Son, Kim and Lee tasting success in Europe despite South Korea's soccer struggles

Son, Kim and Lee tasting success in Europe despite South Korea's soccer struggles

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea's national soccer team may be stumbling toward 2026 World Cup qualification and its clubs may have struggled in the Asian Champions League, but three of its biggest stars have been finding success in Europe. Kim Min-jaehelped German giant Bayern Munich lift the Bundesliga title, the 28-year-old defender's second major prize in Europe after winning the Italian championship with Napoli two years earlier. While Kim has two European trophies, the biggest star in Korean soccer isSon Heung-minand the 32-year-old forward is yet to win a major title. That could change next week with the Tottenham captain preparing to lead theLondon-based Spursin the Europa League final against Premier League rival Manchester United. "To complete the puzzle, you need every piece. Ultimately, I think, the most important final piece is still missing," Son, who joined Tottenham in 2015, told South Korea media in London on Monday. "I think I've been chasing that piece for 10 years. I'd love to finish that puzzle this time." Son was part of the Tottenham team that lost the 2019 UEFA Champions League final to Liverpool. Now, as the senior player, he's determined to end what has been a difficult season for club — Tottenham is currently 17th out of 20 teams in the Premier League — and country, on a high. "I think this will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, something I may never have again," Son said. "I hope I won't have regrets afterward. When I return to Korea after the season, I'd like to give my Korean fans and our Tottenham supporters the biggest smile I can bring." Son returned to action last weekend after an absence through injury but is set to start against Manchester United. The same is not automatically the case for Lee Kang-in. The 24-year-old Lee, an attacking midfielder has been struggling for playing time of late for Paris Saint-Germain. He has appeared in 11 UEFAChampions Leaguegames this season but was on the bench as the French club beat Arsenal in the semifinals to book a final against Inter Milan on May 31 in Munich. That game will marks the end of the European season and the start of transfer speculation. Lee has been linked with clubs elsewhere in Europe. So has Kim, whose season at Munich has been affected by injuries. "I want to keep playing for Munich," Kim said last month. "There's no reason why I should leave this team. I like playing for Munich. I want to continue playing for this team next season. It's one thing that's important to me right now." It remains to be seen where the three biggest stars in Korean football are in August but the focus is currently on winning three prizes in European club football and bringing some good news for fans at home. __ AP soccer:https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

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Son, Kim and Lee tasting success in Europe despite South Korea's soccer struggles

Son, Kim and Lee tasting success in Europe despite South Korea's soccer struggles SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea's national s...

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Warriors' Stephen Curry says he'll likely miss Game 5

Warriors' Stephen Curry says he'll likely miss Game 5

The Golden State Warriors are on the verge of playoff elimination, but their injured superstar doesn't expect to be back for the next game. Stephen Curry missed the Warriors' losses in Games 2, 3 and 4 against the Timberwolves due to a strained left hamstring, leaving Minnesota with a 3-1 lead in the Western Conference semifinals. After Game 4 on Monday in San Francisco, Curry told Andscape regarding the possibility of him returning for Game 5 in Minneapolis on Wednesday, "Even if I wanted to be Superman, I couldn't." The "Superman" remark referred to a comment by Golden State's Draymond Green after the Warriors' 117-110 loss on Monday. Asked about Curry's possible return in Game 5, Green said, "No, we're not going to Superman this thing. If he's in a place where he can play, I'm sure he will. Him and Rick (Celebrini, the team's vice president of player health and performance) and everybody will figure that out. But we don't need (Curry to try to be) Superman. "Gotta play the long game. If he can, we know he will. But there's no pressure. We've got to figure out how to win whether he plays or not." Curry got hurt in the second quarter of the series opener, but the Warriors won that game 99-88. They were blown out in Game 2, took a close loss in Game 3, then saw the Timberwolves pull away in the third quarter of Game 4 before the final score made the contest appear closer than it was. In the Warriors' seven-game win over the Houston Rockets in the first round of the playoffs, Curry averaged 24 points, 5.9 rebounds and 5.7 assists. He had 13 points in less than a half against Minnesota in Game 1. During the regular season, he averaged 24.5 points, 4.4 rebounds and six assists. The 11-time All-Star, two-time Most Valuable Player and four-time NBA champion is the league's all-time leader in 3-pointers. He has 4,058 career treys, nearly 900 more than the next player on the list, James Harden. --Field Level Media

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Warriors' Stephen Curry says he'll likely miss Game 5

Warriors' Stephen Curry says he'll likely miss Game 5 The Golden State Warriors are on the verge of playoff elimination, but their i...

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Novak Djokovic ends coaching partnership with Andy Murray

Novak Djokovic ends coaching partnership with Andy Murray

LONDON (AP) — Novak Djokovic is splitting with coach Andy Murray, just two weeks ahead of the French Open. Murray's representatives said in a statement Tuesday that the two former No. 1-ranked players will "no longer be working together." "Thanks to Novak for the unbelievable opportunity to work together and thanks to his team for all their hard work over the past six months," Murray was quoted as saying. "I wish Novak all the best for the rest of the season." Djokovic thanked Murray in a post on social media "for all the hard work, fun & support over last six months on & off the court." "I really enjoyed deepening our friendship together," Djokovic wrote. Djokovic and Murray joined forces ahead of the Australian Open in what initially was seen as an unlikely pairing. After Murray retired last year, Djokovic reached out with the coaching proposition. Djokovic said in February that Murray had agreed to stay on for an "indefinite" period, including "some clay-court tournaments" this season. Djokovic has yet to win a tournament this season, losing in the finals in Miami and Madrid to leave him one shy of 100th career title. ___ AP tennis:https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

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Novak Djokovic ends coaching partnership with Andy Murray

Novak Djokovic ends coaching partnership with Andy Murray LONDON (AP) — Novak Djokovic is splitting with coach Andy Murray, just two weeks a...

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Foreign overfishing in Senegal fuels migration to Spain, a report finds

Foreign overfishing in Senegal fuels migration to Spain, a report finds

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Overfishing by foreign vessels is decimating fish stocks in the West Africancountry of Senegal, which is in turn fueling migration to Spain, according to a report released Tuesday. The Environmental Justice Foundation, a London-based group specializing in environmental and human rights issues, said illegal overfishing and destructive practices by foreign vessels are responsible for increasedirregular migration to Spain. It based its conclusions on interviews with fishermen in Spain and Senegal and its prior research on foreign overfishing. The group found that 57% of fish stocks in Senegal are in a "state of collapse," with foreign vessels playing a significant role in declining numbers. Its analysis showed 43.7% of licensed vessels in Senegal are foreign-controlled, predominantly of Spanish and Chinese origin. As fish populations dwindle, local fishermen are facing income loss, and many have turned to migration as a last resort. Fishing is an important economic sector in Senegal that employs 3% of the workforce. Irregular migration to the Canary Islands almost doubled in 2024, according to the Spanish Interior Ministry, reaching 46,843. While exact figures aren't known due to a lack of information on departures from West Africa, Senegal is one of the top three nationalities of arrivals to the Spanish islands. The Atlantic route from West Africa to the Canary Islands is one of the deadliest in the world. The Spanish migrant rights group Walking Borders estimates the victims were in the thousands last year. Migrants and former fishermen in the Canary Islands told the Environmental Justice Foundation that the treacherous journey to Spain was a last resort, a way to provide for families when fishing in Senegal could no longer put food on the table. "If I was able to gain enough money in fishing, I would never have come to Europe," said Memedou Racine Seck. Local activists in Senegal have voiced their frustration with foreign overfishing and its contribution to the migration crisis. Karim Sall, President of AGIRE, a Senegalese organization operating in the Joal-Fadiouth marine protected area, condemned foreign nations for their role in the crisis. "I get so angry when (foreign nations) complain aboutimmigrationbecause they are the real pirates and what they did is worse than clandestine immigration. It's theft, plundering our resources to feed their own inhabitants while we suffer," said Sall. Industrial foreign fleets, many of which use bottom trawling techniques, are exacerbating the crisis. These vessels drag heavy nets across the seafloor, indiscriminately catching young fish and destroying marine ecosystems like seagrass and coral reefs, which are vital for fish reproduction. As a result, fish stocks are unable to recover, deepening the hardships of local fishing communities and eaters. Fish plays an important role in food security in Senegal, especially for protein consumption. Due to declining fish stocks, consumption per capita in Senegal has fallen from 29 kilograms per year to 17.8 kilograms per person. The report also pointed to a lack of transparency in fishing licenses and inadequate government management of fisheries as contributing factors. Despite efforts by the Senegalese government to address the crisis, experts warn that without stricter regulations on industrial foreign fleets, the situation will worsen. Migrant and former fisherman Souleymane Sady, who arrived in the Canary Islands in 2020, summed up the situation fishermen in Senegal face: "Since the government cannot regulate the boats and we cannot work normally, we choose to run away from the country to come for stability," he said. ____ Follow AP's Africa coverage at:https://apnews.com/hub/africa

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Foreign overfishing in Senegal fuels migration to Spain, a report finds

Foreign overfishing in Senegal fuels migration to Spain, a report finds DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Overfishing by foreign vessels is decimating f...

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AP PHOTOS: Trump begins four-day Middle East tour

AP PHOTOS: Trump begins four-day Middle East tour

PresidentDonald Trumpopened hisfour-day Mideast tripon Tuesday arriving in Saudi Arabia, the first leg of his three-nation visit this week meant to tackle multiple crises and conflicts across the region. This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.

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AP PHOTOS: Trump begins four-day Middle East tour

AP PHOTOS: Trump begins four-day Middle East tour PresidentDonald Trumpopened hisfour-day Mideast tripon Tuesday arriving in Saudi Arabia, t...

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