Alysa Liu looks back on the ice as rotates on her left foot, picking up speed before she completes her triple flip-triple toe combination. A group of high schoolers on a field trip sitting in the stands erupts into applause. She gives a smile and small bow as she skates away. It’s a recovery day … Read more
“Uzbekistan are playing Kyrgyzstan in a World Cup qualifier this Thursday,” notes Ben Jones. “Is this fixture the highest combined Scrabble score for a pair of Fifa nations? Bosnia and Herzegovina might have something to say, but I’m looking for a combined score from two teams who have actually played each other.” Uzbekistan (25 Scrabble … Read more
When Mariona Caldentey was a student, reading sports science at university, she could see the Camp Nou scoreboard from her bedroom window on the top floor of 63 Travessera de les Corts. On the nights when she and her flatmates didn’t stroll across to the stadium, they would hear goals before they saw them on … Read more
How shall I lead thee? Let me count the ways. I lead thee by stepping up and being vocal, around the dressing room, setting standards in training. I lead thee quietly by example, you know, the not-much-of-a-shouter‑and-a-screamer-but-when-he-speaks-people-listen kind. I lead thee by having been there, done that, won everything in the game. I lead thee by … Read more
Key events Show key events only Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature New Zealand win toss and will bowl first Suzie Bates wins the toss and her team will have a field at a sunny Cake Tin in Wellington. Share Updated at 01.32 GMT Preamble Martin Pegan Hello and welcome to live coverage of … Read more
Fifa has cleared the way for the exiled Afghanistan women’s national team to represent the country but has been criticised for moving too slowly, four years after players fled the country when the Taliban returned to power. Football’s global governing body said it was committed to supporting players outside Afghanistan and would organise training camps, … Read more
Reading are trapped in a three-way battle of brinkmanship involving the owner, Dai Yongge, and two potential buyers, the American businessmen Robert Platek and Rob Couhig, leaving staff at the club fearing they will be forced into administration next month. Several sources have told the Guardian that it is “touch and go” whether the League … Read more
It is 12 years since Wales last played in Skopje and their then manager Chris Coleman arrived uncomfortably late after losing his passport. More than a decade on, Craig Bellamy’s side left a much more professional impression, even if took a last-gasp equaliser from the substitute David Brooks to rescue a point that preserves both … Read more
Tuchel is still learning but the clock is ticking Thomas Tuchel does not have time on his side after opting not to oversee England’s Nations League games in November. He has looked to hit the ground running, just as he did when he won the Champions League four months after joining Chelsea, but building rhythm … Read more
Alexander Isak brought his sparkling Premier League form to the international stage as Sweden defeated an inexperienced Northern Ireland side 5-1 in their Stockholm friendly. The Newcastle forward made one goal and scored another in spectacular fashion as the visitors’ five-match unbeaten run was ruthlessly brought to an end. Michael O’Neill’s side had their chances … Read more