PARIS (AP) — Rafael Nadal's first French Open match in the tournament's main stadium came on May ...

PARIS (AP) — Rafael Nadal's first French Open match in the tournament's main stadium came on May 25, 2005 — a straight-set victory in the second round against Xavier Malisse. That made Nadal's career record in the tournament 2-0, and he was just getting started on the way to what would end up as a 112-4 mark and 14 championships at Paris.On Sunday, 20 years to the day after that win, Nadal was scheduled to be back at Court Philippe-Chatrier, only instead of competing, he was going to be feted by the French tennis federation for all that he accomplished on the red clay.“Celebrating the King,” was the way the event was described on social media by the official Roland-Garros feed. There was no exact time for the start of the ceremony, only word that it would begin after the three day-session matches in Chatrier would finish — so perhaps somewhere around 5 or 6 p.m. local time (11 a.m or noon ET).<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>There were plenty of active players on the program for Day 1 of the year's second Grand Slam tennis tournament, of course, from No. 1-ranked Aryna Sabalenka to two-time major runnerup Jasmine Paolini, from U.S. Open semifinalist Ben Shelton to Paris Olympics medalists Zheng Qinwen and Lorenzo Musetti.None, though, was likely to draw as much attention and adulation as the 38-year-old former player with 22 total Grand Slam titles and known to all as “Rafa,” who played his final competitive match in the Davis Cup in November. Some folks did not think the tribute to him after a loss in his last appearance there lived up to what it should have been, and event director Feliciano Lopez had to defend it.Other tournaments put off holding celebrations for Nadal this season, including Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Rome.It just seemed fitting to all that the next big show should come at the site of so many of those lefty uppercut forehands, so many sprints to reach seemingly unreachable shots by opponents, so many triumphs.This is the way Nadal described the fans in Paris: “They give me the love and the support every single second I have been on court.”They were expected to pack the house on Sunday andit sounded as if some players planned to take in the scene, too, although at least one, four-time French Open champion Iga Swiatek, was going to need to make sure it wouldn't interrupt her preparation for competition.“I need to be aware that, for sure, I’m going to cry,” Swiatek said. “I would love to be there, because we should all kind of get together and celebrate Rafa and what he did for our sport and what kind of inspiration he was and still is.”Stefanos Tsitsipas — twice a Slam finalist, including at the 2021 French Open — joked that Nadal won the trophy 29 times in Paris.“It will be tough,” Tsitsipas said, “to see him go away.”___Howard Fendrich has been the AP’s tennis writer since 2002. Find his stories here: https://apnews.com/author/howard-fendrich. More AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 27: Rafael Nadal of Spain during his first round match against Alexander Zverev of Germany on day 2 of the 2024 French Open, Roland-Garros 2024, Grand Slam tennis tournament at Roland Garros stadium on May 27, 2024 in Paris, France.

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'Celebrating the King': Nadal getting special ceremony at French Open

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Anthony Edwards was determined to keep Minnesota’s spirits up, from the flight...

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Anthony Edwards was determined to keep Minnesota’s spirits up, from the flight home after a frustrating trip to Oklahoma City into a crucial game in these Western Conference finals.Positive energy is never hard for him to find.Edwards had 30 points, nine rebounds and six assists in just three quarters for the Timberwolves in a 143-101 victory on Saturday night in Game 3 that cut the Thunder’s lead in the series to 2-1.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>“Just ultimate pressure on the ball,” Edwards said, “and shoot it as much as I can.”Julius Randle added 24 points and rookie Terrence Shannon Jr. had 15 points in 13 minutes to highlight a big boost from the bench for the Wolves, who caused all kinds of cracks in the Thunder’s NBA -best defense after struggling to solve it in the two lopsided losses on the road.“Their force on that end of the floor was better than our physicality and pressure, things that we typically do well,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said.Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had just 14 points on 4-for-13 shooting with four turnovers, subbed out with a 38-point deficit and 4:25 to go in the third quarter as Daigneault conceded on a night when his team was never closer than 22 points after early in the second quarter.“It felt like we just eased into the game, and they didn’t,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “They blitzed us pretty early, and then we were never able to get back because of it.”Game 4 is in Minneapolis on Monday night.The travel north and venue shift triggered a sharp drop in shooting for the Thunder, who made exactly half of their attempts from the floor over the first two games and went just 12 for 40 in the first half on Saturday.Gilgeous-Alexander, the newly minted NBA MVP, went more than 13 minutes of game time between baskets while the Target Center crowd loudly booed him on every touch and taunted him at the line with the chant, “Free throw merchant!” in a nod to the popular notion he draws an inordinate amount of fouls.Randle, who had his first off night of this postseason in a Game 2 performance so disjointed he was benched for the fourth quarter, had his fire back — and his signature fadeaway.Edwards rediscovered his 3-point shot, going 5 for 8 after shooting just 1 of 9 in Game 2. He gave the quick-handed, ball-pressuring Thunder a taste of what it’s like to play against themselves with a couple of relentless pursuits of loose balls he turned into breakaway dunks.Outscored 69-37 in the third quarter over the first two games, the Wolves made sure to avoid another post-halftime malaise. Edwards, tightly guarded by Isaiah Joe in the corner, found enough space to drive along the baseline and spin an up-and-under reverse layup off the glass for a 79-52 lead.“That’s what we need him to do, and when he does it, it takes us to another level,” coach Chris Finch said.___AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MAY 24: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves smiles during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game 3 of the 2025 NBA Western Conference Finals on May 24, 2025 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE

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Wolves pummel Thunder in emphatic Game 3 response

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Katy Knoll scored a goal in the third overtime and Maddie Rooney finished ...

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Katy Knoll scored a goal in the third overtime and Maddie Rooney finished with 35 saves to help the Minnesota Frost beat the Ottawa Charge 2-1 on Saturday night and take a 2-1 lead in the third straight overtime game of the PWHL championship series.The defending Walter Cup champions can clinch the best-of-five series and secure the club’s second consecutive title with a win in Game 4 at Xcel Energy Center on Monday.Gwyneth Philips had 45 saves for Ottawa.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Klara Hymlarova blasted a shot from the point that was blocked by Phillips but Knoll was there for a back-hand putback from in front of the net 9:57 into the third OT.Emily Clark opened the scoring with 8:22 left in the first period. Gabbie Hughes slipped a pass in front of the net through four Frost players and Clark flicked a one-timer into the net from point-blank range.Lee Stecklein scored 2:58 into the third quarter to make it 1-1. Claire Thompson dropped a pass back to Stecklein for a wrist-shot from the logo just inside the blue line.Ottawa beat the Frost 2-1 in overtime to open the series but Minnesota responded with its own 2-1 overtime victory in Game 2.It was the first triple-overtime game in PWHL Finals history.___AP Women’s Hockey: https://apnews.com/hub/womens-hockey

ST. PAUL, MN - MAY 24: Minnesota Frost forward Katy Knoll (6) celebrates her game-winning goal with Minnesota Frost forward Klara Hymlarova (71), Minnesota Frost defender Sophie Jaques (16), and Minnesota Frost defender Natalie Buchbinder (22) in triple-overtime of Game Three of the 2025 Walter Cup Finals between the Minnesota Frost and Ottawa Charge on May 24, 2025 at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN.

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Knoll scores in 3rd OT, Rooney stops 35 as Frost beat Charge for 2-1 series lead

SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — It was tied 1-1 going into the third period. It turned into a blowout. And a...

SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — It was tied 1-1 going into the third period. It turned into a blowout. And after a five-goal barrage, one like none other in Florida playoff history, the Panthers are one win from their third consecutive trip to the Stanley Cup Final.Niko Mikkola and Aleksander Barkov each scored twice, and Panthers — fueled by five goals in a span of nine minutes — rolled past the Carolina Hurricanes 6-2 on Saturday night to take a 3-0 lead in the Eastern Conference finals.Jesper Boqvist — playing for the injured Sam Reinhart — scored the go-ahead goal early in the third for Florida and Brad Marchand also scored for the Panthers, who got 23 saves from Sergei Bobrovsky.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>“In the third period, I think we took over,” Barkov said.That’s an understatement from the Panthers’ captain.Logan Stankoven and Seth Jarvis scored for Carolina, which has now dropped 15 consecutive East finals games — getting swept by Pittsburgh in 2009, Boston in 2019, Florida in 2023 and are now on the brink of it happening again.Game 4 is Monday in Sunrise.“They’re a good team, for sure,” Carolina’s Sebastian Aho said. “But I feel like we’ve been giving them the momentum or a goal at the wrong time — and obviously they’ve made us pay”Florida’s five third-period goals were a club record for any playoff period and ruined what had seemed like a good move by Carolina to switch goaltenders going into Game 3. The Hurricanes went with Pyotr Kochetkov in net, after Frederik Andersen gave up nine goals on just 36 shots in the first five periods of the series.Kochetkov stopped 14 of 15 shots through two periods. The third, not so much. A tie game became a rout in a hurry.“I don’t think the way the games have been played is really an indication of what the outcomes have been score-wise,” Marchand said. “They’ve been pretty tight. It just seems like we’ve got a couple of bounces and a couple lucky breaks here and there that have kind of given us a pretty good lead.”Florida got a break to make it 1-0. Barkov threw a pass across the goal crease, the puck hitting the stick of Evan Rodrigues before finding Mikkola — who tried to feed it back across for Barkov.It never got there. Mikkola’s pass deflected off Carolina defenseman Dmitry Orlov and past Kochetkov, opening the scoring and giving Florida an 11-2 cumulative score lead in the series to that point.Stankoven — who was flat-out robbed by Bobrovsky earlier in the game — tied it on the power play at 14:51 of the second, a breakthrough of sorts for the Hurricanes.Brent Burns took a shot from near the blue line that Bobrovsky stopped. The rebound skipped off Bobrovsky’s leg and Stankoven redirected it home to make it 1-1 — the first tie of the series, other than 0-0 scores to begin games.But the third, like the bulk of the series, was all Florida.“We have to try to put our best foot forward,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “I felt like we did tonight for two periods.”___AP NHL playoffs: https://apnews.com/hub/stanley-cup and https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

SUNRISE, FLORIDA -MAY 24: Jesper Boqvist #70 of the Florida Panthers celebrates his goal with teammates during the third period against the Carolina Hurricanes in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Amerant Bank Arena on May 24, 2025 in Sunrise, Florida.

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Panthers rout Hurricanes again to grab 3-0 stranglehold

CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — Austin Cindric is not worried about his future with Team Penske after his fa...

<div>
CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — Austin Cindric is not worried about his future with Team Penske after <a href="https://apnews.com/article/penske-firings-cindric-indycar-f427dc41cdcb9660eaa4c54482aed6b1">his father Tim Cindric was fired</a> by team owner Roger Penske as the team's IndyCar president earlier this week following a cheating scandal at the Indianapolis 500.
Cindric drives the No. 2 Ford Mustang for Penske in the NASCAR Cup Series, and is currently 12th in the points standings with three top-10 finishes in 12 races, including <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nascar-talladega-cindric-talladega-6ed884747f625a1cd96cf9d6a7a26bea">a win at Talladega</a>. That victory was Team Penske's first of the 2025 NASCAR season. 
Still, given the family ties with Team Penske it raised some speculation about how his father's departure might impact the younger Cindric.
<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>
Penske met with all of his NASCAR drivers in person in Charlotte following the moves, including Austin Cindric.
When asked if he was given any assurances from Penske that it will not impact his future with Penske's NASCAR team, Cindric shook his head and said “I don't think it was even in question.”
“Their support has always been very strong and also very transparent,” Cindric said following qualifying Saturday for the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. “When I have not performed to my best we have had those conversations. But past that it's business as usual for me.”
Tim Cindric was one of three executives fired by Penske after two Penske cars were found to be illegal following qualifying runs at the Indianapolis 500. Along with Cindric, IndyCar managing director Ron Ruzewski and IndyCar general manager Kyle Moyer <a href="https://apnews.com/article/indy-500-penske-qualifying-pole-2992ad3cdf325a67844428f54807a5d4">were also terminated</a>.
“Nothing is more important than the integrity of our sport and our race teams,” Penske said in a statement. “We have had organizational failures during the last two years, and we had to make necessary changes. I apologize to our fans, our partners and our organization for letting them down.”
Penske owns three IndyCars, IndyCar, Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indy 500. He has won the Indy 500 a record 20 times.
Cindric called this the best start to his career and believes his team has plenty of momentum following the win at Talladega.
Cindric said his father's firing won't impact how he approaches the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday.
“Professionally, I'm in no different of a place than I was a week ago,” Cindric said. "I feel like we have a lot of momentum on our team right now in the the No. 2 car. I've never felt better and had a better start to the season. So for me I'm just focused on execution. I feel like we have had some really fast cars." 
___
AP auto racing: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing">https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing</a>
</div>

NORTH WILKESBORO, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: Austin Cindric, driver of the #2 Freightliner Ford, looks on in his car during the NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race qualifying heat #2 at North Wilkesboro Speedway on May 17, 2025 in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina.

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Cindric not concerned about future with Penske after father was fired

PARIS (AP) — Bradley Barcola scored two goals and set one up as Paris Saint-Germain beat Reims 3-...

PARIS (AP) — Bradley Barcola scored two goals and set one up as Paris Saint-Germain beat Reims 3-0 in the French Cup final on Saturday and stayed on course for its first continental treble.Barcola was assisted twice by Desire Doue and created a goal for right back Achraf Hakimi late in the first half.The victory gave PSG a record-extending 16th French Cup — six more than next-best Marseille — and completed a domestic double after a record-extending 13th Ligue 1 title was sealed in dominant fashion.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The only trophy missing in the cabinet of the cash-rich Qatari-backed club is the Champions League's.That might change next Saturday.Coach Luis Enrique's PSG will attempt to win the Champions League for the first time when it faces Inter Milan in Munich. PSG lost its only other final to Bayern Munich during the pandemic-shortened 2020 competition.Reims was once France's top club and reached the Champions League final twice — when it was the European Cup — losing both times to Real Madrid in the 1950s.But Saturday's contest was a total mismatch, with the first half almost resembling a training session for PSG.Doue sent Barcola clean through in the 16th minute with a superb angled pass from midfield and the France winger finished neatly into the bottom left corner.Three minutes later, Doue found space on the right and his quick pass gave Barcola an easy finish from close range.Doue was named in the starting team only shortly before the start after winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia reportedly pulled out with headaches.With halftime approaching, Barcola whipped over a left-wing cross and Hakimi volleyed in neatly from close range.Luis Enrique is within sight of his second continental treble in 10 years after achieving his first with Lionel Messi-led Barcelona. ___AP soccer: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/soccer">https://apnews.com/hub/soccer</a>

Paris Saint-Germain's Moroccan defender #02 Achraf Hakimi (L) celebrates with Paris Saint-Germain's French forward #29 Bradley Barcola (R) after scoring his team's third goal during the French Cup final football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Stade de Reims at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on May 24, 2025.

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PSG beat Reims to win French Cup ahead of Champions League final

ROME (AP) — AC Milan beat last-placed Monza 2-0 in its final match in Serie A on Saturday amid wi...

ROME (AP) — AC Milan beat last-placed Monza 2-0 in its final match in Serie A on Saturday amid widespread protests.Matteo Gabbia scored with a second-half header at the San Siro then Joao Felix converted a free kick as Milan moved up to seventh place.Earlier, thousands of fans protested outside the club headquarters over Milan failing to qualify for Europe and losing to Bologna in the Italian Cup final.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>There were more protests inside the San Siro.Fans on the upper level at one end positioned themselves to form the words, "Go home." Then they walked out during the early stages of the first half.There were also chants aimed at Milan's American owner Gerry Cardinale."Cardinale, you have to sell. Get out," the fans said.Milan began the season as a potential title contender but ended up 19 points behind champion Napoli.The seven-time European champion was eliminated by Feyenoord in the Champions League playoffs in February.Meanwhile, city rival Inter Milan will play Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final next Saturday.

MILAN, ITALY - MAY 24: fans of Milan during the Serie A match between Milan and Monza at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on May 24, 2025 in Milan, Italy.

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Fan protests mark ugly end to AC Milan's disappointing season

CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — Chase Briscoe won the pole Saturday for the Coca-Cola 600 and will start on ...

CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — Chase Briscoe won the pole Saturday for the Coca-Cola 600 and will start on the front row for NASCAR's longest and most grueling race alongside Kyle Larson.Briscoe, driving the No. 19 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, turned a lap of 182.852 mph on the 1 1/2-mile oval at Charlotte Motor Speedway to edge out Larson, who plans to arrive at the track about an hour before the race Sunday night after completing the Indianapolis 500."It's going to be great to start up front," Briscoe said. "Adding that No. 1 pit stall, and to be able to race in clean air is huge."<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Briscoe comes in with four top-five finishes in the Cup Series this year, but has yet to win a race.He also won the Daytona 500 pole earlier this year."It's pretty wild, really," Briscoe said. "I never thought I would get to run a Truck Series race let alone lead the way at two crown jewel events."William Byron, who signed a four-year contract extension with Hendrick Motorsports on Friday, celebrated by turning a lap of 182.642 and will start third, followed by Chris Buescher and AJ Allmendinger. Rounding out the top 10 will be John Nemechek, Ty Gibbs, Noah Gragson, Alex Bowman and defending race champion Christopher Bell.Briscoe knows winning the Coca-Cola 600 pole does not necessarily guarantee success, particularly in such a long race.Larson won from the pole in 2021, but prior to that the last driver to accomplish that feat was Jeff Gordon in 1998.Bell won last year's rain-shortened 249-lap race, and is now out to prove that was no fluke."Certainly, I have gotten annoyed by people calling it an asterisk win, so I would love to win this race as the Coca-Cola 600 and run the full 600 miles," Bell said. "We should be really competitive. The last couple of years this has been one of our best intermediate tracks, as far as the 20 group goes, so I really look forward to the challenge."Last year fans booed loudly after waiting through a long rain delay, only to have NASCAR announce early in the morning hours that the race could not be completed because of the inability to dry the track."I want to be a 600-mile winner and not get booed going into victory lane," Bell said with a laugh.One thing to keep an eye on Sunday will be how the track reacts to the racecars in Turns 3 and 4, as drivers talked repeatedly about how particularly bumpy it is there."It's definitely rough down there," Briscoe said. "It kind of changes year to year."Jimmie Johnson, making his 700th career Cup Series start, will start 37th as he attempts to match Darrell Waltrip for the most Coca-Cola 600 wins with five. The part-owner at Legacy Motor Group is largely considered a longshot, despite his tremendous success at the CMS, where he’s also won the Bank of America 400 four times and All-Star race four times."I love endurance events and this is our marathon," Johnson said. "As a kid watching this before I was ever back here racing, I was always so intrigued by a 600-mile race. Cars back then had a tough time making it. The drivers did as well. It is a long event. I think it is a little harder on the party animal fans in the infield to go the extra 100 miles."___AP auto racing: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing">https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing</a>

CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 24: Kyle Larson, driver of the #5 HendrickCars.com Hendrick 1100 Chevrolet, walks the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 24, 2025 in Concord, North Carolina.

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Larson will start Coca-Cola 600 up front 1 hour after driving Indy 500

CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — Kyle Larson is doubling down on “The Double.”  Larson is set to run both the...

CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — Kyle Larson is doubling down on “The Double.”Larson is set to run both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday, a task he set out to accomplish last year but never had a chance to complete after weather disrupted the NASCAR star’s plans.A year ago rain delayed the start of the Indianapolis 500, putting Larson well behind schedule in his quest. He finished 18th in Indianapolis, and didn't make it to Charlotte Motor Speedway until 249 laps had been completed. He was set to jump in the No. 5 Chevrolet and take over for replacement driver Justin Allgaier, but lightning and heavy rains forced NASCAR to call the race.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Larson never turned a lap at Charlotte Motor Speedway.“Last year wasn’t as fun and exciting as people might think,” Larson said. “I was super bummed because I knew I wasn’t going to be able to race in both. I didn’t get to enjoy the pre-race stuff or anything, but hopefully this year it goes better with the weather and I can just enjoy the whole experience.”The forecast for Sunday in both cities looks a little more promising, although there's still a small chance of rain.If rain were to delay the start of the Indianapolis 500 again, Larson could face a tough decision. If he doesn't make it back for the Coca-Cola 600 his playoff chances would be in jeopardy. Larson is considered one of the favorites to win the Cup Championship, having won three Cup Series races this year.Hendrick Motorsports vice president Jeff Gordon said the team has a “concrete plan” to have Larson in Charlotte in time for driver introductions, about 45 minutes before the race.“He will be here (at CMS) by 5:45 p.m.,” Gordon said emphatically.Only a handful of elite drivers have dared to take on the epic motorsports crossover. Tony Stewart set the standard for “The Double” in 2001 when he finished sixth at the Indy 500 and third at the Coca-Cola 600, becoming the first driver to ever complete all 1,100 miles.“I love to race," Larson said of the challenge. "I love to compete in big events and I love to try new things to challenge myself,” said Larson. “I try to stay focused on making this the best experience I can and getting my car to drive the best it can while also enjoying the moment.”Other things to watch at the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday night:Change in spottersChristopher Bell and Brad Keselowski will have new spotters at the Coca-Cola 600.Joe Gibbs Racing said Matt Philpott has replaced Stevie Reeves as Bell’s spotter. Reeves had been the spotter for Bell, last week's All-Star Race winner and the defending Coca-Cola 600 champion, since he made his series debut in 2020.“I was surprised as well,” Bell said of Reeves' decision to leave the team. “It was all Stevie's decision. He made the decision on his own to quit.”Todd Brewer replaces T.J. Majors as Keselowski’s spotter. Majors will be out a month due to a medical procedure.Byron's extensionWilliam Byron called it a “relief” to receive a four-year contract extension on Friday from Hendrick Motorsports.The two-time defending Daytona 500 champion said negotiations were “amicable” and he anticipated they would eventually get done.“I definitely wanted to be here and focus on winning races,” Byron said. “That’s what it’s all about at Hendrick Motorsports and what I want to do. ... I felt like Hendrick was always my home.”Gordon said “we think it’s a no-brainer. It’s worked and he has been a great fit. ... We were going to make it happen one way or another."Johnson set for milestoneSeven-time Cup Series champion and Legacy Motor Club part-owner Jimmie Johnson will hit a career milestone at the Charlotte Motor Speedway with his 700th career Cup Series start.For the 49-year-old Johnson it's a poignant moment, returning to the venue where he began his Cup Series journey in 2001. Johnson’s first start came on Oct. 7, 2001 at Charlotte. He went on to dominate at Charlotte, winning the Coca-Cola 600 four times (2003, 2004, 2005, 2014), the Bank of America 500 four times (2004, 2005, 2009, 2016), and the All-Star Race four times (2003, 2006, 2012, 2013).“This is my 700th start, but let's be clear — it's not my last start," Johnson said.The Coca-Cola 600 grindThe Coca-Cola 600 is the longest race on the NASCAR circuit, and it can often take five hours to complete the 400 laps on a 1 1/2-mile track. Austin Dillon, driver of the No. 3 Chevrolet formerly run by Dale Earnhardt, called it one of the most grueling races on the NASCAR circuit.“The track’s not smooth. ... It’s rough, so I think you prep your seat well for this race too,” said Dillon, who won the race in 2017. “I changed that two years ago when we went to this car. I remember the first time in the Next Gen car here, it was awful under caution, even just your head rattling around in there. So I tried to make our foam a little different around our head rest, which helps.”Salute to serviceCharlotte Motor Speedway has a long tradition of honoring the military on Memorial Day weekend as part of their “Salute to service.” There are flyovers, numerous military members on site, the playing of “Taps” and each driver carries the name of a fallen soldier’s name on their racecar.“To have a name on the side of a race car, to share that with their family, it means more than motorsports,” said AJ Allmendinger, driver of the No. 16 car for Kaulig Racing. “I’ll be 100% honest, I get lost. You know what our job is, you’re out there to win, and that’s all you focus on, but there’s a brief moment there of all the pre-race stuff at the (Coca-Cola) 600 where racing doesn’t mean anything.”NASCAR on PrimeNASCAR on Prime is set to make its debut on Sunday.Prime Video will exclusively stream five consecutive NASCAR Cup Series races to conclude the first half of the season. Adam Alexander serves as race announcer alongside analysts Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Steve Letarte in the booth, with Trevor Bayne, Kim Coon, and Marty Snider patrolling pit road. Danielle Trotta hosts Prime Video’s on-site studio coverage, joined by analysts Carl Edwards and Corey LaJoie.Fans can watch NASCAR live at home or on the go, and across hundreds of compatible devices, streaming from the web, or using the Prime Video app on smartphones, tablets, set-top boxes, game consoles, and connected TVs.

LAS VEGAS, NV - OCTOBER 19: Kyle Larson (#5 Hendrick Motorsports HendrickCars.com Chevrolet) answers questions during a press conference before practice and qualifying for the South Point 400 NASCAR Cup Series playoff race on October 19, 2024, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, NV.

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Larson preps to run Indy 500, Coca-Cola 600 after 2024 washout

GENEVA (AP) — Novak Djokovic finally clinched his 100th career singles title by rallying to beat ...

GENEVA (AP) — Novak Djokovic finally clinched his 100th career singles title by rallying to beat Hubert Hurkacz 5-7, 7-6 (2), 7-6 (2) in more than three hours to become the Geneva Open champion on Saturday.Djokovic lost his two previous finals since his 99th title win nine months ago at the Paris Olympics at Roland-Garros.The 100th was after a typically tough and hard-working match, two days after his 38th birthday and surrounded by his family in the Swiss city where some relatives reside.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>“I’m just grateful to clinch the 100 here,” Djokovic said in an on-court interview. “I had to work for it, that is for sure.”Djokovic joins tennis greats Jimmy Connors, who has a record 109 titles, and Roger Federer on 103 as the only men with a century of tournament wins in the Open era.The three-time French Open champion heads back to Paris looking to add to his 24 Grand Slam singles titles. He has a French Open first-round match on Monday against Mackenzie McDonald of the United States.The Serb clinched with an ace down the middle to complete a surge to victory after breaking Hurkacz’s serve for the first time while trailing 4-3 in the deciding set. Djokovic took that break-point chance with a forehand cross-court winner advancing to the net on Hurkacz’s sliced half-volley.“Hubert was probably closer to the victory the entire match than I was,” Djokovic said. "I don’t know how I broke his serve.”He is the first man in the Open era to win a title in 20 different seasons.Djokovic's 100th singles title came nearly 19 years after the first in July 2006. That also was on clay, at Amersfoort in the Netherlands, against Nicolás Massú — the Chilean who now coaches Hurkacz.Since the Paris Olympics, Djokovic had lost finals at the Shanghai Masters to Jannik Sinner last year, and the Miami Masters to Jakob Mensik in March.___AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

Serbia's Novak Djokovic returns a ball to Poland's Hubert Hurkacz during their men's singles final match at the ATP 250 Geneva Open tennis tournament in Geneva on May 24, 2025.

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Djokovic clinches his 100th career singles title at Geneva Open

CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — Richard Childress Racing announced Saturday it has picked up the option on K...

CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — Richard Childress Racing announced Saturday it has picked up the option on Kyle Busch’s contract, meaning the two-time Cup Series champion will be back with the team for the 2026 season.The 40-year-old Busch is in the midst of the longest slump of his career, with his winless streak closing in on 70 races. Busch has won 63 Cup Series races since joining the circuit in 2003, but has not taken the checkered flag since St. Louis on June 4, 2023.Still, Busch believes RCR will get things turned around soon.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>“It’s a great place to be, a great place to work and a great atmosphere — there is a lot of determination there from a lot of people (to win),” said Busch, who won Cup Series championships in 2015 and 2019.Team owner Richard Childress said he felt like the organization let Busch down in 2024, his first season without a Cup Series win in his career.Busch has one top-5 finish this season. He is 17th in the point standings.“I think we will win a race with him this year,” Childress said. "We have to work smarter and that is what we are trying to do. We have a lot of good things going."The polarizing Busch, known for his outbursts and rants, called the losing streak “a little humbling.”“I'm excited for the next win whenever that is," Busch said. "I feel like there are times where it gives you that motivation and gives you that itch to get back to victory lane.”Childress said there is hope that he can sign Busch to a long-term extension at some point in the future."There is a big future for Kyle," Childress said.Busch said he has not considered retiring from racing, He said that is something he will reconsider once his 10-year-old son, Brexton, is old enough to get into racing on the national circuit.Busch will run Sunday in the Coca-Cola 600, a race that he won in 2018<a href="https://apnews.com/12170407bdc9439faee6d01b67d2d234">.</a>

NORTH WILKESBORO, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: Kyle Busch, driver of the #07 Gainbridge Chevrolet, waits on the grid prior to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Window World 250 at North Wilkesboro Speedway on May 17, 2025 in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina.

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Kyle Busch to return to Richard Childress Racing for 2026

MONACO (AP) — Lando Norris beat the Monaco track record, his main Formula 1 rival and a local her...

MONACO (AP) — Lando Norris beat the Monaco track record, his main Formula 1 rival and a local hero to take pole position on Saturday.Perhaps most importantly, Norris made a breakthrough in his own struggles with F1 qualifying, which have hampered his championship chances against McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri."It's been a long time coming," said Norris, who hadn't been on pole since the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"I don’t think I’ve ever doubted what I can do. Of course, I've got frustrated, I’ve been unhappy, because that’s normal," Norris added. "If you don’t win, if you don’t get pole, you’re not going to be happy, especially when it’s where you should be, it’s what the objective is."Norris and Monaco local Charles Leclerc swapped the fastest times before Norris upped the pace again to take first by .109 of a second. Piastri was third.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Monaco GP Qualifying 🇲🇨" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-37Ads" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/37Ads/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="854" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}}))}();
</script></figure>Norris’ time of 1 minute, 9.954 seconds replaced a record set by Lewis Hamilton in 2019.It comes as Norris tries to cut into Piastri’s 13-point standings lead and follows weeks of frustration in qualifying — sometimes from small mistakes, but also a dramatic crash in Saudi Arabia last month. Leclerc, who won the Monaco GP last year, was denied a fourth career pole at his home race.Leclerc said Monaco’s slow and twisty layout allowed Ferrari to dodge some of the “compromises” it’s had to make with its setup at more varied tracks.Defending champion Max Verstappen, the winner of the Emilia-Romagna GP last week, was fifth for Red Bull after predicting Monaco’s low-speed nature wouldn’t suit his car, but starts fourth because of a penalty for Lewis Hamilton.Rule change makes for uncertain raceQualifying has typically been more important at Monaco than anywhere else on the F1 calendar. It’s almost impossible to overtake on the narrow streets so grid position is vital.It could be a little different this time because drivers will be required to change tires at least twice during the race.“I don’t think anyone really knows what to expect,” Piastri said.That rule change follows a dull race last year when an early red flag allowed all drivers to make their mandatory pit stop. The race finished with the top 10 all in the same order that they started the race.Hamilton penalized and Mercedes frustratedA radio mix-up cost seven-time world champion Hamilton, as he was dropped from fourth to seventh on the grid for getting in Verstappen’s way.In the first part of qualifying, Hamilton was told by the Ferrari team that Verstappen was on a slower lap, when the Dutch driver was actually trying to set a competitive time.Hamilton was obliged to make way for the faster car, but the miscommunication meant the British driver was in Verstappen’s way on the racing line, landing him a three-place grid penalty for impeding.Until then, Hamilton’s fourth place seemed a strong recovery following a crash in practice which required a major rebuild of his Ferrari.It was a session to forget for Mercedes as its cars caused two red flags.George Russell is set to start 14th after his car broke down in the tunnel with a suspected electrical problem, causing a lengthy stoppage while it was pushed out of the way by a track marshal crew. His 18-year-old teammate Kimi Antonelli hit the wall and was 15th.Haas rookie Oliver Bearman qualified 17th but dropped to the back of the grid because of a 10-place penalty imposed on Friday for overtaking under red flags when practice was stopped.

MONTE-CARLO, MONACO - MAY 24: Pole position qualifier Lando Norris of Great Britain and McLaren celebrates on arrival in parc ferme during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Monaco at Circuit de Monaco on May 24, 2025 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco

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Norris beats out Leclerc to earn pole for Monaco GP

GENEVA (AP) — FIFA president Gianni Infantino says Cristiano Ronaldo might play in the Club World...

GENEVA (AP) — FIFA president Gianni Infantino says Cristiano Ronaldo might play in the Club World Cup because of a unique transfer window.Ronaldo’s Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr did not qualify for the tournament, but Infantino suggested that the Portugal star could switch to one of the 32 teams playing in the competition in the United States starting next month.“Cristiano Ronaldo might play in the Club World Cup,” Infantino told online streamer IShowSpeed, whose YouTube channel has more than 39 million subscribers. “There are discussions with some clubs, so if any club is watching and is interested in hiring Ronaldo for the Club World Cup, who knows. Still a few weeks time, will be fun.”<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>FIFA confirmed Wednesday that last-minute transfer signings are open to all teams going to tournament, which fueled more speculation that one of them will try to sign the 40-year-old Ronaldo on a short-term deal, potentially a loan.Such a move would be unprecedented in modern soccer though could appeal to FIFA by boosting the profile and ticket sales of an inaugural tournament being played in 11 U.S. cities.A transfer for Ronaldo also would reunite him and Lionel Messi in the same competition for the first time since the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.Last October, FIFA invited Messi’s Inter Miami to enter the tournament in the slot that was expected to be reserved for the host nation’s champion. Inter Miami was eliminated in the MLS Cup playoffs.Speculative reports have linked Ronaldo to the one Saudi club that qualified, Al-Hilal, the Brazilian club Palmeiras and Wydad of Morocco, even though that club is currently banned by FIFA from registering new signings.Transfers can be made from June 1-10 and again June 27-July 3 according to exceptional rules FIFA approved in October.“The objective is to encourage clubs and players whose contracts are expiring to find an appropriate solution to facilitate the players’ participation,” FIFA said in Wednesday’s statement.___AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - MAY 7: Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nasser competes during the Saudi Pro League week 30 football match between Ittihad FC and Al Nasser at Al-Awwal Park Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on May 7, 2025.

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Infantino: 'Discussions' ongoing for Ronaldo to play in Club World Cup

LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Barcelona and Arsenal will vie for the Women’s Champions League trophy wh...

LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Barcelona and Arsenal will vie for the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/barcelona-arsenal-womens-champions-league-final-0f1ed1a176b81e0bbea3b97bd7084409">Women’s Champions League</a> trophy when they play in Lisbon on Saturday.Barcelona is the heavy favorite as the two-time defending champion seeks a three-peat and a fourth overall title in five years.The Catalan club boasts a midfield featuring two-time Ballon d’Or winners <a href="https://apnews.com/article/womens-champions-league-final-bonmati-barcelona-e34583e2e6b38bcca88fdaa0cda7b577">Aitana Bonmatí</a> and <a href="https://apnews.com/article/alexia-putellas-barcelona-womens-champions-league-final-1c2a31c091d81281af6d62aee8504aca">Alexia Putellas</a> who lead a squad with several other members of <a href="https://apnews.com/article/womens-world-cup-final-spain-england-match-summary-232025b71703e9acde0ae39addb16c10">Spain’s World Cup-winning</a> team.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Arsenal will try to conjure up another superb performance after it fought back to stun both Real Madrid and <a href="https://apnews.com/article/lyon-arsenal-womens-champions-league-28e6ef7ab616f4adcf953322d5e1f40f">eight-time champion Lyon</a> in reaching its first final since winning the European Cup in 2007.Barcelona boasts the top attack in the competition. Claudia Pina and Ewa Pajor have helped their team pour in a competition-high 44 goals — compared to Arsenal’s 25.The Gunners will hope former Barcelona forward Mariona Caldentey can help them find a way to upset her former team. She and forward Alessia Russo lead Arsenal with seven goals each since the group phase.Arsenal could be boosted by first-choice goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar, who is back after missing the last three games due to injury.Both teams are expecting to be well-supported at the sold-out 50,000-seat Estadio de Jose Alvalade, home of Sporting Lisbon.___AP soccer: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/soccer">https://apnews.com/hub/soccer</a>

LISBON, PORTUGAL - MAY 23: The UEFA Women's Champions League trophy is pictured at the Heineken bar ahead of the UEFA Women's Champions League Final 2025 between FC Barcelona and Arsenal WFC at the Fan Festival on May 23, 2025 in Lisbon, Portugal.

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Barcelona favored against Arsenal in Women's Champions League final

NEW YORK (AP) — The Indiana Pacers are headed home, halfway to a chance to play for an elusive NB...

<div>
NEW YORK (AP) — The Indiana Pacers are headed home, halfway to a chance to play for an elusive NBA title.
They might prefer to stay right where they are.
Pascal Siakam scored a playoff career-high 39 points, and the Pacers beat the New York Knicks 114-109 on Friday night for a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference finals.
<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>
Game 3 is Sunday night in Indiana, which will be rocking all day long with the Indianapolis 500 being run that afternoon. The Pacers can only hope to be as good there as they've been on the road, where they have won six straight games since falling at Milwaukee in Game 3 of the first round.
“We have a long way to go and it’s only going to get tougher for us,” Siakam said. 
Myles Turner added 16 points and Tyrese Haliburton had 14 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds for the Pacers, who lost to the Lakers in 2000 in their only NBA Finals appearance.
Siakam finished 15 for 23 from the field on a night nobody else on the high-scoring Pacers had more than five baskets.
“Special game,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. “In the first half he was the guy that got us going and got us through some difficult stretches.”
Jalen Brunson had 36 points and 11 assists for the Knicks, who need a quick turnaround or their first appearance in the conference finals in 25 years will be a brief one. They defended much better after their crushing collapse in <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nba-playoffs-2025-knicks-pacers-haliburton-score-9261306da56d9f444703d54abd50a507">a 138-135 overtime loss</a> in Game 1, but couldn't find enough scoring to come back after a bad start to the fourth quarter.
Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns each had 20 points and seven rebounds for the Knicks, but Towns played just 28 minutes as coach Tom Thibodeau went longer with backup Mitchell Robinson, a much better defender who grabbed nine rebounds.
No team has lost the first two games at home and come back to win a series in the conference finals.
“Going into the fourth quarter it’s a tie ballgame. We've just got to make better plays, more winning plays,” Thibodeau said.
It was tied at 81 after three, before the Pacers opened the fourth with a 13-4 run to move ahead 94-85 on <a href="https://x.com/TSN_Sports/status/1926098984487026985">Siakam’s 3-pointer</a> with 9:17 remaining. They would quickly push the margin back to around there every time the Knicks got any momentum, and it was 110-100 after another basket by Siakam with 2:45 to play.
The Knicks scored nine straight to make it 110-109 on Josh Hart’s basket with 14 seconds to go. Aaron Nesmith made two free throws for the Pacers, Brunson was well off on a 3-point attempt and Turner finished it out with two free throws.
The 50th playoff meeting between the rivals — the Pacers lead 28-22, all since 1993 — more closely resembled their defensive battles of the 1990s than the shootout of two nights earlier. 
Indiana raced to a 19-9 lead, but the Knicks quickly caught them when Robinson and Deuce McBride entered and the game remained within a single-digit margin nearly the entire rest of the night.
___
AP NBA: <a href="https://apnews.com/nba">https://apnews.com/nba</a>
</div>

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 23: Pascal Siakam #43 of the Indiana Pacers shoots the ball during the game against the New York Knicks during Game 2 of the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals on May 23, 2025 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE

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Pacers win again at MSG to take 2-0 lead over Knicks

As impressive as the PWHL’s growth has been less than two years since its launch, with the league...

As impressive as the PWHL’s growth has been less than two years since its launch, with the league blowing past initial attendance and revenue projections, and already into its first phase of expansion, Stan Kasten says you’ve seen nothing yet.The league’s advisory board member laid out an ambitious vision of the PWHL’s future during a phone interview with The Associated Press on Thursday.Kasten foresees further expansion — beyond the recent additions of Vancouver and Seattle to grow the PWHL to eight teams — within the next few years; the league capitalizing on the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics to broaden its reach internationally; and the prospect of turning a profit by 2031, when the league’s current CBA with its players expires.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>“By every measure, we’re ahead of where we thought we would be. And we never thought we were going to be this niche six-team league in the northeast of North America,” Kasten said.“Our manifest destiny is a lot more than six. It’s a lot more than eight. I don’t know how many,” he added. “My point is, we’re going to be a league like every other real major league, and that’s our goal. ... We’re going to be spread — our footprint will be across this continent and hopefully others as well.”<h3>Expansion plans</h3>Without making a firm commitment, Kasten said there was enough interest from major markets that missed out on expansion this year to add even more teams by 2026-27. He said the league will have a better timeline on the next expansion phase based on how smoothly Vancouver and Seattle are incorporated.“I’ll know by midseason what I think we should do, and we’ll go from there,” he said. “I don’t know if it’s the year after or the year after that, but I think it’ll be sooner than most people ever imagined.”<h3>Eye on Europe</h3>What’s clearer is the league turning its focus toward Europe to coincide with the Olympics, and a women’s hockey tournament predominantly featuring PWHL talent.Kasten said there have been discussions about playing exhibition games in Europe within the next two years, as well as building ties with European leagues for developmental purposes and even of one day establishing teams there.“Europe is a big part of our future,” Kasten said.“I think our presence on the international stage next year is going to be really well-timed, a propitious step for us,” he added. “We think the period before the Olympics, during the Olympics, and after the Olympics are very important to the next stage of our development.”Kasten spoke from Ottawa where he attended Game 2 of the best-of-five Walter Cup Finals series, which is tied at 1 after defending champion Minnesota’s 2-1 overtime win.<h3>Attendance jumps</h3>The PWHL is closing its second season, which featured jumps in attendance, revenues, sponsorships, and goal scoring — from 4.8 to 5.02 per outing — over the inaugural season.Average attendance rose from 5,448 per contest last year to 7,260, due in part to nine neutral-site games drawing a combined 123,601 fans.Attendance in Toronto and Montreal jumped with both teams playing in larger venues, though Minnesota and Ottawa had slight drops in average turnout when not including their designated “home” neutral site games.Turnout continues to lag in New York, where the Sirens finished last in the standings for a second straight year while averaging a league-low 2,764 fans per game — up from 2,496 last year — at the NHL Devils' home, the Prudential Center.Executive vice president of business operations Amy Scheer said the league’s sponsorships increased from 40 to 60, and merchandise sales doubled — helped by the PWHL unveiling logos and nicknames for its six teams this season.Kasten doesn’t discount needs the PWHL has to address, noting the league intends to increase promotions and improve venues in various markets. Another concern is how fanbases will respond to each of the six existing teams standing to lose four players each as part of the expansion process next month.<h3>Hopeful future</h3>For Kasten, that doesn’t take away what the league has accomplished in 23 months since being launched by his boss, Los Angeles Dodgers owner Mark Walter, and wife Kimbra, tennis icon Billie Jean King, and Ilana Kloss. As the PWHL’s financial backer, Walter committed hundreds of millions of dollars as part of a long-term vision to bring together the world’s top women players in one league.Kasten said the initial projection for attendance was 1,000 per game for a league that in March surpassed the 1 million mark, including playoffs.“I see us on a very distinct upward track, able to look towards seasons where we can start to turn the corner and be in the black,” Kasten said, looking ahead to 2031.“We’re far away from that now, and that’s OK. We projected that,” he added. “But when that happens, we can also think about expanding the schedule. And with an expanded schedule in an environment where you’re finally making money, well, now there’s more money for more people.“And so I hope by then we’re at that point. That would thrill me.”___AP Women’s Hockey: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/womens-hockey">https://apnews.com/hub/womens-hockey</a>

NEWARK, NJ - DECEMBER 22: A general view of the PWHL jersey logo during the PWHL game on December 22, 2024 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey

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PWHL plans further expansion, eyes 2026 Olympics to broaden reach in Europe

AUGSBURG, Germany (AP) — Augsburg fired coach Jess Thorup and sporting director Marinko Jurendic ...

AUGSBURG, Germany (AP) — Augsburg fired coach Jess Thorup and sporting director Marinko Jurendic after an end-of-season review found there's room for improvement in a team that finished 12th in the 18-team Bundesliga."Following an intense decision-making process and open and honest discussion, we have decided to make a change in our head coach in the interests of continuing the development and direction of our club," Augsburg chief executive Michael Stroll said on Friday.Thorup took over from the fired Enrico Maassen in October 2023 and steered the team away from the relegation zone. The team's form dipped toward the end of the season, however, with five defeats in a row resulting in an 11th-place finish. This season it was four losses in a row that led to 12th.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Stroll said the club took "an in-depth look at all areas" and decided to "restructure our sporting leadership" leading to Jurendic's dismissal.The club said it will announce successors "as soon as they've been confirmed."Former Hertha Berlin, Hoffenheim and Bayern Munich forward Sandro Wagner is reportedly a candidate to take over as coach. The 37-year-old Wagner is an assistant to Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann but is leaving that position after the final Nations League games on June 4 and 8 to pursue a career in club coaching.Augsburg has played in the Bundesliga every year since clinching promotion in 2011.___AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

STUTTGART, GERMANY - MAY 11: Jess Thorup, Head Coach of FC Augsburg, gestures during the Bundesliga match between VfB Stuttgart and FC Augsburg at MHPArena on May 11, 2025 in Stuttgart, Germany.

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Augsburg sack coach, sporting director after end-of-season review

CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing announced Friday a multi-year sponsor partner...

CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing announced Friday a multi-year sponsor partnership with Trimble beginning in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season.Trimble will be the primary sponsor on Ryan Preece’s No. 60 Ford Mustang and Chris Buescher’s No. 17 Ford Mustang, beginning with Preece’s entry at Nashville Superspeedway on June 1. In addition, it was announced that Trimble will increase its involvement across RFK Racing’s full fleet in upcoming seasons, including Brad Keselowski’s No. 6 Ford Mustang.Trimble is a global technology company that enables essential industries including construction, geospatial and transportation.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>“This is a high-profile opportunity to expand awareness of Trimble by supporting a leading NASCAR team with a technology vision closely aligned with our own,” Trimble president and CEO Rob Painter said. “Both organizations focus on cohesive technology ecosystems and data-driven precision as the formula for winning in dynamic and intensely competitive environments.”Trimble employs more than 12,000 people worldwide and serves customers in over 175 countries. The company reported $3.68 billion in revenue in 2024, according to a release.“Partnering with a forward-thinking, technology-driven company like Trimble is a great fit for RFK Racing,” said Steve Newmark, president of RFK Racing. “Our team and Trimble operate in fast-paced, high-performance environments that demand precision and innovation. Their deep expertise and commitment to technology will bring valuable perspective and collaboration to our program.”Trimble is also set to join the RFK TeK Alliance, a collaborative platform where technology-oriented sponsors work together to test and refine products in applied racing and operational environments.“Every week in NASCAR feels like a science project, where we’re constantly testing, learning, and improving,” said RFK Racing driver and co-owner Brad Keselowski. “Partnering with Trimble allows us to do more of that work in the digital space, refining our performance virtually before we ever hit the track. That kind of innovation is not only smart, it’s essential in today’s competitive environment.”

NORTH WILKESBORO, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 16: Ryan Preece, driver of the #60 Boston Common Golf Ford, exits pit road during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Pit Crew Challenge Open at North Wilkesboro Speedway on May 16, 2025 in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina.

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Trimble to become primary sponsor on Buescher, Preece cars

ROME (AP) — Napoli fans were already in a celebratory mood ahead of the game against Cagliari lat...

ROME (AP) — Napoli fans were already in a celebratory mood ahead of the game against Cagliari later Friday, which could secure a second Serie A soccer title in three years for the southern club.Napoli leads defending champion Inter Milan by one point entering the final round.Inter visits Como in a game that will be played simultaneously with Napoli’s match.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>If the team's finish level, a one-game playoff on Monday will determine the winner.Napoli supporters were cheering and singing outside Stadio Diego Maradona hours in advance of the 8:45 p.m. (1845 GMT) kickoff.Napoli is aiming for its fourth Italian league title overall.Maradona led Napoli to its first two in 1987 and 1990. The 2023 team led by Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia clinched with five rounds to spare.Inter is aiming for its 21st title. The Nerazzurri will also face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final on May 31.___AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

NAPLES, ITALY - MAY 23: SSC Napoli Supporters sing and react ahead of their possible Scudetto victory ahead the Serie A match between Napoli and Cagliari at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on May 23, 2025 in Naples, Italy.

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Napoli fans in celebratory mood before Serie A-deciding matches kick off

Maybe this is the year that Union Saint-Gilloise finally wins the Belgian league title. It's been...

Maybe this is the year that Union Saint-Gilloise finally wins the Belgian league title. It's been a 90-year wait.The small club in Brussels loved by the city's international community takes a one-point lead into the final round Sunday after near misses in the past three seasons — their first in the top tier since 1973."The fact that we are in this position is the reward for the hard work that has been going on here for years," Union’s 37-year-old coach Sebastien Pocognoli said Friday, in comments reported by Belgian daily Het Nieuwsblad.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Elsewhere, league titles in Austria, Croatia, Hungary and Poland will be decided this weekend before the European club season peaks with the Champions League final.<h3>Union's time has come?</h3>Twice, in 2022 and 2024, Union led the regular season standings then faded in the championship playoffs to let Club Brugge take the title.The epic 2023 title race had a dramatic ending when a helicopter carrying league officials and the trophy had to turn away from Union's tiny Joseph Marien Stadium.Three teams separately held the lead in the in-play standings in the closing minutes — including Union in the 89th — before Royal Antwerp seized the title in stoppage time.Only Union and Brugge are in contention Sunday when both have home games. Union hosts Gent and Brugge plays Antwerp.Union will seal its first title since 1935 with a win. A tie on points sends the title to Brugge on a tiebreaker of higher position in the regular season.Union had a slow start under new coach Pocognoli, after more sales of star players for eight-figure fees. Led by goals from Promise David, Union moved up to third in the regular standings.This time, Genk was the leader that collapsed in the playoffs. Union surged with a run of five clean sheets including a 1-0 win at Brugge on April 24 to go top for the first time."We have everything in our own hands, that is the reality," said Pocognoli, who won a Dutch league title with AZ Alkmaar when coached by Louis van Gaal.<h3>Salzburg's slump</h3>The decline of Salzburg seems more than a one-season blip, even if the team is heading to the FIFA Club World Cup next month.A 10-year run of Austrian Bundesliga titles ended last year, finishing runner-up, and Salzburg is fourth entering the final round. Qualifying rounds for the third-tier Conference League beckon."The way we've performed this season, we probably have no place in the Champions League," Salzburg coach Thomas Letsch acknowledged.Letsch arrived in midseason to replace Pep Lijnders, an assistant to Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, who lasted just a few months and oversaw a series of Champions League losses. Salzburg finished 34th in the 36-team league and Sturm Graz was 30th.Sturm enters the final Bundesliga round Saturday three points clear, needing a draw at home to third-placed Wolfsberg to retain its title.Austria Vienna in second hosts last-place Linz and will win the title on head-to-head tiebreakers if points are tied. It could be a three-way tie if Wolfsberg beats Sturm.<h3>Can Poznan do it in Poland?</h3>To this generation of fans, Lech Poznan is best known for a unique celebration that was adopted by Manchester City supporters after their Europa League games in 2010.Doing "The Poznan" means fans turn their backs to the field, link arms and jump up and down in unison. It has never been done in the Champions League by Lech fans. Maybe next season.Lech goes into the final round with a one-point lead over Rakow Czestochowa, the 104-year-old club which won its first title in 2023.On Saturday evening, Lech hosts mid-table Piast Gliwice and Rakow hosts Widzew Lodz. If they finish tied on points, Rakow wins on head-to-head record.<h3>Keane in Hungary</h3>Ferencvaros coach Robbie Keane's team needs only a draw to clinch the Hungarian title, after he took over the club in January.Ferencvaros's final game is Saturday evening at ETO Gyor, when second-place Puskas Akademia hosts Diosgyor.Seeking a seventh straight title, Ferencvaros can miss out only with a loss and a win for Puskas, which would take the title on a tiebreaker of most games won. Puskas is from the tiny village of Felcsut that has close ties to Prime Minister Viktor Orban.<h3>Dinamo's drive</h3>Entering May, Dinamo Zagreb was third in the Croatian standings and had just fired coach Fabio Cannavaro, the Italian 2006 World Cup-winning captain. Somehow, Dinamo kicks off the final games Sunday on top of a three-way race.Dinamo has beaten both title rivals, Hajduk Split then Rijeka, this month ahead of hosting fourth-placed Varaždin under interim coach Sandro Perkovic.Rijeka could have sealed the title last weekend but lost 2-1 at Hajduk, whose coach Gennaro Gattuso – another 2006 World Cup winner – says he will leave.Rijeka, which is tied on points with Dinamo, hosts Slaven Belupo. Hajduk is two points back and goes to relegated Šibenik. If all three contenders finish on 63 points, Gattuso’s Hajduk will be champion.___AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY - MAY 14: Robbie Keane, head coach of Ferencvarosi TC reacts during the MOL Hungarian Cup Final match between Ferencvarosi TC and Paksi FC at Puskas Arena on May 14, 2025 in Budapest, Hungary.

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5 lesser-known title races going down to the wire in Europe

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