Host Germany take on fellow title contenders Spain in their mouth-watering Euro 2024 quarterfinal clash this evening, hoping to end a winless run at tournaments against them that stretches back to 1988.

The Germans are enjoying their best international tournament in eight years with home fans desperate for their first title in a decade but their match against the Spaniards is also seen as a premature final between two of the hottest teams in the competition.

Spain cruised through their group with wingers Lamine Yamal, who is the youngest player to feature at a Euros at 16, and Nico Williams quickly establishing a superb partnership that has terrorised opposing defences with their speed and creative play.

With Fabian Ruiz directing their game, often called “possession with a purpose”, there is a constant drive forward instead of merely holding onto the ball.

Their 4-1 victory over Georgia in the round of 16 confirmed their good form with their fourth win in four matches as they look for a record fourth European title.

The Germans, who have also won the tournament three times, had to dig deep to top their group with a stoppage-time equaliser against Switzerland before their 2-0 knockout stage win over Denmark.
But it is how their defensive organisation copes with Spain’s lethal attacking football that is likely to decide the outcome.

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has a tough decision to make for the left back position, with attack-minded David Raum and Maximilian Mittelstaedt having occupied it in recent games.
Supersport reports that he could potentially opt for a more defensive option in Benjamin Henrichs.
“We should not be hiding against Spain,” said captain Ilkay Gundogan. “As a team we can more than keep up with them. We also have extreme qualities.

“I think the Spaniards have more respect for us than they tend to admit in public.”
The Germans are also up against a 36-year winless run at tournaments against Spain with their last victory dating back to Euro 1988.

They lost the 2010 World Cup semifinal to them as well as the 2008 Euro final while also suffering a 6-0 demolition in the Nations League four years ago.

“I don’t want to offend anyone but we have the best team at this tournament,” said Spain coach Luis de la Fuente. “We are going to fight for it and we know what we have ahead of us, which is Germany.
“It is a well-known German machine. It will be a very close match, but we are very confident of our game.”

Argentina captain, Lionel Messi, missed the first kick of a penalty shoot-out as they beat Ecuador in the 2024 Copa America quarter-final on Thursday night.

The game ended 1-1 after 120 minutes.

Lisandro Martinez had opened the scoring for Albiceleste in the first half, before Kevin Rodriguez equalized in stoppage time.

Messi hit the bar with a failed panenka attempt and was consoled by the Ecuadorian goalkeeper, Alexander Dominguez, in what was a shocking start to the shootout.

However, Emi Martinez saved Messi’s blushes, as he saved twice to seal a 4-2 win and qualification into the semi-finals.

They will face the winner between Venezuela and Canada on Tuesday evening.

A five-day, all-encompassing training programme for Nigeria’s intermediate referees will come to an end with a closing ceremony scheduled for the NFF/FIFA Goal Project, MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Friday.

Classroom sessions for the 40 participants have included group discussions on penalty-area incidents, tactical fouls, recovery strategy, offside, handball and the challenges that confront the men-of-the-whistle. The course began on Monday with a fitness test for all the referees, followed by a clarification of the course objectives and video presentation on modern refereeing.

There have also been on-field sessions with players and mini-matches with players, all with the objective of preparing the intermediate officials for the next step up the ladder to elite level.

On Friday morning, there will be a concluding session on the practical training, as well as a presentation on the new concept for match preparation, before the closing ceremony that commences at 2.30pm.

The overall objectives of the course include identifying, harnessing and nurturing refereeing potentials inherent in the participants, instituting a sustainable development trend through the Young Talent Program, establishing a corp of talented young referees for national and international refereeing programs and ensuring continuous growth and development of refereeing in Nigeria.

The program has been superintended by two FIFA instructors, namely former FIFA referee Felix Tangawarima from Zimbabwe (FIFA Senior Technical Instructor and COSAFA VAR Project Manager) and Mark Mzengo from Malawi (FIFA Fitness Instructor).

On Sunday, 7th July, another five-day course, this time for Nigeria’s elite referees, will commence at the NFF/FIFA Goal Project, MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja. The principal objective of this course, which will also involve 40 participants, is to generally improve the lot of Nigeria’s foremost arbiters.

Yemi Olanrewaju has been appointed as a permanent head coach for the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) side, Enyimba International of Aba.

Olanrewaju took charge of the two-time African champions on an interim basis after Finidi George left the post in May to take charge of Super Eagles.

The young tactician was offered the assistant coaching role by his former boss, Finidi, who is now in charge of Rivers United.

The 32-year-old has however turned down the offer and instead opted to remain at Enyimba.
It is the first time Olanrewaju will be taking charge of a club as a full-time head coach in the Nigerian top flight.

He once worked as an assistant coach at Magate FC, MFM and Vandrezzer.

2021 French Ligue 1 Champions, LOSC Lille, have beaten Anderlecht and other Dutch clubs to win the race for Beyond Limits Football Academy striker, Adeshina Ibrahim Ayodele.

The 18-year-old striker was a part of the Beyond Limits team that defeated Congo’s C.N Brazzaville to become the first African winner of the Viareggio Cup in Italy.

Ayodele scored five goals and provided an assist in that tournament, averaging a goal contribution every fifty minutes.

As per Fabrizio Romano, Victor Osimhen’s former employers have agreed to sign Ayodele for the upcoming 2024/2025 season, although there are still finer details yet to be completed, the move is sealed.

Anderlecht and also Dutch clubs wanted him but now set to join Lille.

Shina was a core member of the Beyond Limits Football Academy team that emerged victorious in the NNL play-offs, securing a promotion to the Nigerian Professional Football League ahead of next season, where they will compete in the Nigerian top tier alongside their parent club, Remo Stars.

Inter Milan’s Ebenezer Akinsanmiro is also a product of the Beyond Limits Football academy.

He made his debut for the 2010 treble winners in the just concluded season.

Ligue 1 club, Lille have agreed a deal to sign Nigerian youngster, Adeshina Ibrahim Ayodele, DAILY POST reports.

The former Ligue 1 champions signed Ayodele from Beyond Limits Academy in Nigeria.

According to transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, Lille beat Belgian club, Anderlecht and a Dutch club to the player.

Victor Osimhen, Vincent Enyeama and Osaze Odemwingie are the three Nigerian players, who have played for Lille in the past.

Ayodele was a key member of the Beyond Limits Football Academy side that emerged victorious in the Nigeria National League (NNL) play-offs, securing promotion to the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) for next season.

The player was a member of the Beyond Limits team that defeated Congo’s C.N Brazzaville to become the first African team to win the Viareggio Cup in Italy.

He scored five goals and provided one assist to help Beyond Limits Academy emerge champions.

Portuguese club Boavista have announced the signing of Nigeria midfielder Ibrahim Alhassan.

Alhassan linked up with Boavista from the Belgian second-division club, Beerschot.

The former Flying Eagles star, who penned a two-year contract, is the club’s first summer signing.

The 27-year-old previously played in Portugal for CD Nacional between 2018 and 2022.

He is now the third Nigerian at Boavista, with Chidozie Awaziem and Bruno Onyemaechi also key parts of the squad.

“I am very happy. Signing for Boavista was an easy decision, firstly because I know how great the club is and also because I have already played in Portugal, which I consider to be my second home,” the 27-year-old said.

“I am very excited about this challenge and I can’t wait to meet my new teammates and start this adventure.

“I usually play as a defensive midfielder, but last season I often played in central defence. I am a team player and I am always available to help my teammates, whatever the position.”