FRANKFURT: Slovakia caused the first upset at Euro 2024 as Ivan Schranz fired the underdogs to a 1-0 win against Belgium on Monday.
Francesco Calzona’s side are 45 spots below third-placed Belgium in FIFA’s world rankings.
But they made a mockery of the supposed quality gap between the teams with a courageous performance in Frankfurt.
“We played against a great opponent. We gave it our heart. We didn’t win it by being better, but by being happier,” said Slovakia defender David Hancko.
“That makes the victory all the more gratifying. It’s amazing that we were able to do that.”
Slovakia coach Calzona, who also served as Napoli’s interim boss in the second half of last season, had admitted he would be “delighted” with a draw.
The Italian got more than he could have dreamed of as Schranz left Belgium reeling after ending his nine-game international goal drought.
Romelu Lukaku missed a host of chances for Belgium and had two possible equalizers disallowed by VAR.
Slovakia’s unexpected victory blew Group E wide open, just hours after Romania beat Ukraine 3-0 in Monday’s other match in that pool.
It was a bitter loss for Belgium, who are already in danger of once again failing to fulfil their potential at a major tournament.
Belgium’s golden generation has lost much of its lustre since they crashed out of the 2022 World Cup in the group stage.
The Red Devils fell at the quarter-finals in the last two editions of the European Championship, making a third-place finish at the 2018 World Cup the highwater mark of a talented but underachieving team once hailed as a potential dynasty.
Domenico Tedesco was appointed to replace Roberto Martinez in February 2023 and led Belgium on a 14-match unbeaten run heading into the Euros.
“I knew that eventually we would lose a game. Unfortunately it was today,” said Tedesco.
“The only thing that we didn’t do well was missing chances. We had plenty. It’s part of the game. Of course the players were disappointed,” added the Belgium boss.
Before what was billed as a last hurrah for Belgium’s veteran stars, Kevin De Bruyne had insisted they were ready to do “something good” in Germany.
But instead they reverted to type with a spluttering display that puts them under intense pressure to beat Romania in their second group game on Saturday.
Playing in a Belgian record 11th game at major tournaments, Lukaku should have bagged his 86th goal for his country in the second minute.
Jeremy Doku turned adroitly on the halfway line and accelerated menacingly into the Slovakia penalty area, where his cross was poked toward Lukaku by De Bruyne.
Lukaku looked certain to score but his close-range effort was straight at Slovakia keeper Martin Dubravka.
Lukaku threatened again moments later, only to let Doku’s pass run away from him.
Slovakia punished Lukaku’s profligacy in the seventh minute.
Doku’s wayward clearing pass allowed Robert Bozenik to cleverly backheel the ball to Juraj Kucka.
Koen Casteels saved Kucka’s strike but could do nothing about the rebound as Schranz fired home from an acute angle.
Lukaku endured a nightmare evening. He again took a woefully heavy touch to waste a good chance from Yannick Carrasco’s raking pass.
Belgium’s angst increased in the 56th minute when Lukaku was denied by Dubravka’s near-post save.
From the resulting corner, Amadou Onana looped a header over Dubravka and Lukaku slid in to score from a yard out, only for his celebrations to be curtailed as VAR ruled he was offside.
Belgium laid siege to the Slovakia goal but Dubravka saved well from Leandro Trossard and Lukaku volleyed into the side-netting before Johan Bakayoko’s shot was cleared off the line by Hancko.
In a fitting coda to a day to forget for Belgium, Lukaku blasted home in the 86th minute but the goal was disallowed for handball by Lois Openda in the build-up.
Schranz strikes as Slovakia beat Belgium at Euro 2024
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Schranz strikes as Slovakia beat Belgium at Euro 2024
- David Hancko: ‘We didn’t win it by being better, but by being happier’
- Romelu Lukaku missed a host of chances for Belgium and had two possible equalizers disallowed by VAR
Gulf Giants end drought with commanding 6-wicket victory over Dubai Capitals
- Erasmus, Hetmyer shine as Giants chase down 166 with ease to register first win of DP World ILT20 season
DUBAI: The Gulf Giants notched up their first victory of their DP World ILT20 Season 3 campaign with a with a six-wicket triumph against the Dubai Capitals on Saturday evening.
Chasing 166, Gerhard Erasmus and Shimron Hetmyer put on a match-winning partnership of 80 runs in only 44 deliveries. Erasmus finished with an unbeaten 34-ball 50, while Hetmyer was also not out with 41 runs in just 20 balls, including four sixes.
Batting first, the Dubai Capitals lost wickets at regular intervals, restricting them to 165/7 in 20 overs. Aayan Afzal Khan and Mark Adair led the Giants’ bowling attack with two-wicket hauls each.
Adam Lyth wasted no time setting the tone for the Giants’ run chase, striking four boundaries and a six during an aggressive 32-run innings off just 17 deliveries. His knock ended in the eighth over, with Farhan Khan claiming his wicket.
Earlier, James Vince fell for 10 runs in the fourth over, handing Obed McCoy the first breakthrough. The Capitals tightened their grip shortly after when Scott Kuggeleijn dismissed Ibrahim Zadran, putting the Giants under pressure with two early blows.
Jordan Cox and Erasmus consolidated the innings with a 35-run stand. Cox was careful in his 27-run knock but perished attempting a big shot, caught by Olly Stone off Sikandar Raza’s bowling. The match was evenly poised with the Giants at 88/5 in 11.5 overs.
With Hetmyer joining Erasmus in the middle, the Giants needed 48 runs in 30 balls. Erasmus reduced the pressure with a 12-run over against Obed McCoy in the 16th. Hetmyer followed it up with an 18-run over, including two sixes off Olly stone, to further the Giants’ cause. The pair then added 14 runs in the 18th over before Hetmyer smashed a six over mid-wicket to complete the run chase in 18.1 overs.
Earlier in the evening, the Dubai Capitals had a mixed start to their innings, losing both openers in the powerplay despite aggressive intent. Shai Hope fell for 11 runs to Blessing Muzarabani, while Ben Dunk looked dangerous during his 28-run knock, which included three fours and two sixes, before being dismissed by Uzair Khan.
Aayan Afzal Khan was lethal as he struck in the eighth over, claiming Brandon McMullen’s wicket for 11 runs, leaving the Capitals in further trouble. Raza and Rovman Powell then steadied the innings with a valuable 45-run stand off 32 balls. Raza took down Tymal Mills for four consecutive boundaries in the 11th over. However, neither batter could capitalize on their starts — Raza departed for 28, courtesy of Wahidullah Zadran, while Powell’s knock of 25 was cut short by Aayan Afzal Khan as well, to leave the Capitals at 121/5 in 15.1 overs.
Gulbadin Naib added 15 runs in the death overs before falling to Adair, who struck twice in quick succession by also dismissing Kuggeleijn. Dasun Shanaka’s late blitz proved essential, as his 20-ball cameo of 33, featuring three sixes, lifted the Capitals to a respectable 165/7 in their allotted 20 overs.
Player of the Match Erasmus said: “We were raring to get our first win, having lost the first few. When you know you have quality around you, you know you have a bit more time. I think teams can often get tense when you’re not getting your first win, but we came together and created positive energy and that went a long way in helping us express ourselves out there. I have special memories in this ground with the Namibian team as well.”
Dubai Capitals captain Raza said: “It was a little bit more like a Sharjah wicket I felt. The way Erasmus and Hetmyer were batting, even 170 wouldn’t have been enough. Sometimes we doze off here and there and it has cost us a couple games. In the DP World ILT20 anybody can beat anybody.”
Brief Scores
Gulf Giants beat Dubai Capitals by six wickets.
Dubai Capitals 165/7 in 20 overs (Dasun Shanaka 33 not out, Sikandar Raza 28, Ben Dunk 28, Aayan Afzal Khan 2 for 12, Mark Adair 2 for 39)
Gulf Giants 168/4 in 18.1 overs (Gerhard Erasmus 50 not out, Shimron Hetmyer 41 not out, Adam Lyth 32, Farhan Khan 1 for 14, Sikandar Raza 1 for 31)
Player of the Match: Gerhard Erasmus
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.
