"Very relieved, but also proud": Quotes from Wolfsburg players after key win in HamburgVfL Wolfsburg defeated FC St. Pauli in the thirty-fourth and final matchweek of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season at Millerntor-Stadion on Saturday afternoon. Goals from Konstantinos Koulierakis, Nikola Vasilj (OG), and Denan Pejinovi secured Dieter Hecking's Wlfe sixteenth in the final Bundesliga table and a spot in the relegation playoff against the third-place 2. Bundesliga side later this week.Here are the most notable reactions from some of the players following the crucial victory.JOAKIM MHLERegarding the overall performance against FC St. Pauli: I think it was an outstanding performance from the guys today. Of course, there was a lot of intensity and nervousness - it was a very crazy feeling in the first half, but I think that over the 100 minutes or so, we were the better team this afternoon.When asked about the match and Wolfsburg's approach at Millerntor-Stadion: Really brutal - it was a very intense match. But before the warmup, I was with the guys in the tunnel and saw such a hunger in their eyes - I saw a lot of intensity and when we sprinted out, I had a really good feeling in my body and mind.Regarding what Wolfsburg need to bring into the relegation playoff: We need to keep this intensity. We can celebrate this win and then give everything in the next two matches.DENAN PEJINOVIRegarding the overall mood around the club surrounding the match: We have to say that we are completely relieved, because we knew that it was a match that would decide a lot. But somehow, I felt positive when we started the match, because I saw what the fans delivered for us - it was simply incredible, and I am even getting goosebumps right now, because that is not something to take for granted. That is incredibly fun, and I think in the end, we won with the fans in Hamburg today.Honestly, even in the locker room, because everyone was up for it, we had a certain relaxed attitude - but also 100% aggression and that is how we went into the match. We knew we needed this attitude today, because Pauli will counter it easily if we did not. The Pauli fans certainly put some pressure on us, Pauli themselves as well and especially after the 1-1 equaliser, so that is why I am really glad that we got all three points here. Now it is about us having two more positive matches, but first we will look at what we can do better for the next match and then we will see who we play against.Regarding the momentum that the fans gave the club: We know that we want to give it our all; and as you saw, the fans gave it their all today as well. I am also sure that the next two matches will be tough, no matter where we play, including at home. But we are also ready - we are eager, and as I said, if we approach today like this and carry that momentum with us, I am very positively convinced that we can win both matches.YANNICK GERHARDTRegarding the club developing consistency: I am very relieved, but also proud. After all the bad weeks, the ultimately poor matches that awaited us, we have stabilised now and we were ready at the push of a button for this very important match where we could have also lost everything. But I had a very good feeling from the start; I have seen in recent weeks that we have regained our compactness, that we have better practices, we have better form, confidence, individual players - and I am glad that we were able to show that today. And even though the match became close again at times, where Pauli managed to equalise, we remained calm and implemented our game plan well.When asked about the feeling within the club surrounding the victory: Of course, goosebumps. Sure, in the end, you want to play for trophies, to have such important matches - but in the end, we have to take it as it comes. I think that in these difficult moments, you also realise that in the end, everyone is there and only wants the best for us. Not only the fans were there, but also the injured players in the stands cheering us on - and I think it shows that we are not written off, but sticking together, that we have a great chance of succeeding in the relegation playoff.Regarding how this is different from his previous relegation playoff experiences with Wolfsburg: I already have some experience with relegation playoffs, unfortunately. But this time it is completely different in terms of approach; we knew that this was our minimum goal and we achieved it. That is why we are rather positive and grateful that we have two more chances to stay in the Bundesliga, regardless of who we face. I am simply looking at what we have developed over the last few weeks, and that is why I am very optimistic that we can defeat anyone.CHRISTIAN ERIKSENRegarding the Wolfsburg performance: I think that we showed maturity in our game. I think that we stick to our plan and I think we play a really good game over. We were good on the ball, good defensively and obviously, scoring from set pieces always helps in a match like this to open it up - but even in open play with a lot of chances, we played a strong game.Looking forward to the coming weeks: Obviously we reached our first goal, which was to get to these two playoff matches because of the situation that we are in. We have two more matches going into the next two weeks, but that is what we wanted and it will be our next step.On the atmosphere at Millerntor-Stadion and the travelling fans: I want to thank our fans, I think that they really showed up in numbers, which really helped us; even before the match, we could feel that our fans were out there singing and that everyone was looking at things positively. But I think that in general, I think it was an amazing atmosphere for both teams, a nice match to play - and of course, respect to Pauli, their stadium and the atmosphere was also great.

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Manchester United defender Matthijs de Ligt has seen his season and World Cup dreams come to an end after undergoing surgery on a persistent back injury. The Netherlands international, who has been sidelined since November, had recently returned to light training but has now been forced to go under the knife to resolve the issue. Surgery ends De Ligt's season Manchester United have officially confirmed that De Ligt has undergone a corrective procedure to address a long-standing back problem. The 26-year-old hasn't featured for the Red Devils since late autumn and will now face an extended period of rehabilitation that rules him out of the upcoming World Cup in North America. The club released a statement clarifying the situation, noting that the decision was made in the player's best interests after intensive recovery work failed to yield the necessary results. De Ligt shares emotional message The former Bayern Munich star took to social media to share his heartbreak with fans, posting a photo from his hospital bed. Having initially returned to the grass in April, the defender admitted that surgery eventually became the only logical path forward after six months of frustration and setbacks. Writing on Instagram, De Ligt said: "After 6 months of treatment and working hard to get back, surgery was the only option left. Im disappointed I couldnt help the team the last 6 months and obviously missing out on the World Cup but I am looking forward to doing everything to get back in front of the fans and feeling better again." Frustration for Michael Carrick The timing is particularly cruel for De Ligt, who is yet to play a single minute under Michael Carrick. Speaking to the club's official website about his determination to return, De Ligt added: "Since November I have done everything, pushing myself in every session and exploring every option, to get back to doing what I love, playing football. I am grateful to everyone who has supported me throughout a difficult period in my career. I remain as determined as ever to represent Manchester United and play in front of our incredible supporters as soon as possible." A long road to recovery The Dutch international made only 14 appearances this season before the injury took hold. Carrick had recently noted the unpredictable nature of back issues, explaining that while the player was improving, it was simply "not as quick as we all hope" and that the club would not gamble with his long-term health. With 24 matches missed already, the focus now shifts entirely to the 2026-27 season. De Ligts absence leaves United with Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire, Ayden Heaven and Leny Yoro to navigate the final fixtures of the season, as the club continues to wait for their big-money defensive signing to return to full fitness.

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TheDetroit Tigerscouldn't turn Casey Mize's return into a win.The Tigers (20-26) lost to the Toronto Blue Jays (20-25), 2-1 in 10 innings on Saturday, May 16 at Comerica Park. Mize pitched six scoreless innings in his return from the injured list, but Detroit's bullpen gave up two runs in the late innings, with the Tigers bats unable to provide the run support needed.Tigers center fielder Matt Vierling broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the sixth inning with a solo home run, his third of the season. WHERE IS THE GLOVE? Detroit Tigers make progress on defense in win over Blue JaysMatty V strikes first in the 6th pic.twitter.com/sKVkrsT0Mp Detroit Tigers (@tigers) May 16, 2026The Tigers lead was short-lived, however, as Blue Jays left fielder Yohendrick Piango led off the seventh inning with a solo home run off Tigers reliever Kyle Finnegan on the first pitch of the inning to tie the game at 1-1. The Blue Jays scored again in the 10th inning off a Daulton Varsho RBI single to make it 2-1.A one-out groundout from shortstop Kevin McGonigle moved free runner Zack Short (pinch-running for Colt Keith) to third in the bottom of the 10th, but designated hitter Dillon Dingler struck out to end the game.Tigers bats quiet once againThe Tigers got their first scoring opportunity in the third inning after a two-out McGonigle single moved second baseman Zach McKinstry to third base. A walk to Dingler loaded the bases with third baseman Gage Workman pinch-hitting for Hao-Yu Lee, but Workman struck out swinging through three straight curveballs to end the inning scoreless.The Tigers only had four hits through the first seven innings, with two coming from Vierling, while striking out 11 times. McGonigle hit a one-out single in the bottom of the eighth inning to get the go-ahead run on base, but a Dingler pop-up to third baseman Kazuma Okamoto and a Workman groundout to second ended the threat.A one-out Riley Greene single in the bottom of the ninth with the game tied at 1-1 put the winning run on first, and first baseman Spencer Torkelson followed that single with a single of his own. After McKinstry grounded into a fielder's choice, erasing Torkelson at second, pinch-hitter Keith struck out with Greene on third to send the game into extra innings.Casey Mize returns to the moundMize made his first start since leaving an April 28 game against the Atlanta Braves with a left adductor strain and showed the great form he has displayed all season. He finished six scoreless innings on just 71 pitches, allowing two hits and striking out four batters while walking no one, though he ran into a little bit of trouble to start the game.Mize allowed Piango on base with a swinging bunt in the first inning, but got slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to ground into a double play to third baseman Hao-Yu Lee to end the inning.A one-out double in the fifth inning from Varsho was the second (and final) hit Mize gave up on the day as he faced the minimum number of batters through the first four innings. But Mize got out of the jam by striking out right fielder Jess Snchez and getting a pop out from second baseman Lenyn Sosa.Some all-time reactions to Casey Mize's nasty pitches pic.twitter.com/nCw2RNjIYL MLB (@MLB) May 16, 2026Mize only faced one batter above the minimum in his six-inning start, one day after the Tigers used four pitchers in the first three innings in their Friday win. Finnegan replaced Mize in the seventh and gave up the game-tying home run, while relievers Connor Seabold and Kenley Jansen pitched the eighth and ninth innings, respectively. It was Seabold's first appearance since April 25, as he was activated off the injured list on Friday.The Tigers and Blue Jays close out the series on Sunday (1:40 p.m., Detrit SportsNet. Tigers starter Jack Flaherty is scheduled to pitch against Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman.Needto catch up on the news during your lunch break?Sign up for our Sports Briefing newsletterto get daily summaries of Detroit sports!You can reach Christian at cromo@freepress.com.This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers can't back Casey Mize in IL return, fall to Blue Jays

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Week 8 of the UFL season got off to a fast start Friday night, as the Orlando Storm took home their sixth straight victory, defeating the Dallas Renegades on the road. The action continues on Saturday, when the DC Defenders take on the Louisville Kings before the Houston Gamblers try to beat the St. Louis Battlehawks. Finally, the Columbus Aviators hit the road to battle the Birmingham Stallions. Here's a look at what's still to come this weekend in the UFL: Here are the results from Week 8: Orlando Storm 31, Dallas Renegades 24 Key players: Storm QB Jack Plummer (24-for-36 for 238 yards, two rushing touchdowns), WR Chris Rowland (nine receptions for 91 yards); Renegades QB Austin Reed (12-for-23 for 134 yards, two touchdowns, one interception), RB Ellis Merriweather (12 carries for 75 yards) Game recap: The Orlando Storm defeated Dallas on the road 31-24 for their sixth straight victory and have officially clinched their playoff spot. Led by quarterback Jack Plummer, the storm accumulated 367 total offensive yards in the win. The first quarter started off scoreless for Orlando, missing both field goal opportunities. Dallas hit the scoreboard first with its first-quarter field goal, as well as a touchdown in the second when quarterback Austin Reed found WR Emmanuel Butler for a 3-yard touchdown. Plummer also found the end zone for a 1-yard rushing touchdown to even the score at 10-10 heading into the half. The second half was when both offenses took off. Plummer added another score on the ground to make it 17-10. Dallas answered back shortly after, when Reed found tight end Seth Green for another touchdown through the air to tie things up. But Storm RB Jashaun Corbin answered and rushed in a touchdown for Orlando to take a 24-17 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Both Orlando and Dallas exchanged a touchdown each until the final three minutes, when a pivotal interception by Dallas on fourth down sealed their loss, and took them out of playoff contention. The Storm sit perfectly in playoff position after their sixth straight victory. Up next: Orlando will host the DC Defenders for a Friday night match-up on FOX. Dallas will hit the road to face the Louisville Kings on Saturday afternoon on FOX. Louisville Kings 33, DC Defenders 30 Key players: Kings QB Chandler Rogers (11-of-20 for 143 yards, one passing touchdown); WR Isaiah Winstead (five receptions for 92 yards, one touchdown); Defenders RB Xazavian Valladay (13 carries for 107 yards, one touchdown); RB Abram Smith (eight carries for 56 yards, one touchdown) Game recap: This one was a back-and-forth bout. On the first play from scrimmage, DC quarterback Jordan Ta'amu connected with wide receiver Ty Scott for a 41-yard touchdown, but Tyler Hudson ran the ensuing kickoff back for a Louisville touchdown. The two teams would ultimately play to a 17-17 halftime tie, with the Kings getting three field goals from kicker Tanner Brown and the Defenders getting a field goal and a 21-yard rushing touchdown from Smith. Louisville opened the second half with a field goal, which DC answered with a seven-play scoring drive that was capped off by Valladay rushing for a 13-yard touchdown. Then, the Kings put together back-to-back touchdown drives: a goal-line rushing score from James Robinson and a 24-yard passing strike from Rogers to Winstead. DC got a touchdown in the closing seconds and had a chance to tie the game, but it failed a three-point conversion attempt and didn't convert a fourth-and-12 alternative kickoff to retain possession; Louisville took a knee to end the game. Up next: Louisville will host the Dallas Renegades in a Sunday afternoon game on FOX. DC will travel to face the Orlando Storm in a Friday night showdown on FOX.

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