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Tag: World cup

  • Russia to keep visa-free entry for football fans till end of 2018 – Putin

    Russia to keep visa-free entry for football fans till end of 2018 – Putin

    Russia will provide visa-free entrance to the country for football fans with fan IDs until the end of 2018, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

    “I think that we will provide visa-free entrance to Russia for foreign fans, who currently have fan IDs, until the end of 2018. This will be a multiple entry visa-free regime,” Putin told reporters.

    The Russian leader expressed hope that fans will take advantage of this opportunity and “come to Russia more than once with friends and members of their families.”

    Putin has taken part in the closing ceremony of the championship and the ceremony of awarding the winner.

    France beat Croatia 4-2 at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium to lift their second World Cup trophy.

    The Russian President held informal conversations with a number of foreign leaders, including former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, incumbent French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron, as well as with Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic and her family, and Moldovan President Igor Dodon, and other guests of honor during the break in the FIFA World Cup final game between France and Croatia.

  • World Cup: London rail station renamed after Gareth Southgate

    World Cup: London rail station renamed after Gareth Southgate

    London’s transport bosses temporarily renamed an underground station in honour of England football team manager Gareth Southgate after the team flew home following their run to the last four of the World Cup.

    England enjoyed their best World Cup performance in 28 years under Southgate’s leadership, reaching the semi-finals and narrowly missing a spot in the final, losing to Croatia after extra-time.
    Southgate proved popular with England’s fans for helping create a renewed sense of optimism.

    After the team returned home on Sunday, Transport for London rebranded Southgate underground station in North London as the “Gareth Southgate” station for 48 hours.

    “We have to celebrate the achievement, it’s important,” said Patricia Gomez, 44, who travelled from Morden in south London on her day off on Monday to get a photograph with the new sign.

    “(Gareth) was awesome, he gave the team motivation, he made them work as a family.”

    After winning the tournament on Sunday, France also saw similar tributes on the Paris Metro, where six stops have been temporarily renamed.

    Southgate’s popularity led many fans to copy his fashion style during matches of wearing a waistcoat as he watched from the dugout.

    One retailer said sales of waistcoats had soared during the tournament while the day of the semi-final clash with Croatia was dubbed “Waistcoat Wednesday”.

    “Maybe we’ll get a statue next,” said Steve Ingall from TfL.

    Reuters/NAN

  • Trump congratulates Putin on hosting ‘great’ World Cup

    Trump congratulates Putin on hosting ‘great’ World Cup

    U.S. President Donald Trump congratulated his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Russia having hosted “one of the best” FIFA World Cups in history as the two leaders started their first full-fledged summit in the Finnish capital Helsinki on Monday.

    “First of all, Mr President I’d like to congratulate you on a really great World Cup. One of the best ever from what everybody tells me and also for your team, itself, doing so well,” Trump said.

    He added that had watched the semi-finals and the final, which were “spectacular,” while the entire tournament was “beautifully” organised.

    Putin and Trump arrived in Finland on Monday for their first one-on-one talks that will cover a wide range of issues, including Syria, Ukraine and denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula.

    Russia’s first-ever World Cup came to a close on Sunday, with France beating Croatia 4-2 in Moscow to lift the trophy for the second time.

    Russia reached the quarter-finals of their home tournament after advancing to the knockout stage for the first time since the end of the Soviet era.

    Trump’s foes at home have been scathing about his apparent refusal to criticize Putin.

    His 2016 opponent Hillary Clinton tweeted: “Great World Cup. Question for President Trump as he meets Putin: Do you know which team you play for?”

    Russia denies interfering in the U.S. presidential election.

    The state RIA news agency quoted a Russian source as saying Moscow was “ready to discuss, ready to undertake mutual obligations of non-intervention into internal matters”.

    Trump has said he will raise the election meddling but does not expect to get anywhere. He has repeatedly noted that Putin denies it, while also saying that it is alleged to have taken place before he became president.

    For Putin, that the summit is even happening despite Russia’s semi-pariah status among some Americans and U.S. allies is a geopolitical win.

    The summit caps a trip abroad during which Trump sternly criticized NATO allies for failing to spend enough on their militaries and embarrassed British Prime Minister Theresa May by saying she refused to take his advice about how to negotiate Britain’s exit from the EU.

    He referred to the European Union itself as a “foe” in trade, and repeatedly criticized it.

    In some of the strongest words yet reflecting the unease of Washington’s traditional allies, Germany’s foreign minister said on Monday Europe could not rely on Trump.

    “We can no longer completely rely on the White House,” Heiko Maas told the Funke newspaper group. “To maintain our partnership with the USA we must readjust it.

    “The first clear consequence can only be that we need to align ourselves even more closely in Europe.”

    Trump has predicted he will be accused of being too soft on Putin no matter how the summit goes.

    “If I was given the great city of Moscow as retribution for all of the sins and evils committed by Russia…I would return to criticism that it wasn’t good enough – that I should have gotten Saint Petersburg in addition!” he tweeted on Sunday

    Sputnik/NAN

  • Putin says Russia thwarted 25m cyber attacks during World Cup

    Almost 25 million cyber attacks and other crimes on Russian IT infrastructure involved in organising the World Cup have been neutralised, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in comments released on Monday.

    Putin thanked representatives of law enforcement agencies from around the world for their assistance in ensuring safety during the football most prestigious tournament.

    Law enforcement representatives from 34 countries collaborated in providing security, Putin said in a speech, according to a Kremlin transcript.

    “People who came to our country really felt safe and were able to calmly and comfortably travel between cities and the country as a whole to watch their favourite teams at stadiums and fan zones,” Putin said.

     

  • BREAKING: France defeat Croatia, lift 2018 World Cup trophy

    BREAKING: France defeat Croatia, lift 2018 World Cup trophy

    France has won the World Cup by defeating Croatia 4-2 in Moscow.

    It is the second World Cup trophy for France since the tournament was held in the nation back in 1998.

    With an average age of 26, France had the second youngest team in the tournament, and their golden generation featuring Paul Pogba, Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe are set to return home as heroes.

    Croatia took charge of proceedings in the first ten minutes but the French side went ahead after Mario Mandzukic flicked the ball onto his own net at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.

    Ivan Perisic then levelled things up for Croatia in the 28th minute before he handled the ball in his box to give Didier Deschamp’s team a penalty which Antoine Griezmann clinically put away.

    Paul Pogba and Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe netted a goal each as the second-half began to put the game beyond the reach of their opponents.

    However, a moment of ”madness” from Hugo Lloris handed the Croats a lifeline but the 1998 champions sat back to see off the game, exorcising the demons of their 2006 loss in Germany.

  • World Cup Ends Today; Or Does It? – Tony Ajero

    World Cup Ends Today; Or Does It? – Tony Ajero

    By Tony Ajero

    Today, the curtain falls on this once-in-four years global fiesta. More than 3.2 billion people (the population that saw the 2014 edition) will follow the France Croatia battle for the best soccer playing nation in the world. Croatia have never won it. France have – once when they hosted it in 1998. And they beat Croatia on the way to that triumph that placed them among only eight nations ever to win this cup.

    This game will be won in three key battles: Croatia’s Modric and Frenchman Kante – who will be at his best today in the midfield? Modric, with his first best position in distance covered and recoveries, and third in passes completed in this World Cup seems better placed. Yet, Kante who gives over one hundred percent in work rate cannot be discounted. Mandzukic and Mbappe – who will bring the sublime to play today? The other key position will be in goalkeeping: Subasic and Lloris – who will keep out the goals and pick the ball from the net the least times?

    My heart goes to Croatia, if only for variety and hope. The French team will not want to lose another final after the one nil loss to Portugal in UEFA EURO 2016. Nine members of that losing team will file out today. On the bench, Didier Deschamps will be greatly motivated as a win will make him only the third man to win the world cup as player and coach. They must overcome the four million Croatia citizens who will solidly be behind their team. They have played the most minutes in this world cup. They are blessed with great talent. And they have been building since 1998. A measure of their continuity is that Luka Modric was in the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

    This match up holds some peculiarities: every twenty years a new nation wins the World Cup; yet no team that beats Nigeria in the run up to the finals has ever won the Cup. The first favours Croatia, the second France. Scant consolation for us – after all the hype, hope and hoopla, we are back home.

    Football: Sports, or Money, or Politics…?

    Serious nations are already working towards Qatar 2022, but the serious contenders started their Qatar preparations eight years ago. Nigeria is also seriously preparing – for failure. With Pinnick in FIFA, and Giwa in Abuja, the bell tolls for another hammer. And therefrom all sorts of hiccups in participating in qualifiers and competitions. Why all these fights?

    Simple answer is Money. Money. Money. $1.5 million is awarded to all 32 teams as participation bonus. Teams who lose at the group stage pocket $8 million each. At the first knockout phase, each home-bound team pockets $12 million. Quarter finalists receive $16 million. The world’s fourth best team gets $22 million, third placed team gets $24 million, losing finalists $28 million and the winners become $38 million richer.

    So, NFF got a minimum of $9.5 million this year. Layer atop all these money, marketing rights include the kits, official brand series etc, and we would be in the region of five billion naira. The battle is not about football principles. It is about the money. Yet, we are only scratching the surface. If only we had the right vision to, like the real players, target the big money.

     

  • Super Eagles’ early exit from World Cup still hurts – Balogun

    Super Eagles defender, Leon Balogun, is still haunted by the team’s early ouster from the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

    Gernot Rohr’s men failed to progress to the knockout round following a 2-1 defeat against Argentina in their last group game.

    The West Africans opened their account in Russia with a 2-0 loss to Croatia but bounced back to record a 2-0 win against Iceland in their second game.

    Balogun featured in all four games for the Super Eagles in Russia.

    “Better late than never, but never late is better. It’s been 2 weeks since this exciting journey has ended for my team and me. Reminiscing it’s still painful, I won’t lie. But life goes on and it gives you so many reasons to smile,” he wrote on Instagram page.

    “Meanwhile I turned 30 (thx for all the messages), am about to start a new chapter in Brighton and there will be a new world champion soon making their nation proud.

    “I will be forever grateful for this invaluable experience with the Super Eagles. So this is to say thank you to my team, the complete staff, to everyone who was part of this great journey and supported us. To Russia and its people for their great hospitality.

    “And last but not least, THANK YOU Nigeria for the endless support. It’s been a great honour representing you and we hope we could make you proud.
    We will continue to strive for greatness in the future so one day we can hopefully bring a trophy back home”.

  • France out to rectify Euro 2016 mistakes in World Cup final – Pogba

    France out to rectify Euro 2016 mistakes in World Cup final – Pogba

    France are determined not to make the same mistakes they did two years ago in losing the Euro 2016 final.

    France will take on Croatia for the biggest prize in football, and midfielder Paul Pogba said on Thursday that he wants the team to banish their 2016 devil.

    France face the Croats in the World Cup final at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium on Sunday, but they are rejecting the favourites tag which cost them dearly two years ago, he said.

    The French beat Germany in the Euro 2016 semi-final setting up an encounter in Paris against then-underdogs Portugal, who stunned them 1-0 in extra time to win the continental title.

    “We are conscious of the situation, we do not want to make the same mistakes like two years ago.

    “We want to work for it, to give everything we have to take this Cup home,” Pogba told reporters.

    “I think at the Euro we thought it was already a done deal, the mentality was not the same as now.

    “I cannot lie that when we beat Germany we thought that was the final. I know the taste of losing a final. I don’t want it to happen again.

    “Against Portugal we thought we had won it before the start of the game. That will not happen again.”

    France have been improving throughout the tournament and have beat Argentina, Uruguay and Belgium in the knockout rounds without needing extra time or penalties.

    Croatia needed spot kicks to advance against Denmark in the last 16 and against Russia in the quarter-finals.

    “They then came from a goal down against England on Wednesday to win 2-1 in extra time.

    “That is not a sign of a struggling team, according to Pogba, but one that has a lot of talent.

    “The Croats had a very difficult match and they were behind. But they are mentally very strong. There are two teams in the final, a Cup and there are 90 minutes more.

    “For us, we are not the favourites. We stay as we are from the start of the tournament. We have no doubts, we play together, that’s our strength. We are chasing something and will do everything to succeed.”

    France, world champions in 1998 after beating Croatia in the semis, are in their third World Cup final. It is unknown territory for Croatia however.

    “For sure the Croats they want the star (for winning the title) they have had a good run.

    “They want to win. But I have no star either although there is one on my shirt. I want mine.”

    Pogba said while Croatia midfielder Luka Modric was their driving force the French plan would not be limited to stopping the Real Madrid playmaker.

    “The Croats are not just Modric. They have (Mario) Mandzukic, (Ivan) Rakitic and (Ivan) Perisic,” Pogba said.

    “Even their defenders are outstanding players. I don’t think there is a plan just for Modric. The plan is to win the match.”

    Reuters/NAN

  • BREAKING: Croatia through to 2018 World Cup final

    BREAKING: Croatia through to 2018 World Cup final

    Croatia defeat England 2-1 on Wednesday to advance into 2018 FIFA World Cup final.

    England’s bid to reach a first World Cup final since 1966 came to an end in the last four as they lost in extra time to Croatia in Moscow.

    Juventus striker Mario Mandzukic scored the winning goal in the 109th minute, slotting in from Ivan Perisic’s flick-on into the area.

    Perisic’s volley sent the match into extra time after Kieran Trippier had given England a fifth-minute lead with a sublime free-kick.

    Unfancied before the competition, Gareth Southgate’s young side defied expectations by reaching the semi-finals, but were undone by an experienced Croatia side.

    England, playing in their first World Cup semi-final since 1990, got the perfect start through Trippier’s brilliant free-kick and Croatia were finding it extremely difficult to deal with England’s high-tempo game.

    Harry Kane could have doubled the lead but was denied by goalkeeper Danijel Subasic and Jesse Lingard placed a shot wide from a good position.

    Croatia grew into the game in the second half and equalised through Perisic, and the Inter Milan winger hit the post with a low drive shortly after.

    In extra time John Stones saw a header cleared off the line, while Pickford made a brilliant save from Mandzukic’s close range effort – but the Everton man could do nothing about the winner.

    England will now play Belgium in Saturday’s third/fourth place play-off in St Petersburg.

  • England face toughest World Cup test against Croatia – Southgate

    England face toughest World Cup test against Croatia – Southgate

    Gareth Southgate has warned that England’s semi-final against Croatia will be his side’s toughest test at the World Cup so far.

    The Three Lions’ run to the final four has included victories in 90 minutes over Tunisia, Panama and Sweden, a penalty shootout win against Colombia, and a defeat to Belgium.

    England play Croatia in Moscow on Wednesday night with a place in only their second major tournament final on the line.

    Their opponents can count on Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic and Mario Mandzukic, and Southgate clearly respects the talent in the Croatian ranks.

    He said: “They’ll be the best team we’ve played in terms of what they’re capable of doing with the ball, and what their individuals are capable of, definitely.

    “For us as a team, it’s another chance to create a small piece of history.

    “We’ve got to keep getting over those hurdles and I know we talked about the success of the younger teams but this is a much harder, much bigger level for the players and the belief is building as things are happening.

    “The more of these tests we can come through, the better, not just for now, but moving forward.”

    England’s run to the semi-finals of the World Cup is the first time they have reached that stage since 1990.

    The team’s rare success at a major tournament has captured the nation’s attention, but Southgate says – regardless of how far England go – that his life will remain the same.

    “Let me tell you, whether we win or lose the game, my life will not change”, he said. “I will go home, take the dogs for a run, disappear to Yorkshire, but it is of course a chance to be involved in something incredibly special.

    “I have been in sport in different areas for long enough to know what my life is day to day. I will get more attention and it won’t be easy to go out for meals if I am in certain places but it won’t change my view on the world or the things I attempt to do.”

    Sky Sports