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This was the 56th season of the Slovak Cup and it was a rerun of the 2024 final between the holders, Ruzomberok and Spartak Trnava.
It was played in sunny Dunajska Streda, some 50km south west of the capital, Bratislava.
Where on May 1st, the local town was very quiet apart from the odd ice cream outlet and one or two cafes serving beer and shots to the visiting fans.
In the end it was revenge for Spartak as they won their ninth title.
...moreThree of the last four in this years’ UEFA Europa League semis might well have been predicted as it comprises Premier League Manchester United and Tottenham as well as the putative hosts, Athletic Bilbao.
But the other club would definitely not be on many forecasts - Bodo/Glimt.
Meanwhile in the Conference League one team - Premier League Chelsea - is expected to dominate.
...moreSomewhat unusually for recent times, four clubs from four different countries will battle for a place in the UCL final, to be staged at Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena on May 31.
Despite Arsenal’s comprehensive elimination of the holders, Real Madrid, they are considered outsiders to take their first UCL crown.
Since it is Barcelona and the Gunners’ opponents, PSG, who are the teams favoured by the odds to meet in the final.
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Ulm has at least two claims to fame.
It was the birthplace of one of the greatest-ever physicists, Albert Einstein.
And its gothic Ulm Minster towers some 161 metres making it the tallest church spire in the world.
The local football team cannot, perhaps, match those accolades but on this late March evening they did secure a victory to help them battle against relegation from the 2nd Bundesliga.
They did it with two quick goals near the start of the second half.
And though the visitors had more of the play, and generally better chances they only managed a single response.
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Liechtenstein are in a qualifying group alongside Wales, Belgium, North Macedonia, and these opponents Kazakhstan.
Being one of the undoubted minnows within UEFA they will always face a struggle despite causing occasional surprises against much more superior countries.
This evening they succumbed to two quick goals by the visitors just before halftime.
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It gets very little coverage outside of the region but the Arabian Gulf Cup certainly gets the local fans excited.
This, the 26th edition, was staged in two stadiums within easy reach of Kuwait City.
The hosts, who were also the record title (10) holders, were joined by seven other countries; Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, UAE, Bahrain, and the current holders, Iraq.
They are divided into two groups of four with the top two automatically going through to the semi-finals.
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Reports from the Portuguese League(s) with the focus on African players.
In particular how representatives from Mali, Nigeria, Cape Verde, and the Ivory Coast featured in the Liga Portugal.
...moreThis Group C encounter in the Nations League ended in a damaging loss for Armenia, who like Romania had been demoted from Group B.
The result, matching their 2-0 win in Skopje, gives Bobi Milevski’s side total control of Group C4 and leaves Armenia to battle it out with Latvia and the Faroes in the playoffs.
Second half strikes from Isnik Alimi and, more controversially, from striker Miovski decided the outcome.
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Romania completed their third consecutive 3-0 victory in the Nations League before a large following of their own fans in Larnaca.
On this basis they should have no problem gaining promotion from Group C2.
Guided by the ageless Mircea Lucescu they were a level above the hosts, particularly the likes of Dennis Man and Razvan Marin.
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Elias Saad secures important win for St. Pauli at early challengers SC Freiburg.
Freiburg’s excellent start to the new Bundesliga season came to an abrupt halt as they lost 3--0 at home to St. Pauli.
Tunisian Saad scored twice and Englishman Oladapo Afolayan once to give the team from Hamburg an important victory and boost them up the table.
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The much revised league phase (where 36 teams battle for the top eight positions and the next eight go into the playoffs) of the UEFA Europa League began in the north of Norway
Before an ecstatic home crowd Bodo/Glimt would overcome going down to ten men to beat their much more established opponents.
There is no doubt this football team has put the local town on the map and few teams will relish visiting their atmospheric stadium on a European night.
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Newly promoted KFUM, with its unusual connection to the YMCA, looks to be doing well in its first venture into the top level of Norwegian football.
Despite their fairly basic surroundings at the KFUM Arena, comprising various temporary style stands and with a hall opposite used as changing facilities.
Against much more highly rated opponents they held their own to consolidate in seventh position in the league.
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KuPS secured their fifth Finnish Cup crown with this extra time defeat of Inter Turku before 6,000 fans in Tampere.
The team from Kuopio topped the league in the regular season and went into this final as favourites although they did ultimately need their inspirational captain Petteri Pennanen to deliver two crucial goals.
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How Spain won a record fourth Euro title, and why England lost it.
In the end they had over half the Team of the Tournament, the Player of the Tournament, the Young Player of the Tournament and the joint Top Scorer.
Hence there can be no doubt that Spain deserved their victory in Germany and to gain a record fourth such title.
...moreAgain a perfect evening in Finland for the visit of the capital’s HJK.
EIF have never won the Finnish Cup and they may have a chance after eliminating the record-winners on spot-kicks.
That was after a fairly tepid ninety minutes when the visitors generally had more of play without really testing the home goalie.
Who would ultimately go on to be the hero.
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At this time of year the weather in the south of Finland is very pleasant and games are often played in warm, sunny conditions.
And this was certainly the case in Seinajoki where the home side eventually ran out easy winners against their local rivals from Vaasa.
Two players scored doubles - Cape Verde defender Kelvin Pires and Nicaraguan striker Jaime Moreno.
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Real Madrid continued their remarkable record in the Champions League by overcoming a moderate first half to win their 15th title.
Goals from Dani Carvajal and Vinicius Junior decided the outcome for Carlo Ancelotti’s team in front of their adoring fans.
And it proved a fitting last club match for legendary midfielder Toni Kroos and probably a few others in the Los Blancos squad.
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The three UEFA club finals feature a mix of past winners in Real Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, and Fiorentina up against teams playing in their first major club final (Olympiacos and Atalanta) plus Edin Terzic's Borussia Dortmund.
History is going to made whatever happens e.g. will Los Blancos extend their record breaking number of Champions League victories?
Will Bayer Leverkusen complete an almost inconceivable invincible treble?
And will Olympiacos celebrate a first-ever European title in their own country?
...moreAn analysis of the UEFA Europa League 2024 quarter-finals.
Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool are strong favourites to lift their first UEL title - they need to get past Atalanta and perhaps Benfica to qualify for Dublin.
Their closest rivals could be unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen who are on course for the Bundesliga under the guidance of ex-Reds player Xabi Alonso.
Or could Daniele De Rossi's Roma spring a surprise?
...moreAn analysis of the four quarter-finals in the 2024 UEFA Champions League.
Can the holders Manchester City beat record-holders Real Madrid and go on to retan their title?
Or will Kylian Mbappe's Paris Saint-Germain or their Premier League rivals Arsenal go on to capture their first CL crown at Wembley in June?
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LOSC went into this Europa Conference League Round of 16 encounter three goals up from the first leg. and likely to be in little danger of going out.
That was the way it transpired although the Austrians did gain some kudos by gaining a 1-1 draw at the Stade Pierre Mauroy.
Despite the expected outcome, there were some lively groups of home fans plus a vocal contingent from Graz.
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PSG, or maybe it should be Kylian Mbappe’s PSG, comfortably beat Nice at a packed Parc des Princes to qualify for another French Cup semi-final.
The first half featured a lightning Mbappe one-two and thus a goal within 15 minutes followed later by him hitting the woodwork.
Although the excellent Ivorian Jeremie Boga would set up Laborde for a Nice goal before the break it never seemed likely to be enough.
And it wasn't as the Parisians went on to win 3-1.
...moreMaybe it was ‘written in the stars’.
Once they had survived two group stage defeats, a range of fightbacks and a change of coach mid-tournament the Ivory Coast’s name seemed to be on the trophy.
In the end, in a reversal of fortune, they deservedly beat Nigeria before a sea of orange shirts in the Alassane Ouattara Stadium.
The man himself was there to enjoy the moment alongside heroes such as Didier Drogba.
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It was another title for all-conquering Manchester City as they built on their global brand before 52,000 fans in the King Abdullah Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Unlike in the semi-final, City started quickly and went ahead inside one minute when Julian Alvarez was on hand to chest in the rebound from Nathan Ake’s driven shot.
That diminished any concerns about getting into a tight contest with the Brazilians.
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Champions League finalists Inter go through to the knockout stages but struggle against a well-organised Real Sociedad.
On a chilly night at the iconic San Siro the Italian league leaders found it hard to overcome the confident Basque visitors.
It was a match where the away team dominated possession and there were few chances created for the large, noisy, crowd to enjoy.
...moreOn a dramatic night in Athens AEK scored two late goals to edge out Dinamo and qualify for the next phase of the UCL.
After the tragedy of happened a few days earlier in the week this was an encounter packed with emotion.
And for some time it looked like the Croatians would resist the home side until those last few minutes.
...moreAll-conquering Manchester City added the UEFA Super Cup to their list of trophies with a penalty shootout victory over Sevilla.
In a match played at the home of Olympiacos in steamy conditions in Athens, this was an intriguing contest that was never 100% comfortable for the English treble winners.
Sevilla, transformed under coach Jose Luis Mendilibar, certainly tested his Spanish counterpart’s team with dangerous breaks often involving the tall Youssef En-Nesyri.
...moreJoy in parts of Manchester was unconfined as City emulated their great rivals United and completed an historic treble by winning the UEFA Champions League in Istanbul.
Spanish midfield star Rodri drove in the only goal from a deflected cross but in the end, it was a deserved victory for Pep Guardiola's team.
And the fulfillment of a dream for both the City owners, the Abud Dhabi-based City Football Group, and the revered Catalan coach.
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Derby Days in Bosnia.
Two teams from Mostar fought out, almost literally, the Bosnian Cup Final in Zenica and it was the mainly Croat-supported team that prevailed in a volatile atmosphere.
A single goal from the talented Mario Cuze decided the outcome much to the delight of their fans.
Thus Zrinjski completed the domestic double having already secured the league title, by some margin.
...moreDerby Days
The Vienna Derby produced a vibrant spectacle both on and off the pitch.
In constant rain, the two big teams in the Austrian capital battled it out in the Championship Round of the Bundesliga before the Violets finally triumphed much to the delight of the home fans in the Generali Arena.
We had choreography, pyrotechnics, and copious smoke plus a treble from top scorer Haris Tabakovic.
...morePlayed to an intense backdrop of noise and fireworks this Old Firm derby went the way of the League Cup holders, Celtic.
Ange Postecoglou's Japanese stars played key parts in this triumph that could set them on the way to another domestic treble.
While it will leave coach Michael Beale with plenty to consider as his Light Blues never really looked like adding to their record haul of titles.
...moreReal Madrid clinched their record-extending fifth Club World Cup title in this eight-goal encounter against surprise finalists Al Hilal from Saudi Arabia.
Before 44,000 fans in Rabat Los Blancos produced a partial masterclass culminating in doubles from Valverde and Golden Ball winner Vini Junior plus another from returnee Karim Benzema.
So the favourites fulfilled expectations although Al Hilal certainly had their moments especially when exposing holes in the Spanish defence.
...moreMultiple winners Real Madrid proved too strong for Al Ahly with Los Blancos running out 4-1 winners before over 43,000 fans in Rabat, Morocco.
The Egyptians went into this semi-final with some confidence being on a 23-game unbeaten run while the Spanish side had mixed recent results.
But with midfield prompters like Modric, Kroos, the emerging talent of Tchouameni, and the electric pace of Rodrygo and Vini Junior upfront it was always going to be a tough assignment for the Cairo giants.
...moreMorocco qualify for the World Cup semi-finals.
Spurred on by massive local support and inspired by the joy back in their home country the Atlas Lions achieved a unique breakthrough in Qatar.
Walid Regragui’s heroes topped their qualifying group and followed that by defeating both Iberian giants, Spain and Portugal, before eventually going out to the holders, France.
Despite the negativity surrounding the staging of the World Cup, particularly within the Western media, one of the inspiring legacies of the tournament could well be the success of Morocco.
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Panathinaikos continued their 100% start to the Greek Super League season with this victory over Aris.
They did need a late winner to overcome some stiff resistance from Alan Pardew's visitors.
Played in a febrile atmosphere featuring copious fireworks from the home fans this was an important victory.
...moreBayern scored two goals early in the second half to win this matchday 2 encounter.
That was after Barcelona had missed a number of first-period chances, a situation they came to regret.
Particularly the returning Robert Lewandowski who was responsible for most of the failed opportunities.
...moreReal Madrid win their fifth UEFA Super Cup.
Los Blancos dominate in Helsinki as goals from David Alaba and Karim Benzema beat the Europa Cup winners.
Despite having the majority of the support the Germans never really looked like troubling Carlo Ancelotti's Champions League holders.
...moreRomania secured an important first win in their Nations League group despite missing a penalty.
It kept their challenge in place in what is likely to be a tight group.
While for the Finns it was another abortive attempt to beat the Tricolorii.
A single goal from Nicosur Bancu decided the outcome.
...moreReal Madrid celebrated their 14th European Cup/Champions League crown at the Stade de France in Paris.
It was another triumph for Los Blancos who now have double the number of titles of the second-best (AC Milan) and more than the total of all the British clubs.
Somehow Real found a way to engineer a victory this season despite often being the less favoured club.
And usually having to recover from losing positions.
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Just for a change, the Coupe de France final did not involve Paris Saint-Germain.
Instead, past three-time winners Nice and Nantes battled for their first such title in over twenty years.
The outcome was decided by a penalty early in the second half before 78,000 in the Stade de France.
A small margin but it resulted in plenty for the Canaries to celebrate, including entry into the Europa League.
...moreFIFA Men's Player of the Year 2021 discussion.
Three players made the shortlist for FIFA Men’s Player of 2021.
Prior to the result being announced the decorated German international Sami Khedira was asked, by FIFA and journalists, his views on who should gain the ultimate accolade.
Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich and Poland),
Lionel Messi (Barcelona, PSG and Argentina), and
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool and Egypt) made the shortlist.
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Watched by new Rangers coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst, sitting high up in the South Stand at Hampden, his new charges lost comprehensively to Hibernian.
The Light Blues, with most of their hordes of fans wearing orange, produced an incoherent, tepid performance.
And that meant Jack Ross's Hibees will now play Celtic in the final on December 19th.
...moreFootball in England in lockdown. March 2021.
How has football changed during the covid pandemic?
With fans unable to watch from inside the stadiums the experience for everyone is radically different from the previous 150 years.
Hopefully, this scenario will be unique or at least a once-in-a-lifetime event for most of us.
But what has changed?
...moreDiego Armando Maradona died on 25th November 2020.
John Bethell looks back on the times he saw this football icon at the World Cup finals.
He was a flawed genius in life but an undoubted genius on the football field and for many the greatest ever.
...moreThe best ever Liverpool team?
The current Liverpool team has dominated the Premier League this season and they could well go on to clock up a record points tally.
Could it be that Jurgen Klopp’s men are better than all those outstanding Anfield winners from the past?
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