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Olympics News: The Paris 2024 games now open with the first lot of sports set to start later tonight over the next two weeks across Paris and even Tahiti for Surfing

by Sports Benches

It might be full of pouring and showering rain last night but what a show it was nonetheless to officially launch the 33rd Summer Olympics edition across Paris’s iconic landmarks including the Louvre and the river seine rather than the Olympic Stadium (which would be Stade De France but will still host the closing ceremonies though) itself as usual.

Gotta love the arts and culture they’ve got including a bit of Despicable Me before you throw in the fashion, the athletes parade of each nation through the river where they’ve made it in front of the Eiffel Tower, and last but not least the Olympic flame being lit as the cauldron has already taken lift off like a hot air balloon. 

Now let the games begin with two weeks of action as it’s up to these athletes competing there to make a name for themselves that would wow the entire world when it comes to chasing gold.

First up tonight is Swimming, Field Hockey,  Diving, Basketball and of course Rugby 7s Men’s semi final between Australia v Fiji alongside. many other sports being held across Paris. Although Olympic surfing surfing will be held many miles away over in Tahiti that will begin first thing tomorrow morning at 3am AEST. Let’s see what the Australian Olympic Team has got including our Aussie Dolphins Swim Team in the hope of dominating this pool v Team USA like it was at the World Champs last year.

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Olympics News: Germany too good to kickstart the group stage in Marseille 3-0 as the Matildas now need to regroup against Zambia and Team USA over the next week

by Sports Benches

It wasn’t been the start our Matildas team wanted yesterday with the 3-0 loss v Germany but we do need to move on with Zambia up next on 3am Monday AM followed by Team USA also 3am Thursday morning. A 2nd placed finish would be nice considering how much the Tillies improved over these past few years including the 2023 Women’s World Cup, but scoring more goals from here including a possible draw or a close loss v Team USA might be enough to play depending on how good they are for the best of third like it was in Tokyo four years ago. That way, they can come from behind to play Finals again.

Credit to Germany who played really well with their dominant possession-based & expansive attack, having made good use of their corners by Giulia Gwinn that landed into the net twice (1 goal in the opening 45 & another goal later in the 2nd half) followed by a third goal via 1-2 touch from Jule Brand. One thing they need to watch though is their discipline that gave the opposition the opportunity to cash in where Germany overstepped the mark at times that could’ve been an extra 1-2 goals had the referee/VAR not ruled it as offside, etc. But so far, so good as the Germany women’s team need their full support all over France like they had at the 2016 Olympics in Rio across Brazil where they won the gold medal there v Sweden 2-1.

And for the Matildas, they tried their best to get the job done at times on the counter-attack both through open play and free-kicks as well as corners. However, they were nowhere near closer towards goal in an effort to strike one back past the keeper when it comes to the executions unfortunately. Plus, their defence has been sloppy at times including lost corners where Germany had a great sniff at them for the most part – no matter how many times Germany tries to shoot towards goal, which was too good for them to walk away with the win. This is a display the Matildas should’ve done better as if it’s their Final but getting over Zambia and hopefully a new-look Team USA side would hopefully give them a 2nd chance to play for an extended run in the knockout finals. Who knows? But they better avoid elimination first going into this weekend & next week.

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ANZ Premiership: Central Pulse go straight into the Grand Final alongside the Minor Cup after a 14-goal win over the Mainland Tactix 

by Sports Benches

The regular phase of the 2024 ANZ Premiership Netball season is now over after 15 weeks across 45 games as we turn our attention to the last two Playoff games that will set up a brilliant finish for the Grand Final where there can only be one winner to take home the major championship come Sunday 4th August.

This last regular-season match belongs to the Pulse fair and square where they’ve started so well off the back of an unbeaten first-half run that puts them into a decent lead up front by nine goal at half-time, 31-22. Yes, the Tactix did win the 3rd quarter alone, having began to play catch-up as the game isn’t over yet with a six-point trail (42-36) going into the final quarter. 

But then that comeback was short lived off the back of the Tactix’s poor attacking play and tactics as Pulse went on to extend their lead as further as they can towards the end with a 14-goal win, 58-44. Not only the Pulse won the minor premiership, they too now go straight into the Grand Final with a two-week rest.  For now, it’s all eyes in the Elimination Final this weekend — it’s either going to be the Tactix again who had to finish 2nd on the ladder or defending champions Northern Mystics after they safeguarded 3rd over the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic thanks to their final round win v Stars.

Tiana Meruarau has been unbelievable that kept the Pulse ticking tonight at goal attack as her side is now going straight into the grand final with the minor premiership. She’s blessed with the strong defense led by skipper Kelly Jackson off the back of the Tactix’s poor conversion play where Tiana knows where to find her shooter while she can shoot from a far whenever it’s convenient in order to get the job done into the net. She had 10 centre pass receives, 30 feeds, 6 goals and 21 goal assists that reflected her huge impact for the Pulse. The job is not done yet where a huge final win would give her the chance to translate her game for the Silver Ferns soon enough later this year. 

Gotta say Maddy Gordon kept the game going for the Pulse in the middle even though she didn’t start the game due to her recent return from injury, especially when her side got away unscathed towards the end with the win. She never stops running around that gave attackers the chance to get as many goals as she can every time Jackson and co. stopped the Tactix in its tracks. Out of the 43 minutes she played tonight, she had 12 goal assists & 21 feeds – which was good work being paid off. Yes, heard she came off sore; but surely that won’t affect her too much since she’s on managed minutes with a two-week rest time before the Final.

And Jane Watson did the best she can to stop the Pulse from scoring who stood her ground as always defensively behind the goal posts for the Tactix. She isn’t afraid to steal the ball from up high with a couple of intercepts/turnover being recorded that gave her team the chance to get things done at the other end including that improved 3rd quarter after half-time. It’s just a shame really that the Tactix’s attacking play is not good tonight where they were so far behind for the most part as getting Ellie Bird on until the last few minutes really cost them before it was even over. Tactix do have a 2nd chance though but need to win v Northern Mystics first in the Elimination Final this Saturday.

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Thoughts on CBS Sports now being the new home of the English Football League including the Championship and the League Cup over the next three seasons from 24/25

by Sports Benches

Just before the weekend, the English Football League has found a new TV home in the US after they’ve parted ways from ESPN as CBS Sports will now take over the rights over the next three seasons that will begin from the upcoming 2024/25 season soon until 2027/28. It covers from the 2nd division Championship down to League 1 and League 2 as well as the EFL Trophy and the domestic League Cup competition as lots of matches across multiple divisions and cup competitions will be streamed on Paramount + with selected games on cable channel CBS Sports Network & its free 24/7 FAST Golazo channel.

While it’s still some time away before the next Premier League rights comes around from at least 2028/29, it’s great to see CBS stepping up as the home of other major English Football competitions that belongs to the English Football League. Sure, the Championship mostly has lots of old Premier League teams trying into get promoted into the big time that isn’t like Arsenal, Liverpool or Man City but it’s still one of the best European leagues nonetheless if you want to watch more of English Soccer.

Now not all will succeed especially when coming from overseas but as long as you can make an impact in the 2nd tier, then you can go on to achieve so much more in the top flight where the levels become much tougher against some of the world’s best players before an established or even a Top 6 side can come in to pay huge sums of $$$ for your services.

Yes, it would’ve been great if CBS can show some important match-ups on the main channel like the League Cup Final as well as the Championship Play-Off Final but then they still have PGA Tour golf on Sunday afternoons at least during the first half year before the NFL takes over from August to January. You also got a few Championship clubs that is US owned as these don’t give them enough of a shout to have it on the main CBS when it comes to the historical relevance that can translate to their viewers who is always used to watching the Premier League, but Wrexham on the rise with Hollywood co-owners in Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney who are set to play in League 1 soon after their excellent League 2 campaign in 2nd last year.

I hope CBS can have a think about it at some point if Wrexham can get promoted into the Championship at season’s end, so they can show some key match-ups on the main channel throughout the campaign like NBC does in the Premier League.

But for now, English Football is on the rise with CBS Sports onboard for the lower divisions and some of the important domestic cup competitions as interesting to see which commentators and studio team will be onboard – specifically for their US audience where some matches will come from the world feed like Sky Sports in the UK for example since they’ve been successful with their foray into soccer for a few years now that began with the UEFA club competitions back in mid-2020.

And on ESPN, since they’ve lost the EFL rights, they now only have the FA Cup competitions having just extended for another four years back in May and yet all of the games are sit out entirely streamed on ESPN + without the Final being on ESPN or even ABC at all since 2018. Don’t know why but I guess that’s the direction they’re going these days.

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Thoughts on Valencia’s half-built Nou Mestalla just being left out of the updated 2030 FIFA World Cup venues list for Spain

by Sports Benches

It looks like Valencia has been left out of Spain’s revised and likely final list yesterday of having 11 venues for the upcoming 2030 FIFA World Cup tournament amid uncertainty about the Nou Mestalla venue that is still not yet finished at 50% capacity since construction was halted back in around 2009 due to financial issues & yet still no word when they will resume today.

Spain wanted to make it 13 including Valencia where the stadia would finally be up and running after all this time but then Portugal and Morocco ain’t having it. 

There was hope last Friday that the work on finally getting Nou Mestalla done will re-start within the next six months with a revised target of around 30 months before Valencia CF would finally move their home games there, which is two and a half years from now between late 2024/early 2025 to mid-2027 perhaps if that’s the case.

If the dispute of not getting construction re-started goes on unless they can come up with an even bigger excuse for everyone to accept, then there will be penalties to apply against the club – that’s it as it’s now or never for Nou Mestalla. 

Otherwise, the city will have no other choice but to have it completely taken down into something else and the area can finally move on from the mess without the club itself.

Let’s hope the Nou Mestalla half-finished saga gets resolved sooner rather than later and it’s up to Valencia CF and its owners I guess where they’ve haven’t been the same glorious club as it once was before back in the early 2000s. We’ve seen the same thing happening in the past with St. Petersburg’s Krestovsky Stadium when it took around a decade to finally have their new stadium being built in time for the 2018 FIFA World Cup back then, why can’t Nou Mestalla regardless of its 2030 WC fate?

Time will tell following Valencia’s latest elimination from the 2030 World Cup list yesterday soon enough.

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2024 ANZ Premiership R14/15: Northern Stars hold off the Southern Steel after a successful late tussle with the one goal win

by Sports Benches

It’s been oh so close between the 5th v 6th/bottom two teams in the Northern Stars & Southern Steel to finish off Round 14 of the 2024 ANZ Premiership Season in Dunedin with one last regular season round remaining this weekend. Steel always off to a great start but it was the Stars who held them up throughout the first half where they were one goal up at half-time, 27-28.

Although Steel again rebounded as if the start repeated itself with some really good improvements that gave them a two-goal advantage at three quarter time (41-39), but just couldn’t hold on a bit longer towards the end there unfortunately. At the end of the day, it was Stars with the win once again by just a solitary goal to close the second last round of the 2024 season, 53-54.

First of all, skipper Maia Wilson had an amazing night as the main Northern Stars shooter. She netted a near perfect accuracy towards goal of 97%, having missed only one shot out of 39 attempts throughout the night v Steel. Yes, Stars may be low on possession but gotta credit her team’s defense on exposing the Steel’s isolated attack before Maia was able to get the job done with the net right in front of her off the back of a brilliant counter-attack feed through the channels. It led to a good few points lead at the half-time break followed by an excellent end with the win as although things may not be the same this year when it comes to the Top 3 down in 5th, but Maia is always going places including at International level for the Silver Ferns.

Here’s another standout Stars player this time in the back three tonight in Kate Burley at goal keeper who is flexible amongst multiple defensive roles along with her excellent physicality and athleticism to deflect one away from the net at her own danger zone. She had really great start actually that made the Steel front three so hesitant under pressure before Kate was able to throw onto the other side where goals coming her way for the most part including that crucial final few minutes with three rebounds of her own including three intercepts for the best of the Stars. When she came off, the Steel were a couple of goals ahead where the Stars began to slip away at one stage. However, glad she saved the day when she can back on to help steer victory once again for the Stars with unfinished business ahead in the hope of returning to its former glory in 2025.

Now it might not have taken that long to settle in for Serina Daunakamakama in the south when she was at the Northern Mystics as a training partner earlier this season but she had another great game though that reflects her progress within the senior level at Wing Attack. She picked up as many balls as possible with the most feeds of 36 in order to find her front two thanks to her team’s good start on top of a good defense as usual alongside skipper Kate Heffernan in the mid-court. That way, Georgia Heffernan and Grace Namama can help finish things off within the circle where the Steel were so close of winning this one again off the back of an improved 3rd quarter. But then the Stars’s scrambled defense proved so difficult for them in the end where mistakes were being made made under pressure before the Stars stole the show even if it’s by a small margin, particularly in the last few mins on what has been another difficult year to end up 6th & last once again for the Steel. 

And lastly, wishing Reigna Bloxam all the best ahead of her last game as the Steel head coach this weekend v the Magic after giving back for so long before she heads off overseas while a new era awaits in the hope the Steel can rejuvenate next season.

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Copa America 2024: Argentina conquers America once again

by Admin

In an arduous and fiercely contested match, typical of Copa America, Argentina was crowned champions once again, courtesy of Lautaro Martinez’s decisive goal in overtime.

Led by Lionel Scaloni, the reigning champions of America and the world, Argentina aimed to replicate the same triumph they did in 2021 when they beat bitter rivals Brazil in the final and hoisting the Copa America trophy at Maracanã.

This time around, Colombia, led by the forgotten man James Rodriguez, came to the final undefeated, driven to secure only its second continental trophy in history. Under the impressive direction of Argentine manager Nestor Lorenzo, Los Cafeteros, were aiming to shock the world in Miami.

After an unexpected delay of over an hour, caused by the disturbance outside the Miami Dolphins’ Hard Rock Stadium, the match kicked off with La Scaloneta – as the Argentinian team is known – going after the Colombia teams.

Just under a minute into the match, Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez took a shot inside the box at goalkeeper Camilo Vargas, but the ball narrowly missed the corner.

The Colombian team quickly ensure to dispel any notions that they would be intimidated by it, as they steadily up their lines, applied firm pressure on the Argentina defense, and through the pressure managed to steal the ball from the defenders, creating their first scoring opportunities.

In a brave performance by Nestor Lorenzo’s team, Colombia absolutely took command of the match in the initial 20 minutes, forcing Emi Martinez to work twice during this time.

Colombia absolutely dominated the first half, with James Rodriguez creating chances through the middle, Jhon Córdoba hitting the post with a short-range effort and defender Carlos Cuesta drawing a fine save from Dibu Martinez in a header inside the box.

Argentina struggled to find their footing on the pitch. After Lionel Messi got injured in the 37th minute, it felt like the Argentine team was desperately crying for the half. No changes on the first eleven for the second half for Scaloni, but a change in posture from Argentina was necessary.

A change in posture came in a rather topsy-turvy manner. To start the second half, Argentina started lifting balls into the penalty area, thus lifting their fans together.

However, In the 66th minute, Argentina suffered a big blow, Lionel Messi went off with an apparent ankle injury. Sat on the bench, tears streaming down his face, as he held an ice bag to his right foot, felt like this might be the last image of Messi with the Albiceleste.

A horrid second half, little to no creativity by both teams. By the 80th minutes, it was evident that neither team was willing to take any chances.

So, we went to overtime in Miami. Through an intense first half of overtime, both teams appeared to be exhausted, but what was striking was the high-paced South American style of play. When Juan Fernando Quintero entered the match; Colombia had a surge in physical vitality and creativity.

Scaloni answered with Lautaro Martínez, who made a fierce entrance and ultimately scored in the 112 minute to give Argentina the trophy.

The win over Colombia secured Argentina’s 16th continental trophy, surpassing Uruguay and establishing them as the most successful team in the tournament’s history. Lionel Scaloni once again leads Argentina to a championship, yet the spotlight also shines on Lionel Messi and Ángel Di María who might have done their last game ever with the national team.

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Euro 2024: 22-year-old sensation Nico Williams leads Spain to victory over England in the final

by Admin

In a dramatic showdown at the Euro 2024 final, Spain secured an exclamation point win over England, thanks to the brilliance of underrated manager Luis De La Fuente.

The match kicked off as expected, with a visibly aggressive Spanish team dominating possession and actively seeking for their first scoring opportunities. In contrast, England relied on swift counterattacks, particularly through Bukayo Saka on the right wing. Saka, playing more as a right wing-back in Gareth Southgate’s cautious 3-4-2-1 system, took on more defensive responsibilities, supporting Kyle Walker in containing of Basque sprinter Nico Williams.

Under 25 minutes, Spain’s suffocating 85% possession set the tempo of the first half of the game, as they seemed to effortlessly control the midfield and win every rebound. It seemed like every second ball landed at Spanish feet.

As the match progressed to the 30-minute mark, it became apparent that the Spanish midfield was outclassing the English midfield, effectively neutralising the creative talents of Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden. Fabián Ruiz and Rodri seemed to have absolutely boxed in the English duo.

Despite the Spanish dominant possession, Gareth Southgate’s defensive system held strong in the first half, with Jordan Pickford making it through without soiling his kit.

In the first half, both teams struggled to create scoring opportunities, and it appeared that only one team was making an effort to actually play attacking football. Still, the match took a turn when news of Rodri’s injury reached the Spanish side.

The substitution of Rodri for Martín Zubimendi seemed to ignite a little momentum for the Three Lions. But, just two minutes into the second half, Nico Williams, the 22-year-old boy, from the Athletic Bilbao Academy, broke the deadlock with a score.

The score came as a big blow to the English team, who were nearly caught off guard again on the feet of Dani Olmo on the very next play.

Things were not coming together for England. Shades of Wembley 2021 against Italy. It seemed like another of one of those nights for the English team. Until the substitute, Cole Palmer, out of nowhere unleashed a spectacular long-range shot in the 73rd minute, leveling the score in Berlin.

Unfortunately for the white side of the Olympiastadion, English ecstasy did not last too long. England were facing another extra 30 minutes, until a superb late strike from Mikel Oyarzabal in the 86th minute, coming from the bench.

The deciding goal by Oyarzabal dealt a final blow to the English team, England seemed not to have the strength to mount a comeback. Once again, Spain is crowned champions of Europe, sending English football home.

During the tournament, amidst discussions about the impressive Spanish team, one name often goes unnoticed – Luis De La Fuente.

Ridiculed by the Spanish media when announced manager, the talent and contributions of De La Fuente seem to be overshadowed by this exceptional Spanish generation of players. Nonetheless, it is important to appreciate the exceptional work carried out by the 63-year-old coach during this competition.

While Luis De La Fuente may not have the charisma of Vincente Del Bosque or the tactical brilliance of Luis Enrique, his success in securing the European title is beginning to earn him a place among the great Spanish coaches.

Through adept management of the squad, extensive tactical knowledge, and the bold decision to field one of the youngest teams in the tournament, De La Fuente is starting to make a name for himself among the pantheon of Spanish coaching legends.

Throughout their terrific tournament run, the Spanish team left behind Italy in the group stage, Germany in the quarterfinals, France in the semi-finals, and finally, England in the grand final.

Spain now secures their position as the top champions of the European tournament with an impressive total of four titles.

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Copa America 2024: Canada fell short when they were so close towards 90 mins before Uruguay stood its ground through the end via penalties for the best of third in Charlotte

by Sports Benches

Oh so close from Canada who were almost there with a 2-1 lead off the back of Uruguay’s good start and that 80th minute breakthrough for the team’s 2nd goal. But the match isn’t even over just yet when veteran striker Luis Suarez held them back a bit longer  not only after 90 mins of normal time 2-2 all & even 2 x 15 mins extra time periods where the score remained unchanged, but Canada also eventually lost in the end to Uruguay via penalties for the best of third spot in Charlotte, 3-4.

It would’ve been awesome to see Canada close down with the win against one of the seasoned South America teams following their semis loss against Group A opponents Argentina – especially when they were the only North American team left remaining. They controlled the pitch really well on what has been a huge tug-o-war where both teams shared the pie at half-time 1-1 until Canada found a way to get on top of Uruguay in the 80th minute.  However, that turned out to be short lived and Canada eventually ran out of steam to make Uruguay pay. Not even the penalties have helped much in a sudden death drag race under pressure & Uruguay turned out to be the better 3rd placed team. Canada is at the right time right now with the World Cup after a 36 year wait two years ago followed by a 4th-placed Copa America finish & sure they can do even better to achieve from here – such as the next Gold Cup next year as well as 2026 World Cup across home soil, USA & Mexico.

Well, chasing a possible 16th title will have to wait next time for Uruguay come 2028 before looking to unseat the defending champs Argentina at some point. But the tournament isn’t 100% over yet until tomorrow and Uruguay will be hoping that Colombia can spoil Argentina’s unbeaten winning run in the Final tomorrow, so they can still share with Argentina as the joint most successful team in Copa America history of 16 winning trophies together.  Yes, Uruguay were nearly out of place for the most part when they had less ball following an early lead to the match. However, they well to turn things around thanks to Super Suarez at the last minute in normal time before Uruguay eventually found a way to escape the Canadians unscathed – which wasn’t easy to play but hey, they’ve done it after all!!  There’s still unfinished business ahead with the World Cup qualifications up next, so they can hopefully get back to their best following their early round exit in Qatar two years ago.

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Ollie Watkins late strike enough to put England on yet another Euros Final this time v Spain after a 2-1 win v Netherlands

by Sports Benches

Look who has made the Euros big dance again, it’s the mighty Three Lions from England, who are now one step closer to going one better this time v Spain this weekend, thanks to a game-winning goal by striker Ollie Watkins in the 90th minute. 

Netherlands fired off well from the start thanks to Xavi Simons while Harry Kane levelled up for England via a penalty kick not long later before things went quiet until very nearly towards full-time & Ollie has a way to get the England supporters go wild with the 2-1 win in Dortmund. Yes, you can criticise the manager all you want in Gareth Southgate but he knows how to put the best interests of heart for England when a few fresh faces off the bench helped saved the day. Let’s see if that back three formation would finally put Spain into bed in order to help him bring that Euros trophy home in a long time.

And heartbreak for the Netherlands as said with an excellent start to get the ball rolling, having had an excellent campaign up until the semis under Ronald Koeman in charge once again. But they just couldn’t find a way to stop England in its tracks or unable to capitalise the fightback England put in by Harry Kane, while they kept on hitting and missing these shots whenever they had the chance until it was too little, too late after Watkins confirmed their elimination last minute from the last 4. It’s going to be around 40 years now when the Oranje last won the Euros that goes back to 1988 v Soviet Union 2-0 also in Germany at Munich’s Olympiastadion as they will most likely return to try & end that long-running drought come 2028. 

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