Eurosport Archives - Page 4 of 118

Murphy makes perfect start to title defence at Championship League

June 27, 2024

Defending champion Shaun Murphy produced some peak form on Thursday to win Group 3 at the Championship League in Leicester.

The 2005 world champion dropped only one frame in completing victories over Steven Hallworth (3-0), Reanne Evans (3-1) and Tian Pengfei (3-0) to reach the last 32 of the season’s first ranking event at the Mattioli Arena.

Murphy ran in knocks of 61, 100 and 93 against Hallworth and 66, 75 and 72 in restricting Tian to only seven points in winning the section by three points ahead of Hallworth.

“I’m still chasing a few things in my career,” said Murphy. “To defend a tournament would be one. So first job done, and we’ll see what the next stage brings.”

Murphy returns to action on Friday when the second stage begins. He is in Group C alongside Long Zehuang, Jamie Jones and Hossein Vafaei.

Murphy was joined in the second group stage by Crucible semi-finalist David Gilbert, who produced a glorious 136 break in the final frame of the day to win Group 15 by the narrowest of margins.

In a section that saw all six matches finish 2-2, Gilbert edged out Xu Si’s 131 by five points having trailed the Chinese player 2-1 in a dramatic finale. He earlier drew with Andrew Pagett and Duane Jones, who also finished on three points.

Gilbert next faces Ashley Carty, He Guoqiang and Stuart Bingham in Group B on Friday.

Stage one consisted of 32 groups of four players. The eight group winners contest a further two groups with the winners meeting in the final.

There is £33,000 on the table for the winner plus a spot in the Champion of Champions later in the year which is worth another £12,500 for qualifying.

Championship League: Latest group winners

Group 21: Neil Robertson (AUS)
Group 11: Ryan Day (WAL)
Group 4: Mark Williams (WAL)
Group 17: Chris Wakelin (ENG)
Group 25: Matthew Stevens (WAL)
Group 31: Ashley Carty (ENG)
Group 23: Michael White (WAL)
Group 22: Joe O’Connor (ENG)
Group 10: Jackson Page (WAL)
Group 32: Thepchaiya Un-Nooh (THA)
Group 30: Jamie Jones (WAL)
Group 29: Ben Woollaston (ENG)
Group 8: Jak Jones (WAL)
Group 7: Robbie McGuigan (NI)
Group 24: Martin O’Donnell (Eng)
Group 28: Wu Yize (CHN)
Group 26: Alexander Ursenbacher (SUI)
Group 27: David Lilley (ENG)
Group 1: Scott Donaldson (SCO)
Group 14: Hossein Vafaei (IRN)
Group 18: Stuart Bingham (ENG)
Group 13: Si Jiahui (CHN)
Group 20: Stuart Carrington (ENG)
Group 19: Long Zehuang (CHN)
Group 6: Gary Wilson (ENG)
Group 9: Ma Hailong (CHN)
Group 2: He Guoqiang (CHN)
Group 12: Jack Lisowski (ENG)
Group 5: Ali Carter (ENG)
Group 16: Fan Zhengyi (CHN)
Group 3: Shaun Murphy (ENG)
Group 15: David Gilbert (ENG)

discovery+ is the streaming home of the Olympic Games, and the only place you can watch every moment of Paris 2024 this summer

Carter displays powers of recovery in unbeaten start to new season in Leicester

June 27, 2024

Ali Carter won a Group 5 decider against Xing Zihao to book his spot in the last 32 of the Championship League, the season’s first ranking event.

After being held to a 2-2 draw against Joshua Thomond in Leicester, Carter displayed his trademark levels of grit in a 3-1 win over Kreishh Gurbaxani before defeating 19-year-old Xing 3-1 on Wednesday night.

Breaks of 87 and 73 saw Carter reach the last 32 of the competition as he finished a point ahead of Xing, who only needed a draw after earlier overcoming Kreishh (3-0) and Thomond (3-0).

But a timely snooker behind the black in the fourth frame prompted three misses from Xing before Carter slotted the match-winning pink to advance.

Former European Masters winner Fan Zhengyi also qualified for the next group stage with wins over Alfie Burden (3-0) and Zhou Yuelong (3-0) and a 2-2 draw with Mink Nutcharut in topping Group 16.

Fan produced breaks of 113 and 57 against Zhou to finish a point clear of Zhou.

Meanwhile, 2005 world champion Shaun Murphy begins his title defence at the Mattioli Arena on Thursday against Steven Hallworth, Reanne Evans and Tian Pengfei in Group 3, the final day of the first round.

Stage one consists of 32 groups of four players. The eight group winners contest a further two groups with the winners meeting in the final.

There is £33,000 on the table for the winner plus a spot in the Champion of Champions later in the year which is worth another £12,500 for qualifying.

Championship League: Latest group winners

Group 21: Neil Robertson (AUS)
Group 11: Ryan Day (WAL)
Group 4: Mark Williams (WAL)
Group 17: Chris Wakelin (ENG)
Group 25: Matthew Stevens (WAL)
Group 31: Ashley Carty (ENG)
Group 23: Michael White (WAL)
Group 22: Joe O’Connor (ENG)
Group 10: Jackson Page (WAL)
Group 32: Thepchaiya Un-Nooh (THA)
Group 30: Jamie Jones (WAL)
Group 29: Ben Woollaston (ENG)
Group 8: Jak Jones (WAL)
Group 7: Robbie McGuigan (NI)
Group 24: Martin O’Donnell (Eng)
Group 28: Wu Yize (CHN)
Group 26: Alexander Ursenbacher (SUI)
Group 27: David Lilley (ENG)
Group 1: Scott Donaldson (SCO)
Group 14: Hossein Vafaei (IRN)
Group 18: Stuart Bingham (ENG)
Group 13: Si Jiahui (CHN)
Group 20: Stuart Carrington (ENG)
Group 19: Long Zehuang (CHN)
Group 6: Gary Wilson (ENG)
Group 9: Ma Hailong (CHN)
Group 2: He Guoqiang (CHN)
Group 12: Jack Lisowski (ENG)
Group 5: Ali Carter (ENG)
Group 16: Fan Zhengyi (CHN)

discovery+ is the streaming home of the Olympic Games, and the only place you can watch every moment of Paris 2024 this summer

Georgia v Portugal – Euro 2024 LIVE

June 26, 2024

Follow the Euro 2024 live Football match between Georgia and Portugal with Eurosport. The match starts at 7:00 PM on June 26th, 2024.

Catch the latest Georgia and Portugal news and find up to date Euro 2024 standings, results, top scorers and previous winners.

Football fans can read breaking Football news headlines, interviews, expert commentary and watch replays. Keep up with what’s happening in the Premier League, Champions League and other competitions.

Make Eurosport your go-to source for sports online from football to tennis, cycling, snooker and more. Enjoy the best of this season’s top sports competitions.

Georgia produce biggest shock of Euro 2024 by stunning Portugal to reach last 16

June 26, 2024

Georgia stunned Portugal 2-0 in Gelsenkirchen to secure qualification to the knockout stages of Euro 2024 in their first ever major tournament.

Napoli’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia opened the scoring after just 93 seconds for the Crusaders after a sloppy pass from Antonio Silva gifted Georges Mikautadze the ball in a dangerous position.

Mikautadze doubled Georgia’s lead in the second period with his third goal of the tournament as he cooly converted from the spot after Silva was once again at fault for bringing down Luca Lochoshvili.

Roberto Martinez will not be overly concerned after making eight changes to the side that beat Turkey 3-0, with Portugal heading into this evening’s game having already won Group F.

Willy Sagnol’s side go through as one of the best third-placed teams and will now face Spain in the last 16, while Portugal will take on Slovenia.

More to follow.

Czechia v Turkiye – Euro 2024 LIVE

June 26, 2024

Follow the Euro 2024 live Football match between Czechia and Türkiye with Eurosport. The match starts at 7:00 PM on June 26th, 2024.

Catch the latest Czechia and Türkiye news and find up to date Euro 2024 standings, results, top scorers and previous winners.

Make Eurosport your go-to source for sports online from football to tennis, cycling, snooker and more. Enjoy the best of this season’s top sports competitions.

Turkey book last-16 berth with last-gasp as 10-man Czechia head home

June 26, 2024

Turkey booked their spot in the Last 16 for the first time since 2008 as substitute Cenk Tosun secured a last-gasp 2-1 win that saw the 10-man Czech Republic crash out of Euro 2024.

Vincenzo Montella’s Crescent-Stars only had to avoid defeat to progress to the latter stages and their hopes were buoyed on 20 minutes when Antonin Barak was given his marching orders for two quick-fire yellow cards.

Turkey then looked to be cruising following the interval when captain Hakan Çalhanoglu rifled them in front on 51 minutes with a superb first-time strike from the left side of the area.

However, West Ham’s Tomas Soucek pounced upon an error from goalkeeper Mert Gunok just past the hour to set up a barnstorming finale.

The 10-man Czechs threw everything at the Turkish penalty area but could not provide the late twist to stay alive in the competition, and Tosun polished off the job with a fine shot in stoppage time.

The result sees Turkey finish second in Group F with Georgia’s surprise win over pool winners Portugal seeing them progress as one of the best third-placed teams. The Czechs, who reached the last eight in the previous Euros, end up rock bottom and head home early.

Turkey will now meet Austria in the last 16 next Tuesday.

Talking Point – Turkey progress via the scenic route as they end Czech hopes once again

Turkey have made a habit of beating the Czechs in the last group game at a Euros and coach Ivan Hasek could have been forgiven for thinking fate was conspiring against them before a ball had even been kicked.

The Czechs were already without their record scorer at the Euros in the form of the injured Patrik Schick when a promising start was curtailed by a somehow harsh red card – via two quick cautions.

To their credit, the 10-men continued to battle and despite falling behind grabbed a lifeline when one of several dangerous set pieces paid dividends.

An unlikely turnaround remained on the cards until deep into stoppage time when Turkey rubbed salt in their wounds with a winner on the break.

It’s never routine when it comes to The Crescent Stars but it’s usually rather entertaining. They remain dark horses to replicate the kind of run that saw them reach the semis in 2008 as they are in what looks like the easier side of the draw on paper.

Player of the match

Hakan Çalhanoğlu (Turkey). The 30-year-old Inter midfielder kept the game ticking over in the middle of the park and capped a fine individual display with his first-ever European Championship goal in his third finals.

Player ratings

TURKEY: Günok 5, Muldur 7, Demiral 7, Akaydin 7, Kadioglu 7, Yuksek 7, Calhanoglu 8*, Ozcan 6, Güler 7, Yildiz 7, Yilmaz 7. Subs: Ayhan 6, Yokuslu 6, Tosun 7, Aktürkoglu 6, Kokcu n/a.

CZECH REPUBLIC: Stanek 7, Holes 7, Hranac 7, Krejci 7, Coufal 7, Soucek 8, Provod 7, D. Jurasek 7, Barak 4, Hlozek 6, Chytil 6. Subs: Kuchta 6, Kovar 6, Chory 6, Lingr 6, M. Jurasek n/a.

Match Highlights

18’ – CZECH REPUBLIC CHANCE! Robin Hranác contrives to guide a free header over after Soucek had nodded a long throw from the right back into the mix.

20’ – CZECH REPUBLIC RED CARD! It’s a disaster for the Czechs as Antonín Barák picks up a second yellow card. It seems a bit harsh as there was little in the challenge but it’s two nine minutes apart and it leaves the Czechs with it all to do.

45’ – CZECH REPUBLIC CHANCE! Jurásek surges down the left in support of a fantastic counter attack led by Lukas Provod. It’s played into his path inside the area but he can’t squeeze his shot beyond the advancing Mert Günok.

51’ – GOAL! – Turkey 1-0 Czech Republic: (Çalhanoglu). Hakan Çalhanoglu breaks the deadlock with a ferocious first-time shot into the far corner from the left side of the area after Stanek had initially kept them at bay with a superb save.

66’ – GOAL! – Turkey 1-1 Czech Republic: (Soucek). Lifeline! The 10-men are back in it and it’s their skipper Soucek who hammers it home after Turkey goalkeeper Mert Günok fumbled the ball back into play. It all came from another long throw that wreaked havoc in the Turkish area.

90+4’ – GOAL! – Turkey 2-1 Czech Republic: (Tosun). The substitute finishes it off as he cuts in from the left to polish off a breakaway with a rasping shot into the far corner.

Key Stats

Ukraine v Belgium – Euro 2024 LIVE

June 26, 2024

Follow the Euro 2024 live Football match between Ukraine and Belgium with Eurosport. The match starts at 4:00 PM on June 26th, 2024.

Catch the latest Ukraine and Belgium news and find up to date Euro 2024 standings, results, top scorers and previous winners.

Make Eurosport your go-to source for sports online from football to tennis, cycling, snooker and more. Enjoy the best of this season’s top sports competitions.

Draw sees Belgium squeeze through in second and Ukraine bow out as all four teams finish level

June 26, 2024

An unimpressive Belgium will be forced to face France in the last 16 of Euro 2024 after being held to a 0-0 draw by a battling Ukraine side in Stuttgart.

Despite earning a deserved point from a tense battle, Ukraine go out of the tournament after finishing bottom of Group E, where all four teams finished with four points after Slovakia and Romania drew 1-1 in Frankfurt.

In a match of few chances, Ukraine almost won it in added time when Georgiy Sudakov produced a brilliant run, but his finish was straight into the arms of Belgium keeper Koen Casteels.

Draw sees Belgium squeeze through in second and Ukraine bow out as all four teams finish level

June 26, 2024

An unimpressive Belgium will be forced to face France in the last 16 of Euro 2024 after being held to a 0-0 draw by a battling Ukraine side in Stuttgart.

In a match of few chances, Ukraine almost won it in added time when Georgiy Sudakov produced a brilliant run, but his finish was straight into the arms of Belgium keeper Koen Casteels.

Casteels was also forced to claw out a corner by sub Ruslan Malinovskyi that almost creeped in at the near post on 82 minutes.

Romania go through as group winners with Belgium finishing second and Slovakia progressing as one of the best third-placed teams at the finals.

Player of the Match: Georgiy Sudakov (Ukraine)

The young Shakhtar midfielder was a bundle of energy at the heart of his country’s midfield with his obvious quality helping Ukraine to trouble a disjointed Belgian side the longer the match wore on. Unlucky not to win it late on with a brilliant surging run and shot that was held by a grateful goalkeeper Casteels.

Player Ratings

Ukraine: Trubin 7, Svatok 7, Yaremchuk 7, Dovbyk 7, Zabarnyi 8, Sudakov 8, Mykolenko 7, Brazhko 7, Shaparenko 7, Matviyenko 7, Tymchyk 7 Subs: Yarmolenko 6, Zinchenko 6, Stepanenko 6, Vanat 6, Malinovskyi 6

Belgium: Casteels 7, Theate 7, Faes 7, Vertonghen 6, De Bruyne 7, Tielemans 7, Trossard 6, Lukaku 6, Castagne 7, Doku 6, Onana 6 Subs: Mangala 6, Openda 6, Bakayoko 6, Carrasco 6

Match Highlights

8′ GREAT LITTLE PASS BY DE BRUYNE Looking to set up Lukaku on the run after a probing pass, but he can’t get enough pace on the shot and it is an easy enough stop in the end for Trubin.

43′ GOLDEN CHANCE FOR UKRAINE Really finding some joy every time they attack that Belgium box as Yaremchuk just overhits a pass across the face of goal looking for Dovbyk to tap in. Probably should have tried the shot as Belgium survive.

74′ TRUBIN TO THE RESCUE FOR UKRAINE The goalkeeper showing his quality to beat out an effort by Yannick Carrasco that was travelling before Belgium do well to thwart the threat of Artem Dovbyk at the other end. Wout Faes mindful at the back.

82′ BELGIUM LIVING ON THE EDGE Koen Casteels doing just enough to claw out the corner by sub Ruslan Malinovskyi at his near post. That was heading into the net. FIne stop in the end.

89′ HEADING FOR FOUR ADDED MINUTES This match so tight and tense as Georgiy Sudakov produces a brilliant run, but the finish is not there as he side foots the ball into the arms of Casteels. One goal will win it now.

Key Stat

Slovakia v Romania – Euro 2024 LIVE

June 26, 2024

Follow the Euro 2024 live Football match between Slovakia and Romania with Eurosport. The match starts at 4:00 PM on June 26th, 2024.

Catch the latest Slovakia and Romania news and find up to date Euro 2024 standings, results, top scorers and previous winners.

Make Eurosport your go-to source for sports online from football to tennis, cycling, snooker and more. Enjoy the best of this season’s top sports competitions.