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A great goalkeeper, a magician and a bit of luck: why the futsal Blues have everything to dream of the title

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3 days ago

September 30, 2024

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How far will the Blues go in their first participation in the final phase of a World Cup? This Monday in Bukhara (Uzbekistan), the French futsal team achieved a huge performance by defeating Paraguay (2-1) in the quarter-final. This new feat was made possible thanks to the almost perfect performances of Abdessamad Mohamed and Francis Lokoka added to a touch of success at the end of the match. A cocktail that will be necessary this Thursday to beat Argentina and reach the World Cup final.

Abdessamad Mohamed, the captain

Initiator of a first goal against Paraguay thanks to a subtle dive pass for Souheil Mouhoudine then author of the second decisive goal following a long shot into the top corner, Abdessamad Mohamed was the great architect of the historic qualification of the French team for the semi-finals of the World Cup. Considered the best French player for several years, the 33-year-old pivot is at the peak of his career. After a lackluster group stage, the Laval player is gaining momentum in the competition. He had already produced a dazzling performance in the round of 16 against Thailand (5-2).

“I was not happy with my start to competitions,” admits the person concerned. I felt that I had been studied well by our opponents, I was unable to produce my game, to let go. These meetings where the outcome is at stake galvanize me. » Elected man of the match by Fifa, Abdessamad Mohamed was congratulated by his coach at a press conference. “It’s the competition of his life!” I want him to score goals and be decisive, says Raphaël Reynaud. Today we can count on a great Abdessamad Mohamed and that’s so much the better for the France team. »

Francis Lokoka, the acrobat

It is not for nothing that his teammates in the French team nickname him “Magic Lokoka”. Like his group match against Venezuela (7-3) then his round of 16 against Thailand (5-2), the 31-year-old Blues goalkeeper was once again heroic in the French goal . In the second half, he kept his team ahead with several phenomenal saves.

“I am proud and happy with Francis’ performance. It’s been Magic Lokoka for two – three matches! He lives up to his nickname, praises Raphaël Reynaud. The goalkeeper in futsal is 50% essential for the result. Francis brings us not points but qualifications. There are times when I tell myself that’s the goal, let’s move on to other things and in fact there is no goal. Today, I am lucky to be able to count on an exceptional trio of goalkeepers (Thibaut Garros and Louis Marquet). » READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Very explosive on the line, the goalkeeper of Ile-de-France origin playing in Nantes has almost no flaws on the line and excels in face-to-face encounters with opposing players. “With Francis, we are lucky to have an exceptional goalkeeper,” insists Abdessamad Mohamed. Often, we struggle a little but I congratulate him because today it’s me who is put forward but it could have been him the man of the match. He wouldn’t have stolen it. »

Champion’s luck?

At the last second, a final shot from Paraguayan Baez crashed onto Francis Lokoka’s bar before bouncing off the line. After the intervention of the Var, the referees declared that the ball had not entered. “I felt enormous remorse for losing the ball a few minutes from the end. The moment between the shot and the referee’s decision seemed like an eternity to me, says Abdessamad Mohamed. I tell myself that if there is a goal, it will be very complicated for the whole team to leave. I am worried before I am relieved. It’s a good lesson, it won’t happen again. »

The adventure continues for the Blues who enjoyed maximum success in the second half. By opting for this more favorable part of the table (Thailand then Paraguay rather than Morocco and Brazil) thanks to their defeat against Iran (1-4) during the last group match and their 2nd place in group F, the Blues put take advantage of their chance to last in their tournament. Like Colombia in 2012, they reached the semi-finals on the occasion of their first participation in a World Cup. We have the impression that nothing can happen to this France team, even in difficult times.

Wouldn’t she benefit from “champion’s luck”? “This little extra thing is essential and that’s what we had today,” recognizes Raphaël Reynaud. We must cultivate it in this collective and with all the players and staff. » Until Sunday evening during the final against Brazil?

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SPORTS

Champions League schedule and results, 2024-2025 season

Published

3 days ago

October 1, 2024

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What is the 2024-2025 Champions League schedule? The new tournament format, which now includes 36 teams compared to 32 previously, promises more confrontations from the start of the competition. Find the complete schedule of matches and their results updated in real time in our table below.

During the league phase scheduled between September and December 2024, each club plays eight matches against different opponents, selected based on their UEFA ranking.

Then, the top eight teams in the rankings will advance directly to the round of 16, while teams ranked 9th to 24th will have to go through play-offs in January 2025. These knockout matches will begin in February, with the grand final scheduled for June 2025. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

For French clubs, including PSG, AS Monaco, Lille and Stade Brestois, the challenge will be to stay in the race for direct qualifications and avoid early eliminations.

The final of the competition will take place in Munich on May 31, 2025. We will then know the successor to Real Madrid where Kylian Mbappé now plays.

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Halftime show: Fifa is planning an event like in football at the next World Cup final

Published

3 days ago

October 1, 2024

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In American football, the halftime show has long been part of the event. Appearances during the break have not been an issue in football so far – but that will change at the next World Cup.

Anyone who goes to the toilet or refills chips during half-time at the next World Cup final will miss something: As the world football association Fifa announces, from the next World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico there will be a half-time show in the final. What exactly the association is planning is still very vaguely worded in the announcement. FIFA is probably planning a musical performance modeled on the Superbowl in American football: This so-called half time show is probably the biggest stage that musicians have had so far. In recent years, megastars such as Coldplay, Rihanna and Bruno Mars have appeared at halftime.

FIFA wants to organize a halftime show together with an aid organization

Global Citizen acts as co-organizer. The aid organization is committed to combating extreme poverty around the world. “FIFA has made it its mission to promote football in all countries of the world and thereby have a positive influence on society,” explains the controversial FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

Through this partnership, FIFA, together with Global Citizen, will unite the world of sports and entertainment to actively contribute to a better world. “We are committed to a series of joint actions that promote access to the game and encourage fans to advocate for positive change in their local communities,” Infantino continued. However, the association leaves it open exactly how a halftime show during the World Cup final should support Global Citizen or combat poverty in the world. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

“Eventization” of football is met with rejection in Germany

If FIFA presents an act as big as the NFL at the Superbowl, the football halftime show would actually immediately be in the same league as its US counterparts. In the USA, the show is one of the absolute highlights of the football final. It remains to be seen whether such a show will be received so positively by football fans who are more used to a simpler presentation of their sport.

In Europe and especially in Germany, the organized fan scene is extremely critical of the additional commercialization and “eventization” of sport. A resonant example is Helene Fischer’s act before the 2017 DFB Cup final. The artist was booed so mercilessly and loudly during her short appearance that her singing on the television was difficult to understand at times.

Source: FIFA press release

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SPORTS

Ugo Humbert-Arthur Fils, duel for a title in Tokyo between a calm player and another who doesn’t give up

Published

3 days ago

October 1, 2024

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Difficult to find two courses as dissimilar as those of Ugo Humbert and Arthur Fils at the ATP 500 in Tokyo, but the rectilinear trajectory of the first will still cross the fractured line of the second, in the final, this Tuesday. Despite losing his first set of the week, Humbert (19th in the world) qualified without too much difficulty by beating Tomas Machac (54th) 6-3, 3-6, 6-2. After having fought like a madman to eliminate Taylor Fritz and especially Ben Shelton, Son went through two tie-breaks with forceps to subdue Holger Rune. One wanders, the other suffers, but we will be treated to a happy ending. Even with a seven-hour time difference with France, this is a pleasure that we won’t shy away from.

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