Sports
Portugal Clinches 10th Straight Win, Serbia Books Euro 2024 Spot
Portugal concluded their Euro 2024 qualifying journey flawlessly, securing a perfect record with a 2-0 victory over Iceland on Sunday.
Bruno Fernandes and Ricardo Horta scored for Roberto Martinez’s Portugal, securing a 10 out of 10 record in Group J.
Captain of the side, Cristiano Ronaldo did not contribute to the score-sheet, as the 2016 winners, Portugal, poised to be a strong contender in what might be the 38-year-old’s final major tournament.
Slovakia claimed the second qualifying spot, finishing eight points behind Portugal with a 2-1 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Luxembourg, heading to the play-offs, ended five points adrift after a 1-0 victory in Leichtenstein, concluding an impressive group-stage performance.
Serbia achieved a historic milestone by qualifying as an independent nation after four prior attempts, securing their place with a 2-2 draw against Bulgaria.
Simultaneously, Serbia booked their spot in next year’s finals in Germany, while Romelu Lukaku scored four goals for Belgium.
Finishing second in Group G, Serbia followed Hungary, who dashed Montenegro’s hopes with a 3-1 victory in Budapest.
Serbia coach Dragan Stojkovic expressed, “The players demonstrated a resilient mentality, refusing to give up and believing in themselves. It’s a significant day for Serbian football. Serbia is finally at the European Championship.
“I congratulate my boys, who fought until the end and believed. We are happy and satisfied.”
Centre-back Milos Veljkovic gave Serbia an early lead in the 17th minute, but substitute Georgi Rusev leveled for Bulgaria in the 59th. Kiril Despodov then put the visitors ahead ten minutes later.
However, Srdjan Babic secured the equalizer eight minutes from time, ensuring Serbia became the 17th team to qualify for Euro 2024.
Montenegro’s hopes rested on Serbia losing and their own win against the impressive Hungarian team, but Hungary emerged victorious, dashing Montenegro’s chances of securing a place in Germany.
Montenegro took the lead with Slobodan Rubezic’s goal in the 36th minute, but Hungary mounted a comeback in the second half.
Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai scored two goals in three minutes, turning the tide before Zsolt Nagy sealed the victory in added time.
Sports
Australian Tennis Champion, Max Purcell Faces Doping Suspension
Australian doubles champion, Max Purcell has been provisionally suspended after admitting to a violation of anti-doping regulations, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced on Monday.
The 26-year-old, ranked 12th in the world for doubles, confessed to using a “prohibited method” and voluntarily entered a provisional suspension beginning December 10.
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The ITIA confirmed the suspension took full effect on December 12, stating, “Time served under provisional suspension will be credited against any future sanction.”
As a result of the suspension, the 26-year-old is banned from competing in, coaching at, or attending any tennis events sanctioned by the sport’s governing bodies.
This suspension rules him out of January’s Australian Open, where he was expected to be a strong contender.
Purcell’s career highlights include winning the 2022 Wimbledon doubles title with fellow Australian Matt Ebden and this year’s US Open doubles crown alongside Jordan Thompson.
In a statement, Tennis Australia clarified that the violation concerned a prohibited method rather than a banned substance.
“The International Tennis Integrity Agency confirmed the breach relates to the use of a prohibited method, rather than the presence of a prohibited substance.
“As the matter is currently under investigation, it is inappropriate to comment further at this time,” it said.
The ITIA did not provide further details regarding the breach but noted that investigations are ongoing.
This case comes amid increased scrutiny over doping in tennis. Recent incidents include Polish world number two Iga Swiatek and Italian top-ranked player Jannik Sinner.
Swiatek received a one-month sanction earlier this year after testing positive for a banned heart medication, though the violation was deemed unintentional.
Meanwhile, Sinner was cleared after twice testing positive for traces of the steroid clostebol, though the World Anti-Doping Agency has appealed the decision.
Both Swiatek and Sinner are set to compete in the Australian Open, beginning January 12.
Sports
CAF Awards: GTI Congratulates NFF, Lookman, Others
Strategic partners to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), GTI Group has congratulated the football ruling body on the successful achievements of Nigerian footballers at the just concluded CAF Awards ceremony in Marrakech, Morocco where Super Eagles dare-devil striker Ademola Lookman was crowned the African Player of the Year.
Head of Media and Publicity, GTI, Andrew Ekejiuba, in a statement in Lagos, expressed great hope that the efforts of the NFF at restructuring and repositioning football development in the country has begun yielding the desired results.
Biztellers reports that CAF awards event also witnessed the back-to-back emergence of Super Falcons goaltender, Chiamaka Nnadozie as CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year, while the Super Falcons carted home the Women’s National Team of the Year award.
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Ekejiuba reiterated that the Alh Ibrahim Gusau-led NFF is gradually returning the country to the glorious years when Nigeria dominated the award and was once ranked 5th best soccer-playing nation by the world football ruling body FIFA.
“The achievements of our Nigerian players at the just concluded CAF Award is a testament to the abundance of talents in the country and the clear vision of Alh Ibrahim Gusau-led NFF board to ensure that these players realise their ambition to become the best in the continent and beyond.
“Therefore, GTI congratulates the Awardees for bringing honour to Nigeria,” he said.
“As strategic partners to the Nigeria Premier Football League, GTI’s relentless effort with the NPFL Board has helped to lay a solid foundation for a prosperous elite league that will eventually attract the best legs locally and internationally. Also, by focusing on transparency, infrastructural development and security, GTI and NPFL are creating a sustainable environment where football can thrive”.
Sports
NWFL Board In Talks With StarTimes For More Visibility
In a bid to ensure increased visibility for the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) this coming season, the Board has reaffirmed its commitment by engaging with StarTimes, a key broadcasting partner.
This filtered out of the NWFL Annual General Assembly held in Abuja on Tuesday, which saw Chairman of the NWFL Board, Nkechi Obi, lead a high-powered delegation to meet with StarTimes management on Wednesday.
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She said, “This partnership is a vital step in our mission to bring the excitement of the league to a wider audience and showcase the talent in women’s football.”
It was gathered that during the discussions, StarTimes’ Chief Operating Officer, Engr. Tunde Aina reiterated that, “StarTimes is committed to delivering top-quality coverage and ensuring that our viewers enjoy every moment of the women’s leagues.”
These initiatives aim to significantly boost audience engagement and elevate the NWFL’s profile both locally and internationally. The discussions covered the production and coverage of matches, highlight shows, and strategic marketing of league content across StarTimes’ diverse channels.
As a key outcome of the meeting, a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is being finalized, with both parties expressing optimism about concluding arrangements in time for the Season Opener.
The anticipated partnership is expected to kick off with the high-stakes NWFL Premiership clash between defending champions Edo Queens and Abia Angels at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City on January 15, 2025.
The meeting was attended by high-ranking NWFL officials, including Vice Chairperson Hajiya Hussina Suleiman and Board member, Madam Henrietta Ihiabor.