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Deadspin | Report: Changing course, NWSL not expected to vote on schedule flip  May 24, 2025; Bridgeview, Illinois, USA; The logo of the National Women’s Soccer League at SeatGeek Stadium before the game between the Chicago Stars and the Kansas City Current. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-Imagn Images   A highly-anticipated vote this week by the NWSL Board of Governors on a calendar flip is now not expected to take place, according to a Monday report by CBS Sports.  On April 17, reports indicated that the board of governors would vote on the issue, but those went unconfirmed by the league.  Currently, the NWSL season runs from March to November. Top circuits in Europe start in late summer or early fall and end in late spring. MLS is making the transition to that format next season.  The NWSL board previously voted against a calendar shift in 2024, according to ESPN.  In a response to media inquiries, a league spokesman seemed to indicate the status quo regarding the schedule.  “The NWSL has been actively evaluating its competition calendar, including the potential to align more closely with the international soccer landscape,” a league spokesperson said in a statement to CBS Sports. “No decision has been made at this time. Any change of this magnitude will be thoughtfully considered and we are taking input from all key stakeholders.”  One of those stakeholder are the players, who responded through the NWSL Players Union a day after the April 17 ESPN report.   “We recognize the pros and cons of each and acknowledge that factors outside our control — including the Women’s International Match Calendar and limited control over facilities — are driving this conversation,” began the statement given to The Athletic.  “We remain concerned, however, that the issue is being framed around the wrong question. The right question is not whether the league should flip the calendar, but whether the right conditions exist to do so responsibly. Right now, they do not. The ability to navigate weather-related disruptions depends on consistent control over facilities and operational flexibility across clubs, and that standard has not been met league-wide.  “Our top priorities in any scenario are protecting and promoting Player health, safety, and performance. As a general matter, a majority of Players polled on this question currently oppose flipping the calendar.”  Although the NWSL has complete authority to alter the schedule to fall-to-spring, the league’s CBA with the union specifies that the league is required to provide the union at least one year’s notice.  Moreover, since many franchise are in the northeast and the schedule would include playing in winter months, the CBA would require the league to implement an “extreme cold policy.”  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Report #Changing #NWSL #expected #vote #schedule #flip

Deadspin | Report: Changing course, NWSL not expected to vote on schedule flip
Deadspin | Report: Changing course, NWSL not expected to vote on schedule flip  May 24, 2025; Bridgeview, Illinois, USA; The logo of the National Women’s Soccer League at SeatGeek Stadium before the game between the Chicago Stars and the Kansas City Current. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-Imagn Images   A highly-anticipated vote this week by the NWSL Board of Governors on a calendar flip is now not expected to take place, according to a Monday report by CBS Sports.  On April 17, reports indicated that the board of governors would vote on the issue, but those went unconfirmed by the league.  Currently, the NWSL season runs from March to November. Top circuits in Europe start in late summer or early fall and end in late spring. MLS is making the transition to that format next season.  The NWSL board previously voted against a calendar shift in 2024, according to ESPN.  In a response to media inquiries, a league spokesman seemed to indicate the status quo regarding the schedule.  “The NWSL has been actively evaluating its competition calendar, including the potential to align more closely with the international soccer landscape,” a league spokesperson said in a statement to CBS Sports. “No decision has been made at this time. Any change of this magnitude will be thoughtfully considered and we are taking input from all key stakeholders.”  One of those stakeholder are the players, who responded through the NWSL Players Union a day after the April 17 ESPN report.   “We recognize the pros and cons of each and acknowledge that factors outside our control — including the Women’s International Match Calendar and limited control over facilities — are driving this conversation,” began the statement given to The Athletic.  “We remain concerned, however, that the issue is being framed around the wrong question. The right question is not whether the league should flip the calendar, but whether the right conditions exist to do so responsibly. Right now, they do not. The ability to navigate weather-related disruptions depends on consistent control over facilities and operational flexibility across clubs, and that standard has not been met league-wide.  “Our top priorities in any scenario are protecting and promoting Player health, safety, and performance. As a general matter, a majority of Players polled on this question currently oppose flipping the calendar.”  Although the NWSL has complete authority to alter the schedule to fall-to-spring, the league’s CBA with the union specifies that the league is required to provide the union at least one year’s notice.  Moreover, since many franchise are in the northeast and the schedule would include playing in winter months, the CBA would require the league to implement an “extreme cold policy.”  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Report #Changing #NWSL #expected #vote #schedule #flipMay 24, 2025; Bridgeview, Illinois, USA; The logo of the National Women’s Soccer League at SeatGeek Stadium before the game between the Chicago Stars and the Kansas City Current. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-Imagn Images

A highly-anticipated vote this week by the NWSL Board of Governors on a calendar flip is now not expected to take place, according to a Monday report by CBS Sports.

On April 17, reports indicated that the board of governors would vote on the issue, but those went unconfirmed by the league.

Currently, the NWSL season runs from March to November. Top circuits in Europe start in late summer or early fall and end in late spring. MLS is making the transition to that format next season.

The NWSL board previously voted against a calendar shift in 2024, according to ESPN.

In a response to media inquiries, a league spokesman seemed to indicate the status quo regarding the schedule.

“The NWSL has been actively evaluating its competition calendar, including the potential to align more closely with the international soccer landscape,” a league spokesperson said in a statement to CBS Sports. “No decision has been made at this time. Any change of this magnitude will be thoughtfully considered and we are taking input from all key stakeholders.”


One of those stakeholder are the players, who responded through the NWSL Players Union a day after the April 17 ESPN report.

“We recognize the pros and cons of each and acknowledge that factors outside our control — including the Women’s International Match Calendar and limited control over facilities — are driving this conversation,” began the statement given to The Athletic.

“We remain concerned, however, that the issue is being framed around the wrong question. The right question is not whether the league should flip the calendar, but whether the right conditions exist to do so responsibly. Right now, they do not. The ability to navigate weather-related disruptions depends on consistent control over facilities and operational flexibility across clubs, and that standard has not been met league-wide.

“Our top priorities in any scenario are protecting and promoting Player health, safety, and performance. As a general matter, a majority of Players polled on this question currently oppose flipping the calendar.”

Although the NWSL has complete authority to alter the schedule to fall-to-spring, the league’s CBA with the union specifies that the league is required to provide the union at least one year’s notice.

Moreover, since many franchise are in the northeast and the schedule would include playing in winter months, the CBA would require the league to implement an “extreme cold policy.”

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Report #Changing #NWSL #expected #vote #schedule #flip

May 24, 2025; Bridgeview, Illinois, USA; The logo of the National Women’s Soccer League at SeatGeek Stadium before the game between the Chicago Stars and the Kansas City Current. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-Imagn Images

A highly-anticipated vote this week by the NWSL Board of Governors on a calendar flip is now not expected to take place, according to a Monday report by CBS Sports.

On April 17, reports indicated that the board of governors would vote on the issue, but those went unconfirmed by the league.

Currently, the NWSL season runs from March to November. Top circuits in Europe start in late summer or early fall and end in late spring. MLS is making the transition to that format next season.

The NWSL board previously voted against a calendar shift in 2024, according to ESPN.

In a response to media inquiries, a league spokesman seemed to indicate the status quo regarding the schedule.

“The NWSL has been actively evaluating its competition calendar, including the potential to align more closely with the international soccer landscape,” a league spokesperson said in a statement to CBS Sports. “No decision has been made at this time. Any change of this magnitude will be thoughtfully considered and we are taking input from all key stakeholders.”

One of those stakeholder are the players, who responded through the NWSL Players Union a day after the April 17 ESPN report.

“We recognize the pros and cons of each and acknowledge that factors outside our control — including the Women’s International Match Calendar and limited control over facilities — are driving this conversation,” began the statement given to The Athletic.

“We remain concerned, however, that the issue is being framed around the wrong question. The right question is not whether the league should flip the calendar, but whether the right conditions exist to do so responsibly. Right now, they do not. The ability to navigate weather-related disruptions depends on consistent control over facilities and operational flexibility across clubs, and that standard has not been met league-wide.

“Our top priorities in any scenario are protecting and promoting Player health, safety, and performance. As a general matter, a majority of Players polled on this question currently oppose flipping the calendar.”

Although the NWSL has complete authority to alter the schedule to fall-to-spring, the league’s CBA with the union specifies that the league is required to provide the union at least one year’s notice.

Moreover, since many franchise are in the northeast and the schedule would include playing in winter months, the CBA would require the league to implement an “extreme cold policy.”

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Report #Changing #NWSL #expected #vote #schedule #flip

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How can India qualify for FIFA U-17 World Cup after North Korea withdrew from Asian Cup? <div id="content-body-70915742" itemprop="articleBody"><p>India was handed a major boost for its FIFA Under-17 World Cup 2026 qualification hopes after the Democratic Republic of Korea withdrew from the U-17 AFC Asian Cup last week.</p><p>Korea DPR, also known as North Korea, was drawn with India, Australia and Uzbekistan in the U-17 Asian Cup, which is scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia between May 5 and 22. Nine teams from the Asian Cup will play in the World Cup, including host Qatar.</p><p>However, a late withdrawal from Korea meant only three teams will compete from the group.</p><h4 class="sub_head">How is that a boost for India’s World Cup hopes?</h4><p>The top two teams from each group will qualify for the U-17 World Cup. As a result, India will now need to finish in the top two from a pool of three teams to qualify for the World Cup.</p><p>India has two matches in the group stages:</p><ul class="article-body article-bullet-list"><li> India vs Australia </li><li> India vs Uzbekistan </li></ul><h4 class="sub_head">How can India qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup?</h4><p><b>Scenario 1: </b>India wins one match and draws/wins the other <b>(4 points or more) </b>— With at least four points, India will qualify.</p><p><b>Scenario 2: </b>India wins one match and loses another <b>(3 points) </b>— If the team India beat also loses its other match, India will qualify.</p><p>But if every team wins one match each, the teams will end up with three points each. Then the following criteria will be considered.</p><ul class="article-body article-bullet-list"><li> Points in head-to-head matches among tied teams; </li><li> Goal difference in head-to-head matches among tied teams. </li><li> Goals scored in head-to-head matches among tied teams; </li><li> If more than two teams were tied, and after applying all head-to-head criteria above, a subset of teams were still tied, all head-to-head criteria above were reapplied exclusively to this subset of teams; </li><li> Goal difference in all group matches; </li><li> Goals scored in all group matches; </li><li> Penalty shoot-out if only two teams were tied and they met in the last round of the group. </li><li> Disciplinary points (yellow card = 1 point, red card as a result of two yellow cards = 3 points, direct red card = 3 points, yellow card followed by direct red card = 4 points); </li><li> Drawing of lots. </li></ul><p><b>Scenario 3: </b>India draws both matches <b>(2 points) </b>— India will qualify if the third group–stage match ends with anything but a draw.</p><p>If Uzbekistan vs Australia ends in a draw, then all three teams end up with the same points. Then the following criteria will be considered.</p><ul class="article-body article-bullet-list"><li> Points in head-to-head matches among tied teams; </li><li> Goal difference in head-to-head matches among tied teams. </li><li> Goals scored in head-to-head matches among tied teams; </li><li> If more than two teams were tied, and after applying all head-to-head criteria above, a subset of teams were still tied, all head-to-head criteria above were reapplied exclusively to this subset of teams; </li><li> Goal difference in all group matches; </li><li> Goals scored in all group matches; </li><li> Penalty shoot-out if only two teams were tied and they met in the last round of the group. </li><li> Disciplinary points (yellow card = 1 point, red card as a result of two yellow cards = 3 points, direct red card = 3 points, yellow card followed by direct red card = 4 points); </li><li> Drawing of lots. </li></ul><p><b>Scenario 4: </b>India draws one match and loses the other <b>(1 point) </b>— The other match will have to be a draw, India will need to lose by a narrow margin and must score in its draw. Only then will India stand a chance to qualify.</p><h4 class="sub_head">Has India played in the FIFA U-17 World Cup before?</h4><p>India has played in the FIFA U-17 World Cup only once in 2017, when it qualified by default as the host. It is yet to qualify for the World Cup on merit.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 28, 2026</p></div> #India #qualify #FIFA #U17 #World #Cup #North #Korea #withdrew #Asian #Cup

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The Hottest Anti-AI Gadget Is a Cyberdeck<div><p class="paywall">In the years following the book’s release, a bro-y community of hobbyists has dabbled with their own wires and screens to create homebrew devices, frequently for <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8XOqrKBM5w" class="text link">hacking purposes</a> or on-the-go coding. Historically, decks have resembled a heavy-duty laptop, featuring a screen and small keyboard, often sleek, utilitarian, and housed in a Pelican briefcase to survive imagined, apocalyptic scenarios. One niche ham radio YouTuber, over a year ago, titled his <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMsRV6hZrxA" class="text link">tutorial video</a> “DIY Doomsday Cyberdeck EMAIL/TEXT without INTERNET” and, of course, included the “prepper” hashtag.</p><p class="paywall">What sets Tan’s cyberdeck apart is its aesthetic. Inside her refurbished clamshell purse, hardware-wise, is a Raspberry Pi single-board computer with a small keyboard and screen. All fairly standard stuff—the cyberdeck’s feminine shell and crafty details are what subverts expectations. “I’ve not seen anyone do a hyper-femme one before,” she says. Tan felt an appreciation for the tactical aesthetic previously established by the cyberdeck community, but she wanted to craft a version that felt more authentic to her style. “I’ve always been very anti-minimalist,” she says. “In my life, I want color, and I want everything that I own to convey that it’s me.”</p><p class="paywall">To make her mermaid cyberdeck less reliant on internet access, she has transferred heaps of files from her PC, uploading songs, books, maps, Wikipedia articles, and even some photos of her cats directly onto the device. When the custom mouse is connected, she can even run <em>Doom</em> on it.</p><figure class="AssetEmbedWrapper-iJvQnD cOWUYC asset-embed"><div class="AssetEmbedAssetContainer-fnduJP iaVSwI asset-embed__asset-container"><span class="SpanWrapper-kFnjvc eKnjjD responsive-asset AssetEmbedResponsiveAsset-gaAbQ hXaxHA asset-embed__responsive-asset"><picture class="ResponsiveImagePicture-jKunQM gjCCFj AssetEmbedResponsiveAsset-gaAbQ hXaxHA asset-embed__responsive-asset responsive-image"><img alt="Photo of Cyberdeck" loading="lazy" class="ResponsiveImageContainer-dkeESL cQPiWi responsive-image__image" srcset="https://media.wired.com/photos/69ebcad9abbfb24bd7bfb5e9/master/w_120,c_limit/Annike_Cyberdeck.jpg 120w, https://media.wired.com/photos/69ebcad9abbfb24bd7bfb5e9/master/w_240,c_limit/Annike_Cyberdeck.jpg 240w, https://media.wired.com/photos/69ebcad9abbfb24bd7bfb5e9/master/w_320,c_limit/Annike_Cyberdeck.jpg 320w, https://media.wired.com/photos/69ebcad9abbfb24bd7bfb5e9/master/w_640,c_limit/Annike_Cyberdeck.jpg 640w, https://media.wired.com/photos/69ebcad9abbfb24bd7bfb5e9/master/w_960,c_limit/Annike_Cyberdeck.jpg 960w, https://media.wired.com/photos/69ebcad9abbfb24bd7bfb5e9/master/w_1280,c_limit/Annike_Cyberdeck.jpg 1280w, https://media.wired.com/photos/69ebcad9abbfb24bd7bfb5e9/master/w_1600,c_limit/Annike_Cyberdeck.jpg 1600w" sizes="100vw" src="https://media.wired.com/photos/69ebcad9abbfb24bd7bfb5e9/master/w_1600%2Cc_limit/Annike_Cyberdeck.jpg"/></picture></span></div><div class="CaptionWrapper-bpPcvW iDPSlt caption AssetEmbedCaption-eZIMNW gMgneI asset-embed__caption" data-testid="caption-wrapper"><span class="BaseText-fEwdHD CaptionText-cQpRdU kRTNAB hbiMYj caption__text"><p>In addition to her mermaid-inspired cyberdeck, Tan also shared the construction of a deck featuring solar panels on TikTok.</p> </span><span class="BaseText-fEwdHD CaptionCredit-cUgOGk iQbGEh hRFzlA caption__credit">Courtesy of Annike Tan</span></div></figure><p class="paywall">Tan says the audience for her widely viewed TikToks are around three-fourths women. “A lot of people had the response, ‘Oh, I didn’t know you could make a computer like this. I thought it had to be a gray box, like every other Mac or Dell or whatever,’” says Ling Lu, a 28-year-old product designer and illustrator who lives in New York City. She was inspired by Tan’s videos to try to make her own whimsical gadget, the “<a data-offer-url="https://www.tiktok.com/@fishlooker_/video/7625667606153858322?_r=1&_t=ZP-95cwqzl46Bj" class="external-link text link" data-event-click="{"element":"ExternalLink","outgoingURL":"https://www.tiktok.com/@fishlooker_/video/7625667606153858322?_r=1&_t=ZP-95cwqzl46Bj"}" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@fishlooker_/video/7625667606153858322?_r=1&_t=ZP-95cwqzl46Bj" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">cyberduck</a>” audio journal, an avian-shaped recording device for personal use.</p></div><script async src="//www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script>#Hottest #AntiAI #Gadget #Cyberdeckcomputer,diy,hacking,tiktok,trends,social media

This was supposed to be the summer of George.

Despite arriving at the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix 20 points behind teammate Kimi Antonelli in the Drivers’ Championship race, George Russell was on track for a weekend in Montreal that would put him right back in the fight. Russell captured pole position for the F1 Sprint race on Friday, held off Lando Norris and Antonelli after a hard fight with his teammate to take the win in that race on Saturday, and then took pole position for Sunday’s main event with a strong performance in qualifying.

And after yet another hard fight with Antonelli in the early stages of Sunday’s Canadian Grand Prix, with several changes between the two Mercedes drivers, Russell was leading the race.

Then, on Lap 30, his car stopped on the track. His race was over.

His frustration seemed to boil over as he exited his challenger:

And with Antonelli going on to take his fourth consecutive Grand Prix victory, Russell is left to wonder if his championship hopes have been brought to a halt as well.

“Disbelief,” said Russell to the official F1 channel when asked how he felt following his retirement, which the team attributed to a power unit failure. “It feels like somebody doesn’t want me to fight or compete for this championship.

“Three out of the last five races there’s just been something really going against us. [I’m] just a bit lost for words right now.”

Russell managed to find a silver lining after the race, pointing at how he responded to the “doubters” and the “chat” following the Miami Grand Prix, where he missed out on a podium for the second consecutive Grand Prix.

“Yeah, I loved the battle,” he said to the F1 channel. “I was happy with how I handled it, how I drove and I’m just pleased with the weekend in terms of my own personal performance.

“There were a lot of doubters maybe after Miami and a lot of chat, but I know what I can do. Pole in the Sprint, win the Sprint, pole in Qualifying, leading the race.

“Hard battles, I really loved the battle and I wanted to continue for 30 more laps. I would have loved to see how it would have panned out but here we are.”

When Russell announced his new contract with Mercedes prior to last season’s United States Grand Prix, he outlined how staying with the Silver Arrows gives him the best chance to win a championship. “Well for me I’m really happy to be continuing [with Mercedes] because the truth is if every single seat was available for next year and I could choose any single team to race for, I believe Mercedes is my best chance of winning the championship next year, and for me winning is is more about winning than it is about money or sponsor days or anything,” said Russell to the media, including SB Nation, during the media day in Austin last October.

“I want to win, and this is what I’m fighting for.”

There is certainly a long way to go this season, but at the moment Russell trails Antonelli by 43 points in the standings, with his teammate set to bring a four-race winning streak to the Monaco Grand Prix in two weeks’ time.

Perhaps the summer of George can begin then.

#George #Russell #lost #words #Canadian #Grand #Prix">George Russell ‘lost for words’ after Canadian Grand Prix  This was supposed to be the summer of George.Despite arriving at the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix 20 points behind teammate Kimi Antonelli in the Drivers’ Championship race, George Russell was on track for a weekend in Montreal that would put him right back in the fight. Russell captured pole position for the F1 Sprint race on Friday, held off Lando Norris and Antonelli after a hard fight with his teammate to take the win in that race on Saturday, and then took pole position for Sunday’s main event with a strong performance in qualifying.And after yet another hard fight with Antonelli in the early stages of Sunday’s Canadian Grand Prix, with several changes between the two Mercedes drivers, Russell was leading the race.Then, on Lap 30, his car stopped on the track. His race was over.His frustration seemed to boil over as he exited his challenger:And with Antonelli going on to take his fourth consecutive Grand Prix victory, Russell is left to wonder if his championship hopes have been brought to a halt as well.“Disbelief,” said Russell to the official F1 channel when asked how he felt following his retirement, which the team attributed to a power unit failure. “It feels like somebody doesn’t want me to fight or compete for this championship.“Three out of the last five races there’s just been something really going against us. [I’m] just a bit lost for words right now.”Russell managed to find a silver lining after the race, pointing at how he responded to the “doubters” and the “chat” following the Miami Grand Prix, where he missed out on a podium for the second consecutive Grand Prix.“Yeah, I loved the battle,” he said to the F1 channel. “I was happy with how I handled it, how I drove and I’m just pleased with the weekend in terms of my own personal performance.“There were a lot of doubters maybe after Miami and a lot of chat, but I know what I can do. Pole in the Sprint, win the Sprint, pole in Qualifying, leading the race.“Hard battles, I really loved the battle and I wanted to continue for 30 more laps. I would have loved to see how it would have panned out but here we are.”When Russell announced his new contract with Mercedes prior to last season’s United States Grand Prix, he outlined how staying with the Silver Arrows gives him the best chance to win a championship. “Well for me I’m really happy to be continuing [with Mercedes] because the truth is if every single seat was available for next year and I could choose any single team to race for, I believe Mercedes is my best chance of winning the championship next year, and for me winning is is more about winning than it is about money or sponsor days or anything,” said Russell to the media, including SB Nation, during the media day in Austin last October.“I want to win, and this is what I’m fighting for.”There is certainly a long way to go this season, but at the moment Russell trails Antonelli by 43 points in the standings, with his teammate set to bring a four-race winning streak to the Monaco Grand Prix in two weeks’ time.Perhaps the summer of George can begin then.  #George #Russell #lost #words #Canadian #Grand #Prix

official F1 channel when asked how he felt following his retirement, which the team attributed to a power unit failure. “It feels like somebody doesn’t want me to fight or compete for this championship.

“Three out of the last five races there’s just been something really going against us. [I’m] just a bit lost for words right now.”

Russell managed to find a silver lining after the race, pointing at how he responded to the “doubters” and the “chat” following the Miami Grand Prix, where he missed out on a podium for the second consecutive Grand Prix.

“Yeah, I loved the battle,” he said to the F1 channel. “I was happy with how I handled it, how I drove and I’m just pleased with the weekend in terms of my own personal performance.

“There were a lot of doubters maybe after Miami and a lot of chat, but I know what I can do. Pole in the Sprint, win the Sprint, pole in Qualifying, leading the race.

“Hard battles, I really loved the battle and I wanted to continue for 30 more laps. I would have loved to see how it would have panned out but here we are.”

When Russell announced his new contract with Mercedes prior to last season’s United States Grand Prix, he outlined how staying with the Silver Arrows gives him the best chance to win a championship. “Well for me I’m really happy to be continuing [with Mercedes] because the truth is if every single seat was available for next year and I could choose any single team to race for, I believe Mercedes is my best chance of winning the championship next year, and for me winning is is more about winning than it is about money or sponsor days or anything,” said Russell to the media, including SB Nation, during the media day in Austin last October.

“I want to win, and this is what I’m fighting for.”

There is certainly a long way to go this season, but at the moment Russell trails Antonelli by 43 points in the standings, with his teammate set to bring a four-race winning streak to the Monaco Grand Prix in two weeks’ time.

Perhaps the summer of George can begin then.

#George #Russell #lost #words #Canadian #Grand #Prix">George Russell ‘lost for words’ after Canadian Grand Prix

This was supposed to be the summer of George.

Despite arriving at the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix 20 points behind teammate Kimi Antonelli in the Drivers’ Championship race, George Russell was on track for a weekend in Montreal that would put him right back in the fight. Russell captured pole position for the F1 Sprint race on Friday, held off Lando Norris and Antonelli after a hard fight with his teammate to take the win in that race on Saturday, and then took pole position for Sunday’s main event with a strong performance in qualifying.

And after yet another hard fight with Antonelli in the early stages of Sunday’s Canadian Grand Prix, with several changes between the two Mercedes drivers, Russell was leading the race.

Then, on Lap 30, his car stopped on the track. His race was over.

His frustration seemed to boil over as he exited his challenger:

And with Antonelli going on to take his fourth consecutive Grand Prix victory, Russell is left to wonder if his championship hopes have been brought to a halt as well.

“Disbelief,” said Russell to the official F1 channel when asked how he felt following his retirement, which the team attributed to a power unit failure. “It feels like somebody doesn’t want me to fight or compete for this championship.

“Three out of the last five races there’s just been something really going against us. [I’m] just a bit lost for words right now.”

Russell managed to find a silver lining after the race, pointing at how he responded to the “doubters” and the “chat” following the Miami Grand Prix, where he missed out on a podium for the second consecutive Grand Prix.

“Yeah, I loved the battle,” he said to the F1 channel. “I was happy with how I handled it, how I drove and I’m just pleased with the weekend in terms of my own personal performance.

“There were a lot of doubters maybe after Miami and a lot of chat, but I know what I can do. Pole in the Sprint, win the Sprint, pole in Qualifying, leading the race.

“Hard battles, I really loved the battle and I wanted to continue for 30 more laps. I would have loved to see how it would have panned out but here we are.”

When Russell announced his new contract with Mercedes prior to last season’s United States Grand Prix, he outlined how staying with the Silver Arrows gives him the best chance to win a championship. “Well for me I’m really happy to be continuing [with Mercedes] because the truth is if every single seat was available for next year and I could choose any single team to race for, I believe Mercedes is my best chance of winning the championship next year, and for me winning is is more about winning than it is about money or sponsor days or anything,” said Russell to the media, including SB Nation, during the media day in Austin last October.

“I want to win, and this is what I’m fighting for.”

There is certainly a long way to go this season, but at the moment Russell trails Antonelli by 43 points in the standings, with his teammate set to bring a four-race winning streak to the Monaco Grand Prix in two weeks’ time.

Perhaps the summer of George can begin then.

#George #Russell #lost #words #Canadian #Grand #Prix

Sunderland became only the fifth ​side in Premier League history to qualify for Europe ⁠in its first season following promotion after beating Chelsea 2-1 in the Premier League on Sunday.

A 25th-minute volley from Trai Hume and a second-half own goal from ‌Malo Gusto lifted Sunderland into seventh place in the table. Cole Palmer pulled one back for a Chelsea side that had Wesley Fofana sent off.

Sunderland will join Bournemouth, which drew 1-1 ‌at ⁠Nottingham Forest, in the Europa League next season with ⁠Chelsea missing out on Europe entirely.

The Conference League spot went to Brighton & Hove Albion in eighth despite a 3-0 home defeat by Manchester United.

United, whose talisman Bruno Fernandes scored ​a goal and supplied a record-breaking ‌21st assist of the season, had Champions League qualification wrapped up, as did champion Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa. Liverpool picked up the point it needed to make mathematically certain with a 1-1 ‌draw at home to Brentford.

Crystal Palace can also qualify for ​next season’s Europa League if it beats Rayo Vallecano in the Conference League final in Leipzig on Wednesday.

Sunderland last ⁠played in Europe in the 1973-74 Cup Winners’ Cup, but after a superb return season in the top flight under coach Regis Le Bris, it ‌has a lot to look forward to next season.

Bournemouth, which played in the third tier of English football 13 years ago, will play in Europe for the first time in its history after Marcus Tavernier’s second-half equaliser earned a point at Forest in coach Andoni Iraola’s final game in charge.

Before kickoff, there was an outside chance of Champions League ‌football for Bournemouth if other results opened up a sixth qualification position for English ​clubs, but that evaporated with Aston Villa’s 2-1 win at Manchester City.

Published on May 25, 2026

#Sunderland #secures #Europa #League #spot #win #Chelsea">Sunderland secures Europa League spot with 2-1 win over Chelsea  Sunderland became only the fifth ​side in Premier League history to qualify for Europe ⁠in its first season following promotion after beating Chelsea 2-1 in the Premier League on Sunday.A 25th-minute volley from Trai Hume and a second-half own goal from ‌Malo Gusto lifted Sunderland into seventh place in the table. Cole Palmer pulled one back for a Chelsea side that had Wesley Fofana sent off.Sunderland will join Bournemouth, which drew 1-1 ‌at ⁠Nottingham Forest, in the Europa League next season with ⁠Chelsea missing out on Europe entirely.The Conference League spot went to Brighton & Hove Albion in eighth despite a 3-0 home defeat by Manchester United.United, whose talisman Bruno Fernandes scored ​a goal and supplied a record-breaking ‌21st assist of the season, had Champions League qualification wrapped up, as did champion Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa. Liverpool picked up the point it needed to make mathematically certain with a 1-1 ‌draw at home to Brentford.Crystal Palace can also qualify for ​next season’s Europa League if it beats Rayo Vallecano in the Conference League final in Leipzig on Wednesday.Sunderland last ⁠played in Europe in the 1973-74 Cup Winners’ Cup, but after a superb return season in the top flight under coach Regis Le Bris, it ‌has a lot to look forward to next season.Bournemouth, which played in the third tier of English football 13 years ago, will play in Europe for the first time in its history after Marcus Tavernier’s second-half equaliser earned a point at Forest in coach Andoni Iraola’s final game in charge.Before kickoff, there was an outside chance of Champions League ‌football for Bournemouth if other results opened up a sixth qualification position for English ​clubs, but that evaporated with Aston Villa’s 2-1 win at Manchester City.Published on May 25, 2026  #Sunderland #secures #Europa #League #spot #win #Chelsea

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