France and Spain to Battle for Olympic Football Gold in Paris

France and Spain to Battle for Olympic Football Gold in Paris

The stage is set for an enthralling clash between France and Spain in the Men’s Football Final of the Paris Olympics 2024. The match, scheduled for Friday, August 9, will witness the crowning of a new Olympic champion.

France, the host nation, will be eager to seize the opportunity to add football gold to their medal tally. Led by Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta, who has netted four goals in the tournament, the French team will be determined to make history on home soil.

Spain, on the other hand, will be aiming to improve upon their silver medal performance in Tokyo 2020. Barcelona’s Fermin Lopez, with four goals to his name, will be a key player for the Spanish side.

The match will take place at the iconic Parc des Princes in Paris, with kickoff scheduled for 9:30 PM IST. The encounter promises to be a thrilling spectacle, with both teams boasting talented players and a rich footballing tradition.

The France vs Spain Olympics 2024 Men’s Football Final will be a must-watch event for football enthusiasts worldwide. The match will be live telecast on the Sports18 network and live streamed on the JioCinema app.

Spain and USA on Course for Olympic Women's Football Final Showdown

Spain and USA on Course for Olympic Women’s Football Final Showdown

The Olympic women’s football tournament is reaching its climax, with reigning World Cup champions Spain and four-time gold medallists the United States emerging as the favorites to face off in the final.

Spain, led by Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati, will face surprise semi-finalists Brazil in Marseille. The Brazilians, despite missing suspended captain Marta, stunned hosts France in the quarter-finals.

Meanwhile, a rejuvenated USA under new coach Emma Hayes will meet Germany in Lyon. Hayes, who took over in May, has guided the Americans to three group stage wins and an extra-time victory over Japan in the quarter-finals.

The USA, who last won the Olympic title in 2012, are seeking to extend their record of five gold medals. They have already defeated Germany 4-1 in the group stage, giving them confidence heading into the semi-final.

Germany, the 2016 gold medallists, finished second in their group behind the USA and edged out Canada on penalties in the quarter-finals. Goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger was the hero, saving two penalties and converting the winning kick.

Spain, making their Olympic debut in women’s football, are aiming to continue their impressive form after winning the World Cup last year. However, they nearly crashed out in the quarter-finals against Colombia, trailing 2-0 before equalizing late and winning on penalties.

The semi-finals promise to be thrilling encounters, with Spain and Brazil facing off in a battle of contrasting styles, while the USA and Germany will renew their rivalry in a rematch of the 2016 final.

Manolo Marquez Appointed Head Coach of Indian National Football Team

Manolo Marquez Appointed Head Coach of Indian National Football Team

Manolo Marquez, the soft-spoken Spaniard who has become renowned for his ability to maximize limited resources in Indian football, has been appointed as the head coach of the senior national men’s football team. However, he will continue his coaching duties with ISL club FC Goa alongside his national team responsibilities.

In an interview with the All India Football Federation (AIFF), Marquez emphasized the importance of coach education worldwide. “It’s not only in India, but coach education is important in all countries. Licenses are important, but they don’t guarantee you’ll be a better coach. Someone may not have a license but have more knowledge about football,” he said.

Marquez’s tenure with the Blue Tigers will commence at the Intercontinental Cup in Hyderabad, where they will face Syria and Mauritius in September. During his four-year stay in India, he has witnessed a significant improvement in the quality of Indian coaches.

“Over the four seasons that I’ve been here, I’ve seen the level of Indian coaches get better every season. Last season, there were two Indian head coaches – Thangboi Singto (Hyderabad FC) and Khalid Jamil (Jamshedpur FC). Clifford (Miranda) won the Super Cup with Odisha FC before that,” Marquez noted.

He also highlighted the talent of Indian assistant coaches, including Gouramangi Singh, a former India international, who currently assists him at FC Goa. “In the national team, I will also be working with Mahesh Gawali, another good coach who was an excellent player for the national team a few years ago,” he added.

Marquez believes that the long-term goal should be to have an Indian head coach for the national team. “It’s not just for the national team, but for the clubs too. Every Indian assistant coach at the clubs should aim to become a head coach in the next few years. Maybe they can also start with being the head coach of the U-17 or U-19 teams before moving on to take charge of the senior teams,” he said.

Canada's Olympic Women's Football Team Triumphs Amidst Adversity

Canada’s Olympic Women’s Football Team Triumphs Amidst Adversity

Canada’s Olympic women’s football team has overcome adversity to keep their gold medal hopes alive after a 1-0 victory against Colombia. Despite a six-point penalty imposed by FIFA for spying on opponents, the team has rallied together and secured a crucial win.

The penalty, which stemmed from allegations of using a drone to spy on New Zealand’s training session, had left Canada with zero points after wins against New Zealand and France. However, defender Vanessa Giles’ goal in the 62nd minute, assisted by skipper Jessie Fleming, proved to be the game-winner against Colombia.

The team’s resilience has been a testament to their strong bond, which has helped them navigate the challenges they have faced. “We haven’t eaten, we’ve been crying,” Giles said after the win against France. “But we’ve held each other through this and we have nothing to lose.”

The spying scandal has cast a shadow over Canada’s Olympic campaign, with former goalkeeper Stephanie Labbe accusing the team of being let down by their own people. Coach Bev Priestman and two assistants were banned for a year by FIFA, and interim head coach Andy Spence was put in charge.

Despite the setbacks, Canada Soccer appealed the penalty to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), arguing that it was disproportionate and penalized players who had no involvement in the incident. However, CAS rejected the appeal eight hours before the Colombia match.

“Going into the match we wanted to win regardless of what that ruling was,” said Fleming. “It did not change our game plan or what we wanted to do.”

Canada’s victory against Colombia has put them in second place in their group behind France. The top two teams from each of the three groups and the two best third-placed teams will qualify for the quarter-finals. Canada’s next challenge will be against Germany, the 2016 gold medallists.

Mbappé Becomes Majority Owner of Caen Football Club

Mbappé Becomes Majority Owner of Caen Football Club

Kylian Mbappé Acquires Majority Ownership of Caen Football Club

French football superstar Kylian Mbappé has made a significant investment in the world of sports by acquiring an 80% stake in Caen Football Club, a second-division team in France. The 25-year-old forward, who recently joined Real Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain, is set to spend 20 million euros ($21.6 million) on the deal, according to French newspaper Le Parisien.

Mbappé’s connection to Caen runs deep, as he nearly joined the club as a teenager before ultimately signing for Monaco. The Normandy-based outfit finished sixth in Ligue 2 last season and boasts a rich history, having won the league title twice and produced notable players such as N’Golo Kanté and William Gallas.

The acquisition marks a new chapter for Caen, which was previously owned by American investors Oaktree. Mbappé’s involvement is expected to bring financial stability and increased visibility to the club. The two-time Ligue 2 champions will kick off their new campaign on August 17 by hosting Paris FC.

Mbappé’s investment in Caen is a testament to his commitment to the sport and his desire to make a lasting impact on French football. The move also aligns with his entrepreneurial spirit, as he has previously launched his own clothing line and invested in a gaming company.

Argentina Rebounds, Spain and Japan Advance in Olympic Football

Argentina Rebounds, Spain and Japan Advance in Olympic Football

Argentina’s Olympic football campaign got back on track with a 3-1 victory over Iraq on Saturday, while Spain and Japan became the first teams to secure quarter-final berths.

After a chaotic opening defeat to Morocco, Argentina bounced back in Lyon with goals from Thiago Almada, Luciano Gondou, and Ezequiel Fernandez. Iraq’s Aymen Hussein had equalized in the first half, but Argentina’s second-half dominance proved too much.

In the same group, Ukraine snatched a dramatic 2-1 win over Morocco in the dying seconds, leaving all four teams level on three points.

Spain, the Tokyo silver medallists, also made it two wins from two in Group C with a 3-1 victory over the Dominican Republic. Fermin Lopez, Alex Baena, and Miguel Gutierrez scored for Spain, who are now through to the last eight.

Egypt’s 1-0 win over Uzbekistan in Nantes also helped Spain’s cause, as it eliminated the Central Asian nation.

Thierry Henry’s France team edged Guinea 1-0 in Nice, with Kiliann Sildillia’s late header proving decisive. France are not yet through from Group A, but they need only a point against New Zealand on Tuesday to guarantee progress.

Japan, the Asian Under-23 champions, secured their quarter-final berth with a 1-0 victory against Mali in Bordeaux. Rihito Yamamoto scored the only goal in the 82nd minute, despite Mali having a late penalty chance.

In Group D, Paraguay scored twice in stoppage time to beat Israel 4-2 in an entertaining game in Paris. Marcelo Fernandez scored twice for Paraguay, who are now level on points with Japan.

Canadian Women's Football Team in Spying Scandal, Coach Withdraws

Canadian Women’s Football Team in Spying Scandal, Coach Withdraws

Canadian Women’s Football Team Hit by Spying Scandal, Coach Withdraws from Opener

The Canadian women’s football team has been rocked by a spying scandal, resulting in the dismissal of two staff members and the voluntary withdrawal of head coach Bev Priestman from the opening match of their Olympic gold medal defense.

The incident came to light when a staff member was detained by French authorities for flying a drone over a New Zealand training session in Saint-Etienne. The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) subsequently learned of a second incident involving New Zealand, who lodged a formal complaint with the IOC integrity unit.

The COC has confirmed that the staff members sent home are Joseph Lombardi, an unaccredited analyst with Canada Soccer, and Jasmine Mander, an assistant coach to whom Lombardi reported.

Priestman, who is ultimately responsible for the conduct of her team, has decided to withdraw from coaching the match against New Zealand on Thursday as a gesture of accountability and to emphasize the team’s commitment to integrity.

“On behalf of our entire team, I first and foremost want to apologize to the players and staff at New Zealand Football and to the players on Team Canada,” Priestman said. “This does not represent the values that our team stands for.”

The COC has stated that it is in contact with the IOC and FIFA and that Canada Soccer has been cooperative throughout the investigation. The COC will continue to review the matter and may take further action if necessary.

The spying scandal has cast a shadow over the Canadian team’s Olympic campaign and raised questions about the ethics of such practices in sports. The team will now have to regroup and focus on their opening match without their head coach and two staff members.

1,000 French Police to Guard Israel-Mali Football Match Amid Protest Concerns

1,000 French Police to Guard Israel-Mali Football Match Amid Protest Concerns

French Police on High Alert for Israel-Mali Football Match Amid Protest Concerns

Around 1,000 French police officers will be deployed on Wednesday to safeguard the Israel-Mali football match at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, as security forces anticipate potential protests. The match has been designated as high risk due to the presence of the Israeli team and the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin emphasized the heightened security measures, stating that the match will have “an anti-terror perimeter” and that police will be present to “ensure that we are there for the sport.” Israeli President Isaac Herzog is expected to attend the game.

All Israeli athletes participating in the Paris Olympics will receive round-the-clock personal security from elite French police, both within the Olympic village and during their movements outside the compound. Security forces are anticipating “actions and disturbances around the stadium,” including potential insults, whistling, and flag displays during the national anthems.

Europalestine, a French activist group, has announced plans for a peaceful demonstration inside the stadium to protest the “genocide” in Gaza. Israeli government spokesperson David Mencer expressed concern over the threat and emphasized the importance of protecting Israeli athletes in collaboration with French authorities.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and French President Emmanuel Macron have rejected a Palestinian demand to ban Israel from the Paris Games due to the war in Gaza. The Palestine Olympic Committee had requested the ban, citing the bombings of the Gaza Strip as a violation of the Olympic truce.

The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza reported that over 39,000 people have been killed in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants.

Argentina Draw 2-2 with Morocco in Olympic Football Opener

Argentina Draw 2-2 with Morocco in Olympic Football Opener

Argentina’s Olympic football campaign got off to a dramatic start as they came from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Morocco in a hostile atmosphere in Saint-Etienne. Javier Mascherano’s side were booed by the crowd, who were largely supporting Morocco, and trailed 2-0 to a Soufiane Rahimi brace. However, Giuliano Simeone pulled one back before Cristian Medina equalized in the 106th minute.

Morocco took the lead in first-half stoppage time when Rahimi finished off a fine move set up by Paris Saint-Germain full-back Achraf Hakimi. The reigning African Under-23 champions doubled their lead six minutes into the second half when Rahimi converted a penalty after Ilias Akhomach was brought down.

Argentina fought back and Simeone, son of former Argentina star Diego, pulled one back midway through the second half. Medina then saved a point in the 106th minute, turning in a rebound after Otamendi’s shot was turned onto the bar and Bruno Amione headed the follow-up off the woodwork.

As Argentina celebrated, projectiles rained down from the stands and several spectators entered the pitch, prompting the referee to blow for full-time.

In Group C, Spain edged Uzbekistan 2-1 in their opener at the Parc des Princes in Paris. Sergio Gomez’s free-kick was helped on by Abel Ruiz to the back post where Marc Pubill turned the ball in. Uzbekistan drew level from the penalty spot in first-half added time, but Gomez made up for his earlier penalty miss by grabbing the winner just after the hour.

Football Ignites Paris 2024 Olympics with Spain, Argentina Headlining

Football Ignites Paris 2024 Olympics with Spain, Argentina Headlining

Football ignited the flame of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on Tuesday, with Spain and Argentina, the reigning FIFA World Cup and Copa America champions, respectively, taking center stage in Paris and Saint-Etienne.

At Parc des Princes in western Paris, Spain faced Uzbekistan, while Argentina, without Lionel Messi, encountered Morocco at Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium in Saint-Étienne. Spain’s Marc Pubill etched his name in history by scoring the first goal of the Summer Games in the 29th minute.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino graced the occasion, meeting players before the Uzbekistan-Spain match at Parc des Princes, the former home of Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe.

As the beautiful game kickstarted the action-packed Summer Olympics in Paris, let’s delve into the world of football and highlight some of the biggest names vying for Olympic gold:

Marta (Brazil)

Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer, Marta, is set to retire from international football after the Paris Games. The 38-year-old legend captains the Selecao and holds the distinction of being the first footballer to score in five consecutive Olympic Games.

Aitana Bonmati (Spain)

Spain, the reigning world champions, boast Aitana Bonmati, the 2023 Ballon d’Or winner, as their star player. The European giants are making their debut in women’s football at the Summer Games in Paris, having lost only twice in 14 matches since their historic FIFA World Cup triumph over England.

Achraf Hakimi (Morocco)

Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi is a prominent figure at the Summer Olympics. The 25-year-old led Morocco to the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup in 2022 and has opted to miss PSG’s pre-season preparations to compete in the Games.

Alexandre Lacazette (France)

Thierry Henry’s choice to lead France in the Summer Games is Alexandre Lacazette. The former Arsenal forward has not played for France since 2017 but has been an impressive force for Lyon, scoring 22 goals in 35 games last season.

Julian Alvarez (Argentina)

Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez arrives in Paris after a stellar season with Pep Guardiola’s side. The 22-year-old was instrumental in Manchester City’s Premier League triumph and also lifted the Copa America with Argentina.

Home
Shop
Wishlist0
Back to Top

Search For Products

Product has been added to your cart