This Week in Sport: 5th – 11th July 2021

We’re kicking off July with a fabulous week of sport. On Monday, it’s the fourth round of Wimbledon. We follow that with the first Euro 2020 Semi-final as Italy take on Spain. Talk about getting over the midweek hump as Wednesday gives us a gruelling mountain stage on the Tour de France. Thursday brings us Game 2 of the NBA Finals between the Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks. And get ready for the weekend with Friday’s day of athletics from the Diamond League event in Monaco.

Saturday gives us UFC 264, and the hotly-anticipated third bout between Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor. And then Sunday plays host to the Euro 2020 Final. The winner of Italy versus Spain takes on the winner of England versus Denmark for the title of European Champions.

Roger Federer at WimbledonMonday 5th July 10:00AM GMT – Tennis: Wimbledon Day 7

After the Middle Sunday rest day, Wimbledon continues with fourth round action from the All England Club in London. Play begins on Monday 5th July 2021 at 10:00AM GMT.

Wimbledon reaches its fourth round, with 16 players left in each of its singles’ draws. On the men’s side, both Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer remain in the competition. Djokovic, the defending champion from 2019, will play Chilean world number 20, Cristian Garin. Federer, who lost that 2019 Final to Djokovic, is in action later on Monday against Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego, currently ranked 27th in the world.  Four other top-ten players are in action today, including world number 9 Matteo Berrettini, who plays the lowest ranked player left in the men’s draw – world number 79 Ilya Ivashka. Elsewhere, Sebastian Korda, world number 50 and brother of Major-winning golfer Nelly Korda, continues his dream run against world number 29 Karen Khachanov.

In the women’s draw, world number 1 Ashleigh Barty faces off against recently-crowned French Open winner, Barbora Krejčíková. Young American star Coco Gauff continues yet another deep Grand Slam run as she faces former Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber. World number 4 Aryna Sabalenka, who can take the number 1 ranking from Barty if she wins the tournament, is set to play Elena Rybakina. And all eyes will be on Court 1 on Monday evening as 18-year-old Brit Emma Raducanu, ranked 338th in the world, takes the next step on her Cinderella run at her Grand Slam debut as she faces Australia’s Ajla Tomljanović.

Italian Team celebrates a win in the Quarter-finals of the EurosTuesday 6th July 7:00PM GMT – Football: Italy v Spain

Italy and Spain vie for a place in the Euro 2020 Final at Wembley Stadium in London on Tuesday 6th July 2021 at 7:00PM GMT.

Italy’s unbeaten run now stands 32 matches and their winning streak at 13. Roberto Mancini’s side are seemingly unbeatable and have outscored their opponents 11-2. However, the tournament has been a testament to the all-round strength of the Italian side, with six goalscorers. Ciro Immobile, Lorenzo Insigne, Manuel Locatelli, and Matteo Pessina lead with the team with two goals apiece. This is Italy’s first European Semi-final since 2012, where they would go on to finish runners-up.

After a lacklustre group stage where they finished with a win and two draws, Spain have come to life in the knockouts. First came the thrilling 5-3 extra time victory against Croatia in Copenhagen before they needed penalties to see off Switzerland in Saint Petersburg. Their goalscoring has been led by Álvaro Morata, Pablo Sarabia, and Ferran Torres, who all have two. Spain’s last Euro Final was in 2012, where they beat their opponents today for the title.

Cyclists race in the Tour de FranceWednesday 7th July 10:00AM GMT – Cycling: Tour de France Stage 11

The Tour de France takes to the mountains once again as Stage 11 tackles 198.9km between Sorgues and Malaucène. The stage begins at 10:00AM GMT on Wednesday 7th July 2021.

Wednesday’s stage of the Tour de France is another mountain stage, as riders must tackle the 198.9km between Sorgues and Malaucène. The stage will comprise of five significant climbs, with four being between a gradient of 5% and 6.7%. However, it is the final climb that will truly test the riders. Before a rapid descent towards Malaucène, the race climbs Mont Ventoux for 15.7km at a gradient of 8.8%. It is a daunting task for even the most experienced rider.

Entering the week, defending race champion Tadej Pogačar wears the yellow jersey, and has done for two stages. He holds a lead of 2 minutes and 1 second over second-place Ben O’Connor. With such a gruelling stage ahead, you won’t want to miss a single moment.

Bobby BP Portis and Brook Lopez for the Milwaukee BucksThursday 8th July 1:00AM GMT (Friday 9th July) – Basketball: Phoenix Suns v Milwaukee Bucks

The Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks meet for Game 2 of the NBA Finals at Phoenix Suns Arena in Phoenix on Friday 9th July 2021 at 1:00AM GMT.

The Phoenix Suns appear in the NBA Finals for the first time since 1993. After going 51-21 in the regular season, they’ve lost just four games across their series against the LA Lakers, Denver Nuggets, and LA Clippers. This is just their third Finals appearance in franchise history, with no titles to their name. Devin Booker has been the team leader once again, putting up 27 points per game through the playoffs.

For the Milwaukee Bucks, they also make their third NBA Finals, and their first since 1974. Finishing the regular season at 46-26, they have battled through the playoffs and overcome the Miami Heat, Brooklyn Nets, and Atlanta Hawks. The team has been led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has 28.2 points per game, and Khris Middleton, who has 23.4 points per game. The two sides met twice during the regular season, with the Suns winning both matches.

Katerina Stefanidi at the Wanda Diamond LeagueFriday 9th July 6:05PM GMT – Athletics: Diamond League Monaco

The Diamond League season continues with the Herculis EBS at the Stade Louis II in Monaco on Friday 9th July 2021 at 6:05PM GMT.

The Diamond League travels to Monaco for its penultimate meet before the Olympics. In the Men’s 100m, Ronnie Baker and Akani Simbine both enter Monaco having taken a race apiece across the season so far. Ilya Ivanyuk looks to add to his two high jump titles from Doha and Florence.

In the women’s events, Christin Hussong looks to add to her javelin title from Oslo. In the 200m, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce will look to take home a title to add to her 100m success from Doha. Meanwhile, Katie Nageotte and Anzhelika Sidorova will continue their battle in the pole vault.

There are 14 events in total across a day of unmissable sport in Monaco.

Dustin Poirier takes down Conor McGregor in UFC 264Saturday 10th July 2:00AM GMT – Mixed Martial Arts: UFC 264

Labelled as Poirier v McGregor 3, UFC 264 takes place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday 11th July 2021 at 2:00AM GMT.

There might not be any titles on the line at this UFC event, but its card is full of unmissable fights. The headline fight is the third matchup between Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor. Their first fight was at UFC 178 in 2014, which McGregor took with a knockout in the first round. They met again this past January at UFC 257, with Poirier winning through a second-round knockout. This fight will be decider between these two talented combatants. Poirier is 27-6 in his career, McGregor is 22-5.

Elsewhere on the main card, Gilbert Burns takes on Stephen Thompson. Tai Tuivasa fights Greg Hardy, Irene Aldana faces Yana Kunitskaya in the sole women’s main card fight. And rounding out the main event, Sean O’Malley meets Kris Moutinho in the octagon.

Wembley Stadium set for the 2020 Euros FinalsSunday 11th July 7:00PM GMT -  Football: Euro 2020 Final

Euro 2020 concludes at Wembley Stadium in London on Sunday 11th July 2021 at 7:00PM GMT.

Euro 2020 will finish with a Final at Wembley on Sunday night. The winner of Italy v Spain will face the winner of England v Denmark for the title.

If Italy make the Final, it will serve as a testament to the rebuilding efforts of Roberto Mancini. It has been a dark period in the storied history of Italy football but they have brought themselves back to the pinnacle of European football. They look to win their first Euro since 1968.

Spain is another team looking to recoup former glory. A Final appearance would give them a chance to win their fourth European Championship, and their first major title since Euro 2012.

England will finally have the chance to bring football home if they reach their first major international Final since the 1966 World Cup. The new golden generation of English football will have a chance to wipe clean the slate of pain from Italia ’90, Euro ’96, and the 2018 World Cup and truly forge their legacy.

Denmark would play in their first international Final since Euro ’92 if they can overcome England in the semifinals. Much like England, this is a chance for the current generation of Danish stars to cement their legacy.

Other highlights from around the globe

Honourable mentions from around the world go to cricket. In England, we see the continuation of the County ChampionshipT20 Blast, and Rachel Heyhoe Flint Trophy. Internationally, Pakistan start their tour of England, Pakistan Women continue their series against the West Indies. Meanwhile, Australia Men continue their tour against the West Indies. England Women are in action against India.

For golf fans, the major tours are all in action. The PGA Tour is in Illinois for the John Deere Classic. Meanwhile, the LPGA Tour is in Ohio for the Marathon Classic. Over in Europe, the European Tour is in Scotland for the Abrdn Scottish Open while the Ladies European Tour is in England for the London event of the Aramco Team Series.

In cycling, the Tour de France travels 953.2km from Cluses to Andorra la Vella. Meanwhile, the Women’s World Tour will cover 1022km across northern Italy as the Giro Rosa takes place across the week.

In the world of baseball, the MLB season plays its last full week before the All Star Break. A particular highlight will be the NL East-leading New York Mets finishing taking on the NL Central-leading Brewers.

In basketball, the NBA Finals continue throughout the week, as does the WNBA regular season.

To the delight of ice hockey fans, the NHL Stanley Cup Finals also continue this week.

For darts fans, there is plenty of action to enjoy with the PDC Super Series 5.

It’s also another big week for football. Both the Copa América and Euro 2020 host their respective Finals on Sunday. The end of the week also sees the start of the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Earlier in the week, England face Denmark in the other Euro 2020 Semi-final. In domestic US football, both the MLS and NWSL seasons continue.

There is also plenty of rugby to be enjoy. In rugby union, there is a number of International Test Matches across the globe. The British & Irish Lions Tour of South Africa also continues, with the Lions facing two more South African teams in the Sharks and Bulls. The Major League Rugby season also continues.

In rugby league, it’s a busy week of Super League fixtures.

For motorsport fans, Formula E hosts its 10th and 11th races of the season in New York.

And as eyes begin to turn towards Japan, the prestigious July Grand Tournament continues in the world of sumo.

Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!

Fixture

Photos by Wimbledon, Nazionale Italiana di Calcio, Tour de France, Milwaukee Bucks, Wanda Diamond League, UFC, Wembley Stadium

Written and information correct on 4th July 2021 at 10pm GMT.

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