- Scott Steiner’s infamous shoot promo on Ric Flair
Scott Steiner’s shoot promo on Ric Flair on WCW Monday Nitro (7th February 2000) is one of my favourite promos in wrestling history and I had no idea it was on Genius.com. Kids should study this in schools.
- Black Ice (2022)
No holds barred.
- Livia Gershon on the political influence of ‘The Rumble in the Jungle’
For JSTOR Daily, Livia Gershon looked back at “The Rumble in the Jungle”, the World Heavyweight Championship match between George Foreman and Muhammad Ali held in Zaire (now Democratic Republic of the Congo): The 1974 Rumble in the Jungle was freighted with symbolism regarding American racial politics and the pan-African struggle in the context of …
- Football boots of the day: Adidas Copa Mundial FG Jamaica
I’m Jamdown with these!
- JSTOR Daily on sports and how it changed glaciology
Who knew the Alps would contribute so much to sports in the UK (theoretically)?
- JSTOR Daily on the linguistic and cultural influence of cue sports
When’s the last time you went snooker loopy?
- Jimmy White’s career longevity in a tweet
Jimmy White has played professional snooker matches against both Stan Moody who was born in 2006, and Fred Davis who was born in 1913. Richard Osman on Twitter
- Incredible pool clearance by 9 year old Teddy White
Incredible pool clearance by 9 year old Teddy White in a game of English 8-ball pool. The kids are alright (at cue sports).
- Glorious on the female and non-binary photographers ‘changing the way we see sport’
Glorious on the female and non-binary photographers ‘changing the way we see sport’: We all know those iconic sports photos—the triumphant victory, the crushing defeat. But there’s a whole world of sports photography out there, and many of its most exciting voices are female and non-binary.
- Aliza Rudavsky on how breakdancers avoid breaking their necks
In the words of Wu-Tang Clan, protect ya neck!
- Sid Eudy aka Sycho Sid (1960–2024)
Wrestler Sid Eudy has sadly passed away at the age of 63.
- Danny Jansen will become the first player in MLB history to play for both teams in same game
Danny Jansen will become the first player in MLB history to play for both teams in same game. And we have rain and a trade to thank for this unusual milestone.
- Project Play played every Olympic Games PlayStation game
Which is your favourite?
- C.P. Company on the “chromatic evolution of Italian racing cars”
C.P. Company on the chromatic evolution of Italian racing cars: In the car world as well as in life, a particular tone or an exact colour match, if used wisely, are and will always be an excellent propeller for our state of minds.
- NBA announcers but they get increasingly more devastated
‘Are you kidding me?’
- An animation of the English Football League and Premier League all-time points table
Where does your team place in the all-time list?
- A Tale of Two Halves: a book about the history of football video games
Great half-time reading.
- ICYMI: Taisiia Onofriichuk’s Olympic rhythmic gymnastic performance to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”
Taisiia Onofriichuk’s Olympic rhythmic gymnastic performance to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” was sensational for multiple reasons. I’m surprised that the Olympics, Eurosport or BBC haven’t covered this yet.
- Olympique de Marseille’s third kit for 2024/25 is 🔥
Olympique de Marseille’s third kit for 2024/25 is 🔥. You can’t beat a third kit in bright clashing colours, especially when it’s in orange.
- Shout out to Sifan Hassan for winning gold in her first Olympic marathon
Is there any long distance race she can’t win?
- ESPN on the effectiveness of Roger Federer serve placement
Federer was always serving GOAT!
- Name, Set, and Match: Raekwon Noel
Ch-chick-pow! Move from the lane now.
- Shout out to Teddy Riner, the new Olympic champion in the men’s +100 kg judo!
Over 2m tall in height, a thousand more away from the competition.
- I stand with Imane Khelif
Fuck transphobes.
- The Numbers Game: Andy Murray
Andy Murray played a major role in changing British tennis. Here are some of the numbers behind that legacy.
- Simone Biles landing the first ever Olympic Yurchenko double pike
I don’t have any words left. Just sublime.
- Some links about the Olympic Games
Time to dig into the history of one of the the greatest quadrennial sporting events.
- Spain are Euro 2024 champions!
Uno, dos, tres, quatro!
- Carlos Alcaraz is the 2024 Wimbledon Men’s Singles champion
A double W at SW19.
- Swiss miss, England through
W marks the spot.
- Andy Murray said farewell to Wimbledon after defeat in the doubles
Thanks for the memories, Andy!
- Eric Cantona reveals the new Manchester United home kit in style
Le King returns.
- Jessica Bouzas Maneiro knocks out reigning Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova in straight sets
Spaniard wins as champion Czechs out.
- A wild collection of ice hockey masks
Attention Deficit Disorder Prosthetic Memory Program (ADDPMP) has a page dedicated to ice hockey goaltender masks from teams such as the Chicago Blackhawks, Edmonton Oilers, California Golden Seals, New York Rangers, and Washington Capitals.
- Glorious on Wimbledon, the London suburb
Glorious put together a guide to Wimbledon, the London suburb where that little grass tournament is held every July. Obviously the tennis gets a mention but there are also tips on finding the best pubs, restaurants, and travel info.
- Incredible final rally in the match between Lloyd Harris and Alex Michelsen at Wimbledon 2024
Day 1 of Wimbledon and drama already!
- Jude swings
- Ian Wright answered your questions for British GQ
What would you ask Ian Wright?
- Shout out to Georgia’s historic victory against Portugal at Euro 2024
წავედით!
- Roger Federer vs. Arnaud Di Pasquale in the Olympic Bronze Medal match at Sydney 2000
Let’s go back 24 years to the Sydney Olympic games…
- Today I discovered ‘Spikeball’
Can you keep a rally going?
- Fun fact about Jermaine Jenas
Fun fact about Jermaine Jenas: his nickname was sometimes Dhalsim due to his “lanky legs” (confirmed during commentary of the Albania vs. Spain match at Euro 2024)
- The Belgium men’s national team collaborates with Tintin on new away kit
Let’s hope Belgium’s campaign isn’t as tumultuous as Tintin’s adventures!
- Goal 90 on the 14 records already broken at Euro 2024
Dedication, dedication, dedication, that’s what you need!
- Kylian Mbappé wearing a mask after breaking his nose against Austria
‘Who got more snotty flows than snotty nose?’
- Zeki Rıza Sporel: Turkey’s first superstar striker
Before Arda Güler, Hakan Şükür, Tuncay, and Burak Yılmaz, there was Zeki Rıza Sporel.
- Arda Güler’s screamer against Georgia
What a finish from the wonderkid.
- ‘Who are your favorite ball players?’
Ashawnta Jackson on Richard Nixon’s fantasy baseball team: The publicity associated with the sport would help ‘humanize’ his image with the potential Nixon-voting Democrats.
- Germany beats 10-man Scotland 5-1 in Euro 2024 opener
That’s one way to stuff a haggis!
- The trailer for FEDERER: Twelve Final Days
The end of an iconic career.
- Carlos Alcaraz is the 2024 Roland Garros Men’s Singles champion
VAMOS!
- babe, the new jamaica football kit just leaked
the new jamaica football kit just leaked, according to football shirt culture. gimme gimme gimme!
- Remembering Eric Moussambani at Sydney 2000
It’s been 24 years since Moussambani’s famous swim and unlikely win.
- Real Madrid’s title tally: an emoji infographic
#REALMADR15 (is that a thing?)
- The last ever Football League game played on artificial turf
Astro-turfs out!
- At Home With Dennis Irwin In 1995
I found an old interview with Denis Irwin from 1995. It’s mainly about his home life and career but he has a chance to show an “alternative” side to Roy Keane which I thought was hilarious.
- Andrew Cole’s picked his best XI made up of former Man United teammates
It’s one helluva team.
- The Guardian on Olympiakos striker Ayoub El Kaabi
A hat-trick hero in Birmingham a few weeks ago has made history once more.
- NASCAR but it has bad British commentary
All sports sound better with over-enthusiastic British commentary.
- ‘Futsal Meets Skateboarding’ in this New Balance commercial
‘A lifestyle-inspired, performance-driven, hybrid futsal and skate shoe.’
- Ademola Lookman’s virtuoso performance in the 2024 Europa League final
You won’t see many hat-tricks better than this.
- We can thank MLB for our tumultuous relationship with streaming
From home run to home streaming.
- Jamie Nesbitt Golden on Chicago Prairie Tennis Club, the oldest Black tennis club in the US
Jamie Nesbitt Golden wrote a great piece on Chicago Prairie Tennis Club, the oldest Black tennis club in the US, and their latest fundraiser to repair decades-old courts and revive a youth program that launched pro players.
- Arsenal dog collars are sold out. How about an Arsenal dog bandana?
Woof, woof!
- Federer’s title tally: an emoji infographic
That’s a lotta trophies!
- Roger Federer vs. Pineapple, a 7-year old prodigy
Roger’s affinity to China and racquet sports continues!
- Fun fact about the Estádio Nacional in Lisbon
Did you know that the Estádio Nacional in Lisbon was the venue for the first ever UEFA club match, between Sporting CP and Partizan Belgrade. The match was the first leg of the inaugural European Cup and it ended 3–3 (Partizan won the tie 8–5 on aggregate).
- Dominic Thiem has announced early retirement to due a recurring wrist injury
Thanks for the memories, Domi!
- Football Manager comrades
On Reddit, someone posted a Football Manager screenshot of a “revolutionary midfield”: Stalin Domański, a brazilian of Polish heritage and Lenny “Leninho” dos Santos Silva, redistributing possession in the midfield
- Sporting CP are champions again and I’m buzzing again!
Campeões, Campeões, Olé, Olé, Olé!
- What if we kissed at the frosty ping pong table?
- All of Andrew Cole’s Champions League goals
Andy Cole, Andy Cole, Andy, Andy Cole, He gets the ball and scores a goal, Andy, Andy Cole.
- champman0102.co.uk release April 2024 update
It’s that time of year again!
- How TomFM rebuilt Manchester United in 10 seasons
Are we so back or is it over again?
- 10 of the best football kits featuring a sash in history
It might look like a seatbelt to some but this is one of the cooelst shirt template designs out there.
- Now you can watch The Player (1971) in 35mm 4K, a previously lost feature film starring Minnesota Fats
‘FINALLY! the greatest pool hustler in the greatest pool movie.’
- Alexandra Ndolo: the German-born fencer now competing for Kenya
“[…] my career is not typical. I have a really strong body. So I think for Paris, I will be in the best shape of my life”
- It’s Nice That on Middle East Archive’s new photography book, Football
It’s Nice That spoke to Middle East Archive’s founder Romaisa Baddar about the archive’s new photography book, Football: Each image paints a vivid portrait of different expressions of the sport and its shared love in so many different spaces
- BBC Sport is giving you the chance to rank your favourite kits from Euro 2024
Make your vote count. I don’t know what for but do it anyway!
- Andrew Cole built his ultimate striker for ESPN
Andrew Cole built his ultimate striker for ESPN with a mix of old (Les Ferdinand and Alan Shearer) and new (Kylian Mbappe).
- Quanta on ‘the mysteries of polygonal billiards’
A funny old game.
- Detroit Pistons’s tribute to J Dilla’s 50th birthday
Like Dilla said, he was ‘from the D, y’all’
- Cody Rhodes and CM Punk cutting a promo but with the voices of Goofy and Mickey Mouse
This Instagram reel of Cody Rhodes and CM Punk cutting a promo but with the voices of Goofy and Mickey Mouse is absolutely hilarious.
- Brazil lose to Argentina and fail to qualify for the 2024 Olympics
Uau!
- This or That #7: Tick Tock Tennis
Our “This or That” series continues with Tick Tock Tennis.
- Lewis Hamilton to join Ferrari in 2025?
Apparently, Lewis Hamilton is set to leave Mercedes and join Ferrari in 2025. I did not see this coming (mainly because I checked out of F1 after the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix fiasco).
- Highlights of Roger Federer vs. Steve Darcis at the 2015 US Open
Highlights of Roger Federer vs. Steve Darcis at the 2015 US Open. Breathtaking tennis and you get a few SABRs in there too.
- There’s something about Marcus…
Maybe there’s more to life than reputation if everything isn’t okay.
- Roger Federer’s 2009 French Open run
The final piece in the puzzle.
- Football Palestine on Hani Al-Masdar, the Palestinian Olympic team coach who was murdered in an Israeli airstrike
Football Palestine profiled Hani Al-Masdar, the Palestinian Olympic team coach who was murdered in an Israeli airstrike during Israel’s genocide of Palestine: Hani Al-Masdar’s passing comes at a time of great loss for Palestine and its people.
- Ronnie O’Sullivan makes dramatic comeback to beat Judd Trump and win the World Grand Prix
Started from the bottom now we’re here!
- Useless snooker fact of the day: Matthew Stevens’s record at the Masters
Useless snooker fact of the day: Matthew Stevens has only ever lost in the first round of the Masters or won it. His first round appearances were in 1996, 2001–2007, and 2012–2013 and his sole victory was in 2000.
- Ronnie O’Sullivan wins his 8th Masters title
1995, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2024.
- The Smithsonian on the rise of pickleball
The Smithsonian on the rise of pickleball: In 1965 on Bainbridge Island, two friends, Washington State Congressman Joel Pritchard and businessman Bill Bell, dreamed up pickleball on an old badminton court with a pair of ping-pong paddles.
- Tony Yeboah and his 32 goals for Leeds United
Yeboah ate volleys for breakfast.
- Remember when LL Cool J was acting a fool on WWE Smackdown?
LL Fool J in the house!
- The top 10 posts of 2023
What were the most viewed articles of 2023?
- Big up London Falcons for having SEGA as their sponsor
London Falcons is soccer club aimed at – but not exclusively limited to – gay and bisexual men in London and they have SEGA as a sponsor, with the company’s logo in rainbow on the shirt. I pray they get a friendly with Arsenal.
- The goals and skills of Robert Pirès
Super Bobby, Super Bobby Pirès!
- Tifo Football on how Aston Villa ‘got good’ (thanks to Unai Emery)
Good evening!
- Its Nice That on the Lost Lionesses of 1971
It’s Nice That profiled Craig Stronach’s creative project with the England Lionesses who played in the 1971 Women’s World Cup in Mexico, better known as the Lost Lionesses.
- Tom Mitcham is using ChatGPT to co-manage União de Lamas on CM 97/98
Tom Mitcham is using ChatGPT to co-manage União de Lamas on CM 97/98. Follow along on cm9798.co.uk to see how he gets on.
- The Conversation on a lack of majority black-owned basketball franchises
How a basketball team in Harlem paved the way but no one is left to walk it.
- When Stephen Hendry met the world’s greatest snooker cue maker
Would ‘cue’ believe it!
- How to use Python for player recruitment in FM24
Code your way to victory!
- TIL: Matthew Perry appeared as a secret character in ‘NBA Hangtime’
Could I BE any more on fire?
- Football boots of the day: Nike Mercurial Vapor I SG
Nike Mercurial Vapor I SG – what a boot!
- Remembering Brendon Batson, Arsenal’s first Black player
‘Talent can’t be denied and Black players have proven.’
- That time when The Rock said ‘who are you two roody poos?’
You can guess the eventual response.
- Eric Cantona was incredible, wasn’t he?
Au revoir.
- Sir Bobby Charlton (1937–2023)
RIP Bobby.
- champman0102.co.uk release October 2023 Update
It’s that time of year again!
- Grapple Theory on the best Black British wrestlers right now
They’re Black and they’re wrasslin’, innit bruv?
- Arsenal celebrates club connections with Black British communities
The North London club has had a major influence on Black British cultures, and vice versa.
- Eden Hazard has announced his retirement from professional football
Former Chelsea and Real Madrid winger Eden Hazard has announced his retirement from professional football: You must listen to yourself and say stop at the right time […] After 16 years and more than 700 matches played, I have decided to end my career as a professional footballer. One of the great footballing entertainers.
- Congratulations to Portugal on their first ever Rugby World Cup win!
VAMOS OS LOBOS!
- South Africa could have flag and anthem banned from major sporting events due to anti-doping legislation
South Africa could have their flag and anthem banned from major sporting events—including the Rugby World Cup—if they don’t update their anti-doping legislation: The country would also be prevented from hosting, or bidding to host, international competitions, among several other punitive measures. They have until 13th October.
- Simone Biles wins a record-breaking 21st world championship gold medal
Flipping heck!
- GQ on ‘The Man Who Broke Bowling’
GQ on The Man Who Broke Bowling: Jason Belmonte’s two-handed technique made him an outcast. Then it made him the greatest—and changed the sport forever.
- TIL: Hunter actor Fred Dryer is the only NFL player to have scored two safeties in one game
TIL: Hunter actor Fred Dryer is the only NFL player to have scored two safeties in one game. Here’s footage of him doing it (the match in question was the LA Rams vs. the Green Bay Packers in Game 6 of the 1973 season).
- Futbolgrad on the CIS: the transitional team between the USSR and Russia
More than the sum of its parts.
- JSTOR Daily on the Black press helping to break the color line in baseball
How the Black Press Helped Integrate Baseball: Black newspapers often spoke to the conscience of the nation. As historian Bill L. Weaver notes, the Black press was ‘acutely perceptive and remarkably capable of assessing the importance of racial advances in the context of what the race ultimately hoped to achieve.’
- Lazio goalkeeper Ivan Provedel scored a 95th-minute equaliser against Atlético Madrid in the Champions League
Scenes! Absolute scenes!
- John D. Cook calculated all the ‘possible and actual football scores’
The Baltimore Ravens beating the Houston Texans by 25-9 was the first time that scoreline had been seen in the NFL. John D. Cook looked at all possible pairs of scores and all the actual pairs of scores. Interesting maths!
- TIL: SEGA had a series of UK sports tournaments in the 1990s
SEGAAAAAAA!
- Coco Gauff is the 2023 US Open Women’s Singles champion
And she hasn’t even reached her final form yet!
- Mikael Ymer has retired from professional tennis
A triple fault?
- Watch Skyler Woodward sink a golden break for USA against Europe in the Mosconi Cup
Watch Skyler Woodward sink a golden break for USA against Europe in the Mosconi Cup. I had to look up what a golden break was as I’m more familiar with 8-ball than 9-ball pool. Incredible time to get it as well!
- MLB on Bhutan’s surging interest in baseball
“Kids are there and they love it. They want to keep playing.” – Matthew DeSantis
- Spain are the 2023 Women’s World Cup champions
Spain defeated England 1-0 to win their first Women’s World Cup and become the second nation to win a FIFA World Cup in men’s and women’s senior football. For England, it was another disappointing end to a World Cup but a positive run nonetheless.
- Carlos Alcaraz and Tommy Paul played another epic in Cincinnati
Carlos Alcaraz and Tommy Paul played another epic, this time in Cincinnati. In terms of pace, this might be the fastest tennis match I’ve ever seen. I had to check if I was watching on 1.5x speed.
- CULT TENNIS on Roger Federer’s SABR
They didn’t see it coming. Until they did.
- What if the Romanian SuperLiga got a £1.6bn TV deal?
What if the Romanian SuperLiga got a £1.6bn TV deal? TomFM gave them the mother of all cash injections to see how it’d affect the league—and nation’s—footballing future. I love these “what if’s”.
- A fan-made documentary on Roger Federer’s 2017 comeback
A fan-made documentary on Roger Federer’s 2017 comeback. I’m biased but objectively, this is a good look at how it all came together in one of the most remarkable seasons for any player.
- A compilation of incredible ankle breakers and crossovers
Call an ambulance, call an ambulance!
- Phil Edwards on why baseball diamonds are that shape
An answer to a sports question we didn’t need but we’re grateful for the knowledge nonetheless.
- WWE Superstar Asuka is building a personal arcade
Cross post: WWE Star Asuka Is Building Her Own Arcade Packed With Retro Classics (via Distant Arcade)
- The Undertaker and Mick Foley on their Hell in a Cell match (1998)
Hope you’re not afraid of heights.
- Domingo Germán’s perfect game
‘To accomplish something like this in my career is something that I’m going to remember forever.’
- Eastside Bowl’s Big Lebowski theme
Eastside Bowl (Nashville, Tennessee) went for a Big Lebowski makeover, courtesy of Cowboy Creative. Fuckin’ A!
- Orange’s Les Bleues advert for the Women’s World Cup
Allez Les Bleues!
- All of Thierry Henry’s Champions League goals
Is that enough?
- All of Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Champions League goals
Ruuuuuuud!
- Carlos Alcaraz is the 2023 Wimbledon Men’s Singles champion
There’s a new Spanish champion at Wimbledon.
- A brief appreciation of Jana Novotná at Wimbledon
A grass queen of the 90s.
- British basketball is severely lacking funds and in an ‘untenable’ position
British basketball in ‘untenable’ position due to lack of funding, warns federation: In an open letter seen by the Guardian, [Chris] Grant [chairman of GB Basketball] also questions why basketball receives so little funding compared to sports such as sailing when it is the second most played team sport in the UK after football, with …
- Caster Semenya has won her appeal at European Court of Human Rights over testosterone rules
Keep on running!
- Remembering Isaac Menyoli’s run at Salt Lake 2002 to raise AIDS awareness
Sometimes, you have to construct your own platform.
- Madeleine Penfold’s photography at the Women’s World Cup
Madeleine Penfold on the power of stories and photographing the Women’s World Cup. The tournament starts on 20th July in Australia.
- Miles Jacobson announces the future of Football Manager
Big announcement from Miles Jacobson on the future of FM: Football Manager 2024 will be the 20th game in Sports Interactive’s Football Manager series, and will be the last of its kind. Football Manager 2025 will also be the FM game to use Unity as its 3D engine.
- Cool Wimbledon data viz from Reuters
Cool Wimbledon data viz from Reuters looking at how it “retains a glamor born from white clothes and impeccable green courts.”
- Adding asterisks to NBA champions
The Pudding has created CRUTCH (Championship Revisions Utilizing Top Competitor Health), a new metric for asterisking NBA champions, where injured and inactive opponents from each round add to the asterisk tally.
- Hey, Paris! (a new CM01/02 save) — Part Quatre
Season Quatre is over. How did Paris FC do?
- 10 minutes of Roger Federer’s passing shots against Rafael Nadal
10 minutes of Roger Federer’s passing shots against Rafael Nadal, including That Shot at Wimbledon in 2008.
- Freddy Adu talking about his turbulent soccer career
Much Adu about everything.
- Nost FC on Fulham’s journey to the 2010 UEFA Europa League final
What a run!
- Hey, Paris! (a new CM01/02 save) — Part Trois
Season Trois is over. How did Paris FC do?
- Olympic cheesecake
TIL today: cheesecake was served to athletes at the very first Olympic Games in Ancient Greece.
- Hey, Paris! (a new CM01/02 save) — Part Deux
Season Deux is over. How did Paris FC do?
- Carmelo Anthony announces retirement from NBA
10× NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony announced his retirement on social media this week after a 19-season career.
- Skateboard: ‘a teeter-totter on wheels is the new fad and menace’
Skateboarding, LIFE opined in 1965, is “the most exhilarating and dangerous joyriding device this side of the hot rod.”
- Top 10 Charlies in soccer history
How many Charlies does it take to change a lightbulb?
- Vinícius Jr.: an appreciation post
Solidariedade com Vini.
- TIL: there’s a World Chess Tennis Championship and Laurent Fressinet was its first winner in 2018
Game, set, and mate!
- Rugby Manual’s greatest tries of the year since 1990
Look at those legs go!
- Has every Premier League team been represented by the men’s England team since 1992?
Something for the pub quiz!
- Remembering Lars Ricken’s audacious lob for Borussia Dortmund in the 1997 Champions League final
Magic doesn’t always take that long to conjure.
- Roy Hodgson: the polyglot
Here’s Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson speaking fluent French, Swedish, and Italian. He also speaks German but I couldn’t find a video of that.
- Chris Paul be BALLIN’
I had no idea that Chris Paul was nice with it on the bowling lanes! (via Instagram)
- Tom Thorpe on his mental health struggles and 5 years away from football
‘It was at that point I knew I was fighting a losing battle’
- Luca Brecel wins the 2023 World Snooker Championship
The Belgian done it!
- Bonz Atron’s strike
This is phenomenal. Bonz Atron is a professional Kendama player and 4x World Champion and he also makes trick shot strikes in ten-pin bowling, such as this one using two bowling balls. Don’t show Pete Weber!
- Big Zambon-E
Big E giving colour commentary on his first zamboni ride is everything I’d hoped for and more.
- The fallacies of Soccernomics
Imagine Bart Simpson writing “correlation does not imply causation” a hundred times on a chalkboard.
- A Coca-Cola commercial for the 1984 Winter Olympics in 35mm 4K
Coke Is It!
- Analytics FC on the media not getting the most out of football data
“Football has experienced a statistical revolution in the past decade but, despite the breadth of information at their fingertips, this changing picture is still yet to influence how fans view the game as a whole.” (via)
- Tiger Woods did it again with a 23rd consecutive cut at The Masters
Tiger Woods makes joint-record 23rd consecutive cut at The Masters. He ties with Fred Couples and Gary Player for the longest streak in the tournament’s history.
- All of Didier Drogba’s Champions League goals
Drogba was a premium baller.
- New shoes, Tim Newcomb?
Tim Newcomb’s complete history of signature tennis shoes, featuring Roger Federer, Coco Gauff, and Serena Williams amongst others.
- TomFM’s AFC Richmond team in Football Manager 2023
Not quite Dream Team.
- Hey, Paris! (a new CM01/02 save)
PSG aren’t the only Paris club out for glory.
- Tennis balls as bike tyres?
This looks ace!
- One night in Rio (starring Brazil, Chile, and a concealed razor blade)
Not quite a cut above the rest.
- Patterns of Play’s bar drink pun football shirts
Punbelievable.
- Kazakhstan comeback shocks Denmark in Euro 2024 qualifier
Peter Schmeichel! Ebbe Sand! Lars von Trier! Mads Mikkelsen! Helena Christensen! Brigitte Nielsen! Caroline Wozniacki! Scarlett Johansson! Nicoline Sørensen! Do you hear me? Your boys took one hell of a beating!
- How well has Soccernomics aged?
Like an overpriced wine.
- Harry Kane is now the England men’s national team’s top goalscorer
Harry Kane is now the England men’s national team’s top goalscorer. And England beat Italy 2–1 in the process.
- Zinedine Zidane’s UEFA Champions League goals
That man could BALL!
- Steve Tignor on the greatest one-handed backhand of the Open Era
Steve Tignor on the greatest one-handed backhand of the Open Era: ‘This beautiful and bold stroke helped the Belgian win seven Grand Slam singles titles. His forehand was more effective, and his serve more clutch. But this was perhaps the classicist’s most identifiable stroke.’ Is it Roger Federer or Justine Henin? Tough call.
- The Pudding on unexpected NBA performances
Bart Kofoed
- Moses Fleetwood Walker
Before Jackie Robinson, there was a catcher for the Toledo Blue Stockings.
- Inzajeano Latif’s photo series on the challenges faced by young British South Asian footballers
A poignant collection of images showcasing the talents of British footballers of South Asian heritage.
- All of Andriy Shevchenko’s Champions League goals
What’s the Ukrainian for Sheva-voom?
- When Anthony Bourdain played tejo
Bourdain was no stranger to explosive effects in his life.
- Cool visual explainer about Pele’s greatest achievements
‘When God created Pele, he put everything into him: speed, strength, momentum, technique, shooting, heading, dribbling, everything.’
- Rafa going up in Down Under
Rafael Nadal doing his routine warm-up jump at the Australian Open in 2017.
- Give us a chance, ref!
Where’s (the) spot?
- Lebron James is now the greatest scoring NBA player of all time
38,390 and counting!
- The story of Gustavo Kuerten’s Roland Garros title in 1997
O Guga!
- When Senna met Prost at Suzuka Circuit in 1989
A baptism of fire for McLaren.
- What is Tokyo Olympiad? A documentary by Kon Ichikawa
GOAT status in documentary form.
- Remembering Roberto Carlos’s ‘impossible’ free kick against France in 1997
Bend it like Roberto.
- National anthem bloopers
Uh oh.
- Remembering Evander Holyfield vs Mike Tyson II
Relive the bite of a lifetime.
- The beauty of a 7-10 split
Breathtaking athleticism.
- Pelé at 50, bossing it in a friendly in 1990
Was he ever past his prime?
- These Football Times on Pelé at the 1970 World Cup
‘Only Pelé would have the audacity to try to lob the goalkeeper from his own half.’
- GQ on The Dream Team from Barcelona 92
‘Legends at every position on the floor.’
- Ayrton Senna’s heel-and-toe shifting
Two feet on three pedals.
- The one-time awarded Super Ballon d’Or
It’s like the Ballon d’Or, but super!
- Trans World Sport’s 2022 Winter Olympics review
A quick recap of the Beijing Winter Games.
- Sporting terms named after people
Forget the trophies and the medals – having a move named after you is the highest accolade in sport.
- Pelé (1940–2022)
Obrigado pelas memórias.
- Ronaldo’s charity hat-trick from 2015
R9 got 3.
- What if the top 5 leagues in Europe had a 50-year transfer embargo?
Solihull Moors?!
- The top 10 posts of 2022
What were the most viewed articles of 2022?
- Subbuteo Superheroes
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s Superman in Subbuteo form!
- TIL: Football Manager speedrunning is a thing
Gotta go fast, gotta go fast!
- Efren Reyes and the Z-shot that shocked the pool world
Where were you when Reyes pulled off his Z-shot?
- A 2022 FIFA World Cup review by Rikesh Chauhan
‘There was much to be said about the build up to Qatar, but the World Cup itself does what no other sporting competition can—it unites and brings the world together, even if for just a month.’
- 55 goals from Kylian Mbappé in 2022
One of the greatest individual sporting efforts in history. And he’s only 23.
- It’s 1925, it’s Christmas Day… fancy a Copa America final?
Some things never change, eh?
- The wild story of soccer con artist Carlos Kaiser
‘Kaiser was fortunate in the early stages of his scheme to befriend soccer stars such as Romário, Carlos Albert Torres, and Renato Gaucho’
- Looking back at ITV’s F1 website in 2000
Remember Jenson Button at Benetton?
- The World Cup, yeah! What is it good for? Absolutely nothing (in terms of return on investment)
Money, Money, Money by ABBA is played out in this context but that about sums it up.
- CULT TENNIS on Björn Borg’s failed comeback in the 1990s
From cool to fool? Not in my opinion, but I wanted something to rhyme for the excerpt.
- International Superstar Soccer Deluxe on the SNES but it’s very broken
This would never happen in real life, let’s put it that way.
- Renee Montgomery on Ora Washington, a forgotten hero of tennis and basketball
‘It’s the struggle to be one that counts. Once you’ve arrived, everybody wants to take it away from you.’
- Just another bit of Federer magic at Wimbledon (2016)
You can’t teach that.
- That time Roger Federer played real tennis
Is there any sport Roger CAN’T play?
- Chartball: a place for sports data nerds to enjoy some data viz
Everyone loves a sports poster, right?
- champman0102.co.uk release October 2022 Update
The CM01/02 update team has released the final update for 2022.
- England’s Black Cricketers exhibition by Tom Shaw
A photo exhibition dedicated to the 21 Black cricketers who have played for England.
- Playing tennis with the Donnay Allwood tennis racquet
Wooden racquets? Who’d have ’em?
- If Carlsberg did pep talks, they wouldn’t be as good as Fedal’s
Blue team indeed!
- NiemanLab on USA Today Sports Center, the paper’s online sports service from the 90s
Getting sports news online used to be very different back in the late 80s and early 90s.
- Roger’s ‘best’ points from every year of his career
Quite the career showcase.
- 12 minutes of the Big 4 playing doubles
I’m seeing double here—8 champions!
- What are the 10 things Frances Tiafoe can’t live without?
Tiafoe sat with GQ Sports to talk about his essentials.
- Tumaini Carayol on a tennis surviving its post-GOAT era
How do you solve a problem like the GOAT era?
- Highlights from Roger Federer’s first ever ATP title win
Milan, the start of it all.
- Highlights from Roger Federer’s last ever ATP title win
‘We’ll always have Basel.’
- Links on Roger Federer’s retirement
Thank you, Roger.
- Every* match point between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal (2004–2019)
‘Fedal’ matches have been a joy to behold and I think everyone with even a minor interest in tennis or sport will miss them on the tour.
- Lindsey Walker on The Rapha Women’s 100
‘It’s not even necessarily about reaching that 100k mark, it’s really about getting on the bike all together, on the same day, regardless of skill or experience. […] There’s nothing else like it.’
- Big up Frances Tiafoe for his emphatic win against Rafael Nadal in the US Open
Let’s go, Tiafoe!
- TIL: a New York Yankees and LeBron James-led consortium has gained ownership of AC Milan
What’s the Italian equivalent of “it’s raining reddies”?
- Serena’s US Open 2022 fit is outta this world
That’s So Serena.
- Name, Set, and Match: Joseph T. Tennis
I hope he plays tennis in his spare time.
- Resurrecting defunct NFL franchise uniforms
Bringing it back to the olden days of gridiron.
- Coco Gauff is now a World #1 in women’s doubles
You go, Coco!
- Links on Serena Williams’s retirement
Thank you, Serena.
- Uni Watch on the best and worst kits of the 2022-23 Premier League season
Some shirts are a lot better than others and the results may surprise you.
- Roger Federer grinding out a victory vs. Maran Čilić in 2014 at the Canadian Open
A reminder that you can still grind out a win if you’re not playing at your best.
- Big up George Jedenoff, the world’s oldest living skier at 105
Happy birthday, George!
- Renato Stockler’s ‘Terrão de Cima’ (Ground from above)
Que colorido.
- Gustavo Kuerten and the racquet strings that changed tennis
Gustavo Kuerten. What a guy.
- Adam Hurrey’s ‘England at USA 94’
‘Based on the empirical evidence of their lamentable qualifying campaign, England really had no business being part of the World Cup jamboree across the Atlantic 20 years ago.’
- Shericka Jackson clocks third-fastest 200m time in history
Yuh cyan stop wi!
- Argentina vs. Nigeria at USA 94
A Caniggia brace helped Argentina beat a powerful Nigeria side in 1994.
- The goals and skill of Zvonimir Boban
He was mean with his legs and his fists.
- That time Roger and Rafa played each other on two surfaces at the same time
Finally, an exhibition that wasn’t on hard court.
- Happy birthday to That Maradona Celebration
Goooooooooool!
- A very brief guide to sumo: the national sport of Japan
Learn more about Japan’s national sport.
- The three records Roger Federer is likely to maintain
These guys have more records between them than Madlib.
- Andy Murray into his first final in 3 years
‘Rise, Sir Andy’ as they say!
- Denver Broncos to sell for $4.65 billion; Homer Simpson is not the buyer
‘It’s not the Dallas Cowboys but it’s a start.’
- That time Clarence Seedorf put two thunderbolts past Gianluigi Buffon
Seedorf was so clutch in this match.
- Dom Smith on England’s 1-0 win against Argentina at World Cup 2002
I know he didn’t invent them but penalties down the line always take me back to Beckham’s in 2002.
- Happy birthday, Tony Yeboah!
No one volleyed like Tony Yeboah.
- Alexandre Pato on Alexandre Pato
Find out the truth about Alexandre Pato from the man himself.
- Name, Set, and Match: Jeff Penalty
Unbelievable name, Jeff!
- Michael Gunning on retirement and calls for equality
‘If I can be that representation for younger swimmers, younger athletes growing up, then I’ve definitely done my job.’
- ‘If you can make it in Paris, you can make it anywhere.’
Red or blue, clay is still a tough surface to excel in. But if you can, your doors open to success on the others.
- Who knew professional running could be so corrupt?
Imagine Wacky Races but on two feet rather than wheels.
- Jesper Tjäder sets new world record for longest rail grind on skis
Congrats, Jesper!
- Magnus Carlsen: the drunken chess grandmaster
Some people dance when they’re drunk. Some people fall over. Magnus Carlsen wins chess matches from a losing position.
- Name, Set, and Match: Dick Best
His first name is correct.
- Merci Jo: A Tsonga Appreciation Post
I’ll miss that victory spin.
- A Willington Ortiz appreciation post
A Colombian legend without a World Cup appearance to his name. That didn’t stop him from becoming a great.
- AC Milan win their first Serie A title in 11 years
Pioli paints the town red and black, even if a fan stole his medal.
- The internet’s thoughts on Erik ten Hag, Manchester United’s new manager
Here’s what people have said about Erik ten Hag in the last few years.
- Jake Simmons played every version of Madden NFL to see if it improved each year
That’s a lot a football!
- It’s air soccer. Or air football. Whatever.
The lights are cool.
- Football Is Dead
Football is dead. Long live the Narrative!
- 1 Shilling: an ode to British football programmes
1 Shilling is a book by designer Matthew Caldwell, all about the football programmes he has collected from the 1960s to the 1980s.
- ASMR, but make it baseball
Gotta love Brad Pitt. And Jonah Hill. And quietness.
- Skijoring: the one-time Olympic demonstration sport
From Scandanavian winter travel to North American snow cowboy racing.
- Glorious on Nicola Bennett and Lauren Prince shaking up golf
Golf but make it fashion and accessible and fly.
- What if you swapped the hair of some NBA legends?
Insert “cut above the rest” joke here.
- Mpora’s guide to ice climbing
If you thought ice climbing was like rock climbing but with ice… you’d be right. But there’s a little more to it than that as Mpora explained in their ice climbing guide: It might seem like you can put your pick anywhere, making it far easier than the finite number of good holds on a …
- Goodbye, Bielsa
Breaking The Lines paid tribute to Marcelo Bielsa who was sacked by Leeds United in February.
- Millie Knight on her experiences with blind alpine skiing
The Winter Paralympics is well underway now but a few weeks ago, Bloomberg spoke to the three-time Paralympic medalist Millie Knight about her challenges with blind alpine skiing and her relationship with her guide, Brett Wild. And congrats to Millie for her bronze medal in the women’s downhill, vision impaired event yesterday!
- Skiing in Turkey
What’s “shoop, shoop, shoop” in Turkish?
- Penalties from Pro Evo from 1996–2022
Gone are the days of West London Blue and Man Red.
- Jenkem on skateboarding in South Africa
‘I want it to look like a serious sport, and I want the people who have been putting in the work to actually reap the benefits, the equivalent of other sportsmen.’
- The Boca 10 bobble hat
Cover your cabeza with this Boca hat.
- Clarence Seedorf’s love affair with the Champions League
How does it feel to be one of the Champions League’s favourites? Ask Clarence Seedorf.
- Happy birthday, Sport Lisboa e Benfica!
That’s a lot of candles to blow out.
- Marbled skis made from melted down plastic bags
Could we see plastic bag skis on the slopes in Milano Cortina 2026?
- Horace Grant goggle appreciation post
Those googles looked lowkey fire though.
- Selema Masekela on African surf culture and new book, ‘AFROSURF’
‘Yeah. For me, as a teenager, it [surfing] for sure saved my life. When I think of the things that I was struggling with and the angst that I was carrying, and identity shit that I was trying to figure out, family stuff, etc., it was the one place where I could go and just be so … even.’
- Could you hang with Eliud Kipchoge?
Run, Eliud, Run!
- Watch the trailer for Dear Rider, the Jake Burton Carpenter story
Dear Rider celebrates the life and legacy of Jake Burton Carpenter. Watch the trailer here.
- 12 Flowers (a Championship Manager 01/02 story): Chapter 1
The first chapter of a classic CM 01/02 story.
- 2 minutes of Rafael Nadal playing table tennis
¡Pimpón!
- Federer as Rosalina? Nadal as Daisy? Serena as Mario? Tennis players as Mario Tennis Aces characters
Who would you be if you were a Mario Tennis Aces characters.
- Traditional Russian sports
Fancy a game of gorodki? Bandy? Lapta?
- What are the odds of winning a protest at the Olympics?
Flip a coin. Heads we win, tails we lose and they get a few more coins as payment for protesting.
- D’Margio Wright-Phillips, his dad Shaun, and his grandfather Ian Wright in one video
If you’re staying indoors and need something warm to watch, check out this video featuring Ian Wright, his son, and grandson.
- Shout out to Benjamin Alexander, the first Jamaican alpine skiier at the Winter Olympics
Alexander joins a host of Jamaicans who have featured at the Winter Games, but he has the distinction of being the first in alpine skiiing.
- The dangers of Olympic sledding
Sled head is still a WIP for scientists studying the dangerous sports of bobsleigh, skeleton, and luge.
- McLaren enters Extreme E
McLaren go brrrrrrrr
- Championship Manager Fans is the home of CM enthusiasts, from CM1 to CM5
Get your Champman fill with Championship Manager Fans.
- Photos from the first 12 Winter Olympics
Travel back in time with this photo series, showcasing the first 12 Winter Games.
- TIL: Ski ballet was a demonstration sport at the Winter Olympics
‘In essence, ski ballet is figure skating on skis. Can you do it on a flat surface like an ice rink? No, because you need some downward momentum to be skiing but it’s a very gentle slope. A short run is two minutes and a long run is four minutes.’
- Montell Douglas and Mica McNeill: bobsledding at Beijing 2022
History will be made in the two-woman bobsleigh team for Great Britain.
- Can you pick all 15 African nations that have participated in the Winter Olympic games?
Can you get more than half?
- Erin Jackson: the first Black woman to win individual gold at Winter Olympics
Black girl magic: on ice!
- No One’s Inter Us – The Other Leipzig Club #5 (REDUX)
No One’s Inter Us is back after a hiatus. How have we fared since the last episode? Read more to find out.
- Shout out to Samuel Ikpefan, the only Nigerian athlete at Beijing 2022
Ikpefan is the second consecutive Nigerian Olympian at the Winter Games, after Seun Adigun appeared in two-women bobsled in 2018.
- Jonathan Abrams on the need for speed in winter sliding sports and the tracks made to protect them
Watch your step, kid (protect ya neck, kid).
- An Atlas Obscura history of luge
‘Luge is pure folly, a creation of bored, aristocratic, and sometimes destructive men on vacation.’
- Watch a playthrough of all the events from Nagano Winter Olympics ’98 on the N64
If only there was a Konami code for the athletes in real life, eh?
- Alex Donaldson on Retro Bowl as a Super Bowl gaming appetiser
Before the national anthem and the wings comes Retro Bowl on the Nintendo Switch to whet your Super Bowl appetite.
- Beijing’s big air jumps at the 2022 Winter Olympics look metal AF
The big air ramps at the Winter Olympics offer a different kind of backdrop to what most people are accustomed to and that can be a good thing.
- How to use data to build a Moneyball soccer team
Yeah, science (and soccer)!
- Guides to Winter Olympic sports
Get to grips with all the sports at Beijing 2022.
- Nagano 1998 (Winter Olympic Film)
Relive Nagano 1998 with the official Olympic film right here.
- Shout out to Arif Khan, the only Indian athlete at Beijing 2022
‘As children we used to play football and cricket, but there was no playground around us. Skiing was the only convenient sport for us.’
- The best Winter Olympic sports (if they took place in the dark)
Ah you think darkness is your ally? You merely adopted the dark. I was born in it, molded by it. I didn’t see the light until I was already an Olympic champion, by then it was nothing to me but blinding!
- Snow worries: Beijing’s artificial snow and climate change putting future Winter Games at risk
A lack of powder is causing problems.
- We’re getting a Super Bowl/Winter Olympics eclipse!
When two sporting worlds collide.
- Interesting facts about the Winter Olympics from Quartz
Will Norway top the medal table once again or can China improve their tally from 2018 at their home games?
- The science and history of snowboarding
Get educated on skateboarding for the Winter Olympics with these articles.
- Speed skiing and its limited Olympic history
With speeds of over 150 mph, speed skiing isn’t for the faint of heart—or the Olympics.
- The past and present of skis
Back in my day, we used animal hide for ski boots!
- ‘A New Formation’ explores how Black footballers have shaped the modern game
‘A New Formation reveals the vibrancy and nuance of contemporary Black life in Britain.’
- Appareltly: Snow+Rock
This snow and rock climbing brand is the second featured brand in our Appareltly series.
- Who is the male tennis GOAT now?
Whoever your fave is, you won’t be satisfied with the answer.
- Nicole Whyte on finding confidence through speed skating
More Black women on the ice, doing their thing.
- Uni Watch asks: what will the Rams and the Bengals wear for Super Bowl LVI?
What you gonna wear now? Bobby, I don’t know but what’s it ever I wear Its got to be funky!
- Shout out to the Philippines women’s soccer team who qualified for their first World Cup
Yesterday, the Philippines women’s soccer team qualified for next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup after beating Chinese Taipei in the quarter-finals of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
- Tigres UANL’s new stadium by Populous
Los Tigres are getting a new home.
- 5 years and a day later
Vamos!
- Maybe Djokovic could have played on this floating tennis court on the Great Barrier Reef
No room for ball kids on this court.
- 5 years ago today
Chum Jetze!
- The fearless female rally drivers of Finland
Not for the faint-hearted this sport.
- Fancy a game of Snoopy Tennis?
Good grief!
- Beijing’s new ‘Ice Ribbon’ stadium by Populous
Populous is back with another sporting stadium.
- How to do a Tomahawk serve in table tennis
Get your aces up with this table tennis serving tutorial.
- Wang Chuqin with the backhand spin shot
You gotta be in it to spin it.
- Breaking The Lines asks if Karim Benzema is (currently) the best player in the world
What can Benzema do this year for club and country?
- Gareth Potts them all in quick time!
What could you do with 8 balls in 28 seconds?
- Michael’s real secret stuff
Mike says ‘stay hydrated’.
- Guides to Olympic alpine skiing
It’s nearly skiing time!
- Remembering Reinaldo
Long live O Rei!
- Football boots of the day: Adidas Predator Powerswerve (2009 Confederations Cup)
A new boot enters the Football Boots of The Day collection.
- Nwankwo Kanu’s hat-trick for Arsenal against Chelsea in 1999
Kanu believe it etc.
- Nigeria’s iconic AFCON kit and squad in 1994
Remembering Nigeria’s amazing AFCON win in 1994 and that glorious shirt.
- The phoenix clubs of Yorkshire and their attempts at a renaissance
Can these phoenix clubs pull off into paradise again?
- WWE data viz
And that’s the bottom line, ‘cos Hon Boey said so!
- Well damn, a Brit won a World Cup ski race
Perseverance and determination paid off for Dave Ryding, Britain’s greatest male alpine skier.
- The world of competitive e-cycling
‘It might just be me by myself in my apartment,’ she [Maeghan Easler] says, ‘just going really hard.’
- Rafael Nadal x Roger Federer Nike shirts
Pixel perfect.
- Dennis Rodman and his former coin-collecting agent
If you learn anything from this post, let it be the word ‘numismatist’.
- Remembering Chelsea vs. Barcelona in 2005
You may remember the match for that goal from Ronaldinho but there was so much more to the second-round Champions League fixture between Chelsea and Barcelona. Aaron Attwood wrote a great piece on the match for These Football Times: When the two teams were drawn against each other in the first knockout round, a fascinating clash …
- Axel Kei is now the youngest player in MLS history
These darn whippersnappers!
- Ronnie O’Sullivan making something out of nothing
When he’s on it, theres no stopping the Rocket.
- That’s gotta be Kane, Jerry
Kramer would have been great in WCW. (via blvdbullies on Instagram)
- The Art of Ping Pong celebrates ping pong subculture
For the love of the ping and the pong.
- South American goalkeepers and Pink Panther
If you’re gonna wear a cartoon on your shirt, why not a pink cat with the agility and forward-thinking to evade capture>
- Topspin: a short film about table tennis
Nothing but a table, two players, and a ping pong ball.
- A cool, abandoned grand prix race track in France – frozen in time
Circuit de Reims-Gueux lays well-preserved, decades after its closure.
- Black ice skaters, photographed by Flo Ngala
It’s Black on white in black and white.
- SNES Drunk on the classic WWF arcade games worth playing today
Now you’re suplexing with… oh wait, this is on arcade, not Nintendo!
- SNES Drunk on every Super Nintendo basketball game
Now you’re dunking with power!
- Big up Mohamed Kamara and his clean sheet against Algeria!
Whatever it took, that’s what Kamara was doing to keep a clean sheet.
- Keep score with Eephus League
I know very little about baseball but cool apparel like this helps. The Eephus League (of Baseball Minutiae) is dedicated to bringing baseball fans together in the name of shared experiences and gaining knowledge. It’s almost like a social archive with a focus on record keeping.
- SNES Drunk on every Super Nintendo golf game
Now you’re golfing with power!
- Doc Rivers is a forever mood
I’ve never known someone to encapsulate so many of my emotions in GIF form.
- Is that a rabbit on your helmet?
Maybe they should change their name to the Cleveland Bunnies.
- Remembering Dennis Bailey’s hat-trick at Old Trafford
It’s not everyday you beat United 4-1 at Old Trafford AND score a hat-trick.
- SNES Drunk on every Super Nintendo ice hockey game
Now you’re power playing with… power!
- Supreme ping pong
Your marketing agency is missing a table tennis table like this.
- Cool photos from Daytona 500 in 2016
NASCAR never looked so good.
- Table for One
What would you give up for a chance at gold?
- Dennis Rodman just wanted to have fun
“I was just tryna play basketball, party, f*ck all the girls.” Dennis Rodman I also want that Rodzilla NWO t-shirt. Etsy has an unofficial one if you’re interested.
- The wrestling women of Japan
Dangerous Minds on ‘the gorgeous ladies of Japanese wrestling‘: All-female wrestling in Japan in the 1970s was a glorious wonderland full of tough, athletic women happily defying cultural and gender norms. Matches were broadcast on television and a duo going by the name The Beauty Pair (Jackie Sato and Maki Ueda) were huge stars. Teenagers …
- Café du Cycliste on Mont Ventoux
No chance of cycling on this kind of terrain in winter!
- Thomas Ravelli on USA 94 and Sweden’s reaction to the virus
‘When I was in a good mood, and we had a 2-0 or 3-0 lead, I wanted to show the spectators something else, you know,’ Ravelli said. ‘I wanted to have fun.’
- It’s Championship Manager 97/98, in book form
I’ve had Dave Black on the blog before (read This or That #2: Dave Black aka @CM9798) and if you didn’t already know, he has a book out called ‘The World According to Championship Manager 97/98’. Here’s the blurb: Football is full of what if’s and if only’s. What if Gazza had gone to World …
- Gaël Monfils in another final
Good luck, Gaël!
- Skateboarding from Iran to Turkey
A cool skateboarding video with an even cooler soundtrack filmed in Iran and Turkey, via Georgia and Azerbaijan.
- Remembering Mikael Granlund’s ‘lacrosse-style’ goal vs. Russia
Imagine opening the scoring in a tournament semi-final with a goal like this. That’s exactly what Mikael Granlund did for Finland against Russia at the 2011 IIHF World Championships. What a Finnish! *ahem* Fun fact: After the goal, Finnish Hockey Mafia released a song called “Taivas varjele!” and reached #2 in the Finnish Singles Chart as well as …
- Roger Federer vs Novak Djokovic at Roland Garros (2011)
What a match.
- Randy Savage’s ‘cup of coffee’
Freak out!
- Ms. Fitz’s stunning basketball shot that won her third-graders some hot chocolate
That victory sip of hot chocolate must have been extra sweet.
- Michael Jordan To The Max
The life and career of Michael Jordan up to 2000.
- Vince Low’s world class badminton players
Strokes everywhere.
- The controversy of Madrid’s blue clay
One clay, two clay, red clay, blue clay.
- Eusebio: O Pantera Negra
‘For me Eusébio will always be the best player of all time’ – Alfredo Di Stéfano
- Football boots of the day: Nike Tiempo
Nike Tiempo – what a boot!
- WQXR’s top 5 athletic composers
Many classical composers of the 19th and 20th century were athletes in their spare time.
- FourFourTwo’s 100 best British football stadiums
Which British stadiums would be in your top 100?
- Tennis Abstract’s new tennis game based on ‘degrees of separation’
It’s a small tennis world.
- ESPN’s best sporting images of 2021
There were some iconic sports photos taken last year. ESPN picked their faves.
- Pato, the national sport of Argentina
Pato may be Argentina’s national sport but it’s by no means the most popular. Here’s how it’s played and why ‘more than 90% of Argentines’ may have never seen a game.
- Princess Ka‘iulani: a female pioneer of modern surfing
‘She kept on riding waves—and in so doing saved surfing for all generations to come.’
- The Ringer’s favourite sporting moments of 2021
The panDemiLovato couldn’t stop these sporting moments from 2021.
- Skating through Transylvania
Trying to imagine Dracula holding a big air event at his castle.
- TIL: Inter Milan sells Christmas merch
If you’re ‘inter’ sporty Christmas merch, you might enjoy this.
- The top 10 posts of 2021
Imagine this post as an ESPN top 10 plays of the year montage or something.
- Tracking your sports team the hard way
Alexa, I know you know the score but I’m gonna tell you anyway.
- A data viz showing positive and negative regression of NFL teams after a year
The NFL tries to maintain structural balances with its teams and that shows in this data viz of performance regression.
- Shakeia Taylor on baseball’s managers of colour and the ineffectiveness of the ‘Selig Rule’
Diversity has been a major league issue for baseball, despite the good intentions of the Selig Rule.
- Will Valencia ever finish Nou Mestalla?
Valencia has been given a financial reprieve but only 2 months to finish their doomed stadium.
- Venus Williams on the stuff that has made her tough
Body, mind, and soul. Three key elements to becoming a tennis champion. Venus Williams explained why in her NYT essay.
- Tatiana Kasujja on the social influence of Black athletes
‘Representation, for me, is everything.’
- 6 Black British sporting changemakers (chosen by sportanddev.org)
Some familiar Black names featured on the list.
- Ay Up, Me Champions League Duck! #3
Second season in the Premier League and first in the Champions League. Let’s hope they were good ‘uns for Forest!
- ‘You Guys Are History’ looks at the dearth of Black cricketers in England
‘In the previous 25 years, the number of Black British professional cricketers has dwindled by 75 per cent.’
- Ay Up, Me Champions League Duck! #2
First season back in the Premier League. Let’s hope it was a good ‘un for Forest!
- Lindy Delapenha and his groundbreaking career for Portsmouth
Delapenha also scored 93 goals in 270 appearances for Middlesbrough.
- Ay Up, Me Champions League Duck! #1
Can I do Brian Clough proud and return Forest to European glory?
- Tumaini Carayol on giving Emma Raducanu space to grow after US Open win
While I don’t like the tennis media as a whole (or many of its individuals), I have all the time in the world for Tumaini Carayol and his piece in The Guardian about new US Open champion Emma Raducanu is spot on: Recent history underlines how difficult it can be to back up a grand …
- Blood in the Garden: a book about the New York Knicks in the 90s
The Knicks didn’t always suck.
- Asad Raza on Roger Federer in 2007
Back in my day, people wrote great stuff on Roger Federer.
- Jessie Lau on Tokyo 2020, new rules for trans athletes, and their future
‘Will new Olympics rules exclude or include transgender athletes?’
- Man Made: a documentary about trans male bodybuilders
T Cooper directs and Téa Leoni is named as an executive producer.
- Data viz on NBA Finals carry jobs
If you don’t like Lebron James, you won’t like this.
- Dr. Marlon Moncrieffe on Desire Discrimination Determination — Black Champions in Cycling
The book details the hardships that Black cyclists had to face in their lives.
- Josh Fallon collected data on his daughter’s gymnastic scores to analyze her progress
When life gives you data, paint that graph gold.
- 3 minutes of futsal skills
Silky smooth.
- Appareltly: Volcom
The skate, surf, and swimwear brand is the first featured brand in our Appareltly series.
- Fancy a game of Milanese church tennis?
When art, religion, and sport met for a spot of mixed doubles.
- What’s in a sports shirt number?
That which we call a position by any other number would smell as sweet.
- An interactive summary of The Hamilton Commission’s report on Black people in UK motorsport
‘Black people are hugely underrepresented in UK motorsport – something Lewis Hamilton has witnessed first hand throughout his career.’
- When Pete Weber did it, goddamnit!
Don’t mess with Pete Weber!
- Jenkem on Nike’s ‘What if?’ marketing campaign
‘What if we treated all athletes the way we treat skateboarders?’
- The Heraean Games: an unmarried women’s-only Olympic Games
‘The athletes, with their hair hanging freely and dressed in special tunics that cut just above the knee and bared their right shoulder and breast, competed in footraces.’
- The baseball players of colour of the Jim Crow era
‘Later, Cuban players began making their mark in the sport, aided by what Laliberte calls an ‘ambiguous racial position in United States society and sport.”
- AIGA on the artists behind baseball card designs
Do you collect baseball cards?
- Shakeia Taylor on Marcus Stroman’s durag/pitch success rate
Stuntin’ with his durag on/By the ocean/Let it flap in the wind/In slow motion.
- Surena Chande’s 20 facts about the Paralympics
Did you know that Tokyo is the first city to host the Paralympic Games twice?
- That time Lewis Hamilton went snowboarding in Japan in 2018
Could we see Lewis entering the world of snowboarding after he retires from F1? Probably not but let’s imagine he did!
- British Black Golfers is hoping to bring young Black talent into the game
BBG is a growing platform for Black golfers to come together on the green.
- THE ROGER Centre Court tennis shoe
Swiss engineering in shoe form thanks to On and Roger Federer.
- The most chaotic YKTD from Soccer AM
Tekkers!!!
- Black Sand Surf: an LA collective dedicated to surf culture
Black Sand is all about community, peace, and respect through surfing and the crash of the waves.
- Roger Federer to have third knee surgery and miss ‘many months’
Someone give this man a bionic knee!
- Black surfers in the Rockaways
‘There’s no racism out there’, says Harris of the ocean. ‘When you come out of that water, of course you go back to your life. But you lose yourself when you get into the waves.’
- How Patrick Savile made Yuto Horigome’s Olympic gold medal-winning skateboard
‘It’s a mad one. I’m so blessed to be involved somehow! But mainly I’m so glad Yuto got it, just because of how humble and deserving he was, and I love how perfect it was for him.’
- Darren Campbell on how sprinting saved him from gang life
From the estates to the podium, Darren Campbell’s life changed when he moved from Manchester to basically stay alive.
- Why are Olympic swimming pools so fast?
Slight variations in water temperature or pool structure could be the difference between a podium finish or 4th place or missing out on a world record.
- Abandoned Olympic venues
What happens to Olympic venues when the games are over?
- Mark Wilson on the terrible UX of Olympic broadcasting
It looks like some sports broadcasters won’t be winning any medals for user experience this year.
- Robin Pacquing and her Great Lakes surf culture
Body positivity and surfing come together thanks to a Filipino Canadian surfer.
- The Black Sportswoman: a blog that amplifies Black female athletes
Find out more about Black women in sport from around the world with The Black Sportswoman.
- A Japanese robot that gets 3’s from halfcourt
Shaq is currently taking tips.
- Swiss Ramble’s Twitter thread on Barcelona’s financial troubles
The club that says they’re ‘más que un club’ will need to go on ‘menos que otros clubes’.
- Lin Dan’s ‘Super Dan’ Instagram graphic novel
Now that’s how you start an Instagram account!
- Some Tokyo 2020 Olympics data viz
Learn more about new Olympics sports and what everyone’s talking about with these data visualisations.
- History Extra on Harry Edward: Britain’s first Black Olympic hero
A Black man born in Germany to German and West Indian parents, winning two Olympic medals for Great Britain? Ain’t nothing changed since 1920.
- Black diversity in swimming: improvements needed
Black swimmers like Alice Dearing and Simone Manuel shouldn’t be the modern anomalies.
- Weird hoops but ok
Basketball but make it bizarre.
- Outdoor swimming gained popularity during lockdown – but why?
There were some long-lasting upsides to the lockdown after all.
- The science behind a sit ski
Find out how sit skis work.
- Red Bull’s interview with pro snowboarder Travis Rice
Snow’s up, big kahuna!
- Lex Pryor on golf’s historic race problem
Are golfing officials doing anything/enough to diversify the sport and make it safe for Black golfers to play the sport they love?
- How billionaire sports owners use their teams to avoid paying taxes
Scumbags.
- Fernando Tatis Jr. did a double jump and it was double dope
Eat that, Mario (formerly known as Jumpman)!
- Lewis Hamilton on changing F1 for the good
‘Being Black is not a negative’
- Football clubs I watch out for (now that I don’t support Man Utd anymore)
What do you do when you stop following a club after 18 years but still want to enjoy the game?
- Roger Federer, to the soundtrack of Flying Lotus
GOATs recognise GOATs, from sport to music.
- Shout out to Alice Dearing, the first Black female swimmer to represent Team GB at the Olympics
Alice is 1 of only 3 Black British swimmers of any sex or gender to achieve this.
- How did human beings become the best—and fastest—throwers on the planet?
Is there any stopping pitchers from faster throws?
- Data viz of all the EURO 2020 goals
At the time of writing, this only shows the group stages but I expect there’ll be more to come. (via FlowingData and Twitter)
- Portugal 3-2 England from Euro 2000
FIGO!
- A visualisation of nearly 900,000 passes from 890 soccer matches
I wonder how many of those came from Pep Guardiola.
- Timelines of every NBA player who has played at least one game
More players have had short stints with teams now than ever before.
- Nicoline Sørensen on women’s soccer and engineering
The Everton and Denmark forward spoke to The Engineer about her engineering studies and how she balances the two disciplines.
- Simone Biles wins a record 7th national gymnastics title
And this isn’t even her final form!
- Data on Le Tour
Make your own data visualisations with over a century’s worth of Tour de France data.
- Glorious: a new platform that celebrates women in sport via art and culture
Join the club and watch the culture in play.
- I stand by Naomi Osaka
I’m just writing something here so I don’t get fined.
- Montreal’s Biodôme was an Olympic velodrome in 1976
It’s literally a concrete jungle (in one section at least).
- Best places to surf in Mexico
Surf’s up, Big Kahuna!
- Sporting CP are champions and I’m buzzing!
Campeões, Campeões, Olé, Olé, Olé!
- Roger Federer playing other sports
This guy can do everything!
- Fancy a game of Socker Slam?
Yep, that’s socker with a K but for good reason.
- When a bear chased a skier in Romania
The bear had snow chance!
- The all-female soccer teams of Huc Dong commune
Cloth headbands, skirts, and gravel pitches. That’s what to expect in a football match featuring these Vietnamese women.
- Sporting CP keep their unbeaten run at the death
Como se diz ‘squeaky bum time’ em portugûes?
- Canada’s 2020* Olympic closing ceremony outfits are… something
What are thooooose?
- See you at Roland Garros, Roger!
The male GOAT returns to clay this year.
- Venus Williams on beauty and her career
The 7-time grand slam champion sat with The Cut to talk about her latest skin care products.
- Happy birthday Clive Sullivan
The Welsh winger defied the odds to become a rugby league world champion.
- So I watched Extreme E yesterday
Imagine Cruisin’ World but with electric SUVs. That’s Extreme E.
- Ninh explains the rules of sport
What’s your favourite sport? And do you know the rules?
- Can you name every player to play for Inter and AC Milan since 1995?
There are 27.
- Cullen Jones on world records, diversity in swimming, and other sports
From nearly drowning as a child to Olympic gold, Cullen Jones has been through a hell of a lot to get to where he is today.
- Minnesota Fats vs. Willie Mosconi
What happens when an immovable object meets an unstoppable force on the pool table? I dunno but here’s Minnesota Fats vs. Willie Mosconi from 1978.
- Lewis, the worst baseball player of all time
Lewis, Lewis, who the eff is Lewis?
- Circle bracket for 2021 Men’s NCAA March Madness
A new way to look at March Madness.
- When Ronnie O’Sullivan played left-handed
And really pissed off Alain Robidoux.
- The Kilobyte’s Gambit: chess in 1KB of JavaScript
Can you beat some computer code at chess?
- Roger Federer returns with a win!
Welcome back, old man.
- Ballhaus: a basketball/fine art Instagram account
From the court to the canvas.
- The astrophysics hidden in sport
The cosmos has a lot more to do with sport than we think.
- Musa Okwonga on Pelé and his complex iconic legacy
Get into this incredible critique of Pelé and his Netflix documentary by Musa Okwonga.
- 10 joyful moments from Black athletes
Celebrate some of the happiest moments from Black sporting history with this list.
- Vid2Player creates fantasy tennis matchups
With AI, 4 Stanford PhD candidates have created a remarkable tennis match system.
- Tennis Abstract on Serena vs. Margaret
We already know the winner in that contest but here’s some maths behind it, courtesy of TennisAbstract.
- Trans World Sport’s 10th Anniversary from 1997
A bit of retro sporting fun and triumph from Trans World Sport.
- Nyquill Jornan of the Choncago Balls
Hey bro, wanna play some busketbell? Shoot some heeps? No, I’m not drunk!
- Hannah Giorgis on the Tiger Woods HBO documentary
If you haven’t seen Tiger, the two-part HBO documentary about Woods’ life you should.
- Nicó Morales on surfing, sport, and penguins
What can surfing penguins tell us about modern sport? Ask Nicó Morales.
- Zion Williamson’s tale of two dunks
It was the best of dunks, it was the blurst of dunks?!
- Here’s Pinhead playing American football
No more games… after this last one.
- Kintsugi Court by Victor Solomon
When life gives you lemons, paint that court gold.
- Nia Dennis’s incredible 9.95 floor exercise
In the words of Simone Biles, Nia did the damn thing.
- Scrutiny over Phil Neville’s Inter Miami appointment
There’s a lot of talk regarding Phil Neville’s new role as Inter Miami head coach.
- When Carlos Valderrama carried the Olympic torch in Windsor
Who better than Carlos Valderrama to carry the Olympic torch on behalf of Colombia in 2012?
- Wolves partners with Black Arrow FC
The English football club joins up with a growing platform emerging from the Black football movement in the US.
- Russia doping ban down to 2 years after panel u-turn
Despite the findings against them, Russia has seen its doping ban slashed. But why?
- NFL… on Nickelodeon?
Who knew a kids channel could offer such light-hearted coverage of a sport with a serious brand image problem?
- Hackney Laces has revealed its new kit and it’s gorgeous
The East London women’s community football club has gone all out with its kit campaign and we love the colours (naturally).
- Roger Federer’s Diet & Workout Plan
Here are the secrets to Roger Federer’s career longevity. Spoiler alert: there are no secrets. It’s just good food and the right exercise.
- Cameroon at Italia 90: an underdog story
Relive some of the magic moments from Cameroon’s run at Italia 90 in this short video from FIFA.
- The sound of skating on thin ice
Skating on thin ice never sounded so good thanks to a Swedish lake and a mathematician-turned-Nordic skater. Listen for yourself.
- How Jake Burton Carpenter helped disabled athletes
In this video, Trans World Sport spoke to 3 important members of the snowboarding community about Burton and his influence on snowboarding for disabled people.
- Which NBA teams draft the best (according to data science)?
Of all the teams in the NBA, who gets the best drafts and who gets the worst? Brayden Gerrard found out.
- 10 best ski movies according to InTheSnow
Explore the slopes, from Austria to Pakistan, with ten of the best ski movies.
- Masked wrestlers: an illustrated guide
Read the history of over 200 masked wrestlers with some excellent pixel art via Pudding.cool.
- The basketball hoop that never lets you miss
Become a basketball champ with some maths, engineering, and a few pieces of plywood. Here’s how Shane Wighton made the basketball hoop that never lets you miss.
- Publication to Be Named Later: a new sports quarterly
Featuring the likes of Zito Madu and Kim McCauley, Publication to Be Named Later is a brilliant sports quarterly.
- The CFS Mystery Kit Box
The people wanted it and Classic Football Shirts responded. For a limited time, you can get a Classic Football Shirts Mystery Kit box. Here’s how.
- The dangers of the Premier League killing off lower league clubs in 1992
There were warnings of a financial gulf between the then-new Premier League and lower league clubs. Watch this 1992 news story that investigated it.
- Ronaldo’s redemption at the 2002 World Cup
France 98 was meant to be the peak of Ronaldo’s career, but a seizure disrupted his chances. In 2002, he sought redemption.
- Tessa Sanderson on racism, records, and boardroom representation
Former Olympic gold medalist Tessa Sanderson spoke to Sky Sports about her experiences with racism, her gold medal in Los Angeles, and the lack of BAME representation in boardrooms.
- When Harry Didn’t Meet Corey
Corey Pellatt was set to interview Harry Kane last month but questions about Black Lives Matter were blocked.
- Romário: 20 minutes of goals
Experience the majesty of Romário with this 20-minute video of his greatest goals.
- Lillehammer 1994 (Winter Olympic Film)
Relive Lillehammer 1994 with the official Olympic film right here.
- Ian Wright used to cut off his Arsenal shirt collars
The mystery behind Ian Wright’s disappearing collar in 1995/96 has finally been solved.
- Balenciaga’s football shirt “homage” shows a widening gap between rich and poor
$780 for a football shirt? And it’s not even signed? Not for me, but I’m sure someone will buy Balenciaga’s football shirt “homage”.
- NBA Jam: The True Story
Great Big Story’s video takes a brief look at the creation of “NBA Jam,” and its creators.
- Arnold Schoenberg’s special tennis notations
When Arnold Schoenberg lived in California, he mixed music with tennis and had his own system of symbols to define the sport.
- The greatest sports novels ever written
The LitHub GOAT novels list covered 25 sports from baseball to basketball.
- OFF COURSE: a short film about snowboarding in British Columbia
Watch as Jake Blauvelt and his friends join a native filmmaker on a trip through Western Canada in “OFF COURSE”.
- The Tables: a documentary about table tennis in Bryant Park
The Tables looks at the social connections made with a pair of outdoor ping pong tables in Bryant Park, New York.
- MLB not doing enough to combat systemic racism
Shakeia Taylor spoke to The Sunday Edition guest host Kevin Sylvester about racism in baseball. Can Major League Baseball overcome its problem with race?
- Bikevibe: the cycling culture journal
If you’re in need of a new cycling journal, check out Bikevibe.
- Native Hawai‘ians never stopped surfing
Did White people revive surfing? A professor from Springfield, Missouri suggests otherwise.
- China: A Skier’s Journey
Join Chad Sayers and Forrest Coots as they take to the Altai mountains in search of China’s rich skiing culture.
- The Xi’an International Football Centre by Zaha Hadid Architects
The new football centre will be in China’s ancient capital and serve its 9m citizens with sporting and cultural events.
- Fran Kirby’s Fight Club: a podcast about Fran Kirby and Chelsea F.C. Women
Allow me to break the first rule of Fran Kirby’s Fight Club by telling you to go listen to episode 1 of Fran Kirby’s Fight Club.
- Tejo, the national sport of Colombia
From pre-Hispanic times to the modern day, Tejo is a major part of Colombian culture. Here’s how it’s played and where it came from.
- #CounterAttackPodcast with Andrew Cole for Episode 100
Andy Cole joined #CounterAttackPodcast for their 100th episode to discuss his life and career.
- Tiger Woods’s son Charlie won a junior golf tournament by 5 strokes
Charlie, 11, won by a country mile in a Florida golf tournament over the weekend.
- Fernando Tatis Jr. hit a grand slam and upset some people
Sometimes unwritten rules are meant to be broken and Fernando Tatis Jr. did just that, much to the chagrin of both managers on Monday night.
- Overpowered video game athletes on the SNES
From Bo Jackson to Hakeem Olajuwon, SNES sports games had some of the most overpowered athletes.
- Why doesn’t the Argentina national football team have any Black players?
The answer lies in Argentina’s history of slavery, colonialism, and a whitewashing of its history. HITC had a go at explaining why in under 15 minutes.
- Ronnie O’Sullivan reaches his 7th World Championship final
We gave a quote-heavy breakdown of Ronnie O’Sullivan’s run to the 2020 World Snooker Championship final.
- Serena vs Venus: Too Early Too Often?
Tennis Abstract asks: are tournament draws giving us suspiciously many Venus-Serena clashes?
- ¡Te amo Carlos Valderrama!
Colombia was one of the most exciting football nations of the 90s, having shot to stardom at Italia 90 thanks to Carlos Valderrama and his teammates.
- Ascot Manor: A Tennis Apparel Brand Owned By Black Women
Ahlilah Longmire and Kareen Borgella are the Black women behind Ascot Manor, a tennis apparel brand paying it forward for junior players.
- When Sean Paul played touchtennis with Marcus Willis
It was Jamaica vs. Great Britain in a game of touchtennis between Sean Paul and Marcus Willis. Watch the first set between the pair right here.
- Mal Washington: the last Black American man to reach a grand slam final
Mal Washington spoke to CNN about his career, his encounters with racism, and his foundation.
- Match of the Day’s Goals of the Season (1992/93)
Three awesome goals, all scored by Black players, but only one could win the coveted Match of the Day Goal of the Season for 1992/93. But whom?
- Cooking with Colin Jackson
The former British Olympian cooked vegetable pasta and spicy meaty gnocchi on YouTube as part of Airbnb’s Olympian & Paralympian Online Experiences.
- The Brooklyn Red Caps: The History-Making Black Cycling Group
The Brooklyn Red Caps have been around since the 1970s and their endurance cycling wasn’t for the faint of heart.
- Surya Bonaly and that backflip
At the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Surya Bonaly performed an illegal backflip and stunned everyone at the eve
- Study shows racial bias in football commentary
In association with the PFA, a RunRepeat study found a significant racial bias in the language and communication of football commentators.
- Hacker gives Kobe Bryant super long arms in NBA 2K20
Watch what happened when an NBA 2K20 player faced Kobe Bryant with super long arms and an invisible man.
- The energetic art of Zenobia Winbush
Check out Zenobia Winbush and her energised design work for Miami University, Murray State University, and more.
- Playrface says Black Lives Matter
At Playrface, we say that Black Lives Matter.
- This or That #6: Maryam Naz
Our “This or That” series continues with sports writer, editor, and full-time feminist, Maryam Naz.
- Building the perfect men’s tennis player
What attributes make the perfect men’s tennis player? I had a go at building my own, featuring players from both the ATP and WTA.
- Sports Streaming: 4 Problems to Avoid for The Best Experience
Don’t let poor internet or illegal streams stop you from watching your favourite sports. Here are 4 problems to avoid and get the best out of your sports streaming experience.
- This or That #5: Machel St Patrick Hewitt
Our “This or That” series continues with non-league football writer and cricket enthusiast, Machel St Patrick Hewitt.
- This or That #4: Proxima Jornada
Our “This or That” series continues with Portuguese football writer, Proxima Jornada.
- Romário in Barcelona (Documentary)
Romário showed flashes of brilliance and ego in unequal measure during his time at FC Barcelona.
- An elephant and a slam dunk walk into a seesaw
What would happen if a man with a basketball stood on a seesaw and an elephant stomped on the other end?
- champman0102.co.uk releases March 2020 Update
The March 2020 update is finally here.
- Ng On-yee – the first Asian #1 in women’s snooker
Ng On-yee has been described as a “trailblazer” in snooker.
- Two Billion Hearts: The 1994 World Cup Film
Take a journey back to 1994 with 2 Billion Hearts, the official film of the 1994 FIFA World Cup.
- Mike Paul’s “Diamond Geezers 2” is perfect quarantine viewing
Travel back in time to 2012 with Mike Paul and his newest adventure with Rushden & Diamonds.
- No One’s Inter Us – The Other Leipzig Club #4 (REDUX)
It’s Part 4 but technically Part 1 as I restart the season with a new Inter Leipzig squad and significantly less players.
- How to set up training in Championship Manager 01/02
Training is boring in Championship Manager 01/02 but with these tips, you can streamline the process.
- English football – would the clubs survive a cancelled season?
As football authorities postpone their respective seasons, FiveThirtyEight asks whether English clubs would recover if they were cancelled.
- Why is the family name “Nguyễn” so common in Vietnam?
We’ve covered Swedish, Russian and Croatian names. Now we travel to Vietnam to find out why “Nguyen” is so common.
- Jason Williams and his wild passing during All-Star Weekend 2000
9 points and 5 assists aren’t normally something to shout about but Jason Williams earnt his plaudits for his unorthodox play that weekend.
- Hot Takedown pits Alex Ovechkin against Wayne Gretzky
Alex Ovechkin is inching closer to Wayne Gretzky’s 894-goal record. But is it fair to compare them?
- Rafael Nadal’s Perfect Tennis Player
Rafa spoke with Sport360 and builts his “perfect tennis player”.
- Questions I’d Ask Roger Federer If I Interviewed Him
Chances are slim but if I interviewed Roger Federer, these are the questions I’d ask him.
- Barrowcelona and the influence of Pep Guardiola
The current success of non-league club Barrow owes a lot to Pep’s modern style, according to Tifo Football.
- A Dictionary for Federer Fans
Rob York’s “Roger Federer Fan’s Dictionary” from 2009 is brief but funny.
- LGR Blerberbowl I: CPU Chiefs vs CPU 49ers
In the first ever Blerberbowl, the CPU Chiefs faced the CPU 49ers. But who would win the Vince Lomblerbi Trophy?
- WRESTHINGS: The wrestling podcast with a Black British perspective
Wanna get into some wrasslin’? Then give WRESTHINGS a listen.
- Studs is a deep dive into women’s football
Women’s football doesn’t get the content representation it deserves. That’s where Studs comes in.
- Jeff Bakalar puts rugged tech to the test with a heap of slapshots
How sturdy is an iPhone when it’s hit by a hockey puck? Jeff Balakar of CNET investigated rugged tech.
- 7 quick ways to get into American football
Struggling to get into American football? Here are 7 ways to start enjoying the sport.
- 10 of the best striped football kits in the world
Stripes are the second-most common pattern in football kit history. Here are 10 of my faves.
- champman0102.net release October 2019 Update
At long last, the CM01/02 update team release the final update for 2019.
- Why do so many Russian last names end in “-ov” and “-ova”?
Why do Russian surnames all end in “-ov” and “-ova”?
- 10 reasons why These Football Times is a better alternative to The Athletic UK
Struggling for a reason to subscribe to The Athletic UK? Sign up to These Football Times instead.
- This or That #3: Ashwin Raman
Our “This or That” series continues with football writer, Ashwin Raman. Find out whether he picked boxers or briefs and more on Playrface.
- The Cruijffbal Challenge #5
Welcome to my fifth season update of The Cruijffbal Challenge.
- Subbuteo Online is the home of all things Subbuteo-related
The table top football game named after a bird, Subbuteo has a new unofficial home for the latest news and opinions.
- The Pantone colours of English football grounds
C.P. Company and Lack of Guidance collaborate to look at the colours of England’s many football grounds in Pantone form.
- How to make a tennis ball: a video by Benedict Redgrove
The graphic designer created a video for Wilson showing the 24 different processes that go into making a tennis ball.
- Major Taylor, the first black cycling champion
Before the turn of the 20th century, amidst racial discrimination, Major Taylor win championships and broke records.
- Móstoles Balompie is now Flat Earth FC and honestly why
The Spanish club went for a name change and anyone with even a passing interest in soccer is scratching their head.
- Black Spin Global celebrates black excellence in pro tennis
Pro tennis is a multifaceted sport and outlets like Black Spin Global show it to us in colour.
- The Montréal Alouettes + their modern redesign
Québec’s GRDN led the Montréal Alouettes project to bring the 70-year-old team into the modern day.
- 9 Unexpected South American Team Names
Pub football team names haven’t got anything on some of these South American gems.
- Café du Cycliste (Nice)
Cycling, coffee, and culture collide on the Cote d’Azur courtesy of Café du Cycliste.
- Roland Garros + why it’s my favourite slam
It’s not to everyone’s tastes but Roland Garros usurps my fave’s favourite slam.
- Henry Carr, Olympic Champion (1941-2015)
The late athlete passed away on this day in 2015, best known for his two gold medals at Tokyo 64.
- The women’s draw at the Roland Garros is wide open this year
It’s not Serena vs. The Rest of the WTA at Roland Garros. At least not by numbers.
- Curveballs are curving more, sliders are sliding more
Thanks to improvements in pitching, the strikeout rate is set to be broken for the 12th season in a row and curveballs are bending a lot more than before.
- Patrick Barr’s Neighborhood Golf Association
The man they call Tiger Hood takes to the streets to photograph his surroundings and play his own brand of golf.
- The Brexit Challenge on Championship Manager 01/02
If/when the UK leaves the EU, there will be ramifications for the English footballing system.
- Lisbon: 3 footballing tales, 1 capital city
As Benfica celebrates their 5th title in 6 years, what of the other two Lisbon clubs?
- Goiás’s New Brand Identity Is Glorious
The Brazilian club underwent a brand revamp in 2018.
- 5 Afewee Academy Graduates Who Went Onto Play Pro Football
The Brixton-based academy has produced some great talent over the years. Here are 5 graduates who made it into the professionals.
- Olympic Games design (1896-2020)
An Olympic historian has gathered over 6,000 images for a new book from Niggli.
- Zion Williamson’s Top 10 Dunks, According To ESPN
3 minutes of incredible dunks? We’ll take that. This is Zion Williamson.
- Break The Love – the mobile tennis club without the hassle
I wouldn’t say it’s like Tinder for tennis but there’s plenty of love to go around…
- Ex-NBA star Dennis Rodman accused of stealing from a yoga studio
Rodman also accused of namastealing more than $3,500 worth of merchandise with accomplices.
- champman0102.co.uk release March 2019 Update
The popular CM01/02 update team always have their finger on the pulse.
- 5 of the weirdest sports in the UK
From shin-kicking in the Cotswolds to the Kirkwall Ba’ Game in Orkney, there are some odds sports in Great Britain.
- The Cruijffbal Challenge #4
Welcome to my fourth season update of The Cruijffbal Challenge. Prologue | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 We all have principles or codes we live by. Some are indoctrinated into us, others are picked up over time. I always start with a specific tactic when I play 01/02. It’s called Mentalist and …
- MLB pitchers are throwing fewer fastballs than ever before
It’s all about the change up for pitchers in the major leagues.
- Converse Present The All Star Pro BB
The classic shoe gets a modern revamp to bring Converse back into the basketball footwear game. It’s been decades since pro ballers threw on pairs of Converse All Stars to play basketball. Nowadays, Nike dominates the market and have created a multi-billion dollar market on Air Jordans alone. But the OG’s are ready to get …
- Finland – the home of the Hobby Horse Championship
Enthusiasts join together once a year for the hobby horse tournament.
- How Hard Can You Hit a Golf Ball?
Ever wondered how hard you can hit a golf ball? Read on & find out at speeds of over 500mph! Warning: a watermelon was harmed in the making of this experiment.
- Caster Semenya: An Appreciation Post
F*ck the haters, this post is all about celebrating Caster Semenya, a superb athlete who runs in the face of adversity.
- Eric Cantona’s Meaning of Life
A poignant tale of life and circumstances from Eric Cantona is the epitome of the man. Read on to find out what his meaning of life represents.
- 10 Minutes of Trick Plays In American Football
From lateral passes to faked field goals, these trick plays are one-of-a-kind. I’ve not watched any American football since Kaepernick was blacklisted but I still enjoy watching the odd video. This one is a compilation of the best trick plays in American football. I admit some of them gave me goosebumps, particularly the faked field …
- Counter Attack: the new football game for the kitchen table
No need to use salt and pepper shakers for your offside rule explanations. Counter Attack is the latest in table-top footie action.
- The Cruijffbal Challenge #3
Welcome to my third season update of The Cruijffbal Challenge. Prologue | Part 1 | Part 2 Well, Season 3 didn’t go as planned. They say you’re only good as your last game and that kind of summed us up. Kind of. The bad news is we didn’t get promoted but the good news is …
- Luton Town Under-8s beat Juventus to win the International Cup
Luton Town’s seniors aren’t the only team to win big this season. I’ve lived in Luton most of my life. I even worked for Luton Town behind the bar, so this story has a special place in my heart. Luton Town’s Under-8s beat Juventus 6-1 in the International Cup final in Dortmund on Sunday. Not …
- The Cruijffbal Challenge #2
Welcome to my second season update of The Cruijffbal Challenge. Prologue | Part 1 After your first full season at a club, you start to get a feel for what works and what doesn’t. Who your favourites are and who can go. When to change the system and when to give it time. I needed …
- Weird MLB Logos
From elephants to friars, here are some of the weirdest logos in MLB history. We love a cool sports logo. Whether it’s the ice hockey logos of Mexico or the development of Minnesota Vikings’ uniform in the 60s, you have to admire the craftsmanship. But there is an ugly side to sports logo design. MLB looked at …
- VAR is Revolution!
In his first article for Playrface, Timóteo Corça tells us why VAR is a good thing despite the controversy surrounding it.
- Snooker starlet Oliver Sykes is one to watch
The 12-year-old wants to emulate the likes of Judd Trump and Ronnie O’Sullivan. I remember growing up I got a mini snooker table. It was a Steve Davis endorsed table and I played it all the time. I even copied his bridge hand. I played with my dad on real tables but they dried up …
- The Cruijffbal Challenge #1
Welcome to my first season update of The Cruijffbal Challenge. If you have no idea what that is, check out my prologue/primer to get up to speed. Given how I long I’ve played Championship Manager, I’m used to the English football league system so promotions are much easier at the start. That’s less a boast …
- Happy Birthday Eurosport! Promos from 1990 (VIDEO)
Eurosport has come on leaps and bounds since it started on 5th February 1989. Here are some promos from their first birthday. I’m a nerd for 90s TV adverts and idents. Although the 00s were my teenage years, I still remember the 90s fondly as a young child. I only had cable TV until I …
- The Cruijffbal Challenge – Prologue
A new year brings a new challenge, combining the economics of Moneyball and wisdom of Johan Cruijff. Together they become Cruijffbal.
- 10 Sports Writers You Should Follow On Twitter
It all started with a simple question that I didn’t answer properly.
- Who is Bianca Andreescu?
The Canadian tennis player made waves when she reached the Auckland Open final, beating the likes of Venus and Wozniacki along the way. Now she’s making her way through the Australian Open.
- WWE’s Most Hilarious Blunders with Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson
Gallows and Anderson look through some of the funniest blooper in WWE history. At some point in your life, you must have seen some form of WWE/F or WCW or at least heard about it. With those brands comes a unique style of entertainment; sports entertainment to be exact. And because it’s entertainment, there are …
- NBA Christmas Commercials from 2012 to 2016
The NBA is famous for its Christmas Day fixtures. But American sports wouldn’t be American sports without a flash commercial. SportsOMG uploaded five NBA Christmas commercials from 2012 to 2016 starring modern greats such as Lebron James, Steph Curry, James Harden, and Kawhi Leonard (because that laugh is great). But more importantly, these commercials give …
- SNES Drunk on soccer games for the SNES
Don’t scoff at “soccer” – the word originated in Britain before it travelled to the US.
- A Christmas Team #1 – Football
In our new seasonal series, we create Christmas-themed teams out of team sports. Our first edition stars a festive football starting XI.
- Happy 17th Birthday, Championship Manager 01/02
It was actually yesterday but Championship Manager 01/02, the best football management of all time, is now 17 years old. Here is listicle of tips, players, downloads, and articles about the great game.
- Why do so many Swedish names end in -qvist?
The World Cup is long gone and this isn’t specifically football related but curiosity got the better of me. I wanted to know why so many Swedish names ended in -qvist.
- The Luckiest Strike Ever
Sometimes, a gutter ball isn’t truly a gutter ball as this bowler shows. I’ve always wanted this to happen to me but while I wait, I can bask in someone else’s glory. The bowler’s throw landed right in the gutter and as far as everyone was concerned, that was the end of the round. But …
- Weird Rules with Darüşşafaka and Maccabi in EuroLeague Basketball
When Darüşşafaka and Maccabi met in their second league match – level in the league – a point differential helped decide the outcome and lead to some weird ass plays. I love weird rule quirks in sports (as long as they don’t affect my team losing) and this is especially peculiar. In Series 2 Episode 2 of …
- Who is Ebenezer Cobb Morley and why does he have a Google Doodle?
One English sportsman and solicitors brought his law skills to the beautiful game and his name was Ebenezer Cobb Morley.
- Cycling in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Goma in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is home to a group of local cycling fans who took to their bikes after a volcanic eruption in the city in 2002.
- The Most Interesting Plays In MLB History
Baseball is an intriguing sport. I admit I know little to nothing about it besides watching the film Moneyball.
- The Numbers Game: Serena Williams
Serena Williams is the GOAT for a reason. Here are some of the numbers behind it.
- 4 Ways To Reduce FMF (Football Manager Fatigue)
I am terrible for starting new Football Manager saves and never finishing them. Here are 4 tips to beat Football Manager fatigue.
- Why do all the Croatian’s men’s names end in -ić?
It’s a question my mum references every time a Serb-Croat appears on the TV. I never knew the answer so naturally I Googled it.
- Strokes of Genius: Federer v Nadal
What’s that, ANOTHER Federer/Nadal article? Yes, it is. But Strokes of Genius is a must-see documentary for anyone interested in tennis.
- This or That #2: Dave Black aka @CM9798
Our next interviewee for “This or That” is Championship Manager 97/98 enthusiast, Dave Black.
- This or That #1: Jon Mackenzie
In our new series “This or That”, we ask the important questions to a variety of people in sport. Our first volunteer is sports writer Jon Mackenzie.
- 5 World Cup Records Up For Grabs In Russia
The FIFA World Cup started today and with such a prestigious tournament steeped in history, we selected 5 records that could be broken in Russia.
- 100 Wimbledon Championship Points From The Open Era
Wimbledon has compiled a video of all 100 championship-winning points since 1968 when the Open Era began.
- Sloane Stephens as a teenager in 2011
Trans World Sport has a knack for profiling future champions. Here’s Sloane Stephens back in 2011 as an upcoming teenager.
- 2018 FIFA World Cup Retro Posters
UK design studio ∆ Studio—JQ ∆ have created some beautiful retro posters for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
- Afewee Football Academy – A Sporting Path Towards Discipline
Afewee Football Academy, created by head coach Steadman Scott and Tony Goldring, has produced over 40 professional footballers including Nathaniel Clyne.
- Pennarello Creates Imaginary Album Covers For Famous Footballers
Pennarello (real name James Campbell Taylor) is a British graphic designer based in New York and his LPFC project marries football and music.
- Rafael Nadal – The God of Clay
As a Roger Federer fan, it was customary to dislike Nadal or at least see him as a bitter rival over the years. But my heart has warmed to him as both players have gotten older. Not many expected Nadal’s dominance on clay to continue after two consecutive years without winning, in 2015 and 2016 …
- My All-Time French, Spanish, and Portuguese XI
I recently clocked 100 consecutive days on Duolingo, where I’m learning French, Spanish, and Portuguese.
- Highlights from England vs. Nigeria (1994)
England and Nigeria had contrasting summers in 1994. Here’s what happened when they met for a friendly after USA ’94.
- Cyrille Regis (1958–2018)
Thanks for the memories, Cyrille. A true Black British footballing pioneer.
- How The Minnesota Vikings Got Their Uniform in 1961
Whenever I’ve looked at old gridiron uniforms, I’ve admired their timeless designs. Here’s how the Minnesota Vikings got theirs.
- The fascinating world of ten pin bowling and oil patterns
I’m very inconsistent when it comes to bowling.
- 4 Incredible Mexican Ice Hockey Logos
Check out these brilliant logos from the four teams in Mexico’s ice hockey league.
- Brutal Fate: The Unknown Future of Valencia’s Nou Mestalla
A club of Valencia’s stature needs a strong structure. The future of Nou Mestalla remains unsteady.
- No One’s Inter Us – The Other Leipzig Club #3
Welcome to Part 3 of No One’s Inter Us – The Other Leipzig Club.
- No One’s Inter Us – The Other Leipzig Club #2
Welcome to Part 2 of No One’s Inter Us – The Other Leipzig Club
- No One’s Inter Us – The Other Leipzig Club
A new day and a new Championship Manager save – this time with Inter Leipzig in Germany. Here’s how it all started.
- Cheong-Eui Kim is an Ambidextrous Tennis Player
Left hand, right hand, what difference does it make? Kim Cheong-Eui is officially right-handed but can play left-handed forehands and serves as well.
- Friendly fire? Russia shoot at the wrong hoop vs. Spain in the FIBA U19 Women’s World Cup
How kind of them.
- 10 minutes of tennis players getting hit by their opponents
New balls, please?
- Interview with Blonde-Haired Roger Federer in 1999
Can you imagine this Roger Federer on the front of GQ Magazine?
- The Remarkable Achievements of Althea Gibson
Althea Gibson fought through the racism of mid-century America to become one of women’s tennis greats.
- WWE Moves In The Pool
RKO outta nowhere!
- Spaceball: the forgotten sport of the future
Spaceball combined the rules and athleticism of volleyball, basketball, and trampolining but it never became the sport its inventor had hoped.
- Arsene Wenger Makes It Seven, But Here’s His First FA Cup Win
The erudite professor of Arsenal Football Club may not be manager by this time next week but Arsene Wenger has a lot to be pleased with.
- Peter Ebdon used to be quick and had a ponytail in the 1990s
No, your eyes aren’t deceiving you. That is actually Peter Ebdon with a ponytail.
- On This Day In 1997, Tiger Woods Won His First Major
13th April 1997. A tremor reverberated throughout the golfing world. His name was Tiger Woods.
- 10 of Roger Federer’s best commercials
He’s a natural.