Unimaginable

As two Slovenian riders effectively sealed their first and second places in the Tour de France, the president of Slovenia declared it a historic day for the nation. In a stunning climax, Tadej Pogacar crushed Primoz Roglic in the last stage before the largely ceremonial finish in Paris today. “It’s unimaginable,” Slovenian President Borut Pahor said. AP

Barca prez won’t resign after 20,000 sign petition

Barcelona: Barcelona’s embattled club president has no intention of resigning after more than 20,000 club members signed a petition for Josep Bartomeu and his board to face a censure vote. “No one is thinking about stepping down,” Bartomeu said yesterday before Barcelona beat Elche 1-0 in their final pre-season match. On Thursday, the group of club members wanting a change in the leadership handed in 20,687 signatures calling for a referendum over whether the board should be removed. That surpassed the 16,520 signatures — the equivalent to 15% of all members — needed to force the vote. AP

Mbappe shines as PSG hit top gear

NICE: France forward Kylian Mbappe marked his return to action with a vintage performance and a goal as champions Paris St Germain rediscovered their form with an impressive 3-0 win at Nice in Ligue 1 today. Mbappe, who missed the opening three games after contracting the coronavirus, fired PSG ahead with a 38th-minute penalty and had a big part in Angel Di Maria’s strike before Marquinhos headed home the third in the second half. Reuters

Serie A: Napoli win as spectators return

Parma: Napoli pounced on two defensive mistakes to win 2-0 at Parma in their opening match of the season today as spectators returned to Serie A for the first time since March. Dries Mertens and Lorenzo Insigne got Napoli’s campaign off to a winning start with second-half goals. A smattering of fans, wearing masks and widely spaced apart, watched the game after the Italian government agreed to allow up to 1,000 spectators at matches from today. Reuters

Aspas double downs Valencia, Emery gets first win

MAdrid: The evergreen Iago Aspas scored in either half to give Celta Vigo a 2-1 win at home to Valencia in La Liga. Earlier, Unai Emery earned his first win as Villarreal coach after his side came from behind to beat Eibar 2-1 at home. Getafe beat Osasuna 1-0 with a second-half strike from Jaime Mata to get off to a winning start after missing the first round of matches. Reuters

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