SPORTS

The Slovaks Stand Strong in UEFA Champions League Qualifier Against Struga: A Tale of Two National Champions

Published

5 months ago

July 17, 2024

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In the duel between two national champions in the first qualifying round of the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League, everything went in the Slovak title holders’ favour in the first leg. But then the North Macedonian champions struck back with a brace and equalised at 2:2, before the Belasí finally managed to win 4:2 at home. So if the tip for a home victory for the North Macedonians with at least a two-goal lead in Struga against Slovan Bratislava does not come true, the Slovaks are expected to advance to the next roundwhile Struga would be relegated to the Conference League Quali.

In principle, the prediction for the favoured Slovaks to advance in Struga against Slovan Bratislava is also under a good star. However, the Ibraimi double for the North Macedonian champions in the first leg also showed how quickly things can go when concentration wanes. With seven senior international players who recently played for Slovakia and Georgia at the European Championships and for Panama at the Copa América, the Belasí also lack the automatism and the team spirit.

Struga – Slovan Bratislava odds | 3 top tips

Betting odds as of: 16.07.2024, 09:20

Nevertheless, the Slovakian champions have a much more prestigious squad. Not a single senior international player can be found in the ranks of the North Macedonian champions, who, purely in terms of the total market value of the squad, only reach the level of a mediocre German third division team. Slovan Bratislava should therefore with a concentrated defensive performance, they will be able to maintain the two-goal lead from the first leg.

Because FC Struga also lacks offensive means, we believe the return leg will be much tougher and less goal-scoring than the first leg. It therefore makes sense to bet on under 2.5 goals this time, despite the total of six goals last week. However, since a heated second half cannot be categorically ruled out, a sensible and less risky alternative would be to bet on under 1.5 goals in the first half using the Happybet app. You can access the current bonus from this provider via the advertising banner below.

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Struga – Statistics & Current Form

FC Struga – actually Fudbalski Klub Struga Trim-Lum – was more or less created on the drawing board just nine years ago. Trim & Lum, a company specializing in real estate based in Struga, North Macedonia, only founded the club in August 2015, but took a very serious and ambitious approach from the start.

The result is that the club, which initially started in the fourth division, was promoted to the country’s top division in the summer of 2019 and, after 2022/23, was also champion in 2023/24. The next milestone in the club’s short history is now to enter the group stage of a UEFA competition.

So far, Struga has had little to gain internationally

However, the footballers from the small town in the southwest of North Macedonia, located at the outflow of the Black Drin from Lake Ohrid, are still a long way from this. Of eleven international competitive matches, only three matches were won (two draws, six defeats).

Recently, they have suffered four defeats in a row in European competitive matches. To make matters worse, a win in the return match against Slovan Bratislava may not be enough. After the 2:4 defeat, they would need a two-goal lead to force extra time.

Can Struga defy the underdog role once again?

So the odds for Struga against Slovan Bratislava are clearly against the Reds, who had already accepted their role as underdogs in the first leg excellently. All experts ultimately expected a crystal clear home victory for the Slovaks, which was initially on the cards.

However, after falling behind 2-0, 37-year-old veteran Besart Ibraimi struck back with a brace and equalized the match away in the Slovakian capital, before the quality and physique were lacking in the closing stages to keep up with the Belasí. The comeback shows, however, that the guests should by no means take this return match in the southwest of North Macedonia lightly.

Expected line-up of Struga:
Dujmovic – Vosha, Krivanjeva, Ristevski, Radic, Vlajkovic – Ukpa, Jetvoski, Shabani – Ibraimi, Maleski

Injured and suspended players of Struga:

Last matches of Struga:

Slovan Bratislava – Statistics & current form

Slovan Bratislava is not only the Slovakian record champion and record cup winner, but also had several resounding successes in the former Czechoslovakia before Slovakia gained independence. In addition to numerous national titles, the Belasí (in English: the sky blues) have also triumphed internationally.

In the summer of 1969, the team from the only capital in the world that borders more than one neighboring country (Austria and Hungary) won the European Cup Winners’ Cup. In the final, they beat none other than the great FC Barcelona 3-2.

Slovan Bratislava recently with convincing performances in Europe

In the recent past, the international performances of the Belasí have also been impressive. In 2022/23, they won their group in the Conference League ahead of Zalgiris, Pyunik and FC Basel. In 2023/24, the Slovaks again secured second place in the preliminary group of the Conference League with Olimpija Ljubljana, OSC Lille and the Faroese upstart KI Klaksvik.

Nun The Belasí are aiming for a group stage for the third year in a rowbut would also like to make it into the Champions League. A year ago, they made it to the third qualifying round. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

What is possible with the strong squad this year?

Under coach Vladimír Weiss, a very powerful team has been formed, which, with a total of seven senior international players, should be strong enough to cope with the other national champions of the associations ranked 25th to 55th in the UEFA rankings, against whom the team is currently playing in the Champions League qualifiers.

Players like 33-year-old Robert Mak, 34-year-old Vladimir Weiss and 37-year-old Juraj Kucka – all three scored in the first leg – provide the experienced foundation, while 19-year-old Nino Marcelli is considered one of Slovakia’s greatest talents and 23-year-old goal-getter David Strelec, a big name from Spezia Calcio, was signed this summer. In short: The mix is right, which is why it would be a big surprise if the 1969 European Cup winners failed at the first hurdle in North Macedonia.

Expected line-up of Slovan Bratislava:
Trnovsky – Wimmer, Bajric, Kashia, Pauschek – Weiss, Kucka, Savvidis, Tolic, Mak – Strelec

Injured and suspended players of Slovan Bratislava:

Last matches of Slovan Bratislava:

Our Struga – Slovan Bratislava tip in odds comparison 17.07.2024 – Over/Under

Struga – Slovan Bratislava Direct comparison / H2H balance

Head to head: 0 – 0 – 1

Slovan Bratislava’s 4-2 home win last Wednesday marked the first and only international competitive match between the two teams. The Belasí are therefore slightly ahead in the head-to-head comparison and are now visiting North Macedonia for a competitive match for the first time ever.

Statistics highlights for Struga vs Slovan Bratislava

Betting base prediction & Struga – Slovan Bratislava tip

In the return match between Struga and Slovan Bratislava, the odds of the best bookmakers are also in favour of the Slovakian national champions, who have significantly more quality in their ranks with seven senior national players. The North Macedonians, on the other hand, do not have a single national player and have purely in terms of the market value of their squad, the level of a mediocre German third division team. The North Macedonian champions will have to face a tough challenge in front of their home crowd against the renowned Belasí.

Key-Facts – Struga vs. Slovan Bratislava Tipp

Slovan Bratislava won the first leg against Struga 4-2
Struga has lost six of its first eleven international competitive matches (three wins, two draws) – including the last four matches in a row
Slovan Bratislava has already survived the group stage of the Conference League twice

We want to focus on Struga vs Slovan Bratislava in our prediction Don’t be blinded by the six goals from the first legwhich were partly due to the circumstances of the game. Because we expect a visiting team that is in the comfortable position of being able to close things down at the back and wait for counterattacks up front, because if necessary a 0-0 or even a 0-1 away defeat is enough to advance, it should be a rather tough and low-scoring second leg.

Our recommendation is therefore the under bet. Bet-at-home offers odds of 2.25 for under 2.5 goals, which we bet on with four out of ten units. We tell you where you can currently place bets without tax in the linked article.

Odds probabilities for Struga win / Draw / Slovan Bratislava win:

Struga – Slovan Bratislava – betting odds * & other interesting bets at a glance:
Over / Under 2.5 goals

Over 2.5 goals: 1.62 @Bet365
Under 2.5 goals: 2.20 @Bet365

Both teams meet
AND: 1.54 @Bet365
NO: 2.25 @Bet365

Betting odds as of: 16.07.2024, 09:20

2024-07-17 15:17:06
#Struga #Slovan #Bratislava #Tip #Prediction #Odds #17.07.2024

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SPORTS

The Truth About the India Vs Nigeria 99-1 Match

Published

22 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.

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.

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