Leeds United are preparing to take on Southampton at Wembley in the play-off final on Sunday, with a place in next season's Premier League up for grabs.
The Whites can seal an instant return to the top-flight by picking up a win against the Saints this weekend, which would then leave Daniel Farke and his team preparing for a huge summer transfer window.
They would need to bolster the squad to give themselves the best possible chance of avoiding an immediate drop back down to the Championship, which was the fate suffered by Burnley, Sheffield United, and Luton Town this year.
The Yorkshire-based outfit are already reportedly eyeing up a new right-back to add to the group should they win promotion to the Premier League on Sunday…
Leeds United's interest in Bundesliga ace
According to Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, Leeds have made contact over a possible deal to sign Borussia Dortmund defender Marius Wolf.
The reporter states that the Whites have "inquired" about a swoop for the German full-back, whose contract with the Bundesliga giants is set to expire this summer.
He states that the £55k-per-week ace is a "serious" option for Farke to bring to Elland Road ahead of the 2023/24 campaign, if they are in the Premier League.
However, Plettenberg adds that they face competition from clubs in Spain, Italy, and Saudi Arabia, which suggests that there could be a fight to land his services on a free transfer over the coming weeks and months.
If Leeds do win the race for his signature, though, then Farke could land an exciting partner for Italian forward Wilfried Gnonto down the right flank next time.
Why Marius Wolf could thrive with Wilfried Gnonto
The 28-year-old defender, who has played 22 matches in the Bundesliga for Dortmund this season, is a progressive and forward-thinking full-back who can bomb forward to link up with the former Zurich star in attack.
Wolf ranks within the top 15% of full-backs in the Men's Big 5 Leagues and European competitions over the last 365 days for progressive carries per 90 (2.95), as well as the top 26% for progressive passes per 90 (4.54).
Wilfried Gnonto
This suggests that the attack-minded dynamo, who has still won 51% of his defensive ground duels in the league this season, is a very progressive player who consistently looks to drive his team up the pitch to find teammates in dangerous positions.
He also ranks within the top 19% of his positional peers in the aforementioned criteria for shot-creating actions per 90 (2.84), which illustrates how often Wolf can make things happen for his team in the final third.
This could allow him and Gnonto to thrive as an attacking pair down the right side as the Italian winger is a clinical attacker who could make the most of the Dortmund man's progressive play.
Leeds lining up swoop for 16-goal EFL star who'd thrive with Rutter
The Whites have been linked with a summer deal to sign the impressive centre-forward.
ByDan Emery May 20, 2024
The 20-year-old star scored eight goals from 5.47 xG in the regular Championship season – the highest overperformance on xG in the entire squad – and this speaks to his ruthless nature in front of goal.
He also ranks within the top 9% of his positional peers in the second tier for progressive passes received per 90 (11.32), which suggests that Gnonto is constantly in good positions to receive the ball from deep.
The former Inter youngster could, therefore, thrive with Wolf's impressive ability to make progressive passes and create shooting opportunities from right-back, which is why they could be an exciting pair for Leeds if the club snap him up on a free transfer.
O domingo foi agitado no mercado da bola. Lionel Messi deu entrevista coletiva se despedindo do Barcelona, e as negociações com o PSG esquentam, clube londrino apresentou proposta por Lautaro Martínez, da Inter de Milão, o Grêmio está próximo de anunciar volante do Cerro Porteño… Essas e outras notícias você confere na galeria do LANCE! com o resumo de final de semana do mercado da bola. Confira no link abaixo!
Arsenal are now ready to "bid hard" for a Euro 2024 forward and have held discussions with the player's entourage.
Edu and Arteta targeting new winger for Arsenal this summer
A lot of noise has centred around Arsenal ending their near-12-month-long search for a new striker, with many names linked in that time, as manager Mikel Arteta and sporting director Edu Gaspar seek to add a prolific forward.
£319,000-per-week Bayern Munich star would be keen on joining Arsenal
He’s been “left hanging” over a new deal.
ByEmilio Galantini Jun 5, 2024
This remains the case, as Arsenal are widely tipped to be in the race to sign Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig. Scoring 18 goals in all competitions last season, the Slovenia international is also subject to a lot of rumoured interest from Premier League rivals Chelsea.
However, as well as a new striker, there are suggestions that the Gunners may well add a new winger to their ranks as well. Crystal Palace star Michael Olise continues to be mentioned as an Arsenal target, with club legend Ray Parlour even backing the move in an exclusive FootballFanCast interview on behalf of NetBetSports betting.
Arsenal's top scorers in all competitions last season
Goals
Bukayo Saka
20
Leandro Trossard
17
Kai Havertz
14
Martin Odegaard
11
Gabriel Jesus
8
"Olise is a top player. I’ve seen him many times and he is always looking to be on the ball and drive forward. He is a talented footballer and will get a big move soon," said Parlour to FFC.
"He is one all the top sides will be after and Palace will get a big fee for him. He would naturally fit into Arsenal’s side and benefit from the way Arsenal play and would light up the Emirates should he join, but Arsenal have Saka, Martinelli, Trossard as well so it’s going to be difficult to see where he could fit in, but for Olise, to work under Arteta can only benefit his game for sure and he would fit in well."
While Olise would be a top signing for the north Londoners, a real point of contention is his £60 million price tag, and whether Arsenal would be willing to fork out such an amount with all of their other transfer plans.
Crystal Palace star Michael Olise.
A cheaper and quality alternative, as per a report from Spanish news outlet AS, comes in the form of Ukraine international winger Viktor Tsygankov.
Arsenal ready to bid hard for Tsygankov as agent talks held
The 26-year-old, who commands a price tag of around £26 million, is set to star for Ukraine at the looming Euro 2024 championships.
Arsenal are apparently ready to "bid hard" for Tsygankov and have held talks with his entourage. The attacker has enjoyed a fine season at current club Girona, who were briefly in contention for an unlikely La Liga title before being usurped by Real Madrid.
Tsygankov bagged 15 goal contributions in all competitions for Girona last season, which comes in the form of eight goals and seven assists over 34 appearances.
كشف مدافع فريق ليفربول، إبراهيما كوناتي، عن حقيقة تعرضه للعنصرية بجانب مهاجم الفريق وقائد منتخب مصر، محمد صلاح، في القارة الأوروبية، خلال الفترات الماضية.
ويحتل ليفربول صدارة ترتيب الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز برصيد 35 نقطة، بينما يتواجد أيضاً على صدارة ترتيب دوري أبطال أوروبا برصيد 15 نقطة.
اقرأ ايضاً.. شيرر: تمديد عقد محمد صلاح قد يضع ليفربول في أزمة.. ويجب دراسة بنوده المعقدة
وقال إبراهيما كوناتي في تصريحات لصحيفة “سو فوت” الفرنسية : “اللعب للمنتخب الفرنسي لا يمنعني من التعرض لمزيد من الحوادث (العنصرية)، على سبيل المثال، في المطار، عندما أعود إلى ليفربول، أحمل تذكرة رجال الأعمال الخاصة بي لكي أكون في المقدمة وأمرّ بسرعة أكبر”.
وأضاف: “عندما وصلت إلى مطار شارل ديجول، لم يكن الشخص قد رأى تذكرتي بعد، فأشار إليّ بالخط الآخر، ما الرسالة وراء ذلك؟ إنها مجرد رسالة مفادها أن شخصًا مثلي ليس له مكان في العمل”.
وعن محمد صلاح: “في أحد الأيام، جاء صلاح إلى باريس، وفي المطار، لم يكن الناس يعرفون من هو، وفي أحد المتاجر، تحدث الموظفون معه بلهجة تمييزية”.
وتابع: “محمد صلاح شخص صبور للغاية، في مثل هذا النوع من المواقف، لا يتفاعل، إنه يعرف قيمته، ويقبل العالم الذي نعيش فيه، عندما تعرف عليه أحد المسافرين، تغيرت نبرة الموظفين بشكل جذري: “آه، سيد صلاح، ماذا تحتاج؟” بالنسبة لنا، يجب أن تكون شخصًا معروفًا حتى تحظى بالاحترام”.
وعن سيرجيو راموس: “إنه يجلب المزيد من المسؤولية والمزيد من القدوة، داخل وخارج الملعب، قال سيرجيو راموس في مقابلاته إنه كان أول من يصل إلى التدريب وآخر من يغادر، مثل قائد القارب الذي يعتني بطاقمه، هذا ما أريد أن أفعله”.
وأكد كوناتي: “أريد الفوز بالألقاب مع المنتخب الوطني، وغرس عقلية المحارب في الملعب حتى يكون تماسك المجموعة في أعلى مستوياته”.
Leicestershire’s early inroads thwarted as match takes place at Worcester’s New Road
ECB Reporters Network01-Aug-2020
A general view of New Road•Getty Images
Lancashire 265 for 6 (Vilas 90, Croft 63) v Leicestershire A fifth wicket partnership of 130 between Dane Vilas and Steven Croft helped Lancashire recover after being reduced to 97 for 4 shortly after lunch on the opening day of their Bob Willis Trophy match against Leicestershire at Blackfinch New Road.Captain Vilas led the way for Lancashire, hitting 14 fours in going to 90 off 126 deliveries before edging a drive off the bowling of Tom Taylor to slip, where Hassan Azad hung on to the chance. It was redemption of sorts for Azad, who failed to pick up an earlier chance given by Vilas off the same bowler when he scored just 28.The morning had seen Leicestershire make Lancashire’s batsmen work hard for their runs after Vilas had won the toss and chosen to bat.Both sides fielded debutants. Batsman Ben Slater, signed on two weeks’ loan from Nottinghamshire, made his first start for the Foxes, while all-rounder George Balderson and bowlers Tom Hartley and Ed Moulton made their first start for Lancashire – the first time Lancashire had given three men a debut in the same match since 2002.Taylor made an early breakthrough, trapping opener Keaton Jennings leg before wicket with a full delivery that swung back in to the left-hander.Alex Davies and Josh Bohannon put together a partnership of 39 for the second wicket before Davies, who had hit five boundaries in moving on to 21, mistimed a pull at a sharp delivery from left-arm seamer Dieter Klein. The ball looped towards midwicket where George Rhodes took a fine low catch two-handed to his right.Klein then bowled Rob Jones with a quick yorker that swung back in to hit the right-hander’s off-stump, and then had Bohannon caught down the leg-side by wicket-keeper Harry Swindells, gloving an attempted pull at a short ball after playing impressively in going to 44.Lancashire looked to be in trouble, but Vilas led the fightback in typically belligerent style. The experienced Croft played the ideal supporting innings, but having reached his own half-century, was surprisingly dismissed shortly before the close when he went back to a delivery from off-spinner Colin Ackermann and was given out leg before wicket.Before the game started, everyone on the ground participated in a minute’s applause to pay tribute to those affected by the Covid pandemic. The players also took a knee to emphasise their support for the Black Lives Matter movement.
Compasso de espera. Antes confiante, o Botafogo agora adota cautela quanto a renovação de Rafael Navarro, que tem contrato acabando em dezembro. O atacante recusou a última proposta salarial oferecida pelo Alvinegro e as conversas estão emperradas.
+ Só falta assinar: Botafogo encaminha renovação de Juninho, do sub-20
A diretoria conversa com o jogador sobre a questão contratual há alguns meses. Recentemente, as partes haviam chegado a um “denominador comum” quanto ao possível novo salário de Rafael Navarro, mas isto mudou: com as recentes atuações do atacante e o fato dele ser o maior assistente da Série B do Brasileirão, o estafe pediu mais dinheiro.
A questão é que as novas cifras colocadas na mesa pela equipe do camisa 99 são fora da realidade financeira do Botafogo. O clube, recentemente, ofereceu um valor maior do que o acordado anteriormente mas ainda menor que a nova pedida de Navarro: recebeu uma recusa.
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O Botafogo ainda luta por um acordo. O clube continua em contato com os representantes de Rafael Navarro para tentar diminuir a pedida salarial. Um ponto que o clube tenta carregar consigo é que o jogador, por conta da conexão criada com o clube, não deseja sair com rusgas.
Rafael Navarro é um dos destaques do Botafogo na Série B do Brasileirão. Ele tem seis assistências e é o líder da competição neste quesito. Além disto, marcou quatro gols no Campeonato Brasileiro.
Comprehensive win isn’t enough to keep home side in contention for Bob Willis final
ECB Reporters Network09-Sep-2020
Yorkshire’s Jordan Thompson in his delivery stride•Getty Images
Yorkshire wrapped up a 10-wicket victory over Leicestershire shortly after lunch on day four at Emerald Headingley.The unbeaten White Rose, boosted by Jordan Thompson’s maiden five-wicket haul, secured their third win to go with two draws and moved to the top of the North Group table.Leicestershire, beginning day four on 78 for 5 in their second innings with a deficit of 50, were bowled out for 161, setting a target of 34.Openers Adam Lyth and Tom Kohler-Cadmore completed the formalities at 1.30pm, within 6.2 overs of the chase, finishing on 14 and 23 respectively.Yorkshire did not have things all their own way during a fourth day which started with them eyeing an innings victory.All-rounder Thompson, 23, completed figures of 5 for 31 from 11 overs with the final two wickets of Leicester’s innings.New ball seamer Ben Coad claimed the first two wickets of the day to finish with match figures of eight for 41.But Leicester at least made Yorkshire bat again thanks to a 43-run partnership for the eighth wicket between captain Colin Ackermann (47) and fellow South African Dieter Klein.Klein was dropped twice in the teens on the way to a belligerent 27.Coad made the breakthrough in the fifth over of the day when Arron Lilley, driving, was caught at fourth slip for 13, leaving the score at 84 for six in the 31st over. And he struck again in his next over to trap Ben Mike lbw (92 for 7).Duanne Olivier was the victim of one of the Klein drops (Coad at long-leg). But he was cheered when Klein slashed him to backward point, where Thompson held on as Leicester fell to 135 for 8 in the 46th over, a visiting lead of seven.Thompson’s seamers then uprooted Ackermann’s off-stump – 139 for 9 in the 49th – before some lusty hitting from last pair Alex Evans and Gavin Griffiths boosted the target.But Thompson wrapped up the innings by bowling the former in the 51st over, finishing an excellent breakthrough campaign with 234 runs and 15 wickets.The Foxes finish the Bob Willis Trophy with one win, two losses and two draws.They were unable to build on a superb opening round victory over Lancashire in a clash at New Road.Yorkshire will point to the fact that 476 overs have been lost to weather across their three home games, preventing them from pushing for victories against Derbyshire and Lancashire which would have seen them final bound.Both sides now turn their attention to the Vitality Blast.They are both in contention to reach the quarter-finals and face each other in the North Group at the Fischer County Ground, Grace Road on Friday (6.30pm).
With Euro 2024 fast approaching, the time has come to get excited about the drama that awaits us as Germany hosts the latest edition of the European Championship.
24 teams will look to be taking home the Henri Delaunay trophy, with December’s group stage draw ensuring there will be plenty of mouthwatering ties to look forward to when the tournament kicks off on Friday 14th June.
Group A sees hosts Germany as clear favourites to progress, though opponents Scotland, Hungary and Switzerland will be no pushovers considering their respective paths to the finals…
Euro 2024 tournament guide: Teams, matches, dates, TV channels, odds & more
Football FanCast has put together a guide for all things Euro 2024, with venues, fixtures, tables, stadiums and more all covered here.
ByStephan Georgiou Jun 11, 2024 Euro 2024 Group A fixtures
Date
Team
vs
Team
Venue
Fri 14th June, 8pm
Germany
vs
Scotland
Allianz Arena, Munich
Sat 15th June, 2pm
Hungary
vs
Switzerland
RheinEnergieStadion, Cologne
Wed 19th June, 5pm
Germany
vs
Hungary
MHPArena, Stuttgart
Wed 19th June, 8pm
Scotland
vs
Switzerland
RheinEnergieStadion, Cologne
Sun 23rd June, 8pm
Switzerland
vs
Germany
Waldstadion, Frankfurt
Sun 23rd June, 8pm
Scotland
vs
Hungary
MHPArena, Stuttgart
Germany
Manager
Julian Nagelsmann
Captain
Ilkay Gundogan
FIFA ranking
16th
UEFA ranking
9th
Top scorer in qualifying
n/a
Route to the finals
Qualified as hosts
Previous best
Winners x3 (1972, 1980, 1996)
Who knows what to expect from Germany this summer? They may be the hosts and have a proud history in this competition behind them, but Die Mannschaft's rotten form has seen a tumultuous build-up at times, and all this just 18 months following a second successive group-stage exit from the World Cup.
With no qualifiers under their belt, their series of friendlies since disappointing in Qatar were hugely underwhelming, with just 3 victories in the 11 fixtures that followed, which included a five-game winless streak that cost Hansi Flick his job.
Replacement Julian Nagelsmann has steadied the ship following a terrible international double-header in November, as Germany head into their home tournament on a four-match unbeaten run.
Pre-tournament friendlies
Mon 3rd June
Germany 0-0 Ukraine
Fri 7th June
Germany 2-1 Greece
Meanwhile, such is the enigma of this German team, it is difficult to identify their standout star. Leroy Sane will be among the more experienced players at the top of their game heading into the tournament, so plenty may look to him to inspire his nation to glory this summer.
Elsewhere, Florian Wirtz may be finally ready to make his mark on the international stage after missing the World Cup through injury, in an unpredictable team that is nevertheless chock-full of stars.
Germany Euro 2024 squad
Position
Player
Club
Goalkeeper
Oliver Baumann
Hoffenheim
Goalkeeper
Manuel Neuer
Bayern Munich
Goalkeeper
Marc-Andre ter Stegen
Barcelona
Defender
Waldemar Anton
Stuttgart
Defender
Benjamin Henrichs
RB Leipzig
Defender
Joshua Kimmich
Bayern Munich
Defender
Robin Koch
Frankfurt
Defender
Maximilian Mittelstadt
Stuttgart
Defender
David Raum
RB Leipzig
Defender
Antonio Rudiger
Real Madrid
Defender
Nico Schlotterbeck
Borussia Dortmund
Defender
Jonathan Tah
Bayer Leverkusen
Midfielder
Robert Andrich
Bayer Leverkusen
Midfielder
Emre Can
Borussia Dortmund
Midfielder
Chris Fuhrich
Stuttgart
Midfielder
Pascal Gross
Brighton
Midfielder
Ilkay Gundogan
Barcelona
Midfielder
Toni Kroos
Real Madrid
Midfielder
Jamal Musiala
Bayern Munich
Midfielder
Leroy Sane
Bayern Munich
Midfielder
Florian Wirtz
Bayer Leverkusen
Forward
Maximilian Beier
Hoffenheim
Forward
Niclas Fullkrug
Borussia Dortmund
Forward
Kai Havertz
Arsenal
Forward
Thomas Muller
Bayern Munich
Forward
Deniz Undav
Stuttgart
Scotland
Manager
Steve Clarke
Captain
Andy Robertson
FIFA ranking
39
UEFA ranking
21st
Top scorer in qualifying
Scott McTominay (7)
Route to the finals
Group A runners-up, 17 points
Previous best
Group stage x3 (1992, 1996, 2020)
Perhaps compared to the hosts, the Tartan Army can enter this European Championship with far more enthusiasm. Following their qualification for a first international tournament in over two decades at Euro 2020, Steve Clarke’s side qualified for successive Euros with relative ease, threatening to topple Spain in the process.
And their qualifying exploits – which also saw them overcome Erling Haaland’s Norway and play-off qualifiers Georgia – will surely have Scotland fancying their chances in a competitive-looking Group A.
Pre-tournament friendlies
Mon 3rd June
Gibraltar 0-2 Scotland
Fri 7th June
Scotland 2-2 Finland
Scott McTominay, Scotland’s top scorer in qualifying, will be hoping to spearhead his side to the knockout stages of a major tournament for the first time, while Andy Robertson will be banking on feeling fully fit following his injury issues in the build-up. With third place potentially good enough to make the last 16, this could be Scotland’s year to make their mark.
Scotland Euro 2024 squad
Position
Player
Club
Goalkeeper
Zander Clark
Hearts
Goalkeeper
Angus Gunn
Norwich
Goalkeeper
Liam Kelly
Motherwell
Defender
Liam Cooper
Leeds
Defender
Grant Hanley
Norwich
Defender
Jack Hendry
Al-Ettifaq
Defender
Ross McCrorie
Bristol City
Defender
Scott McKenna
Copenhagen
Defender
Ryan Porteous
Watford
Defender
Anthony Ralston
Celtic
Defender
Andy Robertson
Liverpool
Defender
Greg Taylor
Celtic
Defender
Kieran Tierney
Real Sociedad
Midfielder
Stuart Armstrong
Southampton
Midfielder
Ryan Christie
Bournemouth
Midfielder
Billy Gilmour
Brighton
Midfielder
Ryan Jack
Rangers
Midfielder
John McGinn
Aston Villa
Midfielder
Callum McGregor
Celtic
Midfielder
Kenny McLean
Norwich
Midfielder
Scott McTominay
Man Utd
Forward
Che Adams
Southampton
Forward
Tommy Conway
Bristol City
Forward
James Forrest
Celtic
Forward
Lewis Morgan
New York Red Bulls
Forward
Lawrence Shankland
Hearts
Ranking every team to win the European Championship
We have ranked every team to win the European Championship since its inaugural edition in 1960.
ByJamie Rooke Oct 8, 2023 Hungary
Manager
Marco Rossi
Captain
Dominik Szoboszlai
FIFA ranking
26th
UEFA ranking
14th
Top scorer in qualifying
Dominik Szoboszlai, Barnabas Varga (4)
Route to the finals
Group G winners, 18 points
Previous best
Third place (1964)
They may not be the international giants they once were, but Hungary are arguably having their best period for many a year. Qualifying for a third straight European Championship having not appeared at any major tournament from 1986 to 2016, this is something of a renaissance for the Magyars.
And they are not here by chance, either. Their place in Group A comes as second seeds, ahead of more established European outfits such as Croatia and the Netherlands.
Pre-tournament friendlies
Tue 4th June
Republic of Ireland 2-1 Hungary
Sat 8th June
Hungary 3-0 Israel
Euro 2020 saw them hold France and Germany to draws, while the period since then included wins over England and Germany in the Nations League. In fact, Hungary were on a 14-match unbeaten run, with Italy and Serbia the only nations to beat them in the last two years before their recent friendly defeat to the Republic of Ireland.
Dominik Szoboszlai is the undisputed poster boy, though there is clearly more than meets the eye for this team, as there is plenty of top-level experience, including from the likes of Peter Gulacsi, Attila Szalai and Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez.
Hungary Euro 2024 squad
Position
Player
Club
Goalkeeper
Denes Dibusz
Ferencvaros
Goalkeeper
Peter Gulacsi
RB Leipzig
Goalkeeper
Peter Szappanos
Paksi FC
Defender
Botond Balogh
Parma
Defender
Endre Botka
Ferencvaros
Defender
Marton Dardai
Hertha Berlin
Defender
Attila Fiola
Fehervar
Defender
Milos Kerkez
Bournemouth
Defender
Adam Lang
Omonoia Nicosia
Defender
Zsolt Nagy
Puskas Akademia
Defender
Loic Nego
Hoffenheim
Defender
Willi Orban
RB Leipzig
Defender
Attila Szalai
Hoffenheim
Midfielder
Bendeguz Bolla
Servette
Midfielder
Daniel Gazdag
Philadelphia Union
Midfielder
Mihaly Kata
MTK Budapest
Midfielder
Laszlo Kleinheisler
Hajduk Split
Midfielder
Adam Nagy
Spezia
Midfielder
Andras Schafer
Union Berlin
Midfielder
Callum Styles
Barnsley
Midfielder
Dominik Szoboszlai
Liverpool
Forward
Martin Adam
Ulsan HD
Forward
Kevin Csoboth
Ujpest FC
Forward
Krisztofer Horvath
Kecskemeti
Forward
Roland Sallai
Freiburg
Forward
Barnabas Varga
Ferencvaros
Switzerland
Manager
Murat Yakin
Captain
Granit Xhaka
FIFA ranking
19th
UEFA ranking
10th
Top scorer in qualifying
Zeki Amdouni (6)
Route to the finals
Group I runners-up, 17 points
Previous best
Quarter-finals (2020)
This may be the last chance for several of Switzerland’s experienced stars to go for European glory. Granit Xhaka, Xherdan Shaqiri, Yann Sommer and Fabian Schar are all over 30 and might not be in the running once Euro 2028 comes around.
Given they were seeded in pot 4 in the group stage draw, they may have been relatively pleased to avoid some of the big guns at this point.
Pre-tournament friendlies
Tue 4th June
Switzerland 4-0 Estonia
Sat 8th June
Switzerland 1-1 Austria
And with the likes of Xhaka and Sommer entering the finals as league champions, they may just be peaking at the right time to spring something of a surprise in Group A.
Meanwhile, their opponents would be remiss to ignore the threat of Burnley’s Zeki Amdouni, their top scorer in qualifying with six – which was level with Erling Haaland and Bruno Fernandes.
The WI captain becomes only the second player after Suzie Bates to get to the landmark
ESPNcricinfo staff25-Sep-2020
Getty Images
Stafanie Taylor, West Indies women’s captain, has hailed the hard work that women’s cricketers have put in after becoming only the second player – male or female – to reach the landmark of 3000 T20I runs.Taylor, 29, reached the milestone with a scampered second run on an overthrow in West Indies’ second T20I against England, joining New Zealand’s Suzie Bates in an exclusive club.And while she insisted that she had not been thinking about her proximity to the achievement, she admitted that it felt “really good” to have surpassed that mark.”I’m not really a stats person, so I wouldn’t know these things,” she said in an in-house Cricket West Indies interview. “But when it came up on the big screen, it was a really good feeling.”To see that it’s a female who is in front of me, it shows the amount of work that we as female cricketers have been doing over the years. To see that a lot of people have highlighted what we have done is a great feeling. It’s always about men’s cricket, so it’s good to see that they’ve highlighted females who have done really well in the game.”Reflecting on her achievement, Taylor said that diet and fitness had been the keys to her longevity in the game, having won 105 T20I caps to date, and highlighted Virat Kohli’s decision to quit meat after the 2016 IPL as an inspiration.”I remember he [Kohli] did an interview not long ago, and said that he had been home after a tour and looked at himself in the mirror, and was like: ‘nah’. He didn’t like what he was seeing, and if he wanted to compete with the top players, he had to change the way he went about thing.”That was a place I was in, and I was like, if you really want to compete with really top athletes like Australia, they take their fitness very seriously. I thought to myself that I was tired of eating meat. I said: ‘you know what, I’m going to change it up a bit, and eat some fish, and when there’s no fish, I’ll eat veg’.”When I stopped eating meat and started doing some exercise, people started commenting on the fact I’d lost of a lot of weight. I was like ‘no, I don’t think so’, but as I kept going, kept putting in work, going out to exercise at six in the morning, making sure my nutrition was good, I realised that when I was putting on my jeans, it wasn’t the same. After seeing those changes, it really felt good on my body.”ALSO READ: Are more cricketers turning vegetarian and vegan?Taylor also highlighted the need for a domestic and academy system for women’s cricketers in the West Indies structure, suggesting that her side is crying out for young talent that is not coming through.”I’ve spoken about this plenty of times,” she said. “I’d love to see some young players coming through, integrating with the old folks, learning a thing or two.”We definitely need a feeder system. That’s what we lack. When you look around the world, especially India, Australia and England, they’ve been doing really well with young players coming through the system, and then when they reach international level, it’s nothing new – it’s not foreign to them. That’s what I would love to see in the Caribbean.”