Liverpool is commencing their 2025/26 Champions League journey with a home match against Atlético Madrid at Anfield, marking the first European night of the season for the team.

Under manager Arne Slot, Liverpool has demonstrated strong championship form in the Premier League, achieving four consecutive wins, each secured with a late winning goal. Slot is navigating challenges such as integrating new signings and managing injuries while making tactical adjustments to enhance the team's on-field performance.

Key players are emphasized as vital for Liverpool's prospects in the Champions League. A Dutch defensive midfielder, who has returned from suspension and is fully fit, brings stability to the defense and excels in both defensive interventions and initiating attacks, making him crucial for the open nature of European matches against top teams like Real Madrid and Inter Milan.

Florian Wirtz, a £100 million German attacking signing, is gradually increasing his influence on the pitch. While he has not yet recorded significant goals or assists, his creativity in chance-making could thrive in the end-to-end style of European games, and he plays a key role in integrating new teammates such as Alexander Isak.

Goalkeeper Alisson Becker, though sometimes overlooked, remains a world-class shot-stopper with exceptional ball-playing skills that support Liverpool's build-up from the back. His contributions are expected to be essential throughout the Champions League campaign.

The Reds have starpower all over the pitch, but these four players will be vital to any success they hope to have in Europe this season. 

Four players that will be crucial to Liverpool's Champions League efforts

Dennis Schröder, backup point guard for the Detroit Pistons, led Germany to victory in the 2025 EuroBasket tournament, earning MVP honors after averaging over 20 points and seven assists. He particularly excelled in the final two games, dishing out 12 assists in the championship match—the most in a EuroBasket final in three decades.

Despite being viewed by many NBA fans as a journeyman role player, Schröder's international success has sparked debate about his potential Hall of Fame credentials. The Naismith Hall of Fame considers a player's entire career, including international achievements, which significantly strengthens Schröder's case compared to players with stronger NBA-only resumes like Blake Griffin.

Schröder has been a dominant force for Germany since his national team debut in 2014, winning bronze at EuroBasket (Germany's first medal in nearly two decades), leading Germany to a World Cup title (where he was also MVP), finishing fourth in the Paris Olympics (making the Olympic All-Star team), and now adding the 2025 EuroBasket title and MVP to his accomplishments.

His success is attributed to his ball-dominant playing style—utilizing dribble penetration and offensive control—which he executes more freely for Germany than in his NBA role. With continued international success, Schröder may solidify his Hall of Fame case, challenging conventional perceptions about what qualifies a player for enshrinement.

Pistons fans may be shocked to find out about Dennis Schroder's international resume.

Dennis Schroder is a lock for an unlikely honor that will shock Pistons fans

Seattle Reign FC and Racing Louisville FC, in agreement with the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), will complete the remainder of their previously abandoned match on Tuesday, September 16 at Lumen Field, starting at 5:00 p.m. PT. The game will resume from a 0-0 scoreline at the beginning of the second half and will be played behind closed doors, meaning no fans will be in attendance.

The full second half of the match will be broadcast live on NWSL+ and Paramount+. Fans who held tickets for the original Sunday match, including club members, will receive an email later today with details on additional opportunities to attend future Seattle Reign home games at Lumen Field.

Seattle Reign FC Chief Business Officer Maya Mendoza-Exstrom expressed gratitude for the support from partners and the soccer community, noting relief that Racing Louisville player Savannah DeMelo was responsive and alert after the incident that led to the match's abandonment. The club commended the medical and event staff for their quick response and emphasized ongoing collaboration with Racing Louisville to complete the match.

Both clubs and the NWSL agree to complete the match behind closed doors; Full second half to air on NWSL+ and Paramount+   Seattle Reign FC, Racing Louisville FC and the National Women’s Soccer League have agreed to complete the remainder of the previously abandoned match on Tuesday, September 16 at

Seattle Reign FC Match Against Racing Louisville FC to Resume on September 16 at Lumen Field

Scottish football supporters have achieved the highest per capita attendance in Europe for the third consecutive year, according to the SPFL. Citing a UEFA report, the league body highlighted that Scotland's top-flight matches attracted significantly more attendees relative to its population than any other European league.

The latest UEFA European Club Talent and Competition Landscape report, first launched in 2023, revealed that the Scottish Premiership recorded 18.5 attendees per 1,000 people last season. This represents a 5% increase from the previous campaign, surpassing the European average growth of 3%, and is 70% higher than any other league on the continent.

Portugal's Primeira Liga ranked second with 10.7 attendees per 1,000 people, followed by the Netherlands' Eredivisie in third with 9.77 attendees per 1,000 people. England's Premier League recorded 6.97 attendees per 1,000 people. In absolute numbers, around 3.9 million fans attended top-flight matches in Scotland last season, the eighth highest in Europe, with an average league attendance of 17,303, ranking seventh on the continent.

SPFL Group Chief Executive Neil Doncaster praised the passion and commitment of Scottish football supporters, noting that the SPFL William Hill Premiership continues to lead Europe in per capita attendance by a significant margin. He emphasized that Scottish football attendances have consistently exceeded expectations for many years, with three record-breaking seasons, and the league aims to build on this momentum.

The SPFL also reported a record total of 5,336,353 attendees across all SPFL matches last season, an increase of 185,000 from the previous season.

The SPFL say Scottish football supporters have topped a European attendance chart for a third year running.

Scottish Premiership tops European attendances per capita for third year running

The Charlie Daniels Patriot Awards Dinner was held at Nashville's City Winery, raising over $600,000 to support programs for U.S. veterans, first responders, and their families. A historic moment occurred with the reunion of Annex Security Team members Kris "Tanto" Paronto, John "Tig" Tiegen, and Mark "Oz" Geist, who fought together in the Battle of Benghazi—marking their first gathering in 13 years.

The event, now in its 11th year, is organized by The Charlie Daniels Journey Home Project (TCDJHP), founded in 2014 by the late country music star Charlie Daniels and his manager David Corlew. The nonprofit focuses on helping veterans transition back to civilian life through rehabilitation and reintegration resources.

Notable attendees included TCDJHP co-founder and president David Corlew, General Terry M. "Max" Haston, Mike Carado, Carolyn Corlew, as well as Hazel Daniels and Charlie Daniels Jr., the wife and son of the late Charlie Daniels.

Earlier in the year, the Grand Ole Opry received a Patriot Award during a July concert as part of the Opry 100 Honors series, recognizing the venue's cultural impact and alignment with TCDJHP's mission.

David Corlew emphasized that the awards and fundraising efforts continue Charlie Daniels' legacy of supporting those who have served the country. He highlighted that all funds raised go directly toward programs offering hope and healing for veterans.

TCDJHP has established partnerships with organizations like the Shepherd Center and Operation Song, and in 2019, a donation enabled the first CAR-T cancer treatment at a VA hospital. The Nashville VA remains the only VA hospital providing this treatment, with nearly 100 procedures performed on veterans to date.

The Charlie Daniels Patriot Awards Dinner raised more than $600K to fund programs for US veterans, first responders, and their families.

Charlie Daniels Patriot Awards Dinner Raises Over $600K to Support US Veterans

Melbourne City will play their first competitive home match of the season against Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the AFC Champions League Elite on Tuesday night at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium. This marks their return to the venue since winning the A-League Men’s Grand Final earlier in the year, and the team aims to start the 2025/26 campaign positively.

This match is significant as it is Melbourne City's first appearance in Asia's top-tier competition since its restructuring and rebranding to the AFC Champions League Elite. Despite strong performances in previous editions, where they lost only once, the team narrowly missed advancing to the knockout stages. Maximizing home fixtures, starting with this Matchday 1 encounter, is considered crucial for progressing further this season.

The opponent, Sanfrecce Hiroshima, presents a tough challenge as they are currently mid-season in the J1 League and sitting in sixth place. A victory for Melbourne City would not only set a positive tone for the group stage but also build momentum ahead of their upcoming away matches.

Tuesday's match may also feature several new signings and academy talents. Liam Bonetig, who has been with the team since pre-season, could make an appearance, while Japanese forward Takeshi Kanamori might make his debut after settling in. Newest signing Elbasan Rashani, however, will not feature in this match but could debut in Matchday 2. Additionally, promising academy players from Melbourne City's VPL1 promotion-winning side may also be included, some of whom have already made senior debuts in the Australia Cup.

Melbourne City will play our first competitive home fixture of the season when we kick off our AFC Champions League Elite campaign against Sanfrecce Hiroshima on Tuesday night.

ACLE PREVIEW: City v Sanfrecce Hiroshima

The Minnesota Timberwolves, led by Anthony Edwards, were eliminated from the NBA playoffs in the Western Conference Finals for the second consecutive year, this time losing to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a five-game series where they were thoroughly outplayed.

Following the defeat, Edwards acknowledged that he still needs to elevate his game to reach the level of rivals like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Dončić, both of whom have eliminated him in the past two seasons. NBA insider Jon Krawczynski reported that Edwards has dedicated his offseason to intensive training, avoiding social media and international play to focus solely on improvement.

Edwards has also made significant strides in his leadership role, with reports indicating he has become a more vocal leader for the team. Head coach Chris Finch and insiders have praised his growth in this area, especially after the Timberwolves' back-to-back disappointing exits from the Conference Finals.

Despite already surpassing Kevin Garnett’s postseason legacy with the franchise, Edwards remains determined to lead the Timberwolves to an NBA championship. There are reports he is refining specific skills, including one compared to Michael Jordan, raising expectations for a potential MVP-level performance in the upcoming season.

Minnesota Timberwolves insider says Anthony Edwards knows he's not at the level of Luka Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Anthony Edwards had a Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic realization after 2025 WCF loss, says NBA insider

Former Real Madrid and Argentina international Angel Di Maria scored a rare Olimpico goal during his team Rosario Central's 1-1 draw against Boca Juniors on Sunday. The goal, scored directly from a corner kick, prompted wild celebrations from Di Maria and his teammates.

Despite being in his late 30s, Di Maria continues to demonstrate his quality, having recently scored three goals in four games for Rosario Central after leaving Benfica. During his second spell at Benfica, he netted 36 goals in 92 appearances, following stints at Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain.

Rosario Central currently sits sixth in Group B of the Argentine Primera Division's second phase. The team faces Talleres Cordoba, who are second from bottom, in a crucial match on Sunday, which they must win to advance to the next stage of the competition.

Angel Di Maria showed that form is temporary and class is permanent with a remarkable Olimpico goal for Rosario Central against Boca Juniors. The 37-year-old stunned fans at Estadio Gigante de Arroyito after scoring directly from a corner kick at the weekend.

VIDEO: Still got it! Angel Di Maria steals the show with sensational Olimpico goal against Boca Juniors

NaLyssa Smith's defensive performance was pivotal in setting the tone for the Aces during their Game 1 victory against the Seattle Storm in the WNBA playoffs first-round series. Her early contributions included two first-quarter blocks, one against veteran Nneka Ogwumike and another against rookie Dominique Malonga, which helped establish a dominant start for the team.

Smith finished the game with 11 points and nine rebounds, nearly achieving a double-double that aligns with the expectations set by Aces president Nikki Fargas when she was acquired from the Dallas Wings. Her ability to relieve offensive pressure from reigning MVP A’ja Wilson earned her a spot in the starting lineup over veteran Kiah Stokes after just one game.

Expressing her enjoyment of the winning environment, Smith emphasized how being surrounded by talented players and coaches has elevated her performance and determination. She noted that this playoff win marked a significant personal milestone, as she had experienced limited team success in previous seasons with the Indiana Fever.

The Aces' record improved significantly after Smith joined the team, with a 22-6 run since her acquisition, highlighting her value to the roster. Her consistent availability and growth have been crucial, with Coach Becky Hammon praising her defensive improvements and overall impact.

Hammon specifically commended Smith's post-defense during postgame comments, emphasizing the team's strength when playing defensively. Smith, in turn, expressed pride in her foul-free defensive performance, which contributed to the team's cohesive and effective play.

NaLyssa Smith’s defense has come a long way, helping to set the tone for the Aces in Game 1 of their first-round WNBA playoffs series against the Seattle Storm.

‘Winning is fun:’ NaLyssa Smith shining in Aces’ playoff run

Since his death in 2020, Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant has been honored through various art forms across the city, commemorating his legacy and his lifelong commitment to excellence alongside his daughter Gianna Bryant. Bryant, a five-time NBA champion, was known for his competitive spirit and profound impact on Los Angeles.

A new mural in Burbank, California, features Kobe and Gianna Bryant alongside current Lakers superstar Luka Dončić, symbolizing the passing of the torch. The mural, located outside The Morrison restaurant on Magnolia Blvd., depicts Dončić in a gold Lakers jersey at the center, with images of him interacting with Kobe and Gianna on either side—on the left, he is seen greeting Kobe at a Lakers game, and on the right, he is pictured with Gianna.

Dončić has publicly expressed how much Kobe meant to him, both professionally and personally, and recently demonstrated his admiration by donating $5,000 to restore a vandalized mural titled "Mambas Forever" in downtown Los Angeles. His contribution covered the entire fundraising goal for the restoration.

Dončić is seen as an ideal leader for the Lakers, blending elements of LeBron James' playstyle and Kobe Bryant's "Mamba Mentality" in his approach to the game. His competitiveness and connection with fans mirror Bryant's influence, and he has already been embraced by the Los Angeles community.

Kobe Bryant's legacy in Los Angeles extends beyond basketball, as he was also a supporter of other local sports teams, such as the Dodgers. His widespread impact continues to be celebrated through murals and tributes across the city.

A new mural featuring Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic, Kobe Bryant and Gianna Bryant was spotted in Burbank.

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