CHARLOTTE, N.C. - A furious fourth-quarter comeback fell just short for the Savannah Steel as the Charlotte Crown held on for a gritty 78-74 victory o... - UPSHOT Savannah Steel

LES TAULIERS DES BLEUS (4/6). Dans leur qute d'une troisime toile, les Bleus peuvent compter sur des cadres, des piliers, des tauliers qui incarnent la relve d'une ambitieuse quipe de France. Place Mike Maignan, gardien numro 1 et leader naturel du vestiaire, qui n'a pas besoin du brassard de capitaine pour exercer son aura.

Le deuxime barrage de Top 14 a tourn la correction ce dimanche, avec la large victoire du Stade Franais face La Rochelle (45-5). On connat dsormais les deux affiches des demi-finales du championnat de France de rugby.

Often derided as AI Slop, misinformation is featuring increasingly on Facebook feeds. Its often the games big names, usually with fanciful and wild claims attached to them, being used to pull you in.

On Sunday at AT&T stadium, the home of the Dallas Cowboys, the Netherlands drew 2-2 against Japan, thanks to goals from Virgil Van Dijk and Crysencio Summerville that were canceled out by Keito Nakamura and Daichi Kamada. It was a match that undoubtedly came to life in the second half. This was also a battle between two very high-skilled, fast-playing chess players that took some time to get going as the first half was played at a slower, passive pace due to Japans uber-counter-attacking and defensive strategy and the Dutchs inability to break through. But once the second half arrived, it was clear the message at the break to both dressing rooms was exactly the same: to play at a faster pace and to gamble. In the end, the excellent Japan a team I have waxed lyrical about for a long time rescued a point against the Netherlands, who failed to win the opening match at a World Cup for the first time in its history. Here are my takeaways: 1. Summerville Shines In World Cup Debut The 24-year-old winger scored his teams second goal, and it was a wonderful left-footed shot from inside the box. Throughout the game, he showed lively runs that caused mayhem for Japans inverted fullbacks. For West Ham, he plays on the left wing but Koeman smartly placed him on the right and allowed him to cut inside with his quick decision-making. Its amazing to think that, prior to this World Cup, he had never played a competitive game for the Netherlands before. Consequently, Ronald Koeman calls him up and after impressing, the manager not only takes him to the tournament, but starts him in the first match. Summerville repays the decision with a winning goal for this team. Speaking of West Ham, he wont be there much longer as multiple clubs are very interested in him. If he carries on playing the same way he is doing, the sky will be the limit. 2. Koemans Mistake, Moriyasus Gain After Summervilles goal, the Dutch manager, formerly a defender himself, decided to shut shop but there were still 26 minutes left, and that was a massive error from the Netherlands as Japan pushed for another equalizer. Crystal Palaces Kamada capitalized from a corner in the 88th minute and fully deserved it. Its a lesson for the UEFA side, who now realize that the best form of protection is to keep going. 3. Van Dijk, Japans Fullbacks Deliver We all know about the imperial presence of Van Dijk as the Liverpool man is one of the best defenders in the history of the modern game. For his country, just like his club, everything begins and ends with him from the back, but just as shown today thanks to the opening goal, his aerial ability is often unmatched. There is no one who distributes the ball like him in the game. 4. But On The Other Side The overlapping strategy that came from Japans full backs when penetrating the final third, was also a problem for the Netherlands. Their wing backs play the role of wingers whenever they counter, trying to cross the ball as fast as possible. And the actual wingers cut inside to create an overwhelming line inside the Dutch box. The interesting thing is that all of Japans wide players are inverted (left wingers with a stronger right foot looking to come inside and vice versa but love to come inside, hence Nakamuras goal. It was truly a hard-fought effort from both sides as defenders took center stage. 4 Whats next? The Netherlands will stay in Texas to face Sweden in Houston on Saturday whilst Japan travels to Tunisia a day later at Estadio Monterrey in Guadalupe. This group is most definitely there for the taking.

SportsLine's Martin Green reveals his Ivory Coast vs. Ecuador best bets for their FIFA World Cup 2026 match on Sunday

Curacao can hold their heads up high said head coach Dick Advocaat despite a 7-1 hammering by four-time World Cup winners Germany (Paul ELLIS)Curacao's World Cup debut may have ended in a reality check of a 7-1 hammering by four-time champions Germany on Sunday but it "is nothing to be ashamed of" said their head coach Dick Advocaat.The 78-year-old, the oldest coach to appear at a World Cup finals, had been out of his seat when a deflected strike from Livano Comenencia levelled the match at 1-1.However, Nico Schlotterbeck, Kai Havertz with a double, Jamal Musiala, Nathaniel Brown and Deniz Undav scored to put to bed any possibility of one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history."It is not embarrassing to lose like that against such a team," said Advocaat at the post match press conference in Houston."This team (Germany) is worth 850 million and Curacao, 25."Curacao, the smallest nation by population ever to qualify for the tournament, had hoped to pull off a giant-killing exploit "but it was not to be" said Advocaat."They were simply too strong and we gave away too many easy goals," lamented Advocaat, who was also present at the previous World Cup hosted in the US, 32 years ago, when he was in charge of the Dutch.Advocaat, who returned to take charge of Curacao after stepping aside in February when his daughter fell ill, said his and his staff's task was to restore morale ahead of next Saturday's Group E game against Ecuador."Obviously 7-1 is a heavy defeat," he said."We must make sure no one's head drops, that they do not remain in a bad state of mind."But I am not too worried about that happening."Advocaat, who wiped away tears before the kick-off, said the heavy defeat was made up for by the "fantastic scenes of happiness in the stands" from the fans fondly known as the 'Blue Wave'."It is already formidable what we achieved in qualifying for the finals," he said."And we should be conscious of that."All we need to do is simply show the best of ourselves here."Advocaat added even if Curacao does not cause an upset in the remaining group games -- Ivory Coast await in the final match -- "we will still be happy to have competed at the biggest event in the world."jta/bm/pi/rcw

Is the seven-time world champion back in peak form? It might be too soon to tell, but don't count him out, either.

They carried the weight of an entire city.