European Championship: Luke Littler and Luke Humphries cruise into second round in Dortmund
Luke Littler and Luke Humphries both breezed into the second round of the European Championship in Germany with emphatic victories. World champion Littler claimed a 6-1 win over his childhood hero Dutchman Raymond van Barneveld. The 18-year-old finished with an average of 98.97 and a checkout success of 46.2% as the five-time world champion was overwhelmed. Humphries was even more emphatic at Dortmund’s Westfalenhalle as he thrashed Poland’s Krzysztof Ratajski 6-0. The current world number one averaged 109.98 as he threw five 180s, sealing victory with a 161 checkout. Littler, who faces James Wade next, will become world number one for the first time in his career should he win the tournament. Wade cruised to a 6-1 win over Mike de Decker, while Cameron Menzies claimed a 6-3 win over fellow Scot Gary Anderson and Ricardo Pietreczko edged a 6-4 win over Josh Rock.
Corrections gears up for tough Cakobau Bowl clash – FBC News
Preparations are in top gear for the Fiji Corrections Service rugby side as they gear up to challenge Police for the ANC Cakobau Bowl later this month. Team Manager Etonia Taivoce states the players have been working tirelessly in recent days and are ready for what is expected to be a tough and physical match. Taivoce said the team has been fine-tuning key areas of their game, focusing on breakdowns and set-pieces to ensure they are fully prepared for the showdown. Article continues after advertisement “Preparation has been tough, the boys have been putting in the hard work over the past few days and we’re excited to face Police.” Taivoce is also urging fans to turn up in large numbers to support the side as they battle for one of the country’s most prestigious rugby trophies. The Fiji Corrections Service will take on Police in the ANC Cakobau Bowl Challenge on the 31st of this month at Albert Park in Suva. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Championship: Why have Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Southampton struggled?
After being placed on gardening leave by previous club QPR, Cifuentes took the Leicester hot seat in July following the departure of Ruud van Nistelrooy. The Spaniard was given less than four weeks of pre-season to work with his new side before the season kicked-off, and was limited to adding to his squad with free transfers and loan deals. Long-standing strikers have also stuttered. While the iconic Jamie Vardy departed for Italy, Patson Daka has failed to step up. He has not scored for the club this calendar year, and has netted just once in 45 league games since February 2024. Daka, Jordan Ayew and Argentine loanee Julian Carranza have scored one goal in 27 league appearances between them this season. “Life for Leicester City back in the Championship hasn’t kicked off the way they would have liked,” said BBC Radio Leicester’s Owynn Palmer-Atkin. “Firstly, it’s important to recognise that this is a completely different scenario to the beginning of the 2023-24 campaign. “The Foxes had a better squad, a successful transfer window, and a manager [Enzo Maresca] who had an entire pre-season to work with his players on his very detailed style of play. “This time around, there was a delay before proceedings could even get going. Ruud van Nistelrooy probably knew his time was up at the end of May, but he was still in post until days before the new pre-season campaign was due to begin. “A couple of weeks later, and Marti Cifuentes arrives. I do believe that this has had a significant impact on his ability to work with the players enough to instill the gameplan, the tactics, the philosophy ready for the beginning of the season. “Alongside the manager, the Foxes started the season with no new outfield signings and had to wait until much later in the window for the new faces to arrive. Put that alongside first-team players, at the time, lobbying for moves away – it created a feeling of uncertainty. “On the pitch though, this season, is the season no Foxes fan wanted to see – a Leicester squad without Jamie Vardy in it. “For so long, even when things weren’t going well, he was the man to be relied on. The man to dig Leicester out of trouble. To score the goals. To lead the team. To be the all-encompassing legend. “There’s no doubt, the hole in which he’s left, could never be truly filled.”
Auvray, Rodu to lead Bula FC in Pro League – FBC News
Stéphane Auvray (left), Marika Rodu. Fiji national men’s football head coach Stéphane Auvray will take on a dual role as he also guides Fiji’s first professional football franchise, Bula FC, in the OFC Professional League. Auvray will be assisted by national assistant coach Marika Rodu, with both tasked to lead the new franchise through its debut season. Fiji Football Association president Rajesh Patel said the arrangement makes practical and financial sense given the short OFC Pro League season, which runs from January to April 2026. Article continues after advertisement “If you appoint a skilled coach, it’s financially viable and logical to second them to the pro league side, and then they return to the national team.” Auvray’s immediate focus remains on preparing the national team for the MSG Prime Minister’s Cup in Papua New Guinea next month. Once that campaign concludes, he will begin Bula FC’s pre-season in December. The OFC Professional League will be officially launched next Tuesday in Auckland, New Zealand. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
World Track Cycling Championships: Great Britain’s Katie Archibald wins silver in women’s elimination race
Two-time Olympic champion Katie Archibald won silver in the women’s elimination at the World Track Cycling Championships in Santiago, becoming the first British cyclist to win a medal in the event. READ MORE: Archibald wins silver as GB take team pursuit bronze Available to UK users only.
Manchester United waiting on Harry Maguire and Mason Mount
Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it. Your support makes all the difference. Read more Ruben Amorim says Manchester United have to assess last weekend’s matchwinner Harry Maguire and Mason Mount ahead of the clash with Brighton. The Red Devils welcome the Seagulls to Old Trafford on Saturday evening fresh from securing back-to-back Premier League victories for the first time since the Portuguese arrived last November. Maguire’s late header sealed a memorable 2-1 win against arch-rivals Liverpool – their first Anfield triumph since 2016 – but the defender could miss United’s return to action. The defender is dealing with a knock, as is midfielder Mount having played the first 61 minutes last Sunday. “The squad is fine, we have some doubts,” head coach Amorim said. “We had some issues during the week with Harry Maguire and Mason Mount. Knocks but nothing serious. We will see tomorrow. Licha [Lisandro Martinez] is out. The rest are ready for the game. “I think it’s going to be, like always, a very difficult game. Brighton is a team that is really fun to watch. “They are really good on the build-up, they are really strong on transitions, in every aspect of the game. They are doing well in set-pieces this season, so I think they are a team that is really complete. “We need to be really smart and to face that game with a real focus on everything that we do because they are a very strong team.” Maguire will be desperate to prove his fitness and retain his place after last weekend’s high at Liverpool. The 32-year-old defender has been derided in some quarters since joining from Leicester in 2019 for £80million but has produced numerous key contributions along the way. Maguire is attracting admiring glances with his deal expiring at the end of the season, but Amorim’s focus is on building momentum rather than his contract situation. “We are really happy with Harry,” he said. “It’s not the time to talk about that because that gives the idea that we are thinking so far away. “We are really happy with Harry, he is really important for us, but we need to focus on the next game.” Among the setbacks, Maguire has impressively overcome being stripped of the captaincy by former boss Erik ten Hag, who two years ago handed the armband to Bruno Fernandes. The irrepressible playmaker is set to make a landmark 300th appearance for United on Saturday and Amorim is full of praise for his compatriot. “I think he’s a little bit different to what I was expecting,” the Red Devils boss said. “Everything you read about the player sometimes is not that. “You can understand sometimes the frustration he feels is because he wants to help the team-mates a lot. Sometimes it’s not the best way, but he comes from a good place. You don’t know that when you are not here. “He wants the responsibility all the time. He suffered a lot with the losses. “Every time we don’t win a game, you can feel that he takes it personally, as you should as a captain. He is a great leader, a great footballer.”
Naitasiri Rugby pushes through pressure – FBC News
[File Photo] Naitasiri Rugby Union treasurer Meli Rokobici says the union spends around $10,000 each week to prepare players for a Skipper Cup match in the West and up to $14,000 when travelling to play in Vanua Levu. He confirmed these figures while on FBC’s I-taukei sports show ‘Na Waqe’. Rokobici says it’s been quite a struggle for the side especially as the grant from the Fiji Rugby Union was higher last year compared to this year. Article continues after advertisement Despite the challenges, he says Naitasiri executives remain focused on ensuring their teams especially the men’s meet their performance goals. “At the beginning of the season we had plans about the men and women who will be representing Naitasiri during the Skipper Cup. We had set a few goals to achieve as a team this year and thats to retain the Farebrother trophy – the plan was to defend that cup, especially if we host the challenge. We have achieved the first target. WE have now achieved our first target and now we look forward to achieving our second target this.” He adds this financial strain has been a challenge for the union and was one of the reasons behind the formation of the Koicolo Rakavi Cooperative, which aims to help ease some of those burdens. Naitasiri will meet Tailevu in tomorrow’s semifinal at 3pm. In another match Malolo will face Nadi at 1pm. You can watch the LIVE coverage on FBC TV. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Pirates should forget about the Champions League and focus on Betway Premiership
Orlando Pirates have always had the desire to win the CAF Champions League for the second time ever since they came close in 2013. A devastating 3-1 aggregate defeat to Al Ahly in the final affected the team somewhat, even though they ended the 2013/14 season by winning the Nedbank Cup. In 2015, they had an opportunity to win the CAF Confederation Cup but again, they lost another cup final. A decade later, Pirates find themselves without a second star while their hopes of winning the CAF Champions League are hanging by a thread. Last weekend, the Buccaneers were thrashed 3-0 in the first leg of the CAF CL second preliminary stages. The Buccaneers have been eliminated more at this stage they have in the group stages. Why Pirates should forget about winning the Champions League Currently, the Buccaneers are the best team in the country having won six consecutive league matches. On top of that, Abdeslam Ouaddou’s men have already added the MTN8 in their trophy cabinet and are favourites to win the Carling Knockout Cup. Everything has been smooth sailing in the league since the end of August with the team finding wins with ease at times. Last weekend however. Pirates were given a wake-up call in the Champions League. An away defeat has all but ended their African dream. If Ouaddou’s men are to make a comeback, then there’s no denying that this might be their season. A second star could be destined if such a comeback is made especially at the Orlando Stadium. With three points separating Pirates and log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, it’s all to play for in the Betway Premiership. The Buccaneers need to focus more on the Betway Premiership and take advantage of their momentum. Pirates have the squad to compete for both the Champions League and PSL but their full attention should be on winning the league. With the squad they have, they can reset and attempt to claim the second star next season. Jose Riveiro failed to get Pirates into the group stages of the Champions League in 2023, but a year later, he guided the team to the semi-finals. Can Pirates find a way to remain in the CAF CL?
Arne Slot admits Trent Alexander-Arnold factor could play part in Mohamed Salah’s poor form
Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it. Your support makes all the difference. Read more Arne Slot has played down Mohamed Salah’s slow start to season but admitted Liverpool’s adjustment to life without Trent Alexander-Arnold could be a factor. Salah, 33, was dropped for a second consecutive Champions League outing in midweek – the first time that’s happened since he joined Liverpool back in 2017 – and saw numerous chances pass him by in a goalless cameo off the bench. The Egyptian is struggling with uncharacteristically poor run in front of goal, having not scored in his last six appearances across all competitions. Slot wondered whether the absence of Alexander-Arnold, once Liverpool’s primary creator who joined Real Madrid in the summer, could be impacting his output. open image in gallery Mohamed Salah had played with Trent Alexander-Arnold throughout his entire Liverpool career before the Englishman’s summer exit (Getty Images) “He played with Trent his whole Liverpool career, so it could (be that),” Slot said when asked about Salah’s drop in form. “He’s been in promising positions often enough to score goals, but maybe with Trent even more. “But in general, if you have quite a few changes in the summer you have to find new connections. Mo is not an exception to this because he’s also a human being, like all the others.” Slot was also sure to note that Salah is far from the only Liverpool player going through difficulties, with the Reds finally breaking their four-game losing streak on Wednesday. “It has been a difficult moment for all of us,” Slot said. “Nobody is used to losing particularly the players who have been here a long time. “Scorelines have an impact on opinions of people. I need to show everyone what we did well and what we did wrong.” “I don’t know if it’s sharpness or not,” he added on Salah, who signed a two-year contract extension before the end of last season. “It’s difficult for me to come up with why this is. In general, players miss chances. “He’s a human being. We’re not used to him missing chances let alone a few games in a row, but these things happen. The main thing is Mo has always scored his goals for our club. “The last thing I worry about is Mo scoring goals again because that’s what he does his whole life and that’s what I expect him to do again.” Slot also provided injury updates on Jeremie Frimpong and Alexander Isak, who were withdrawn against Frankfurt after picking up muscle problems, as well as Alisson and Ryan Gravenberch. open image in gallery Jeremie Frimpong suffered a hamstring injury against Frankfurt (AFP via Getty Images) “Jeremie Frimpong is not in a good place, he won’t play today, tomorrow or next week,” Slot confirmed. “Hamstring injuries take a while. “Alexander [Isak] is not too bad. He is a question mark for the weekend so we will see where he is and that is the same with Ryan Gravenberch. “Alisson Becker is also not in the squad.”
Lupopo hit back at ‘Orlando Pirates mistreatment’ claims
Congolese giants FC Saint-Eloi Lupopo have addressed allegations of mistreatment of Orlando Pirates during their recent CAF Champions League match. According to popular radio personality Tbo Touch, Lupopo’s behaviour towards the Buccaneers during the first leg clash was inappropriate. Pirates lost 3-0 in DR Congo to Lupopo, but it was the reports of their treatment that made headlines days later. Tbo Touch also claimed that some Pirates players feared that landmines had been planted on the pitch during their intense match in Lubumbashi. In response, Lupopo has labelled these claims as completely unfounded and slanderous, arguing that they seriously undermine the club’s reputation. “Lupopo categorically denies the unfounded allegations of mistreatment towards our Champions League opponent,” the Lubumbashi side said in a statement. “Following the defamatory allegations circulating in certain media outlets and on social media, Football Club Saint Eloi Lupopo wishes to firmly and categorically deny the accusations that it deliberately provided deplorable logistical conditions to the South Africans of Orlando Pirates Football Club during their recent stay in Lubumbashi.” The Congolese team said the club has always been CAF-ruled and provided the highest standards of hospitality when hosting teams. “These accusations are completely unfounded, slanderous, and seriously undermine the reputation of our club and the values of respect and fair play that are dear to us. “As part of this Champions League match, we have implemented all necessary arrangements to ensure a professional welcome for the Orlando Pirates Football Club team, including hotel, transport and training facilities,” Lupopo wrote. Can Pirates score four goals past St Eloi Lupopo? The Buccaneers suffered a 3-0 first-leg defeat and will need to score at least three goals to force a penalty shootout. A 4-0 win will see them through to the group stages. Can Orlando Pirates produce a miracle on Saturday?