Author: WTX Sports Team

The Sports Team is responsible for delivering your Sports Brief. Weekly roundup to cover all things Football, Cricket, Tennis Formula 1, Boxing and Olympics and more.

Cliff Notes – Women’s Champions League draw: Arsenal to face Bayern, Chelsea get Barcelona Arsenal will compete against OL Lyonnes and Bayern Munich, while Chelsea faces Barcelona and Wolfsburg in the league phase. The new competition format mirrors the men’s league system, featuring 18 clubs playing six matches each, with two opponents drawn from three pots. Disney+ will exclusively stream all 75 matches live each season, with the league phase commencing on October 7-8 and…

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Charles Leclerc says he is still motivated to win with Ferrari: ‘I love this team very much’ F1

Leclerc Remains Committed to Ferrari Amidst Struggles BAKU, Azerbaijan – Charles Leclerc has expressed unwavering motivation to lead Ferrari back to prominence, despite the team’s ongoing winless streak this season. Following a disappointing start, marked by struggles against the formidable Mclaren squad, Leclerc is determined to revive the glory days of the Scuderia, saying, “I love this team very much.” Ferrari’s Difficult Season Despite high expectations at the start of the season, Ferrari has failed…

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Cliff Notes – Pycroft given a few moments’ notice ahead of India-Pakistan handshake gate Andy Pycroft, the ICC match referee, was informed just minutes before the toss that the Indian and Pakistani captains were not to shake hands, leading to significant controversy. The PCB lodged a formal complaint against Pycroft, accusing him of breaching ICC codes and the spirit of cricket, demanding his removal from the tournament. The ICC concluded that Pycroft acted within his…

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Cliff Notes – Inglis out of T20 tour of New Zealand with a calf strain, Carey called up Josh Inglis has been ruled out of Australia’s T20I series against New Zealand due to a calf strain, with Alex Carey named as his replacement. Inglis is the fourth first-choice player to withdraw from the series, following injuries and personal commitments affecting Pat Cummins, Cameron Green, and Nathan Ellis. The injury raises concerns for Australia’s selectors ahead…

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Cliff Notes – RB Leipzig chief says Klopp helping club recover ‘lost’ identity RB Leipzig’s sporting director, Marcel Schäfer, acknowledged a loss of the club’s identity last season and has focused on signing young, promising talents to restore it. The club underwent a significant summer overhaul, parting ways with several key players while bringing in a new manager, Ole Werner, and a squad of players all under 23. Jürgen Klopp, now head of global soccer…

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What Verstappen’s Nurburgring adventure says about his racing future F1

Max Verstappen Eyes Endurance Racing Future Amid F1 Success Max Verstappen has expressed concerns about focusing solely on Formula 1, making waves following his recent endurance racing stint at the Nurburgring. The four-time world champion participated in the four-hour ADAC ACAS Cup last weekend, successfully earning his GT3 license while also revealing his aspirations to race in the prestigious Nurburgring 24 Hours. What Verstappen’s Nurburgring Adventure Says About His Racing Future Max Verstappen’s latest venture…

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Cliff Notes – India and Pakistan to face each other for round two on September 21 Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will kick off the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup 2025 on Saturday, both advancing unbeaten from Group B. India and Pakistan secured their spots from Group A, setting up a highly anticipated rematch on September 21 in Dubai. Bangladesh faces a challenging schedule with consecutive matches against India and Pakistan on September 24…

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Cliff Notes – José Mourinho set to become Benfica manager talks confirmed Benfica has confirmed ongoing negotiations with José Mourinho to appoint him as their next manager, with a contract expected until June 2027. Mourinho’s return to Benfica marks a full-circle moment, as he began his managerial career there in 2000; he was recently dismissed by Fenerbahce. The club is currently sixth in the Primeira Liga and faces crucial upcoming matches, including a Champions League…

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Formula 1 Constructors’ Championship: How McLaren can win title at Azerbaijan Grand Prix F1

Mclaren Eye Historic Constructors’ Championship at Azerbaijan Grand Prix McLaren’s 2025 Formula 1 season has become a testament to dominance, with the team poised to secure the Constructors’ Championship at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on September 21. Having clinched its first title in 26 years in 2024, McLaren is set to defend its crown much earlier than last year’s nail-biting finale in Abu Dhabi. How McLaren Can Win the Title at Azerbaijan Grand Prix The…

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Cliff Notes – Varun Chakravarthy takes top spot in men’s T20I bowling rankings Varun Chakravarthy has ascended to the No. 1 position in the ICC men’s T20I bowling rankings after impressive performances in the Asia Cup, including figures of 1 for 4 against UAE and 1 for 24 against Pakistan. He is the third Indian bowler to achieve this ranking, following Jasprit Bumrah and Ravi Bishnoi, and has surpassed New Zealand’s Jacob Duffy, who held…

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Cliff Notes – Does Mourinho have any magic left for return to Benfica José Mourinho returns to Benfica after a challenging period at various clubs, seeking to revive his managerial reputation in a familiar setting. Critics argue that Mourinho’s tactics have become outdated, questioning his ability to adapt to modern football dynamics, particularly in domestic leagues. Does Mourinho have any magic left for return to Benfica? It’s showtime, because love him or loathe him, that’s…

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Cliff Notes – Rashford can prove himself in England – Flick Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has urged Marcus Rashford to demonstrate his abilities in England, as he prepares to start against Newcastle following Lamine Yamal’s injury. Rashford, who joined Barça on loan from Manchester United, has yet to score but has impressed Flick with his performance and potential in the early stages of the season. Newcastle-Barcelona: Rashford can prove himself in England – Flick Sam…

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Cliff Notes – Fun and banter but no drop in intensity at India training Hardik Pandya’s light-hearted comments during a fielding drill highlighted the team’s camaraderie, despite a few dropped catches under pressure. The training session was marked by a mix of intense batting practice and playful banter, with players engaging in various drills while maintaining a competitive spirit. As India enjoyed a day off, Pakistan faced a demanding training schedule ahead of their crucial…

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Cliff Notes – “Apparently Man City aren’t Champions League contenders – Guardiola” Pep Guardiola suggests Manchester City are overlooked as Champions League contenders despite their 2023 victory, with bookmakers favouring teams like Liverpool and Barcelona. City will face Napoli at the Etihad Stadium, with Gianluigi Donnarumma making his debut after joining from PSG, expressing excitement about the match against his former youth club. ‘Apparently’ Man City aren’t Champions League contenders – Guardiola MANCHESTER, England –…

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JA on F1 Podcast: Confessions of an F1 TV pit reporter F1

Ted Kravitz Reflects on His Legendary F1 Career in New Book Ted Kravitz, the iconic pit lane reporter who has been a familiar face in Formula 1 broadcasting since 2001, has released his latest book, F1 Insider, sharing insights and anecdotes from his illustrious career with Sky Sports F1, BBC, and ITV Sport. Known for his engaging segments like “Ted’s Notebook,” Kravitz remains a household name among F1 fans worldwide. Podcast Spotlight: JA on F1…

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Cliff Notes – Record-breaking day for India and Mandhana Australia faced their largest defeat in Women’s ODIs, losing by 102 runs to India, surpassing their previous record loss of 92 runs against England in 1973. Smriti Mandhana scored her 12th ODI century, the fastest against Australia in Women’s ODIs, reaching the milestone in just 77 balls. India’s victory marked only their second win against Australia in Women’s ODIs during a bilateral series, with the previous…

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Cliff Notes – Arsenal now possess the depth to win the Champions League Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard’s impactful substitutions led to a 2-0 victory against Athletic Club, showcasing Arsenal’s squad depth and game-changing capabilities. Mikel Arteta highlighted the importance of substitutes, stating that finishers may prove more crucial than starters this season, reflecting the team’s enhanced quality. With significant summer signings and a stronger bench, Arsenal now have around 20 reliable players, increasing their…

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Cliff Notes – Lamine Yamal out for UCL opener Lamine Yamal will miss Barcelona’s Champions League opener against Newcastle due to a groin injury, having failed to recover in time. His absence follows a series of injuries affecting the squad, with Gavi and Alejandro Balde also sidelined, while Frenkie de Jong returns. Newcastle vs. Barcelona: Lamine Yamal out for UCL opener Sam MarsdenMoises LlorensSep 17, 2025, 09:43 AMLamine Yamal has been ruled out of Barcelona’s…

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How Cardile has already made an impact at Aston Martin F1 alongside Newey F1

Enrico Cardile Begins Role at Aston Martin F1, Making Immediate Impact Aston Martin Formula 1 CEO Andy Cowell has praised Enrico Cardile, the newly appointed Chief Technical Officer, for his early contributions to the team’s ambitious project for the 2026 season. Cardile, who transitioned from a lengthy stint at Ferrari, officially commenced his role at Aston Martin in August following a protracted legal period. His partnership with renowned designer Adrian Newey is poised to be…

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Cliff Notes – Ranking Champions League field: PSG, Barcelona or Liverpool? Manchester City, long-time favourites, are notably absent from the top position in this year’s Champions League rankings, indicating a more competitive landscape. Paris Saint-Germain is highlighted as the standout favourite, boasting a balanced team with elite attacking and defensive capabilities. Liverpool, despite a rocky start to the season, remains a potential threat if key players like Mohamed Salah and Florian Wirtz regain form. Ranking…

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Cliff Notes – Rodrigues out of remainder of Australia ODI series with viral fever Jemimah Rodrigues has been ruled out of the last two ODIs against Australia due to a viral fever, with Tejal Hasabnis named as her replacement. Rodrigues scored 18 runs in the first ODI, which India lost by eight wickets, and her absence is a significant blow to the team ahead of the ODI World Cup. Hasabnis, a 28-year-old middle-order batter, has…

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Switch Hit: Dub smash After two topsy-turvy series against South Africa, England round off their season with a trip to Ireland. Alan Gardner, Andrew Miller and Matt Roller discuss white-ball form and Ashes selection latest England’s recent series against South Africa showcased their fluctuating white-ball form, raising questions about consistency ahead of the Ashes. The upcoming trip to Ireland presents an opportunity for players to solidify their positions in the squad ahead of the Ashes…

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how the lost track time F1 will never bring back still appeals F1

F1 Chief Considers Shortening Race Weekend Practices Stefano Domenicali, the CEO of Formula 1, has suggested a radical overhaul of the race weekend format, proposing the reduction or complete removal of free practice sessions. This move has sparked a wave of nostalgia among long-time fans and journalists alike, conjuring memories of what was once an essential part of the racing experience: the lost morning warm-up sessions that helped set the stage for race day excitement.…

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Canadian GP start time pushed back to avoid Indianapolis 500 clash F1

Canadian Grand Prix Start Time Adjusted to Avoid Indianapolis 500 Clash In a strategic move to prevent overlapping broadcast schedules, the start time for the Canadian Grand Prix has been pushed back to 4 p.m. local time (9 p.m. BST) for the upcoming season. This adjustment comes as both the Canadian race and the renowned Indianapolis 500 are set to take place on the same day, May 24, 2026. The decision to move the Canadian…

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Cliff Notes – Smriti Mandhana back on top of ODI batting rankings Smriti Mandhana has regained the No. 1 position in the ICC women’s ODI batting rankings after scoring 58 runs against Australia. Australia’s Beth Mooney climbed to fifth place, while Annabel Sutherland and Phoebe Litchfield entered the rankings at joint 25th. The Australian team successfully chased down a target of 282 runs, winning by eight wickets with 35 balls remaining. Smriti Mandhana back on…

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