Sports
Why Stuttgart, Celtic’s Europa League opponents, are worth watching
I recall being told as a joke in my student days by people in Northern Germany that as a Scot, I should feel very much at home in Stuttgart because of the alleged Geiz (frugality) of the residents of Schwabenland (Swabia)!
It’s an old cliche that never quite measures up to reality, and I think — I hope — that most of a fair mind would say the same of my compatriots. In fact, I’m quite confident that fans of Celtic and VfB Stuttgart will enjoy and appreciate each other’s generosity of football spirit when the pair meet in one of the most eye-catching two-legged UEFA Europa League confrontations in the next few days.
What should Celtic supporters know in advance?
– Meet Noahkai Banks: The outside pick to make USMNT’s World Cup squad
– Harry Kane scores 500th goal: Explaining stats behind red-hot form
– Amid more Bundesliga success, Bayern’s Pokal drought weighs heavily
To me, VfB Stuttgart represent an underrated footballing and cultural force outside Germany and a few eyes will be opened as to their power and appeal.
It all starts with the distinctive Brustring (the red ring or hoop around the team’s white shirt). Last August, the club celebrated 100 years of the Brustring, and the accompanying organic choreography from the always passionate Cannstatter Kurve left you with that hair on the back of your neck feeling on that day against Borussia Mönchengladbach.
For some odd reason, Stuttgart is rarely mentioned as one of the bucket list places to watch a football match, but it really should be. Just under 60,000 fans pack into the MHP Arena at every home game through good times and bad, and it’s akin to a rite of passage. The team has a large catchment area in the South West and for many fans in the area, it would be simply incongruous to support anyone else.
Even as three-time Bundesliga champions and four-time Pokalsieger (German Cup winners), including last May, Stuttgart and its fans have nevertheless felt the full gamut of emotional highs and lows in recent years. They suffered the dreaded Abstieg (demotion) in 2016 and 2019, although luckily in both cases bounced back to secure the Klassenerhalt (ascending back to the top) at the first time of asking.
Still, in both 2022 and 2023, this colossal club started the 2. Bundesliga in the face again and stayed up by the skin of their teeth. In the first instance, salvation arrived only through a dramatic 92nd-minute goal on the final day against Köln from Wataru Endo. A year later, they had to navigate the always twitchy relegation playoff against Hamburger SV.
By then, the urbane Sebastian Hoeneß had taken over their reins. It’s hard to believe his appointment came less than three years ago because in a very short space of time, the nephew of Uli and son of Dieter has guided VfB — Verein für Bewegungsspiele (literally, “club for movement games”) — to one of the most fruitful periods in its history. That he has taken Stuttgart to a runners-up finish in the Bundesliga (ahead of Bayern Munich no less) in 2024 and a Pokalsieg in 2025, while saying goodbye to key players seemingly every summer, speaks to the coach’s competence and that of Sportchef Fabian Wohlgemuth in finding adequate replacements.
Just consider the list of departures. In 2023, Endo, Konstantinos Mavropanos and Borna Sosa went. In 2024, it was captain Waldemar Anton and prolific striker Serhou Guirassy, both to Dortmund, as well as Hiroki Ito to Bayern. Then last summer, it was Nick Woltemade and Enzo Millot.
But Stuttgart, in their present guise, are getting on with the job of booking a UEFA Champions League place next season and find themselves in the top four after winning five of their last seven Bundesliga games in 2026 so far. They have the demanding but desirable Dreifachbelastung (burden of competing in three competitions) and a Pokal semifinal to look forward to in late April as they try to retain the title.
Hoeneß mostly likes his team to keep the ball and it’s that rotation of attacking players, rather in the manner of a revolving door, that keeps opponents off balance. You never quite know what they’re going to throw at you. Still, arguably their best performance of the year to date came in Leverkusen when it was all about intense Gegenpressing, smothering the opponents at the source and finishing the contest before halftime.
The player who most makes them tick is the redoubtable Deniz Undav, who, while preferring a Döner kebab to their more traditional local dishes of Maultaschen (dumplings) and Spätzle (a pasta derivative), nevertheless personifies the club’s football more than anyone.
Really a forward with Spielmacher (playmaker) qualities, the 29-year-old is generally used underneath pure striker Ermedin Demirovic. The fact remains, though, that since 2023, only Harry Kane and Undav’s former teammate Guirassy have netted more goals.
Jamie Leweling is also a force to be reckoned with, and the difficulty is knowing how to stop him, whether he lines up on the right, the left, or cuts into the centre. Leweling has made huge strides since his Union Berlin and Greuther Fürth days. The heartbeat is provided by twin central midfielders, captain Atakan Karazor and ball playing left footer Angelo Stiller, a favourite of Hoeneß, also from their time together at Bayern II and TSG Hoffenheim. If Stiller scores, it’s usually with a long-range pile- driver.
The left-hand side can be a problem for adversaries with competent fullback Maximilian Mittelstädt, combining with Dribbelkönig (dribbling king) Chris Führich, who is back on song after enduring a difficult time of it last term. It would be churlish to call the right-hand side a weakness defensively, but I always feel there is Luft nach oben (room for improvement) when it comes to the two right back occupants, Josha Vagnoman and Lorenz Assignon.
Jeff Chabot is the defensive chief. Left-footed, dominating and rightly being assessed as a national team candidate for the World Cup, the former Köln man partners well with precocious and good on the ball 19-year-old Finn Jeltsch.
Between the posts, Alexander Nübel — a long-term Bayern loanee — rarely lets anyone down. I can’t imagine Hoeneß in Glasgow will attempt to press as high as Stuttgart did in Leverkusen. But it’s something to watch for, especially the positioning of Karazor.
Whatever happens in the next week in this intriguing Europa League tie, the Wertschätzung (appreciation) factor for the men wearing the Brustring and their fans is bound to grow.
Sports
UNC set to hire Michael Malone as next men’s basketball coach after firing Hubert Davis: report
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
The UNC Tar Heels are dipping into the NBA pool for its next men’s basketball coach.
After Hubert Davis was fired following a shocking loss to VCU in the first round of the NCAA Tournament earlier this month, the Tar Heels are set to hire Michael Malone, according to ESPN.
North Carolina was previously linked to top college coaches, including Michigan’s Dusty May, who will be competing for an NCAA title on Monday night against UConn. But May took his name out of any running across college, while Arizona’s Tommy Lloyd and Iowa State’s T.J. Otzelberger were also rumored to be in the Tar Heels’ favor.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Head Coach Michael Malone claps on the sidelines during the third quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on April 6, 2025. (Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
But Malone, who the past 10 seasons leading the Denver Nuggets, is the man they’re settling on to lead the Tar Heels back to greatness.
Malone is the winningest coach in Nuggets history, tallying 471 career wins across his career there, while also winning an NBA title in 2023.
VCU COACH PRAISES STUDENT JOURNALISTS AFTER HISTORIC MARCH MADNESS COMEBACK: ‘BEST IN THE COUNTRY’
However, Malone, despite what he means to the franchise record books, was fired by the Nuggets in April 2025. He quickly entered the sports media space, joining ESPN in May 2025, but he’s back in the saddle now in a whole new collegiate world compared to the pros.
Perhaps North Carolina wouldn’t have been searching for another head coach if Davis and the Tar Heels didn’t collapse against No. 10 VCU in the first round, as the Rams mounted the biggest first-round comeback in tournament history to ultimately defeat No. 6 UNC in overtime, 82-78.
“We appreciate all that Hubert has done for Carolina as a player, assistant coach, head coach and community leader – he has helped make special memories we will never forget,” athletic director Bubba Cunningham said in a statement. “This was not an easy decision because of Hubert’s tremendous character and all he has given to the program, but we must move forward in a way that allows our team to compete more consistently at an elite level.”
Davis, who made four NCAA Tournaments, including the last three seasons, over his five campaigns with the Tar Heels, released his own statement on the matter.
Head coach Michael Malone of the Denver Nuggets watches the game against the Golden State Warriors during the second quarter at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on April 4, 2025. (Eakin Howard/Getty Images)
“Tonight, I was let go by the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill,” he wrote. “My desire was to continue to coach here. This opportunity has truly been such a blessing. I thank Jesus literally every day for giving me the opportunity, relationships and experiences with the kids and my staff. I am very proud of what we were able to accomplish together.”
BILL SELF ANNOUNCES RETURN TO KANSAS SIDELINE, SET FOR 24TH SEASON DESPITE HEALTH ISSUES
Davis added that he hopes to be coaching “in the very near future.”
Davis, who played for UNC from 1988-92 before being a first-round pick by the New York Knicks in 1992, left the program with about $5.3 million still guaranteed from his contract, per ESPN.
Davis went 125-54 during his 179-game tenure with his alma mater, which included a first-year Final Four appearance during the 2021-22 campaign. The Tar Heels reached the national championship game, falling to the Kansas Jayhawks, who also overcame a double-digit deficit to be crowned champions.
Head coach Michael Malone of the Denver Nuggets looks on during the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on April 4, 2025. (Eakin Howard/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
After missing March Madness in 2023, the Tar Heels earned themselves a No. 1 seed in 2024, but they were taken down by No. 4 Alabama in the Sweet 16, cutting their national title hopes short. Still, Davis earned himself the ACC Coach of the Year Award that year.
The Tar Heels want to get back to the Roy Williams days, as the legendary UNC head coach led his squad to six NCAA titles during his tenure, the most recent coming in 2017.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence reportedly requested a trade from the team and has made clear to the organization he will not be at the team’s offseason workouts.
Lawrence has been trying to “negotiate a contract reflecting his value to the Giants” the last two years but talks have remained stagnant, ESPN reported on Monday. Discussions about a new deal reportedly haven’t moved forward even with John Harbaugh coming in as head coach.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence plays against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Oct. 26, 2025. (Eric Hartline/Imagn Images)
The burly 340-pound defensive lineman is a three-time Pro Bowler and has been with the Giants through some rough seasons. Despite that, he’s been one of their better defensive players since the team selected him in the first round of the 2019 draft out of Clemson.
Lawrence has 30.5 sacks, 15 pass break-ups and 341 tackles in 109 career games with New York.
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II gestures during the first quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., on Oct. 9, 2025. (Brad Penner/Imagn Images)
Last season, Lawrence played in all 17 games for the first time in his career. He had an interception to go along with 31 tackles and a half-sack.
The 28-year-old player signed a four-year contract extension with the Giants in 2023, reportedly worth $87.5 million. He has two years left on his current deal. He would be paid $18.5 million in 2026 and $15.5 million if a new deal isn’t negotiated.
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II returns an interception during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., on Sept. 28, 2025. (Vincent Carchietta/Imagn Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
It’s unclear what team would be interested in trading for Lawrence. But with the NFL Draft around the corner, New York would likely expect at least two picks from any team trading for Lawrence.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
INDIANAPOLIS — Michigan star forward Yaxel Lendeborg said he “absolutely” plans to play in the national title game against UConn on Monday night.
Lendeborg sprained his left MCL and left ankle in the first half against Arizona on Saturday night, and an MRI on the knee Sunday morning came back “very clear,” according to Michigan trainer Chris Williams.
Williams told ESPN on Sunday that Lendeborg’s injury is a “low-grade” MCL sprain in his knee, which also has a “small bone bruise.” The ankle sprain is also considered “low grade” and has minimal swelling.
“He’s still tender and walking around a little bit gingerly, but good,” Williams said.
On Sunday night, when availability reports for both teams were released, Lendeborg was not listed by the Wolverines.
Lendeborg played just 14 minutes on Saturday against Arizona, spending much of the first half getting treated in the locker room. Coach Dusty May said Sunday that the decision to play will be up to Lendeborg and the Michigan medical staff, which has indicated confidence that he will be available.
“I’m sure he’ll give it a go tomorrow,” May said.
Lendeborg’s knee loomed as a bigger concern than his injured ankle, and he clarified that’s what the MRI revealed. He returned to the court and played nine minutes in the second half, wearing a compression sleeve over the injured knee, but he appeared clearly limited.
“He played the second half like a 38-year-old at the YMCA,” May said. “And a really good 38-year-old at the YMCA.”
Williams told ESPN that he stayed in Lendeborg’s room until 4:30 a.m. after the Arizona game, giving him treatment on the knee. Williams said that his aim for Lendeborg’s agility for Monday is a much younger version than May’s description. “Hopefully 18,” Williams said.
Despite being hobbled, Lendeborg drained a pair of second-half 3-pointers, as he finished with 11 points on four shots.
Williams said he’s “very optimistic” about Lendeborg’s availability. Williams laid out the next 30 hours or so until tipoff: “It should be a lot of treatment still. I’m going to be in his room a lot. He’s going to be in my room a lot. So, we’ll be doing treatment around the clock and just trying to manage his pain the best we can.”
He said that the treatment will be on the knee and ankle, and he plans to use a Hivamat machine and a Class 4 laser.
Williams told ESPN on Saturday night that he’ll be spending a lot of time with Lndeborg.
“He might move into my room,” Williams said Saturday. “You’re laughing, but he might move into my room. We have two beds in there, so we might have to find another room for my wife and my son.”
UNC set to hire Michael Malone as next men’s basketball coach after firing Hubert Davis: report
Border Patrol Agents Sold Challenge Coins With ‘Charlotte’s Web’ Characters in Riot Gear
New norms for NH & bridge works: Longer timelines, realistic deadlines – The Times of India
-
Sports1 week agoUSMNT handed reality check by Doku, Belgium ahead of World Cup
-
Sports1 week ago2026 NCAA men’s hockey tournament: Schedule, results
-
Uncategorized4 days ago
[CinePlex360] Please moderate: “Trump signals p
-
Uncategorized1 week ago
[CinePlex360] Please moderate: “Further tariff
-
Entertainment3 days agoJoe Jonas shares candid glimpse into parenthood with Sophie Turner
-
Tech3 days agoOur Favorite iPad Is $50 Off
-
Sports1 week agoMan City show why they are worthy WSL title winners as tired United wilt
-
Entertainment1 week agoDemystifying the PTI