Milwaukee Bucks: 2021 NBA Champions

MILWAUKEE (AP) Giannis Antetokounmpo ended one of the greatest NBA Finals ever with 50 points and a championship Milwaukee waited 50 years to win again.

Antetokounmpo added 14 rebounds and five blocked shots as the Bucks beat the Phoenix Suns 105-98 on Tuesday night to win the series 4-2. It was the third game this series with at least 40 points and 10 rebounds for Antetokounmpo, a dominant debut finals performance that takes its place among some of the game's greatest.

He shot 16 for 25 from the field and made an unbelievable 17-of-19 free throws - a spectacular showing for any shooter, let alone one who was hitting just 55.6% in the postseason and was ridiculed for it at times.

He hopped around the court waving his arms with 20 seconds remaining to encourage fans to cheer, but there was no need. Their voices had been booming inside and outside for hours by then, having waited 50 years to celebrate a winner after Lew Alcindor - before becoming Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - and Oscar Robertson led the Bucks to the championship in 1971.

In a season played played largely without fans, the Bucks had 65,000 of them packed into the Deer District outside, a wild party that figured to last deep into the Midwestern night. The party wasn't bad inside, either: Confetti rained down inside as fans chanted ''Bucks in 6! Bucks in 6!'' - a hopeful boast by former player that turned out to be a prophetic rallying cry.

The Bucks became the fifth team to win the NBA Finals after trailing 2-0 and the first to do it by winning the next four games since Miami against Dallas in 2006.

Chris Paul scored 26 points to end his first NBA Finals appearance in his 16th season. Devin Booker added 19 points but shot just 8 for 22 and missed all seven 3-pointers after scoring 40 points in each of the last two games.

The teams that came into the NBA together as expansion clubs in 1968 delivered a fine finals, with the last three games all in the balance deep into the fourth quarter.

The Bucks won them largely because of Antetokounmpo, a two-time MVP in the regular season who raised his game even higher in the finals and was voted the NBA Finals MVP.

He was the star of these finals in every way, from his powerful play on the court to his humble thoughts in interviews to even taking time after Tuesday night's win to find children to high-five amid the celebrations. And he did it all after missing the final two games of the Eastern Conference finals with a hyperextended left knee, an injury that at first he feared could be serious to end his season.

Just think what people would have missed.

Khris Middleton scored 17 points for the Bucks and Bobby Portis came off the bench with 16. Jrue Holiday had 12 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds to go along with his usual sturdy defense that helped finally cool off Booker.

The Bucks thought they might be here the last two seasons. They had the NBA's best record in 2018-19 but blew a 2-0 lead against Toronto in the Eastern Conference finals.

They came back with the best record again last season but never regained their momentum after the season was suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic in March. They were eliminated in the second round by Miami in the bubble.

The Bucks traded for Holiday before this season and even though they weren't quite as strong in the regular season, they were finally NBA Finals ready.

And Milwaukee was ready for the moment.

Fans began filling the streets and restaurants in the afternoon on what felt like a holiday in Milwaukee. The Brewers moved up the start time of their home game against Kansas City to be played in the afternoon to accommodate Milwaukee fans - and Brewers star Christian Yelich, who was part of the crowd inside Fiserv Forum.

The game was tied at 77 after three quarters but Antetokoumpo had 13 points in the fourth to make sure Milwaukee wouldn't have to go back to Phoenix for Game 7 on Thursday.

The Suns returned to the postseason for the first time since 2010 but remain without a title and have never won more than two games in their three appearances in the NBA Finals.

TIP-INS

Suns: The Suns scored their fewest points in a first quarter in this postseason when they had 16. ... Deandre Ayton, who was shooting 67.6% in the postseason, was 4 of 12 for 12 points.

Bucks: Brook Lopez had 10 points and eight rebounds. ... Milwaukee's only other NBA Finals appearance was a loss in 1974.

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Follow Brian Mahoney on Twitter at https://twitter.com/briancmahoney

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More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports

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ISML 2021: Nominations List

Female Division

Rank Name Series Ballots

- Misaka Mikoto Toaru Series Auto

- Emilia Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu Auto

- Iwanaga Kotoko Kyokō Suiri Auto

- Ichinose Chizuru (Mizuhara Chizuru) Kanojo, Okarishimasu Auto

- Shirogane Kei Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai Auto

- Elaina Majo no Tabitabi Auto

- Sakurajima Mai AoButa Auto

- Yuigahama Yui OreGairu Auto

- Tōsaka Rin Fate Series Auto

- Shiro No Game No Life Auto

- Isshiki Iroha OreGairu Auto

- Shokuhō Misaki Toaru Series Auto

- Fujiwara Chika Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai Auto

- Tokisaki Kurumi Date A Live Auto

- Hayasaka Ai Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai Auto

- Yūki Asuna Sword Art Online Auto

- Takanashi Rikka Chūnibyō demo Koi ga Shitai! Auto

- Shiina Mashiro Sakura-sō no Pet na Kanojo Auto

- Shinomiya Kaguya Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai Auto

1 Zero Two Darling in the FranXX 383

2 Tomori Nao Charlotte 148

3 Izumi Sagiri Eromanga Sensei 135

4 Isla Plastic Memories 123

5 Tachibana Kanade Angel Beats! 121

6 Nishimiya Shōko Koe no Katachi 120

7 Ichigo Darling in the FranXX 120

8 Miyamizu Mitsuha Kimi no Na wa 115

9 Saber Fate Series 111

10 Yuzaki Tsukasa Tonikaku Kawaii 109

11 Kochō Shinobu Kimetsu no Yaiba 102

12 Kasumigaoka Utaha Saenai Heroine no Sodatekata 98

13 Kasugano Sora Yosuga no Sora 95

14 Miyazono Kaori Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso 91

15 Kanna Kamui Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon 90

16 Index L. Prohibitorum Toaru Series 89

17 Makise Kurisu Steins;Gate 85

18 Akiyama Mio K-ON! 84

19 Shirai Kuroko Toaru Series 83

20 Hirasawa Yui K-ON! 79

21 Kitashirakawa Tamako Tamako Market 78

22 Amano Hina Tenki no Ko 72

23 Sawamura Spencer Eriri Saenai Heroine no Sodatekata 71

24 Kuriyama Mirai Kyōkai no Kanata 69

25 Schwi Dola No Game No Life 68

26 Furukawa Nagisa CLANNAD 68

27 Akame Akame ga Kill! 67

28 Aisaka Taiga Toradora! 66

29 Yoshino Date A Live 66

30 Aoyama Nanami Sakura-sō no Pet na Kanojo 66

31 Kaname Madoka Puella Magi Madoka ☆ Magica 65

32 Akemi Homura Puella Magi Madoka ☆ Magica 64

33 Horikita Suzune Yōkoso Jitsuryoku Shijō Shugi no Kyōshitsu e 63

34 Ōmae Kumiko Hibike! Euphonium 61

35 Tōru Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon 61

36 Kafū Chino Gochūmon wa Usagi Desu ka? 60

37 Sora Ginko Ryuō no Oshigoto! 59

38 Yatogami Tōka Date A Live 59

39 Nakano Azusa K-ON! 59

40 Ichigyō Ruri Hello World 58

41 Saten Ruiko Toaru Series 57

42 Doma Umaru Himōto! Umaru-chan 57

43 Megumin KonoSuba 54

44 Yuzuriha Inori Guilty Crown 54

45 Azusagawa Kaede AoButa 48

46 Makinohara Shōko AoButa 45

47 Yamauchi Sakura Kimi no Suizo wo Tabetai 44

48 Chtholly Nota Seniorious SukaSuka 44

49 Kirisaki Chitoge Nisekoi 44

50 Hyūga Hinata NARUTO 44

51 Kōsaka Reina Hibike! Euphonium 44

52 Honma Meiko AnoHana 43

53 Illyasviel von Einzbern Fate Series 43

54 Hiiragi Shinoa Owari no Seraph 41

55 Kinomoto Sakura Cardcaptor Sakura 41

56 Takagi Karakai Jōzu no Takagi-san 39

57 Matō Sakura Fate Series 38

58 Sakurasawa Sumi Kanojo, Okarishimasu 37

59 Sento Isuzu Amagi Brilliant Park 37

60 Sakura Chiyo Gekkan Shōjo Nozaki-kun 36

61 Suzumiya Haruhi Suzumiya Haruhi no Yūutsu 36

62 Tobiichi Origami Date A Live 36

63 Nibutani Shinka Chūnibyō demo Koi ga Shitai! 34

64 Rachel Gardner Satsuriku no Tenshi 33

65 Saya Majo no Tabitabi 33

66 Hoto Kokoa Gochūmon wa Usagi Desu ka? 33

67 Sarashina Ruka Kanojo, Okarishimasu 32

68 Futaba Rio AoButa 32

69 Nakamura Yuri Angel Beats! 31

70 Karuizawa Kei Yōkoso Jitsuryoku Shijō Shugi no Kyōshitsu e 30

71 Kotobuki Tsumugi K-ON! 30

72 Kyaru Princess Connect! Re:Dive 29

73 Aqua KonoSuba 28

74 Nakano Yotsuba 5-tōbun no Hanayome 27

75 Misaki Mei Another 27

76 Dekomori Sanae Chūnibyō demo Koi ga Shitai! 27

77 Sōryū Asuka Langley Neon Genesis Evangelion 26

78 Krul Tepes Owari no Seraph 26

79 Nagato Yuki Suzumiya Haruhi no Yūutsu 25

80 Honjō Kaede(Maple) BOFURI 24

81 Oshino Shinobu Monogatari Series 24

82 Alice Zuberg Sword Art Online 24

83 Beatrice Umineko no Naku Koro ni 24

84 Gasai Yuno Mirai Nikki 23

85 Uiharu Kazari Toaru Series 23

86 Jabami Yumeko Kakegurui 22

87 Gray Fate Series 22

88 Yue Arifureta Shokugyō de Sekai Saikyō 21

89 Shiba Miyuki Mahōka Kōkō no Rettōsei 21

90 Rias Gremory Highschool D×D 21

91 Ayanami Rei Neon Genesis Evangelion 21

92 Asada Shino Sword Art Online 21

93 Shichimiya Satone Chūnibyō demo Koi ga Shitai! 21

94 Furuhashi Fumino Bokutachi wa Benkyō ga Dekinai 20

95 Tenma Gabriel White Gabriel Dropout 20

96 Iki Hiyori Noragami 20

97 Natsukawa Masuzu OreShura 20

98 Victorique de Blois GOSICK 20

99 C.C. Code Geass 19

100 Aragaki Ayase Ore no Imōto 19

101 Kokkoro Princess Connect! Re:Dive 19

102 Yūki Setsuna Love Live! NijiGaku 19

103 Holo Spice and Wolf 19

104 Sonozaki Noriko Kiznaiver 19

105 Raphtalia Tate no Yūsha no Nariagari 19

106 Kōsaka Kirino Ore no Imōto 19

Male Division

Rank Name Series Ballots

- Tachibana Taki Kimi no Na wa Auto

- Kanda Sorata Sakura-sō no Pet na Kanojo Auto

- Okazaki Tomoya CLANNAD Auto

- Satō Kazuma KonoSuba Auto

- Okabe Rintarō Steins;Gate Auto

- Saitama One-Punch Man Auto

- Totsuka Saika OreGairu Auto

- Archer Fate Series Auto

- Natsuki Subaru Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu Auto

- Ayanokōji Kiyotaka Yōkoso Jitsuryoku Shijō Shugi no Kyōshitsu e Auto

- Riku Dola No Game No Life Auto

- Togashi Yūta Chūnibyō demo Koi ga Shitai! Auto

- Ishigami Yū Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai Auto

- Kamijō Tōma Toaru Series Auto

- Azusagawa Sakuta AoButa Auto

- Gilgamesh Fate Series Auto

1 Hiro Darling in the FranXX 248

2 Kirigaya Kazuto Sword Art Online 86

3 Otosaka Yū Charlotte 76

4 Levi Shingeki no Kyojin 70

5 Yuzaki Nasa Tonikaku Kawaii 67

6 Kaneki Ken Tokyo Ghoul 67

7 Uchiha Itachi NARUTO 59

8 Otonashi Yuzuru Angel Beats! 51

9 Itadori Yūji Jujutsu Kaisen 50

10 Emiya Shirō Fate Series 50

11 Eren Yeager Shingeki no Kyojin 48

12 Ishigami Senkū Dr.STONE 44

13 Yato Noragami 43

14 Arima Kōsei Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso 38

15 Takasu Ryūji Toradora! 38

16 Lelouch Lamperouge Code Geass 38

17 Hyakuya Mikaela Owari no Seraph 36

18 Itsuka Shidō Date A Live 36

19 Saiki Kusuo Saiki Kusuo no Ψ Nan 33

20 Ōma Shū Guilty Crown 33

21 Hyakuya Yūichirō Owari no Seraph 33

22 Morishima Hodaka Tenki no Ko 32

23 Ishida Shōya Koe no Katachi 32

24 Kūjō Jōtarō JoJo's Bizarre Adventure 32

25 Goro Darling in the FranXX 30

26 Isaac Foster Satsuriku no Tenshi 30

27 Kasugano Haruka Yosuga no Sora 30

28 Kuroba Kaito Detective Conan 30

29 Dazai Osamu Bungō Stray Dogs 28

30 Araragi Koyomi Monogatari Series 27

31 Katagaki Naomi Hello World 26

32 Sakata Gintoki Gintama 26

33 Uesugi Fūtarō 5-tōbun no Hanayome 25

34 Rengoku Kyōjurō Kimetsu no Yaiba 24

35 Ōji Mochizō Tamako Market 24

36 Fushiguro Megumi Jujutsu Kaisen 24

37 Shiota Nagisa Ansatsu Kyōshitsu 23

38 Uchiha Sasuke NARUTO 22

39 Tomioka Giyū Kimetsu no Yaiba 21

40 Fukube Satoshi Hyōka 21

41 Izumi Masamune Eromanga Sensei 20

42 Mizugaki Tsukasa Plastic Memories 20

43 Kanbara Akihito Kyōkai no Kanata 20

44 Waver Velvet Fate Series 20

45 Dio Brando JoJo's Bizarre Adventure 19

46 Ainz Ooal Gown Overlord 19

47 Kyon Suzumiya Haruhi no Yūutsu 19

48 Iwatani Naofumi Tate no Yūsha no Nariagari 19

49 Kuzuryū Yaichi Ryuō no Oshigoto! 19

50 Yagami Light Death Note 18

51 Yugi Amane(Hanako-kun) Jibaku Shōnen Hanako-kun 18

52 Kurogane Ikki Rakudai Kishi no Cavalry 17

53 Kanie Seiya Amagi Brilliant Park 17

54 Son Goku Dragon Ball 17

55 Akasaka Ryūnosuke Sakura-sō no Pet na Kanojo 17

56 Ryūgūin Seiya Shinchō Yūsha: Kono Yūsha ga Ore TUEEE Kuse ni Shinchō Sugiru 16

57 Gilbert Bougainvillea Violet Evergarden 16

58 Sakamaki Izayoi Mondaiji 16

59 Uchiha Madara NARUTO 16

60 Narihisago Akihito Id:Invaded 15

61 Rudeus Greyrat Mushoku Tensei 15

62 Kinoshita Kazuya Kanojo, Okarishimasu 14

63 Aki Tomoya Saenai Heroine no Sodatekata 14

64 Shinei Nouzen 86 -Eighty Six- 14

65 Inumaki Toge Jujutsu Kaisen 14

66 Emiya Kiritsugu Fate Series 14

67 Joseph Joestar JoJo's Bizarre Adventure 13

68 L Lawliet Death Note 13

69 Kurosaki Ichigo BLEACH 13

70 Shiba Tatsuya Mahōka Kōkō no Rettōsei 13

71 Bell Cranel DanMachi 13

72 Kageyama Shigeo Mob Psycho 100 13

73 Willem Kmetsch SukaSuka 13

74 Ryo Fu Hōsen Shūmatsu no Valkyrie 13

75 Akabane Karma Ansatsu Kyōshitsu 12

76 Hashibira Inosuke Kimetsu no Yaiba 12

77 Mochizuki Tōya Isekai wa Smartphone to Tomo ni. 12

78 Kaizaki Arata ReLIFE 12

79 Tatsumi Akame ga Kill! 12

80 Sakakibara Kōichi Another 12

81 Uchiha Obito NARUTO 12

82 Keyaru Kaifuku Jutsushi no Yarinaoshi 12

83 Hyōdō Issei Highschool D×D 11

84 Reigen Arataka Mob Psycho 100 11

85 Eugeo Sword Art Online 11

86 Ciel Phantomhive Kuroshitsuji 11

87 Edward Elric Fullmetal Alchemist 11

88 Glenn Radars Rokudenashi Majutsu Kōshi to Akashic Record 11

89 Ōsaka Sōgō Idolish7 11

90 Nishikata Karakai Jōzu no Takagi-san 11

91 Anos Voldigoad Maō Gakuin no Futekigōsha 11

92 Asanaka Yomogi SSSS.DYNAZENON 11

93 Sano Manjirō Tokyo Revengers 10

94 Nagumo Hajime Arifureta Shokugyō de Sekai Saikyō 10

95 Tatsumi Kōtarō Zombieland Saga 10

96 Tomoe Kamisama Hajimemashita 10

97 Inuyasha InuYasha 10

98 Satoshi Pokémon 10

99 Nohara Shinnosuke Crayon Shin-chan 10

100 Sesshōmaru InuYasha 10

101 Erwin Smith Shingeki no Kyojin 10

102 Odokawa Hiroshi Odd Taxi 9

103 Yukihira Sōma Shokugeki no Sōma 9

104 Hinata Shōyō Haikyū!! 9

105 Yadomi Jinta AnoHana 9

106 Ikari Shinji Neon Genesis Evangelion 9

107 Nakahara Chūya Bungō Stray Dogs 9

108 Usui Takumi Kaichō wa Maid-sama! 9

Argentina: 2021 Copa America Champions

Lionel Messi's Argentina achieved its first title after 28 years against Brazil and did so at Maracana, the temple of South American football, by beating it 1-0 in the final of the CONMEBOL Copa América.

So round was the night for Messi that the Albiceleste were crowned at the Maracana, in the best possible place for the host's archrival.

Angel Di María, author of a goal at minute 22, along with a tireless warrior like Rodrigo De Paul, were the heroes of the Rio night, which left Argentina in the lead of the historic record with 15 CONMEBOL Copa América titles together with Uruguay , while Brazil was in 9 coronations.

"We dream so much about this day. Today it broke (the bad streak) and it came in. We had to win it (the Cup) here and it happened like that," said 'Fideo' Di María, one of the Albiceleste's historic players.

When the Uruguayan referee Esteban Ostojich whistled the end of the match and Messi dropped to his knees in the Maracana, thousands of people took to the streets of downtown Buenos Aires and Rosario, the hometown of the 'Pulga', by Di Maria and Giovanni Lo Celso.

-Numbers left by the party-

Argentina won its first title on Brazilian soil. In addition, he returned to win a title after 28 years of drought. Brazil, meanwhile, lost their first final after five consecutive victories.

Tite lost his first home game as coach of Brazil after 25 games (21W 3E 1D).

It is the first CONMEBOL Copa América played in Brazil that the local team has not won the title (it had won the previous five).

Argentina beat Brazil for CONMEBOL Copa América on Brazilian soil for the first time in its history: they had not won in the seven previous matches (1E 6D).

Argentina snapped a losing streak of six consecutive finals in senior tournaments (Copa América 2004, 2007, 2015, 2016; Confederations Cup 2005 and World Cup 2014).

Argentina equals Uruguay as the top winner of the CONMEBOL Copa América: it added its 15th title, stretching the lead to six with Brazil.

It is the fourth time in 13 games that Argentina has managed to win at the Maracana visiting Brazil (4V 2E 7D). The previous triumph had been in a friendly played in 1998.

Argentina's victory ended Brazil's 26-match undefeated playing CONMEBOL Copa América at home (17V 9E). It is Brazil's third defeat at home in the competition: against Paraguay (1-2, in 1949) and against Peru (1-3, in 1975).

Lionel Scaloni reached 20 games undefeated as Argentina's coach (12V 8E). It is the second longest record without falls of a DT of the Argentine team.

Messi closes his participation in the CONMEBOL Copa América as the top assist (5 assists) and top scorer (along with Luis Díaz from Colombia) with four goals. In addition, he has 13 goals in the history of the tournament and is four behind Zizinho and Norberto Méndez, the top all-time scorers in the competition.

Lionel Messi won his first title with Argentina after four consecutive lost finals (2007, 2014, 2015, 2016).

Italy: EURO 2020 Champions

Gianluigi Donnarumma denied Bukayo Saka and Jadon Sancho, while Marcus Rashford hit the post as Italy edged a penalty shoot-out dripping in tension to overcome England in the UEFA EURO 2020 final.

England had a dream start to their first ever EURO showpiece, Luke Shaw thumping in a fine goal inside two minutes to light up Wembley. Yet Italy slowly found their feet and midway through the second half Leonardo Bonucci found the net. On to extra time, and then penalties, where both goalkeepers saved two; history, though, belongs to Donnarumma the victor.

Match in brief

"It is important we make a good start," Roberto Mancini had said on the eve of Italy's fourth EURO final. What ensued was anything but. With less than two minutes on the clock, Harry Kane spread a pass out wide to surprise starter Kieran Trippier, and his delightful cross was met by a crisp left-footed half-volley from the stealthy Shaw. England rejoiced.

If the atmosphere was electric before, it was enough to power half of north London once the goal went in. The Azzurri were shocked but showed their mettle as they regrouped, gained a foothold and started stringing passes together. Only the final pass, the final shot let them down – not always by much, with the excellent Federico Chiesa whistling a shot just wide before the break.

The pressure was ratcheted up after half-time and eventually it told. Domenico Berardi's corner caused all manner of problems, and though Jordan Pickford pushed Marco Verratti's header onto the post, Bonucci was there to prod in. Italy came again and again. But England held on. Into extra time we went, and then penalties, which seesawed back and forth.

Pickford denied Andrea Belotti and Jorginho; Rashford struck the post and Sancho, also introduced on 120 minutes, was denied by Donnarumma. Saka, the youngest man on the pitch, could have taken it to sudden death, but Donnarumma guessed right and, once and for all, England's unofficial anthem Sweet Caroline was silenced.

For a generation of Italy fans, the good times really have never seemed so good.

Star of the Match: Leonardo Bonucci (Italy)

Star of the Match: Leonardo Bonucci

"Such a strong defensive performance from the 34-year-old. Great distribution out from the back and the all-important equaliser."

Packie Bonner, UEFA Technical Observer

Check out every Heineken Star of the Match at UEFA EURO 2020.

Paolo Menicucci, Italy reporter

Facing England at Wembley was not enough; Italy also conceded an early goal to make their task even more difficult. A normal team could have lost the game there and then. But this is not a normal team. The Azzurri never lost focus and courage, and eventually equalised through Bonucci. They took control of the midfield and their penalty shoot-out win was just reward for their performance and great character.

Simon Hart‏, England reporter

 Luke Shaw (R) celebrates his early goal

Luke Shaw (R) celebrates his early goal

UEFA via Getty Images

England made the perfect start, yet that feels a long time ago after the way Italy took control in the second period. There were echoes of the Russia 2018 semi-final loss to Croatia: an early lead but then domination by the opposition. Even the equaliser came at roughly the same time. For Southgate, a more painful echo too was the hurt of another EURO shoot-out defeat at Wembley. Yet his team have travelled further than any England side for 55 years and given their supporters so many reasons for optimism once tonight's hangover has cleared.

Reaction

Roberto Mancini, Italy coach: "The guys were amazing. I have no words for them; this is a wonderful squad. This game was always going to be difficult, and after their early goal even more so, but we dominated from then on. You have to have a little luck on penalties and I'm a little sorry for England because they also played a great tournament."

Donnarumma: 'It's an incredible dream'

Gianluigi Donnarumma, Italy goalkeeper: "We have done something extraordinary. We are delighted. We didn't give them an inch. You all know where we started. We are a fantastic team and we deserve this."

Gareth Southgate, England coach: "We are hugely disappointed. I think the players have been an absolute credit; they have given everything they possibly could. Tonight was exactly the same; they have run themselves into the ground."

Harry Kane, England captain: "The boys couldn't have given more. Penalties are the worst feeling in the world when you lose. It's been a fantastic tournament – we should be proud, hold our heads up high. It's going to hurt now, it's going to hurt for a while."

The moment Italy lifted EURO trophy

Key stats

Italy are the fourth side to win multiple EURO titles after Germany (3), Spain (3) and France (2). The 53-year gap between their titles is the longest in EURO history.

Italy are the first side to win two penalty shoot-outs at a single EURO finals tournament.

Bonucci (34 years and 71 days) is the oldest player to score in a EURO final.

Shaw's opener was clocked at 1:56, the fastest goal in a EURO final and fifth quickest in tournament history.

This was the seventh EURO final to go to extra time (after 1960, 1968, 1976, 1996, 2000 and 2016) and the second to go to a shoot-out (1976).

Jorginho adds to his 2020/21 silverware

Jorginho adds to his 2020/21 silverware

Getty Images

Chelsea's Jorghino is only the tenth player to feature on the winning side in the European Cup and EURO in the same year.

Italy are 34 matches unbeaten, dating back to September 2018.

Italy had not conceded the first goal in any of their previous 18 outings before the final.

The Azzurri have conceded more than once in just one of their last 21 EURO finals matches.

Bonucci made his 18th EURO finals appearance, an Italian record. Giorgio Chiellini joined Gianluigi Buffon on 17.

Harry Kane made his 11th EURO finals appearance, matching the England record of Gary Neville.

Getty Images

Line-ups

Italy: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bonucci, Chiellini, Emerson (Florenzi 118); Barella (Cristante 54), Jorginho, Verratti (Locatelli 96); Chiesa (Bernardeschi 86), Immobile (Berardi 55), Insigne (Belotti 91)

England: Pickford; Walker (Sancho 120), Stones, Maguire; Trippier (Saka 70), Rice (Henderson 74; Rashford 120), Phillips, Shaw; Mount (Grealish 99), Sterling; Kane

What's next?

Italy could end 2021 with two trophies as they are also through to October's UEFA Nations League Finals on home turf. They face Spain in the semi-finals, and a repeat of their last-four win at UEFA EURO 2020 would set up a decider against either Belgium or France. First, though, the Azzurri and England both have three 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in September.

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ISML 2021 Nominations: The List.

Lelouch Lamperouge (Code Geass)

L Lawliet (Death Note)

Monkey D. Luffy (ONE PIECE)

Levi (Shingeki no Kyojin)

Edward Elric (Full Metal Alchemist)

Light Yagami (Death Note)

Kanna Kamui (Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon)

Hirasawa Yui (K-ON!)

Platelet (Hataraku Saibō)

Takanashi Rikka (Chūnibyō demo Koi ga Shitai!)

Kaname Madoka (Mahō Shōjo Madoka Magika)

Akemi Homura (Mahō Shōjo Madoka Magika)

Sakura Kyouko (Mahō Shōjo Madoka Magika)

Tsukino Usagi (Bishōjo Senshi Sailor Moon)

Chiba Mamoru (Bishōjo Senshi Sailor Moon)

Hino Rei (Bishōjo Senshi Sailor Moon)

Uchiha Itachi (Naruto)

Uzumaki Naruto (Naruto)

Spike Spiegel (Cowboy Bebop)

Kamado Tanjiro (Kimetsu no Yaiba)

Kamado Nezuko (Kimetsu no Yaiba)

Kirigaya Kazuto (Sword Art Online)

Kiritgaya Suguha (Sword Art Online)

Ayano Keiko (Sword Art Online)

Makise Kurisu (Steins;Gate)

Killua Zoldyck (Hunter x Hunter)

Sakata Gintoki (Gintama)

Roronoa Zoro (ONE PIECE)

Okabe Rintarou (Steins;Gate)

Hoto Cocoa (Gochūmon wa Usagi Desu ka?)

Kafuu Chino (Gochūmon wa Usagi Desu ka?)

Tedeza Rize (Gochūmon wa Usagi Desu ka?)

Voter Id: 5b018890-f5d8-577c-9832-10e75cd07674

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2021 CONCACAF Nations League Final: Living In America

#1N1T #USMNT #USAvMEX #CNLFinal #CNL

USA: 2020-21 CONCACAF Nations League Champions

DENVER, Colorado – The United States are champions of the first ever Concacaf Nations League after a thrilling 3-2 extra-time victory over rivals Mexico in the Final of the 2021 CNL Finals at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado.

Christian Pulisic scored a goal in the extra period and substitute GK Ethan Horvath saved a penalty to seal the triumph for the U.S.

It was a dream start for Mexico, as a giveaway deep in the U.S. half allowed Jesus Corona to swoop in and score for a 1-0 lead just 70 seconds gone in the game.

The U.S. would respond in the 27’ though, as a Weston McKennie header off a corner kick hit the post and it fell right to the feet of Gio Reyna, who fired in from a few yards out to make it 1-1.

Mexico sought to regain control and Hirving Lozano looked set to tally his team’s second of the night in the 43’, but he was denied on a spectacular save from U.S. GK Zack Steffen.

The teams would trade chances as play continued into the second half, with Mexico coming close on a Carlos Rodriguez shot that flashed wide in the 57’ and Josh Sargent of the U.S. narrowly missing in the 62’, followed by Mexico GK Guillermo Ochoa denying McKennie’s header on the goal-line in the 69’.

Things stood on a knife’s edge going into the final quarter-hour and they would tilt Mexico’s way in the 79’ as substitute Diego Lainez, just minutes on the field, fired in a left-footed shot to hand Mexico a 2-1 lead.

But once again there was a response from the U.S. and a soaring header from McKennie brought the U.S. back on level terms 2-2 in the 82’.

Back and forth the teams went and Horvath, who had replaced the injured Steffen, came up with a massive stop on a Lozano effort.

The full-time whistle sounded, meaning 30 minutes of extra time, and for the first time of the night the U.S. took the lead, 3-2, when Pulisic converted a penalty in the 114’ after being fouled in the Mexico area.

It was up to Mexico to respond and they would get a chance in the 120+4’ when a penalty was called for a U.S. handball in the area, but Horvath would come up with the big stop on Andres Guardado’s penalty kick to keep the U.S. ahead until the final whistle.

Paris Saint-Germain: 2020-21 D1 Feminine Champions

Paris Saint-Germain have won France’s Division 1 Féminine for the first time, ending Lyon’s run of 14 consecutive titles with a 3-0 home win over Dijon in their final game of the season.

Olivier Echouafni’s side were firm favourites to complete their title win with victory over mid-table opponents, having held on for a crucial 0-0 draw away at Lyon in the penultimate game. That left PSG, who have finished second in the league on eight occasions, a point clear of their rivals before the visit of Dijon.

Sara Däbritz helped to settle early nerves, converting a penalty with eight minutes on the clock at Stade Jean-Bouin. The lead remained 1-0 going into the second half, with Lyon attempting to pile pressure on PSG by racking up the goals at home to Fleury. Nikita Parris got on the scoresheet as they led 3-0 at half-time in their game.

PSG could begin to celebrate just after the hour when the defender Irene Paredes doubled their lead, the captain heading home from a corner. The substitute Jordyn Huitema added a third with a stoppage-time header as PSG completed an unbeaten league season.

Lyon went on to thrash Fleury 8-0 but it was not enough. They will end the season trophyless, having failed to win the French title for the first time since 2006 and falling in the Women’s Champions League to PSG in the quarter-finals.

The rebuilding project has already begun at Lyon, with Sonia Bompastor replacing Jean-Luc Vasseur as manager in April, after their Champions League exit.

Paris Saint-Germain Feminines 2020-21: Rhythm of My Life

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FFXIV: Shoebox

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Chelsea: 2020-21 UEFA Champions League Winners

 Chelsea are champions of Europe again after defeating Manchester City 1-0 on Saturday evening.

A sundrenched Estádio do Dragão in Portugal was the venue for an epic all-England clash that will go down in the club's folklore, joining 'that night in Munich' as a historic victory for the Blues.

After an end-to-end first half in which both sides had glorious chances, it was Kai Havertz who was the man of the moment in the 42nd minute. The German met Mason Mount's world-class searching pass and rounded Ederson to send the travelling fans into raptures.

The second half was as nervy and as tense a second half that any Blues fan could suffer - penalty shouts, last ditch interceptions and the final bow of Sergio Aguero to name but three trials Chelsea had to overcome.

But overcome they did, and in the final analysis it was maybe as relatively comfortable a final that the Pensioners could have hoped for. To a man, each Chelsea player rose to the occasion, snuffed out any danger and put in a performance deserving of lifting Ol' Big Ears nine years after legends like Didier Drogba and Petr Cech did so for the club.

It's a remarkable end to a topsy-turvy season for Chelsea Football Club. Thomas Tuchel and his men have cemented themselves into the history books, and the scenes at the final whistle will be savoured by millions of Blues fans around the globe.

From the off it was apparent that Manchester City had come to defend from the front, relentlessly pressing the Blues in the early stages and looking to impress their game plan with immediacy.

The obvious trade-off with this strategy is that Chelsea would be able to get in behind - Timo Werner doing so just a few minutes in and finding Kai Havertz, who could only find Ederson's clutches with his ball across.

Alarm bells started to ring in the 7th minute when a sublime long ball from the Citizens' goalkeeper found Raheem Sterling bearing down on goal. Reece James did well to track back, and between him and Edouard Mendy they managed to deal with the danger.

The Pensioners were next to try their luck. Nice interplay between Mason Mount and Havertz saw the latter square for Werner to find himself unmarked from six yards out, only for the former Leipzig man to fluff his lines.

Werner would be presented with two further chances in quick succession in the 13th minute. A superbly constructed Chelsea counter attack drew a comfortable Ederson save, before the German smashed the ball into the side netting.

The box office Blues were breaking with regularity - another sublime passage of play saw N'Golo Kanté of all people rise highest to head just wide. Thomas Tuchel will have been pleased with what he saw from his side in the first quarter of regulation time, but there was a sense that Chelsea had to take one of these chances sooner rather than later.

Chelsea had the lionhearted Antonio Rüdiger to thank for keeping the scorecards level in the 27th minute. Kevin De Bruyne's cute threaded ball was met by Phil Foden, who seemingly only had Mendy to beat in a one on one before Rüdiger's unbelievable recovery block.

City were looking dangerous again just two minutes later, with Riyad Mahrez just inches away from meeting a driven ball across the Chelsea bow with his toe.

A bitter blow to the Blues was to arise with ten minutes of the half to go. The ever dependable and experienced Thiago Silva had to leave the field after picking up an innocuous groin injury. On came his able deputy Andreas Christensen, who had huge boots to fill.

Disappointment was followed by jubilation. Mason Mount's sensational through ball on the turn found Chelsea's £72m man Havertz, who curved his run excellently and prodded past the onrushing Ederson. The Brazilian keeper seemed to handle the ball outside of the box, but his efforts were to no avail in any case as the former Leverkusen man stroked it home into the empty net.

It was the last notable action of a scintillating first half, with the Blues full value for the lead and just 45 minutes away from the joint greatest night in the club's illustrious history. 

The job was far from done, however. Unsurprisingly, the Manchester City onslaught started in earnest, with the Citizens stepping up further after the break and looking to press the issue. Chelsea, also unsurprisingly, were more than happy to sit back and soak up the pressure in their compact shape.

After Thiago Silva's departure in the first half, there was cause for concern ten minutes into the second period when Rüdiger and De Bruyne collided hard, leaving both men down dazed. Chelsea's German centre-back is simply built different, but De Bruyne didn't beat the count. He made way for Gabriel Jesus.

A huge City penalty claim was to follow as Raheem Sterling drilled the ball towards goal, but referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz was convinced that it hit Reece James' midrift instead. A VAR check confirmed the referee's suspicions. Foden fired well over not long afterwards.

Both teams looked to the bench for further inspiration. Fernandinho came on for a quiet Bernardo Silva in the 64th minute, with Christian Pulisic introduced to the fray for Timo Werner two minute later. The former Borussia Dortmund prodigy became the first American to play in a Champions League final.

Chelsea's skipper César Azpilicueta showed his experience to prevent a certain Ilkay Gündoğan tap in at the back post in the 69th minute, scooping it over the bar from what was no more than six yards out.

It was almost game over for Manchester City a short time after. A beautiful break ended with the immense Havertz playing in the newly introduced Pulisic, who scooped it over Ederson and saw the ball flie agonisingly wide at the far post.

Desperate times for the de facto home side called for familiar measures. Sergio Aguero took to the field for his final bow as a Manchester City player in the 77th minute. It was time for the Alamo at the back for the Blues, and Tuchel responded by subbing the Croatian dynamo Mateo Kovacic on for Mason Mount.

Aguero was almost the hero when the ball landed at his feet in the box, but he elected to try and chip the ball over to teammate Foden and it was meat and drink for the Senegalese giant in the Chelsea goal.

Inexplicably, seven minutes were added on in injury time to prolong Chelsea's valiant defensive efforts. City threw the kitchen sink and all of the plumbing at the Blues' backline, pumping ball after ball into the box. Thomas Tuchel was playing cheerleader for the fans on the touchline - the German manager must be exhausted with how much energy he spent running up and down the touchline tonight.

What will make those aches sweeter is going to sleep knowing that he has come in and masterminded a quite simply extraordinary Champions League campaign for Chelsea. From 9th in the Premier League in January to European champions in May - it's a Chelsea thing.

FFXIV: After Shadowbringers...In French!

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FFXIV: Death Unto Dawn, Part 2. May 25, 2021!

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Zitti e buoni

Loro non sanno di che parlo

Voi siete sporchi, fra', di fango
Giallo di siga fra le dita
Io con la siga camminando
Scusami, ma ci credo tanto
Che posso fare questo salto
E anche se la strada è in salita
Per questo ora mi sto allenando

E buonasera, signore e signori, fuori gli attori
Vi conviene toccarvi i coglioni
Vi conviene stare zitti e buoni
Qui la gente è strana, tipo spacciatori
Troppe notti stavo chiuso fuori
Mo' li prendo a calci 'sti portoni
Sguardo in alto tipo scalatori
Quindi scusa mamma se sto sempre fuori, ma

Sono fuori di testa, ma diverso da loro
E tu sei fuori di testa, ma diversa da loro
Siamo fuori di testa, ma diversi da loro
Siamo fuori di testa, ma diversi da loro

Io ho scritto pagine e pagine, ho visto sale poi lacrime
Questi uomini in macchina e non scalare le rapide
C'è scritto sopra una lapide, in casa mia non c'è Dio
Ma se trovi il senso del tempo risalirai dal tuo oblio
E non c'è vento che fermi la naturale potenza
Dal punto giusto di vista, del vento senti l'ebrezza
Con ali in cera alla schiena ricercherò quell'altezza
Se vuoi fermarmi ritenta, prova a tagliarmi la testa perché

Sono fuori di testa, ma diverso da loro
E tu sei fuori di testa, ma diversa da loro
Siamo fuori di testa, ma diversi da loro
Siamo fuori di testa, ma diversi da loro

Parla, la gente purtroppo parla
Non sa di che cosa parla
Tu portami dove sto a galla
Che qui mi manca l'aria
Parla, la gente purtroppo parla
Non sa di che cosa parla
Tu portami dove sto a galla
Che qui mi manca l'aria
Parla, la gente purtroppo parla
Non sa di che cazzo parla
Tu portami dove sto a galla
Che qui mi manca l'aria

Ma sono fuori di testa, ma diverso da loro
E tu sei fuori di testa, ma diversa da loro
Siamo fuori di testa, ma diversi da loro
Siamo fuori di testa, ma diversi da loro

Noi siamo diversi da loro

FFXIV: The Misadventures, 2021 Edition, Part 4

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Sam Houston State: 2020-21 NCAA Division I FCS National Champions

FRISCO — Of course an FCS national title would be anything but easy for Sam Houston State after this strange, prolonged pandemic season.

After blowing a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter to South Dakota State on Sunday and after converting two fourth downs on the deciding drive, the Bearkats needed one more defining play.

Quarterback Eric Schmid, who kept getting up from hard hit after hard hit, found Ife Adeyi between three South Dakota State defenders. The sophomore from Mansfield Legacy went down to the ground to secure the 10-yard touchdown catch with 16 seconds remaining.

After South Dakota State couldn’t manufacture a score on a couple of lateral plays, Sam Houston (10-0) had secured its first NCAA football championship 23-21 and the celebration began at Toyota Stadium.

“It’s immortality for the rest of our lives and beyond that,” Bearkats coach K.C. Keeler said. “Sam Houston State is the national champion.”

Sam Houston became the first Texas school to claim an FCS title after coming close with losses to North Dakota State in the 2011 and ’12 title games. The Bearkats had shared an NAIA championship with Concordia (Minn.) College in 1964.

Keeler became the first coach to win FCS titles at different schools, having collected a championship ring at Delaware in 2003. He came to Sam Houston before the 2014 season, hired to win a title. Keeler made changes in the program, lobbying athletic director Bobby Williams to hire a full-time strength coach to become more physical.

This season, Sam Houston and other FCS schools saw their fall playoffs shifted to spring. Because of previously scheduled renovations, the Bearkats didn’t have a home locker room.

Beyond the challenge of No. 1 seed SDSU, Sam Houston had to endure heavy rains that slowed its offense early, and a 74-minute lightning delay with 8:25 remaining in the first half. The elements led to five fumbles alone between the two teams in the first quarter.

“To win a national championship — this isn’t basketball,” Keeler said. “You’re not playing indoors. It’s not climate-controlled. You need to go through so many different things in a football game, in a football season, and this is just one of them we’re going to go through.

“If we truly are the best team in the country, bring it on.”

Said Schmid: “We were kind of joking in the locker room, like it’s got to be this way for us to win.”

Sam Houston receiver Jequez Ezzard, a grad transfer from Howard, claimed MVP recognition with 10 catches for 108 yards and two touchdowns. His 5-yard catch on fourth down extended the 16-play, 65-yard drive. His punt return for a touchdown was negated by penalty.

South Dakota State had taken a 21-16 lead with 5:41 remaining on an 85-yard touchdown run by freshman Isaiah Davis, running through five would-be tackles. He finished with 178 yards on 14 carries, with 155 yards coming in the second half.

The Jackrabbits (8-2) played nearly the entire game without starting quarterback Mark Gronowski, the Missouri Valley player of the year. Gronowski injured his left leg on the opening drive and did not return after trying one practice throw on the sideline.

SDSU coach James Stiegelmeier said Gronowski suffered “a pretty serious injury.” He was replaced by Keaton Heide, who finished 11 of 22 for 107 yards with one interception.

Sam Houston kept the faith throughout.

On the game-winning third-down call at the SDSU 10 with four vertical receiver routes, defensive line coach Siddiq Haynes assured senior lineman Joseph Wallace that the Bearkats would score.

“I said, ‘I already know, coach.’ Nobody ever doubted on the sideline,” said Wallace, a Skyline graduate. “We all knew what was about to happen, honestly.”

FFXIV: Bluff Failure

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FINAL FANTASY XIV DIGITAL FAN FESTIVAL 2021 - Day1

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Hawaii: 2021 NCAA Division I-II Men's Volleyball National Champions

COLUMBUS, Ohio – National Champions. The title that the University of Hawai'i men's volleyball team will hold until 2022 after the Rainbow Warriors swept BYU in the NCAA Championship match Saturday night at the Covelli Center. Set scores were 25-21, 25-19, 25-16.

 

Making their fourth national title match appearance, the Rainbow Warriors (17-1) advanced to the championship match after defeating UC Santa Barbara in the semifinals and brought home the university's first NCAA team title since 1987. The title is also the first in program history.

 

Senior Rado Parapunov led all players with 13 kills in earning tournament Most Valuable Player honors. Freshmen Chaz Galloway and Guilherme Voss each did not commit an error in the match with six kills on nine swings each.

Setter Jakob Thelle led the Warriors to a .381 hitting percentage on the night with 36 assists while adding two kills of his own. Thelle ran the middle of the floor to just about precise perfection with 13 kills on 20 swings out of redshirt senior Patrick Gasman (7 kills, 1 error on 11 swings) and Voss (6 kills on 9 swings). Both Thelle and Gasman were named to the all-tournament team.

As a team, UH put pressure on the Cougars at the service line all night with Thelle leading the way with four aces and Parapunov and Cowell adding three each. One of the nation's top serving teams, BYU finished with only two aces including 0 by one of the nation's top servers Gabi Garcia Fernandez.

Fernandez led the Cougars (20-4) with 12 kills.

 

UH used a 3-0 run early in Set 1 for an 8-5 advantage. The Cougars closed to within one after their sixth block but the Warriors surged ahead by three after their first stuff of the night. A BYU ace that trickled the net tied the score at 17. The Cougars momentarily took the lead before the Warriors reeled off five straight points with Spyros Chakas at the service line for a 23-19 lead. The Cougars served long and Hawai'i took the opening set. Although the closest set of the night, UH had its highest offensive output with 17 kills in the set on a .400 hitting percentage.

 

Hawai'i took a 6-4 lead in the early going of Set 2. The Warriors made it 13-8 after ace by Thelle. Three more points made it a 6-0 run and a 16-8 lead. The Cougars scored three unanswered to close to within five at 17-12 forcing a Hawai'i timeout. But the Warriors put away the set with three straight aces by Parapunov, including one that hit 72 miles per hour on the radar gun. UH closed out the set on a kill by Cowell for a 2-0 lead in the match.

 

More tough serving helped the Warriors jump out to a 9-4 lead in Set 3. The lead was 12-6 before the Cougars scored three straight to pull within three. The six-point lead was cut to just two points when a BYU kill made the score 14-12 Hawai'i, but a 10-2 run to close out the match gave the Warriors their first national title.