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sports Diaranson 25 augustus 2021

Women soccer players leave Afghanistan on evacuation flight

(AP) — Players from Af- and on behalf of their peers extremely stressful but today
ghanistan women’s na- around the world we thank we have achieved an impor-
tional soccer team had an the international community tant victory,” former team
“important victory” on for coming to their aid,” the captain Khalida Popal said.
Tuesday when they were union said in a statement.
among a group of more Popal is among a team of
than 75 people evacuated The Afghan team was created FIFPRO lawyers and advi-
on a flight from Kabul. in 2007 in a country where sors who have worked with
women playing sport was authorities in six countries,
Global soccer players’ union seen as a political act of defi- including Australia, the U.S.
FIFPRO thanked the Aus- ance against the Taliban. and United Kingdom, to get
tralian government for mak- athletes and their families on
ing the evacuation of play- Players had been advised this to evacuation lists and flights
ers, team officials and family month to delete social me- to safety.
members possible, with work dia posts and photographs
continuing to help more of them with the team to “The women footballers
leave Afghanistan. help avoid reprisals since the have been brave and strong
United States-backed Af- in a moment of crisis and we FIFPRO general secretary “Our hearts go out to all the
“These young women, both ghanistan government fell. hope they will have a better Jonas Baer-Hoffmann said others who remain stranded
as athletes and activists, have life outside Afghanistan,” Po- evacuations had been “an in- in the country against their
been in a position of danger “The last few days have been pal said. credibly complex process.” will,” he said.

Delle Donne, Ogwumike return after long injury layoffs

(AP) — Elena Delle Donne and is going to take over again, so that’s ing 44% from behind the 3-point
Chiney Ogwumike will have a the concern.” 2. Seattle (18-7): The Storm head arc. She’s also been averaging 5.6 re-
major impact on the Washington home after finishing off long five- bounds and 3.0 assists.
Mystics and Los Angeles Sparks The Mystics weren’t the only team game road trip to start the second half
playoff chances now that they’re to finally get healthy this week. Los of the season. Had a stop at the White 9. Washington (8-14): While the Mys-
back on the basketball court. Angeles welcomed back Ogwumike, House on Monday to celebrate the tics welcomed Delle Donne back, the
who had been sidelined with a knee team’s 2020 championship. team will be missing Olympic gold-
The two finally returned after long issue since May 28. She returned medalist Tina Charles because of a
layoffs due to injuries. against New York on Sunday. 3. Connecticut (17-6): Jonquel Jones strained left gluteal.
is leading the Sun’s playoff push and
Delle Donne missed nearly two years “When I got the green light, I was is one of the front-runners for the 10. Dallas (10-13): The Wings
with a back injury and COVID-19 like, ‘Thank you, Lord.’ I think that’s league’s MVP award. She’s averaging dropped five of their last six games to
precautions. The Washington Mys- the best feeling, when something’s a career-best 20.6 points this season. fall behind in the playoff chase, but
tics star played in her first game in gone, you miss it more. I’ve missed it Dallas has a friendly schedule that
682 days this past Sunday. The for- a lot,” she said. 4. Minnesota (14-9): A favorable could help the team reach the post-
mer MVP last played in the decisive schedule has the Lynx home for six season.
Game 5 of the WNBA Finals in 2019 Ogwumike expects to be on a min- of their next seven games. Minnesota
that gave the Mystics their first cham- utes limit for a few games. is 10-3 over its last 13 games with 10 11t. Atlanta (6-17): The Dream have
pionship. of those games being played on the lost eight consecutive games. Their
“My knee felt really great out there,” road. The Lynx also welcomed back last win was June 29. With Chey-
“It was an amazing day just to be out she said. “My teammates give me so Aerial Powers this past weekend after enne Parker missing the rest of the
there and competing with my team- much confidence. They know my she missed two months while recov- season because of pregnancy, Atlanta
mates. It’s been quite a whirlwind,” journey has been a long journey. But ering from a torn UCL in her right brought back guard Blake Dietrick
said Delle Donne, who scored 16 this is a special group, and to be out thumb. for the remainder of the year.
points in her return. “You know I’m there with my sis again and to do
running out and I was like, a little bit some of the things we’ve always talk- 5. Phoenix (13-10): Five of the Mer- 11t. Indiana (5-18): The Fever have
emotional. I was like, I can’t add cry- ed about ... today was a great day.” cury’s next six games are on the road, a short roster right now because of
ing right now (because) I’m nervous. but none of their opponents have a injuries and players taking personal
I certainly felt it welling up in my POWER POLL winning record. leave. Still, the team has been playing
eyes for a second.” much better recently with four victo-
This week’s WNBA poll: 6. Chicago (11-12): Candace Parker ries in its past six games.
Delle Donne said that her back and re-injured her left ankle last week
body felt good and that she will do 1 Las Vegas (17-6): The Aces play and her health will have an impact on PLAYER OF THE WEEK
treatment and see how she feels for three games on the road this week where the team finishes in the stand-
the rest of the week. The 31-year-old with huge contest against Connecti- ings. Brittney Griner of Phoenix was voted
forward said the most difficult part cut followed by a trip to Atlanta and as the Player of the Week after averag-
was “being so unsure if the nerve pain Indiana. 7. Los Angeles (10-13): The Sparks ing 20,5 points 10.3 rebounds and 4.3
are one of the hottest teams coming assists in the Mercury’s three wins.
out of the Olympic break with four Other players receiving votes in-
victories since play resumed. It’s no cluded Jonquel Jones and DeWanna
coincidence that the main reason is Bonner of Connecticut and Nneka
they are healthy now and playing stel- Ogwumike of Los Angeles.
lar defense. Los Angeles is holding its
opponents to just over 74 points a GAME OF THE WEEK:
game in the four wins.
Aces at Sun, Tuesday. The top spot in
8. New York (11-14): The Liberty the league will be on the line when
will be without Sami Whitcomb for Las Vegas visits Connecticut. It’s the
the next two weeks as she recovers last meeting in the regular season
from a left ankle sprain. Whitcomb between the two teams and the Sun
has been one of the most consistent have already clinched the season se-
players for New York this season, ries winning the first two meetings.
averaging 12.8 points while shoot-