Cristiano Ronaldo's tears were the best part of the night
In This Edition We Celebrate And Mourn And Then Smile Again
EDITION #1
Hello 👋 and welcome everyone to the Lost on the Desk newsletter!
I can't believe that I am finally launching this, I am very excited for this little your very own sports news page that you can find in your inbox daily without the chaos of news websites or social media.
You'll find the top and interesting stories in the past 24 hours that have made big, that can make or break your day and most of all it'll keep you on top of all the sports affairs (well mostly).
The major sporting events are of course Euro 2024, Copa America, build up and everything related to the Olympics, and Wimbledon.
I am sending out the first edition, almost a little before the Wimbledon matches begin and just in the wake of USA's exit from Copa America and Panama's progression into the knockout round.
Also there has been some delicious pictures of Cristiano Ronaldo upset like a little .....(insert your adjective, but we generally do not support anyone who has had history of rape) after missing his penalty during the extra-time against Slovenia in the last-16 European Championship (Euro 2024) game.
Any ways, there’s trivia in there too. You can go all the way to go through your news. Have fun and discuss anything in comments if you wish. ❤️
Stay awesome!!
Most Heartening News of the Day
Girmay becomes first Black African to win a Tour de France stage
CHAMP: Wanty team's Eritrean rider Biniam Girmay cycles to the finish line. PHOTO: AFP
TURIN. Eritrea's Biniam Girmay became the first Black African rider to win a stage on the Tour de France when he prevailed in a reduced bunch sprint at the end of the third stage on Monday. Girmay, who was already the first Black African to win a grand tour stage at the 2022 Giro d'Italia, timed his effort to perfection to beat Colombian Fernando Gaviria and Belgian Arnaud de Lie, second and third respectively. Richard Carapaz took the overall lead, becoming the first rider from Ecuador to wear the yellow jersey, which he snatched from the shoulders of Tadej Pogacar on added places without time differences. Pre-stage favourite Jasper Philipsen of Belgium was involved in a huge crash with 2.3km left of the stage. REUTERS
The Quote of the Day
GIRMAY: There are many obstacles for African riders. I had to come to Europe, learn English, learn the cycling language, it takes time and support. I should thank my team because with them I have grown every season.
❓ Trivia of the day
Who won the 2020 Tokyo Olympics badminton men's singles title?
A. Viktor Axelsen
THE FIRSTS
First Palestinian Olympic boxer fights hurdles before history
WARRIOR: Boxer Waseem Abu Sal PHOTO: PALESTINIAN OLYMPIC ASSOCIATION
BEITUNIA. Every morning Palestinian boxer Waseem Abu Sal checks texts from his Cairo-based coach -- a Gazan who cannot travel to him in the occupied West Bank -- to see his daily Olympics training schedule as he prepares to make history. The 20-year-old will be the first Palestinian boxer to participate in the Olympics after he bagged a wildcard spot and now dreams of delivering the first-ever medal for the Palestinians when he competes in Paris. "This has been my dream since I was 10 years old," he told AFP the day after receiving the invitation last week. "Every day I went to sleep and woke up thinking about how I could reach the Olympics." Abu Sal will take on his first Olympic fight on July 28 after an unusual training routine with his remote coach Ahmad Harara, 32, who is held back by Israeli travel restrictions. AFP
Wilson, at 16, becomes youngest male USA track Olympian
YOUNG AND AMAZING: Quincy Wilson. PHOTO: GETTY
WASHINGTON. Quincy Wilson, at age 16, could become the youngest American male athletics competitor to appear at an Olympics as a member of the 4x400m relay pool at Paris. Wilson finished sixth in the 400m final in 44.94secs, missing out on an individual spot, but USA Track and Field's relay selectors delivered the news Sunday he was in the relay group. "WE GOING TO THE OLYMPICS," Wilson posted on Instagram. The previous youngest US athletics competitor at an Olympics was Jim Ryun, who was 17 years and 137 days when he ran at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. AFP
SOME GUTS
France star Kounde calls on voters to block far right in elections
ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HISTORY: Jules Kounde. PHOTO:TRIBUNA
DUSSELDORF. France's Euro 2024 star Jules Kounde called on voters in the country to block the far-right National Rally party from winning a majority in the snap parliamentary elections, ahead of the second round of voting next weekend. The National Rally (RN) came out on top in the first round of voting on Sunday with 33 percent of the vote, raising the prospect that they might take control of government. That has left the centrist camp of President Emmanuel Macron and a left-wing alliance scrambling to stop such an outcome. "Obviously I was disappointed to see the direction our country is taking with a big level of support for a party that is against our values of unity and respect, and that wants to divide the French people," Kounde. AFP
REST IN PEACE
Chinese player Zhang died of cardiac arrest, Indonesia association says
GONE TOO SOON: Zhang Zhijie. PHOTO: BBC
JAKARTA. Indonesia's badminton association (PBSI) said 17-year-old Chinese player Zhang Zhijie died as a result of cardiac arrest after he collapsed during a match on Sunday. Zhang was competing at the Asian Junior Championship in Yogyakarta when he collapsed on court. He received medical attention at the scene and was then rushed to hospital in Yogyakarta before being pronounced dead, state news agency Antara quoted PBSI spokesperson Broto Happy as saying on Monday. "The conclusions of the examination and treatment of the victim from two hospitals show the same results, the victim experienced sudden cardiac arrest," Broto added. Zhang had no pulse when he arrived at the first hospital, Broto said. REUTERS
USA crash out of Copa America as Uruguay, Panama advance
JOB WELL DONE: Mathias Olivera of Uruguay celebrates after scoring the team's first goal during the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 Group C match between United States and Uruguay at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. PHOTO: AFP
KANSAS CITY. Hosts United States crashed out of the Copa America on Monday after a 1-0 defeat to Uruguay, as Panama sealed their place in the quarter-finals with a 3-1 win over Bolivia. Defender Mathias Olivera scored to give Uruguay the win that sees them advance to the quarter-finals as group winners, with the South Americans winning three of their first-round matches for the first time since 1959. Panama's 3-1 win over Bolivia saw them finish second on six points, three ahead of the United States. The biggest cheer of the night from the crowd at Arrowhead Stadium came in the second half when Bolivia scored an equaliser against Panama in the other Group C match, briefly moving the U.S. up to second place, but their joy was short-lived. AFP/REUTERS
Ronaldo's tears turn to cheers as Portugal survive his Euros penalty miss
PHOTO: AFP
FRANKFURT. Cristiano Ronaldo went from tears to cheers as the Portugal star recovered from missing a penalty during extra-time to score in his side's dramatic shoot-out win over Slovenia in the Euro 2024 last 16 on Monday. Ronaldo had a chance to put Portugal ahead late in the first period of extra-time in a tense, goalless tie in Frankfurt. The 39-year-old stepped up to take the spot-kick after a foul on Diogo Jota, but his effort was superbly saved by Jan Oblak. After scoring his previous 29 penalties, Ronaldo was visibly stunned to see Oblak keep out his shot and held his head in disbelief. Seconds later the whistle went for half-time in extra-time and that was the signal for Ronaldo to start openly weeping. AFP
Late own goal gives France 1-0 win over tame Belgium
DUSSELDORF Jan Vertonghen's late own goal took France into the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 on Monday as they edged Belgium 1-0 in a tense tie in Duesseldorf. France had dominated the last-16 clash but their profligate finishing looked set to force extra time until they finally found a way through with five minutes left. Substitute Randal Kolo Muani collected the ball inside the Belgian penalty area and hit a shot that was going wide until a deflection off the unfortunate Vertonghen took it past goalkeeper Koen Casteels. The lucky break sent the 2022 World Cup runners-up into a last-eight tie in Hamburg on Friday as they remain on course to become European champions for the third time. REUTERS/AFP
Russian tennis player Rublev turns down Paris invite, Medvedev accepts
LONDON. Tokyo doubles gold medallist Andrey Rublev and fellow tennis players Darya Kasatkina and Anna Kalinskaya are among 12 Russians and Belarusians that turned down invitations to compete as neutral athletes at the Paris Olympics. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) published an updated list of neutral athletes on Monday with 2021 U.S. Open tennis champion Daniil Medvedev and women's world number 22 Ekaterina Aleksandrova among the 31 who had accepted. Athletes from Russia and Belarus, Moscow's closest ally in the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, are barred from the Games except for the few who will compete as neutral athletes without flags or anthems. The IOC panel vetted athletes to ensure they have no connection to the military. Foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has said the IOC was slipping "into racism and neo-Nazism". REUTERS
Djokovic, Murray launch Wimbledon campaigns
LONDON. Wimbledon greats Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray launch their campaigns at the All England Club on Tuesday after both went under the knife in the build-up to the Grand Slam. Djokovic, who had a knee operation after pulling out before his French Open quarter-final, is chasing a record-equalling eighth men's Wimbledon title and opens against Czech qualifier Vit Kopriva. Britain's Murray, a two-time champion, takes on another Czech, Tomas Machac, just over a week after having surgery to remove a cyst from his spine, in his farewell appearance at the tournament. Also in action on the second day of the championships is women's world number one and five-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek, eager to progress beyond the quarter-finals for the first time. AFP
Alcaraz, Sinner win Wimbledon openers as Sabalenka pulls out
PHOTO: AFP
LONDON. Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz and world number one Jannik Sinner reached the Wimbledon second round on Monday as Australian Open winner Aryna Sabalenka withdrew with an injury. As Alcaraz and Sinner, two of the men at the vanguard of tennis's new generation moved on, 37-year-old Andy Murray kept his fans guessing over his participation at the All England Club. Alcaraz defeated dreadlocked 269th-ranked qualifier Mark Lajal of Estonia 7-6 (7/3), 7-5, 6-2, recovering from breaks down in the first two sets. The Spaniard, still only 21, is chasing his fourth Grand Slam title and hopes to become just the sixth man to win the French Open and Wimbledon back-to-back. AFP
Gauff breezes into Wimbledon second round as rivals fall
LONDON. Coco Gauff breezed into the Wimbledon second round on Monday with a straight-sets victory over US compatriot Caroline Dolehide after seeing two potential semi-final rivals exit the tournament. Second seed and US Open champion Gauff came through 6-1, 6-2 in just 64 minutes on Centre Court, avoiding a repeat of 12 months ago, when she was dumped out in the first round by fellow American Sofia Kenin. Earlier Monday, third-ranked Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka withdrew from the tournament with a shoulder injury. Eighth-seeded Zheng Qinwen was knocked out by New Zealand qualifier Lulu Sun. Both women were in Gauff's side of the draw and potential opponents in the last four. "Wimbledon is the place where I believed that the dream was possible," said Gauff. AFP
Osaka wins see-saw match to reach Wimbledon round two
LONDON. Former world number one Naomi Osaka returned to Wimbledon after a five-year absence and navigated a tricky first-round match against France's Diane Parry on Monday, winning 6-1 1-6 6-4 with the help of nervous serving from her opponent. The 26-year-old Japanese, who entered the draw as a wildcard, looked to be in total command in the first set as her hefty groundstrokes struck the lines and her big serve continually forced Parry on to the back foot. But Osaka, who returned to the tour this year after 15 months of maternity leave, appeared to lose concentration and rhythm in the second set and 21-year-old Parry, ranked 53, took advantage. "I wish I could say I enjoyed (the match) all the time," Osaka, "My heart was racing." REUTERS
Inter Miami's Messi headlines MLS All-Star Game roster
TORONTO. Inter Miami's Lionel Messi headlined the list of 30 players named on Monday for this month's MLS All-Star Game in Columbus, Ohio, against top talent from Mexico's LIGA MX. For Messi, who is in his first full season with Inter Miami after joining the club in July 2023, this marks his debut on a Major League Soccer All-Star roster. The 37-year-old, currently playing with Argentina at the Copa America, is joined on the roster by fellow Miami players Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. Overall, 18 Major League Soccer clubs are represented on the roster, led by Columbus Crew (five) and Inter Miami (four). REUTERS
Fleming headlines defending champion Canada's women's soccer roster
TORONTO. Jessie Fleming headlined the Canadian women's soccer roster for the Paris Olympics that was revealed on Monday and features 13 players from the group that won gold in Tokyo. Fleming, who will serve as captain, is one of six women on the 18-player squad competing in their third consecutive Olympic Games while Jade Rose, who was Canada's young player of the year in 2023, is one of four making their Olympic debut. "It is always an honour to be a part of this team and an even bigger honour to represent the wider Team Canada in Paris," Fleming said in a Canada Soccer news release. REUTERS
Galatasaray sign Batshuayi from Istanbul rivals
ISTANBUL. Michy Batshuayi on Monday became the first foreign footballer to sign for all of Turkey's big three clubs when he joined Galatasaray. "An agreement has been reached for the transfer of professional football player Michy Batshuayi for three seasons," Galatasaray announced on its social media account on X. The 30-year-old striker, who was 55 Belgium caps but was not included in the country's Euro squad, has appeared for both the other Istanbul giants. He played the last two years at Fenerbahce, who finished as runners up to Galatasaray last season. He spent the 20201-2 season on loan at Besiktas from Chelsea. AFP
Afghanistan women want ICC help to create refugee cricket team in Australia
LONDON. Members of the Afghanistan women's cricket team effectively disbanded after the Taliban returned to power three years ago, have urged officials to help them reform as a refugee side based in Australia. The Afghanistan men's team have captivated cricket fans worldwide by their rapid rise to the game's Test-match elite, with Rashid Khan's side also reaching the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup last week. But their success has led to a renewed focus on how women's competitive sport in Afghanistan has collapsed since the Taliban regained power. As one of just 12 Test-playing teams, Afghanistan are required to have a women's team under International Cricket Council regulations. But the ICC have so far resisted calls to suspend Afghanistan from international competition for failing to field a women's side. AFP
Black Ferns great Woodman-Wickliffe to retire after 'last dance' at Olympics
PARIS. Double Rugby World Cup winner Portia Woodman-Wickliffe said on Monday that she will retire from the sport after this summer's Paris Olympic Games. Winger Woodman-Wickliffe, 32, and the Black Ferns are defending Olympic women's gold medal during the tournament in July. She won the World Cup in the shorter form of the sport in 2013 and 2018 having lifted the 15s title in 2017 and 2022. "After 12 incredible years representing New Zealand in 7s and 15s, the upcoming Paris Olympics will be my last time playing in the black jersey," Woodman-Wickliffe said on Instagram. AFP
NBA Celtics put up for sale two weeks after winning title
NEW YORK. Owners of the NBA champion Boston Celtics announced they were putting the club up for sale on Monday, two weeks after capturing the team's record 18th NBA championship. The Celtics were valued at $4.7 billion last October by Forbes magazine, having leaped 18% in value to rank behind only the Golden State Warriors ($7.7 billion), New York Knicks ($6.6 billion) and Los Angeles Lakers ($6.4 billion). Wyc Grousbeck led a group that bought the Celtics in 2002 for $360 million. AFP
Games organisers will hope for peaceful reaction to French election: ex-IOC executive
PARIS. The key risk to the Paris Games from the political uncertainty gripping France is public disturbances that could impact the already stretched security services, a former International Olympic Committee executive told AFP on Monday. The far-right National Rally (RN) party of Marine Le Pen won a resounding victory in the first round of snap legislative elections on Sunday, with President Emmanuel Macron's centrists trailing in third behind a left-wing coalition. A second round of voting takes place next Sunday, just 19 days before the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics. A hung parliament could lead to months of political paralysis and chaos -- just as Paris is hosting the Games. AFP
Dan Ashworth joins Man Utd as sporting director
London. Manchester United have confirmed the appointment of Dan Ashworth as their new sporting director after reaching an agreement with Newcastle. The two Premier League clubs issued a joint statement on Monday announcing that Ashworth had been released from his contract at St James' Park. The 53-year-old was placed on gardening leave by Newcastle earlier this year after expressing a desire to move to Old Trafford. No compensation details have been disclosed but it is understood Ashworth will be able to begin his new role at Old Trafford with immediate effect. AFP
Brazil coach expects tight contest against impressive Colombia
PHOTO: AFP
MEXICO CITY. Brazil coach Dorival Jr expects a tight game when they take on what he considers to be one of Colombia's finest generations of players in Tuesday's final Copa America group stage match. Brazil, second in Group D after a draw and a win, need a victory at Santa Clara's Levi's Stadium to snatch top spot from Colombia, with their CONMEBOL rivals top after two wins. Colombia are already through to the quarter-finals while Brazil have all but reached the last eight. Dorival, who coached Colombia captain James at Sao Paulo, said he was familiar with his opponents' quality. "I think it's one of the best generations of Colombian footballers in recent years, with players who feature for major teams in the world, many of them within our country," the 62-year-old Dorival said. REUTERS
Coe makes pre-Olympics visit to Ukraine to give athletes support
PARIS. World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said on Monday he had visited Ukraine and met the country's athletes to show them he "was in their corner" as the Paris Olympics approaches. Coe held talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky and attended the national athletics championships in Lviv at the weekend during the visit to Ukraine, which is fighting the Russian invasion for a third year. In a call with international media after returning, Coe said he had fulfilled a promise he had made to Ukrainian athletes that he would visit them in their beleaguered homeland. "I wanted them to know that I was in their corner. This wasn't about politics and passports, it really wasn't. It was about a commitment to go and see them and to let them know we think about them. AFP
Chelsea sign striker Guiu from Barcelona
MEXICO CITY. Chelsea have signed 18-year-old striker Marc Guiu from Barcelona on a five-year deal with a further one-year option, the Premier League side said on Monday. Barcelona academy product Guiu made his professional debut last October, announcing his arrival with his first goal after just 33 seconds, a late winner against Athletic Bilbao. He made seven first-team appearances and scored his first Champions League goal in the group stage against Royal Antwerp. He was Spain's joint-top scorer at the European under-17 Championship last summer with four strikes. "It's an immense joy to sign for Chelsea and I struggled to sleep ahead of the journey here because I was so excited," Guiu said. REUTERS
Athletes raising rights abuses must be protected, UN says ahead of Olympics
GENEVA. Athletes must be able to speak out on rights abuses such as racism and discrimination without fear of reprisals, the UN human rights chief insisted Monday ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics. Volker Turk said the Games, which begin on July 26, would be taking place against a backdrop of wars, and praised the courage of athletes who highlight rights violations. He was speaking at the UN Human Rights Council alongside International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach. But during the subsequent debate, Russia lashed out at its exclusion from Paris 2024 over its war in Ukraine, accusing the IOC of "sordid tactics" and "collective punishment" of its athletes. AFP
Ding v Gukesh world championship match to take place in Singapore
LONDON. The classical chess world championship match between Indian Gukesh D and defending champion Ding Liren of China will take place from Nov. 20 to Dec. 15 in Singapore, the International Chess Federation (FIDE) said on Monday. "We are delighted that for the first time in the history of FIDE, a match for the World Championship will take place in Singapore. Not only is Singapore one of the most iconic global tourist and business hubs, but it is also a thriving chess centre with great ambitions and talent," FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich said in a statement. Singapore was selected over Indian cities Chennai and New Delhi. Gukesh won the Candidates tournament in April to set up the match with Ding. REUTERS