Latest news with #JulienPretot
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Soccer-Boca Juniors fans deliver the loudest, most passionate support at Club World Cup
By Julien Pretot HT Image MIAMI, - In just two games, Boca Juniors have taken Hard Rock Stadium by storm, turning it into their own 'Bombonera' outpost. They filled it with a passion unmatched at this Club World Cup, leaving opposing fans, pundits, and even Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany visibly impressed. The Boca fans made for most of the 55,574 spectators in their team's game against Benfica and were also the immense majority of the 63,587 supporters in Friday's 2-1 defeat against Bayern Munich. WHY IT'S IMPORTANT Soccer's governing body FIFA has been heavily criticised for an alleged lack of interest for the 32-team tournament in the United States. While some matches are played in front of half empty stadiums, the presence of South American fans has been crucial for the Club World Cup. KEY QUOTES: Boca Juniors coach Miguel Angel Russo: "The fans were amazing — but there's nothing new about that. Of course it hurts to lose, but our people are just incredible. Boca is about working together: team and fans. That's who we are. "Argentine football is special. It's a unique history. People here are passionate, intense. Our supporters have backed this team through everything, and we have to be up to the challenge." Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany: "I've had a long career and experienced a lot. There are times I want to be a player and tonight was one of those times. The crowd was hostile in the best possible way, and the game full of aggression in a good way. That's what I love about football. "We played against a big club with a fanbase that most fans would pay to watch." KEY NUMBERS: 60,626 - The average attendance at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium in four Club World Cup matches. The best attendance was on Friday with 63,587 supporters in the stands. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
The Star
06-06-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Soccer-Referee body cams and enhanced offside detection system tested at Club World Cup
FILE PHOTO: A long exposure shows FIFA's logo near its headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland February 27, 2022. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann PARIS (Reuters) - Referees wearing body cameras and an upgraded offside detection system will be among the headline innovations at this year's Club World Cup in the United States, FIFA said on Friday. For the first time at a FIFA tournament, match officials will wear body cameras, with selected footage broadcast live to audiences. A new, advanced version of semi-automated offside technology — combining Artificial Intelligence, multiple cameras, and ball sensors — will be deployed to speed up decision-making while maintaining VAR oversight for marginal calls. "However, for challenging offside scenarios, the video assistant referee will still validate the information provided by the system before the decision is taken," FIFA said in a statement. The tournament, which expands to 32 teams this year, will serve as a major testing ground for both systems, the governing body said. (Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Pritha Sarkar)
The Star
14-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Cycling-Last Tour stage to go through Butte Montmartre in Paris
Tourists walk along a street at the Butte Montmartre on a warm and sunny Spring day in Paris, France, April 29, 2025. REUTERS/Abdul Saboor/File Photo PARIS (Reuters) - The final stage of this year's Tour de France will go up the Butte Montmartre, a year after the road race of the Paris Olympics went on the iconic hill, organisers said on Wednesday. "An exceptional route has been designed, inspired by the course of the road race at the 2024 Olympic Games, which drew over 500,000 spectators last August," Amaury Sport Organisation said in a statement. "The riders will climb Montmartre hill and pass at the foot of the Sacre-Coeur before contesting a stage whose scenario could break with the traditions established over the past 50 years in the heart of the capital." The Tour has been finishing on the Champs Elysees every year since 1975, at the exception of 2024, when it ended up in Nice. The Champs Elysees stage is usually a procession to the avenue, where only the final sprint is contested, but this year's route is likely to break this scenario. The Tour starts on July 5 in Lille and ends on July 27. (Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Christopher Cushing)
Hindustan Times
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Soccer-Dembele fit for Arsenal clash as PSG eye Champions League final
By Julien Pretot HT Image PARIS, - Paris St Germain received a boost ahead of Wednesday's Champions League semi-final second leg against Arsenal with Ousmane Dembele passed fit as the French champions look to turn growing squad cohesion into a place in the final. Dembele, who scored the only goal in last week's 1-0 win at the Emirates Stadium, picked up a muscle injury during that match but will be available at the Parc des Princes. "He has been training with the squad for two days so he is available for tomorrow," PSG coach Luis Enrique told a press conference on Tuesday. It is welcome news for a PSG side whose progress this season has been built less on individual brilliance and more on the kind of collective spirit and tactical maturity that has often eluded them in past European campaigns. Luis Enrique, brought in to overhaul a team once shaped around marquee stars, has made no secret of his mission to build a unit capable of competing at the highest level. "This season we've grown so much as a team," he said. 'You have to be ready for any scenario and pay attention from start to finish. The target for the coming years is to keep improving the process," he said when asked about last season's semi-final loss to Borussia Dortmund. That steady evolution was evident in the first leg in London where PSG's compact shape, aggressive pressing and controlled possession frustrated Arsenal's attacking rhythm. Defender Achraf Hakimi said the team's new-found identity had been key to their run. "The key is to show our personality with and without the ball and press high," Hakimi said. "Arsenal will need to feel that the Parc des Princes is our home." PSG's only Champions League final appearance ended in defeat by Bayern Munich in 2020, while Arsenal's sole final was in 2006 when they lost to Barcelona in Paris. "We will have to be as good as last week, but while many expect the same kind of game, I guarantee you it will be completely different," said Luis Enrique. The winners will face Inter Milan or Barcelona, who meet later on Tuesday, in the May 31 final in Munich. Parc des Princes France PSG Arsenal This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
