Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland aim for 2026 World Cup result: European playoffs as they happened Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland faced devastating setbacks as their hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup were extinguished in a single night of UEFA playoff matches. All three teams sought to join England and Scotland in the tournament but were eliminated by Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy, and the Czech Republic, respectively. The Republic of Ireland began strongly, taking a 2-0 lead in Prague. Troy Parrott opened the scoring with a penalty in the 19th minute, and goalkeeper Matej Kovar accidentally doubled the advantage with an own goal four minutes later. However, a controversial incident involving Ryan Manning, who pulled back the shirt of Ladislav Krejci in the box, gifted the Czech Republic a free kick. Patrik Schick capitalized, equalizing just moments after the restart. The Republic of Ireland regained control, with Jayson Molumby hitting the post in a missed chance. As the game entered the final minutes, Krejci headed home from a corner to force extra time. The match went to penalties, where Caoimhín Kelleher made the first save, but Czechia’s persistence saw them advance. Wales followed a similar path, with Dan James scoring a stunning goal in the 50th minute to give them a 1-0 lead. However, Bosnia and Herzegovina struck in the same minute as Krejci’s goal, with Edin Dzeko equalizing. The match went to penalties, where Karl Darlow saved the first spot-kick, but Brennan Johnson’s miss and Neco Williams’ saved effort handed Bosnia the victory. In Bergamo, Italy dominated against Northern Ireland, with Sandro Tonali breaking the deadlock in the 56th minute.#czech_republic #italy #wales #republic_of_ireland #bosnia_and_herzegovina
Farmer hat-trick propels USA to fifth straight Paralympic sled hockey final The United States secured a 6-1 victory over the Czech Republic in the semi-finals of the Paralympic sled hockey tournament in Milan on Friday, advancing to the gold medal game for the fifth consecutive Paralympic Games. Declan Farmer led the charge with a hat-trick, scoring three goals and assisting on the other three, as the Americans dominated the match after conceding the opening goal. Farmer’s performance set new records for most goals and points in a single Paralympic tournament, with 14 goals and 24 points in Milan. The Czech Republic opened the scoring early in the first period, but Farmer tied the game late in the same frame. The United States took control in the second period with a flurry of goals, as David Eustace and Farmer both scored within a 30-second span. Farmer extended his lead in the third period with another goal, while Josh Pauls added a fourth for the Americans. Noah Grove sealed the win with a powerplay goal, and Eustace finished with three points. The win marks the United States’ fifth consecutive appearance in the Paralympic gold medal game, where they will face either Canada or China in the final. The Czech Republic, who have never finished higher than fifth at a Paralympics, will compete for the bronze medal. Farmer’s historic performance underscores the team’s dominance, as they continue their quest for a fifth consecutive title.#united_states #milan #czech_republic #declan_farmer #paralympic_sled_hockey
Tigers outfielder Jahmai Jones made a strong debut in the World Baseball Classic, hitting a home run to help Team Korea secure an early Pool Play victory over the Czech Republic. The 28-year-old player, whose family has deep ties to South Korea, described the moment as a meaningful introduction to a country and fanbase that initially needed to learn more about him. Jones, the son of Michele and Andre Jones, grew up in a household where his mother, born in South Korea, became a widow at 42 after Andre’s death from a brain aneurysm in 2011. His decision to pursue a spot on Korea’s WBC roster was driven by a desire to honor his mother, a goal he shared with his agency, which facilitated communication with Korean officials and MLB. The Tigers also supported his bid by promoting him as a potential candidate. His standout 2025 season, marked by a .937 OPS (157 OPS+) in 150 plate appearances, further solidified his chances. The wait for confirmation was tense, with Jones and his family anxiously following updates on MLB Network. “My wife and I were going crazy. My family was FaceTiming during it, and it was just a really cool moment to kind of share with my family,” he said. The emotional significance of the opportunity was underscored by his family’s presence in Tokyo for the tournament, including his mother, who attended his game-winning home run. Jones, a former top prospect drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in 2015, has navigated a challenging career, playing for four teams before signing a minor-league deal with the Tigers in 2025. He carved out a niche as a lefty-mashing specialist, contributing significantly to the team’s success. While his role in 2026 may shift with the potential arrival of top prospect Kevin McGonigle, Jones remains focused on proving himself. “The job stays the same.#world_baseball_classic #jahmai_jones #team_korea #czech_republic #michele_jones
Seven countries to boycott Paralympics ceremony over flag-flying Russians The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) confirmed that seven nations and the British government will skip the opening ceremony of the Winter Paralympics in Verona, Italy, in protest against the inclusion of Russian and Belarusian athletes. The Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Ukraine have decided not to send representatives to the event, which will take place on Friday night. The UK government also declined to send officials, citing its opposition to Russian athletes competing under their national flag during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. However, the minister for sport, Stephanie Peacock, will attend the event in Cortina to support ParalympicsGB athletes. The IPC stated that Russian athletes will compete under their own flag for the first time since 2014, despite being banned from the 2022 Paralympics following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The organization emphasized that its decision to allow Russian participation aligns with democratic principles, as the IPC’s general assembly voted on the issue in September 2025. The vote resulted in no suspension of Russian or Belarusian athletes, reversing previous decisions from 2022 and 2023. Andrew Parsons, the IPC president, defended the move, stating that the IPC respects the decisions of its member organizations and cannot selectively apply democratic principles. Parsons acknowledged the controversy surrounding the decision, noting that it has not been well received globally. He reiterated the IPC’s commitment to supporting all stakeholders and ensuring the event remains a platform for social change, particularly for the 1.3 billion people with disabilities worldwide.#czech_republic #international_paralympic_committee #estonia #finland #stephanie_peacock
