Meet the competition that is taking cricket to the continent in a big way

Cameron Ponsonby09-Aug-2024″Is it true,” I ask Dan Weston, founder of the European Cricket Network, “that for your showpiece event in Malaga this year, you had five million people watching?””Oh,” replies Weston, “much bigger than that. Maybe 75 million.”The European Cricket Network is everywhere. Across 2023 it held events on 330 days of the year with 1700 amateur matches in 16 countries. ECN games are broadcast in every continent in the world on platforms such as Fox Sports, FanCode and Willow TV. Staggeringly, they claim that more than half of the cricket shown on TV across the globe is from ECN.Related

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“Football never ends,” explains Weston. “And I want to live in a world where cricket never ends too.”The goal is simple, if astronomically ambitious. To make cricket in continental Europe professional.”I want to be one of the pioneers, along with a bunch of us, that say, well let’s invest and do this now,” Weston says. “In the hope that French, Italian, Spanish and German cricketers are professional in the next ten to 20 years. So it’s a long-term, very long-term project.”In May of this year, for the first time, the ECN landed in England. And I played.

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The ECN was founded in 2019 but its roots go back another couple of years, when Weston, originally from Australia, who moved to Germany as a 23-year-old, walked off the pitch after playing for the German national team.A Denmark vs Sweden game in the European Cricket Championship in Cartama, Spain, last year•Diana Oros/European Cricket Network”We won against Sweden one night and there was a [player’s] brother there, and he did a Facebook Live, filming us walk off the field,” Weston told ABC News in 2022. “I thought, ‘Oh, that’s really interesting.’ He got a few thousand views of that, and I thought, ‘Who is watching the German cricket team walk off the field?”’The next time Germany played, Weston recorded it and German Cricket TV, a Facebook page posting clips from club cricket and from the national team, was born. Hundreds of thousands of views arrived in the first week as expats across the country realised that the game of their original homelands was also available in their new home. In the space of the next 18 months, according to Weston, Germany’s 60 cricket clubs went from having roughly 90 teams between them to 370.The next leap came when, thanks to the success of German Cricket TV, Weston was asked to help broadcast an ice cricket event held in St Moritz. There he met Roger Feiner, the former head of broadcasting for FIFA, who was looking for a new adventure.”I met a very inspiring and convincing person in Daniel,” Feiner, now CEO of the European Cricket Network, says. The potential for cricket in Europe was, in Feiner’s opinion, clear, and so he roped in two friends, Thomas Klooz and Frank Leenders, both of whom had helped found the UEFA Champions League, and the four haven’t looked back since.The European Cricket Network’s four series

The European Cricket League, in effect designed to be a Champions League-style event, a showpiece in which club teams from across the continent qualify, or are invited, to participate once a year.

European Cricket Internationals, where national teams play each other on weekends throughout the year.

The European Cricket Championship, the “Euros of cricket”, sees national teams come together to play in a tournament.

The European Cricket Series, a set of one-off club tournaments held across the continent, involving sides local to whichever area the event is being held in. The events normally last one or two weeks and are the bedrock of ECN. Of the 1700 matches ECN hosts a year, over 1000 are in the ECS.

While a private enterprise, the ECN fully operates under the ICC and each of their events is sanctioned by the body. “It was just so glaringly obvious to me that to make this work and to make the whole thing actually function well, you have to do everything under the ICC, and you have everything under the host federation,” Weston says.To date, the ECN has paid over €2m in hosting fees to European cricket federations. The ECB will have received a fee for the tournament in England.When nations receive non-ICC funding, they go higher in the official ICC good books and then become eligible for even more ICC funding. “All boats should rise,” Weston says.It is both new age and old at once. New in the use of streaming and its broadcasting of amateur cricket. But old in that it predominantly relies on club cricket as the vehicle of growth, and it operates alongside the existing federations.”I’m a big believer in the club system,” says Weston. “Across Europe, it’s clubs that get access to venues. We want to grow the game in Europe as fast as we can. And that doesn’t happen overnight or by flying mercenaries to play franchise cricket in Spain.”

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The ECN wasn’t meant to come to England. The calendar is planned a year in advance, so Wimbledon CC’s request to host an event after they had participated in the showpiece tournament in Malaga earlier this year (for which they qualified by winning England’s National T20 club competition) was politely turned down. But when Corfu pulled out as a venue and participant because teams couldn’t be raised during the high season of tourism, Wimbledon stepped in.Dan Weston, the guiding force behind the ECN, at the Weston Shield tournament, named after him; the first edition was played in Santarem, Portugal, in April this year•Diana Oros/European Cricket NetworkWeston is courteous if not enthusiastic about what the tournament landing in England means. “It’s great,” he says. But the ECN is about growing cricket across the continent, so the one nation where it is already widely played is a nice-to-have rather than a must-have. “It’s validation that we’re not cowboys,” he says, “but by the same token, we’re [already] working with 35 different countries around Europe.”Corfu’s loss was Raynes Park Sports Ground’s gain. And on a chilly and grey May morning, at 9.45 on the dot, Spencer, my team from south-west London, and Tunbridge Wells CCs walked out to play the first ever European Cricket League match in England.Played in T10 format, matches take roughly an hour and a half each to complete, with five games played in a day. Five clubs – Wimbledon, Hornchurch and Twickenham in addition to the two above – played on the first four days, with the top three qualifying for finals on the Friday, when the NCCA (National Counties Cricket Association, formerly the Minor Counties) side would arrive and compete in the finals.I was available only for the first day, before a flight to Dallas for the T20 World Cup took precedence. Spencer would go on to finish as runners-up. Given we lost both matches I played in on day one, and the third was rained off, Spencer’s upturn in fortunes following my departure is purely coincidental and will not be investigated in this article.First and foremost, playing in the ECN is fun. Weston talks of the power of broadcasting and social media. He says that part of the allure is a kid looking at the TV and seeing their dad having a game, and for that he’s a hero. It doesn’t matter if it’s Kylian Mbappe or a father in their 40s, you want to be what you can see, and ECN’s commitment to broadcasting is part of their dream to inspire a new generation of cricketers on the continent.Drops of golden sun: a European Cricket Series game in Seebarn, Austria, in the spring of 2023•Diana Oros/European Cricket NetworkThe novelty of the event makes for dopamine rushes around every corner. You arrive at the ground and there are beer tents and chairs out for spectators. Realistically, there were never more than a few dozen at any one time. Hornchurch CC brought a strong following but for the most part the weather didn’t play ball.Camera gantries are set up on either side of the ground, and a commentators’ tent. In all, there are five cameras. A manned one at each end to track play, two that are fixed square of the wicket for replays and alternative angles, and a fifth that captures miscellaneous footage. It is a professional operation.Upon arrival in the Player and Match Officials Areas, you hand in your phone and any electronic device that can be used for communication. This event is being broadcast around the world and will be bet on, a lot. For all the fun and growth of the game that European Cricket is responsible for, the scale of betting and the potential for corruption that accompanies every event is a heavy asterisk. We’ve been warned, officially and otherwise, that people may contact us. And they do.But for now, it’s about preparing for game No. 1. As it is being broadcast and bet on, everyone must have a unique squad number. And my 23 (chosen because of my childhood front door, as opposed to any affiliation with Michael Jordan) won’t do because a friend also has 23. And since he arrived at the ground before I did, it’s deemed he gets to keep his and I have to change. Fortunately, with the aid of some gaffer tape, determination and imagination, my 23 is turned into a 28 and we’re away.At an ECS game in Wimbledon earlier this year, tape is cunningly used to make the number on the back of the author’s shirt suitable•Diana Oros/European Cricket NetworkThe organisation and efficiency of the event is remarkable. Captains film the toss 75 minutes before the start of play; you’re counted down, so you know when to take the field; at the loss of a wicket, the next batter has 90 seconds to be ready to face, and the organisers will let them know in no uncertain terms if they’re being too slow. Headshots, both individual and team snaps, are taken for your online profile. Umpires, hired from the local leagues, have talkback with the production tent; they keep the match on schedule and inform the scorers of bowling changes and confirm catch-takers. There is no DRS but there are TV reviews for run-outs, stumpings and boundary checks. The umpires, just like us, are enjoying the novelty of it all. At one point we have a run-out appeal sent upstairs. The umpire says that he thinks it was not out, and when proven correct, allows himself a fist pump.Batting first, we make 126 in our ten overs and have no idea if it’s a good score. It is not. Tunbridge Wells chase it in 8.4 overs without losing a wicket. My sole over goes for 15; my round-the-wicket offspin is cut and reverse-swept for two fours and a six.There has been no healthier checking of the male club cricketing ego than the increase in matches being streamed. Watching myself bowl in HD for the first time confirmed something I had long suspected but had never had proof of until now. That I am terrible.The standard on show is, in fact, varied. The ECN is best known for viral clips of terrible cricket that traffic in moments of comedy, but often the standard of play is more than competent and sometimes very strong. Our XI on Monday is made up of a core of first XI players, along with a batch of guys from the seconds and thirds. Our overseas professional is playing, so too is Wimbledon’s, who ropes in his brother, meaning, when we play each other there are three current first-class cricketers on the pitch. One of Tunbridge Wells’ openers was playing second XI county cricket last year, and the NCCA team is made up exclusively of current minor county players. So there are plenty of moments when genuinely good cricket is being played, but there are also plenty of moments when it’s not.A women’s T20I in Krefeld, Germany in 2021, where the hosts faced off against France. Though nearly all ECB games are T10s, ECN also broadcasts a few lower-level T20Is•Andrew Schou/European Cricket Network”I reckon someone’s going to hit six sixes this week,” said one of our players before a ball of the competition had been bowled. And it turned out to be him.Admittedly the boundaries in the ECN are tiny, measuring 50 metres from the centre of the pitch all the way around. This results in some comically mistimed sixes, but it’s a great leveller that allows weaker players to keep up the scoring rate, which, as a result, keeps matches closer.Even over the course of the day, let alone of the week, the idea that it is merely a hit and giggle, where anyone could win, is wide of the mark. Sure, there’s increased variance and a one-off lottery aspect once a team is in the finals, but the best team is never going to finish bottom of the group stage and the worst team is never going to win it.As a format, it wouldn’t satisfy you if you played just one game. But across a day, or in a multi-day festival format such as this, it’s great. Every over you bowl is important and has a tangible impact on the match – a feeling that is rare across a season of Saturdays but a common occurrence in T10. In our final match of day one, with Twickenham needing 24 off 18 balls to win, but eight wickets down, my over starts with a single and a dot. Twenty-three needed off 16.”Ponsonby, hasn’t he bowled well at the right times?” says commentator No. 1.”Yep, Cameron’s bowled well,” agrees commentator No. 2. “He’s been making the most of that angle across.”Six.What we do in the shadows: an ECS game in Zagreb, Croatia, in 2022•Diana Oros/European Cricket NetworkSeventeen required off 15. And we’d go on to lose. Of the many unique aspects to participating in the European Cricket Series, the ability to relive trauma should be packaged as one of the key selling points of the fact that it is televised. I finish the day with figures of 3-0-36-1.

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Also unique, for an amateur player, is the presence of gambling. Upon walking off after the first match of the day and being reunited with my phone, I opened it to a new Instagram follower and a DM request: “Hello sir, I want to discuss something with you. Can you message back.”Team-mates received other, less discreet, messages. “Hello buddy, are you interested in vip fixed. It’s 100% fixed match. No chance to lose,” said one.”Hello brother, I need some clue about Spencer cricket club, can you help me?” said another.”The three main challenges for European cricket,” explains the head of anti-corruption at ECN, who did not want to be named, “are not too dissimilar to cricket across the world. Regulated betting markets, unregulated betting markets, and fantasy cricket.”Regulated and unregulated markets present similar issues. For one, the presence of “spotters” at grounds. Bookmakers, of the legal or illegal variety, will send someone to an event to report back in real time what is happening so they can set their prices accordingly. On the first day at Raynes Park, three spotters were kicked out. Often easily identifiable, a spotter will usually be talking continuously into a phone or into their jacket, where a communication device is being kept out of sight. Spotters are present all over sport. Only last year, at the women’s ODI between England and Australia in Bristol, two spotters were kicked out.A game in the Weston Shield in Portugal in April 2024•Diana Oros/European Cricket NetworkFantasy cricket presents a different problem. For instance, you pick a fantasy team for the competition in the UK, choosing me as a star allrounder who is expected to open the batting and bowling. In theory you’re getting loads of points as I’m playing loads of cricket. But if I actually bat at six and don’t bowl, you’re not getting any value for your purchase, while the person I tipped off that I’m not playing is quids in, as they didn’t pick me.Dealing with corruption is not new for the ECN. In 2020 a team was suspended for suspicious behaviour, and last September three players were charged with corruption offences. The ECN applies the exact same anti-corruption code as the ICC.”This is a strange moment where the lower level of cricket is being done in a huge promotional way that does attract some bad actors,” Weston explains. “But if you look at what we’re doing internally and externally, I think we’re probably managing our product better than anyone else on earth, apart from the ICC, when it comes to protecting the game.”On the one hand, it is inevitable. There are 1700 matches being played a year and corruption is present in all forms of cricket. But on the other, the league’s nature creates a fertile environment for people to make approaches and for players to be tempted to accept them.Wandsworth’s finest: players from London’s Spencer Cricket Club at an ECS game in the Wimbledon tournament from earlier this summer•Diana Oros/European Cricket NetworkUnder normal circumstances, you have professional players playing in a professional environment, or amateur players playing in an amateur environment. But European cricket is amateur players operating in a professional environment. There are many eyeballs on the matches and therefore there is money. Add in that on the continent, many of the players are immigrants or refugees of South-Asian descent who moved due to difficult socio-economic circumstances, and you have an uncomfortable combination of lots of money being on the line and a vulnerable player base where an easy buck for bowling a wide, or giving a bit of information, seems a victimless crime and an attractive option.”The education of players is getting better,” says the head of anti-corruption. “But we still see incidents of corruption. I take no pleasure in suspending or banning a player who’s been exploited. Because they’ve got a problem, so let’s help fix it. But I have no sympathy for the ones who are greedy.””In the early days it was really gut-wrenching,” Weston says. “Because I never thought that going into this was going to create betting markets and bookmakers. So for a long time I tried to fight it and stop it – and we still do but with higher-qualified methods.”It was like, come on, we’re trying to grow the game in this country and there’s all this betting going on. So what we do is, like any other sports federation, we sell our data to an official partner. Because if you don’t make it official, then it’s unofficial and going to happen anyway. We also put in place participant education and cutting-edge integrity systems both at the venue and digitally away from the venue.” Anti-corruption videos that the ICC uses are sent to participants beforehand. Ahead of the more high-profile events, meetings with players are held and a presentation given.When I tell the ECN’s anti-corruption head about my Instagram message, something I did the next day when interviewing him, he gently reminds me that technically, by not reporting it at the time, I’m in breach of the ICC’s anti-corruption code.Roll up, roll up: ECN claims more than half the cricket telecast on TV worldwide is their games•European Cricket NetworkHe welcomes the scrutiny. He previously worked in law enforcement and also for the ICC in anti-corruption.”I think the work that we do as our integrity unit is really good,” he says. “We go on the offensive, you know, going after players and after the fixes as well. But also the defensive side, as the prevention is better than the cure. I’d rather educate the players.”

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Ultimately, and perhaps somewhat naïvely, I think that the European Cricket Network is fundamentally a force for good.Undoubtedly elements of the competition’s relationship with betting make my skin itch. Namely, the shape of their commercial partnerships with gambling and fantasy sports companies. Fantasy cricket is a source of corruption issues and an avenue for vulnerable players to be exploited. Yet as recently as last year, Dream11, India’s largest fantasy sports platform, was the title partner of the European Cricket Championship.However, my sympathy is at its strongest for ECN in that there is every chance they are the first responders to a problem that could soon impact recreational cricket as a whole. Club cricket across the world is increasingly being streamed by single-camera set-ups. Matches with single-camera streams, the ECN’s anti-corruption head says, used by 99.9% of club games that are recorded, are the most susceptible to manipulation: “If it’s live-streamed, people will be betting on it,” he says simply. So rather than scoff at the ECN as a dodgy league, their having to deal with amateur cricketers, who for the first time in history are being targeted by rogue agents, could turn out to be as much a case for education as for condemnation.Catch as catch can: a rough outfield is no problem for an enthusiastic fielder in a game in Brescia, Italy•Diana Oros/European Cricket NetworkOverall the ECN is harnessing the growth of the game in a way that no one else has and that is a good thing. It is easy to roll your eyes at the idea of making cricket professional in France in 20 years, but where’s the harm in trying? The world changes when people move. And in the present day people are moving by the millions. Great Britain took cricket around the Commonwealth. And now people from former Commonwealth nations are taking it elsewhere. The success of cricket in Europe rests on the oldest method of information transfer and the newest: migration and social media.”I might be in Bulgaria,” Weston concludes, “And I’m in a taxi or go to an Indian restaurant, and you mention cricket and you see their faces light up because they’ve never spoken to anyone about cricket in the ten years they have lived in Bulgaria.”And then you say, well there’s cricket in Bulgaria, and you can show them, and then because of the magic of social media, they end up joining a club or finding a team.”This is really a passion project that has gotten out of hand. Once I realised I would be living in Germany long term, I didn’t want to live in a region where there’s no cricket. Thanks to meeting great, passionate and committed people, we have been able to start promoting the game at scale in the past five years. And in the long term, the current group of European cricketers has a chance to grow the game for this and the next generation, and if we live in a world where cricket exists and it’s professional, then that’s a great legacy for us.”Like, yeah, those guys [who are betting on matches] do add to the pressures of growing cricket for good, but we care hugely about integrity and anti-corruption. But the majority of players who play on the ECN have had the best day of their cricket life. The good outweighs the bad. The positive stuff is actually so much stronger than the negative aspects of what we’re doing.”And on that I agree. European Cricket was great fun. I loved playing in it and I hope it succeeds. And if Corfu can’t host an event again next year, I look forward to heading down to Raynes Park next May to do it all over again.

Newcastle United are now in pole position to sign an impressive central defender ahead of Serie A giants Juventus, according to recent reports.

Newcastle "playing the atmosphere" vs Sunderland, says Howe

It doesn’t get bigger than the Tyne-Wear derby this weekend. Newcastle are set to travel to face Sunderland in the Premier League for the first time since 2016 and they’ll be looking to ground the high-flying Black Cats in statement fashion.

The goals have finally returned for Eddie Howe’s side in recent weeks, but they’ve remained fragile in the other direction – conceding a late equaliser against Bayer Leverkusen in midweek. In any derby, however, form goes out the window. Instead, Howe admitted that his side will be “playing the atmosphere”.

As if the Magpies needed any extra motivation, they have the chance to move above Sunderland and potentially into the top six if they secure victory and other results go their way. It could be the perfect turning point for their Premier League campaign.

Defeat, meanwhile, would once again expose just how much work Newcastle have got to do in the January transfer window, whether it’s welcoming a midfield star or turning towards Sassuolo defender Tarik Muharemovic.

Newcastle leading race to sign Tarik Muharemovic

According to TeamTalk, Newcastle are now in pole position to sign Muharemovic ahead of Juventus in 2026. The central defender has consistently impressed in Italy this season and has been closely monitored by scouts from both St James’ Park and the San Siro, courtesy of Inter Milan.

Standing at 6’2, Muharemovic could provide Howe with a replacement for the injury-prone Sven Botman alongside Malick Thiaw, who has thrived since arriving in the summer.

Minutes

990

993

Progressive Passes

36

50

Tackles Won

8

10

Ball Recoveries

35

45

At 22 years old, the Sassuolo star is yet to reach the peak of his powers and Newcastle have the chance to swoop in early to land what would be an impressive addition.

Dubbed an “excellent left-footed centre-back” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Muharemovic seems to have the world at his feet ahead of 2026. Both Juventus and Inter are chasing his signature, but the Premier League could be awaiting.

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Following the success of Thiaw, it’s also no surprise that Newcastle decided to send their scouts back to Serie A and towards the Sassuolo man in an attempt to repeat their transfer genius.

Howe's "diamond" looks like another Guimaraes in the making at Newcastle

Glasgow Rangers are all but out of the Europa League for the 2025/26 campaign after they lost for the sixth time in seven games against Ferencvaros on Thursday night.

The Gers, who took the lead through a brilliant Bojan Miovski goal, are six points adrift of the play-off places with two games left to play, which means that it would take a remarkable run of results throughout the league phase for them to remain in the tournament.

Too many of the club’s summer signings have failed to deliver on the European stage for any of their managers this season, including Djeidi Gassama.

Why Djeidi Gassama must be dropped

The summer signing from Sheffield Wednesday looked visibly upset at being taken off in the 59th minute by Danny Rohl against Ferencvaros, but it was a decision that was completely justified.

Gassama, who started on the left flank, had zero shots on goal and did not create a single chance for his teammates, per Sofascore, in almost an hour on the park before being substituted by the German boss.

Findlay Curtis came on seven minutes later and produced one shot on target and one ‘big chance’ created, per Sofascore, which suggests that he may have more to offer the team at the top end of the pitch at this moment in time.

That is why Gassama should be dropped from the starting line-up, after his poor display, to provide Curtis with an opportunity to start on the left wing.

The Frenchman is not the only Rangers flop who should be dropped from the team, though, as Emmanuel Fernandez should drop out after his dismal showing.

Why Rangers must drop Emmanuel Fernandez

The summer signing from Peterborough United has been given a run of games due to John Souttar and Derek Cornelius’ injuries, starting the last six games in all competitions.

However, Dujon Sterling made his long-awaited comeback off the bench against Ferencvaros, which means that Rohl now has a senior centre-back option to replace him with.

With Sterling available to come in, Fernandez should be dropped from the team after his poor performance against Ferencvaros, which left pundit Ally McCoist speechless.

As you can hear in the clip above, McCoist did not know what to say after the English-born defender was caught facing the wrong way for the home side’s winning goal.

Remarkably, Fernandez did not seem to react at all to Varga making the run straight at him until it was far too late, which is why he was even worse than Gassama on Thursday, as his error ultimately cost Rangers the game, whilst the winger merely had a quiet night.

Vs Ferencvaros	Fernandez
Minutes	90
Tackles won	0/3
Interceptions	1
Clearances	6
Fouls	2
Ground duels won	5/10
Aerial duels won	4/9
Stats via Sofascore

The Rangers flop, as shown in the statistics above, lost half of his ground duels and the majority of his aerial duels on the night, which shows that his error for the second goal was not the only thing not to like about his performance.

Unfortunately, the former League One star’s struggles against Ferencvaros on Thursday night were not an isolated incident, as he also struggled against Dundee United earlier this month.

In the 2-2 draw with Dundee United, per Sofascore, the centre-back lost five of his 11 aerial duels and three of his eight ground duels, whilst he also got caught out for the opening goal in that game.

Fernandez got sucked in on the half-way line and was never able to recover to prevent Zac Sapsford from putting Dundee United 1-0 up in the match, as his lack of mobility cost him.

Among other things, it was also a lack of mobility that cost the defender against Ferencvaros as he was far too slow to turn and react to the danger of Varga’s run, which meant that he did not even compete for the header that eventually won the game for the hosts.

With his recent errors in mind, Rohl should ruthlessly drop Fernandez from the starting line-up against Hibernian at Ibrox on Monday night, and bring Sterling in for his first start of the campaign.

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Aston Villa could make a move for an “excellent” striker in 2026, amid Ollie Watkins’ struggles to make an impact.

Villa lay down marker with victory over Arsenal

Villa secured their seventh win on the spin in all competitions on Saturday, courtesy of a 2-1 victory against Premier League leaders Arsenal, which came in dramatic fashion, with Emiliano Buendia firing home a late winner to send Villa Park into raptures.

Unai Emery was delighted with the result, despite also making it clear his side must keep their feet on the ground, saying: “Today we must be happy, the supporters, Aston Villa fans and ourselves because we did the job we needed.

“Of course, we got three points and we are, in the Premier League, the most difficult league in the world, more or less, now feeling strong and feeling comfortable.

“But this is a race for 38 matches and we are on 15.”

It is difficult not to get too carried away, with the Villans now just three points behind Arsenal, but Watkins may need to get back to his best if Emery’s side are going to make a serious push for the Premier League title.

The Englishman has scored just three goals in 15 league outings, and Aston Villa are now lining up a move for a new striker in 2026, with a report from Tuttosport (via FC Inter News) revealing they could launch an attack to sign Bologna’s Santiago Castro next summer.

Nottingham Forest are also in the race for the centre-forward, and a deal could be on the expensive side, with the Italian club potentially set to demand €40m – €50m (£35m – £44m) for his services.

Ideally, Bologna would like to keep hold of the 21-year-old, and they are planning to offer him a bumper new contract in the coming weeks, in order to ward off the interest from elsewhere.

Emery's a fan: Aston Villa willing to make mega-money bid for £52m "baller"

The Villans are lining up a winter move for a new midfielder.

ByDominic Lund Dec 7, 2025 Castro could be "excellent" addition to Villa's attack

Donyell Malen has proven himself as a solid option at striker this season, scoring seven goals in all competitions, but Villa may still have room to bring in another centre-forward, given that the Dutchman regularly features out wide.

Castro has proven he could be a viable target with some of his displays this season too, having scored five goals in all competitions, two more than Watkins, while he also showcased his ability to create chances last term, leading to high praise from scout Jacek Kulig.

The Argentinian hasn’t been prolific since moving to Bologna, chipping in with 16 goals and 10 assists in 71 outings, but he is still very young, having only turned 21 in September, and Villa should continue to monitor his performances between now and next summer.

حسم التعادل السلبي نتيجة المواجهة القوية التي جمعت بين الجزائر والسودان، ضمن منافسات الجولة الأولى للمجموعة الرابعة في بطولة كأس العرب 2025 المقامة في دولة قطر، في مباراة اتسمت بالندية والإثارة على مدار شوطيها.

ودخل المنتخبان اللقاء برغبة واضحة في تحقيق انطلاقة قوية بالبطولة، حيث تبادلا السيطرة خلال الشوط الأول، مع محاولات هجومية خجولة لم تُترجم إلى أهداف، وتألق حارس المنتخب السوداني منجد النيل الذي كان العامل الأبرز في الحفاظ على نظافة شباكه بعدما تصدى لأكثر من محاولة جزائرية خطيرة.

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ومع نهاية الشوط الأول، شهدت المباراة لحظة مفصلية حين أشهر الحكم المصري أمين عمر البطاقة الصفراء الثانية ثم الحمراء في وجه لاعب المنتخب الجزائري آدم وناس بعد تدخل قوي، ليُكمل “الخضر” اللقاء بعشرة لاعبين، وهو ما أثّر على الأداء الهجومي للمنتخب في النصف الثاني من المباراة. طرد آدم وناس خلال في مباراة الجزائر والسودان بـ كأس العرب

واستغل منتخب السودان النقص العددي في صفوف الجزائر، وبدأ في فرض سيطرة أكبر على وسط الملعب، مع ارتفاع معدل الاستحواذ ومحاولات متكررة لتهديد مرمى الخصم، ورغم تلك الأفضلية، إلا أن الدفاع الجزائري ظهر متماسكًا ونجح في احتواء الهجمات السودانية، لتنتهي المباراة بالتعادل السلبي.

ويأتي التعادل ليمنح كل من الجزائر والسودان نقطة واحدة في بداية مشوارهما بالبطولة، في انتظار المواجهة المرتقبة بين العراق والبحرين المقرر انطلاقها بعد قليل ضمن الجولة الأولى من المجموعة ذاتها، والتي قد تعيد ترتيب الحسابات مبكرًا.

Everton are now reportedly racing to sign a La Liga star ahead of both Leeds United and Juventus in the January transfer window.

Everton join race to sign Conor Gallagher

La Liga seems to be where it’s at for Everton ahead of the January transfer window, with reports now claiming that they’ve joined the race to sign Conor Gallagher.

The Ateltico Madrid midfielder has put the Premier League on high alert as he looks to leave the Spanish club this winter, and Everton could yet secure his signature.

A move for the England international would highlight the progress that the Toffees have made since moving into the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Currently sat 10th, David Moyes’ side are just three points off Chelsea in fourth and there’s every chance that they could push for a shock European place if their current form continues.

It’s worth noting that Gallagher’s not the only one on Friedkin’s radar ahead of January, either. The Toffees are in search of reinforcements across the pitch, perhaps starting with their frontline.

Whilst Thierno Barry is beginning to show glimpses of his quality, he remains without a goal after securing a £27m move from Villarreal in the summer. As such, Everton have reportedly set their sights on signing Franculino Dju ahead of Bayern Munuch.

Then comes the task of adding to Moyes’ backline and that has reportedly seen club chiefs turn their focus towards welcoming impressive Real Betis centre-back Natan.

Everton join race to sign Natan

As reported in Spain, Everton are now ready to compete in the race to sign Natan against both Leeds United and Juventus. The Real Betis defender has impressed in La Liga this season and is set to cost any potential suitor around €40m (£35m) in the January transfer window.

Dubbed a “physical” centre-back by Como scout Ben Mattinson, the South American has already played in Italy with Napoli and Spain with Real Betis. Now, a Premier League move could be calling, as Everton and Leeds do battle for his signature.

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Standing at 6’2, the 24-year-old would certainly fit the part at Everton, who have a number of aerial dominators in Moyes’ backline as it is. There’s every chance that Natan would receive the game time that he’s after, too, given that Jarrad Branthwaite continues to struggle with injuries.

If the Toffees are to push into the European places this season then further investment will be the key. Whether it’s Natan, Gallagher or Dju in January, Friedkin would be wise to repeat their summer work and add quality in depth to Moyes’ side this winter.

Everton eyeing up move to sign former-Liverpool star who's been "fantastic"

Liverpool have now received the green light to make their move for a defensive reinforcement in the January transfer window, according to reports.

Slot: Teams "think they can get a result" against Liverpool

It wasn’t a disaster at Anfield as Liverpool came from behind to rescue a draw against Sunderland, but it was hardly an inspiring performance from the Premier League champions yet again.

Despite breaking their transfer record to sign Alexander Isak in the summer, the Swede was back to his subdued ways just days after netting his first Premier League goal for the club against West Ham United. And whilst Florian Wirtz at least played a part in the equaliser and looked bright throughout, Liverpool’s attack was a far cry from their scintillating best of past campaigns.

What should concern Arne Slot the most is his own admission that teams now believe they can “get a result” against his Liverpool side. That should never be the case at the home of the champions, but the Dutchman also denied that Anfield’s fear factor has evaporated this season.

He told reporters: “No, not Anfield. For sure. But it’s clear that teams that play us now think they can get a result. Not only think, because that has been shown this season.

“And even in the games we’ve won, they also fuelled the confidence for other teams like, ‘Hmm, something is possible’ because the wins we had at the beginning of the season weren’t easy ones as well.”

The only positive for Slot to take from the Sunderland game is that his side, whilst found wanting in attack, were harder to break down defensively. With fixtures coming thick and fast, that defensive foundation will be important but so will any depth that Liverpool add in that area in January, especially if they sign Joel Ordonez.

Liverpool receive green light to make Ordonez move

As reported by TeamTalk, Liverpool have received a green light to make their move for Ordonez after maintaining contact with the defender’s camp. Racing alongside Tottenham Hotspur in pursuit of the Club Brugge defender, the Reds could land an ideal alternative for Marc Guehi.

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Despite reportedly reopening talks to sign the Crystal Palace man, Liverpool may be forced to wait until next summer when his contract expires to secure his signature. If that does prove to be the case, then those at Anfield should turn to Ordonez.

Although Como scout Ben Mattinson aired caution around Ordonez’s “aggressive” nature last year, it’s the exact trait that Liverpool have been lacking this season. The Reds have been physically outmatched and the arrival of the 21-year-old would go a long way towards solving that problem.

Jamie Carragher slams £280k-p/w Liverpool star who had no "excuses" vs Sunderland

MatériaMais Notícias

O atacante Aylon, do Ceará, deixou o clube após o encerramento de seu contrato. O destino do jogador de 33 anos é o Operário-PR, rival dos cearenses na Série B do Campeonato Brasileiro.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasCearáCeará volta a buscar treinador após mais de um anoCeará11/12/2025Futebol NacionalCeará e Fortaleza voltarão a se encontrar na Série B após 17 anosFutebol Nacional11/12/2025CearáCeará negocia com técnico campeão da Série B; veja maisCeará12/12/2025

➡️ Tudo sobre o Vovô agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Ceará

Aylon chegou no Ceará em 2024 e exerceu um importante papel no acesso à Série A. Foram 53 jogos em tal temporada, com 14 gols e três assistências.

Tendo um menor tempo de jogo em 2025, o atleta passou a ser utilizado como reserva de Pedro Raul, titular incontestável no ataque. Aylon atuou 39 vezes no ano, somando cinco tentos. Além do acesso à Série A, o atacante obteve dois títulos estaduais na passagem.

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➡️ Quando começa a Série B de 2026? Veja participantes

O Operário, novo clube de Aylon, foi o 12º colocado na última Série B, com 48 pontos. O contrato do jogador é válido até novembro de 2027.

— O Operário é um time que dispensa apresentações, sempre ouvi muito bem com relação à estrutura, ambiente e a cidade. Estou muito empolgado nesse novo capítulo da minha carreira – afirmou ao site oficial do Fantasma.

➡️ Ceará volta a buscar treinador após mais de um ano

Ceará volta a buscar treinador

A passagem de Léo Condé no Ceará durou 83 jogos. Foram 37 vitórias, 17 empates e 29 derrotas, com 103 gols marcados e 78 sofridos.

O clube já busca um novo técnico, que terá a missão de comandar o Vovô no Campeonato Cearense, na Copa do Nordeste, na Copa do Brasil e na Série B. A ideia é definir um nome antes da reapresentação do elenco, marcada para o dia 26 de dezembro.

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BrasileirãoCearáFutebol Nacionaloperário-PRSérie B

Two-fors from Heather Graham and Linsey Smith restricted Perth to 137, which Hurricanes chased down with eight wickets to spare

AAP13-Dec-2025

Hobart Hurricanes won their maiden WBBL title•Getty Images

Hobart Hurricanes won their maiden WBBL title with a comprehensive win over Perth Scorchers, thanks to an unbeaten 77 off 44 balls by Lizelle Lee.Hurricanes, who topped the table at the end of the regular season, grassed half a dozen chances in the field but were still able to restrict their opposition to 137 for 5.Lee then turned on the fireworks in the chase as her side reeled off the target with eight wickets in hand and 30 balls to spare on Saturday night in front of a delighted home crowd. Hurricanes’ first trophy in the 11th edition of the WBBL came after their male counterparts broke through to win the BBL crown last season.Lee whacked three consecutive boundaries in the opening over, which included a drop that was parried across the rope. In scenes reminiscent of Mitchell Owen’s stunning hundred for Hurricanes in the January BBL decider, Lee turned up the heat and finished with 10 fours and four sixes.Lee’s knock was the highest score in a WBBL final and her best score of the season. She shared a 77-run partnership with Nat Sciver-Brunt (35 to 27) to iron out the majority of the chase.Scorchers legspinner Alana King, who was in good form heading into the contest, copped some punishment and went for 0 for 25 off two overs.Earlier, Scorchers won the bat flip and opted to bat but struggled to get their innings going, despite Hurricanes missing chances in the field. In-form opener Beth Mooney (33 from 26) was dropped three times in the powerplay before being bowled by Heather Graham in the 11th over. Graham (2-26) also picked up the big scalp of Scorchers’ skipper Sophie Devine.New Zealand international Devine, who was dropped on 27, was circumspect early but came to life with two sixes, before getting stumped in the 17th over. Hobart’s English spinner Linsey Smith bowled just two overs but finished with a valuable 2 for 8.Hurricanes had earned a direct passage to the final after ending the season atop the table, while Scorchers, who were gunning for their second title, won two finals games to qualify. On the big day, Scorchers came up short while Hurricanes cruised home.

Shai Hope and Tagenarine Chanderpaul scored fifties, but no other batter made a big contribution as West Indies fell 64 behind in the first-innings exchanges

Hemant Brar03-Dec-2025Jacob Duffy’s maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket gave New Zealand the upper hand on the second day of the first Test against West Indies in Christchurch. Matt Henry also chipped in with a three-for as West Indies folded for 167 in response to New Zealand’s first-innings total of 231. This despite New Zealand dropping four catches, three of those off Henry, and giving away 28 extras. For West Indies, Shai Hope and Tagenarine Chanderpaul scored half-centuries but only two others reached double-digits. At stumps, New Zealand were 32 for no loss in their second innings, extending their lead to 96.In the morning, West Indies needed only three balls to take the last New Zealand wicket, Zak Foulkes edging Jayden Seales down the leg side. But they themselves lost an early wicket as Foulkes struck with the first ball of the second over. Bowling around the wicket, he induced an outside edge from John Campbell, and Will Young took the catch diving to his left at third slip.However, a few overs later, Young dropped a much easier chance when Henry got Alick Athanaze to edge one. Henry wasn’t to be denied for long, though. In his next over, he got the ball to jag back in from around the wicket to make a mess of Athanaze’s stumps. All this while, the scoreboard moved at a snail’s pace. After 12 overs, West Indies were 10 for 2.Shai Hope batted in sunglasses because of an eye infection, and scored a half-century•AFP/Getty ImagesHope and Chanderpaul, though, hung around without worrying about the scoring rate. The first boundary of West Indies’ innings came in the 23rd over when Hope, batting in sunglasses because of an eye infection, drove Duffy through the covers. In the next over, he drove Nathan Smith through mid-on for another boundary.Chanderpaul, meanwhile, enjoyed his luck. He was dropped twice, on 5 and 24, both times by Devon Conway at leg slip, first off the bowling of Smith and then Henry.Hope brought up his fifty after lunch. With Chanderpaul also looking comfortable, New Zealand were forced to change their plan. Duffy went short against Hope and had him hopping around. Once a short leg was deployed, Hope’s problems increased. Eventually, he ended up gloving a short ball from around the wicket to Tom Latham, who was keeping in place of Tom Blundell. Blundell had hurt his hamstring while batting on the first day and didn’t take the field in the morning.New Zealand dropped four catches – here, Devon Conway reacts after giving Tagenarine Chanderpaul a reprieve•Getty ImagesOnce Duffy broke the 90-run stand, Henry returned to pick up two in one over. Bowling awayswingers just around off stump, he had Roston Chase and Justin Greaves caught behind for ducks, leaving West Indies on 106 for 5.It didn’t affect Chanderpaul, though. He carried on in his unhurried manner and brought up his half-century. He and Tevin Imlach added 34 for the sixth wicket, a stand that was broken when Conway finally held on to a catch. Chanderpaul pulled Foulkes aerially towards square leg, where Conway flung himself to his left, went with both hands, and landed with the ball in his left.Henry forced Kemar Roach’s outside edge soon after. The ball was going straight to first slip but Michael Bracewell dived across from second and spilled it.Soon, it became dark enough that only spinners were allowed to bowl. But after a short rain break, the sky brightened up again. When play resumed, Duffy did not take long to mop up the remaining four wickets. With the first ball after resumption, he had Imlach caught down the leg side. The batter reviewed the on-field decision only for replays to show he had gloved the bouncer. Johann Layne was caught and bowled in the same over. Duffy then went full and bowled Seales and Ojay Shields to complete his five-for.