Sports

'A huge surprise' at Euro 2025

Published

6 months ago

July 6, 2025

France beat England 2-1 in the opening game of their 2025 European Championship campaign on Saturday.

Sarina Wiegman’s side trailed 2-0 at half-time after goals from Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Sandy Baltimore, before Keira Walsh gave England hope of salvaging a point late as she halved the deficit in the 87th minute.

The Lionesses, however, thought they had taken the lead inside 16 minutes at the Stadion Letzigrund in Zurich, only for Alessia Russo’s goal to be disallowed for a marginal offside ruling on Beth Mead. It was a decision England’s head coach described as a “huge surprise” — so what exactly happened, and why didn’t the goal stand?

What happened?

In the 15th minute, with the score goalless, England forward Lauren James drove at the France backline, cut inside and switched the play to winger Mead on the edge of the France box. Mead fed Lauren Hemp, whose shot was parried into the path of Russo by French goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin, and the England striker prodded the ball home.

England celebrated, and there appeared to be no protests from the France defence. Both teams lined up to restart the game from kickoff. However, after a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) check that lasted roughly 90 seconds, referee Tess Olofsson indicated that the goal had been disallowed for offside.

It was not initially obvious which England player had been offside, but replays of the semi-automated technology showed it was Mead who had been penalised in the build-up, in a close call. Mead expressed her bafflement with the decision at full time. “Yes, I have seen the picture,” Mead told Sky Sports. “I’m unsure how it was given offside, let’s say that.”

Why was it ruled offside and what is the rule?

Semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) is in use for the first time at a women’s European Championship this summer. UEFA says the technology uses 10 different cameras to track 29 different body points on each player, and the system connects with the match ball to determine the exact point of contact. It was introduced in a bid to speed up offside decision making, following criticism over lengthy delays with VAR.

Stills of the decision to rule out Russo’s goal are inconclusive over which part of Mead’s body was beyond France defender Selma Bacha. Making things even more difficult to distinguish which part of Mead’s body is offside is the fact that the SAOT wall, drawn to demonstrate the offside line, is white, clashing with Mead’s white England shirt. The bottom of her right foot and top of her right shoulder are the body parts closest to the offside line.

UEFA confirmed to The Athletic that it was Mead’s foot and shoulder that put her in an offside position.

As with goal-line technology, on-field officials have no input in a SAOT decision — the decision is simply automated.

A statement published on UEFA’s VAR technical explanations read: “England’s player No 9 (Mead) was in an offside position and played the ball in the build-up to the goal.”

The International Football Association Board’s (IFAB) laws of the game state that a player is offside if, when in their attacking half of the field of play, “any part of the head, body or feet is nearer to the opponents’ goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent”.

While Bacha’s right arm is beyond Mead, this does not play her onside. The laws of the game state: “The hands and arms of all players, including the goalkeepers, are not considered (in determining offside). For the purposes of determining offside, the upper boundary of the arm is in line with the bottom of the armpit.”

Therefore the offside line is drawn from the top of Bacha’s thigh — the part of her body nearest the France goal line, and SAOT judged Mead to be fractionally beyond that.

What’s the reaction been?

Wiegman, visibly frustrated on the touchline, admitted her surprise at the decision at full time.

“We just didn’t get it right in those moments,” Wiegman said. “Some moments we did, there were parts in the game that we did well. Also scoring that goal. No one expected that to be disallowed. We had to get out of that, too. It was a huge surprise it was disallowed.”

Russo’s goal was initially given by referee Olofsson before the SAOT intervention (Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

England enjoyed the better of the opening 15 minutes, with James providing two promising openings before Russo’s disallowed goal. However, France grew into the game and were on top for the final 30 minutes of the opening period, and were well worth their 2-0 half-time lead. Wiegman said England’s disallowed goal was not the reason for the momentum shift, and pointed instead to her team’s decision making.

Asked why the game changed after the disallowed goal, she replied: “I’m not sure it’s the disallowed goal. I think when we build, we chose to do short passes. And they were aiming for that and they were really pretty good in midfield, so we had to go around them. At moments on the right side we had an overload, where we have to find that — you have to play that and not the short passes. I think we caused our own problems a bit.”

Were there any other controversial decisions during the game?

Yes. In the build-up to France’s second goal, scored by Baltimore, Maelle Lakrar dispossessed Russo. Replays showed that Lakrar made contact with Russo before she won the ball. Wiegman remonstrated at the fourth official.

VAR checked the incident but allowed the goal.

“I’m not the referee but it was a foul in my opinion,” Wiegman said at full time.

Asked how happy she was with the refereeing performance, Russo told OptusSport: “That’s not (for) me to comment on. I’m sure they reflect on it like we do, but that’s not for me to comment on.”

France captain Sakina Karchaoui also went sliding into England captain Leah Williamson during the match. Williamson lifted her shirt up to show the stud marks she had suffered from the challenge on her lower back.

VAR checked for a possible red card offence but ruled Karchaoui had not committed a foul of that nature.

(Top photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)

Sports

How setter Isabelle Hoppe chose Wisconsin volleyball

Published

12 minutes ago

January 2, 2026

Your Sports Nation

Isabelle Hoppe, like most everybody else in the volleyball world, had heard the rumors. But it wasn’t until the end that she thought how it might impact her life.

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Transfer outside hitter follows connection in commitment to Wisconsin volleyball

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Why All-American Jaela Auguste saw her future brightest with Wisconsin volleyball

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Wisconsin volleyball flips highly ranked setter from ACC power

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Former Wisconsin volleyball outside hitter headed to Big East power

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Former Wisconsin volleyball setter finds new home

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Wisconsin volleyball loses starter who shined down the stretch to transfer portal

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Final Four trip triggers salary, bonus bump for Wisconsin volleyball coach

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Wisconsin volleyball transfer portal tracker: Who's in and who's out for the Badgers

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Photos: Wisconsin volleyball 2025 season in photos

Wisconsin outside hitter Grace Egan (32) serves against UW Milwaukee on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wis.

OWEN ZILIAK,STATE JOURNAL

Wisconsin middle blocker Alicia Andrew (17) is greeted by fans after taking the floor prior to a match against Southern California at the Wisconsin Fieldhouse in Madison, Wis. Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL

JOHN HART,STATE JOURNAL

Wisconsin defenders jump to block a spike by Kansas outside hitter Jovana Zelenovic (9) on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025 at Kohl Center in Madison, Wis.

OWEN ZILIAK,STATE JOURNAL

The Wisconsin student section reacts after Wisconsin wins the third set against Kansas on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025 at Kohl Center in Madison, Wis.

OWEN ZILIAK,STATE JOURNAL

Wisconsin setter Charlie Fuerbringer (24) sets the ball for a spike against Texas on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis.

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Wisconsin setter Charlie Fuerbringer (24) sets the ball against Eastern Illinois on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wiss.

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Wisconsin outside hitter Grace Egan, left, and middle blocker Carter Booth, right, go up for a block against UC-Davis Sept. 4.

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Wisconsin outside hitter Grace Egan (32) and Wisconsin middle blocker Carter Booth (52) yell after a block to win the first set against Purdue on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wis.

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Wisconsin outside hitter Mimi Colyer (15) elevates to contest a ball at the net against Illinois on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wis.

OWEN ZILIAK,STATE JOURNAL

Wisconsin outside hitter Mimi Colyer (15) is introduced prior to the match against Illinois on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wis.

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Wisconsin setter Charlie Fuerbringer (24) high-fives kids lined up before playing UC-Davis on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wis.

OWEN ZILIAK,STATE JOURNAL

Wisconsin outside hitter Grace Egan (32) hits the floor after saving the ball from touching the ground against Texas on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis.

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Wisconsin outside hitter Mimi Colyer (15) helps setter Charlie Fuerbringer (24) off the floor after losing a point to Texas on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis.

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Wisconsin head coach Kelly Sheffield huddles with his senior players following the teamÕs win over UNC during a second round NCAA Tournament match between the teams at the Wisconsin Fieldhouse in Madison, Wis. Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL

JOHN HART,STATE JOURNAL

Wisconsin outside hitter Grace Egan (32) watches as the ball flies in the air before a serve against Notre Dame on Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wis.

OWEN ZILIAK,STATE JOURNAL

Wisconsin outside hitter Grace Egan (32) goes up for a spike against UC-Davis on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wis.

OWEN ZILIAK,STATE JOURNAL

Wisconsin players react after a Minnesota touch goes out of bounds on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wis.

OWEN ZILIAK,STATE JOURNAL

The Wisconsin bench celebrates after a point against UW Milwaukee on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wis.

OWEN ZILIAK,STATE JOURNAL

Wisconsin outside hitter Mimi Colyer (15) attempts to spike over three Iowa defenders on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wis.

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Nebraska middle blocker Rebekah Allick (5) yells after a block on Wisconsin outside hitter Grace Egan (32) on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wis.

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A young fan smiles after getting a high-five from a Wisconsin player during introductions against Minnesota on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wis.

OWEN ZILIAK,STATE JOURNAL

Wisconsin outside hitter Una Vajagic (1) dives for a ball flying out of bounds against Michigan on Saturday, Oct.5, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wis.

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Wisconsin outside hitter Mimi Colyer (15) is introduced prior to the teamÕs non-conference match against Florida at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis. Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL

JOHN HART,STATE JOURNAL

Wisconsin outside hitter Mimi Colyer (15) blocks a spike against Michigan on Saturday, Oct.5, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wis.

OWEN ZILIAK,STATE JOURNAL

Wisconsin outside hitter Madison Quest (10) emerges from the locker room before playing Michigan on Saturday, Oct.5, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wis.

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Wisconsin right side hitter Addy Horner (2) and Wisconsin middle blocker Natalie Wardlow (12) collide trying to set the ball against Nebraska on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wis.

OWEN ZILIAK,STATE JOURNAL

Wisconsin outside hitter Mimi Colyer (15) extends to hit a ball going out of bounds against Minnesota on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wis.

OWEN ZILIAK,STATE JOURNAL

Wisconsin middle blocker Alicia Andrew (17) and right side hitter Wisconsin setter Charlie Fuerbringer (24) put up a block against Indiana outside hitter Jaidyn Jager (24) in the first set of a match at the UW Field House in Madison, Wis. Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL

AMBER ARNOLD STATE JOURNAL

Wisconsin outside hitter Grace Egan (32) lines up a bump after a return by Iowa on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wis.

OWEN ZILIAK,STATE JOURNAL

Wisconsin middle blocker Carter Booth (52) reacts after a point against Kansas on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025 at Kohl Center in Madison, Wis.

OWEN ZILIAK,STATE JOURNAL

Wisconsin players, including Wisconsin middle blocker Alicia Andrew, left, and libero/defensive specialist Kristen Simon (7) celebrate the teamÕs win over UNC during a second round NCAA Tournament match between the teams at the Wisconsin Fieldhouse in Madison, Wis. Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL

JOHN HART,STATE JOURNAL

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Vote for Sarasota, Manatee County 2025 Volleyball Player of the Year

Published

2 hours ago

January 2, 2026

Your Sports Nation

Jan. 2, 2026, 5:01 a.m. ET

The Herald-Tribune has announced its 2025 Fall All-Area team selections for Manatee and Sarasota counties.
Venice’s Tien Murray was named the Player of the Year from the First-Team selections.
Voting for the fan-selected Player of the Year will close on Wednesday, Jan. 7 at 9 a.m.

The Herald-Tribune started rolling out its 2025 Fall All-Area team selections.

We honored the top players from Manatee and Sarasota counties by naming First Team, Second Team, and Honorable Mentions lists.

We also named a Player of the Year from among the 14 First-Teamers in Venice’s Tien Murray.

Tien Murray of Venice High School is the 2025 Herald-Tribune All-Area Volleyball Player of the Year.

Now we will let you have your say. Do you agree with Murray being our pick for Player of the Year, or do you prefer a different First-Team selection?

Voting will remain open until Wednesday, Jan. 7 at 9 a.m.

Click HERE to vote or in the poll below.

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Hawaii men’s volleyball preview: Middle Blocker Trevell Jordan

Published

2 hours ago

January 2, 2026

Your Sports Nation

Trevell Jordan couldn’t have been happier with where he was.

The Mesa, Ariz., native was a roughly 30-minute drive from home at nearby Grand Canyon University, playing volleyball as a freshman for a school that was coming off an appearance in the semifinals of the NCAA Championships.

Jordan started 21 matches before missing the last four with an injury and was named to the All-MPSF Freshman Team. The Lopes were eliminated in the semifinals of the MPSF Tournament, but despite an 18-10 season, the plan was to run it back.

“We were a really young team, so we were pumped for the upcoming season,” Jordan said. “We had already made a bunch of plans of all the things we were going to do together to get ready.”

One meeting that came on a couple of hours’ notice and lasted all of five minutes changed everything.

“It came out of the blue, on one Sunday morning, where our coach texted our group chat and (wrote) the (athletics director) wants to meet with you guys,” Jordan recalled. “This was over the summer and half our team already left for home and we got to the meeting thinking it was going to be about what it was going to be like next year with the coaches. The AD walked in, said we are cutting your program, and we got two questions off before she booked it out of the room. It was quick.”

Suddenly, Jordan had to find somewhere else to play volleyball. He had chosen Grand Canyon because it was so close to home.

Never did he ever think his next journey would take him to an island six hours away in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

“It was a big move to come across the ocean over here,” Jordan said.

Ultimately it was his connections to a bunch of players on the team that led to the 6-foot-10 sophomore middle blocker joining the Rainbow Warriors in the fall.

He knew sophomore hitter Finn Kearney, who grew up in nearby Phoenix, and also played with setter Tread Rosenthal, Justin Todd and opposite Kainoa Wade with Team USA.

Jordan was on the United States U21 team that won a bronze medal for the first time ever at the FIVB World Championships in China in August with Wade and Rosenthal.

“It was a really cool experience and achievement, especially for me. I didn’t make the first two USA teams. I was on the alternate roster, sadly, but I think that lit a fire underneath me for this last one,” Jordan said. “It really brought a better version out of me getting cut from those other two tryouts, and when I went in there, I went in with the mentality of, ‘I want to play.’”

That’s the same mentality Jordan is bringing into the practice gym at UH as he tries to crack the starting lineup on a loaded Hawaii team ranked No. 2 in the country in the preseason AVCA rankings entering today’s home opener against New Jersey Institute of Technology at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center.

Hawaii lost Kurt Nusterer — who had one year left of eligibility but left to pursue a major career opportunity — in the middle but returns sophomore Ofeck Hazan. UH also landed a 7-foot freshman in Roman Payne and has Justin Todd, another Team USA alum who can play both on the outside and in the middle.

Jordan landed in Hawaii for the first time in August when he came to start school.

Off the court, the biggest difference was getting used to the palm trees and the tropical climate after spending his whole life growing up in the desert.

On the court, Jordan is used to playing with some of the best players in the country in his experiences with the USA team.

Compared to his one year at Grand Canyon, the major difference is the daily grind that comes in the practice gym.

“We’re all talented and there is for sure a standard that has been set to the highest bar that we have,” Jordan said. “And that’s why you have to come into the gym every day to compete. There’s always going to be someone better than you, so that’s why you want to play to the best of your ability every day in the gym and get as much out of each other as you can.”

TREVELL JORDAN

6-10, Soph., Middle Blocker

All-MPSF Freshman Team (at Grand Canyon)

Hit .889 for Team USA to win bronze at FIVB World Championships

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Meet the 2025 Volleyball Team

Published

2 hours ago

January 2, 2026

Your Sports Nation

Jan. 2, 2026, 5:03 a.m. ET

DeLand won its sixth consecutive district title and made the furthest postseason run in the Volusia-Flagler area in 2025.

The Bulldogs advanced to the Region 1-7A semifinals but had to play Winter Park, the No. 1 team in Florida. DeLand’s season came to an end there, but it was still a successful campaign for one of the area’s perennial powers.

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Iola outside hitter takes top honor on Texas 2A all-state volleyball team | Associated Press

Published

3 hours ago

January 2, 2026

Your Sports Nation

LONGVIEW, Texas (AP) — Blue Bell/Texas Sports Writers Association Class 2A all-state volleyball team, distributed by The Associated Press:

FIRST TEAM

Middle Blockers: Kellen Weaver, Beckville, sr.; Camryn Powers, Crawford, jr.; Kennedy Slay, Tioga, jr.

Outside Hitters: Shaylee McKown, Iola, jr.; Keegan Kleiber, Mumford; Rayna Sadler, Leon, jr.

Setter: Rylee Goodney, Iola, sr.

Libero/Defensive Specialist: Averi Bolgiano, Crawford, jr.

Player of the year: McKown, Iola

Coach of the year: Jamie McDougald, Iola

SECOND TEAM

Middle Blockers: Jacie Boles, North Hopkins, jr.; Sy Parker, Nocona; Channing Horne, Leon, jr.

Outside Hitters: Macey Hoelscher, North Hopkins, jr.; Cami Hoyle, Iola, jr.; Ava Johnson, Nocona, sr.

Setter: Landry Zapalac, Schulenburg, sr.

Libero/Defensive Specialist: Jenna Guentert, Schulenburg, soph.

THIRD TEAM

Middle Blockers: Katherine Lindemann, Garrison, jr.; Tatum Miller, Crawford; Camdyn Owen, Italy, sr.

Outside Hitters: Aubrie Kabisch, Nocona, sr.; Katelin Sullivan, Flatonia; Haylee Vacek, Schulenburg, jr.

Setter: Ainsley Anderson, Crawford, soph.

Libero/Defensive Specialist: Ava Bessette, Iola, sr.

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Who were the top high school girls volleyball players in Marion County in 2025?

Published

3 hours ago

January 2, 2026

Your Sports Nation

Jan. 2, 2026, 4:01 a.m. ET

The 2025 Marion County girls volleyball season was one to remember. We saw breakout performances from outside hitters all over the Ocala area. The Trinity Catholic Celtics went undefeated in the county while fielding one of the program’s most talented rosters. Forest made history with its ninth county title in a row under head coach Jim Collins.

The season was much more than those leading lines. We saw scores of volleyball players give their all in hopes of having the best season of their careers. Now that the ball is no longer in play, the Star-Banner is ready to unveil the latest edition of all-Marion County volleyball players.

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