Epic penalties drama for Ronaldo ends with Portugal beating Slovenia in a Euro 2024 shootout
FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — A game of epic personal drama and tears for Cristiano Ronaldo has ended with his Portugal making the European Championship quarterfinals, beating Slovenia on a penalty shootout after a 0-0 draw. The game went to a penalty shootout because Ronaldo’s spot-kick in the 114th minute was saved by Slovenia goalkeeper Jan Oblak. In the shootout Ronaldo scored his kick, Portuga;l’s first, and teammate Diogo Costa saved all three of Slovenia’s kicks, from Josip Ilicic, Jure Balkovec and Benjamin Verbič. Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva also scored for Portugal to seal the shootout 3-0.
Mbappé and France into Euro 2024 quarterfinals after Kolo Muani's late goal beats Belgium 1-0
DUESSELDORF, Germany (AP) — Kylian Mbappé and France have advanced to the European Championship quarterfinals after Randal Kolo Muani’s deflected shot secured a 1-0 win over Belgium. Kolo Muani sent in an effort in the 85th minute that looped up off Belgium defender Jan Vertonghen and over stranded goalkeeper Koen Casteels. France will play either Portugal or Slovenia in the quarterfinals on Friday. Mbappé was again wearing a mask to protect his broken nose. He had five shots but none were on target in a low-quality match where the teams canceled each other out.
Naomi Osaka wins at Wimbledon for the first time in 6 years, and Coco Gauff moves on, too
WIMBLEDON, England (AP) — Naomi Osaka has played a match at Wimbledon for the first time in five years and played at the tournament for the first time in six. The former No. 1-ranked player has won four Grand Slam titles elsewhere but has never been a big fan of grass-court tennis. Osaka moved into the second round at the All England Club by pulling out a 6-1, 1-6, 6-4 victory over Diane Parry. Coco Gauff and Emma Raducanu also won. And so did defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, who said he felt nerves before facing a qualifier at Centre Court. One of the tournament favorites, Aryna Sabalenka, pulled out with a shoulder injury.
Klay Thompson is leaving the Warriors and will join the Mavericks, AP sources say
DALLAS (AP) — Klay Thompson is moving on from the Golden State Warriors, with the four-time league champion agreeing to join the Western Conference champion Dallas Mavericks and change franchises for the first time in his 13-year NBA career, according to two people with knowledge of the decision. ESPN and The Athletic first reported the multiteam deal, which as currently constructed will be executed as the sign-and-trade of a three-year, $50 million contract involving the Warriors, Mavericks and Charlotte Hornets, according to people who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the agreement has not been publicly announced. Thompson is sixth on the NBA’s all-time 3-pointers made list with 2,481.
Predators add Stamkos, Marchessault in blockbuster moves; NHL teams drop $1B in free agent frenzy
The Nashville Predators made a big splash on the opening day of NHL free agency by signing Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault and Brady Skjei. Marchessault, the 2023 playoff MVP got a five-year deal worth $27.5 million. Stamkos leaves Tampa Bay after 16 seasons that included winning the Stanley Cup twice and making two other trips to the final. He signed for $32 million over four years. Jake Guentzel signed with the Lightning as part of them replacing Stamkos. Teams combined to commit a record $1.12 billion in salaries.
Simone Biles will return to the Olympics. Here's who else made the USA Women's Gymnastics team
Simone Biles is heading back to the Olympics with a few of her friends. Biles and 2020 Olympians Sunisa Lee, Jade Carey and Jordan Chiles are also part of the U.S. team that is heavily favored to win gold at the Paris Games. They are joined by 16-year-old newcomer Hezly Rivera, who performed well under pressure during the U.S. trials. Biles and company will spend the next several weeks ramping up for the Olympics, which begin with opening ceremonies on July 26.
Former Raiders coach Jon Gruden loses bid for state high court reconsideration in NFL emails lawsuit
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Former NFL coach Jon Gruden has lost a bid for three Nevada Supreme Court justices to reconsider whether a lawsuit he filed against the NFL after he resigned from the Las Vegas Raiders in 2021 should be heard in courts or in private arbitration. It wasn’t immediately clear whether Gruden will seek a hearing before the full state high court. Monday's decision was by three justices who previously heard the case. Attorneys for Gruden, the league and an NFL spokesman didn't respond to messages. Gruden sought a rehearing after justices split 2-1 in a May ruling that said the league can move the civil case into arbitration that might be overseen by a defendant, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
CONMEBOL assures Hard Rock Stadium's surface will be in 'excellent condition' for Copa America final
MIAMI (AP) — South American soccer’s governing body maintains that the Hard Rock Stadium’s playing surface will be in great shape for the Copa America final on July 14 amid complaints during the group stage about grass at other fields used for the tournament. The grass surface at the stadium of the NFL’s Dolphins in Miami Gardens was removed Sunday for a July 6 concert featuring the Colombian artist Feid. Installation of a new grass surface will begin on July 8 and is expected to be completed four days before the final of South America’s championship.
76ers make a splash with $400 million in contracts for Paul George and Tyrese Maxey
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Paul George ditched Los Angeles and decided to help form a new Big Three in Philadelphia with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. Maxey needed to stick around to complete the talented trio. The 76ers went all in on lavish, long-term contracts to make it happen. George agreed overnight to a four-year, $212 million free-agent contract after the nine-time All-Star spurned the Clippers. Maxey soon agreed in principle by sunrise Monday to a five-year, $204 million extension. The 76ers jumped to an 8-1 favorite to win the 2025 title, per BetMGM Sportsbook. Philadelphia has not won an NBA title since 1983 or even advanced out of the second round of the playoffs since 2001.
Ownership group of NBA champion Boston Celtics is putting team up for sale
BOSTON (AP) — The ownership group that controls the NBA champion Boston Celtics says it intends to sell all its shares of the team. In a statement, Boston Basketball Partners LLC said it intends to sell the majority of its shares in 2024 or early 2025. The balance of its shares would then close in 2028. The Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals last month to capture the franchise’s 18th championship last month. Wyc Grousbeck, whose family leads the ownership group, is expected to remain the team’s NBA governor until the sale is complete.One of the NBA’s original and storied brands, the Celtics were valued at $4.7 billion last year by Forbes. That placed it fourth highest in the league, behind Golden State, New York and Los Angeles.
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