Frankfurt’s Mario Goetze cheers with the fans after the UEFA Europa League soccer match between Eintracht Frankfurt and Ajax Amsterdam at Deutsche Bank Park. Arne Dedert/dpa
Eintracht Frankfurt playmaker Mario Götze was showered with praise after his gala performance in the Europa League last-16 win over Ajax Amsterdam.
The man who scored Germany’s winner in the 2014 World Cup final has struggled ever since, but two fine goals in Thursday’s 4-1 second leg win at home had his bosses purring.
“It shows how important Mario is for our young team.
Author: Michael
Two years ago, the Washington Commanders were rudderless and hopeless and appeared to be going nowhere for years to come. While owner Daniel Snyder had put the team up for sale, no one actually believed he would sell the team. He did, partly because the NFL pressured him into it, along with some cajoling from Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs.
Josh Harris and his ownership group took over in July 2023, and everything began to change. While the 2023 season was a mess, it allowed the Commanders the chance to reset with completely new leadership in 2024.
FOCO’s new Johnny Bench Cincinnati Redshome run spinner mini bobblehead scene shows the National Baseball Hall of Famer wearing his white gameday uniform in an action pose, and is available for pre-order.
The figure is part of FOCO’s Reds collection. It’s numbered out of 144, available for $80 and would ship no later than August 29, 2025. The height is approximately 5 inches, including the base.
The base’s top is a field-textured platform with diamond accents, which also spins 360 degrees.
There is a limit of two per person.
The career of cornerback Adoree’ Jackson will continue in 2025 but it will not be as a member of the New York Giants.
Rather, Jackson will join his former Giants teammate Saquon Barkley in the City of Brotherly Love as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles after agreeing to terms on a one-year deal.
Breaking: Former #Giants CB Adoree’ Jackson is signing with the #Eagles, I’m told.
Jackson has started 82 career games and adds experience and depth to Philadelphia’s secondary. pic.twitter.
GB Masters athlete Dot Kesterton won gold at the 2022 World Masters Athletics Championships [Mark Ansell / BBC]
A retired teacher who gave up running for decades when she was humiliated in a school cross-country race wants to inspire other older people to take up the sport after she became a world champion.
Dot Kesterton, from Sheffield, won gold in the 10k at the World Masters Athletics Championships in Finland three years ago with a time of 47:17.
The 72-year-old is one of seven Masters athletes who have represented their country training at her club, Virtual Harriers in Clay Wood.
Nebraska football extended an offer to class of 2027 defensive end DeMarco Jenkins on Wednesday. He made the announcement on social media.
Jenkins is not rated in the 247Sports composite rankings, but he does have several offers. Arizona State, Baylor, Houston, San Diego State, TCU, and Texas A&M are among the schools that have extended offers to him. He received an offer from Aggies on January 30.
Jenkins measures in at six-foot-three, 265 pounds. The defense end recorded 27 tackles, seven stops, three sacks, and eight quarterback hurries in the 2024 season.
The South Bay Lakers had a four-game winning streak snapped on Monday when they lost 110-97 to the Motor City Cruise. They looked to get back on track on Thursday at UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo versus the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
South Bay fell behind early and trailed 31-27 at the end of the first quarter. It was still down by a score of 51-48 at halftime, but a 14-2 run early in the third quarter turned the game around for it. South Bay was able to maintain enough control the rest of the way and come away with a 107-100 victory.
Wisconsin Badgers (24-8, 14-7 Big Ten) vs. UCLA Bruins (22-9, 13-7 Big Ten)
Indianapolis; Friday, 2:30 p.m. EDT
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Badgers -1.5; over/under is 142.5
BOTTOM LINE: UCLA plays in the Big Ten Tournament against No. 18 Wisconsin.
The Bruins are 13-7 against Big Ten opponents and 9-2 in non-conference play. UCLA is 5-2 in games decided by less than 4 points.
The Badgers are 14-7 against Big Ten teams. Wisconsin ranks seventh in the Big Ten shooting 34.9% from 3-point range.
UCLA’s average of 7.3 made 3-pointers per game this season is only 0.
Iona Gaels (16-16, 13-8 MAAC) vs. Quinnipiac Bobcats (20-12, 16-5 MAAC)
Atlantic City, New Jersey; Friday, 6 p.m. EDT
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Bobcats -3.5; over/under is 144.5
BOTTOM LINE: Quinnipiac takes on Iona in the MAAC Tournament.
The Bobcats’ record in MAAC play is 16-5, and their record is 4-7 in non-conference games. Quinnipiac is sixth in the MAAC with 13.8 assists per game led by Savion Lewis averaging 6.2.
The Gaels are 13-8 in MAAC play. Iona has a 5-5 record in games decided by 10 points or more.
Quinnipiac’s average of 6.
Ole Miss Rebels (22-10, 11-8 SEC) vs. Auburn Tigers (27-4, 15-3 SEC)
Nashville, Tennessee; Friday, 1 p.m. EDT
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Tigers -11.5; over/under is 154.5
BOTTOM LINE: No. 3 Auburn plays Ole Miss in the SEC Tournament.
The Tigers are 15-3 against SEC opponents and 12-1 in non-conference play. Auburn is 20-2 when it wins the turnover battle and averages 8.8 turnovers per game.
The Rebels’ record in SEC action is 11-8. Ole Miss is 21-9 when it turns the ball over less than its opponents and averages 8.5 turnovers per game.
Auburn scores 85.2 points, 13.