Penalty Drama, Pouring Rain, and a Pause in Indy ⚽🌧🛋
Yesterday: last-minute goal, first-round preview, injury question… Today: penalty drama, leaderboard surprise, superstar sidelined.
Let’s dive into our three things!
1️⃣ Another Knockout Clash ⚽️
Yesterday, we watched Italy’s last-minute winner against Norway.
Today? We’re turning our attention to the second quarterfinal: Sweden vs. England. These two teams have a history of big games.
England crushed Sweden 4–0 in the 2022 Euro semis on their way to the title.
🎥 Was it closer this time around? We’ve got the full highlights.
WOW!
Tied. Five penalty kicks. Still tied. Sixth penalty. Still tied. England wins on the seventh.
And they stay alive to try and go back-to-back as Euro champs.
📆 What’s next? Today’s game will be tomorrow’s story: Spain vs. Switzerland.
2️⃣ Wind, Rain, and a Five-Way Tie 🌧
Yesterday, we previewed the return of The Open Championship to Royal Portrush.
Today, we’re recapping the action from Round 1.
🎧 The vibe? Misty and tricky.
It started raining early. Then came the wind. The last part of the course? A total survival test.
🎭 The drama? Everything we hoped for.
Five players are tied at -4. And none were the names we spotlighted yesterday. (Did any of you predict the field would win? Looking good so far!)
⛳️ But the stars aren’t far behind:
Scottie stayed calm through the chaos… even while only hitting three fairways. He’s just one shot back at -3.
Rory thrilled his home fans, shooting a solid 1-under despite only hitting two fairways all day.
Jon Rahm matched Rory at -1 and remains firmly in the hunt.
🎥 The highlights from Round 1 are a must-watch.
(Look how thick the grass is at the 3:40 mark! And how cute are Scottie and Rory in matching sweaters?)
📆 So, what’s next? Round 2 teed off early this morning. And all eyes are on the cut line.
🧠 What’s that?
The short answer? That’s the score players need to beat to keep playing on the weekend.
The long answer?
In golf tournaments like The Open, only the top half of players advance after the second round. The exact number depends on scores, but that’s typically about 70 players moving on.
Everyone else is done. No weekend golf. No shot at the Claret Jug.
At the moment, the projected cut line sits around +2, but shifting winds and tricky pins could push it up or down depending on how today plays out.
Stay tuned. We’ve still got three rounds to go!
3️⃣ Caitlin’s All-Star Break Comes Early 🛋
Yesterday, Caitlin Clark was questionable for All-Star Weekend.
Today, it’s official: she’s out.
The Fever star announced that she’ll miss both the 3-Point Contest and the All-Star Game to rest her injured groin.
It’s disappointing. Especially with the game happening in her own home arena, in front of her home fans.
But it’s also the smart call.
Clark has already missed 11 games this season (including the Commissioner’s Cup final), after never missing a game in her entire college or pro career before this year.
She’s resting to get healthy for the playoffs.
And she’ll still be on the sidelines, cheering on her teammates and helping coach her squad.
So even if her jumper’s on pause… the Caitlin effect will still be felt.
That’s it for today, Smallballers.
Tomorrow?
Spain vs. Switzerland, Round 2 of The Open, and maybe another twist in Indy.
🎒 Pack your water bottle and your sunscreen… this weekend’s going big.
i hope RoRy catches up to The 5 Players Today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!