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Stuttgart’s Search for a Striker: The Hunt for Extraordinary Talent

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Kılıçsoy “extraordinary talent”

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The article first appeared on July 2, 21:45 and has been updated with new information about Asano and Højlund (last paragraph)

After a sensational season that saw them qualify for the Champions League, VfB Stuttgart must cope with the departure of several key players. The upcoming transfer of Serhou Guirassy (28), who will most likely move to league rivals Borussia Dortmund, means that a replacement is needed in the centre-forward position. According to media reports, the Swabians’ efforts are focused on two people: Ermedin Demirovic (26) from FC Augsburg and Semih Kılıçsoy (18) from Besiktas. On Wednesday, two more names are being discussed in the rumour mill: Takuma Asano (29), who is currently playing for Bochum and is free after his contract expires, and young striker Emil Højlund (19) from FC Copenhagen, brother of European Championship driver Rasmus from Manchester United.

Rumor E. Demirovic center forward FC Augsburg

64 % VfB Stuttgart Bundesliga Bundesliga

According to “Bild”, VfB and Demirovic have agreed on a transfer, but the transfer negotiations between the Bundesliga clubs are proving problematic. The Fuggerstadt team is hoping for an almost record internal club sum of 25 million euros plus bonuses, which VfB is not prepared to pay. The transfer poker is on, it is said. Captain Demirovic is under contract in Augsburg until 2026. In 2022, the Hamburg native was signed on a free transfer from SC Freiburg, since then he has scored 23 goals and provided 16 assists in 66 competitive matches.

Another Stuttgart candidate mentioned in the TM rumor mill is offensive youngster Kılıçsoy. His market value is 12 million euros, and the contract is long-term until 2028. Lara Karacan, Lead of Content TR at Transfermarkt, says: “Kılıçsoy is considered one of Turkey’s most promising talents and is part of the highly praised 2005 class, which also includes players such as Kenan Yıldız, Arda Güler and Can Uzun. Beşiktaş will therefore only let him go if he is absolutely willing to pay. The club would be willing to hold talks for a transfer fee of 20 million euros or more, although a demand of up to 30 million euros is not out of the question.”

Karacan continued: “In his first season at Beşiktaş, Kılıçsoy showed his exceptional talent, especially in the game against Trabzonspor. However, as with any young player, there were ups and downs in his performances. If VfB Stuttgart sign him, they must be aware that he will certainly need some time to get used to the situation and will not be able to replace Guirassy one-to-one straight away.”

Rumor S. Kılıçsoy center forward Besiktas READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

29 % VfB Stuttgart Süper Lig Bundesliga

Other names being discussed at VfB Stuttgart: Asano return and Højlund return?

Update 3. Juli: On Wednesday, the Japanese sports newspaper “Sponichi” linked long-time Bochum striker Asano with VfB in a relatively concrete way. The Swabians have made an offer to the 29-year-old, who wore the jersey with the chest ring from 2016 to 2018 (45 games/5 goals/5 assists). The 52-time national player is available on a free transfer. According to the “Stuttgarter Zeitung”, however, there will be no transfer, even if the name was discussed internally.

Rumor T. Asano Right Winger Without a Club

24 % VfB Stuttgart Bundesliga

The “Kicker” brings another name into play: Emil Højlund, brother of Man United’s Rasmus. The 19-year-old centre-forward would not be considered as a possible successor to Undav or Guirassy if he were signed. Højlund’s contract in Copenhagen expires on December 31st, so a transfer would be in the cheaper category.

Rumor E. Højlund centre forward FC Copenhagen

45 % VfB Stuttgart Super League Bundesliga

2024-07-03 10:38:03
#VfB #Stuttgart #Poker #Ermedin #Demirovic #Emil #Højlund #Focus

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Justin Steele Dominates as Cubs Defeat Angels 5-1

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Justin Steele allowed just two singles in a complete game Friday, helping the Chicago Cubs to a 5-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels.

Steele was an All-Star last year, going 16-5 with a 3.06 ERA.

He earned his first win of the campaign on Friday (in his 13th start), also achieving his first complete game in his career.

The left-hander improved his record to 1-3 and his ERA to 2.95.

Steele struck out seven batters and walked two.

Seiya Suzuki hit a two-run homer in the first inning, his fourth home run in nine games.

Miles Mastrobuoni was outstanding at third base in the first, third and eighth innings. On the very first pitch of the game, he set the tone by diving to his right to catch a line drive from Taylor Ward.

He also hit his second double of the season.

The Cubs won their second straight game, following a stretch in which they were beaten eight times in 10 outings.

The Angels dropped a fifth straight game after winning six in a row.

Griffin Canning (3-9) allowed four runs and six hits in four 1-third innings.

Elsewhere in Major League Baseball:

NY Mets – Pittsburgh
NYM:
PIT :

St. Louis – Washington
STL :
WAS :
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Boston – NY Yankees
BOS :
NYY :

White Sox – Miami
CHW :
MIA :

Detroit – Cincinnati
THAT:
CIN :

San Francisco – Cleveland
SF  :
CLE :

Philadelphia – Atlanta
PHI :
ATL :

Tampa Bay – Texas
TB  :
TEX :

Houston – Minnesota
NEW:
MIN :

Kansas City – Colorado
KC :
COL :

Arizona – San Diego
ARI :
SD  :

Baltimore – Oakland
BAL :
OAK :

Toronto – Seattle
TOR :
SEA :

Milwaukee – LA Dodgers
MIL :
LAD :

2024-07-05 22:59:48
#Major #League #Baseball #Game #Recap #Friday #July

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The End of an Era: France Knocks Out Portugal in Epic Euro Quarterfinals

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A loooong evening – with announcement!

For the fourth time, France and Portugal will meet in a knockout match at a European Championship, and for the fourth time, it will require at least extra time.

In the end, the French won 5:3 on penalties and made it to the semi-finals – Portugal’s dream of winning the title in Hamburg was shattered. Unlucky Joao Felix hit the post with Portugal’s third shot.

Mbappé on, Ronaldo out!

It is the generational duel of superstars: Kylian Mbappé (25) against Cristiano Ronaldo (39) – the five-time world footballer and the great childhood idol of the 14-year-younger Frenchman.

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There used to be posters of him in his room, but now Mbappé sometimes gets advice from Ronaldo. The Frenchman revealed this before the game: “He always helps me. He asks what’s going on in my life and he gives me tips. He will always be a football legend, considering what he has done for football. It’s an honour to know him.”

Ronaldo is outWas THAT his last penalty?

Source: MagentaTV06.07.2024

Now Mbappé’s French are sending Ronaldo into European Championship retirement. His 212th international match for Portugal will be his last at a European Championship. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

The superstars’ common problem at the European Championship: the tournament is not going well for them personally! Ronaldo only scored in the two penalty shootouts against Slovenia and now France, Mbappé scored once against Poland from a penalty. The quarter-finals continued to be just as disappointing for both captains…

Coffee to stay awake? Ronaldo’s Georgina was obviously not impressed by the game

Foto: picture alliance / ZUMAPRESS.com

The first half is very heavy football fare, completely devoid of highlights. The superstars in attack don’t have a single shot on goal.

Things get strange in the second half: referee Michael Oliver loses his yellow card while sprinting, and when he returns it, Portugal’s Vitinha jokingly shows him the card. Things get painful for Mbappé, as he gets a header from Silva on the mask he wears because of his broken nose.

Then the game finally picks up speed. First, France goalkeeper Maignan makes strong saves against Fernandes and Vitinha, then Kolo Muani and Camavinga miss two huge chances on the other side. The game goes into extra time goalless, with Ronaldo’s only top chance going way wide. BILD scores 5 for CR7!

For Mbappé, the game is over after just 105 minutes, and Barcola comes in for him. Unlike Ronaldo, however, Mbappé now has at least one more chance to become a hero.

2024-07-05 21:44:33
#Penalty #drama #Portugal #Cristiano #Ronaldo #France #Sport

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UEFA EURO 2024: Spain ends home European Championship for Germany

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The match was a tough one-on-one affair from the start, and referee Anthony Taylor showed 15 yellow cards and one yellow-red card. Germany were lucky not to have lost Kroos early on, who played his last game as a result of Germany’s elimination, after a tough tackle on Pedri.

Dani Olmo scored the 1-0 in the 51st minute after a weak first half by Spain, which Florian Wirtz was only able to equalize in the 89th minute. In extra time, everything seemed to point to a penalty shootout when Mikel Merino put Spain into the semifinals and Germany out of the game with a wonderful header in the 119th minute. In the semifinals, Spain will face France, who beat Portugal 5-3 in the evening match after a goalless extra time.

AP/Manu Fernandez With the defeat, one of the best German footballers left the big football stage forever

Hard entry

ORF co-commentator Helge Payer said at the start of the match that the Spanish were “resistant to pressure” but were not immune to fouls, and Germany immediately showed that they wanted to take the edge off their opponents. Kroos let Pedri fall to the sword, but did not even receive a yellow card from referee Taylor. ORF referee expert Thomas Steiner also believes this was a wrong decision.

Many fouls in the early stages

Kroos let Pedri jump over the sword, but did not even receive a yellow card from referee Taylor.

Shortly afterwards, Ilkay Gündogan followed suit and was not cautioned either, while Spain’s top talent Pedri limped off the pitch in the eighth minute with an injury to his left knee. Taylor then pulled out the first yellow card in the 13th minute, banning Antonio Rüdiger from a possible semi-final.

Germany controls Spain

After the initial excitement had died down, Germany controlled the game with a little more possession, but there were no big chances on either side. In the 21st minute, Kai Havertz headed the ball into the hands of Unai Simon. Before that, young star Lamine Yamal had tried their luck with a free kick and Fabian Ruiz had tried their luck for Spain.

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The game then went back and forth between the penalty areas without any clear chances before Nico Williams broke through on the left and tested Manuel Neuer in the German goal with his shot from the short corner, but Neuer passed the test with flying colors. All neutral observers of the game went into the break slightly disappointed by what had been on offer.

Spaniards gladly accept German invitation

“The Germans are doing well, the Spanish have disappointed me so far,” said ÖFB sports director Peter Schöttel in the ORF EM studio. “The Germans did very, very well tactically and closed down the spaces well. The Spanish did not get into the game,” agreed ORF expert Viktoria Schnaderbeck.

Spain – Germany: 1:0 Olmo (52.)

The German defenders left their opponents far too much space during the 1-0 win.

That Spain had planned more for the second half became obvious in the 52nd minute, when Dani Olmo made perfect use of a pass from Yamal to make it 1-0. The goal came almost at the invitation of the German defense, which completely failed to attack the opposing players in this situation.

Nagelsmann brings fresh forces

Julian Nagelsmann reacted and brought on striker Niclas Füllkrug instead of Gündogan, and Maximilian Mittelstädt came on instead of David Raum. At half-time, Emre Can and Leroy Sane were replaced by Robert Andrich and Florian Wirtz. This left Nagelsmann with only one substitution option for the last half hour.

Spain – Germany: Füllkrug hits the post (77.)

Niclas Füllkrug hits the post while falling.

After that, the German game came alive again thanks to the changes. Simon was at his post when Andrich shot (70th minute). The best chance to equalize came in the 77th minute when Füllkrug shot, which the Dortmund striker hit the post as he fell after a cross pass from Wirtz. The team and fans were given renewed hope when Nagelsmann brought Thomas Müller into the game.

Wirtz extends the game

Finally, it was Wirtz who, after a header from Joshua Kimmich, sent the ball with his right foot into the left corner, from where the ball went over the line via the inside post to make it 1:1 (89th minute). Germany’s final offensive against a somewhat too passive Spaniard was rewarded, and the fans of the DFB team were able to continue dreaming of their European Championship dream. The game went into extra time.

Spain – Germany: 1:1 Wirtz (89.)

Wirtz was in the right place to equalize after a header from Kimmich and redeemed football Germany with the goal to make it 1:1.

The first few minutes of extra time belonged to Germany, but as the game went on, Spain took control and tried to find a gap. The game remained a battle of the two teams, giving each other nothing. Wirtz then had the chance to make it 2-1, but his shot spun just past the right post.

Merino shocks Germans

Füllkrug fired a shot with his left foot past the goal (109′). Then Jamal Musiala hit Spain’s Marc Cucurella on the forearm in the penalty area (106′). To the annoyance of all those who supported Germany, the VAR did not intervene. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Reuters/Lee Smith The scene that outraged football Germany: Cucurella is hit in the hand by a Musiala shot

A spectacular diving header from Füllkrug was saved by a brilliant save from Simon (117th minute). Mikel Merino, who came on as a substitute in the 80th minute, produced an even better header, shocking all the fans of the German team.

The Real Sociedad man perfectly curled a precise cross from the right by Olmo past Neuer into the goal. Rüdiger was poorly positioned and could only watch the ball. In the 119th minute, Germany’s fate at the European Championships at home was sealed.

AP/Ariel Schalit With a textbook header, Mikel Merino ended the home European Championship for Germany in the 119th minute

A Füllkrug shot narrowly missed the Spanish goal and Dani Carvajal received a second yellow card. Taylor blew the whistle and the fact remained that Germany had not won a competitive match against Spain in 36 years and that Kroos’ great career had officially come to an end.

Voices about the game:

Dani Olmo (Spain goalscorer): “Overwhelming. What joy! The victory belongs to all of us. The team comes first. The heart is always more important than the legs. We have to take this calmly and cautiously, the semi-final is in four days. We can be happy, celebrate, but modestly.”

Mikel Merino (Spain goalscorer): “I’m exhausted, to be honest. It was a unique moment. When they equalised in the 90th minute, it was a setback. But we got our reward and I think we deserved it. It was the game we all expected, between two of the best teams in the tournament. It could have been a World Cup final or a European Championship final. The level of the players on the bench is very high. We showed that we can suffer, that we are a great team.”

Toni Kroos (Germany player): “I think we can all be proud because we have all done a lot better than before. I am happy if I have helped a little to ensure that we all in Germany have the ambition and hope to progress. I am confident that the team will achieve this in the future. But it is also part of the fact that we are all sad today. This dream that we all had has now been shattered, even if we will realise in the next few days that we played a good tournament. When you are so close, that is what is extremely bitter.”

Julian Nagelsmann (Germany coach): “I’m fighting back tears. The boys have really put in a lot in the last six weeks. Today they lost undeservedly. We reacted well at half-time. We were much closer to scoring the winning goal than the Spaniards. In the end we weren’t necessarily better, but we were a bit clearer when it came to finishing. We have awakened something in a country that is sinking too much into sadness. We had a great symbiosis with the people in the country, we got people back in front of the TV to watch football who hadn’t done so in the past. But we would have liked to have done it for a week longer.”

UEFA Euro 2024, first quarter-final

Freitag:

Spain – Germany 2:1 aet (1:1 0:0)

Stuttgart, 54,000 spectators, SR Taylor (ENG)

Torfolge:
1:0 ( 51.) Olmo
1:1 ( 89.) Wirtz
2:1 (119.) Merino

Spain: Simon – Carvajal, Le Normand (46./Nacho), Laporte, Cucurella – Rodri, Ruiz (102./Joselu) – Yamal (63. F. Torres), Pedri (8./Olmo), N. Williams (80./Merino) – Morata (80./Oyarzabal)

Deutschland: Neuer – Kimmich, Rüdiger, Tah (80./Müller), Raum (57./Mittelstädt) – Kroos, Can (46./Andrich) – Sane (46./Wirtz), Gündogan (57./Füllkrug), Musiala – Havertz (91./Anton)

Yellow-red card: Carvajal (120.+6/foul play)

Yellow cards: Le Normand, Morata (both suspended in the semi-final), F. Torres, Simon, Rodri, Ruiz and Rüdiger, Andrich, Mittelstädt, Raum, Kroos, Wirtz, Schlotterbeck (substitute), Undav (substitute)

2024-07-05 18:59:51
#UEFA #EURO #Spain #ends #home #European #Championship #Germany

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