SPORTS

Quarterfinals: Germany’s volleyball players – out after heroic fight

Published

5 months ago

August 5, 2024

1oo9t

Status: 05.08.2024 19:37

It was a close call, it was an incredibly tough fight. In the end, the German volleyball players were the unluckier team in a thrilling match against France. And they were eliminated in the quarterfinals after more than two hours of play with a 2:3 (25:18, 28:26, 20:25, 21:25, 13:15) defeat.

It was perhaps the biggest challenge the German team could face in the quarter-finals: host France – 2021 Olympic champions and current winners of the World League. With the frenetic support of the sold-out Paris Arena South, the French, like the German team, had played themselves into a real frenzy.

High performance volleyball from the first rally

And the “teams of the moment” in world volleyball delivered – from the first rally onwards. In the practically boiling hall, Moritz Karlitzek smashed the first ball into the French field. The French responded with a successful attack and a block – leading 2:1. The block – the great strength of the French – caused the Germans some concern. With the three “giants” Jean Patry (2.06 m), Barthelemy Chinenyeze (2.04 m) and Nicolas le Goff (2.07 m), the French can put up a real “wall” at the net.

With the score at 5:4, the first long rally between the two teams culminated in a much-celebrated point for the Germans. These hard-fought points are usually the most important in volleyball – because they do something morale-boosting for the teams. And the next German block followed immediately, making it 7:4 – the German team was on fire.

1st movement – Germany in a frenzy

Kampa and Co. were in the game and Georg Grozer, who had started a little hesitantly, was now gaining momentum. At 14:10, the German superstar scored the first big point. When Anton Brehme then smashed the ball into the French field to make it 16:10, something like a preliminary decision had already been made in the first set. The German team did not let the French off the hook and won the set 25:18 after being 20:14 down.

The first set alone was exhilarating from a German perspective. And the trend continued. Lukas Kampa had already noticed the new status of the German volleyball players in the Olympic Village: “They look at us completely differently. They noticed that we are serious,” the captain of the German volleyball team reported on the days before the Olympic quarter-finals. The Germans’ team spirit was particularly impressive to the competition.

France stabilizes, Germany strikes back

But of course: France is a world-class team and went into the game as favorites. The team stabilized in the second set. They took a two-point lead at the beginning, but didn’t give it up again. At 14:11 and 19:17, the set looked like it had been decided. But Germany came back. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

France’s block – outstanding

At 20:20 and the next hammer attack shot from Moritz Reichert, everything was equal again. And the hall held its breath – France delivered: got the small break and made it 23:21. But it was not enough for the French. The Germans got the break back. And Georg Grozer finally closed the set – smashing Germany to win the set 28:26.

France’s experienced guard fights

The sensation was now in the air – but France has so many experienced players on the court. They knew that the hour had struck. They took a 6:4 lead in the third set. Chinenyeze managed a block to make it 10:7 – Germany’s coach Michal Winiarski immediately took a time-out. Small details would be decisive in this game – that was clear from the start.

Germany fought against losing the set and responded with four points in a row. A long rally brought the score to 11:10 thanks to Karlitzek’s strong smash. France took a time-out. The match couldn’t have been closer. France increased the score to 17:15 and 18:15 thanks to the experienced Ngapeth – the hall shook. Now the hosts were on the run – they took the set 25:20.

Highest level – right up to the deciding set

Every point was fought for and hard-earned – neither team made any easy mistakes – it was the highest level. It went through 6:6, 9:9 and 12:12, and it was only at 18:17 that France had a small advantage. That was enough for the host team. With their outstanding blocking they took the fourth set home with 25:21 – so the score was 2:2. A deciding set was needed.

France now seemed safe. They took a 2-0 lead, but Anton Brehme reduced the deficit to 2-1. The early break helped the French, who then pulled ahead to 6-3 when Karlitzek hit a ball past the block and out. The Germans were in danger of being eliminated, but they came back again. They reduced the score to 8-9, 9-10 and 11-12. So France had match point at 14-12. They missed the first one. But they had another. They used it to make it 15-13.

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SPORTS

The Truth About the India Vs Nigeria 99-1 Match

Published

1 week 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.

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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

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.

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SPORTS

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

Published

3 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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