Sports recap with Ronnie, the average sports guy
It was a massive sporting weekend, and although the Boks were beaten by Ireland in the last minute, there was so much else going on. Spoilers, it was Spanish domination over the weekend in the Euro final, Wimbledon Gentlemen’s final, and LIV Golf Andalucia.
And of course, look at our glorious Bokke outfits on the last page, hand painted by @saxonyolivier, which got featured on the SupersportTV Instagram page.
Springbok Rugby
Week 2 of the blockbuster series between the Springboks and Ireland, and Durban did not receive the weather memo of the rest of the country as 55 000 people packed into Kings Park in glorious KZN winter sunshine. The vibe on the fields outside the stadium was electric as the gas braais were lit from 12pm and the beers were flowing, perhaps a few too many for some (i.e. me).
But Ireland had other ideas, and came out firing and claimed a well-deserved 25-24 victory, subjecting Springbok fans to the feeling of losing by 1 point for a change.
The Springboks are up against Portugal this weekend. Bet Now!
Euros Final
Euro 2024 reached its conclusion in Berlin on Sunday night as ’08 and ’12 champions, Spain, took on “It’s coming home” England (who haven’t won a major tournament since 1966). Spain, having won all their 6 competition matches in regulation time (being the 1st ever team in the competition to do so), had only lost and drawn once since June last year and the new generation of talented young players were the favourites against Gareth Southgate’s team, who had received heavy criticism from fans for boring and defensive tactics and strange substitutions. The talented Lamine Yamal, who turned 17 on Saturday, has been the star of the show for Spain, combining brilliantly with Dani Olmo to score some memorable goals.
Yamal has been playing alongside teammates like Jesus Navas, who is older than Yamal’s own father, so with Jesus and his son playing together, at the very least you’d have expected Spain to win.
July is the start of international club friendlies. Bet Now!
COPA America Final
Regulation time ended goalless, and the substitution of Lautaro Martinez for Argentina was the difference as the Inter Milan striker scored in the 112th minute, and Argentina held on to claim a record 16th title (ahead of Uruguay on 15). The win was the perfect sendoff for Messi in what is likely his last international tournament, as well as the legend Angel di Maria who announced his retirement after 144 caps for his country.
Wimbledon
The Ladies’ final on Saturday was contested between 1st-time Wimbledon finalists, Czechia’s Barbora Krejcikova and Jaminie Paolini from Italy, born only 17 days apart.
Krejcikova started off in near perfect fashion, brushing the No. 7 seed aside 6-2 in the 1st set, but the Italian, runner-up at Roland Garros last month, picked herself up off the perfectly manicured Wimbledon lawn and stunned Krejcikova (and everyone else) with a stunning 6-2 second set comeback. Krejcikova, however, showed the class and poise that won her the 2021 French Open to claim the 3rd set 6-4 and become the 8th different Wimbledon Ladies’ winner in the last 8 years.
Don’t miss out on this weekend’s sporting action. Bet Now!