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Sweden power into World Cup with 5-0 victory over Italy 

Sweden barrelled into the Women's World Cup last 16 with a 5-0 demolition of Italy on Saturday, ahead of a blockbuster clash between France and free-scoring Brazil.

Sweden power into World Cup with 5-0 victory over Italy 
Sweden's defender #13 Amanda Ilestedt (C) celebrates after scoring her team's fourth goal. Photo: Marty MELVILLE/AFP.

The third-ranked Swedes join title contenders Spain and former champions Japan in reaching the knockout rounds with a match to spare. Three goals in seven minutes in the first half did the damage as Italy struggled to deal with Sweden’s set pieces and aerial threat.

Arsenal defender Amanda Ilestedt scored twice — both headers — with Fridolina Rolfo, Stina Blackstenius and Rebecka Blomqvist also on the scoresheet.

Sweden came back to beat South Africa 2-1 in their opening game of the tournament thanks to a last-minute Ilestedt winner — again with her head.

But they were far more comfortable against an Italy side who can still qualify from Group G, having defeated Argentina 1-0 to start their campaign.

The Sweden-Italy encounter in front of just under 30,000 in Wellington was the starter to the main course of the day.

France came into the tournament as one of the favourites, but a country known for so long as being the great underachievers of women’s international football underwhelmed in being held 0-0 by Jamaica.

In contrast, Brazil smashed Panama 4-0 to open their World Cup with Ary Borges hitting a hat-trick.

Another slip-up for France in Brisbane would leave them in danger of an early exit from Group F.

In the final match of Saturday, Jamaica will be hoping to win a World Cup game for the first time when they play Panama.

Kerr comeback

Co-hosts Australia are another in danger of failing to go any further in the tournament but their hopes were given a big boost on Saturday when skipper Sam Kerr declared herself available.

Prolific Chelsea striker Kerr, the face of the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, suffered a calf injury on the eve of the tournament and missed the Matildas’ first two games.

The Australians squeezed past Ireland 1-0 thanks to a penalty to open their campaign but were then stunned 3-2 by Nigeria.

With a critical encounter against Olympic champions Canada looming on Monday, the 29-year-old fronted the media in Brisbane to say: “I am going to be there, I am going to be ready.”

But Kerr declined to say how much of a part she will play in the clash in Melbourne. “I would love to tell you guys everything but you know being in sport a long time that that’s a massive thing that the opposition wants to know,” Kerr said.

Meanwhile, European champions England sweated on the fitness of key midfielder Keira Walsh after she was stretchered off in their win over Denmark on Friday with what looked like a serious knee injury.

There has been a spate of knee injuries in women’s football and England were already missing captain Leah Williamson and Euro 2022 Golden Boot winner Beth Mead for that reason.

Caicedo fitness doubt

A tight Group A will be decided on Sunday in what looks set for a thrilling conclusion.

Switzerland lead with four points and are in pole position to advance. They play co-hosts New Zealand in a sell-out in Dunedin.

New Zealand are level on three points with debutants the Philippines, who play former champions Norway at the same time in Auckland.

Norway, who sit bottom of the group with one point, can still qualify but they must win at a minimum — and do it without star striker Ada Hegerberg, who is injured.

Also in action on Sunday are one of the favourites, Germany, who face Colombia in Group H.

The Colombians could be without teenage star forward Linda Caicedo after she went down in training on Thursday holding her chest.

Colombia coach Nelson Abadia on Saturday called it “an episode of tiredness, a bit of stress over her debut in a senior World Cup”.

“It was just an episode and she is ok now,” he added. “Linda has overcome the event.

“Whether she will play, we have 24 hours or a bit more to decide.”

In the other Group H game South Korea face Morocco.

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SPORT

How to follow the Tour de France on French TV (and why you might want to)

The Tour de France is starting earlier than usual this year - here's how to follow the race on TV, and why the coverage is of interest even if you're not a cycling fan.

How to follow the Tour de France on French TV (and why you might want to)

For the first time since the Tour de France began in 1903, it will not finish in or near Paris, but instead in Nice, in order to accommodate the Paris 2024 Olympics. 

The event will also start earlier than usual, with the grand départ scheduled for June 29th. Cyclists will cross the finish line on July 21st.

This 2024 race will begin in Florence, Italy.

According to the race website, there “will be eight flat stages, as well as four hilly, seven mountain (with four summit finishes at Saint-Lary-Soulan Pla d’Adet, Plateau de Beille, Isola 2000, Col de la Couillole), two time trials and two rest days.”

This year, participants will climb a total vertical gain of 52,230 meters, crossing a distance of 3,492 kilometres.

Credit: Tour de France official website

How can I watch the race?

If you are in France, then you can enjoy rolling coverage on the free-to-view TV channels of France 2 and France 3. 

It’s not just footage of men on bikes, the TV coverage is famed for its highlighting of the more unknown corners of France so it’s a great way to discover new places to visit. 

For those outside of France, you can go onto the official race website (HERE) to see a listing of all ‘live’ broadcasters in several different countries. 

As much of the race takes place during the day when many are working, you can enjoy recaps each evening at 8.45pm on France 3 via the ‘TLS Tour de France’ show. This looks back on the best moments of the day, giving a summary of that stage and the results, as well as reactions from teams and rider, plus analysis from experts. 

Later on, the Tour de France Femmes, scheduled for August 12th to 18th, will also be broadcast on the France Télévisions website. This is free to watch but you will first need to create an account on the site, you will need a 5-digit French postal code to make an account (eg 75004 if you’re in central Paris).

Why watch the Tour de France?

Each year between 10 and 12 million spectators watch the race widely considered to be the most famous and most difficult cycle challenge, according to Le Figaro.

The Tour de France route changes every year, so viewers not only witness the impressive athleticism of participants, but they also explore France’s different regions. The towns that stage the départs (start of each race day) usually put on a festival often incorporating local traditions, food and drink (for the spectators, not the cyclists).

This year, the Tour de France will go through beautiful landscapes in the Occitanie region, as well as the Alps and across central France.

The race has a fascinating history, and every now and again there are spectacular crashes which will keep you wincing.

There is also a hit Netflix docu-series called ‘Tour de France: Unchained’ that may be a good place to start for the uninitiated.

French vocab

Le maillot jaune – yellow jersey (worn by the winner)

Le grand départ – the race start

Le départ – the start of each stage 

Le peloton – the group of cyclises (literally translated as ‘the pack’)

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