Morning, Alex Broun here with everything you need to know in the world of sport …
TOP STORY
GRIEZMANN DOUBLE STEERS ATLETICO MADRID TO EUROPA LEAGUE CROWN
France marksman Antoine Griezmann inspired Los Rojiblancos to the their third Europa League crown in eight seasons as Diego Simeone’s men eased to a 3-0 success over Marseille in Lyon on Wednesday night.
Rumoured to be Barcelona-bound, Griezmann cashed in with strikes in the 21st and 49th minute with Spanish midfielder Gabi adding the icing on the cake with a third on 89 minutes.
With got all angles covered from the match as Stuart Appleby gives us his talking points from the game, while Matt Jones provides his player ratings and Matt Monaghan provides his expert analysis of Griezmann’s masterful performance.
FOOTBALL
The Premier League’s transfer window opens today and we have all the hottest rumours with Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembele‘s possible departure to Liverpool heading the list.
England boss Gareth Southgate has also announced his squad for the World Cup and Matt Monaghan looks at three possible line-ups from the 23-man roster.
CRICKET
A return to form for West Indian all-rounder Kieron Pollard saw the Mumbai Indians edge out Kings XI Punjab by three runs in Mumbai last night to keep their IPL playoff hopes alive – at least for a few days. Ashish Peter has his take-aways from the match.
In other cricket news Mark Waugh has branded India as “selfish” and holding back the game for refusing to play a Day/Night Test on their Australian Tour this summer.
REGIONAL
Diego Maradona, who recently departed as Fujairah coach, has pulled off another shock move agreeing to sign on as chairman of ambitious Belarus minnows, Dynamo Brest. Matt Monaghan has all the details.
Also in local AGL news Al Ain coach Zoran Mamic has bemoaned “mistakes over both the games” as The Boss were bounced out of the AFC Champions League by Al Duhail from Qatar, while Al Jazira have had a few licensing issues for the 2018/19 AGL season.
FEATURE OF THE DAY
UNDER-RATED MICHAEL CARRICK BOWS OUT
Michael Carrick bowed out of football at Old Trafford on Sunday to little fanfare – “a trait that underlined a glittering and glorious yet ultimately understated career,” writes Matt Jones.
“Silky and smooth, safe and sure. That was Carrick to a tee. A fine footballer, but amid a generation of engine-room galacticos – and that’s just in England – he was never the goal-getting headline grabber earmarked for poster boy superstardom.”
But, writes Jones, not replacing the underrated Carrick is Man United’s biggest oversight.
SOCIAL MEDIA ROUND-UP
#OM 0 - 1 #ATL
— Football is Life (@ftblislife) May 16, 2018
⚽️
There is only one #Griezmann !! 🇫🇷#UELfinal #OMAtletico #OMATM #OMATL #OMAtleti pic.twitter.com/BeEmgi6KVI
👋 Bienvenue @AntoGriezmann 🇫🇷 !
— Ronald🇧🇪 (@RonaldBriones) May 16, 2018
👋 ¡Bienvendido @AntoGriezmann 🇫🇷 !
👋 Welcome @AntoGriezmann 🇫🇷 !
👋 Benvingut @AntoGriezmann 🇫🇷 !
🔵🔴 #BeBarça #Griezmann #ForçaBarça #ViscaBarça pic.twitter.com/JF5bS3aIDt
BIG MATCH NEEDS BIG MAN 💙💙
— Rohit Sharma 45 (@itsmeRohit45) May 16, 2018
THE KIERON POLLARD SHOW 💙💙💙 pic.twitter.com/lu6OWBGHzk
Premier League 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 13, 2018
Champions league 🏆
League Cup 🏆🏆🏆
FA Cup 🏆
Europa League 🏆
FIFA Club World Cup 🏆
Michael Carrick received a guard of honour on his 464th and final Man Utd appearance. pic.twitter.com/EQZaBJMWgG
WHAT’S ON TONIGHT
IPL: Royal Challengers Bangalore v Sunrisers Hyderabad 18:30
Tennis: ATP 1000 Rome – Day 4 from 13:00
MLB: LA Dodgers @ Miami Marlins 20:10