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Heartbreak in Leipzig: Italy’s last-minute goal sends Croatia packing

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Dramatic end for Modric Italy sends Croatia into the valley of tears with last shot

24.06.2024, 23:05

Luka Modric becomes the oldest goalscorer in European Championship history – and cries bitter tears at the end of a dramatic European Championship evening. A few seconds before the end of the eternal stoppage time, Italy scores and saves itself in the knockout round. The Croatians are almost certainly out.

Defending champion Italy saved itself in the last minute of the European Championship round of 16 and most likely ended Croatia’s dream of reaching the knockout round. The Squadra Azzurra fought for a 1:1 (0:0) draw in Leipzig against the brave World Cup third-place team, whose “golden generation” around veteran Luka Modric (38), who already looked like the winning goal scorer, is very close to elimination with only two points.

Mattia Zaccagni (90.+7) scored the equalizer in the last second for the Italians, who booked their ticket to the round of 16 with four points as second in the group behind fellow favorites Spain and will face Switzerland in the round of 16 on Saturday (6 p.m.) in Berlin.

The Croatians, who Modric (55th) put in the lead 31 seconds after his missed handball penalty and became the oldest goalscorer at the European Championships, have only a minimal chance of advancing as one of the best four third-placed teams in the group with two points and a goal difference of minus three. In addition, an era is probably coming to an end: Modric, leader of the “Vatreni” in the past few successful years, could have played his last international match.

Both nations were aware of the importance of the match in advance, Croatia’s coach Zlatko Dalic spoke of a “knockout game without extra time” – the approximately 30,000 fans of the 2018 World Cup finalists were already in top form in the afternoon in Leipzig city center and during a fan march towards the stadium. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

And on the pitch, the Croatians also set the tone at the beginning, with Luka Susic forcing Italy’s life insurance Donnarumma to make a brilliant save with a long-range shot early on (4th minute). After having absolutely no chance in the 0:1 defeat against Spain, the Italians needed a while to get into the game, but then suddenly became dangerous: Mateo Retegui headed just wide to the right after a cross from Riccardo Calafiori (21st minute).

European Football Championship 2024 European Football Championship 2021 European Football Championship 2016

The game became more open, and Croatia’s Dominik Livakovic made an excellent save from a header by the advancing Alessandro Bastoni (29′). Both teams then avoided taking risks in order to avoid mistakes. The half-time score was 0:0, which was a fair result.

After the break, events quickly unfolded: Modric failed to save a handball penalty caused by Davide Frattesi against Donnarumma, but the Croatians held on: Donnarumma made a strong save from close range against substitute Ante Budimir, and Modric powerfully dusted off the rebound under the crossbar. The Italians were now challenged and attacked desperately.

2024-06-24 21:05:00
#Dramatic #Modric #Italy #sends #Croatia #valley #tears #shot

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Italian Judokas Shine at European Cup Junior: Gaia Stella and Cristiano Mincinesi Lead the Way with Gold Medals

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It is tsunami-Italy in Prague that, on the second day of the European Cup Junior, won the gold medal with Cristiano Mincinesi in the 90 kg, Gaia Stella in the 52 kg, the silver medal with Rebecca Valeriani in the 48 kg, the bronze medal with Henry Owusu Asare Owusu in the 90 kg, Ilaria Finestrone in the 52 kg, Giulia Carna and Michela Terranova in the 57 kg.

The total of the day is seven medals, plus two from yesterday it gets to nine and for the medal table by nation it can go well like this: Italy is first with three golds, two silvers, four bronzes. Brazil has taken ten medals, but is behind because it has only two golds.

“I’m happy with this medal and satisfied with the race,” she said. Gaia Stella– It was a very challenging race and this result means a lot to me. I thank my family, my coaches and my gym mates.”

“After the gold at the absolute, I came here to win, like in every race. – she said Giulia Carnà– I don’t want to appeal to the referees’ interpretations, I only make mea culpa for my mistakes. A new four-year period and new goals begins. I thank the Fiamme Oro, my teachers Marco and Fabrizio Fantauzzo. Thanks to the entire Judo virtus Fantauzzo company and to my family who follows me from home”.

“Despite the lost match, I am very happy with my race for being able to get back up and win all the repechage matches, arriving at the medal. -he said Henry Owusu Asare Owusu– I would really like to thank my president Lucia Rubini, my teacher Luigi Crescini, my coach Luca Ravanetti who followed me today, the Federal technicians present, all my teammates of KSDK Parma for the support they gave me today by cheering from home and every day during training and, finally, my class 5B and Salvatore Robuschi who supports my path”.

“Even though today I wasn’t in top form,” he said instead Michela Terranova– I think I had a good race, bringing home a wealth of experience and motivation. With today’s bronze, I win my third medal in the junior world judo tour. I thank all the coaches of the national team for supporting me, but above all I thank the Carabinieri, my commander Luigi Guido and my coach Giovanni Carollo, who unfortunately is not here with me… but from afar he helped me a lot. Focus on the next ones”. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

“Superlative performance by our Azzurri who were the protagonists of the second day of competition. Above all, Mincinesi and Stella impressed with determination, tenacity and great judo, making the Mameli Anthem resound here in Prague. – this is the comment of the three Azzurri coaches, Vito Zocco, Salvatore Ferro, Luca Ravanetti– Valeriani’s performance was no less impressive, only stopped by the English athlete in the final at the end of a balanced and hard-fought match. Also of great value were the four bronze medals won by Finestrone, Carná, Terranova and Owusu who strongly wanted to reach the podium after having played convincing tests. There is a bitter taste in the mouth for the medal lost to Sciacovelli.

With today’s seven medals, net of some very questionable refereeing decisions, the young Azzurri have projected our national team to the top of the medal table and give us hope for future commitments”.

>>> SECOND DAY RESULTS

2024-07-07 17:10:00
#medals #Prague #Gold #Stella #Mincinesi #Italy #U21 #tsunami

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Scaloni’s dilemmas: Messi’s return, Di Maria’s chance, and the semi-final against Canada

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07/07/2024 14:49hs.

The match with Ecuador is now behind us and the semi-final against Canada is on the horizon. next Tuesday at 9pm at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. And Lionel Scaloni is already preparing the team and is considering making some changes to the line-up. And that will be put to the test this afternoon/evening, when Scaloneta trains at the Red Bull Training Center.

One thing is clear: Lionel Messi is much better from his right adductor problemObviously he won’t be in top form, he’s not 100 percent, but he will be more relaxed, he will have more ease in his movements. He spent the last training sessions with less pain and was able to work alongside his teammates. So, with the number 10 as a flag bearer and confirmed – with Ecuador it was in doubt until 24 hours before the match – the National Team now has one less focus of attention and also the peace of mind that the captain will be back in charge of the team, as in every match since the 2006 World Cup.

Scaloni has some footballing issues to resolve. And perhaps the one that steals the spotlight is what will happen with Ángel Di María. Fideo did not play a single minute in the quarter-finals against Ecuador, he watched the penalties from the bench and, luckily, the team went through and the Rosario native will have two more games with the National Team jersey. “Ángel was always warming up and could be an option. Who doesn’t like to see him? I’m the first, but…,” said Lio DT in the press conference.

Now Di Maria has a chance to start against Canada on Tuesday. In his debut he started as a right-wing midfielder in a 4-4-2 and had some good moments. The other match in which he started was against Peru, the day that Scaloni decided to rotate the team, while against Chile he came on in the second half. Angelito has already announced that he will retire after the Copa América, that he is leaving the National Team…. Given the characteristics of the rival, Scaloni is considering Fideo playing instead of Nico González. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

With eight players confirmed (Dibu, Molina, Cuti, Lisandro, Tagliafico, De Paul, Alexis and Messi), The coach will have to finish defining the 11 with the three positions that were always in doubt in this Copa América: the left-wing midfielder, the centre-forward and the third striker. The third midfielder is something that is being reviewed: although the position is Enzo Fernandez (he won it at the World Cup), he didn’t have good matches since he returned from the inguinal hernia operation and that’s why Leandro Paredes and Gio Lo Celso They are also fighting for that position. Scaloni is between confirming the World Cup midfield or dealing with the current situation.

The centre forward position is always in the spotlight due to the excellent levels of Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez. So far they have started two games each: the first two for Manchester City and the last two for Inter. Julián scored one goal and Lautaro scored four. The uncertainty will continue until the day of the match, but the coach is considering putting in an attack similar to that of the debut against Canada, with Messi, Julián and Di María…

The probable formation

The 11 against Canada and the three doubts: Drawn by Martinez; Nahuel Molina, Cuti Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Nicolas Tagliafico; Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez or Paredes/Lo Celso; Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez or Julian Alvarez, Nicolas Gonzalez or Angel Di Maria.

2024-07-07 17:49:56
#probable #formation #National #Team #Canada #Messi #Olé

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LeBron James Set to Make History with Third Olympic Appearance

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He competed in his first Olympics at age 19. He returned twice in his 20s. Now, just months shy of his 40th birthday, he’s about to get another taste.

LeBron James has nothing left to prove. If he lines up with the Americans once again, it’s simply because he wants to.

James is set to become the first U.S. men’s basketball player to compete in the Olympics in three decades.

The United States camp is in motion in Nevada, the starting point where they are ultimately looking for a fifth gold medal in a row.

“I’m still playing at a high level,” said James, who has two gold medals and a bronze to his name. “I still enjoy playing basketball and I have a great relationship with Team USA. It was important for me to join the guys this summer.”

James can notably reconnect with two of his former coaches, Erik Spoelstra and Tyronn Lue. He won an NBA title with each of them at the helm.

“It’s amazing how intense he is in practice,” U.S. coach Steve Kerr said. “I asked Ty and ‘Spo’ if that’s normal, and they said he’s like that every drill, every day.” READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

James won bronze in 2004 in Athens and also in 2006 at the World Championship (now the World Cup) in Japan.

Since then, the Americans have always won gold when he has donned their jersey, with a record of 36-0.

“Our only goal is to win gold,” James said.

The Americans will face Canada in a pre-season match on Wednesday.

2024-07-07 14:22:00
#Basketball #LeBron #James #motivated #eve #fourth #appearance #Olympic #Games

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