Newsletter: 20 May 2025
"These are the queens of global soccer, and they've got the trophy case to prove it.”
Alexis Ohanian, new Chelsea investor
Welcome … ‘tis the season for all the sport. 🌞 This week we’re covering footy, tennis, cricket and athletics.
Football
What the hell just happened this weekend?
Well, aside from the Eurovision Song Contest, in the WSL, English eyes were on Wembley this weekend for the FA Cup Final between Chelsea and Manchester United.
Chelsea have had an unbeaten season but Manchester came in as current cup holders - as they say, there was all to play for and an amazing 74,412 people in attendance to watch.
Manchester United had a few shots on target in the first half but Chelsea looked the more likely to convert. And convert they did - Chelsea continued their season’s brilliant run!
Sandy Baltimore played superbly and was involved in all of Chelsea’s three goals. She scored a penalty right before half time after a challenge on Chelsea legend Erin Cuthbert (and player of the match) by United’s Celin Bizet and then set up super-sub Catarina Macario’s header for the second with a stunning free kick.
United started strong but after the penalty, they very rarely looked threatening and Baltimore’s second goal in stoppage time - a beautiful turn and kick - was the nail in the coffin.
Star studded
New Chelsea investor Alexis Ohanian brought the wife and family to watch the match - only Serena Williams and their daughter Alexis Olympia!
He described Chelsea as the ‘queens of global soccer’ and that they can be ‘America’s team’.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, chairman and CEO of Man Utd, didn’t show up for the women’s final for the second year running, making us all ponder whether he really cares about his women’s side.
Cricket
The Vitality Women’s T20 County Cup went next level last weekend when some of the pro teams joined the competition. It was a knock-out sitch and with some of the top tier teams playing each other, there were going to be some quick exits by big hitters.
Headlines - Pros Somerset and Essex are out as they came up against Durham (the match was tied but Durham won in the nail biting one-over eliminator) and Yorkshire respectively.
This weekend it’s the quarter-finals, and then a glorious day of cricket on Bank Holiday Monday, 26th May, with the semi-finals and final. We’ll have all the news next week!
England and their new captain Nat Sciver-Brunt will take part in their first international this Wednesday! They’re playing a T20 match contest in Canterbury, Kent 6.30pm against the West Indies. Get your tickets or watch on Sky Sports.
Tennis - Amelie Brooks
We’re edging closer to Roland Garros and the French Open and so Brit number one Katie Boulter will be very pleased with her success at the WTA 125 Trophée Clarins tournament.
Katie won the title in excellent style beating three French players consecutively to claim her first clay title - congrats Katie!
Athletics
At the Diamond League event in Doha, Brits were sparkling brightly!
Pole vaulter Molly Caudery won’t be asking ‘what the hell just happened?’ because she always knew she could it. After a disappointing Olympics where she exited early on and then injuries, it was great to see her clearing that bar at 4.75m and claiming the top spot. “I’ve got some extra fire inside me which is going to be great for this season.”
Hats off to the other mums going up against Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce on Sports Day but she was no competition for GB’s Amy Hunt in Doha. Hunt came third in the 100m race and achieved a personal best, only pipped to the post by Jamaican twins Tia and Tina Clayton.
Scotland and Great Britain’s Jemma Reekie came third also in the 1500m with a time of 4.733 minutes.
A fantastic start to the season for GB!
ICYMI
Eurovision x Cup Final - Loving Gladiator and Olympian Montell Jordan and Shanaugh Brown’s take on ‘What the Hell Just Happened’.
Ultra running - This weekend American Stephanie Case won the 100km ultra race around Snowdonia. What’s amazing is that it’s only six months since she gave birth and she breastfed along the way!
Stephanie is the founder of Free to Run, a charity that helps girls and women exercise and specifically run in areas of conflict such as Afghanistan.
A legend retires - Irish jockey Rachel Blackmore has announced her retirement. She is a role model to so many female jockeys after a more than impressive career. She was the first female jockey to win the Grand National in 2021. If you love horse racing, why not read our interview with Lily Pinchin.
Share your sporting stories with us. We read every email and we may well include your story in next week’s newsletter.
See you next week!
The WAGIS Team x