SPORTS

UEFA EURO 2024: Spain ends home European Championship for Germany

Published

6 months ago

July 6, 2024

1oo9t

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.

The live ticker for reading

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

READ FULL STORY HERE>>...CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

SPORTS

The Truth About the India Vs Nigeria 99-1 Match

Published

16 hours ago

December 21, 2024

1oo9t

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.

READ FULL STORY HERE>>...CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

SPORTS

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

Published

2 months ago

November 5, 2024

1oo9t

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.

READ FULL STORY HERE>>...CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

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.

READ FULL STORY HERE>>...CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>