
Sundhage anticipates ‘fantastic future' for women's soccer in Switzerland on eve of Euro 2025
The 18-year-old Barcelona forward Sydney Schertenleib is arguably the best known, but there are others as well.

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Winnipeg Free Press
44 minutes ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Coco Gauff is disappointed by her Wimbledon loss but doesn't want to dwell on it
LONDON (AP) — Before Wimbledon began, Coco Gauff reflected on the significance of her breakthrough performance at the place six years ago — a run to the fourth round at age 15 — and what aspirations she harbored as she prepared to return. 'Even when I see videos of me during that time, it just doesn't feel like it's me. It felt like a dream. I'll always have special memories from that run and, I guess, it definitely fueled the belief that I can be on tour and live out my dream,' she told The Associated Press. 'It's something that always holds a special place in my heart. Obviously, I would love to win this tournament just for it to be like a full-circle moment,' she continued. 'I feel like it would be like the start of the dream, and — I don't want to say 'the finish,' because I obviously have a lot of career left, but — a full-circle type of situation.' A week after that conversation, the No. 2-ranked Gauff was out of the bracket at the All England Club in the first round with a 7-6 (3), 6-1 loss to unseeded Dayana Yastremska at No. 1 Court on Tuesday night. Gauff was undone by serving troubles, including nine double-faults, and more than two dozen unforced errors in all, not to mention Yastremska's hard, flat groundstrokes. It was an abrupt, and mistake-filled, exit for Gauff, who so recently earned her second Grand Slam title — at the French Open via a three-set victory over No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the final. After Tuesday's defeat, Gauff said, 'I definitely was struggling in the locker room. I don't like losing. The main thing I'm sure my team and everyone is going to tell me (is): 'You did well at Roland-Garros. Don't be so upset.' Things like that.' But as much as she'll want to move on and focus on what's to come, the 21-year-old American acknowledged as she dabbed away the tears welling in her eyes during her news conference that she felt 'a little bit disappointed in how I showed up today.' It's instructive to remember — setting aside that captivating 2019 debut, which featured a victory over Venus Williams — that Wimbledon's grass courts actually have produced Gauff's least successful Grand Slam results. Yastremska's take? She said she considers Gauff 'much better on clay court and hard court than on grass.' This was the second time in the past three years that she was sent home in the opening round. She's never been past the fourth round at the All England Club, whereas at every other major tournament, including the hard-court Australian Open, she's at least reached the semifinals. Her first Slam trophy arrived on the hard courts of the U.S. Open in 2023 when she was 19. She already was the 2022 runner-up on the red clay at the French Open before going one step better this time. Sabalenka's self-described 'unprofessional' comments after last month's title match in Paris became a real topic of conversation and, perhaps, a distraction. Gauff and Sabalenka sought to put it behind them — and tell fans they should, too — by filming TikTok videos together once they got to Wimbledon. 'I was a little bit overwhelmed with everything that came afterwards,' Gauff said, 'so I didn't feel like I had enough time to celebrate and also get back into it.' Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. It's not easy to manage the tricky transition from the Roland-Garros clay to the Wimbledon grass. There's a reason it's been a decade since a woman won both in the same season — and a reason that woman was Serena Williams. By the end of the night, Gauff was eager to look ahead to the upcoming North American hard-court circuit, culminating with a trip to New York in late August. 'I mean, obviously I'm not going to dwell on this too long, because I want to do well at the U.S. Open. Maybe losing here (in the) first round isn't the worst thing in the world,' she said, 'because I have time to reset.' ___ Howard Fendrich has been the AP's tennis writer since 2002. Find his stories here: More AP tennis:


Winnipeg Free Press
an hour ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Leverkusen signs England Under-21 defender Jarell Quansah from Liverpool
LEVERKUSEN, Germany (AP) — Bayer Leverkusen has replaced former captain Jonathan Tah with Jarell Quansah from Liverpool in a club-record signing for a defender. The 22-year-old Quansah signed a contract through June 2030 and will wear Tah's former No. 4 shirt, the Bundesliga club said Wednesday. The reported fee of more than 30 million euros ($35.3 million) rising to 40 million ($47 million) with bonuses corresponds roughly with what Liverpool agreed to pay Leverkusen for Netherlands right back Jeremie Frimpong in May. Liverpool reportedly secured a buy-back option for Quansah for more than 60 million euros ($70.6 million) after he has spent two seasons at Leverkusen. Leverkusen also sold star player Florian Wirtz to Liverpool last month for a Bundesliga-record fee. Tah switched to league rival Bayern Munich once the season concluded after declining to extend his contract. He had spent a decade at Leverkusen and was a key part of the team which won the Bundesliga and German Cup unbeaten in 2023-24. Quansah won the Under-21 European Championship with England last week. But he was unable to establish himself as a regular starter at Liverpool ahead of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. 'One of the most promising English central defenders. He's fast, agile, a good footballer,' Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes said of Quansah. 'He has already made an impressive impact in a Liverpool defense dominated by world-class players. With Jarell, our defense gains significant dynamism, pace and toughness in tackling, and he's another very important building block.' Leverkusen last week also signed Abdoulaye Faye for a reported fee of 3 million euros ($3.5 million) from Swedish team BK Häcken, with the 20-year-old Senegalese defender expected to go on loan for the upcoming season. ___ AP soccer:


Cision Canada
an hour ago
- Cision Canada
FAIR PLAY MENARINI INTERNATIONAL AWARD: THE 29TH EDITION OFFICIALLY BEGINS
FLORENCE, Italy, July 2, 2025 /CNW/ -- Medals and records alone are not enough to make history and actions, choices, and the way one conducts oneself, can speak louder than any achievement. With this spirit, the 29th edition of the Fair Play Menarini International Award officially kicks off today, one of the most awaited moments of the Italian summer, dedicated to those sportsmen and women who have turned their careers into powerful lessons in ethics, loyalty, and respect. Florence and Fiesole open their doors to two days of celebrations of the truest values in sport. The opening event takes place this evening in the spectacular setting of Piazzale Michelangelo, where the gala dinner will welcome the awardees to a thrilling atmosphere and share the values and principles that have always inspired the Fair Play Menarini International Award. "This edition, of the Fair Play Menarini Award will again celebrate the values of sport and its champions - said the Mayor of Florence, Sara Funaro - Values that are not only about athletic ability but also include commitment, tenacity, empathy, and team spirit. These are the same values that we promote every day to build an increasingly attentive and respectful society. The Fair Play Menarini Award reminds us every time that sport is a fundamental driver of growth and inclusion." Meanwhile, a sense of anticipation is building up for the Award Ceremony due to take place tomorrow evening, Thursday, July 3rd, at the Roman Theatre of Fiesole where the audience will applaud the winners and listen to their stories which will bring back the true meaning of sport. The protagonists of the 29th edition come from a range of different backgrounds and sporting disciplines, yet they are united by their commitment to embody the values of fair play through their actions. The Fair Play Menarini Award is proud to confirm the presence of another Ballon d'Or winner: Portuguese champion Luis Figo, star of the Barcelona, Real Madrid and Inter teams. To represent football, "Billy" Costacurta and Demetrio Albertini shall also be on stage, paragons of style, discipline, and sporting integrity, as well as unforgettable members of the AC Milan and Italian National teams. Athletics will be represented by Gianmarco Tamberi, high jump world champion in Budapest 2023 and Olympic gold medallist in Tokyo 2021; Andy Diaz, triple jump specialist and indoor world champion; Nadia Battocletti, silver medallist in the 10,000 metres at the Paris 2024 Games; and Blanka Vlasic, high jump legend and two-time world champion. Representing fencing will be Arianna Errigo, one of the most decorated foil fencers of all time. Judo will celebrate Alice Bellandi, newly crowned world champion and Olympic gold medallist in Paris. Basketball will see the spotlight on Sasha Vujacic, two-time NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers. Paralympic sport will be represented by Rigivan Ganeshamoorthy, gold medallist in the discus throw at the 2024 Paralympic Games whilst in the field of sports journalism, acknowledgment will be given to Guido Meda, the legendary voice of MotoGP and passionate storyteller of the two-wheeled world. Standing beside this year's awardees will be three Fair Play Menarini Ambassadors, sports legends who have already written unforgettable chapters in the history of sport: five-time Olympic swimming champion, Ian Thorpe, Giancarlo Antognoni, icon of the Fiorentina football team and 1982 World Cup winner, and Fabrizio Donato, winner of the triple jump bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympic Games. This year also sees the continued partnership with Sky TG24, accompanying viewers over the two days of the Awards and hosting the final ceremony will be Rachele Sangiuliano, Michele Cagiano, and Omar Schillaci, joined by fellow journalist Federico Buffa, ready to give voice to the athletes' stories of ethics, passion, and extraordinary sporting achievements. " With the 2025 edition of the Fair Play Menarini International Award, we aim to continue showcasing the highest values of sport and a side of sport that is not only heartwarming but also an example to society," stated Valeria Speroni Cardi and Filippo Paganelli, Board Members of the Fair Play Menarini Foundation. " It is a chance to pay tribute to those sportsmen and women who, through their gestures of fair play, have chosen to become role models for others - both in sport and in life." Participation at the award ceremony is free of charge and open to the public but only after registration on TicketOne (link). The 29th edition of the Fair Play Menarini International Award is supported by the Istituto per il Credito Sportivo e Culturale as Institutional Partner, and by Sustenium, Frecciarossa, Estra, and Adiacent as initiative partners. and the Award's social media channels on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.