England drop last friendly against Iceland before Euro 2024. Hosts Germany beat Greece

England drop last friendly against Iceland before Euro 2024. Hosts Germany beat Greece
Iceland's forward #09 Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson (R) shoots past England's defender #05 John Stones to score the opening goal during the International friendly between England and Iceland at Wembley Stadium in London. (AFP)
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Updated 08 June 2024
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England drop last friendly against Iceland before Euro 2024. Hosts Germany beat Greece

England drop last friendly against Iceland before Euro 2024. Hosts Germany beat Greece
  • Thorsteinsson left defender John Stones standing as he scored for Iceland in the 16th minute to bring back memories of one of England’s lowest points of recent years
  • Poland beat neighbor Ukraine 3-1 with three goals in the opening 30 minutes and Scotland drew 2-2 with Finland

LONDON: England were booed by some of their own fans after losing 1-0 to Iceland on Friday in their last friendly before the European Championship, while host nation Germany recovered from a goal down to beat Greece 2-1.

Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson left defender John Stones standing as he scored for Iceland in the 16th minute to bring back memories of one of England’s lowest points of recent years, its 2-1 elimination by Iceland at Euro 2016.

England created few clear-cut chances against Iceland and nearly conceded a second goal when a promising Icelandic counterattack ended with Thorsteinsson slipping as he shot.

“We learned a lot and we know the performance wasn’t good enough,” England manager Gareth Southgate told broadcaster Channel 4. “Equally we needed the game; there’s a lot of players that we’re managing their minutes and it was obviously a disjointed and disappointing performance and we didn’t show enough character.”

England, who beat Bosnia-Herzegovina 3-0 on Monday, get their tournament under way June 16 against Serbia in Group C.

Germany needed substitute Pascal Gross’ 89th-minute goal to secure the win over Greece a week before they open Euro 2024 against Scotland in Munich.

Georgios Masouras gave Greece the lead in the 34th on the rebound after goalkeeper Manuel Neuer failed to hold a shot from Christos Tzolis. Arsenal forward Kai Havertz leveled in the 56th when he shot on the turn and it went in off Manolis Siopis.

After Benjamin Henrichs sent a shot off the bar in the 83rd, Germany finally took the lead when Gross hit a fierce shot from outside the box.

With a flat first-half performance and a late recovery, the win over Greece continues a mixed bag of form for Germany, who beat France and the Netherlands in friendlies in March but have also lost to Japan, Turkiye and Austria within the last 12 months.

Neuer’s error for the Greece goal came shortly after Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann confirmed he was cutting Stuttgart goalkeeper Alexander Nubel as he finalized the 26-player squad for the tournament. Barcelona’s Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Hoffenheim’s Oliver Baumann are the two other goalkeepers in the squad.

Nagelsmann committed in March to having Neuer as his first-choice goalkeeper for Euro 2024, even though injuries meant the Bayern Munich goalkeeper only played his first game under Nagelsmann for Germany in Monday’s 0-0 draw with Ukraine.

Also Friday, Poland beat neighbor Ukraine 3-1 with three goals in the opening 30 minutes and Scotland drew 2-2 with Finland after giving up a 2-0 lead.

Romania failed to beat one of Europe’s smallest nations, Liechtenstein, in a 0-0 draw. The Czech Republic cruised to a 7-1 win over Malta. Albania beat Azerbaijan 3-1.


Captain Alexander-Arnold leads Liverpool cruise into FA Cup 4th round

Captain Alexander-Arnold leads Liverpool cruise into FA Cup 4th round
Updated 11 January 2025
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Captain Alexander-Arnold leads Liverpool cruise into FA Cup 4th round

Captain Alexander-Arnold leads Liverpool cruise into FA Cup 4th round
  • The England international was named captain in the absence of Virgil van Dijk
  • Slot made eight changes after suffering just his second defeat in charge of the Reds

LIVERPOOL: Trent Alexander-Arnold’s stunning strike lit up Liverpool’s 4-0 win over League Two Accrington Stanley to cruise into the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday.
The England international was named captain in the absence of Virgil van Dijk in a much-changed side named by Arne Slot and led by example after a being criticized for his display in a 2-2 draw against Manchester United last weekend.
Slot made eight changes after suffering just his second defeat in charge of the Reds in Wednesday’s League Cup semifinal first leg against Tottenham.
The Dutchman had warned the Premier League leaders that a trip to Anfield would be Accrington’s “Champions League final.”
A mammoth 86 league positions behind Liverpool in the 92-team English league system, Stanley held out for nearly half an hour.
Diogo Jota was left with a simple task to tap in from Darwin Nunez’s low cross to open the floodgates.
Alexander-Arnold then stepped forward to double the lead with a sumptuous hit into the top corner from outside the box.
Jayden Danns made the most of just his second appearance of the season to fire in the third 14 minutes from time.
Federico Chiesa’s Liverpool career has so far failed to get going due to injury problems.
But the Italian took advantage of some rare game time to net his first goal for the club with a long range strike in off the far post.
“It was surreal,” said Accrington forward and Liverpool fan Josh Woods.
“They are world-class players and on the counter it is hard to stop.”
Manchester City also face fourth-tier opposition later against Salford City, who are owned by a group of former Manchester United greats.
Investment from David Beckham, Gary and Phil Neville, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Nicky Butt have helped Salford rise through the non-league ranks since their involvement began in 2014.
Chelsea host Morecambe of League Two in another David against Goliath tie.
Another celebrity co-owner in the lower leagues of English football is already into round four as NFL legend Tom Brady’s Birmingham beat Lincoln 2-1.
Wolves’ bright start under new boss Vitor Pereira continued as early goals from Rayan Aït-Nouri and Rodrigo Gomes secured a 2-1 win at Bristol City.
Blackburn won an all-Championship clash 1-0 at Middlesbrough thanks to Andi Weimann’s winner.


New Red Bull football boss Klopp in stands for Paris FC game

New Red Bull football boss Klopp in stands for Paris FC game
Updated 11 January 2025
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New Red Bull football boss Klopp in stands for Paris FC game

New Red Bull football boss Klopp in stands for Paris FC game
  • Klopp happily posed for selfies alongside Pierre Ferracci, the president of the Parisian club
  • The former solid Ligue 1 leaders, Paris FC have had a bad start to the year

PARIS: Jurgen Klopp, the new global head of football at Red Bull, a minority shareholder in French club Paris FC, on Saturday watched from the stands during a French Ligue 2 game against Amiens.
Former Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund manager Klopp has just started a new role with Red Bull which owns clubs RB Leipzig, Salzburg and New York Red Bulls.
Klopp happily posed for selfies alongside Pierre Ferracci, the president of the Parisian club which was sold to the family of France’s richest person Bernard Arnault and Red Bull two months ago.
The former solid Ligue 1 leaders, Paris FC have had a bad start to the year with consecutive defeats and are now third.
Klopp is due to speak for the first time since taking office on Tuesday at the Red Bull headquarters near Salzburg in Austria.
The 57-year-old won back-to-back Bundesliga titles with Dortmund before moving to Liverpool. At the Reds, Klopp won several major trophies, including the Champions League and Premier League.
Klopp’s appointment has however caused controversy, particularly in Germany where some fans are critical of the energy drink brand’s ownership of Leipzig, as well as multi-club models in general.


Real, Barca managers raise stakes ahead of Jeddah El Clasico

Real, Barca managers raise stakes ahead of Jeddah El Clasico
Updated 11 January 2025
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Real, Barca managers raise stakes ahead of Jeddah El Clasico

Real, Barca managers raise stakes ahead of Jeddah El Clasico
  • Ancelotti: ‘We are very excited and confident as always in the finals’
  • Flick hoping to win first major trophy as Barcelona manager

Jeddah: Coaches Carlo Ancelotti of Real Madrid and Hansi Flick of Barcelona held press conferences before the final match of the Spanish Super Cup in Jeddah on Jan. 12.

Ancelotti spoke to the media at King Abdullah Sports City on Saturday, and discussed the match and preparation of his squad.

“We are very excited and confident as always in the finals. We are facing a great team and we know exactly how tough this Clasico match is,” he said.

On losing to Barcelona in the first El Clasico of the season, the Italian said: “We had a good game in the first half but the game later in the second half went down. Therefore, we have to avoid the mistakes we made.

“A Clasico is always a Clasico, even more so if it’s a final. Playing against Barcelona is always something special.”

He added: “If there’s a defeat, it’s a defeat. It’s the final; we’re very close to another title and we’re thinking positively.”

Ancelotti confirmed that in-form Real Madrid superstar Jude Bellingham will be fit and available for the clash.

“He is fine; he has recovered well. It was a normal load from matches. It’s very important because he’s on a good run. He is a player who has made a difference,” the manager said.

“Barcelona are always a historic rival and playing against them is very complicated; you can’t predict the result. We will try to do our best and try to win another title.”

Flick told the media that he hopes to win his first major trophy as Barcelona manager.

He described Real Madrid as a “great team,” adding: “We are fully prepared for them tomorrow night and hope we can perform better than what we did against Mallorca.

“We created many mistakes and we need to reduce them tomorrow night. Madrid is one of the best teams in the world in transition and they take advantage of any option you give them.”

The Dutchman confirmed that Dani Olmo is “very excited to play again.” 

Since the Spanish Super Cup was moved to Saudi Arabia in 2020, Real Madrid and Barcelona have delivered unforgettable showdowns.

Of the five editions held in Saudi Arabia, Real Madrid have claimed three titles (2020, 2022 and 2024), while the Catalans have won once (2023). Athletic Club triumphed in 2021, rounding out the winners of the new era.


Riyadh prepares for 2nd annual Saudi Elite Hockey Championship

Riyadh prepares for 2nd annual Saudi Elite Hockey Championship
Updated 52 min 2 sec ago
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Riyadh prepares for 2nd annual Saudi Elite Hockey Championship

Riyadh prepares for 2nd annual Saudi Elite Hockey Championship
  • 80 players from 8 teams will battle it out at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Olympic Complex on Jan. 17 and 18
  • Najd Falcons were crowned winners of the inaugural event last year, ahead of runners-up Alittihad Club

RIYADH: Final preparations are underway for the second annual Saudi Elite Hockey Championship at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Olympic Complex in Riyadh next week.
Eight teams, featuring a total of 80 players, will battle it out on Jan. 17 and 18: defending champions Najd Falcons, last year’s runners-up Alittihad Club, Alshabab Club, Jubail Buraq, Naqi, United Thalassery Sports Club, Arab Legends and Hamra Legends.
The event has been organized under the supervision of the Saudi Hockey Federation, which said the championship represents a significant step in the development of hockey, in line with the wider sports renaissance in the Kingdom as part of efforts to enhance quality of life and contribute to the goals of the Vision 2030 plan for national development and diversification.


Leipzig sign wing back Ridle Baku from Bundesliga rival Wolfsburg

Leipzig sign wing back Ridle Baku from Bundesliga rival Wolfsburg
Updated 10 January 2025
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Leipzig sign wing back Ridle Baku from Bundesliga rival Wolfsburg

Leipzig sign wing back Ridle Baku from Bundesliga rival Wolfsburg
  • Leipzig said Friday that the 26-year-old Baku had signed a 2½-year contract to 2027
  • “Ridle will give us more options in the future,” Leipzig sporting director Marcel Schäfer said

LEIPZIG, Germany: Leipzig have signed wing back Ridle Baku from Bundesliga rival Wolfsburg after an injury to Benjamin Henrichs.
Leipzig said Friday that the 26-year-old Baku had signed a 2½-year contract to 2027. He will be available for Sunday’s home game against Werder Bremen as the league restarts this weekend after its winter break.
“Ridle will give us more options in the future,” Leipzig sporting director Marcel Schäfer said. “He can play anywhere on the right side, loves to get forward, is a good finisher and tackler, and comfortable in possession too.”
Baku’s contract with Wolfsburg was set to expire at the end of the season. Kicker reported that the clubs had agreed on a transfer fee of under 5 million euros ($5.1 million) for the player.
Baku, who was born in Mainz, made his Bundesliga debut against Leipzig for Mainz in 2018. He joined Wolfsburg in 2020 and established himself as a regular at the Volkswagen-backed club. Altogether he scored 20 goals in 166 appearances for the team.
Baku made his debut for Germany under Joachim Löw in a friendly against the Czech Republic in November 2020, and made three more appearances for the team in World Cup qualifying in 2021, but hasn’t been called up since.
Henrichs ruptured an Achilles tendon in his right foot in Leipzig’s 5-1 loss at Bayern Munich on Dec. 20 before the winter break. The club said he “will remain out of action for a while.”
Leipzig have struggled so far this season, losing all their games in the Champions League and dropping points in seven of their 15 games in the Bundesliga.