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Serie A | Fiorentina 1-0 Pisa: Kean lifts Viola out of relegation zone

Moise Kean registered his third Serie A goal in as many games to lift Fiorentina out of the relegation zone with a 1-0 victory over local rivals Pisa on Monday evening.

Fiorentina made several alterations to their starting line-up following Thursday evening’s 3-0 victory over Jagiellonia in the Conference League play-off round first leg, with Kean, Manor Solomon, Nicolo Fagioli and Marco Brescianini among the players to return to the Viola XI. Pisa made just two changes following their 2-1 defeat against Milan last weekend, with Samuel Iling-Junior and Marius Marin coming into the XI in place of Matteo Tramoni and Michel Aebischer.

Click here to read more about how today’s teams lined up.

FLORENCE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 23: Moise Kean of ACF Fiorentina celebrates after scoring a goal during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and Pisa SC at Artemio Franchi on February 23, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Fiorentina were the better of the Tuscan teams across the first half in Florence, and needed less than 13 minutes to find the lead against their local rivals: Kean couldn’t have asked for a simpler chance.

Jack Harrison’s cross in from the right flank was headed clear by Rosen Bozhinov, but only as far as Cher Ndour on the follow-up. Simone Canestrelli made a mess of his attempted clearance of Ndour’s shot and inadvertently sent it into the path of Kean, who was unmarked less than 10 yards out from goal.

FLORENCE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 23: Moise Kean of ACF Fiorentina scores a goal during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and Pisa SC at Artemio Franchi on February 23, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Fagioli and Dodo tried to test goalkeeper Nicolas with a pair of shots from the edge of the area midway through the first half, but they were unable to find the target through a congested penalty area.

Kean tried to find the back of the net with a header a few minutes before the interval, but got too far underneath Brescianini’s ball in from the left and saw his effort go over the crossbar for a goal-kick.

Fagioli tested Nicolas from a free-kick from just over 25 yards out a few minutes after the break, but this was nothing that the Brazilian stopper wasn’t able to handle.

Ndour saved his best attempt of the game for the 87th minute, rifling an effort towards the top corner of the net from the edge of the area, but Nicolas got a strong wrist behind it and sent it behind for a corner.

Pisa were unable to register a shot on target across the 90 minutes.

FLORENCE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 23: Idrissa Toure’ of Pisa Sporting Club in action against Manor Solomon of ACF Fiorentina during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and Pisa SC at Artemio Franchi on February 23, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

This result lifts Fiorentina out of the relegation zone and into 16th place, but are not entirely clear of danger just yet given that they are still level on points with Cremonese (17th) and Lecce (18th).

Pisa remain stuck in 19th, on the same tally of points as Hellas Verona (20th). They remain nine points off safety after 26 matches.

Fiorentina 1-0 Pisa

Kean 13’.

​https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/serie-fiorentina-1-0-pisa-194000182.html 

Mark Selby has won the Welsh Open twice, in 2008 and 2025 [Getty Images]

Defending Welsh Open champion Mark Selby was knocked out in the first round by China’s Jiang Jun on Monday, losing 4-3.

The two-time Welsh Open winner took a commanding 3-1 lead with breaks of 123 and 137 at Venue Cymru in Llandudno.

But on his first appearance in the main draw of the competition, Jiang rattled off three consecutive frames to cause a huge upset on day one.

The 20-year-old had half-century breaks of 52 and 65 as he fought his way back to book a place in the second round.

It is the third time in five years that Englishman Selby, a four-time world champion, has been knocked out in the first round of the Welsh Open.

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It was an excellent first day for the Welsh players, as Jak Jones, Dylan Emery and Mark Williams all won their first-round matches.

Jones took a comfortable 4-1 win over England’s Liam Highfield, while Emery shocked China’s Lei Peifan with a deciding-frame victory.

Home favourite Williams – who was the last Welsh player to win the title back in 1999 – overcame Michael Holt to win 4-2 and set up a second-round match against Martin O’Donnell or Tom Ford.

England’s Robbie Williams knocked out world number 16 Si Jiahui with a 4-2 win.

Williams will face last year’s runner-up and former Welsh Open winner Stephen Maguire in the second round after his come-from-behind win over Ricky Walden.

Barry Hawkins was forced to go the distance against fellow Englishman David Lilley, though the 12th seed came out on top with a 4-3 win, sealing his win with a 108 break in the decider.

Welsh Open day one

Morning and afternoon results:

Jak Jones 4-1 Liam HighfieldLei Peifan 3-4 Dylan EmeryPang Junxu 4-2 Antoni KowalskiMark Williams 4-2 Michael HoltYuan Sijun 4-3 Julien LeclercqSi Jiahui 2-4 Robbie WilliamsBarry Hawkins 4-3 David LilleyHossein Vafaei 4-1 Artemijs ZizinsMark Selby 3-4 Jiang JunStephen Maguire 4-3 Ricky Walden

Evening schedule:

Tom Ford v Martin O’DonnellJoe O’Connor v Aaron HillNeil Robertson v Michal SzubarczykWu Yize v Ben MertensMark Allen v David GraceAli Carter v Anthony McGill

​https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/jiang-knocks-2025-champion-selby-190309970.html 

SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 22: Trinity Rodman #2 of Washington Spirit looks on before the NWSL Championship match between Washington Spirit and Gotham FC at PayPal Park on November 22, 2025 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Erin Chang/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images) | ISI Photos via Getty Images

ESPN announced a documentary series “NWSL: The Final Third,” that will feature players from three different teams. The series will premiere on the ESPN app on February 25, and will also feature on linear television on ESPN 2 and Disney+ on March 2.

The show is an ESPN Original directed by Marie Margolius and produced by Words + Pictures, Omaha Productions and ESPN.

The show will focus on Washington Spirit, KC Current and Angel City FC through the course of the 2025 NWSL season. The series will last three episodes and follow specific players from each team. For Angel City FC, which is regarded as the most valuable NWSL team the show will follow 2025 NWSL rookie of the year Riley Tiernan in her first season as a professional.

For the KC Current the show focuses on KC Current’s captain Lo’eau LaBonta who helped lead the Current to a dominant NWSL Shield winning season. 

With the Washington Spirit, it will feature the Trinity Rodman, Hal Hershfelt and Esme Morgan. Rodman will be featured prominently whose journey dealing with injury through 2025, “becomes one of the series’ emotional throughlines.”

“The three teams we embedded with were navigating very different realities as the 2025 regular season concluded, and the drama that unfolded was incredible to witness,” said director Marie Margolious in a statement. “I hope viewers come away feeling inspired by the intensity of the competition on the pitch — but most of all, connected to the players who shoulder the pressure and live with the consequences of every result off of it.” 

The names of the three episodes were released and titled: Hungry Dogs Run Faster, No Free Picnics and No Underdogs Allowed. 

The NWSL regular season begins on March 13 with a match between the Washington Spirit and the Portland Thorns. 

​https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/espn-announce-three-episode-series-193600772.html 

Liverpool, Chelsea and Aston Villa poised as Spurs place £57m price tag on young star

Bergvall Value Soars Amid Chelsea and Liverpool Links

Lucas Bergvall’s rise has been swift and lucrative, and according to Fotboll Direkt, there may be further financial ripples to come. Djurgården’s record sale is now central to renewed Premier League interest, with Chelsea and Liverpool both cited in English reports as monitoring his progress.

Photo IMAGO

When Bergvall departed Sweden, the transfer represented one of the most significant in Allsvenskan history. Just over a year later, bonuses have elevated that deal further. The valuation now attached to him, reported to be well over 700 million kronor, reflects not only promise but delivery.

Bosse Andersson, Djurgården’s sporting director, spoke candidly about the escalation. “It’s not surprising. There’s nothing wrong with him. It’s clear that he’s a topic of conversation for coaches at big clubs,” he told Fotboll Direkt. “It’s incredible to see what’s happening to him and what a journey he’s on that started in Djurgården.”

Photo IMAGO

Premier League Attention Intensifies

Interest from Chelsea, Aston Villa and Liverpool underscores Bergvall’s trajectory. The Premier League’s appetite for emerging talent remains strong, particularly those who adapt quickly. Bergvall’s transition from Allsvenskan to England has impressed observers.

Asked what stands out most, Andersson replied: “But to do what he does so quickly. To go from the Allsvenskan to the Premier League as he has done and in the way he has done it, that’s huge. It’s also noticeable that he enjoys it and has fun.”

There is admiration in Sweden, coupled with financial awareness. “It’s money, money all the time and I understand that,” Andersson added, acknowledging the scale of modern valuations.

Photo IMAGO

Djurgården Positioned to Benefit

Djurgården have already banked an estimated 170 million kronor including bonuses. Further payments could follow should clauses be triggered or another move materialise.

“Of course it is, but we don’t know what it will be yet and I am just so incredibly happy for him,” Andersson said.

For Spurs, Bergvall represents long term investment. For Chelsea and Liverpool, he is viewed as a potential addition with resale value and developmental upside. For Djurgården, the deal symbolises both sporting achievement and economic foresight.

The narrative is still unfolding. Yet as valuations climb and conversations widen, Bergvall’s journey from Stockholm to the Premier League continues to gather pace.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

Bergvall was recruited as part of a longer term vision at Spurs, a player capable of growing into the demands of English football. Seeing Chelsea and Liverpool linked so quickly highlights how rapidly reputations are built.

Fans would argue that Tottenham should be a destination, not a stepping stone. If Bergvall continues on this trajectory, Spurs must ensure he feels central to the project. Development, trust and opportunity will matter more than market noise.

There is also satisfaction in the scouting. Identifying talent early and integrating it effectively strengthens credibility. Spurs supporters know the Premier League landscape is unforgiving. Holding onto emerging stars is as important as finding them.

If Bergvall thrives, speculation will follow. The challenge for Spurs is to convert potential into permanence, building around him rather than bracing for the next wave of interest.

​https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/liverpool-chelsea-aston-villa-poised-185000526.html 

Utah Mammoth General Manager Bill Armstrong speaks with media at a press conference discussing the 2025 NHL Draft, at the Asher Adams Hotel in Salt Lake City on Friday, June 27, 2025.
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Brice Tucker, Deseret News

Vancouver Canucks fans know how not to conduct a rebuild.

I experienced it as a diehard until I handed in my fan card for a media job, and Utah Mammoth GM Bill Armstrong recognizes it in the midst of his second rebuild as an NHL executive.

For the last decade and a half, Canucks fans have been frustrated at the owner’s desire to sacrifice long-term success for a year or two of shallow playoff runs. Time and again, they’ve traded good draft picks and prospects for short-term solutions, and it has always landed them back in the “mushy middle.”

Armstrong does not want to take his team in that direction. He showed that on free agency day last summer and he’ll proceed with his philosophy at the March 6 trade deadline and beyond.

“We’ve had patience to acquire (a good young core), and we’re going to have patience to implement that,” Armstrong told the Deseret News ahead of the Olympic break.

Does that mean he won’t make a big splash? No. But it does mean he’s not keen on trading his up-and-coming stars for veterans whose primes will expire before the team is in its Stanley Cup-contending era.

How to conduct a proper rebuild in the NHL

Dating back to 2020 when he was hired as GM of the Arizona Coyotes, Armstrong has been committed to a full, proper rebuild.

It began with a few write-off seasons, which allowed them to draft the likes of Logan Cooley, Dmitri Simashev and Tij Iginla with high picks awarded for finishing low in the standings.

Throughout the process, teams paid Armstrong extra draft capital to take on their bad contracts, landing him Dylan Guenther and Maveric Lamoureux, among others. And he got a bit lucky when the lottery balls fell the Mammoth’s way despite barely missing the playoffs in 2025, allowing them to snag Caleb Desnoyers at fourth overall.

After years of hardship and a move to Utah, things are finally looking up for the group that Armstrong has constructed. But it’s still too early to go all in.

Again, patience is the motto.

“We look every day at improving our club, right? I think we’ve been pretty disciplined in the deals we’ve chosen to go with and who we’ve chosen to go with,” Armstrong said.

“I think that’s a huge thing. You watch a lot of teams now, they press the ‘go’ button too early and sometimes it can really affect them later on. … We’re not like those Canadian teams where they’re putting their chips in every year and then soon enough, there’s nothing left.

“We’ve done a long, slow, patient rebuild. We’re pretty aggressive in the sense that we want to get better, and I think we just do it with a good outlook and being smart about it.”

Mammoth’s 2026 trade deadline plan

With just five games to go before the trade deadline, time is running out to bolster the roster for a playoff push. Don’t expect any rash decisions from Utah, but also don’t count them out of moves that could help the team both in the present and the future.

“It’s just really trying to get in and see if we can put a guy in a great position, and what can we acquire and how much it’s going to cost us,” Armstrong said.

With all their core guys still in their mid-20s, the Mammoth are in a good position. And with three rising, young stars in their early 20s, it’s only matter of time until they start contending. Oh, and don’t forget the five first-round draft picks who are all knocking on the door of NHL jobs.

“You do expect to improve and get better, and I think we’ve done that in a lot of different areas,” Armstrong said. “I still think there’s some areas we can improve, but I’m happy with the club, in a lot of ways, and the strides we’ve made from last year.”

From here on out, it’s the little details that determine the direction of the franchise.

“Now, it’s fine-tuning. Like, how long do you think this prospect will take to get here, and is there a window for him to come in and make the team? … I think it’s a really good situation and a really good time for the club, just because there’s some really good cornerstone pieces — the Sergachevs and the Kellers and those type of players that are already here, that are in place, that we can build around.”

What’s next in the Mammoth’s rebuild?

Even with all the progress, Armstrong doesn’t expect his team to win the Stanley Cup right away.

“There’s a lot of patience that goes in, you know? Most clubs that become championship clubs have to go through some pain,” he said.

He referenced the 2019 Tampa Bay Lightning — one of the best regular-season teams in NHL history — who got swept in the first round of the playoffs by the Columbus Blue Jackets, who had never won a single playoff series until that point.

The Lightning, of course, appeared in the following three Stanley Cup Finals, winning the trophy twice in the process.

“I’m not saying we’re going to be immune to that pain. I mean, you’re asking me what comes next — probably pain. Growth and pain, growth and pain,” he said.

“That’s how you get a little bit better, each time, but I like where our club’s at. We’ve been pushing here. We’re right where we’re supposed to be, where we want to be, and we’re pushing down the stretch to get into the playoffs, and that’s a huge thing. So I don’t want to look too far ahead.”

Utah Mammoth right wing Dylan Guenther (11) celebrates his goal against the Detroit Red Wings during game held at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026.
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Isaac Hale, Deseret News

​https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/utah-mammoth-trade-deadline-184500984.html