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Fears confirmed: Hübers will be out for a long time

Jeffrey Gooding
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Fears confirmed: Hübers will be out for a long time

1. FC Köln will have to do without Timo Hübers for a long time. Fears of a serious knee injury to the Cologne defender have been confirmed.

The thorough examination on Sunday morning confirmed all of Saturday’s fears. Timo Hübers suffered a serious knee injury in the incident, and the 1. FC Köln defender will undergo surgery on Monday at the Mediapark Clinic performed by Dr. Peter Schäferhoff. No information can be provided at this time regarding the exact nature of the injury or the player’s future. Sports director Thomas Kessler said: “Even in the situation itself, it was clear that it didn’t bode well for Timo. The diagnosis hits us all hard, especially him. He has already fought his way back onto the pitch twice after serious injuries at a young age – and we are sure that he will do the same this time.”

Hübers, last year’s captain of the Geißböcke, is indeed considered a professional with “great inner strength and a remarkable mentality,” according to Kessler, who announced in a statement from the club on Sunday: “We as the FC family stand closely by his side, support him every step of the way, and wish him much strength and a speedy recovery.”

Third center back out of action

In sporting terms, the loss of the defensive leader means a significant weakening of the squad. With Hübers, this is now the third center back to be sidelined for the long term: First, Luca Kilian suffered his third cruciate ligament rupture in 18 months in September. Then new signing Rav van den Berg suffered a serious shoulder injury, and now Hübers is out for at least several months.

Eric Martel is expected to play in the center of the back three against FC Bayern on Wednesday. After all, the defensive midfielder is getting better and better at this role, earning a kicker rating of 2 in Dortmund. Martel is considered an instinctive defensive player who impresses with his excellent positioning and keen sense of the situation.

“The only thing we did in training”: Slot’s warning was ignored

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“The only thing we did in training”: Slot’s warning was ignored

Liverpool FC is sliding deeper and deeper into crisis in the Premier League. Coach Arne Slot is searching for answers. Meanwhile, his team is ignoring his warning.

With Saturday evening’s 3-2 defeat at Brentford FC, Arne Slot has reached a new low as Liverpool FC coach. No defeat during his tenure with the Reds has been more disappointing, said the 47-year-old Dutchman. “Even when we lost, our performances were better than tonight,” said Slot about the fourth league defeat in a row, which saw the Reds drop to sixth place. As a reminder, after the fifth matchday, the champions had a five-point lead over second place. Never before in the Premier League has a team won its first five league games and then lost the next four. “When you win a soccer game during the week, you always hope to get a better result, even though you only have two days’ rest. But I had also hoped for and expected a better performance, because the performance was far from what we are used to.”

Meanwhile, it is becoming a habit for Liverpool to always be behind, against Brentford for the sixth time in a row. “Going 0-1 down every time after five minutes isn’t exactly helpful,” Slot said angrily. Brentford’s early goal was preceded by a long throw-in. Slot had warned his team emphatically about this strength. “That was the only thing we did yesterday on the training ground to prepare for it.” But it didn’t help; the warning was ignored. To make matters worse, Kevin Schade then made it 2-0 for the home side before Milos Kerkez was able to reduce the deficit with his debut goal before the break.

Slot: “We haven’t found an answer yet.”

But anyone expecting an LFC onslaught was sorely mistaken. Brentford pressed and rewarded themselves from the penalty spot. Liverpool clearly lacked solutions and tactical responses to the Bees’ intense style of play, and it was only shortly before the end that Mohamed Salah, who had been alarmingly weak up to that point, was able to pull one back. “I’ve said many times that teams use a certain style of play against us and we haven’t found an answer to that yet,” Slot admitted honestly.

What is the reason for this? “It definitely has something to do with the fact that a lot of changes were made in the summer. In my opinion, it’s no surprise that things can turn out this way,” said Slot, who added that he had not expected “four defeats in a row, I want to make that clear.” The Dutchman also had a small excuse ready. “Of the last six games we’ve played, five were away games. Sometimes that’s not really helpful when you’re in a slump, as we are at the moment,” said the coach of last season’s best away team. It’s good for Liverpool that they now have three home games in a row.

Haaland’s late goal doesn’t count: ManCity loses at Aston Villa

T0m@dmin1
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Haaland’s late goal doesn’t count: ManCity loses at Aston Villa

For the third time in a row, Manchester City loses at Aston Villa. A dream goal from Cash and a strong defensive performance were enough for the Villans to secure a narrow 1-0 victory.

Manchester City had not lost in five Premier League games and had bounced back after a false start.
On Sunday, there was a long-distance duel for the top of the table – with Arsenal, of course, in the better position, having three points more to their credit. In Birmingham at Aston Villa, Pep Guardiola left out Doku, among others, and brought in home-grown Bobb instead. Led by Foden and Bernardo Silva, City nevertheless started with their usual dominance, but failed to get Haaland into the game or create any clear chances. And the Villans, also unbeaten in five league games but embarrassed 2-1 by Go Ahead Eagles in the Europa League, struck back with counterattacks. A blocked Digne shot (17′) led to a corner, which resulted in the lead: taken short, the ball came to Cash on the edge of the box and the Pole fired it into the bottom left corner (19′).

The goal took City’s confidence away and, as a result, their control of the game. With aggressive tackling and quick transitions, the Villans annoyed the visitors and subsequently had even more of the play. McGinn—whose shot whizzed just centimeters past the post (30th minute)—and Watkins—who headed a corner kick straight at Ruben Dias (34th minute) with no one around him—missed further big chances before the break.

Donnarumma saves twice – Haaland unlucky

The first chance after the break also belonged to the home side, with McGinn firing a direct shot into the penalty area (53′). It took over an hour for the other side to create their first dangerous moment: Savinho had a double chance, but Onana blocked the first shot and Pau cleared the rebound off the line (61′).

City grew stronger again, pushing for the equalizer, but failed to create any real chances. There was always an opposing leg in the way. Haaland failed to get any power behind his header (71′), and Foden’s shot was blocked by Onana (82′). Defensively, the Skyblues had to be careful not to concede a decisive counterattack; Donnarumma prevented worse against Sancho (70′) and Watkins (75′).

A few minutes before the end, the ball finally found its way into Villa keeper Martinez’s goal, with Haaland sliding it over the line with the help of the post. But as Marmoush, who provided the assist, had been offside, the flag was rightly raised (89′). So the Skyblues remained defeated – their third consecutive defeat at Villa Park in Birmingham. As Arsenal won 1-0 against Crystal Palace at the same time, the gap widened to six points.

Strong Schröder double-double not enough: Reaves scores 50 points against the Kings

Lesley Summerville
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Strong Schröder double-double not enough: Reaves scores 50 points against the Kings

Dennis Schröder suffered another defeat with the Sacramento Kings. Although the German recorded a strong double-double against the Los Angeles Lakers, Sacramento lost 120-127 to a Lakers team without LeBron James and Luka Doncic because Austin Reaves had the game of his life.

Schröder had already collected ten assists by the middle of the third quarter, and the Braunschweig native finished the game with 18 points (7/18 FG, 3/9 3P) and twelve assists in 35 minutes. However, that wasn’t enough, as Austin Reaves was on the other side. In the absence of LeBron James (sciatic nerve) and Luka Doncic (finger strain), the Lakers’ third star took over and set a new career best. Reaves scored a whopping 51 points (12/22 FG, 6/10 three-pointers, 21/22 FT) and narrowly missed a triple-double with eleven rebounds and nine assists. Reaves scored 15 points in both the third and fourth quarters, repeatedly finding his way into the zone against the porous Kings defense to either finish successfully or draw a foul.

Sacramento trailed for most of the game but seemed to turn it around in the fourth quarter. With ten minutes to go, Domantas Sabonis gave the visitors their biggest lead (101-97) with a three-pointer, but shortly afterwards Reaves returned to the court and sank three three-pointers in three minutes. Kings top scorer Zach LaVine (32, 12/24) brought his team back to within three points, but his three-pointer to potentially tie the game didn’t fall.

Reaves seals the deal for the Lakers

Instead, Reaves converted four more free throws to seal the Lakers’ second win of the season. In addition to the guard, Deandre Ayton (22, 15 rebounds) and Rui Hachimura (18) impressed on offense, while Russell Westbrook scored 18 points off the bench for the Kings. DeMar DeRozan had 21 points (9/22), but was not as efficient as usual.

The Kings now face four consecutive away games (OKC, Bulls, Bucks, Nuggets), while the Lakers continue tomorrow night at home against the Portland Trail Blazers before embarking on a short road trip with games in Minnesota and Memphis.

Alonso is clear after qualifying – his words hit Aston Martin hard

Lesley Summerville
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Alonso is clear after qualifying – his words hit Aston Martin hard

Aston Martin experiences a belly flop in Formula 1 qualifying in Mexico: Fernando Alonso does not mince his words afterwards

Aston Martin was unable to translate its good form from Friday’s practice into a convincing qualifying result at the Formula 1 Mexican Grand Prix in Mexico City. Fernando Alonso was highly critical of the team after finishing 14th, while teammate Lance Stroll disappointed again in 19th place.

“Without unusual circumstances in the race, it will be difficult. We don’t deserve the points at the moment because we don’t have the pace of the top 10,” the Spaniard said bluntly.

As has been the case several times this season, the AMR25 performed strongly in free practice. In the second free practice session, both drivers were in the top 10, but at the decisive moment, they once again lacked competitiveness. Stroll complained that the car “generally keeps falling further and further behind over the course of the weekend.” He explained: “I have no grip, none at all. This happens often. There’s good grip in practice, and then suddenly none at all in qualifying.”

Alonso agreed with his teammate and described the entire weekend as difficult. “We were slow all weekend,” said the two-time world champion. He pointed out that the weaker performance on Friday had already been a bad sign. “Normally, we are third or fifth on Friday. When I was only eighth, I knew it could be a tough weekend.”

The Spaniard went on to explain that the tracks in Mexico and Las Vegas were problematic for Aston Martin on paper. “Unfortunately, that has been confirmed. Mexico has always been difficult for us. We were last in 2023, last in 2024, and now we’re struggling again. There’s something about this track that we just don’t understand. Let’s see if Adrian [Newey] understands more next year,“ said Alonso, referring to the new technical director who joined the team in March.

Nevertheless, Alonso is hoping for a chance in the early stages of the race. ”The first three corners are very tight, actually too narrow for 20 cars. If there’s something to be gained there, we’ll give it our all,” he said.

Timo Glock: What makes Max Verstappen such an exceptional talent

Lesley Summerville
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Timo Glock: What makes Max Verstappen such an exceptional talent

Max Verstappen is fighting for his fifth consecutive world championship title: Why the Red Bull driver is an “exceptional talent” and what sets him apart from other drivers

Max Verstappen is back at the top of Formula 1: for the Dutchman, defending his title is suddenly within reach again. If he succeeds, it would be his fifth consecutive world championship victory—a feat that only record world champion Michael Schumacher has achieved so far.

That’s not the only reason why many experts, including Timo Glock, consider the current world champion to be an exceptional talent. “First of all, there’s his technical understanding,” says the former Formula 1 driver on Sky. “The collaboration with his engineer, constantly sitting in the simulator, driving, trying things out—his body knows nothing else.”

Added to this, however, is his extraordinary ability to drive a race car at the limit. “And there are many things,” Glock emphasizes, adding: “I always had the impression that he was already five meters or 50 meters ahead and knew what was coming.”

“That was particularly impressive on the Nordschleife when he overtook a car on the grass in wet conditions,” recalls the Sky expert, referring to the Red Bull driver’s successful adventure. “Anyone else would have been wide-eyed. But he already knew what was going to happen at that moment.”

Verstappen stands out with his “zero error rate”

“He simply anticipates what will happen, can read very accurately how starts will develop and where he needs to position himself in a duel.” Although this is “outstanding,” it is not the four-time Formula 1 world champion’s greatest strength, according to Glock.

“What really sets him apart at the moment is his zero error rate,” adds the 43-year-old. “And his ability to deliver at the decisive moment – in qualifying, in Q3 – to get that one perfect lap, in my opinion, he is by far the best at that.”

Someone who has known Verstappen for many years is the current Sauber team boss Jonathan Wheatley, who previously worked as sporting director at Red Bull. “I was lucky enough to work with a very young Max, and I really enjoyed it,” recalls the Briton.

Wheatley: Verstappen “an extraordinary talent”

“Seeing him mature… it sounds almost strange to talk about him today, because he’s now the complete package,” says Wheatley, before praising the Dutchman in the highest terms: “A consummate world champion. An extraordinary talent.”

“Of course, he shapes his team around him in the way he believes will get the best performance out of them,” reveals the 58-year-old. “That’s exactly what he’s looking for, always and everywhere. He’s a force of nature. But the team around Max is solid, well-known and has enormous depth and strength in the organization.”

“It’s quite obvious that the teamwork there is excellent,” says Wheatley, looking back on his former team. “And personally, I’m also very happy for Laurent [Mekies, team boss]. He’s a good friend of mine, and it’s nice to see him enjoying such a successful phase at Red Bull.” Thanks to Verstappen.

Serious Moto3 accident in Sepang: Noah Dettwiler’s condition is serious

Sports Of The Day
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Serious Moto3 accident in Sepang: Noah Dettwiler’s condition is serious

Swiss rider Noah Dettwiler is in hospital following a serious accident – his team confirms that he will undergo several operations

Even before the start of the Moto3 race in Malaysia, a serious accident occurred during the sighting lap. Coming out of turn 3, Noah Dettwiler was riding slowly on the left side of the track when world champion Jose Antonio Rueda approached at a significantly higher speed and hit the Swiss rider from behind. The considerable difference in speed caused a violent collision.

In an initial statement, race officials said that both riders were conscious. After receiving first aid at the track, Dettwiler was flown to a nearby hospital by rescue helicopter. Rueda was initially treated at the medical center and then also flown to the hospital by rescue helicopter.

Rueda was soon given the all-clear. “He seems to be doing well under the circumstances,” said KTM racing manager Jens Hainbach during the ServusTV television broadcast. “He has no serious injuries. Of course, he is quite shaken up, has a severe concussion and may also have a broken bone in his hand, but apparently nothing really dramatic.”

Dettwiler’s situation is serious. According to the Swiss newspaper Blick, which spoke to his father, the 20-year-old suffered several cardiac arrests and lost a lot of blood. His spleen and lung are also injured. In addition, he has an open fracture in his leg.

Dettwiler’s manager also confirmed this to SRF.
Several operations are planned in the coming hours. Dettwiler’s parents are already on their way to Malaysia. The communications department at Dorna Sports has not yet commented on Dettwiler’s condition. The CIP team released a statement: “Noah has been taken to a hospital in Kuala Lumpur and will have to undergo several operations. He is in good hands.
We ask that his privacy be respected. No further details will be released at this time.”

The Swiss rider is competing in his second Moto3 season with the French CIP-KTM team. He has only scored World Championship points once in his career, finishing 14th in Austin (USA) in 2024.

ADAC plans WRC comeback: World Rally Championship race at the Nürburgring?

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ADAC plans WRC comeback: World Rally Championship race at the Nürburgring?

The World Rally Championship is set to return to Germany in the future – reasons for holding a WRC race around the Nürburgring

The World Rally Championship (WRC) will not be coming to Germany in 2026. After three editions, the Central European Rally was held for the last time this year. Although the three-country rally was well received by participants and spectators, organizing and financing an event across several national borders proved difficult and inefficient.

However, rallying will continue in the Passau region in the future. ADAC South Bavaria has already announced that the 3-City Rally will return next year. The German part of the Central European Rally emerged from the structures of this traditional event.

In the medium term, the ADAC wants to bring the WRC back to Germany. And a solution is coming into focus that could thrill many motorsport fans: a World Championship race around (and possibly on) the Nürburgring.

Service park at the Nürburgring, stages on the Moselle?

Such considerations have been around for some time, and speculation boiled over again last week on the sidelines of the Central European Rally. “It won’t work out for next season, but for some stages and the service park on the [Nürburgring] Nordschleife are part of the plans for the future,” an unnamed high-ranking source was quoted as saying by the DirtFish portal. The idea of holding a WRC race around the Nürburgring is indeed more than just a vague notion. The paddock of the Grand Prix circuit would provide the perfect infrastructure for the service park.
The ADAC Mittelrhein has the technical expertise to organize a rally at the highest level. The local association has been organizing the Rally Mittelrhein since 2021. The German Rally Championship round uses special stages on the Moselle that were previously driven as part of Rally Germany.
The distance from the Nürburgring to the Moselle would allow for integration into a new WRC race in Germany. Theoretically, a return to the Baumholder military training area and the legendary “Panzerplatte” special stage would also be conceivable – albeit at the cost of very long connecting stages.

Rallying on the Nordschleife would be nothing new

But rallying would not be entering uncharted territory around the Nürburgring either. The Cologne-Ahrweiler Rally is held there every year in November. The highlight of this event, which is primarily aimed at vehicles from the youngtimer class, is the “Feste Nürburg” special stage.

This involves driving large sections of the Nürburgring Nordschleife – but in the opposite direction. Such an extraordinary experience with WRC cars and the top drivers of the World Rally Championship would certainly attract more than just rally fans to the “Green Hell.”

However, it is currently uncertain whether this will happen in 2027. This is also due to the unresolved future of the WRC promoter. In August of this year, the International Automobile Federation (FIA) announced that it was looking for a new marketer for the World Rally Championship. The uncertainty about the future contact person makes it particularly difficult to plan the finances for a possible World Championship race.

A complete comeback of the classic Rally Germany, as it was held until 2019 as part of the WRC, is currently out of the question after the ADAC Saarland withdrew as organizer in 2021.

Zverev’s important sign of life: “An incredibly positive week”

Jason Maverick
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Zverev’s important sign of life: “An incredibly positive week”

In the Vienna final against Jannik Sinner, the tennis star made his comeback to the world’s elite and gained confidence for the rest of the season.

Alexander Zverev was quickly smiling again. His first world-class performance in a long time clearly did the Hamburg native good, despite his narrow three-set defeat to Jannik Sinner in the Vienna final. “We’re slowly finding our way back to good tennis. An incredibly positive week, even though we lost,” Zverev said to his team during the light-hearted award ceremony.

“The last few months haven’t always been easy in terms of my body,” Zverev reflected, emphasizing the “hard work” needed to regain his former strength. Then he joked with some crude words: “Jannik, you’re really getting on all of us players’ nerves. Relax, we know you’re the best player in the world. Let us win something too.“

Sinner, who had previously defeated Zverev 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 after a high-class match, praised the German afterwards: ”It’s been a very difficult year for you. But you’re playing better and better every week. I wish you all the best for the end of the season. Tennis needs you, so keep playing like this,” said the Italian, who celebrated his 22nd title in Vienna.

Zverev had hardly reached his top level in recent months, and the 28-year-old was also plagued by physical problems. Surprisingly, however, he now faced Wimbledon winner Sinner on equal terms in the final in Vienna and gained a lot of confidence for the rest of the season. Before the ATP Finals starting on November 9 and the Davis Cup final round with the German team, in which Zverev also wants to participate, the Indoor Masters in Paris Bercy (starting Monday) is still to come. The world number three is the defending champion there.

UFC super show ends in disaster

Jeffrey Gooding
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UFC super show ends in disaster

The main event of UFC 321 had to be stopped without a result after an accidental eye poke. Heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall is seriously frustrated.

This is not how the UFC martial arts empire had imagined it: a major heavyweight title fight in the MMA league ended in disaster on Sunday.

At the UFC 321 event in Abu Dhabi, champion Tom Aspinall from England put his belt on the line in his first title defense against Ciryl Gane from France.
The fight at the Etihad Arena had to be stopped after less than five minutes without a result – due to an unintentional but serious eye poke by the challenger.

UFC 321: Aspinall’s fight against Gane is stopped

Four minutes and 35 seconds had elapsed in the first round in the Octagon when Gane accidentally hit Aspinall in the right eye with his finger. In accordance with the rules, the fight was interrupted and Aspinall was given five minutes to recover – but it didn’t help.

After the break, Aspinall reported that he still couldn’t see anything. Referee Jason Herzog was forced to end the fight and declare it a “no contest.”

“I’m sorry – for the fans, for everyone,” Gane apologized. “We put a lot of energy into this. I’m very disappointed, but that’s the way the sport is.”

Aspinall, who was taken to hospital for further examination after the fight, was equally frustrated: “This is bullshit, complete bullshit. I’m pissed off, I can hardly open my eye.”

Dana White holds out prospect of rematch

The 32-year-old Aspinall had been interim heavyweight champion since November 2023, after a title match between then-champion Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic was canceled due to an injury to Jones.

When Jones retired in June, Aspinall was promoted to “real” champion. The fact that his first defense turned into an unwanted farce is particularly bitter for him and the league given the previous circumstances.

“The heavyweight division is still in ruins after the Aspinall-Gane disaster,” commented ESPN – notably the UFC’s own US media partner.

League boss Dana White also spoke of a “shitty ending” to the fight night – and immediately held out the prospect of a rematch.

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