Robert Andrich and Jonathan Tah highlighted their "greed and hunger for another title", as the Bayer Leverkusen duo target Euro 2024 glory with Germany.
Tah and Andrich enjoyed a memorable 2023-24 season with Leverkusen, winning the club's first ever Bundesliga title and the DFB-Pokal, with their only defeat across all competitions coming against Atalanta in the Europa League final.
Xabi Alonso's side completed the double with victory over Kaiserslautern in the DFB-Pokal final at Berlin's Olympic Stadium last time out.
Andrich is desperately hoping for a swift return to the same venue, where the Euro 2024 showpiece will be played on June 14, and for further silverware to follow.
"We have this greed, the hunger for another title," the midfielder said. "I think that [German Cup final] was very special for me - the Olympic stadium, training there, playing the final. These are special moments, more special than in other matches.
"You cannot buy these memories and this gives you a boost to play there again."
Team-mate Tah concurred: "I would say the double win definitely puts wind in your sails. With a lot of greed, we want to keep being successful and play the entire year successfully.
"After a few days, our batteries will again be fully loaded. We are looking forward to the tournament, which is special for all of us, so the batteries kind of charge themselves because of that."
Germany launch the tournament against Scotland on June 14, while Julian Nagelsmann's side will also face Hungary and Switzerland in Group A.
Vincent Kompany challenged Bayern Munich to bounce back from their 2023-24 disappointment, and wants to see which players are "most hungry to win again".
The Belgian was named Bayern's new boss on a three-year deal, replacing the outgoing Thomas Tuchel following a trophyless campaign at the Allianz Arena.
The Bavarian giants surrendered their 11-year grip on the Bundesliga title to Xabi Alonso's unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen, while Real Madrid defeated them in the Champions League semi-finals.
Kompany knows what it takes to respond in the face of adversity, with Manchester City coming up just short against the likes of Manchester United in the Premier League in between the four titles he won during his time with the Citizens.
And he has urged his new squad to demonstrate that character and determination to get back in the winner's circle next season.
"We're in a situation now where, last year, we lost," he told reporters during his introductory press conference.
"Having been in this position myself as well as a player, I know that this is when you react, this is where you see real winners come to life.
"I'm actually excited to start pre-season with them. I make no distinction; I just want to see which players are most hungry to represent this club next season and win again, and be successful.
Kompany's appointment earlier this week was widely reported as a surprise one, after he was unable to keep Burnley in the Premier League in 2023-24.
However, the 38-year-old insists he has already settled into his new surroundings.
"My mentality is that I never haven't ever worked for a top club in my head," he added.
"A top club is the environment you create. It's the mentality you have towards your job in good and bad times, that's what defines working at the top level. It already feels like home."
Aryna Sabalenka swept through to the third round of the French Open with a straight-sets victory over qualifier Moyuka Uchijima on Thursday.
It only took 62 minutes for Sabalenka to secure a 6-2 6-2 win, with the second seed not being broken throughout the contest.
Rival Iga Swiatek had to come through a bruising battle against Naomi Osaka to reach the last 32 a day earlier, but there were no such complications for dominant Sabalenka against a Japanese opponent as she raced to victory.
She broke Uchijima twice in each set and racked up 27 winners in the match, coming out on top in 11 of her 14 points at the net.
The match was level at 2-2 until Sabalenka won four straight games to clinch the first set, not offering up a single break-point opportunity to Uchijima in the opener. She then had few issues closing it out in the second.
Data Debrief: Swiatek and Sabalenka set the standard
Sabalenka (60 wins) has now become only the second player to achieve 60 or more women's singles match wins at grand slam events since the start of the 2020 season, only trailing Swiatek, who has 67.
This win means she has made it to the third round at Roland Garros for five straight editions. Sabalenka is hoping to better her semi-final berth from last season, having made the final at the WTA 1000 events in Madrid and Rome – losing to Swiatek each time – ahead of her campaign in Paris.
Sabalenka will next face former world number two Paula Badosa in a marquee third-round clash. The Spanish player progressed after battling back from a set down to defeat Yulia Putintseva 4-6 6-1 7-5.
Two-time 200m world champion Shericka Jackson is setting her sights on her first individual Olympic gold medal this summer in Paris and and a shot at the 200m world record by the end of the season. Speaking at a media conference in Oslo on Wednesday, Jackson shared her ambitions ahead of her competition in the Diamond League meeting later today.
Jackson, who broke her own championship record of 21.45 seconds set in Oregon in 2022 with a stunning 21.41 at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, has consistently demonstrated her prowess on the track. She further solidified her status with a 21.48 run at the Diamond League meeting in Brussels and concluded her season with a 21.57 at the Prefontaine Classic, securing the Diamond League double by also winning the 100m in 10.70.
Reflecting on her pursuit of the elusive 200m world record of 21.39, set by American Florence Griffith-Joyner in 1988, Jackson revealed her and her coach's meticulous approach. “Coach and I have been working on so many things this year. Last year we came close, we also did an attempt at I think it was Brussels and it went pretty well. This year we’re working on the fine details and hope for the best at the end of this season,” she said.
Jackson's Olympic journey has seen its share of highs and lows. At the Tokyo Olympics, she was a gold medal favorite in the 200m but was eliminated in the preliminary round due to a mistimed run. However, she redeemed herself by securing a gold medal as part of Jamaica’s 4x100m relay team. For the Paris Olympics, Jackson is determined to claim her first individual Olympic gold medal.
“I am yet to have an individual gold medal at the Olympic Games so that’s one of my goals this year to work hard and hoping to achieve that at the end of August,” said Jackson, who also stated that she is aiming for a season’s best run later today after her opening 200m run of 22.82 in Rabat on May 19.
“I am definitely looking forward to a season’s best but for me it’s building to the Jamaica trials, which comes up next month and I think it’s one step at a time. Once I finish healthy tomorrow, I am better shape than I was two weeks ago so I am looking forward to great things.”
Daniil Medvedev advanced to the French Open third round after Miomir Kecmanovic was forced to retire injured in their round-two clash at Roland-Garros.
The former US Open champion prevailed in just 55 minutes at 6-1 5-0 ahead on Court Suzanne-Lenglen, when his opponent was unable to continue.
Medvedev has never progressed beyond the quarter-finals of the clay-court major, reaching the last eight in 2021, but has plenty of energy still in reserve after his premature win.
A runner-up at the Australian Open and Indian Wells this season, the fifth seed was in dominant form throughout the contest, and will play either Mariano Navone or Tomas Machac in round three.
Data Debrief: Medvedev continues to make strides on clay
Medvedev has now won 36 career ATP matches on clay, with 50 per cent of those coming since the start of the 2023 season (18).
The fifth seed won 23 of his 27 points on first serve (85 per cent), while converting five of nine break points, and hitting 26 winners to just six unforced errors.
Rookie Luis Gil pitched two-hit ball over eight masterful innings to win his sixth straight start and Alex Verdugo homered as the New York Yankees held on for a 2-1 win over the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday night.
In the longest of his 18 major league starts, Gil gave up Luis Rengifo’s single in the third and Logan O’Hoppe’s home run in the seventh. He walked two and struck out nine to improve to 7-1 with a 1.99 ERA in 11 starts this season.
New York’s starters have gone at least five innings and allowed two runs or fewer in an MLB-record 16 straight games. That group has allowed only 11 earned runs in 99 innings for a 1.00 ERA during that stretch.
Clay Holmes gave up a leadoff single to Rengifo in the ninth and walked Taylor Ward but got Willie Calhoun to hit into a double play and retired O’Hoppe on a game-ending groundout to third for his 16th save.
Anthony Volpe extended his hitting streak to 21 games with two hits, matching the longest run in the majors this season.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone was ejected for arguing an interference call in the first inning.
Royals’ Lugo first in AL to 9 wins
Seth Lugo pitched six strong innings to become the American League’s first nine-game winner and Nelson Velazquez homered twice as the Kansas City Royals topped the Minnesota Twins 6-1 to end a three-game losing streak.
Lugo allowed one run on six hits with three walks and five strikeouts to win his fourth straight start and sixth consecutive decision.
He joined Philadelphia’s Ranger Suarez as only nine-game winners in the majors and surpassed his previous career high of eight wins set last season with San Diego.
Lugo’s ERA dropped to an MLB-best 1.72, the lowest by a Royals pitcher through 12 starts in team history.
Salvador Perez also homered for Kansas City, which had lost three in a row after winning eight straight.
Velazquez’s first home run came in a four-run third, and he went deep again in the fifth after Perez homered earlier in the inning.
Willi Castro had three of Minnesota’s seven hits as the Twins lost for the second time in eight games.
Seager homers again to lift Rangers
Corey Seager continued his power surge with his eighth home run in eight games and Dane Dunning pitched five scoreless innings as the Texas Rangers defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks, 6-1 to sweep a two-game rematch of last year’s World Series.
Seager’s two-run shot off starter Ryne Nelson in the fifth inning extended the Rangers’ lead to 4-0.
Seager has 13 home runs this season and four in the past three games. He went deep twice in a series finale victory at Minnesota on Sunday, which ended Texas’ season-high six-game skid, and is batting .357 (10 for 28) with eight home runs and 13 RBIs over his last eight contests.
He is the fifth player in franchise history with at least eight home runs in an eight-game span, joining Jose Canseco, Rafael Palmeiro, Josh Hamilton and Joey Gallo.
Reigning World Series champion Texas has won three in a row after losing five consecutive series.
Dunning allowed three hits and walked four with six strikeouts in his second start back from a stint on the injured list with a right rotator cuff strain.
Mattias Janmark scored a short-handed goal in the second period to snap a tie and Leon Draisaitl tallied 51 seconds later as the Edmonton Oilers rallied for a 5-2 victory over the Dallas Stars to even the Western Conference final at two games apiece on Wednesday night.
Ryan McLeod and Evan Bouchard had first-period goals and Connor McDavid set up three scores for the Oilers, who trailed 2-0 less than six minutes into the game.
The series shifts back to Dallas for Game 5 on Friday night.
Stuart Skinner bounced back from consecutive losses with 20 saves.
Wyatt Johnston staked the Stars to a lead just 58 seconds into the game and Esa Lindell made it 2-0 at 5:29 of the opening period.
Dallas had a power play with eight minutes left in regulation and a chance to make it a one-goal game, but Edmonton killed its 23rd straight penalty before Mattias Ekholm’s empty-netter sealed the win.
The Oilers made three lineup changes, inserting defenseman Philip Broberg along with McLeod and fellow forward Corey Perry for Vincent Desharnais, Warren Foegele and Sam Carrick.
Stars defenseman Chris Tanev left in the second period with a lower body injury and did not return.
The Washington Wizards gave interim head coach Brian Keefe the permanent job on Wednesday.
“We are excited for Brian to become our next head coach. Brian is a proven motivator and connector of people,” Wizards general manager Will Dawkins said.
“As a leader in the organisation, he will continue to positively grow and invest into the development of our players.
“His wealth of experience will help move our team forward as we build for long-term sustained success.”
Keefe was promoted to head coach on January 25 after Wes Unseld Jr. left the sidelines and moved into a front office advisory role.
Washington was 7-36 at the time and went 8-31 under Keefe to finish with the second-worst record in the NBA at 15-67.
The Wizards own the No. 2 overall selection in June’s NBA Draft.
Jannik Sinner cruised into the French Open third round after making light work of home favourite Richard Gasquet in a straight-sets victory on Wednesday.
The world number two overcame Christopher Eubanks in his first Roland-Garros meeting and had similar ease against French veteran Gasquet on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
Having triumphed at the Australian Open in January, Sinner will be dreaming of a second major title after his convincing 6-4 6-2 6-4 success in the French capital.
Buoyed on with confidence from a straight-sets win against Eubanks on Monday, Sinner stole a decisive break at 3-3 in the first set to undo 37-year-old Gasquet.
Gasquet, a 16-time ATP Tour champion, struggled to respond after that opening blow, holding his service just twice in a one-sided second set.
Sinner continued to dictate play from deep on the court, pulling Gasquet apart at will to tee up a routine win in just two hours and 17 minutes.
Data Debrief: Sinner riding major wave
Fresh from his major-winning exploits in Australia, Sinner is a remarkable 9-0 in grand slam competition this year.
The 22-year-old extended to a 12-1 record against players ranked outside the top 10 at Roland-Garros, while he now has 26 wins and just one loss against Frenchmen since August 2020.
Iga Swiatek acknowledged her mind was not always in Wednesday's match as the world number one survived a French Open scare against Naomi Osaka.
The three-time Roland-Garros champion appeared set for an early exit on Court Philippe-Chatrier after trailing 4-1 in the deciding set.
Matters worsened for the Polish tennis star when Osaka mustered a 5-3 lead, but Japan's four-time major winner relinquished a match point with Swiatek on the ropes.
The defending French Open champion responded in blistering style, eventually triumphing 7-6 (7-1) 1-6 7-5 to reach the third round unscathed.
After a shock to the system and nearing an early exit, Swiatek said she struggled to focus at times in Paris.
"For sure I felt for most of the match that I wasn't really here and now," Swiatek said.
"My mind was flying around sometimes, but when I was really under the biggest pressure I was able to focus more and play better, not thinking about what the score is and that I was really close to losing.
"I just kept going forward and I hope that my game is going to get better because of that."
Aged 22 years and 363 days, Swiatek is the third-youngest women's player, after Monica Seles and Steffi Graf, to win 16 consecutive matches at the French Open during the Open Era.
Victory also marked her 30th win at Roland-Garros, as many as Seles before turning 23.
Only Graf (47), Sanchez Vicario (39), Gabriela Sabatini (34) and Martina Hingis (31) have registered more wins when under the age of 23 at this event during the Open Era.
"For sure this match was really intense," Swiatek added in her on-court interview.
"Much more intense for the second round than I ever expected. Naomi played amazing tennis, with a really loose hand – maybe she's gonna be a clay-court specialist in a while."
The Pole has also now won 69 of her 70 completed WTA main-draw matches on clay after winning the opening set.
England manager Gareth Southgate has no doubt over the talent of Kobbie Mainoo after watching the Manchester United youngster flourish this campaign.
Mainoo was on target in Saturday's FA Cup final victory over rivals Manchester City as Man Utd triumphed 2-1 at Wembley Stadium.
Having caressed past Stefan Ortega in the first half, 19-year-old Mainoo became the first English teenager to score in an FA Cup final since Steve MacKenzie for City against Tottenham in 1981.
That match-winning finish capped a fine breakthrough campaign for Mainoo, who has been rewarded with a place in England's preliminary squad for Euro 2024.
As the Three Lions joined together for their pre-tournament training camp, Southgate reserved special praise for the exciting England midfielder.
"The curious thing about young talent is how will they cope under pressure," Southgate said in an interview with England's media channels.
"You can see the technical ability but it's about how tactically aware they are, how mature, ability to cope with big matches.
"When you're playing for Manchester United, you're always under the spotlight. He's shown that with them, with us in March.
"We've never been afraid to put young players in. If players are good enough we're not so concerned about their age.
"Kobbie has had an amazing season and it was fabulous for him to finish the season with a goal and a trophy."
Decisions remain for Southgate, though, as the England boss prepares to cut his 33-man squad to just 26 players ahead of the upcoming tournament in Germany.
He added: "It will be extremely difficult. It was very difficult to leave players out of this 33 and, of course, there are some younger players coming in with slightly different expectations to this camp.
"But there are going to be some difficult calls to make. We're hoping that not too many of these calls are decided by injury and we've got the strongest possible squad to pick from."
England will play warm-up friendlies against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iceland next week, before starting their group-stage campaign in a June 16 meeting with Serbia.
Denmark and Slovenia will follow for England, who will hope to go one better than their runners-up finish to Italy in the last European Championship three years ago.
"There are so many aspects to being with this group of people that I love," Southgate continued, looking ahead to the upcoming international tournament.
"Ultimately we're trying to form a team and a group that have got to push each other and be there for each other. There's a team dynamic that's crucial to winning that we have to find.
"People will have slightly different roles that they will with their clubs. At their club, all of these guys are pretty much the first choice on the team sheet, so some have different roles in the next few weeks.
"The challenge of winning the games and the excitement of seeing our fans out there in some of the biggest occasions in world football is why you're in the game really. That's what we're looking forward to."
Jude Bellingham will hold no grudges if Real Madrid team-mate Vinicius Junior wins the Ballon d'Or, saying "I'd feel just as proud as if I won it".
The England international was voted LaLiga's Player of the Season following a tremendous maiden campaign with Madrid, who he helped land a 36th league title.
Bellingham scored 19 goals and had six assists in 28 league games this season, while tallying 35 goal contributions across all competitions for Los Blancos.
His exploits led former Madrid and England striker Michael Owen to claim he has a "massive chance" of winning the Ballon d'Or, though the 20-year-old believes there is a more suitable candidate for the accolade.
"I'm not really too fussed about it," he said. "I always thought the Ballon d'Or and those sorts of things were for the strikers, the wingers and the flashy players.
"I know I can entertain the crowd, but no-one can do it like Vini. When he's at his best, I think he's the best player in the world. I know he likes to say the same about me, and that's the kind of relationship we have.
"You don't always have to be friends with your team-mates, but it helps when you can be so close off the pitch as well. And then, on the pitch, it reflects. We have a good understanding of each other's movements.
"To be honest, if he was to win it, I'd feel just as proud as if I won it, because I know I've helped contribute to the success."
Both players are likely to feature in Saturday's Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley Stadium, when Los Blancos seek a record-extending 15th Champions League title.
The Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) has unveiled its management team for the 2024 Paris Olympics, emphasizing a blend of managerial expertise, athletic insight, and a commitment to athlete welfare. After a rigorous selection process, the JOA is confident that this team will effectively lead Jamaica's athletes in Paris.
Applications for positions opened in 2021 with the final selections made in 2022.
Leading the team as Chef de Mission is the esteemed Ian Kelly, OD. Known for his extensive background in sports, particularly football management, Kelly brings a wealth of experience and a well-decorated resume to the role. His leadership will be pivotal in ensuring the smooth operation and success of the Jamaican delegation in Paris.
Supporting Kelly is celebrated Olympian and global track icon Donald Quarrie, CD. Quarrie, who has managed and mentored numerous teams over the years, will oversee the track and field contingent. His first-hand experience as an athlete and mentor will provide invaluable guidance to the competitors.
The team also includes accomplished businesswoman Donna Kaye-Sharpe, whose administrative prowess spans across various sports, including cycling and triathlon. Kaye-Sharpe's deep understanding of sports administration will be crucial in managing logistics and operations during the games.
Kaydeen Webley, a Marketing Campaign and Brand Experience Strategist, joins the team, bringing her expertise in information and events management, as well as athlete welfare and development. Webley's skills will be instrumental in enhancing the overall experience for athletes and ensuring their needs are met efficiently.
Evon Faulkner, a network specialist at the Central Bank and an experienced figure in regional games management, adds further strength to the team. Faulkner's role as tournament director for multiple international darts championships demonstrates his capability in handling large-scale sports events, making him a valuable asset for the Paris Olympics.
Rounding out the team is Dr. Leroy Harrison, Consultant Neurologist at Kingston Public Hospital and former president of the Jamaica Neurology Society. As Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Harrison will provide essential medical support, ensuring the health and well-being of the athletes.
The JOA's commitment to broadening the pool of managers for national assignments is evident in this diverse and highly qualified team. By incorporating professionals from various fields, the JOA aims to offer a holistic support system for Jamaica's athletes.
The management team's multifaceted credentials, ranging from business and sports management to medical expertise, position them well to navigate the challenges of the Olympic Games and support Jamaica's athletes in their quest for excellence on the world stage.
With this formidable team in place, the JOA is poised to make a significant impact at the Paris 2024 Olympics, continuing its tradition of excellence and dedication to the Olympic movement.
James Anderson retiring from Test cricket shocked Nathan Lyon as the Australian spinner believes England's veteran would still be their best bowler.
England great Anderson will call time to his storied red-ball career when Brendon McCullum's side host West Indies at Lord's, starting on July 10.
The Lancashire bowler leaves the international scene as England's all-time leading wicket-taker in Test cricket, with 700 dismissals in 187 appearances.
His wicket-taking heroics are the most by any pace bowler in Test history, and Anderson's decision came as welcome news to Ashes rival Lyon.
"Obviously, Jimmy Anderson is in the conversation of being the greatest fast bowler of all time," Lyon told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"Good luck to Jimmy and I look forward to playing with him at Lancashire, but I'm glad he won't be coming out to the next Ashes."
Anderson's hand appeared somewhat forced as England started planning for the future, setting their sights on The Ashes in Australia across late 2025 and into 2026.
By the time that Ashes series arrives, Anderson will be 43.
Owing to Anderson's age, England coach McCullum, managing director Rob Key and captain Ben Stokes, want to test the likes of Brydon Carse, Matthew Potts and Gus Atkinson as pace-bowling options.
With Stuart Broad already announcing his retirement after his last outing against Australia, Lyon could not believe England's decision to let Anderson go.
"My care factor for England is pretty low, but I was pretty surprised when I did read that they tapped him on the shoulder," added Lyon.
"I look at James and what he's been able to do for England cricket, it's pretty remarkable.
"This is just my opinion – I still think he would be England's best bowler."
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
