Weekend news roundup 11/12: Wins, losses, records & more

Jonathan Victoria • 11 Dec 2023 News

Select weekend news stories from sports and entertainment.

Team Europe dominate in Mosconi Cup

Team Europe, 16 time Mosconi Cup champions 💙💛@duelbits #MosconiCup 🇪🇺🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/PrmUMIlm4c

— Matchroom Pool (@MatchroomPool) December 9, 2023

Team Europe have lifted the Mosconi Cup for the fourth consecutive time after dominating Team USA to win 11-3.

It was a fairly straightforward affair for the home side as they strolled to an opening night 4-0 sweep. The second day of play saw them stretch their lead to 7-1, then 9-2 on the third, leaving them with just two points needed from the final day tp retain the cup.

Despite a rallying effort from one of USA’s all-time greats, Europe held firm to claim the win in London. It now gives them 16 titles overall to USA’s 13.

Slow US domestic box office weekend

It was a slow weekend for the US domestic box office, with new release The Boy and the Heron topping the lot with only $10.4m for the fifth-lowest overall grossing weekend this year ($65.4m).

The Hunger Games prequel remained in second place with $9.4m, bringing its domestic total to $135.6m and $258.3m worldwide, while Godzilla Minus One took third with $8.3m this week.

Things may look different when Wonka is released to the North American market. It was released this weekend this weekend in the UK (as well as 36 other markets) and went to the top of the box office, bringing in $11.1m here and $43.2m total so far.

England fall to ODI defeat in West Indies

England cricket continued their year of disappointment, falling to their first ODI series loss to the West Indies since 2007.

In a rain-affected third match, things were looking England’s way with 33 runs required from 24 balls until Romario Shepherd (41 not out off 28) stepped up with Matthew Forde (13 not out) to blast a few boundaries and clinch the win with 14 balls remaining.

It was a momentous win for the hosts as it as not only their first ODI series win over England since 2007, but also their first at home since 1998.

Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour break $1bn mark

One of Taylor Swift's 'iconic' looks from her Eras tour.

Taylor Swift has become the first music artist with a billion-dollar tour as Pollstar ’s 2023 year-end charts report.

The magazine reported on Friday that they had worked out Swift’s tour has grossed $1,039,263,762 so far, with 4.35 million tickets sold across 60 tour dates.

It is an incredible feat considering how few shows she has performed compared to previous record-breaking tours, although it should be said the figure stated is an estimate based upon Pollstaar Boxoffice reports combined with extensive research into ticket prices in each market, record capacities at each venue and comparable tour data.

They are also predicting another $1bn at least in 2024 as the tour will continue into the new year, with legs in Asia, Australia and returns to Europe and North America set to come before its end in early December 2024.

Rahm’s seismic move to LIV may have ripple affects

Jon Rahm posing in his new LIV Golf gear.

Jon Rahm made massive waves in the golfing world last Thursday as he announced his defection from the PGA Tour to join Saudi-backed LIV Golf.

It is the biggest coup since the competition started poaching players from the PGA, with Rahm’s deal reportedly worth up to £450m.

While some PGA golfers, such as Rory McIlroy, have always been rather vocal about their disdain towards their competition, this move is now seen as one that may unite the two.

Earlier this year, a very surprise announcement was made that the PGA Tour and LIV Golf would be merging. While this deal is still yet to be completed, moves such as Rahm’s may move along the process and make PGA more willing to work with LIV in order to keep some of the top stars who have jumped ship in their competitions.