UEFA Europa League – SportsInGhana

Lidl become UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League partner

Prince Dornu-Leiku — Mon, 02 Sep 2024 10:48:52 +0000

UEFA have announced Lidl, one of Europe’s leading food retailers, as official global sponsor of the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League starting from 2024/25 until the end of the 2026/27 season.

The new agreement builds on the successful sponsorship programme that saw European football’s governing body partner with the German food retailer at UEFA EURO 2024.

As part of the partnership, Lidl will take its Lidl Kids Team initiative to its 30 European operating countries. The programme, which has been set up through its partnership with the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League, affords children between the ages of six and ten the unique experience of becoming official Player Mascots for one of the two competitions’ matches and aims inspire youngsters across the globe to become more active.

Guy-Laurent Epstein, UEFA marketing director, said:

“We are delighted to build on our successful partnership with Lidl during UEFA EURO 2024 this summer as we welcome them as an official global sponsor of the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa Conference League.

“Lidl is one of the leading food retailers in Europe, with a significant international presence, and we are excited to work together to bring the dynamism and vibrancy of European football to even more fans. Together, we look forward to creating a positive social impact through the power of football.”

Dr. Jennifer Cords, Senior Vice President for Corporate Affairs at Lidl International, added:

“We are proud to add the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League to our wide-ranging roster of sports partners. We as a company are closely connected to Europe – born 51 years ago in the heart of Europe, Lidl is now present in over 30 countries.

“At Lidl, our core beliefs are linked to our international CSR strategy and therefore international collaboration is fundamental to inspire and promote conscious nutrition and an active lifestyle to all.”

The new 36-team UEFA Europa League league phase kicks off with Matchday 1 on 25 September while the UEFA Conference League, which also now includes 36 clubs, gets under way on 3 October. A comprehensive guide to the new format of UEFA men’s club competitions can be found here.

Credit: UEFA

Captains to be the only players to discuss with the referee across all UEFA competitions

Prince Dornu-Leiku — Fri, 05 Jul 2024 11:19:32 +0000

UEFA EURO 2024 has seen a new policy introduced to shape the relationships between referees and players on the field, enhance communication around referees’ decisions and encourage mutual trust.

The success of this new approach at UEFA EURO 2024, understood by the actors of the game and welcomed by the public opinion as unquestionable progress for the image of football, boosts our confidence that this is the way forward. Fair play and respect are values that football, the most popular game in the world, must convey to our societies.

Starting with the new season of UEFA club competitions ready to kick off next week, this approach will therefore be extended to all matches in UEFA competitions.

Referees have now an open line of dialogue with the teams to explain key decisions, including those involving VAR. These information and explanations are provided only to the team captains, who are the only players entitled to speak to the referee and request clarifications in a respectful manner.

Captains must also take responsibility for their team-mates, asking them to respect the referee, keep their distance and not surround the match officials.

Where the captain is the goalkeeper, therefore not close to the action in the majority of cases, the teams are requested to nominate a single outfield player authorised to speak with the referees, to receive their explanations.

Players disregarding these instructions and approaching the referees to show dissent or to act disrespectfully are cautioned.

Credit: UEFA

European football community stands firm against so-called Super League

Prince Dornu-Leiku — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 17:54:34 +0000

In an online press conference responding to Thursday’s European Court of Justice (ECJ) judgement, UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin and stakeholders representing the entire football community underlined their united opposition to the so-called European Super League (ESL).

UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin:
“Football remains united. This press conference involving all stakeholders speaking together is evidence of that. We have national governments and institutions behind us.

“There is a stark contrast between the press statement and the judgement. The judgement is actually positive as it embraces the key features of the European football pyramid: open competitions, sporting merit, and solidarity.

“The ECJ has certainly not given green light nor approved project like the so-called Super League. We welcome the clarity that the ECJ has delivered today including an endorsement of pre-authorisation system and UEFA’s dual role as organising and authorising body.

“We became aware that our authorisation system was imperfect, we started to work on that in 2021 and concluded in 2022 with the decision of the UEFA Executive Committee. We are confident that our rules are fully in line with the ECJ judgement. That said we will of course review further after reading the decision in detail and see if we need to implement further changes.

“It is important to stress that the ECJ has endorsed the European sports model, based on sporting merit which can be guaranteed only if all teams enjoy a certain level of equal opportunity. It is also important to note that clubs from many countries – such as England, Germany and France – are prevented from joining a project which is outside the system.

“Of course, UEFA is free to organise its own competitions and exclusively sell the commercial rights. So any competition must fit within the system and comply with our new authorisation rules, and among other requirements must respect sporting merit, the international calendar, and solidarity. Those rules also protect UEFA’s club competitions.

“Football remains united as you see today, well protected from breakaway leagues. Football is not for sale, we showed that many times as stakeholders together. Nothing can change that.”

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UEFA press conference, December 2023

Nasser Al-Khelaifi, European Club Association, Chairman:
“Maybe some people haven’t noticed what football has been doing for the last two years. The reform of the competitions, the joint venture between UEFA and the clubs. I don’t see this as a victory for super league at all. This judgement is about legal rules, which have changed.

“We are seeing the same presentations, the same statements talking about freedom – but it’s not about freedom, it’s a closed league. This is a social contract. The clubs are so proud to be partner with UEFA and play in UEFA competitions …. All stakeholders in Europe are working together for the same goal.”

Javier Tebas, LALIGA President:
“I would like to express our total support for UEFA as the regulator of European football. UEFA has been going for 69 years organising European competitions and European football. Over this period,UEFA has had to adapt to the times, to the changing economic and sporting realities. That is what they have been continually doing with the various stakeholders, and last year created new rules on how to create a new competition.”

Pedro Proença, European Leagues, President:
“For us this decision of the court doesn’t change our opinion on what should be the format of the European competitions. On behalf of the European leagues we fully believe in the principles of openness and qualification for international competitions through domestic competitions. We believe in the balance between the domestic leagues and the international clubs.

“We remain completely against the Super League model, and are completely committed to maintaining this line along with the other stakeholders. This decision today doesn’t change anything in terms of what we think should be the future of the international competitions.”

Ronan Evain, Football Supporters Europe:
“From the fan’s side, there’s nothing new. It’s still the same project that we saw two years ago – the same private, closed, money-driven competition. It’s merely repackaging and recycling a terrible idea with no regard to sporting merit.

“The Super League didn’t fail because off the existing regulations at the time – it fell because we were all opposed to the project. We belong to an ecosystem of European football which isn’t perfect but at least there is a set of rules.

“There is no place for breakaways within European football. We were hoping that the circus was behind us. It would be best for European football if they would just give up now.”

David Terrier, FIFPRO Europe, President:
“Players have already positioned themselves vis-à-vis this project and they are unanimously against it. As Fifpro we represent all players, not just those who would potentially play in a single competition in a fragmented structure.

“I agree with Mr Ceferin that this decision reinforces our shared position, and underlines the importance of sporting merit and the pyramid structure of European football.”

Credit: UEFA

Brighton beat Ajax for first ever win in European competition

Prince Dornu-Leiku — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 23:16:51 +0000

Brighton claimed a historic first win in European football against Ajax to keep alive their hopes of reaching the Europa League knockout stages.

The Seagulls are enjoying their first foray into this level of football and they lost their opening Group B game at home to AEK Athens before drawing at Marseille.

But against European veterans Ajax they enjoyed a famous night at Amex Stadium as goals from Joao Pedro and Ansu Fati secured victory.

“We have got the first victory in Europe for Brighton,” manager Roberto de Zerbi told TNT Sports.

“It is a great day for our fans, our club, our owner and we are very proud to give them this day.”

Pedro got his fourth goal in the Europa League just before half time, driving in a loose ball after Kaoru Mitoma’s fine strike was parried by Ajax goalkeeper Diant Ramaj.

It got even better after the break as Brighton scored a slick second, Simon Adingra playing a superb ball for Fati, who took two touches inside the box before sending the ball into the corner of the net.

Steven Berghuis reminded Brighton not to let their guard down as he struck the post for Ajax, but that was one of few chances for the visitors as the Seagulls closed out a comfortable win.

A magical night for Brighton

These are moments to treasure for Brighton fans.

Back in 1994-95, as Ajax were winning a fourth European Cup, Brighton had just completed another campaign in the third tier of English football, finishing 16th.

Facing such illustrious opponents – albeit in a difficult moment in their history – highlights the progress the Seagulls have made over recent years and fans packed out the stadium on Thursday for what was undoubtedly the hottest ticket in town.

The atmosphere was superb before kick-off, as supporters were encouraged to wave their scarves in the air – but they then had to be patient once the game got under way.

Ajax, who are second bottom in the Eredivisie after the worst start to a season in their history, sat deep in order to frustrate their opponents – and it almost worked until a moment of magic from Mitoma got the breakthrough.

Brighton picked their way through the packed defence before the Japan forward cut inside and hammered a shot that was parried to Pedro, who fired home.

From then on the home side grew in confidence and Fati’s fine second-half goal ensured Brighton fans could confidently celebrate this moment in history.

“We played a great game, we played very well,” De Zerbi added.

“We deserved to win, maybe with more goals, but the most important news is that we didn’t concede a goal.”

Credit: BBC Sport

Dutch giant Ajax sack coach Steijn after woeful start to the season

Prince Dornu-Leiku — Mon, 23 Oct 2023 21:47:41 +0000

Ajax parted company with coach Maurice Steijn on Monday with the biggest team in the Netherlands languishing in next-to-last place in the Dutch league after just one win from its opening seven games.

Steijn only joined from Sparta Rotterdam in the offseason, signing a three-year deal.

The mutual decision for Steijn to leave was taken after a 4-3 loss at Utrecht that left Ajax, a four-time European champion, one point off last place.

“We have worked intensely and professionally together over the last few months,” Ajax chief executive Jan van Halst said. “But the sporting successes and the development of the team were lacking. That is why we decided to sit down together again today.

“This time, Maurice also expressed his concerns on whether he was the right man in the right place. Together we decided that it would be best to part ways.”

Ajax’s last win in any competition came on Aug. 24.

Hedwiges Maduro, a former Ajax player, will take temporary charge of the team starting with the trip to Brighton in the Europa League on Thursday.

Credit: AP

Nine national associations interested in hosting UEFA club competition finals in 2026 and 2027

Prince Dornu-Leiku — Tue, 18 Jul 2023 14:43:26 +0000

UEFA have confirmed that it has received declarations of interest from nine member associations to host UEFA club competition finals in 2026 and 2027.

The declarations of interest are not binding and the final proposals will have to be delivered with the bid dossiers by 21 February 2024.

All declarations apply to both the 2026 or 2027 club finals.

Interested bidders:

UEFA Champions League Final

Hungary: Budapest – Puskás Aréna
Italy: Milan – Stadio San Siro

UEFA Women’s Champions League Final

Germany: Gelsenkirchen or Munich or Stuttgart (only one host city and venue to be confirmed at bid submission)
Norway: Oslo – Ullevaal Stadion
Scotland: Glasgow – Hampden Park

UEFA Europa League Final

Germany: Düsseldorf or Frankfurt or Gelsenkirchen or Leipzig or Stuttgart (only one host city and venue to be confirmed at bid submission)
Romania: Bucharest – National Arena
Scotland: Glasgow – Hampden Park
Türkiye: Istanbul – Beşiktaş JK or Fenerbahçe SK or Galatasaray A.Ş. (only one venue to be confirmed at bid submission)

UEFA Conference League Final

Germany: Leipzig – Leipzig Stadium
Israel: Jerusalem – Teddy Stadium
Norway: Oslo – Ullevaal Stadion
Scotland: Glasgow – Hampden Park
Switzerland: Geneva – Stade de Genève
Türkiye: Istanbul – Beşiktaş JK or Fenerbahçe SK or Galatasaray A.Ş. (only one venue to be confirmed at bid submission)

The UEFA Executive Committee will appoint the host associations of the eight finals in May 2024.

The bidding procedure for the selection of the venues to host the 2026 and 2027 UEFA club competition finals was launched on 17 May 2023, with a 17 July 2023 deadline set for associations to express their interest.

Credit: UEFA

Frankfurt beat Rangers on penalties to win Europa League

Prince Dornu-Leiku — Wed, 18 May 2022 22:36:18 +0000

Eintracht Frankfurt won their first European title in 42 years by beating Rangers in Wednesday’s UEFA Europa League final in Seville.

Frankfurt, who also won this tournament when it was called the UEFA Cup in 1980, had to come from behind in southern Spain before winning in a penalty shootout.

Midfielder Joe Aribo, playing out of position as a central striker, gave Rangers the lead on 57 minutes.

Rafael Santos Borre leveled for the Bundesliga outfit to force extra time, which then passed by without any major incident until the 118th minute when Kevin Trapp pulled off a superb save to deny Ryan Kent from point-blank range.

Trapp was again Frankfurt’s hero in the shootout, saving a spot-kick from Aaron Ramsey to help his side prevail 5-4.

Frankfurt had knocked out Real Betis, Barcelona and West Ham in previous rounds.

A shirtless Rafael Santos Borre is mobbed by his Frankfurt teammates after scoring the winning spot-kick in his side’s penalty-shootout victory over Rangers in the 2022 Europa League final

Their victory in the final saw them qualify for next season’s Champions League group stage, despite having finished 11th in Germany’s Bundesliga.

Story Of The Europa League Final

Seville’s Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium looked incredible as it was colored with waves of crisp white Frankfurt jerseys on a sea of Rangers blue.

But Frankfurt midfielder Sebastian Rode needed to change his white shirt after it was bloodied by a high boot from John Lundstram inside the first five minutes.

Rode’s received a head bandage for his troubles, while Lundstram was lucky not to receive a yellow card.

Frankfurt captain Sebastian Rode was treated for a cut head early in the final

Rangers had more of the ball in the first half, but Frankfurt posed the stronger threat.

Nine of the game’s first 10 shots were from Frankfurt, including one from Filip Kostic, who ran 70 yards with the ball before firing just wide.

There was a nervous moment for Rangers early in the second half as the VAR conducted a check for a potential penalty after Borre had gone down under a challenge from Connor Goldson.

Rangers survived the review and then went ahead shortly after.

Aribo latched onto a misguided Djibril Sow header and capitalized on a slip from center-back Tuta before finishing cooly with his left foot.

Joe Aribo pictured celebrating in front of Rangers fans after scoring the opening goal in the final

Rangers were only ahead for 12 minutes.

Kostic did excellently to fire in a low cross under pressure and Borre reacted quicker than Calvin Bassey to poke home a deserved equalizer.

Rafael Santos Borre (left) pictured celebrating moments after equalizing for Frankfurt

Frankfurt looked like the more likely side to get a winner in 90 minutes, but extra time was a fairly tight and tense affair.

Rangers finished extra time on top though and would have won the game 2-1 had it not been for Trapp.

Frankfurt goalkeeper Kevin Trapp (right) denied Ryan Kent during extra time

Trapp then produced another magic moment to sway a high-quality shootout in Frankfurt’s favour.

Nine of the 10 penalties were converted but Trapp managed to thwart former Arsenal midfielder Ramsey.

Rangers midfielder Aaron Ramsey pictured after failing to convert his effort in the penalty shootout

Credit: SI

Ghana legend Anthony Yeboah’s European record for Frankfurt under threat

SportsInGhana NewsDesk — Thu, 05 May 2022 14:42:18 +0000

Former Black Stars striker Anthony Yeboah’s European goal-scoring record at Eintracht Frankfurt is being challenged by Japanese Daichi Kamada, who has been impressive in the club’s surprise run in the Europa League this season.

The midfielder scored last weekend as Frankfurt edged closer to the final by defeating West Ham 2-1 in London in the first leg of their semi-final tie.

The strike gave the Japanese 11 goals in 21 Europa League games, but he is still one goal short of becoming Frankfurt’s all-time leading European Cup scorer, a record held by Ghanaian great Yeboah.

Yeboah has held the record since 1995 with 12 goals in 16 appearances for Frankfurt.

“I didn’t even know I had such a record,” he told BILD.

And to Kamada: “I wish him many more goals for Eintracht. And he’s welcome to break my record. I even wish him that! Because as a fan of Eintracht, I would then know that the club was playing successfully.”

Eintracht’s enthusiasm for the Europa League has reached Africa. Yeboah has been over the moon since the win in Barcelona: “We were able to watch the game live on television here too. It was amazing! Otherwise, I follow everything on the internet. Football is so crazy, I really believe Eintracht can win the title. It would be a pleasure for me!”

Frankfurt fans hold Yeboah in high regard for his enormous contribution to the club during his playing days. He won Bundesliga top scorer in 1993 and 1994.

Credit: Bild

Ghanaian forward Ansgar Knauff scores as Frankfurt beat West Ham away in Europa League semi final

Prince Dornu-Leiku — Thu, 28 Apr 2022 23:57:34 +0000

German-born Ghanaian Ansgar Knauff scored Eintracht Frankfurt’s fastest ever goal in an European competition as the Bundesliga side took a first leg advantage in their semi-final victory over West Ham in London.

Knauff needed only 49 seconds to put Frankfurt in the lead at the London stadium after heading home from a Rafael Borre cross as the German outfit went on to win 2-1.

Twenty minutes after Knauff’s opener, West Ham leveled through Jamaica forward Michail Antonio after he steer home an assist from defender Kurt Zouma.

The Germany U21 attacker came close in the 38th minute after his swift turn and quick hit went few inches wide.

The Bundesliga side returned from the break very determined and nine minutes after half time Daichi Kamada rolled in the second after West Ham goalie Aurelio Alphonso save fell right in front of the Japanese.

Knauff has now scored two goals in the Europa League, with his first coming against Barcelona in the quarter finals.

Frankfurt will host West in Germany next week in the second leg with one foot in the finals of the Europa League after an impressive away win.

Ansgar Knauff was born to a Ghanaian father and a German mother in Gottingen, making him eligible to feature for the Black Stars.

Credit: Ghanasoccernet

Europa League round-of-16 draw: Barcelona vs. Galatasaray, RB Leipzig vs. Spartak Moscow

Prince Dornu-Leiku — Fri, 25 Feb 2022 13:56:32 +0000

Barcelona will face Galatasaray in the Europa League round of 16 while Sevilla will take on West Ham United following Friday’s draw in Nyon.

Spartak Moscow, the only Russian club left in the competition, have been drawn against RB Leipzig. Spartak will be unable to play their home game in their country and will have to find a neutral venue, a decision taken by UEFA’s Executive Committee on Friday following Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine.

Barca, who have never won the competition, are looking to become the third consecutive Spanish side to lift the title after Sevilla and Villarreal.

Barca failed to make it past the Champions League group stages for the first time in 22 years and are taking part in their first Europa League competition since 2004. Xavi Hernandez’s side reached the round of 16 after a convincing 4-2 win (5-3 on agg.) at Napoli on Thursday. Barca will play the opener at home and then travel to Turkey for the return leg.

Record six-time Europa League winners Sevilla will take on West Ham, a team they have never faced that is sixth in the Premier League.

They have an added motivation to go all the way in the competition with the final being staged on May 18 at their Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium.

Despite Thursday’s 1-0 defeat at Dinamo Zagreb, Sevilla progressed 3-2 on aggregate.

“We were drawn with perhaps the most difficult [rival] of all,” Sevilla’s sporting director Monchi said. “A very well-built team, that is having a great season in the Premier League. They have players of a high level, both technical and physical.

“We haven’t been very lucky, but we must assume that draws are like that and look forward with optimism. I don’t think they will be too happy either.

“It’s a good tie, worthy of the importance of the competition. it will be a beautiful experience, it [England] is the cradle of the game of football and this tie will allow us to measure our ability to overcome challenges.”

The other Spanish side left in the competition, Real Betis, square off against Eintracht Frankfurt. Betis knocked Sevilla out of the Copa del Rey last month. They eliminated Russian Premier League champions Zenit 3-2 on aggregate.

Scottish champions Glasgow Rangers, who saw off Borussia Dortmund and their Norwegian superstar Erling Haaland on Thursday, are back in the round of 16 for a third straight season. They take on Red Star Belgrade.

Bayer Leverkusen, third in the Bundesliga, have a tricky round-of-16 tie against Italian outfit Atalanta.

Meanwhile, in the Europa Conference League, Leicester City have been drawn against Stade Rennais. The Premier League side reached the round of 16 after eliminating Danish side Randers 7-2 on aggregate.

AS Roma, who are eighth in Serie A, will take on Dutch side Vitesse.

The round of 16 first legs will be played on March 10, except for FC Porto and Betis who will play at home a day earlier, while the returns will be taking place on March 17.

Europa League round of 16

Rangers vs. Red Star Belgrade
Braga vs. AS Monaco
FC Porto vs. Lyon
Atalanta vs. Bayer Leverkusen
Sevilla vs. West Ham United
Barcelona vs. Galatasaray
RB Leipzig vs. Spartak Moscow
Real Betis vs. Eintracht Frankfurt

Europa Conference League round of 16

Leicester City vs. Stade Rennais
Marseille vs. FC Basel
PAOK Salonika vs. KAA Gent
Vitesse vs. AS Roma
PSV Eindhoven vs. Copenhagen
Slavia Praha vs. LASK
Bodo/Glimt vs. AZ Alkmaar
Partizan Belgrade vs. Feyenoord Rotterdam

Credit: ESPN