Sports
Germany v Scotland in Euro 2024 opener, Italy drawn with Spain – ARN News Centre
[ad_1]
Hosts Germany will face Scotland in the opening match of Euro 2024 in Munich following the draw on Saturday and defending champions Italy will be in the same group as Spain.
The Germans, three-time winners, will kick off the one-month tournament in Munich on June 14, with the final on July 14 at Berlin’s Olympic stadium.
Germany will also play Hungary, who came through the qualifying campaign unbeaten, and Switzerland in Group A.
“It’s no group of death but a very strong group and we are looking forward to it,” Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann said.
The hosts appointed Nagelsmann as manager in September after parting ways with Hansi Flick following a 4-1 home defeat by Japan, their fourth loss in five games.
They beat France under Rudi Voeller, but after Nagelsmann began with a win over the United States they lost against Turkey and Austria.
“I am optimistic that if we do some things in the coming few months then we will play a good Euro. The first game also has a special kind of pressure,” said Voeller, the national team director.
“We still have some problems but I am convinced that Julian Nagelsmann will do it,” Voeller added.
Italy face a tough task to defend their title, drawn in Group B along with Spain, Croatia and Albania.
Italy defeated Spain on penalties in the semi-finals on their way to winning Euro 2020 but lost 4-0 to the Spanish in the 2012 final. Croatia reached the semi-finals at the last World Cup.
“Yes, it could have been better,” Italy manager Luciano Spalletti said.
“Being in the fourth pot makes you realise that you have teams ahead of you but nothing should distract us from the fact we are Italy.
“A tough group, Albania showed that they know how to stay on the pitch. Croatia is strong and experienced. Spain? Anyone who loves this sport must play it, the taste of challenge and comparison.” Spalletti added.
SPAIN V CROATIA
Spain’s opening game is against Croatia before they take on Italy.
“If it’s not the toughest group, it’s one of the toughest,” Spain manager Luis de la Fuente said.
“Italy are European champions, Croatia always reach the later stages and although they are not at their best, they are two historic teams. And don’t forget Albania, top of their group.”
France and the Netherlands will meet again after coming through qualifying in the same group, drawn in Group D alongside Austria and the winners of playoff A.
France, who won both games against the Dutch on their way to topping the qualifying group, kick off their Euro 2024 campaign against Austria in Duesseldorf.
“The Pot 3 team we’ll be facing are The Netherlands. We won both our games against them but it makes our group harder. We also faced Austria during the latest Nations League campaign and it was far from easy. It’s a dense and difficult group,” France coach Didier Deschamps said.
England, runners-up at Euro 2020, are in Group C alongside Denmark, Slovenia and Serbia. England, who needed extra time to see off Denmark in the 2020 semi-finals, start the tournament against Serbia.
“You look at Serbia with a centre forward like Aleksander Mitrovic and then you have to be careful not to assume anything when you see these draws, that’s for certain,” England manager Gareth Southgate said.
“You can look at it on paper but the games aren’t played on paper. There are some teams that you are glad to avoid in Pot 3 and Pot 4 but all of the teams that we play are more than capable.”
In Group E, Belgium face Romania, Slovakia and the winners of playoff B, Israel, Bosnia, Ukraine or Iceland.
Portugal are in Group F, alongside Turkey, Czech Republic and the playoff C winners, one of Georgia, Greece, Kazakhstan or Luxembourg, who finished third in Portugal’s qualifying group.
The top two in each of the six Euro 2024 groups proceed to the round of 16 along with the four best third-placed finishers.
The draw was held at the Elbphilharmonie concert hall in Hamburg, one of the 10 host cities of the tournament.
[ad_2]
Source link
Indian chess star Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu produced a brilliant final-round victory to win Norway Chess 2026, capping a dramatic finish to one of the year’s most prestigious tournaments.
Entering the final day half a point behind leader Wesley So, Praggnanandhaa knew only a win would give him a realistic chance of claiming the title. The 19-year-old delivered under pressure, defeating Vincent Keymer with the white pieces to secure the full three points and surge to first place.
The victory lifted Praggnanandhaa to 18 points, enough to overtake Wesley So and clinch the Norway Chess crown in Oslo.
So, who had led the standings heading into the final round, drew his classical game against Alireza Firouzja before winning the Armageddon tiebreak. However, the extra points were not enough to keep him ahead of the charging Indian grandmaster.
Firouzja completed a strong campaign to finish third overall.
Elsewhere, world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen signed off in style with a classical victory over reigning world champion Gukesh Dommaraju, delighting home fans with a final-round win.
Final Standings
- Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu – 18 points
- Wesley So – 17 points
- Alireza Firouzja – 15.5 points
Assaubayeva dominates women’s event
In the Norway Chess Women’s tournament, Bibisara Assaubayeva completed a dominant campaign to secure the title after having already wrapped up first place with a round to spare.
The final day featured three decisive classical games, eliminating the need for Armageddon tiebreaks.
Women’s world champion Ju Wenjun handed Assaubayeva her first classical defeat of the tournament, while Zhu Jiner defeated Humpy Koneru to secure second place overall. Anna Muzychuk also ended her campaign on a high note with a victory over Divya Deshmukh to finish third.
Norway Chess women’s final standings
- Bibisara Assaubayeva – 16.5 points
- Zhu Jiner – 16 points
- Anna Muzychuk – 15 points
Praggnanandhaa’s triumph marks another major milestone in the young Indian grandmaster’s rapidly rising career and further strengthens India’s growing influence at the highest level of world chess.
The battle for the Norway Chess 2026 title is set for a thrilling finish after a dramatic Round 9 left three players firmly in contention heading into the final day in Oslo.
Tournament leader Wesley So maintained his narrow advantage after drawing his classical game against Magnus Carlsen before winning the Armageddon tiebreak to secure valuable extra points.
The standout result of the day came from Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu, who defeated reigning world champion Gukesh Dommaraju with the black pieces. The victory earned Praggnanandhaa three points and moved him to within half a point of the tournament lead.
Meanwhile, Alireza Firouzja kept his championship hopes alive by overcoming Vincent Keymer in Armageddon after their classical game ended in a draw.
With one round remaining, Wesley So leads the standings on 15.5 points, followed by Praggnanandhaa on 15 points and Firouzja on 14.5 points, setting up a nail-biting conclusion to the tournament.
Assaubayeva seals women’s title
In the women’s competition, Bibisara Assaubayeva secured the Norway Chess Women 2026 title with a round to spare.
Assaubayeva drew her classical game against Anna Muzychuk, who later claimed the Armageddon win. However, the result was enough to guarantee Assaubayeva an unassailable lead at the top of the standings.
The only decisive classical result in the women’s event came from Zhu Jiner, who defeated Divya Deshmukh to move into second place.
Elsewhere, Humpy Koneru and Ju Wenjun drew their classical encounter before Ju Wenjun claimed the Armageddon victory.
After Round 9, Assaubayeva tops the women’s standings with 16.5 points, ahead of Zhu Jiner on 13 points and Anna Muzychuk on 12 points.
Praggnanandhaa wins Norway Chess 2026 title after stunning comeback
Dubai’s RTA to operate air-conditioned rest areas for delivery riders this summer
What is the UAE’s new pledge initiative and how residents can you take part?
-
News7 months agoUAE travel alert: Heavy fog hits Dubai and Sharjah airports, passengers urged to check flight status
-
News6 months agoDubai launches shared taxi service from DWTC and Al Maktoum Airport to cut traffic and fares
-
News5 months agoEtihad Rail reveals UAE passenger network: Faster, easier travel for residents from 2026