Weekly news roundup & weekend watches 24/05

Friday 24 May 2024 by Jonathan Victoria  News

Leverkusen’s unbeaten run comes to end

Credit: Ademola Lookman Owns The Final! | Atalanta 3-0 Bayer Leverkusen | Europa League Final Highlights (TNT Sports, YouTube)

Bayer Leverkusen’s 51-game unbeaten strike and bid for an invincible treble has come to an end at the hands of Ademola Lookman and Atalanta in the Europa League final.

The two sides met at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland for the big final, with many expecting Xabi Alonso’s Bundesliga winners to walk away with the trophy.

Instead, it was the Italians outfit of Atalanta who shocked the world, dominating Leverkusen through a fantastic hat-trick from former Everton man Ademola Lookman.

The domestic double is still on for Leverkusen as they face FCK this weekend in the DFC Pokal.

Netflix reveals first look at Liam Hemsworth’s Geralt

Credit: The Witcher: Season 4 | First Look | Netflix (Netflix, YouTube)

Netflix has given fans a first look at Liam Hemsworth as Geralt of Rivia ahead of The Witcher season four.

They had previously been set leaks showing Hemsworth in character; however, this is the first officially released look from Netlfix themself.

Henry Cavill, who previously played the role for the first three seasons, walked away for undisclosed reasons, although it is speculated that Cavill, who has long been a fan of the original games and novels, took issue with the direction Netflix was moving in with the story for the show.

Southgate picks his provisional Euros squad

Gareth Southgate has selected his provisional 33-man squad for Euro 2024, and as ever, there are multiple talking points and outrage from some for certain inclusions and exclusions, the most prominent of which being Marcus Rashford and long-time Southgate favourite Jordan Henderson. 

Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell have also been left out, the former of which not being too much of a surprise as he has not been included in the England ranks for some time now.

As for who is included, there are some young uncapped names who appear in the squad - Liverpool’s Jarrell Quansah and Curtis Jones, Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite and Burnley keeper James Trafford are all part of but will have to work hard to have their names part of the official 26-man squad for the Euros.

The squad will begin training together soon and will play two warm-up games in June, one against Bosnia Herzegovina on the 3rd and one against Iceland on the 7th, which is also deadline day for his 26-man squad to be finalised.

Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal), James Trafford (Burnley).

Defenders: Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton), Lewis Dunk (Brighton), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Jarell Quansah (Liverpool), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Kyle Walker (Manchester City)

Midfielders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Curtis Jones (Liverpool), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace).

Forwards: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), James Maddison (Tottenham), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Brentford), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa).

Luke ‘The Nuke’ take Premier League title

Credit: LUKE LITTLER HITS A NINE-DARTER IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE FINAL! (Sky Sports Darts, YouTube)

Luke Littler capped off his sensational debut Premier League campaign by winning the grand final on Thursday, beating his namesake nemesis Luke Humphries 11-7 at the London O2 Arena.

The Nuke was in fine form as he has been on many nights this season, hitting a nine-darter to send the crowd into a frenzy. It might be early yet for the proper comparisons, but the only other person to complete such a feat is the undisputed darts greatest of all time, Phil Taylor.

On the road to the finals, Littler managed to finish at the top of the table with 40 points, taking four night wins, 2 runners-up, seven semi-finals and three quarter-finals. He beat Michael Smith 10-5 in the Semi-finals on Thursday, setting up the World Championship rematch with Humphries.

What to watch this weekend?

Two big finals are coming to Wembley and the F1 grid rocks up to the glitz and glamour or Monte Carlo this weekend. Check out how to watch it all.

F1 Monaco Grand Prix

Friday 24th - Sunday 26th | Lights out: Sunday 2pm | Sky Sports F1

Whether you love it or hate it, the F1 grid arrives to the streets of Monaco for the most iconic race on the calendar.

Practice One is already complete, but be sure to tune in for the rest of the weekend only on Sky Sports F1.

Practice Two: 4pm

Practice Three: 11:30am

Qualifying: 3pm

Race: 2pm

FA Cup Final

Saturday 25th | 3pm | BBC 1 & ITV 1

The oldest football competition in the world returns this Saturday, and it’s a replay of last year's final as Manchester City defends their title against Manchester United.

Will it be deja-vu, or will the Red Devils be able to get the best of their city rivals this time? Find out this Saturday at 3pm on BBC or ITV.

Championship Playoff Final

Sunday 26th | 2pm | Sky Sports Main Event & Football

One final fixture sits between a place in the Premier League and a stay in the Championship for both Leeds and Southampton as they face off at Wembley in the Championship Playoff final on Sunday.

3rd in the league vs 4th in the league, only one can walk away from the most expensive prize in football, but who will it be? Find out only on Sky Sports Main Event and Football.