South Sudan Give US Huge Scare in Olympic Basketball Warm-up

Basketball - USA Basketball Showcase - United States v Serbia - Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - July 17, 2024 LeBron James of the U.S. in action REUTERS/Rula Rouhana/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
Basketball - USA Basketball Showcase - United States v Serbia - Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - July 17, 2024 LeBron James of the U.S. in action REUTERS/Rula Rouhana/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
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South Sudan Give US Huge Scare in Olympic Basketball Warm-up

Basketball - USA Basketball Showcase - United States v Serbia - Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - July 17, 2024 LeBron James of the U.S. in action REUTERS/Rula Rouhana/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
Basketball - USA Basketball Showcase - United States v Serbia - Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - July 17, 2024 LeBron James of the U.S. in action REUTERS/Rula Rouhana/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights

South Sudan's basketball team came close to stunning the United States' collection of NBA superstars on Saturday before losing 101-100 in an Olympic Games warm-up in London.

The US trailed by 14 points at half-time before LeBron James came to the rescue with 23 points, including the key score with just 20 seconds left.

Anthony Davis added 15 points with 11 rebounds for the US, according to AFP.

For South Sudan, who are ranked 33 in the world, Marial Shayok scored 25 points while Carlik Jones had 15 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists.

Both sides will meet again in the pool stages of the Paris Olympics which get underway on Friday.



Denmark Coach Steps Down Ahead of 2026 World Cup Qualifying

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Euro 2024 - Round of 16 - Germany v Denmark - Dortmund BVB Stadion, Dortmund, Germany - June 29, 2024 Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand looks dejected after the match REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Euro 2024 - Round of 16 - Germany v Denmark - Dortmund BVB Stadion, Dortmund, Germany - June 29, 2024 Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand looks dejected after the match REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay/File Photo
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Denmark Coach Steps Down Ahead of 2026 World Cup Qualifying

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Euro 2024 - Round of 16 - Germany v Denmark - Dortmund BVB Stadion, Dortmund, Germany - June 29, 2024 Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand looks dejected after the match REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Euro 2024 - Round of 16 - Germany v Denmark - Dortmund BVB Stadion, Dortmund, Germany - June 29, 2024 Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand looks dejected after the match REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay/File Photo

Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand decided to leave the job Friday and not take the team into qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
According to The Associated Press, Hjulmand said in a statement that the team needed new energy after the European Championship, where Denmark was eliminated in the round of 16 by Germany after a game that featured one of the tournament's most controversial refereeing decisions.
The 52-year-old coach took Denmark to the semifinals of the previous Euros played in 2021 — when he was widely lauded at home for the way he dealt with the emotional aftermath of midfielder Christian Eriksen suffering cardiac arrest during the team's opening game. He also led the team to the 2022 World Cup where the Danes were eliminated in the group stage.
The Danish soccer federation said it promoted Hjulmand’s assistant coach Morten Wieghorst to take charge for the Nations League program through November. Denmark is in a top-tier group with European champion Spain, Switzerland and Serbia.
At Euro 2024, Denmark drew all three group games against England, Slovenia and Serbia.
Against host Germany the game was stopped for 25 minutes during a severe lightning storm, then swung on back-to-back video decisions early in the second half of a 2-0 loss. A goal by Joachim Andersen was disallowed for a marginal offside call before a penalty was awarded against the defender for a handball when a cross struck his arm.