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Alcaraz crashes out as Donoghue moves back to the west!

The best way to start your weekend!

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SportsDraft
August 30, 2024

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Welcome back to SportsDraft this Friday!!

Here’s all you need to know about sports and what to look forward to this weekend.

Todays SD Must-Knows

⚽ - CL draw: Real Madrid head to Anfield, Celtic to meet Villa as new format draw made.

🏐 - Micheál Donoghue will take charge of Galway's hurlers for a second time after he was recommended by the county’s management committee for the role.

🏈 - The 49ers and Brandon Aiyuk have reached an agreement on a 4-year, $120M extension, according to sources.

⚽ - Interim boss Lee Carsley says the England job is one the best in football but claims not to have given much thought to potentially becoming Gareth Southgate's permanent successor.

🎾 - Carlos Alcaraz was stunned by a straight sets loss to Botic van de Zandschulp at the US Open.

🏉 - Scott Robertson has added some much-needed leadership to the All Blacks starting line-up as they prepare for the daunting clash against the Springboks

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Sportsdraft Friday Trivia

Who won more caps for England: Wayne Rooney or David Beckham?

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Results Round-Up

UEFA Europa League - Play-offs

  • APOEL 2-1 Rīgas FS (Aggregate: 3-3, Rīgas FS win 4-2 on penalties)

  • Elfsborg 0-1 Molde (Aggregate: 1-1, Elfsborg win 4-2 on penalties)

  • Petrocub 1-2 Ludogorets (Aggregate: 1-6)

  • Ajax 3-0 Jagiellonia Białystok (Aggregate: 7-1)

  • Anderlecht 1-0 Dinamo Minsk (Aggregate: 2-0)

  • Beşiktaş 5-1 Lugano (Aggregate: 8-4)

  • FCSB 1-0 LASK (Aggregate: 2-1)

  • Hearts 0-1 Viktoria Plzeň (Aggregate: 0-2)

  • Borac Banja Luka 1-1 Ferencváros (Aggregate: 1-1, Ferencváros win 3-2 on penalties)

  • Rapid 2-2 Sporting Braga (Aggregate: 3-4)

  • Shamrock Rovers 0-2 PAOK (Aggregate: 0-6)

  • TSC 1-5 Maccabi Tel Aviv (Aggregate: 1-8)

UEFA Conference League - Play-offs

  • Astana 3-0 Brann (Aggregate: 3-2)

  • HJK 2-1 KÍ (Aggregate: 4-3)

  • Zira 1-0 Omonia Nicosia (Aggregate: 1-6)

  • Ružomberok 3-1 Noah (Aggregate: 3-4)

  • Olimpija 5-0 Rijeka (Aggregate: 6-1)

  • Pafos 3-0 CFR Cluj (Aggregate: 3-1)

  • Paks 0-3 Mladá Boleslav (Aggregate: 2-5)

  • Trabzonspor 1-1 St.Gallen (Aggregate: 1-1, St.Gallen win 5-4 on penalties)

  • The New Saints 0-0 Panevėžys (Aggregate: 3-0)

  • Cercle Brugge 1-4 Wisła Kraków (Aggregate: 7-5)

  • Drita 0-1 Legia Warszawa (Aggregate: 0-3)

  • Kilmarnock 1-1 København (Aggregate: 1-3)

  • Panathinaikos 2-0 Lens (Aggregate: 3-2)

  • UE Santa Coloma 0-0 Víkingur Reykjavík (Aggregate: 0-5)

  • Zrinjski 0-4 Vitória Guimarães (Aggregate: 0-7)

  • Celje 4-1 Pyunik (Aggregate: 4-2)

  • Maribor 0-1 Djurgården (Aggregate: 0-2)

  • Heidenheim 3-2 Häcken (Aggregate: 5-3)

  • Servette 2-1 Chelsea (Aggregate: 2-3)

  • Larne 3-1 Lincoln Red Imps (Aggregate: 4-3)

  • Puskás 1-1 Fiorentina (Aggregate: 4-4, Fiorentina win 5-4 on penalties)

  • Real Betis 3-0 Kryvbas KR (Aggregate: 5-0)

Internationals - Friendlies

  • Jordan 2-1 Korea DPR

Spanish La Liga

  • Girona 4-0 Osasuna

  • Las Palmas 1-1 Real Madrid

Saudi League

  • Al Riyadh 3-1 Al Kholood

  • Al Ittihad 2-1 Al-Taawoun

  • Al Khaleej 0-1 Al Shabab

US Major League Soccer

  • Philadelphia Union 0-1 Columbus Crew

Champions League 2024/2025

Here's a summary of the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League key information, including the new format, important dates, and the final venue:

New Format

  • 36-Team League Stage: The group stage is replaced by a single league stage with 36 teams.

  • Matches: Each team plays 8 matches (4 home, 4 away) against different opponents.

  • Advancement:

    • Top 8 Teams: Advance directly to the Round of 16.

    • 9th to 24th Place Teams: Enter the Knockout Round Play-offs.

    • Knockout Round Play-offs Winners: Advance to the Round of 16.

Key Dates

  • Competition Start: 9 July 2024

  • Final: 31 May 2025 in Munich at the Fußball Arena München.

Qualifying Rounds

  • First Qualifying Round: 9/10 & 16/17 July 2024

  • Second Qualifying Round: 23/24 & 30/31 July 2024

  • Third Qualifying Round: 6/7 & 13 August 2024

  • Play-offs: 20/21 & 27/28 August 2024

League Phase Matches

  • Matchday 1: 17–19 September 2024

  • Matchday 2: 1/2 October 2024

  • Matchday 3: 22/23 October 2024

  • Matchday 4: 5/6 November 2024

  • Matchday 5: 26/27 November 2024

  • Matchday 6: 10/11 December 2024

  • Matchday 7: 21/22 January 2025

  • Matchday 8: 29 January 2025

Knockout Stage

  • Knockout Round Play-offs: 11/12 & 18/19 February 2025

  • Round of 16: 4/5 & 11/12 March 2025

  • Quarter-finals: 8/9 & 15/16 April 2025

  • Semi-finals: 29/30 April & 6/7 May 2025

  • Final: 31 May 2025

Draw Dates

  • First Qualifying Round: 18 June 2024

  • Second Qualifying Round: 19 June 2024

  • Third Qualifying Round: 22 July 2024

  • Play-offs: 5 August 2024

  • League Phase: 29 August 2024

  • Knockout Round Play-offs: 31 January 2025

  • Round of 16, Quarter-final, Semi-final: 21 February 2025

Final Venue

  • Fußball Arena München, Munich: Hosts the final on 31 May 2025, its first time since 2012.

Where to Watch

Friday

  • 8am: Northland v Southland, Bunnings NPC Rugby – Sky Sports Mix.

  • 8.30am: Paris Paralympics 2024 – RTÉ 2.

  • 10.15am: AFLW, Sydney Swans v Collingwood – TNT Sports 3.

  • 11am: Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters – Eurosport 2…(Later at 5pm).

  • 11am: Cricket, England v Sri Lanka, Test Match Day 2 – Sky Sports Main Event.

  • 12pm: Europa League draw – Premier Sports 1.

  • 12.30pm: Golf, British Masters, DP World Tour – Sky Sports Golf.

  • 1pm: Golf, Curtis Cup – Sky Sports Mix.

  • 1.30pm: Conference League draw – Premier Sports 1.

  • 1.30pm: Cycling, La Vuelta a Espana Stage 13 – Eurosport 1.

  • 1.50pm: Paris Paralympics 2024 – RTÉ 2.

  • 4pm: Tennis, US Open Men’s & Women’s Singles – Sky Sports Tennis.

  • 6pm: Golf, Tour Championship, US PGA Tour – Sky Sports Golf.

  • 7pm: Paris Paralympics 2024 – RTÉ 2.

  • 7pm: Athletics, Diamond League Rome – BBC Two.

  • 7.30pm: Union Berlin v St Pauli, Bundesliga – Sky Sports Mix.

  • 7.45pm: Galway United v Derry City; Dundalk v Shelbourne; LOI Premier Division – LOI TV.

  • 7.45pm: Bray Wanderers v Treaty United; Cork City v Longford Town; Finn Harps v Cobh Ramblers; Kerry v UCD; Wexford v Athlone Town; LOI First Division – LOI TV.

  • 7.45pm: Inter Milan v Atalanta, Serie A – OneFootball.

  • 8pm: Luton Town v QPR, Championship – Sky Sports Main Event.

  • 10.30pm: Tennis, US Open Men’s & Women’s Singles – Sky Sports Main Event.

Saturday

  • 8.05am: Tasman v Bay of Plenty, Bunnings NPC Rugby – Sky Sports Action.

  • 9am: Paris Paralympics 2024 – RTÉ 2.

  • 11am: Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters – Eurosport 2…(Later at 5pm).

  • 11am: Cricket, England v Sri Lanka, Test Match Day 3 – Sky Sports Main Event.

  • 12pm: AFLW, Essendon v Fremantle – TG4 (deferred coverage).

  • 12.30pm: Arsenal v Brighton, Premier League – TNT Sports 1.

  • 12.30pm: Burnley v Blackburn Rovers, Championship – Sky Sports Main Event.

  • 12.30pm: Sharks v Griffons, Currie Cup Rugby – Sky Sports Action.

  • 12.30pm: Golf, British Masters, DP World Tour – Sky Sports Golf.

  • 12.35pm: Paris Paralympics 2024 – RTÉ 2.

  • 1pm: Golf, Curtis Cup – Sky Sports Mix.

  • 1pm: Racing from Sandown Park, Newmarket and Beverley – ITV1.

  • 1.30pm: Cycling, La Vuelta a Espana Stage 14 – Eurosport 1.

  • 2pm: Connacht v Ulster, Women’s Interpros Rugby – TG4.

  • 3pm: DLR Waves v Wexford; WNL Premier Division – LOI TV…(Galway United v Sligo Rovers, 5pm; Peamount United v Shamrock Rovers, 5pm; Treaty United v Cork City, 5pm).

  • 3pm: Formula 1, Italian Grand Prix qualifying – Sky Sports Main Event.

  • 3pm: Leicester City v Aston Villa, Premier League – Premier Sports 1.

  • 4pm: South Africa v New Zealand, The Rugby Championship – Sky Sports Action.

  • 4pm: Tennis, US Open Men’s & Women’s Singles – Sky Sports Tennis.

  • 4.15pm: Munster v Leinster Women’s Interpros Rugby – TG4.

  • 4.30pm: Paris Paralympics 2024 – RTÉ 2.

  • 5.30pm: West Ham v Manchester City, Premier League – Sky Sports Main Event.

  • 5.30pm: Bayer Leverkusen v RB Leipzig, Bundesliga – Sky Sports Football.

  • 6pm: Athletic Club v Atletico Madrid, La Liga – Premier Sports 2.

  • 7pm: Paris Paralympics 2024 – RTÉ 2.

  • 7.35pm: Bohemian v Shelbourne, WNL Premier Division – TG4.

  • 7.45pm: Sligo Rovers v Waterford, LOI Premier Division – LOI TV.

  • 7.45pm: Lazio v AC Milan, Serie A – TNT Sports 1.

  • 7.45pm: Napoli v Parma, Serie A – OneFootball.

  • 8.30pm: Valencia v Villarreal, La Liga – Premier Sports 2.

  • 8.30pm: College Football, Florida Gators v Miami Hurricanes – Sky Sports Mix.

  • 10pm: Golf, Tour Championship, US PGA Tour – Sky Sports Main Event.

  • 11pm: Argentina v Australia, The Rugby Championship – Sky Sports Action.

Sunday

  • 12am: Tennis, US Open Men’s & Women’s Singles – Sky Sports Tennis.

  • 12.30am: College Football, Texas AM Aggies v Notre Dame Fighting Irish – Sky Sports Mix.

  • 2am: USA v Canada, Pacific Nations Cup Rugby – TNT Sports 3.

  • 6.05am: AFLW, Brisbane Lions v North Melbourne – TNT Sports 1.

  • 10am: Paris Paralympics 2024 – RTÉ 2.

  • 10am: Golf, Curtis Cup – Sky Sports Golf & Mix.

  • 11am: Cricket, England v Sri Lanka, Test Match Day 4 – Sky Sports Main Event.

  • 11am: Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters – Eurosport 2…(Later at 5pm).

  • 11.30am: Bohemians v Shamrock Rovers, LOI Premier Division – LOI TV.

  • 11.50am: AFLW, Brisbane Lions v North Melbourne – TG4 (deferred coverage).

  • 12pm: Cycling, La Vuelta a Espana Stage 15 – Eurosport 1.

  • 12pm: Golf, British Masters, DP World Tour – Sky Sports Golf.

  • 12.30pm: Celtic v Rangers, Scottish Premiership – Sky Sports Main Event.

  • 12.50pm: Paris Paralympics 2024 – RTÉ 2.

  • 1.30pm: Newcastle United v Tottenham, Premier League – Sky Sports Main Event.

  • 2pm: Dingle v Dr Crokes, Kerry senior club football final – TG4.

  • 2pm: Formula 1, Italian Grand Prix – Sky Sports F1.

  • 3pm: Sheffield United v Watford, Championship – Sky Sports Football.

  • 3.30pm: Golf, Ladies Women’s Irish Open – Sky Sports Mix.

  • 3.55pm: Salthill-Knocknacarra v Naomh Anna Leitir Móir, Galway senior football championship – TG4 (deferred coverage).

  • 4pm: Manchester United v Liverpool, Premier League – Sky Sports Main Event.

  • 4pm: Tennis, US Open Men’s & Women’s Singles – Sky Sports Tennis.

  • 4.30pm: Paris Paralympics 2024 – RTÉ 2.

  • 6pm: St Patrick’s Athletic v Drogheda United, LOI Premier Division – LOI TV.

  • 6.30pm: Paris Paralympics 2024 – RTÉ 2.

  • 7pm: Golf, Tour Championship, US PGA Tour – Sky Sports Main Event.

  • 7.45pm: Juventus v Roma, Serie A – TNT Sports 1.

  • 8.30pm: Real Madrid v Real Betis, La Liga – Premier Sports 1.

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