Day: July 1, 2024

SHARJAH: Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of the Sharjah Media Council, on Sunday awarded the winners of the three categories in the second edition of the Sharjah Sports Padel Championship.

The championship took place at the WPA Sports Complex in the Al Rahmaniya suburb of Sharjah.

Sheikh Sultan presented awards to the winners in three categories. Issa Al Shaibani and Mohammed Al Muhairi secured the top spot in the national category, while Bahraini Ali Diwani and Spaniard Jose Arcos clinched first place in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and foreigners category. The Egyptian pair, Youssef Hossam and George Wakim, snatched first place in the international category.

Sheikh Sultan honoured the referees, handed over the second-place shield to the teams in various categories, and recognised the sponsors, supporters, and partners who organised the Sharjah Sports Padel Championship.

He was present at the final match of the international tournament, organised by the S
harjah Sports Channel in partnership with the WPA. The match was marked by intense competition and excitement, with players delivering exceptional performances and notable improvements in their skills since the first edition.

Lasted for six days, the tournament featured intense competition among 450 players from 26 countries, divided into three categories: UAE nationals, Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and foreigners. The event attracted participants from various countries, including the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain.

Additionally, professional players from Spain, Argentina, and Portugal participated. The winning teams received AED205,000 in prizes, along with various valuable rewards given to the attending fans, totalling AED100,000. The tournament employed a knockout system for all matches leading to the final game.

The final match and coronation were attended by sheikhs, several heads of government departments, representatives of sponsoring companies, and fans.

Source: Emirates News Agency

DÜSSELDORF: The French national team has advanced to the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 after defeating Belgium 1-0 today at Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dsseldorf, Germany, in a round of 16 match.

The decisive goal came from an own goal by Belgian defender Jan Vertonghen in the 85th minute.

France will face the winner of tonight’s match between Portugal and Slovenia in the quarter-finals next Saturday.

Source: Emirates News Agency

DUSSELDORF: The UEFA Euro 2024 Round of 16 promises exciting matches today as France face Belgium, reviving their World Cup 2018 rivalry, in Dusseldorf; Portugal take on Slovenia in Frankfurt, looking for a comeback after an unexpected loss to Georgia. Slovenia is participating in the knockouts for the first time, after entering the round of 16 as one of the best third-placed teams.

France vs Belgium

At 18.00 local time at Dsseldorf Arena, Dsseldorf, (16.00 UAE) today, France will take on Belgium.

Neither France nor Belgium have hit top gear yet at EURO 2024, but current form will likely count for little when these neighbouring nations resume a 120-year-old football rivalry that has reached intense heights in recent years, according to UEFA.com.

The Red Devils boast the superior overall record, but Les Bleus have got the better of their recent competitive jousts, edging their 2018 FIFA World Cup semi-final 1-0 and triumphing 3-2 in a UEFA Nations League semi in 2021.

Ample motivation, then, for a Belgium
side that squeezed through Group E as runners-up. “We are not afraid,” said Red Devils defender Wout Faes after this local derby was confirmed.

“We can hurt anyone.” Not that Didier Deschamps’ side are trembling either. “If they’re not afraid of us, all the better for them,” retorted France centre-back William Saliba. ‘We will do everything we can to win. I’m sure it won’t be fun for them to play us.’

Portugal vs Slovenia

Portugal and Slovenia meet today in the UEFA EURO 2024 round of 16 at 21.00 local time at Frankfurt Arena, Frankfurt (23.00 UAE).

Portugal go into this last-16 contest having had their wings clipped last time out, a run of 12 consecutive victories in EURO qualifying and finals games halted by Georgia in a surprise 2-0 loss.

That said, the EURO 2016 winners had already won Group F by then and made multiple changes, while they also believe the defeat could provide key lessons. “Slovenia will be defensive and try to hit us on the counterattack,” said defender Danilo. “This game provided an
example of that and we need to do exactly the opposite of what we did.”

Slovenia will not mind either way. Through to their first-ever knockout phase at a major tournament, Matjaž Kek’s charges have drawn their last four EURO games, most recently thwarting England’s attacking talents in a goalless stalemate.

“We have had a difficult group here but we have a top-quality team,” said the coach, whose side beat Portugal in the nations’ very first meeting this March – a 2-0 friendly win in Ljubljana, where Adam Gnezda Cerin and Timi Elšnik made the scoresheet.

Source: Emirates News Agency