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      in Soccer

      Scotland vs Israel: Live stream, TV channel, kick-off time and team news for Nations League clash

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      SCOTLAND begin their Uefa Nations League adventure with a home clash against Israel.
      The competition represents a potential back-door route into World Cup 2022 for the Scots, while Steve Clarke’s side will also face the Israeli’s in the Euro playoffs later this year.

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      Steve Clarke’s side face Israel in the Euro 2021 playoffs Credit: PA:Press Association
      This game is therefore a dress rehearsal for that clash, but Scotland can’t afford any slip-ups as they look to get off to the perfect start in Group B2.
      When is Scotland vs Israel?
      This Nations League clash is set for Friday, September 4.
      It will be held at Hampden Park, behind-closed-doors.
      Kick-off is at 7.45pm BST.
      Which TV channel and live stream can I watch it on?
      You can catch this game live on Sky Sports Main Event.
      Coverage will begin at 7.30pm.
      Sky customers can stream by downloading the Sky Go app on mobile, tablet, PC or games console.
      If you don’t have a Sky account, grab a NOW TV pass from just £9.99 to stream on a number of devices.
      What is the team news?
      Both Kieran Tierney and Andrew Robertson look set to feature for the Scots after missing the win over Kazakhstan.
      Scott McTominay is set to return, but Oli McBurnie has pulled out of the squad with a knock.
      Celtic’s Nir Bitton is expected to start in defence for the visitors, while Real Vallodid newboy Shon Weismann is expected to lead the line.

      Match odds
      Scotland to win – 4/5
      Draw at Hampden Park – 21/10
      Israel victory – 16/5
      Both teams to score – evens
      *All odds from Ladbrokes and correct at time of publication. More

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      in Soccer

      Germany vs Spain: Live stream, TV channel, kick-off time, team news for TONIGHT’s Uefa Nations League clash

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      TWO European giants are set to go toe-to-toe tonight as Germany face Spain in the Uefa Nations League.
      Last year was a disaster for the Germans in this competition, with Joachim Low’s side finishing bottom of their group after a disastrous run of form.

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      NINTCHDBPICT000520463484Credit: Getty – Contributor
      Visitors Spain were edged out by England for a place in the 2019 finals and will face Switzerland and Ukraine along with the Germans this time.
      What time does Germany vs Spain kick off?
      The match kicks off at 7.45pm UK time – 8.45pm local time.
      It will be played behind closed doors st Stuttgart’s Mercedes-Benz-Arena.
      What TV channel is Germany vs Spain on and can I live stream it?
      Germany vs Spain is live on Sky Sports Premier League.
      Coverage commences at 7.40pm – five minutes before kick-off.
      To stream the game live, head to your Sky Go account.
      Non-Sky Sports subscribers can still watch the match with a Now TV Day Pass from £9.99.
      What is the team news?
      Chelsea fans will be hoping to get a glimpse of new signing Timo Werner and imminent arrival Kai Havertz.
      And their changes of doing so are markedly improved by the fact that no Bayern Munich or RB Leipzig players will take part in the game following their Champions League exploits.
      The only exception to this is Bayern’s Niklas Sule, who missed the European knockout stages and is looking for some game time after battling back from a long-term injury.

      Luis Enrique has named a fairly youthful squad including the likes of Ansu Fati, Ferran Torres, Eric Garcia and Oscar Rodriguez.
      But Leeds fans are likely to see their £36m new signing Rodrigo in action.
      Adama Traore had been called up for what would have been his first senior Spain appearance, but he has tested positive for coronavirus and is unlikely to play.
      Latest odds
      Germany 7/5
      Draw 23/10
      Spain 15/8
      *Odds from Ladbrokes and correct as of Wednesday, September 2 More

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      in Soccer

      Finland vs Wales: Live stream, TV channel, kick-off time, team news for TONIGHT’s big Uefa Nations League match

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      RYAN GIGGS and Wales are back in action in the Uefa Nations League as they travel to take on Finland.
      It’s the first time the Dragons have been in action since a 2-0 win over Hungary saw them progress to the European Championship finals.

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      Gareth Bale is back in action with WalesCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Opponents Finland will be at the Euros for the first time next summer after qualifying from their group in second behind Italy.
      What time does Wales vs Finland kick off?
      The match kicks off at 7.45pm – 9.45pm local time – TONIGHT.
      It will be played behind closed doors at the Olympiastadion in Helsinki.
      What TV channel is Finland vs Wales on and can I live stream it?
      Finland vs Wales is live on Sky Sports Main Event.
      Coverage commences at 7pm – 45 minutes before kick-off.
      To stream the game live, head to your Sky Go account.
      Non-Sky Sports subscribers can still watch all the action with a Now TV Day Pass from £9.99.
      Viewers wanting to watch in Welsh can catch all the action FREE on S4C.
      What is the team news?
      Centre-back Paulus Arajuuri will miss out for the hosts through injury.
      Meanwhile HJK Helsinki defender Daniel O’Shaughnessy has been named in the squad after choosing to represent Finland over Ireland.
      Aaron Ramsey, David Brooks and Tyler Roberts are all out injured for Wales.

      However Gareth Bale is set to play as he looks to put his troubles at Real Madrid behind him.
      Harry Wilson, Daniel James and Hal Robson-Kanu are also expected to start.
      Latest odds
      Finland 11/5
      Draw 2/1
      Wales 27/20
      *Odds from Ladbrokes correct as of Wednesday, September 2. More

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      in Soccer

      Who is Kelly Smith and is she married?

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      ARSENAL LADIES legend Kelly Smith called it quits at international level in 2015 as England’s Women’s all-time leading scorer.
      Smith was awarded an MBE in 2008 for her services to the women’s game.
      Find out about her glittering career below.

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      Kelly Smith won the FA Cup five times with Arsenal LadiesCredit: PA:Press Association
      Who is Kelly Smith and which clubs has she played for?
      Smith began her professional career with Wembley Ladies  in 1996 and earned a move to Arsenal two years later.
      She left the Gunners for America in 1999 – playing for the New Jersey Lady Stallions, Philadelphia Charge and New Jersey Wildcats in her eight years Stateside.

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      Smith represented England for two decades
      Smith, 38, netted an incredible 73 goals in 66 games after returning to Arsenal to earn a switch to the Boston breakers.

      She returned to Arsenal in 2012.
      What has Kelly Smith won?

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      Smith played for Great Britain at the 2012 OlympicsCredit: Getty Images
      Smith won a total of 20 trophies over her three spells at Arsenal – scoring scoring 30 goals in 34 games across all four competitions during their quadruple-winning 2006–07 season.
      She earned 117 caps in a two-decade England career and represented Great Britain at London 2012.
      The striker was shortlisted for Fifa Women’s World Player of the Year award four times and won the FA Player of the Year award twice.

      Her honours include four Premier League titles, a Uefa Women’s Cup and five FA Cups.
      What was Kelly Smith’s style of play?

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      Smith is England’s all time leading scorerCredit: PA:Press Association
      Described as England’s first superstar, Smith is probably the best female British player ever despite a series of serious injuries.
      BBC Match of the Day commentator Jonathan Pearce said: “In terms of technique, when she was in her pomp, she was way above anything else coming out of the UK at that time.
      “She had power, strength, a lovely eye for a pass, finishing of course and was so dynamic in the penalty area.
      “She was a leader because of the way she played, that she demanded respect from her opponents and team-mates. She was the first England women’s football superstar.
      “You have only got to hear the top names in the global game talking about her to know how good she was.”

      Is Kelly Smith married?
      Kelly married her partner DeAnna Dobosz on Hampstead Heath in June 2016, in a ceremony attended by some of their closest friends.
      She gave birth to a son named Rocco Jude in May 2017. More

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      in Soccer

      What happens if Nations League games are called off because of coronavirus?

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      INTERNATIONAL football is back – and with it, a brand new iteration of the Uefa Nations League.
      After a successful first campaign in 2019, the competition gets underway again on September 3 – but the spectre of Covid 19 is always looming large.

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      International football returns with a bang as Germany take on Spain
      With international travel and quarantine rules seemingly changing by the day, Uefa have had to make a contingency plan for if the pandemic affects the schedule.
      What happens if Nations League games are called off because of Covid?
      There’s plenty of international football on the menu between now and November, with five Matchday’s planned in a packed Uefa schedule.
      England begin their challenge against Iceland on September 5, before clashing with Denmark and Belgium in the coming months.
      Uefa have put a number of protocols in force as international football restarts, including rules on how games will be decided if a team suffers a coronavirus outbreak.

      Firstly, a match is expected to be fulfilled if a team has at least 13 squad members fit and ready to play – including at least one goalkeeper.

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      Drawing lots would only only happen as a last resort
      If this can’t happen, Uefa will try everything within its power to reschedule the tie for a later date.
      But with fixture congestion already a huge problem at both domestic and international level, this might not be possible in some cases.
      And as a last resort option, lots could be drawn to decide the winner of a given tie.

      That will only happen if the game is cancelled due to circumstances outside of both teams control – i.e Covid-19 – and a rescheduled date is not possible.

      The last time lots were drawn in an international tournament was way back at Italia 90.
      Holland and the Republic of Ireland finished level on points in their World Cup groups, with an identical record including goals scored and conceded.
      As such, lots were drawn to determine who would finish second and third, changing their path into the knockout stages. More

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      in Soccer

      Finland vs Wales: Live stream, TV channel, kick-off time and team news for Uefa Nations League

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      WALES make their return to international action as they take on Finland in the Uefa Nations League.
      Last time Ryan Giggs’ men played international football they ran out 2-0 winners over Hungary to confirm their place at the European Championship.

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      Gareth Bale is back in action with WalesCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Opponents Finland will be at the Euros for the first time next summer after qualifying from their group in second behind Italy.
      What time does Wales vs Finland kick off?
      Finland take on Wales on Thursday, September 3.
      The match kicks off at 7.45pm – 9.45pm local time.
      It will be played behind closed doors at the Olympiastadion in Helsinki.
      What TV channel is Finland vs Wales on and can I live stream it?
      Finland vs Wales is live on Sky Sports Main Event.
      Coverage commences at 7pm – 45 minutes before kick-off.
      To stream the game live, head to your Sky Go account.
      Non-Sky Sports subscribers can still watch all the action with a Now TV Day Pass from £9.99.
      Viewers wanting to watch in Welsh can catch all the action FREE on S4C.
      Team news
      Centre-back Paulus Arajuuri will miss out for the hosts through injury.
      Meanwhile HJK Helsinki defender Daniel O’Shaughnessy has been named in the squad after choosing to represent Finland over Ireland.
      Aaron Ramsey, David Brooks and Tyler Roberts are all out injured for Wales.

      However Gareth Bale is set to play as he looks to put his troubles at Real Madrid behind him.
      Harry Wilson, Daniel James and Hal Robson-Kanu are also expected to start.
      Latest odds
      Finland 11/5
      Draw 2/1

      Wales 27/20
      *Odds from Ladbrokes correct as of Wednesday, September 2. More

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      in Soccer

      Germany vs Spain: Live stream, TV channel, kick-off time and team news for Uefa Nations League

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      THE Uefa Nations League begins with two giants going toe-to-toe as Germany host Spain.
      Joachim Low’s Germany side finished bottom of a group with France and Holland in the last iteration of this tournament and would have been relegated to League B but for a change in format by Uefa.

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      NINTCHDBPICT000520463484Credit: Getty – Contributor
      Visitors Spain were edged out by England for a place in the 2019 finals and will face Switzerland and Ukraine along with the Germans this time.
      What time does Germany vs Spain kick off?
      Germany take on Spain on Thursday, September 3.
      The match kicks off at 7.45pm UK time – 8.45pm local time.
      It will be played behind closed doors st Stuttgart’s Mercedes-Benz-Arena.
      What TV channel is Germany vs Spain on and can I live stream it?
      Germany vs Spain is live on Sky Sports Premier League.
      Coverage commences at 7.40pm – five minutes before kick-off.
      To stream the game live, head to your Sky Go account.
      Non-Sky Sports subscribers can still watch the match with a Now TV Day Pass from £9.99.
      Team news
      Chelsea fans will be hoping to get a glimpse of new signing Timo Werner and imminent arrival Kai Havertz.
      And their changes of doing so are markedly improved by the fact that no Bayern Munich or RB Leipzig players will take part in the game following their Champions League exploits.
      The only exception to this is Bayern’s Niklas Sule, who missed the European knockout stages and is looking for some game time after battling back from a long-term injury.

      Luis Enrique has named a fairly youthful squad including the likes of Ansu Fati, Ferran Torres, Eric Garcia and Oscar Rodriguez.
      But Leeds fans are likely to see their £36m new signing Rodrigo in action.
      Adama Traore had been called up for what would have been his first senior Spain appearance, but he has tested positive for coronavirus and is unlikely to play.
      Latest odds
      Germany 7/5

      Draw 23/10
      Spain 15/8
      *Odds correct as of Wednesday, September 2 More

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      in Boxing

      Who is Nicola Adams’ former fiancée Marlen Esparza?

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      BRITISH Olympic hero Nicola Adams was engaged to fellow boxer Marlen Esparza for 16 months – but the couple have now split.
      The US fighter’s relationship with the Team GB and Strictly star came to an end very abruptly – and Marlen moved on swiftly.

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      Marlen Esparza was engaged to British boxer Nicola AdamsCredit: Rex Features
      Who is Marlen Esparza?
      Marlen Esparza is a female American boxer from Houston, Texas, born on July 29, 1989.
      The 28-year-old won bronze in the women’s flyweight division at the London 2012 Olympics.
      Esparza then took gold at the 2014 AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships and bronze in the 2016 edition.
      Golden Boy Promotions signed her to a pro contract in December 2016 and she made her debut in March 2017, defeating Rachel Sazoff.

      Since then, she has maintained a 100 per cent record in the professional ranks, seeing off Samantha Salazar, Aracely Palacios and Karla Valenzuela.

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      Nicola Adams, second left, and Marlen Esparza, right, both competed at the London 2012 OlympicsCredit: Getty Images
      How did Nicola Adams meet Marlen Esparza?
      Having been rivals for a number of years, love started to blossom between the pair at a training camp in 2016.
      Adams revealed to the Daily Star: “We’ve known each for five or six years but we didn’t really talk because we were like nemesis and all that.
      “We got talking in Colorado last year at a training camp. She hadn’t made the national team for the qualifiers this time round. We got talking there and that was it really.”

      Adams and Esparza got engaged at London’s ShardCredit: PA:Press Association
      How did their relationship end?
      Adams and Esparza looked set to tie the knot after getting engaged at London’s Shard.
      However, in April 2018 The Sun’s Bizarre column revealed that the wedding was off, and Adams’ former partner was now engaged to her personal trainer, Frank.
      Friends of Adams insist she ended the relationship, with a pal explaining: “Marlen started going out a lot. It became too much.
      “Nicola was left with no choice but to break things off a month ago.

      Marlen posted a picture of herself and new fiance Frank on Instagram
      “Then just a few weeks later everyone discovers Marlen has got engaged to some guy she’s just met and they are getting married in six weeks — it’s crazy.”
      Marlen posted a picture of herself and Frank on Instagram.
      She gushed: “I have had the most difficult time of my entire life but God always has his way! You saved my life and I can’t wait to spend forever with you.”

      Olympic boxing champion Nicola Adams has Boxing Barbie modelled on her released for International Women’s Day More