‘Only second to World Championship’: Praggnanandhaa on historic GCT triumph

BAGANBAZAR GRAPHSource-attributed newsSPORTS desk

New Zealand throws Sooryavanshi a challenge: ‘Let’s see how he faces pacy bounce’

BAGANBAZAR GRAPHSource-attributed newsSPORTS desk

Mbappe: ‘Disrespectful’ to advise Olise to join Real Madrid this summer

Kylian Mbappe said it would have been "disrespectful" to advise France team-mate Michael Olise to join him at Real Madrid this summer. Olise was the subject of speculation after a stunning second season with Bayern Munich, which saw him help the club win the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal. He ended the Bundesliga season with 34 goal involvements (15 goals, 19 assists), a new record for a winger since Opta data collection began in the German top flight in 2004-05. Only Harry Kane (41) directly contributed to more Bundesliga goals than Olise, who also scored five goals and provided seven assists in 13 Champions League games. Florentino Perez pledged to spend big on a 'Galactico' player prior to winning Madrid's presidential election, only for the club to deny making a move for the in-demand Olise. Olise carried on his form into the World Cup, becoming the first player on record (since 1966) to register seven assists in a single edition of FIFA's flagship competition. Across Europe's top five leagues in all competitions this season, only Barcelona duo Raphinha (17) and Lamine Yamal (14) have managed more goal contributions than Olise's 11 (eight goals, three assists). "I was aware of the speculation," Mbappe said. "But I know the situation well myself. Back when I was a PSG player, there were countless rumours. "And I feel it would be disrespectful to advise a player to make a move. That would be unfair to Bayern, especially since Bayern is a great club where Michael can achieve a lot. "One thing is clear, though: every club in the world would love to have Michael Olise. He is an outstanding player." Concentrés, appliqués pic.twitter.com/5lvexfqf3A — Equipe de France (@equipedefrance) September 23, 2026 Olise's stunning performances in 2025-26 saw him crowned the Bundesliga Play

BAGANBAZAR GRAPHSource-attributed newsSPORTS desk

Netherlands v Germany: Klopp and Xavi begin revival projects with derby

Jürgen Klopp and Xavi Hernández face each other in Nations League as they take the reins following disappointing World CupsBefore the latest instalment of a time-honoured international rivalry gearing up for two distinct new beginnings, Jürgen Klopp could not resist sprinkling a little of the old mischief. “The good thing is that we both have the exact same situation,” he said of Xavi Hernández, his counterpart when Germany visit the Netherlands on Thursday night. “We met on Monday and play on Thursday. And the coach knows the players from television. I actually know more of the Dutch players personally than Xavi does. Whether that’s an advantage, I don’t know, but it’s still a fact.”In his public appearances Klopp has been on irrepressible form since taking the role in July. The task of whipping Germany back into shape has visibly and audibly topped up the energy levels that had drained by the time he departed Liverpool. Klopp, his wit sharp and appetite piqued, looks a far cry from the character who, to most trained eyes, was going through the motions upon his unveiling as Red Bull’s head of global soccer early last year. Continue reading...