Girona FC edged RCD Espanyol 5-4 on penalties to lift the Copa Catalunya after a 0-0 deadlock at Sabadell's Nova Creu Alta. Over 7,800 fans watched a rain‑delayed, tension‑filled final where both sides created chances but could not break the deadlock. A late miss from Espanyol sealed Girona's triumph, giving them a morale boost ahead of a precarious LaLiga season.
The 26 August 2025 edition of the Betway Premiership Wrap dissected the weekend’s action, spotlighting TS Galaxy’s 2-0 win and Seluleko Mahlambi’s brace. Analysts debated player moves, defensive frailties on set‑pieces and emerging tactical patterns across South Africa’s top league. Fans get a deeper look at the storylines shaping the season.
The Hollywoodbets Sharks have published their complete 2025-2026 United Rugby Championship calendar, with kicks timed for U.S. viewers. The season opens against Glasgow Warriors on 26 September and includes key home games versus Scarlets and Saracens, plus a European clash with Toulouse. Travel will span four continents, testing the squad’s depth as they chase success in the expanded 16‑team competition.
The DHL Stormers have secured eleven of South Africa's top school‑level rugby prospects for the 2026 season. Leads the group are Paarl Gimnasium centre Markus Muller and loose‑forward Quintin Potgieter. Director of Rugby John Dobson says the signings underline a renewed focus on home‑grown talent, a strategy that has already produced Springboks like Damian Willemse. More additions are expected as the franchise builds a sustainable talent pipeline.
In Sharjah, the England Women bowled out South Africa for 124/6 and chased down the target with four balls left, thanks to a 43 from Danni Wyatt‑Hodge and an unbeaten 48 by Nat Sciver‑Brunt. Spin bowler Sophie Ecclestone delivered figures of 2/15, while captain Laura Wolvaardt top‑scored for the Proteas with 42. The win marks England's second straight victory and avenges their 2023 semi‑final loss. It also puts them on top of Group B, boosting knockout hopes. South Africa must regroup quickly for their remaining games.
World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz rolled his left ankle in the opening games of his Japan Open debut against Sebastian Baez. After a painful tumble and a quick medical timeout, the Spaniard rallied to win 6‑4, 6‑2. He admitted the injury was frightening but said he felt better as the match went on. Alcaraz now looks ahead to a second‑round clash with Belgium’s Zizou Bergs.
Palmeiras edged River Plate 2-1 in Buenos Aires, taking a vital away‑goal advantage in the Copa Libertadores quarter‑finals. The result means a draw at the Allianz Parque will see the Brazilian side into the semi‑finals, while the Argentine giants must win the return leg. Both clubs now set their sights on the decisive second match.
Fluminense's dream of reaching the Copa Sudamericana semifinals ended in drama at the Maracanã. After a 1-0 first‑leg loss, the Brazilian side drew 1-1 on September 23, 2025, but Lanús advanced 2-1 on aggregate. The match featured a crowd disturbance, a late equaliser from Dylan Aquino and a header that hit the post in the dying minutes.
On September 22, 2025, Millwall edged Watford 1‑0 in a tense Championship clash. Camiel Neghli’s first‑half free‑kick proved decisive, giving the Lions three points and a boost in the league table. Both sides arrived with contrasting recent form, making the single goal all the more pivotal. The win keeps Millwall in the hunt for a playoff spot, while Watford must regroup ahead of upcoming fixtures.
Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso brushed off questions about the 2025 Ballon d'Or, saying it's not his business and that he isn’t part of the voting panel. Instead, he urged focus on the team's upcoming game against Levante, underscoring his team‑first philosophy. The brief exchange highlights how the Spanish coach prefers collective success over individual awards.
Bayern Munich smashed RB Leipzig 6-0 in the Bundesliga opener at the Allianz Arena, with Harry Kane scoring a hat-trick and Michael Olise netting twice. Luis Díaz added one as Vincent Kompany’s side dominated possession and chances. Bayern’s quick combinations and pressing overwhelmed Leipzig, who struggled to cope with the tempo and conceded early control.
Ben Shelton has been nearly unbeatable in 2025 when winning the first set, with just one player—Alejandro Davidovich Fokina—managing to overturn a deficit. Shelton’s dominance on hard courts and his strong serve have catapulted him to World No. 6, making him one of the season’s standout performers.
