As the 2025 Championships kick off, Pacific island nations continue to defy the odds — proving that population size is no barrier to producing world-class sport, writes JAMES NALTON
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‘Anyone's game, but not everyone's game’
JAMES NALTON previews this weekend’s much-anticipated Manchester derby
A street vendor selling half-and-half scarves ahead of the Women's Super League match at Eastlands, Manchester, March 23, 2024
In a town shaped by hardship and history, a grassroots boxing club led by Andrew McFarlane gives purpose to the next generation — including a rising champion, writes JOHN WIGHT
THE Manchester derby is usually a battle between an underdog and an overwhelming favourite.
Whether this was the force of Manchester United in the early years of the Premier League under Sir Alex Ferguson, or Manchester City in more recent times under Pep Guardiola, there is usually one dominant, outstanding team, but the dynamic going into Sunday’s derby is fairly unusual in that neither team are currently very good.
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