Football

Amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the nation's men's football team has found solace and support in Germany as they prepare for the European Championship. With patriotic songs echoing through the stadium and thousands of exiled Ukrainians in attendance, the team's first training session in Wiesbaden created a sense of home away from home.As the national anthem played, a poignant reminder of the war back home was evident. Each player presented a ball to a fan, with Oleksandr Zinchenko giving his to a military veteran with prosthetic legs. The proximity to the United States military headquarters in Wiesbaden, which coordinates aid delivery to Ukraine, served as a constant reminder of the ongoing struggle.Coach Serhiy Rebrov emphasized the importance of addressing the war and its impact on the team. "We need to talk about this," he said. "We know that some people are tired of the news, but we are continuing to fight and we need your support."Zinchenko, who was part of Ukraine's quarterfinal run in Euro 2021, acknowledged the unique nature of this tournament. "There is still people dying for no reason and we have to stick together," he said. "For them it is super difficult, for us it's obviously extra motivation."Ukraine's first match is against Romania on Monday in Munich. They will then face Slovakia and Belgium in Group F. Preparation for these games began in earnest on Thursday, with a formal welcome from local politicians.The 4,000 fans in attendance gave standing ovations to the players as they warmed up. "In Germany, the Ukrainian community is everywhere. We were very happy with everything here," said Rebrov.Despite the constant threat of Russian bombs targeting civilians and infrastructure in Ukraine, midfielder Ruslan Malinovskyi expressed hope that people back home would have electricity to watch the games on TV.For the past decade, Ukrainian champion Shakhtar Donetsk has been unable to play in its home city due to the conflict in the country's east. Midfielder Taras Stepanenko, who has remained with Shakhtar throughout this period, emphasized the team's determination to represent their people."Every day people die, cities destroyed. Every day when we wake up, we read the news about what the situation is in Ukraine," said Stepanenko. "We live in this condition almost three years. It's so difficult."

Scotland's Bagpipes and Germany's Expectations: Euro 2020 Curtain RaiserAs the sound of bagpipes fills the streets of Munich and men in kilts proudly display their Scottish heritage, the excitement for the European Championship is reaching fever pitch. The tournament kicks off on June 14 with host nation Germany facing Scotland in the opening match at the Allianz Arena.Germany, eager to make amends for three consecutive tournament disappointments, is under pressure to deliver a strong performance. Defender Antonio Rüdiger acknowledges the team's need to remain humble despite past failures. "We don't have to talk about past tournaments, we all know what happened there," he said. "It's been up and down for us all the way here and that's why we have to be humble."While Germany's fans may be subdued compared to the boisterous Scottish supporters, coach Julian Nagelsmann is optimistic about the team's chances. "It's probably not just Europe, but the whole world that will be watching how the Euros will go ... we're really looking forward to it," he said.Scotland, having qualified for back-to-back tournaments after a long absence, is determined to make history by reaching the knockout stage for the first time. Forward Ryan Christie expressed the team's ambition: "That's the dream ... If we come out of the group stages, that's the furthest Scotland will have ever been in a major tournament."The Scots have shown their potential in recent years, beating Spain and Norway during the qualifying campaign. However, they have won only one of their last 13 matches against Germany, a 1-0 friendly victory in 1999.Adding to Germany's motivation is an unusual incentive: Deniz Undav has promised to shave the head of fellow forward Thomas Müller if the team wins the trophy. "Thomas Müller bald? Then we have to do everything we can to make this happen," said Rüdiger with a laugh.The opening match promises to be a spectacle, with both teams eager to make a statement. Scotland's passionate support will create a vibrant atmosphere, while Germany will be determined to prove that they are still a force to be reckoned with.

As the countdown to Euro 2024 intensifies, the excitement is palpable. Germany will host the tournament from June 14, and the stage is set for some thrilling football action. Let's delve into the analysis of Groups D to F:Group D:France, the reigning world champions, are the clear favorites to top Group D. Led by the formidable Kylian Mbappé and Karim Benzema, Les Bleus boast an array of world-class talent. However, they will face stiff competition from the Netherlands, who have emerged as a resurgent force under Louis van Gaal. Poland, with Robert Lewandowski leading the line, and Austria, revitalized under Ralf Rangnick, will also be looking to make their mark.Group E:Belgium, the world's top-ranked team, will be the team to beat in Group E. Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku will be the driving forces behind their campaign. Ukraine, Slovakia, and Romania complete the group, with all three nations harboring hopes of advancing to the knockout stage.Group F:Portugal, led by the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo, will be the favorites to progress from Group F. However, they will face a stern test from Czechia, who have consistently impressed at recent Euros. Turkey, under the guidance of Vincenzo Montella, and Georgia, making their major tournament debut, will be the underdogs in this group.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has demanded an investigation into the controversial goal awarded to Qatar in their crucial World Cup qualifying match in Doha. AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey expressed outrage over the incident, calling for "addressing the injustice."The incident occurred in the 73rd minute of the match, when Abdullah Alahrak's free-kick saw Yousef Ayem attempt a header. India's goalkeeper, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, saved the shot, but the ball rolled over the line. However, instead of awarding a corner kick, South Korean referee Kim Woo-Sung allowed Hashmi Hussein to kick the ball back into play, resulting in Aymen slotting it into the net.Chaubey stated that the goal deprived India of a historic entry into the third round of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers for the 2026 edition. He emphasized that the ball had clearly gone out of play and that the referee's decision was a "grave supervision error."The AIFF has written to FIFA Head of Qualifiers, AFC Head of Referees, and the match commissioner, requesting a thorough investigation. Chaubey urged them to explore possibilities of "sporting compensation" to rectify the injustice.The match commissioner, Iran's Hamed Momeni, is responsible for supervising the organization of the match and ensuring adherence to FIFA regulations. His role includes ensuring that the ball is in play when a goal is scored.The controversial goal has sparked widespread outrage among Indian football fans and experts. Many believe that the referee's decision was influenced by external factors and that India was unfairly denied a chance to advance in the World Cup qualifiers.The AIFF's demand for an investigation is a significant step towards addressing the concerns raised by the Indian football community. The outcome of the investigation will determine whether India has a legitimate case for compensation or if the result of the match will stand.

Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri has expressed his admiration for Real Madrid and Croatia great Luka Modric, following Modric's heartfelt tribute to Chhetri's illustrious international career.On the eve of Chhetri's final India match against Kuwait, Modric sent a video message wishing him well. Chhetri, who retired as the fourth-highest international goalscorer of all time with 94 goals for India, was deeply touched by Modric's gesture."First of all, thank you for the amazing 19-20 years. I am a fan right from his Tottenham days," Chhetri said about Modric.Chhetri praised Modric's exceptional talent and humility, both on and off the pitch. "Not only is he a superstar on the pitch but also a nice and humble person," he said.Chhetri also hailed Modric's remarkable international career, which has seen him lead Croatia to the 2018 FIFA World Cup final and win the 2018 Ballon d'Or. "What he has done for Croatia is outstanding," Chhetri said.Looking ahead to Euro 2024, Chhetri expressed his hope that Modric would remain injury-free and enjoy a successful tournament. "I just hope that he enjoys Euro 2024. I hope he doesn't have any injury or pain, I hope we can see as many minutes from him in the tournament," he said.Modric, who will turn 39 in September, may be playing in his final major international tournament at Euro 2024. Chhetri acknowledged this possibility, saying, "I am sure people like me and a lot of other fans are going to enjoy him playing for Croatia in a big tournament, probably for the last time."Modric's recent success with Real Madrid, where he won his sixth UEFA Champions League title, further cements his status as one of the greatest midfielders of all time. Chhetri, who is now an expert panellist on Sony Sports Network's studio show Football Extraaa for UEFA EURO 2024, will be eagerly watching Modric's performance in the upcoming tournament.

The United States men's national soccer team (USMNT) rebounded from their humiliating 5-1 defeat to Colombia with a morale-boosting 1-1 draw against Brazil in their final warm-up match before the Copa America.Despite facing calls for his resignation after the Colombia debacle, USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter challenged his players to deliver an improved performance against the five-time World Cup winners. The team responded with a determined display, earning their first-ever draw against Brazil after 18 previous defeats.US goalkeeper Matt Turner was the hero for the hosts, making several crucial saves to keep Brazil at bay. At the other end, Brazil keeper Alisson twice denied potential winning goals for the United States late in the game.Christian Pulisic, the US captain, equalized for his team in the first half with a rasping free-kick after Brazil had taken the lead through Real Madrid striker Rodrygo.In the second half, Brazil continued to threaten, but the US held firm and came close to snatching a victory. A counter-attack culminated with Weston McKennie finding Pulisic in space inside the area, but the US captain's shot was saved by Alisson."It's obviously a huge bounce-back performance for us from the other day," said Turner, referring to the Colombia rout. "I think what we did today can sort of put that to bed."Turner believes the result bodes well for the USA's Copa America campaign, where they face Bolivia, Panama, and Uruguay in the first round."I think the huge positive from today is to take like a triumph from it," Turner said. "We really stared into the face of adversity and were able to bounce back a few days later.""In tournament play, that's so, so important, because not every result, not every call is gonna go your way and you have to be able to put things behind you, move on, and put the next foot in front of the other."

Euro 2024, the pinnacle of European football, kicks off in Germany on Friday, with the continent's elite teams vying for the coveted Henri Delaunay trophy. The tournament marks Germany's first major men's international tournament since the 2006 World Cup, promising an electrifying atmosphere after the underwhelming Euro 2020.Germany, the host nation, will face Scotland in the opening match in Munich, hoping to replicate their 2006 triumph when they rekindled their national pride. The tournament will be played across 10 stadiums in Germany, from Hamburg to Munich, ensuring a vibrant and immersive experience for fans.Philipp Lahm, the tournament director and former Germany captain, expressed his hope that Euro 2024 will foster unity amidst the current divisions and conflicts in Europe. The tournament comes at a time when far-right parties have gained ground in EU parliament elections, and the continent grapples with the ongoing war in Ukraine.On the field, Germany will be looking to make a strong impression under coach Julian Nagelsmann. With experienced players like Toni Kroos and rising stars like Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala, they are confident of navigating their group, which also includes Hungary and Switzerland.However, France and England remain the favorites to lift the trophy. France, the top-ranked nation in Europe, boasts a formidable squad led by Kylian Mbappe, who is eager to make amends for his disappointing performance at the last Euros. England, despite never winning the European Championship, are optimistic about their chances, with star players Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham feeling at home on German soil.Italy, the reigning champions, face a tough challenge in defending their title, but their competitive spirit and underrated squad make them a potential threat. Portugal, with Cristiano Ronaldo still leading the line, are also contenders despite his advancing age.The tournament has been expanded to 24 teams since 2016, providing opportunities for smaller nations like Georgia, who will make their debut this year. However, injuries have taken their toll on some key players, including Frenkie de Jong of the Netherlands and Robert Lewandowski of Poland.As the countdown to Euro 2024 reaches its end, the excitement and anticipation are palpable. The tournament promises thrilling matches, passionate fans, and the crowning of a new European champion.

England's Euro 2024 squad has been announced, and it includes a surprise selection: 20-year-old midfielder Adam Wharton. Wharton has only made 16 Premier League appearances since joining Crystal Palace from Blackburn in February, but he impressed manager Gareth Southgate with his performances in the Eagles' strong end to the season.Wharton's inclusion in the squad is a testament to his talent and potential. He is a technically gifted player with a good range of passing and an eye for goal. He is also a hard worker and has a good attitude.Southgate has left out some experienced players to accommodate Wharton in his squad, including Jordan Henderson and James Maddison. This shows that Southgate has faith in Wharton's ability to perform at the highest level.Wharton is excited about the opportunity to represent England at Euro 2024. He said: "It's a surreal feeling, honestly. I wasn't expecting it. Obviously I have only just gone into the Premier League, it was more sort of a bonus if I did get in but I am absolutely delighted. I get to do what I love on the top stage -- you can't beat it."Wharton is likely to get some playing time at Euro 2024, as England are short on midfield options. He will be hoping to make the most of his opportunity and help England win their first-ever European Championship title.

Munich's Allianz Arena to Shine in Rainbow Colors for Pride WeekendThe Allianz Arena, the iconic stadium set to host the opening match of Euro 2024 between Germany and Scotland, will be illuminated in vibrant rainbow colors on June 22 and 23 to celebrate Christopher Street Day, Munich's annual pride weekend.UEFA confirmed the decision to AFP on Wednesday, stating that the stadium management had requested the special lighting display. The Allianz Arena, home to Bayern Munich in club football, will be adorned with over 300,000 LED lights capable of displaying a wide range of colors to commemorate various events.This decision marks a significant shift from UEFA's stance in 2021, when the organization rejected a request from the city of Munich to light the stadium in rainbow colors during a match between Germany and Hungary. UEFA had deemed the request a "political statement" in response to Hungary's controversial law restricting LGBT+ content for minors.The upcoming display of rainbow colors at the Allianz Arena is a powerful symbol of inclusivity and support for the LGBTQ+ community. It sends a clear message that Munich and UEFA stand against discrimination and embrace diversity.The stadium's external lighting has previously made headlines, notably in 2012 when it was illuminated in the colors of the Italian flag to honor the victims of the Costa Concordia cruise ship disaster. The Allianz Arena has also been lit up in the colors of various countries during international matches.The decision to illuminate the Allianz Arena in rainbow colors for Pride Weekend is a testament to the growing acceptance and visibility of the LGBTQ+ community in sports. It is a positive step towards creating a more inclusive and welcoming environment for all fans.