Euro 2024: England plays the Netherlands aiming for back-to-back European finals

Euro 2024: England plays the Netherlands aiming for back-to-back European finals
England has played a full hour more than the Netherlands in the last 10 days, after beating Slovakia in extra time and then Switzerland on penalties. The Dutch wrapped up their wins over Romania and Turkiye without needing extra time. (AFP)
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Updated 09 July 2024
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Euro 2024: England plays the Netherlands aiming for back-to-back European finals

Euro 2024: England plays the Netherlands aiming for back-to-back European finals

DORTMUND: England can reach back-to-back European Championship finals when it meets the Netherlands in Dortmund in the second semifinal. The winner plays Spain or France in Sunday’s final. Kickoff is at 9 p.m. local time (1900 GMT). Here’s what to know about the match.
Match facts
— Both teams conceded the opening goal in their quarterfinals before coming back to win, with England beating Switzerland in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw and the Netherlands winning 2-1 against Turkiye.
— After a win on penalties in his 100th game in charge of England, manager Gareth Southgate defending his often-cautious tactics as the kind of “streetwise” style successful teams use. The backlash from England fans, including some who threw plastic cups at him after a group-stage game, is “quite difficult” to deal with, he added.
— The Netherlands will be by far the highest-ranked team England has faced after group games with Serbia, Denmark and Slovenia, followed by knockout games with Slovakia and Switzerland.
— The referee for the game is Felix Zwayer, who once had ties to a match-fixing scandal in Germany. England midfielder Jude Bellingham was fined 40,000 euros ($43,400) in 2021 while playing for Borussia Dortmund for criticizing Zwayer.
Team news
— England has relied on the right-footed Kieran Trippier at left wing back, but his tendency to cut inside has meant England has made little use of the left wing all tournament. Left-footed Luke Shaw came off the bench against Switzerland for his first minutes since February after injury. Shaw says he’s fit to start against the Netherlands if Southgate picks him.
— Southgate has to choose whether to stick with Ezri Konsa in the center of defense after he replaced the then-suspended Marc Guéhi against Switzerland. Guéhi is eligible again.
— There’s scrutiny of Harry Kane’s fitness after the England captain went off with cramp in extra time against Switzerland. Ivan Toney came off the bench and scored one of England’s five successful penalties in the shootout.
— Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman could keep his lineup unchanged for the third game in a row, with Memphis Depay starting alongside Cody Gakpo and Steven Bergwijn up front.
By the numbers
— England has played a full hour more than the Netherlands in the last 10 days, after beating Slovakia in extra time and then Switzerland on penalties. The Dutch wrapped up their wins over Romania and Turkiye without needing extra time.
— The Netherlands scored the opening goal in only one of its five games so far at Euro 2024, against Romania in the last 16. England last scored the opening goal against Denmark in the group stage.
— The Netherlands hasn’t reached a European Championship final since it won the tournament in 1988 and was last a semifinalist in 2004.
— England’s first shot on target against Switzerland was Bukayo Saka’s goal to level the score in the 80th minute. One round earlier, Bellingham’s spectacular overhead kick was England’s first shot on target. That came in the fifth minute of second-half added time.
— Dutch forward Gakpo is the top-scoring player left at Euro 2024 with three goals. What was initially thought to be a fourth against Turkiye was instead ruled to be an own-goal. Kane and Bellingham are England’s top scorers with two.
What they’re saying
“I don’t really understand the criticism. What he’s done for the country, for us as players as well, he really took us to the next level ... I’ve got a lot to thank him for because he showed a lot of faith and trust in picking me when he didn’t have to.” — England defender Luke Shaw on manager Gareth Southgate.
“Hopefully it’s us that will have the ball more than England. So it’s more England that’s running. I expect a high intensity game.” — Netherlands defender Micky van de Ven.


Atletico thump Rayo, Valladolid relegated after Betis defeat

Atletico thump Rayo, Valladolid relegated after Betis defeat
Updated 25 April 2025
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Atletico thump Rayo, Valladolid relegated after Betis defeat

Atletico thump Rayo, Valladolid relegated after Betis defeat

MADRID: Atletico Madrid cruised to a 3-0 La Liga win over Rayo Vallecano on Thursday as they bounced back from defeat at Las Palmas last weekend.
Real Betis bolstered their Champions League ambitions with a 5-1 win over Real Valladolid, confirming the visitors’ long-expected relegation.
Atletico have little to play for in the rest of the season with leaders Barcelona 10 points clear with five matches remaining, but produced a solid derby display.
Alexander Sorloth opened the scoring in the third minute after Giuliano Simeone, son of coach Diego, crossed for the Norwegian target man to nod home at the back post.
It was a formula which should have led to more goals for Atletico but the striker wasted several presentable opportunities.
Sorloth headed over a few minutes later and then was denied by Rayo goalkeeper Augusto Batalla.
Atletico were outplaying Rayo but the visitors could have levelled when Isi Palazon drilled toward the far corner and Jan Oblak made a fine save.
Sorloth spurned another headed opportunity before Conor Gallagher struck just before half-time.
Rodrigo de Paul lofted a cross into the area which the former Chelsea midfielder nodded beyond Batalla.
Oblak tipped over a Palazon header as Rayo looked for an equalizer, before Atletico substitute Antoine Griezmann fired narrowly wide after a Julian Alvarez backheel teed him up.
Julian Alvarez rounded off the win in the second half with his 15th La Liga goal of the season after Griezmann sent him through.
Real Betis bolstered their hopes of finishing in the top five as they hammered Valladolid at the Benito Villamarin stadium with playmaker Isco on the scoresheet.
Former Brazil great Ronaldo is the majority shareholder at Valladolid, who were promoted last season but immediately return to the second tier after losing 25 of their 33 games so far.
Betis moved fifth, two points above Villarreal who have a game in hand which they will play on Sunday against Espanyol.
Earlier Osasuna beat Sevilla 1-0 and Leganes grabbed a late 1-1 draw at home against Girona, leaving the Madrid side 19th and four points from safety.


Dortmund’s Gross and Beier doubtful for Hoffenheim clash, says coach

Dortmund’s Gross and Beier doubtful for Hoffenheim clash, says coach
Updated 24 April 2025
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Dortmund’s Gross and Beier doubtful for Hoffenheim clash, says coach

Dortmund’s Gross and Beier doubtful for Hoffenheim clash, says coach
  • Dortmund, in seventh place with four games left to play, are desperate for a top-four finish to secure a Champions League spot for next season
  • “Gross has knee ligament problems,” Kovac told a press conference

BERLIN: Borussia Dortmund will likely be without the injured Pascal Gross and Maximilian Beier when they travel to Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga on Saturday, coach Niko Kovac said on Thursday.
Dortmund, in seventh place with four games left to play, are desperate for a top-four finish to secure a Champions League spot for next season.
They have won three of their last four league matches and drew against Bayern Munich, as they battle to make up for lost ground earlier in the season.
“Gross has knee ligament problems,” Kovac told a press conference in Dortmund. “I still have some hope but honestly I don’t think he will make it.
“Maxi is a similar case. He did not train. He can walk but running is painful but I also have not yet given up. But obviously we will not take any risks.”
Both players were injured in last week’s 3-2 win over Borussia Moenchengladbach but are not expected to be out too long.
Dortmund are on 45 points in seventh place. Eintracht Frankfurt, third with 52, host fourth-placed RB Leipzig (49) on Saturday. Freiburg (48) are fifth and visit Wolfsburg, while Mainz 05, who travel to Bayern Munich, are sixth with 47.
“The finish is approaching. The feeling I get is during this crunch time everyone player wants to be there, to go beyond any pain,” Kovac said.
“I am happy that the lads recognize the situation. Everyone can read the standings. Everyone knows what is at stake and everyone has to increase their focus,” he added.
“It does not matter thinking what can happen on May 17 (season finale). We have to keep doing our homework and focus only on the next game. We cannot look at the teams in front of us. We just have to keep winning to put pressure on them.”


Jamie Vardy leaving Leicester after 13 years and club hail their ‘greatest ever player’

Jamie Vardy leaving Leicester after 13 years and club hail their ‘greatest ever player’
Updated 24 April 2025
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Jamie Vardy leaving Leicester after 13 years and club hail their ‘greatest ever player’

Jamie Vardy leaving Leicester after 13 years and club hail their ‘greatest ever player’
  • The 38-year-old former England international will depart at the end of the season
  • “I want to keep playing and do what I enjoy most: Scoring goals,” he said

LONDON: Jamie Vardy is leaving Leicester following their relegation from the Premier League, ending the striker’s 13-year stay at a team he famously helped to win the English title in 2016 at preseason odds of 5,000-1.
The 38-year-old former England international will depart at the end of the season, Leicester said on Thursday in a statement in which the club described Vardy as its “greatest ever player.”
The announcement came two days after Vardy took to social media to express his “anger and sadness” at a season he called a “total embarrassment,” with Leicester having been consigned to relegation with five matches still to play.


Vardy, who intends to continue playing, will go down as a Premier League great, having scored 143 goals — placing him No. 15 on the competition’s all-time list. He once netted in a record 11 straight games in Leicester’s improbable title-winning campaign that will be remembered as one of the great underdog stories in sporting history.
“Nine years ago, we did the impossible — we won the Premier League,” Vardy said in a video message on Instagram in which he also recounted winning the FA Cup in 2021 and reaching the Champions League quarterfinals in 2017. “Those memories will last a lifetime.”
Leicester chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha described Vardy, who joined from lower-league team Fleetwood Town for 1 million pounds (now $1.33 million) in 2012, as a “unique” and “special” player.
“He holds a place in the hearts of everyone connected to Leicester City, and he certainly has my deepest respect and affection,” Aiyawatt said. “I am endlessly grateful for everything he has given to this football club.”
Vardy has five games left for Leicester. His final home match will be on May 18 against Ipswich.
Leicester have just 18 points from 33 games and are in next-to-last place.
“My only regret, and I’m devastated about this, is that I’m not saying goodbye on the back of a much better season,” Vardy said. “This isn’t the way I wanted my career here to finish.”
Vardy insisted “this isn’t retirement.”
“I want to keep playing and do what I enjoy most: Scoring goals,” he added. “Hopefully there’s one or two more for Leicester before the end of the season and many more in the future.
“I might be 38 but I’ve still got the desire and ambition to do so much more.”


Real Madrid lose injured Camavinga for Copa del Rey final against Barcelona

Real Madrid lose injured Camavinga for Copa del Rey final against Barcelona
Updated 24 April 2025
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Real Madrid lose injured Camavinga for Copa del Rey final against Barcelona

Real Madrid lose injured Camavinga for Copa del Rey final against Barcelona
  • Camavinga has a complete tear of the tendon in his left abductor muscle
  • Madrid said “his recovery will be assessed”

MADRID: Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga is expected to miss the Copa del Rey final and rest of the season because of a muscle injury.
Camavinga has a complete tear of the tendon in his left abductor muscle, Madrid said on Thursday. He was hurt late in the 1-0 win at Getafe in La Liga on Wednesday.
Madrid said “his recovery will be assessed.”
Madrid face Barcelona in the Copa final on Saturday in Seville.
Also hurt with a muscle ailment on Wednesday was defender David Alaba, though the club did not immediately give a medical update on him. They said he practiced alone in the indoor facilities on Thursday.
Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said after the match on Wednesday that it would be “hard” to see both players in the Copa final.
Camavinga had to leave in the final minutes of the match against Getafe. He replaced Alaba at halftime.


Al-Nassr crowned champions of Saudi Women’s Premier League with big win over Al-Taraji

Al-Nassr crowned champions of Saudi Women’s Premier League with big win over Al-Taraji
Updated 24 April 2025
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Al-Nassr crowned champions of Saudi Women’s Premier League with big win over Al-Taraji

Al-Nassr crowned champions of Saudi Women’s Premier League with big win over Al-Taraji
  • A 6-0 win capped an outstanding season with 17 victories and only 1 loss in the league

RIYADH: Al-Nassr celebrated winning the 2024-25 Saudi Women’s Premier League title on Wednesday night after a thumping 6-0 win over Al-Taraji in their final match of the season in Riyadh.

Al-Nassr had secured the title several weeks ago and finished the season with a total of 51 points from 17 wins and only one loss.

Al-Nassr got off to a perfect start when Maria Eduardo (Duda) scored in the first minute, one of three goals she bagged in the game. Her second came one minute before the break, and she completed her hattrick after 64 minutes.

It was not the only treble of the night as Carla Luvanga repeated the feat for Al-Nassr, bringing her total for the season to 21 and making her the league’s top scorer.

The Tanzanian star opened her account after six minutes and followed up with strikes in the 17th and 36th minutes, as Al-Nassr ended the first half with a five-goal lead.

There were several other notable moments, with one yellow card issued for Al-Nassr and two for Al-Taraji, and eight and 15 fouls respectively.

Following the win, Al-Nassr’s goalkeeper Sarah Khalid told Arab News: “We prepared very well for this game, but we also wanted to enjoy every moment of it.

“It’s the last game of the season, we’re champions.”

Khalid added: “It was a good game for us ... we gave it our all, we wanted to score more obviously but at the same time, the coach decided to play as many players as possible and this is also amazing.”

The key to the championship was taking one game at a time. “Working hard towards a specific objective and lifting each other up through hardships and adversity is what makes this team very special.”

Speaking to Arab News, Al-Nassr’s head coach, Abdulaziz Al-Alwni, said: “What happened today was not easy … all the challenges we overcame were difficult, but we lucked out with this team.”

Al-Alwni added: “This year we achieved high stats and difficult numbers, and the group as a whole is the main reason why we reached as far as we did.”

“Off the field, away from the game, it’s a clean environment, an attractive environment, an environment of one heart and one family, that is the main reason why the team performs well on the field.”

The coach has already begun planning for next season.

“Next season is a hard one, we have Asia (AFC Women’s Asian Cup), West Asia (WAFF Women’s Championship), the league, the cup (Saudi Women’s Cup), and the Super Cup (Saudi Women’s Super Cup),” Al-Alwni said.

“There’s some pressure, the Saudi players are not used to these types of championships, but we have started working and next season will hopefully be a substantial one.”

Reem Al-Beloshi, a goalkeeper for Al-Nassr, spoke proudly of the result. “Today’s game was of course amazing,” she said. “We celebrated our third league win in a row … we feel great, we’re happy.”

Al-Beloshi said the attitude going into every game was to “push through” until the last minute.

When that determination is combined with respect for the game and respect for the opposing team, she added, that is when you will see your ambitions realized.