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Saudi stars Mostafa Nada, Hattan Al-Saif thrill Riyadh crowd at PFL MENA 2

Saudi stars Mostafa Nada, Hattan Al-Saif thrill Riyadh crowd at PFL MENA 2
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Saudi stars Mostafa Nada, Hattan Al-Saif thrill Riyadh crowd at PFL MENA 2
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Updated 13 July 2024
Arab News
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Saudi stars Mostafa Nada, Hattan Al-Saif thrill Riyadh crowd at PFL MENA 2

Saudi stars Mostafa Nada, Hattan Al-Saif thrill Riyadh crowd at PFL MENA 2
  • Saudi Arabia’s Mostafa Nada needed just a little over two minutes to knock out Abdel Rahmane Driai with a flurry of strikes
  • The inaugural PFL MENA season will continue on Sept. 20 with the PFL MENA playoffs in Jeddah
Updated 13 July 2024
Arab News
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RIYADH: The Professional Fighters League hosted the second event of the inaugural PFL MENA season at The Green Halls in Riyadh on Friday.

Athletes in the lightweight and welterweight divisions took to the SmartCage looking to secure their spots in the PFL MENA playoffs taking place on Sept. 20.

In the main event, Saudi Arabia’s Mostafa Nada needed just a little over two minutes to knock out Abdel Rahmane Driai with a flurry of strikes.

In the co-main event, Mohammad Al-Aqraa punched his way into the welterweight semifinals with a dominant third-round TKO win over Youcef Ouabbas.

Earlier on the card, Jarrah Al-Selawe made quick work of Rayan Atmani in their welterweight regular season bout, winning by rear naked choke submission in the first round to move on to the semifinals.

Also in the welterweight division, Badreddine Diani defeated Amir Fazli by unanimous decision to claim his spot in the semifinals.

Mohsen Mohammadseifi put his striking power on full display as he stopped Josh Togo by TKO in the first round to advance to the lightweight semifinals.

Souhil Tahiri earned a hard-fought unanimous decision victory over Ahmed Amir in a lightweight regular season bout to secure his spot in the semifinals.

Omar El-Dafrawy put on a dominant performance against Anthony Zeidan, winning by unanimous decision and advancing to the welterweight semifinals.

In a women’s flyweight amateur showcase bout, Saudi Arabia’s Hattan Al-Saif earned her second straight TKO win, defeating Eman Baraka in the second round.

Abdullah Saleem secured his spot in the lightweight semifinals by submitting Omar Reguigui with a triangle choke in the first round.

In the first regular season lightweight bout of the night, Georges Eid outclassed Abbas Khan for three rounds to pick up a unanimous decision win and advance to the semifinals.

Kicking off the card’s action in a flyweight showcase bout, Ziyad Ayman Mokhtar showed off his grappling skills by submitting Hadi Omar Al Hussaini by rear-naked choke in the third round.

The inaugural PFL MENA season will continue on Sept. 20 with the PFL MENA playoffs in Jeddah. The event will start with the bantamweight and featherweight divisions.

Topics: PFL MENA 2

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Spain take gold after 5-3 win against France in Olympic men’s soccer final

Spain take gold after 5-3 win against France in Olympic men’s soccer final
Updated 09 August 2024
AP
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Spain take gold after 5-3 win against France in Olympic men’s soccer final

Spain take gold after 5-3 win against France in Olympic men’s soccer final
  • Spain became the first European gold medalist in men’s soccer since it last won the tournament at the Barcelona Games in 1992
  • Spain’s victory marked a personal double for Fermin Lopez and Alex Baena, who were both part of the Euro 2024-winning squad
Updated 09 August 2024
AP

PARIS: Sergio Camello struck twice in extra time as Spain took gold in the Olympic men’s soccer final after a 5-3 win against France on Friday.
The thrilling win at Parc des Princes completed a golden summer for Spanish soccer — following the senior team’s European Championship triumph last month.
Spain, which lost the final to Brazil at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago, became the first European gold medalist in men’s soccer since it last won the tournament at the Barcelona Games in 1992.
France came back from 3-1 down to send the game to extra time when Jean-Phillipe Mateta equalized from the penalty spot in the third minute of time added on.
But substitute Camello coolly lifted over France goalkeeper Guillaume Restes in the 100th and got his second in the first minute of time added on.
Spain’s victory marked a personal double for Fermin Lopez and Alex Baena, who were both part of the Euro 2024-winning squad.
Barcelona star Lopez scored twice and Baena got Spain’s other goal in a blistering 10-minute spell in the first half which gave them a 3-1 lead at the break after Enzo Millot had opened the scoring for France.
But the game was turned on its head when France mounted a late fightback through Maghnes Akliouche and Jean-Philippe Mateta, who converted a penalty in the third minute of stoppage time to send the game to extra time.
The dramatic climax sent the home fans wild as they chanted “Alez Les Bleus” and roared their team on.
And while Camello’s goals ultimately ended French hopes of a first gold since Los Angeles 1984 the crowd continued to cheer loudly as coach Thierry Henry and his players showed their appreciation with a lap of honor after the final whistle.
“It was a crazy final, at the end we got a medal,” Henry said. “Unfortunately, we are not Olympic champions, but you can’t take anything away from this team.”
Camello’s second goal, racing away from his own half before firing past Restes, sparked frenzied celebrations from the Spanish.
The forward tore off his shirt and was swamped by teammates and substitutes, who piled onto the field from the touchline.
He had only come as substitute in the 83rd as Spain tried to protect their lead in regulation — but ended up a national hero.
Spain’s victory ended the dominance of Latin American nations for the last five editions of the Olympics. Brazil and Argentina won twice in that time, with Mexico also taking gold.
Nigeria won at Atlanta 1996 and Cameroon at Sydney 2000.

Topics: Paris Olympics Spain France Sergio Camello Fermin Lopez

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Saudi Arabia’s new football season kicks off next week with the Saudi Super Cup

Saudi Arabia’s new football season kicks off next week with the Saudi Super Cup
Updated 09 August 2024
Arab News
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Saudi Arabia’s new football season kicks off next week with the Saudi Super Cup

Saudi Arabia’s new football season kicks off next week with the Saudi Super Cup
  • Trophy will see Al-Nassr, Al-Ahli, Al-Taawoun, domestic treble winners Al-Hilal playing between Aug. 13-17
  • The 4 clubs will compete at the Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Stadium in Abha for the first time
Updated 09 August 2024
Arab News

RIYADH: The Saudi Arabian football season of 2024-2025 kicks off next week when last year’s top four finishers in the Roshn Saudi League compete for the Saudi Super Cup.
The traditional curtain-raiser of domestic football in the Kingdom, the Saudi Super Cup will see Al-Nassr, Al-Ahli, Al-Taawoun and domestic treble winners Al-Hilal competing for the prestigious trophy in Abha between Aug. 13 and 17.
The four clubs will compete for the honor at the Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Stadium in the picturesque city of Abha for the first time.
This year’s tournament continues with the expanded four-team format introduced in 2023.
The semifinals will see Al-Hilal face Al-Ahli on Aug. 13, with Al-Nassr taking on Al-Taawoun the following day. The final is to be held at 7:15 p.m. Saudi time on Aug. 17.
Al-Hilal, as treble winners last season, will be aiming to maintain their impressive form from the 2023-24 campaign which saw the Riyadh side, under Portuguese manager Jorge Jesus, secure their record 19th league title.
Portugal’s Ruben Neves, Serbian duo Aleksandar Mitrovic and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, and the returning Neymar are all set to feature in the season-opening competition.
Al-Ahli, who are returning for their second top-flight season, will provide a tough test for last year’s champions as the Jeddah club aim to secure their first Super Cup victory since 2016.
With a strong pre-season behind them and featuring the return of international stars in Edouard Mendy, Riyad Mahrez and Roberto Firmino, Al-Ahli will be difficult to beat.
Al-Nassr, led by Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, will have their sights set on redemption going into the new season, after a dramatic penalty shoot-out defeat in the King Cup final ended a difficult campaign.
With new signing Brazilian goalkeeper Bento set to feature, the Riyadh side will be aiming to add to their two previous successes in the Saudi Super Cup.
Al-Taawoun will look to replicate the fine form that saw the Buraydah outfit achieve an impressive fourth-place finish in the top flight. Led for the first time by new manager Rodolfo Arruabarrena, the side will aim to provide an early shock in the new season.
The Saudi Super Cup represents the start of a historic new season of domestic football in Saudi Arabia and is the first football tournament to take place in the Kingdom since the historic announcement of the country’s official bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
For more information on how to purchase tickets for the Saudi Super Cup, visit: https://webook.com/en/saudi-super-cup-2024

Topics: Saudi Super Cup Saudi Arabian football Roshn Saudi League (RSL) Al-Nassr Al-Ahli Al-Taawoun Al-Hilal

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Berger saves Putellas penalty to clinch women’s soccer bronze for Germany in 1-0 win over Spain

Berger saves Putellas penalty to clinch women’s soccer bronze for Germany in 1-0 win over Spain
Updated 09 August 2024
AP
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Berger saves Putellas penalty to clinch women’s soccer bronze for Germany in 1-0 win over Spain

Berger saves Putellas penalty to clinch women’s soccer bronze for Germany in 1-0 win over Spain
  • Berger dove to stop Alexia Putellas’ penalty attempt in the ninth minute of stoppage time, then raised her hands in victory
  • Putellas — a two-time Ballon d’Or winner — was in tears as the match ended
Updated 09 August 2024
AP

PARIS: Ann-Katrin Berger saved a last-minute penalty and Germany won the bronze medal at the Paris Olympics with a 1-0 victory on Friday over Women’s World Cup winner Spain.
Berger dove to stop Alexia Putellas’ penalty attempt in the ninth minute of stoppage time, then raised her hands in victory.
Putellas — a two-time Ballon d’Or winner — was in tears as the match ended.
Giulia Gwinn had converted a second-half penalty for Germany that proved to be the game winner.
It was Germany’s fourth bronze medal in women’s soccer at the Olympics. The Germans won the gold medal at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games but didn’t qualify for Tokyo three years ago.
Spain, ranked No. 1 in the world after the World Cup win, were making their Olympics debut.
Gwinn, was fouled by Spain goalkeeper Cata Coll, confidently struck her penalty in the 64th minute after a scoreless first half.
Spain’s Aitana Bonmati, the reigning women’s world player of the year, had the best chance in the opening half but her shot hit the crossbar. Jennie Hermoso’s attempted rebound was blocked by a German defender.
Alexandra Popp started for Germany after missing the semifinal with an illness. Popp was the only current German player who was also on the squad that won the gold medal in 2016.
Lea Schuller, who returned from injury as a second-half substitute, nearly scored in the 71st minute but Coll made a kick save for Spain.
Putellas was the FIFA Best women’s player of the year and the Ballon d’Or winner in both 2021 and 2022. She tore her ACL and required surgery ahead of the 2022 European championships, but returned in time for Spain’s World Cup run.
Spain struggled in the knockout round in France, needing penalties to get past Colombia before losing to Brazil 4-2 in the semifinals. Spain were vying to become the first team to win an Olympic title after lifting a World Cup.
Spain had a wild ride at the World Cup last summer. Before the tournament started, more than a dozen players quit the team because of what they said was an unprofessional atmosphere that impacted their mental health.
Coach Jorge Vilda was peppered with questions about the mutiny during the World Cup. But the players were unbothered, losing just one match during the tournament before lifting the trophy.
Chaos erupted afterward when Spanish Federation President Luis Rubiales forcibly kissed Jenni Hermoso during the winner’s ceremony. Rubiales resigned in the wake of the scandal, and Vilda was dismissed.
In France, Spain were led by coach Montse Tome, a former national team player.
Germany fell in extra time to the United States. Sophia Smith scored the lone goal in a 1-0 victory that sent the Americans into Saturday’s gold medal match in Paris.
Germany were playing the Olympics under interim coach Horst Hrubesch, who took over after Martina Voss-Tecklenburg was dismissed after the team’s poor showing at the World Cup.
Christian Wuck will take over as the coach of Germany ahead of the 2027 World Cup.

Topics: Paris Olympics Germany Ann-Katrin Berger Spain

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Bulgaria weightlifter wins gold 15 months since a hotel sink fell and severed an Achilles tendon

Bulgaria weightlifter wins gold 15 months since a hotel sink fell and severed an Achilles tendon
Updated 09 August 2024
AP
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Bulgaria weightlifter wins gold 15 months since a hotel sink fell and severed an Achilles tendon

Bulgaria weightlifter wins gold 15 months since a hotel sink fell and severed an Achilles tendon
  • After undergoing emergency surgery and missing six months, he returned in December and set the clean and jerk world record that he surpassed in this event
  • The 21-year-old Nasar lifted 180 kilograms in the snatch and a world record 224 in the clean and jerk to become champion in his Olympic debut
Updated 09 August 2024
AP

PARIS: Karlos Nasar of Bulgaria won weightlifting gold at the Olympics and broke two world records Friday, just over a year after a hotel sink fell on him and severed his left Achilles tendon.
Nasar was showering the night before an awards ceremony in May 2023 when he reached for shampoo and pressed down, causing the sink to fall out of the wall and onto him. After undergoing emergency surgery and missing six months, he returned in December and set the clean and jerk world record that he surpassed in this event.
The 21-year-old Nasar, a Paris native, lifted 180 kilograms (397 pounds) in the snatch and a world record 224 in the clean and jerk to become champion in his Olympic debut with a score of 404 — also a world record. Yeison López of Colombia got silver and Antonino Pizzolato of Italy took home the bronze.
The event, merging the 81 and 96 kilograms as part of a reduction of weight classes from Tokyo in 2021, was not for the faint of heart, with multiple weightlifters going down in pain during the course of the competition. Karim Abokahla of Egypt grabbed at his right bicep on two consecutive lifts and received medical attention for several minutes with an injury that knocked him out midway through.
Boady Santavy of Canada also did not finish after he was unable to complete a lift in the clean and jerk. Host country fan favorite Romain Imadouchène did not medal but got through it while appearing to fight through a left leg ailment.
Later Friday, Olivia Reeves competes in the women’s 81-kilogram division, looking to join Hampton Morris as US weightlifters to medal in Paris. The 21-year-old from Chattanooga, Tennessee, is making her Olympic debut as the top qualifier in her weight class.

Topics: Paris Olympics Karlos Nasar Bulgaria weightlifting

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Spain playmaker Dani Olmo to join Barcelona from Leipzig

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Updated 09 August 2024
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Spain playmaker Dani Olmo to join Barcelona from Leipzig

Spain playmaker Dani Olmo to join Barcelona from Leipzig
  • No fee was disclosed by Barcelona when announcing the transfer
Updated 09 August 2024
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BARCELONA: Dani Olmo is headed back to Barcelona, a decade after leaving the Spanish team.
The Spain playmaker is set to sign a six-year contract after Barcelona said Friday they had reached an agreement with Leipzig for his transfer.
No fee was disclosed by Barcelona when announcing the transfer. The club said, however, that his buyout clause was being set at 500 million euros ($550 million).
Olmo joined Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy in 2007 from neighbor Espanyol. He left seven years later to further his career in Croatia by signing for Dinamo Zagreb.
He has played for Leipzig in the Bundesliga since 2020.
The 26-year-old Olmo starred for Spain at the recent European Championship after coming into the team as an injury replacement for Pedri midway through the tournament.

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