logo
Sunday's briefing: Just another game for Greenwood while Gyokeres faces sanction

Sunday's briefing: Just another game for Greenwood while Gyokeres faces sanction

Arsenal target Viktor Gyokeres is facing disciplinary action for failing to turn up to pre-season training for Sporting Lisbon.
Andy Carroll has completed a surprise move to join Dagenham and Redbridge, while Sweden finished top of Group C at the Euros with a resounding 4-1 defeat of Germany.
Greenwood not fazed by Wales test
🗣️ "What do we have to fear?"
Wales head coach Rhian Wilkinson is 'excited' for their clash with England at the Euros 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 pic.twitter.com/KGpu7NRStu
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) July 12, 2025
Alex Greenwood admitted the big rivalry billing for England's final Euro 2025 group-stage encounter might hold more weight for their Welsh opponents than it does for her.
A win against Wales – the lowest-ranked team in the tournament – would be enough to book England a place in the quarter-finals. Wales need a victory of four goals or more, as well as France beating the Netherlands, to progress.
Wales captain Angharad James, who was asked if she wanted to knock England out, said: 'Of course you do. It's in our blood. It's in our DNA.'
But quizzed as to whether or not she felt the same sense of rivalry, Greenwood conceded: 'Maybe not as much. I think, for me personally, it's another game.'
Sporting sanction Gyokeres amid Arsenal interest
Arsenal's bid to sign Viktor Gyokeres has taken a fresh twist after Sporting Lisbon confirmed he is facing disciplinary action for failing to turn up to pre-season training.
Gyokeres, who scored 39 league goals to fire Sporting to the Portuguese title last season, is understood to be at the top of Arsenal's wish list. However, the two clubs are yet to agree a transfer fee.
Sporting president Frederico Varandas told Portuguese news agency LUSA: 'If they don't want to pay Viktor's fair market value, we'll be very comfortable with that for the next three years.
'If the geniuses who are devising this strategy think that this puts pressure on me to make it easier for him to leave, not only are they completely wrong, but they are also making it more complicated for the player to leave. No one is above the interests of the club. Whoever they are.'
Carroll completes surprise Dagenham move
It's not every day… ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/wkgK9q1QGG
— Dagenham & Redbridge (@Dag_RedFC) July 12, 2025
Former Liverpool and Newcastle striker Andy Carroll has agreed a deal to join Dagenham and Redbridge.
The 36-year-old, who played nine times for England, has made the switch to the National League South side on a three-year deal. Dagenham announced earlier on Saturday that they had been taken over by a Qatari consortium.
Carroll left Bordeaux last month following one season in the fourth tier of French football.
Sweden humble Germany with four-star triumph
Sweden secured an emphatic 4-1 win over 10-woman Germany to finish top of Group C – and line up a possible quarter-final against England.
Jule Brand fired Germany ahead after just seven minutes before Arsenal's Stina Blackstenius hauled Sweden back on level terms.
Smilla Holmberg then gave Sweden the lead with Carlotta Wamser dismissed for handball and Fridolina Rolfo scoring the resulting penalty.
Lina Hurtig completed the rout with 10 minutes remaining as Sweden claimed their first-ever victory against the eight-time champions at the Euros. It also marked Germany's biggest ever loss in the competition.
Poland beat Denmark 3-2 in the other game in the group.
What's on today?
Defending European champions England will look to avoid an early exit in their clash with Wales.
England know a win will secure their place in the quarter-finals while Wales need a big victory and help from France. The Group D fixtures kick off at 8pm BST.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Wales consider cutting number of professional rugby teams in half
Wales consider cutting number of professional rugby teams in half

Telegraph

time26 minutes ago

  • Telegraph

Wales consider cutting number of professional rugby teams in half

The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has confirmed that it will consider the possibility of cutting two regional men's teams before the 2027-28 season. A statement from the WRU on Monday afternoon heralded a formal consultation and engagement process with stakeholders, including players and staff from Cardiff, the Dragons, the Ospreys and the Scarlets, that will take place over August and September and lead to a restructure. It is said to be covering 'the entire high-performance structure' of the game in Wales from age-grade pathways to professional clubs and its results will be confirmed in October. The WRU board has already voiced its view that it does not see the current model of four equally-funded regional sides continuing, but Monday's statement suggested that Wales could end up with two professional men's teams as a result of these discussions. Among the 'key potential developments to be consulted' during the engagement process was listed 'whether there should be a reduction to three or two regional men's teams to ensure that we have the teams that can compete at the top of the professional game'. Days after Wales beat Japan 31-22 in Kobe to halt a run of 18 successive Test match losses that stretched back to the 2023 World Cup, the WRU statement delivered the reality check that 'Welsh rugby has experienced a deterioration in performance on and off the field and, statistically, has just had its worst season ever in its senior men's game'. The WRU signalled its intention to strike upon a 'more radical strategy' to address a situation that 'isn't currently financially sustainable given the investment required'. Funding to strengthen Super Rygbi Cymru, a semi-professional competition, was named as another aspect of the discussions. Dave Reddin, who has worked with Sir Clive Woodward and Sir Gareth Southgate in previous roles with England and the Football Association, was unveiled as the WRU's new director of rugby and elite performance in April. A full-time successor to Warren Gatland, who left his role as head coach in February, is yet to be determined. Matt Sherratt continued in a caretaker capacity for the trip to Japan. Reddin has been tasked with recruiting for this position and has reportedly identified a suitable candidate.

Welsh four regions system 'unsustainable' as struggling union opens talks aimed at radical change
Welsh four regions system 'unsustainable' as struggling union opens talks aimed at radical change

Reuters

time26 minutes ago

  • Reuters

Welsh four regions system 'unsustainable' as struggling union opens talks aimed at radical change

July 14 (Reuters) - The Welsh Rugby Union said on Monday its current system with four regional clubs was "financially unsustainable" as it announced formal talks aiming to restructure the domestic professional game by the 2027-28 season. The WRU cited a lack of on-field success as the primary reason behind it considering a "radical strategy" to improve the sport, saying the decision was taken after 18 months of extensive work, including consultation with the clubs and players. "The WRU Board has already publicly confirmed it does not see the system continuing with the current model of four equally funded regional clubs in the senior men's game," the WRU said in a statement. "The current rugby system in Wales, which includes national teams, professional clubs, community clubs, academies, universities and schools isn't delivering consistent success on the field and isn't currently financially sustainable given the likely investment required." Four professional clubs -- Cardiff Rugby, Scarlets, Ospreys and Dragons -- represent Wales in the United Rugby Championship. No Welsh side has won the competition since 2016-17. Cardiff, the largest of the four, entered administration in April after owners Helford Capital failed to meet its funding obligations. The Wales national team ended an 18-match losing streak with a victory over Japan on Saturday, but remain outside the top 10 in world rankings after high-margin losses to France and England this year. "The WRU is therefore considering a more radical strategy focused on maximising investment and reforming the whole structure of professional rugby in Wales (amongst other options)," the WRU added.

Exiled Alejandro Garnacho spotted for the first time after being forced to train alone as his Man United exit looms
Exiled Alejandro Garnacho spotted for the first time after being forced to train alone as his Man United exit looms

Daily Mail​

time27 minutes ago

  • Daily Mail​

Exiled Alejandro Garnacho spotted for the first time after being forced to train alone as his Man United exit looms

Manchester United outcast Alejandro Garnacho took a trip to the barbers on Monday as he was spotted in public in England for the first time since the end of last season. Garnacho posed for selfies with fans outside of Pure Fades in Altrincham, before hot-footing it towards his car. After spotting the paparazzi, Garnacho — who was dressed in a black Nike T-shirt, Palm Angels shorts and white sliders — playfully covered his face before smiling as he entered his vehicle. Garnacho — who spent his summer holidays in Japan, Spain and then Portugal — is said to be keen to stay in England, although his future may lie away from Old Trafford. The 21-year-old is one of a number of players expected to leave United before the transfer deadline on September 1, with Ruben Amorim keen to sell him. Garnacho is one of five United players not involved in team pre-season training, with the group aiming to find moves away from the Red Devils. Mail Sport reported earlier this week that Garnacho had rejected an approach from Al-Nassr as he wants to remain in the Premier League. United are believed to be holding out for more than £50million, having turned down a bid of £40m from Napoli in January. Garnacho featured in 36 of United's 38 Premier League games last season. However, he was regularly used as a substitute by Amorim, including in the Europa League final defeat by Tottenham in May, when he got just 20 minutes of game time. Speaking after the final, Garnacho said: 'Up until the final I played every round helping the team, and today I play 20 minutes, I don't know. 'The final will influence [my decision] but the whole season, the situation of the club. I'm going to try to enjoy the summer and see what happens afterwards.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store