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Miron Muslic: ‘We became refugees overnight. It was just devastating’

New Plymouth Argyle manager on fleeing from genocide in Bosnia when he was nine and the ‘fantasy’ of managing against Liverpool in the FA Cup

As the waves crash against the harbour walls of West Hoe Pier, a Grade II-listed structure beneath Plymouth’s Grand Parade, Miron Muslic’s mind turns to the sights and sounds of spring 1992 in Bihac, Bosnia. He was a typical nine-year-old boy, happiest having a kickabout or watching He-Man, still on a high from getting a BMX for his birthday months earlier. “We became refugees overnight,” he says. “We faced a genocide in the heart of Europe. You fear for your life, you’re scared. It was just devastating. We had to grab everything we could put in a bag and move 700km [435 miles]. I don’t think I was really aware of what was going on. How could I be?”

Muslic, his younger sister, Marinela, and their parents, Camil and Mersada, fled to Austria via Hungary, eventually arriving in the scenic Pertisau am Achensee after a few days on the road via various modes of transport. “And from there, Austria became our second home,” he says.

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I was wrong to say Bazball is a cult. It’s actually a death cult | Barney Ronay

As defeats pile up Brendon McCullum’s brand of cricket now has the feel of a cool music video on the deck of a sinking ship

Two summers ago, with interest in the England Test team’s seductive new energy reaching an early peak, I wrote an article suggesting that Bazball was a cult.

There were some parts of the clinical definition of a cult that seemed analogous. A sense of mission. Charismatic, dominant individuals in charge. Presents itself as innovative and elitist. Aggressively hostile towards any kind of outside questioning.

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Forget the Smiths, French pack could cause panic on the pitch in London

If England are blown away up front, Will Smith might as well be playing fly-half for all the difference it will make

Once upon a time France headed to London with a certain amount of trepidation. For 18 years they could not buy a Six Nations win at Twickenham, to the point where people muttered about mental blocks and psychological hang-ups. Until a couple of years ago, that is, when Steve Borthwick’s England were torn apart 53-10 in the heaviest home defeat the old cabbage patch has ever known.

At a stroke all that historical baggage was gloriously jettisoned. Which is precisely what England would now love to replicate on a chilly February day in their retitled concrete citadel. There is no sweeter feeling in sport than unexpected success, particularly when a home victory is widely viewed as up there, in terms of probability, with Donald Trump’s vision for a “Gaza Riviera”.

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Martinez’s 30 lead Utah State over Fresno State 89-81

Ian Martinez's 30 points led Utah State over Fresno State 89-81 on Friday. Martinez added eight rebounds for the Aggies (21-3, 11-2 Mountain West Conference). Mason Falslev scored 16 points while going 7 of 14 from the floor, including 1 for 3 from 3-point range, and 1 for 6 from the line and added six rebounds and six assists.

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Degenhart scores 22 as Boise State downs San Jose State 79-52

Tyson Degenhart scored 22 points as Boise State beat San Jose State 79-52 on Friday night. Degenhart had six rebounds for the Broncos (17-7, 9-4 Mountain West Conference). Alvaro Cardenas added 16 points while going 5 of 9 from the floor, including 2 for 5 from 3-point range, and 4 for 4 from the line while they also had six rebounds and nine assists.

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Saint Joseph’s (PA) defeats Saint Louis 76-63

Erik Reynolds II's 25 points helped Saint Joseph's (PA) defeat Saint Louis 76-63 on Friday night. Reynolds shot 10 for 15, including 5 for 9 from beyond the arc for the Hawks (14-9, 6-5 Atlantic 10 Conference). Xzayvier Brown scored 20 points while going 7 of 14 from the floor, including 3 for 7 from 3-point range, and 3 for 3 from the line and added nine rebounds and five assists.

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Invicta FC 60: Best photos from Atlanta

Check out these photos from the fights at Invicta FC 60, which took place at Center Stage in Atlanta, featuring a women's bantamweight fight between Mayra Cantuaria and Olga Rubin. (Photos by Dave Mandell, Invicta FC)