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EM 2024: The Neuville moment of the German national team

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European Championship national team

The Neuville moment

Status: 3:16 p.m. | Reading time: 5 minutes

The German fans celebrated the group victory so beautifully

Hundreds of drivers brought the Kurfürstendamm in Berlin to a complete standstill after the final whistle. WELT reporter Alina Quast was with the fans during and after the game in the state capital.

Niclas Füllkrug’s late goal against Switzerland rescues the spirits around the national team. The goal is reminiscent of Oliver Neuville’s legendary moment at the 2006 World Cup – and could have a similar effect.

His biggest fan is still quite small – and has come up with a special recipe for success. Niclas Füllkrug’s daughter Emilia is betting on a cuddly lucky pig that is supposed to bring her dad fortune at the European Football Championship in Germany.

The four-year-old’s plan is working so far: Füllkrug is the player of the hour. And in the 1:1 (0:1) draw in the third and final group match against Switzerland, he provided one of the biggest moments of the European Championship so far. The moment that can carry a team far. That changed so much on this emotional and exciting Sunday evening in the stadium in Frankfurt and that could have very positive effects on the coming days and weeks.

“That could have been a turning point,” said Füllkrug, beaming. His 13th goal in 19 international matches – not just “a very important moment” for him, but one “for the country, for us, for the team, for the players.” His header goal in injury time reminded many of the “World Cup summer fairytale” of 2006. “That was a small explosion,” said the 31-year-old crowd favorite about the enormous volume of cheering in the stadium after his goal. It was the emotional crowning of the preliminary round for his team, which they finished as group winners thanks to the last-minute point.

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18 years ago, it was the second group match in Dortmund when striker Oliver Neuville, as a substitute in the penalty area, slid wildly into a cross from David Odonkor, who had also been substituted on, and pushed the ball over the goal line with his foot to make it 1-0 against Poland. Back then, too, injury time was already running – and a storm of cheers went through the arena. “They both came off the bench and did the one decisive thing,” said Füllkrug, comparing the scene with the 2006 World Cup.

Füllkrug saves the mood

The match against Switzerland was the German team’s weakest in the group phase. Many thought that the team was further along in its development and better overall. For a long time, they lacked efficiency and ideas, solutions against the compact and clever opponent. Until Füllkrug had his moment. “Füllkrug gives the Nati an ice-cold shower in injury time,” wrote the Swiss “Blick”. The “New York Times” wrote: “Füllkrug is the savior, but the host looks vulnerable.”

June 14, 2006: Oliver Neuville scores the winning goal against Poland in injury time. A moment for eternity READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Quelle: picture-alliance/dpa/Srdjan Suki

It was a double joker goal, so to speak. Substitute David Raum from RB Leipzig crossed the ball from the left with a lot of power and cut onto Füllkrug’s head. For the 26-year-old full-back, it was a goal with a message in his first tournament appearance: “I said to Fülle during the warm-up: If we both come in today, you’ll know when I get the ball. The cross was blocked twice, the third came through – and Fülle put it in superbly.”

This was worth it for her team in three ways.

As group winners, they now avoid other group winners in the round of 16. Raum and Füllkrug have given themselves and their colleagues the first bonus at the European Championships – for winning the group, each of the 26 German players will receive 50,000 euros from the DFB. This amount can increase for Füllkrug, Raum and Co. over the course of the tournament up to the record bonus of 400,000 euros. Each player would receive this if they win the title. Instead of playing in Berlin as group runners-up, the team will now play in Dortmund in the round of 16. A legendary stadium that the players love and which is a “home stadium” for Füllkrug as a striker for Borussia Dortmund. “I’m really looking forward to a round of 16 in Dortmund because that can be a huge home advantage,” said Füllkrug. “That’s worth a lot for us as the home nation.” The opponents will then be the second-placed team in Group C, which includes England, Denmark, Slovenia or Serbia.

Füllkrug’s goal saved the spirits around the team. A defeat would have been a setback, the “flow” would have been gone or at least impaired. Instead, millions of people cheered on fan miles, private European Championship parties, in gardens and living rooms. An average of 25.566 million people watched the game on ARD.

Is Nagelsmann reorganising the starting eleven?

With his fourth substitute goal at a major tournament, Füllkrug is now the DFB record holder in this statistic. He had already scored twice at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where Germany suffered an embarrassing elimination in the preliminary round under then national coach Hansi Flick. “Four goals are four goals. That’s nice, I’m happy about it,” said the attacker.

So he would have deserved a place in the starting eleven. So far, Julian Nagelsmann has not changed his formation once in this tournament, and Flick’s successor is relying on Kai Havertz from Arsenal FC as the central striker, who was unlucky against Switzerland. Füllkrug is probably too valuable as a joker. When he comes on, he scores: last March against the Netherlands (2:1), in the opening game of the European Championship against Scotland (5:1) and now against Switzerland. “It is both joy and sorrow for him,” said Nagelsmann after the tie.

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The 36-year-old coach, who will be without his yellow-carded central defender Jonathan Tah in the round of 16 and will have to worry about the injured defensive leader Antonio Rüdiger, also said of the prospects for the starting eleven in attack: “He has it, and Kai has it too.” He has not yet publicly committed to the first game of the knockout round in Dortmund. Like Havertz, Füllkrug has “a week to give it his all. Then we’ll see who we have.”

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He gave the team the day off on Monday, and there is no training on Tuesday either. However, the players must remain in their European Championship quarters in Herzogenaurach. Their wives and girlfriends were allowed to return to the facility on Monday night.

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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.

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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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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