Football

Soccer-Haaland mania sweeps the World Cup as Norway rows behind its Viking hero

MIAMI, July 9 (Reuters) - Erling Haaland has grown accustomed ⁠to life in the spotlight, but the mania surrounding the striker has reached fever pitch as Norway prepare for the biggest match in the ⁠nation's history -- a World Cup quarter-final against England.

Football

Soccer-Haaland's Norway load pressure on England ahead of Miami showdown

MIAMI, July 9 (Reuters) - The six decades ⁠since England's lone World Cup triumph will come into sharper focus as they head towards Saturday's quarter-final against a ⁠Norway team with one of the best strikers in the game but happy to embrace the underdog role.

Other Sports

Biathlon-Biathlon body maintains Russian ban despite IOC's provisional reinstatement

July 9 (Reuters) - The International ⁠Biathlon Union will maintain its ban on Russian ⁠athletes, the governing body said after the International ‌Olympic Committee provisionally lifted its suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee.

Tennis

Tennis-Noskova downs Kostyuk to set up all-Czech Wimbledon final

LONDON, July 9 (Reuters) - Linda ⁠Noskova set up the first all-Czech women's Grand Slam final as she beat Ukraine's ⁠Marta Kostyuk 6-4 6-4 in a soporific Wimbledon semi-final on Thursday.

Football

Soccer-Argentina, Switzerland renew World Cup rivalry 12 years after thriller

KANSAS CITY, Missouri, July 9 (Reuters) - ⁠Argentina and Switzerland meet again in the World Cup knockout stage on Saturday carrying memories of a ⁠tense match 12 years ago in Brazil, when Angel Di Maria's extra-time strike finally broke Swiss resistance ‌and sent Lionel Messi's side through.

Football

Soccer-Crystal Palace sign Spain defender Mingueza from Celta Vigo

July 9 (Reuters) - Crystal ⁠Palace have signed Spain defender Oscar ⁠Mingueza on a four-year contract following ‌his departure from La Liga side Celta Vigo, the Premier League club said on Thursday.

Tennis

Tennis-Fery seeks birthday date with destiny as Djokovic eyes more history

LONDON, July 9 (Reuters) - Novak Djokovic's age-defying pursuit of tennis ⁠immortality continues on Friday with a Wimbledon semi-final against Jannik Sinner, although that blockbuster duel has been challenged unexpectedly for top billing.

Football

Soccer-European player unions withdraw from FIFA lawsuit following transfer reforms

July 9 (Reuters) - European player unions ⁠from 17 nations, including France, Italy, and the Netherlands, have withdrawn their ⁠support for a class action lawsuit against football world governing body FIFA following a ‌governance agreement, they announced in a joint statement on Thursday.

Football

Soccer-Brentford sign striker Callum Wilson on free transfer after West Ham exit

July 9 (Reuters) - Brentford ⁠have signed striker Callum Wilson on ⁠a one-year contract following his departure ‌from West Ham United, the Premier League club said on Thursday.

Cycling

Cycling-Pogacar triumphs on Tourmalet to reclaim Tour lead

GAVARNIE-GEDRE, France, July 9 (Reuters) - Tadej ⁠Pogacar's attack during the punishing climb to Col du Tourmalet led him to a spectacular solo victory ⁠in Thursday's sixth stage of the Tour de France as the four-times champion reclaimed the overall ‌lead from Torstein Traeen.

Tennis

Tennis-Muchova's heroics sink Gauff to seal all-Czech Wimbledon final with Noskova

LONDON, July 9 (Reuters) - For a place in the Wimbledon final, Karolina Muchova ⁠was ready to put her body on the line. A maiden Grand Slam title could heal all her past wounds when she takes on Czech compatriot Linda Noskova on Saturday.

Athletics

Azeem sprints to his first Asian U-23 Championship gold

PETALING JAYA: National sprinter Mohd Azeem Fahmi bagged his first-ever Asian Under-23 Championships gold medal after winning his 100m race in Ordos, China on Thursday (July 9).

Football

Soccer-Wolfsburg midfielder Eriksen to undergo individual rehab in native Denmark

July 9 (Reuters) - ⁠VfL Wolfsburg midfielder Christian Eriksen ⁠will return to his native Denmark ‌to undergo an individual rehabilitation programme, the 2. Bundesliga club announced on Thursday.

Athletics

Athletics-Stockholm defeat a wake-up call, says Duplantis

July 9 (Reuters) - A shock ⁠pole vault defeat last month came as a needed wake-up ⁠call, said world record holder Mondo Duplantis, who arrives at ‌Friday's Monaco Diamond League meet fired up to get back to his winning ways. 

Football

Soccer-Arsenal sign former Leeds goalkeeper Meslier on free transfer

July 9 (Reuters) - Premier League ⁠champions Arsenal have signed goalkeeper Illan Meslier on a free ⁠transfer following his departure from Leeds United, the north London ‌club said on Thursday.

Rugby

Rugby-Wales change three as Costelow gets the nod at flyhalf to face Argentina

July 9 (Reuters) - Wales ⁠have made three changes to their starting ⁠XV for the second Nations Championship fixture against ‌Argentina on Saturday with Ellis Mee on the wing and Sam Costelow at fly-half.

Cricket

Cricket-England and India ready for ground-breaking first women's test at Lord's

LONDON, July 9 (Reuters) - Lord's, the ⁠Home of Cricket since 1814, will mark another milestone on Friday when ⁠England and India step out for the first women's test match at ‌the sport's most famous venue.

Other Sports

Bahrain has not used UAE swap, in talks over F1 race, minister says

LONDON, July 9 (Reuters) - Bahrain has not ⁠tapped its $5.3 billion currency swap agreed with the United Arab Emirates, the country's development minister told Reuters, and ⁠has also held talks about getting its Formula One Grand Prix back on this year's race calendar.

Badminton

Arif seeks smash hit with Roy King in Japan before they team up with new partners

PETALING JAYA: Men's doubles shuttler Wan Arif Wan Junaidi is hoping to deliver a memorable show with partner Yap Roy King at the Japan Open before the duo take a break and team up with other shuttlers. 

Badminton

Lightning Cup eyes big strike after two successful editions

PETALING JAYA: The third edition of the Lightning Cup International Badminton Championships this year promises its biggest and most prestigious event yet at Resorts World Genting from Sept 3-6.