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Union’s stadium plans: Senate approves traffic concept – Higher capacity remains “common goal”

Jeffrey Gooding
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Union’s stadium plans: Senate approves traffic concept – Higher capacity remains “common goal”

Union Berlin has cleared another hurdle in its planned stadium expansion. The Berlin Senate has approved the traffic concept for the expansion to 34,500 spectators. In the long term, however, even more people should be able to watch the games.

At the end of September, it was announced that Union Berlin would have to scale back its plans to expand the An der Alten Försterei stadium. Due to an unworkable traffic concept, the Bundesliga club had to reduce the stadium’s capacity from 40,500 to 34,500 spectators after the planned expansion. This proposal has now been given the green light by the Berlin Senate. As 1. FC Union announced on Friday, the Senate Departments for Urban Development, Construction, and Housing, as well as for Mobility, Transport, Climate Protection, and the Environment, have “welcomed the club’s new proposal with the reduced stadium capacity and confirmed the necessary traffic concept.”

This clears the way for the next step in the process for the development plan for the stadium expansion. However, all sides reiterated on Friday that the long-term and “common goal” remains future stadium operations with 40,500 spectators.

Lower capacity “painful” for Union for the time being

“I am delighted with the Senate’s quick and positive response to our proposal. The temporary decision not to increase capacity is painful, but we must move forward quickly with the expansion in order to remain competitive,“ Union President Dirk Zingler is quoted as saying in a club statement. ”Our goal remains an Alte Försterei with 40,500 visitors, even if we only achieve this at a later stage.”

Therefore, the same structure as in the original plans will be built. This can be retrofitted later when the transport infrastructure in Köpenick is in place. Currently, the stadium An der Alten Försterei can accommodate a maximum of 22,012 spectators.

“We have had productive discussions with Union and have found a viable compromise for the transport concept. […] The expansion of the stadium capacity to the originally targeted number is therefore not off the table. We will continue to engage in discussions,” says Ute Bonde (CDU), Senator for Mobility, Transport, Climate Protection, and the Environment. Christian Gaebler (SPD), Senator for Urban Development, Construction, and Housing, adds: “Union needs a stadium suitable for the Bundesliga, there’s no question about that. Berlin wants to continue to support its Bundesliga soccer club in its self-financed stadium expansion, also with the aim of enabling more Union fans to participate.”

“When you’ve been in the business for so long …”: Streich continues to attract interest from clubs

Jeffrey Gooding
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“When you’ve been in the business for so long …”: Streich continues to attract interest from clubs

Things have gone a little quiet around Freiburg’s long-standing coach Christian Streich. Now the 60-year-old has come out of retirement to speak out and, among other things, comment on a possible comeback.

The Bundesliga has lost one of its attractions since Christian Streich stepped down as coach. After the 2023/24 season, he ended his 12-year tenure with Freiburg’s professional team, having joined the club’s youth team as a coach back in 1995.

But is that really it? Streich left the door open during a conversation with Johannes B. Kerner on the talk show “Bestbesetzung” on MagentaTV. “I don’t think I’ll coach another Bundesliga team,” said Streich, “but I’m not ruling anything out.”

In any case, interest in Streich as a coach has not waned. “When you’ve been in a profession for so long, it’s inevitable that someone will come up with the idea: Maybe he could work for us,” he explained. However, he did not want to name any clubs, especially since it was “irrelevant.” “I didn’t leave either. Part of the truth is that my fellow coaches in Freiburg were so good that I wouldn’t have dared to go anywhere on my own without them.”

Streich, who played in ten Bundesliga games and 64 second division games, still feels connected to soccer. “I’ll never be far away from it. It doesn’t matter whether I’m a coach in the Bundesliga or no longer a coach, or in the Kreisliga B or in youth football. The ball remains the same. The game remains the same. Until the end of my life.”

Streich sought help with the transition

It was precisely this passion for soccer that made Streich’s departure so difficult. ” It’s about value, about self-esteem,“ said Streich. As a coach, he never had to plan his daily routine because it took care of itself. ”And now all that was gone, no organizational framework, no structure in that sense, it’s not easy.“ He sought outside help to make the transition. ”I just talked to the right man, who was experienced.”

Streich spent his newly gained free time traveling, among other things. Among other things, he went on a bike tour to Bilbao and a trip to South America. He also gives lectures for companies and completed an internship at a bike shop. “I could imagine working somewhere, preferably with my hands. Learning how to repair a bike properly or something like that.”

Responsibility “felt like a burden”

Streich also talked about his intense relationship with the club from Breisgau. “The only good thing for coaches who are fired every now and then and only stay in one place for two or three years is that they have a natural distance,” he explained. “But I was totally immersed in this club.” As a result, he experienced particular, even physically palpable pressure when Freiburg slipped down the table. “I did feel it as a burden. I knew everyone and I knew that if we were relegated to the second division, we wouldn’t be able to pay 15 or 20 of them. That wasn’t easy.”

The opinionated Streich also addressed the increasing commercialization of soccer in the interview. A few years ago, he would have predicted that soccer would “go under, that it would be squeezed like a lemon until there was nothing left. But they can still shoot 500,000 commercials and stick cameras right into the guts of the game. In the end, there will still be kids outside kicking a ball around. And then they won’t have been able to destroy it after all.”

Media: Hütter dismissed in Monaco

Sports Of The Day
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Media: Hütter dismissed in Monaco

AS Monaco has dismissed Adi Hütter, according to unanimous reports in the French media. A successor has not yet been named. According to reports, Sebastien Pocognoli is the favorite for the position.

What has been looming for several days is now official: Adi Hütter must leave AS Monaco. The Austrian had been working in the principality since summer 2023. It is not yet clear who will take over Hütter’s job. According to media reports, it is not former BVB coach Edin Terzic who is the favorite for the coaching position, but Belgian Sebastien Pocognoli.

The turning point for Hütter was probably the 1-4 defeat at Club Brugge on the first matchday of the Champions League. Most recently, they held Manchester City to a 2-2 draw. Monaco are fifth in the league after seven matchdays, just three points behind leaders Paris Saint-Germain. In the past two seasons, Hütter’s team finished second (2023/24) and third (2024/25).

“No energy”: Tuchel criticizes atmosphere at Wembley

T0m@dmin1
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“No energy”: Tuchel criticizes atmosphere at Wembley

In the friendly against Wales, the English national team put in a convincing performance early on, but their own fans were not impressed. Thomas Tuchel subsequently criticized the atmosphere at Wembley.

Morgan Rogers put the English national team ahead after just three minutes in their 3-0 friendly win over Wales, with further goals from Ollie Watkins (11th minute) and Bukayo Saka (20th minute) soon following. “We were 3-0 up very quickly and could even have been 4-0 or 5-0 up at half-time,” Thomas Tuchel said, looking back on the “excellent first half” on ITV. It was all the more disappointing that the fans at Wembley still failed to get behind the team. “The stadium was quiet. We didn’t get any energy back from the stands,“ said the Three Lions coach, who would have liked to see more support from his own fans: ”What more can you give than three goals in 20 minutes and the way we attacked Wales and didn’t let them escape? Even in their half, we won the ball back time and time again.”

Tuchel was pleased that the team secured its sixth win in the seventh game of his tenure – and also played convincingly for long periods. However, he couldn’t resist another dig at the home fans: “When you only hear Wales fans for half an hour, it’s sad, because I think the team deserved great support today.”

In contrast to previous games – such as the 5-0 home win over Serbia – the atmosphere on Thursday evening was not “absolutely fantastic” from the German’s point of view. Tuchel emphasized this at the subsequent press conference: “I love English soccer and English soccer fans and the support they give, but I think the atmosphere today didn’t match our performance on the pitch.”

Despite all the disappointment, however, the coach was certain that he and his team would “get everyone excited” in the future: “We will do everything we can to be infectious again,” Tuchel said resolutely. The Three Lions’ next opportunity to put this plan into action at Wembley will not be until November 13 against Serbia (8:45 p.m.). Meanwhile, Tuchel’s team will be in action in Latvia on Tuesday, looking to secure their sixth win in six World Cup qualifiers (8:45 p.m.) and seal their place at the World Cup.

Theis shines with double-double, Nunn with 30 points and buzzer beater

Jason Maverick
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Theis shines with double-double, Nunn with 30 points and buzzer beater

The second EuroLeague evening on matchday 3, with five games and many strong performances, is now history: Panathinaikos celebrates its first victory in Vitoria since 2017 thanks to Kendrick Nunn’s buzzer beater, while Daniel Theis led Monaco to victory in Milan with a double-double. Partizan, Real Madrid, and Paris also consolidated their positions in the upper half of the table.

Nunn scores the winner: Panathinaikos wins thriller

Panathinaikos Athens celebrated a return to winning ways after two consecutive defeats, winning in Vitoria for the first time since 2017. Kendrick Nunn was the match winner in the 86-84 victory over Baskonia: the star guard scored 30 points and hit the decisive shot shortly before the final buzzer. Baskonia had taken the lead for the first time with a 7-0 run in the third quarter, before Nunn responded with nine points in a row to put Athens ahead 71-56. With four seconds left, Baskonia tied the game at 84-84, but Nunn coolly decided the game with a buzzer beater.

In addition to Nunn, Cedi Osman (20 points) and Juancho Hernangomez, who recorded a double-double (15 points, 10 rebounds), also impressed. Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (16) and Hamidou Diallo (15) were the top scorers for Baskonia.

Monaco wins narrowly – Theis shines with double-double

AS Monaco has secured its second EuroLeague win of the season. In their 82-79 victory in Milan, the Monegasques led for long stretches but had to hold their nerve until the final stages. Milan only had two brief leads in the second quarter, but fought back to within two points (77-79) thanks to an 8-0 run by Marko Guduric. Returning players Nikola Mirotic and Matthew Strazel finally sealed the deal at the free throw line, before Alpha Diallo secured the victory with a block.

Daniel Theis impressed for Monaco with a strong double-double (17 points, 10 rebounds) and was named player of the game. Mike James scored 18 points, while Elie Okobo and Diallo contributed 13 points each. Former Munich player Devin Booker (15), Shavon Shields (13), and Lorenzo Brown (12) were the top scorers for the hosts.

Partizan remains undefeated at home

Partizan Belgrade has also won its second home game of the EuroLeague season. In their 93-87 win over Anadolu Efes, the Serbs put in a strong performance, especially in the first half, and led by twelve points at one stage. Efes came back in the final quarter thanks to Isaiah Cordinier and Ercan Osmani (24 and 21 points respectively) and briefly took the lead (75-76), but Partizan found their rhythm again at the right moment.

Sterling Brown was the match winner with 24 points, Tyrique Jones impressed with 16 points and 8 rebounds, while Isaac Bonga contributed 18 points and Dylan Osetkowski 10 points. Nick Weiler-Babb scored 9 points (6 rebounds, 5 assists) for Efes. After narrowly beating Milan last week, Partizan celebrated its second win in a row and now has a 2-1 record.

Perfect home opener: Paris dominates Bologna

Paris Basketball celebrated its first EuroLeague home win of the season. In a 90-79 victory over Virtus Bologna, the French champions pulled away after a strong second quarter and did not let the Italians get back into the game. An 11-0 run at the start of the quarter sealed the deal, after which Paris controlled the game and kept Virtus at bay.

The more intense defense and rebounding were decisive: Paris forced 26 turnovers and collected 20 offensive rebounds. Nadir Hifi led his team with 20 points and 6 assists, while Amath M’Baye contributed 12 points. Matthew Morgan was the top scorer for the visitors from Bologna with 21 points, but the defeat saw Virtus slip to a 1-2 record.

Real cruises to victory against ASVEL

Real Madrid celebrated an easy home win on the third EuroLeague matchday. In their 85-72 win over ASVEL Villeurbanne, the Royals controlled the game from the start and improved their record to 2-1. Chuma Okeke was particularly impressive, scoring 17 points, grabbing 5 rebounds and posting an efficiency rating of 25 in just 18 minutes of playing time. The new signing was the most prominent player on the court.

Okeke was supported by Trey Lyles (12 points) and Mario Hezonja (11). Edwin Jackson was the top scorer for the visitors from France with 16 points, while Mehdy Ngouama (12) and Bodian Massa (11) also scored in double figures.

Miguel Oliveira: Superbike with BMW – and MotoGP test rider for Aprilia?

Lesley Summerville
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Miguel Oliveira: Superbike with BMW – and MotoGP test rider for Aprilia?

Miguel Oliveira has officially signed with BMW – but Aprilia is showing interest in collaborating on the development of the new MotoGP prototype for 2027.

Miguel Oliveira will leave MotoGP next year and compete for BMW in the Superbike World Championship. When the Portuguese rider recently spoke about his future for the first time in Mandalika, he also wanted to keep a door open in the MotoGP paddock. If there was an opportunity, he would be interested in being involved in the development of the new 850cc prototype for 2027 as an Aprilia test rider.

“Who knows what might be possible in terms of the calendar. I think it’s a huge step forward for me as a rider to stay in touch with the MotoGP bike. I believe it can definitely help me stay in shape for the Superbike World Championship as well.”

Basically, the door seems to be open at Aprilia. Unlike the other manufacturers, Aprilia only has one test rider, Lorenzo Savadori. At the start of the season, he also had to compete in several races for the injured Jorge Martin. “If you ask me about Miguel Oliveira,” says Aprilia Motorsport Director Massimo Rivola, “if an opportunity arises, we will take it. But so far, I don’t know. Since he signed with BMW, you have to ask BMW first. From our side, we’ll see.“

BMW would have to agree to the plan. There is also the question of what Aprilia’s test program will look like and whether it would be compatible with the Superbike program’s free time outside of race weekends and test drives.

”For me, it’s an option,” Oliveira emphasizes.
“Of course, you would have to discuss it with BMW first. You would also have to see how feasible it is in terms of scheduling, because I would also understand that Aprilia would want to take full advantage of me testing their bike. So not just getting on the bike every now and then in my spare time. It’s not easy to come up with a schedule that works for everyone.”
Most MotoGP tests will take place behind closed doors next year. Theoretically, this could give Oliveira the opportunity to work for two brands. That’s because he wouldn’t appear in public as an Aprilia test rider and, from a marketing perspective, would be exclusively a BMW rider.

It has already been decided that a Superbike rider will be involved in the development program for the new 850cc motorcycle next year. Nicolo Bulega will be involved in the MotoGP test program alongside the Superbike World Championship. However, he works exclusively for one brand: Ducati.

Ricciardo’s Formula 1 exit: What Liam Lawson now reveals about that moment

Phil Laffertey
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Ricciardo’s Formula 1 exit: What Liam Lawson now reveals about that moment

Liam Lawson talks about the emotional moment when he replaced Daniel Ricciardo – he reveals how uncomfortable the situation really was and praises his predecessor

The 2024 Singapore Grand Prix turned out to be Daniel Ricciardo’s last Formula 1 race, as the Australian was replaced by Liam Lawson for the final six races of the season with the Red Bull team.

Lawson had already stepped in as a replacement for Ricciardo in 2023 after the latter broke his hand in only his second race since returning to replace Nyck de Vries at the Dutch Grand Prix.

At least Ricciardo was able to bid farewell to Formula 1 with the fastest lap at Marina Bay, even if that was only a small consolation given the difficulties he had to contend with on his return.

An open secret

Although the move was still unconfirmed during the Singapore weekend last year, rumors persisted that it would be Ricciardo’s last race—and the emotional nature of the race recap seemed to confirm this.

In fact, Lawson was nominated for the cockpit in Austin at Ricciardo’s expense, providing the New Zealander with the basis for promotion to the Red Bull team in early 2025.

Now, back with the Racing Bulls team, Lawson talks about his memories of that weekend in Singapore. He notes that it was a difficult situation, but is full of praise for Ricciardo’s support—both at that moment and in the run-up to Lawson’s debut in 2023.

Uncomfortable situation

“I mean, obviously it was extremely uncomfortable for us,” Lawson reflects. “I think the only thing I took away from it is what a good person Daniel is and how he treated me the whole way, from my first stint after his injury to my return to the reserve role.”

“We had a very good relationship. Honestly, we still do, and he’s someone where my only takeaway from that weekend last year was how much respect I have for him.”

“He sent me a nice message after Baku, and he’s obviously going his own way at the moment. He’s just someone who has always been very supportive of me.”

Lawson looks up to Ricciardo

“We come from the same part of the world, so it’s something we probably both understand. It’s quite difficult to get to this point, and we can both consider ourselves very lucky.”

When asked about Ricciardo’s decision to give up racing in favor of other interests, Lawson emphasizes that the two are at “very different points in our careers” and that his former teammate’s choice is “personal.”

He then goes on to discuss his own efforts to remain in Formula 1, while facing rumors that Arvid Lindblad could form one half of the Racing Bulls driver pairing in 2026. He says that while he enjoyed his fifth place in Baku, he quickly turned his attention to Singapore to secure his place in the team for next year.

Looking ahead

“I think you enjoy the success, you enjoy the good moments, but it’s crazy how quickly that mindset changes and switches to the next thing.”

“Baku was a great result, and I was really happy for the team and about how the race went. It felt like a great achievement to me, but just a few hours later, you’re already focused on the next race.“

”I think in my position, it’s also natural that when you’re trying to secure a cockpit for next year, you’re probably thinking ahead and trying to continue delivering results like that.”

After the Singapore Grand Prix: Why Hamilton still believes in Ferrari’s success

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After the Singapore Grand Prix: Why Hamilton still believes in Ferrari’s success

After the Singapore Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton posted an emotional message on social media: Why the record-breaking world champion believes in Ferrari’s success

A few days after the Singapore Grand Prix, which was anything but ideal for Lewis Hamilton due to brake problems and a subsequent penalty, the Ferrari driver reached out to his fans with an emotional message on social media.

In the week before the race, the 40-year-old had to say goodbye to his bulldog Roscoe. “After a tough week, it feels good to be back home,” Hamilton said. “I’ve had some time to reflect on my trip from Singapore, and the prevailing feeling I have is one of gratitude.”

He continued: “The support and love I’ve received since losing Roscoe has been a powerful reminder that even when things seem dark, there is so much good in the world. You just have to look for it.”

Hamilton: Ferrari “gets up and keeps going”

Hamilton is also trying to see the positive from a sporting perspective. “The headlines in the media only tell one side of the story—the one where we don’t get everything right or things don’t go our way,” emphasizes the Ferrari driver, who is still chasing his first podium finish with the Scuderia.
“But what I’ve been focusing on over the last few months is the other story. The one about how this team reacts when things go wrong. How we get back up and keep going.“ The race in Singapore was ”the perfect example“ of this.
”We got the strategy right, but the brake problem set us back just as we were building momentum,” said Hamilton. “So now we’re going back to the factory, learning from this last race and planning for the next one.”

Hamilton “convinced we will succeed”

Despite the setbacks the seven-time world champion has already suffered this season, he remains combative and confident. “I’m really proud of this team and want to help deliver the results they and the Tifosi deserve.”

“I see the progress we’re making and the hard work that goes into every race, but this is Ferrari. Progress alone is not enough,” says the Brit, who is currently experiencing one of the biggest tests of his career. “To achieve greatness, we have to go further, become better.” And Hamilton is convinced that, together with Ferrari, they can turn things around: “There is so much we can achieve together, and if we build on our successes and change the things we need to change, I firmly believe that we will succeed. Forza Ferrari.”

Formula 1 team bosses: Christian Horner is reaching out to everyone except…

Phil Laffertey
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Formula 1 team bosses: Christian Horner is reaching out to everyone except…

It seems as though Christian Horner is calling almost every team boss at the moment, but the options for 2026 are dwindling – where the Brit has not yet made contact

Three months after his surprise departure from Red Bull, former team boss Christian Horner still hasn’t found an alternative for 2026, even though he has already been in talks with several Formula 1 teams, as Haas team boss Ayao Komatsu recently revealed.

“It looks like Christian is calling pretty much every team boss at the moment,” smiled Aston Martin CEO and team boss Andy Cowell last weekend in Singapore. However, Cowell did not want to reveal whether the 51-year-old Brit had also contacted him.

On Thursday, the Aston Martin boss had remained conspicuously tight-lipped about a possible move by Horner, but he made his position clear at the team principal press conference: “I can say clearly that there are no plans for Christian to be involved in the future, either in an operational or investment role,” Cowell clarified.

What is not currently the case could still happen at some point, but the door does not seem to be wide open for Horner at the moment. After Cadillac and Haas, the next option for the long-time Red Bull team boss is already threatening to vanish into thin air.

Horner had no contact with Williams

And what else? Williams team boss James Vowles revealed in Singapore that Horner had not yet contacted him. However, the Briton is basically open to talks. “I think you should always welcome a conversation. There’s no reason to close the door,” said Vowles.

However, before new rumors about Horner moving to Williams could start to spread, the 46-year-old immediately put the brakes on. “I believe—no, I know—that we are very happy with the structure we have, and it works,” emphasized the Williams team boss. “Therefore, I see no reason to change anything.”

That leaves almost only Alpine. Has Horner already made contact there? “As far as I know, no, but Flavio [Briatore] and Christian are old friends, that’s no secret,” explained the new Alpine CEO Steve Nielsen. “I don’t know what they talked about.”

“But from everything I see and know, there is no truth in the rumor that Christian is coming to Alpine,” added the 61-year-old, without putting a definitive end to the matter: “That doesn’t mean it couldn’t happen—this is Formula 1, after all.” And so the Horner rumors will continue for now…

Tennis fairy tale in Shanghai

Jason Maverick
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Tennis fairy tale in Shanghai

⁠Qualifier Valentin Vacherot reaches the semifinals in Shanghai. His cousin is also still in the tournament—and cheering him on.

(7:4), 6:4 against Denmark’s Holger Rune to reach the semifinals in the Chinese metropolis – and that as number 204 in the world rankings.

The only player with a lower ranking to reach the last four at a Masters tournament was American Chris Woodruff (550) in Indian Wells in 1999.

“It’s just incredible. The last victory meant so much to me. This one means even more,” said Vacherot: “I’m just so happy and living my dream.”

Tennis: In the top 100 for the first time

Vacherot, who will face Grand Slam record champion Novak Djokovic (Serbia) or Belgium’s Zizou Bergs in the semifinals, will break into the top 100 for the first time thanks to his success.

Curiously, his French cousin Arthur Rinderknech, who defeated Alexander Zverev in the third round, is also still in the tournament in Shanghai.

“Our family WhatsApp group has been very active in recent days,” said Rinderknech, who was sitting in Vacherot’s box on Thursday and will face Canadian Félix Auger-Aliassime in the quarterfinals.

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