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Showing posts from June, 2021

UEFA EURO2020: Round of 16 heartache for the big guns as defending champions, favourite and top ranked nations crashed out of the tournament

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The knockout round of the European Championship kicked off last Saturday and shocking results have been recorded with big teams sent packing from the competition, while players also making a name themselves. Thorgan, celebrates with his brother, Eden, the only goal of the game vs. Portugal. Photo Credits: Twitter/ Faisal HQ Denmark becomes the first time to reach the European Championship 2020 quarter finals after thrashing Wales, 4-0 in Amsterdam on Saturday. Back to his club's ground, Kasper Dolberg hits a double, the first making him the first Danish to score in an European Championship knockout round since 1992, while his second makes him the first player of his country to score a double in the European Championship since Niklas Bendtner, against Portugal, in 2012. Late goals from Joakim Mæhle and Martin Braithwaite between a Harry Wilson red card for a lazy challenge on Mæhle helped Denmark complete the demolition of Wales, who were unable to match their semi final finish in t

Leicester City: The right institution for business deals, profit making and building greatness

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Leicester City has been one of the top teams in England since their shocking title win back in 2015-16 . Moreso, since the appointment of Brendan Rodgers, the club has started to impose their authority and brilliance. Even though they have disappointingly missed out of a top four finish, on the final Matchday in each of the last two seasons. Leicester City have risen to the Calibre of top six and more. Photo Credits: Twitter/ Squawka Football The resilient of the club, both on and off the pitch has been impeccable. Starting from their run against the odds in the title winning season, losing important players who moved away from the club and their transfer policy, which has seen them replace high profile players with ones who turn out even better. The unfortunate passing of the club over, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha in an helicopter crash back in 2018 was another setback for them but they have been able to manage the situation, and move on just fine. Over the years, the likes of N'G

UEFA EURO 2020: Final group game joy for the big teams, as round of 16 opponents confirmed

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Cristiano Ronaldo the star of the group stage as Portugal, Ukarine, Czech Republic and Switzerland qualify as best losers. Cristiano Ronaldo inspired Portugal to a best loser finish in the group of death. Photo Credits: Twitter/ Faisal HQ The final round of group games at the European Championship kicked off on Sunday with group A games, which featured Italy against Wales, and Switzerland playing Turkey. Wales joined Italy in the knockout rounds after avoiding an heavy defeat in the game against the group leaders. Matteo Pessina's 39th minute half volley from a Marco Verratti free-kick was the different in the match. Switzerland beat Turkey, who were eliminated from the group whilst recording no point, conceding eight and scoring just once. A really disappointing tournament for Turkey, who had a decent pre tournament campaign. Steven Zuber recorded a hat-trick of assists in the match to become only the third player since 1980 to do so in a single European Championship game, after R

UEFA EURO2020: A breakdown of how the best losers are selected and the rules for ranking the teams

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Italy and Wales booked a place in the next round and while level on points with Wales, Switzerland will have to wait for the completion of other group games to know their stand at the Euro2020. Switzerland are hopeful of being one of the best losers in the Euro2020. Photo Credits: Facebook/ Bleacher Report OltSports correspondant Afolabi Kehinde Hassan takes us through the basic rules for ranking teams, to determine which sides stand the better chance of making the round of 16, despite falling out of the top two in their respective groups. The European Championship tournament has six groups, and the first two teams in each group automatically qualify, making a total number of 12 teams in the round of 16, while four others join them them as best losers. Italy and Wales have qualified from group A as winners and runners up respectively, while Switzerland wait to learn their fate, maybe they will make it to the next round, depending on results from other groups. Four teams will qualify as

UEFA EURO 2020: Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, and all records set and broken after the completion of Matchday Two

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Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Patrik Schick, Denzel Dumfries and the Azzurri all shine again. Germany get their Euro campaign back on track. Wales, Sweden, Czech Republic put themselves in good positions while Portugal, France and Spain invite pressure after matchday two. Cristiano Ronaldo is two goals away from equalling record for most international goals. Photo Credits: Twitter/ Faisal HQ Second round of games kicked off on Wednesday, with Finland looking to make it two in two, but it was Russia who came out on top in the clash between the two, after Aleksey Miranchuk's goal deep into first half stoppage time sealed victory for Stanislav Cherchesov's side. Belgium come from behind to beat Denmark in the other game of Group B. Yussuff Poulsen scored the second fastest goal in the European Championship history, 99 seconds into the game to give Denmark the lead. The game was stopped in the 10th minute in honour of Denmark Midfielder, Christian Eriksen, who collapsed on the pi

Barcelona's Finishing Touches To A Perfect Summer: An Interesting Headache For Ronald Koeman

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So far in the transfer window, Barcelona have spent close to nothing to secure the services of exciting players like Sergio Agüero, Eric Garcia and Emerson Royal. Even if they disappointingly lost out in the race to sign Georginio Wijnaldum, the imminent arrival of Memphis Depay will be accepted as a worthy atonement. Memphis Depay has an agreement in principle to become a Barcelona player. Photo Credits: Twitter/ B/R Football Barcelona have been linked with the former Manchester United player since last summer, and now they are close to getting him on their books, just for free, after the player left Olympic Lyon, at the end of his contract this summer. Ronald Koeman speaking in an interview on Barcelona's move for Memphis Depay: “The deal is almost done. Not signed yet, but it’s almost completed. I strongly wanted to sign him for a long time." It is also believed that Koeman is one of the big factors that prompt Depay to choose Barcelona. Depay had said:  "The transfer

UEFA EURO 2020: Records, Stats and you need to know after the completion of first group games

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Cristiano Ronaldo, Goran Pandev, Jude Bellingham, Patrik Schick, Wojciech Szczesny, Denzel Dumfries, Italy, Portugal, Austria, North Macedonia and others have their names already on history books and it's just a games each at the UEFA European Championship. Dutch players celebrate against Ukraine. Photo Credits: Twitter/ Georginio Wijnaldum The European Championship got underway on Friday and the excitement has started to increase in multiple, as more games are being played. So far history has been made, and dreams has been shattered. It began with Italy's 3-0 win over Group A rival, Turkey. Roberto Mancini's side extended their impressive record of not conceding to nine games. Goals from Ciro Immobile, Lorenzo Insigne and a Merih Demiral's own goal were all needed to secure the biggest win, on the opening day in the history of the European Championship. It followed with Wales taking on Switzerland in Baku. Both sides have shared the victory in their two previous meetin

COPA AMERICA: Neymar's hunger could spell disaster for Lionel Messi's dream of an international trophy

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Brazil will be looking to win only their 10th Copa America title and also make it a consecutive title in the competition after winning the last edition, in 2019, beating Peru 3-1 in the final. Neymar and Messi pictured in a match between Brazil and Argentina. Photo Credits: Twitter/ Planet Fútbol. Neymar Jr. missed the tournament, after getting injured few days to the start of the competition, and now, the PSG Paris Saint Germain man is like a wounded lion, rearing for revenge. The 29-year old forward is currently on a good form with the National Team, having been involved in nine goals in his last four games for Brazil. His hunger for success clashes with the dream of his former Barcelona teammate, Lionel Messi, who is still hunting for a first international trophy for his country. Messi, who turns 34 later this month has recorded several heartbreaks in the South America Nations tournament, losing all the three times he has played in the final of the competition, in 2007, 2015 and the

Full Time: Denmark 0-1 Finland. Finland earned the points but Denmark, the true winner.

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Group B opening game between Denmark and Finland saw Finland win by a lone goal which was scored just before the hour mark by Bayer Leverkusen striker Joel Pohjanpalo. Joel Pohjanpalo scored the winner for Finland after the restart. Photo Credits: Twitter/ Faisal HQ The matched had been abandoned in the closing stages of the first half, when Denmark midfielder, Christian Erikson collapsed on the pitch and needed medical attention. Fortunately, every stakeholder played their part so well and the Inter Milan Midfielder is now feeling much better before UEFA decided that the game should be continued, at 20:30 CET. UEFA: "Following the request made by players of both teams, UEFA has agreed to restart the match between Denmark and Finland at 20:30 CET.  The last four minutes of the first half will be played, there will then be a 5-minute half-time break followed by the second half." After Pohjanpalo gave Finland the lead, Denmark were awarded a penalty and a chance to level matter

Kylian Mbappe, English golden boys and several other exciting U23 players to watch out for at the European Championship

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It is just matter of hours before the European Championship 2020 gets underway and after so much preparation, many players are ready to hit ground running in tournament, while a few others have unfortunately been withdrawn due to injury and the likes. Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham of England against Austria. Photo Credits: Twitter/ Faisal HQ This year's edition affords us so many exciting young talents, hence we take a look at the top 30 players under the age of 23, who will be looking to make a name for themselves in the 16th edition of the Championship. 31 . Orkun Kocku, Turkey. At 20, the Midfielder is already a regular member of the Feyenoord first team and has played over 40 league game across the last two seasons already. Hence, European top clubs have been alerted of his brilliance, and they will get to see more of him on a bigger stage in the European Championship. 30. Ryan Gravenberch, The Netherlands. In his first season at senior level, Gravenberch was one of the stars

World Champions, Young Lions, Rejuvenated Azzurri, mercurial Memphis and toothless DieMannschaft: Accessing European giants ahead of the imminent kick off of the Euros

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Every competition has favourites to emerge victorious and presently, European countries boast some of the most exciting talents to rule the planet, but only one Champion will be crowned, when it comes to a certain competition and the European Championship is not an exemption. Portugal are the defending champions after winning in 2016. Photo Credits: Twitter/ Torcedores.com Back in 2012, the then UEFA president, Michel Platini said that the tournament will be hosted in several nations as a "romantic" one-off event to celebrate the 60th "birthday" of the European Championship competition, and now, it will be held in 11 nations. Azerbaijan, Denmark, England, Germany, Hungary, Italy, The Netherlands, Romania, Russia, Scotland and Spain are the host nations of this summer's edition after the competition was postponed last summer due to the COVID-19, it however retain the name Euro 2020. A lot has changed with the teams and players as of last summer. However, to the h

Ronald Koeman on a lifeline, but Laporta might have set the avenue to get it right this time

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Coming in on the back of an incredible job done with The Netherlands Nationa Team, the expectations were high when Barcelona announced last summer that Ronald Koeman will be her new manager, for the start of the 2020/21 season. Ronald Koeman's first season as Barcelona manager did not go so well. Photo Credits: Twitter/ Footy Accumulators Despite being the club's legend, things almost went out of hand between the Dutch tactician and Barcelona in his first season as the club's manager, with issues rising from player sales, most notably Luis Suárez to a direct rival, who ended up leading Atletico Madrid to the LaLiga title. A better part of Barcelona fans were not pleased with Koeman's handling of the team, with some section favouring some to be played over another. The situation of youngster Riqui Puig also proved a headache for the former Holland international. As it is bound to be with any Barcelona coach when Lionel Messi is not happy, Barcelona's inability to