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EURO 2024: Bogeyman on the tracks again: Railway under criticism after start of European Championship

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EURO 2024 Bogeyman on the tracks again: Railway under criticism after start of European Championship

In the first week of the European Championships, there was a lot of criticism – especially from abroad – of Deutsche Bahn. Photo

© Fabian Sommer/dpa/archive image

The European Championships have started with great football, fans from all over Europe are enjoying their time in Germany. Only the railway is causing trouble from time to time – and surprise for some guests.

Philipp Lahm grinned into the camera for the snapshot, the landscape rushing past the window in the background. The head of the European Championship organization was once again traveling by train on the second weekend of the tournament. Only two days earlier, he had arrived in Düsseldorf significantly late for the Ukraine – Slovakia match due to train problems. The ex-professional couldn’t resist a little dig with a winking smiley on the X platform: “PS: @db_bahn as you can see, I remain a loyal train customer.”

Such Lahm-like leniency was demanded of many train passengers in the first week of the European Championship in Germany. While the continental tournament was generally very smooth, peaceful, interesting in sporting terms and characterized by infectious fan euphoria, the train caused trouble. The Germans are used to trouble in this regard, but many foreign guests were astonished or even stunned by the train breakdowns of the Germans, who for decades have been celebrated as world champions in organization and thoroughness.

“Horrible scenes” on the platform

After the first few days of the European Championship, a reporter from the renowned “New York Times” wrote to readers about the alleged German efficiency: “Forget everything you thought you knew.” The article then mainly reported on the congested subways in Munich before the opening match and the hours-long waits on Gelsenkirchen train platforms. The organization of the walkways at the stadiums and the resulting long queues at the entrance were also negative.

The “New York Times” was not the only foreign media outlet to pounce on such mishaps. The English “Daily Mail”, for example, reported on “horrific scenes” when thousands of fans had to wait for hours for trams to take them from the Schalke stadium to their hotels after the England-Serbia match early in the morning.

Outrage among Scots, Austrians and Thomas Hitzslperger

Fan groups also complained, including an association of Scottish supporters (Atac). Germany had given them a warm welcome as host, Atac wrote in a Facebook post. However, they had had “bad experiences” with public transport. The trains in Munich and Cologne were “unreliable and sweltering hot” and were also packed with passengers beyond any kind of limit.

Former German national player, official and TV expert Thomas Hitzlsperger taught his English-speaking followers at X a new word when he was stuck on a train. “A disgrace,” he recently wrote in capital letters. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Austrian fans who travelled by train to their team’s opening match of the European Championship against runners-up France (0:1) last week were particularly badly affected. The “Kronen” newspaper told the story of a father who set off from Vienna with his son early in the morning, then got stranded in Passau and Würzburg, had to switch to taxis and buses and finally arrived at the stadium in Düsseldorf several hours late. By the time the two reached their seats, 70 minutes had already been played. “It was all as if it were bewitched,” said the Viennese.

Bahn apologizes – and gives out more beer

Deutsche Bahn has little choice but to apologize. “We are sorry that Philipp Lahm did not make it to the game on time. At least he was able to watch the second half in the stadium. Sorry, dear Philipp Lahm!” said a Deutsche Bahn spokesman when asked.

There had been repeated disruptions on the main rail routes, the company said at the weekend. “DB would like to thank all fans for their patience and caution.” At the same time, it was pointed out that three million passengers travelled across the country on IC and ICE trains during the week. “There has never been as much rail traffic at an international football tournament as at the European Championships in Germany,” it said.

Before the tournament, Deutsche Bahn’s long-distance transport director Michael Peterson announced that the company would be offering 10,000 additional seats per day on long-distance routes. Upcoming construction work had also been brought forward to prevent delays and disruptions on important routes during the tournament. Deutsche Bahn is also offering special Euro 24 tickets, with which the journey to the venue costs just 29.90 euros.

Beer and bratwurst in the on-board bistro

And in fact, not all rail passengers have reason to complain in this EM summer of 2024: While some are surprised by unpunctuality and overcrowded carriages, others are pleasantly surprised by what DB on-board bistros have to offer. The railway confirmed a report by “Bild am Sonntag” and listed: Between June 14 and 19, 44,588 liters of beer were sold, twice as much as usual. In addition, around 7,105 bratwurst rolls were ordered, which is 63 percent more than without the EM. Butter croissants, chili con/sin carne and focaccia also sold significantly more often than usual.

Incidentally, Philipp Lahm, who travels frequently to the European Championships, did not reveal whether he and other fans grabbed a snack and a drink on the way to Frankfurt on Sunday.

During Germany’s match against Switzerland, tournament director Lahm was relaxed about his delay with Deutsche Bahn. “It hit me too, it’s very bitter to be late, but it happens,” said Lahm on Sunday evening on ARD.

dpa

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SAD|| 10 Players Who Lost Everything After Divorce, Number 5 Will Shôck You

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The Hidden Financial Struggles of Footballers: Divorce’s Costly Toll

The glamorous image of professional footballers, with their luxurious lifestyles and multimillion-dollar contracts, often obscures a harsh reality: the financial devastation many endure through divorce. Behind the fame and fortune, several high-profile players have seen their wealth significantly depleted after parting ways with their spouses, a stark reminder that no amount of money can fully shield one of the financial pitfalls of personal relationships gone awry…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

 

One of the most shocking examples is that of former Arsenal defender Emmanuel Eboué, who lost not only his properties in England but also custody of his children following a bitter divorce. Despite earning millions during his career, Eboué found himself stripped of almost everything. His situation became a cautionary tale, underscoring that even the wealthiest footballers can fall victim to the financial ruin that divorce can bring.

Eboué is not alone. Football legends such as Thierry Henry and Ryan Giggs have also experienced significant financial losses due to divorce. Henry reportedly paid £10 million to his ex-wife, while Giggs parted with an astonishing £40 million after his marriage ended. Louis Saha and Wes Brown, both former Manchester United players, also suffered substantial financial hits, with Brown declaring bankruptcy despite earning £50,000 per week during his time at the club. His case highlights how even vast earnings can quickly evaporate when faced with legal settlements and financial mismanagement.

David James, the former England goalkeeper, faced a particularly dire situation, losing much of his fortune after divorce and being forced to auction his personal belongings to make ends meet. Similarly, Ray Parlour, another Arsenal great, saw his ex-wife receive half of his £10 million fortune, including a £2.5 million house. Jamie Redknapp, a former Liverpool star, also faced a hefty settlement, parting with half of his estimated £15 million fortune after his marriage ended.

These are just a few of the many footballers who have faced financial disaster due to divorce. Keith Gillespie, once a key figure in the Premier League, lost over £7 million, leading to his bankruptcy in 2010. Despite earning significant wages during his career, his divorce and poor financial decisions left him in financial ruin. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Perhaps the most shocking case is that of Tendai Ndoro, a Zimbabwean striker who lost everything after registering all his properties in his wife’s name. Following their breakup, she kicked him out of the house, leaving him with nothing. Ndoro’s story serves as a grim reminder of the dangers of not protecting one’s assets, even in relationships where trust is implicit.

For footballers, whose careers often peak early, these financial setbacks can be devastating. While their salaries are among the highest in professional sports, the combination of short career spans, legal fees, and divorce settlements can quickly erode their fortunes. Many players also face additional challenges in managing their finances due to a lack of financial education or oversight during their playing years.

These stories underscore the importance of safeguarding personal wealth, especially for high-earning individuals like footballers, who may be more vulnerable to financial upheaval. Proper financial planning, asset protection strategies, and prenups are increasingly necessary tools for protecting one’s earnings and securing a stable future.

In conclusion, while the public sees footballers as insulated by their wealth, the reality is that they are just as susceptible to the financial hardships of divorce as anyone else. The personal struggles behind the scenes reveal that their lives, though glamorous on the surface, are often fraught with the same vulnerabilities and challenges faced by ordinary individuals. These cases serve as sobering reminders that financial security is never guaranteed, even for those at the pinnacle of success.

 

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NFL | The best was yet to come, and then no

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In February 2022, the Bengals missed the Super Bowl by three small points, but regardless, the future seemed bright in Cincinnati.


Posted at 1:13 a.m.

Updated at 7:00 a.m.

In any case, that’s what we, the most seasoned experts in American football, believed, capable of seeing the future each season, often in a very impressive way; for example, this column has been predicting since 1970 that the New York Jets are not going to win the Super Bowl, and that’s still exactly what happens.

The Bengals have never won anything, but their presence on the big stage two years ago suggested that, a bit like the Nordiques in 1990, the best was yet to come.

Well, no.

As of this hour, the Bengals are a dismal 1-4, and even then, their only win came against the Carolina Panthers, who are about as bad as they are.

The good news for the Bengals is that this “landing” is fairly easily explained: their defense is pretty awful. The less good news is that it is probably already too late to try to solve this problem.

In five games, the Bengals have allowed a total of 145 points, which gives a pretty staggering average of 29 points per game. No one else in the American Association looks this bad, and in the league as a whole, only the Carolina Panthers are even worse in this regard.

Meanwhile, the Bengals are wasting the best years of Joe Burrow, who turns 28 in December. He wouldn’t be the first quality quarterback to waste his talent in this uniform.

Is it necessary here to remember that in American football, as in life in general, there is never anything certain? This reality reminds us of this sublime quote from Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who once wrote that “supreme happiness is a hundred times sweeter to hope for than to obtain”.

Rousseau must have been a Bengals fan, obviously.

You are probably aware that the New York Jets fired their coachbut that’s not the worst. The worst part is that poor Robert Saleh would have been escorted to the door like a pauper by security agents.

PHOTO MIKE STOBE, ARCHIVES AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh

It’s undoubtedly one of the worst moments in the history of a club that collects the worst moments, from Mark Sanchez dropping a ball on his lineman’s pussy, to a visibly hot Joe Namath trying to to kiss a reporter live on TV (we’re going to move on to the naughty photo of Brett Favre because there are children here).

We can never repeat it enough: in football, as in life, everything starts from the top. The leaders of the Jets, who display a level of competence similar to that of the inventors of Pepsi Crystal, thus opted for the easy way, instead of realizing that their ground game is non-existent, and that their quarterback who hears voices in his head is finished.

In addition, barely installed, new coach Jeff Ulbrich decided to give control of the attack to assistant Todd Downing, who will call the plays from now on. This is not a detail because this task previously fell to offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, close and confidant of Aaron Rodgers.

It’s obvious that this is going to end very badly. As per usual.

Someone whispers in my ear that the inbox is overflowing again, so let’s get to it right away.

First, Luc Girouard from Sept-Îles sends us this timely little comment: “Would Prince Rodgers have plotted to kick Robert Saleh out in order to take his place? »

We all see what you did, Luc.

Then, there is a certain Nicolas B. from Laval who sent this: “Hi Richard. Great weekly column on football. Really entertaining. In addition, you allow my teenagers to read about football in French, which is still a challenge […] If you ever make a reference to my comment, my sports travel gang is buying me a beer on our next trip. »

You will demand a micro beer, Nicolas. Finally, there is Marco Campanozzi who can no longer hear about “mixing” and the right chair: “I can’t do it anymore!!! »

We are Marco.

It will be another great opportunity to lock yourself in front of the TV while pretending to do something constructive, because Sunday’s menu is particularly spicy.

Thus, Commanders in a state of grace will go to Baltimore to prove that they are serious, the Chargers will go to Denver in the hope of recovering after two defeats in a row, and the Cowboys will host the Lions, in a match that they can’t really let slip away, just to build something following the little miracle last Sunday night in Pittsburgh.

Don’t forget to check out the colors during halftime.

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A young badminton player realizes his deceased father’s dream

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Only 13 years old, badminton-player-honors-fathers-dream-at-nationals/” title=”13-year-old Saskatchewan badminton player honors father’s dream at nationals”>Gautham Sumesh is preparing to realize the dream of his father, who died six months ago: he will soon participate in the National Badminton Championship.

My father was really addicted to badmintonrecalls the Saskatchewan teenager. He really liked that I played.

Gautham Sumesh has been playing badminton since he was old enough to handle a racket. The first time he managed to beat his father, Sumesh Pulavathil, he was offered a drink to celebrate the event.

Sadly, Sumesh Pulavathil died in a road accident near Estevan last October.

Despite the tragedy, the teenager continues to carry his family’s dreams: Gautham Sumesh won the provincial championships this year and is preparing to participate in the National Championship in New Brunswick.

He would be really happyhe believes.

Dreaming of badminton

The young player’s parents left India in 2022 in the hope that their son would become a top badminton player.

: Gautham badminton”,”text”:”When we moved to Canada, we only had one thing in mind: Gautham badminton”}}”>When we moved to Canada, we only had one thing in mind: Gautham badmintonexplains the latter’s mother, Gayathri Ramdas. It is the foundation of our family life.

Her husband put everything in place to help his son play. He bought him shoes and racquets, in addition to devoting many hours to coaching him and other children.

Sumesh Pulavathil (front) was an avid badminton player. (Archive photo)

Photo: Provided by Gayathri Ramdas

Although the family was devastated by Sumesh Pulavathil’s death, there was never any question of the teenager quitting badminton. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Since the death of his father, Gautham Sumesh has undergone intensive training, particularly in preparation for the provincial competition which took place in April.

He remembers that no one knew him when he started competing provincially, but that changed after his victory at the provincial championship.

: “Hey, good job!” Everyone started talking to me and becoming friends with me”,”text”:”After I won, everyone said to me: “Hey, good job! “Everyone started talking to me and becoming friends with me”}}”>After I won, everyone said to me: “Hey, good job!” Everyone started talking to me and becoming friends with meexplained Gautham Sumesh.

A portrait of Sumesh Pulavathil (far left) and his family.

Photo: Provided by Gayathri Ramdas

Despite his son’s success in the championship, Gayathri Ramdas believes the victory was bittersweet due to his father’s absence.

Despite everything, she watched her son grow up and demonstrate the values ​​of sportsmanship and good play that she and her husband wanted to instill in him, as he harbored ambitions of becoming a professional badminton player.

I’m little by little catching up on all the dreams we had.

With information from Janani Whitfield

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