Trio crowned champions on Esports World Cup ‘Super Sunday’ in Riyadh

Trio crowned champions on Esports World Cup ‘Super Sunday’ in Riyadh
Team BDS celebrate winning In Rainbow Six Siege at the Esports World Cup in Riyadh. (Supplied)
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Updated 05 August 2024
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Trio crowned champions on Esports World Cup ‘Super Sunday’ in Riyadh

Trio crowned champions on Esports World Cup ‘Super Sunday’ in Riyadh
  • KPL Dream Team earn ‘Honor of Kings’ gold, Alliance seize ‘Apex Legends’ success, and Team BDS make ‘Rainbow Six Siege’ history in Saudi Arabia
  • The Esports World Cup, which began on July 3 and features a record-breaking prize pool of $60m, runs until Aug. 25 at Boulevard Riyadh City

RIYADH: The Esports World Cup’s “Super Sunday” in Riyadh had three champions crowned, with KPL Dream Team taking the “Honor of Kings Invitational Series 2024 Midseason,” Alliance the “Apex Legends” contest, and Team BDS the “Rainbow Six Siege” competition.

The world’s largest gaming and esports festival, which has a record-breaking prize pool of $60 million, had $7 million presented to the competitors at Boulevard Riyadh City.

KPL Dream Team claimed $1 million with an astonishing “Honor of Kings” performance — going through the entire tournament without losing a single round. The Chinese stars swept LGD Gaming MY 3-0 in the final.

Gemini, whose real name is Jia Yi, the coach of KPL Dream Team, said: “It’s because of the teamwork. We have good techniques and we worked hard for this event. It’s been a long time that we’ve been playing this game. This is how we can take this event. I would like to thank our fans. They came all the way from China to support us here. The facilities here are excellent. It has been great to play here.”

The story of the day, however, was “Rainbow Six Siege” where Team BDS followed up their 2022 and 2023 successes at Gamers8, organized by the Saudi Esports Federation. Not only did they create gaming history, but they did so by sweeping w7m esports 3-0 in the final.

Team BDS analyst eaglemees, real name Mees van der Arend, said: “We are all very happy at being Gamers8 and Esports World Cup back-to-back-to-back champions. I don’t think there are any teams that have been able to do this and create history. We’re elated. Emotions are running high. Now we take some time to relax and then focus on our next tournament.”

The Swiss/French organization earned $750,000 for their tournament-winning exploits. In the “Apex Legends” tournament at the SEF Arena at Boulevard Riyadh City, Alliance took home the $600,000 top prize in sensational style. The Swedish side pipped hometown heroes Team Falcons for the title.

Alliance star Hakis, real name John Hakansson, said: “It feels amazing. It’s still kind of unreal — after 14 games of ‘Apex Legends,’ you are kind of cooked in the brain. Overall, I’m pretty empty and super, super tired but super happy and super excited. It still does feel unreal.”

Hakis added: “I think the most pleasing thing for us was definitely making the revenge. We had the chance to win the whole tournament in the game before 14 and we had to go again. To win the next game felt amazing. This is probably one of the closest tournaments we ever played.

“Falcons played amazing. They’re definitely a very respected team and one of the most successful in the whole game. Personally, I find it funny when the fans are cheering for Falcons. They’re so passionate. We were kind of making jokes mid-game ourselves being like: ‘Let’s go, Falcons!’ They’re pretty special and it is what it is.”

The Esports World Cup, which began on July 3 and runs until Aug. 25, features 22 global competitions in 21 leading games.


Pakistan set to face New Zealand in T20I series opener tomorrow in Christchurch

Pakistan set to face New Zealand in T20I series opener tomorrow in Christchurch
Updated 2 min 2 sec ago
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Pakistan set to face New Zealand in T20I series opener tomorrow in Christchurch

Pakistan set to face New Zealand in T20I series opener tomorrow in Christchurch
  • Skipper Salman Ali Agha says the team will try to produce better results in New Zealand
  • A three-match ODI series, set to follow the T20I action, will run from March 29 to April 5

KARACHI: Pakistan are all set to take on New Zealand in a five-match T20I series starting Sunday, the country's cricket board said in a statement, with the first game to be played at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
The Pakistan squad arrived in New Zealand on Thursday and held their first training session on Friday afternoon. Before their arrival, the T20I squad underwent a pre-series camp from March 7 to 10 in Lahore.
Pakistan’s squad includes three uncapped players — Abdul Samad, Hasan Nawaz and Mohammad Ali — who earned call-ups to the national side following their impressive performances in recent domestic events.
Skipper Salman Ali Agha, who led the team to a 2-1 T20I series win in Zimbabwe in his first series as captain, expressed satisfaction with the players' performance ahead of the series.
“The team's preparations are going well, and we will try to produce better results in New Zealand," the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) quoted him as saying in a statement. "We have some young players in the side, and it is an opportunity for them to showcase their talent at the international level after performing well in domestic cricket.”
Pakistan have an upper hand over New Zealand in the 44 T20I contests between the two sides, with 23 wins, while the Black Caps have secured victory in 19 fixtures.
The last T20I series featuring the two sides, played in Pakistan in 2024, ended in a 2-2 draw, with one match abandoned due to rain.
More recently, though, Pakistan's cricket squad has come under significant criticism for their performance following their early exit from the 2025 Champions Trophy after losses to New Zealand and India.
During their tour to New Zealand, Pakistan will play their second match at University Oval in Dunedin on March 18, while the third match of the series will be played at Eden Park in Auckland on March 21.
The fourth and fifth T20Is will be played at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui and Sky Stadium in Wellington on March 23 and 26, respectively.
A three-match ODI series will follow the T20I action and will be played from March 29 to April 5.


Norris edges Piastri for pole as McLaren lock out Melbourne front row

Norris edges Piastri for pole as McLaren lock out Melbourne front row
Updated 15 March 2025
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Norris edges Piastri for pole as McLaren lock out Melbourne front row

Norris edges Piastri for pole as McLaren lock out Melbourne front row
  • Lando Norris clinched pole position on Saturday for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix ahead of teammate Oscar Piastri as McLaren fired a warning shot to their rivals

MELBOURNE: Lando Norris clinched pole position on Saturday for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix ahead of teammate Oscar Piastri as McLaren fired a warning shot to their rivals.
In scorching hot conditions at Melbourne’s Albert Park, world champion Max Verstappen came third in tense qualifying.
Mercedes’ George Russell will keep Red Bull’s four-time world champion company on the second row. Lewis Hamilton will start in eighth on his Ferrari debut.
“It’s the perfect way to start the year. A big congrats to the team, everyone has done an amazing job to start with a one-two,” said Norris after his 10th career pole.
“But it is just quali, right? Let’s see tomorrow,” he added.
“The car is extremely quick. When you put it together it is unbelievable, but it is hard to put it together.
“I’m never going to get ahead of myself, I’m confident the car is in a good place but we have never run it in the wet.”
The forecast for Sunday’s race is cooler temperatures and rain.
Norris eclipsed his rivals with a flying lap of one minute 15.096 seconds on soft tires, 0.084sec ahead of Piastri.
“Pretty happy, great to start the year on the front row,” said Piastri.
“Pretty happy with how qualifying went but just not quite enough in Q3, but it is a long season so a good start,” added the Australian.
“Maybe left a little bit on the table.”
No Australian driver has won their home race since Alan Jones in 1980, but that was a non-championship race before Australia was added to the F1 calendar in 1985.
Verstappen, who was the pole-sitter in 2023 and 2024, was three-tenths behind Norris.
But his rookie teammate Liam Lawson, who replaced the underperforming Sergio Perez, failed to get out of Q1.


Mercedes’ teenager Kimi Antonelli was another big Q1 casualty after gravel damaged the floor of his car.
“It was good, yesterday was quite tough so for us to be P3 today, I’d take that,” said Verstappen.
“Quali laps are exciting, good grip around here and some fast corners.”
Verstappen is chasing a second win in Australia after his 2023 victory to kickstart his bid for a fifth consecutive world title, a feat only Michael Schumacher has achieved.
RB’s Yuki Tsunoda will start a surprise fifth alongside the Williams of Alex Albon.
Ferrari pair Charles Leclerc and Hamilton were a disappointing seventh and eighth with Alpine’s Pierre Gasly and Carlos Sainz in the other Williams filling out the top 10.
Last year in Melbourne it was a Ferrari one-two with Sainz holding off teammate Leclerc for the win, ahead of Norris.
“It isn’t quite where we wanted to be but overall I’m satisfied with the progress we have made over the past two days,” said Hamilton.
“We didn’t expect to be eight or nine tenths behind pole but given this is a weekend of firsts for me, I didn’t underestimate how steep the learning curve would be.”
Fernando Alonso and his Aston Martin teammate Lance Stroll have struggled for pace all weekend and failed to get through Q2 alongside Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto, RB’s Isack Hadjar and Alpine’s Jack Doohan.
Haas’s Ollie Bearman failed to set a time in Q1 and was eliminated with teammate Esteban Ocon, Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg, Lawson and Antonelli.
Briton’s Bearman has endured a horror weekend, smashing into the barriers in first practice on Friday and unable to take part in the second session.
He skidded into the gravel Saturday on his first lap in third practice, before reporting his gearbox was “broken” without completing a lap in qualifying.


Ronaldo leads Al-Nassr to third in table

Ronaldo leads Al-Nassr to third in table
Updated 15 March 2025
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Ronaldo leads Al-Nassr to third in table

Ronaldo leads Al-Nassr to third in table
  • Big-name attacking stars steal show in first half, Ronaldo sets pace
  • Comfortable cushion after first period

JEDDAH: Cristiano Ronaldo scored again to set Al-Nassr on their way to a 3-1 victory over Al-Kholood on Friday to move them into third in the table and keep their faint Saudi Pro League title hopes alive.

Al-Nassr’s big-name attacking stars stole the show in the first half with Ronaldo setting the pace.

The 40-year-old struck in the fourth minute with his 19th league goal of the season. The ball fell to the Portuguese star just outside the six-yard box and he made no mistake in guiding his shot into the bottom corner.

Five minutes later the visitors thought they were back on level terms as Myziane Maolida had the ball in the net, shooting home from near the penalty spot, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

Sadio Mane extended Al-Nassr’s lead after 26 minutes. Ronaldo was involved, freeing Salem Al-Najdi down the left and his cross was met first time by the former Liverpool and Bayern Munich star.

There was still time before the break for Jhon Duran to give the home team a comfortable cushion. The Colombian picked up possession from Angelo outside the area and then shot low into the corner with a clinical finish.

The game fizzled out a little just before the hour as Al-Nassr were reduced to 10 men following Nawaf Boushal’s second yellow card.

Ronaldo was substituted soon after and while the five-time Ballon d’Or winner did not seem happy at the decision as he exited the pitch and headed down the tunnel, at least Al-Nassr had the points in the bag.

An own goal from Ali Lajami with 18 minutes to go gave some brief cause for concern, but game management meant Al-Nassr moved into third with the win, above Al-Qadsiah who missed the chance to go level on points with Al-Hilal in second after falling to a 1-0 defeat at Damac. The deadlock was finally broken after 101 minutes by a penalty from Habib Diallo.


Germany recall Goretzka and Adeyemi for Italy Nations League tie

Germany recall Goretzka and Adeyemi for Italy Nations League tie
Updated 15 March 2025
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Germany recall Goretzka and Adeyemi for Italy Nations League tie

Germany recall Goretzka and Adeyemi for Italy Nations League tie
  • Nagelsmann, who coached him at Bayern, said: “Leon is in a very good phase from a sporting perspective“
  • Adeyemi has not pulled on a Germany senior shirt since 2022 and this is the first time Nagelsmann has selected him

BERLIN: Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann on Thursday recalled the in-form Leon Goretzka and Karim Adeyemi to his squad for the two-legged Nations League quarter-final tie with Italy.
Injuries to key players including Florian Wirtz, Kai Havertz, Niclas Fuellkrug and Marc-Andre Ter Stegen necessitated several changes as Germany look to reach the final four of the Nations League for the first time.
Bayern Munich midfielder Goretzka last played for Germany in 2023 but has regained the form of a few years ago.
Nagelsmann, who coached him at Bayern, said: “Leon is in a very good phase from a sporting perspective.”
Adeyemi has not pulled on a Germany senior shirt since 2022 and this is the first time Nagelsmann has selected him.
Appointed Germany manager in September 2023, Nagelsmann has repeatedly selected on form rather than reputation, having regularly left big names out of the squad.
On Thursday, Nagelsmann said he selected “players who play regularly for the club” and added he wanted players to be “on fire (and) show their spirit even if they don’t play from the start.”
Midfielder Nadiem Amiri has been chosen for the first time in five years as he benefits from Mainz’s rise to third spot in the table.
Inter Milan center-back Yann Aurel Bisseck, 24, is the only debutant.
“We’ve got great respect for him,” Nagelsmann said of Bisseck, adding “he’s got a lot of talent and brings plenty to the table.”
Manchester City back-up Stefan Ortega joins Hoffenheim’s Oliver Baumann and Stuttgart’s Alexander Nuebel, on loan from Bayern, as the goalkeepers.
Nagelsmann did not indicate which of the three would play but said he would opt for the same player for both games.
The coach complained about the scheduling of the Bundesliga, with seven members of the national squad involved when defending champions Bayer Leverkusen and last season’s runners-up Stuttgart play on Sunday.
Nagelsmann said he would now have “the shortest training period” he has ever had as Germany coach.
They face Italy in Milan on March 20 before hosting the Italians in the return leg in Dortmund on March 23.
Italy eliminated Germany with two goals in extra time at the same venue in the semifinals of the 2006 World Cup.
Germany had never beaten Italy at a major tournament until winning on penalties in the quarter-finals of Euro 2016.

Squad
Goalkeepers: Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim), Alexander Nuebel (Stuttgart), Stefan Ortega (Manchester City/ENG)
Defenders: Yann Aurel Bisseck (Inter Milan/ITA), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Robin Koch (Eintracht Frankfurt), Maximilian Mittelstaedt (Stuttgart), David Raum (RB Leipzig), Antonio Ruediger (Real Madrid/ESP), Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund), Jonathan Tah (Bayer Leverkusen)
Midfielders: Karim Adeyemi (Borussia Dortmund), Nadiem Amiri (Mainz), Robert Andrich (Bayer Leverkusen), Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich), Pascal Gross (Borussia Dortmund), Jamie Leweling (Stuttgart), Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich), Leroy Sane (Bayern Munich), Angelo Stiller (Stuttgart)
Forwards: Jonathan Burkardt (Mainz), Tim Kleindienst (Borussia Moenchengladbach), Deniz Undav (Stuttgart)


Baniyas crowned Mother of the Nation Jiu-Jitsu Cup champions in Abu Dhabi

Baniyas crowned Mother of the Nation Jiu-Jitsu Cup champions in Abu Dhabi
Updated 14 March 2025
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Baniyas crowned Mother of the Nation Jiu-Jitsu Cup champions in Abu Dhabi

Baniyas crowned Mother of the Nation Jiu-Jitsu Cup champions in Abu Dhabi
  • Al-Jazira finish second, Al-Ain third
  • Baniyas’ Asma Al-Hosani won the gold medal in the adults’ 57 kg category

ABU DHABI: Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club emerged as champions in the Mother of the Nation Jiu-Jitsu Cup, which concluded on Thursday at the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy.
The two-day event, which showcased elite female jiu-jitsu athletes, saw Al-Jazira finish second and Al-Ain take third place.
Abdulmunem Alsayed Mohammed Al-Hashmi, chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, president of the Asian Jiu-Jitsu Union, and senior vice president of the International Jiu-Jitsu Federation, congratulated the winning clubs while acknowledging their role in supporting athletes by providing a well-rounded sports environment that enhanced their readiness and offered real opportunities for competition and growth.
Al-Hashmi said: “The incredible success of jiu-jitsu in the UAE is made possible by the limitless support of the country’s wise leadership and its commitment to developing talent.
“The achievements of Emirati women in local and international competitions demonstrate the success of the federation’s strategy in building a solid foundation of female athletes capable of competing globally and bringing pride to the nation.”
Baniyas’ Asma Al-Hosani, a gold medalist in the adults’ 57 kg category, said: “This victory is the result of months of hard work, refining both physical and mental skills.
“Winning requires more than strength: It demands strategy, adaptability, and teamwork. I aimed not just for personal success but to contribute to my team’s achievement.
“I’m grateful to Baniyas and the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation for their support and will continue striving for more success.”