Sports

GREY CUP NOTES: American Blue Bombers see Grey Cup as ‘fabric of the country’ … Loss of Bighill for Cup sad, unfair

Published

12 months ago

November 17, 2023

Quarterback Zach Collaros gestures to one of his receivers at Winnipeg Blue Bombers practice on Mon., Aug. 21, 2023. Photo by Kevin King /Winnipeg Sun

HAMILTON — His first taste of the Grey Cup game was the most significant one of them all, historically speaking — the 100th edition of Canadian football’s title game.

Going into that season, though, CFL rookie quarterback Zach Collaros didn’t have a clue what he was getting himself into.

“I can recall that whole week, not knowing anything about the Grey Cup, but being in Toronto and going around to all the different restaurants and parties,” Collaros was saying, Thursday. “And figuring out this is a celebration of the country and of the league, not just of the two teams that are playing. And the longer and longer I’ve been in the CFL, I’ve understood it’s importance to the fabric of the country.”

Collaros didn’t play in that 2012 game. He had a seat up in the press box, watching teammate and mentor Ricky Ray lead his Toronto Argonauts to a 35-22 win over Calgary.

On Sunday, Collaros will start his fourth straight championship game, the fifth of his career, as, for the first time in Grey Cup history, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers take on East champion Montreal.

Watching his family and friends from Ohio take to the tradition — “They don’t miss Grey Cups now” — has been as much fun as seeing American teammates learn about it.

One was sitting next to Collaros at Thursday’s media Q&A.

“I didn’t know too much about what a Grey Cup really was,” Bombers receiver Kenny Lawler said. “The honour and the pride the fans have for it, I soon had to learn. “Fans from all over the country come… fans of teams that aren’t even in the Grey Cup. They’re just a CFL fan, a Canadian, that loves football. And to see what this game does across the nation, it’s beautiful.”

The California-born Lawler also made to the big game as a rookie, in 2019, the Bombers’ drought-busting season.

The first time he saw the storied trophy that week he was taken aback.

“It was on a table, and I’m just looking, team after team, year after year, and this is actually a piece of history,” he said. “You’ve got everybody’s name on there. That is dope in itself. This is actually something that means a lot.”

Few get a bigger charge from the Grey Cup tradition than Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea, who waxes poetic about it every time he gets his team this close to it.

“You can show them pictures of when the guys won the Cup, and it was only the top, with the small base,” O’Shea said. “And they get that idea that 100 years ago guys were chasing the same dream. And they filled it full of beer and they drank out of it, just like these guys have had the opportunity to in the past. There is something powerful to that.”

WIN ONE FOR BIGGIE

Teammates have acknowledged all week seeing linebacker Adam Bighill sidelined provides all kinds of motivation.

It’s the old Win one for the Gipper adage, with a modern, Winnipeg twist.

“It adds a little bit,” defensive back Evan Holm said. “I love Biggie. He’s always finding ways to help the guys, even now. For the veterans and everyone that’s been around, we want to get them another one. Anybody who’s not playing, you just want to play for them. Honour your teammates.”

That’s O’Shea’s motto, magnified by the defensive captain’s iconic presence.

From the coin toss to the final play on defence, No. 4 makes the calls.

“I don’t think that’s something you even have to say,” Collaros said of the extra motivation. “It’s a feeling you get when a teammate, especially a teammate of Adam’s magnitude, goes down. Not just because of his talent, but his commitment to the organization, his work ethic, is just something you want to honour. You feel terrible that he’s not out there.

“It makes me sad to talk about it.”

Injuries can hit anyone, so teammates can empathize with what Bighill is going through. On both sides of the ball.

“You’re really bummed because you wouldn’t want to miss this game. For anything,” receiver Drew Wolitarsky said. “And a guy like that, who’s put in everything, and more – it’s not fair. It’s not fair.”

The sadness extends from the locker-room to the GM’s chair.

“He’s just such a warrior, and the leader,” GM Kyle Walters said. “He’ll be around this week, he’ll be another assistant coach… trying to get them to see the game the way he sees the game. That’s a very difficult one to overcome.”

SIDELINED

Receiver Dalton Schoen also remained a spectator at Thursday’s practice and is not expected to play.

Others not taking part included receivers Nic Demski and Rasheed Bailey, plus linebacker Kyrie Wilson, all of whom are expected to suit up.

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Sports

Champions Trophy host Pakistan says it’s not been told India wants to play cricket games elsewhere

Published

1 day ago

November 8, 2024

Anne Joseph

LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.

“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”

Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.

The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.

Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.

“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”

Pakistan hosted last year’s Asia Cup but all India games were played in Sri Lanka under a hybrid model for the tournament. Only months later Pakistan did travel to India for the 50-over World Cup.

Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.

“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”

The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.

“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”

Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.

“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.

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AP cricket:

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Sports

Dabrowski, Routlife into WTA doubles final with win over Melichar-Martinez, Perez

Published

1 day ago

November 8, 2024

Anne Joseph

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.

Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.

The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.

The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.

Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.

Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

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Sports

Winger Tajon Buchanan back with Canada after recovering from broken leg

Published

1 day ago

November 8, 2024

Anne Joseph

Inter Milan winger Tajon Buchanan, recovered from a broken leg suffered in training at this summer’s Copa America, is back in Jesse Marsch’s Canada squad for the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal against Suriname.

The 25-year-old from Brampton, Ont., underwent surgery July 3 to repair a fractured tibia in Texas.

Canada, ranked 35th in the world, plays No. 136 Suriname on Nov. 15 in Paramaribo. The second leg of the aggregate series is four days later at Toronto’s BMO Field.

There is also a return for veteran winger Junior Hoilett, who last played for Canada in June in a 4-0 loss to the Netherlands in Marsch’s debut at the Canadian helm. The 34-year-old from Brampton, now with Scotland’s Hibernian, has 15 goals in 63 senior appearances for Canada.

Midfielder Ismael Kone, recovered from an ankle injury sustained on club duty with France’s Marseille, also returns. He missed Canada’s last three matches since the fourth-place Copa America loss to Uruguay in July.

But Canada will be without centre back Derek Cornelius, who exited Marseille’s win Sunday over Nantes on a stretcher after suffering an apparent rib injury.

The Canadian men will prepare for Suriname next week at a camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

“We are looking forward to getting the group together again with the mindset that there is a trophy on the line,” Marsch said in a statement. “We want to end 2024 the right way with two excellent performances against a competitive Suriname squad and continue building on our tremendous growth this past summer.”

The quarterfinal winners advance to the Nations League Finals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., with the two semifinals scheduled for March 20 and the final and third-place playoff March 23, and qualify for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Thirteen of the 23 players on the Canadian roster are 25 or younger, with 19-year-old defender Jamie Knight-Lebel, currently playing for England’s Crewe Alexandra on loan from Bristol City, the youngest.

Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies captains the side with Stephen Eustaquio, Jonathan Osorio, Richie Laryea, Alistair Johnston and Kamal Miller adding veteran support.

Jonathan David, Cyle Larin and Theo Bair are joined in attack by Minnesota United’s Tani Oluwaseyi.

Niko Sigur, a 21-year-old midfielder with Croatia’s Hadjuk Split, continues in the squad after making his debut in the September friendly against Mexico.

Suriname made it to the Nations League quarterfinals by finishing second to Costa Rica in Group A of the Nations League, ahead of No. 104 Guatemala, No. 161 Guyana and unranked Martinique and Guadeloupe.

“A good team,” Osorio said of Suriname. “These games are always tricky and they’re not easy at all … Suriname is a (former) Dutch colony and they’ll have Dutch players playing at high levels.”

“They won’t be someone we overlook at all,” added the Toronto FC captain, who has 81 Canada caps to his credit.

Located on the northeast coast of South America between Guyana and French Guiana, Suriname was granted independence in 1975 by the Netherlands.

Canada has faced Suriname twice before, both in World Cup qualifying play, winning 4-0 in suburban Chicago in June 2021 and 2-1 in Mexico City in October 1977.

The Canadian men, along with Mexico, the United States and Panama, received a bye into the final eight of the CONCACAF Nations League.

Canada, No. 2 in the CONCACAF rankings, drew Suriname as the best-placed runner-up from League A play.

Canada lost to Jamaica in last year’s Nations League quarterfinal, ousted on the away-goals rule after the series ended in a 4-4 draw. The Canadians lost 2-0 to the U.S. in the final of the 2022-23 tournament and finished fifth in 2019-20.

Canada defeated Panama 2-1 last time out, in an Oct. 15 friendly in Toronto.

Goalkeepers Maxime Crepeau and Jonathan Sirois, defenders Joel Waterman, Laryea and Miller and Osorio took part in a pre-camp this week in Toronto for North America-based players.

Canada Roster

Goalkeepers: Maxime Crepeau, Portland Timbers (MLS); Jonathan Sirois, CF Montreal (MLS); Dayne St. Clair, Minnesota United FC (MLS).

Defenders: Moise Bombito, OGC Nice (France); Alphonso Davies, Bayern Munich (Germany); Richie Laryea, Toronto FC (MLS); Alistair Johnston, Celtic (Scotland); Jamie Knight-Lebel. Crewe Alexandra, on loan from Bristol City (England); Kamal Miller, Portland Timbers (MLS); Joel Waterman, CF Montreal (MLS).

Midfielders: Ali Ahmed. Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS); Tajon Buchanan, Inter Milan (Italy); Mathieu Choiniere, Grasshopper Zurich (Switzerland); Stephen Eustaquio, FC Porto (Portugal); Junior Hoilett, Hibernian FC (Scotland); Ismael Kone, Olympique Marseille (France); Jonathan Osorio, Toronto FC (MLS); Jacob Shaffelburg, Nashville SC (MLS); Niko Sigur, Hadjuk Split (Croatia).

Forwards: Theo Bair, AJ Auxerre (France); Jonathan David, LOSC Lille (France); Cyle Larin, RCD Mallorca (Spain); Tani Oluwaseyi, Minnesota United (MLS).

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

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