Knicks beat Spurs to claim first NBA title in 53 years

Los Angeles: The New York Knicks, fueled by a sensational 45 points from Jalen Brunson, rallied again to beat the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 and win their first NBA title in 53 years on Saturday.

The Knicks won the best-of-seven championship series 4-1, denying Victor Wembanyama and his young Spurs teammates on their home floor to lift the trophy for the first time since 1973.

The Knicks, who recovered from 29 points down in game four to produce the biggest comeback in Finals history, erased a double-digit deficit to win for the fourth time in the series. umafrika.club

They trailed by 16 in the second quarter and were down by 10 early in the fourth, but Brunson wouldn't let them lose.

"I've got no words," Brunson said after setting a Knicks record for points in a Finals game, surpassing Willis Reed's 38 in game three of the team's 1970 triumph over the Los Angeles Lakers.

"I don't know what I'm feeling," added Brunson, who was named Finals Most Valuable Player. "I'm in awe. Whenever someone counts us out, we find a way to come back and do something about it." French star Wembanyama scored 19 points, pulled down 14 rebounds and blocked five shots and rookie Dylan Harper scored 25 points off the bench for San Antonio.

الأخبارمصر تجدد للعميدأعلن الاتحاد المصري لكرة القدم موافقته على تجديد عقد حسام حسن مدرب المنتخب الوطني، بعد مسيرة ناجحة في كأس العالم، إذ حقق الفراعنة أول فوز في تاريخهم في النهائيات. وقاد حسن مصر ل...فتح →

But once again the Spurs team that vanquished the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference finals were unable to hold off the crafty and determined Knicks.

The win marked the final chapter of a dramatic playoff run which had captivated New York, with tens of thousands of long-suffering fans packing neighborhood watch parties throughout the Big Apple as the team inched towards a first title in more than half a century.

Within moments of clinching victory on Saturday, the Empire State Building was lit up in the Knicks' signature orange and blue colors, as raucous celebrations erupted outside the team's Madison Square Garden home.

There was a boisterous blue and orange-clad contingent cheering them on at the Spurs' Frost Bank Center as well, where the celebrities on the sidelines included not only longtime Knicks fans but also Britain's Prince Harry, who sat with NBA commissioner Adam Silver.

Mikal Bridges scored 14 points and Josh Hart added 13 points and 11 rebounds for the Knicks. Karl-Anthony Towns scored just two points before fouling out in the fourth quarter but pulled down 10 rebounds and came up with three steals and a blocked shot.

Fouled on a three-pointer, Brunson made all three free-throws to put the Knicks up 86-85 with 3:40 left to play.

It was their first lead since the opening minutes and they wouldn't trail again.

Game four hero OG Anunoby drove for a dunk that made it 88-85 and after the Spurs knotted it at 88-88 Brunson put New York back in front with a driving basket and the Knicks held on.

With their backs against the wall the Spurs were locked in defensively from the opening tip-off.

Wembanyama set the tone, blocking three shots in the first quarter as the Spurs powered to a 23-13 lead, holding the Knicks to their fewest points in any quarter this post-season.

Wembanyama tied a Finals record with five blocks in the first half and drilled a three-pointer that pushed the Spurs lead to 16 early in the second period.

But the Knicks were heating up, cutting the deficit to three before Devin Vassell's fadeaway basket at the buzzer sent the Spurs into the interval with a 42-37 lead.

San Antonio quickly rebuilt a double-digit lead, but Brunson and the gritty Knicks wouldn't let them get away.

"We weren't ready to win an NBA championship," Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said. "The better team won. We did a lot of good things, and we didn't finish the job. That's what it is."

Doha, Qatar: The QREC-sponsored Qatar Derby des Pur-Sang Arabes de 4 Ans, was held at Chantilly, France, yesterday.

Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al-Attiyah, QREC Chairman, awarded the winners following the Gr.1 contest.

The four-year-old colt, Sab’aan Al Shahania (Amer) proved his quality with a gritty victory, securing a first Gr.1 (PA) success and boosting his record to two victories from five lifetime starts.

The 2000m contest, designed for four-year-olds Purebred Arabians, brought together a high-calibre field of seven where the colt officially captured his first Gr.1 (PA) success.

Trained by François Rohaut, ridden by Stephane Pasquier, and racing in the silks of H E Sheikha Iman bint Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Purebred Arabian colt made a quiet return over 1900m at La Teste.

This time, he fully delivered on that potential on the grandest stage to secure a memorable Gr.1 (PA) victory.

He broken cleanly from the gates and was patiently handled near the rear, settling comfortably in second-to-last position.

The field was stretched out by Romeo At (Af Al Buraq), who set a relentless pace. Entering the final bend, the running order remained unchanged while maintaining a very high tempo, though the future winner was cruising effortlessly and traveling with far more ease than some of his opponents.

As the runners turned into the straight, his jockey steered him to the outside to launch his challenge, even though Romeo At still held a clear advantage of two lengths. Sab’aan Al Shahania began to close the gap efficiently, eating into the leader’s margin stride after stride as he delivered a strong finishing kick.

الأخبارجاسم العبيدلي ضمن فريق تشغيل كأس العالم 2026.. خبرات قطر تواصل حضورها العالمييشارك المهندس جاسم العبيدلي، مدير أول، إدارة المنشآت في اللجنة العليا للمشاريع والإرث، في بطولة كأس العالم FIFA 2026™️ بصفته مديرًا لعمليات المنشأة في استاد ميامي. ويتولى العبيد...فتح →

Inside the final 100m, he angled even further wide to put maximum pressure on Romeo At, engaging in a fierce duel before gaining the upper hand in the very last strides to win by a short head.

Romeo At took a valiant second place, while Fakhira (Al Mamun Monlau) stayed on for third.

Bred by Al Shahania Stud, Sab’aan Al Shahania is by Amer out of Margouia (Tidjani) a winner over 1850m at 6. Margouia is a half sister to Min’Ha (No Risk Al Maury) a dual Gr.2 (PA) winner over 1900m at 4 and 2000m at 3.

Also half sister to Mon’nia (Amer) a Gr.1 winner (PA) over 2400m at 5, a Gr.2 (PA) winner over 1900m and Gr.3 (PA) winner over 2200m at the same age.

Doha, Qatar: “It’s coming home.” Since the release of the Three Lions ahead of Euro 96, the phrase has become far more than a football song.

It is England’s annual declaration of faith, a slogan that returns before every major tournament regardless of what happened before. Semi-final defeats, penalty shootout heartbreaks, near misses have all failed to kill the dream.

Now, as the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins across North America, the familiar question echoes once more across England.

Is it finally coming home?

The answer rests in the hands of a foreign manager. Thomas Tuchel was appointed for one and only reason and that is to win them a major title.

England have spent decades assembling squads packed with superstars. From the golden generation of David Beckham, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Wayne Rooney to the modern era led by Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka, talent has never been the issue. The challenge has always been turning that abundance of talent into silverware on the international stage.

That burden now belongs to Tuchel. The German arrives with a reputation as one of football’s sharpest tactical minds and a coach who thrives in knockout football. England’s Football Association effectively made a statement with his appointment: the time for learning is over. Results matter now.

Across friendlies and competitive fixtures, Tuchel has guided England to an impressive record, winning 10 of his 13 matches, drawing once and losing twice, giving him a win rate close to 80%. Under his leadership, England also became the first European team to secure qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup,England's German head coach Thomas Tuchel sits on a ball during a training session. PICS: AFP

Tuchel believes his squad is ready for the challenge. Following England’s final World Cup warm-up 3 - 0 victory over Costa Rica, he declared that he had “wished for that” level of intensity and commitment from his players, praising the team’s readiness ahead of the tournament.

At the centre of everything stands Harry Kane. The England captain arrives at the World Cup in arguably the finest form of his career. After another prolific season with Bayern Munich, Kane enters the tournament as England’s leader and primary source of goals. Tuchel recently described his captain as “sharp” and in “perfect form” to lead the national team in North America.

Kane himself has made clear what this tournament means. “The World Cup is the pinnacle of a professional footballer’s career,” he said ahead of the competition. For a player who has already become England’s all-time leading scorer, only one achievement remains missing as a captain to lift an international trophy.

Even before a ball was kicked, Tuchel’s squad selection sparked debate. The omission of several high-profile names raised eyebrows among supporters and pundits, while questions remain over the balance of the team and the roles of some of England’s biggest stars.

For years England have often looked stronger on paper than on the pitch. The nation’s history is filled with examples of superstar names failing to reproduce club form on the biggest international stages.

Tuchel’s approach is different, rather than collecting stars, he appears determined to build balance. Which could prove crucial when England encounter elite opposition. That is the challenge awaiting England if they are to lift the trophy for the first time since 1966.

The encouraging sign is that this squad feels different. It blends youth and experience, with Kobbie Mainoo, Anthony Gordon, Morgan Rogers, Noni Madueke, Elliot Anderson, Tino Livramento, Jarell Quansah and James Trafford among those set for their first World Cup, while the core remains built around Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Marcus Rashford, John Stones, Jordan Pickford and Reece James. Around them, Tuchel has assembled a group that appears more balanced than many of its predecessors.

With Kane leading from the front and Tuchel attempting to bring order to a nation blessed and burdened by talent in equal measure, England head into 2026 carrying the hopes of millions, and the dream that began in 1966 remains alive.

The question is the same as it has always been: has England finally got it right? And could football really be coming home?

أكد الاتحاد الدولي لكرة القدم فيفا، اليوم، وقوع عطل تقني خلال مباراة قطر وسويسرا، التي أقيمت في مدينة سان فرانسيسكو، ضمن الجولة الافتتاحية من منافسات المجموعة الثانية في نهائيات كأس العالم 2026، المقامة حاليا في الولايات المتحدة والمكسيك وكندا، وانتهت بالتعادل بهدف لمثله.

وأوضح فيفا، في بيان نشره عبر منصة فيفا ميديا، أن العطل التقني لم يؤثر على عمل تقنية حكم الفيديو المساعد VAR خلال احتساب ركلة الجزاء لصالح المنتخب السويسري، مشيرا إلى أنه تم اتباع الإجراءات المعتادة للمراجعة بشكل كامل ودقيق.

وأضاف البيان أن مراجعة اللقطات عبر تقنية الـVAR لم تظهر وجود أي حالة تسلل للاعب المهاجم في اللقطة، التي سبقت احتساب ركلة الجزاء مباشرة، مما يؤكد صحة القرار التحكيمي المتخذ في المباراة.

وكان المهاجم السويسري بيرل مبولو قد منح منتخب بلاده التقدم بعد أن نفذ ركلة الجزاء بنجاح في الدقيقة 17، غير أن المنتخب القطري أدرك التعادل في الوقت بدل الضائع عبر رأسية اللاعب خوخي بوعلام التي غير المدافع السويسري ميرو موهايم اتجاهها، ليخطف المنتخب القطري نقطة التعادل الثمينة في الدقيقة 90+4.

يُعد تأهل منتخب كوراساو إلى كأس العالم 2026 حدثًا تاريخيًا استثنائيًا، إذ أصبحت الجزيرة الكاريبية الصغيرة، التي لا يتجاوز عدد سكانها 155 ألف نسمة، أصغر دولة من حيث عدد السكان تبلغ نهائيات المونديال.
هذا الإنجاز لم يكن وليد الصدفة، بل جاء تتويجًا لمسار طويل من التحول داخل كرة القدم في الجزيرة الصغيرة المجهولة الواقعة في البحر الكاريبي التي نجحت في تحويل محدودية المساحة والسكان إلى قصة نجاح رياضي. فقد اعتمد المشروع الكروي على الاستقرار الفني، إلى جانب تطور واضح في أسلوب اللعب المستلهم من المدرسة الهولندية، بما يجمع بين الانضباط التكتيكي وسرعة التحول داخل الملعب، ليشكّل ذلك الأساس الحقيقي لهذا الصعود التاريخي.
وتعود جذور كرة القدم في كوراساو إلى بدايات القرن العشرين، حين أدخلها البحارة والعمال الهولنديون، لتصبح جزءًا من الحياة اليومية في الجزيرة الكاريبية. وعلى مدى عقود، شكّلت كوراساو مركز الثقل الكروي في جزر الأنتيل الهولندية، قبل أن تبدأ مرحلة جديدة عقب حل الاتحاد عام 2010 وتأسيس منتخب مستقل بهوية خاصة. ومنذ ذلك الحين، اعتمدت كوراساو على إعادة بناء منتخبها وفق أسس أكثر احترافية مع مرحلة إعادة بناء المنتخب، عبر ربطه بالمدارس الكروية في هولندا واستقطاب لاعبين من أصول كاريبية نشأوا في أوروبا. ومع مرور الوقت، تبنّت كوراساو إستراتيجية واضحة تقوم على دمج الخبرة الأوروبية بالروح الكاريبية، من خلال الاعتماد على لاعبين محترفين في الدوريات الأوروبية إلى جانب تطوير الفئات السنية محليًا.
ومع انطلاق تصفيات كأس العالم 2026 في منطقة الكونكاكاف، ظهر منتخب كوراساو بصورة مختلفة، مستفيدًا من الاستقرار الفني والتطور الواضح في أدائه. ونجح الفريق في فرض نفسه كواحد من أبرز منتخبات التصفيات، بعدما قدم مستويات قوية ومتماسكة أهلته لإنهاء مشواره دون هزيمة، محققًا سبعة انتصارات في عشر مباريات.
وجاءت لحظة الحسم في مواجهة مثيرة أمام جامايكا، انتهت بتعادل درامي شهد جدلًا تحكيميًا بعد إلغاء ركلة جزاء في الدقائق الأخيرة عقب مراجعة تقنية الفيديو، ليحافظ المنتخب على النتيجة التي منحته بطاقة التأهل التاريخية إلى كأس العالم لأول مرة، مؤكداً قدرته على التعامل مع ضغوط اللحظات الحاسمة. ولعب المدرب الهولندي المخضرم ديك أدفوكات دورًا محوريًا في هذا النجاح، مستفيدًا من خبرته الطويلة مع عدد من المنتخبات الكبرى لبناء فريق متوازن يجمع بين الصلابة الدفاعية والفاعلية الهجومية. كما قد يصبح أكبر مدرب سنًا يقود منتخبًا في كأس العالم، إذ سيبلغ نحو 78 عامًا خلال البطولة.
واعتمد منتخب كوراساو الذي يُلقب بـ«الموجة الزرقاء» باللغة المحلية، نظراً للون قميصه الأساسي وارتباطه بموقعه في جزر الكاريبي على مجموعة من اللاعبين المحترفين في أوروبا.