PARIS: Real Madrid open the defense of their Champions League title with an opening group match at Scottish champions Celtic after the fixtures were announced on Saturday.
The 14-time victors travel to Glasgow for their Group F clash on September 6, the same night that French champions Paris Saint Germain entertain Italian giants Juventus in Group H.
Real Madrid’s bitter rivals Barcelona are in the toughest looking group along with German champions Bayern Munich and Italian side Inter Milan.
Barca, though, open their Group C campaign against Czech outfit Viktoria Plzen whilst Bayern are away at Inter Milan on September 7.
Those games serve as the appetizer before Barcelona host Bayern on September 13.
Liverpool, beaten by Real in last season’s final, travel to Napoli for their first Group A match on September 7.
Premier League rivals Chelsea and Manchester City are also both away.
Chelsea — who beat City in the 2021 final — travel to Dinamo Zagreb in Group E and Manchester City are at Spanish side Sevilla in Group G on September 6.
Two other British clubs enter the fray on September 7 — Tottenham Hotspur host Marseille in Group D whilst Rangers, who are in the same section as Liverpool, play Ajax in Amsterdam.
The group stage has been compressed this season due to the World Cup kicking off in Qatar on November 20.
Real Madrid open Champions League defense at Celtic
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Real Madrid open Champions League defense at Celtic
- The 14-time victors travel to Glasgow for their Group F clash on September 6
- Liverpool, beaten by Real in last season’s final, travel to Napoli for their first Group A match on September 7
Baniyas continues domination on second day of Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship
- Al-Ain and Sharjah followed the leaders in second and third place respectively
ABU DHABI: Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club maintained its lead on the second day of the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship, being held at Mubadala Arena. Al-Ain Club secured the runner-up position, while Sharjah Self-Defense Sports clinched third place.
The second day featured fierce competitions in the youth categories (U-14 and U-16), with participants showcasing high-level discipline, perseverance, and determination to achieve victory.
Maryam Abu Hadib of Baniyas Club, a white belt who claimed bronze in the 44 kg category for U-14s, shared her excitement at winning a medal.
“I am very happy to win the bronze medal at the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship,” she said. “I chose jiu-jitsu because it is a non-violent sport that improves physical fitness and self-confidence. Representing Baniyas Club and achieving this milestone motivates me to continue improving and striving for more success.”
Abu Hadib’s mother, Majda Yahya, highlighted the sport’s benefits after watching her daughter’s win.
“Jiu-jitsu is one of the best sports children can choose, as it offers benefits beyond competition. It promotes discipline, self-confidence, and commitment while enhancing physical and mental abilities,” she said.
Fahd Saud Al-Dhaheri of Al-Ain Club, who won the gold medal in the 55 kg category for U-16s, spoke about his accomplishment: “Winning the gold medal in this championship is a significant step in my sports journey. This prestigious tournament provides a professional environment that pushes young athletes like me to develop our skills and achieve our goals. It inspires us to give our best and aim higher.”
Naqi team take gold at Saudi Elite Hockey Championship
- The medals and trophy were awarded by Saudi Hockey Federation President Mohammed Al-Mandeel
- Defending champions Najd Falcons came second, with Al-Ittihad in third
RIYADH: There were celebrations on Saturday as Naqi won the second edition of the Saudi Elite Hockey Championship.
Team members received their gold medals and winners’ trophy from Saudi Hockey Federation President Mohammed Al-Mandeel at the end of the event, played over two days at the Green Halls of Prince Faisal bin Fahd Olympic Complex.
Featuring 80 players from eight teams, it was attended by Ahmed Al-Jaidan, vice chairman of the SHF board, and board member Reham Al-Ajroush.
Defending champions Najd Falcons received silver medals for coming in second place, while Al-Ittihad took bronze for third.
In the individual awards, Nouman Rashid (Naqi) was named Best Player of the Tournament, with Moaid Dhoha (Al-Ittihad) as Best Goalkeeper. Top Scorer was Akbar Zaman of United Thalassery Sports Club and Best Young Player was Abdulrahman Al-Shammari (Al-Shabab).
Al-Mandeel praised the success of the event, saying it emphasized the Federation’s efforts to promote hockey and establish it as a popular competitive sport in Saudi Arabia.
Along with tournaments, the organization has established domestic and international training camps to help discover the Kingdom’s talented hockey players, many of whom shone during the championship.
Al-Mandeel also expressed his appreciation for support from the Ministry of Sports and the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committees.
West Indies 54-5 in chase of 251 in spin-dominated Pakistan Test
- Sajid Khan impresses again by taking four wickets against West Indies
- Jomel Warrican took 7-32 in spin-tricky overs to bundle Pakistan out for 157
MULTAN: Pakistan spinner Sajid Khan struck four times to leave the West Indies in deep trouble on 54-5 at lunch on the third day of the first Test in their chase of 251 for victory.
The West Indies need 197 runs to win while Pakistan are chasing five wickets in a battle between the two basement sides in the World Test Championship.
On a Multan Stadium pitch that has sharp turn, the West Indies lost skipper Kraigg Brathwaite (12), Keacy Carty (six), Kavem Hodge (nought) and Mikyle Louis (13) — all to Sajid, who has figures of 4-25.
In the last over before the lunch break, fellow spinner Noman Ali trapped Justin Greaves leg before for nine to give Pakistan a sniff of victory.
Alick Athanaze was unbeaten on 12.
Earlier, Jomel Warrican finished with 7-32 in 18 spin-tricky overs to bundle Pakistan out for 157 after they resumed on 109-3, managing to add just 48 runs.
Warrican tore through the Pakistan batting line-up with nagging line and length to claim match figures of 10-101, his first 10-wicket haul.
His previous best innings figures of 4-50 came against Sri Lanka at Galle in 2021.
He also improved on the previous best figures by a West Indian in Pakistan, held by fast bowler Malcolm Marshall with 5-33 at Lahore in 1986.
Warrican dismissed overnight batter Saud Shakeel with the first ball of the day for two and then had Mohammad Rizwan in his next over for the same score.
He continued the demolition act with the wickets of Kamran Ghulam (27), Noman (nine) and Sajid (five).
Fellow spinner Gudakesh Motie ending the innings by dismissing Salman Agha for 14.
The second match starts from January 25, also in Multan.
Richard Mille win Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo Championship final
- The final score against Ikmah was 8-6 at Al-Fursan Village
- Bentley team takes third beating AlUla 6-5
ALULA: The Richard Mille polo team won the Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo Championship on Saturday, defeating Ikmah 8-6 in the final at Al-Fursan Village.
The triumphant players were awarded the trophy by Saudi Polo Federation President Amr Zidan and Abeer Al-Akel, acting CEO of the Royal Commission for AlUla, in the presence of Piero Dillier, president of the International Polo Federation.
Bentley won third place after winning 6-5 against AlUla, who came in fourth, with Dadan claiming fifth place with a 7-6 victory over Budget.
Prince Hamzah bin Abbas of Jordan was named Best Player of the Tournament, while Claire Mountbatten won the Best Female Player award.
The tournament’s top scorer was international star Nacho Figueras, while Obsolete won the Best Horse award.
Congratulating the Richard Mille team on their success, Zidan said: “SPF is committed to continuing this tournament in collaboration with the Royal Commission for AlUla, with unlimited support from the wise leadership, and close supervision from the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee and the Ministry of Sports.”
The SPF president added the competition had witnessed a new champion, rapid development, strong competition and valuable experience for Saudi riders through competing against international stars.
He extended his gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of the event.
Fit-again Yadav named in India’s squad for Pakistan-hosted Champions Trophy
- Kuldeep Yadav hasn’t played cricket since hernia surgery in November
- India retain most of their players who competed at 2023 ODI World Cup
NEW DELHI: India named fit-again spinner Kuldeep Yadav in a 15-man squad for next month’s Champions Trophy on Saturday with Rohit Sharma leading the team into the eight-nation tournament.
Kuldeep hasn’t played competitive cricket since his hernia surgery in November but could play pivotal role on slow pitches of Dubai, where India will be playing all its games. The left-arm wrist spinner has been building up his workload at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru.
The Indian squad also includes fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah.
India retained most of its players who competed at the 2023 ODI World Cup. Shreyas Iyer and Lokesh Rahul have retained their places while Shubman Gill was named as the team’s vice-captain. Rishabh Pant is the second wicketkeeper chosen in the squad as Sanju Samson couldn’t make the 15.
Fast bowler Mohammad Shami also returns to ODI cricket, having last played the 50-over format at home in the 2023 ODI World Cup where he picked up 24 wickets and was the tournament’s highest wicket-taker. Left-arm fast bowler edged out Mohammed Siraj after his impressive performances in white-ball cricket.
India is placed in group A alongside host Pakistan, Bangladesh and New Zealand.
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Squad: Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh.
