Sports
Euro 2024: Eyes on Saka, Yamal as Spain, England battle for top prize
Euro 2024: Eyes on Saka, Yamal as Spain, England battle for top prize
Eyes are on Nigerian-born sensation Bukayo Saka as England hopes to end its long wait to win a men’s major international tournament when it takes on an outstanding Spain team in the final of Euro 2024 on Sunday.
The Berlin Olympiastadion match kicks off at 9:00 pm (1900 GMT). It will bring the curtain down on a month of football in which Spain—featuring teenage sensation Lamine Yamal—has been comfortably the most impressive side.
Spain has already eliminated several of the continent’s heavyweights while winning all six matches en route to the final. They aim to become European champions for a record fourth time, after 1964, 2008, and 2012.
England, meanwhile, has often struggled against lesser opposition but produced its best performance yet in beating the Netherlands in the semi-finals. Ollie Watkins came off the bench to score and seal a 2-1 victory.
Now they are into their second consecutive European Championship final as they aim to banish the memory of their penalty shoot-out loss to Italy at Wembley in the deciding game of the last edition, three years ago.
If Gareth Southgate’s team can do that, England’s men will have their first title in 58 years since the 1966 World Cup, which they won on home soil.
“I’m not a believer in fairy tales but a believer in dreams,” Southgate said at his pre-match press conference on Saturday.
England has had several near misses in recent years – they were semi-finalists at the 2018 World Cup before losing the Euro 2020 final and going out of the 2022 World Cup in the quarter-finals to France.
A team led by Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham arrived in Germany as one of the leading contenders but won just once against Serbia, scoring only two goals in topping their group.
They then needed Bellingham to come to the rescue at the death against Slovakia in the last 16, a tie they eventually won in extra time. They then prevailed on penalties against Switzerland and edged out the Dutch.
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Spain represents comfortably their biggest test yet, as the sides prepare to meet at a major tournament for the first time since Euro 96, when an England team featuring Southgate as a player won on penalties in the quarter-finals.
Yamal Eyes Birthday Gift
Spain’s exciting new generation under coach Luis de la Fuente has taken the nation to their first men’s major tournament final since their remarkable victories at Euro 2008, the 2010 World Cup, and Euro 2012.
With the swaggering Rodri Hernandez in midfield and flying wingers Nico Williams and Yamal – who only turned 17 on Saturday – they have lit up what has otherwise often been a disappointing tournament.
Spain won all their group games without conceding a goal, notably beating 2022 World Cup semi-finalists Croatia and reigning European champions Italy.
They beat hosts Germany in extra time in the quarter-finals in Stuttgart before a stunning Yamal goal helped them come from behind to beat Kylian Mbappe’s France in the semis.
“It’s a brilliant generation; many of them have come through successful youth levels, and that usually bodes well for success,” De la Fuente, 63, told reporters on Saturday.
“We want to start to make history – and we have made history already in the run to (the final)… I trust in a great future.”
Spain can welcome back right-back Dani Carvajal and French-born central defender Robin Le Normand after both missed the semi-final due to suspension.
England will likely be unchanged, with Kane leading the attack and Watkins again on the bench at kick-off despite his match-winning contribution against the Netherlands.
UK media reports have suggested that England fans could account for as much as half the crowd inside the 71,000-capacity Olympiastadion, despite both finalists only receiving an official allocation of 10,000 tickets for the match.
The Olympiastadion was also the venue for the 2006 World Cup final when Italy beat France on penalties.
Euro 2024: Eyes on Saka, Yamal as Spain, England battle for top prize
Sports
Nigerian striker dies in car crash weeks after joining Cyprus club
Nigerian striker dies in car crash weeks after joining Cyprus club
In a heartbreaking turn of events, 20-year-old Nigerian striker Paul Julius has tragically passed away in a car crash, just weeks after signing with the Cypriot football club Enosis Neon Paralimni FC (ENP).
The club confirmed the devastating news in a statement, expressing their profound sorrow.
“It is with deep sadness and pain that we express our sincere condolences on the unexpected loss of our footballer Paul Julius,” the statement read. The young and talented striker had joined ENP only three weeks before the fatal accident, with high hopes of making a significant impact in Cypriot football.
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The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the football community, with the President, Board of Directors, and employees of AEL Limassol, a prominent Cypriot club, offering their deepest sympathies to Julius’s family and the ENP community.
The solidarity extended beyond Cyprus, as several Greek teams also sent their condolences, mourning the loss of a promising young talent.
Paul Julius’s untimely death is a profound loss not only for his club but for the entire football community, which had welcomed him with open arms. His potential and passion for the game will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Nigerian striker dies in car crash weeks after joining Cyprus club
Sports
Maresca says Chelsea squad ‘not a mess’ after another signing
Maresca says Chelsea squad ‘not a mess’ after another signing
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca dismissed claims that his squad is in disarray following the club’s recent transfer activity. On Wednesday, Maresca addressed concerns after Chelsea secured another signing with Joao Felix, who was returning to the club on a seven-year contract. This move also saw Conor Gallagher transfer to Atletico Madrid in exchange.
Despite the growing number of players at his disposal, Maresca, who now manages one of the Premier League’s largest squads, was firm in his stance that the situation is under control. He clarified that Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell are not currently in his plans.
Maresca emphasized that he only works with a manageable group in training, saying, “I am not working with 42 players, I am working with 21 players (in first-team training). It’s not a mess like it looks from the outside. The other players can even have 20-year contracts, it is not my point. I don’t care.”
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Regarding Sterling and Chilwell, Maresca clarified, “At this moment, they are training apart (from the squad). The situation with both of them is quite clear. We have a big squad, for me it’s impossible to give everyone minutes, so if they’re looking for minutes, probably it is better to leave. And in case they don’t leave, they have a contract here, they are Chelsea players.”
Maresca also expressed his enthusiasm for Joao Felix, who returns to Chelsea after an earlier loan spell during the 2022/23 season. “He is a good player, a talent. The club already knows him from two years ago. He can play different positions with us, inside, as a nine, outside,” said Maresca.
Although the transfer fee for Felix was not officially disclosed, reports suggest Chelsea agreed to pay Atletico Madrid £40 million ($51 million). Felix joined Atletico in 2019 and made 131 appearances for Diego Simeone’s side. He spent last season on loan at Barcelona. During his previous loan at Chelsea, Felix made 20 appearances in all competitions, scoring four goals.
Maresca says Chelsea squad ‘not a mess’ after another signing
Sports
Ronaldo breaks New YouTube record
Ronaldo breaks New YouTube record
Thirty-nine-year-old, five-time Ballon d’Or winner, Cristiano Ronaldo has announced the opening of his new YouTube channel called “UR” on his social media accounts
Hours after Ronaldo announced the opening of His long awaited YouTube channel , fans and football lovers flocked to his channel to have a view for themselves.
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“I have always enjoyed having such a strong relationship with fans on social media and my YouTube channel will give me an even bigger platform to do so and they will learn more about me, my family, and my views on many different subjects” Ronaldo said
The account amassed over 1 million subscribers on the online video sharing platform just under 90 minutes of its opening.
The YouTube channel is now on pace to become the fastest growing channel in YouTube history.
Ronaldo breaks New YouTube record
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