CULTURE

Footer Column 2

Footer Legal

Footer Main

Nav Bar

OTHER

SPORTS

Subscribe, at any level, to play

Thanks for your interest in Defector Crosswords!

Become a subscriber today to get unlimited access

Thanks for reading!

Plans start at $8/month.

Subscribers enjoy unlimited, ad-free browsing.

Register to continue

Or click here to subscribe for unlimited, ad-free access!

Our gift to you: This year's post is unlocked. Register your email to get even more free articles.

Welcome to the 2025 Hater's Guide!

Just register your email:

This blog is free to read.

This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

Defector

Luis Paez-Pumar

Players of Denmark celebrate their side's victory in front of the fans after the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Quarter-final match between Czech Republic and Denmark at Baku Olimpiya Stadionu on July 03, 2021 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Soccer

Why Not Denmark?

Germany's forward Thomas Mueller reacts to missing a goal opportunity during the UEFA EURO 2020 round of 16 football match between England and Germany at Wembley Stadium in London on June 29, 2021.

Germany Can Finally Start Over

Switzerland's goalkeeper Yann Sommer reacts after saving a shot by France's forward Kylian Mbappe in the penalty shootout during the UEFA EURO 2020 round of 16 football match between France and Switzerland at the National Arena in Bucharest on June 28, 2021

No One Is Safe At The Euros

Matthijs de Ligt of Netherlands looks dejected after being shown a red card during the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Round of 16 match between Netherlands and Czech Republic at Puskas Arena on June 27, 2021 in Budapest, Hungary.

The Netherlands Blew It, Again

Aymeric Laporte of Spain celebrates with Koke after scoring their side's second goal during the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Group E match between Slovakia and Spain at Estadio La Cartuja on June 23, 2021 in Seville, Spain.

This Is What Spain Should Be

Venezuela's Ronald Hernandez celebrates after scoring against Ecuador during their Conmebol Copa America 2021 football tournament group phase match at the Nilton Santos Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on June 20, 2021.

The Pain, Delusion, And Potential Glory In Rooting For Venezuela

Manuel Locatelli of Italy celebrates with Nicolo Barella after scoring their side's first goal during the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Group A match between Italy and Switzerland at Olimpico Stadium on June 16, 2021 in Rome, Italy.

Meet The New Italy, The Euros’ Most Entertaining Side

Patrik Schick of Czech Republic celebrates after scoring their side's second goal during the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Group D match between Scotland v Czech Republic at Hampden Park on June 14, 2021 in Glasgow, Scotland.

Patrik Schick Just Ripped Out Scotland’s Heart With A 50-Yard Goal

Liverpool's Dutch midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum leaves the pitch after being substituted off during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on May 23, 2021.

Gini Wijnaldum Gave Liverpool Exactly What It Needed

Gareth Southgate, Manager of England looks on prior to the FIFA World Cup 2022 Qatar qualifying match between Albania and England at the Qemal Stafa Stadium on March 28, 2021 in Tirana, Albania.

England Is Ready Now, But Gareth Southgate Might Not Be

David De Gea of Manchester United removes their medal as they make their way past the UEFA Europa League Trophy following the UEFA Europa League Final between Villarreal CF and Manchester United at Gdansk Arena on May 26, 2021 in Gdansk, Poland

David De Gea Had The Worst Penalty Shootout Performance Imaginable

Bryn Forbes #7 of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts after his three point basket in the second quarter against the Miami Heat during Game Two of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Miami Heat at Fiserv Forum on May 24, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The Bucks Couldn’t Miss

Gareth Bale of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates with teammate Sergio Reguilon after scoring his team's fourth goal during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur at The King Power Stadium on May 23, 2021 in Leicester, England.

Leicester City Did, In Fact, Blow It Again

Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts after scoring in overtime against Duncan Robinson #55 of the Miami Heat during Game 1 of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Miami Heat at Fiserv Forum on May 22, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Ugly Playoff Basketball Games Are Uniquely Thrilling

Atletico Madrid's players celebrate after winning the Spanish league football match against Real Valladolid FC and the Liga Championship title at the Jose Zorilla stadium in Valladolid on May 22, 2021.

Atlético Madrid Won La Liga The Hard Way

A member of the crowd gestures towards James Maddison of Leicester City during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Leicester City at Stamford Bridge on May 18, 2021 in London, England.

It Sure Looks Like Leicester City Might Blow It, Again

Jorginho of Chelsea battles for possession with Kieran Tierney of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on May 12, 2021 in London, England.

The Premier League Top Four Race Is Wide Open Thanks To Jorginho’s Boner

A fan of the Columbus Crew SC holds up a scarf showing his support for keeping the team in Columbus prior to the start of the match between the Columbus Crew SC and the Toronto FC at MAPFRE Stadium on November 21, 2017 in Columbus, Ohio.

The Columbus Crew Have A Stupid New Name Because MLS Can’t Help Itself

Timo Werner of Chelsea scores his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final Second Leg match between Chelsea and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge on May 05, 2021 in London, England

Chelsea Is Terrifying, Even When It Can’t Finish Its Chances

Manchester United's Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani (L) shoots past Roma's Italian goalkeeper Antonio Mirante to score their third goal during the UEFA Europa League semi-final, first leg football match between Manchester United and Roma at Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, north west England, on April 29, 2021.

Edinson Cavani’s Dimming Star Can Still Shine Brightly

Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels hits a double against the Texas Rangers in the second inning at Globe Life Field on April 26, 2021 in Arlington, Texas.

Shohei Ohtani Highlights Have Made Me Care About Baseball Again

A photo shows a grafiti entitled "The failed coup" (Il Golpe Fallito) by Italian artist Laika, showing Juventus President Andrea Agnelli puncturing a football, near the headquarters of the Italian Football Federation in Rome on April 21, 2021.

The Best Laid Plans Of Mice And Morons

Banners and football scarves are tied to the fences around Anfield Stadium, the home of Liverpool Football Club, in protest at the club's intentions to join the European Super League on April 20, 2021 in Liverpool, United Kingdom.

The European Super League Is Already Showing Cracks

Players of Slavia Praha look dejected after Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal scored his team's second goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Europa League Quarter Final Second Leg match between Slavia Praha and Arsenal FC at Sinobo Stadium on April 15, 2021 in Prague, Czech Republic

Arsenal Protests Racism With A Pregame Knee And An In-Game Beatdown

Paris Saint-Germain's French forward Kylian Mbappe, Paris Saint-Germain's Senegalese midfielder Idrissa Gueye celebrate after winning the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and FC Bayern Munich at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, on April 13, 2021