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Deadspin | Mets say Carlos Mendoza’s job safe despite 10-21 start Apr 17, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza (64) speaks before a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images The New York Mets are sticking with manager Carlos Mendoza despite one of the worst starts in franchise history, president of baseball operations David Stearns told MLB.com on Friday. The Mets brought back Mendoza for a third season despite missing the playoffs last season. They enter this weekend’s series at Anaheim with the worst record in the majors at 10-21. It’s the third-worst start to a season in franchise history through 31 games. “We know our record is not what we want, and we know we are capable of more,” Stearns said. “We don’t view this as a manager problem, and we don’t intend to make a change.” Two other managers have been fired in the first month-plus of this season, Boston’s Alex Cora and Philadelphia’s Rob Thomson. But the Mets’ ownership reportedly views early-season injuries to star players Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor as bigger factors in the team’s slow start than Mendoza’s management. The Mets are trying to do what no team ever has in major league history: lose 12 straight games and still make the playoffs. Mendoza, 46, is in the third year of the contract he signed ahead of the 2024 season. The team has an option to extend his deal through the 2027 season. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Mets #Carlos #Mendozas #job #safe #start

Deadspin | Mets say Carlos Mendoza’s job safe despite 10-21 start
Deadspin | Mets say Carlos Mendoza’s job safe despite 10-21 start Apr 17, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza (64) speaks before a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images The New York Mets are sticking with manager Carlos Mendoza despite one of the worst starts in franchise history, president of baseball operations David Stearns told MLB.com on Friday. The Mets brought back Mendoza for a third season despite missing the playoffs last season. They enter this weekend’s series at Anaheim with the worst record in the majors at 10-21. It’s the third-worst start to a season in franchise history through 31 games. “We know our record is not what we want, and we know we are capable of more,” Stearns said. “We don’t view this as a manager problem, and we don’t intend to make a change.” Two other managers have been fired in the first month-plus of this season, Boston’s Alex Cora and Philadelphia’s Rob Thomson. But the Mets’ ownership reportedly views early-season injuries to star players Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor as bigger factors in the team’s slow start than Mendoza’s management. The Mets are trying to do what no team ever has in major league history: lose 12 straight games and still make the playoffs. Mendoza, 46, is in the third year of the contract he signed ahead of the 2024 season. The team has an option to extend his deal through the 2027 season. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Mets #Carlos #Mendozas #job #safe #startApr 17, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza (64) speaks before a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

The New York Mets are sticking with manager Carlos Mendoza despite one of the worst starts in franchise history, president of baseball operations David Stearns told MLB.com on Friday.

The Mets brought back Mendoza for a third season despite missing the playoffs last season. They enter this weekend’s series at Anaheim with the worst record in the majors at 10-21. It’s the third-worst start to a season in franchise history through 31 games.

“We know our record is not what we want, and we know we are capable of more,” Stearns said. “We don’t view this as a manager problem, and we don’t intend to make a change.”


Two other managers have been fired in the first month-plus of this season, Boston’s Alex Cora and Philadelphia’s Rob Thomson. But the Mets’ ownership reportedly views early-season injuries to star players Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor as bigger factors in the team’s slow start than Mendoza’s management.

The Mets are trying to do what no team ever has in major league history: lose 12 straight games and still make the playoffs.

Mendoza, 46, is in the third year of the contract he signed ahead of the 2024 season. The team has an option to extend his deal through the 2027 season.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Mets #Carlos #Mendozas #job #safe #start

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Apr 17, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza (64) speaks before a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

The New York Mets are sticking with manager Carlos Mendoza despite one of the worst starts in franchise history, president of baseball operations David Stearns told MLB.com on Friday.

The Mets brought back Mendoza for a third season despite missing the playoffs last season. They enter this weekend’s series at Anaheim with the worst record in the majors at 10-21. It’s the third-worst start to a season in franchise history through 31 games.

“We know our record is not what we want, and we know we are capable of more,” Stearns said. “We don’t view this as a manager problem, and we don’t intend to make a change.”

Two other managers have been fired in the first month-plus of this season, Boston’s Alex Cora and Philadelphia’s Rob Thomson. But the Mets’ ownership reportedly views early-season injuries to star players Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor as bigger factors in the team’s slow start than Mendoza’s management.

The Mets are trying to do what no team ever has in major league history: lose 12 straight games and still make the playoffs.

Mendoza, 46, is in the third year of the contract he signed ahead of the 2024 season. The team has an option to extend his deal through the 2027 season.

–Field Level Media

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The Los Angeles Angels have the worst record in the majors and they are run by the worst owner in baseball in Arte Moreno.

They also have the longest current playoff drought, which means even the Pittsburgh Pirates have been part of the postseason fun since the Angels last were involved in 2014. The last playoff victory? Try 2009.

The Angels gave out one of the worst contracts in baseball history by signing third baseman Anthony Rendon to a seven-year, $245 million deal in 2020 and he played in just 257 games for the club. They made another horrific decision by not dealing Shohei Ohtani prior to the 2023 trading deadline.

Not trading a huge talent heading out the door to free agency for a bushel of prospects set the stage for the team’s poor 17-34 record this season. The Angels have been outscored by 69 runs, the largest differential in the majors.

Los Angeles has dropped 89 or more games in each of the past seasons. The Angels have no future and no present to go with their very unproductive recent past that includes 10 straight losing seasons.

Fans have noticed as they broke out “Sell the Team” chants at Moreno this week.

Angel Stadium once had “Kids in the Outfield” but it’s now home to men who can’t play.

It’s also largely empty and very quiet – unless fans of the visiting team flock to the ballpark.

It was very loud last August when Pete Crow-Armstrong hit a tiebreaking homer in the top of the ninth inning to help the Chicago Cubs notch a 3-2 victory. Cubs fans were everywhere and it was like Wrigleyville near the Chicago dugout.

Of course, late August is a time when there’s no reason for the locals to head to Anaheim with the playoffs out of sight. Playoffs is Fantasyland.

And it will be the same thing this summer with the Angels regularly sinking under first-year manager Kurt Suzuki and possibly saying good-bye to sixth-year general manager Perry Minasian after the season if not earlier.

The Angels have dropped nine of their last 10 games heading into Friday’s home contest against the Texas Rangers.

The victory during that stretch was of the amazing variety.

The Angels were being no-hit entering the ninth inning by Oakland Athletics right-hander J.T. Ginn on Monday night. Adam Frazier broke up the no-no with a single and Zach Neto followed by delivering a walk-off, two-run homer.

The celebration was intense and crazy but at least nobody broke their leg like Kendrys Morales did in 2010 after his walk-off grand slam to beat the Seattle Mariners.

This time, it’s just broken spirits. The victory snapped a six-game slide but momentum didn’t follow.

The Angels allowed 14 runs on Tuesday and then lost in extra innings on Wednesday and Thursday. Frazier, the second baseman, couldn’t get the ball out of his glove Thursday on a no-doubt inning-ending, double-play ball and that allowed the A’s to take the lead.

Frazier is one of several Angels who should be shipped by the trading deadline. Others include third baseman Yoan Moncada, outfielders Josh Lowe and Jorge Soler, catcher Travis d’Arnaud, left-handed starters Yusei Kikuchi and Reid Detmers and right-hander reliever Kirby Yates.

The Angels ought to revisit discussions with face of the franchise Mike Trout, who turns 35 in August, and see if he’s ready to go. It’s certainly a slippery slope for an 11-time All-Star in his 16th season with the organization.

But the team’s last winning season came in 2015 when Trout was the undisputed best player in baseball.

Trout no longer resembles that version of himself. He won three American League MVP awards, finished second four times and finished fourth once in the eight-season period from 2012-19.

Midway through this decade, he’s just another guy who plays outfield. He’s no longer a difference-maker and is highly injury prone. The 130 games he played in last season are the most this decade.

Trout is batting .233 with 12 homers and 25 RBIs in 50 games this season.

Basically, the Angels need a full-on facelift. This isn’t an easy fix – that opportunity was there in 2023 and the club failed to act.

And this is the big mess that’s left.

#Los #Angeles #Angels #MLBs #Biggest #Disaster #Arte #Moreno #Deadspin.com">Los Angeles Angels Have Become MLB’s Biggest Disaster Under Arte Moreno | Deadspin.com The Los Angeles Angels have the worst record in the majors and they are run by the worst owner in baseball in Arte Moreno.They also have the longest current playoff drought, which means even the Pittsburgh Pirates have been part of the postseason fun since the Angels last were involved in 2014. The last playoff victory? Try 2009.The Angels gave out one of the worst contracts in baseball history by signing third baseman Anthony Rendon to a seven-year, 5 million deal in 2020 and he played in just 257 games for the club. They made another horrific decision by not dealing Shohei Ohtani prior to the 2023 trading deadline.Not trading a huge talent heading out the door to free agency for a bushel of prospects set the stage for the team’s poor 17-34 record this season. The Angels have been outscored by 69 runs, the largest differential in the majors.Los Angeles has dropped 89 or more games in each of the past seasons. The Angels have no future and no present to go with their very unproductive recent past that includes 10 straight losing seasons.Fans have noticed as they broke out “Sell the Team” chants at Moreno this week.Angel Stadium once had “Kids in the Outfield” but it’s now home to men who can’t play.It’s also largely empty and very quiet – unless fans of the visiting team flock to the ballpark.It was very loud last August when Pete Crow-Armstrong hit a tiebreaking homer in the top of the ninth inning to help the Chicago Cubs notch a 3-2 victory. Cubs fans were everywhere and it was like Wrigleyville near the Chicago dugout.Of course, late August is a time when there’s no reason for the locals to head to Anaheim with the playoffs out of sight. Playoffs is Fantasyland.And it will be the same thing this summer with the Angels regularly sinking under first-year manager Kurt Suzuki and possibly saying good-bye to sixth-year general manager Perry Minasian after the season if not earlier.The Angels have dropped nine of their last 10 games heading into Friday’s home contest against the Texas Rangers.The victory during that stretch was of the amazing variety.The Angels were being no-hit entering the ninth inning by Oakland Athletics right-hander J.T. Ginn on Monday night. Adam Frazier broke up the no-no with a single and Zach Neto followed by delivering a walk-off, two-run homer.The celebration was intense and crazy but at least nobody broke their leg like Kendrys Morales did in 2010 after his walk-off grand slam to beat the Seattle Mariners.This time, it’s just broken spirits. The victory snapped a six-game slide but momentum didn’t follow.The Angels allowed 14 runs on Tuesday and then lost in extra innings on Wednesday and Thursday. Frazier, the second baseman, couldn’t get the ball out of his glove Thursday on a no-doubt inning-ending, double-play ball and that allowed the A’s to take the lead.Frazier is one of several Angels who should be shipped by the trading deadline. Others include third baseman Yoan Moncada, outfielders Josh Lowe and Jorge Soler, catcher Travis d’Arnaud, left-handed starters Yusei Kikuchi and Reid Detmers and right-hander reliever Kirby Yates.The Angels ought to revisit discussions with face of the franchise Mike Trout, who turns 35 in August, and see if he’s ready to go. It’s certainly a slippery slope for an 11-time All-Star in his 16th season with the organization.But the team’s last winning season came in 2015 when Trout was the undisputed best player in baseball.Trout no longer resembles that version of himself. He won three American League MVP awards, finished second four times and finished fourth once in the eight-season period from 2012-19.Midway through this decade, he’s just another guy who plays outfield. He’s no longer a difference-maker and is highly injury prone. The 130 games he played in last season are the most this decade.Trout is batting .233 with 12 homers and 25 RBIs in 50 games this season.Basically, the Angels need a full-on facelift. This isn’t an easy fix – that opportunity was there in 2023 and the club failed to act.And this is the big mess that’s left. #Los #Angeles #Angels #MLBs #Biggest #Disaster #Arte #Moreno #Deadspin.com

the worst record in the majors and they are run by the worst owner in baseball in Arte Moreno.

They also have the longest current playoff drought, which means even the Pittsburgh Pirates have been part of the postseason fun since the Angels last were involved in 2014. The last playoff victory? Try 2009.

The Angels gave out one of the worst contracts in baseball history by signing third baseman Anthony Rendon to a seven-year, $245 million deal in 2020 and he played in just 257 games for the club. They made another horrific decision by not dealing Shohei Ohtani prior to the 2023 trading deadline.

Not trading a huge talent heading out the door to free agency for a bushel of prospects set the stage for the team’s poor 17-34 record this season. The Angels have been outscored by 69 runs, the largest differential in the majors.

Los Angeles has dropped 89 or more games in each of the past seasons. The Angels have no future and no present to go with their very unproductive recent past that includes 10 straight losing seasons.

Fans have noticed as they broke out “Sell the Team” chants at Moreno this week.

Angel Stadium once had “Kids in the Outfield” but it’s now home to men who can’t play.

It’s also largely empty and very quiet – unless fans of the visiting team flock to the ballpark.

It was very loud last August when Pete Crow-Armstrong hit a tiebreaking homer in the top of the ninth inning to help the Chicago Cubs notch a 3-2 victory. Cubs fans were everywhere and it was like Wrigleyville near the Chicago dugout.

Of course, late August is a time when there’s no reason for the locals to head to Anaheim with the playoffs out of sight. Playoffs is Fantasyland.

And it will be the same thing this summer with the Angels regularly sinking under first-year manager Kurt Suzuki and possibly saying good-bye to sixth-year general manager Perry Minasian after the season if not earlier.

The Angels have dropped nine of their last 10 games heading into Friday’s home contest against the Texas Rangers.

The victory during that stretch was of the amazing variety.

The Angels were being no-hit entering the ninth inning by Oakland Athletics right-hander J.T. Ginn on Monday night. Adam Frazier broke up the no-no with a single and Zach Neto followed by delivering a walk-off, two-run homer.

The celebration was intense and crazy but at least nobody broke their leg like Kendrys Morales did in 2010 after his walk-off grand slam to beat the Seattle Mariners.

This time, it’s just broken spirits. The victory snapped a six-game slide but momentum didn’t follow.

The Angels allowed 14 runs on Tuesday and then lost in extra innings on Wednesday and Thursday. Frazier, the second baseman, couldn’t get the ball out of his glove Thursday on a no-doubt inning-ending, double-play ball and that allowed the A’s to take the lead.

Frazier is one of several Angels who should be shipped by the trading deadline. Others include third baseman Yoan Moncada, outfielders Josh Lowe and Jorge Soler, catcher Travis d’Arnaud, left-handed starters Yusei Kikuchi and Reid Detmers and right-hander reliever Kirby Yates.

The Angels ought to revisit discussions with face of the franchise Mike Trout, who turns 35 in August, and see if he’s ready to go. It’s certainly a slippery slope for an 11-time All-Star in his 16th season with the organization.

But the team’s last winning season came in 2015 when Trout was the undisputed best player in baseball.

Trout no longer resembles that version of himself. He won three American League MVP awards, finished second four times and finished fourth once in the eight-season period from 2012-19.

Midway through this decade, he’s just another guy who plays outfield. He’s no longer a difference-maker and is highly injury prone. The 130 games he played in last season are the most this decade.

Trout is batting .233 with 12 homers and 25 RBIs in 50 games this season.

Basically, the Angels need a full-on facelift. This isn’t an easy fix – that opportunity was there in 2023 and the club failed to act.

And this is the big mess that’s left.

#Los #Angeles #Angels #MLBs #Biggest #Disaster #Arte #Moreno #Deadspin.com">Los Angeles Angels Have Become MLB’s Biggest Disaster Under Arte Moreno | Deadspin.com

The Los Angeles Angels have the worst record in the majors and they are run by the worst owner in baseball in Arte Moreno.

They also have the longest current playoff drought, which means even the Pittsburgh Pirates have been part of the postseason fun since the Angels last were involved in 2014. The last playoff victory? Try 2009.

The Angels gave out one of the worst contracts in baseball history by signing third baseman Anthony Rendon to a seven-year, $245 million deal in 2020 and he played in just 257 games for the club. They made another horrific decision by not dealing Shohei Ohtani prior to the 2023 trading deadline.

Not trading a huge talent heading out the door to free agency for a bushel of prospects set the stage for the team’s poor 17-34 record this season. The Angels have been outscored by 69 runs, the largest differential in the majors.

Los Angeles has dropped 89 or more games in each of the past seasons. The Angels have no future and no present to go with their very unproductive recent past that includes 10 straight losing seasons.

Fans have noticed as they broke out “Sell the Team” chants at Moreno this week.

Angel Stadium once had “Kids in the Outfield” but it’s now home to men who can’t play.

It’s also largely empty and very quiet – unless fans of the visiting team flock to the ballpark.

It was very loud last August when Pete Crow-Armstrong hit a tiebreaking homer in the top of the ninth inning to help the Chicago Cubs notch a 3-2 victory. Cubs fans were everywhere and it was like Wrigleyville near the Chicago dugout.

Of course, late August is a time when there’s no reason for the locals to head to Anaheim with the playoffs out of sight. Playoffs is Fantasyland.

And it will be the same thing this summer with the Angels regularly sinking under first-year manager Kurt Suzuki and possibly saying good-bye to sixth-year general manager Perry Minasian after the season if not earlier.

The Angels have dropped nine of their last 10 games heading into Friday’s home contest against the Texas Rangers.

The victory during that stretch was of the amazing variety.

The Angels were being no-hit entering the ninth inning by Oakland Athletics right-hander J.T. Ginn on Monday night. Adam Frazier broke up the no-no with a single and Zach Neto followed by delivering a walk-off, two-run homer.

The celebration was intense and crazy but at least nobody broke their leg like Kendrys Morales did in 2010 after his walk-off grand slam to beat the Seattle Mariners.

This time, it’s just broken spirits. The victory snapped a six-game slide but momentum didn’t follow.

The Angels allowed 14 runs on Tuesday and then lost in extra innings on Wednesday and Thursday. Frazier, the second baseman, couldn’t get the ball out of his glove Thursday on a no-doubt inning-ending, double-play ball and that allowed the A’s to take the lead.

Frazier is one of several Angels who should be shipped by the trading deadline. Others include third baseman Yoan Moncada, outfielders Josh Lowe and Jorge Soler, catcher Travis d’Arnaud, left-handed starters Yusei Kikuchi and Reid Detmers and right-hander reliever Kirby Yates.

The Angels ought to revisit discussions with face of the franchise Mike Trout, who turns 35 in August, and see if he’s ready to go. It’s certainly a slippery slope for an 11-time All-Star in his 16th season with the organization.

But the team’s last winning season came in 2015 when Trout was the undisputed best player in baseball.

Trout no longer resembles that version of himself. He won three American League MVP awards, finished second four times and finished fourth once in the eight-season period from 2012-19.

Midway through this decade, he’s just another guy who plays outfield. He’s no longer a difference-maker and is highly injury prone. The 130 games he played in last season are the most this decade.

Trout is batting .233 with 12 homers and 25 RBIs in 50 games this season.

Basically, the Angels need a full-on facelift. This isn’t an easy fix – that opportunity was there in 2023 and the club failed to act.

And this is the big mess that’s left.

#Los #Angeles #Angels #MLBs #Biggest #Disaster #Arte #Moreno #Deadspin.com
#Canadian #Grand #Prix #takes #pole #Sprint">Canadian Grand Prix: Who takes pole for the F1 Sprint? The single practice session is in the books, and the teams are pouring through the data ahead of qualifying for the F1 Sprint race at the Canadian Grand Prix.Kimi Antonelli led the practice session ahead of teammate George Russell, with Lewis Hamilton posting the third-fastest time behind the Mercedes duo. The practice session was interrupted with three different red flags, first when Liam Lawson came to a stop along the side of the track. The second red flag came when Alexander Albon made contact with some wildlife at the exit of Turn 7 before striking the barrier, and finally Esteban Ocon brought out the red flag when he clipped his front wing.But who will top the timing sheets when the lap times begin to matter? That is the question that will be answered in short order. F1 Sprint qualifying gets underway at 4:30 p.m. Eastern on Friday, and we will be following every development here live. So check back early and often!Canadian Grand Prix F1 Sprint qualifying resultsHere is the provisional qualifying grid for the F1 Sprint race at the Canadian Grand Prix. Spots will be filled in during the session: #Canadian #Grand #Prix #takes #pole #Sprint

Former Norway ​captain Maren Mjelde has defended Oslo’s right to host the women’s Champions League final ‌after Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati criticised the venue as too small for ​the biggest game in women’s club football.

The Ullevaal arena is ⁠sold out for Saturday’s clash between Spanish giant Barcelona and French juggernaut Lyon, but Bonmati told Catalan media outlet RAC1 that the 28,000-capacity venue represented a retrograde step for women’s ‌football.

“Norway is a fantastic country, but the conditions are different. We come from filling large stadiums and going to a smaller field ‌is a step back,” Bonmati said.

Mjelde hit back by pointing to last year’s ‌final, ⁠where Arsenal beat Barcelona 1-0 in front of 38,356 fans in ⁠Lisbon’s 52,095-capacity Estadio Jose Alvalade.

“A full Ullevaal is cooler than a half-full stadium somewhere else – if I’m not mistaken, it wasn’t a full stadium for the final last year, even though it was ​in a bigger stadium,” Mjelde ‌told Reuters in the sunshine outside the downtown hotel that European governing body UEFA is using as its base for the final.

“Of course you want to play in the biggest stadiums, but not all countries have them. Barcelona are ‌very lucky and privileged in Spain, and it is probably the team ​in the world that attracts the biggest audience, but it’s not like that everywhere, and I think that, if you can ⁠show football in several different countries, it will be much more attractive.”

Barcelona boasted a crowd of more than 60,000 at its Camp Nou stadium for a 6-0 thrashing ‌of bitter rival Real Madrid in April, but averaged just over 6000 fans for its home games this past season.

Mjelde, 36 and back playing in Norway after spells in Germany and England, emphasised her country’s pedigree as one of only five teams to win the women’s World Cup as further justification for having the women’s final in Oslo.

WORLD LEADER

“Norway was the world leader for a while, and ‌we want to get back there,” she said.

Though disappointed by the criticism, there was no anger ​towards Bonmati from Mjelde, who reached the 2021 Champions League final with Chelsea, but missed the 4-0 defeat by Barcelona through injury.

“I think ⁠if she had discussed this with the other Norwegian girls (at Barcelona, Caroline Graham Hansen ⁠and Martine Fenger), they would have said something completely different,” Mjelde said with a smile.

“We are of course a bit biased in this and ‌it’s a bit subjective, but I think Aitana will experience a fantastic atmosphere. The weather is nice and she gets to be in Norway, which ​is a really nice country, so I think she will find it cool anyway.”

Published on May 22, 2026

#Womens #Champions #League #Final #venue #controversy #Mjelde #defends #decision #Bonmati #criticism #sparks #debate">Women’s Champions League Final venue controversy: Mjelde defends decision as Bonmati criticism sparks debate Former Norway ​captain Maren Mjelde has defended Oslo’s right to host the women’s Champions League final ‌after Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati criticised the venue as too small for ​the biggest game in women’s club football.The Ullevaal arena is ⁠sold out for Saturday’s clash between Spanish giant Barcelona and French juggernaut Lyon, but Bonmati told Catalan media outlet RAC1 that the 28,000-capacity venue represented a retrograde step for women’s ‌football.“Norway is a fantastic country, but the conditions are different. We come from filling large stadiums and going to a smaller field ‌is a step back,” Bonmati said.Mjelde hit back by pointing to last year’s ‌final, ⁠where Arsenal beat Barcelona 1-0 in front of 38,356 fans in ⁠Lisbon’s 52,095-capacity Estadio Jose Alvalade.“A full Ullevaal is cooler than a half-full stadium somewhere else – if I’m not mistaken, it wasn’t a full stadium for the final last year, even though it was ​in a bigger stadium,” Mjelde ‌told Reuters in the sunshine outside the downtown hotel that European governing body UEFA is using as its base for the final.“Of course you want to play in the biggest stadiums, but not all countries have them. Barcelona are ‌very lucky and privileged in Spain, and it is probably the team ​in the world that attracts the biggest audience, but it’s not like that everywhere, and I think that, if you can ⁠show football in several different countries, it will be much more attractive.”Barcelona boasted a crowd of more than 60,000 at its Camp Nou stadium for a 6-0 thrashing ‌of bitter rival Real Madrid in April, but averaged just over 6000 fans for its home games this past season.Mjelde, 36 and back playing in Norway after spells in Germany and England, emphasised her country’s pedigree as one of only five teams to win the women’s World Cup as further justification for having the women’s final in Oslo.WORLD LEADER“Norway was the world leader for a while, and ‌we want to get back there,” she said.Though disappointed by the criticism, there was no anger ​towards Bonmati from Mjelde, who reached the 2021 Champions League final with Chelsea, but missed the 4-0 defeat by Barcelona through injury.“I think ⁠if she had discussed this with the other Norwegian girls (at Barcelona, Caroline Graham Hansen ⁠and Martine Fenger), they would have said something completely different,” Mjelde said with a smile.“We are of course a bit biased in this and ‌it’s a bit subjective, but I think Aitana will experience a fantastic atmosphere. The weather is nice and she gets to be in Norway, which ​is a really nice country, so I think she will find it cool anyway.”Published on May 22, 2026 #Womens #Champions #League #Final #venue #controversy #Mjelde #defends #decision #Bonmati #criticism #sparks #debate

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