Kristaps Porzingis didn't want to make predictions about how his body would respond heading into the NBA Finals after he spent more than a month on the sideline with a calf injury.

Just fine, it turned out.

Host nation Germany is the heavyweight in its European Championship group though Scotland, Hungary and Switzerland are capable of causing an upset.

Scotland would relish springing a major surprise on Germany in the opening game in Munich on June 14.

France and the Netherlands renew their recent rivalry at the European Championship with fresh memories of their hard luck exits at the World Cup 18 months ago.

Both were beaten in Qatar in penalty shootouts against Argentina — France in the epic final, the Dutch in the quarterfinals — after rallying late from two goals down.

Palestine created history when they booked a place in the third round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers for the first time following a goalless draw on Thursday against Lebanon in Doha.

Against the backdrop of the war in Gaza, the Palestinian team has already claimed a piece of footballing history this year by making a debut appearance in the Asian Cup knockout phase.

Fenerbahce says new coach Jose Mourinho is set to earn 10.5 million euros ($11.4 million) a year in salary after he agreed on a two-year contract.

Fenerbahce revealed the figures in a declaration to inform the stock market on Wednesday, three days after the storied Turkish club presented Mourinho to thousands of fans at its stadium.

With four of Europe's most-prolific scorers, England has the firepower to end a nearly 60-year wait for silverware.

How Gareth Southgate deploys his riches could determine whether it is finally a glorious summer for the Three Lions or if the wait to add a trophy to England's lone World Cup — won in 1966 — drags on.

Kylian Mbappe. Lionel Messi. Neymar.

The talent drain at Paris Saint-Germain over the past 12 months was unprecedented in the world of soccer.

Manchester City's reported legal action against the Premier League has the potential to change the face of English football.

At a time when the most popular league in the world is trying to clamp down on out-of-control spending, the removal of its Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules could pave the way for never-before-seen excess and, it's feared, ultimately kill competition.

A new "galactico" era could be in the making at Real Madrid.

After years without high-profile signings, Madrid went after one of the biggest names in soccer and added Kylian Mbappé to the long list of top players who have been part of the Spanish powerhouse's history.

Italy stuttered to a 0-0 draw at home to Turkey in the first of two warmup matches before it begins the defense of its European Championship title next week.

Tuesday's match was overshadowed by a serious-looking injury to Turkey defender Ozan Kabak, who appears more than likely to miss Euro 2024 in Germany where he plays his club soccer.