SPORTS

open round of 16, with a France-Belgium clash on the program

Published

6 months ago

June 28, 2024

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The first round of Euro 2024 ended on Wednesday, June 26, and almost all the big nations are in the round of 16. France and Belgium, sluggish, will find themselves face-to-face, while the formidable Spain will measure up to the novice Georgian. Germany, at home, will have to be wary of Denmark. Focus on the eight games.

Published on: 06/27/2024 – 4:21 p.m.

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There were 24 nations at the kick-off of theEuro 2024 June 14. A little less than two weeks later, there are only 16 left. Since the 2016 edition and the expansion of the European Nations Championship to 24 teams, there has been much less damage at the end of the first round, with in particular the principle of the four best third-placed teams qualifying for the rest of the competition.

So, this year again, all the big nations of the European chessboard validated their ticket for the round of 16. Just, we can point out the elimination of the aging Croatia, used to shining at the World Cups, but still as underperforming at the Euro. The favorites and outsiders have gone through, as well as some less expected teams.

To consultEuro 2024: find the calendar and the results

Germany-Denmark: The Nationalmannschaft has a status to assume

Best attack with eight goals scored in three matches, Germany has rather reassured its supporters. She was impeccable in her first two matches. The third against Switzerland was more complicated, with an equalizer on the gong (1-1) to keep first place in group A. The Germans are confident, effective in the offensive domain, and supported by their public. They are among the favorites for the title and are not hiding. Facing Julian Nagelsmann’s squad, here is Denmark again, semi-finalist four years ago. The Danes appear less dashing than during Euro 2021, with their three draws in the first round (two goals scored, two goals conceded) and a second place gleaned from fair play in front of Slovenia in group C. They will have to sublimate themselves to respond to the German challenge in Dortmund.

France-Belgium: how we meet again

The french team is not really a good client for the Red Devils in the final phase of official competition. It’s simple, in five World Cup, Euro and Nations League matches, the Belgians have always lost to the Blues. Six years ago, France shattered Belgium’s dream in the World Cup semi-final. And three years ago, in the semi-final of the League of Nations, Didier Deschamps and his men again frustrated their opponents. There is undoubtedly a spirit of revenge in the ranks of the Belgian selection today. But both teams floundered in the first round, scoring little (two goals) and winning only one match. Awakening is expected on both sides. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Spain-Georgia: the ogre facing the novice

They are the most attractive team in the first round, the only one to have had a clean sweep: three wins in three matches, five goals scored and none conceded. Spain has found ambition again with Luis De La Fuente as coach, Rodri as a hub and the youngsters Lamine Yamal (16 years old) and Nico Williams (21 years old) to torment the defenses on the wings. La Furia Roja looks like a behemoth next to their opponent, Georgia. But beware of appearances. Of course, this Euro is the Georgian selection’s first major competition. But led by French coach Willy Sagnol, the Georgians have no complexes and have not stolen their qualification. They validated their ticket thanks to a deserved victory against Portugal in Group F (2-0). With Khvicha Kvaratskhelia as the detonator and Georges Mikautadze the competition’s top scorer (three goals), Georgia believes in the feat.

England-Slovakia: The Three Lions are struggling to find their feet

England are among those favourites who floundered in the first round, with an opening win, then two draws, and only two goals scored. Enough to take first place in Group C, but not enough to reassure. The reigning European vice-champions are showing worrying difficulties in attacking despite an impressive arsenal. They are going into the knockout phase with no certainty against a Slovakia that is half-hearted. The Slovaks had made a good start in Group E by taming Belgium (1-0), but they followed up with a defeat and then a draw against Ukraine (1-2) and Romania (1-1). In a group where all four teams finished with 4 points, it is not easy to gauge the real level of this Slovakia.

Portugal-Slovenia: Seleçao wants to erase the squawk

It was off to a good start for Portugal, between a victory snatched in the last moments against the Czech Republic (2-1), and another clear victory against Turkey (3-0). His team already qualified after two matches, Roberto Martinez rotated his squad for the final meeting of Group F against Georgia. But even with solid elements on the field like veteran Cristiano Ronaldo (39 years old), Joao Félix and Antonio Silva, the Portuguese blundered and bowed to the Georgian sensation. An unfortunate defeat, which cuts Portugal’s momentum and forces it to pull itself together against Slovenia, qualified for the round of 16 at the end of a very dull run: three draws and a narrow place among the four best thirds . This is the first time that the Slovenes have survived a first round.

Italy-Switzerland: the continuation of the Italian miracle?

The defending champion narrowly missed out on the first round. Italy, victorious over Albania (2-1) and then defeated by Spain (0-1), saved their lead at the end of an interminable injury time against Croatia in the last match. Mattia Zaccagni’s curling shot into the top corner in the 90+8th minute against the Croatians (1-1) put the Squadra Azzurra back in 2nd place in Group B and delighted their many supporters, who hope to see their team continue this brilliant euphoria against Switzerland. But they will have to be inspired against these very serious Swiss in the first round and who almost beat Germany. Efficient and experienced, the Nati are not an easy team to move and could well pose a problem for Italy.

Romania-Netherlands: a fog to clear

In a flat Group E where the four teams finished with four points, the Romanians had the last word. They got off to a very good start by extinguishing Ukraine (3-0) but fell behind against Belgium (0-2) and neutralized Slovakia (1-1). Nothing too notable, but it was enough to take first place. It was not much better for the Netherlands in Group D, where they finished in third place. The Oranje notably suffered a bitter final setback against Austria, while first place was reaching out to them. Romania and the Netherlands are in limbo before finding themselves in the round of 16.

Austria-Türkiye: The teammore than a surprise?

In a group D with the vice-world champions France and the Netherlands, Austria was not really favored by the predictions. But The team, as she is nicknamed, had a good series of matches without defeat before the Euro. And after a short setback against the Blues (0-1), it dictated its law to Poland (3-1) before a resounding victory against the Netherlands (3-2) in a decisive match. And at the finish, it was Austria who came out on top by winning first place under everyone’s nose. Turkey also had a very rhythmic first round in Group F, with a victory against Georgia (3-1), a slap against Portugal (0-3) and a victory down to the wire against the Czech Republic (2 -1) to snatch second place. Potentially very exciting round of 16 in perspective.

Read alsoEuro 2024: the program and times for the round of 16

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SPORTS

The Truth About the India Vs Nigeria 99-1 Match

Published

16 hours ago

December 21, 2024

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In one way or the other, almost every Nigerian has heard of the mythical match between India Vs. Nigeria that ended with 99 goals to 1 with India being victorious.

Before the advent of the internet, this story successfully thrived among Nigerians, but with the emergence of the internet and easy access to social media, the truth behind the India Vs Nigeria 99-1 match was revealed.

Though there are different accounts of the match, but they all have the following in common:

That the match ended with India scoring 99 goals and Nigeria scoring just one goal.
That Nigerians were unable to kick the ball because the football kept turning to a lion which scared them away…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>
2. That Indians later agreed that if Nigeria could score one goal, they would concede defeat.
3. That Samuel Okwaraji scored the winning goal and lost his life in the process because the ball turned into stone as he was about to kick it.
4. That FIFA banned India from soccer because they used juju (black magic) in that match.
Why did people believe the India Vs Nigeria 99-1 match story?

Even with the absence of the internet back then, this kind of claims should be immediately recognized as lies, the kind of lies they call “big fat lies”. But most people like to acknowledge this story as true with the fact that no one has ever seen India play in an International Football Match. Since no one actually saw India participate in most international soccer games, this gave a little credence to the story.

Another reason this lie thrived for long was that credible information was not easily accessible in Nigeria unlike now that even a 4-year-old child can debunk false claims within minutes with the help of Google. This Nigeria Vs India match story would have been fabricated by one community elder to children during an evening gathering; that’s our take at OldNaija.

What Actually Happened!

On the 12th of August 1989, Nigeria lost one of her best footballers, Sam Okwaraji who died during a football match. We wrote about how he died on the pitch and you can read it here. Sam Okwaraji was the player rumoured to have lost his life in that game when in truth he died during a FIFA World Cup qualifying game against Angola in the 77th minute. He collapsed and died of cognitive heart failure. May his soul rest in peace. AMEN!

Samuel Okwaraji (circled)

So, that is the only truthful thing about the India Vs Nigeria 99-1 match story, the fact that a Nigerian player died during a football match. That is what these lies was fabricated around. The match was not against India, Nigeria did not lose the match and as you must have guessed, and there were no lions or ball turning into a stone.

Meme by Campus Bro

Nevertheless, one cannot deny that this kind of story made one’s childhood as a Nigerian. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Before we go,

Why was India Banned by FIFA?

India was never banned by FIFA. It was India that withdrew from the tournament themselves. Here is how it happened.

Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) made it clear to India that they would not be allowed to play in the 1950 FIFA World Cup without footwear.

Then something happened. You see, when determining the make-up of the 1950 World Cup, FIFA determined that obviously the two defending finalists, Brazil and Italy, would be guaranteed slots. That left fourteen slots that needed to be filled.

FIFA decided that seven of those slots would come from Europe, six would come from the Americas and one would come from Asia.

The problem was that of the four Asian teams that were invited to the World Cup, three of them (the Philippines, Indonesia and Burma) withdrew from the tournament before the qualification round.

Therefore, India earned an automatic slot within the World Cup. It would be India’s first time appearing in the World Cup but India, too, withdrew from the tournament because FIFA would not allow them to compete barefoot.

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SPORTS

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

Published

2 months ago

November 5, 2024

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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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SPORTS

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

Published

2 months ago

October 12, 2024

1oo9t

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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