France midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni is not fazed about juggling the responsibilities usually reserved for injured stalwarts Paul Pogba and N'Golo Kante after helping Les Bleus to the World Cup final.
Didier Deschamps' side beat Morocco 2-0 at Al Bayt Stadium on Wednesday to secure their spot in Sunday's showpiece against Argentina.
It ensured France became the first nation to reach back-to-back World Cup finals since Brazil in 2002 as they – somewhat unconvincingly – managed to end Morocco's fairytale run.
The build-up to France's World Cup defence was dominated by talk of the so-called 'holders' curse' given each of the previous three defending champions had been eliminated at the group stage.
Pre-tournament confidence was also dented by injuries to several key players, with Karim Benzema, Pogba and Kante all missing out.
Yet on Sunday, they could become the first European country to win successive World Cups since Italy in 1938, with Tchouameni playing an important part in a new-look midfield.
Asked whether the Pogba or Kante role suits him best, he replied: "It's both!
"Sometimes it's [my job] to recover some balls like today, and sometimes I have the opportunities to score a goal, like the last game.
"Or today when I had the almost-assists for Kylian [Mbappe] and Olivier [Giroud]. It's a mix between those two [Pogba and Kante]."
He added: "[Pogba and Kante] are great players for us.
"Unfortunately they're not here because they're injured, so we try to do our best to help the team in the middle of the pitch, and I think we do a great job."
Tchouameni's influence was highlighted by the fact his 65 touches were the joint-highest in the France team, while only Antoine Griezmann (four) played more key passes than his two.
Although his 83 per cent passing accuracy suggests a degree of wastefulness, the Real Madrid talent showed purpose in terms of ball progression, with his eight passes in the final third only behind Kylian Mbappe and Youssouf Fofana (both nine). A riskier approach is always likely to result in less accurate distribution.
Nevertheless, he did not neglect his defensive responsibilities, tallying the second-most interceptions (four) on the pitch (Ibrahima Konate – six) and joint-highest number of recoveries (10).
Alongside Fofana, Tchouameni was part of a particularly inexperienced midfield pairing, but Deschamps believes both have proven they belong at this level.
"Experience isn't everything, they have great qualities and play with top clubs," the coach told reporters.
"They may not have much experience at the international level, but they are good enough to play at this level.
"They have tremendous potential, tremendous quality – and they are supported by the experienced players around them.
"All of the players struggled against Tunisia – Fofana had a bad game, if I'm honest with you – but he showed today, in a World Cup semi-final, that he has learned from that experience.
"Tchouameni played for us at a very young age and went to Madrid where he's slotted straight in.
"Of course, there's room for improvement, but he has all the strength to succeed at this level. I had no doubt about playing both of them in there, though, as they had experienced players around them."
Didier Deschamps insisted he and his future are "not the most important thing" as he vowed to make France "even happier" after Sunday's World Cup final against Argentina.
The reigning world champions produced another ruthless performance to down Morocco 2-0 after goals from Theo Hernandez and Randal Kolo Muani in Wednesday's semi-final clash at Al Bayt Stadium.
Argentina await as France bid to become just the third side to retain their global crown, with the Lusail Stadium showpiece signalling a likely end for Albiceleste captain Lionel Messi and potentially also for Bleus coach Deschamps.
Zinedine Zidane has long been suggested as the successor to Deschamps, whose contract expires after the tournament, but the focus remains for now on success in Qatar.
"I'm always proud when we achieve a result like this. It is great to have got through to the final on Sunday," Deschamps said at a post-match press conference.
"It wasn't an easy victory, we showed our quality, experience and team spirit. We had to dig deep even in the challenging moments in the match. As a coach, I'm very proud and pleased with my players.
"I don't really think about myself, but I can appreciate the fact we have had this success. As for my achievements, I'm not the most important thing here.
"The team is more important than I am. We have the chance of defending our title in the final, so that is a great achievement already.
"But we are going to do everything we can to ensure we, as a team and for our nation, are even happier on Sunday."
France and Argentina played out a seven-goal thriller at Russia 2018 as Deschamps' side edged their opponents 4-3 to reach the quarter-finals following Kylian Mbappe's brace.
Both finalists have been far from their best at times in Qatar, with France losing to Tunisia and battling past England in the quarter-finals, while Argentina fell to a shock group-stage defeat to Saudi Arabia.
Deschamps believes the clash for the biggest prize in the sport will come down to the finest of margins, with both sides facing "a better team than any they have played in the tournament".
"It is always a battle out there, we saw a very strong Argentina against Croatia, but they had not always been as strong," he continued.
"We weren't perfect against England or against Morocco. We could have played better. In a final against Argentina, both teams are playing a better team than they have played in the tournament so far.
"We have two sides with a great deal of quality. The team who makes fewer mistakes will likely win the game; whoever manages to do that will lift the trophy."
Playing Lionel Messi in the World Cup final is a "totally different proposition", according to France's Antoine Griezmann after his team secured their place in Sunday's showpiece match.
France ended Morocco's fairytale run with a 2-0 semi-final victory as goals from Theo Hernandez and Randal Kolo Muani sent Les Bleus through to a second consecutive World Cup final.
Didier Deschamps' side could become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to retain international football's top prize, having lifted the trophy in Russia in 2018.
But standing in their way is Messi's Argentina, who cruised past Croatia on Tuesday to clinch their spot in a sixth World Cup final, with only Germany having been in the tournament's deciding match on more occasions.
Messi has broken record after record in Qatar, surpassing Gabriel Batistuta as Argentina's top World Cup goalscorer while he is set to become the tournament's highest all-time appearance holder if he plays on Sunday.
With the final against France likely representing the last opportunity for Messi to finally get his hands on the World Cup trophy, Griezmann acknowledged it will be a tough task to slow down La Albiceleste.
"Any team with Messi in is a totally different proposition," Griezmann told reporters at his post-match news conference.
"All of the matches we have seen Argentina play, we know how they play - they are difficult.
"They seem to be on top form, there isn’t only Messi - they have a strong side around him.
"We know it is going to be a tough game and they are going to have the support of the crowd.
"We will get back to working tomorrow and see how we can hurt them, we will be well prepared."
France and Argentina played out a seven-goal thriller at the 2018 World Cup, with Les Bleus' 4-3 triumph sending them on to eventual glory.
Messi failed to get on the scoresheet in that encounter, but Deschamps is fully aware of the threat the Paris Saint-Germain forward will pose on Sunday at Lusail Stadium.
"Lionel Messi has been in scintillating form since the beginning of the tournament," Deschamps said. "Four years ago, things were different of course.
"He actually played as a centre-forward against us then, which caught us by surprise. Now he is playing in a tandem just behind the centre-forward.
"He is picking up the ball, running with it and looking in great form. He is one of the best players in the world and he has shown that.
"We are going to try and counter Messi’s threat and try to stop him influencing the game. Of course, Argentina are going to do the same to my players and they are a different side to the one we faced four years ago."
Walid Regragui lauded Morocco for making their country and Africa proud, but conceded the "small details" helped "real champions" France through to the World Cup final.
Africa's first semi-finalists in FIFA's top tournament largely held their own against Didier Deschamps' defending champions, though fell to a 2-0 defeat at Al Bayt Stadium.
Theo Hernandez and Randal Kolo Muani proved the difference as France set up a final against Lionel Messi's Argentina on Sunday.
Regragui reflected on a historic campaign for not only Morocco, but the entire continent after defeating Belgium, Spain and Portugal en route to falling narrowly short in the last four.
"We realised we made a great achievement already, we know that the media supported us and on the TV, we saw how proud everyone was," he said at his post-match press conference.
"We are disappointed, we wanted to keep the Moroccan people's dream alive. We are going to have to digest this defeat. We are pleased with what we have achieved, but we felt we could have gone even further.
"The small details help real champions win. We saw this against France, they had a lot of substitutes to make a difference.
"I told the players I am proud of them, the whole of Morocco is proud of them and so is the world. We worked hard; played honest football and that is what we wanted to do.
"We gave a good image of Morocco and Africa, representing our country and our continent. We went as far as we could in the competition and that is great, but we are going to have to do even better in the future.
"We have to do that regularly if we want to be on the footballing map. We may not be as good as Spain, Brazil or England, but I want to qualify for every competition.
"Then, it will become normal for Morocco to be a presence. We have shown Africans we are capable of going toe-to-toe with the best."
Nayef Aguerd, Roman Saiss and Noussair Mazraoui were all injury doubts heading into the semi-final clash, but were initially named in Morocco's starting XI.
Aguerd did not appear, Saiss bowed out before half-time and Mazraoui was replaced at the break, with Regragui conceding injuries took their toll on the Atlas Lions.
"At a World Cup, this was one step too far – not for the quality or tactics, but physically we came up short," he added.
"We had too many players who were at 60-70 per cent, but nevertheless got through to the semi-finals. My players gave a very good image of our team, and we showcased our quality.
"We wanted to rewrite the history books, but you can't win the World Cup through miracles, you need hard work and that is what we are going to continue to do."
As for the third-place play-off against Croatia on Saturday, Regragui vowed Morocco will fight once more, though he may offer chances to those who have not featured as often in Qatar.
"It will be a challenge mentally. We are on our last legs, we have a lot of players injured, but we want to win the game," the head coach continued.
"But I also want to allow squad players a chance to show what they can do. Those players have made a great contribution, but haven't had many minutes.
"After a defeat like this, it is always difficult to plan for the future. We will have some time to recover, and then we are going to try and make our country proud and win that third place."
The winner of a unification bout between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury will face off against Daniel Dubois, promoter Frank Warren has said.
A long-awaited clash between the two men who hold the four divisional heavyweight belts is expected to take place in 2023, despite Usyk being ordered to take mandatory defences.
The WBA has ordered Usyk, its 'super' champion, to defend his belt against Dubois, the 'regular' champion, while the IBF has ordered the Ukrainian to face off against Filip Hrgovic.
Neither would stand in the way of a unification bout, Warren says, with the winner of that clash going on to face Dubois, as the WBA has priority over the IBF in the rotation system.
"They've ordered it, but a unification will come first. And that's what we're working on, which is obviously the fight with Tyson and Usyk," he told talkSPORT.
"So, the winner of that will have to fight our man Daniel. Tyson is our man as well, and he'd have to fight Daniel.
"All the governing bodies will basically go for a unification fight, it's the first time in 25 years we would have had a unification of all the belts in the heavyweight division. That will take priority.
"But what they are saying afterwards, all the fighters, including Joe Joyce, who are number one or interim champions or in Daniel's case heavyweight champions, they will have to make their mandatory defences.
"They've been sitting around for ages for these fights and they [the governing bodies] will order them.
"Once the unification fight has happened then the winner has to start taking care of the mandatories or vacating a particular title, which would be their choice.
"If we can't get the Usyk fight on, which I doubt very much because I think we will get it on, then Usyk will have to defend his title against Daniel. But I don't think that will be a problem with Tyson."
Emmanuel Macron described his pride after France returned to the World Cup final by beating Morocco on Wednesday.
The French president was at Al Bayt Stadium where Didier Deschamps' side overcame the Atlas Lions 2-0, with goals from Theo Hernandez and Randal Kolo Muani setting up a clash with Argentina in Sunday's showpiece.
Defending champions France are the first nation since Brazil (in 2002) to reach consecutive finals – and the first from Europe to achieve the feat since Germany 32 years ago.
Macron paid tribute to the players, who he visited in the dressing room after the game, while giving his backing to head coach Deschamps.
"Our compatriots need simple and pure joy, sport provides it and football in particular," he said. "I am much better now than I was an hour and a half ago.
"We suffered a lot, but we saw a great team. A huge thank you to our coach and to this team, which is actually a mix of several generations, and that's what's great.
"We bring back the cup and, obviously, Deschamps has to stay. This France team makes me very proud."
France entered the semi-final without the impressive Adrien Rabiot, who was absent through illness, with Youssouf Fofana deputising in the heart of the midfield.
"There were a lot of hours of work" the Monaco man told beIN SPORTS. "It's a shame that Adrien is not here to celebrate. I hope he will be there on Sunday.
"It was not easy replacing him, it's hard to reach the level he's been at since the start of the competition. We worked together and it worked out for us."
Hernandez added to TF1: "To play two finals in a row is incredible. We did a great job, it was hard. The final against Argentina, we know it's going to be a great game, we're going to work hard to win this final."
On a visit to Qatar in January, Kylian Mbappe predicted France would play Achraf Hakimi's Morocco at the World Cup.
The Paris Saint-Germain star was examining the surroundings in Qatar with club team-mate Hakimi when Mbappe jokingly put forward to possibility they would face one another, adding "I have to destroy my friend," to which Hakimi replied, quick as a flash, "I am going to kick him."
Fast-forward 11 months and that semi-serious guess came true, with the very serious prize of a World Cup final place on the line.
Separated in age by just six weeks, Mbappe and Hakimi have built a strong bond in Paris since the latter moved to PSG in July 2021, with a clear respect on the pitch as well as off it.
Mbappe called Hakimi the best right-back in the world after the former Inter man's free-kick for Morocco against Malawi at the Africa Cup of Nations sent the Atlas Lions into the quarter-finals of that tournament in late January.
Hakimi returned the compliment in April when asked about Mbappe's club future, saying: "Mbappe is one of the best players in the world, and my friend."
When Morocco's surprise run to the final four in Qatar lined them up against the defending world champions, Hakimi v Mbappe promised to be more than merely a contest between good pals, because they also happen to be among the best footballers on the planet.
In 2021-22, Mbappe became the first player to finish as both the top scorer (28 goals) and top assister (17 assists) in a Ligue 1 season since those two awards have been handed out (2007-08), and was directly involved in more goals in all competitions (60 – 39 goals, 21 assists) than any other player in Europe's top five leagues.
During that same season, Hakimi was the defender involved in the most sequences in open play that ended in a goal in Ligue 1 (22).
Their brilliance extended to the World Cup, where, prior to the semi-finals, as well as being the tournament's top scorer at the time (five), no player had attempted more than Mbappe's 32 dribbles, with only Germany's Jamal Musiala (19) completing more than his 15, while no defender had won as many duels as Hakimi's 35, made as many tackles as his 19 or won as many tackles as his 13.
Coach Walid Regragui said before the semi-final that there would be no "anti-Mbappe plan" from his team, adding: "To focus on Mbappe would be a mistake. Hakimi is one of the best in the world in his position, too, so it will be a great duel between two champions, both going at it hell for leather."
In the fifth minute at Al Bayt Stadium, Mbappe had a chance to get the upper hand as he received the ball in the Morocco penalty area, and though his effort was blocked, the ball fell kindly to Theo Hernandez to fire France into an early lead; in fact, the earliest scored by any side in a World Cup semi-final since 1958.
It took until the 35th minute for Mbappe to show off his electric pace, racing in behind after Aurelien Tchouameni had won the ball and played him in, only for his scuffed attempt to be cleared.
Hakimi was largely having the better of their duel, tackling Mbappe well on one occasion while he also made more passes in the final third than anyone else on the pitch in the first-half as Morocco looked for an equaliser.
Early in the second half the two were in a race again as Antoine Griezmann played in Mbappe, but Hakimi was able to ease his friend away from the ball after anticipating the sort of run he is so familiar with.
Even when Mbappe finally got away from Hakimi, he found himself getting absolutely clattered by the impressive Sofyan Amrabat as France struggled to stay on top.
The personal battle looked effectively over when Marcus Thuram replaced Olivier Giroud in the 65th minute, with Mbappe moving centrally.
However, with 11 minutes remaining, Mbappe drifted slightly back out left and turned beautifully away from Hakimi as he dribbled through the Moroccan defence before his deflected shot fell kindly to substitute Randal Kolo Muani to put the game beyond doubt.
When Mbappe said in January with a wry smile that he was going to "destroy" Hakimi, he followed up with: "That will break my heart a little bit, but you know football, it is what it is. I have to kill him."
The 79th minute was the first real moment where Mbappe had got the better of his friend, and it proved to be the final dagger that would kill Morocco's World Cup dreams.
Hakimi did have one final moment where he was able to stop Mbappe from adding to the score with a determined tackle, but ultimately the last laugh belonged to the French forward as Les Bleus secured a 2-0 victory, with Mbappe likely having the full support of his friend when he lines up to potentially win his second World Cup against Argentina on Sunday.
They shook hands and swapped shirts after the final whistle having enjoyed a battle. While Mbappe may not have destroyed his friend, he ensured bragging rights for the next few years at least.
France set up a World Cup final against Argentina after goals from Theo Hernandez and Randal Kolo Muani secured a 2-0 win over Morocco on Wednesday.
Didier Deschamps' side became the first defending champions since Brazil in 1998 to return to the final at the next edition with another efficient performance at Al Bayt Stadium.
Hernandez struck as France raced into a fifth-minute lead against Africa's first World Cup semi-finalists, although Morocco were in the ascendancy for large parts.
That pressure brought no reward, and substitute Kolo Muani's 79th-minute second ensured France's bid to become just the third side to retain their global crown continued into Sunday's final against Argentina.
Hernandez fired France into an early lead after Kylian Mbappe twice saw efforts blocked, the second deflection falling to the left-back to expertly finish at the back post.
Olivier Giroud smashed a left-footed strike against Yassine Bounou's right post before whipping wide from a glorious opportunity after Jawad El Yamiq denied Mbappe with a last-ditch clearance.
El Yamiq almost levelled with a sensational overhead kick from Hakim Ziyech's corner on the stroke of half-time, only to be denied by a stretching Hugo Lloris and his right post.
Raphael Varane produced a vital intervention to thwart Youssef En-Nesyri after the interval as Deschamps' men were pinned back, before France sealed victory with 11 minutes remaining.
A deflected Mbappe strike rolled into the path for Kolo Muani, just off the bench, to tap in at the far post as Morocco's fairytale run came to an end.
What does it mean? Les Bleus on brink of rare feat
France narrowly edged past England in an enthralling quarter-final and were again ruthless against Morocco, recording their fourth straight World Cup semi-final victory (also in 1998, 2006 and 2018).
Walid Regraguis's Morocco had defeated Belgium, Spain and Portugal en route to the last four after resolute defensive performances, but France proved too great a hurdle.
The final test for Les Bleus awaits in the form of Lionel Messi and Argentina as they aim to join Italy (1938) and Brazil (1962) as the only sides to successfully retain their crown.
Heroic Hernandez
Hernandez's opener, timed at four minutes and 39 seconds, was the fastest World Cup semi-final goal since 1958 when Vava struck for Brazil against France.
The Milan defender, scrutinised after the England game and still largely without help from Mbappe, was also tasked with managing the energetic Ziyech and impressed by winning seven of his eight duels and gaining possession from each of his four tackles.
Injuries haunt defiant Morocco
Nayef Aguerd, Roman Saiss and Noussair Mazraoui were all injury doubts heading into this clash. All were initially named in the XI, but Aguerd did not appear, Saiss bowed out before half-time and Mazraoui was replaced at the break.
A fitness gamble by Regragui did not pay off, with Mazraoui winning just one of his six duels before his half-time removal and Saiss' injury almost costing Morocco as Giroud broke away to strike the post in the first half.
What's next?
France will meet Argentina at Lusail Stadium in four days' time, while Morocco face Croatia in a third-place play-off on Saturday at Khalifa International Stadium.
Some leagues may have started playoffs last week, but with the arrival of Week 15 in the NFL, the fantasy postseason is now firmly in full swing.
The playoffs are a time when you need your star players to deliver, but that is not always possible.
Injuries or bad matchups can put stars in disadvantageous situations, and often fantasy managers are left needing to rely on lesser lights to help them secure glory.
Ahead of the start of a week in which several NFL teams will look to punch their postseason ticket, Stats Perform has picked out four somewhat under-the-radar players, and a defense, who are in a position to help fantasy managers enjoy playoff success.
Quarterback: Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings vs. Indianapolis Colts
The Vikings aren't exactly a sleeper team at 10-3, but as they lost to the Detroit Lions last week, you may have missed that their quarterback had an exceptional statistical game.
Cousins completed 75.6 per cent of his passes (31 of 41) for 425 yards and two touchdowns.
Indianapolis possess a stout defense, but the Colts will provide opposing offenses with opportunities. The Colts' opponents have had 148 drives, tied for the fifth-most in the league. Cousins might have to work harder this week, but the chances for him to have a decisive impact in the fantasy playoffs will certainly come.
Running Back: Jordan Mason, San Francisco 49ers @ Seattle Seahawks
Yes, it's very much Christian McCaffrey's backfield in San Francisco, but on a short week having already lost Deebo Samuel for much of the stretch run due to a high-ankle sprain and an MCL sprain, the 49ers are likely to share the load a little more as they seek to clinch the NFC West title.
Mason will be the man to get the lion's share of carries that are not given to McCaffrey. He had 56 yards on 11 carries in San Francisco's dominant win over Tampa Bay in Week 14 and is averaging 5.5 yards per carry over the last three games, including five rushes of at least 10 yards.
If you are in the playoffs but in a bind at running back, Mason is an intriguing option against a Seahawks defense that has allowed 677 rushing yards over its last three games.
Wide Receiver: Zay Jones, Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Dallas Cowboys
The Jaguars remain in with a shot, albeit a small one, of reaching the postseason, with quarterback Trevor Lawrence showing continued signs of developing into the quarterback many have believed he could become since high school.
Eyebrows were raised in the offseason when the Jaguars handed a lucrative contract to Jones, but he has become a favourite target of Lawrence in recent weeks.
Over his last four games, Jones has 43 targets, tied for the sixth-most in the NFL since Week 10. In that span, he has two eight-catch games and an 11-reception performance. He went for 77 yards and a touchdown in last week's win over the Tennessee Titans, two weeks on from a 145-yard effort against the Baltimore Ravens. Against a Dallas defense that struggled to contain the Houston Texans last week, Jones is an extremely strong points per reception play.
Tight End: Chigoziem Okonkwo, Tennessee Titans @ Los Angeles Chargers
Finding a reliable fantasy tight end can be difficult at any point of the year, but it is key for fantasy managers hoping to prevail in the playoffs.
Okonkwo is enjoying an increasingly prominent role in the Titans' passing attack and has 10 receptions on 11 targets for 113 yards and a touchdown over his last two games.
The Chargers kept the Miami Dolphins in check last week, but they are still very susceptible to the pass, and Okonkwo is likely to be a weapon the Titans look to as they aim to exploit that vulnerability.
Defense/Special Teams: Washington Commanders vs. New York Giants
The Commanders have flown under most people's radars this season but are in position to sneak into the playoffs in part thanks to an impressive defense.
Washington's defense ranks tied third in the NFL by success rate allowed and, in a critical matchup with their NFC East rivals in primetime, faces a New York offense that over the last three weeks has averaged just 5.6 yards per pass play (sixth-worst) and 3.8 yards per rush (ninth-worst). If you have the Commanders' defense or are in a position to acquire it, do so.
Luka Modric opting to retire from international duty would be "a pity" for all football fans, according to Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic, who hopes the midfielder will continue with his team.
Modric won the Ballon d'Or after leading Croatia to the World Cup final in Russia four years ago, and the Real Madrid star enjoyed another fine tournament as Dalic's men reached the final four in Qatar.
However, the 37-year-old was unable to inspire his team to a semi-final victory over Argentina on Tuesday, leading to suggestions he may call time on his international career.
Modric refused to give anything away regarding his future after Tuesday's defeat, but Dalic hopes his captain will still be available after Saturday's bronze medal match.
"He was very disappointed yesterday, the defeat and the game were hard on him," Dalic told reporters on Wednesday. "It's logical that he feels that way, it was really hard for him.
"Our concentration is on the game on Saturday, we haven't talked about that [retirement]. We have to prepare for that game.
"I hope he stays in the national team. Of course, he will decide himself. We have a game on Saturday and we'll talk after that.
"If Luka says goodbye to the national team, it will be a pity and regret for all the fans around the world. He showed so much good football, but he also proved to be a top professional.
"When he wins and when he loses, he behaves like a true professional. It is difficult for him, and he will make his own decision.
"It will be difficult for me, too, if he decides otherwise. The whole world respects Modric. It would be nice if he continued."
Although Modric criticised referee Daniele Orsato for awarding Argentina's Julian Alvarez a first-half penalty in Croatia's defeat, he also expressed his hope that Albiceleste great Lionel Messi goes on to lift the trophy.
Dalic believes that gesture demonstrated Modric's class.
"The most difficult thing is to remain dignified in defeat. It shows the greatness of Luka Modric to congratulate them all, and it is difficult for him, as well as for all our players," Dalic added.
"That gesture shows that we are big. When the French bowed to us in Moscow, that's a gesture that makes you happy. Croatia is still worth something in world football."
Dalic outlined his intention to remain in charge of Croatia after Tuesday's loss, with their Euro 2024 qualification campaign set to begin against Wales on March 25.
Nicola Guy prevailed in a fiercely fought battle to claim her first national full bore/target rifle shooting title at the recently concluded Jamaica Rifle Association National Championship which was contested at the Jamaica Defence Force Twickenham Park Range, in St Catherine, Jamaica.
On the opening day, Guy earned 145.10 points to finish a breath behind 2019 champion, Denis Lee at 145.11 and ahead of two-time defending champion, Captain Dwayne Ford who had 143.6.
On day two the in-form lady marksman, threw down the gauntlet by shooting 49.5 out of 50 points in the first event which was 10 shots at 500 yards.
Although Major John Nelson was able to replicate that score in the first event, Guy cemented her opener with 47.4 out of 50 at 600 yards in the second event, a score only bested by Karen Anderson who shot 48.3.
However, Guy’s consistency paid off when at 900 yards she shot 61.3 out of 75 points which kept her ahead with an overall tally of 302.22, which enabled her to claim the title.
Anderson shot 65.4 to amass 299.21 points and take second place overall.
Claude Russell shot 68.3 to win the 900-yard bank and finish with 298.18 which earned him the third spot on podium.
Ford was fourth with 298.11, Nelson placed fifth with 297.15, while Lee finished sixth with 296.22, in seventh place was Dr. Derek Mitchell – O Class Champion with 236.5 and eighth was Phillip Scott with 233.8 points to round out the top eight.
Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball could make his return against the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday.
Ball has only played three games this season after suffering an ankle sprain in pre-season, before sustaining another in November's clash with the Indiana Pacers when he stepped on the foot of a fan sitting courtside.
The 21-year-old – who was named NBA rookie of the year in June 2021 – has missed 24 games in all this campaign with the two ankle injuries, averaging 19.3 points, 7.0 assists and 3.7 rebounds across the three games he was able to participate in.
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Ball has been "upgraded to questionable" for the game with the Pistons and is "hopeful" of playing, with the intention being for him to warm-up pre-game to "see if he's ready".
Ball made 75 appearances for Charlotte last season, averaging 20.1 points per game as well as 7.6 assists and 6.7 rebounds.
Largely without Ball, it has been a poor 2022-23 for the Hornets so far, sitting on 7-20, though they host the only team with a worse win percentage than them on Wednesday when the 7-22 Pistons come to Spectrum Center.
Napoli winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is "among the best in the world," according to club legend Marek Hamsik.
The Georgia international, who arrived from Dinamo Batumi in July, has played an instrumental role in Napoli's impressive start to the season, with Luciano Spalletti's side eight points clear at the Serie A summit.
No player has been directly involved in more goals this term than Kvaratskhelia (11 - scored six, assisted five), with his tally only matched by team-mate Victor Osimhen, who is the leading marksman in the Italian top flight (nine).
Unbeaten after 15 games, Napoli's surge has been all the more impressive considering three key players left in the close season, with Kalidou Koulibaly joining Chelsea and all-time top scorer Dries Mertens and Lorenzo Insigne departing on free transfers.
But Hamsik - the club's record appearance maker (520) - is delighted at how the likes of Kvaratskhelia and Osimhen have stepped up to the plate, along with defender Kim Min-jae.
"Kvara has incredible dribbling ease and he is among the best in the world," the 35-year-old told DAZN.
"It's incredible to see this Napoli team without the three most important players.
"Everyone needs symbols, someone to represent the club. For the fans, it was a shame [when those players left].
"But I must say it's good how Napoli took players who play great, getting good results like Kim, Kvara, Osi, and also reduced the wage bill."
Now plying his trade with Turkish side Trabzonspor, Hamsik spent 12 seasons at Napoli and became the club's all-time leading scorer with 121 goals, though he has since been surpassed by Mertens (148) and Insigne (122).
The former Slovakia captain revealed he declined several offers to move away from Naples, but has no regrets over those decisions.
"There were teams that wanted me," he added. "The first was Milan with [Massimiliano] Allegri in 2012, then [Walter] Mazzarri at Inter.
"There was Juve - there were a few calls with [Pavel] Nedved, but I never thought about it.
"I never needed to change. I was happy and renewed five times in 12 years, which is quite a number. The club gave me what I wanted, I was happy, my family too, and the fans loved me more and more."
Pablo Mari has returned to training with Monza less than two months after being hospitalised following a stabbing attack.
The on-loan Arsenal defender was one of five people injured in the incident, which took place at a supermarket near Milan in late October, while a cashier named Luis Fernando Ruggieri died.
Monza initially said Mari was expected to be out of action for two months, and the 29-year-old appears on course to recover within that timeframe after returning to training.
On Wednesday, Monza took to social media to post images of Mari with the ball at his feet, alongside the caption: "Look who's back".
Mari was welcomed onto the pitch at Monza's home Serie A fixture against Verona last month, a game the Silvio Berlusconi-owned side won 2-0.
Monza sit 14th in the Serie A table after 15 games and will resume their campaign with a trip to Fiorentina on January 4.
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