More than the Score

Dave Ryding is the only British Alpine skier to ever win a World Cup race. His 2022 victory in the slalom at Kitzbuhel also saw him become the oldest man to ever win a World Cup slalom, aged 35.Ryding's career started years later than those of his peers, and in very different circumstances to skiers from the traditional Alpine superpowers. Dave learned to ski as a teenager on the plastic dry slope at Pendle in Lancashire, a world away from the snowy mountains where he would make his name more than a decade later. Through years of persistence and struggle, he finally reached the top of the sport, having taken a journey unlike any other.Now, aged 39, Dave Ryding is set to bring a close to his racing career in the men's slalom at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Earlier this year, he spoke to former British Olympic skier Chemmy Alcott for the BBC's Ski Sunday programme about his decades in the sport, revealing what first brought him to the plastic slope that would change his life. Dave also shares how running a cafe with his wife played a major role in shaping his sporting success, and looks to what the future might bring when he crosses the finish line for the final time.Chemmy also joins the BBC's Ed Harry to discuss the qualities that enabled Dave Ryding to reach unprecedented heights for a British skier, and the legacy he now leaves for the sport.Every Monday to Friday, More than the Score tells stories beyond the scoreline from all over the world of sport. From the Winter Olympics to the Super Bowl, the Australian Open to the Diamond League, and netball to Formula 1. We've got interviews with extraordinary athletes like Albania's skiing star Lara Colturi, snowboarding icon Scotty James and cycling sprint king Harrie Lavreysen, as well as the experts working behind the scenes, from the referees who run VAR to the coaches keeping athletes in peak form. Plus, we've got the expertise of the BBC's top journalists, who share their insights from decades of covering sport at all levels. And if you've got your own take on the stories we cover, we'd love to hear from you. Email morethanthescore@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp us on 0044 800 032 0470. You can find more information, along with our privacy notice, on our website: www.bbcworldservice.com/morethanthescore

Earlier this month, Liverpool and Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk commented that some former footballers who now work as pundits go too far in their criticism of young players. Speaking to Sky Sports' Gary Neville, he argued that "sometimes criticism also goes into being clickbait, saying things to provoke things, and without thinking about the repercussions for the mental side of players, and especially the younger generation, who are constantly on social media."Van Dijk's words have sparked plenty of debate among fans and pundits alike, but where does the line lie between fair comment and criticism for criticism's sake? Are pundits too hungry for headlines, or are players too sensitive to feedback?Former Scotland international Pat Nevin has worked in the media for three decades, following a distinguished playing career for clubs including Chelsea, Everton and Tranmere Rovers. He tells John Bennett how he was able to ignore media criticism during his own playing career, and says that there's now more pressure on pundits to have stronger opinions to keep their names in the public eye.Marcel van der Kraan, the chief sports editor for Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, compares the tone of punditry in the Netherlands to that in the UK, and explains the kind of criticism Virgil van Dijk has faced from big names in Dutch football during his career. He also argues that the press risk damaging the careers of promising young managers by expecting too much from them too early in their careers.Every Monday to Friday, More than the Score tells stories beyond the scoreline from all over the world of sport. From the Winter Olympics to the Super Bowl, the Australian Open to the Diamond League, and netball to Formula 1. We've got interviews with extraordinary athletes like Albania's skiing star Lara Colturi, snowboarding icon Scotty James and cycling sprint king Harrie Lavreysen, as well as the experts working behind the scenes, from the referees who run VAR to the coaches keeping athletes in peak form. Plus, we've got the expertise of the BBC's top journalists, who share their insights from decades of covering sport at all levels. And if you've got your own take on the stories we cover, we'd love to hear from you. Email morethanthescore@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp us on 0044 800 032 0470. You can find more information, along with our privacy notice, on our website: www.bbcworldservice.com/morethanthescore

Polo is one of the world's oldest team sports, believed to have origins that date back more than 2,000 years, in which two teams of horse riders compete to hit a ball against posts at either end of a playing field. It might not seem like a place for innovation - but over the past decade, polo has been transformed by the use of cloned horses.At the heart of the cloning boom is Argentinian Adolfo Cambiaso, the man regarded as polo's greatest ever player. A decade ago, he took to the field with six identical horses, each cloned from his favourite mare, Cuartetera. Cambiaso and his cloned horses now dominate the sport - but what does that mean for the future of equine sports, and how far might people be willing to go in search of the "perfect" polo horse?The BBC's Marnie Chesterton has been to Argentina to see the polo fields and scientific laboratories where this story has played out. She talks to Ed Harry about how the experiment began, the big money that it's attracted, and the ethical concerns it's raised.You can hear Marnie's documentary, Game of Clones, in the BBC World Service's Documentary Podcast.Every Monday to Friday, More than the Score tells stories beyond the scoreline from all over the world of sport. From the Winter Olympics to the Super Bowl, the Australian Open to the Diamond League, and netball to Formula 1. We've got interviews with extraordinary athletes like Albania's skiing star Lara Colturi, snowboarding icon Scotty James and cycling sprint king Harrie Lavreysen, as well as the experts working behind the scenes, from the referees who run VAR to the coaches keeping athletes in peak form. Plus, we've got the expertise of the BBC's top journalists, who share their insights from decades of covering sport at all levels. And if you've got your own take on the stories we cover, we'd love to hear from you. Email morethanthescore@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp us on 0044 800 032 0470. You can find more information, along with our privacy notice, on our website: www.bbcworldservice.com/morethanthescore

The 2021 US Open tennis champion Emma Radacanu is looking for the 10th coach of her career so how do coaches and athletes build successful partnerships? The BBC’s Lee James is joined by tennis journalist Molly McElwee and renowned boxing coach Joe Gallagher. McElwee believes Radacanu and Francis Roig had a difference in philosophy in how to play and that a player needs to have faith in a coach if a partnership is going to work for the long-term. She also tells us change can be a good thing for an athlete.Gallagher has led a number of fighters to world titles and he’s been named coach of the year on multiple occasions. He tells Lee how he builds a relationship with a fighter and says it can take up to two years to be in sync with a boxer. He also admits he’s sometimes guilty of getting too emotionally attached to his athletes.Every Monday to Friday, More than the Score tells stories beyond the scoreline from all over the world of sport. From the Winter Olympics to the Super Bowl, the Australian Open to the Diamond League, and netball to Formula 1. We've got interviews with extraordinary athletes like Albania's skiing star Lara Colturi, snowboarding icon Scotty James and cycling sprint king Harrie Lavreysen, as well as the experts working behind the scenes, from the referees who run VAR to the coaches keeping athletes in peak form. Plus, we've got the expertise of the BBC's top journalists, who share their insights from decades of covering sport at all levels. And if you've got your own take on the stories we cover, we'd love to hear from you. Email morethanthescore@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp us on 0044 800 032 0470. You can find more information, along with our privacy notice, on our website: www.bbcworldservice.com/morethanthescore

Ilia Malinin, Kaori Sakamoto and Matteo Rossi are among the figure skaters who've already lit up the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Figure skating and ice dance are among the most-watched sports at any Games, with crowds enthralled by the flair, risk and technical brilliance. But what goes into making a winning routine? Ed Harry speaks to Benoit Richaud and Robin Cousins, two men who know what it takes to wow judges, stadiums and viewers around the world.Benoit Richaud is one of figure skating's most acclaimed and in-demand choreographers. He's working with 16 skaters at this year's Games, including Tomas-Llorenc Guarino Sabate, with whom he devised a routine based on the hit Minions movie franchise that's already hit the headlines all over the world. Benoit explains how music is at the root of everything he does, why he visualises his programmes as being like cinema, and his search for viral moments that will connect with audiences in the arena and at home. Robin Cousins became a sporting hero in the UK when he won men's figure skating gold at the 1980 Lake Placid Winter Olympics. Now a commentator for the BBC, he's spent more than 50 years at the heart of figure skating, having choreographed his first routine as a 12-year-old junior. Robin discusses how the sport has been transformed in that time, the vital importance of emotional connection between performers, music and the audience, and the moments that make him sit up and take notice. He also reveals why, though it may not challenge for medals, Tomas-Llorenc Guarino Sabate's Minions routine is among his favourites in this year's field.Every Monday to Friday, More than the Score tells stories beyond the scoreline from all over the world of sport. From the Winter Olympics to the Super Bowl, the Australian Open to the Diamond League, and netball to Formula 1. We've got interviews with extraordinary athletes like speed skating legend Arianna Fontana, snowboarding icon Scotty James, and Albania's teen skiing star Lara Colturi, as well as the experts working behind the scenes, from the referees who run VAR to the coaches keeping athletes in peak form. Plus, we've got the expertise of the BBC's top journalists, who share their insights from decades of covering sport at all levels. And if you've got your own take on the stories we cover, we'd love to hear from you. Email morethanthescore@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp us on 0044 800 032 0470. You can find more information, along with our privacy notice, on our website: www.bbcworldservice.com/morethanthescore

The tenth edition of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup is being co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Defending champions India are the strong favourites but could South Africa build on their recent success and go all the way? Beaten finalists in 2024, the Proteas travel to the sub-continent as World Test Champions. India cricket commentator, Prakash Wakankar, explains to Delyth Lloyd why he can't see anyone stopping India captain Suryakumar Yadav and his teammates winning back-to-back World Cups.South Africa has some big hitters in their batting line-up including, Dewald Brevis. ESPN's Southern Africa & Women's Cricket Correspondent, Firdose Moonda, discusses his potential and whether he can lead his team to their first ever T20 World Cup. Every Monday to Friday, More than the Score tells stories beyond the scoreline from all over the world of sport. From the Winter Olympics to the Super Bowl, the Australian Open to the Diamond League, and netball to Formula 1. We've got interviews with extraordinary athletes like Albania's skiing star Lara Colturi, snowboarding icon Scotty James and cycling sprint king Harrie Lavreysen, as well as the experts working behind the scenes, from the referees who run VAR to the coaches keeping athletes in peak form. Plus, we've got the expertise of the BBC's top journalists, who share their insights from decades of covering sport at all levels. And if you've got your own take on the stories we cover, we'd love to hear from you. Email morethanthescore@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp us on 0044 800 032 0470. You can find more information, along with our privacy notice, on our website: www.bbcworldservice.com/morethanthescore

Arianna Fontana is Italy's most-decorated Winter Olympian. She won her first Olympic short-track speed skating medal in 2006, when she was just 15 years old. Twenty years on, Fontana heads into Milan-Cortina as one of the faces of this year's Games. She'll be carrying the Italian flag in the opening ceremony, before bidding to add to her tally of 11 Olympic medals - including golds in the 500m at both the 2018 and 2022 Games.Earlier this year, Arianna Fontana spoke to the BBC's Ed Harry from her home town in the Italian Alps about how far she's come from that first Olympic medal to now. She explains how she's spent two decades at the top of one of the most intense and unpredictable sports in the Olympic programme, and how she manages to stay in control at high speed on the ice when surrounded by her rivals.Fontana also talks about why she's spent four years on the road with her husband and coach, Anthony Lobello, to prepare for the Games, and how the dynamic between them works. And as she gets ready to race at an Olympics in Italy for a second time, Fontana shares what competing in her home country means to her.Every Monday to Friday, More than the Score tells stories beyond the scoreline from all over the world of sport. From the Winter Olympics to the Super Bowl, the Australian Open to the Diamond League, and netball to Formula 1. We've got interviews with extraordinary athletes like Albania's skiing star Lara Colturi, snowboarding icon Scotty James and cycling sprint king Harrie Lavreysen, as well as the experts working behind the scenes, from the referees who run VAR to the coaches keeping athletes in peak form. Plus, we've got the expertise of the BBC's top journalists, who share their insights from decades of covering sport at all levels. And if you've got your own take on the stories we cover, we'd love to hear from you. Email morethanthescore@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp us on 0044 800 032 0470. You can find more information, along with our privacy notice, on our website: www.bbcworldservice.com/morethanthescore

Super Bowl LX between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks will have an estimated global audience of over 127 million. The field at the Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, not only has to cater for the players and dozens of staff, but also the pre-game and half-time festivities that help to make Super Bowl Sunday such a huge cultural phenomenon.Jordan Achay was part of the grounds crew that handled the 2022 Super Bowl which was held at Los Angeles' SoFi Stadium. He tells John Bennett why preparing the turf must start months, sometimes years in advance. He also explains the challenges the event's famous half-time show brings - this year featuring Puerto Rican pop star Bad Bunny. Former Buffalo Bills coach, Phoebe Schecter, explains what coaches and players are looking for from a Super Bowl field.Every Monday to Friday, More than the Score tells stories beyond the scoreline from all over the world of sport. From the Winter Olympics to the Super Bowl, the Australian Open to the Diamond League, and netball to Formula 1. We've got interviews with extraordinary athletes like Ivory Coast legend Yaya Toure, boxing royalty Cecilia Braekhus and cycling sprint king Harrie Lavreysen, as well as the experts working behind the scenes, from the referees who run VAR to the coaches keeping athletes in peak form. Plus, we've got the expertise of the BBC's top journalists, who share their insights from decades of covering sport at all levels. And if you've got your own take on the stories we cover, we'd love to hear from you. Email morethanthescore@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp us on 0044 800 032 0470. You can find more information, along with our privacy notice, on our website: www.bbcworldservice.com/morethanthescore

More than 3500 athletes from 93 countries will be competing for 195 medals at the Milan-Cortina Games. Three countries will be making their Winter Olympic debuts at the 2026 Games, the African nations of Benin and Guinea Bissau along with the United Arab Emirates. But with the established winter sport nations such as Norway, the United States of America, Canada and Germany looking to dominate the medal table once again, how hard is it for new countries to compete on the world stage?Eight African nations will be represented this time with Eritrea, Kenya, Madagascar, Morocco, Nigeria and South Africa along with the two debutants taking part. South Africa is sending its largest ever team with five athletes, but over six decades since an African nation made its Winter Olympics debut, the continent's first medal remains elusive.Matt Smith only took up the sport three years ago and is now going to be South Africa's sole cross-country skier in the upcoming games. He tells Lee James why he hopes his inclusion can inspire generations to come, and why he's been nicknamed the 'Snowbok'. Simidele Adeagbo became the first Nigerian to compete at the Winter Olympics in 2018 and was the first black female Olympian in the sport of Skeleton. She says with a more than a billion people on the African continent it's important its athletes are proportionately represented when it comes to the Winter Olympics. Every Monday to Friday, More than the Score tells stories beyond the scoreline from all over the world of sport. From the Winter Olympics to the Super Bowl, the Australian Open to the Diamond League, and netball to Formula 1. We've got interviews with extraordinary athletes like Ivory Coast legend Yaya Toure, boxing royalty Cecilia Braekhus and cycling sprint king Harrie Lavreysen, as well as the experts working behind the scenes, from the referees who run VAR to the coaches keeping athletes in peak form. Plus, we've got the expertise of the BBC's top journalists, who share their insights from decades of covering sport at all levels. And if you've got your own take on the stories we cover, we'd love to hear from you. Email morethanthescore@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp us on 0044 800 032 0470. You can find more information, along with our privacy notice, on our website: www.bbcworldservice.com/morethanthescore

With transfer windows closing in some of Europe's major leagues on February 2nd, we hear from one of the most powerful agents in football. Rafaela Pimenta's clients include Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, Liverpool manager Arne Slot and 17-year-old Mexican wonderkid Gilberto Mora.In an in-depth interview with the BBC’s Simon Stone, Pimenta discusses the sexism she has faced during her career and she gives her thoughts on the transfer window. Pimenta says "We are in a transfer window, and I can bet you, because I see it at the end of every window, somebody will cry. There's always a player crying because he could have gone, needed to go and a club said they want £1m more." Every Monday to Friday, More than the Score tells stories beyond the scoreline from all over the world of sport. From the Winter Olympics to the Super Bowl, the Australian Open to the Diamond League, and netball to Formula 1. We've got interviews with extraordinary athletes like Ivory Coast legend Yaya Toure, boxing royalty Cecilia Braekhus and cycling sprint king Harrie Lavreysen, as well as the experts working behind the scenes, from the referees who run VAR to the coaches keeping athletes in peak form. Plus, we've got the expertise of the BBC's top journalists, who share their insights from decades of covering sport at all levels. And if you've got your own take on the stories we cover, we'd love to hear from you. Email morethanthescore@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp us on 0044 800 032 0470. You can find more information, along with our privacy notice, on our website: www.bbcworldservice.com/morethanthescore

Lara Colturi is only 19 years old, but she's already one of the world's best slalom skiers, with four podium finishes in this season's World Cup. She heads into the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina with the chance of making history, by becoming Albania's first Winter Olympic medallist.In an interview recorded earlier this year for BBC TV's Ski Sunday, Colturi talks to former British Olympic skier Chemmy Alcott about her career so far, her decision to focus on skiing rather than figure skating, and how she came to compete for Albania despite being born and raised in Italy.Alcott also joins the BBC's Ed Harry to discuss Lara Colturi's Olympic chances, and how she's adapted to competing on the World Cup circuit at such a young age.We also hear from Alesia Burnazi, who reports on Lara Colturi and the build-up to the Winter Olympics for RTSH, the national broadcaster of Albania. She explains how Albanians have received their new star, and the effect Colturi's success is having on the sporting culture of a country that has never previously contended for a Winter Olympic medal.Every Monday to Friday, More than the Score tells stories beyond the scoreline from all over the world of sport. From the Winter Olympics to the Super Bowl, the Australian Open to the Diamond League, and netball to Formula 1. We've got interviews with extraordinary athletes like Ivory Coast legend Yaya Toure, snowboarding icon Scotty James and cycling sprint king Harrie Lavreysen, as well as the experts working behind the scenes, from the referees who run VAR to the coaches keeping athletes in peak form. Plus, we've got the expertise of the BBC's top journalists, who share their insights from decades of covering sport at all levels. And if you've got your own take on the stories we cover, we'd love to hear from you. Email morethanthescore@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp us on 0044 800 032 0470. You can find more information, along with our privacy notice, on our website: www.bbcworldservice.com/morethanthescore

Naomi Osaka turned heads at tennis's Australian Open when she took to the court for her first-round match wearing a long, flowing outfit - accompanied by a custom hat and parasol - inspired by reading her daughter a story about jellyfish. Created with sports brand Nike and designer Robert Wun, it further cemented four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka's reputation as one of sport's most fashion-conscious stars.The reaction to Osaka's outfit, which has drawn both admiration and criticism, also got us thinking about the intersections between sport and fashion. How do these two spheres influence each other, and are they becoming more closely linked?Sheena Butler-Young is a senior correspondent for fashion industry news site The Business of Fashion. She tells Sophia Hartley why she believes the two industries have never been more aligned. Melissa Anglesea is the creative director of Suzi Wong, the British sportswear company who've created custom outfits for many of boxing's biggest names, including Tyson Fury and Amir Khan. She explains how the creative process works when collaborating with the world's best fighters. Every Monday to Friday, More than the Score tells stories beyond the scoreline from all over the world of sport. From the Winter Olympics to the Super Bowl, the Australian Open to the Diamond League, and netball to Formula 1. We've got interviews with extraordinary athletes like Ivory Coast legend Yaya Toure, globetrotting boxer Ellie Bouttell and cycling sprint king Harrie Lavreysen, as well as the experts working behind the scenes, from the referees who run VAR to the coaches keeping athletes in peak form. Plus, we've got the expertise of the BBC's top journalists, who share their insights from decades of covering sport at all levels. And if you've got your own take on the stories we cover, we'd love to hear from you. Email morethanthescore@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp us on 0044 800 032 0470. You can find more information, along with our privacy notice, on our website: www.bbcworldservice.com/morethanthescore

Heated Rivalry is TV's most talked-about show. Based on a series of novels by author Rachel Reid, it tells the story of a secret romance between two male ice hockey players, the Canadian Shane Hollander and the Russian Ilya Rozanov. Since launching on the Canadian streaming service Crave in November 2025, it has acquired a huge and passionate fanbase around the world; the show’s two lead actors, Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, have gone from unknowns to superstars in the space of a couple of months.The NHL has been keen to capitalise on the popularity of the show, with commissioner Gary Bettman claiming he binge-watched all six episodes in one night – but it’s also put the NHL’s own attitudes under the spotlight. It is the only one of North America’s traditional ‘big four’ sports leagues – alongside the NFL, NBA and Major League Baseball – to have never had a player publicly come out as gay or bisexual either during or after their professional career. The league has also faced criticism for its treatment of Pride celebrations in recent years.So could Heated Rivalry open the door to a new era in ice hockey – and is the sport ready?TV critic Scott Bryan is one of the hosts of the BBC podcast Must Watch, and reports on the TV industry in his newsletter Worth Watching. He explains how the show has come from seemingly nowhere to connect with fans all over the world, and why he believes it marks a new progression in the portrayal of LGBTQ+ relationships on screen.Karissa Donkin is a journalist who covers ice hockey and winter sports for Canadian broadcaster CBC, and is also the author of Breakaway, the behind-the-scenes story of the founding of the PWHL - North America's Professional Women's Hockey League. She discusses how attitudes towards sexuality and individuality differ in the men's and women's game, and how accurately Heated Rivalry reflects the realities of the sport. Will its popularity open up new audiences for ice hockey, and is the game ready to welcome them?Every Monday to Friday, More than the Score tells stories beyond the scoreline from all over the world of sport. From the Winter Olympics to the Super Bowl, the Australian Open to the Diamond League, and netball to Formula 1. We've got interviews with extraordinary athletes like Ivory Coast legend Yaya Toure, globetrotting boxer Ellie Bouttell and cycling sprint king Harrie Lavreysen, as well as the experts working behind the scenes, from the referees who run VAR to the coaches keeping athletes in peak form. Plus, we've got the expertise of the BBC's top journalists, who share their insights from decades of covering sport at all levels. And if you've got your own take on the stories we cover, we'd love to hear from you. Email morethanthescore@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp us on 0044 800 032 0470. You can find more information, along with our privacy notice, on our website: www.bbcworldservice.com/morethanthescore

Ellie Bouttell is a boxer who was born in the UK and crafted in China. During a difficult period as a teenager, she went to live with her father in China before returning to England to study Chinese at University. At University, Bouttell took a boxing class to improve her cardio and her love for the sport was born. She later returned to China and took the decision to turn professional. In an in-depth conversation with the BBC’s Ade Adedoyin, Bouttell discusses her time at University, her love for boxing, the differences between the UK and China and even ends by sharing her favourite Chinese proverb.Every Monday to Friday, More than the Score tells stories beyond the scoreline from all over the world of sport. From the Winter Olympics to the Super Bowl, the Australian Open to the Diamond League, and netball to Formula 1. We've got interviews with extraordinary athletes like Ivory Coast legend Yaya Toure, boxing royalty Cecilia Braekhus and cycling sprint king Harrie Lavreysen, as well as the experts working behind the scenes, from the referees who run VAR to the coaches keeping athletes in peak form. Plus, we've got the expertise of the BBC's top journalists, who share their insights from decades of covering sport at all levels. And if you've got your own take on the stories we cover, we'd love to hear from you. Email morethanthescore@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp us on 0044 800 032 0470. You can find more information, along with our privacy notice, on our website: www.bbcworldservice.com/morethanthescore

The NBA is synonymous with basketball in most parts of the world. It's the most-watched, richest and best-known league in the game. And now it's making plans to launch a spin-off competition in Europe.The European influence on the NBA is growing - there are 71 European-born players in the league this season, and five of its last seven MVP (Most Valuable Player) awards have gone to European players. Berlin and London have also hosted regular season games.But does that mean there's demand for a new competition? The Euroleague is the established top tier of basketball in Europe, and features teams affiliated with some of the biggest football clubs in Europe, including Real Madrid and Barcelona. Could the two competitions co-exist, or would there not be room for both? NBA commissioner Adam Silver says initial plans for 'NBA Europe', starting in 2027, are for 10 to 12 set franchises that would stay in the league on an annual basis.Alex Ferrer Kristjansson, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer at Euroleague Basketball - the top tier club competition on the European continent - tells Lee James why there's no rivalry between his organisation and the NBA and having strong, professional leagues on both sides of the Atlantic can only be good for the sport.  Joe Vardon, senior basketball writer for the Athletic, explains why commercial reasons may be a significant factor in why the NBA want to create NBA Europe.Every Monday to Friday, More than the Score tells stories beyond the scoreline from all over the world of sport. From the Winter Olympics to the Super Bowl, the Australian Open to the Diamond League, and netball to Formula 1. We've got interviews with extraordinary athletes like Ivory Coast legend Yaya Toure, boxing royalty Cecilia Braekhus and cycling sprint king Harrie Lavreysen, as well as the experts working behind the scenes, from the referees who run VAR to the coaches keeping athletes in peak form. Plus, we've got the expertise of the BBC's top journalists, who share their insights from decades of covering sport at all levels. And if you've got your own take on the stories we cover, we'd love to hear from you. Email morethanthescore@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp us on 0044 800 032 0470. You can find more information, along with our privacy notice, on our website: www.bbcworldservice.com/morethanthescore

The Australian Open tennis championships are reaching the end of their first week, but the hottest ticket so far hasn't been Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Iga Swiatek or Aryna Sabalenka.Instead, observers were stunned by the queues to watch the world number 49, Alexandra Eala of the Philippines. Her first-round match had been put on court number 6, leaving many fans disappointed as they were left unable to find a seat. Martina Navratilova was among those who criticised the decision, saying: “The organisers need to keep more in mind where the players are from and what the actual fan base is here."Inside the court, stands were filled with fans bearing Philippines flags, raucously cheering their 20-year-old hero. But though she took the first set 6-0, her opponent, Alycia Parks, eventually found her feet, taking the next two sets 6-3 6-2 to put Eala out at the first hurdle.So where did Alexandra Eala come from, and how far can she go in the sport? And could her popularity spark a tennis boom back home?Ben Rothenberg, editor of the tennis magazine Bounces, has called Alex Eala "the most popular player in tennis right now". He talks to the BBC's Ed Harry about how Eala was catapulted into the spotlight at the 2025 Miami Open, her roots in the game, and how far she could rise.Kate Reyes, who has covered Alex Eala's rise for the Filipino sport website Spin.ph, discusses why she has found such popularity with the public. She also shares her thoughts on what Eala's success so far could mean for the future of the game in the Philippines.Every Monday to Friday, More than the Score tells stories beyond the scoreline from all over the world of sport. From the Winter Olympics to the Super Bowl, the Australian Open to the Diamond League, and netball to Formula 1. We've got interviews with extraordinary athletes like Ivory Coast legend Yaya Toure, boxing royalty Cecilia Braekhus and cycling sprint king Harrie Lavreysen, as well as the experts working behind the scenes, from the referees who run VAR to the coaches keeping athletes in peak form. Plus, we've got the expertise of the BBC's top journalists, who share their insights from decades of covering sport at all levels. And if you've got your own take on the stories we cover, we'd love to hear from you. Email morethanthescore@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp us on 0044 800 032 0470. You can find more information, along with our privacy notice, on our website: www.bbcworldservice.com/morethanthescore

Scotty James is already one of the greatest snowboarders of all time. At the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea, he won bronze in the halfpipe before following that up with a silver in Beijing four years later. At the age of 31, he's aiming to complete his set of medals by winning gold at the Games in Milan-Cortina. Ahead of the event in Italy, Ade Adedoyin spoke to Ski Sunday's Tim Warwood about his recent interview with James, and how the Australian compares to fellow greats Shaun White and Ayumu Hirano. James explains why, though he enjoyed great battles with White and Hirano in the past, this year's halfpipe event is the most competitive field he's known.He also talks about being part of the Stroll family - his wife Chloe is the sister of F1 driver Lance - and why becoming a father hasn't changed his approach to the sport.Every Monday to Friday, More than the Score tells stories beyond the scoreline from all over the world of sport. From the Winter Olympics to the Super Bowl, the Australian Open to the Diamond League, and netball to Formula 1. We've got interviews with extraordinary athletes like Ivory Coast legend Yaya Toure, boxing royalty Cecilia Braekhus and cycling sprint king Harrie Lavreysen, as well as the experts working behind the scenes, from the referees who run VAR to the coaches keeping athletes in peak form. Plus, we've got the expertise of the BBC's top journalists, who share their insights from decades of covering sport at all levels. And if you've got your own take on the stories we cover, we'd love to hear from you. Email morethanthescore@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp us on 0044 800 032 0470. You can find more information, along with our privacy notice, on our website: www.bbcworldservice.com/morethanthescore

For decades, players, staff and fans have made long, arduous pilgrimages across the globe in the name of sport and elite competition. In 2026, the men's football World Cup takes place across North and Central America, while earlier this year more than 35,000 England cricket fans made the journey from the UK to Australia to watch their team in the men's Ashes. Tommy Lamb was one of those - we hear how he very nearly made the journey without taking a single flight.Ade Adedoyin is also joined by British football journalist Daniel Storey. He explains why he embarked on a nine-month odyssey to every single one of English football's 92 league clubs, and what he learned about many of the places he visited along the way.We also hear from Chippie Solomon - a legendary figure in South African rugby union. Chippie is team manager of Cape Town's DHL Stormers. They play in the United Rugby Championship (URC), so are regularly travelling to the UK, Ireland and Italy. Chippie tells Ade about his time spent with former players and Springbok greats Bryan Habana and Jean de Villiers. He also explains why the current team are encouraged to sample the local cuisine in every place they visit.Every Monday to Friday, More than the Score tells stories beyond the scoreline from all over the world of sport. From the Winter Olympics to the Super Bowl, the Australian Open to the Diamond League, and netball to Formula 1. We've got interviews with extraordinary athletes like Ivory Coast legend Yaya Toure, boxing royalty Cecilia Braekhus and cycling sprint king Harrie Lavreysen, as well as the experts working behind the scenes, from the referees who run VAR to the coaches keeping athletes in peak form. Plus, we've got the expertise of the BBC's top journalists, who share their insights from decades of covering sport at all levels. And if you've got your own take on the stories we cover, we'd love to hear from you. Email morethanthescore@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp us on 0044 800 032 0470. You can find more information, along with our privacy notice, on our website: www.bbcworldservice.com/morethanthescore

Real Madrid, Manchester United and Celtic have all parted company with their head coach in 2025 while New Zealand's dismissal of Scott Robertson sent shockwaves around international rugby union. Elsewhere, Buffalo Bills' Sean McDermott became the eighth NFL head coach to leave their position in the month of January and the 10th since the start of the season. That was after Buffalo became the first NFL team to win a play-off round in six consecutive seasons but not reach the Super Bowl.NFL and American sports expert, Mike Carlson, explains to Ed Harry why McDermott's dismissal makes the least sense of the January firings but is part of a wider trend in the sport. The BBC's rugby union correspondent, Chris Jones, says international rugby is unlikely to follow suit despite the All Blacks' unprecedented sacking of Robertson by the three time World Champions.Every Monday to Friday, More than the Score tells stories beyond the scoreline from all over the world of sport. From the Winter Olympics to the Super Bowl, the Australian Open to the Diamond League, and netball to Formula 1. We've got interviews with extraordinary athletes like Ivory Coast legend Yaya Toure, boxing royalty Cecilia Braekhus and cycling sprint king Harrie Lavreysen, as well as the experts working behind the scenes, from the referees who run VAR to the coaches keeping athletes in peak form. Plus, we've got the expertise of the BBC's top journalists, who share their insights from decades of covering sport at all levels. And if you've got your own take on the stories we cover, we'd love to hear from you. Email morethanthescore@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp us on 0044 800 032 0470. You can find more information, along with our privacy notice, on our website: www.bbcworldservice.com/morethanthescore

At just 22 years old, Cam Little's shirt is already on display in the NFL's Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. That’s after the Jacksonville Jaguars kicker converted a record breaking 68-yard field goal in a game against the Las Vegas Raiders during the 2025 regular season. What's all the more remarkable is Little didn't see himself taking up a career in the NFL - his initial ambition was to play soccer. He tells the BBC’s David Brindle about his rapid journey through a sport he only started playing seriously five years ago, reflects on the records he’s already broken and discusses his hunger to break more records. Every Monday to Friday, More than the Score tells stories beyond the scoreline from all over the world of sport. From the Winter Olympics to the Super Bowl, the Australian Open to the Diamond League, and netball to Formula 1. We've got interviews with extraordinary athletes like Ivory Coast legend Yaya Toure, boxing royalty Cecilia Braekhus and cycling sprint king Harrie Lavreysen, as well as the experts working behind the scenes, from the referees who run VAR to the coaches keeping athletes in peak form. Plus, we've got the expertise of the BBC's top journalists, who share their insights from decades of covering sport at all levels. And if you've got your own take on the stories we cover, we'd love to hear from you. Email morethanthescore@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp us on 0044 800 032 0470. You can find more information, along with our privacy notice, on our website: www.bbcworldservice.com/morethanthescore