Sport

The Australian athletics world is mourning the death of Natasha Ward, an up-and-coming middle-distance runner. Ward passed away over the weekend at just 21 years old. Athletics New South Wales and the Sutherland District Athletics Club announced the sad news in a joint statement, but the cause of death has not been made public.

After 11 seasons and 21 titles at Barcelona, the 34-year-old goalkeeper joins the Dutch club for one season.

Fewer than 200 Hapoel Be'er Sheva fans are expected at the stadium in Szombathely, Hungary, tonight. Experts point to the team's recent performance slump and logistical challenges as the primary reasons for the low turnout.

The goalkeeper received support alongside professional criticism of his mistakes, and the other players were required to stop showing indifference following the second goal they conceded against Larnaca. Optimism in the club ahead of Thursday (20:30, Sport 2).

Kozuch's talks with the players about faith, the surprising practice of Kanaan, and those who will earn the coach's trust. Hapoel Be'er Sheva expects a good result tonight (20:30, Sport 3), which will leave it a chance to qualify ahead of the return leg against Red Star next week in Belgrade.

Real Madrid continues its attempts to sign Rodri, but according to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Manchester City is choosing not to rush the deal. Despite official talks with the Spanish giants, City has slowed down negotiations, anticipating potential interest from other clubs, including Barcelona.

Players at Maccabi Tel Aviv are dejected before the match against CSKA Sofia, as they will again play in front of empty stands. Tyrese Asante may start for the first time this season (Thursday, 19:00, Sport1).

Hapoel Tel Aviv has agreed on terms to acquire Douglas Owusu from Red Star Belgrade, but the club is waiting for the results of comprehensive medical examinations scheduled for Tuesday before finalizing the transfer.

The former NBA champion, who was forced to retire at 32 due to blood clots, revealed that he almost died in January and warned the San Antonio star: "It happened to me twice, and then I couldn't play anymore."

Marie-George Buffet, France's former Minister of Sports, admitted that her office suspended surprise doping tests for Zinedine Zidane and his teammates ahead of the 1998 World Cup. This admission contradicts her 2013 testimony before a Senate committee, where she denied that any such instructions were ever issued.

In a special episode of Double Dribble, Arik Shtilman discussed the details of Yam Madar's transfer to Maccabi Tel Aviv. The club sponsor revealed the behind-the-scenes negotiations and the player's personal commitment to the deal.

Ferran Torres continues to maintain ambiguity regarding his future at Barcelona, but is sending a clear message to the club's management. In an interview during the team's pre-season tour in the USA, the 26-year-old striker clarified that contract extension progress depends on how he is treated by the board. He also addressed reports regarding potential interest from Paris Saint-Germain.

Gilad Katzav, the agent of Niv Eliasi, spoke on the 103fm sports program about the goalkeeper's signing with the Greek club Levadiakos and later discussed several other footballers he represents.

Star of "Power Couple", Omri Kanda, who revealed his gambling past on the show, spoke about how top players approach him for advice: "Go to rehabilitation and pay the money, one way or another you will lose it."

Pressure on Gianni Infantino is reaching a new peak: according to a report in 'The Times', UEFA, CONCACAF, and the Asian Football Confederation have joined forces to secure his removal. If he refuses to resign, a series of dramatic steps are being considered, from boycotting FIFA institutions to establishing competing international tournaments.

Despite the addition of Ja Morant and high hopes for the new season, The Athletic was not impressed by the Trail Blazers' summer moves and ranked them only 24th out of 30 teams in their annual ranking. Doubts about the combination with Damian Lillard, the appointment of the new coach, and the owner's conduct left the Israeli star's team among the biggest disappointments of the offseason.

Jesse Owens stunned the world with four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, but the moment etched in memory from those games was actually the friendship with his German rival Lutz Long – a story that proved the victory of the spirit is greater than any propaganda. Do you also have something to say? Send us columns to the address: kick@ynet.co.il

Taylor Fritz won the Washington tournament this evening (Monday), after defeating Rafael Jodar 6:7 (2), 4:6 in the final match. This is the 11th title in the career of the American tennis player (ranked 9th in the world), but the first above the ATP 250 level since Tokyo 2022.

Bernardo Silva is settling into life as a Real Madrid player. The Portuguese international, who parted ways with Manchester City after nine years to sign a two-year deal with José Mourinho's side, completed his first training session and spoke to the club's official TV channel.

Amidst public tensions, the "Goal for God" project is fostering harmony. Former footballer Ziv Oson has successfully introduced tennis to the Haredi community by respecting their strict religious requirements.

Members of the "Yad LeBanim" organization presented Hapoel Tel Aviv with a certificate of appreciation for commemorating IDF soldiers and security forces. The organization's chairman, Eli Tahar, who lost two sons and a brother in Israel's wars, visited the team's training session to share his story with the players and staff.

The second round of the National League Toto Cup concluded with M.S. Ashdod, Bnei Yehuda, and Maccabi Herzliya maintaining perfect records. These teams are now closing in on the semi-finals.

Maccabi Tel Aviv midfielder Christian Blitz underwent surgery on Monday to repair a foot fracture. The club confirmed the procedure was successful, with his recovery period estimated at three to four months.

Even after Hapoel Be'er Sheva's final training session in Hungary, coach Ran Kozuch has still not decided who will start in place of Kings Kangwa in the first match tomorrow (Tuesday, 20:30, Sport 3) against Red Star Belgrade in the third qualifying round of the Champions League. Similar to yesterday's training, this evening the coach is deliberating between Eliel Peretz and Hamudi Kanaan. Peretz...

Following the record sale of Loizos Loizou to Red Star Belgrade, Hapoel Tel Aviv is nearing the most expensive purchase in its history, negotiating with the same club for winger Douglas Owusu for over 2 million euros. Guy Primor is currently abroad to finalize terms, with the player set to undergo comprehensive medical exams on Tuesday.

After securing a "hot winter" with participation in at least the league phase of the Conference League, Hapoel Be'er Sheva wants to achieve more and will try to surprise Red Star Belgrade tomorrow (Tuesday, 20:30, Sport 3) in the third qualifying round of the Champions League. For the Israeli champion, which is forced to host in Szombathely, Hungary, this will be the first match without Kings...

Ahead of Wednesday's hearing in the infusion case, Ironi Tiberias faces another Toto Cup match tomorrow (Tuesday, 20:00, Sport1). The team will play away against Maccabi Haifa, which is seeking its first points in Group A.

Grandmaster Boris Gelfand has become the first Israeli chess player to be inducted into the World Chess Hall of Fame in St. Louis, recognizing his extraordinary contributions to the game.

According to a report in 'Gazetta', the Greek Freak wants to play for the national team during the upcoming window of games, but the Miami Heat is preventing him from doing so for fear of injury before the start of the new season. The parties have been discussing the issue in recent weeks, but it appears that the matter has already been decided.

The top Israeli chess player of all time, Boris Gelfand, who for many years has been among the world's elite, has achieved a prestigious milestone: he is the first Israeli chess player in history to be elected to the World Chess Hall of Fame.

UEFA has fined Maccabi Tel Aviv 40,000 euros and ordered the club to play its next home European match without spectators due to pyrotechnics use during the game against Sheriff Tiraspol. Consequently, Thursday's Europa League qualifier against CSKA Sofia will be held behind closed doors.

A major drama in Israeli basketball: after weeks of negotiations, Hapoel Tel Aviv has announced the signing of point guard Tamir Blatt. The player is moving from bitter rivals Maccabi Tel Aviv, returning to the club where he first made his mark over a decade ago.

A leader on the court, manager of the kibbutz fishing branch, and a "legendary lawn mower," Dani Gofer, who led Kibbutz Nir David to the National League in the 1960s, has passed away. He is remembered not only as a gifted point guard with "golden hands" but as a true pioneer of the kibbutz movement in the early years of the state.

During an MLS match last Saturday, the Israeli striker Dor Turgeman was targeted by "Death to Israel" chants from local fans in Montreal.

The 26-year-old American center, who did not impress last season at Fenerbahçe, is expected to be the third big man in the rotation after Roman Sorkin and Daniel Theis.

Eirik Schtilman revealed on the "Double Dribble" podcast that one of the investors he plans to bring to Maccabi Tel Aviv is billionaire David Fialkow. Worth over $10 billion, he is known as a "collector of great talent" and an Oscar-winning producer of the film "Icarus."

Hapoel Jerusalem owner Matan Adelson released a video message to fans explaining the club's branding strategy and emphasizing his commitment to building a stronger future for the team.

Mourinho has returned to the Bernabeu with a promise to bring Real back to the top, but even before the start of the season it is clear that the squad is far from perfect: the goalkeeper question, the pursuit of Rodri, the congestion in the attack, and the ignoring of Castilla require quick solutions. Do you also have something to say? Send us columns to the address: kick@ynet.co.il

Matias Nahuel, who was purchased in the summer of 2024 from the Polish club Slask Wroclaw for about 2.5 million euros, is leaving the club. During his two seasons on the Carmel, Nahuel recorded only 24 appearances in all competitions.

The 23-year-old Dutch winger, formerly of Manchester City and Serie A, is on trial at Hapoel Haifa. Despite Alon Turgeman's strong form, the club continues to seek an additional striker.