The UEFA Champions League is undergoing a significant transformation for the 2024-25 season, introducing a new format with more teams, more matches, and an enhanced competition structure. The draw for the revamped tournament is scheduled for August 29th in Monaco, marking the start of a new era for the prestigious competition.
Himanshu Rana and Sarvesh Rohilla’s unbroken 68-run partnership helped Haryana secure a draw against a spin-heavy TNCA XI in the Buchi Babu tournament. Haryana, needing a miracle to survive a daunting target of 353, batted valiantly on a challenging pitch to secure a hard-fought draw.
Indian chess grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa missed out on becoming a joint leader at the Superbet Classic after drawing with compatriot D. Gukesh in the third round. The game, which saw Gukesh sacrifice a pawn early, eventually settled into a drawn endgame. All five games of the tournament ended in draws, with Gukesh and Fabiano Caruana remaining in the lead on two points.
The Wimbledon draw has been released, setting up a potential quarterfinal showdown between world No. 1 Iga Swiatek and defending champion Marketa Vondrousova. Other intriguing matchups include Elena Rybakina against Jessica Pegula, Coco Gauff against Jasmine Paolini, and Aryna Sabalenka against Qinwen Zheng.
Georgia and Czechia played out a 1-1 draw in a match heavily influenced by VAR decisions. Georgia scored first through a penalty awarded after a lengthy review, while Czechia equalized in the second half.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has defended his team’s performances as ‘dynamic and entertaining’ despite a late draw with Burnley. United threw away a late lead for a fifth time in the last month, with Zeki Amdouni’s 87th-minute penalty canceling out Antony’s opener. The draw leaves United struggling to qualify for the Champions League, with fourth-placed Aston Villa 12 points ahead. However, ten Hag insists that his team is creating plenty of chances and is playing good football.
The Sky Bet League One match between Lincoln and Portsmouth ended in a stalemate, as neither team could find the winning goal. Lincoln, who entered the game as the favorites, had the majority of possession and created more chances but were unable to capitalize on their opportunities. Portsmouth, on the other hand, defended resolutely and looked dangerous on the counterattack throughout the game. The draw leaves Lincoln in the top half of the table, while Portsmouth remains in the bottom half.
The recent draw between Collingwood and Essendon has reignited the debate about introducing extra time during the home and away season. While some players and fans believe that extra time would add excitement and provide a clear winner, others argue that draws are a legitimate outcome in a competitive game. Collingwood premiership captain Darcy Moore and Essendon youngster Nic Martin expressed support for the idea of extra time. However, veteran midfielder Zach Merrett and coach Brad Scott prefer the match to continue until a result is determined. Collingwood coach Craig McRae acknowledges the arguments for both sides but believes the decision should be made by the fans. Former players Eddie Betts and Garry Lyon highlighted the unusual feeling of walking off the field with no team song after a draw. While some journalists call for extra time, others like Mark Gottlieb argue that draws are part of the game’s character.
In a thrilling Anzac Day clash that kept fans on the edge of their seats, Collingwood and Essendon played out an epic draw, the second time the teams have drawn on this significant day. The game was a seesaw battle, with both teams having chances to snatch a late win in the final minute. Essendon forward Kyle Langford missed a potential game-winning shot, while Collingwood’s Jamie Elliott dropped a simple mark that would have given him a chance to seal the match. Zach Merrett, Essendon’s Anzac Day medalist, expressed confidence in Langford’s ability to kick the goal. Despite the missed opportunities, the game was highly entertaining, with Langford and Elliott among the standout performers. Collingwood’s Darcy Moore praised his team’s resilience, while Scott Pendlebury became the first VFL/AFL player to reach 10,000 career possessions.
