Explainers

Subterms

    More stories

    • 200 Shares189 Views

      in Soccer

      Why is Aymeric Laporte playing for Spain at Euro 2020 & did he play for France?

      by

      SPAIN will be looking to win back the European Championships they lost five years ago in France when they partake in this summer’s tournament. And La Furia Roja will have the chance to do it with Man City stalwart Aymeric Laporte in their side, despite having never capped him before.
      Aymeric Laporte has been selected to play for Spain at the EurosCredit: Reuters
      The 27-year-old will be taking part in his first ever major international tournament, thanks to his inclusion.
      Why is Aymeric Laporte set to play for Spain at Euro 2020?
      Laporte was born in the French Basque Country so is French by nationality.
      Because of his Basque links, Laporte played his youth career and the first part of his professional career with Spanish club Athletic Bilbao.
      Laporte, however, played 51 times for France’s youth sides, from Under-17s all the way up to the Under-21s, who he captained.

      He then earned a big-money £57m move to Manchester City, where he’s gone on to become one of the Premier League’s best defenders.
      Laporte was actually called up to the France squad in September 2019, however he got damaged his knee ligaments before he could play.
      The Times reports that boss Didier Deschamps promised a return to the French squad as soon as he was fit but the call never came, a decision which ultimately set in motion Laporte’s switch to Spain.
      France have the likes of Lucas Hernandez, Clement Lenglet, Raphael Varane, Prensel Kimpembe and Kurt Zouma in the central defensive roles.
      Laporte then officially changed his international allegiance to Spain, who granted him a Spanish passport last month.
      “The player Aymeric Laporte is eligible to play for the representative teams of the RFEF – Spanish Football Association with immediate effect,” it said in a statement.
      Aymeric Laporte won the Premier League with City last monthCredit: PA
      Players are allowed to switch allegiances, so long as they haven’t played over three times for their country before the age of 21.
      Spain manager Luis Enrique then selected Laporte in his Euro 2020 squad on May 21, electing to leave out Real Madrid legend Sergio Ramos.
      Laporte will going Pau Torres, Inigo Martinez and City team-mate Eric Garcia as the squad’s main centre-backs. More

    • 213 Shares109 Views

      in Motorsport

      F1 calendar 2021: Grand Prix times, schedule, tracks with Azerbaijan Grand Prix next after Styrian GP added

      by

      THE 2021 Formula 1 season is two races in with Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen set for a season-long scrap for the title.But Hamilton seems to have all the early momentum after winning the last two races in Portugal and Spain, with Monte Carlo up next.

      🏁 F1 2021 calendar: practice times, dates and racetrack info
      Lewis Hamilton is aiming to become the outright most successful driver of all timeCredit: Getty
      WIN £50,000! Play Dream Team Euros – our FREE fantasy football game
      The Brit, 36, moved level with Michael Schumacher on seven world titles last year and will become the outright top dog if he collects the most points across this season’s races.
      In a season that has already seen shifts and changes to the calendar, the Australian Grand Prix was due to take place on the weekend of March 21, but was put back to November 21 because of coronavirus restrictions Down Under.
      Turkey had replaced Canada as the Grand Prix destination on June 13, but it was then axed by F1 chiefs on safety grounds.
      And in April the world governing body approved sprint races in the British, Brazilian and Italian Grand Prix as a replacement for qualifying.
      Here is how the F1 calendar unfolds in 2021 with our race by race schedule.
      F1 calendar 2021
      All timings below are UK time.
      🇧🇭 Bahrain Grand Prix
      🏆 Grand Prix Result: 1. Lewis Hamilton 2. Max Verstappen 3. Valtteri Bottas

      Venue: Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir
      Friday, March 26: Practice 1 (11.30am), Practice 2 (3pm)
      Saturday, March 27: Practice 3 (12pm), Qualifying (3pm)
      Sunday, March 28: Race (4pm)

      🇮🇹 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
      🏆 Grand Prix Result: 1. Max Verstappen 2. Lewis Hamilton 3. Lando Norris

      Venue: Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola
      Friday, April 16: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
      Saturday, April 17: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
      Sunday, April 18: Race (2pm)

      🇵🇹 Portuguese Grand Prix
      🏆 Grand Prix Result: 1. Lewis Hamilton 2. Max Verstappen 3. Valtteri Bottas

      Venue: Autodromo Internacional do Algarve
      Friday, April 30: Practice 1 (11.30am), Practice 2 (3pm)
      Saturday, May 1: Practice 3 (12pm), Qualifying (3pm)
      Sunday, May 2: Race (3pm)

      🇪🇸 Spanish Grand Prix
      🏆 Grand Prix Result: 1. Lewis Hamilton 2. Max Verstappen 3. Valtteri Bottas

      Venue: Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
      Friday, May 7: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
      Saturday, May 8: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
      Sunday, May 9: Race (2pm)

      🇲🇨 Monaco Grand Prix
      🏆 Grand Prix Result: 1. Max Verstappen 2. Carlos Sainz 3. Lando Norris

      Venue: Circuit de Monaco in Monte Carlo
      Thursday, May 20: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
      Saturday, May 22: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
      Sunday, May 23: Race (2pm)

      🇦🇿 Azerbaijan Grand Prix – NEXT
      KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE ACTION FROM BAKU IN OUR LIVE BLOG

      Venue: Baku City Circuit
      Friday, June 4: Practice 1 (9.30am), Practice 2 (1pm)
      Saturday, June 5: Practice 3 (10am), Qualifying (1pm)
      Sunday, June 6: Race (1pm)

      🇨🇦 Canadian Grand Prix – cancelled

      🇹🇷 Turkish Grand Prix – cancelled

      🇫🇷 French Grand Prix – new dates

      Venue: Circuit Paul Ricard, Le Castellet
      Friday, June 18: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
      Saturday, June 19: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
      Sunday, June 20: Race (2pm)

      🇦🇹 Styrian Grand Prix

      Venue: Red Bull Ring, Spielberg
      Friday, June 25: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
      Saturday, June 26: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
      Sunday, June 27: Race (2pm)

      🇦🇹 Austrian Grand Prix

      Venue: Red Bull Ring, Spielberg
      Friday, July 2: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
      Saturday, July 3: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
      Sunday, July 4: Race (2pm)

      🇬🇧 British Grand Prix
      *Inaugural sprint race replaces classic qualifying.

      Venue: Silverstone Circuit, Northamptonshire
      Friday, July 16: Practice 1 (11.30am), Practice 2 (3pm)
      Saturday, July 17: Practice 3 (12pm), SPRINT RACE (3pm)*
      Sunday, July 18: Race (3pm)

      🇭🇺 Hungarian Grand Prix

      Venue: Hungaroring, Budapest
      Friday, July 30: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
      Saturday, July 31: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
      Sunday, August 1: Race (2pm)

      🇧🇪 Belgian Grand Prix

      Venue: Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
      Friday, August 27: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
      Saturday, August 28: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
      Sunday, August 29: Race (2pm)

      🇳🇱 Dutch Grand Prix

      Venue: Zandvoort
      Friday, September 3: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
      Saturday, September 4: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
      Sunday, September 5: Race (2pm)

      🇮🇹 Italian Grand Prix 2

      Venue: Autodromo Nazionale Monza
      Friday, September 10: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
      Saturday, September 11: Practice 3 (11am), SPRINT RACE (2PM)
      Sunday, September 12: Race (2pm)

      🇷🇺 Russian Grand Prix

      Venue: Sochi Autodrom
      Friday, September 24: Practice 1 (9.30am), Practice 2 (1pm)
      Saturday, September 25: Practice 3 (10am), Qualifying (1pm)
      Sunday, September 26: Race (1pm)

      🇸🇬 Singapore Grand Prix

      Venue: Marina Bay Street Circuit
      Friday, October 1: Practice 1 (10am), Practice 2 (1.30pm)
      Saturday, October 2: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
      Sunday, October 3: Race (1pm)

      🇯🇵 Japanese Grand Prix

      Venue: Suzuka International Racing Course, Ino, Sazuka City
      Friday, October 8: Practice 1 (3.30am), Practice 2 (7am)
      Saturday, October 9: Practice 3 (4am), Qualifying (7am)
      Sunday, October 10: Race (6am)

      🇺🇸 United States Grand Prix

      Venue: Circuit of The Americas, Austin, Texas
      Friday, October 22: Practice 1 (5.30pm), Practice 2 (9pm)
      Saturday, October 23: Practice 3 (7pm), Qualifying (10pm)
      Sunday, October 24: Race (8pm)

      🇲🇽 Mexico City Grand Prix

      Venue: Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City
      Friday, October 29: Practice 1 (5.30pm), Practice 2 (9pm)
      Saturday, October 30: Practice 3 (5pm), Qualifying (8pm)
      Sunday, October 31: Race (7pm)

      🇧🇷 Brazil Grand Prix

      Venue: Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, Interlagos
      Friday, November 5: Practice 1 (2.30pm), Practice 2 (6pm)
      Saturday, November 6: Practice 3 (3pm), SPRINT RACE (6PM)
      Sunday, November 7: Race (5pm)

      🇦🇺 Australian Grand Prix

      Venue: Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit
      Friday, November 19: Practice 1 (1.30am), Practice 2 (5am)
      Saturday, November 20: Practice 3 (3am), Qualifying (6am)
      Sunday, November 21: Race (6am)

      🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Grand Prix

      Venue: Jeddah Street Circuit
      Friday, December 3: Practice 1 (12.30pm), Practice 2 (4pm)
      Saturday, December 4: Practice 3 (1pm), Qualifying (4pm)
      Sunday, December 5: Race (4pm)

      🇦🇪 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

      Venue: Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island
      Friday, December 10: Practice 1 (9.30am), Practice 2 (1pm)
      Saturday, December 11: Practice 3 (10am), Qualifying (1pm)
      Sunday, December 12: Race (1pm) More

    • 263 Shares109 Views

      in Boxing

      Tommy Fury vs Jordan Grant FREE: UK start time, live stream, TV channel, card for Love Island star’s sixth pro bout

      by

      TOMMY FURY makes his return to the ring this weekend as he faces fellow unbeaten prospect Jordan Grant. Fury was last in action back in February, when he knocked out Scott Williams in the second round of their six-round contest.
      Tommy Fury is 5-0 as a professional boxer and faces Jordan Grant this weekendCredit: Reuters
      But this time, Fury will be up against another fighter in Grant, who has also never lost a fight.
      When is Tommy Fury vs Jordan Grant?

      Tommy Fury’s clash with Jordan Grant will take place this Saturday on June 5.
      The fight will occur at the Telford International Centre in Shropshire.
      There will be around 1,000 fans in attendance at the clash.

      What channel is it and can it be live streamed?

      Fury’s return to the ring will be shown live on BT Sport 1 and BT Sport 1 HD.
      You can live stream the action from the BT Sport app, which is available for download onto your mobile or tablet device.
      The action will begin at around 7pm.
      Daniel Dubois’ clash with Bogdan Dinu is the main event of the evening.

      Tommy Fury vs Jordan Grant FULL CARD

      Daniel Dubois vs. Bogdan Dinu
      Tommy Fury vs. Jordan Grant
      Archie Sharp vs. Marcio Soza
      Caoimhin Agyarko vs. TBA
      Nathan Heaney vs. Iliyan Markov
      Daniel Buciuc vs. Naeem Ali
      George Bance vs. Des Newston
      Liam Davies vs. TBA
      Adan Mohamed vs. Luke Fash More

    • 213 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Italy vs Czech Republic: Live stream, TV channel, team news and kick-off time for international friendly match-up

      by

      ITALY take on Czech Republic as part of their pre-Euro 2020 preparations later this week. The Azzurri get their tournament underway on June 11 in the tournament’s first game against Turkey.
      Jorginho will be one of the first names on the team sheet for Italy at Euro 2020Credit: EPA
      Czech Republic meanwhile will face both England and Scotland, as well as Croatia.
      What time does Italy vs Czech Republic kick-off?

      Italy’s friendly clash with Czech Republic will be get underway from 7.45pm UK time on Friday, June 4.
      The game will take place at the Renato Dall’Ara Stadium in Bologna, Italy.
      There will be a limited amount of fans in attendance at the clash because of coronavirus restrictions.

      What channel is it and can it be live streamed?

      Italy vs Czech Republic will be shown live on Sky Sports Football.
      You can live stream the action from the NOW TV or Sky Go apps, both of which are available for download onto your mobile, device, tablet or Smart TV.

      Team news
      For Italy, Stefano Sensi is not expected to start the game because of an adductor injury while Francesco Acerbi is out with ligament damage.
      Marco Verratti has a knee problem which means he is also unlikely to start the game.
      Jorginho and Emerson Palmeiri are available following their Champions League final win with Chelsea but only the latter should start.
      For the Czech Republic, Patrik Schick will be starting up front while West Ham’s Tomas Soucek should get the nod in midfield.
      Odds

      Italy – 4/7
      Draw – 14/5
      Czech Republic – 15/4

      *Odds courtesy of Paddy Power and correct at time of publication. More

    • 213 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      Spain vs Portugal: Live stream, TV channel, team news and kick-off time for Euro 2020 warm-up friendly

      by

      SPAIN and Portugal will be battling it out this summer at the Euros but must first face each other in a friendly clash. Portugal are the current European champions and looking to retain the title they won five long years ago at Euro 2016.
      Cristiano Ronaldo will be looking to win another Euros title this summerCredit: Reuters
      Meanwhile, under Luis Enrique, Spain are looking to get back to the standards that saw them clinch the European Championship in 2008 and 2012.
      What time does Spain vs Portugal kick-off?

      Portugal’s clash with Spain will get underway from 6.30pm UK time on Friday, June 4.
      Spain’s home clash with Portugal will be contested at the Estadio Municipal de Butarque in Leganes.
      There will be a limited capacity inside the ground due to coronavirus restrictions.

      England boast the most-valuable squad of all Euro 2020 nations
      What TV channel is Spain vs Portugal on and can it be live streamed?

      Spain vs Portugal will be shown live on Sky Sports Football.
      You can live stream the action from the NOW TV and Sky Go apps, both of which are available for download onto your mobile device, tablet or Smart TV.

      Team news
      Spain are likely to start with Europa League winner Pau Torres at the back alongside Eric Garcia.
      Gerard Moreno, Torres’ club team-mate could also make an appearance for the off, with Ferran Torres hoping for a chance to shine too.
      Ruben Dias and Bernardo Silva are likely going to be on the bench for Portugal after arriving late from Champions League final duty but Joao Cancelo, who didn’t start the final, could play from the off.
      Joao Felix, Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes are all expected to start.
      Odds

      Spain – 11/10
      Draw – 11/5
      Portugal – 21/10

      *Odds courtesy of Paddy Power and correct at time of publication. More

    • 175 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      Why is Aymeric Laporte playing for Spain at Euro 2020 and is he French?

      by

      SPAIN will be hoping to win back the European Championships they lost five years ago in France when they partake in this summer’s tournament. And La Furia Roja will have the chance to do it with Man City stalwart Aymeric Laporte in their side, despite having never capped him before.
      Aymeric Laporte has been selected to play for Spain at the EurosCredit: Reuters
      The 27-year-old will be taking part in his first ever major international tournament, thanks to his inclusion.
      Why is Aymeric Laporte set to play for Spain at Euro 2020?
      Laporte was born in the French Basque Country so is French by nationality.
      Because of his Basque links, Laporte played his youth career and the first part of his professional career with Spanish club Athletic Bilbao.
      Laporte, however, played 51 times for France’s youth sides, from Under-17s all the way up to the Under-21s.

      He then earned a big-money £57m move to Manchester City, where he’s gone on to become one of the Premier League’s best defenders.
      Despite that, France boss Didier Deschamps has never selected him for the senior side.
      France have the likes of Lucas Hernandez, Clement Lenglet, Raphael Varane, Prensel Kimpembe and Kurt Zouma in the central defensive roles.
      Laporte then officially changed his international allegiance to Spain, who granted him a Spanish passport last month.
      “The player Aymeric Laporte is eligible to play for the representative teams of the RFEF – Spanish Football Association with immediate effect,” it said in a statement.
      Aymeric Laporte won the Premier League with City last monthCredit: PA
      Players are allowed to switch allegiances, so long as they haven’t played over three times for their country before the age of 21.
      Spain manager Luis Enrique then selected Laporte in his Euro 2020 squad on May 21, electing to leave out Real Madrid legend Sergio Ramos.
      Laporte will going Pau Torres, Inigo Martinez and City team-mate Eric Garcia as the squad’s main centre-backs. More

    • 250 Shares99 Views

      in Motorsport

      F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix first practice: UK start time, TV channel and full race schedule as Hamilton aims for glory

      by

      F1 is back this weekend as the world’s best drivers head out to Baku for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Max Verstappen will be looking to make it two race wins in a row while Lewis Hamilton is hoping to get back to winning ways following his stutter in Monaco.
      Max Verstappen won the F1 Monaco Grand PrixCredit: Getty
      The Monaco GP proved to be one of the most exciting races of the year as Brit Hamilton finished SEVENTH after a disastrous qualifying.
      And the Baku City Circuit awaits as the F1 season continues to hot up.
      When is F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix first practice?

      The F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix first practice will get underway from 9.30am UK time on Friday, June 4.
      The race will take place at the Baku City Circuit in Azerbaijan’s capital.
      There will be no fans in attendance for the race due to coronavirus restrictions.
      The Azerbaijan Grand Prix will start at 1pm on Sunday, June 6.

      What channel is it and can it be live streamed?

      All of this weekend’s F1 action from the Azerbaijan Grand Prix will be shown live on Sky Sports F1.
      You can live stream all the action from first practice all the way to Sunday’s race from the NOW TV and Sky Go apps, both of which are available for download onto your mobile device, tablet or Smart TV.

      Lewis Hamilton is hoping to get back to winning ways in BakuCredit: Getty
      Full F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix race schedule
      Friday, June 4

      Practice One – 9.30am
      Practice Two – 1pm

      Saturday, June 5

      Practice Three – 10am
      Qualifying – 1pm

      Sunday, June 6

      Azerbaijan Grand Prix – 1pm More

    • 138 Shares189 Views

      in Soccer

      Why is James Rodriguez not playing for Colombia against Peru tonight?

      by

      JAMES RODRIGUEZ has long been regarded as Colombia’s most valuable player, but this summer, the Everton midfielder has been deemed surplus to requirements. Colombia are taking part in this summer’s Copa America tournament, but will be without star player Rodriguez, who has had injury problems with loan club Everton throughout the course of the season.
      James Rodriguez will not get the chance to shine for Colombia this summerCredit: Getty
      Copa America starts on June 13 and will be hosted by Brazil after Covid-hit Colombia and Argentina pulled out as hosts.
      And before then, the Colombians have two crucial World Cup qualifiers against Peru and Argentina.
      Why is James Rodriguez not playing for Colombia at Copa America?
      Unfortunately and unexpectedly for Rodriguez, he simply wasn’t chosen by manager Reinaldo Rueda because they deemed him not to be at the ‘optimal level’.
      Rodriguez had been hit with injuries throughout the 2020/21 season with Everton but performed well when he played for the Toffees.

      The former Real Madrid star, however, worked his way into a position to be fit for this summer’s tournament, but boss Rueda still didn’t fancy taking Rodriguez.
      A statement read: “The coaching staff of the Colombia Men’s Senior Team reports that the player James Rodríguez has been called off for the games against Peru and Argentina for the qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, and the CONMEBOL Copa América 2021.
      “In recent days, the midfielder was subjected to medical examinations, which determined that he is not at the optimal level of competition, therefore, he will not be able to join the group called by Reinaldo Rueda for the aforementioned commitments and the South American championship.
      “The coach and his team of collaborators regret not being able to count on James Rodríguez this time and hope that soon the midfielder will be able to be part of a call, representing our country with the height and professionalism as he has always done.”
      James Rodriguez will be watching Colombia from the sidelines this summerCredit: AFP
      Rodriguez came back with a statement of his own, noting that he was disappointed with the decision.
      “I want to express my thoughts and feelings regarding the decision made by the coaching staff of the Colombian team for the upcoming knockout dates and Copa America,” he explained.
      “I come from a recovery that is in its final part. In which I took enough time to fully integrate myself to the practice of soccer and in this way not affect my participation in the next commitments of our Selection.
      “The pertinent times of this process suggest that I be careful to participate on date 7 of the tie, but they would allow me to fully integrate on date 8 and of course be for the Copa America 2021.
      “With surprise I receive the statement from the main technical body stating that they do not count on me and wishing me a full recovery.
      James Rodriguez spent periods of the 2020/21 season on the injury tableCredit: Reuters
      “Recovery that I already made and in which I have sacrificed a lot.
      “The above filled me with deep disappointment because for me it means playing for my country.
      “Not receiving the trust from the technical body breaks with everything and causes me enormous pain, since for the shirt of the Colombia team I have always left even my life.
      “For my colleagues the best energy and best wishes. From a distance I will support with the passion of always.”
      Colombia’s Copa American campaign will begin on June 15 against Ecuador. More