Sports Action Weekly: Euro 2024 Showdowns, NBA Moves, Wimbledon Thrills

This week's sports news highlights include a guide to the Euro 2024 quarter-finals, LeBron James' new deal with the Lakers, the Lakers' coaching staff updates, Wimbledon victories from Alcaraz and Fognini, and Shohei Ohtani sitting out of the home run derby. Key performances and upcoming fixtures are also noted.

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Soccer-Quick guide to Euro 2024 quarter-finals

The eight remaining teams at the European Championship will take centre stage in the quarter-finals to be played on Friday and Saturday. Here is a quick guide to the fixtures (times in GMT). SPAIN v GERMANY

NBA-James signs two-year deal to stick with Lakers - reports

LeBron James, the NBA's all-time leading scorer, has agreed to sign a two-year, $104-million maximum contract to return to the Los Angeles Lakers, according to multiple reports on Wednesday. Both ESPN and The Athletic, citing sources, said four-times NBA champion James would have a player option for the 2025-26 season and a no-trade clause.

Report: Lakers hiring assistants Scott Brooks, Nate McMillan

The Los Angeles Lakers are adding a ton of experience to first-time head coach JJ Redick's staff. ESPN reported Wednesday that longtime head coaches Nate McMillan and Scott Brooks are coming aboard as Redick's top assistants for 2024-25.

Tennis-Alcaraz shakes off cobwebs to ease past Vukic into Wimbledon third round

Defending Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz made a shaky start against unseeded Australian Aleksandar Vukic but moved through the gears to seal a 7-6(5) 6-2 6-2 victory and power into the third round on Wednesday. The result extended Alcaraz's winning run at the grasscourt Grand Slam to nine matches but the Spaniard could face a tricky test in his next match against American 29th seed Frances Tiafoe who beat Borna Coric 7-6(5) 6-1 6-3.

Tennis-Inspired Fognini knocks out eighth seed Ruud at Wimbledon

Swaggering Italian Fabio Fognini rolled back the years with a dazzling display to knock out Wimbledon eighth seed Casper Ruud 6-4 7-5 6-7(1) 6-3 and reach the third round on Wednesday. The 37-year-old former top-10 player, these day sporting peroxide blond hair, produced his trademark brand of languid shot-making to largely dominate Ruud on Court Two.

Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani to skip home run derby

Shohei Ohtani is planning to skip the annual midseason home run derby. The Los Angeles Dodgers slugger belted a go-ahead home run on Tuesday night, his league-best 27th, but said his recovery and rehabilitation from offseason elbow surgery will prevent him from taking part in the July 15 event held the day before the All-Star Game at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.

MLB roundup: Dodgers earn walk-off win over D-backs

Teoscar Hernandez drove in three runs, including the game-winner on a ninth-inning single, as the Los Angeles Dodgers rallied for a 6-5 victory over the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday. Shohei Ohtani hit a two-run home run as part of a three-hit night, helping the Dodgers prevail after they lost two of three games over the weekend at San Francisco. Hernandez also had three hits.

Tennis-Gauff crushes qualifier Todoni to reach Wimbledon third round

Coco Gauff did not look at her imperious best under the roof on Wimbledon's Court One on Wednesday but she was always in control of an error-strewn second-round 6-2 6-1 victory over Romanian qualifier Anca Todoni. The U.S. Open champion slipped and fell twice on the slick court and muttered to herself during the one hour six minute match against an opponent ranked 140 places below her.

Soccer-Golden boots and title chances - Euro 2024 in numbers

With eight teams left in the tournament the numbers around Euro 2024 are becoming clearer, with Spain, England and France all considered likely winners and a race for top scorer that is still very tight. The Opta Analyst prediction index gives Spain a 19.48% chance of adding a fourth European championship title and a first since 2012, with England hot on their heels at 18.98% despite very unconvincing performances.

Soccer-Turkey snatch Euro dark horses tag from Austria in last-16 win

Turkey wrested the dark horses tag from Austria's grasp in a pulsating Euro 2024 last-16 match on Tuesday, sparking celebrations in Turkish communities around the world, even as far away as Toronto. Merih Demiral scored both goals in the 2-1 full-throttle victory that injected Turkish fans with hope of another long Euros run after their narrow 3-2 loss in the 2008 semi-finals.