Category: Uncategorized

Heat bring back Dru Smith on two-way deal

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FILE–Dru Smith #9 of the Miami Heat jumps for a layup over Oshae Brissett #12 of the Boston Celtics during the first quarter at TD Garden on October 27, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. Maddie Schroeder/Getty Images/AFP

MIAMI — Dru Smith is back with the Miami Heat, with the injured guard agreeing Monday to a two-way contract in a sign that he’s on his way back to the court.

Smith was hurt and saw his 2023-24 NBA season end when the Heat visited Cleveland back in November, tearing his right ACL when he slipped off a raised portion of the floor in front of the Cavaliers’ bench.

He had been part of Miami’s rotation to that point, appearing in nine of the team’s first 15 games.

READ: NBA: Pat Riley says Heat not sure on Jimmy Butler extension

The Heat waived him in March to make room for the signing of veteran guard Patty Mills, though when Miami made that move coach Erik Spoelstra made clear that the team wasn’t giving up on him and indicated that the team would continue to assist him with his rehab process.

The 26-year-old Smith averaged 4.3 points for the Heat this past season. He has appeared in 24 NBA games — 14 with Miami and 10 others with Brooklyn — over the last two seasons.

The Heat have not released a timetable for when Smith could return to game action.



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Celtics’ Jayson Tatum agrees to 5-year, $314M extension

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Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, left, celebrates next to Celtics co-owner Stephen Pagliuca, right, near the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy after the Celtics won the NBA championship with a Game 5 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Monday, June 17, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Jayson Tatum is the newest member of the NBA’s $300 million club.

The Boston Celtics star has agreed to a five-year, $314 million contract extension to remain with the reigning NBA champions, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Monday.

The new pact will begin with the 2025-26 season and keep the five-time All-Star in Boston through 2029-30 season, according to the person who spoke on the condition of anonymity because it has not been announced.

The Athletic and ESPN were first to report the deal.

READ: NBA: Jayson Tatum says past pain inspired Boston Celtics

When completed Tatum’s new, supermax contract will become the largest in NBA history, supplanting the one signed last offseason by teammate Jaylen Brown, when he inked a five-year deal that will pay him up to $304 million.

Tatum averaged 26.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 4.9 assists and shot 47% from the field in earning All-NBA first-team honors for the third consecutive season. Those numbers grew to 25 points, 9.7 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game during a playoff run in which he eclipsed 30 points six times, including 31 in their championship-clinching Game 5 win over the Dallas Mavericks.

He will look to add to his hardware this summer as a member of the U.S. men’s basketball team when it attempts to capture its fifth consecutive gold medal. Tatum previously won a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

READ: NBA: Jayson Tatum reflects on how being a dad changed his life, career

News of Tatum’s deal came on the same day that fellow Celtics starter Derrick White reportedly agreed to a four-year, $126 million extension. All five of Boston’s starters –- Tatum, Brown, White, Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis — were already under contract for next season. With Tatum and White’s new agreements they now all could be together through at least the 2025-26 season.

The deal also came on the heels of the Celtics ownership group, led by Wyc Grousbeck, announcing its plans to sell all of its shares by 2028.

Barring any significant roster changes, Boston is expected to have a combined payroll and luxury tax that will exceed $400 million when Tatum’s contract takes effect.



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Promising teen tops New York tilt

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Kheith Rhynne Cruz—CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Kheith Rhynne Cruz defeated Lichen Chen, 11-5, 11-13, 11-8, 12-10, recently to rule the WTT Youth Contender Westchester 2024 U19 singles division in Pleasantville, New York, bagging her second World Table Tennis youth contender crown in the last eight months.

Cruz also bagged the crown in the Puerto Princesa final in October last year.

The 17-year-old Paco Citizen Academy Foundation student went 2-0 in Group 1 after beating Louise Fan of Canada and Rachel Wang of United States, both in straight sets, and won over Daymar Castro of Puerto Rico, 11-5, 11-8, 11-4, in the semifinals.

Cruz also placed second in the U19 mixed doubles after she and Bosman Botha lost to Naresh Nandan and Rachel Wang, 11-6, 8-11, 11-8, 8-11, 11-9.

The Philippine Table Tennis Federation (PTTF) hailed Cruz’s latest feat, optimistic that she will continue to get better with the goal of qualifying for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

“We believe in her abilities, and with proper support, training and guidance, we believe that she is our best bet to represent the Philippines in the 2028 Olympics,” said PTTF president Ting Ledesma.

Before finishing runner-up in the mixed doubles, Cruz and Botha beat Yashraj Shah and Amoolya Menon, 6-11, 12-10, 11-7, 11-9, in the quarterfinals, and won over Krish Gandhi and Chen, 8-11, 11-6, 11-8, 11-8, in the semifinals.



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Klay Thompson heading to Mavs; George joining 76ers

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Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors celebrates a three point shot during the second half of a game against the Utah Jazz at Delta Center on February 15, 2024 in Salt Lake City, Utah.  (Getty Images via AFP)

NEW YORK – Paul George is joining the Philadelphia 76ers and Klay Thompson is heading to the Dallas Mavericks, multiple US reports said Monday as NBA free-agency got into full swing.

Thompson is widely regarded as one of the greatest shooters in basketball history, forming a potent back-court partnership alongside Stephen Curry and featuring prominently in the Warriors’ NBA championship-winning seasons in 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2022.

Thompson, whose exit from the Golden State Warriors was confirmed on Sunday, has agreed terms on a three-year $50 million contract with Dallas, ESPN reported.

Nine-time All-Star George is joining the Sixers on a four-year deal worth $212 million while

The two deals bolster the Sixers’ and Mavs’ championship aspirations, with George set to form a big three alongside Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, and Thompson linking up with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving in Dallas.

George, 34, has averaged 20.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.7 steals a game over 867 career contests in 14 seasons for Indiana, Oklahoma City and the Los Angeles Clippers, who he left behind last weekend after five seasons.

NBA clubs have a signing moratorium on finalizing all contracts until Saturday, so it’s left to media reports to chart the moves that cannot yet become official.

George’s coming to terms was reported by the Philadelphia Inquirer, The Athletic and ESPN through unnamed sources.

The 76ers have not advanced beyond the Eastern Conference semi-finals since 2001 but might have their best chance with George joining All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey and Cameroonian star center Embiid, the 2023 NBA Most Valuable Player.

Multiple reports on Monday also had Maxey signing a five-year maximum contract extension worth $204 million. Maxey averaged 25.9 points and 6.2 assists for the Sixers last season.

George declined a $48.8 million deal for next season with the Clippers to test his value on the free agency market.

The 76ers also reportedly have struck a two-year deal worth just over $10 million with center Andre Drummond, a 12-year NBA veteran and five-seasons league rebounding leader.

Tobias Harris, a forward who played the past six seasons in Philadelphia, is reportedly off to the Detroit Pistons on a two-year deal worth $52 million.



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Center Isaiah Hartenstein, according to multiple reports, will leave New York for a three-year deal worth $87 million with the Oklahoma City Thunder, who also reportedly struck deals with reserves Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe.

New rower Paraon fast making inroads

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Kristine Paraon hopes she will have her turn rowing in the Olympics someday. —JUNE NAVARRO

Reaping accolades in international rowing is fast turning into a habit for newbie Kristine Paraon.

In less than three years when she began gripping a pair of oars, Paraon has already stacked one side of her room with an assortment of medals, including two from the world championships.

The 21-year-old discovery from Zamboanga City will add another hardware on her wall of fame back home from the just-concluded 2024 Southeast Asian Rowing Federation Championships in Hai Pong, Vietnam.

“There’s no dream that can be [made] real without hard work,’’ Paraon told the Inquirer after a surprising come-from-behind, gold-medal performance in the women’s single sculls of the biggest rowing event of the region.

Paraon fiercely chased down Vietnam’s Thi Thu Hang Tran in the 250 meters to rule the 2,000-m race in eight minutes and 53.71 seconds.

Paraon eventually finished five seconds ahead of Tran and 41 ticks away from bronze medalist Purwanti Dewi of Indonesia in a preview of next year’s Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok, Thailand.

“My goal as an elite rower is to break my best time every time I go out there on the water. I also want to encourage more kids to try my sport,’’ said Paraon, whose achievements didn’t go unnoticed after receiving a plaque during the 2024 Women In Sports Awards of the Philippine Sports Commission.

She was a gold and silver medalist during the 2023 world indoor championships and claimed another silver in the Asian Rowing Junior and U23 Championships last year.

Paraon likewise bagged two bronzes in the 2023 Thailand Asia Cup and in another continental-level meet in Korea early this year.

“You should see the video where she chased the leader in the last 250 meters. We’re proud of her,’’ said Philippine Rowing Association president Patrick Gregorio, who attended the SEARF Congress during the meet.

Rowers Rynjie Peñaredondo, Van Maxilom, RJ Acosta and Athens Tolentino also reached the podium with a silver by clocking 6:53.41 in the U23 event while the quartet of Carmela Erquiaga, Julia Letrondo, Aba Abalos and Car Ultra timed 9:22.61 for second place in the U19 race.

Tokyo Olympian Cris Nievarez similarly got a silver in the men’s single sculls and Marco Reyes teamed up with Renoir Reyes in copping a bronze in the junior men’s doubles sculls.

Tammy Sha and Feiza Lenton placed second in the lightweight women’s double sculls while other medalists were Math Jugadora and Marco Reyes (bronze, U19 men’s pair) and Aba Abalos and Car Ultra (bronze, U23 women’s doubles sculls).

Team Philippines wrapped up its campaign in Vietnam with a third-place output in the women’s quadruple sculls courtesy of Tammy Sha, Feiza Lenton, Amelyn Pagulayan and Kristian Paraon and another bronze from Khayzie Caviltes and Ayonna Huerto in the U19 women’s pair.

One more world-caliber race has been scheduled for Paraon before the year ends, which she considers another step to her ultimate goal of rowing in the Olympics.

“It’s the dream of every athlete. But with patience, determination and training, it’s not impossible,’’ said Paraon, emboldened by the Paris Olympics qualification of Joanie Delgaco as the first female Filipino rower in the Games.



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“Ate Joanie is my inspiration,’’ added Paraon. INQ

Tim Cone ‘not satisfied’ until Gilas Pilipinas reaches optimal OQT form

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Gilas Pilipinas’ Justin Brownlee during a game against Chinese Taipei in the Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Gilas Pilipinas’ schedule the past week has been nothing short of frantic, traveling across the Middle East, Europe, and then deep into the Baltics—taking narrow tuneup losses flush on the chin in between.

And yet, the Nationals went straight to practice right after they arrived in Latvia on Sunday (early Monday morning in Manila), putting aside exhaustion and a 10-hour road trip as it continued to prime and plot for the Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Riga.

“This is not supposed to be a fun trip. It’s supposed to be the hardest thing that we will ever do in our basketball lives,” national coach Tim Cone told the Inquirer. “It’s been hectic for us.”

“Hopefully, now that we’re here in Riga, things will normalize for us in the next couple of days and we can catch our breath and focus on the tournament,” he added.

The Filipinos will have at least about three full days to acclimatize in the Latvian capital. By then, the 11-man crew led by Justin Brownlee, June Mar Fajardo and Dwight Ramos will be going through the proverbial eye of the needle once more on July 4.

Gilas Pilipinas will battle host and World No. 6 Latvia and, after just 20 hours, will return to action against No. 23-ranked Georgia in the group phase of one of the four OQTs that will complete the field in the Summer Olympic Games in Paris set later this month.

Punishing schedule

The schedule may seem punishing on paper, but Cone and his charges can draw much from their last seven grueling days, where they traveled to Turkiye and Poland for its test games.

Using that experience, Gilas can also manufacture optimism for the tall tasks against the Latvians and Georgians who will be fielding NBA players in the short meet.

The Philippines, despite having only 11 players, went 1-2 in their test games, winning against club team Taiwan Mustangs (74-64) at home, and then fading late against World No. 24 Turkiye in Istanbul (84-73) and No. 15 Poland in Sosnowiec (82-80).

“I’ve been pleased with our progress in the games. We’re proving to ourselves that we can play with these guys,” Cone said of the Europeans.

“But we can’t be satisfied with ‘getting close,’” he added. “We need to get over the hump and that means more attention to detail.”

Long a student of the game, Cone knows that Gilas can still unlock another dimension of its game just before the OQT tips off.



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“The guys are pushing and I love it. But we still need more.” INQ

Gilas Pilipinas boys lose big anew in Fiba U17 World Cup

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Photo from Fiba

MANILA, Philippines—Gilas Pilipinas Boys still can’t catch a break in the Fiba U17 World Cup.

After absorbing a demoralizing 107-48 loss to Lithuania on Saturday, Gilas swallowed another crushing defeat, this time at the hands of Spain.

Spain made easy work of the Gilas boys, 96-34, in Group A of the tournament at Sinan Erdem Dome in Istanbul, Turkey late Sunday night (Manila time).

Gilas boys get crushed by Lithuania in Fiba U17 World Cup 

The young Nationals never stood a chance after falling, 30-2, in the opening period.

Joaquin Ludovice was the only Gilas player to score in the first frame after making a layup at the 5:17 mark that came following Spain’s 16-0 start.

Gilas, which is missing its best player in Kieffer Alas due to a knee injury, just didn’t have enough firepower to make it a game against powerhouse Spain.

READ: Kieffer Alas out of Gilas boys lineup for Fiba U17 World Cup

Spain dominated the rebounding department, 71-22, and held the Philippines to only 22 percent shooting from the field.

Bonn Daja was the lone double-digit scorer for Gilas with 12 points. He also grabbed five rebounds.

Maximo Garcia-Plata led Spain with a near-triple-double effort, collecting 15 points, seven rebounds and nine assists while Ignacio Campoy posted 13 points and 11 rebounds.

Two more players hit double-digits for Spain with Guillermo Del Pino and Eric Del Castillo scoring 14 and 13 points, respectively.

Gilas looks to end its campaign on a positive note when it faces Puerto Rico on Tuesday.



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Paul George will leave Clippers, Caldwell-Pope to Magic

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Los Angeles Clippers’ Paul George works against the Dallas Mavericks in Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series in Dallas, Friday, April 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Paul George is leaving the Los Angeles Clippers, his now-former team announced Sunday night, with all signs pointing to the nine-time NBA All-Star perhaps returning to the Eastern Conference and joining the Philadelphia 76ers.

George could command more than $200 million over four years if his next contract is for max value.

“Paul has informed us that he is signing his next contract with another team,” the Clippers said in a release Sunday night.

READ: NBA: Clippers sign coach Tyronn Lue to new long-term deal

The team added, “We negotiated for months with Paul and his representative on a contract that would make sense for both sides, and we were left far apart. The gap was significant. We understand and respect Paul’s decision to look elsewhere for his next contract.”

George had a $48.8 million option for this coming season but did not exercise it, entering free agency — which opened Sunday night — instead. It was believed there was a chance that George and the Clippers could have still gotten something done, but the team made clear that those hopes are gone.

“We will miss Paul,” the Clippers said.

At 34, George is still elite — averaging 22.6 points this past season, the ninth consecutive season in which he has averaged at least 20 points per game.

Meanwhile, James Harden is staying with the Clippers on a two-year contract that includes a player option, a person with knowledge of that decision told The Associated Press earlier Sunday.

READ: James Harden set to stay with Clippers as NBA free agency opens

Harden’s deal — which could be worth up to $70 million if he opts into 2025-26 — was agreed upon in principle before free agency technically started, said the person who spoke to AP on condition of anonymity because neither Harden nor the Clippers had announced the agreement.

Harden, a 10-time NBA All-Star, averaged 16.6 points and 8.5 assists last season for the Clippers, who will move into their new Intuit Dome home when this coming season starts.

Elsewhere, veteran guard Chris Paul is going to team up with rookie of the year Victor Wembanyama in San Antonio on a one-year deal, a person with knowledge of that agreement said.

Paul was waived earlier Sunday by the Golden State Warriors, who would have had to pay him $30 million for the coming season otherwise. ESPN reported the Spurs will pay Paul around $11 million. The 39-year-old Paul averaged 9.2 points and 6.8 assists in 58 games with the Warriors last season.

READ: NBA: Chris Paul joining Victor Wembanyana at Spurs

And Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is going to bring his championship experience to the Orlando Magic, a team that made a big jump this past season and now is trying to become an even stronger contender in the East.

Caldwell-Pope — a two-time champion guard — was finalizing a three-year, $66 million deal with the Magic, a person with knowledge of the decision said. The person spoke on condition of anonymity to AP because the deal cannot be finalized until the league’s offseason moratorium is lifted on July 6.

It’s a big get for the rising Magic, who won 47 games — their most in 13 years — and got back to the playoffs this past season. Caldwell-Pope was part of title-winning teams with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020 and the Denver Nuggets in 2023. He averaged 10.1 points for the Nuggets this past season while shooting nearly 41% from 3-point range.

In other moves Sunday:

— Kevin Love was completing a new two-year contract with the Miami Heat worth about $8 million, a person with knowledge of that deal told AP, the move coming one day after he did not opt into what would have been a $4 million contract for this coming season with the club. Love had said repeatedly last season that he has no intentions of leaving Miami.

— Andre Drummond agreed to a two-year contract worth about $10 million (the second year as an option) to join the Philadelphia 76ers, a team that he appeared in 49 games for during the 2021-22 season. Drummond spent the last two seasons in Chicago — he averaged 8.4 points and 9.0 rebounds this past season in only 17 minutes per game — and would be valuable insurance alongside Joel Embiid in the 76ers’ big-man rotation. “I’m in the mood for a Philly cheesesteak,” Drummond posted on social media.

— Obi Toppin is being rewarded nicely for his strong first season with Indiana. A person with knowledge of the agreement said he and the Pacers were finalizing a four-year deal worth nearly $60 million. Toppin averaged a career-best 10.3 points last season, his first with Indiana after three years in New York.

— Promising wing Max Christie is returning to the Los Angeles Lakers with a four-year, $32 million contract, a person with knowledge of the deal told AP. The 21-year-old Christie averaged 3.8 points, 2.0 rebounds and 0.8 assists during his first two NBA seasons.



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— The NBA set the salary cap at at $140.588 million for the 2024-25 season, down slightly — about $400,000 or so — from what teams had been told to expect. The tax level was set at $170.814 million, the first apron level will be $178.132 million, the second apron level will be $188.931 million, the non-taxpayer mid-level is $12.822 million, the taxpayer mid-level is $5.168 million, and the room mid-level is $7.983 million.

Zach Edey withdraws from Canada’s Paris Olympics team

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FILE – Purdue’s Zach Edey (15) shoots over Indiana’s Kel’el Ware during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Jan. 16, 2024, in Bloomington, Ind. Edey is among the headliners of the big men in the upcoming NBA draft.(AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)

MEMPHIS, Tennessee — New Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey announced his decision Sunday to pull his name from consideration to play for Canada in the 2024 Paris Games to focus on his NBA career.

Memphis used the ninth overall selection on the former Purdue center who became the first player in more than 40 years to win The Associated Press’ men’s college basketball player of the year award in back-to-back seasons.

The 7-foot-4 Edey called it a difficult decision not to compete for a spot in the Paris Games. Edey said he’s been training nonstop since last summer to win a national title at Purdue and make it to the NBA.

READ: Warriors blocking Wiggins from playing in Paris Olympics

“I have a duty now to properly prepare for all that is coming my way with being drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies,” Edey said in a statement. “The work I put in this summer on my body and my game is critical for me to be the best version of myself.”

Edey said representing Canada remains a dream and he will be the team’s biggest fan.

Rowan Barrett, general manager of Canada Basketball’s senior men’s program, said they were told recently of Edey’s plan not to be considered for this team. Barrett said they look forward to having him at a future training camp.

“While we were optimistic about having Zach join us in training camp, we understand and support him in this difficult decision,” Barrett said in a statement.

READ: LeBron, Steph Curry ‘excited’ to join forces at Paris Olympics

Edey has to prove how his game translates to the NBA as one of the league’s tallest players this coming season. In 2023-24, only San Antonio’s rookie of the year Victor Wembanyama, Houston’s Boban Marjanovic and Phoenix’s Bol Bol were listed at 7-foot-3 or taller.

This is the latest loss for Canada’s roster for the 2024 Olympics.

Barrett said Friday that Golden State is blocking Andrew Wiggins from competing in Paris, while the Warriors countered it was a mutual decision between the team and Wiggins. Wiggins was among the 20 players who received invitations to camp to determine the Olympic roster.



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Spain rallies to thrash Georgia, reach Euro 2024 quarterfinal

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Spain’s midfielder #08 Fabian Ruiz celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s second goal during the UEFA Euro 2024 round of 16 football match between Spain and Georgia at the Cologne Stadium in Cologne on June 30, 2024. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP)

Rodri, Fabian Ruiz, Nico Williams and Dani Olmo all scored as Spain came from behind to beat surprise packages Georgia 4-1 at Euro 2024 on Sunday and set up a blockbuster quarterfinal against hosts Germany.

Robin Le Normand’s own goal gave Georgia a shock lead in the 18th minute of this last-16 tie to send their noisy supporters wild in Cologne.

It was the first goal Spain had conceded at the competition but they came back to equalise six minutes before the interval courtesy of Manchester City midfielder Rodri.

READ: Ronaldo still Portugal’s main man despite slow start to Euro 2024

Ruiz then headed home in the 51st minute and Williams ran through for the third before substitute Olmo made sure of the win as La Roja stayed on track to become European champions for the fourth time.

“There are things we need to improve and at some points in the game we were not forceful enough, but in general terms we were superior,” said Rodri.

Spain now takes on Germany in the last eight in Stuttgart on Friday in a repeat of the Euro 2008 final, which they won 1-0 to begin their golden era of dominance in international football.

“Germany might be playing at home but we are not afraid. We are here to win, not just to play well or give off a good image,” Rodri added.

Luis de la Fuente’s team is looking to bring back the glory days and they were expected to brush Georgia aside here.

READ: Spain advances to knockout round at Euro 2024, beating Italy

They would have ultimately won by a far greater margin had they converted more of their chances, with 16-year-old winger Lamine Yamal squandering several opportunities in his attempt to become the youngest ever goal-scorer at the Euros.

Georgia is ranked 74th in the world, 66 places below Spain. Willy Sagnol’s team lost twice to Spain in qualifying, going down 7-1 at home and 3-1 away.

Yet they still qualified for a first major tournament and then made it to the knockout stages with a stunning 2-0 win over Portugal. They now go home with their heads held high despite eventually crumbling here.

“I am not saying we are disappointed but we are a bit sad because we lost,” Sagnol said.

“I am sure in some days we will realize exactly what we have done and the happiness will come back very quickly.”

They have a lively attacking partnership between Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Georges Mikautadze that is a danger for any opponent, and Giorgi Mamardashvili has been one of the best goalkeepers at the tournament.

Audacious

Mamardashvili had already saved from Pedri and kept out Dani Carvajal’s glancing header before Georgia went ahead.

The move started with a fine piece of play by Kvaratskhelia on the left, as he picked out a pass for Mikautadze, who then released Otar Kakabadze on the right wing.

Kakabadze’s cross into the box was a horrible one for Le Normand, who had Kvaratskhelia arriving behind him and could not stop the ball rebounding off him and into the net for the eighth own goal of Euro 2024.

Spain was now vulnerable to the counterattack, which is Georgia’s strength, but the men in red continued to dominate the game and kept testing Mamardashvili.

The Valencia shot-stopper made several more interventions in an increasingly wild encounter before the equalizer came, Rodri controlling a Williams pass at the edge of the box and stroking the ball into the corner.

It felt as if that might be that for Georgia, but they remained audacious on the break, with Kvaratskhelia almost scoring from inside his own half at the beginning of the second period, his shot going just wide with goalkeeper Unai Simon out of position.

Spain went ahead shortly after, as Yamal crossed from the right for Ruiz to head in his second goal of the tournament.

Yamal didn’t just miss chances of his own, as he also forced an own goal which was disallowed for offside before Georgia fell apart defensively under increasingly heavy rain.

Ruiz released Williams, who ran from inside his own half, skipped past Giorgi Gvelesiani into the box and fired into the roof of the net to make it 3-1 on 75 minutes.



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A delightful control and finish from the edge of the box by Olmo completed the scoring with seven minutes left.