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Pink hair, Schuhplattler and election campaigners – the slightly different eleven of the European Championship

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Status: 15.07.2024 16:27

A fighter type with a penchant for dyed hair, a Scottish Schuhplattler and campaigner against the far-right: the somewhat different eleven of the season.

Goal – Marc-André ter Stegen (Germany)

Marc-Andre ter Stegen sits on the bench during a European Championship match

People from the Lower Rhine are considered to be relaxed people. Marc-André ter Stegen, born and raised in the Mönchengladbach district of Lürrip, has lived in the Catalan metropolis of Barcelona for ten years, but he has retained his relaxed attitude. He needs it, because he has suffered an almost unprecedented fate in sporting terms: he is one of the best goalkeepers in the world, has won the Champions League, the Spanish championship five times and the Spanish cup.

But he doesn’t get a chance in the national team. He has been the DFB’s number two for a good decade – and remained so even when Manuel Neuer was out injured for a long time and showed unusual insecurities before the European Championship. But hope dies last: Neuer is already 38, and time is on the side of ter Stegen, who is six years younger. However, Manuel Neuer has not yet ruled out wanting to be in goal at the 2026 World Cup.

Defence – Merih Demiral (Türkiye)

Sociologists and fan researchers like to say that football is a magnifying glass. And they believe that social developments are also reflected in football, but in a more intense and urgent way. This was also the case at the European Championships in Germany. The tournament was also a stage for right-wing extremists: from Hungary, Serbia, Croatia, and Austria.

The biggest waves were caused by the “wolf salute” of the Turkish defender Merih Demiral after the victory against Austria. The symbol of the right-wing extremist “Grey Wolves” became a state affair, leading to mutual summons of diplomats in Berlin and Ankara, a rebooking of a trip and a ban on Demiral from two games. Football and politics simply cannot be separated.

Defence – Marc Cucurella (Spain)

“If the referees say it wasn’t handball, then of course I respect that as a player,” said Marc Cucurella. Then he laughed. Perhaps it was this laughter that finally got some German football fans riled up and made the Spaniard, whose handball went unpunished in extra time of the quarter-final against Germany, into sporting public enemy number one.

Two days later, in the semi-final, the full-back got his comeuppance. Until the last minute, he was booed every time he touched the ball. The fans thus put the reputation of fair hosts, which had been painstakingly built up during the tournament, to the test. In the final, the same soundscape was heard, albeit a little more subdued. And Cucurella? He did the only right thing: with some immaculate preparatory work, he played a major role in the Spanish triumph.

Defence – Riccardo Calafiori (Italy)

Italy’s central defender and “Hot Rodent Man” Riccardo Calafiori

There’s a trend going around the internet these days: “Hot Rodent Men” – young men who are phenotypically reminiscent of rodents are something like the cute antithesis of toxic masculinity in Generation Z. Actors Timothée Chalamet and Adam Driver are among them, as is singer Harry Styles. At the European Championships, the selection of Hot Rodent Men was rather limited. If it hadn’t been for the Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori.

The Italians had to leave the European Championship after the round of 16 after a performance that was diplomatically described as mixed. Their performances will not be remembered in a few weeks – their only shining light, Calafiori, will probably be remembered for longer. The 22-year-old satisfies the Italian love of elegant defenders with the same opening play – a footballer that has been a dream since Paolo Maldini. And the fact that the Italian edition of the men’s magazine “GQ” confirms that Calafiori has “the ability to be a sex symbol” will certainly not put a damper on the hype.

Midfield – Nedim Bajrami (Albania)

“And then the game is on in the evening. Albania in black and red, against defending champion Italy. It’s dry. 17 degrees. Dramatic throw-in, and Bajrami immediately takes the lead.” Tom Bartels didn’t have much time on the first match day of Group B to introduce the opponents – the Albanians were already in the lead. Nedim Bajrami scored after just 23 seconds – it was the fastest goal in European Championship history and secured the US Sassuolo man a place in the history books.

“Scoring for Albania at a European Championship is a dream for me. I worked hard for it,” said Bajrami after the match. The latter is an empty phrase in nine out of ten cases – but in his case it is actually true. Bajrami’s work did not just mean the football pitch and the gym. The son of Macedonian immigrants, who was born and raised in Switzerland, actually had to go to the International Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to be allowed to play for Albania. He was ultimately found to be right. It was worth it.

Midfield – Christian Eriksen (Denmark)

June 12, 2021 is a day that not only sports journalists will not easily forget. Many colleagues witnessed how the Dane Christian Eriksen collapsed without any outside influence during the first group match against Finland and had to be resuscitated for several minutes. The images of crying teammates forming a guard of honor around their teammate who was fighting for his life have become iconic beyond football. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Eriksen had to wait exactly 1,100 days for his next European Championship appearance – and then he created another iconic moment. The midfielder, who now plays with an internal implantable defibrillator, scored the opening goal for the Danes in a spectacular fashion. And there was probably no one who didn’t have the images of that time in their head at that moment, and hardly anyone who wasn’t happy for the Dane.

Midfield – Robert Andrich (Germany)

Germany’s Robert Andrich reacts during a European Championship match

Former goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has been a reliable supplier of exclusive statements for years, which are sometimes racist, sometimes annoying and sometimes simply bizarre. At this European Championship, Lehmann once again had his “moment to shine” – when asked about Robert Andrich’s new hair color, who presented himself in pink. “You have to be careful these days, because maybe he feels like a woman or something. What is he trying to show us? Does he have some kind of personality problem that makes him stand out like that?” Lehmann wondered.

The midfield warrior’s answer was simple: “Those who have been following me for a long time or my friends and family are not surprised.” And so, after the German away jerseys, which sold better than any jersey in history before, he finally made pink the cult color of the EURO.

Midfield – John McGinn (Scotland)

European Football Championship: Scotland’s McGinn dances at the reception in Garmisch-Partenkirchen

We asked 100 people: Can you tell us a song that you will remember from the European Championships? 96 people said: “No Scotland, no party”. Ah, the Scots. The least competitive team in terms of sport, the fans took German hearts by storm at the European Championships. People usually barricade their doors when tens of thousands of football fans parade through city centers. When the Scots paraded through Cologne with 35,000 fans, people stood at the window and applauded.

The affection does not end with the fans – the players also strive for international understanding. Scotland’s midfielder John McGinn, performing the traditional Schuhplattler dance, can be seen as the extended arm of Scottish fan folklore. It is no wonder that there was a great deal of despair after the Scots’ early exit. And the Germans promptly did what they do best at the moment: they set up a petition demanding an annual international match against Scotland.

Attack – Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

No, it was not Cristiano Ronaldo’s tournament. The Portuguese did indeed reach the quarter-finals, but it was generally agreed that this was more in spite of Ronaldo’s participation than because of his contribution. The latter is increasingly holding back his extremely talented teammates and preventing them from developing. As one colleague wrote after the round of 16: “When the boss puts a hand on your shoulder in the office and stares at the screen from behind you, it’s not good to work.”

The events in the round of 16 against Slovenia were almost symbolic: Ronaldo grabbed the ball from a Portuguese penalty in extra time, missed and cried uncontrollably afterwards. Perhaps because he secretly feels and knows that his time is over. But he doesn’t want to admit it yet. There are cases like this in sport again and again, where former superstars can’t let go. Rafael Nadal is an example in tennis, Michael Jordan was an example in basketball. They were and are all living legends. But even legends have to retire at some point. Ronaldo announced after the elimination that this was definitely his last European Championship. He said nothing about the World Cup in two years.

Attack – Niclas Füllkrug (Germany)

One immediate effect of the European Championship was that the whole of Europe now knows that Deutsche Bahn needs some optimisation in the areas of punctuality, efficiency and infrastructure. Or, as Austrian fans chanted more prosaically: “Deutsche Bahn is so screwed.” The Dutch learned this before the semi-final when their train from Wolfsburg to Dortmund was cancelled, and the Turks simply used the plane as a precaution, even for the shortest journeys. “Deutsche Bahn, the feared opponent,” was the apt headline in the “Süddeutsche” newspaper.

German national players have long known about the unreliability of their national mobility provider. Niclas Füllkrug is no exception. When he travelled to the German base by train after the Champions League final, he preferred to arrive a day early, “out of respect for Deutsche Bahn”. Of course, this journey was not without cancellations and delays, but Füllkrug eventually found a place on an overcrowded train and entertained an entire high school class there – to the delight of both sides, as he assures us. You can also look at it this way: Without the shortcomings of the DB, this would not have been possible.

Attack – Marcus Thuram (France)

“I congratulate everyone who took part in the face of the danger that loomed over our beautiful country. Long live diversity, long live the Republic, long live France. The fight goes on.” This was not said by the French Green Party leader Marine Tondelier or Jean-Luc Mélenchon of the left-wing La France insoumise, but by Marcus Thuram, striker of the French national team. At the same time as the European Championship, the run-off election for the National Assembly was taking place at home, and many French players with an immigration background expressed their concern in advance of an election victory for the right-wing populist “Rassemblement National” and called on their compatriots to vote, including Kylian Mbappé, Jules Koundé, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Ousmane Dembélé.

The French association then felt compelled to assert its neutrality and called for restraint. Coach Didier Deschamps, however, made it clear: “The players have the freedom to say what they want to say with their words, according to their feelings.” And rightly so.

The slightly different eleven of the European Championship

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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.

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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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