DOHA: With a population of around four million people, the magnitude of Croatia’s win against Brazil was not lost on Croatian coach Zlatko Dalić.
To reach back-to-back World Cup semifinals was “unimaginable” he said.
The runner-up from 2018 are going deep again in Qatar — defeating Neymar and Co. 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw through extra time at Education City Stadium on Friday.
“To eliminate a massive tournament favorite and probably the best team as well... Only Croatia could’ve done this,” added Dalić.
Okay, this wasn’t Saudi Arabia shocking Argentina. But on the face of it, Croatia’s victory against the five-time world champions could rank among a host of upsets already produced by a tournament that is refusing to stick to the script.
And by looking at the faces of Brazil’s distraught fans and inconsolable players afterwards, they certainly didn’t seem prepared to be heading home at this early stage.
Perhaps they should have taken a closer look at Croatia’s pedigree at the World Cup – and the spirit of a team that doesn’t seem to know how to give up.
Croatia may have been the underdog against Brazil, but it did reach the final in Russia four years ago and was a semifinalist in their very first World Cup as an independent nation in 1998 – losing to France on both occasions.
Compare that to Brazil, which have only made it past the quarterfinals once since last winning the tournament in 2002.
So how does a country with a population ranked at 128th in the world according to size continue to overperform on the biggest stage of all?
One factor that cannot be discounted is the wider story of Croatia’s fight for independence following the breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s when thousands of its people died during the conflict.
The fighting spirit of the nation is a theme frequently referenced by their players and Dalić.
“This all comes from how we were raised,” said goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic, who was born in January 1995, seven months before Croatia took control of the city of Knin, which is commemorated annually as a key moment in the battle for independence.
“We always go all the way to the end, we leave everything we got on the pitch and we keep fighting. That is the reason for our success.”
Imperious midfielder and captain Luka Modric had set the scene even before kick off against Brazil.
“We believe in ourselves. We are capable of anything,” 37-year-old Real Madrid star said before the match, adding that Croatia is “simply, a talented nation.”
That is a crucial point.
For all the talk of spirit and resolve, the sheer quality of Croatia’s players should not be overlooked.
Modric is a five-time Champions League winner with Madrid and a recipient of the highest individual honor in soccer, the Ballon d’Or award for the best player in the world.
He won that trophy in 2018, ahead of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and, notably, Kylian Mbappé, who had starred in France’s World Cup triumph that year.
Modric was a beaten finalist, but was also named the best player of the tournament.
His full repertoire of skills was on show again against Brazil, while midfield partner Mateo Kovacic provides the tireless running alongside him.
“In my opinion, Croatia have the best midfield in the world,” said Dalić. “We have a lovely passing game, can control games.
“They managed to keep the ball, maintain possession, and we sort of paralyzed our opponent with our passing game. That was exactly our aim.”
And then there is Croatia’s expertise in penalty shootouts, which are generally considered soccer’s ultimate test of nerve.
Twice in Russia and now twice in Qatar, Croatia has had to rely on penalties to progress. After four straight wins from the spot, Dalić claims his team have a psychological advantage over their opponents, with Brazil the latest to fall victim to his specialists.
“Once we get to penalties, that’s when we become favorites. I sense that the opponent feels like they have lost the game already,” he said.
With three 0-0 score lines in regulation time and four draws from five games at this World Cup, Croatia has not been the most entertaining team to watch at the tournament.
But when it comes to nerve, steel and sheer fight, it takes some beating.
Argentina, Croatia’s opponents in the semifinals, may want to take note.
Tenacity and penalties, keys to Croatia’s deep World Cup run
https://arab.news/zrbt2
Tenacity and penalties, keys to Croatia’s deep World Cup run
- “To eliminate a massive tournament favorite and probably the best team as well... Only Croatia could’ve done this,” added Dalić
- Croatia may have been the underdog against Brazil, but it did reach the final in Russia four years ago
Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan added to basketball’s FIBA 3x3 World Tour
- 13th edition of the FIBA 3x3 World Tour — the top competition on the 3x3 pro circuit — will take place in 18 cities around the world
- 3x3 will be part of the NEOM Beach Games, a major international sports event in the heart of the city
The International Basketball Federation has announced Almaty (Kazakhstan) and NEOM (Saudi Arabia) as the latest additions to the 3x3 World Tour.
The 13th edition of the FIBA 3x3 World Tour — the top competition on the 3x3 pro circuit — will take place in 18 cities around the world.
Almaty will host the first-ever visit of the World Tour to Kazakhstan, while NEOM, in hosting the event for the first time, will build upon its established track record of holding a Super Quest in 2022 then a Challenger in 2023.
3x3 will be part of the NEOM Beach Games, a major international sports event in the heart of the city.
Updated 2024 season:
Utsunomiya Opener (April 27-28)
Marseille Masters (May 31-June 1)
Ulaanbaatar Masters (June 8-9)
Chengdu Masters (June 22-23)
Edmonton Masters (July 6-7)
Almaty Masters (July 13-14)
Lausanne Masters (Aug. 16-17)
Debrecen Masters (Aug. 31-Sept. 1)
Shanghai Masters (Sept. 21-22)
Wuxi Masters (Oct. 6-7)
Amsterdam Masters (Oct. 12-13)
Macau Masters (Oct. 19-20)
Abu Dhabi Masters (Oct. 26-27)
Manama Masters (Nov. 1-2)
NEOM Masters (Nov. 7-9)
Shenzhen Masters (Nov. 16-17)
Hong Kong Masters (Nov. 23-24)
World Tour Final (December)
The location and dates of the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Final will be announced at a later stage.
China to host 2025 Saudi Super Cup, attracting global football stars
- Despite strong bids from Doha and Abu Dhabi, the Chinese proposal emerged as the frontrunner
- Qualification for the upcoming Super Cup has been secured by Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr
Riyadh: In a significant move for Saudi football, China is set to host the Saudi Super Cup 2025 tournament from Aug. 14 -17, according to the sports daily Arriyadiyah, a sister publication of Arab News.
Reports suggest that the decision to award China the hosting rights came after intense competition, particularly from Emirati and Qatari contenders. Despite strong bids from Doha and Abu Dhabi, the Chinese proposal emerged as the frontrunner. Additionally, Saudi officials are keen to relocate the tournament away from the Gulf region, aiming to engage a broader global audience and promote Saudi football.
One of the driving factors behind China’s successful bid is the presence of renowned international football stars in Saudi teams, contributing to their widespread popularity. Leading figures like Cristiano Ronaldo of Al-Nassr, Neymar Jr. representing Al-Hilal, Karim Benzema from Al-Ittihad, and Firmino, captain of Al-Ahli, add considerable allure to the competition.
The previous edition, held in Abu Dhabi, saw Al-Hilal clinch victory over their rivals Al-Nassr with a 2-1 scoreline.
Qualification for the upcoming Super Cup has been secured by Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr, based on their performance in the Saudi Pro League, known as the Roshn Saudi League. However, the participants from the King’s Cup, as well as its runner-up, are yet to be determined.
In recent Roshn League action, the Yellow Team, Al-Nassr, secured their place in the Super Cup by defeating hosts Al-Khaleej with a solitary goal. This victory propelled them to 71 points, firmly securing their second-place standing, a position out of reach for Al-Ahli, currently in third with 52 points and six matches remaining. Even with a perfect score, Al-Ahli would fall short of overtaking Al-Nassr, who, despite potential losses in their remaining fixtures, maintain a comfortable lead.
The Blue Team, Al-Hilal, who still need seven points to conclude their league campaign, have also booked their spot in the Super Cup. The tournament’s semifinals will feature clashes between Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad, as well as Al-Nassr against Al-Khaleej.
Both Al-Khaleej and Al-Ittihad will vie for a spot in the final, eyeing the opportunity to secure one of the two coveted slots in the Super Cup.
In the event that both teams fail to progress and the finalists emerge from the capital’s rivalry — Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr — Super Cup regulations dictate that the available slots will be awarded to the third and fourth-placed teams in the Roshn League standings.
Should only one of the capital’s teams advance to the cup final, they will automatically claim their Super Cup berth, either as champions or runners-up, with the remaining slot going to the third-placed team in the league.
Moroccan World Cup star Amallah enjoying La Liga life with Valencia
- Before his club’s trip to Barcelona, the midfielder spoke to Arab News about playing in Spain, his country’s World Cup heroics and Arab players in Europe
VALENCIA: At international and club level, the past few years have been pretty memorable for Valencia and Morocco star Selim Amallah.
The 27-year-old joined the La Liga team on loan from Segunda Division club Real Valladolid in the summer of 2023, having been part of the Moroccan squad that reached the semifinals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
On Monday night the Belgian-born midfielder will be part of the Valencia team, currently eighth in La Liga and led by club legend Ruben Baraja, that will take on Barcelona at Estadi Olímpic Lluis Companys.
Amallah is delighted with the way things have worked out for him.
“I’m thrilled to be playing in Spain because it’s one of the best leagues globally,” Amallah, fresh from a practice session at Ciudad Deportiva de Paterna, Valencia’s state-of-the-art training complex, told Arab News.
“It’s a league I wanted to play in and I've succeeded,” he said. “I anticipated more playing time initially,” he added. “I recognize the invaluable learning experience this season has offered. Frankly, I’m very happy to be here.”
While historically many players from North Africa have thrived in La Liga and other European leagues, very few from the Middle East or Gulf states have even attempted to make that leap.
Amallah feels more Arab players should make that move, not just to experience new sporting challenges and cultures, but primarily to succeed as professionals on the pitch.
“Yes, of course, I believe making history in a championship or for your country is something you aspire to achieve, and it’s one of my goals,” he said.
Without question the highlight of Ramallah’s career to date was Morocco’s incredible march to the semifinals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Along the way, the Atlas Lions defeated Spain and Portugal, before losing out to France, who were defending world champions.
“It was truly incredible,” said Amallah. “These are memories that I believe will last forever. None of us expected to reach such a remarkable level. We also demonstrated that Moroccan players and our clubs can compete at the highest levels of football. We take immense pride in representing our country.”
Part of the experience in Qatar was the overwhelming support that teams from Arab countries received, with members of various communities uniting to support the regional teams.
“It was an immense source of pride, as our support extended beyond just the Moroccan people to encompass all Muslim communities,” said Amallah. “We took great pride in demonstrating the significant presence of Muslims in football, proving our ability to not only inspire pride among Moroccans but also among the entire Arab and African world through our dedication on the field.”
After the euphoria of Qatar 2022, there was more good news for Morocco when the country was named co-host of the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal.
But before the football world showpiece, Amallah said that he and his colleagues will be eyeing more success on the pitch.
“I believe there’s still more for us to prove and demonstrate that Morocco remains a force to be reckoned with,” he said. “We have an exceptional team with talented players, and while the expectations may have risen, we’re determined to rise to the occasion and give our all to represent our country.”
Paul Hughes set for Bellator debut in Dublin
- ‘Big News’ Hughes first Bellator appearance will be against Hawaii’s Bobby King, Saudi-backed PFL announces
- Bellator Welterweight Champion Jason Jackson defends title against undefeated Ramazan Kuramagomedov
NEW YORK: The Professional Fighters League has announced that Ireland’s Paul Hughes (11-1) will make his promotional debut against Hawaii’s Bobby King (12-6) in a Lightweight bout on Saturday, June 22 at Bellator Champions Series at 3Arena in Dublin.
Bellator Champions Series Dublin is headlined by Welterweight World Champion Jason Jackson (18-4) facing undefeated Ramazan Kuramagomedov (12-0), and the stacked fight card also features a Women’s Featherweight clash between two former title challengers, when Ireland’s Sinead Kavanagh (9-6) takes on Australia’s Arlene Blencowe (15-10).
A Bantamweight No. 1 contender matchup is also on the docket, as Kasum Kasumov (15-1) of Russia goes toe-to-toe with Brazil’s Matheus Mattos (14-2-1). At Middleweight, undefeated Hungarian Norbert Novenyi Jr. (7-0) will look to remain undefeated when he faces American Top Team’s Dalton Rosta (8-1). A previously announced contest pitting Peter Queally against Yancy Medeiros has been scrapped from the card.
At 27 years old, Hughes accomplished everything possible on the regional stage before entering free agency, and was sought after by every major mixed martial arts promotion on the planet before choosing to join PFL. A former Cage Warriors Featherweight champion prior to making the leap to Lightweight, Hughes has won eight of his 11 professional wins via stoppage and now will try his hand against Bobby King when he competes on June 22.
A six-fight veteran of Bellator, King proudly hails from Hawaii and has faced some of the toughest tests Bellator’s Lightweight division has to offer, facing names the likes of Alexander Shabliy and Gadzhi Rabadanov.
The 2024 Bellator Champions Series schedule is as follows:
- Friday, May 17 — Bellator Champions Series Paris — Accor Arena
- Saturday, June 22 — Bellator Champions Series Dublin — 3Arena
- Saturday, Sept. 7 — Bellator Champions Series San Diego — Pechanga Arena
- Saturday, Sept. 14 — Bellator Champions Series London — OVO Wembley
- Saturday, Oct. 12 — Bellator Champions Series Chicago — Wintrust Arena
- Saturday, Nov. 16 — Bellator Champions Series Paris — ADIDAS Arena
- Tuesday, Dec. 31 – Bellator Champions Series – TBD
Updated Bellator Champions Series Dublin main card:
Welterweight World Title bout: C-Jason Jackson (18-4) vs. Ramazan Kuramagomedov (12-0)
Lightweight bout: Paul Hughes (11-1) vs. Bobby King (12-6)
Women’s Featherweight bout: Sinead Kavanagh (9-6) vs. Arlene Blencowe (15-10)
Middleweight bout: Norbert Novenyi Jr. (7-0) vs. Dalton Rosta (8-1)
Bantamweight No. 1 Contender bout: Kasum Kasumov (15-1) vs. Matheus Mattos (14-2-1)
Light Heavyweight bout: Simeon Powell (9-1) vs. Abdullah Er-Ramy (7-1)
Bantamweight bout: Brian Moore (16-10) vs. Francesco Nuzzi (10-1)
Bantamweight bout: Sarvarjon Khamidov (15-0) vs. Marcirley Alves (12-3)
Featherweight bout: Nathan Kelly (10-2) vs. Fabacary Diatta (9-1)
Women’s Featherweight bout: Olena Kolesnyk (9-6) vs. Sara Collins (5-0)
Women’s Featherweight bout: Michelle Montague (4-0) vs. Karolina Sobek (4-2)
Evans and Cassidy give Jaguar a 1-2 finish in Monaco E-Prix
- Duo recorded the team’s second such triumph in Formula E history
- Evans broke a streak of four previous misses where he led but did not secure a win in the principality
MONTE CARLO: Mitch Evans claimed victory in the 2024 Monaco E-Prix, breaking his streak of four prior misses where he had led but failed to win.
Leading his Jaguar TCS Racing teammate Nick Cassidy, Evans executed the team’s strategy flawlessly, securing a dominant 1-2 finish for the British team. Their tactics, including strategic use of ATTACK MODE boosts, propelled Evans to his first Monaco win and Jaguar TCS Racing’s second 1-2 finish in Formula E.
“It feels mega, and a lot of relief to finally get that first win here,” said Evans after his win. “It feels like it should have come a few years earlier, but finally got it done today. Extra special as it’s my first win of the season as well here. Hopefully, this is a turning point for me and I can start to consistently get big points. I’ve been chipping away at it but nothing too crazy, so it’s come at a crucial time. It just feels amazing, and a massive team effort with Nick today to get a Jaguar 1-2 here in Monaco.”
With this victory, Evans bumps himself up to fifth in the drivers’ standing and solidifies his position as a championship frontrunner for Season 10, while Jaguar TCS Racing maintains its impressive lead in the Teams’ running.
Behind the top three, Stoffel Vandoorne’s teammate Jean-Eric Vergne was close behind in fourth. Pascal Wehrlein of TAG Heuer Porsche finished fifth, while Oliver Rowland of Nissan Formula E Team crossed the line sixth. Seventh place went to Antonio Felix da Costa of TAG Heuer Porsche, followed by Nissan’s Sacha Fenestraz of Nissan Formula E Team. Captain of consistency, Maximilian Gunther of Maserati MSG Racing, took ninth place securing more points for the Monaco-based outfit, while Norman Nato of Andretti Formula E rounded out the top 10.
As the season progresses, the stage is set for further excitement and fierce battles on the track, with the next rounds scheduled to take place in Berlin for the next double-header on May 11 and 12.
“It’s an unreal feeling, it’s been an epic day,” Cassidy said. “Last year, we were 1-2 as well so it’s pretty cool actually that it’s the other way around. I’m really happy for him. We can be really proud of our effort today and it’s a great result for Jaguar TCS Racing.”
Away from the on-track action, British boxing champion Anthony Joshua also stole the show, engaging with drivers and dropping hints about his upcoming fight. Amid the buzz of the pre-race media activities, Joshua revealed the date for his next match at Wembley Stadium in London.
Sharing insights from his illustrious career, Joshua drew parallels between boxing and motorsport, emphasizing the importance of teamwork for success. As the crowd eagerly awaited news of his next opponent, Joshua tantalized with names like Filip Hrgovic, Daniel Dubois, and Deontay Wilder, hinting at a potential showdown with Tyson Fury.
With royalty in attendance, including Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco, the event culminated in the presentation of trophies to the podium-sitters, marking yet another thrilling chapter in Monaco’s motorsport history.
The next race in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship is the 2024 Berlin E-Prix double-header on Saturday and Sunday, May 11-12.
