Did you take advantage of May 1 to cut a little? No problem. Here’s something to catch up on your dose of sports news for the weekend. If the XV of France did not go to the end of its Grand Slam, the players of Olympique Lyonnais continued to write the beautiful European history of their club. The world of football also mourned Mino Raiola, one of the main football agents, who died on Saturday.
Football: the Lyonnaises celebrate at the Parc des Princes and find the final of the Champions League
Already in good shape after the victory of the first leg at home (3-2), Lyon won their place in the final of the Champions League on the lawn of PSG. Sonia Bompastor’s players won 2-1 at the Parc des Princes in front of 43,254 spectators, a record for a women’s club football match in France.
Technically superior, the teammates of Wendie Renard, second scorer for Les Fenottes, did not hesitate to join FC Barcelona in the final. The title will be played on May 21, in Turin.
10th UCWL final
Gorgeous girls! ❤️#UWCLFinal pic.twitter.com/zz17yoKU5R
— OL Feminine (@OLfeminine) April 30, 2022
Rugby: beaten by England, the Bleues stumble on the last step before the Grand Slam
The blow did not go far. But French rugby will not sign two Grand Slams in 2022. Annick Hayraud’s players were beaten by England (12-24) on the last day of the Six Nations Tournament. Les Bleues ended up cracking up against the best team in the world rankings. However, they had taken the match by the right end by scoring the first try in the fourth minute. But the efficiency and potency of the Red Roses made the difference. What to learn some lessons for the World Cup, to be held in October.
Football: influential agent Mino Raiola has died
His death had been announced, wrongly, by a large part of the Italian and then international sports press on Thursday. But the disease ended up taking away Mino Raiola two days later, at 54 years old. The agent, among the most influential in the world of football, died on Saturday. Raiola had forged a reputation as a representative of stars over the years, with Paul Pogba, Erling Haaland, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marco Verratti as clients in particular.
Solidly established in Italy, his native country, and in the Netherlands, where he spent part of his childhood, Raiola leaves behind one of the world’s leading talent portfolios. Which could have serious consequences for the next transfer window, of which Haaland and Pogba should be the main animators.
—Mino Raiola (@MinoRaiola) April 30, 2022
Rugby: Biarritz makes the lift, Toulouse finds the Top 6
Two days from the end, each match counts a little more in the Top 14. But for Biarritz, the damage is already done. Promoted this season, the BO, assured of the descent after his bitter setback against Castres (13-48), notwill have argued only one year in the elite. The other promoted, Perpignan, maintained its chances of avoiding the barrage by dominating Brive, which only has a three-point lead.
Higher in the standings, the fight rages on. Castres and Racing (winner at Pau 21-42) have taken a big step towards the Top 6, synonymous with the final stages. The LOU, which outclassed the leader Montpellier, and Toulouse which dominated La Rochelle, are getting closer, the Stadium also overtaking its victim of the evening to temporarily complete this Top 6.
Moto GP: Francesco Bagnaia tames the threat Fabio Quartararo at the Spanish GP
Put under pressure on Sunday by the French driver, the Italian Francesco Bagnaia confirmed his excellent weekend in Spain. Already the author of pole on Saturday, the Ducati rider responded to criticism of his mixed start to the season. His first podium of the year was none other than a prestigious victory at the Jerez turnstile. Even if success has escaped Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha), the Habs are still the confirmed leader of the world championship.