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Baha Mar Hoops: Women’s Pink Flamingo Championship

Crimson Tide defeat Golden Gophers 63-58

By JONATHAN BURROWS Tribune Sports Reporter jburrows@tribunemedia.net

THE Baha Mar Hoops tournament continued yesterday with the Women’s Pink Flamingo Championship game held at the Baha Mar Convention Center.

The Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the Minnesota Golden Gophers 63–58.

Alabama opened the game strong and held a 16-8 lead after the first quarter, only to see Minnesota rally with a 26-point third quarter to take a 44-43 lead.

But the Crimson Tide regrouped in the final quarter, outscoring the Gophers 19-15 to reclaim control.

In the final 30 seconds it would be Alabama's junior guard Alancia Ramsey who hit the step back three to get the lead in the fourth and after two free throws, Alabama secured the title.

Forward Essence Cody led Alabama in scoring with 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting and 4-of-5 at the foul line, earning championship game MVP honours. Teammate Jessica Simmons also added 18 points. After the game, Cody spoke about the tournament and the team’s mindset. “I’m grateful to be here, just to play in this atmosphere,” she said, reflecting on playing in The Bahamas. “We came together as a team and kept our focus down the stretch.”

Her calm leadership and consistent play throughout the weekend helped steady Alabama when momentum wavered.

For Minnesota, guard Grace Grocholski also scored 18 points (7-of-14 FG, 1-of-1 FT), though the Gophers fell short down the stretch.

Team shooting was a deciding factor. Alabama connected on 39 per cent overall and 42 per cent from three-point range, while Minnesota managed 34 per cent overall and 35 per cent from beyond the threepoint line. On the boards, Alabama held a 42-34 rebounding edge.

The Gophers had advanced to the Baha Mar

final by defeating the South Florida Bulls 57-45 earlier in the tournament.

The tournament win capped a perfect run for Alabama, which entered the game 6-0 and earlier in the tournament had defeated the Harvard Crimson 80–60. With the championship, the Crimson Tide improves to 7-0 on the season and sits atop the standings in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), though conference play has yet to begin.

The loss drops Minnesota to 5-2 overall.

Xavier’s Lower School and St Thomas More take initial leads in Catholic Diocesan Primary Basketball championship series

THE Xavier's Lower School Giants and St

Thomas More Sparks took the initial lead in their Catholic Diocesan Primary Schools 2025 basketball best-of-three championship series.

On Tuesday at Loyola Hall on Gladstone Road, the Giants held off the St Francis/Joseph Shockers 15-13 to move one game closer to repeating as the girls' champions, while the Sparks stunned the defending champions St Francis/ Joseph Shockers 14-4 to take the upperhand in the boys' championship. In the battle for third place, the St Cecilia's Strikers knocked off St Thomas More 9-2 in the girls' game and Xavier's edged out St Cecilia's 17-16 in the boys' game. Game two in all series will be played today at Loyola Hall, starting at 4pm. If necessary, the third and deciding games in all series will take place on Friday.

Sparks 14, Shockers 4

Brian Bullard scored more points than all of St Francis/Joseph to lead St Thomas More to a huge

victory in game one of the boys' championship.

Kamrin Lewis scored three points and Clarado Mackey got the only other point for St Francis/ Joseph in the loss.

Giants 17, Strikers 16

Kyle Rolle scored eight and Carren Matt had four as Xavier's Lower School clinched the first victory in the boys' consolation third place game.

Zion Paul had five and Coltin Forbes added four in the loss.

Giants 15, Shockers 13 In a keenly contested matchup, Xavier's Lower School got tested, but still prevailed in game one of the girls' championship.

J’Lynn Bain scored nine and Elisha Dovanelonte had four points in the win.

Paris Johnson scored six and Jameah McKenzie added four in the loss.

Strikers 9, Sparks 2

Alicia Smith scored four in the win for St Cecilia's in the girls' third-place game.

Tanaz Davis scored two in a losing effort for St Thomas More.

SEE PHOTOS - PAGE 4

Lakers clinch NBA Cup group with 135-118 win over Clippers

By The Associated Press

— Luka Doncic

LOS ANGELES (AP)

had 43

points, 13 assists and nine rebounds, and LeBron James added 25 points in the Los Angeles Lakers’ fifth consecutive victory, 135-118 over the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night.

Doncic matched his season high with 32 points in the first half on the way to his 51st career 40-point game.

He fell just short of his 10th career 40-point triple-double, but the Lakers clinched their group with their third straight win in NBA Cup play.

Austin Reaves had 31 points and nine rebounds for the Lakers, who have won 11 of 13 overall.

The 40-year-old James also looked more like his old self in the third game of his unprecedented 23rd NBA season, scoring 16 points in the second half while the Lakers steadily pulled away.

James Harden continued his scoring surge with 29 points and nine assists for the Clippers, who have lost 11 of 13.

Kawhi Leonard scored 19 in his second game back from a 10-game injury absence.

MAGIC 144, 76ERS 103

PHILADELPHIA (AP)

— Anthony Black scored 27 of his career-high 31 points in the first half, Franz Wagner added 21 points and Orlando routed injury-depleted Philadelphia in an NBA Cup game.

Orlando’s Jalen Suggs was ejected with 27 seconds left in the first half after receiving two technicals during a heated altercation between the teams.

Tyrese Maxey scored 20 points to lead the 76ers, whose absences included Joel Embiid (right knee injury management), Paul George (right ankle sprain)

and rookie VJ Edgecombe (left calf tightness). Orlando improved to 3-0 in the Cup and the 76ers dropped to 0-3.

The game was tied at 35-all after the first quarter before the Magic took control in the second period. Philadelphia fans started showering boos on the court when Orlando went up 17 points with 5 1/2 minutes left.

The frustration spilled onto the court with 27 seconds before the break when the altercation led to Suggs’ ejection.

The Magic dominated the second quarter, outscoring Philadelphia by 26 points in the period to take an 86-60 lead at halftime.

WIZARDS 132,

HAWKS 113

WASHINGTON (AP) — CJ McCollum posted season highs with 46 points and 10 made 3-pointers, and Washington never trailed en route to a win over Atlanta. McCollum missed only three times from beyond the arc and finished one 3 shy of his career high and a franchise record. Washington opened with a 45-point first quarter and 77-point first half, both season bests. Alex Sarr added 27 points and 11 rebounds for the Wizards (2-15), who snapped a 14-game losing streak — two shy of a franchise record. They earned their first home win since a 116-111 victory over Sacramento on April 2. Washington’s Corey Kispert had 19 points before leaving midway through the third quarter with an apparent wrist injury. Kristaps Porzingis scored 22 points and Onyeka Okongwu had 20 for Atlanta, which had a twogame win streak snapped in its worst loss since a 138-118 defeat to Toronto in an Oct. 22 season opener.

Celtics end Pistons’ winning streak with 117-114 victory

By KEN POWTAK Associated Press

BOSTON (AP) — Jaylen Brown, Derrick White and the Boston Celtics ended Detroit’s winning streak at a franchise record-tying 13, outlasting Cade Cunningham and the Pistons 117-114 last night.

The Eastern Conference-leading Pistons squandered a chance to break the record they share with the 1989-90 and 200304 championship teams. They are 15-3 two seasons after losing 28 in a row to break the NBA season record.

Brown had 33 points and 10 rebounds, and White scored 11 of his 27 points in the final 4 1/2 minutes to help the Celtics overcome Cunningham's 42-point night.

With Detroit down 3, Cunningham was fouled near mid-court just as he was about to go up for a 3-pointer.

After a review, the officials ruled he was indeed in the act of shooting. Cunningham hit the first two, but missed the third. Payton Pritchard grabbed the rebound for Boston, was fouled and hit two free throws with 2.4 seconds left.

Boston stole a pass before Detroit could attempt a potential tying 3. Pritchard added 16 points to help the Celtics win for the fifth time in six games.

On Monday, Detroit won at Indiana to match the team record for consecutive victories.

Up next Pistons: Host Orlando on Friday night in an NBA Cup game.

Celtics: At Minnesota on Saturday.

Best-of-the-Best Regatta: E-class boats to take spotlight with parade

WITH the Best-of-theBest Regatta all set for December 4-7 in Montagu Bay, the introduction of the E-class boats will take the spotlight on Saturday with a parade.

According to National Hall of Famer the Rev. Dr Philip McPhee, one of the organizers of the regatta being hosted by the Ministry of Local Government, the boats will leave Montague Bay at noon and travel through Shirley Street onto By Street and ending back at Montague Bay.

Dr McPhee, a consultant in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, said wirth over 30 boats registered to compete in the E class for the first time, they thought it would be fitting to showcase them before the competition starts.

He said the parade will be open to boats competing in the A,B and C classes if they wish to participate, but the Ministry's focus is on the D class.

These boats, according to Dr McPhee, are becoming very popular in the local sailing regatta competition because of their size at 12-feet long and the fact that they only require two competitors to compete.

"The Best-of-the-Bst Regatta came to me in a dream early one morning when I laid in my bed," Dr McPhee said. "I felt we needed something to take sailing to the next level in the length and breath of the Bahamas.

"At that time, we had one 100 international sailors that camer to the first Best-of-the-Best Regatta, they worshipped at Mt Calvary Baptist Cathedral and they took over the rooms at Atlanta on Paradise Island." Unfortunately, Dr McPhee said the relationship deteriorated, but he's hoping that they can rebuild it and invite them to come back after they moved to Bermuda for another regatta there.

Week of Boxing: Boxers, coaches, execs and officials to be honoured

AFTER opening its activities for the Week of Boxing on Sunday with a church service at New Covenant, the Bahamas boxing fraternity will close it out on Saturday at the Breezes Resort Bahamas All Inclusive when atleast 38 boxers, coaches, executives and officials will be honoured.

The black tie ceremony is scheduled to take place in the ballroom at the resort.

The following will be honoured during the night: William 'Yama Bahama' Butler, Gorman 'Gomeo' Brennen, Everette 'Elisha Obed' Ferguson, Virginius Knowles, Freeman 'the Natural' Barr, Frederick Sturrup, Charles Major Sr, Amos Ferguson, Rudolph Moultrie, Bertram 'Bert Perry' Perigord, Lorenzo 'Ray' Minus Jr, Nathaniel Knowles, Charles Thompson, L Cartwright, Patrick 'the Centreville Assassin' Strachan, Leonard 'Boston Blackie' Miller, Kirkland 'Baby Boy' Rolle, Ernie 'the Androsian Tiger' Barr, Cleveland 'KO' Parris, Fernley Palmer, Larry Forsythe, Dr Norrman Gay, Wilfred Coakley, Ray Minus Sr, Steven 'the Heat' Larrimore, Randolph Rene Pinder, Wellington 'Sonny Boy' Rahming, Andre Seymour, James 'Jimmy' Mackey, Wellington Miller, Alvin 'All Torrez' Sargent, Jermaine 'Chu Chu' Mackey, Tureano 'Reno' Johnson, Quincy 'ThrillA-Minute' Pratt, Meacher ‘Major Pain' Major, Vincent Strachan and Valentino Knowles.

With the Best-of-the-Best all set for next weekend, under the leadership of Minister Clay Sweeting, Dr McPhee said the benefits of sailing could be more effective under the banner of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture where it was previously.

And with the E class being introduced for the first time, Dr McPhee said they have 46 boats registered to compete and so they will parade them through the streets.

McPhee thanked Renee Glinton, who served as the Permanent Secretary under Minister Alfred Gray when the inaugural Best-of-theBest Regatta took place in 2016.

He also commended the late Sir Dunward Knowles to encourage the boat owners to build more of the E class boats in Long Island, Andros and Exuma.

During the Best-of-theBest Regatta, Dr McPhee said he's calling on the ministry to allow the E class to sail at least one of their races during the rather than having all of them scheduled for 8:30 am.

"It promises to be very exciting and it should have a little more recognition," Dr McPhee stressed.v :"We are thankful and God knows, we were trying to get sailing as the national sport. "We finally got it and we took our hats off to our Prime Minister Philip 'Brave' Davis, who finally made it official. That

sailing is now the national sport of the Bahamas."

Dr McPhee said persons like his deceased father Rev. Sr W. G. McPhee, Fred Fernley, Rollie Gray, Vernon Lockhart, Eleazor Johnson, Frank Hanna, King Eric Gibson and Tiger Finlayson, who made their contribution to the development of the sport.

He also mentioned former Minister of Sports Algernon Allen and his PS Crestwell Sturrup, who helped to push the court further and they should be recognized.

As one of the latest members of the 2025 Class of the National Sports Hall of Fame, Dr McPhee said his recognition finally came and he's grateful to Minister Mario Bowleg and Acting Director of Sports Kelsie Sills for including him this year.

"The Bahamas should be proud, Androsians should be proud because Andros finally has one of its own inducted into the National Hall of Fame," Dr McPhee said.

"I hope that the Prime Minister and the Minister use those persons who have talent to make sure the Bahamas gets the success it so rightfully deserves.

He noted that persons are coming from every island of the Bahamas for the Best-of-the-Best Regatta where the sailors will get a chance to bear the name of their respective islands on their sails.

Giants and Sparks take initial leads in Catholic Diocesan Primary Basketball best-of-three series

ON THE REPLAY: The Xavier’s Lower School Giants and St Thomas More Sparks took the initial lead in their Catholic Diocesan Primary Schools 2025 basketball best-of-three championship series. On Tuesday at Loyola Hall on Gladstone Road, the Giants held off the St Francis/Joseph Shockers 15-13 to move one game closer to repeating as the girls’ champions, while the Sparks stunned the defending champions St Francis/Joseph Shockers 14-4 to take the upperhand in the boys’ championship. Photos by Chappell Whyms Jr/Tribune Staff

Pro Picks: Texans will upset Colts to tighten race in the AFC South

By ROB MAADDI AP Pro Football Writer

SUDDENLY the AFC South is a three-team race.

With the Colts (8-3) losing two of three, the door is open for the Jaguars (7-4) and the Texans (6-5).

Indianapolis will play both division rivals twice over the final six games, starting with a home game Sunday against Houston.

It's the biggest matchup in the NFL's Week 13 schedule outside of the Thanksgiving and Black Friday games.

A stifling defence has helped the Texans get back over .500 after an 0-3 start. Backup QB Davis Mills has played well, going 3-0 for C.J. Stroud, who has been dealing with a concussion. Stroud is expected to return this week, though he was still in concussion protocol yesterday.

The Colts needed overtime to beat the Falcons two weeks ago in their only win over the past three games and blew a 20-9 lead in the fourth quarter at Kansas City. Daniel Jones couldn’t make a play when coach Shane Steichen put the ball in his hands instead of giving it to Jonathan Taylor on three, three-and-outs in the fourth quarter.

The Colts are 4 1/2-point favourites on BetMGM Sportsbook. Pro Picks likes the upset.

UPSET SPECIAL: TEXANS, 19-17

LOS ANGELES RAMS

(9-2) at CAROLINA (6-6)

Line: Rams minus 10 Matthew Stafford has thrown 27 touchdowns since his most recent interception in Week 3. A suffocating defence that’s No. 1 in scoring has helped the Rams take over the No. 1 spot in the NFC. The Panthers had a chance to move into first place in the NFC South but Bryce Young and the offence couldn’t do anything against San Francisco despite three picks by the defence in the first half. The Rams are 8-3 ATS, including 4-1 on the road.

BEST BET: RAMS: 31-16

GREEN BAY (7-3-1) at DETROIT (7-4)

Line: Lions minus 2 1/2

The Packers have won two straight, the defence led by Micah Parsons is dominating and they’re underdogs for the first time this season. The Lions had to rally to beat the lowly Giants after a poor offensive performance in a loss at Philadelphia. They’re looking to avoid getting swept by Green Bay. Detroit is 6-2 in the past eight meetings. The Packers are 20-18 overall and 25-13-1 against

the spread as an underdog under coach Matt LaFleur.

LIONS: 24-20

KANSAS CITY (6-5) at DALLAS (5-5-1)

Line: Chiefs minus 3 A relentless defence helped the Chiefs save their season with Patrick Mahomes rallying them to a win against the Colts. They’re facing another team just as desperate. Dak Prescott led Dallas back from a 21-0 deficit against the Eagles. Mahomes is 19-3 overall in games in which the team has short rest. The Cowboys are 3-11 ATS on Thanksgiving since 2011. BEST BET: CHIEFS 29-23

CINCINNATI (3-8) at BALTIMORE (6-5)

Line: Ravens minus 7 Joe Burrow is expected to return for the Bengals but it’s too late to make a difference this season other than playing spoiler. Lamar Jackson has been slowed by injuries but the Ravens have won five in a row to get back on top in the AFC North. Jackson is 6-1 vs. Burrow.

RAVENS: 26-20

CHICAGO (8-3) at PHILADELPHIA (8-3)

Line: Eagles minus 7 The Bears have won eight of nine, including six games by a margin of five points or fewer. The reigning Super Bowl champions collapsed in Dallas, wasting a 21-0 lead, adding more drama in a season where they’ve been winning despite a mediocre offence. Jalen Hurts is 30-4 overall at home as a favourite. Chicago isn’t getting much respect from oddsmakers.

EAGLES: 27-17

JACKSONVILLE (7-4) at TENNESSEE (1-10)

Line: Jaguars minus 6 1/2

The Jaguars needed overtime to beat the struggling Cardinals on the road a week after dominating the Chargers. They can’t afford a letdown against the woeful Titans in the first of two meetings between the division foes. Only wins matter but Tennessee stayed close against Seattle and is 5-6 ATS this season.

JAGUARS: 23-18

SAN FRANCISCO (8-4) at CLEVELAND (3-8)

Line: 49ers minus 5

Brock Purdy threw three interceptions and the 49ers still held Carolina to only nine points on Monday night. San Francisco is 1-6 ATS after a win this season. Shedeur Sanders showed promise in his first NFL start for the Browns and Myles Garrett is on pace to shatter the single-season sacks record.

49ERS: 20-16

NEW ORLEANS (2-9) at MIAMI (4-7)

Line: Dolphins minus 6

The rebuilding Saints aren’t doing much right except stopping the opposition’s passing attack. The Dolphins have won two in a row, three of four and are coming off a bye. They’re still playing to save coach Mike McDaniel’s job.

DOLPHINS: 20-16

ATLANTA (4-7) at NEW YORK JETS (2-9)

Line: Falcons minus 2 1/2

Kirk Cousins led the Falcons to victory in New Orleans and Atlanta suddenly has a chance in the NFC South with the

Buccaneers losing three in a row. The rebuilding Jets contained Derrick Henry and now face Bijan Robinson. But their defence has one takeaway this season and Tyrod Taylor couldn’t get the offence going.

FALCONS: 22-16

ARIZONA (3-8) at TAMPA BAY (6-5)

Line: Buccaneers minus 2 1/2

The Cardinals somehow managed to lose a game in overtime in which they had four takeaways and no turnovers. Jacoby Brissett could have success against a poor Buccaneers defence. Tampa Bay needs Baker Mayfield to play through a shoulder injury to have a chance because an injury-riddled offence is going to have to outscore teams to overcome a leaky defence.

BUCCANEERS: 27-20

MINNESOTA (4-7) at SEATTLE (8-3)

Line: Seahawks minus 10 1/2

It’s the Sam Darnold Bowl. Darnold thrived under Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell last season but was allowed to leave in free agency to pave the way for J.J. McCarthy, who has struggled and is in concussion protocol. Undrafted rookie Max Brosmer would start if McCarthy can’t play. Darnold has Seattle battling for first place in the NFC West.

SEAHAWKS: 27-13

BUFFALO (7-4) at PITTSBURGH (6-5)

Line: Bills minus 4 Josh Allen and the Bills are coming off a frustrating loss to Houston after the reigning NFL MVP had a six-TD performance against Tampa Bay. Buffalo added veteran receiver Brandin Cooks to bolster a mediocre group. The Steelers are reeling, having lost four of six to allow the Ravens to catch up. Aaron Rodgers is expected to return for Pittsburgh after sitting out a loss at Chicago because of a broken left wrist.

BILLS: 23-20

LAS VEGAS (2-9) at LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (7-4)

Line: Chargers minus 9 1/2

The Raiders would’ve been better off with partowner Tom Brady in a dual role of quarterback and offensive coordinator than going with Chip Kelly and Geno Smith. Kelly was fired after the latest dismal loss. The Chargers had a week off to reflect on a lopsided loss to the Jaguars. A depleted offensive line has been problematic for Justin Herbert and Los Angeles’ run game.

The Chargers are 7-0 ATS in their past seven games vs. AFC West opponents.

CHARGERS: 30-13 DENVER (9-2) at WASHINGTON (3-8)

Line: Broncos minus 5 1/2

Two teams coming off a bye heading in opposite directions. The Broncos have won eight in a row. The Commanders have lost six straight. Unless a week off slowed Denver’s momentum, the Broncos shouldn’t have any trouble. Jayden Daniels returned to practice but isn’t expected to be cleared to play. Broncos QB Bo Nix is 7-1 overall vs. the NFC.

BRONCOS: 23-16 NEW YORK GIANTS (2-10) at NEW ENGLAND (10-2)

Line: Patriots minus 7 1/2

The Giants blew another lead in the fourth quarter, fired their defensive coordinator and can’t start the offseason soon enough. A nine-game winning streak has the Patriots leading the AFC. Drake Maye gets to make his case for NFL MVP in front of a national audience on Monday night. PATRIOTS: 30-20

Last week: Straight up: 12-2. Against spread: 5-6-3. Overall: Straight up: 130-47-1. Against spread: 89-83-6. Prime time: Straight up: 25-15-1. Against spread: 17-24. Best Bet: Straight up: 10-2. Against spread: 7-4-1. Upset Special: Straight up: 9-3. Against spread: 9-3.

Captain and midfielder Ronaldo Green scores 4 goals as Mingoes win 4 straight Bahamas Men’s Soccer League

THERE was no doubt that this was a game that the University of The Bahamas men’s soccer team had marked on their calendar as they took down Dynamos F.C. 6-0 Sunday in the Bahamas Men’s Soccer League (BMSL) at the Roscow A.L. Davies Fields.

Captain and midfielder Ronaldo Green, who missed the 7-1 drubbing by Dynamos last season that knocked them from the top of the league, scored four goals for some redemption.

“It was an easy game,” Green said.

“Dynamos is always a hungry opponent but they lacked the quality today and we had to show them that we weren’t missing players like the last time and we had to beat them 6-0 today.”

Joining Green on the scoresheet was winger

Clerdjevinsky Clerjuste who scored his maiden goal in the BMSL in this match and finished with a double.

Green got the scoring for UB in the seventh minute of play on a well-placed shot as UB got the early 1-0 lead.

Clerjuste then cleaned up a corner kick with a left foot shot to put the ball out of reach for the goalkeeper in the 17th minute to put his team up 2-0 for his BMSL maiden goal.

Clerjuste then headed the ball to the top right corner on another corner for his second goal to put his side up 3-0 in the 28th minute.

“We practice for that a lot for the corner kicks,” Clerjuste said.

“That is one of my opportunities to score so I am good for headers and I take that as an advantage for me to score goals.”

Green got back in the scoreboard 10 minutes later with a shifty left-foot shot to put his team up 4-0. The score remained the same heading into the intermission.

The 53rd minute saw Green completing his hattrick with a shot to the far post as UB led 5-0 to put the match out of reach.

Green was on a breakaway in the 66th minute and was able to slip it past the keeper for his fourth goal and UB’s sixth.

UB sports a 4-0 win/loss record and sits atop the league with 12 points.

UB’s head coach Alex Thompson said that he will be looking to challenge his players in training to keep them motivated as they wrap up the first half of the season soon.

Mbappé scores 4, PSG hits 5, Arsenal topples Bayern and teenage scorers shine in the Champions League

By GRAHAM DUNBAR AP Sports Writer

ON a wild Champions League night with stellar teenage scorers, Kylian Mbappé also struck four including the second-fastest Champions League hat trick ever to show the old guys have still got it.

Arsenal took Bayern Munich's top spot in the standings with a 3-1 win, title holder Paris Saint-Germain romped to a 5-3 win over Tottenham with Vitinha scoring a hat trick, and Liverpool slumped to another loss at Anfield, 4-1 to PSV Eindhoven.

The 26-year-old Mbappé scored three times for Real Madrid between the 22nd and 29th minutes, and again in the 60th, of a 4-3 win at Olympiakos.

At age 17 — the same as when Mbappé was launching his Champions League career at Monaco — Lennart Karl and Viktor Dadason both scored yesterday, and so did 18-year-old Geovany Quenda.

Karl's exquisite firsttimer for Bayern levelled the game in the first half

but barely bothered Arsenal in a clash of the Premier League and Bundesliga leaders. It was Bayern's first loss this season. Only Arsenal now has five straight wins in the Champions League after Inter Milan lost 2-1 at Atletico Madrid, whose captain José María Giménez won it with a stoppage-time header — the 42nd and last goal on the nine-game slate. In Copenhagen, Dadason set the Danish champion on its way to a three-goal lead in a 3-2 win over Kairat Almaty.

In Lisbon, Quenda opened the scoring in Sporting's 3-0 win over Club Brugge, spinning almost a full circle to hook a left-footed shot into the corner of the net. The exciting wing-back will join Chelsea after the season.

At the other end of the age scale, 38-year-old David Luiz scored with a soaring header to help Pafos to a 2-2 draw with Monaco. He became the second-oldest scorer in the Champions League, behind only another veteran defender Pepe, who was approaching his 41st

REAL Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe, right, celebrates with his teammate Vinicius Junior after scoring his side’s fourth goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match against Olympiacos in Piraeus port, near Athens, Greece, yesterday. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

birthday when he scored for Porto two seasons ago.

Atalanta won 3-0 at Eintracht Frankfurt with three goals in five minutes starting with Ademola Lookman in the 60th.

Veteran David Luiz

David Luiz returned to Europe at age 38, after four years in his native Brazil, to help Cyprus champion Pafos in its debut Champions League season.

The former Brazil star scored his first goal in the competition since October 2017 with a powerful header into the Monaco net at a corner. His previous Champions League goal came in his second spell at Chelsea where he was key in the 2012 Champions League title-winning team.

Monaco held a 2-1 lead from the 26th, when United States forward Folarin

Balogun intercepted a pass by goalkeeper Neofytos Michaeland to score with a low shot. Pafos levelled in the 88th when the ball struck Monaco defender Mohammed Salisu after rebounding from the crossbar for an own goal.

Dadason’s big future

Viktor Dadason already was the third-youngest scorer in the Champions League’s 34-season history

last month in Copenhagen’s 4-2 loss at Borussia Dortmund. Only Ansu Fati and Lamine Yamal were younger than the Iceland youth international when they scored their first goals for Barcelona. The 6-foot-3 (1.93 metre) Dadason set Copenhagen on the way to a three-goal lead yesterday with a header in the 26th. The Danish champion had to hang on for a 3-2 win over Kairat Almaty, which scored twice late on yet ended the night 35th in the standings above only hapless Ajax.

Mbappe’s fast hat trick

Three goals in a span of six minutes, 42 seconds was fast by Kylian Mbappé, but not quite the fastest ever in the Champions League. That was Mohamed Salah’s in six minutes, 12 seconds for Liverpool against Rangers in October 2022. Mbappé is now second fastest, with his second hat trick in the competition this season, and fifth of his Champions League career. He’s also now top scorer this season with nine, ahead of the now-injured Victor Osimhen who has six for Galatasaray.

MARINE FORECAST

HIGH Priestess Mary Mina, left, lights

torch from the Olympic flame during the flame lighting ceremony for the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, at the archaeological museum of Olympia, Greece, yesterday.

(AP Photo/ Thanassis Stavrakis)

Under a cloud, Olympic flame begins its journey to the Winter Olympics

By DEREK GATOPOULOS and PETROS GIANNAKOURIS Associated Press

ANCIENT OLYMPIA,

Greece (AP) — The Olympic flame began its journey

yesterday to the Milan Cortina Winter Games — missing a little of its usual magic. Bad weather lashing western Greece forced organisers to move the torch-lighting ceremony indoors, from Olympia’s ancient stadium and temples to a nearby museum. The flame is lit by focusing the sun’s rays with a concave mirror. But with skies overcast, officials used a backup flame kindled during a brief spell of sunshine at Monday’s rehearsal.

Greek rower Petros Gaidatzis launched the torch relay, which, after reaching Italy, will be carried across the host country by about 10,000 runners before the February 6–22 competition. The sun ultimately made an appearance over rain-soaked OIympia on Wednesday during the indoor ceremony.

“It’s incredibly memorable and a little bit emotional for me to be standing here,” said IOC President Kirsty Coventry, who was overseeing her first torch lighting after being elected to the post in March. “It feels like the past and the present are really coming together. We are extremely happy that today’s ceremony reminds us what the games stand for.”

Italy is hosting its third Winter Games, but preparations have been plagued by cost overruns and construction setbacks.

Organisers say there’s plenty for fans to look forward to: a programme featuring 116 medal events, the debut of ski mountaineering, higher female participation and the return of NHL players to Olympic hockey.

After a short tour of Greece and a handover on December 4, the flame will begin a 63-day, 12,000-kilometre relay through all 110 Italian provinces, highlighting cultural sites and host venues before reaching

Milan’s San Siro Stadium for the opening ceremony.

“Over the next few weeks, the Olympic flame will pass through all the Italian provinces, 60 cities, 300 towns, 20 regions and all the UNESCO sites. It will travel from the northern peaks to the southern shores,” said Giovanni Malago, head of the Milan Cortina Organising Committee.

Speakers at yesterday's ceremony urged world leaders to recognise the spirit of the Olympic Truce – an ancient Greek tradition pausing conflicts during the games to allow safe participation.

“Today humanity is going through a time of multiple and parallel crises. Wars proliferate from Europe to the Middle East and from Asia to Africa. So we should honestly admit that a society at war is a failed society,” the mayor of Ancient Olympia, Aristidis Panayiotopoulos, said. “The flame allows us to again recall the values that guide humanity, values that were born and forged here.”

Despite moving indoors, Wednesday’s ceremony retained its traditional elements: sculptural dance gestures by performers dressed as priestesses and male kouroi, and invocations in Greek to the ancient gods.

Artemis Ignatiou, the ceremony’s artistic director, said the team had prepared for the possibility of bad weather and that, despite the setback, “we gained something special: the energy of the museum and the archaeological space itself.”

Speaking to The Associated Press, Ignatiou said dancing among the statues “gave the ceremony a timeless feeling.”

A separate flame for the March 6-15 Winter Paralympics will be lit February 24 at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in England, the birthplace of the Paralympic movement.