Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Russia across Hockey, Basketball, Soccer.
Alex Ovechkin’s recent revelation that Mario Lemieux is his all‑time favorite player offers a fresh lens on a career marked by record‑breaking goals, a gifted stick from a single meeting, and a rivalry that has softened into friendship.
Eduard Mikhailovich Sandler, 44, president and head coach of Dynamo Vladivostok, died on July 28 after a jet‑ski crash in Amur Bay. The basketball community mourns his legacy, marked by a 2024 Super League title and a forthcoming VTB United League debut.
Minnesota’s Wild are reshaping their attack for 2026‑27 by spreading scoring across new faces, aiming for depth and balance rather than a single marquee replacement.
The Avalanche have committed to a two‑year entry‑level contract with Nikita Novosyolov, a Russian net‑minder whose VHL stats have sparked optimism about a future in North America.
On the Jim Rome Podcast, Spikes lauded Golesh’s leadership and offensive pedigree, sparking optimism among Auburn fans.
Russian goaltender Alexei Murygin, known for his record‑breaking 13 shutouts in a single KHL season, has died at 39 after a long fight with tonsil cancer. His career, marked by resilience and camaraderie with NHL players, left a lasting imprint on the sport.
Montreal is exploring a one‑year, $3.6 million deal with the 6‑4 right‑handed center after his promising playoff showing and prior trade history.
Eduard Mikhailovich Sandler, president and head coach of Dynamo Vladivostok, died on July 28 in a jet‑ski crash near Burny Business Centre. His death has shaken the Primorsky Krai sports community and Russian basketball.
The latest off‑season transfers see a Russian veteran back in the KHL, a Latvian prospect heading to the ECHL, and a North American netminder making the jump to the UK.
At 42, Sergei Fedorov returned to Russia’s KHL with Magnitogorsk Metallurg, showcasing a level of fitness that defied age and inspired teammates like goalie Georgiy Gelasvili.
Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov are set to attend Cristiano Ronaldo’s upcoming wedding, joining a guest list that includes Drake, Rihanna and Jennifer Lopez, while the event is expected to take place in late 2026 or 2027 in Portugal.
Jake Leschyshyn signs with HIFK Helsinki, Tim Gettinger heads to Sheffield Steelers, and Andy Andreoff’s KHL deal ends, signaling a broader shift of experienced players toward overseas competition.
Viacheslav Fetisov, Hall of Fame defenseman and Russian State Duma member, sharply criticized the International Ice Hockey Federation's decision to extend the ban on Russian national teams through the 2026‑27 season, accusing the federation of anti‑Russian bias and highlighting the human cost of the suspension.
A secret plan to offload a 20 % stake in the World Cup to private investors unraveled within weeks, triggering resignations, public denunciations and a crisis of confidence that now threatens Gianni Infantino’s grip on football’s world governing body.
The Boston Bruins announced their 2026 Prospects Showcase in Buffalo, while the IIHF extended sanctions on Russia and limited Belarusian participation, and several NHL clubs made notable roster decisions.
The International Ice Hockey Federation has prolonged Russia's ban through the 2027 men's World Championship in Germany, while Belarus faces a similar exclusion, and the IOC has lifted restrictions on Russian athletes, leaving participation decisions to sport federations.
The International Ice Hockey Federation announced that Russia will be excluded from four major world championships in 2027, continuing sanctions imposed after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The decision also postpones a vote on the women's world championship until November.
With the new PWHL campaign approaching, both the Minnesota Frost and Montréal Victoire are banking on standout netminders. Minnesota’s tandem has evolved into a clear starter, while Montréal’s recent champion leans on a veteran whose hockey IQ defines her game.
The International Ice Hockey Federation has confirmed that Russian and Belarusian clubs will remain barred from its flagship events during the 2026‑27 season, while the IOC considers a partial reinstatement.
The International Ice Hockey Federation has maintained Russia's exclusion from major tournaments through 2027, with a separate eligibility review for the women's world championship scheduled for November 2026. Meanwhile, Belarus has been granted limited participation in select events.
A look at the origins and meanings behind some of the most memorable nicknames in football history, from legendary monikers to quirky epithets.
Petar Aleksić, a decorated coach with nearly three decades of European basketball experience, has been appointed assistant coach for the Ole Miss men's basketball program, bringing a wealth of international knowledge and proven leadership.
Europe has historically dominated the World Cup, with six of the last eight tournaments being won by European sides. This pattern reflects more than just recent success; it is the product of deep‑rooted traditions that have shaped the sport on the continent for decades. Soccer’s appeal lies in its simplicity and low cost. A ball, a patch of grass and a handful of friends are enough to spark a match, which is why the game has spread to every corner of the globe. Yet those very qualities are wrapped in European rituals, from club histories to national narratives that date back centuries. At the centre of this ecosystem is FIFA, the Zurich‑based governing body that wields enormous influence over the sport’s commercial engine. The organization has mastered the art of turning a global tournament into a revenue‑generating spectacle, charging premium prices for broadcasting and sponsorship rights. The rest of the world often fields semi‑promising up‑and‑comers, aging veterans and opportunistic players who hope to make an impact on the biggest stage. While talent exists everywhere, the structural advantages held by European football ecosystems remain difficult to replicate. Commercialization is a double‑edged sword. Brands from across the globe, including Apple, Tesla and Shopify, have begun to associate themselves with the sport, but the financial barriers to entry remain high. Fans are willing to pay the steep costs because the tournament’s mystique endures. Sports are perpetual novelties; they are constantly discussed, endlessly marketed and never lacking in audience. The World Cup, despite its staggering price tags, continues to attract a global viewership that fuels further investment. Europe’s strategy moving forward is to double down on the advantages it already possesses — infrastructure, talent pipelines and a culture that prizes the beautiful game. This plan aims to keep the continent at the forefront of international competition. Canada does not enjoy the same historical foothold in soccer, and it currently lacks a coherent plan to exploit the sport’s global growth. Instead, the nation’s most reliable sporting advantage is hockey, a game that is not only deeply embedded in the culture but also the only completely self‑sustaining sport in the country. Figures such as Sidney Crosby illustrate the enduring legacy of Canadian hockey, while emerging talents like Macklin Celebrini signal a continued pipeline of world‑class players. In contrast, soccer’s global icons — including Lionel Messi — highlight a different kind of international stardom that Canada has yet to tap. The article argues that rather than chasing a sport in which it has no entrenched advantage, Canada should concentrate resources on hockey, leveraging its domestic strengths and the commercial appeal that the sport already commands.
In a recent street soccer tournament in Russia, Alex Ovechkin traded his hockey gear for a themed jersey, showcasing his skills, signing fans’ memorabilia and reflecting on the upcoming World Cup.