On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
Three pieces of history at stake in Super Sunday of sports
Between the men's Wimbledon final, Euro 2024 final and Copa America 2024 final, sports fans have a lot of excitement to look forward to on Sunday.
There is also history at stake for the participating teams and players.
England's maiden Euro championship
As they were in the Euro 2020 final against Italy, the Three Lions are again on the brink of history, this time against Spain. The final against Azzurri ended in heartbreak as they lost a penalty shootout, failing to capture their first-ever European Championship. Gareth Southgate's team has grown leaps and bounds since that loss, showing a lot of mettle in Euro 2024 by becoming the first-ever team to reach the final despite trailing in the quarters (versus Switzerland) and semis (versus the Netherlands).
Will that newfound clutch gene help them overcome La Roja, the betting favorites?
A win on Sunday would end a 58-year drought for title-starved England, which hasn't won a major tournament since the 1966 World Cup.
Novak Djokovic's 25th major
Novak Djokovic is already the most accomplished men's tennis player in history, with 24 major titles (two more than Rafael Nadal and four more than Roger Federer). However, the Serb remains tied with women's icon Margaret Court — who won 24 titles between 1960 and 1973 — for most majors among all players.
By defeating Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday, Djokovic would cement himself as the undisputed greatest of all time. A victory is not guaranteed by any means. Exactly a year ago, Alcaraz took down Djokovic in a classic five-setter to win his first Wimbledon title.
Oddsmakers and even our experts are picking Alcaraz to win the rematch and go back-to-back at the hallowed grass courts. But counting out Djokovic is never a wise call, as many have learned over the years.
Argentina's quest for most Copa titles
Lionel Scaloni's men have been on quite a run in recent years, losing only three of their last 63 matches across all tournaments. The incredible run has seen them capture the 2021 Copa America and 2022 World Cup titles. Will La Albiceleste complete the hat trick on Sunday evening?
A victory over Colombia would give Argentina a record 16th Copa America title, surpassing Uruguay (15) and Brazil (9) as the most dominant country in the event's 108-year history.
The Colombians have been on a tear themselves, entering the final on a 28-game undefeated streak. Interestingly, Los Cafeteros' last loss came against Argentina in a World Cup qualifier game in February 2022. Colombia is seeking its first Copa America title since its sole win in 2001.
Another storyline to monitor is Lionel Messi's impending retirement from international soccer. A victory on Sunday would add to his trophy cabinet and strengthen his GOAT case.
Three potential outcomes. Three pieces of history.
Enjoy the ride, sports fans. Sunday promises to be a doozy.
More must-reads:
- Spain star vows to make Arsenal man uncomfortable in Euro final
- 'If clubs want me' Euro 2024 star sends a message to Arsenal
- The 'Multiple 100-RBI MLB seasons' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
TODAY'S BEST
Roger Federer’s path to the 2015 Cincinnati Open title, a run he called the ‘perfect tournament’
To many, Roger Federer is the greatest tennis player we’ve ever seen. He doesn’t hold every record, and he didn’t win every title, but what he brought to the sport captured people’s attention in a way few others ever have. READ MORE: What Venus Williams did after her latest win that reminded her former coach of when she was 14 Federer combined tireless preparation with a level of skill that often made the game look effortless. That smoothness sometimes led people to believe he wasn’t working hard. But his career as a whole shows just how far off that idea was. Over 24 years at the top of professional tennis, Federer put together a remarkable list of achievements at some of the sport’s most important events. Cincinnati 2015 stands out as perhaps his most complete tournament — and it took place exactly ten years ago. Roger Federer’s flawless run in Cincinnati Going into the 2015 tournament, Federer wasn’t quite having the kind of year we were used to seeing from him. He was 34 by then, and there were signs that time was starting to catch up. He hadn’t won a Grand Slam that season. He’d gone out early in Melbourne and only made it as far as the quarter-finals at Roland Garros. There were still some deep runs, but Djokovic had his number in the finals of Indian Wells, Madrid, and Wimbledon. Cincinnati, though, was different. It was his only warm-up event before the US Open that year, and he made it count. Federer eased through to the semi-finals with straight-set wins over Roberto Bautista-Agut, Kevin Anderson and Feliciano López. That set up a clash with Andy Murray, who was ranked second in the world at the time. He got past Murray in two close sets before finally getting one back on Djokovic in the final. Remarkably, Federer didn’t drop a single set throughout the entire tournament. Afterwards, he said: “Oh yeah this is a perfect week so I’ll see how I feel tomorrow but today I am just really happy.” Roger Federer was the king of the American hard courts Frustratingly, Federer would then go on to lose yet another final to his Serbian nemesis in New York, once again thwarted by Djokovic on the biggest stage. And yet, the 43-year-old remains the undisputed king of the American hard courts, with only Pete Sampras and Jimmy Connors able to match his five titles at the US Open. However, that merely scratches the surface of Federer’s brilliance during this period of the year, as the record-holder at Cincinnati for most titles won (seven). He remains the only man ever to have won the US Masters’ hard-court treble, as the winner of Indian Wells, Miami and Cincinnati Masters tournaments all in 2005. And he has actually twice completed a perfect tournament at each event too, winning both titles without dropping a single set. Whilst Federer is synonymous with grass as Wimbledon’s most successful male champion, he was also a serious threat during this part of the season following his usual All-England Club triumphs.
Yankees Traded Flourishing Infielder for Struggling Closer
The New York Yankees have made their 2025 goals abundantly clear: They're trying to return to the World Series and win it all. In an effort to do so, the Pinstripes traded pitcher Nestor Cortes and infielder Caleb Durbin to the Milwaukee Brewers this season, adding closer Devin Williams to the roster. Halfway into the season, it looks like that was a big mistake. The Yankees are now looking to fill gaps in the both the bullpen and the infield before the MLB trade deadline rolls around at the end of the month. Utilityman Oswaldo Cabrera was great at third base, but suffered a potentially season-ending injury in May. The Yankees tried to compensate by shifting Jazz Chisholm Jr. to third, but it was clear Chisholm excels at second, and he's since been moved back. Durbin, on the other hand, has only gotten better in Milwaukee. "Over 75 games this season, Durbin is slashing .265/.350/.382 with five homers and elite contact skills at the plate," Alexander Wilson of Empire Sports Media wrote. "He ranks in the 95th percentile in whiff rate and 98th in strikeout rate — rare company for a young infielder. Durbin’s advanced plate discipline would’ve been invaluable in a Yankees lineup that too often leans on boom-or-bust approaches." Then there's Devin Williams, who has been part of a shaky-at-best Yankees bullpen. He has certainly seen improvement since the beginning of the season, when he was pulled from closing duties after a blown save to the Yankees' division rival Toronto Blue Jays. However, it hasn't been quite enough. Toronto swept New York in a four game series earlier this month, securing their lead of the AL east over the Pinstripes. Williams pitched the final inning, giving up two earned runs. He has a 4.82 ERA over 37.1 innings pitched in 41 games. Williams keeps improving, and hopefully will prove that the Yankees made the right choice by acquiring him. However, that still doesn't fill the gaping hole New York has at third base, and they're likely missing Durbin's consistent abilities in the field and at the plate. The Yankees have until the July 31 MLB trade deadline to make any trades to address these issues. Make sure to bookmark Yankees On SI to get all your daily New York Yankees news, interviews, breakdowns and more! Cam Schlittler is Not Yankees Paul Skenes Yankees Fighting Red Sox for Diamondbacks Pitchers Yankees’ Aaron Judge Ties Alex Rodriguez on All-Time List Braves Troll Yankees' Jazz Chisholm With Walk-Up Song Yankees in Trade Talks With Pirates
Chris Pronger to Connor McDavid: A Lost Edmonton Oilers Decade
In the spring of 2006, Chris Pronger was traded to the Edmonton Oilers. He then did something no one thought possible: he made the Edmonton Oilers a Stanley Cup contender again. That playoff run was legendary. Pronger logged enormous minutes, quarterbacked the power play, killed penalties, and led the team in scoring. In every zone and every moment, he was the difference-maker. He was the kind of player who gave an entire franchise a sense of direction—and belief. And then, just weeks after that Game 7 heartbreak in Carolina, he was gone. The Impact of the Oilers Losing a True No. 1 Blueliner Pronger’s trade request stunned the city and changed everything. Instead of building around a generational defenseman in his prime, the Oilers entered a prolonged decline. The team wouldn’t return to the playoffs for another decade. But what if he had stayed? It’s not just about Pronger’s elite play. It’s about the ripple effect of having that kind of presence anchoring a lineup. With Pronger in the fold, free agents might have been more willing to come. The team wouldn’t have scrambled to fill the void on the blue line with a carousel of short-term fixes. Young players could have developed under a true leader instead of inheriting pressure without support. The Oilers Championship Window Closed Too Soon The Oilers were close in 2006. It was not a fluke, but it was a team suddenly galvanized by elite goaltending from Dwayne Roloson, role players like Mike Peca, top-six grit like Ryan Smyth and Fernando Pisani, and above all, Pronger’s towering presence. Run it back even one more year, and who knows? A healthy Roloson, a stabilized core, and the confidence of a team that knew how close they came. Perhaps 2007 would be the season that ended differently for the Oilers. Instead, the Oilers lost their best player and wandered through the wilderness for ten years. How bad did the Oilers become? The 2006–07 season was a major disappointment in Edmonton, capped by the emotional deadline trade of fan favorite Smyth to the New York Islanders. That collapse marked the beginning of a long drought, as the team went on to miss the playoffs for 10 straight seasons until finally returning in 2016–17. Hockey Is Filled with What Ifs, the Oilers Are No Exception Hockey is full of what-ifs. But this one lingers. Because Pronger did come to Edmonton, and he did show what was possible. And for one electric spring, it looked like the Oilers had found the player who could lead them back to greatness. We just never got to find out how far that road might have gone. Fortunately, the team’s return to the playoffs in 2016–17 was spearheaded by Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. And that’s where the team is today. It’s a new era of success, but it took ten years to get there.
Canucks Reportedly Interested in Former Third-Overall Pick as Another Young Player Could Leave the Team
The Canucks are reportedly quite interested in Ducks' Mason McTavish, this news coming after one of their young NCAA players, Jackson Kunz, could leave the team. With $3.25 million of free cap space now available after Dakota Joshua was sent to Toronto, the Vancouver Canucks and GM Patrik Allvin have room to add a significant piece, and it seems that they may be after a former third overall choice. Vancouver is interested in Anaheim Ducks center Mason McTavish, a restricted free agent, reports The Province's Patrick Johnston. 'Hence their continued interest in Roslovic, as well as their interest in Mason McTavish, the Anaheim Ducks' restricted free agent. Of course adding McTavish, the third-overall pick in the 2021 draft, will be very hard: he's a highly-regarded player with huge upside and will cost a big price in trade, perhaps more than the Canucks can afford.' Johnston said. It won't be an easy feat to get him due to asset limitations and Anaheim's stance on his next deal, but the 22-year-old would be a perfect fit as the Canucks' second-line center. After playing his inaugural 20-goal NHL campaign, McTavish offers skill and grit, two qualities that the Canucks may covet during a playoff push. While a few large-name players are available on the free market, Vancouver is considering trades as well as free agent solutions in the latter half of the offseason. Making a bold move for a player like McTavish wouldn't be out of character with the needs of the team. The Canucks need to sign their important NCAA prospect by August 15th Meanwhile, the Canucks are also under pressure in another direction. The deadline on August 15th is coming up to sign NCAA prospects graduating after four years. If they don't sign them, they'll become unrestricted free agents. The key concern is forward Jackson Kunz. If he isn't signed by August 15, 2025, he'll land on the open market. In the midst of a potential blockbuster trade and looming NCAA deadlines, the next several weeks can be make-or-break for Vancouver.
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
