Resurgent Monaco forces Partizan into submission, 74-79

AS Monaco secured a significant 74-79 victory against Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, with standout performances from Mike James, Elie Okobo, and Alpha Diallo. Despite Partizan's strong start and a brief lead in the third quarter, Monaco's resilience and strategic plays, particularly in the final moments, ensured their triumph. This win improved Monaco's record to 4-2, while Partizan suffered their second consecutive home defeat, dropping to 2-4.

Nikola Mirotic, Zach LeDay stepped up as Milan overpowered Virtus

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan secured a 99-90 victory over Virtus Segafredo Bologna in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, with standout performances from Nikola Mirotic and Zach LeDay. Mirotic scored 21 points and 13 rebounds, while LeDay added 19 points. Despite missing key players and head coach Ettore Messina, Milan's resilience and offensive rebounding were crucial in overcoming Virtus. The win marks a potential turning point for Milan, ending a four-game losing streak.

Fenerbahce edges Maccabi, 84-82, after fourth-quarter comeback

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul secured a narrow 84-82 victory over Maccabi in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, improving their record to 4-2. Despite trailing by 11 points in the third quarter, Fenerbahce mounted a comeback in the fourth quarter, led by Tarik Biberovic's crucial three-pointers. Nigel Hayes-Davis contributed 20 points, while Maccabi's Jaylen Hoard also scored 20 points. Maccabi, now 2-4, struggled to maintain their lead, ultimately losing possession in the final moments, allowing Fenerbahce to clinch the win.

Panathinaikos' depth helped it bounce back from adversity

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens secured a 76-81 victory over Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul in the EuroLeague, overcoming the absence of key players Ioannis Papapetrou and Konstantinos Mitoglou. The team relied on Mathias Lessort and Omer Yurtseven, who delivered crucial performances. Despite a strong start, Fenerbahce struggled with cohesion, as noted by their coach Sarunas Jasikevicius. The win highlighted Panathinaikos' depth and resilience, while Fenerbahce faces challenges in unifying their individual talents.

Belgrade and Zagreb Look Forward to Feast of Champions League Football

Red Star Belgrade and Dinamo Zagreb have qualified for UEFA's revamped Champions League, with both teams facing challenging draws. Red Star will play against top clubs like Barcelona and AC Milan, while Dinamo faces Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. The new format features a league table of 36 clubs, with the top eight advancing automatically to the knockout stage. Red Star's sporting director and captain express confidence in their competitiveness, while Dinamo's manager remains hopeful despite tough opponents. The article highlights the historical rivalry between the two clubs and the potential security concerns if they meet in the competition.

Are the Chances of a Top-10 QB Being a Bust? Recap of Yesterday's News

The newsletter explores the success rates of quarterbacks drafted in the top 10 picks of the NFL draft, revealing that around 60% become starters, though this rate drops if the No. 1 pick is excluded. It also discusses the lower success rates for quarterbacks drafted after the No. 1 pick, with only about 50% succeeding. Mock drafts for the NFL 2024 season are analyzed, highlighting strategies for teams like the New England Patriots, Los Angeles Chargers, and Dallas Cowboys. Recent NFL developments include Michael Penix impressing at his pro day, coaching changes for the Chicago Bears, and internal reports within the New York Jets. The newsletter concludes with recommendations for further reading on related topics.

ECL group stage beckons for winning trio

Shakhtar Donetsk, RB Salzburg, and Sheriff Tiraspol have moved closer to the Champions League group stage after winning their playoff-round first legs. Shakhtar secured a 1-0 victory over Monaco, Salzburg came from behind to beat Brondby 2-1, and Sheriff stunned Dinamo Zagreb with a 3-0 win. Upcoming fixtures include Benfica vs. PSV Eindhoven, Malmo vs. Ludogorets Razgrad, and Young Boys vs. Ferencvaros.

Serbia says Australia's decision to deport Djokovic 'scandalous'

A three-judge bench in Australia unanimously rejected Novak Djokovic's appeal against the cancellation of his visa, preventing him from competing in the Australian Open. Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic and President Aleksandar Vucic criticized the decision, calling it scandalous and politically motivated. Djokovic, who was detained twice by Australian authorities, expressed disappointment but agreed to comply with the ruling. The Serbian Tennis Association also condemned the decision, stating that politics had triumphed over sports. Public opinion in Serbia is divided, with some supporting Djokovic and others suggesting he should have been vaccinated.

Djokovic returns to training after winning appeal to stay in Australia

Novak Djokovic resumed training after winning a legal battle to stay in Australia, thanking the judge who overturned his visa cancellation. However, the Australian government is still considering deporting him due to his medical exemption from COVID-19 vaccination. The controversy has sparked global attention and diplomatic tensions between Serbia and Australia. The Australian Open, starting January 17, has been overshadowed by this issue, with public opinion in Australia largely against Djokovic due to the country's high vaccination rate and long lockdowns.

Serbia rallies behind 'Spartacus' Djokovic

Novak Djokovic's family and Serbian officials have rallied in support of the tennis star, who has been detained in Australia due to a visa issue related to COVID-19 vaccination requirements. His father, Srdjan Djokovic, accused Australia of mistreating Novak and attempting to bring Serbia to its knees, framing the situation as a political attack rather than a sports-related issue. Djokovic's mother, Dijana, and brother, Djordje, also expressed their support, while former mentor Niki Pilic and former Yugoslavia Davis Cup coach Radmilo Armenulic criticized the Australian government's actions. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic spoke out against the Australian authorities, and protests were held in Belgrade calling for Djokovic's release.