Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs are heading back to Paris in 2027 as the NBA also prepares for its first-ever regular-season game in Manchester.

SportsLine MLB expert Adam Thompson dishes his best home run prop bets for Thursday, May 21

Prince William was in Istanbul to watch his beloved Aston Villa win the UEFA Europa League on Wednesday -Credit:Serhat Cagdas/Anadolu via Getty ImagesPrince William confessed he found the whole experience "slightly surreal" after watching his beloved Aston Villa finally end their lengthy trophy drought.The Prince of Wales has long been a devoted Villa supporter and was present in Istanbul as they dominated German side Freiburg 3-0 to claim the UEFA Europa League title.It marks the first silverware Villa have secured since 1996 and their maiden European trophy since lifting the European Cup in 1982 a month before he was born, as per The Mirror.DR Congo expected to receive U.S. Travel Exemption for 2026 World Cup despite Ebola OutbreakClint Dempsey warns of World Cup nightmare scenario for USMNT as legend makes predictionWilliam told the Claret & Blue podcast's Mat Kendrick the evening felt 'slightly surreal' -Credit:Reach PLCThe future king was moved to tears of joy as Villa dismantled their opponents with first-half strikes from Youri Tielemans and Emi Buendia, before Morgan Rogers put the finishing touch on their continental glory after the interval.As Villa's players and supporters savored their victory, Prince William summoned the hosts of Reach PLC's dedicated Villa podcast Claret and Blue to his executive box at the Tupras Stadium.Mat Kendrick and Dan Rollinson duly accepted the invitation and sat down with the royal, who revealed he never misses an episode to get his Villa fix, stating: "Where do you think I get my information from!"Mat asked William how he felt after the final whistle: "Good, unbelievable...it's slightly surreal." When pressed on why he chose to stay in the box rather than join the on-pitch celebrations, he added: "I was tempted to go down there but thought, 'Let everyone else have their moment.' This is about the players, the fans."Prince William has frequently been spotted riding an emotional rollercoaster while following Villa, but this occasion proved far more straightforward as Unai Emery's squad cruised to a comfortable win.To listen to the latest episode of 'All Out Soccer' - CLICK HEREHe added: "I was expecting a rollercoaster, but it's actually gone quite smoothly hasn't it? I was more nervous before the Nottingham Forest second leg...I felt more comfortable today."We sat here with Elmo [Ahmed Elmohamady] and he knew already before Youri had hit the ball that it was going in the net, he was already celebrating. I said, 'How did you know it was going in?' He said, 'I've seen it in training.'"It proved to be an unforgettable evening for William and the thousands of Villa supporters who had made the journey from the second city. He also praised the tremendous atmosphere throughout the match and the mutual respect shown between the triumphant Villa faithful and their defeated counterparts."What I loved also, the Freiburg fans sat the whole way through and supported us and we clapped for them and gave them a guard of honour. It was proper good sportsmanship, it's always been a thing about the club, we've done it properly."Villa's elated players subsequently welcomed him into the dressing room, where he celebrated with a few beers, before joining their families at an afterparty that stretched well into the Istanbul night.

The Hurricanes are fueled by a rowdy, outlandish crowd that brings a college football vibe to the NHL.

Former England fast bowler Darren Gough believes England coach Brendon McCullum was very lucky to remain in post after Englands Ashes flop as he expressed his hurt at being overlooked for the role of national selector.

With the expanded 48-team World Cup set to kick off just weeks after the domestic season concludes, fears are mounting over player welfare and a potential dip in on-field performance.

A Western Conference Final loaded with offensive firepower was ignited by the unlikeliest of sparkplugs.Dylan Coghlans wrist shot under Scott Wedgewoods legs ended a scoreless deadlock and helped the Vegas Golden Knights steal home ice from the top-seeded Colorado Avalanche with a 4-2 statement win Wednesday night at Ball Arena.Honestly, I didn't know it went in until I looked at Shea (Theodore) and he was just smiling at me, Coghlan said. It was Coghlans first career NHL playoff goal, his fist score in the league in nearly five years and just his seventh net-finder of his career. Adding to his big night, the 28-year-old defenseman made a terrific breakup of a 3-on-2 breakaway that kept the Avalanche scuffling to find the net themselves.Yeah, so happy for him, winning goalie Carter Hart said. "He came in in the Anaheim series. I thought he did a tremendous job then. Stepped up tonight huge. That was a huge first goal for us tonight and I couldn't be happier for the guy."Vegas forward Pavel Dorofeyev praised Coghlan's overall game, saying, It's not just about his goal. He did a lot of things right, especially in D-zone, on breakouts.But, that goal ... Coghlan hadnt scored since Dec. 17, 2021, in a game against the New York Islanders, and half of his six career goals came on a hat trick in a 4-3 loss to the Minnesota Wild on March 10, 2021.He's an easy guy to pull for, Golden Knights coach John Tortorella said.Coghlan had 14 goals in 62 games this season for Henderson in the American Hockey League. He was scoreless in three regular-season games for Vegas.When you say Dylan Coghlan to me, I think of no fear, Tortorella said. I think hes one of our best defensemen since hes been with us and in the lineup. ... Hes a bit unflappable.The Golden Knights stole home ice from the top-seeded Avalanche, who had won eight of nine games in these playoffs before their dud in the Western Conference Final opener.Colorado defenseman Cale Makar missed Game 1 with an upper-body injury. Makar left the ice holding his right arm following a collision late in Game 5 against Minnesota last week but returned as Colorado won the game in overtime.Makars absence proved a big blow for the Avalanche. This is the first time Makar has missed a playoff game for the Avalanche with an injury. The Norris Trophy finalist has four goals and an assist while averaging nearly 25 minutes of ice time through the opening two rounds. Makar also is an integral part of Colorados special teams, which surrendered a power-play goal to Dorofeyev in the second period.Colorado tried some different combinations without Makar. It led to some confusion, with Coghlan sneaking into the middle of the ice and lining a shot through the pads of Wedgewood to break a scoreless game in the second period.Theres definitely a trickle-down effect to that, Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said of not having Makar. But hes not playing. We have to find a way.Coghlan has bounced around over his career, spending his first two seasons with Vegas before stints with Carolina and Winnipeg. He returned to the Golden Knights last July in part, he said, because of the bonds hed formed.This is probably the best Ive felt in my whole career, Coghlan said. Whoever it is Im playing with Im very comfortable out there with them. They make it pretty easy on me. We have some pretty world-class players.___This story has been corrected to fix the spelling of Pavel Dorofeyevs last name.___AP Sports Writer Pat Graham and AP freelancer Ashlyn Stapleton contributed to this report.___AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/stanley-cup and https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

A Western Conference Final loaded with offensive firepower was ignited by the unlikeliest of sparkplugs.Dylan Coghlans wrist shot under Scott Wedgewoods legs ended a scoreless deadlock and helped the Vegas Golden Knights steal home ice from the top-seeded Colorado Avalanche with a 4-2 statement win Wednesday night at Ball Arena.Honestly, I didn't know it went in until I looked at Shea (Theodore) and he was just smiling at me, Coghlan said. It was Coghlans first career NHL playoff goal, his fist score in the league in nearly five years and just his seventh net-finder of his career. Adding to his big night, the 28-year-old defenseman made a terrific breakup of a 3-on-2 breakaway that kept the Avalanche scuffling to find the net themselves.Yeah, so happy for him, winning goalie Carter Hart said. "He came in in the Anaheim series. I thought he did a tremendous job then. Stepped up tonight huge. That was a huge first goal for us tonight and I couldn't be happier for the guy."Vegas forward Pavel Dorofeyev praised Coghlan's overall game, saying, It's not just about his goal. He did a lot of things right, especially in D-zone, on breakouts.But, that goal ... Coghlan hadnt scored since Dec. 17, 2021, in a game against the New York Islanders, and half of his six career goals came on a hat trick in a 4-3 loss to the Minnesota Wild on March 10, 2021.He's an easy guy to pull for, Golden Knights coach John Tortorella said.Coghlan had 14 goals in 62 games this season for Henderson in the American Hockey League. He was scoreless in three regular-season games for Vegas.When you say Dylan Coghlan to me, I think of no fear, Tortorella said. I think hes one of our best defensemen since hes been with us and in the lineup. ... Hes a bit unflappable.The Golden Knights stole home ice from the top-seeded Avalanche, who had won eight of nine games in these playoffs before their dud in the Western Conference Final opener.Colorado defenseman Cale Makar missed Game 1 with an upper-body injury. Makar left the ice holding his right arm following a collision late in Game 5 against Minnesota last week but returned as Colorado won the game in overtime.Makars absence proved a big blow for the Avalanche. This is the first time Makar has missed a playoff game for the Avalanche with an injury. The Norris Trophy finalist has four goals and an assist while averaging nearly 25 minutes of ice time through the opening two rounds. Makar also is an integral part of Colorados special teams, which surrendered a power-play goal to Dorofeyev in the second period.Colorado tried some different combinations without Makar. It led to some confusion, with Coghlan sneaking into the middle of the ice and lining a shot through the pads of Wedgewood to break a scoreless game in the second period.Theres definitely a trickle-down effect to that, Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said of not having Makar. But hes not playing. We have to find a way.Coghlan has bounced around over his career, spending his first two seasons with Vegas before stints with Carolina and Winnipeg. He returned to the Golden Knights last July in part, he said, because of the bonds hed formed.This is probably the best Ive felt in my whole career, Coghlan said. Whoever it is Im playing with Im very comfortable out there with them. They make it pretty easy on me. We have some pretty world-class players.___This story has been corrected to fix the spelling of Pavel Dorofeyevs last name.___AP Sports Writer Pat Graham and AP freelancer Ashlyn Stapleton contributed to this report.___AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/stanley-cup and https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Chris Eubank Sr has firmly rejected claims that he received money to attend his son's bout against Conor Benn, speaking on the Playbook Boxing podcast this week.The former world champion addressed allegations made by Nigel Benn during a TalkSport interview, stating he did not receive "a cent" for his attendance."Whoever told you these lies, they've made you now to be a liar," Eubank Sr he told Benn at a press conference after refusing to embrace his old rival.The 59-year-old also delivered a stark assessment of his son's boxing future, declaring: "Junior is shot, he's spent."He insisted that boxing authorities and experts can all recognise this reality.Eubank Sr revealed the emotional toll of watching his son compete, describing the experience as deeply distressing."It is traumatizing. When you have a son, you love him. I may not like some of his ways, but I love him," he told the podcast, powered by Betway.The former middleweight champion disclosed that he remained at Junior's hospital bedside throughout the night following the Benn contest.He admitted avoiding footage of the fight to protect his mental state, saying: "I try not to watch it because I don't want to go back into that state of mind."Despite their fractured relationship, Eubank Sr maintained his devotion to his son remains unwavering.The former champion revealed that communication with his son has effectively broken down, suggesting Junior believes he has nothing left to learn."You cannot pour riches or wisdom into vessels which think they are full. He thinks he's full. And what can I do?" Eubank Sr explained.Eubank Sr also addressed his feud with Benn, saying: "Nigel, man. Life is too short for you not to understand that this game you only win by using the prod, the shield, love, objectivity. I've never done anything to you. "The idea is to win the fight. Raise your standard of living, raise your profile. You can't hate me, I've never done anything to you. And I don't think I've done anything where I would be deserving of hatred."When asked whether he worries about his son's continued involvement in the sport, Eubank Sr responded simply: "Of course."He acknowledged the painful reality that offering guidance becomes impossible when it goes unwanted.Eubank Sr spoke candidly about the sport's devastating health consequences, revealing his brother Simon died from frontal lobe dementia after a career that saw him suffer 20 defeats against just seven victories."This is what happens. Boxing kills you," he stated bluntly.The former champion expressed frustration that fighters continue prioritising financial gain over their wellbeing, noting that promoters readily discard boxers who fail to perform.When asked about gruelling contests such as Fabio Wardley's clash with Daniel Dubois, he admitted: "They're worrying me, of course. But what can I do? They don't listen."Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter

Iran publishes a map claiming "armed forces oversight" across more than 22,000 sq km of the waterway.