EWC ‘way beyond what I imagined’ — former Dutch international footballer Wesley Sneijder

EWC ‘way beyond what I imagined’ — former Dutch international footballer Wesley Sneijder
Wesley Sneijder during his visit to the Esports World Cup in Riyadh (Supplied)
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Updated 20 August 2024
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EWC ‘way beyond what I imagined’ — former Dutch international footballer Wesley Sneijder

EWC ‘way beyond what I imagined’ — former Dutch international footballer Wesley Sneijder
  • The ex-Ajax, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Galatasaray star visited Boulevard Riyadh City over the weekend
  • Longtime gaming fan Sneijder discussed the esports evolution and shed light on the gaming culture during his football career

RIYADH: Former Dutch international footballer Wesley Sneijder has opened up on his Esports World Cup experience in Riyadh, describing the event as “insane” while tipping esports to be the future of global sport.

The former Ajax, Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Galatasaray attacking midfielder — widely considered one of the best of his generation — visited Boulevard Riyadh City on Sunday during the Grand Finals of StarCraft II, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, and EA Sports FC.

“I was invited here and I love gaming, so there was never any doubt about accepting the invitation,” said Sneijder, who with 134 appearances holds the record as the Netherlands’ most capped player of all time.

“I’ve wanted to see professional gaming from a close-up perspective for some time now. The way esports has grown in recent years is incredible.

“I had some expectations before arriving but what I’ve seen goes way beyond what I imagined — it’s insane! The venue here and the facilities within are amazing, and as a fan I’m intrigued about what the years ahead will look like for the EWC. It’s going to become bigger and bigger every year because esports look set to be the future.”

Sneijder said the event brought back fond memories of the gaming cultures at his former clubs. The Dutchman, who made his professional debut for Ajax in 2002, said this was when his own gaming journey began.

“We didn’t have computers when I was really young, but the PlayStation was around by the time I made the Ajax first team,” he said. “We played together a lot, especially in pre-season, but after a certain point we hardly slept because we were playing during the night with training the next day!

“Gaming became huge for many footballers around that time and has remained so ever since. Looking back, we never could have imagined how much more advanced and realistic games would become.”

Reflecting on his time in Italy — where Serie A, Coppa Italia and UEFA Champions League triumphs sealed a historic continental treble under legendary manager Jose Mourinho in 2009/10 — Sneijder said: “This was where we played together the most as a team. I played a lot with Mario Balotelli and Marko Arnautovic — I loved playing with those guys.

“As footballers, it was always nice to see ourselves on FIFA. It was always an exciting time wondering who the new face would be and what the new skills would be ahead of a new edition. We often spoke about these things. Our ratings were also a major talking point every season and some players were like ‘Woah, why do I only have this?’ or ‘How am I not higher?’. We were always competitive about these little things but it was always great fun.”

Besides catching the action from EA SPORTS FC 24, the inaugural installment of the new series that succeeded FIFA, Sneijder’s EWC appearance also coincided with the finale of a tournament headlined by his favorite franchise.

“I’m a huge Call of Duty fan. I’ve seen and played every edition that’s ever been released, I absolutely love it and the improvements made in each new game are incredible,” he said.


Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder rout Wolves in West opener

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder rout Wolves in West opener
Updated 44 sec ago
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder rout Wolves in West opener

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder rout Wolves in West opener
  • While Gilgeous-Alexander turned up the pressure on offense, it was the Thunder’s defense that played the biggest role in the victory
  • Overall, Oklahoma City scored 31 points on 19 Timberwolves’ turnovers

OKLAHOMA CITY: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander overcame a slow start to score 31 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 114-88 home win over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals on Tuesday.

It was Gilgeous-Alexander’s fourth consecutive game with 30 or more points and his eighth in 12 playoff games this season. He added a game-high nine assists.

With seven minutes left in the fourth quarter, Gilgeous-Alexander drove toward the basket and began falling, flipping the ball toward the bucket as he went down.

The ball rolled around the rim briefly before dropping through, and Jaden McDaniels was called for the foul.

Gilgeous-Alexander finished off the three-point play to put the Thunder up by 14. He finished 10 of 27 from the floor and 0 of 4 from 3-point range, but he made 11 of 14 from the free-throw line.

Early on, the Timberwolves’ defense gave Gilgeous-Alexander fits, holding him to just 2-of-13 shooting in the first half.

Oklahoma City trailed by nine with a little more than a minute remaining in the first half before the Thunder closed on a 6-1 run to cut the deficit to four.

In the second half, Thunder coach Mark Daigneault moved Gilgeous-Alexander off the ball, and it helped the likely Most Valuable Player find a rhythm.

Gilgeous-Alexander scored 12 points in the third quarter as Oklahoma City outscored Minnesota 32-18.

While Gilgeous-Alexander turned up the pressure on offense, it was the Thunder’s defense that played the biggest role in the victory.

Overall, Oklahoma City scored 31 points on 19 Timberwolves’ turnovers. Minnesota managed only 10 points off the Thunder’s 15 giveaways.

Oklahoma City’s Jalen Williams produced 19 points and eight rebounds, while Chet Holmgren added 15 points and seven boards.

The Thunder shot 50 percent from the field and 11 of 21 (52.4 percent) from beyond the arc while holding Minnesota to just 34.9 percent from the floor and 15 of 51 (29.4 percent) from 3-point range.

Julius Randle led Minnesota with 28 points, scoring 20 in the first half. After going 5-for-6 in the first half on 3-point tries, Randle didn’t attempt a shot from beyond the arc in the second half.

Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards wound up with 18 points and nine rebounds. He attempted just one shot, a miss, while playing seven minutes in the fourth quarter.


Omar Marmoush scores stunning goal as Kevin De Bruyne says goodbye to Man City

Omar Marmoush scores stunning goal as Kevin De Bruyne says goodbye to Man City
Updated 21 May 2025
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Omar Marmoush scores stunning goal as Kevin De Bruyne says goodbye to Man City

Omar Marmoush scores stunning goal as Kevin De Bruyne says goodbye to Man City
  • The victory moved Pep Guardiola’s team up to third in the standings and left Champions League qualification in their own hands
  • De Bruyne was fighting back tears as he addressed the crowd after the match and watched a video montage of tributes from club greats on the stadium’s big screen

MANCHESTER, England: Omar Marmoush’s stunning long-range strike upstaged Kevin De Bruyne on the Manchester City great’s Etihad farewell.

Marmoush let fly from around 30 yards (meters) to put City ahead in their 3-1 win against Bournemouth in the Premier League on Tuesday.

The victory moved Pep Guardiola’s team up to third in the standings and left Champions League qualification in their own hands heading into the last round of the season.

“It’s really important. To be in the Champions League after what happened (this season) will be really nice,” the City manager said.

De Bruyne was making his final home appearance for City before leaving the club as a free agent at the end of the season.

After a trophy-laden 10 years, the Belgium international was greeted with a huge banner declaring him “King Kev” and given a standing ovation when he was substituted off in the second half.

But it was Marmoush’s goal after 14 minutes that lit up the match as his dipping shot clipped the post before crashing into the top corner.

It was the type of goal that De Bruyne would have been proud of in a career that has seen him score numerous spectacular strikes of his own.

De Bruyne missed a glorious chance to cap his farewell with a goal when missing an open net from close range — shooting against the bar.

“Terrible, terrible,” De Bruyne said of his miss. “There’s no excuses. My son is going to be very tough on me today.”

Bernardo Silva doubled City’s lead in the 38th and substitute Nico Gonzalez added a third in the 89th. Deniel Jebbison pulled one back for Bournemouth in added time in a game that saw both teams reduced to 10 men.

The win saw City bounce back from its FA Cup final loss to Crystal Palace on Saturday. It also means City needs a point in its final game against Fulham on Sunday to all but guarantee Champions League soccer next season, given its superior goal difference to top-five rivals Chelsea and Aston Villa.

After ending the season trophyless for the first time in eight years, City can at least secure the consolation of a place in European club soccer’s top competition.

The loss, however, ended Bournemouth’s slim hopes of qualifying for Europe.

De Bruyne tribute

De Bruyne was fighting back tears as he addressed the crowd after the match and watched a video montage of tributes from club greats on the stadium’s big screen.

He was given a guard of honor by his teammates as he walked to the middle of the field with his wife and three children.

City said it would erect a statue in his honor outside the stadium.

“It means I will always be part of this club,” De Bruyne said. “Whenever I come back with family and friends, I will be able to see myself so I will always be here.”

City also unveiled a mosaic of De Bruyne at the club’s academy and named a road on its campus after him.

The 33-year-old De Bruyne was part of a period of unprecedented success for City, which saw it win 16 major trophies including six Premier League titles and the Champions League.

He waved to the crowd and City fans serenaded him as he left the field in the second half before embracing Guardiola on the touchline.

“There are players that are unique,” Guardiola said. “In 10 years there are a lot of games, a lot of titles, a lot of moments. Today summarized how much love was there (for him).”

He is the latest City great to have a mural made in his honor, joining Yaya Toure, Joe Hart, David Silva, Vincent Kompany, Sergio Aguero, Fernandinho and Ilkay Gundogan.

Rodri returns

Rodri returned to action eight months after having surgery on an ACL injury that ruled him out for the majority of the season.

The Ballon d’Or winner came on as a second-half substitute to make his first appearance since being injured against Arsenal on Sept. 22.

His return means he is likely to be available for the Club World Cup in the United States in June and July.

Palace party

There was no hangover for Crystal Palace after Saturday’s FA Cup victory over City.

Eddie Nketiah scored twice in a 4-2 win against Wolves.

Just days after Palace’s win at Wembley secured their first major trophy, the team kept the party going in front of its home fans at Selhurst Park.

Wolves went ahead through Emmanuel Agbadou, but two goals from Nketiah in the space of five minutes in the first half put the home side in front.

Eberechi Eze — who scored the winning goal in the final — was on target again late on.


SPL champions-elect Al-Ittihad beat Al-Shabab 3-2 in last away game of the season

SPL champions-elect Al-Ittihad beat Al-Shabab 3-2 in last away game of the season
Updated 21 May 2025
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SPL champions-elect Al-Ittihad beat Al-Shabab 3-2 in last away game of the season

SPL champions-elect Al-Ittihad beat Al-Shabab 3-2 in last away game of the season
  • Moussa Diaby takes center stage with two memorable goals, the first of them in the opening minute, that put the Jeddah side in control
  • Al-Qadsiah tighten their grip on third place with a 3-1 win over Al-Orubah that moves them 4 points clear of Al-Nassr

RIYADH: In their first match since clinching the Saudi Pro League title last week, Al-Ittihad celebrated with a 3-2 win at Al-Shabab on Tuesday, their final away game of the season.

French winger Moussa Diaby took center stage, scoring two memorable goals that put the champions-elect in control, the first of which came in the opening minute. The former Aston Villa player, who arrived in Jeddah last summer, picked up possession on the right wing, cut inside the area and then, from a tight angle, fired an unstoppable shot into the opposite top corner.

His second, just after the half-hour mark, was delightful in its simplicity. Steven Bergwijn, still inside his own half, lifted the ball over the Riyadh defense to Diaby, who in turn lifted it over the goalkeeper, who was stranded outside his area.

Al-Shabab hit back in added time before the break through Yannick Carrasco, who controlled a Musab Al-Juwayr cross at the far post and fired home from close range.

Just before the hour mark, however, Bergwijn restored Al-Ittihad’s two-goal cushion. As the visitors streamed forward on the counter, N’Golo Kante fed the Dutchman on the left side, who produced another fine finish with a first-time shot.

That was not quite the end of the matter, though. Midway through the second half, Cristian Guanca made it 3-2, the Argentine heading home from close range after Daniel Podence hung a cross invitingly in the air.

Al-Shabab could not get another, however, and so Al-Ittihad recorded a sixth-successive win, which moved them nine points clear of second-place Al-Hilal, who travel to Al-Wehda on Wednesday.

Elsewhere, Al-Qadsiah strengthened their grip on third place, and a spot in the AFC Champions League Two, with a 3-1 home victory over relegation battlers Al-Orubah. Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang contributed two late strikes that put him on 17 goals for the season. Julian Quinones delivered the opener, the Mexican marksman’s 20th league goal of the campaign.

Al-Qadsiah are now four points clear of fourth-place Al-Nassr, who will have a chance to close the gap when they play host to Al-Khaleej on Wednesday, after which there will be just one round of games left to play.


Nketiah and Eze on target on Palace party night

Nketiah and Eze on target on Palace party night
Updated 21 May 2025
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Nketiah and Eze on target on Palace party night

Nketiah and Eze on target on Palace party night
  • There was a carnival atmosphere at Selhurst Park
  • Palace’s FA Cup win means they will play in next season’s Europa League

LONDON: Eddie Nketiah scored twice on Crystal Palace’s party night as they celebrated their FA Cup triumph in style with a 4-2 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on Tuesday.
Palace’s last home game of the season came three days after they beat Manchester City at Wembley to claim the first major silverware in the south London club’s history and there were euphoric scenes as they hit back to take the three points.
The carnival atmosphere was interrupted briefly when Wolves took the lead through Emmanuel Agbadou’s 24th-minute header but Selhurst Park was really rocking when Nketiah struck twice in the space of five minutes before halftime.
Ben Chilwell’s free kick deflected off of Agbadou’s head to make it 3-1 in the 50th minute and the noise in the stadium barely diminished when Wolves reduced the deficit with a glancing header from Jorgen Strand Larsen.
Twelfth-placed Palace, who made six changes to the side that started against City, brought on Cup final goal hero Eberechi Eze in the 81st minute and he put the icing on the cake with a clinical angled finish after a jinking run.
Oliver Glasner’s side have 52 points, the highest total Palace have collected in the Premier League, and they will end a momentous season at champions Liverpool on Sunday.
After the historic events of Saturday it looked like Palace might be suffering an FA Cup hangover when Agbadou’s header from a corner just about crossed the line.
Nketiah came off the bench at Wembley and had been on the fringes at Palace but he was given a start and took full advantage to score his first league goals for three months.
Three minutes after Palace fell behind, former Arsenal forward Nketiah received a cut back from Romain Esse and fired a shot past Wolves keeper Dan Bentley who could gave done better.
Nketiah was at it again soon after, guiding in a low cross by Ismaila Sarr for his 50th senior career goal.
“We’re buzzing, we’re happy and it’s a massive day for us. Our manager was keen to keep it going and keep the celebrations going. Everyone was firing and we got the win,” Nketiah said.
“The unity between the fans and the players is amazing and it will be amazing to have European nights here.”
It was a memorable night for Palace’s long-serving defender Joel Ward who wore the captain’s armband in his last appearance for the club after a 13-year stint.
Palace’s FA Cup win means they will play in next season’s Europa League.


Man United gets boost ahead of Europa League final against Tottenham as 3 players return

Man United gets boost ahead of Europa League final against Tottenham as 3 players return
Updated 20 May 2025
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Man United gets boost ahead of Europa League final against Tottenham as 3 players return

Man United gets boost ahead of Europa League final against Tottenham as 3 players return
  • All three players took part in training on Tuesday and could play at least a few minutes
  • Amorim said: “Of course, they are limited in the minutes for the game but they can help us win the game”

BILBAO, Spain: Manchester United will have a trio of players back from injury for the Europa League final against Tottenham, coach Ruben Amorim said Tuesday, with Diogo Dalot, Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee all available to come off the bench.

All three players took part in training on Tuesday and could play at least a few minutes if needed.

“Very good for us,” Amorim said. “Of course, they are limited in the minutes for the game but they can help us win the game.”

Matthijs de Ligt will not be available but traveled to Bilbao to support his teammates. Lisandro Martinez is the only other first-team player not available as he remains out with a serious knee injury.

The return of Zirkzee was the biggest surprise as he had initially been ruled out for the season because of a hamstring injury he picked up in April.

“Me neither,” Amorim said when told nobody expected the forward’s return. “They recover quite well. They push, of course, and we have to respect the feeling of the player but we push a little bit, as they wanted to be part of the team. That is a very good sign.”

Dalot was nursing a calf injury since April, and Yoro had been out since earlier this month.

United have had a dismal season but are hoping to finish it with a European title. The club are in 16th place in the league standings after 18 defeats, their most in a single campaign since the Premier League began in 1992. They are also certain to register their worst-ever points total in that era, as well as their lowest finish.

Tottenham injuries
Tottenham coach Ange Postecoglou said midfielder Lucas Bergvall has not recovered from an ankle injury in time for the final. He was with the squad in Bilbao but won’t play.

Midfielder Pape Sarr will be available despite not finishing the league match against Aston Villa on Friday because of a back issue.

Tottenham are in 17th place in the Premier League, having lost 21 times — also a club record in the modern era. The Champions League runner-up in 2019, Tottenham are seeking their first trophy since the 2008 English League Cup.