New Zealand captain says it’s tough to process losing the World Cup in such a fashion after scores were tied at end of each innings and in the Super Overs

Melinda Farrell at Lord's15-Jul-2019Kane Williamson admitted it was “tough to swallow” the fact that the boundary countback eventually decided the World Cup winners. England and New Zealand were equal on runs after both the regulation part of the match and the Super Overs that followed, but England had scored a hit of 26 boundaries to New Zealand’s 17, including the Super Overs.When asked if the system was a fair way to decide a World Cup final, Williamson was typically gracious while admitting the situation was completely unexpected.”I suppose you never thought you would have to ask that question and I never thought I would have to answer it,” Williamson said with a wry smile. “Yeah, while the emotions are raw, it is pretty hard to swallow when two teams have worked really, really hard to get to this moment in time and when sort of two attempts to separate them with a winner and a loser it still doesn’t perhaps sort of shine with one side coming through, you know. It is what it is, really. The rules are there at the start.Watch on Hotstar – The Super Over (India only)”No one probably thought they would have to sort of resort to some of that stuff. But yeah, very tough to swallow. A great game of cricket and all you guys probably enjoyed it.”The rules are there I guess, aren’t they, and certainly something you don’t consider going into the match that maybe if we could have an extra boundary and then tied two attempts at winning it we will get across the line and they didn’t think that either. I don’t even know what the boundary count was but we were slightly behind. Yeah, very, very tough to… yeah, there you go.”Eoin Morgan said England considered the possibility of it coming into force during their chase but were also mindful of the rule before the match.”When we took the field,” Morgan said, when asked at which stage he knew that boundaries would decide the match in the case of a tied Super Over. “I asked what would happen because we sat in a meeting pre-tournament and then when it got close to the chase we started refreshing our minds whether it was going to be a Super Over or not and then communication from [fourth umpire] Aleem Dar up to the changing room before we batted and then reaffirmed when we went out to field.”

Cesc Fabregas is reportedly working behind the scenes to lure Alexis Sanchez and Loris Karius to Como as they gear up for a return to Serie A.

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• Fabregas to lead Como in Serie A
• Wants to sign free agents Sanchez and Karius
• Are also looking to strengthen in defence

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  After 21 years away from Italy's top-flight football, Como are gearing up for a triumphant return to Serie A. This significant achievement has prompted an aggressive strategy in the transfer market to ensure the team can compete at the highest level. Leading this ambitious project is Fabregas, recently promoted to sole coach after successfully guiding the team to promotion alongside Osian Roberts.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  According to , among the notable names being considered for the offensive lineup is Alexis Sanchez. The 35-year-old Chilean striker is currently a free agent after his contract with Inter expired. Despite limited playing time this season – only 750 minutes across six starts – Sanchez is eager to reignite his career and could be open to a move to Como. At Inter, he earned a net salary of €2.8 million, a figure that exceeds Como's budgetary constraints. For the move to materialise, Sanchez would need to agree to a significant salary reduction. In addition to Sanchez, Como is exploring various other options to strengthen their squad including the likes of Mauro Icardi, Joaquin Correa, Andrea Pinamonti and Andrea Belotti.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  The goalkeeping position is another critical area requiring attention. Current discussions revolve around whether to bring in a primary competitor for Croatian goalkeeper Adrian Semper or to secure a reliable second option. Names like Alessio Cragno from Sassuolo (on loan from Monza) and Loris Karius from Newcastle have been mentioned. Karius, in particular, could be a strategic acquisition as it would allow him to be closer to Milan, where his fiancée, Diletta Leotta, and their daughter, Aria Rose, live.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  For the midfield, Fabregas and Ludi have set their sights on players with expiring contracts who are looking to revive their careers. Stefano Sensi, also from Inter, and Daniel Boloca from Sassuolo are potential targets. Whereas, in defence, Como are interested in players like Gian Marco Ferrari from Sassuolo and Alberto Dossena from Cagliari.

  Fabregas’ vision for Como extends beyond mere survival in Serie A. The former Barcelona and Chelsea star is committed to building a competitive team capable of making a significant impact. His approach involves a blend of experienced veterans like Sanchez and young talents looking for a platform to prove themselves.

MatériaMais Notícias

A IFFHS (Federação Internacional de História e Estatística do Futebol) definiu, nesse último sábado (27), a Equipe Juvenil Feminina da Conmebol 2020. Foram escolhidas as onze melhores jogadoras do ano passado até o sub-20 e Angelina, atleta que atuava no Palmeiras na última temporada, esteve presente entre as eleitas.

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A meia, que agora completou 21 anos, tem dupla nacionalidade, brasileira e estadunidense. Enquanto vestia a camisa do Palmeiras, ela estava representando a Seleção Sub-20 e era capitã da equipe até então. Após o termino da temporada de sucesso, Angelina recebeu proposta para atuar no OL Reign, time dos Estados Unidos.

Até o momento, ela ainda não teve uma oportunidade na Seleção Brasileira principal. No Palmeiras, atuou em 20 jogos pelo Campeonato Brasileiro A1 e Campeonato Paulista, marcando três gols com a camisa do time. Promissora, Angelina é cotada para ser um dos grandes futuros do futebol feminino.

Além dela, outras cinco brasileiras também estiveram presentes na equipe: Bruninha (Santos), Camila (Kindermann), Ana Vitória (Benfica), Jaqueline (São Paulo) e Micaelly (São Paulo). Os times das atletas são os atuais e não nos quais elas foram escolhidas.

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As Thursday's transfer deadline approaches, Leeds United manager Daniel Farke is trying to secure a reunion with Ben Godfrey, one of his former players at Norwich City.

Everton are open to letting Godfrey leave Goodison Park before the end of the window as they look to trim their wage bill, but they have rejected Leeds' first loan offer. 49ers Enterprises are still pushing to get the deal done, and are expected to return with another bid.

In the meantime, though, it's sensible for Leeds to put some feelers out for alternative centre-backs, to ensure they're not left empty-handed if they can't pull off the Godfrey deal. That's where Bournemouth's Chris Mepham comes in.

Leeds unsuccessful with Mepham approach

According to Fabrizio Romano, Leeds have made an approach for Mepham, along with Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United, but both the Championship promotion-chasers and Premier League strugglers have been rebuffed by Andoni Iraola's side.

The Cherries regard him as too important a player to be sold or loaned out at this late stage, and they've told his suitors that he won't be leaving this week.

"Aggressive" Mepham has been hard done by

It sounds like Leeds can forget about signing Mepham, until the summer at the very least, and that's as disappointing as it is surprising. Bournemouth's stance isn't really consistent with the hard facts when it comes to Mepham's lack of involvement this season – as you can see in the table below, he's played almost as many minutes in the domestic cup competitions (225) as he has in the Premier League (265). Indeed, his start in the 4-0 defeat to Liverpool last time out was only his third in the top-flight this season.

Chris Mepham stats

Appearances

Minutes

Premier League

6

265

League Cup

2

180

FA Cup

1

45

Leeds fans may have relished what former manager Scott Parker has called an "aggressive" approach to defending from the Welshman. When compared to fellow centre-backs in similar leagues over the last year, he ranks in the 94th percentile for dribblers challenged per 90 (2.08), demonstrating his eagerness to put a foot in, and the 90th for blocks (1.74), which shows that he's ready to throw his body in the way of the ball. He sits in the 91st for interceptions too (1.82), so he clearly defends on the front foot.

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Now that Leeds look set to miss out, there's extra pressure on the club to land Godfrey, or indeed a different, plan-c target. It's unclear why exactly Everton were dissatisfied with their proposed terms – they may have wanted the Whites to take on a greater share of the player's salary – but whatever the reasoning, they need to either meet the Toffees' demands or move on at this stage.

La Roja are yet again set to blend youth with experience as they aim to win their fourth continental crime this summer

The most recent golden generation of Spanish football has officially passed. With Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba having left the national team set-up for good, the last dregs of one of the greatest international sides of all-time have disappeared.

But that doesn't mean La Roja are without talent. The most-recent Nations League winners reached the semi-finals of Euro 2020 with a side that combined youth with experience, and though Luis Enrique has since moved on, his replacement – Luis de la Fuente – has maintained that philosophy since taking over the reins.

They will face a fight to make it out of their group, however, having been drawn alongside defending European champions Italy and fellow Nations League finalists Croatia, meaning De la Fuente cannot afford any missteps. So, who has the Spain boss decided to take to Germany? GOAL takes a look at La Roja's 26-strong squad below…

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Unai Simon was installed as Spain's starting goalkeeper ahead of the delayed Euro 2020, and has kept the role ever since, though he is now coming under strong pressure from David Raya, whose improved performances for Arsenal could yet earn him the No.1 shirt in Germany.

Meanwhile, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Robert Sanchez have fallen out of favour at club level for Real Madrid and Chelsea, respectively, opening the door for uncapped Real Sociedad 'keeper Alex Remiro to become third-choice.

David RayaArsenalAlex RemiroReal SociedadUnai SimonAthletic ClubAdvertisementGettyDEFENDERS

Despite moving to the Saudi Pro League, Aymeric Laporte remains first-choice at the back for Spain, and looks set to be partnered by Real Sociedad's Robin Le Normand in Germany.

The full-back positions also look settled, with Alejandro Grimaldo likely to be rewarded for his superb season at Bayer Leverkusen with a starting role on the left, while Dani Carvajal will take up his usual role on the right flank.

Dani CarvajalReal MadridMarc CucurellaChelseaAlejandro GrimaldoBayer LeverkusenAymeric LaporteAl-NassrRobin Le NormandReal SociedadNachoReal MadridJesus NavasSevillaDani VivianAthletic ClubGetty ImagesMIDFIELDERS

There's no question who Spain's best player is heading into the Euros, with Rodri remaining the most impressive defensive midfielder in the game right now as he bosses central areas for Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, while also popping up with an occasional important goal.

Pedri who could also offer so much if he can stay healthy. His Barca team-mate Fermin Lopez may also get a look, while Fabian Ruiz could have an important role to play after a series of impressive showings for former Spain boss Luis Enrique at Paris Saint-Germain.

Alex BaenaVillarrealFermin LopezBarcelonaMikel MerinoReal SociedadPedriBarcelonaRodriManchester CityFabian RuizParis Saint-GermainMartin ZubimendiReal SociedadENJOYED THIS STORY?

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Lamine Yamal has been, quite comfortably, the best young player in Europe this season, but like so many Barcelona starlets, will need to see his game time managed. Still, he figures to be a must-start if fit.

Alvaro Morata will likely have the central role nailed down, meanwhile, but there are questions to answer on the left-hand side of the forward line. Dani Olmo can certainly play out wide, but is at his most effective slightly tucked in. That would seem to open up space for Nico Williams, who has improved immensely for Athletic Club this season.

Ferran Torres will perhaps get a look, too, as he's provided some timely goals for Barca this season, and could be a strong option off the bench. Ayoze Perez was a surprise inclusion following a solid season at Real Betis.

JoseluReal MadridAlvaro MorataAtletico MadridDani OlmoRB LeipzigMikel OyarzabalReal SociedadAyoze Perez Real BetisFerran TorresBarcelonaNico WilliamsAthletic ClubLamine YamalBarcelona

It happened to Mark Haddon. After his first novel, sold more than two million copies, Haddon was the British author to watch. Remember his follow-up, Me neither.It happened to Michu, the Spanish striker who scored 18 league goals in 2012-13, his debut season for Swansea City; the following campaign brought just two.And it happened to the Kaiser Chiefs, the noughties rock band from Leeds, who followed up their debut album with an effort that Pitchfork described as an “extended dreary hangover from the drunken escapade of the first”.But Pat Brown is determined that it won’t happen to him. After a breakout year in the Vitality Blast last year, in which he came seemingly from nowhere to spearhead Worcestershire’s attack and lead them to a maiden title, the underlying symptoms of sophomore syndrome loom large.Other teams will no longer be taken by surprise. Analysts have prepared footage; coaches have prepared plans. How to deal with Brown is now the first bullet point on the dossier, not a rushed footnote added by hand.Not that any of that fazes him, of course. “At the end of the day if I nail my skills how I did last season and how I can then I’m still going to do alright,” Brown tells ESPNcricinfo. “Obviously I’m prepared maybe not to have as good a year since people are more prepared to face me, but if I stick to focusing on my skills, then I can let them do the talking.”It’s not so much a plan to stop it happening, it’s just a case of looking to keep improving, keep one step ahead of batters. I won’t worry too much about research being done.”After all, Brown’s success was hardly a surprise come the knockouts of a tournament that stretches out over several months. And yet, despite the preparation teams had done to counter his threat, he was the star of Finals Day. He returned 4 for 21 in the semi against Lancashire before Sussex played out his four overs for just 15.”You saw in the final, Sussex didn’t really try to hit me around too much – that was obviously good for my economy. I didn’t take any wickets in the final, but went at under four [an over]. If that happens, I’m just as happy not to take wickets but to try and control the run rate for the team.”Perhaps the most impressive feature of Brown’s season was that all his achievements – most wickets in the tournament, the second-most in an English T20 campaign – came about while he played through a serious injury.