Steve Luckings
Steve Luckings
Sports Editor


Omar Ismail lives with his family in Sharjah but carries the hopes of Palestine at the Paris Olympics. Photo: Palestine Olympic Committee
Palestine's Ismail vows to show 'strength of our nation' at Paris 2024

The 18-year-old taekwondo fighter carries a message from his people and has genuine medal hopes at the Olympic Games

July 26, 2024, 5:49 AM
Lamine Yamal of Spain celebrates with the best young player trophy after winning the UEFA EURO 2024 final soccer match between Spain and England, in Berlin, Germany, 14 July 2024.   EPA / FILIP SINGER
Could Lamine Yamal meet hero Lionel Messi in 'Finalissima'?

Champions of Europe and South America set to play each other in one-off match in summer of 2025

July 16, 2024, 5:14 AM
Argentina's forward #10 Lionel Messi lifts up the trophy as he celebrates winning the Conmebol 2024 Copa America tournament final football match between Argentina and Colombia at the Hard Rock Stadium, in Miami, Florida on July 14, 2024.  (Photo by JUAN MABROMATA  /  AFP)
Messi tears turn to joy as Argentina win Copa America

Forward withdrawn midway through second half with an ankle injury, but Lautaro Martinez's extra-time winner clinches record 16th Copa title

July 15, 2024, 5:42 AM
BERLIN, GERMANY - JULY 14: Lamine Yamal of Spain celebrates victory with his Winners Medal in front of fans of Spain after the UEFA EURO 2024 final match between Spain and England at Olympiastadion on July 14, 2024 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Dan Mullan / Getty Images)
Spain's Lamine Yamal says winning Euro 2024 'best birthday gift'

Winger celebrated his 17th birthday on the eve of the final as La Roja create history with 2-1 win over England

July 15, 2024, 3:47 AM
England's forward #19 Ollie Watkins celebrates after winning the UEFA Euro 2024 semi-final football match between the Netherlands and England at the BVB Stadion in Dortmund on July 10, 2024.  (Photo by KENZO TRIBOUILLARD  /  AFP)
Echoes of '66 as Watkins makes case to start Euro 2024 final

England substitute made instant impact after replacing veteran Kane against Netherlands, scoring the winner and increasing calls for him to start against Spain

July 11, 2024, 5:25 AM
Lamine Yamal of Spain celebrates winning the UEFA EURO 2024 semi-finals soccer match between Spain and France in Munich, Germany, 09 July 2024.   EPA / RONALD WITTEK
Lamine Yamal, the Spanish 'genius' who keeps rewriting history

His goal in 2-1 semi-final win over France made him the youngest goalscorer in European Championship history

July 10, 2024, 6:57 AM
Algeria's Imane Khelif, left, in action against Ireland's Kellie Anne Harrington at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. AFP
Algerian boxer hopes to inspire girls to follow in her footsteps

Boxer has overcome adversity to reach the Games and pursue her dreams

July 09, 2024, 3:08 AM
Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo bowed out of Euro 2024 - and potentially international football - following a shoot-out defeat to France. AFP
Will Cristiano Ronaldo retire from international football?

Portugal striker, 39, is yet to confirm whether Euro 2024 quarter-final loss to France on penalties will be his last

July 06, 2024, 9:13 AM
Omar Al Marzooqi, left, and Abdullah Al Marri are part of the 14-strong UAE squad headed for the Paris Olympics. Photo: Kamel Abdalla
Who are the 14 athletes representing the UAE at Paris 2024?

Equestrian rider Omar Al Marzooqi and cyclist Safia Al Sayegh chosen as flag-bearers for Opening Ceremony

July 05, 2024, 9:21 AM
Cristiano Ronaldo has yet to score at Euro 2024 and has come in for criticism for his reactions and performances. AFP
Portugal v France: Bernardo Silva defends Cristiano Ronaldo

Silva said teammate's reaction to penalty miss against Slovenia was 'normal' while coach Martinez says Ronaldo may be relieved of free-kick duties

July 05, 2024, 6:25 AM
N'Golo Kante has been one of France's star performers at Euro 2024. AFP
Midfield metronome N'Golo Kante is France's driving force

Les Bleus have struggled for goals but Kante's energetic displays have helped carry them to the quarter-finals where they will face Portugal

July 02, 2024, 7:34 AM
England manager Gareth Southgate gestures towards the fans after winning the UEFA Euro 2024, round of 16 match at the Arena AufSchalke in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. Picture date: Sunday June 30, 2024. PA Photo. See PA Story SOCCER England. Photo credit should read: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire.

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Dysfunction may be England manager Southgate's best hope

Southgate has been criticised for not making changes to his team, but the chaos against Slovakia offers glimmer of hope that Three Lions have stumbled upon a winning formula

July 01, 2024, 5:20 AM
UAE's Fahad Badr battles with Bahrain's Hamad Al Shamsan during the 2026 World Cup qualifying match at Zabeel Stadium, Dubai on June 11, 2024. Chris Whiteoak / The National
UAE to face Iran and Qatar in Asian 2026 World Cup qualifiers

National team will also take on Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and North Korea in Group A

June 27, 2024, 9:02 AM
Turkey's Arda Guler has been earmarked as a future star. Reuters
Turkey v Portugal: New kid Guler takes on evergreen Ronaldo

Guler, 19, wasn't even born when Ronaldo scored his first goal at a European Championship in 2004

June 22, 2024, 4:46 AM
Switzerland's Xherdan Shaqiri celebrates scoring the equaliser against Scotland. Reuters
Euro 2024: Shaqiri rescues point but Scots keep hopes alive

Shaqiri's goal-of-the-round contender secures a 1-1 draw to leave Swiss second in Group A on four points, meaning Scotland must beat Hungary in final match to have any chance of progressing

June 20, 2024, 5:52 AM