As the Euro 2020 group stage reaches its conclusion, two heavyweights, Croatia and Italy, face off in a crucial match in Leipzig. Despite their impressive performance in the group stage, Croatia faced a tough challenge against Spain in the round of 16, eventually succumbing to a 5-3 defeat in extra time. Meanwhile, the Italian squad may have undergone changes since their triumph in 2018, but they still possess star player Gianluigi Donnarumma, who was named the player of the tournament at Euro 2020. Commentary for this clash comes from Jonathan Pearce, as the teams fight for a spot in the next round.
As the Euro 2024 group stage draws to a close, two historic football nations, Italy and Croatia, face off in a pivotal match in Munich. Both teams have high stakes in this encounter, as a victory will secure their spot in the next round of the tournament.
Italy and Croatia boast a rich history in international football. Italy is one of the most successful teams in European Championship history, having won the tournament twice before in 1968 and 2020. Croatia, on the other hand, reached the final of the 2018 World Cup and is known for its talented and experienced squad.
In the group stage, Italy performed admirably, winning two of their three matches and drawing the other. They defeated Turkey 3-0, Switzerland 2-1, and drew with Wales 1-1. Croatia also had an impressive group stage, finishing top of their group with three wins in three matches. They defeated Hungary 3-0, Slovakia 2-1, and Scotland 3-1.
Italy will be relying on their star goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who was named the player of the tournament at Euro 2020. Other key players include Federico Chiesa, Ciro Immobile, and Nicolo Barella.
Croatia has a number of talented players, including Luka Modric, Ivan Perisic, and Mateo Kovacic. Modric, in particular, is one of the most experienced and decorated players in the world.
The match will be commentated by Jonathan Pearce, one of the most experienced and respected commentators in football. The match will be broadcast live on several channels around the world, including Sky Sports (UK), ESPN (US), and RAI (Italy).
1. What time does the match start? The match starts at 9pm CET on June 28, 2024.
2. Where is the match being played? The match is being played at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany.
3. Who is favored to win? Italy is considered the slight favorite to win the match, due to their recent success and quality of players.
4. What is the prize money for the winner? The winner of the match will receive a substantial prize money, which is yet to be determined by UEFA.
5. What happens if the match ends in a draw? If the match ends in a draw after 90 minutes, there will be 30 minutes of extra time. If the match is still tied after extra time, there will be a penalty shootout to determine the winner.
The much-awaited IPL 2025 mega auction kicked off in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia with all 10 franchises battling for 204 available slots. Five-time IPL winners Chennai Super Kings made some bold moves on the opening day, retaining their core players and adding promising talent to their squad. With the reintroduction of the Right-to-Match (RTM) card, CSK used it wisely to bring back experienced players like Ravichandran Ashwin and the Kiwi duo of Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra. With a remaining purse of INR 15.6 crores, fans can't wait to see what CSK have in store for day two.
In a tough and tightly contested match, Leganes successfully held off powerhouse Real Madrid from scoring a single goal. Despite a strong start from Real, the home side's defense proved resilient and were able to create breathing room with a free kick. The young talent Kylian Mbappe showed off his skills but was unable to convert. Arda Guler's free kick for Real was well-cleared by Leganes, but the home fans continued to bring energetic noise to the small stadium.
The highly anticipated IPL 2025 Mega Auction is about to begin with 577 players vying for a chance to join one of the 10 franchises. Among the most coveted players are three former IPL captains, Shreyas Iyer, K.L. Rahul, and Rishabh Pant, who headline the Marquee Players list and will kick off the bidding wars. Punjab Kings hold the largest budget with a whopping Rs 110.5 crore, giving them more options to use the Right to Match cards. Out of the 12 players in the Marquee list, seven are Indian players divided into two groups.
Star cricketer KL Rahul, known for his versatility on the field, sparked a bidding war at the IPL 2025 auction held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. He was finally secured by Delhi Capitals, leaving behind his previous team Lucknow Super Giants who allegedly had a falling out with him. Rahul's impressive track record, both in the IPL and overall T20s, made him a highly coveted player at the auction.
In a surprising move, Kolkata Knight Riders bought back Indian cricketer Venkatesh Iyer for a record-breaking price of Rs 23.75 crore in the IPL mega auction. Iyer, who has previously represented KKR, expressed his excitement to take on the captaincy challenge and lead the team to defend their championship title. The franchise's decision to choose Iyer over their previous 2024 winning captain Shreyas Iyer at the auction came as a shock to many, but Iyer is grateful for the trust and confidence shown in him by the team.
As the Chennai Super Kings gear up for the 2025 season, they have retained their core group of players while making strategic additions through the IPL Mega Auction. With one eye on transitioning from MS Dhoni's leadership, CSK has secured key players like Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, while also bringing in new talent like Devon Conway and Rahul Tripathi. Despite a limited budget, CSK has managed to strengthen their squad for the upcoming season.
Join us for live updates as Real Madrid faces off against Leganes in a crucial LaLiga match. After a dominant 4-0 win against Osasuna, Real Madrid hopes to continue their winning streak and close the gap with league leaders Barcelona. However, Leganes won't go down without a fight as they aim to secure their first ever LaLiga victory over Los Blancos. Stay tuned for all the action from the Estadio Butarque.
Fans can catch all the action and commentary of Manchester United's first game under new manager Ruben Amorim, as they take on Ipswich in a crucial match that could help the team move out of the bottom three. Star player Marcus Rashford pokes in a goal within two minutes, followed by an impressive curling shot from midfielder Tom Hutchinson. Fans can join in on the excitement by sharing their thoughts and reactions with #bbcfootball or joining the conversation on WhatsApp or text. Though the team faces challenges with unfit players, Amorim's first press conference and assessment of the situation shows promise for the future.
During the club's annual general meeting, Real Madrid's outspoken president, Florentino Perez, criticized top football governing bodies UEFA and FIFA for the new Champions League format and increased number of matches. He also blamed these changes for the injury woes of several players in the team. Perez's strong words emphasize the ongoing tension between club owners and the authorities, and highlight the potential consequences of prioritizing commercial interests over the well-being of players and the sport itself.
In a career that has been marked by numerous successes, Indian cricketer Virat Kohli added another milestone as he scored his 30th Test hundred against Australia in Perth. Not only did he surpass the legendary Sir Donald Bradman's tally of 29 Test hundreds, but he also broke his own personal drought of not scoring a century since July 2023. This knock was not just a personal victory for Kohli, but was also a crucial contribution to the team's cause. Credit was given to his wife, Anushka Sharma, who has been his support through the tough times in his red ball cricket career.