Sport

Björn Borg takes life ‘day by day’ after ‘aggressive’ prostate cancer diagnosis
Posted on Thursday September 18, 2025

Tennis legend told diagnosis was ‘really, really bad’Borg also recalls drug use after early retirementBjörn Borg, the five-time Wimbledon tennis champion, has said he is taking life “day by day, year by year” after his “extremely aggressive” prostate cancer diagnosis.The former world no1, who won 11 grand slam titles before retiring aged 25, revealed the diagnosis in the final chapter of his autobiography, which will be published this week in the UK and next week in the US. The Swede is in remission, having had an operation in 2024, but described the diagnosis as “difficult psychologically”.Read Bjorn Borg’s interview with Simon Hattenstone on theguardian.com from 4pm UK time on Thursday Continue reading...

Vuelta chaos shows selling sport as a tool for peace can create its own battlefield | Jonathan Liew
Posted on Thursday September 18, 2025

Once teams promote a country, are owned by states or have to reflect government policy, sport becomes a playground for powerHigh fives all round at Hamas high command. The triumphant clink of Gaza Cola tins pings across the bunker. It’s been a tough week for the lads, what with five of their members being killed in the Doha airstrike, but you’ve got to celebrate the little victories, yeah? And as they use what remains of their fragile satellite internet connection to refresh the Cyclingnews live blog for the final time, the Hamas Grand Tour Disruption Division (Vuelta Branch) can toast an operation executed to perfection: the successful mobilisation of more than 100,000 members of the Madrid battalion to force the curtailment of stage 21 of the Tour of Spain.“They asked us to quit the Vuelta, but we did not surrender to the terrorists,” said Sylvan Adams, co‑owner of the Israel-Premier Tech team targeted by mass protests that disrupted several stages. On Sunday, huge crowds of protesters in Madrid forced the race to conclude 27 miles short of the finish. And if the rancorous and chaotic last three weeks have taught us anything, it is the sheer number of terrorists that appear to have been operating within pro cycling, albeit many armed with nothing more lethal than energy gels. Continue reading...

Simeone blames fan row after Liverpool winner on ‘getting insulted all game’
Posted on Wednesday September 17, 2025

Atlético head coach sent off following Van Dijk’s late goalArne Slot hails side’s fitness and mentality after winnerDiego Simeone said he gave a “human” reaction when he confronted a fan after Liverpool scored a 92nd-minute winner to defeat Atlético Madrid 3-2.The Atlético head coach, who was dismissed by the referee, claimed he received constant abuse throughout the match and his emotions boiled over after Virgil van Dijk’s goal. Continue reading...

Surrey v Nottinghamshire, Somerset v Hampshire, and more: county cricket, day four – live
Posted on Thursday September 18, 2025

Updates from the final day’s play around the grounds Counties left in dark over fate | Mail Tanya or post BTLRiverside: Durham v Worcestershire 591-9 Continue reading...

Screamers, treble and ‘let me talk’: Kevin De Bruyne’s memorable Etihad moments
Posted on Thursday September 18, 2025

As the Manchester City legend returns to face his former team, we look back at moments that will never be forgottenOn 22 May 2022, in a dictionary definition of carpe diem, De Bruyne shows his greatness with the assist that harvests another title for City, just as Pep Guardiola’s men veer near to losing the plot. After 69 minutes Aston Villa are cruising at 2-0 up and the title is heading to Anfield where Liverpool, drawing with Wolves 1-1, need a goal to seal a famous last-day triumph. But, after City goals on 76 and 78 minutes, De Bruyne takes charge. A piercing burst along the right prompts a pinpoint cross to Ilkay Gündogan, whose threaded finish on 81 minutes sends the Etihad Stadium ballistic. Continue reading...

‘It’s a red’: Enzo Maresca fumes after Bayern defender Tah avoids sending-off
Posted on Wednesday September 17, 2025

‘To give you a red card, they need to see your blood’Tah booked for first-half challenge on João PedroEnzo Maresca blasted the officials after Bayern Munich made the most of Jonathan Tah avoiding a red card and gave Chelsea a rough introduction to life back in the Champions League.Chelsea’s head coach did not hide his anger with the Spanish referee, José Sánchez Martínez, for only booking Tah for a cynical challenge on João Pedro during the first half at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday night. Maresca was insistent that the Bayern defender should have been sent off after bringing João Pedro down during the buildup to Cole Palmer’s goal for Chelsea, who ended up opening the league phase with a 3-1 defeat to the Bundesliga champions. Continue reading...

Jake Wightman’s ‘perfect fairytale’ denied on the line by Isaac Nader surge
Posted on Wednesday September 17, 2025

Silver medal for Briton in Tokyo as injury thwarts KerrJust 0.02sec separates first from second in 1500m finalWhen Jake Wightman sat on the bus to the 1500m heats at the World Athletics Championships on Sunday, he told himself that if he failed to make it through he was done. He was 31. His body was breaking down so often that he felt he had post‑traumatic stress disorder. And he feared his best days were behind him. Yet, just three days later, what had seemed like a final hurrah became a glorious resurrection.What a fighter. What an athlete. What a 1500m final. Most expected this to be a shootout between Britain’s defending champion, Josh Kerr, and the young Dutch star Niels Laros. Instead the script was flipped on its head and ripped into pieces. Twice. Continue reading...

Counties in dark over fate as Championship restructure vote is delayed
Posted on Thursday September 18, 2025

Ballot will now take place at end of the seasonMove to 12-team Division One would cut fixture listThe final round of County Championship matches next week will take place with some counties in the dark over what is at stake after a decision on the format for next year was deferred until the end of the season.The Guardian has learned that a vote on the structure for next season has been delayed on integrity grounds, because of concerns that counties in Division One at risk of relegation could field weakened teams if that threat is suddenly removed. Continue reading...