GB's Hewett feels the love despite Wimbledon final loss
"When you lose, to have this amount of love and support, this sort of atmosphere doesn't happen to us on a regular basis."It is really incredible the amount of support wheelchair tennis has got."From the moment the pair broke each other's first service game it was clear this was going to be a tight and tense contest between two players who regularly meet at this stage of Grand Slams.This was the seventh time in the last 10 major finals that they had faced each other and the exchange of breaks continued in a tight first set until Hewett broke in the seventh game, held and then took the first set with a fourth consecutive break.The second set was even closer, with more breaks of serve from both players. It seemed destined to go to a tie-break as Hewett had break point with Oda leading 6-5, but the Japanese player raised his level once more to fend it off and level matters.From then on he had the momentum as the exertion of a gruelling second set seemed to have taken its toll on Hewett. After getting the first break in the third game of the decider, Oda was in full control.Hewett, lifted by the noise of the crowd, fended off match point on his serve, but it merely delayed Oda's win as he showed his quality to get over the line."Two years ago I won here, this tournament is different to others, it is so beautiful," he said. "I really appreciate this moment."Meanwhile, Niels Vink won the Wimbledon quad singles title by defeating fellow Dutchman Sam Schroder 6-3 6-3 on court three.The 22-year-old Vink, seeded first, added the prize to the doubles crown he won alongside Guy Sasson.
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BBC News
12 minutes ago
- BBC News
'Italy living up to potential - and could punish England'
England v ItalyVenue: Stade de Geneve, Geneva Date: Tuesday, 22 July Kick-off: 20:00 BSTCoverage: Live on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds, text commentary and video highlights on the BBC Sport website and app Before the start of Euro 2025, Italy head coach Andrea Soncin was asked about his goalkeeper Laura Giuliani describing him as a "dreamer"."I like the term," he said., external "While I'm very practical and grounded, I also like to dream. When I encourage the girls to challenge and beat teams that they might have thought unbeatable, it's because I believe they can."I don't know where we'll end up in this Euros but I'm sure we'll be courageous and confident, and play every game to the best of our abilities. Let's see where that takes us."So far it has taken them to the semi-finals - the first time they have reached that stage of the competition for 28 years - as they have lived up to their pre-tournament label of dark Tuesday they will face defending champions England as they look to cause a major upset and secure a place in their first final since who are their key players and how can they hurt the Lionesses in Geneva? 'Iconic' Girelli leading way At the heart of Italy's impressive run is their captain Cristiana Girelli, who has scored three goals at this Euros, including a double in her side's 2-1 win over Norway in the 61 goals for her country, she sits third on their all-time scorers list, but her influence runs far deeper than numbers."She's so important," Italian football expert Nicky Bandini tells BBC Sport. "She's absolutely iconic."Obviously, she's got a long history of doing this for the national team. But she really has taken on that role of being the leader to the group, of being the one who has been there and seen it all before."She's a calm presence in a team not used to being in these situations in a major tournament."She's really got that know-how, that ability to define spaces that is so important for a centre-forward. She doesn't always have one fixed spot on the pitch. She sometimes plays the number 10, she sometimes plays the number nine."But more than that, she's been a figurehead for the group."The 35-year-old Juventus striker has been ably assisted by her former club team-mate Sofia Cantore, who set up both her goals in that quarter-final."She's had such a strong tournament, getting her connection to Girelli from playing together at Juventus is just really important," says Bandini. "You saw that on both goals against Norway - it's just having someone who knows how to look for Girelli in those spaces." What tactics will Italy employ? Italy, who have not beaten England since 2012, appointed Soncin in September 2023 despite having only ever worked in men's football, yet he has gradually won over his critics."There was a fair bit of scepticism about Soncin because he came in as someone who only had experience in the men's game and who mostly coached at youth level," Bandini says."But he has really brought something positive over the last couple of years and you can see that here."I felt like coming into this tournament, the energy around the group was much, much better than it had been at past tournaments."And on the pitch in Switzerland the team have delivered, finishing second in their group behind tournament favourites Spain with performances which have shown tactical flexibility and an ability to capitalise on opponents' weaknesses."[Against England] it is going to be a technically fascinating game," says Bandini. "I'm really curious to see how Italy approach it, because one of the strengths of Italy, one of the strengths of the coach at this tournament, is that he's shown he can change things up."Italy have switched formations depending on the opposition, playing with a back five against the formidable Spain and a back four against the Norwegians, it was a move to target their weakness at full-back - a strategy that worked to perfection and could be tested against the Lionesses too."When we talk about England, we talk all the time about the left-back position being one major headache that's consistently come up for Sarina Wiegman," Bandini says. "Even when you look at the opposite side, Lucy Bronze likes to go forward. That's part of her game."So I can very much see the wide areas being a focus in this game. They really are the strength of this Italy team - the options they have there are really strong."If Italy go to a back three, Bandini expects the wing-backs - Lisa Boattin and Lucia di Guglielmo - to threaten England with their dribbling skills."Italy have so many players who are confident running with the ball," she adds. 'If England are careless, they could be punished' While Italy reached the European Championship final in 1993 and 1997, that was when the tournament had just four and eight teams respectively, and the country's support for women's football has since lagged behind other European was only after the Azzurre's surprise quarter-final run at the 2019 World Cup that the Italian Football Federation pledged to make the top division professional by the 2022-23 season."Football is the first professional women's team sport in Italy, so that in itself was a major step forward," says Bandini, who has an Italian father and English mother."It just simply wasn't given the same cultural focus it was in some other countries at the same time."Two clubs, Juventus and Roma, have led the way in terms of prioritising the women's game and it shows both on the pitch and in the Italy squad. Against Norway in the quarter-finals, four of Italy's outfield starters came from Juve, with three from Roma."These are players who are used to being together, working together and understanding each other's strengths and weaknesses," says Bandini."This tournament is breaking new ground. It's the first time the team has been able to do it in a bigger tournament."Though Bandini believes England are strong favourites to reach the final because of their strength in depth, she thinks Italy will be looking to pounce on any slip-ups."While England have had moments of weakness, Italy have played up to their potential throughout this tournament," she says."They've shown that even in a game where they didn't see much of the ball against a technically superior Spain, they still looked like they might get a result."If England are careless, they are capable of taking advantage. Italy are capable of punishing a team on their day, and I think if England are not at their best, they could be punished."
Leader Live
43 minutes ago
- Leader Live
Tuesday's briefing: Carter unstoppable as Lionesses target a place in final
England coach Sarina Wiegman is expecting to be able to pick from a full-strength squad, with Leah Williamson shrugging off an injury she sustained in the quarter-final penalty shoot-out defeat of Sweden. Manchester United and Liverpool have been splashing the cash ahead of the new Premier League season, while Rangers are also looking to make a statement in the qualifying rounds of the Champions League. England at full strength for Italy showdown Sarina Wiegman has suggested captain Leah Williamson will be fit for England's Euro 2025 semi-final against Italy and said Jess Carter is 'ready to perform' after the defender revealed she had been the target of racist abuse. There were concerns about centre-back Williamson's fitness after she rolled her ankle in extra time of Thursday's dramatic last-eight shoot-out victory over Sweden, but the Arsenal defender – alongside every other member of the squad – trained with the team on Monday morning. Carter, in a statement shared to her accounts on several platforms on Sunday, said she would be 'taking a step back' from social media, while Football Association CEO Mark Bullingham confirmed his organisation has involved UK police. Asked if she expected to have a full complement available for the semi in Geneva, England boss Wiegman said: 'That's what it looks like, yeah.' Meanwhile FIFA chief Gianni Infantino says he is 'deeply saddened' by racist abuse directed at Carter and promised FIFA will share data with the relevant authorities to identify the culprits. FIFA president Infantino wrote on Instagram: 'I am deeply saddened to see the online abuse directed at England's Jess Carter during the ongoing Women's EURO tournament. There is no place for racism in football or in society.' Mbeumo finally completes United move Manchester United have completed the long-awaited signing of Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo for a fee rising to £71million. Nearly seven weeks after seeing their first offer rebuffed, the Red Devils finally have their man and the 25-year-old has signed a deal until 2030 with the option of a further year. Mbeumo leaves Brentford for an initial £65m fee that PA understands could rise by a further £6m should certain add-on clauses related to team and player be achieved. 'As soon as I knew there was a chance to join Manchester United, I had to take the opportunity to sign for the club of my dreams; the team whose shirt I wore growing up,' the Cameroon international said. Ekitike heading to Liverpool Liverpool have struck a deal with Eintracht Frankfurt worth up to £79million for striker Hugo Ekitike, the PA news agency understands. The talented 23-year-old scored 22 goals in all competitions for the Bundesliga club after last summer making his loan move from Paris St Germain permanent. Newcastle and Manchester United have been among the interested parties but Premier League champions Liverpool look set to sign Ekitike. The PA news agency understands the Reds have agreed to pay a guaranteed £69m to sign the France Under-21 international, with a further £10m possible in add-ons. The player has been given permission to travel to Merseyside to complete the deal. Ekitike is set to arrive on Tuesday for his medical and to complete what is expected to be a deal until 2031. Martin believes Rangers are ready to shine Russell Martin believes Rangers will 'take some stopping' if they can harness an energy and connection between players, supporters and everyone else associated with the club. The Ibrox head coach is determined to ensure that process takes shape in his first match in charge against Panathinaikos on Tuesday. Rangers take on the Greek side in the first leg of the Champions League second qualifying round at Ibrox and Martin hopes fans can quickly see the dominant, intense, aggressive team that forms his vision for his reign. The former MK Dons, Swansea and Southampton manager said: 'Every day I wake up and I'm honoured to be in this position. I feel extremely grateful for it. I'm excited by it and I will give it absolutely everything I've got. We all will.' What's on today The big night has finally arrived for England women who face Italy in the European Championship semi-final in Geneva. Rangers take on Panathinaikos in Champions League qualifying while there is a full programme of Premier Sports Cup games, including Dundee's trip to non-league Bonnyrigg Rose.
Powys County Times
43 minutes ago
- Powys County Times
Tuesday's briefing: Carter unstoppable as Lionesses target a place in final
Jess Carter is set to play for England in their European Championship semi-final against Italy despite being the target of online racist abuse during the tournament. England coach Sarina Wiegman is expecting to be able to pick from a full-strength squad, with Leah Williamson shrugging off an injury she sustained in the quarter-final penalty shoot-out defeat of Sweden. Manchester United and Liverpool have been splashing the cash ahead of the new Premier League season, while Rangers are also looking to make a statement in the qualifying rounds of the Champions League. England at full strength for Italy showdown Sarina Wiegman has suggested captain Leah Williamson will be fit for England's Euro 2025 semi-final against Italy and said Jess Carter is 'ready to perform' after the defender revealed she had been the target of racist abuse. There were concerns about centre-back Williamson's fitness after she rolled her ankle in extra time of Thursday's dramatic last-eight shoot-out victory over Sweden, but the Arsenal defender – alongside every other member of the squad – trained with the team on Monday morning. Carter, in a statement shared to her accounts on several platforms on Sunday, said she would be 'taking a step back' from social media, while Football Association CEO Mark Bullingham confirmed his organisation has involved UK police. Asked if she expected to have a full complement available for the semi in Geneva, England boss Wiegman said: 'That's what it looks like, yeah.' Meanwhile FIFA chief Gianni Infantino says he is 'deeply saddened' by racist abuse directed at Carter and promised FIFA will share data with the relevant authorities to identify the culprits. FIFA president Infantino wrote on Instagram: 'I am deeply saddened to see the online abuse directed at England's Jess Carter during the ongoing Women's EURO tournament. There is no place for racism in football or in society.' Mbeumo finally completes United move Manchester United have completed the long-awaited signing of Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo for a fee rising to £71million. Nearly seven weeks after seeing their first offer rebuffed, the Red Devils finally have their man and the 25-year-old has signed a deal until 2030 with the option of a further year. Mbeumo leaves Brentford for an initial £65m fee that PA understands could rise by a further £6m should certain add-on clauses related to team and player be achieved. 'As soon as I knew there was a chance to join Manchester United, I had to take the opportunity to sign for the club of my dreams; the team whose shirt I wore growing up,' the Cameroon international said. Ekitike heading to Liverpool Liverpool have struck a deal with Eintracht Frankfurt worth up to £79million for striker Hugo Ekitike, the PA news agency understands. The talented 23-year-old scored 22 goals in all competitions for the Bundesliga club after last summer making his loan move from Paris St Germain permanent. Newcastle and Manchester United have been among the interested parties but Premier League champions Liverpool look set to sign Ekitike. The PA news agency understands the Reds have agreed to pay a guaranteed £69m to sign the France Under-21 international, with a further £10m possible in add-ons. The player has been given permission to travel to Merseyside to complete the deal. Ekitike is set to arrive on Tuesday for his medical and to complete what is expected to be a deal until 2031. Martin believes Rangers are ready to shine Russell Martin believes Rangers will 'take some stopping' if they can harness an energy and connection between players, supporters and everyone else associated with the club. The Ibrox head coach is determined to ensure that process takes shape in his first match in charge against Panathinaikos on Tuesday. Rangers take on the Greek side in the first leg of the Champions League second qualifying round at Ibrox and Martin hopes fans can quickly see the dominant, intense, aggressive team that forms his vision for his reign. The former MK Dons, Swansea and Southampton manager said: 'Every day I wake up and I'm honoured to be in this position. I feel extremely grateful for it. I'm excited by it and I will give it absolutely everything I've got. We all will.' What's on today The big night has finally arrived for England women who face Italy in the European Championship semi-final in Geneva.
