Milwaukee Sports Headlines

FRIDAY

The Atlanta Falcons will be the focus of the five-episode ninth season of HBO’s “Hard Knocks,” which premieres at 9 p.m. on Aug. 5.

Neymar scored twice to lead host Brazil to a 3-1 victory over Croatia, kicking off the 2014 World Cup.

WISCONSIN PGA JUNIORSSpooner, par 73

THURSDAY

Jurgen Klinsmann maintains fans shouldn’t expect the U.S. to lift soccer’s top trophy for the first time July 13, even if that stance upsets some.

Here are five things to know about the U.S. Open, which starts Thursday in Pinehurst, N.C.

It’s almost time. The day Brazilians have been anxiously waiting for is finally arriving. Brazil plays Croatia on Thursday to get the home World Cup underway, beginning its quest for a sixth world title almost seven years after the nation was picked as host.

ESPN is betting there will be many more casual viewers in the U.S. of the monthlong World Cup than there were in 2010.

BLUE MOUND: Aiden McCarty, 70.

WEDNESDAY

The World Cup kicks off with Brazil-Croatia on Thursday. That leaves precious time to familiarize yourself with the nicknames of the 32 teams. Here is a cheat sheet.

Christopher Ponteri says Milwaukee needs a big-time, big-city marathon.

CBS Sports released its NFL announcing teams Tuesday, which were led as usual by Jim Nantz and Phil Simms, followed by Ian Eagle and Dan Fouts then Greg Gumbel and Trent Green.

Noah Bliss, a 10-year-old from Kenosha, has made headlines for running half marathons (13.1 miles) and even setting a record for his age in one of them. Experts say training and motivation are key at such a young age, with injuries and burnout among the concerns.

Ten-year-old Noah Bliss is a running phenom. The Kenosha boy ran two half-marathons in May, setting a record in one and nearly matching it in the other. And while Noah’s accomplishments are incredible, they also raise the question: How much is too much, and too soon?

The projected 2014 starters for the Green Bay Packers constitute the seventh most talented team in the NFL. So says Pro Football Focus, which graded all the starters in the league.