Barcelona wins to set up Women's Champions League semifinal vs. Chelsea. PSG advances to face Lyon

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Barcelona wins to set up Women's Champions League semifinal vs. Chelsea. PSG advances to face Lyon

2024-03-29 06:15 Last Updated At：06:21

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Aitana Bonmatí led Barcelona to its sixth straight Women's Champions League semifinals on Thursday, scoring the opening goal in a 3-1 win over Brann that sets up a last-four clash with Chelsea.

The Ballon d'Or winner put the Catalan team in the driver's seat with a curling shot in the 24th minute before Fridolina Rolfo made it 2-0 from close range in the second half. Defender Tomine Svendheim cut the deficit 20 minutes from time before Patri Guijarro sealed Barcelona's win with two minutes left from Bonmatí’s pass.

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PSG's Marie-Antoinette Katoto controls the ball next to Hacken's Aivi Luik during the women's Champions League quarterfinals, second leg, soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and BK Hacken at Parc des Princes, in Paris, Thursday, March 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Aitana Bonmatí led Barcelona to its sixth straight Women's Champions League semifinals on Thursday, scoring the opening goal in a 3-1 win over Brann that sets up a last-four clash with Chelsea.

PSG's Sandy Baltimore shields the ball from Hacken's Clarissa Larisey, right, during the women's Champions League quarterfinals, second leg, soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and BK Hacken at Parc des Princes, in Paris, Thursday, March 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Hacken's Johanna Fossdalsa Sorensen, center, vies for the ball with PSG's Tabitha Chawinga, left, and Grace Geyoro during the women's Champions League quarterfinals, second leg, soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and BK Hacken at Parc des Princes, in Paris, Thursday, March 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

PSG's Korbin Albert, center left, celebrates after scoring her side's second goal during the women's Champions League quarterfinals, second leg, soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and BK Hacken at Parc des Princes, in Paris, Thursday, March 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

PSG's Marie-Antoinette Katoto reacts after a missed chance to score during the women's Champions League quarterfinals, second leg, soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and BK Hacken at Parc des Princes, in Paris, Thursday, March 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

PSG's Tabitha Chawinga, left, celebrates with her teammates after scoring the opening goal during the women's Champions League quarterfinals, second leg, soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and BK Hacken at Parc des Princes, in Paris, Thursday, March 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Barcelona's Caroline Graham Hansen, centre, in action during the women's Champions League quarterfinals, second leg, soccer match between FC Barcelona and SK Brann Kvinner at the Estadi Johan Cruyff in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, March 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Barcelona's Aitana Bonmati, right, challenges for the ball with Brann's Anna Nerland Aahjem during the women's Champions League quarterfinals, second leg, soccer match between FC Barcelona and SK Brann Kvinner at the Estadi Johan Cruyff in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, March 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Brann's head coach Martin Peter Ho, left, and Brann's goalkeeper Aurora Mikalsen react during the women's Champions League quarterfinals, second leg, soccer match between FC Barcelona and SK Brann Kvinner at the Estadi Johan Cruyff in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, March 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Barcelona's Aitana Bonmati, left, challenges for the ball with Brann's Tomine Svendheim during the women's Champions League quarterfinals, second leg, soccer match between FC Barcelona and SK Brann Kvinner at the Estadi Johan Cruyff in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, March 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Brann's head coach Martin Peter Ho reacts during the women's Champions League quarterfinals, second leg, soccer match between FC Barcelona and SK Brann Kvinner at the Estadi Johan Cruyff in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, March 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Barcelona's Ingrid Syrstad Engen, right, in action against Brann's Amalie Eikeland during the women's Champions League quarterfinals, second leg, soccer match between FC Barcelona and SK Brann Kvinner at the Estadi Johan Cruyff in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, March 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Barcelona's Salma Paralluelo in action during the women's Champions League quarterfinals, second leg, soccer match between FC Barcelona and SK Brann Kvinner at the Estadi Johan Cruyff in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, March 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Barcelona's Esmee Brugts, left, in action during the women's Champions League quarterfinals, second leg, soccer match between FC Barcelona and SK Brann Kvinner at the Estadi Johan Cruyff in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, March 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Barcelona's Caroline Graham Hansen, left, challenges for the ball with Brann's Tomine Svendheim during the women's Champions League quarterfinals, second leg, soccer match between FC Barcelona and SK Brann Kvinner at the Estadi Johan Cruyff in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, March 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Barcelona's Aitana Bonmati, left, challenges for the ball with Brann's Anna Nerland Aahjem during the women's Champions League quarterfinals, second leg, soccer match between FC Barcelona and SK Brann Kvinner at the Estadi Johan Cruyff in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, March 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

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BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Aitana Bonmatí led Barcelona to its sixth straight Women's Champions League semifinals on Thursday, scoring the opening goal in a 3-1 win over Brann that sets up a last-four clash with Chelsea.

PSG's Sandy Baltimore shields the ball from Hacken's Clarissa Larisey, right, during the women's Champions League quarterfinals, second leg, soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and BK Hacken at Parc des Princes, in Paris, Thursday, March 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Hacken's Johanna Fossdalsa Sorensen, center, vies for the ball with PSG's Tabitha Chawinga, left, and Grace Geyoro during the women's Champions League quarterfinals, second leg, soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and BK Hacken at Parc des Princes, in Paris, Thursday, March 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

PSG's Korbin Albert, center left, celebrates after scoring her side's second goal during the women's Champions League quarterfinals, second leg, soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and BK Hacken at Parc des Princes, in Paris, Thursday, March 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

PSG's Marie-Antoinette Katoto reacts after a missed chance to score during the women's Champions League quarterfinals, second leg, soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and BK Hacken at Parc des Princes, in Paris, Thursday, March 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

PSG's Tabitha Chawinga, left, celebrates with her teammates after scoring the opening goal during the women's Champions League quarterfinals, second leg, soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and BK Hacken at Parc des Princes, in Paris, Thursday, March 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Barcelona's Caroline Graham Hansen, centre, in action during the women's Champions League quarterfinals, second leg, soccer match between FC Barcelona and SK Brann Kvinner at the Estadi Johan Cruyff in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, March 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Barcelona's Aitana Bonmati, right, challenges for the ball with Brann's Anna Nerland Aahjem during the women's Champions League quarterfinals, second leg, soccer match between FC Barcelona and SK Brann Kvinner at the Estadi Johan Cruyff in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, March 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Brann's head coach Martin Peter Ho, left, and Brann's goalkeeper Aurora Mikalsen react during the women's Champions League quarterfinals, second leg, soccer match between FC Barcelona and SK Brann Kvinner at the Estadi Johan Cruyff in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, March 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Barcelona's Aitana Bonmati, left, challenges for the ball with Brann's Tomine Svendheim during the women's Champions League quarterfinals, second leg, soccer match between FC Barcelona and SK Brann Kvinner at the Estadi Johan Cruyff in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, March 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Brann's head coach Martin Peter Ho reacts during the women's Champions League quarterfinals, second leg, soccer match between FC Barcelona and SK Brann Kvinner at the Estadi Johan Cruyff in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, March 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Barcelona's Ingrid Syrstad Engen, right, in action against Brann's Amalie Eikeland during the women's Champions League quarterfinals, second leg, soccer match between FC Barcelona and SK Brann Kvinner at the Estadi Johan Cruyff in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, March 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Barcelona's Salma Paralluelo in action during the women's Champions League quarterfinals, second leg, soccer match between FC Barcelona and SK Brann Kvinner at the Estadi Johan Cruyff in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, March 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Barcelona's Esmee Brugts, left, in action during the women's Champions League quarterfinals, second leg, soccer match between FC Barcelona and SK Brann Kvinner at the Estadi Johan Cruyff in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, March 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Barcelona's Caroline Graham Hansen, left, challenges for the ball with Brann's Tomine Svendheim during the women's Champions League quarterfinals, second leg, soccer match between FC Barcelona and SK Brann Kvinner at the Estadi Johan Cruyff in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, March 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Barcelona's Aitana Bonmati, left, challenges for the ball with Brann's Anna Nerland Aahjem during the women's Champions League quarterfinals, second leg, soccer match between FC Barcelona and SK Brann Kvinner at the Estadi Johan Cruyff in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, March 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Defending champion Barcelona advanced 5-2 on aggregate after winning 2-1 in the quarterfinal first leg in Norway.

Chelsea reached the semifinals Wednesday following a 1-1 draw with Ajax. Chelsea advanced 4-1 on aggregate after winning the first leg 3-0 in Amsterdam.

Barcelona has now equaled Lyon’s record of consecutive semifinal appearances.

Barcelona beat Chelsea in last year's semifinals before going on to win the competition.

“We’ve got huge impetus for this rematch with Chelsea,” Bonmatí said. "This is the type of rivalry which inspires you every morning when you get up to go to work. You feel things are different. This type of match is why we became footballers in the first place.”

Later Thursday, Paris Saint-Germain set an all-French semifinal against Lyon by defeating Häcken 3-0 after winning the first leg 2-1.

Tabitha Chawinga, the French league's top scorer and leading assist maker, scored the opener at the Parc des Princes in the 27th minute. Korbin Albert doubled PSG's lead with a second-half long-range shot into the top corner and Marie-Antoinette Katoto completed the win with a header.

Lyon advanced to the last four for a record 13th time after a 4-1 win over Benfica. The record eight-time champion won 6-2 on aggregate after a 2-1 first leg win in Portugal.

The home-and-away semifinals will be played on April 20-21 and 27-28.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Knicks' trio of Villanova stars help them advance to 2nd round of East playoffs

2024-05-03 20:09 Last Updated At：20:21

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Josh Hart rattled a box of candy — “Mike and Ike’s, baby!” — to explain where he found the energy boost to hit the winning 3-pointer in Game 6. Hart then turned to his left and raised his right hand, expecting some love from Jalen Brunson.

Brunson left Hart hanging.

“Don’t dap him,” New York Knicks teammate Donte DiVincenzo chimed in.

Brunson joked that, yes, it was movie theater snacks that fueled Hart through the playoffs.

“It’s Mike and Ike’s. It’s popcorn,” Brunson said.

Hart then chucked some of the fruit-flavored candies toward reporters and encouraged them to try the candy. DiVincenzo buried his head in a microphone, unable to keep a straight face on a dais he shared with his two teammates.

Bonded by their desire to win a championship in New York — the Knicks’ 118-115 Game 6 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday night sent them to the second round — the trio are known more for their championship runs at Villanova.

They’re all doing their part to win a ring in the NBA.

Hall of Fame coach Jay Wright, the former Villanova coach and noted 76ers fan, was surely proud somewhere at the end of Game 6.

Take a look at the final Game 6 statistics: DiVincenzo hit five 3s and scored 23 points in 48 minutes; Brunson had 41 points and 12 assists and was the first NBA player to score 40 or more to close out a series since Michael Jordan for Chicago against Cleveland in 1989; Hart hit the go-ahead 3-pointer from the top of the arc with 24.4 seconds left and scored 16 points.

As thick as brothers, right?

“I can’t stand these dudes,” DiVincenzo deadpanned.

After small laughter died down, Hart then patted DiVincenzo on the knee and said they had “great friendship.”

“On a serious note,” DiVincenzo interjected, “I think on the court, you have the ability to bring everybody together, make adjustments, have that open line of communication with nobody taking offense. I think everybody’s goal here is to win. It’s easier when you have two guys you’ve played with (before). You know, sometimes when things get heated, you know it’s coming from the right place.”

The Nova trio — and the rest of the Knicks — have at least one more round ahead of them.

The Knicks are set for an Eastern Conference semifinal matchup with Indiana. The Pacers beat Milwaukee in six games and advanced to the second round for the first time in 10 years. Game 1 is Monday night in New York.

The Knicks are through to the second round in consecutive years for the first time since the postseasons from 1992-2000, and even then, nobody did what Brunson did in this series by scoring 40 points or more in each of the final three games. He became the first Knick to do that since Bernard King 40 years ago.

In a series defined by tight games, Hart hit the clutch shot that made it 114-111 and again had “Let’s go Knicks! Let’s go Knicks!” chants echoing throughout Philly’s home court.

“The fourth quarter was just one big play after the next,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said.

The fourth quarter was just one big “Let's go Knicks” roar after the next.

The Sixers’ strategy heading into Game 6 of their Eastern Conference first-round series was to keep Knicks fans out of Wells Fargo Center on Thursday night.

Team owners Josh Harris, David Blitzer and David Adelman and former minority owner Michael Rubin joined forces Wednesday to buy more than 2,000 tickets they handed out to people who serve the Philadelphia community.

It worked for about three quarters. By the end, though, Knicks fans turned South Philly into a little slice of Madison Square Garden.

“We knew it was going to be tough environment,” Hart said. “A little tougher than (Game 4) because it was 2,500 seats that were taken up.”

Just wait until they get back to the real deal at MSG next week.

Brunson hugged team president Leon Rose before he exited through the tunnel to “MVP! MVP!” chants from the fans clad in orange-and-blue that stuck around to the end — ready for one more series ahead.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA(backslash)

Barcelona wins to set up Women's Champions League semifinal vs. Chelsea. PSG advances to face Lyon

News

Barcelona wins to set up Women's Champions League semifinal vs. Chelsea. PSG advances to face Lyon

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Aitana Bonmatí led Barcelona to its sixth straight Women's Champions League semifinals on Thursday, scoring the opening goal in a 3-1 win over Brann that sets up a last-four clash with Chelsea.

PSG's Sandy Baltimore shields the ball from Hacken's Clarissa Larisey, right, during the women's Champions League quarterfinals, second leg, soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and BK Hacken at Parc des Princes, in Paris, Thursday, March 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

PSG's Korbin Albert, center left, celebrates after scoring her side's second goal during the women's Champions League quarterfinals, second leg, soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and BK Hacken at Parc des Princes, in Paris, Thursday, March 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

PSG's Marie-Antoinette Katoto reacts after a missed chance to score during the women's Champions League quarterfinals, second leg, soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and BK Hacken at Parc des Princes, in Paris, Thursday, March 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

PSG's Tabitha Chawinga, left, celebrates with her teammates after scoring the opening goal during the women's Champions League quarterfinals, second leg, soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and BK Hacken at Parc des Princes, in Paris, Thursday, March 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Barcelona's Caroline Graham Hansen, centre, in action during the women's Champions League quarterfinals, second leg, soccer match between FC Barcelona and SK Brann Kvinner at the Estadi Johan Cruyff in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, March 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Brann's head coach Martin Peter Ho reacts during the women's Champions League quarterfinals, second leg, soccer match between FC Barcelona and SK Brann Kvinner at the Estadi Johan Cruyff in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, March 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Barcelona's Ingrid Syrstad Engen, right, in action against Brann's Amalie Eikeland during the women's Champions League quarterfinals, second leg, soccer match between FC Barcelona and SK Brann Kvinner at the Estadi Johan Cruyff in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, March 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Barcelona's Salma Paralluelo in action during the women's Champions League quarterfinals, second leg, soccer match between FC Barcelona and SK Brann Kvinner at the Estadi Johan Cruyff in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, March 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Barcelona's Esmee Brugts, left, in action during the women's Champions League quarterfinals, second leg, soccer match between FC Barcelona and SK Brann Kvinner at the Estadi Johan Cruyff in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, March 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Aitana Bonmatí led Barcelona to its sixth straight Women's Champions League semifinals on Thursday, scoring the opening goal in a 3-1 win over Brann that sets up a last-four clash with Chelsea.

PSG's Sandy Baltimore shields the ball from Hacken's Clarissa Larisey, right, during the women's Champions League quarterfinals, second leg, soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and BK Hacken at Parc des Princes, in Paris, Thursday, March 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

PSG's Korbin Albert, center left, celebrates after scoring her side's second goal during the women's Champions League quarterfinals, second leg, soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and BK Hacken at Parc des Princes, in Paris, Thursday, March 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

PSG's Marie-Antoinette Katoto reacts after a missed chance to score during the women's Champions League quarterfinals, second leg, soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and BK Hacken at Parc des Princes, in Paris, Thursday, March 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

PSG's Tabitha Chawinga, left, celebrates with her teammates after scoring the opening goal during the women's Champions League quarterfinals, second leg, soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and BK Hacken at Parc des Princes, in Paris, Thursday, March 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Barcelona's Caroline Graham Hansen, centre, in action during the women's Champions League quarterfinals, second leg, soccer match between FC Barcelona and SK Brann Kvinner at the Estadi Johan Cruyff in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, March 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Brann's head coach Martin Peter Ho reacts during the women's Champions League quarterfinals, second leg, soccer match between FC Barcelona and SK Brann Kvinner at the Estadi Johan Cruyff in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, March 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Barcelona's Ingrid Syrstad Engen, right, in action against Brann's Amalie Eikeland during the women's Champions League quarterfinals, second leg, soccer match between FC Barcelona and SK Brann Kvinner at the Estadi Johan Cruyff in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, March 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Barcelona's Salma Paralluelo in action during the women's Champions League quarterfinals, second leg, soccer match between FC Barcelona and SK Brann Kvinner at the Estadi Johan Cruyff in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, March 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Barcelona's Esmee Brugts, left, in action during the women's Champions League quarterfinals, second leg, soccer match between FC Barcelona and SK Brann Kvinner at the Estadi Johan Cruyff in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, March 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

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