Morocco – Spain, World Cup, Bounou, Djokovic, Ronaldo, Portugal: Sports news Wednesday, December 7, 2022

What not to miss between last night and this morning

1. Tennis – Australian Open: Djokovic refines his program

Visa in hand, Novak Djokovic will begin in January at the Adelaide tournament his campaign to prepare for a 10th Australian Open title, organizers announced on Wednesday. The world number five had missed the last edition of the Australian Open after being expelled from the country because of his vaccination status, at the end of a hypermediatized political-judicial saga.

2. Football – World Cup: Portugal at the rendezvous

The party for Portugal… without Cristiano Ronaldo. Substitute at kick-off and entered at the end of the match, the fivefold Ballon d’Or did not really participate in the victory of the teammates, who shattered the Swiss defense, in particular thanks to Gonçalo Ramos, author of a hat-trick after taking the place of CR7 (6-1). The latter is also quickly returned to the locker room after the final whistle.

3. Basketball – NBA: End of series for Los Angeles

After three consecutive victories, the Los Angeles Lakers lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers (116-102) on Tuesday. Donovan Mitchell notably scored 43 points.

And also…

  • Boxing – The legendary American boxing referee Mills Lane, who notably officiated during the match during which Mike Tyson had torn off a piece of the ear of his rival Evander Holyfielddied at the age of 85, the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame announced Tuesday.
  • Tennis – Former world number one Karolina Pliskova announced on her website on Tuesday that she had rehired Sascha Bajin, the German coach she left in July.
  • Basketball – Monaco inflicted a new defeat on Asvel (97-78), Tuesday in Elite which he took alone control after the defeat of Boulogne-Levallois, stopped in his tracks with his prodigy Victor Wembanyama in Roanne (102-77 ). Cholet beat Fos-sur-mer on the wire (73-70) after a crazy basket.
  • Soccer – In an interview with FigaroNoël Le Graët, the president of the FFF reaffirmed his great hostility to the One Love armbanda symbol of diversity and inclusion.

Why Kanté’s absence is more detrimental than Benzema’s

To listen, read or watch on Eurosport

  • Football: Are the Blues better without their absentees?

Come on, you have four hours. But to help you, our journalists Maxime Dupuis and Martin Mosnier still tried to find out which of the absentees the Blues missed the most. In the Stream Team of the day, a word also on Olivier Giroud, who exceeded the record of goals in the France team held by Thierry Henry. But behind, Antoine Griezmann and especially Kylian Mbappé are in ambush … Finally, in the last part of the show, focus on the Aurélien Tchouaméni case. A big program to put in your ears this Wednesday morning.

  • Rugby: Lafond gives a clue on the future of Penaud

Where will Damian Penaud play next season? Very clever whoever can answer it! One thing is certain: the contract of the French international with Clermont will end at the end of the 2022-2023 financial year. In “Lafond Dégaine” this Monday, our consultant Jean-Baptiste Lafond gives his opinion on the future of the 26-year-old electric winger. Toulouse, UBB or even La Rochelle are announced in the ranks.

Lafond: “I’m giving you a clue about Penaud’s future”

  • Football: Why you have to love Adrien Rabiot

First of all because it’s almost Christmas already. But more seriously, after lugging around a blurred image, Adrien Rabiot finally puts France in agreement on his case. No one would have bet on him. And yet…

  • F1: Getting a youngster up in F1, how much does it cost?

The Oscar Piastri affair, named after the Australian hopeful trained by Alpine who chose to join McLaren on the grid for the 2023 world championship, was a clear warning for all team bosses. Guest in the podcast Les Fous du Volant, Didier Coton, confirms that it is indeed necessary to put a lot of money to train a future F1 driver.

“Bringing a youngster up in F1 costs between 7.5 and 9 million euros”

The question: Can Morocco dream of going even further?

If you are a Moroccan supporter, you must have small eyes this Wednesday morning. But it was worth it, right? Tuesday, the selection of the hero Yassine Bounou has eliminated Spain (0-0 after, 3-0 on pens) in the round of 16 to take charge of a historic quarter against Portugal. If the selection of Fernando Santos impressed against Switzerland, that of Walid Regragui can dream, yes. To imagine him in the semi-finals, or even a little higher, is no longer utopian.

In the end, there are only two steps left before the grand finale on December 18. On paper, Portugal remains a (very) difficult opponent. But not impossible, especially when you have just beaten Spain. The Atlas Lions can therefore aim for the last four, where they would find France or England. With crazy supporters, a coach in a state of grace, sublimated players (Ziyech, Boufal, Hakimi…) and a whole people behind him, Morocco is entitled to dream.

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