The Republic of Ireland and Israel players did not shake hands with each other before Sunday’s controversial Uefa Nations League game in Hungary.

After walking on to the pitch at Nagyerdei Stadion, the Republic of Ireland squad stood for their national anthem and appeared to bow their heads before Israel’s anthem.

Following the anthems, the two teams did not line up for the traditional handshakes.

There was also no exchange of pennants between Republic of Ireland captain Dara O’Shea and Israel skipper Manor Solomon, who did not shake hands.

The fixtures have been embroiled in controversy since February when the two teams were drawn to play each other in Group B3.

The Republic of Ireland players have faced calls to withdraw from the games because of the ongoing Israel-Gaza war with a “Stop The Game” campaign – organised by the pressure group Irish Sport for Palestine – gathering pace.

However, the players voted to fulfil the fixture during a lengthy meeting at the team’s hotel in Debrecen on Saturday.

Later on Saturday, goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu confirmed he had withdrawn from the squad, saying he felt it “would be wrong to participate” in Sunday’s game and the return fixture in Serbia on 4 October.

The Irish players wore black armbands, which Football Association of Ireland chief executive David Courell said on Saturday was a gesture “in recognition of all lives lost in the [Gaza] conflict”.

More to follow.

Team Europe regained the Laver Cup as newly-crowned US Open champion Alexander Zverev sealed victory against Learner Tien to complete a 13-5 success at The O2 in London on Sunday.

Zverev, who won the French Open and US Open titles this year, lived up to his ‘best player in the world’ tag to secure Laver Cup success give rival Carlos Alcaraz the day off.

The German clinched the trophy for Team Europe after defeating Tien in the second match of Sunday’s finale 7-6 (7-3) 6-3.

“I haven’t won a match here in two years, so I’m happy that I did it today,” said Zverev, who recorded his first Laver Cup singles victory since 2024.

“Massive credit to the entire Team World. They pushed us all the way again. They were champions last year. This year, we had a great team chemistry and I’m very happy that we won.”

Zverev had been talked up by Alcaraz after recent Grand Slam wins before this Ryder Cup-style event at The O2, but he lost in the doubles on Friday and let slip multiple match points against Alex De Minaur on Saturday.

Alcaraz wrestled back the initiative at the end of day two before Zverev teamed up with Casper Ruud to triumph in the doubles and leave Team Europe only two victories from glory ahead of Sunday’s session.

After initially falling a break behind, Cobolli and Mensik settled into their rhythm and took control, racing past Team World’s De Minaur and Taylor Fritz 7-5 6-3 to stretch Europe’s lead to 10-5.

Flavio Cobolli and Jakub Mensik moved the boys in blue a step closer by beating Fritz and De Minaur in the doubles, which opened the door for Zverev to bring a run of three defeats in four editions for Team Europe to an end.

Zverev struggled against rookie Tien, although did have the insurance policy of team-mate Alcaraz up next if required, but the two-time major winner secured victory to help Team Europe prevail in front of tournament co-founder Roger Federer, who was sitting alongside Hollywood A-lister Leonardo DiCaprio.

Seven-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz, who returned at the US Open after a lengthy lay-off due to a wrist injury, had been scheduled to face Australian De Minaur in a later singles match.

Rising 20-year-old Spaniard Rafael Jodar was due to play Fritz, but ⁠neither match was needed after Zverev wrapped up the contest.

“We had three chances to close ​it out in the singles,” Zverev added. “Especially with Carlos playing after me, I think ​that gives me a lot of confidence and gives me a little bit of freedom to play.

“But still, ​it was an incredibly tough match. Credit to Learner as well.

“I think Carlos is also very happy that ⁠I closed it out. And me too, by the way! I’m very happy that I won.”

Europe have now won six of the nine editions.

Czechs claim 12th Billie Jean King Cup crown

Czech Republic brushed ‌aside Ukraine to win their 12th Billie Jean King Cup title in Shenzhen with Karolina ​Muchova and Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova delivering an unassailable 2-0 lead in the final.

Wimbledon runner-up Muchova swept past Anhelina Kalinina 6-2 6-3 in the opening singles ​rubber before Noskova toppled world No 7 Elina Svitolina 6-3 7-6 (7-5) to ‌seal the title.

The Czechs are the second-most successful nation in the history of the premier international women’s team competition, behind the ​USA, who hold a record 18 titles.

Ukraine were seeking their first Billie Jean King Cup crown.

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