⚽ We're Going To The World Cup

Socceroos, it's Tuesday, 14 June

🔊 Sport Today Podcast

This morning, Sam Ferris and Martin Gabor are at the mic.

Today's listen time: 10 minutes.

Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

📺 What we're watching

🏀 11.00am - NBA Finals Game 5 - Warriors v Celtics - Chase Centre, San Francisco - Foxtel, Kayo

🏏 7.00pm - ODI Cricket - Sri Lanka v Australia - Pallekelle International Cricket Stadium, Kandy - Foxtel, Kayo

⚽ 4.45am (Wed) - UEFA Nations League - Germany v Italy - Borussia-Park, Mönchengladbach - Optus Sport

All times are in AEST

⚽ We're going to Qatar!

Someone call the Queen because it’s time to knight Andrew Redmayne.

The score: Australia defeated Peru 5-4 on penalties (0-0 after full-time).

Golden points: The Socceroos are off to the World Cup! Sweat was pouring in Qatar and all across living rooms in Australia. But the cramps were worth it because we beat Peru.

• There are no nails left. Plenty of shouting was done. And we now have a new national hero.

• Both teams struggled for chances. The Aussies had a couple late in normal time and then Peru hit the post in extra-time.

• Coach Graham Arnold then made the biggest call of his career. He took goalie Mat Ryan off and brought on Redmayne with a minute to go because he’s better at saving penalties.

• It was a genius move. Redmayne had to step up because Martin Boyle missed the first shot. It then got to 5-4 when the Sydney FC shot-stopper came up with the biggest save since Mark Schwarzer in the 2005 shootout against Uruguay.

They said it: "I called out Anthony Albanese the other day to give everyone the day off to celebrate this...I believe this is one of the greatest achievements ever." - Arnold has the right idea.

What are the chances… our heart rate returns to normal? Maybe later today. But for now, soak it up. The Socceroos have now qualified for every World Cup since 2006.

What’s next: The Aussies are in Group D. They’ll play France, Tunisia and Denmark. That first game is on 23 November.

Watch it: Build the man a statue.

🏐 Super finish to super season

Make sure you BYO calculator next time you’re at the netball.

The score: Vixens defeated Magpies 56-54.

Golden points: Magpies fans are celebrating all across Melbourne. Sounds weird after a loss, but they are into the Super Netball finals by the barest margin possible.

• The last finals spot came down to the final shot of the final game of the final round of the regular season.

• Everyone was holding their breath. The Magpies were down by 2 and another goal would’ve ended their season.

• But Mwai Kumwenda missed just as the full-time whistle was blown. Cue the chaos.

• The result means the Magpies finished 0.19% ahead of the NSW Swifts.

What’s next: The Magpies now play the Giants in the minor semi-final. The winner plays the loser of the game between the Vixens and the Fever.

Watch it: Here are the final few seconds in Melbourne.

🏉 Coach calls for changes to drug policy

The Western Bulldogs look set to be without Bailey Smith after photos came out showing their star player holding a small bag full of white powder.

Golden points: He admits it was an illicit substance and has opened up on what’s been a tough few months.

• Smith says he was struggling after the Bulldogs lost last year’s GF, and that led to some poor decisions.

• He’ll now have to meet with the AFL’s integrity unit to work out a punishment. The 21yo is one of the best players in the league and his sponsors are sticking by him.

• Smith will pick up a strike under the league’s illicit drugs policy. According to his coach, the AFL should get rid of that policy.

They said it: “None of us really feel it works.” - Luke Beveridge wants the rule scrapped.

What’s next: Smith is already serving a ban for a headbutt. There are reports he’ll be suspended until Round 18 for his drug use.

🏉 Upsets galore on manic Monday 

Tipsters everywhere thought they were getting a perfect round in NRL and AFL yesterday. They didn’t bank on a couple of massive upsets.

Golden points: The Bulldogs were last in the NRL, but not anymore. They smashed the Eels 34-4 to move off the bottom of the ladder.

• Josh Addo-Carr scored a hat-trick and Matt Burton was on fire. Hopefully for them, NSW coach Brad Fittler was watching.

• The surprises kept coming in the AFL where the Demons went down by 26 points to Collingwood.

• That’s their 3rd loss in a row after 17-straight wins. We’ve now got 3 teams tied at the top on 40 points.

They said it: “I can just see our players believing. Belief can be really powerful.” - Pies coach Craig McRae is loving life after a 4th win in a row.

Watch it: What a time to be a Bulldogs fan. 

⛳ Linn-sanity as Grant shocks the world

Remember the name Linn Grant because she’s going to be a trivia answer for the rest of her life.

Golden points: She’s really good at golf. How good? Well, she just won the Scandinavian Mixed event against men and women.

• The thing is, that’s never happened before on the European Tour. And it wasn't even close. She smashed the rest of the field, finishing 9 strokes clear of 2nd.

• There were 78 men and 78 women in the event. They all played the same course but off different tees, so the women were a bit closer.

• But it didn’t matter. Grant smashed them with a stack of birdies to start the final round to win close to $470,000.

They said it: “Hopefully this pumps up the women's game a little bit more.” - Grant wants sponsors to support women’s golf.

👀 Quick singles

🏏 Plenty of athletes have been recognised as part of the Queen’s Birthday honours this year. The list includes recently retired tennis star Ash Barty and cricket legend Shane Warne, who passed away earlier this year.

🎾 There’s a new look at the top of men’s tennis with Daniil Medvedev the men’s #1 and Alexander Zverev the world #2. It’s the first time since 2003 that Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic haven’t been in the top 2.

⚽ Sam Kerr won’t play for the Matildas in a couple of friendlies later this month. The superstar striker has been rested for the games against Spain and Portugal.

🏉 The Kangaroos could be without #1 draft pick Jason Horne-Francis after he was banned for 2 weeks for striking. In the NRL, Brent Naden could miss 5 games after he was sent off for a dangerous throw against Manly.

🏈 It might be worth watching the Philadelphia Eagles this season. The NFL team has drafted a guy called Devon Allen who just ran the 3rd-fastest 110-metre hurdle race of all time.

🏉 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck’s move to rugby union is off to a sensational start. His Blues are in the Super Rugby Pacific GF and he’s just been picked in New Zealand’s squad to play Ireland next month.

⚽ Erling Haaland is officially off to Manchester City. The 21yo striker has signed a 5-year deal and is set to become a very rich man.

🙃 Left of field...

Boxer Edgar Berlanga says he’s hungry for more competition. Turns out he wasn’t kidding.

Golden points: Berlanga won his fight against Alexis Angulo. That’s cool, but the result wasn’t the story.

• Everything was going to script. Then we got to the 7th round when Berlanga decided to bite his opponent.

• He went for the ear but ended up chewing on his neck because Angulo was throwing elbows.

• The ref didn’t seem to care because he wasn’t punished. It’s a bit different from when Mike Tyson was disqualified for biting off part of Evander Holyfield’s ear in 1997.

Watch it: Here’s that bite.

📽 The highlight reel

Kyle Higashioka is used to facing pitches close to 100 mph. Yesterday was a bit different. He spanked a home run off a pitch that barely reached 35mph. That made it the slowest ever pitch to be hit out of the park in baseball. 

📸 Photo finish

Ash Barty rocked a Lion King costume as she went down the slide and into a pool of ice to help raise money for motor neurone disease at the Big Freeze at the MCG.

🏃‍♀️ The finish line

🏆 Today's trivia answer

There are 3 teams on 40 points, but the Lions are first on percentages.