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Basketball

A historic first for Golden State Valkyries in the WNBA Finals

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photo from @valkyries on Instagram

Golden State Valkyries were the expansion team for 2025 and are already in this year’s WNBA Finals but how did the squad get here in just two years. They now face Atlanta in the WNBA Finals with their opponents in this position for the first time since 2013. 

2025 Season Recap:

During their first season, it was full of highs and lows but they managed to place 8th and enter the playoffs. After facing top seed Minnesota Lynx, they lost 2-0 but in their second game, there was a one point gap showing the growth they had. Being 9th overall in Offensive rating and 3rd in Defensive rating, the new franchise grew week on week during the season and went on a number of winning streaks, followed by the same amount in losses. 


They played six Commissioner’s Cup games winning 3 and losing 3 but sparked a win against the Las Vegas Aces. During Rivals Week, they won all but one of their games which was against the Atlanta Dream (who they play in these finals), as they secured a good lead against LA Sparks, Connecticut Sun, Washington Mystics and Chicago Sky. 

What happened in the off-season: 

During the off season, they improved their ranks but also lost four players, three of which went to new franchise teams, Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo. Carla Leite (Fire), Maria Conde (Tempo), Monique Billings (Indiana Fever) and Temi Fagbenle (Tempo) all left Ballhalla (the nickname of the home court) but the Valkyries soon filled their spots. 

Gabby Williams spent four seasons at the Seattle Storm before transferring in the free agency on a multi year contract with the Valkyries also signing Kiah Stokes. She joined from the Las Vegas Aces on a multi-year contract after being with them since 2021. 

They also re-signed seven players from 2025 and activated a rookie scale contract. In a one year deal, Tiffany Hayes and Kayla Thornton arrived back to the court in San Francisco. On a multiyear contract, they re-signed Cecilia Zandalasini, Janelle Salaun, Iliana Rupert, Veronica Burton and Kaila Charles and activated the Juste Jocyte contract from a rookie scale contract. 

There were also eight players on a training camp signing and three players signed in the 2026 WNBA Draft. Laeticia Amihere (Returning), Kaitlyn Chen (Returning), Mariella Fasoula (Addition), Miela Sowah (Addition), Cate Reese (Addition), Caroline Ducharme (Addition), Bailey Maupin (Addition) and Mdjakalenda Mwenentanda (Addition) were all on training camp contracts at the start of the season. During the draft, they recruited Ashlon Jackson from Duke (23rd Pick), Kokoro Tanaka from Japan (38th Pick) and Flau’Jae Johnson (from LSU) was picked 8th but quickly changed to Seattle Storm and their pick (Marta Suarez from TCU) arrived. 

2026 Regular Season Recap: 

They started the season off well with a double win against Seattle Storm before a couple of losses here and there before the Commissioners Cup in June. They won half of their games but lost against the Minnesota Lynx, Phoenix Mercury and Dallas Wings with all around the same scorelines. 

After the FIBA Women’s World Cup in September, they won three and lost one in overtime against the Portland Fire so kept their winning momentum throughout the season even with a break. 

This season, they finished 2nd after winning 32 games and only losing 12 overall, going on multiple winning streaks throughout the season including a massive nine game run before losing to the Washington Mystics (82-90). During their Rivals Week streak, they played two games against Chicago Sky and LA Sparks, winning both which was included in their run of winning games. 

Photo taken from @gabbywilliams on Instagram

Their route to the finals: 

Playing the Dallas Wings in the first round, they won 2-1 overall after winning 104-80 and 77-73 but Dallas Wings brought one back in overtime, 108-100. They then faced the seed that finished third, Las Vegas Aces and had a clean sweep against them winning 71-60, 83-81, and 87-77. 

Players to Watch from Golden State Valkyries: 

Two players to watch during these finals are Kiah Stokes and Gabby Williams who both joined this season from Las Vegas Aces and Seattle Storm respectively. They both were players of the game respectively in the first semi-final game against Las Vegas Aces as Gabby Williams secured 25 points and 11 rebounds with Kiah Stokes getting 14 rebounds, 3 blocks and 2 assists. 

Kiah Stokes was originally selected by NY Liberty as the 11th pick in the 2015 draft but she really shone at Las Vegas Aces where she won the WNBA three times (in 2025. 2023 and 2022) as well as the Commissioners Cup in 2022. During offseasons, the center has won the EuroLeague, two-time Turkish Cup Champion and four-time Turkish Super League with Fenerbahce. Her stats this season have also been steady averaging 3.6 Points per game and 5.8 rebounds per game and was in the all-defensive and all-rookie team for 2015. Ahead of the finals, she was announced in this season’s all-defensive second team alongside team-mate Veronica Burton. 

Gabby Williams has been impressive for the Valkyries after joining in the free-agency this summer and over the season, her stats have helped the side win, consistently averaging 14.4 points per game. Ahead of the finals, it was announced that she was in the all-defensive first team for the season which has been her third appearance (2022 and 2025). She is a two-time All Star (2025 and 2026), two-time EuroLeague Champion (2022 and 2026) and three-time EuroLeague Defensive Player of the Year (2021, 2025 and 2026). She has also represented France at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics where she won Bronze and Silver respectively. 

When to watch the finals: 

If the games run to the 5th or 7th game, then the Valkyries will win at their own venue, with the venue for the Atlanta Dream being State Farm Arena. The games are as follow (All GMT times in the UK) and can be watched on WNBA League Pass or Sky Sports+ (In the UK):

Game 1: Saturday 17th October – 8:30PM (Dream @ Valkyries) 

Game 2: Tuesday 20th October – 1AM (Dream @ Valkyries) 

Game 3: Friday 23th October – 1AM (Valkyries @ Dream) 

Game 4: Saturday 24th October – 8:30PM (Valkyries @ Dream) 

If Necessary: 

Game 5: Tuesday 27th October – 12AM (Dream @ Valkyries) 

Game 6: Friday 30th October – 12AM (Valkyries @ Dream)

Game 7: Sunday 1st November – 12AM (Dream @ Valkyries) 

(L-R) Kiah Stokes, Gabby Williams and Veronica Burton | Photo taken from @gabbywilliams on Instagram 
Categories
Spotlight WSL

How can Carlotta Wamser fill the hole that Manchester City have needed

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Carlotta Wamser vs Birmingham City | photo taken from @carlottawamser on instagram

Manchester City boosted their defence during the summer after signing Carlotta Wamser from Bayer Leverkusen on a four year deal and even though she has only been in the Women’s Super League a month, she has shone game after game. 

During the season prior to her arrival at the blues, she was chased by a number of clubs in Europe including WSL giants, Chelsea and Arsenal which just shows how much she was wanted. After spending one season with Bayer Leverkusen, she played 20 times and scored on one occasion playing mainly as a left back with her ability in defence catching the eyes of different clubs. 

She was part of the squad that reached the semi-finals in Switzerland for Germany and aims to play for her beloved country in the Women’s World Cup in Brazil next year. She hopes to join her club and country teammates, Rebecca Knaak and Sydney Lohmann in South America after playing a pivotal role for the current league champions. 

The dynamic defender comes forward to attack when needed and has helped Lauren Hemp on the left side of the flank in the more recent games for the champions. Playing four games in the league, she has made four interceptions and made her league debut coming on for Alex Greenwood against Birmingham City with 15 minutes to go. Ahead of Khadija Shaw’s goal versus Aston Villa, she was pivotal up to the assist that Lauren Hemp provided, helping the players coming into the midfield alongside either Sam Coffey or Yui Hasegawa. 

She impacted straight away for the side and later replaced Gracie Prior in defence for Aston Villa with Alex Greenwood moving into her more natural role of Centre Back rather than where she has been playing the last season or so. She started against Liverpool the week later and assisted for Lauren Hemp’s goal coming further and further up the pitch mirroring what Kerstin Casparij and Iman Beney do on the right side. 

Against bottom of the table Charlton, Wamser came on for Casparij with 12 minutes to go, proving that she can switch between both sides on the pitch allowing a variety of players to come in and out of the team. 

Prior to the arrival of the German International, City had players like Demi Stokes and Leila Ouahabi covering the role at left back with Stokes lasting nearly ten years with the squad between 2015 and 2024. Wamser looks to provide a different look to the role and work with Lauren Hemp providing assists to Khadija Shaw mainly.

Wamser is a player to watch throughout the season and in the future as she aims to be a key player for the cityzens and earn her place in the German National Team squad for the Women’s World Cup 2027. 

Categories
Uncategorized

STREAK SMASHED: Thompson Goal Hands Chelsea 1-0 Win Over Arsenal

Photo Credits: Chelseafcw Instagram

Chelsea

Hannah Hampton (GK), Ellie Carpenter,  Lauren James, Alyssa Thompson, Katie McCabe, Weike Kaptein, Keira Walsh, Lucy Bronze (C), Kadiesha Buchanan, Lexi Potter 

Chelsea Used Subs

Sjoeke Nusken, Aggie Beever-Jones, Veele Buurman and Sandy Baltimore

Arsenal

Anneke Borbe (GK), Emily Fox, Georgia Stanway, Leah Williamson, Steph Catley, Mariona Caldentey, Kim Little (C), Lisa Baum, Ona Batlle, Alessia Russo, Kyra Cooney-Cross

Arsenal Used Subs

Lisa Baum, Mariona Caldentey, Georgia Stanway, Geraldine Reuteler and Selina Cerci

Getting into the match we saw a very end to end game, but with Arzenal holding a lot of the possession. Early on we saw opportunities from Katie McCabe, Lisa Baum, Steph Catley and Melvine Malard. 

But Kim Little fired the first warning shots. Emily Fox was able to slide the ball through to Lisa Baum, taking on Katie McCabe. She drove to the box and passed to Little, who was able to turn and shoot, hitting the woodwork. 

Soon after, we saw Georgia Stanway pass to Lisa Baum; she received but was hit by a late tackle from Katie McCabe, gifting them a free kick.

On the counterattack, Alessia Russo was able to find Lisa Baum, who charged down the right flank. She was able to cross to find Mariona Caldentey unmarked. Taking the shot on the second touch, she hit the post, sending the ball out of play.

Anneke Borbe plays out from the back to Steph Catley, but Ellie Carpenter intercepts the touch. Catley goes for the tackle, but the ball is collected by Malard. She takes it into the box and slips it to Keira Walsh, who is able to get a shot off but is saved by Borbe. The ball lands for Alyssa Thompson, sending it into the top corner. Chelsea are in the lead; it’s 1-0.

Chelsea pressed for a second before the break as Malard’s driving run down the wing ended in a Borbe save and a corner. Standing over the ball in front of the Arsenal end, former Gunners star Katie McCabe made no effort to rush the delivery, calmly taking a yellow card for time-wasting while soaking in the reaction from her old supporters.

Early into the second half, Wieke Kaptein was able to lay the ball off for Ellie Carpenter. Taking it on the first touch, she crossed it to an open Malard in front of goal; she got a foot on it, but it wasn’t enough to end up in the back of the net.

Arsenal made their first substitutions of the match, seeing Chloe Kelly, Cailin Foord and Stina Blackstenius coming on for Lisa Baum, Mariona Caldentey and Georgia Stanway.

Soon after Chelsea made their first substitution, with Lauren James coming off for Sjoeke Nusken.

Steph Catley floated a dangerous ball over the top to find Stina Blackstenius, who managed to get a foot to it and chip it over the bar. Both the forward and keeper couldn’t pull back their momentum, colliding heavily with one another in the process, though Chelsea’s concern was quickly relieved as the flag was raised for offside.

Back-to-back subs come with Aggie Beever-Jones coming on for the Blues and Geraldine Reuteler and Selina Cerci for the Gunners. While Melvine Malard, Kim Little and Ona Batlle leave the pitch.

Arsenal saw plenty of the ball, but found no way through Chelsea’s stubborn low block. The Blues sat back, absorbed the pressure, and comfortably limited Arsenal’s chances.

With not long to go, Chelsea’s big names for the match leave the pitch, with Veele Buurman and Sandy Baltimore coming on for Alyssa Thompson and Katie McCabe.

5 Minutes of additional time were announced, but the game was done. London is blue, with the game finishing Chelsea 1-0 Arsenal.

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Uncategorized

Bayern Munich vs Manchester City – UWCL Matchday One preview.

Photo via Mancity.com

Bayern Munich take on Manchester City women in the opening game of the UEFA Women’s Champions League. A true clash of titans awaits between the Frauen Bundesliga champions and the Women’s Super League winners.

The clash takes place at 17:45 (GMT), at the Stadion Am Sportpark in Unterhaching. It marks Bayern’s first matchday there since announcing they had acquired the venue in December 2025, which holds 15,000 spectators.

Bayern reached the semi-finals of the competition in the 2025/26 season, being edged out 5-3 on aggregate by Barcelona. Manchester City, however, did not feature in the competition last season at all; their last appearance came in 24/25, where they reached the quarter-final face.

In terms of previous results, both teams come into the game having been unbeaten in their last five. In their last league fixture, Bayern took on FC Koln in an enthralling game which ended 5-2 to the Bavarians. The Citizens also treated their fans to a thriller, beating Liverpool 4-2 in dramatically late fashion.

With this exciting tie awaiting, it is the first time the two sides have ever met each other. In their last six games, Bayern have scored a sensational 21 goals, whereas Manchester City have scored 11 in their last three games alone, with all leads pointing to a high-scoring game!

INJURY AND SQUADS:

Both sides for this one are contending with high-profile players out injured. For Bayern they’re missing Magdalena Eriksson to a knee injury and Regina van Eijk (an ankle). Cities, on the other hand, are facing several injuries to key players, including Risa Shimizu (Quad), Niamh Charles, Rebecca Knaak (foot), Sydney Lohmann (hip), Vivianne Miedema (knee) and Iman Beney.

HOW TO WATCH?

With the game kicking off at 17:45 (GMT) and 18:45 (CEST), it is being streamed on Disney+ and available to watch.

Categories
Rugby

England Red Roses keep their winning streak alive after a 48-15 result over Australia Wallaroos

Photo taken by Jess Deakin for Constancy Sport (@byjessdeakin on Instagram)

Despite going into the break on a losing score, the world champions came out on top after an eight-try thriller. A first for Red Roses Rugby as they played in Manchester for the first time as over 9,000 fans turned up for the occasion. 

Australia started off sharply with the visitors securing a penalty in the opening three minutes which was scored by Samantha Wood, straight in line with the posts. Australia looked bright on the defence to prevent England with the tries, and many fans were reminded of last year’s World Cup meeting as Australia flew early out of the blocks. 

Both sides had a try disallowed in the opening 30 minutes as shots from Meg Jones and Brittany Merlo were both chalked off. With 13 minutes on the clock, Australian Scrum-half Samantha Wood was off for 10 minutes after a foul on Tatyana Heard. England had good connections throughout but failed to find the ultimate player on the wing to help them through. In the 18th minute, we saw our first try of the game and it’s from Yorkshire-born Red Rose Abi Burton after the play from Holly Aitchison and Sadia Kabeya, moved through the channels. 

With 10 minutes of the half to go, Faliki Pohiva added a try to Australia’s already growing score with Samantha Wood finding the conversion and adding another two. Pohiva breezed past a number of English bodies to reach the try line and Australia were ahead again. Both sides did well to continue to dominate, with both teams struggling to capitalise on loose balls from time to time. 

Coming into the half-time break, Australia have already got more points in this fixture compared to their last three games vs the opponents, England. Their latest fixture was on 6th September last year where England won 47-7. 

Half-time: England 5-10 Australia

Photo taken from Jess Deakin for Constancy Sport (@byjessdeakin on Instagram)

Both teams were bright at the start of the second half with England getting the first points of the half after a try from May Campbell with the resulting conversion also through from Holly Aitchison. After a lot of driving through the Australian team, May Campbell got the final name on the scoresheet with Aitchison getting her first points on her 50th cap. Just a couple minutes after the opener of the half, Meg Jones added her name to the sheet after a vision from Holly Aitchison and her shot was through the defence, finding Jones but Aitchison failed to find the extra points. 

Bryony Field was only on for a couple minutes before getting her first try on her debut as she found movement, powering through the second drive but Aitchison missed the conversion, failing to add extra points. With acres of space just under the posts, Mia Venner adds another try to the scoresheet but under tricky conditions new fly-half Zoe Harrison missed the conversion. Following the England try in the 57th minute, Eva Karpani found herself in the Sin-Bin after being the replacement prop. Just minutes after the one previously,  they found their sixth try as Sadia Kabeya came through at the right time as England were continually attempting to move the ball but Australia were having none of it. 

The Red Roses continued to pile on the pressure to Australia, but Lucy Packer found the loose ball after a high pass on the tryline for Australia, tipping it over the defender and down for the five. Back to back conversions came for Zoe Harrison after missing her first one after coming on. With just 6 minutes left on the clock, Eva Karpani got a try back for the visitors as her drive included her bouncing off three defenders before securing the try for the Wallaroos. 

Finishing off the triumphant win was Claudia Moloney-MacDonald adding herself to the scoresheet. Her effort including her sprinting down the left wing to secure an eighth try and a busy second half for the side that was behind with Zoe Harrison also adding the conversion to her tally chart after coming on. 

Full-time: England 48-15 Australia

What’s next in the WVX Series: Next up, England face Canada at Sandy Park in Exeter on Saturday 19th September with Australia heading to France at the Stade Maurice David, Aix-en-Provence on the same day. 

Teams: 

England: Carson (1), Campbell (2), Bern (3), Burns (4), Campion (5), Burton (6), Kabeya (7), Feaunati (8), Hunt (9), Aitchison (10), Moloney-MacDonald (11), Heard (12), Jones (13), Venner (14), Kildunne (15). 

Replacements: Field (16), Botterman (17), Muir (18), Talling (19), M.Packer (20), L.Packer (21), Harrison (22), Rowland (23). 

Tries: Burton (18’), Campbell (46’), Jones (50’), Field (54’), Veneer (56’), Kabeya (60’), L Parker (66’), Moloney-MacDonald (77’). 

Conversions: Aitchison (47’), Harrison (61’, 67’, 78’) 

Australia: Hoy (1), Merlo (2), Pchiva (3), Leaney (4), Leonard (5), Tapsell (6), Bone (7), Palu Sekona (8), Wood (9), Ellis (10), Miller (11), Moleka (12), Friedrichs (13), Whitaker (14), Halse (15). 

Replacements: Naden (16), Sikimeti (17), Karpani (18), Bemrose (19), Duck (20), Chancellor (21), Hinds (22), Smith (23). 

Tries: Pohiva (31’), Karpani (73’)

Conversions: Wood (32’)

Penalties: Wood (3’)