#FFXIV #MoonfireFaire #Madonna
Paris Saint-Germain: 2022 Trophee des Champions Winners
Messi stars as PSG beat Nantes in Trophée des Champions
Publish on 31/07/2022 at 21:54 - S. TELFORD
Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr. and Sergio Ramos were on target as Paris Saint-Germain beat FC Nantes 4-0 in to lift the Trophée des Champions in Israel.
Paris Saint-Germain 4-0 FC Nantes
THE MATCH
PSG were without suspended superstar Kylian Mbappé for this meeting at Tel Aviv's Bloomfield Stadium, but Christophe Galtier packed enough talent into what looks to be becoming his preferred 3-4-1-2 formation. Achraf Hakimi had the first chance of the game early on after neat interplay in the Nantes box, but his shot was well saved by Alban Lafont (5'). Marquinhos then rattled Lafont's crossbar with a header following a Messi corner as les Canaris held on (14'). Nantes looked capable of hitting PSG on the break, and Gigi Donnarumma had to be on his toes to keep a curling Ludovic Blas attempt out from the edge of the area (19'). Paris took charge of the game soon after, though, with Messi sitting Lafont down with his left foot before firing high into his goal with his right (22'). Neymar then shaved the far post before the flag went up for offside against him (40'), but he found the target in first half injury-time, steering home a fine free-kick for 2-0 (45+5').
PSG pull clear
Evann Guessand (50') and Messi (53') exchanged chances before Ramos made it 3-0 inside the hour. Pablo Sarabia forced a save from Lafont and Ramos reacted quickest, bagging his 130th career goal an exquisite backheel - not bad for a centre-back (59')! Former PSG coach Antoine Kombouaré tried to change things up, sending Samuel Moutoussamy and new arrival Mostafa Mohamed into the fray (64') and switching to a 4-2-3-1 system having initially mirrored PSG's three-man defence, but damage minimalisation was all Nantes had left in them. Juan Bernat - who had himself come on for Nuno Mendes (68') - fired into the outside side-netting after being slipped through by Neymar (77'). Nordi Mukiele then replaced Hakimi, coming on for his PSG debut having joined this week from RB Leipzig (78') before Neymar made it four from the penalty spot (82') - Jean-Charles Castelletto sent off for the challenge on the Brazilian that led to the spot-kick. Lafont denied Messi a second late on (88') and it ended 4-0.
THE PLAYER: Lionel Messi
Messi was criticised last year during his maiden campaign in France after scoring just six Ligue 1 Uber eats goals, but he was quick to post photographs of his pre-season training regimen to his Instagram this summer, and he contributed two goals and an assist in PSG's recent friendly tour of Japan. The Argentine picked up where he left off here, orchestrating Paris's play throughout and was rewarded with his 32nd goal in a final.
THE STAT: 11
PSG have now won the Trophée des Champions a record 11 times - three more than next-best Olympique Lyonnais. Sunday's triumph was their first in two seasons, however, having lost to Galtier's previous employers LOSC in 2021 showpiece - although Jocelyn Gourvennec was les Dogues' coach by the time the sides met in Tel Aviv.
England: Women's Euro 2022 Champions
Match in brief: Kelly picks moment to perfection
England stuck with the same XI as in every game on their run to the final, but there was a blow for Germany in the warm-up when captain Alex Popp – who had scored in all five previous matches – picked up an injury, forcing Lea Schüller to step in.
The atmosphere was understandably frenzied in the packed Wembley stands early on, especially when Lauren Hemp's cross was met by the head of Ellen White, though Merle Frohms was in the way.
The hosts were having slightly the better of the opening exchanges, forcing a succession of corners, but on 25 minutes Germany seemed set to take the lead from one of their own, only for Leah Williamson to scramble away Marina Hegering's effort from point-blank range. White then raced on to a Beth Mead cutback, but her strike sailed just over.
Striker Tabea Wassmuth arrived for Germany at half-time and she quickly had a chance, pouncing on a loose ball on the left and cutting in before being denied by Mary Earps. Lina Magull also went close and Sarina Wiegman responded by introducing Alessia Russo, who had already notched a record four goals as a substitute in the finals, along with her similarly impactful Manchester United club-mate Ella Toone.
Within seven minutes, Toone struck. Mead was off the pitch injured, leaving England temporarily with ten players, but Keira Walsh's incisive through ball from deep set Toone free and – one on one with Frohms – she held her nerve with a dinked finish.
Germany responded and Magull smashed a shot onto the crossbar, Schüller hitting the rebound straight at a relieved, and grinning, Earps. Her relief was short lived, however, as Magull returned to beat Earps with 11 minutes left, a slick move culminating in Wassmuth providing the assist with a low centre, and the showpiece now destined for extra time.
Martina Voss-Tecklenburg's side called the tune for the first additional 15 minutes without seriously testing Earps, but England grew in stature once more and Frohms had to be alert to kick away Toone's long-range effort as the final entered the second period of extra time.
Then came the moment England fans had dreamed of. Lucy Bronze helped Lauren Hemp's corner into danger area and Kelly prodded in at the second attempt for her first international goal. Impeccable timing and a strike that Germany had no answer to as the hosts ran down the clock with ease to kick off the celebrations.
Visa Player of the Match: Keira Walsh (England)
"Walsh balanced the team throughout the game. She was the continuous connection between the striker and the defenders. She hardly loses the ball and after winning it she finds the space to purposefully set up the possessional play forwards."
UEFA Technical Observer panel
Lynsey Hooper, England reporter
There had to be a hero and yet again it was one of Wiegman's substitutes! Step up Kelly, scoring her first international goal to win the final. It wasn't pretty, but England do not care: they get to lift the trophy for the first time. Toone thought she was going to snatch all the headlines when she scored a stunning dinked opener, but Germany were equally as impressive with their goal, Magull mustering a blistering finish at the near post. The Lionesses may have been forced to wait an extra 30 minutes – but when they've waited 38 years, what's another half an hour?
Anna-Sophia Vollmerhausen, Germany reporter
Coach Voss-Tecklenburg said before the game that the details would make the difference and it proved true tonight. Two momentary lapses in concentration allowed England to score – first Toone, then Kelly. It just wasn't clicking for Germany tonight, but they put up a brave fight and can be proud of what they have achieved this tournament. Congratulations to England; the whole country has been behind them this summer and I hope it's the continuation of a bright new future for women's football.
Reaction
Chloe Kelly, England goalscorer: "It's amazing. Thank you every single person that has come out to support us. This is what dreams are made of. Thank you to everyone who played a part in my rehab. I always believed I'd be here but to score the winner – wow. These girls are special and what a special group of staff."
Jill Scott, England midfielder: "I can't believe it. It's such a privilege to be part of this. The younger players have been fantastic, they play with freedom, they love the game of football. The celebrations are going to be big."
Leah Williamson, England captain: "We talked and talked and finally we did it. It's the proudest moment of my life so I'm going to lap it up and take every single second in. The legacy of this tournament and this team is a change in society; we've brought everyone together."
Fran Kirby, England forward: "It's amazing; something I've dreamed of for a long, long time. To win this now is amazing. It's incredible. To get to the final and get the win is what this team is all about."
Martina Voss-Tecklenburg, Germany coach: "We were close but England withstood the pressure. Congratulations to them. We are very sad that we lost. We're in a process; it wasn't quite enough, so we have to do a little bit more. We grow from games like this. Alexandra Popp would have triggered something against our opponents with her presence. But it just didn't work out."
Merle Frohms, Germany goalkeeper: “It was just as tense and exciting as we were expecting. We knew that England were tough opponents but we also knew that we have beaten tough sides before, which gave us confidence. We weren’t able to bring it to the pitch today; maybe it was a little bit of nerves but, after six games, at some point your strength starts to run out a bit. We know that lots of people back home were watching on TV and hope that we have given them a desire to want to come to the stadium and follow women’s football – and that there are more fans in the stands at our league games."
England have won their first major title, having lost both their previous Women's EURO finals, to Sweden in 1984 and Germany in 2009.
England are the fifth different winners after Germany (eight titles), Norway (two), Sweden (one) and the Netherlands (one).
England follow previous host winners Norway (1987), West Germany (1989), Germany (1995, one-off final), Germany (2001) and Wiegman's Netherlands (2017).
Wiegman is the first coach to lead two different teams to the title, and the first foreign coach to win a final.
Germany have lost a final for the first time, having won their previous eight in 1989, 1991, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2005, 2009 (against England) and 2013.
England overtook Germany's (2009) record of 21 goals at a Women's EURO; their final winner was their 22nd goal of the tournament.
England have won 18 and drawn two of their last 20 international matches (F106 A5) since Wiegman took over.
Toone's goal was the 500th in Women's EURO final tournaments.
Mead finished as top scorer with six goals and five assists, ahead of Popp (six goals, no assists) and Alessia Russo (four goals, one assist, all as substitute).
England named the same starting XI for all six matches, the first time that has happened in a men's or women's EURO with a group stage.
Germany have never failed to score in a knockout phase game at the finals (25 matches).
The crowd of 87,192 was the highest ever for a women's national-team match in Europe.
Line-ups
England: Earps; Bronze, Bright, Williamson, Daly (Greenwood 88); Stanway (Scott 89), Walsh; Mead (Kelly 64), Kirby (Toone 56), Hemp (Parris 119); White (Russo 56)
Germany: Frohms; Gwinn, Hendrich, Hegering (Doorsoun 103), Rauch (Lattwein 113); Magull (Dallmann 90), Oberdorf, Däbritz (Lohmann 73); Huth, Schüller (Anyomi 67), Brand (Wassmuth 46)
What's next?
The teams return to competitive action in September with the concluding games of the European Qualifiers for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, which runs from 20 July to 20 August next summer. Four of the 11 European places at the finals have been filled already, with Denmark, France, Spain and Sweden topping their groups.
Yet to concede in eight Group D wins, England will book their finals place with a draw in Austria (3 September) or a win against Luxembourg (6 September). Three points clear at the top of Group H, Germany will qualify by beating either Türkiye (3 September) or Bulgaria (6 September).
The Women's EURO itself returns to its regular cycle for the 2023–25 edition, with the final tournament host bidding process under way.
Hush.
I got a certain little girl she's on my mind
No doubt about it she looks so fine
She's the best girl that I ever had
Sometimes she's gonna make me feel so bad
Hush, hush
I thought I heard her calling my name now
Hush, hush
She broke my heart but I love her just the same now
Hush, hush
Thought I heard her calling my name now
Hush, hush
I need her loving and I'm not to blame now
(Love, love) they got it early in the morning
(Love, love) they got it late in the evening
(Love, love) well, I want that, need it
(Love, love) oh, I gotta gotta have it
She's got loving like quicksand
Only took one touch of her hand
To blow my mind and I'm in so deep
That I can't eat and I can't sleep
Listen hush, hush
Thought I heard her calling my name now
Hush, hush
She broke my heart but I love her just the same now
Hush, hush
Thought I heard her calling my name now
Hush, hush
I need her loving and I'm not to blame now
(Love, love) they got it early in the morning
(Love, love) they got it late in the evening
(Love, love) well, I want that, need it
(Love, love) oh, I gotta gotta have it!
It's My Life
This ain't a song for the broken-hearted
No silent prayer for faith-departed
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And I ain't gonna be just a face in the crowd
You're gonna hear my voice when I shout it out loud
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It's my life
It's now or never
But I ain't gonna live forever
I just want to live while I'm alive
(It's my life)
My heart is like an open highway
Like Frankie said, "I did it my way"
I just want to live while I'm alive
It's my life
Yeah, this is for the ones who stood their ground
For Tommy and Gina, who never backed down
Tomorrow's getting harder, make no mistake
Luck ain't even lucky, got to make your own breaks
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It's my life
And it's now or never
I ain't gonna live forever
I just want to live while I'm alive
(It's my life)
My heart is like an open highway
Like Frankie said, "I did it my way"
I just want to live while I'm alive
'Cause it's my life
Better stand tall when they're calling you out
Don't bend, don't break, baby, don't back down
It's my life
And it's now or never
'Cause I ain't gonna live forever
I just want to live while I'm alive
(It's my life)
My heart is like an open highway
Like Frankie said, "I did it my way"
I just want to live while I'm alive
And it's now or never
I ain't gonna live forever
I just want to live while I'm alive
(It's my life)
My heart is like an open highway
Like Frankie said, "I did it my way"
I just want to live while I'm alive
'Cause it's my life!
Touch In The Night
I remember all the cries
It's a secret dream, I'm lost in your love
You, your lonesome eyes are all I wanna know
Helpless tears can never stop the rain
Only you can turn my life
Can turn it just this way
Touch in the night
It feels like heaven
A touch in the night
So lucky in love
Lost in your light
Another secret
Touch in the night
Whatever I do
You, my angel in disguise
Deep inside my heart like the inner light
I believe in all your promise and your lies
But I feel in the end I'll lose
Only you can turn my life
Turn it just this way
Tonight, I feel
I feel for you
Tonight, I call
I'm calling your name
Tonight, I feel
I feel for you tonight
Touch in the night
It feels like heaven
A touch in the night
So lucky in love
Tonight, I feel
I feel for you
Tonight, I call
I'm calling your name
Tonight, I feel
I feel for you tonight
Only you can turn my life
Can turn it just this way
A touch in the night
It feels like heaven
Touch in the night
So lucky in love
Tonight, I feel
I feel for you)
Touch in the night
(Tonight, I call
I'm calling your name)
Touch in the night
(Tonight, I feel
I feel for you tonight)
Touch in the night
(Tonight, I call
I'm calling your name)
Touch in the night
(Tonight, I feel
I feel for you tonight)
Touch in the night...
Rebels
We used to carry the fire
Within our hungry hearts
We should be undivided
Instead of worlds apart
We were born as underdogs
It was us against them all
We used to carry the fire, fire
And now the spark is gone
But we could run
We could run
Break away
From the shadows we've become
Go as one
Start again
And be rebels on the run
Rebels on the run
Rebels on the run
We used to carry the fire
Just like a work of art
We were all united
But we got weak and starved
We were born as underdogs
It was us against them all
We used to carry the fire, fire
And now the spark is gone
But we could run
We could run
Break away
From the shadows we've become
Go as one
Start again
And be rebels on the run
Rebels on the run
Rebels on the run
Rebels on the run...
Colorado Avalanche: 2021-22 Stanley Cup Champions
TAMPA -- The Colorado Avalanche won the Stanley Cup for the first time since 2001 with a 2-1 victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final at Amalie Arena on Sunday.
"Twenty-plus years of just dreaming, wanting and working for it," Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog said. "Just finally coming to fruition after a lot of crazy years and a lot of hard work. This group is just amazing, and all the way from the top to our massage therapists to our wives to the fans to everybody working in Ball Arena. It's incredible.
"[General manager Joe Sakic] did a great job of picking up some pieces along the way that really, really made us hard to play against. You look at [Cogliano], you look at [Darren Helm], you look at [Nico Sturm], [Manson], you look at all these guys, all these pieces that, they just want to win so bad and they just want to do whatever it takes, and it just adds up to just a really hard team to play against."
Nathan MacKinnon had a goal and an assist, and Artturi Lehkonen scored for the Avalanche, who bounced back from a 3-2 loss in Game 5 at home on Friday to win the Cup for the third time in their history (also 1996). Darcy Kuemper made 22 saves.
"Disbelief. It's crazy," MacKinnon said. "I can't wait to hug my family. Geez, it's hard to describe. I didn't really know what it would feel like to actually win it, but just seeing all these warriors battle, it just feels unbelievable. Words can't describe how I feel right now.
"Nothing but amazing. I have no complaints. Some tough years mixed in there, but it's all worth it now. We never stopped believing. The core guys that have been around, 10 years now, coming in at 18 like Gabe, and [Erik Johnson], to now, it's been amazing. It's so amazing to see guys like [Andrew Cogliano], Jack Johnson, all the veterans, [Josh] Manson, guys that haven't won it yet. It's so amazing."
Colorado closed out each of its four series on the road, where it went 9-1 in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
"I just look at these guys and all the work these guys have put in," said Cale Makar, who won the Conn Smythe Trophy voted as most valuable player of the playoffs. "'E.J.', Nate, 'Landy,' Mikko [Rantanen], they've been here so many years, ups and downs. It's just so awesome to be part of them getting rewarded, all their hard work and their success over the years. Just so proud of the boys, honestly. It's just so awesome.
"You grow up, you see that thing as a kid and you have picture of it on your wall. All I think about is everybody that got me here. My family's in the stands, so it's amazing wherever they are. It's surreal."
Steven Stamkos scored, and Andrei Vasilevskiy made 28 saves for the Lightning, who fell short in their bid to be the first team to win the Cup in three straight seasons since the New York Islanders won it in four straight from 1980-83.
"The playoff streak, that ended, but it's not the end of our run," Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper said. "… Sometimes you don't really remember as much the teams that didn't win, but I think I'll remember this team the most. What these guys went through, the injuries, it was well documented the warriors they were. You should see what's going on [in the locker room]. I've never seen anything like this or been more proud of a team than this group. I will always remember them, and we didn't win. It's a tribute to them. It's crushing, though."
Stamkos gave Tampa Bay a 1-0 lead at 3:48 of the first period. Nikita Kucherov won a battle along the boards against MacKinnon below the goal line before knocking the puck away from Cale Makar. The loose puck then ricocheted off the skate of Lightning forward Ondrej Palat in the left circle directly to Stamkos, who swept a shot five-hole on Kuemper from in front.
MacKinnon tied it 1-1 at 1:54 of the second period. During a delayed penalty, Bowen Byram fed MacKinnon for a one-timer from the bottom of the left circle that went in short side off Vasilevskiy's blocker.
Lehkonen gave Colorado a 2-1 lead at 12:28 of the second. Skating in on a 3-on-2 rush, MacKinnon tried to send a return pass to Manson, but the puck deflected off the skate of Tampa Bay defenseman Ryan McDonagh to Lehkonen, who quickly shot glove side from the left circle.
Colorado outshot Tampa Bay 9-4 in the third period.
"Every emotion you can possibly think of," Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said. "I'm just so happy and so proud of these guys and what they've put in. To see them get rewarded for all their hard work, it's hard to describe. There's a sense of relief, a sense of satisfaction. It's still sinking in. When the buzzer went, there was almost disbelief that we got the job done. It's been an amazing ride, and I'm just grateful to have been able to be a part of it with this team."
Golden State Warriors: 2021-22 NBA Champions
Warriors beat Celtics 103-90 to win 4th NBA title in 8 years
Friday, June 17th, 2022 1:07 AM
By KYLE HIGHTOWER - AP Sports Writer
Game Recap
BOSTON (AP) The Golden State Warriors are NBA champions once again, topping the Boston Celtics 103-90 on Thursday night for their fourth title in the last eight seasons.
Stephen Curry scored 34 points and was named the NBA Finals MVP as the Warriors claimed the franchise's seventh championship overall. And this one completed a journey like none other, after a run of five consecutive finals, then a plummet to the bottom of the NBA, and now a return to greatness just two seasons after having the league's worst record.
''We found a way to just get it done,'' Curry said after the Warriors accepted the championship trophy and celebrated on the court.
With tears in his eyes and hoarse with emotion, Curry struggled to speak as he explained what allowed the Warriors to capture their latest crown.
''It's part of a championship pedigree, our experience,'' he said. ''We built this for 10-11 years. That means a lot when you get to this stage.''
For Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala, it's a fourth championship. The first three rings came in 2015, 2017 and 2018, when Golden State was dynastic and made five consecutive trips to the finals.
''They're all unique, they're all special,'' coach Steve Kerr said of the multiple titles. ''This one might have been the most unlikely. ... It takes a group effort to get it done and we had a great group.''
Injuries, including ones that sidelined Thompson for 2 1/2 years, and roster changes changed everything. But this season, with Thompson returning around the midway point, the Warriors were finally back.
Back on top, too. Champions, again, denying the storied Celtics what would have been their record 18th championship, one that would have allowed Boston to break a tie with the Los Angeles Lakers for the most in league history.
This tale for the Warriors ended much differently than what was their most recent finals appearance against Toronto in 2019, one that saw Kevin Durant tear his Achilles tendon in Game 5 and then Thompson tear his ACL in what became the Raptors' title-clincher in Game 6.
The aftermath of that loss was exacerbated by Durant's decision to leave that summer in free agency to join the Brooklyn Nets and Thompson's own Achilles injury while rehabilitating his knee injury.
''It all paid off,'' Thompson said. ''It was dog days, a lot of tears shed. ... You knew it was a possibility, but to see it in real time. . It's crazy.''
It thrust a Golden State team into a rebuild that became a reload. The Warriors used their two-year hiatus from the NBA's biggest stages to retool their roster - adding a past No. 1 draft pick in Andrew Wiggins, who excelled in his first finals, along with another rising star in Jordan Poole.
''This one hits different for sure knowing what the last three years meant, what it's been like,'' Curry said. ''Injuries, the changing of the guard, rosters, the young guys. ... Now, we got four championships. Me, Dray, Klay and Andre.
''Finally got that bad boy,'' Curry added, referring to the MVP trophy. ''It's special. ... Everybody mattered in that process.''
Yes, it all clicked.
For Kerr, it's a ninth championship overall after winning five as a player. He's the sixth coach to capture four titles, joining Phil Jackson, Red Auerbach, John Kundla, Gregg Popovich and Pat Riley.
Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 34 points but Jayson Tatum finished with just 13, shooting just 6 of 18 from the field. Boston also committed 22 turnovers, dropping to 1-8 this postseason when committing 16 or more.
It was just the fifth defeat in 22 title-series appearances for Boston, which turned its season around to have a chance at this crown. Boston was 25-25 after 50 games, then went on a tear to get to the finals and nearly claim what would have been just the franchise's second championship since 1986.
It was the third consecutive season where things were affected by the global COVID-19 pandemic, and while things were closer to normal, pictures and video of the championship celebration will serve as a forever reminder that the virus was still an issue.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver could not be at the game because he remained in the league's health and safety protocols related to the virus. The redesigned Larry O'Brien Trophy - the golden souvenir given to the NBA champions - was presented to the Warriors by deputy commissioner Mark Tatum instead.
Boston trailed by as many as 22 points but battled back and cut the deficit to eight. A Jaylen Brown 3-pointer made it 86-78 with 5:33 to play, but the Warriors never relinquished the lead.
''Just couldn't withstand their runs,'' Celtics center Robert Williams said. ''Messing up. They played harder and won tonight.''
Curry sent Boston fans streaming toward the exits with his sixth 3 of the night to give the Warriors a commanding 15-point lead, 96-81 - then clasped his hands against face as he ran back down the court, signaling an end to Boston's hopes of extending the series.
''We've had so many great players,'' Kerr said, ''but Steph, ultimately is why this run happens.''
TIP-INS
Warriors: Went 19 of 45 from the 3-point line. . Improved to 20-1 when Green makes a 3-pointer.
Celtics: Boston's 13-point loss marked the first finals without a single-digit game. ... Former Celtic Ray Allen, a member of Boston's last championship team in 2008, sat courtside. Hall of Famer Robert Parish was also in attendance.
A RUN, AND A RESPONSE
The Celtics came out firing, riding the energy from a deafening TD Garden crowd to take an early 14-2 lead.
Golden State wasn't rattled and responded with a 35-8 run that stretched into the second quarter on the way to building as much as a 22-point lead. The Warriors outscored the Celtics 27-17 for the period and carried a 54-39 lead into the second half as some Celtics fans booed the home team as they left the court.
Boston fought back in the third, but the Warriors found their range from beyond the arc, connecting on six 3s in the quarter.
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