For most in Australia, the Winter Olympics are the “other” Games where we pretend to be speed skating experts for a couple of weeks and claim that the skeleton even “looks like a bit of fun”. Anyway the 2026 edition will be held in Italy with Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo the venue. It was between there and Stockholm in the final vote after Sion, Sapporo, Graz and Calgary all pulled out. While we’re a way off markets for the event, early talk around the office is for Silvio Berlusconi to be front and centre for the opening ceremony and say something controversial.
Milan-Cortina will host the Olympic Winter Games 2026 #MilanCortina2026 #WinterOlympics @milanocortina26 pic.twitter.com/3Ch9lf3Vxe
— Olympics (@Olympics) June 24, 2019
It wouldn’t be a day in the Women’s World Cup without VAR drama and both matches this morning featured plenty of drama. In the early quarter final, the USA found themselves in an unexepectedly close tie with Spain before a… shall we say “soft” penalty allowed the defending champions to retake the lead.
More VAR controversy.
Is this the moment that seals #USA‘s progression to the quarter-finals?#ESPUSA #FIFAWWC #OptusSport pic.twitter.com/UCzLMrEB7E
— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) June 24, 2019
Later on this morning, Sweden could have been done for premature celebration in their clash with Canada with a VAR check for a potential penalty after the full time whistle. Thankfully (for them) nothing came of it but let’s be honest, with the way VAR is going in this tournament, it could have easily been given as just about anything.
Incredible scenes at full time!
It seemed at one point that VAR was going to intervene after the final whistle! 😅
FT: Sweden 1 – 0 Canada. #OptusSport #SWECAN #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/r3YFgU1Inw
— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) June 24, 2019
For a brief period, it looked like things might be stabilising at Newcastle United with Rafa Benitez guiding the club away from a relegation battle. Unfortunately the Champions League winning manager will walk away from the club at the end of the week when his contract expires after falling out with owner Mike Ashley, who already wasn’t a popular figure among the Toon Army. Benitez wanted more control over transfers and was planning to stick around so in response to that, Newcastle decided not to renew his deal. As football fans the one thing we can all hope happens now is that Jose Mourinho gets offered a truckload of money to come to Newcastle and all hell breaks loose.
It is with disappointment that we announce manager Rafael Benítez will leave Newcastle United upon the expiry of his contract on 30th June 2019.
Full club statement: https://t.co/IscVOvLxGD #NUFC pic.twitter.com/DWeBkpRubP
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) June 24, 2019