Another championship may be in the cards for Boston this weekend.
Yes. We’ve seen the snarky billboard mocking the x-amount of days since Boston’s last title.
And no. We’re not talking about the Bruins – who have a chance to win the Stanley Cup next week.
We’re talking about the famed soccer club Liverpool. You know, the team that LeBron James has a minority stake in? The Reds are owned by the Boston-based Fenway Sports Group – the same parent company that owns the Red Sox.
So, on Saturday, Boston can claim yet another championship should Liverpool win the UEFA Champions League Final over fellow English Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
Since 2001, Boston-area sports teams have won six Super Bowls, four World Series, a Stanley Cup and an NBA championship.
What’s in the water in New England? Tea?
Here’s your guide to the weekend’s biggest sports events:
French Open
Serena Williams, who this week wowed the world with her new match ensemble designed by Virgil Abloh, founder of luxury streetwear brand Off-White, faces fellow American Sofia Kenin – 17 years Serena’s junior – in the third round on Saturday. The two have never faced each other in a tournament.
Williams is seeking a record-tying 24th Grand Slam singles title in Paris – a tournament she’s won three times.
Also set to be in action this weekend are major winners Naomi Osaka, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
Watch it:
Saturday at 5 a.m.-12 p.m. ET on Tennis Channel and 12-3 p.m. ET on NBC
Sunday at 5 a.m.-12 p.m. ET on Tennis Channel and 12-3 p.m. ET on NBC
International viewers should check local listings.
US Women’s Open
Japan’s Mamiko Higa had quite a championship debut Thursday – her 6-under-par 65 was the lowest debut score by any player in championship history.
Higa, who is married to professional sumo wrestler Ikioi Shota, leads by 1.
There’s no summer vacation for Duke University sophomore amateur Gina Kim. The 19-year-old amateur, who just helped the Blue Devils win the NCAA team title two weeks ago, is also on the leaderboard.
Oh, and she hits shots like this…
Watch it:
Saturday 2-7 p.m. ET on FS1
Sunday 2-7 p.m. ET on FS1
International viewers should check local listings.
UEFA Champions League Final
Nicknamed the Super Bowl of Europe (and even that is doing the game a disservice), this particular contest looks to be the culmination of the greatest Champions League season of all time. The winner of the match between Tottenham and Liverpool will be crowned the champion of Europe – which isn’t a bad title to list on a resume.
Wanna watch the game live in person in Madrid? Good luck! Tickets are nearly impossible to find.
Watch it:
Saturday 3 p.m. ET on TNT, B/R Live
International viewers, check your local listings
PRO TIP: Tune in earlier (the broadcast starts at 1:30 p.m. ET) to check out Imagine Dragons, who will be performing at the opening ceremony.
The Memorial Tournament
Tiger Woods is playing. The 2019 Masters champion struggled mightily two weeks ago – missing the cut at the PGA Championship – but looked sharp during the first round of the Memorial Tournament in Ohio. Woods loves this course, as he has won five times at Muirfield Village. So chances are good he’ll make a weekend run.
Too bad former NFL great Peyton Manning couldn’t keep playing with Tiger this weekend. The two have played together for more than 20 years and were paired at Wednesday’s pro-am. They are hilarious.
Watch it:
Saturday 3-6 p.m. ET on CBS
Sunday 2:30-6 p.m. ET on CBS
International viewers should check local listings.
NHL Stanley Cup Final – Game 3
Game 2 ended in thrilling fashion. Rarely one to score, Carl Gunnarsson’s seeing-eye overtime winner sent St. Louis fans into delirium as the Blues evened the series against the Boston Bruins at one.
And yes, they play the late, great Laura Branigan’s 80’s hit “Gloria” everywhere when the Blues win. Even here. And with this thing.
Of course, Boston would love nothing more than to bring home yet another championship.
Watch it:
Saturday 8 p.m. ET on NBCSN
International viewers should check local listings.
Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr.
Anthony Joshua, regarded as the savior of boxing’s heavyweight division, fights for the first time on US soil. The unbeaten IBF, WBA and WBO champion has a record of 22-0, 21 knockouts.
The stage couldn’t be bigger – Madison Square Garden – the very place where CNN’s Don Riddell discovered Joshua’s biggest fear.
Andy Ruiz Jr. (32-1, 21 KOs) would like nothing better to stop the Brit in his tracks.
Watch it:
Saturday 9 p.m. ET on pay-per-view via DAZN
International viewers should check local listings.
NBA Finals – Game 2
Sure, everyone knows about the scoring exploits of Steph Curry and Kawhi Leonard (and the sideline bling from Toronto Raptors ambassador Drake), but Game 1’s star was a player who doesn’t usually grab headlines.
It was Pascal Siakam’s late father’s dream that he make it to the NBA. Nicknamed Spicy P, the Raptors forward hit 11-straight shots in the opener – the longest streak in the past 20 NBA Finals. Dad would be proud.
Game 1 featured some rare negative history for the defending champs. The Raptors home victory, meant the Golden State Warriors lost for just the second time in the NBA Finals since 2016.
Watch it:
Sunday 8 p.m. on ABC
International viewers should check local listings.
