data-mm-id=”_vg5xvsx34″>Pickleball is everywhere. People love to play pickleball. Courts are popping up everywhere as unused real estate is repurposed and everyone you know has their own paddle. Including Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone, who will be coaching the rest of his team's second round series against the Phoenix Suns with a battle scar on his forehead that looks like something that would be on Nikola Jokic's arms.Pickleball paddle to the face! pic.twitter.com/i1cA3BcT3N— J.E. Skeets (@jeskeets) May 2, 2023This is not just some random thing for Malone. He's been into the sport for a while now. Back in December he shared a story with the press about how he had eight boxes of pickleballs if anyone was in need.Pickleball is officially a part of the Malone brand. pic.twitter.com/Nm9R1utk4L— Katy Winge (@katywinge) December 26, 2022I don't even think the professional pickleball leagues have eight boxes.
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Barcelona are back; back in form, back in the Champions League places in LaLiga and back looking forward to facing neighbours Espanyol again.
After a 4-2 win against Atletico Madrid last time out, following a transfer window widely considered to be a success, the Blaugrana are on the up.
Still a huge 15 points off the pace set by bitter rivals Real Madrid, there will be no title tilt, but Barca can this week focus on their local foes.
A few short weeks ago, Espanyol might have wondered if this could be their opportunity to turn around a dismal run in their biggest fixture.
Now, Xavi – whose coaching career at Barca began with a 1-0 home win over Espanyol – takes his team to Cornella-El Prat with the players full of confidence, as Stats Perform finds.<…
Lionel Messi says Diego Maradona would be super happy after he overtook the late Argentina great as his country s most capped player at a World Cup.
Paris Saint-Germain superstar Messi played a full part in Wednesday s 2-0 win over Poland that secured Argentina top spot in Group C and a last-16 tie with Australia.
Messi, who had a penalty saved by Wojciech Szczesny with the game level, was making his 22nd appearance in the competition – one more than his former coach Maradona.
I only learned about this record recently, Messi said when told about his latest achievement. It s a pleasure to be able to continue achieving these kinds of records.
I think Diego would be super happy for me because he s always showed me a lot of affection. He was always happy …
Best Odds: 4/5
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Two sides who will turn their attention back to Champions League qualifying duties on Tuesday evening, Molde will travel to Finland when they meet HJK for their first-leg showdown.
Starting with the hosts, while HJK might have extended on their Champions League qualifying adventure last week as they eventually clinched a nail-biting 3-2 aggregate win against Larne, it is fair o say that the Finnish outfit are seeking some recent stability. Although Toni Korkeakunnas men might have claimed a crucial 1-0 victory at home against Llves, that is only the second win that the Klubi have mustered from their last six appearances within 90 minutes. Largely crashing back down to earth since returning from June’s international break, the Helsinki…
The Republic of Ireland head into their daunting Euro 2024 qualifier clash with France without the man the nation had hoped might inspire a fightback.
Stephen Kenny will send his troops into Group B battle with the World Cup runners-up at the Parc des Princes on Thursday evening with in-form Brighton striker Evan Ferguson a frustrated by-stander after a knee injury forced his withdrawal from the squad, just as Ireland’s fledgling campaign reached crunch-point.
Here, the PA news agency takes a look at some of the talking points surrounding a crucial fixture in Paris.
Evan help us
Ferguson’s absence leaves Kenny facing a rethink after integrating the 18-year-old into his starting line-up in recent games. His two goals in six senior appearances to date – as w…
Carlo Ancelotti is not concerned by Real Madrid s struggles in front of goal and is confident Karim Benzema will soon get back to scoring ways.
Madrid failed to register a single shot on target in Thursday s 1-0 Copa del Rey semi-final first-leg loss to Barcelona – the first time that has happened in a home game since 2010.
Los Blancos managed seven attempts on target in their most recent LaLiga outing, but they found the net from just one of those in a 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid.
Benzema played a full part in both games without scoring, but his mini drought was preceded by a two-goal showing in Madrid s stunning 5-2 Champions League win at Liverpool.
The former France international has 18 goals in 26 appearances this season, and Ancelotti defende…
Erik ten Hag has made his desire to sign a new striker for Manchester United ahead of next season clear.
The Red Devils are still fighting on three fronts this season as they battle to secure a top-four finish in the Premier League, as well as chasing glory in the FA Cup and Europa League.
United s pursuit of glory to add to the EFL Cup crown secured earlier this year has come despite a lack of central options in attack.
Wout Weghorst was signed on loan in January following the termination of Cristiano Ronaldo s contract before the World Cup in Qatar and, while performing admirably, is not the calibre of striker United are crying out for.
Ten Hag expects to change that when the window reopens for business, expressing the need for such a recruit.
…
Mikel Arteta showered praise on Ethan Nwaneri after scoring a brace for Arsenal against Bolton Wanderers but cautioned him over making a start in the Premier League.
Nwaneri struck either side of half-time in a game that saw the Gunners youngsters star at the Emirates to help them advance to the fourth round of the EFL Cup.
Jack Porter (16), Josh Nichols (18) and Myles Lewis-Skelly (18) also made their full debuts, while fellow teenagers Maldini Kacurri (18) and Ismeal Kabia (18) came off the bench to play their part.
Goals from Declan Rice, Raheem Sterling who scored his first Arsenal goal on his first start for the club and Kai Havertz also contributed to the comfortable triumph.
Arteta s side will face Preston North End in the next round, the stage…
Best odds: 23/10
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Defending a delicate 2-1 advantage from the initial leg of their Champions League qualifying play-off tie, Braga faces the challenging journey to Greece for the return fixture against Panathinaikos on Tuesday.
Almost securing a two-goal lead to carry into Athens, Artur Jorge s team was mere moments away from achieving that goal. However, a last-minute reply from Panathinaikos has offered the Greek powerhouse a significant opportunity for redemption.
Panathinaikos
After their thrilling penalty-shootout victory over Marseille in the third round, Panathinaikos had a full eight days to rest and recover before facing Braga at Estadio Municipal. Ivan Jovanovic s team managed to hold off their opponents until the halftime whistle.…
Verdict: Both teams to score
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Atletico Madrid welcomes Athletic Bilbao in what is seen as a top-four derby match between two multi-awarded teams of the Spanish top flight who aim to finish the season on a high. The game will be played at Wanda Metropolitano where local supporters hope their favourites will overcome their recent Champions League setback.
Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid have had a disappointing season with the prospect of missing out on a trophy by the end of this term. Diego Simeone s team s lack of consistency and difficult battles on many fronts pushed the team to 4th place in La Liga, seven points behind Girona. With seven rounds to go, the Champions League position battle is getting intense with none of Atl…
Rebecca Welch is not the first footballer to have told a referee just how they should do their job – but a decade later, it is her own decisions which are now set to be front and centre in the Premier League.
On December 23, Welch will break new ground once again when she takes charge of Fulham against Burnley at Craven Cottage.
Yet but for taking one of her friends to task, Welch, 40, might never have given refereeing a go herself.
“I played football and didn’t even think about refereeing until one of my really good friends, who is a referee, refereed us,” she said in an interview with the Independent in November ahead of becoming the first female to act as fourth official in a Premier League match for Fulham against Manchester United.
“I spent…