AP National Sports

By CIARÁN FAHEY AP Sports Writer BERLIN (AP) — There will be no official half-and-half scarves at the German Cup final this year. Cup finalist Freiburg has forbidden the use of its logo or crest for any joint commemorative merchandise with opponent Leipzig. Rival fans have long criticized Leipzig as an artificial club whose existence

PRAGUE (AP) — Czech Republic coach Jaroslav Šilhavý has been given a contract extension despite the team’s failure to reach the World Cup in Qatar. Czech soccer federation head Petr Fousek says Šilhavý will remain in charge through 2023 for European Championship qualifying, and his contract will be automatically extended if the Czech Republic qualifies

By TALES AZZONI AP Sports Writer MADRID (AP) — The small Spanish city of Villarreal could be facing its last Champions League night in a while if it doesn’t pull off another upset on Tuesday against Liverpool. The modest club ousted Juventus and Bayern Munich on its way to a surprise semifinal appearance. If it

ZURICH (AP) — FIFA has fined Senegal’s soccer federation $180,000 for fan disorder at a World Cup playoff against Egypt. Fans with laser pointers aimed green light at the face of Egypt star Mohamed Salah in the penalty shootout in March. Salah failed to score and Senegal went on to win the shootout in Dakar.

By CIARÁN FAHEY AP Sports Writer BERLIN (AP) — Bayern Munich players are facing criticism and scrutiny for taking a short holiday in Ibiza after losing 3-1 to Mainz with the Bundesliga title already wrapped up. Bayern clinched its 10th consecutive title with three rounds to spare on April 23, then followed up with its

By SCOTT McFETRIDGE Associated Press DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — Vera Rasnake laughed as she led a trio of barking, jostling dogs into the Iowa Greyhound Park, but her smile faded when she acknowledged that after 41 years of being around the sleek animals, her sport was teetering on extinction. After the end of a truncated

By GRAHAM DUNBAR AP Sports Writer GENEVA (AP) — Figure skating’s governing body has detailed a proposal to raise the athlete age limit to 17 at the Olympics and other international events. The proposal was expected even before 15-year-old Kamila Valieva’s doping case dominated the women’s event at the Beijing Olympics in February. The International

By TERESA M. WALKER AP Sports Writer MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Ja Morant was rolling, making acrobatic drives to the basket. Stephen Curry was taking and knocking down step-back 3s. Yes, the All-Star guards got plenty of help in Game 1 of the Memphis Grizzlies-Golden State Warriors playoff series, but they didn’t disappoint in the

By STEPHEN WHYNO AP Hockey Writer The path to the Stanley Cup is rarely a straight line. Sometimes it’s the direction a puck takes when it banks off the post and in — or out. Four years ago, Artemi Panarin clanked a shot off the post late in regulation that could have put Columbus up

By GARY B. GRAVES AP Sports Writer LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The Kentucky Derby is the next major sporting event to move a step closer to normalcy after two years of upheaval adjusting to COVID-19 restrictions. After fluctuating dates and crowds, Churchill Downs will welcome everybody without restrictions on Saturday, raising hopes of getting back

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Ryan Hollingshead broke a scoreless tie with a goal in the 82nd minute, José Cifuentes scored in the final minute of full time and Los Angeles FC regained the top spot in the Western Conference with a 2-0 victory over Minnesota United in MLS play on Sunday night. LAFC (7-1-1) moved

By MIKE FITZPATRICK AP Baseball Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Dominic Smith went 4 for 4 with three RBIs to back an inconsistent Max Scherzer, and the New York Mets won their seventh straight series to begin the season by beating the Philadelphia Phillies 10-6. Jeff McNeil also had four of New York’s 15 hits,

COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) — Brinae Alexander is joining the Maryland women’s basketball team as a graduate transfer. The 6-foot Alexander was Vanderbilt’s top scorer last season, averaging 15.2 points per game and shooting 36% from 3-point range. Maryland will have a significantly different roster next season after losing Ashley Owusu and Angel Reese to