Football

Slovenia's historic Euro 2024 campaign has reached the last-16 stage, where they face the formidable Portugal. Despite their impressive unbeaten run, Slovenia's star striker Benjamin Sesko has yet to find the back of the net.Sesko's absence from the scoresheet is a departure from his prolific form for RB Leipzig, where he scored in each of his last seven games. His versatility as a striker is evident in his ability to score with his head, unleash fierce strikes from distance, and possess exceptional speed and physicality.Despite Sesko's goal drought, Slovenia has shown resilience and determination in their group stage matches. They held England to a 1-1 draw, narrowly missed out on a victory against Denmark, and drew with Serbia in a heart-wrenching 1-1 tie.Their third-place finish in Group C sets up a clash with Portugal, who impressed with wins over Czech Republic and Turkey. However, Portugal's talismanic forward Cristiano Ronaldo has also failed to score in the tournament.Ronaldo, despite his advancing age, remains a pivotal figure for Portugal. His experience and leadership will be crucial against Slovenia, who will be looking to exploit any weaknesses in the Portuguese defense.Sesko, who was just a toddler when Ronaldo made his Euro debut in 2004, will be eager to make his mark on the tournament. His potential and the underdog status of Slovenia could inspire a similar upset to Greece's victory over Portugal in the 2004 final.

Argentina's Copa America campaign got off to a flying start as they cruised to a 2-0 victory over Peru in Miami on June 29. Despite the absence of talisman Lionel Messi due to a sore hamstring, Argentina showcased their depth and resilience to secure a comfortable win.With coach Lionel Scaloni serving a one-game suspension, Argentina made nine changes to their starting lineup. However, the makeshift team displayed impressive cohesion and control throughout the match. Peru, on the other hand, struggled to create any meaningful chances, managing just one shot on goal.Lautaro Martinez emerged as the hero for Argentina, scoring both goals to seal the victory. His first came just after halftime, when he latched onto a sublime through ball from Angel Di Maria and calmly lifted the ball over Peru goalkeeper Pedro Gallese.Argentina had a chance to double their lead in the 72nd minute when Jesus Castillo handled the ball in the area, conceding a penalty. However, Leandro Paredes' spot-kick crashed against the woodwork, leaving the score at 1-0.Martinez then grabbed his second in the 86th minute, latching on to a long pass forward before finishing past Gallese. Replays indicated Martinez may have shoved defender Aldo Corzo in the build-up, but referee Cesar Ramos waved away Peru's protest and the goal stood."It was tough in the first half because they were defending deep, but the first goal opened up the game," Martinez said afterwards. "There's a lot more to come from us."Argentina's victory ensures their place as Group A winners and a spot in the quarterfinals. They will now face the runner-up from Group B in Houston next Thursday, most likely either Ecuador or Mexico.In Saturday's other Group A game, Canada held 2015 and 2016 Copa America champions Chile to a 0-0 draw in Orlando, which was enough to see the Canadians into the last eight. Chile needed a victory to leapfrog the Canadians into the knockout rounds but were left with a mountain to climb early in the game when Gabriel Suazo was dismissed for a second yellow card after only 27 minutes."It took a lot of hard work -- it's our first time in this competition and it's not easy," Canada captain Alphonso Davies said about his team's advance to the last eight. "There's a lot of good teams in this competition and a lot of good players. But we stuck to our plan and we played well. We showed a lot of fight. We had to show our teeth at times, but overall we did well."Canada will play the winners of Group B in the quarterfinals.

Euro 2024: Germany-Denmark Clash Halted by Violent StormThe highly anticipated Euro 2024 last-16 tie between Germany and Denmark was abruptly halted late in the first half on Saturday due to a severe storm that unleashed torrential rain, hailstones, high winds, thunder, and lightning.English referee Michael Oliver made the decision to suspend the match in Dortmund in the 35th minute, with the score locked at 0-0. The players were escorted off the pitch as the storm intensified, leaving supporters in exposed seats scrambling for cover.The stadium roof proved inadequate to withstand the downpour, resulting in water cascading into the stands. Fan zones in Dortmund were also forced to close due to the hazardous weather conditions.The storm's impact was evident throughout the stadium, with the pitch becoming waterlogged and the visibility significantly reduced. The safety of the players and spectators became paramount, prompting the decision to halt the match.The suspension of the game came as a disappointment to the 60,000 fans in attendance, who had eagerly anticipated the clash between two of Europe's top footballing nations. The match was expected to be a closely contested affair, with both teams boasting talented squads.The storm's severity raised concerns about the possibility of further delays or even the cancellation of the match. However, UEFA officials remained hopeful that the game could resume once the weather conditions improved.The suspension of the Germany-Denmark match served as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of outdoor sporting events. While the storm disrupted the flow of the game, it also highlighted the importance of prioritizing safety in the face of adverse weather.

Germany and Denmark Set for Euro 2024 Round of 16 ClashThe highly anticipated Euro 2024 Round of 16 match between Germany and Denmark is set to take place on Sunday, June 30th, at the BVB Stadion Dortmund. Both teams finished second in their respective groups and will be eager to advance to the quarter-finals.Switzerland, who finished second in Group A, came close to defeating hosts Germany in their final group game. Italy, the defending champions, managed to qualify for the knockout stage despite losing to Spain and drawing with Croatia.The winner of this match will face either England or Slovakia in the quarter-finals.Match Details:* Date: Sunday, June 30th* Time: 12:30 AM IST* Venue: BVB Stadion Dortmund, DortmundBroadcast Information:* TV: Sony Sports Network* Live Streaming: SonyLiv app and websiteKey Players to Watch:* Germany: Thomas Müller, Joshua Kimmich, Kai Havertz* Denmark: Christian Eriksen, Kasper Schmeichel, Andreas ChristensenAnalysis:Germany will be the favorites heading into this match, but Denmark has shown that they can be a dangerous opponent. Switzerland pushed Germany to the limit in their previous game, and Italy has a wealth of experience in knockout matches.Germany will need to be wary of Denmark's counterattacking threat, led by the likes of Eriksen and Yussuf Poulsen. Denmark, on the other hand, will need to find a way to contain Germany's attacking firepower, which includes Müller, Havertz, and Serge Gnabry.This match promises to be a close and exciting affair, with both teams having a chance to advance to the quarter-finals.

Georgia's fairytale run at Euro 2024 has captured the hearts of fans worldwide. After defying all odds to reach the knockout stage, the underdogs face their toughest test yet against tournament favorites Spain on Sunday.Georgia coach Willy Sagnol exudes confidence despite his team's underdog status. "We have nothing to lose," he declared. "We've already exceeded expectations by making it this far. We're just excited to be on the pitch."Georgia's remarkable journey began with a stunning 2-0 victory over Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal in their final group match. Despite losing to Turkey and drawing with the Czech Republic, they secured a spot in the last 16 as one of the best third-placed finishers.However, Spain poses a formidable challenge. The tournament's most impressive team has won all three group games without conceding a goal. Georgia has faced Spain four times under Sagnol, losing all encounters, including a humiliating 7-1 defeat in Tbilisi last September.Sagnol acknowledges the difficulty of the task ahead but believes his team has learned from past setbacks. "That 7-1 taught us a lot," he said. "It was part of our journey. If we're here today, it's because we've grown from that experience."Despite Spain's dominance, Sagnol remains optimistic. "It's a different competition, a different atmosphere," he said. "Anything can happen."Georgia's underdog status may work to their advantage. With no pressure to perform, they can play with freedom and surprise their opponents. Sagnol's belief in his team is infectious, and they will undoubtedly give Spain a run for their money on Sunday.

Switzerland and Italy Clash in Euro 2024 Round of 16The highly anticipated Euro 2024 knockout stage kicks off with a thrilling encounter between Switzerland and Italy in the Round of 16. Both teams finished second in their respective groups, setting the stage for a captivating battle.Switzerland, despite finishing behind hosts Germany in Group A, displayed impressive form throughout the group stage. They came agonizingly close to defeating Germany in their final group game, showcasing their resilience and determination.Defending champions Italy, on the other hand, have had a more challenging journey to the knockout stage. After a disappointing loss to Spain, they managed to secure a last-minute equalizer against Croatia to qualify for the Round of 16.The winner of this match will face either England or Slovakia in the quarter-finals, adding to the stakes of this crucial encounter.Match Details:* Date: Saturday, June 29 (IST)* Venue: Olympiastadion, Berlin* Time: 9:30 PM IST* TV Channels: Sony Sports Network* Live Streaming: SonyLiv app and websiteKey Players to Watch:* Switzerland: Granit Xhaka, Xherdan Shaqiri, Breel Embolo* Italy: Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini, Federico ChiesaAnalysis:Switzerland will be looking to build on their strong group stage performance and upset the defending champions. Their midfield, led by Xhaka and Shaqiri, will be crucial in controlling the tempo of the game.Italy, despite their recent struggles, possess a wealth of experience and quality. Their defense, anchored by Bonucci and Chiellini, will be tested by the attacking prowess of Switzerland.The match promises to be a close and entertaining affair, with both teams desperate to advance to the quarter-finals.

Defending champion Italy will face Switzerland in the quarterfinals of the European Championship on June 29, aiming to continue its dominance over its opponent. Switzerland has not defeated Italy in 31 years and has only eight wins from their previous 61 meetings. However, the Swiss are unbeaten this year, with their only loss in 2023 coming in the last game of qualifying.Italy has fond memories of playing at Berlin's Olympiastadion, having won the 2006 World Cup final there and the 1936 Olympic Games final. However, Euro 2024 has been a challenging experience for the Azzurri, who conceded after just 23 seconds in their opening win over Albania, were outclassed in a 1-0 defeat to Spain, and needed a last-second strike to salvage a 1-1 draw against Croatia.Switzerland opened with a 3-1 win over Hungary before 1-1 draws against Scotland and host nation Germany. The two teams faced each other in qualifying for the 2022 World Cup, drawing both games, with Switzerland finishing top of the group and Italy missing out after losing to North Macedonia in the playoffs.Several players from both teams have experience in the other country's league. Yann Sommer, Ricardo Rodríguez, Remo Freuler, Noah Okafor, Michel Aebischer, Dan Ndoye, Dennis Zakaria, Silvan Widmer, and Xherdan Shaqiri have all played in Italy's Serie A, while Federico Dimarco is the only member of Italy's squad to have played in Switzerland.The winner of the quarterfinal will face England or Slovakia in the semifinals in Düsseldorf on July 6. Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori is suspended, left back Federico Dimarco is out with an injury, and fellow defender Alessandro Bastoni's availability is in question. Switzerland defender Silvan Widmer is also suspended, and several players, including Granit Xhaka, are at risk of missing the next match if booked.Switzerland has failed to progress beyond the group stage in its first three European Championship appearances but has reached the knockout stage in each of its last three tournaments. Italy has scored in each of its previous six matches at the Olympiastadion, while Switzerland has won only one of its four penalty shootouts at a World Cup or Euros.

Cristiano Ronaldo's Euro 2024 campaign has been a rollercoaster of emotions, marked by both brilliance and frustration. The Portuguese superstar has been a constant presence in the spotlight, but his on-field performances have left much to be desired.Ronaldo's struggles began with a series of on-field incidents. He was booked for a rash challenge against a referee, booted away a water bottle in frustration, and remonstrated angrily in the dugout. These outbursts have raised questions about his temperament and whether he is still capable of handling the pressure of major tournaments.Compounding his on-field woes, Ronaldo has failed to score a single goal in seven consecutive matches at major tournaments, including the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024. This is the first time in his illustrious international career that he has ended a group stage without a goal.Despite his lack of goals, Ronaldo's coach, Roberto Martinez, remains steadfast in his support. He has praised Ronaldo's work ethic and his ability to inspire his teammates. Martinez believes that Ronaldo's experience and leadership are invaluable to the team, even if he is not scoring goals.However, some critics argue that Ronaldo's continued presence in the starting lineup is a distraction for the team. They point to his declining mobility and pressing ability, which they believe are hindering Portugal's overall performance.As Portugal enters the knockout stage, the question remains: will Ronaldo's drama continue to overshadow the team's pursuit of a major title? Or will he rise to the occasion and prove that he is still a force to be reckoned with?

Actor Prithviraj Sukumaran and his wife Supriya Menon have acquired a significant stake in Kochi FC, a team that will participate in the inaugural Super League Kerala. The league is set to commence in late August, and the Kochi team, formerly known as Kochi Pipers FC, has been rebranded as Kochi FC.Prithviraj expressed his optimism that the league's inaugural season would significantly boost football activities at both the professional and grassroots levels, creating opportunities for talented and aspiring players. Mathew Joseph, the Super League's CEO, highlighted that Prithviraj's involvement would bring a unique fusion of entertainment and sports to Kerala during the 60-day football extravaganza.In addition to Prithviraj and Supriya, several other individuals have joined the Kochi FC ownership group. Praveesh Kuzhipally and Shameem Backer, former co-owners of the Kannur team, have become co-owners of Kochi FC alongside Nasly Mohammed and Mohammed Shyjal.The Super League Kerala is a six-team competition that aims to promote football in the state. The league will feature teams from various regions of Kerala, including Kochi, Kannur, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Thiruvananthapuram, and Thrissur. The tournament will provide a platform for local players to showcase their skills and compete against top-quality opposition.Prithviraj's involvement in Kochi FC is expected to generate significant interest in the Super League Kerala. The actor's vast fan base and his passion for football are likely to attract a large following for the team. The league is also expected to benefit from the expertise and resources of the new owners, who have a proven track record in sports management.The inaugural season of the Super League Kerala promises to be an exciting and competitive affair. With the involvement of talented players, experienced coaches, and passionate owners, the league is poised to make a significant contribution to the development of football in Kerala.