the 2022 World Cup. Under the leadership of African Footballer of the Year Achraf Hakimi, the team has demonstrated resilience throughout the tournament, overcoming nerve-wracking penalty shootouts and silencing early criticism from their own supporters with commanding performances against powerhouses including Cameroon and Nigeria.

    Coach Walid Regragui, who faced persistent scrutiny from expectant fans, emphasized the significance of this final for Morocco’s football legacy: “Eventually people are going to accept that Morocco are actually a major football nation. But to go to the next step we have to win titles, so Sunday’s match is really important in terms of our history.”

    Their opponents present a formidable challenge. Senegal, Africa’s second-ranked team, brings extensive experience to their third final in four AFCON editions. The Lions of Teranga feature an accomplished core including Sadio Mané, Édouard Mendy, and Kalidou Koulibaly, though the latter will miss the final due to suspension. Notably, Mané has announced this will mark his final AFC appearance, declaring: “I am a soldier of the nation… The most important thing is to bring this cup to Dakar.”

    The final promises a tactical battle between two exceptional defenses that have collectively conceded only three goals throughout the tournament. While a high-scoring spectacle appears unlikely, the match will undoubtedly deliver intense drama as Morocco contends with immense pressure before a capacity crowd of 70,000 at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.

  • Australian Open 2026: Nick Kyrgios says Alex de Minaur has ‘all the tools’ to win slams

    Australian Open 2026: Nick Kyrgios says Alex de Minaur has ‘all the tools’ to win slams

    Australian tennis icon Nick Kyrgios has publicly endorsed compatriot Alex de Minaur as a future Grand Slam champion, though he acknowledges the world No. 6 faces a formidable path through the Australian Open draw. Kyrgios, who is skipping singles competition to focus on doubles with partner Thanasi Kokkinakis, made these observations following his participation in Red Bull’s ‘Bass Line’ exhibition event on Friday.

    De Minaur’s championship aspirations face immediate challenges, beginning with a first-round matchup against former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini. The draw potentially sets up a subsequent encounter with Spanish sensation Carlos Alcaraz, creating what Kyrgios described as a ‘brutal’ competitive landscape.

    Kyrgios expressed particular concern about Berrettini’s current physical condition, noting the Italian’s limited participation in recent exhibition matches. ‘Depending on what Berrettini’s physicality is like at the moment, he couldn’t even compete tonight,’ Kyrgios observed.

    Despite the daunting draw, Kyrgios maintains confidence in de Minaur’s capabilities. ‘He’s one of the best players in the world and he’s flying that Aussie flag from the front,’ Kyrgios stated. ‘I think he’s going to be fine.’

    The analysis acknowledges that de Minaur maintains a perfect record against lower-ranked opponents at his home Grand Slam. However, Kyrgios realistically assessed that a deep tournament run might require early exits from either Alcaraz or current form player Jannik Sinner.

    ‘Beating them both is unlikely but beating one is possible I think,’ Kyrgios commented. ‘The stars need to align for any tournament, luck plays a big part, we play a sport that’s fine margins.’

    Kyrgios concluded with strong national pride, emphasizing that de Minaur’s success would represent a significant achievement for Australian tennis, while acknowledging the narrow margins that often determine outcomes in elite tennis competition.

  • Ukraine’s young skiers practice in a bombed-out Olympic training base

    Ukraine’s young skiers practice in a bombed-out Olympic training base

    CHERNIHIV, Ukraine — In the war-scarred landscapes of northern Ukraine, a remarkable story of resilience unfolds daily at the Sports Ski Base of the Olympic Reserve. Approximately 350 young cross-country skiers and biathletes continue their training regimen amidst the persistent threats of aerial attacks, transforming their athletic pursuits into acts of national defiance.

    The sprawling complex, which produced Ukraine’s first Olympic medalist, now operates with bombed-out dormitories and restricted training areas due to unexploded ordnance. Training sessions proceed with surreal normalcy until air raid sirens pierce the silence, triggering swift but practiced evacuations to underground shelters.

    Mykola Vorchak, a 67-year-old coach, observes profound psychological adaptation among his athletes. “We have adapted so well—even the children—that sometimes we don’t even react,” he noted in an October interview. “Although it goes against safety rules, the children have been hardened by the war.”

    The facility lies on the outskirts of Chernihiv, a city two hours north of Kyiv that remains a regular target for attacks on energy infrastructure. Athletes train on blast-marked asphalt tracks using roller skis during non-winter months and practice shooting with laser rifles at electronic targets. The sporadic buzz of drones and subsequent explosions form an ever-present backdrop to their athletic development.

    The complex’s historical significance adds poignancy to its current state. Valentyna Tserbe-Nesina, who won bronze at the 1994 Lillehammer Games—Ukraine’s first Olympic medal as an independent nation—described her shock upon visiting the damaged facility. “I went inside, up to my old room on the second floor. It was gone—no windows, nothing,” she recalled, noting how fire had consumed the trophies they had left behind.

    Among those training at the damaged facility is Khrystyna Dmytrenko, 26, who will represent Ukraine at the upcoming Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. Having completed a tour in Ukraine’s territorial defense forces in 2022, she now sees sports as a demonstration of national strength. “We represent Ukraine on the international stage,” Dmytrenko stated, “letting other countries see our unity, strength and determination.”

    The upcoming Games carry additional significance as Russian athletes may compete in certain events after International Olympic Committee vetting, though without national symbols. This context makes the training efforts in Chernihiv particularly symbolic, with former Olympic biathlete Nina Lemesh noting that some young athletes who began training during wartime have already become international champions in their age groups.

    Standing beside the destroyed dormitories, Lemesh expressed confidence in Ukraine’s athletic future: “Fortunately, Ukrainians remain here. They always will. This is the next generation of Olympians.”

  • UAE: Skydivers ‘dance’ mid-air in world’s largest wind tunnel at Abu Dhabi championship

    UAE: Skydivers ‘dance’ mid-air in world’s largest wind tunnel at Abu Dhabi championship

    ABU DHABI – The EEIPC 2026 World Skydiving Championships have transformed CLYMB Yas Island’s colossal wind tunnel into a stage for aerial athleticism, where elite competitors from over 30 nations are redefining the boundaries of indoor flight. The venue, hailed as the world’s largest indoor skydiving chamber and described as ‘tall enough to swallow a building,’ enables unprecedented disciplines like the inaugural vertical sequential 8-way formation.

    Within this engineering marvel, teams of flyers execute precisely coordinated maneuvers that resemble choreographed dance routines. UAE team member Cornelia Mihai, a veteran flyer since 2008, described the dynamic as ‘a dance you do with seven other people,’ highlighting the delicate balance between individual skill and collective synchronization. Her newly formed team, representing the host nation, had minimal preparation time, relying on fundamental expertise and rapid coordination to compete at the highest level.

    Defending champion James Rogers of Team USA, competing under the team name Fanatics, brings thirteen years of flying experience to the competition. The 21-year-old athlete, who trains with rigorous physical conditioning including swimming to understand fluid dynamics, emphasizes the mental and physical demands of the sport. Rogers is known for pushing creative boundaries with his self-invented ‘tornado spin’ – a high-risk, high-reward maneuver that exemplifies the event’s thrilling nature.

    The championship introduces multiple new formats including aerial racing and simultaneous 4-way battles, made possible by the tunnel’s unprecedented scale. Hassan Al Hassani, deputy general manager of CLYMB Yas Island, noted the unique capability of the facility to host 16-person formations – impossible in any other indoor venue worldwide.

    For competitors like Jennifer Davidson of Team USA, the event represents more than athletic achievement. ‘The community is really special,’ Davidson remarked, emphasizing how the sport connects people across cultures and professions. With 250 athletes competing over four days, the championship marks both a historic moment for competitive skydiving and a significant milestone for the UAE’s emerging presence in extreme sports.

  • Carrick given Manchester derby baptism of fire, Frank in the firing line

    Carrick given Manchester derby baptism of fire, Frank in the firing line

    The English Premier League enters a pivotal weekend with high-stakes managerial dramas and critical fixtures shaping the season’s narrative. All eyes are on Old Trafford where interim manager Michael Carrick faces a formidable debut, leading Manchester United against local rivals Manchester City in a derby with significant implications for both clubs.

    Carrick, appointed on a short-term basis following recent managerial changes, confronts an immediate challenge against the league’s elite. His inaugural match pits United against the defending champions, with a subsequent encounter against league leaders Arsenal awaiting. “These are the challenges we live for,” Carrick stated. “Some present greater difficulties than others, but this is precisely why we’re here. We’ll confront it directly.”

    The outcome holds substantial consequences for both Manchester clubs. City arrives seeking to narrow Arsenal’s lead at the summit to just three points, while United desperately requires points to bolster their Champions League qualification hopes, currently trailing fourth-placed Liverpool by three points.

    Meanwhile, in North London, a separate managerial crisis unfolds as Tottenham Hotspur hosts West Ham United. Both managers enter this London derby under intense pressure regarding their job security. Tottenham’s Thomas Frank has overseen a disappointing run of just four victories in seventeen matches across all competitions, resulting in a slide to 14th position and elimination from domestic cups.

    Opposing him stands Nuno Espirito Santo, who experienced a brief 17-game tenure at Tottenham in 2021 before being dismissed. Now leading West Ham, the Portuguese manager has achieved merely two wins in sixteen league matches since his September appointment, with the club languishing seven points from safety in 18th place.

    Elsewhere, league leaders Arsenal face a testing encounter against Nottingham Forest, despite the hosts’ recent FA Cup elimination by second-tier Wrexham. Forest manager Sean Dyche described his team’s first-half performance in that match as “unacceptable,” demanding an immediate response against the league leaders.

    The weekend’s complete fixture list includes Liverpool versus Burnley, Chelsea against Brentford, and a Monday night clash between Brighton and Bournemouth, with each match carrying significance at both ends of the table.

  • Twenty-six charged in latest basketball gambling scandal

    Twenty-six charged in latest basketball gambling scandal

    Federal prosecutors have unsealed a sweeping indictment against 26 individuals for their alleged involvement in an elaborate transnational conspiracy to manipulate basketball games across both US collegiate and Chinese professional leagues. The charges, filed in a Philadelphia court, detail a sophisticated operation that corrupted nearly 30 contests through bribery and coordinated betting schemes.

    According to the indictment, the criminal network originated in China around September 2022 before expanding its operations to target NCAA Division I men’s basketball in the United States. The conspiracy allegedly involved paying players substantial sums—reportedly up to $30,000 per game—to deliberately underperform, enabling co-conspirators to place massive wagers on predetermined outcomes.

    US Attorney David Metcalf characterized the operation as poisoning ‘the American spirit of competition for monetary gain,’ describing it as a massive scheme that ‘enveloped the world of college basketball.’ The indictment reveals that former NBA Chicago Bulls player Antonio Blakeney, while not charged in this particular case, was allegedly recruited to influence game outcomes during his tenure with China’s Jiangsu Dragons in the Chinese Basketball Association. Prosecutors claim conspirators left approximately $200,000 in cash at Blakeney’s Florida storage unit following the 2022-23 CBA season.

    The defendants include more than a dozen former college basketball players from the past three years, along with professional bettors and alumni connected to the scheme. Those convicted on bribery charges could face imprisonment of up to five years.

    This case emerges against the backdrop of rapidly expanding legal sports betting in the United States since the 2018 Supreme Court decision overturned federal restrictions. The NBA has acknowledged reviewing its policies to educate players about gambling’s ‘dire risks’ amid growing concerns about integrity in sports.

  • New Oceania soccer competition has a 2029 Club World Cup spot as the winner’s reward

    New Oceania soccer competition has a 2029 Club World Cup spot as the winner’s reward

    A groundbreaking chapter in Pacific football commences this Sunday as Vanuatu United clashes with Fiji’s Bula FC in Auckland, marking the inaugural match of the Oceania Football Confederation Pro League. This revolutionary competition brings together eight elite clubs from seven Pacific nations—New Zealand, Tahiti, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Australia, Fiji, and Vanuatu—committing to an intensive schedule of至少 17 matches over three months.

    The league addresses a critical void in Oceania’s football infrastructure, where individual nations have historically struggled to sustain professional domestic competitions. Stuart Larman, the league’s project manager, emphasized to Associated Press that this development eliminates the OFC’s distinction as the only FIFA confederation without a professional league among its members. ‘Players will now experience a substantial increase in highly competitive matches annually,’ Larman noted, ‘creating a professional environment that will accelerate career progression.’

    The competition structure unfolds in two distinct phases: an initial round-robin stage where each team plays seven opponents twice across five host nations, followed by a grouping phase in New Zealand where the top eight teams split into two brackets. The ultimate prize includes qualification for the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup, offering both prestige and significant financial incentives.

    Beyond competitive implications, the league promises to elevate technical standards across Oceania. Rob Sherman, head coach of Auckland-based South Island United, observes that ‘while New Zealand players are technically gifted, exposure to higher competitive standards will undoubtedly accelerate talent development.’

    The venture also represents an economic innovation, pooling broadcasting and sponsorship resources across small markets. League organizers acknowledge expansion possibilities, contingent upon establishing strong organizational foundations at existing clubs. This model has already inspired similar cross-border discussions in the Baltic region and Southeast Asia, demonstrating how smaller football nations might leverage collective resources to compete on global stages.

  • 26 people charged in sports bribery scheme involving US university basketball players

    26 people charged in sports bribery scheme involving US university basketball players

    Federal prosecutors have unveiled a sweeping criminal indictment targeting 26 individuals involved in an elaborate sports gambling conspiracy that corrupted collegiate and international basketball. The sophisticated operation allegedly compromised 39 university athletes across 17 NCAA men’s basketball programs, manipulating outcomes in 29 U.S. college games and two Chinese Basketball Association contests between September 2022 and February 2025.

    U.S. Attorney David Metcalf characterized the operation as “a massive scheme that enveloped the world of college basketball” during a Thursday press conference. The indictment reveals that gamblers paid bribes ranging from $10,000 to $30,000 per game to athletes who intentionally underperformed. Accomplices then placed substantial wagers against the compromised teams, generating illicit profits through guaranteed outcomes.

    The investigation identified multiple institutions potentially affected, including Georgetown, St. John’s, Tulane, Florida Atlantic, and Butler universities among others. Several schools quickly clarified that their inclusion stemmed from allegations against opponents they had faced rather than internal misconduct.

    According to prosecutors, the conspiracy originated with former Chicago Bulls player Antonio Blakeney allegedly collaborating with professional sports bettors Shane Hennen and Marves Fairley to manipulate Chinese Basketball Association games before expanding operations to target NCAA competitions. Metcalf noted the organizers specifically recruited individuals with deep connections to college basketball networks, including alumni, trainers, and recruiters whose involvement “added gravitas and legitimacy to the scheme.”

    NCAA President Charlie Baker confirmed the organization has either completed or initiated investigations into nearly all teams referenced in the indictment, acknowledging that “the pattern of college basketball game integrity conduct revealed by law enforcement today is not entirely new information to the NCAA.”

    This case follows a separate February indictment involving NBA personalities and organized crime figures in illegal betting operations, with Hennen and Fairley also facing charges in that ongoing investigation. The latest developments underscore the expanding challenge sports organizations face combating gambling-related corruption.

  • McIlroy sets the early pace after a closely contested opening round at Dubai Invitational

    McIlroy sets the early pace after a closely contested opening round at Dubai Invitational

    DUBAI – Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland demonstrated commanding form to secure the first-round lead at the Dubai Invitational, launching his 2026 DP World Tour season with a polished five-under-par 66 at the Dubai Creek Resort on Thursday.

    The world number two electrified the course with a spectacular front-nine performance, registering six birdies in his initial nine holes to card a 31 at the turn. Maintaining momentum, he added another birdie at his tenth hole (the first) before encountering a minor setback with a bogey at the third. McIlroy closed with six consecutive pars to complete a level-par inward nine.

    Reflecting on his round, McIlroy noted: “I got off to a great start, playing a very good first nine. As the wind intensified, the second nine presented tougher challenges. Despite a unnecessary bogey on 3 and missed opportunities on the par-5, I’m pleased with this solid beginning to the year.”

    The tournament features an innovative format with 60 professionals competing alongside 60 amateurs. A simultaneous 54-hole Betterball Pro-Am competition runs parallel to the main event throughout the first three days. Team JJ Dudam currently leads the Pro-Am division, with England’s Matt Wallace firing an impressive 10-under-par 61 to establish a two-stroke advantage.

    McIlroy also revealed significant equipment changes, including new TaylorMade irons and the 2026 model golf ball. “After testing in Australia’s firm conditions, these irons demonstrated superior turf interaction compared to blades,” he explained. “Today’s performance validated my equipment decisions.”

    Scotland’s Connor Syme and Spain’s David Puig trail closely with matching 67s, while defending champion Tommy Fleetwood carded a two-under 69 despite challenging afternoon winds that tested later starters. Twenty-five players total finished under par in the opening round.

    Friday’s second round tee times run from 8:30 AM to 11:09 AM local time.

  • Morocco celebrates Afcon win: ‘Today is about couscous not jollof’

    Morocco celebrates Afcon win: ‘Today is about couscous not jollof’

    Morocco erupted in a night of unbridled jubilation following the national football team’s decisive victory over Nigeria, securing their place in the highly anticipated Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final. The triumph of the Atlas Lions, as the team is affectionately known, transformed city streets into vibrant seas of red and green, with ecstatic fans chanting, dancing, and sharing in a collective national pride that lasted well into the night.

    The semi-final match, a tense and closely watched contest, culminated in a celebration that transcended mere sport. The win is seen not just as an athletic achievement but as a moment of profound national unity. In a lighthearted nod to the continent’s friendly culinary rivalries, the phrase ‘Today is about couscous not jollof’ trended, symbolizing Morocco’s ascendancy over West African competitors and highlighting the cultural dimensions intertwined with the tournament.

    This victory marks a significant milestone for Moroccan football, positioning the team for a potential continental championship. The atmosphere across the country is one of immense optimism and anticipation as the nation now turns its focus to the final match, where the Atlas Lions will compete for the coveted title.