Bucs' Emeka Egbuka feeling 'comfortable' heading into 2026
Bucs' Emeka Egbuka is excited about expanding his role in 2026!

Millwall's playoff curse continues as they lose to Hull City, who advance to the Championship playoff final. Mohamed Belloumi scored a stunning goal, leading Hull to victory despite finishing sixth in the league.
Mentioned in this story
Millwallâs Championship playoff curse continues. It is now four times they have come within touching distance of reaching the promised land of the Premier League only to fall at the semi-final stage. After defeats in 1991, 1994 and 2002, this one will be especially hard to take given that Alex Neilâs side finished 10 points clear of Hull, narrowly missing out on automatic promotion on the final day. But on a night when Millwall were heavy favourites to make it to Wembley, instead it was Mohamed Belloumi who stole the show for Sergej Jakirovicâs side with a stunning opening goal before fellow substitute Joe Gelhardt rubbed their noses in it.
While the only silver lining for Millwallâs supporters is that it looks like they will get the chance to renew acquaintances with West Ham, whom they last played in 2012, Hull become the first team to finish sixth and reach the playoff final since Frank Lampardâs Derby in 2019 and will fancy their chances of upsetting the odds against whoever they face.
Neil has plenty of pedigree in the playoffs having led Norwich to the Premier League in 2015 before kickstarting Sunderlandâs revival in 2022 when they returned to the Championship. He had urged Millwallâs supporters to make it a night to remember and there was certainly a real sense of anticipation as the first airing of âNo one likes us, we donât careâ rang around the ground when the teams emerged before kick-off.
The big talking point from the first leg was Ryan Leonardâs disallowed goal that Neil felt should have stood, while supporters from both sides had to be separated by police after the full-time whistle. Many of those Hull fans who were brave enough to make the trip to southeast London were given free T-shirts by the clubâs chair, Acun Ilicali, to show his appreciation for their efforts.
Jakirovic â who took over last summer and has defied the odds to lead Hull this far given their lowly budget â sprang a surprise by switching to a back five and it seemed to throw Millwall off their stride. Charlie Hughes called Anthony Patterson into the first save of the evening in the 10th minute from a free-kick as the visitors â who won 3-1 here in December during the regular season â made the much better start.

Millwall lost to Hull due to a stunning opening goal by Mohamed Belloumi and a strong performance from Hull, who were underdogs in the match.
Millwall has now failed to reach the Premier League four times in the Championship playoffs, having lost in 1991, 1994, 2002, and now 2023.
Mohamed Belloumi is a player for Hull City who scored the opening goal in the playoff semi-final, significantly contributing to their victory over Millwall.
Hull City, having finished sixth, will aim to upset the odds in the playoff final, drawing inspiration from their historic achievement of reaching the final as a lower-seeded team.
Bucs' Emeka Egbuka is excited about expanding his role in 2026!
Delco's Braden Shattuck gets ready for PGA Championship at Aronimink!
Ronda Rousey explains her MMA journey and return to the ring on May 16, 2026.
Check out the live brackets for the Section 1 flag football tournament!
Did the Chiefs land a rookie stud in the NFL Draft? They picked R Mason Thomas in the second round!
Celtics eliminated by 76ers, who were later swept by Knicks, revealing defensive flaws.
See every story in Sports â including breaking news and analysis.
Mohamed Belloumi finds the net with a curling effort. Photograph: Ben Peters/Focus Images Ltd/Shutterstock
But it didnât take long for the home side to find their feet. Thierno Balloâs header was hacked off the line by Kyle Joseph before Ivor Pandur saved a rasping drive from Femi Azeez at his near post. A tricky winger who worked his way up from playing for Northwood in the eighth tier of English football, the 24-year-old has been one of Millwallâs most influential attackers this season and once again looked the most likely source of a goal.
Hull rode the storm and continued to look threatening when they attacked. John Egan wasnât far away with a header from a free kick before Oli McBurnie forced Patterson into a smart save from a fizzing Ryan Giles cross. Millwall thought they should have had a penalty five minutes before half-time when Casper De Norreâs cross struck Hughes on the arm but it was in a natural position by his side and referee Sam Barrott instantly waved their appeals away.
Josephâs night then came to a premature end when he limped off with a nasty-looking ankle injury, although there was not much pity from the Millwall fans who booed as he was helped off by the physio.
Once again, Hull were quickest out of the blocks at the start of the second half when Regan Slater set up McBurnie but Tristan Crama was somehow able to clear his shot off the line. There was plenty of huff and puff from Millwall yet they continued to struggle to create any chances. Neil gambled by bringing on Mihailo Ivanovic and switching to 4-4-2, swiftly followed by experienced duo Alfie Doughty and Barry Bannon. But it was Josephâs replacement, Belloumi, who finally found the breakthrough with a spectacular strike. The Algerian had been a constant menace down the left flank and his curling shot from the edge of the area gave Patterson no chance as it went in off the far post. Cue wild celebrations in the away end.
Bannon almost gifted a second to Slater with a loose pass before Ivanovic headed over at the other end. There was no way back when Gelhardt met Belloumiâs cross with his first touch after coming on and the ball trickled through Pattersonâs fingers before dribbling over the line to seal Millwallâs fate.