Weekly sports news roundup & weekend watches 09/05
NBA MVP announced, new West Ham manager and more!
Champions League final matchup set
Credit: Los Blancos Hero Joselu! 🤩 | Real Madrid 2-1 Bayern Munich | Champions League Semi-Final Highlights (TNT Sports, YouTube)
The Champions League final matchup is set as Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid saw off their challengers during this weeks Champions League semi-finals.
Dortmund overcame PSG with a 2-0 aggregate win, although they needed a rather hefty amount of luck and a generous helping of woodwork to see them past the Parisians.
Real meanwhile played out yet another instant classic against Bayern Munich, scoring two late goals thanks to former Stoke City striker Joselu to secure their place.
The final will take place on 1st June at the home of English football, Wembley Stadium. Check out our guide for more details about the game such as how to watch the Champions League Final.
Credit: Hummels Fires BVB To Wembley! 🟡⚫ | PSG 0-1 Dortmund | Champions League Semi-Final Highlights (TNT Sports, YouTube)
Moyes out, Lopetegui in at West Ham
West Ham announced this week that David Moyes is set to leave his position as manager when his contract expires at the end of the season. He will be replaced by former Wolves and Real Madrid manager Julen Lopetegui.
Moyes has overseen two spells as Hammers manager, first between 2017 and 2018, while his current reign has seen him with the club since 2019.
In that time, he has led his side to their first European title since their European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1965, winning the UEFA Europa Conference League in 2023.
He will also finish his tenure with the highest win percentage from the club’s permanent managers not just in the Premier League era but all time.
As for Lopetegui, his only spell in the Premier League so far saw him last nine months with Wlves, achieving 10 wins, six draws and 11 losses in 27 games. His previous accomplishments elsewhere is a solitary Europa League win with Sevilla in 2020.
Jokic named NBA MVP for third time
Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic has been crowned NBA MVP for a third time, beating out Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in second and Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks in third.
Jokic, who won his previous two MVP’s in consecutive years in 2021 and 2022, earned 79 first place points and 926 points in total, 286 points clear of Gilgeous-Alexander.
His victory has come with mixed feelings from fans, with many claiming that both Shai and Doncic were robbed and that they were more deserved of the award given that Jokic’s season wasn’t anything special compared to his previous MVP campaigns.
But with that said, the Joker still managed to finish second in the league for double-doubles (68) and triple-doubles (25) while shooting 58.3% from the field (10th in the league) and helping his reigning champion Nuggets side to a joint-best Western Conference record of 57-25.
Daley selected for firth Olympic games
Tom Daley will be making his fifth Olympic Games appearance this summer in Paris after he was one of the first eight divers selected for Team GB.
Daley will partner Noah Williams in the 10m Synchro pairs, the contest in which he won gold in during the Tokyo summer games.
That gold medal was his first at an Olympic games; having made his debut at 14-years-old at the 2008 Beijing Games, he has won three bronze medals.
Weekend watches
There’s plenty to watch this weekend; from great football action here in the UK to exciting contests in the US, there doesn’t need to be a minute spent without something on!
Celtic vs Rangers
Saturday 11th | 12:30pm | Sky Sports Main Event & Premier League
One of the most storied rivalries in world football will add a new chapter this weekend as the Old Firm Derby goes down this Saturday.
There’s a lot to play for as Rangers sit just three points off of league leaders and hosts for the game Celtic. As such, tension is sure to be high and tempers are guaranteed to flare, so you won’t want to miss it.
Championship Playoff Semi-finals
Sunday 12th | 12pm & 2:15pm | Sky Sports Main Event & Premier League
The first leg of the Championship Playoff Semi-finals will take place this Sunday, starting with Norwich vs Leeds at 12pm followed by West Brom vs Southampton at 2:15pm.
Each team will want the lead of the tie heading into the second leg to put pressure on their opponent and take one step closer to an appearance at Wembley and a chance at Premier League promotion. Be sure to tune in for both games on Sky Sports.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
Sunday 12th | 4:30pm | Sky Sports Main Event & Premier League
Every game counts now for Arsenal in the title race, knowing that Manchester City can and likely will pounce at any moment.
The Gunners will face a Manchester United side who are coming off the back of an embarrassing 4-0 loss to Crystal Palace on Monday and who are having their worst Premier League season to date.
Will United bounce back and ruin Arsenal’s title challenge, or will the Gunner add more misery to the Red Devils campaign?
Wells Fargo Championship
Thursday 9th - Sunday 12th | Sky Sports Main Event & Premier League
The final event before the second golf major championship of the year will see the players on tour rock up to the Quail Hollow Golf & Country Club for the Wells Fargo Championship.
Defending champion Wyndham Clarke will look to fend off the likes of Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth and Viktor Hovland amongst other top names for the $3.6m prize money.
The contest has already begun and you can watch all four days exclusively on Sky Sports.