Sports
Bayern ready to defend crown with Bundesliga season ready to roll
Bayern Munich kick off their Bundesliga title defense against visitors VfB Stuttgart Friday, with the Bavarians in pole position once more.
With top striker and freshly-crowned European Golden Shoe winner Harry Kane leading their attack, Bayern have also made key transfers to bolster their campaign.
Speedy Germany defender Nathaniel Brown scored on his competitive debut in their 2-1 win over Borussia Dortmund in the German Super Cup last week.
Morocco attacking midfielder Ismael Saibari has also joined Bayern, further boosting their front line that already includes Kane, Luis Diaz and Michael Olise.
The status of Jamal Musiala could be a concern for Bayern, however.
The player is suffering from a neurological dysfunction and briefly collapsed in two preseason friendlies, which the club said was a result of a change in medical treatment and that the player had been cleared to compete.
Musiala missed the Super Cup, with coach Vincent Kompany eager to take some of the pressure off his player after the 23-year-old’s condition was made public.
Former Bayern and Germany captain Lothar Matthaeus sees no challengers to the champions’ crown.
“Last year, I said that Bayern would win the title with a lead of at least 15 points,” he wrote in a column this week. “In the end, it was 16. This season, too, the Munich side will finish at least 10 points ahead of the competition.”
Few would bet against Bayern cruising to yet another league title, but Dortmund are banking on two Greek youngsters helping them give the champions a run for their money.
The arrival of 18-year-old striker Konstantinos Karetsas and 23-year-old playmaker Giannis Konstantelias, who has been labelled the greatest Greek talent of his generation, has instantly sparked enthusiasm among Dortmund supporters.
The pair enjoyed strong debuts in the Super Cup loss to Bayern and fans hope they can deliver the goals needed for the Ruhr valley club to challenge for the title.
RB Leipzig, under new coach Martin Demichelis, saw top striker Yan Diomande leave for Real Madrid but they remain in a small group of title contenders along with VfB Stuttgart, who have improved every season under coach Sebastian Hoeness and will also be competing in this season’s Champions League.
Stuttgart reached last season’s German Cup final and finished fourth in the Bundesliga.
Schalke 04’s return to the top division will instantly boost the league’s average attendances with their 62,000 arena expected to be sold out for all home matches.
The Royal Blues, led by veteran Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko, are determined to make a big impact this season rather than just fighting to stay up.
Fresh off a title victory, Russian UFC star Islam Makhachev (30-29) has traded the intensity of an octagon for spiritual visit to Istanbul, Türkiye.
The current UFC welterweight champion traveled Wednesday to the sacred Eyüp Sultan Mosque, located along the shores of the Golden Horn.
The 34-year-old devout Muslim was observed taking wudu or traditional ritual ablution at the courtyard fountain before performing namaz inside the historical mosque.
Speaking on the profound historical and religious significance of his visit, the Dagestani fighter reflected on the heritage of the site with his followers.
“The mosque Abu Ayyub al-Ansari was built in 1458,” Makhachev wrote in Instagram.
“Abu Ayyub al-Ansari was a companion of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). He is especially known for the fact that after the Hijra (the migration from Mecca to Medina) the Prophet (peace be upon him) in Medina was the one who received him in his house.”
Makhachev encouraged his supporters to explore the early history of the faith.
“This companion has a very interesting and significant history in Islam,” he added. “I recommend everyone to familiarize themselves with it.”
Built in 1458 under Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II just five years following the conquest of Constantinople, the mosque complex marks the burial place of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, best known for hosting the Prophet in his home in Medina after the Hijrah in 622.
As the standard-bearer for the Prophet Muhammad, al-Ansari died during the first Arab siege of Istanbul, then Constantinople, in the 670s.
As the initial major mosque project commissioned by the Ottomans in Istanbul, it remains one of the most venerated pilgrimage destinations in the Islamic world.
Turkish Süper Lig giants Fenerbahçe stunned Olympique Lyon 2-1 away Wednesday to qualify for the UEFA Champions League league phase for the first time since the 2008-09 season.
The Turkish side advanced 3-2 on aggregate after the first leg in Istanbul ended 1-1, returning to Europe’s elite club competition.
Fenerbahçe were barred by UEFA from the Champions League for two seasons following the 2011 match-fixing investigation, which prevented the Turkish club from competing in Europe’s elite competition despite winning the 2010-11 Süper Lig title.
The club and former president Aziz Yıldırım were later acquitted in a retrial, while a 2016 prosecution indictment described the match-fixing case as a plot by members of the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ), who had infiltrated in Türkiye’s judiciary and police.
Lyon started brightly, with Malick Fofana forcing Fenerbahçe goalkeeper Ederson into a save in the eighth minute with a left-footed effort from outside the box.
The Yellow Canaries gradually settled into the match and registered their first shot on target in the 13th minute, when Oğuz Aydın’s effort from the left side of the box was saved by Lyon goalkeeper Dominik Greif following a pass from Talisca.
The visitors grew increasingly dangerous, with Archie Brown seeing his powerful effort from a tight angle saved by Greif in the 19th minute.
A minute later, Aydın came close to opening the scoring when his deep corner struck the crossbar.
Fenerbahçe took the lead in the 24th minute.
Aydın sent a cross into the area and Vedat Muriqi’s initial header was saved by Greif. The Kosovo international reacted quickly to the rebound and fired into the bottom-right corner from close range.
Fenerbahçe doubled their advantage four minutes later.
Mason Greenwood delivered a cross from a corner and Brown rose to head the ball into the top-left corner from close range.
Lyon came close to reducing the deficit in the 35th minute when Vedat Muriqi’s attempted clearance from a corner struck the post.
Ederson then denied Tyler Morton in the 41st minute, pushing away the midfielder’s powerful effort from outside the box.
Fenerbahçe went into the break with a 2-0 advantage and a 3-1 aggregate lead.
Lyon began the second half with greater attacking intent, putting their Turkish opponents under pressure during the opening 10 minutes.
However, the visitors began to find space on the counterattack, with Aydın firing high and wide from the left side of the box after being set up by Matteo Guendouzi.
Lyon pulled one back in the 61st minute. Ainsley Maitland-Niles found Fofana on the left side of the box and the forward sent a left-footed effort into the bottom-right corner to make it 2-1.
The hosts thought they had equalized in the 64th minute when Lois Openda headed Abner Vinicius’ cross into the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside following a VAR review.
Lyon were denied again when Kail Boudache scored in the 71st minute, but the referee overturned the goal following a VAR review after ruling that Zachary Athekame had fouled Brown during the buildup.
Fenerbahçe looked to restore their two-goal advantage, but Guendouzi’s deflected effort from outside the box in the 82nd minute was saved by Greif.
The Turkish side held on for a 2-1 victory, completing a 3-2 aggregate win and securing their place in this season’s Champions League.
Serena Williams’ return to the U.S. Open after a four-year absence and Carlos Alcaraz’s comeback to competitive tennis after a four-month injury layoff brought cheers, excitement and a wave of nostalgia to Flushing Meadows.
The celebration, however, was short-lived.
Williams and Alcaraz were eliminated from the mixed doubles quarterfinals Tuesday, losing to Belinda Bencic and Flavio Cobolli 5-4 (4), 4-1.
Cobolli had dubbed their opponents before the match “the queen of tennis and the king of now,” a fitting description for a star-studded pairing with eight U.S. Open singles titles between them.
Williams and Alcaraz had thrilled the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd in their opening match, overcoming a slow start to beat Erin Routliffe and Lloyd Glasspool 5-3, 4-1. The fans were firmly behind the high-profile duo throughout the contest.
“I never expected to be back on this court,” Williams said after playing at Flushing Meadows for the first time since 2022. “I never thought this would happen.”
Now, attention turns to whether Williams will make another appearance at the tournament, potentially alongside her older sister, Venus, in women’s doubles.
The Williams sisters have won the U.S. Open twice and captured 14 Grand Slam doubles titles together, making a reunion on the court one of the tournament’s most anticipated possibilities.
Serena, who is back playing tennis at age 44, does not plan to play singles.
Williams, in her latest mixed doubles appearance, hit some vintage shots that looked straight out of her prime. She won the U.S. Open mixed doubles title with Max Mirnyi in 1998.
Early on, she carried Alcaraz, the 23-year-old defending champion who is ranked No. 3 in the world and was clearly rusty in his first competitive action since April 14.
“I think everybody could see: I double-faulted on the first point,” said Alcaraz, who missed the French Open and Wimbledon because of a right wrist injury and wore a sleeve on that arm. “I was really, really nervous. I was out for four months … I almost forget how it feels.”
Fans chanted, “Come on, Carlos!” and “Let’s go, Serena, let’s go!” But the pair was overpowered by Bencic and Cobolli, letting a first-set tiebreaker slip away before being dominated in the second.
Cobolli acknowledged being tight because Williams and Alcaraz were on the other side of the net. Bencic said Williams tried to intimidate her by telling her she speaks Italian better.
“It was surreal to play against Carlos,” Bencic said. “Sometimes I was just standing at the volley or the return, and I was like, ‘How did I end up on this court?’ I don’t really know. Just a huge honor. Obviously, you can feel both of their auras.”
The matches in the first three rounds feature sets played to four games, with a tiebreaker at 4-all and a 10-point tiebreaker instead of a third set. Only the final Wednesday night will resemble a regular match, with traditional sets played to six games.
The champions will receive $1 million in the second year of the new mixed doubles format, which is designed to attract top players.
Joining Bencic and Cobolli in the semifinals are Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils, Mirra Andreeva and Andrey Rublev, and Karolina Muchova and Jakub Mensik.
Trabzonspor travel to Hungary on Thursday needing to overturn a 1-0 deficit against Ferencvaros to keep their UEFA Europa League campaign alive and end a two-year wait for a victory in European competition.
The Turkish side lost the first leg in Trabzon last week after Kristoffer Zachariassen headed Ferencvaros in front in the 17th minute. The Hungarian champions then protected their advantage effectively, while Trabzonspor’s task became even harder when Chibuike Nwaiwu was sent off in stoppage time.
Trabzonspor must now win at Groupama Arena to advance to the Europa League league phase. A one-goal victory would send the tie to extra time, while any other defeat or a draw would eliminate the Turkish club.
The second leg will also mark Trabzonspor’s 157th appearance in European competition.
The Black Sea club have won 56 of their previous 156 European matches, along with 39 draws and 61 defeats. They have scored 194 goals and conceded 210 since making their continental debut in the 1976-77 season.
Trabzonspor’s European record includes 30 matches in the European Cup/UEFA Champions League, 98 in the UEFA Cup/Europa League, 12 in the European Cup Winners’ Cup, eight in the UEFA Intertoto Cup and eight in the UEFA Conference League.
99th Europa League appearance
Thursday’s match will be Trabzonspor’s 99th game in the UEFA Cup and Europa League, Europe’s second-tier club competition.
The club first competed in the UEFA Cup during the 1982-83 season against Kaiserslautern and have since recorded 38 wins, 22 draws and 38 losses in 98 matches. Trabzonspor have scored 130 goals and conceded 132 in the competition.
A victory in Budapest would carry additional significance because Trabzonspor have not won a European match since Aug. 1, 2024, when they defeated Slovakian side Ruzomberok 1-0.
They have gone five European matches without a win since then, recording two draws and three defeats.
Trabzonspor advanced past Ruzomberok in the 2024-25 Europa League qualifying campaign but were eliminated by Rapid Vienna in the third qualifying round after losing 2-0 away and 1-0 at home.
They subsequently moved into the Conference League, where they were eliminated by Swiss club St. Gallen on penalties after the second leg finished 1-1 following extra time.
The club missed out on European competition last season after finishing seventh in the Turkish Super Lig, but returned to the continental stage by winning the Turkish Cup, which earned them a place in the Europa League playoff round.
Their route to the league phase has now been complicated by the 1-0 first-leg defeat to Ferencvaros.
Ferencvaros hold the advantage
Ferencvaros arrive at Groupama Arena with confidence and a strong home record.
They have won twice and drawn once in three European matches at home this season and remain unbeaten in four matches at the stadium, including their domestic fixture.
Their qualifying campaign has already included victories over Vojvodina and Twente before they eliminated Gornik Zabrze in the previous round.
History also gives the Hungarian champions reason for optimism. Ferencvaros defeated Trabzonspor 3-2 at Groupama Arena when the teams met in the Europa League group stage during the 2022-23 season.
Coach Balazs Borbely will want his side to improve on its possession numbers from the first leg, when Ferencvaros had only 34% of the ball. Zachariassen is expected to retain his place after scoring the decisive goal, while Lenny Joseph should offer pace in attack.
Philippe Rommens and Marius Corbu are likely to operate in midfield as Ferencvaros look to control the game and force Trabzonspor to chase the tie.
Salah offers Trabzonspor a new attacking weapon
Trabzonspor will arrive in Budapest with renewed confidence after Mohamed Salah inspired a 2-1 Super Lig victory over Istanbul Basaksehir on Sunday.
Salah scored both goals in his first league start for the club, opening the scoring in the eighth minute after capitalizing on a goalkeeper’s mistake before restoring Trabzonspor’s lead three minutes into the second half.
The Egypt international’s performance provides a major boost for Fatih Tekke as Trabzonspor attempt to overturn the first-leg deficit.
Salah will also be seeking his first European goals for Trabzonspor, with his ability to attack from the right flank and create opportunities likely to pose a different problem for Ferencvaros.
Trabzonspor have won one, drawn one and lost one of their opening three matches this season, although defensive concerns remain after conceding in all three.
Nwaiwu’s suspension adds to those problems. Samet Akaydin is expected to replace the dismissed defender in central defense.
Okay Yokuslu and Arseniy Batagov were unavailable for the European squad because of their respective fitness situations, while Tim Jabol-Folcarelli remains sidelined with a knee injury.
Tekke seeks first European win as coach
The match will be another important test for Tekke, who is preparing for only his second European game as a coach.
The 48-year-old enjoyed European success as a player with Zenit St. Petersburg, winning the UEFA Cup, but he is still searching for his first continental victory from the dugout.
After beginning his coaching career with Kayseri Erciyesspor, Tekke also managed Boluspor, Manisaspor, Denizlispor, Istanbulspor, Bursaspor and Alanyaspor before taking charge of Trabzonspor and guiding the club back into European competition.
He now needs a victory in Budapest to keep that European journey alive.
There is also uncertainty surrounding Fabinho, who joined Trabzonspor on a two-year contract Monday.
The former Liverpool and Al-Ittihad midfielder has reunited with Salah in Türkiye, but his arrival only two days before the second leg makes an immediate European debut uncertain.
Beşiktaş will look to complete the job Thursday when they travel to Lithuania to face Kauno Zalgiris in the second leg of their UEFA Europa League playoff, carrying a commanding 3-0 advantage from last week’s meeting in Istanbul.
The match at Dariaus and Gireno Stadium is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. local time.
Beşiktaş are 90 minutes away from securing a place in the Europa League league phase after producing a dominant display in the first leg. Hyeon-gyu Oh opened the scoring in the sixth minute before Michael Murillo doubled the lead six minutes later.
Orkun Kökçü then converted a penalty shortly before the hour mark to give the Black Eagles a three-goal cushion.
The result leaves Kauno Zalgiris with a huge task in the return match. The Lithuanian side must win by at least three goals to force extra time, while a four-goal victory would send them through outright.
Beşiktaş, meanwhile, will advance with a win or draw. If Kauno Zalgiris win 3-0 after 90 minutes, the tie will go to extra time, with a penalty shootout required if the aggregate score remains level.
European drought
Beşiktaş are hoping to end a year-long wait to return to the league phase of a major European competition after a disappointing campaign last season.
The Turkish side last competed in the Europa League league phase during the 2024-25 season, finishing 28th in the 36-team standings and failing to advance.
Their European campaign ended even earlier last season. Beşiktaş were eliminated by Shakhtar Donetsk in the Europa League qualifying rounds before losing to Lausanne in the Conference League qualifiers, leaving them without a place in either competition.
Progressing past Kauno Zalgiris would guarantee Beşiktaş a return to the Europa League league phase. If they fail to protect their first-leg advantage, they would instead continue their European campaign in the Conference League.
Uphill battle
Kauno Zalgiris have little room for error after their heavy defeat in Istanbul.
The Lithuanian champions remain competitive domestically and sit third in the A Lyga, four points behind leaders Suduva, who have played one more game. However, they were held to a 1-1 draw by TransINVEST Vilnius in their most recent league match.
Their European campaign has already exposed the challenge they face against more experienced opposition. Kauno suffered a 5-0 defeat away to Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League third qualifying round before losing the return leg 2-1 to exit 7-1 on aggregate.
Coach Zeljko Sopic will need a vastly improved performance if Kauno are to put Beşiktaş under sustained pressure and keep their Europa League hopes alive.
Beşiktaş also enter the match with some momentum despite their latest domestic setback. Vincenzo Italiano’s team suffered a 1-0 loss away to Corendon Alanyaspor at the weekend, but the defeat came after a strong run in Europe.
Before conceding against Alanyaspor, Beşiktaş had kept six consecutive clean sheets in all competitions. Their European record this season is even more impressive, with four matches played and four clean sheets.
Beşiktaş defeated Midtjylland 1-0 and 2-0 before beating Hradec Kralove 1-0 in both legs of their third qualifying-round tie. They then added the 3-0 victory over Kauno Zalgiris in the playoff first leg.
That defensive record, combined with their three-goal advantage, puts Beşiktaş in a strong position heading into Thursday’s match.
Italiano is also expected to rotate his squad, giving several players an opportunity while protecting key starters ahead of the club’s busy schedule.
Leonardo Trossard remains available after recovering from a knock sustained in the first leg, while new signing Dusan Vlahovic could be considered for his first start.
Second meeting between the clubs
Thursday’s match will be only the second meeting between Beşiktaş and Kauno Zalgiris.
Their first encounter came in last week’s playoff first leg, when Beşiktaş secured a comfortable 3-0 victory at home.
The tie also marks Beşiktaş’ first competitive meeting with a Lithuanian club, adding another chapter to the Turkish side’s European history.
Beşiktaş will make their 264th appearance in European club competition when they take the field in Lithuania.
The Black Eagles have recorded 102 wins, 50 draws and 111 defeats in their previous 263 European matches. They have scored 356 goals while conceding 395.
Thursday’s match will also be Beşiktaş’ 139th in the UEFA Cup and Europa League, competitions in which they have won 62, drawn 25 and lost 51 of their previous 138 matches.
They have scored 217 goals and conceded 180 in those games.
Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke had heroin, cocaine, morphine and multiple prescription medications in his system when he died in May, according to the full autopsy released Monday by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.
Clarke’s death was ruled an accident, with the medical examiner determining that the effects of heroin and cocaine caused his death. The report also listed the combined effects of multiple prescription medications as other significant conditions.
The 29-year-old Clarke was found unresponsive in a bedroom at a residence in the San Fernando Valley on May 11 and was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.
The medical examiner had previously announced Aug. 7 that the effects of heroin and cocaine were the cause of death, but the full report provided additional details about the substances found in his system and at the residence.
Toxicology findings
The autopsy found morphine along with heroin and cocaine.
It also identified several prescription medications, including oxycodone and its metabolite oxymorphone, alprazolam, pregabalin, carisoprodol, meprobamate and metabolites associated with venlafaxine and chlorcyclizine. Mitragynine, the active compound in kratom, was also detected.
The report noted that some of the prescription medications were present at therapeutic levels. Despite the number of substances detected, the medical examiner identified heroin and cocaine as the primary cause of death and classified the manner of death as accidental.
The findings came more than two weeks after the medical examiner’s initial announcement, which said Clarke died from the effects of heroin and cocaine and that his death was accidental. The examination was conducted May 12 at the department’s Forensic Science Center.
What investigators found
According to details reported from the investigation, first responders found cannabis products, vape devices, syringes and Narcan, the medication used to reverse opioid overdoses, in the residence. Investigators also reported finding prescription medications, medication blister packs, vitamins and other medical-related items.
A plate containing an unidentified white powder was found in the kitchen, along with a hotel keycard.
Clarke’s roommate told investigators that he had a history of drug use and had previously attended rehabilitation programs.
Clarke was last seen alive around midnight, according to details included in reports on the investigation. His roommate later became concerned after Clarke’s agent was unable to reach him and checked on him at about 5 p.m. He found Clarke unresponsive, and Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics pronounced him dead at approximately 5:15 p.m. The medical examiner found no evidence of fatal traumatic injuries or foul play.
Arkansas arrest weeks before his death
Clarke’s death came about six weeks after he was arrested in Arkansas on drug and traffic-related charges.
Cross County authorities arrested him April 1 after an alleged high-speed pursuit in which he was accused of driving at more than 100 mph. He was charged with trafficking and possession of a controlled substance, fleeing while exceeding the speed limit and improper passing.
According to an arrest affidavit reported by The Commercial Appeal, authorities found more than 230 grams of kratom in his vehicle. Clarke was released on bond. The charges were allegations, and his death occurred before the case could proceed further.
The Arkansas case was separate from the investigation into Clarke’s death in California, and the autopsy did not establish a direct connection between the arrest and the fatal drug combination.
Seven seasons with Memphis
Clarke spent his entire seven-year NBA career with the Grizzlies after Memphis acquired his draft rights following his selection 21st overall in the 2019 NBA Draft.
The Vancouver, Canada, native played college basketball at San Jose State before transferring to Gonzaga. He quickly established himself in Memphis, earning NBA All-Rookie First Team honors after averaging 12.1 points and 5.9 rebounds during his rookie season and finishing fourth in Rookie of the Year voting.
Over 309 regular-season games, including 50 starts, Clarke averaged 10.2 points and 5.5 rebounds. His athleticism, energy and finishing around the basket made him a valuable part of the Grizzlies’ frontcourt during his career.
Injuries, however, increasingly limited his availability. He suffered a torn Achilles in 2023 and later underwent knee surgery before the 2025-26 season.
Clarke returned in December and played only two games, averaging four points and three rebounds, before a calf injury ended his season. Memphis had announced in March that he would miss the remainder of the campaign. He remained under contract through the 2026-27 season when he died.
The Grizzlies, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and the National Basketball Players Association were among those who paid tribute to Clarke after his death, remembering him as a valued teammate and a positive presence within the Memphis community.
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