Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Home Blog

Durant’s debut with light and shadow: Bad mistakes, big vision

Andrew Jackson
-
0
Durant’s debut with light and shadow: Bad mistakes, big vision

Kevin Durant made a debut with light and shadow for the Houston Rockets. On the one hand, it became clear how the 37-year-old can help, but on the other hand, he became the tragic hero of the season opener at the Oklahoma City Thunder and took the defeat upon himself.

The Texans lost 124-125 after double overtime, but this defeat could have been avoided. Small details tipped the scales in favor of the Thunder, and Kevin Durant was always involved.

With 23 points (9/16 FG), the forward, who was listed as a shooting guard at 2.11 meters, made a solid debut, but a few mistakes on his part cost the team the victory, which KD himself also recognized. “I missed free throws and fouled someone at the end. Those plays are the reason we lost.”

With the score at 103-102 in favor of the Rockets, Durant marched to the free throw line with eleven seconds left in regulation, but missed his first attempt, and Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander responded with a mid-range shot to tie the game and send it into overtime.

Durant: Bad mistakes at the end

Shortly before the end of the second overtime, with the score at 124-123 in favor of the Rockets, SGA fouled Durant for the sixth time and went to the free throw line to secure the win for OKC. “I shouldn’t have jumped. I need to be more disciplined. With a stop in that situation, we would have won the game,” said a frustrated Durant, who was also lucky in the first overtime that another mental lapse didn’t cost Houston the possible victory there.

A lot of things were unfortunate, but the vision in Houston and how Durant can help became clearly visible. Last year, the Rockets lacked an option in the half court, but now they have perhaps the best shotmaker of recent years. Although he didn’t make any three-pointers (0/4), the forward converted several difficult mid-range shots as the clock was running down. “He makes life easy for us,” said top scorer Alperen Sengün (39 points). “With time, we’ll be even better together.”

Durant: The big safety net

Durant sees it similarly: “I’m not here to take every shot when the game is close. I feel like just being here helps because it takes the pressure off my teammates. Everyone can make plays, sometimes it will be my game, sometimes it will be Alpi’s, for example.” The start has definitely been promising, partly because not many teams come close to the Thunder’s quality. As last year, the Rockets will be very difficult to play against – and Durant won’t make such mistakes in crunch time too often.

Before contract extension with Mercedes: Antonelli had “doubts” about the future

Lesley Summerville
-
0
Before contract extension with Mercedes: Antonelli had “doubts” about the future

Kimi Antonelli will continue to drive for Mercedes in 2026: However, the 19-year-old Italian now admits that he even had “doubts” about his Formula 1 future at times.

Kimi Antonelli will continue to drive for Mercedes in Formula 1 in 2026: While teammate George Russell has apparently been given a multi-year contract, the 19-year-old Italian will initially drive on a one-year contract—apparently with the option to continue in 2027.

Antonelli is having a mixed debut season in the premier class, especially in the European races: both technical defects and self-inflicted incidents, such as the start accident with Max Verstappen in Austria or the qualifying crash in Monaco, did not leave a good impression on those responsible.

The Italian’s Formula 1 future was therefore temporarily in the balance, especially when rumors of a possible Verstappen move to Mercedes began to circulate. It was said that the 18-year-old might have to vacate his cockpit after only one season and could be relegated to Alpine.

Kimi Antonelli “had certain doubts”

Antonelli now reveals that he was not necessarily worried about a contract extension and praises Mercedes for their support. At the same time, however, the Italian admits that the difficult phase in the middle of the season led him to question his future.

“The team was always very clear about its plans and what it was going to do, so I was never really worried, but of course it’s always nice to get confirmation,” admits the Mercedes driver. “Especially with all the ups and downs, particularly during the difficult phase, certain doubts arise.”

“But the team was always very supportive and open and really wanted to continue, especially for next year. I’m really happy to now have confirmation that it’s official. Even though I already knew, it reassures me a little bit more because now I know for sure that I have my place for next year.”

Mercedes youngster knows: “I have to deliver too”

However, Antonelli cannot afford a similar drop in performance next year if he wants to extend his Mercedes contract until 2027. “I race year after year and always try to deliver the best possible results.”

“As I said, the team obviously wants to continue working with me in the future, not just next year, but I also have to deliver,” says the Mercedes youngster. “Their plan is to continue with me, probably beyond 2026.”

“But for me as a driver, it’s crucial that I perform and deliver results, especially next year, because I’ll have a year of experience and there will be new regulations and huge opportunities for everyone.” Even individual results, such as the podium in Canada, will no longer be enough to save him. “If we have the car, it will be really important for me to get the most out of the result and show my best performance,” emphasizes this year’s Formula 1 rookie Antonelli, “especially if I want to secure my place for 2027 and beyond.”

Cadillac test driver Herta enters Formula 2 – here’s what’s behind the risky plan

Lesley Summerville
-
0
Cadillac test driver Herta enters Formula 2 – here’s what’s behind the risky plan

Cadillac test driver Colton Herta will race for Hitech in Formula 2 in 2026: The US star wants to secure his chance at Formula 1

Future Cadillac test driver Colton Herta will compete for Hitech in 2026, completing his eagerly awaited move from the IndyCar series to Formula 2.

Herta will combine his Formula 2 commitments with development work for the new Cadillac Formula 1 team, both in the simulator and at selected Grands Prix.

The TWG-owned team stated that “the close alignment of the Formula 1 and Formula 2 calendars allows for seamless integration with Cadillac’s engineering and racing operations, ensuring that every weekend contributes to his long-term development.”

Herta needs the super license points and …

Last month, the nine-time IndyCar race winner caused a stir by announcing his departure from IndyCar – to give himself one last chance at Formula 1.

At that time, it was announced that Herta would be switching to Formula 2 in order to achieve the 40 points required for the super license and at the same time gain more experience on tracks that are also on the Formula 1 calendar.

Herta raced in Europe early in his career and moved up to Euroformula Open in 2016 before returning to the US via the Road to Indy program. There, he quickly established himself as a top driver in the IndyCar series, winning nine races and finishing second behind Alex Palou in the 2024 season.

What Herta says about his Formula 2 adventure

Now Herta says: “I am incredibly excited to officially join Formula 2. This is a fantastic opportunity to further develop my skills in European racing and compete with some of the best young drivers in the world. I can’t wait!“ Cadillac made it clear that a Formula 2 commitment is no guarantee of a Formula 1 cockpit in 2027, describing the move as a ”big risk” for Herta.

Team Managing Director Dan Towriss said: “Colton has already shown exceptional talent and professionalism in his career. His move to Formula 2 with Hitech is the logical and important next step on his path to Formula 1.”

“Driving in Formula 2 will further develop his skills in the European environment and at the same time enable closer integration with our team as he continues to support us through testing and simulator work. We look forward to seeing him take on this new challenge together with Hitech.”

Hitech is considered a talent factory

Hitech is currently second in the Formula 2 team standings, with two races remaining in the season in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

The team is considered a talent factory: current Racing Bulls drivers Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson moved up to Formula 1 after competing in Formula 2 for Hitech.

“I imagined it differently”: Backtracking on his DTM retirement?

Jason Maverick
-
0
“I imagined it differently”: Backtracking on his DTM retirement?

After his unfortunate exit and missed title, Rene Rast is considering backtracking: Why the end of his DTM career is by no means certain

After his botched DTM finale in Hockenheim, is Rene Rast backtracking on his announced retirement from the DTM? Two weeks after the season finale, in which he fell victim to a chain reaction after a duel with champion Ayhancan Güven in the first lap, the three-time champion makes it clear that he wanted to say goodbye to the DTM differently and that a comeback is even on the table.

“I imagined my last DTM race, for the time being, to be different from what happened,” says Rast. “My race was basically over after half a lap. And I would have liked to have fought to the end on the track, which unfortunately wasn’t possible. So I’m missing this last race a bit, but also the last lap in particular.”

According to his own statements, he had planned to “thank the fans once again, do the usual donuts, and maybe do a few other things” on the last lap. It is now “extremely bitter” to say goodbye without this conclusion.

“It still hurts not to have driven this race.”

That applies to him personally, but his Schubert team also plays an important role in these thoughts. “I can truly say that my crew lives and breathes this sport like almost no other. And I have rarely experienced a crew that has put so much heart and soul into the DTM,” says Rast.

The images from the pit lane after the race, when “everyone had tears in their eyes and were in a state of shock,” showed Rast how much the DTM title would have meant to the team. “It hurts me deeply that I couldn’t give the guys this title. And that’s why it still hurts not to have raced.”

Retirement from retirement? “It’s extreme how emotions can get the better of you.”

After the disappointment, it took him “a week” “until I was back in the game mentally and didn’t have to think about it every day,” admits the 38-year-old BMW works driver. During that week, he also pondered whether he wanted to reconsider his retirement, which he had announced on Friday evening before the DTM finale.
“Of course, I thought about that question, and it was also one of the key questions of the week after the weekend. It’s extreme how emotions run through you in a week like that. It goes up, down, up, down, yes, no, back and forth, this and that,“ says Rast, giving an insight into his inner life. ”Then you find new arguments for why yes and why no. And every day, your opinion changes. So it was a very interesting first week,” he smiles.

“I would like to drive this last round at some point”

What is the current status? “Two weeks later, I would still say: I stand by what I said,” says Rast. But he adds: “Who knows what will happen in January or February? Maybe something will have changed again by then. You should never say never, but at the moment I’m very satisfied and very happy with the situation as it is. Let’s see what’s really on the agenda at the beginning of next year.”

Especially since there is also the theoretical possibility of returning for a guest start, as Mattias Ekström once did, and thus bidding a dignified farewell to the DTM fans. “We still have plenty of time to think about it,” says Rast, who reveals that he doesn’t even know exactly when the coming season will start (DTM calendar 2026). “When does it start? April? May?”

But that’s precisely why he has always spoken of a “provisional” retirement and left the door open. “I would like to drive that last lap at some point – in whatever form,” admits Rast. “We’ll come up with something nice. We’ll see.”

The next few months will decide the future

At the moment, however, he has no idea whether it will be just a guest start, a show lap, or even a whole season. “It could be anything from one lap to one race to ten years in the DTM,” he smiles.

He hasn’t set himself a deadline. “I’d wait until Christmas and then see what’s under the Christmas tree,” jokes Rast, who is glad that motorsport will take a back seat for a few months after the WEC finale in Bahrain from November 6 to 8.

Then he can let it all sink in and spend more time with his family as planned. “And maybe it will be boring after two months,” he shrugs. “Maybe then I’ll say: It was the wrong call!”

Comeback after more than 30 years: Lancia announces return to World Rally Championship

admin3r
-
0
Comeback after more than 30 years: Lancia announces return to World Rally Championship

Lancia will celebrate its comeback in the World Rally Championship in 2026: With the new Ypsilon Rally2 HF, the iconic brand will return to WRC2.

Italian car manufacturer Lancia has officially announced its return to the World Rally Championship (WRC) next year. Lancia will compete in the WRC2 category with the new Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale.

The return was announced in a video posted on social media, accompanied by a short statement. In it, Lancia confirmed that the newly developed Rally2 car will make its debut at the 2026 season opener in Monte Carlo.

The first videos of the Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale appeared last month, showing the car being tested on asphalt in France. Shortly afterwards, Lancia published official images and another statement:

Is Lancia taking over Citroën’s Rally2 program?

“The new Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale is making its debut, bringing the legendary spirit of Lancia’s rally victories to today’s motorsport – and this is just the beginning.”

Details of the planned WRC2 program, including the driver lineup for 2026, have not yet been announced. However, observers expect that Lancia could take over Citroën’s factory-supported Rally2 involvement within the Stellantis Group.

Citroën currently supports the PH Sport team, which fields C3 Rally2 cars in WRC2 with brothers Yohan and Leo Rossel. However, Citroën is set to shift its focus to Formula E from next year after Maserati confirmed its withdrawal from the electric series.
The Rossel brothers were also involved in the development program for the Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale as test drivers.
From 2027, it will be possible to compete in the top class of the WRC.
With the confirmed WRC2 project, Lancia is continuing its gradual return to rallying.
The manufacturer, which won a total of ten world championship titles in the manufacturers’ standings between 1974 and 1992, initially presented the two-wheel-drive Ypsilon Rally4 in 2023. This model will be used in the European Rally Championship and in Lancia’s own Rally Trophy Cup.

In the long term, Lancia is apparently planning a return to the top class of the World Rally Championship. Under the new technical regulations from 2027, the so-called WRC27 cars will compete with a cost limit of €345,000 and around 300 hp. These cars will be based on a space frame and use components from the Rally2 category. From 2027, the current Rally2 cars will compete alongside the new WRC27 vehicles in a unified top class.

Zverev wins after worrying scenes

T0m@dmin1
-
0
Zverev wins after worrying scenes

A very weak second set against Scottish qualifier Jacob Fearnley puts the favorite in trouble.

Despite a worrying dip in form, Alexander Zverev cleared his opening hurdle at the ATP tournament in Vienna. Germany’s best professional tennis player defeated Scottish qualifier Jacob Fearnley 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (7-5) – in the second set, he was in danger of losing control of the match against the world number 81.

Zverev will now face Italian Matteo Arnaldi, who also had to qualify, in the round of 16.

Zverev, who is going through a difficult period in his career, wants to “play good tennis again” at the indoor tournament in Vienna, as he recently told Bild am Sonntag.

Zverev suddenly almost without a chance

The world number three’s first set went as expected, but the tables turned completely in the second set.

Zverev was pushed onto the defensive and was barely able to apply any pressure. On the contrary, Fearnley dictated the rallies at will during this phase. After 20 minutes of the second set, the score was 0-5, and after 28 minutes, the Scot converted the set point.
In the decisive set, both players were solid on serve, with Zverev missing the chance for the decisive break at 5-4, but then clinching the match in a tiebreak after 2 hours and 19 minutes.

Zverev set for comeback in the Davis Cup

The second German in the tournament is Daniel Altmaier, who will face world number one Jannik Sinner (Italy) in his opening match.

Zverev was ranked number two in the world at the beginning of the year and had his sights set on the top spot, but now his main focus is on securing third place and getting his body back in shape for the new season. He has been plagued by back pain for some time.

Nevertheless, he wants to make his comeback in the German Davis Cup team, which will face Argentina in the quarterfinals in Bologna (November 18 to 23). After the tournament in Vienna, the Masters in Paris is also on the agenda, where he will compete as the defending champion. Zverev is also expected to take part in the ATP season finale in Turin (November 9-16).

Mavropanos symptomatic: West Ham at rock bottom after a nightmarish evening

Sotd Editor
-
0
Mavropanos symptomatic: West Ham at rock bottom after a nightmarish evening

Empty stands, long faces—and the new coach recognizes fear: a miserable picture. Kevin Schade, on the other hand, is having fun.
What usually happens when you’re leading 1-0 but then miss chance after chance? Every soccer fan knows that this usually comes back to haunt you. Unless you’re playing West Ham United. “To be honest, I felt pretty comfortable,” said coach Keith Andrews when asked about this after his Brentford FC’s victory at the Hammers on Monday evening. It was only in stoppage time that his team sealed the deal with a 2-0 final score.

West Ham, who had to do without the injured Niclas Füllkrug once again, looked completely helpless and ended the game with an xGoals value of 0.33, which was almost flattering. From the start, Brentford was the only team that looked dangerous. Shortly before halftime, the impressive Kevin Schade set up Igor Thiago for his fifth goal of the season with his first assist of the season, giving Brentford a long-overdue lead (43′). After the break, Schade himself failed to convert from close range, hitting the underside of the crossbar (62′), which Igor Thiago had also hit earlier (30′).

Nuno Espirito Santo, who had only taken over from Graham Potter – now the new Swedish national coach – at the end of September, tried to counter this with a triple substitution and a change of system at half-time. It had no effect whatsoever. Instead, the Hammers even ended the game with ten men because substitute Konstantinos Mavropanos, formerly of Stuttgart, was unable to continue in the closing stages due to injury, with the team having already used up all their substitutions.

It was fitting for an evening where nothing went right. From the start, there was a grim atmosphere at London Stadium, with many fans staying away in protest against the club’s management or preferring to remain silent. While Brentford celebrated their first away win, West Ham started with four home defeats for the first time and remain second from bottom with only four points from eight games.

“Silence turns into fear”

“We are all concerned,” Espirito Santo admitted. “You can feel it among our fans. You can see that they are worried. Concern turns into silence, and silence turns into fear. And that fear is transferred to the players. We have a problem.” In truth, the Portuguese coach has more than one problem. Among other things, only three players in his team have scored this season, with Jarrod Bowen (three goals this season) being the only bright spot in attack. The defense lacks any kind of authority, with almost every set piece against Brentford creating danger.

The coach insists that the team now needs to “turn the momentum around” ahead of the clash with basement rivals Leeds United. “The fans need something to cheer about so they can support us and give us energy.” Perhaps it’s a good thing that West Ham are playing away on Friday.

Sensational news from the fishing village: Mjällby AIF is Swedish champion

T0m@dmin1
-
0
Sensational news from the fishing village: Mjällby AIF is Swedish champion

The surprise is complete: the village club Mjällby AIF has beaten the country’s big clubs and is Swedish champion.

No one had doubted the championship for a long time. Since Monday evening, it has been certain: thanks to a 2-0 away win at IFK Göteborg, Mjällby AIF is Swedish champion – with three match days still to go in the Allsvenskan, whose schedule is based on the calendar year. Center forward Bergström set the decisive victory in motion with a bicycle kick goal from close range (21st minute), and shortly thereafter, center back Pettersson, who had moved up, scored the second goal following a corner kick, which was also the final score (28th minute).

After the final whistle, the players celebrated with the fans who had traveled with them, some of whom wanted to run onto the pitch but were held back by security personnel. That didn’t dampen the joy: the club from the small fishing village in the south of the country is Swedish champions for the first time.

Hammarby with no theoretical chance

Runners-up Hammarby IF can no longer catch up, even theoretically, as they are now eleven points behind. In practical terms, hardly anyone had expected them to do so anyway. The underdogs had been too consistent and too stable throughout the season. Mjällby lost only one game in the entire season, and coach Anders Torstensson’s team was more secure defensively than any other: Mjällby conceded just 17 goals in 27 games – only one in the last seven games.

Nevertheless, the first championship in the club’s history comes as a surprise. In its history, Mjällby had never finished higher than fifth in the Swedish top flight. Until now, the club’s greatest successes were two championships in the second division and reaching the cup final in 2023. In 2016, the club almost got relegated to the fourth division. Under the leadership of 36-year-old club director Jacob Lennartsson, the club has stabilized in the middle of the league in recent years – and has now pulled off a major coup.

Now it’s on to the Champions League qualifiers

The club from the fishing village with a population of just 1,379 has thus outsmarted the established Swedish big clubs. Malmö FF, which has won eight of the last twelve championships, is currently only in fourth place, and other top clubs such as Hammarby, Djurgardens, and Häcken, all of which have squads with significantly higher market values, were unable to compete with the underdog from the wilderness, which plays its home games in the nearest large town in front of a maximum of 7,500 spectators—more than five times the number of people living in the village.

As champions, Mjällby will be able to participate in the Champions League qualifiers next season – the next milestone for the village club. Mjällby has never played an international match before.

Cliché confirmed: Serie A match day sets historic negative record

Phil Laffertey
-
0
Cliché confirmed: Serie A match day sets historic negative record

People often say that no goals are scored in Italy. On this Serie A match day, that was truer than ever before.

For a moment, it looked as if the record might be broken after all: in the final Monday evening match of the 7th Serie A match day between US Cremonese and Udinese Calcio, the hosts took the lead in the 4th minute. Was this the sign of a small goal spectacle that could break the negative record? The answer came just under two hours later: no. Because in the remaining 86 minutes plus stoppage time, only one more goal was scored—Udinese’s equalizer to make it 1-1—the seventh matchday of the 2025/26 season is now the lowest-scoring matchday since the league was expanded to 20 teams in 2004. Including the two goals on Monday evening, the 20 teams managed just eleven goals. A total of four games ended without any goals, while the 2-1 win by new league leaders AC Milan against AC Florence was the most spectacular of the boring games and the only one to produce more than two goals.

By comparison, on the last Bundesliga matchday, only one game—the 1-1 draw between Cologne and Augsburg—had fewer than three goals, with a total of 33 goals scored. The cliché of Italian catenaccio, which is repeatedly disproved, proved true in all its glory this weekend.

Previously, four matchdays had shared the negative record with a total of 13 goals, most recently on matchday 2 of 2022/23, when four games ended 0-0. Although there had been even lower-scoring weekends in Serie A history—on matchday 27 in 1968/69 and on matchday 1 in 1979/80, only six goals were scored—at that time, the league consisted of only 16 teams and thus two fewer games per matchday.
Eleven goals on one matchday is also the negative record in the Bundesliga history books, set on matchday 26 of the 1989/90 season and later equaled on matchday 20 of the 1998/99 season. However, only nine games were played on both matchdays – one less than in Italy.

Despite previous rejection: Röhl to become new coach of Glasgow Rangers

Phil Laffertey
-
0
Despite previous rejection: Röhl to become new coach of Glasgow Rangers

Glasgow Rangers have presented their new head coach—and he is German: Danny Röhl (36) is taking over the struggling Scottish top club. The agreement comes as quite a surprise.

Only one win from their first eight games in the Scottish Premiership. Glasgow Rangers have had an alarmingly poor start to the season, resulting in Russell Martin having to step down on October 6. There has been no improvement since then, which is why the search for a suitable successor has been in full swing.

However, the search proved to be quite difficult. First, the preferred candidate, Steven Gerrard, turned down his former club (from July 2018 to November 2021), before German Danny Röhl also rejected the job offer, according to consistent media reports. Kevin Muscat was said to be in promising negotiations, but he preferred to stay in China, where the Australian is heading for his second championship in a row. The former assistant to Hansi Flick – at FC Bayern and the German national team – has been given a contract with Rangers until June 30, 2028. “It is a great privilege to take on the role of head coach at such an incredible club, which is recognized worldwide,” said Röhl in his first statement: “I know it’s been a difficult start to the season, but there are still so many games to play in four competitions. My team and I will give everything to reward the fans and the club.”

Röhl is well aware that “the fans want to see results now.” But he believes the team has the potential to deliver. Those in charge also see this potential in Röhl. Speaking about Andrew Cavenagh, for example, the chairman said: “Danny impressed us with his vision, his character, and his understanding of what Rangers stand for. We believe he can help restore pride, momentum, and ultimately success.”

With their backs against the wall in the Europa League too

Röhl had been in charge of English second division club Sheffield Wednesday until July, before leaving of his own accord twelve days before the start of the season due to financial difficulties. Röhl had certainly made an impression at the Owls, leading the club to safety twice—in his first season in a seemingly hopeless situation in dramatic fashion on the last day of the season, and then quite confidently in his second.

Now he faces a mammoth task at the top Scottish club. In addition to the league, Rangers have also botched their Europa League start – with two defeats from two games, the traditional club already has its back against the wall. Röhl will make his debut at Brann Bergen on Thursday.

In any case, it is a task that will attract different attention and emotions than Röhl’s first job as head coach. Before his suspension, his predecessor Martin was escorted out of the stadium by police, while angry fans tried to prevent the Rangers team bus from leaving the stadium.

123...1,666Page 1 of 1,666

EDITOR PICKS

POPULAR POSTS

POPULAR CATEGORY

ABOUT US

Sports of the day is your sports news website. We provide you with the latest breaking news and videos straight from the sports industry.

Contact us: [email protected]

FOLLOW US

© 2021 sportsoftheday.com