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Basketball: “No feeling of complacency, just the desire to work and improve ourselves,” says Wembanyama

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Victor Wembanyama, Nicolas Batum, Nando De Colo… Several players from the French team give their feelings after the victory over Brazil, Saturday, in Lille.

Special envoy to Villeneuve d’Ascq

Victor Wembanyama (interior of the French basketball team after 78-66 victory over Brazil ) : “There’s pride when you have the chance to show what you’re capable of in front of so many people… No feeling of complacency, just the desire to work harder and improve from match to match. (How France stepped up their game in defense) We’re aware of it, we know we can do it, but more than being aware of it, you have to know how to automate it. The atmosphere? It’s unique, I’ve never experienced that, so many people, with such intensity, and that right from the warm-up. It’s just incredible. Nicolas Batum’s game? He played a foundational role for us tonight (Saturday). Very important, as much on the stat sheet as the rest, which you can’t see. He’s just an incredible asset. We expected nothing less from him. (on his game) I’m happy with my performance if I really helped the team win. It’s an Olympic tournament, there are only six games. I don’t think about that. Everything is just done to make the team win. Pressure? No. The fact that it’s a unanimous crowd like tonight, it pushes us upwards more than anything else.”

Nicolas Batum (captain of the French team) : “There was a round of observation, a lot of nervousness. Even for guys like me, you enter the room… Yeah (smiles). It was still special. You’re at the Olympics, at home, you have 30,000 people, even if I’ve already played big matches, it was special. It took a bit of guts, it was impressive. When we were at -12, we sat down, we took a breath, and we had to shift into second gear in defense, intensify a bit, give the ball inside. That’s what we did. We made a good run and we took the lead just before half-time, it was huge psychologically for both teams. The crowd helped us a lot by staying in it. In the third quarter, the five started off with a lot of intensity, we made a good gap with the defense. We could have killed the match before, we made some mistakes, we tried to play too easy, we maybe fell into a certain euphoria, including me. A really rotten pass… We have to be careful. But it’s never easy to win a first match. We did it. We put ourselves in good conditions. Now, Japan. We have our destiny in our hands and that’s the most important thing in this competition. (…) If we win against Japan, we will have nine ears in Paris, almost ten in fact (smile).

I wasn’t good in the first five or six minutes, I was a bit faded. I was nervous, I admit it. I told myself that I had to move on, play, that they needed me and that I couldn’t leave all the pressure on Wemby. I also had to attack. I tried to do that, to be myself, active in defense too, the fact of having been put on Huertas got me active too. I tried to put the big guy in the right conditions inside, he was good. Everyone played well. There was the preparation, but now, it’s the real stuff. It was a very good team victory even if there are still things to correct, which weren’t very pretty.”

I’ll try to do better in the next match. But if I play matches like that and we win every time, I’ll take it. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Gerschon Yabusele

Gerschon Yabusele (interior of the French team) : “We had to wake up… We were a little slow at the start of the game and we let them get into their rhythm, we let them do what they know how to do. Against a team like that, that’s a 10-point lead (12 in fact). (…) We know that we have a lot of strength inside and that we can cause a lot of problems for the other teams. We relied on that and then everyone was in rhythm. Clumsiness? The three missed three-pointers, I was all alone. It wasn’t scouting… There are days with, days without, it happens. I’ll try to do better in the next game. But if I play games like that and we win every time, I’ll take it. What’s important is the team, the group. Nicolas Batum? He pushed us on defense and then we followed. We were strong, we helped each other, helped each other, continued. We stayed united.”

Nando De Colo (French team fullback) : “Nothing will be easy. It’s never easy to play the perfect match in the opening game. But we were able to stay together, solid and now, there is always a step of progression, that’s what’s good. Let’s take it step by step. Tonight, the victory is beautiful. We wanted to put an intensity maybe a little above what we wanted to do at the start of the match. We had very precise rules on their game systems and that created a lot more space than later, when we were more solid and that made the difference. Everything is not perfect but the victory is beautiful. We have to continue. The crowd? It’s incredible. For the older ones, we knew with the experience of Euro 2015. But we see the enthusiasm and in the difficult moments they will be there to help us. Nicolas Batum? Defensively, he did the job we asked of him. And in attack, he was very skillful. Having Victor and other players who monopolize the attention, it leaves a lot of space and it fits very well with what he can do. He puts a shot that does a lot of good at the end. That’s what we’re looking for. It might be another player tomorrow but we have to try to do things together and know where we can be strong before the matches that are coming up.”

Isaïa Cordinier (French team fullback) : “The most important thing was to get off to a good start and take this victory. The Olympics at home, it’s not easy to approach this first match… We saw it at the beginning, we were a little tense. And when we let loose, we remembered what our strengths are, defense, recovery, easy points. The work is done but we can always do better.”

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SAD|| 10 Players Who Lost Everything After Divorce, Number 5 Will Shôck You

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The Hidden Financial Struggles of Footballers: Divorce’s Costly Toll

The glamorous image of professional footballers, with their luxurious lifestyles and multimillion-dollar contracts, often obscures a harsh reality: the financial devastation many endure through divorce. Behind the fame and fortune, several high-profile players have seen their wealth significantly depleted after parting ways with their spouses, a stark reminder that no amount of money can fully shield one of the financial pitfalls of personal relationships gone awry…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

 

One of the most shocking examples is that of former Arsenal defender Emmanuel Eboué, who lost not only his properties in England but also custody of his children following a bitter divorce. Despite earning millions during his career, Eboué found himself stripped of almost everything. His situation became a cautionary tale, underscoring that even the wealthiest footballers can fall victim to the financial ruin that divorce can bring.

Eboué is not alone. Football legends such as Thierry Henry and Ryan Giggs have also experienced significant financial losses due to divorce. Henry reportedly paid £10 million to his ex-wife, while Giggs parted with an astonishing £40 million after his marriage ended. Louis Saha and Wes Brown, both former Manchester United players, also suffered substantial financial hits, with Brown declaring bankruptcy despite earning £50,000 per week during his time at the club. His case highlights how even vast earnings can quickly evaporate when faced with legal settlements and financial mismanagement.

David James, the former England goalkeeper, faced a particularly dire situation, losing much of his fortune after divorce and being forced to auction his personal belongings to make ends meet. Similarly, Ray Parlour, another Arsenal great, saw his ex-wife receive half of his £10 million fortune, including a £2.5 million house. Jamie Redknapp, a former Liverpool star, also faced a hefty settlement, parting with half of his estimated £15 million fortune after his marriage ended.

These are just a few of the many footballers who have faced financial disaster due to divorce. Keith Gillespie, once a key figure in the Premier League, lost over £7 million, leading to his bankruptcy in 2010. Despite earning significant wages during his career, his divorce and poor financial decisions left him in financial ruin. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Perhaps the most shocking case is that of Tendai Ndoro, a Zimbabwean striker who lost everything after registering all his properties in his wife’s name. Following their breakup, she kicked him out of the house, leaving him with nothing. Ndoro’s story serves as a grim reminder of the dangers of not protecting one’s assets, even in relationships where trust is implicit.

For footballers, whose careers often peak early, these financial setbacks can be devastating. While their salaries are among the highest in professional sports, the combination of short career spans, legal fees, and divorce settlements can quickly erode their fortunes. Many players also face additional challenges in managing their finances due to a lack of financial education or oversight during their playing years.

These stories underscore the importance of safeguarding personal wealth, especially for high-earning individuals like footballers, who may be more vulnerable to financial upheaval. Proper financial planning, asset protection strategies, and prenups are increasingly necessary tools for protecting one’s earnings and securing a stable future.

In conclusion, while the public sees footballers as insulated by their wealth, the reality is that they are just as susceptible to the financial hardships of divorce as anyone else. The personal struggles behind the scenes reveal that their lives, though glamorous on the surface, are often fraught with the same vulnerabilities and challenges faced by ordinary individuals. These cases serve as sobering reminders that financial security is never guaranteed, even for those at the pinnacle of success.

 

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NFL | The best was yet to come, and then no

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In February 2022, the Bengals missed the Super Bowl by three small points, but regardless, the future seemed bright in Cincinnati.


Posted at 1:13 a.m.

Updated at 7:00 a.m.

In any case, that’s what we, the most seasoned experts in American football, believed, capable of seeing the future each season, often in a very impressive way; for example, this column has been predicting since 1970 that the New York Jets are not going to win the Super Bowl, and that’s still exactly what happens.

The Bengals have never won anything, but their presence on the big stage two years ago suggested that, a bit like the Nordiques in 1990, the best was yet to come.

Well, no.

As of this hour, the Bengals are a dismal 1-4, and even then, their only win came against the Carolina Panthers, who are about as bad as they are.

The good news for the Bengals is that this “landing” is fairly easily explained: their defense is pretty awful. The less good news is that it is probably already too late to try to solve this problem.

In five games, the Bengals have allowed a total of 145 points, which gives a pretty staggering average of 29 points per game. No one else in the American Association looks this bad, and in the league as a whole, only the Carolina Panthers are even worse in this regard.

Meanwhile, the Bengals are wasting the best years of Joe Burrow, who turns 28 in December. He wouldn’t be the first quality quarterback to waste his talent in this uniform.

Is it necessary here to remember that in American football, as in life in general, there is never anything certain? This reality reminds us of this sublime quote from Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who once wrote that “supreme happiness is a hundred times sweeter to hope for than to obtain”.

Rousseau must have been a Bengals fan, obviously.

You are probably aware that the New York Jets fired their coachbut that’s not the worst. The worst part is that poor Robert Saleh would have been escorted to the door like a pauper by security agents.

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Former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh

It’s undoubtedly one of the worst moments in the history of a club that collects the worst moments, from Mark Sanchez dropping a ball on his lineman’s pussy, to a visibly hot Joe Namath trying to to kiss a reporter live on TV (we’re going to move on to the naughty photo of Brett Favre because there are children here).

We can never repeat it enough: in football, as in life, everything starts from the top. The leaders of the Jets, who display a level of competence similar to that of the inventors of Pepsi Crystal, thus opted for the easy way, instead of realizing that their ground game is non-existent, and that their quarterback who hears voices in his head is finished.

In addition, barely installed, new coach Jeff Ulbrich decided to give control of the attack to assistant Todd Downing, who will call the plays from now on. This is not a detail because this task previously fell to offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, close and confidant of Aaron Rodgers.

It’s obvious that this is going to end very badly. As per usual.

Someone whispers in my ear that the inbox is overflowing again, so let’s get to it right away.

First, Luc Girouard from Sept-Îles sends us this timely little comment: “Would Prince Rodgers have plotted to kick Robert Saleh out in order to take his place? »

We all see what you did, Luc.

Then, there is a certain Nicolas B. from Laval who sent this: “Hi Richard. Great weekly column on football. Really entertaining. In addition, you allow my teenagers to read about football in French, which is still a challenge […] If you ever make a reference to my comment, my sports travel gang is buying me a beer on our next trip. »

You will demand a micro beer, Nicolas. Finally, there is Marco Campanozzi who can no longer hear about “mixing” and the right chair: “I can’t do it anymore!!! »

We are Marco.

It will be another great opportunity to lock yourself in front of the TV while pretending to do something constructive, because Sunday’s menu is particularly spicy.

Thus, Commanders in a state of grace will go to Baltimore to prove that they are serious, the Chargers will go to Denver in the hope of recovering after two defeats in a row, and the Cowboys will host the Lions, in a match that they can’t really let slip away, just to build something following the little miracle last Sunday night in Pittsburgh.

Don’t forget to check out the colors during halftime.

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A young badminton player realizes his deceased father’s dream

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Only 13 years old, badminton-player-honors-fathers-dream-at-nationals/” title=”13-year-old Saskatchewan badminton player honors father’s dream at nationals”>Gautham Sumesh is preparing to realize the dream of his father, who died six months ago: he will soon participate in the National Badminton Championship.

My father was really addicted to badmintonrecalls the Saskatchewan teenager. He really liked that I played.

Gautham Sumesh has been playing badminton since he was old enough to handle a racket. The first time he managed to beat his father, Sumesh Pulavathil, he was offered a drink to celebrate the event.

Sadly, Sumesh Pulavathil died in a road accident near Estevan last October.

Despite the tragedy, the teenager continues to carry his family’s dreams: Gautham Sumesh won the provincial championships this year and is preparing to participate in the National Championship in New Brunswick.

He would be really happyhe believes.

Dreaming of badminton

The young player’s parents left India in 2022 in the hope that their son would become a top badminton player.

: Gautham badminton”,”text”:”When we moved to Canada, we only had one thing in mind: Gautham badminton”}}”>When we moved to Canada, we only had one thing in mind: Gautham badmintonexplains the latter’s mother, Gayathri Ramdas. It is the foundation of our family life.

Her husband put everything in place to help his son play. He bought him shoes and racquets, in addition to devoting many hours to coaching him and other children.

Sumesh Pulavathil (front) was an avid badminton player. (Archive photo)

Photo: Provided by Gayathri Ramdas

Although the family was devastated by Sumesh Pulavathil’s death, there was never any question of the teenager quitting badminton. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Since the death of his father, Gautham Sumesh has undergone intensive training, particularly in preparation for the provincial competition which took place in April.

He remembers that no one knew him when he started competing provincially, but that changed after his victory at the provincial championship.

: “Hey, good job!” Everyone started talking to me and becoming friends with me”,”text”:”After I won, everyone said to me: “Hey, good job! “Everyone started talking to me and becoming friends with me”}}”>After I won, everyone said to me: “Hey, good job!” Everyone started talking to me and becoming friends with meexplained Gautham Sumesh.

A portrait of Sumesh Pulavathil (far left) and his family.

Photo: Provided by Gayathri Ramdas

Despite his son’s success in the championship, Gayathri Ramdas believes the victory was bittersweet due to his father’s absence.

Despite everything, she watched her son grow up and demonstrate the values ​​of sportsmanship and good play that she and her husband wanted to instill in him, as he harbored ambitions of becoming a professional badminton player.

I’m little by little catching up on all the dreams we had.

With information from Janani Whitfield

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