黑料社区

Joaquin Niemann and Cameron Smith target more success at season-opening LIV Golf Riyadh

Joaquin Niemann and Cameron Smith target more success at season-opening LIV Golf Riyadh
Cameron Smith of Ripper GC hits his shot from the first tee during the first round of LIV Golf Jeddah 2024 in King Abdullah Economic City. (LIV Golf)
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Updated 29 January 2025

Joaquin Niemann and Cameron Smith target more success at season-opening LIV Golf Riyadh

Joaquin Niemann and Cameron Smith target more success at season-opening LIV Golf Riyadh
  • Chilean and Australian stars are ready to reignite battle in 2025 following dramatic playoff finish at Riyadh Golf Club in December

RIYADH:聽Torque GC captain聽Joaquin Niemann聽returns to 黑料社区 for the 2025 LIV Golf season opener in Riyadh with fond memories of competing in the Kingdom.

The Chilean star landed the LIV Golf Jeddah title in the third event of the 2024 LIV Golf season, a month after lifting the LIV Golf Mayakoba trophy.

While the venue for the tournament in 黑料社区 has moved to Riyadh this year, Niemann knows how to win there too. Only last month, he claimed victory at the PIF Saudi International powered by Softbank Investment Advisors at Riyadh Golf Club, the 10th and final International Series event of 2024, where he beat Cameron Smith in a dramatic playoff.

Arab News spoke to the two players in the run-up to this year鈥檚 event.

AN: Looking ahead to 2025, how are you preparing to defend your title in 黑料社区, and what鈥檚 your mindset going into LIV Golf鈥檚 first event in Riyadh?

JN:聽鈥淚鈥檓 pretty excited. I played there for the Saudi International back in December, so we were able to see the course and what it was going to be like. I think it鈥檚 going to be similar weather, too, so I鈥檓 excited to go back. There were good crowds, so it鈥檚 going to be a fun week.鈥

AN: What did the victory in Riyadh at the International Series event in December signify for you, and what does it feel like to have twice won in Saudi now?

JN: 鈥淚t was pretty special. I feel like it was an interesting week because I was playing great, I felt like I had a great chance and I was almost getting it done on the last couple of holes but then it got a little bit complicated, Cam was playing great. It was a good experience. I played great on those playoff holes. I struggled on a few short putts but that鈥檚 part of it. It was great.鈥

AN: Having claimed two titles in Saudi, you鈥檝e built a strong connection with the region, what do you enjoy most about playing and competing in Saudi 鈥 both on and off the course?

JN:聽鈥淚鈥檝e been playing great in Saudi. I don鈥檛 know鈥 I just like Saudi, I think.

Australia鈥檚聽Cameron Smith, meanwhile,聽returns to Riyadh Golf Club determined to go one better after his near miss at the event in December. The 2022 Open Champion led Ripper GC to Team Championship glory last season and is seeking a strong start to their title defense.

AN:聽Heading into LIV Golf Riyadh having finished as runner-up in the recent PIF Saudi International at Riyadh Golf Club, do you feel there鈥檚 any unfinished business to see to?

CS: 鈥淚 really wasn鈥檛 expecting to finish where I finished on that last day, I had a great last day. It was such a blur, and I wasn鈥檛 expecting it. I like the golf course, it鈥檚 a golf course that lends itself well to me. There are plenty of wedges and plenty of birdie opportunities, so hopefully I can get back there and start the season off well and walk away with the trophy.鈥


Soccer-Defender Hernandez joins Al-Hilal from Milan

Soccer-Defender Hernandez joins Al-Hilal from Milan
Updated 6 sec ago

Soccer-Defender Hernandez joins Al-Hilal from Milan

Soccer-Defender Hernandez joins Al-Hilal from Milan
  • The 27-year-old French defender joins Al-Hilal on a three-year deal

Theo Hernandez has completed his transfer from AC Milan to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, both clubs confirmed on Thursday.
The 27-year-old French defender joins Al-Hilal on a three-year deal, ending a six-season spell at the San Siro after arriving from Real Madrid in 2019.
The move had been expected, after Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri stated on Monday that Hernandez would not be part of the squad next season.
He will now be playing under former Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi who took over the club in early June. 


Swiss move through to Euro 2025 quarterfinals with late Xhemaili goal

Swiss move through to Euro 2025 quarterfinals with late Xhemaili goal
Updated 11 July 2025

Swiss move through to Euro 2025 quarterfinals with late Xhemaili goal

Swiss move through to Euro 2025 quarterfinals with late Xhemaili goal
  • Switzerland, who needed only a draw to advance based on goal difference, finished second in Group A behind Norway to go through to the knockout round for the first time
  • The desolate Finland players collapsed to the pitch in tears at the final whistle, while the Swiss lingered after the game鈥檚 end to pose for pictures

GENEVA: Switzerland鈥檚 Riola Xhemaili scored a last-gasp goal to salvage a dramatic 1-1 draw with Finland on Thursday that sent the joyous hosts through to the quarterfinals at Euro 2025, and heartbroken Finland home.

Switzerland, who needed only a draw to advance based on goal difference, finished second in Group A behind Norway to go through to the knockout round for the first time, and will face the winners of Group B, which would be world champions Spain as things stand now.

鈥淚 think we set ourselves a goal on the pitch, to write history, to go into the knockout stages, which we鈥檝e never done before,鈥 Swiss captain Lia Walti said.

Finland looked to be heading for the knockout round after Natalia Kuikka scored a penalty in the 79th minute, awarded after Viola Calligaris鈥檚 foul on Emma Koivisto. Center-back Kuikka calmly slotted home a low shot as Swiss goalkeeper Livia Peng dived the wrong way.

But, roared on by the home crowd, the Swiss kept up the attack in the breathless dying moments and Xhemaili, a second-half substitute, scored in the 92nd minute when Geraldine Reuteler mis-hit her shot on goal and Xhemaili was there to tap it in, blowing the roof off at Stade de Geneve.

鈥淚 really have to say that I didn鈥檛 think that we鈥檙e going home because I really believed in this team, until the last second, and I knew we were going to score,鈥 Xhemaili said.

鈥淚 knew that Geraldine Reuteler, she will hit the target, of course, because she鈥檚 one of our best players, so I was like, just stay on the right spot in the right moment and wait until the ball is coming and it did.鈥

The desolate Finland players collapsed to the pitch in tears at the final whistle, while the Swiss lingered after the game鈥檚 end to pose for pictures and their famed manager Pia Sundhage wrapped her assistants in huge hugs.

But for most of the nervy night, the game was far from a classic, with desperation showing in both sides with the stakes sky high.

Switzerland started brightly and put Finnish goalkeeper Anna Koivunen to work early with a couple of chances. But momentum shifted midway through the half to quiet the nervous crowd and Peng made a huge save on the goal-line seconds before the break to preserve the draw.

Intensity picked up over the second half and Sundhage threw virtually every attacker on her bench into the game in search of the equalizer, with the Swiss ending the night with 15 shots to Finland鈥檚 six.

鈥淚 am going to dance tonight,鈥 a smiling Sundhage told SRF.

Kuikka said Switzerland were the better team on the night.

鈥淭hey came to the game like they wanted to win and it kind of showed,鈥 she said.


Healy wins hilly 6th stage, Van der Poel takes yellow jersey from Pogacar at Tour de France

Healy wins hilly 6th stage, Van der Poel takes yellow jersey from Pogacar at Tour de France
Updated 11 July 2025

Healy wins hilly 6th stage, Van der Poel takes yellow jersey from Pogacar at Tour de France

Healy wins hilly 6th stage, Van der Poel takes yellow jersey from Pogacar at Tour de France
  • The 24-year-old Healy had won a stage on the Giro d鈥橧talia before, but this was his first victory at cycling鈥檚 showcase race
  • The Slovenian star accelerated at the end of the stage but could not quite do enough to stop the yellow jersey going to the 30-year-old Dutchman Van der Poel, who is not considered a race contender

VIRE NORMANDIE, France: Irish rider Ben Healy won a hilly sixth stage of the Tour de France after a long solo breakaway on Thursday and Mathieu van der Poel took back the yellow jersey from defending champion Tadej Pogacar by one second.

The 24-year-old Healy had won a stage on the Giro d鈥橧talia before, but this was his first victory at cycling鈥檚 showcase race.

鈥淎 stage win in the Tour is just unbelievable, it鈥檚 what I鈥檝e worked for,鈥 he said. 鈥淚 grew up watching the Tour and wishing one day I could just be there. Participating in the Tour is already an achievement and to win a stage is just so so amazing.鈥

American rider Quinn Simmons finished 2 minutes, 44 seconds behind Healy in second place and Australian Michael Storer was 2:51 back in third spot.

Van der Poel finished eighth, and Pogacar was a little further back in ninth.

Stage 6 took riders over 201.5 kilometers (125 miles) from Bayeux to Vire Normandie, featuring six minor climbs before a sharp uphill finish with a 10 percent gradient.

The Slovenian star accelerated at the end of the stage but could not quite do enough to stop the yellow jersey going to the 30-year-old Dutchman Van der Poel, who is not considered a race contender.

鈥淚 would have loved to have a bit more than one second but I鈥檓 happy to have it again,鈥 said Van der Poel, who struggled with the heat. 鈥淚鈥檒l try my best to recover as good as possible and then we鈥檒l see tomorrow, but first I鈥檓 going to enjoy the yellow jersey. I will probably only have it for one day.鈥

Two-time Tour winner Jonas Vingegaard finished 10th, just behind Pogacar, and is fifth overall.

The route favored allrounders and an experienced-looking eight-rider breakaway, including Stage 2 winner Van der Poel and Giro d鈥橧talia champion Simon Yates, pulled away from the yellow jersey group around three-time Tour winner Pogacar.

Riding through rolling countryside they opened up a four-minute lead with 40 kilometers to go, which is when Healy decided to go for the stage win and pulled away from his rivals, who could not follow.

鈥淭oday鈥檚 stage really suited me, I had circled this day from the start,鈥 Healy said. 鈥淚 knew I needed to get away from the group, I think I timed it well and I caught them by surprise a little bit. Then I knew what I had to do: just put my head down.鈥

Friday鈥檚 stage is also hilly

Stage 7 is 197 kilometers long, starting from the port city of Saint-Malo and finishing with a climb up M没r-de-Bretagne in Britanny鈥檚 picturesque C么tes-d鈥橝rmor department.

鈥淲hen you see how Tadej is riding,鈥 Van der Poel said, 鈥渋f he attacks tomorrow, or Jonas as well, it will be very difficult not only for me but for the whole bunch to follow on this climb.鈥


Wenger defends Club World Cup amid Klopp criticism

Wenger defends Club World Cup amid Klopp criticism
Updated 11 July 2025

Wenger defends Club World Cup amid Klopp criticism

Wenger defends Club World Cup amid Klopp criticism
  • Wenger: Everyone is entitled to an opinion, and I don鈥檛 share Jurgen Klopp鈥檚 view at all. I feel that a Club World Cup, a REAL Club World Cup was needed
  • Wenger also pointed to the unexpectedly high attendance figures as evidence of the competition鈥檚 success

NEW YORK: Arsene Wenger has dismissed Jurgen Klopp鈥檚 criticism of FIFA鈥檚 revamped 32-team Club World Cup, calling the tournament a 鈥渇antastic competition鈥 and emphasizing the support it has received from participating teams, players, and managers.

Klopp, the former Liverpool manager, described the expanded summer competition as 鈥渢he worst idea ever invented鈥 in an interview with German newspaper Die Welt two weeks ago. Wenger, now FIFA鈥檚 chief of Global Football Development, countered these remarks on Thursday during a FIFA Technical Study Group (TSG) briefing in New York.

鈥淓veryone is entitled to an opinion, and I don鈥檛 share Jurgen Klopp鈥檚 view at all,鈥 Wenger told reporters. 鈥淚 feel that a Club World Cup, a REAL Club World Cup was needed. If you make an inquiry today with all the clubs who were here at this competition, I鈥檓 basically sure that we have 100 percent of answers of people who want to do this again. So that鈥檚 basically the best answer.鈥

Wenger also pointed to the unexpectedly high attendance figures as evidence of the competition鈥檚 success. 鈥淭he decisive question is, do the fans like it? Attendance projections were low, but in reality, they were much higher. The answer is there,鈥 he added.

The tournament has provided FIFA with a testing ground ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will take place across North America. Wenger acknowledged that the summer heat in the US posed challenges but said FIFA has learned valuable lessons to address these issues.

鈥淭he heat in some games was a problem,鈥 Wenger admitted. 鈥淲e tried to combat that with cooling breaks and watering the pitches during breaks. We learned a lot on that front.鈥

He singled out Orlando as one of the venues where pitch conditions proved difficult, though he praised the quality of natural grass pitches overall. Philadelphia鈥檚 surface, he said, would serve as a benchmark for future competitions in the US.

Looking ahead, Wenger said FIFA is considering using covered stadiums in cities such as Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, and Houston to host early matches in next year鈥檚 tournaments. He also revealed that FIFA analysts have studied the impact of heat on player performance, finding that temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) affect high-speed running and sprints more than overall distances covered.

鈥淐ertainly next year, there will be more roofed stadiums as we have to follow the TV schedule. We are learning to be better equipped to deal with these conditions,鈥 Wenger said.

The inaugural 32-team Club World Cup concludes on Sunday, with Paris St. Germain taking on Chelsea in the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.


Tottenham signs forward Mohammed Kudus from West Ham

Tottenham signs forward Mohammed Kudus from West Ham
Updated 11 July 2025

Tottenham signs forward Mohammed Kudus from West Ham

Tottenham signs forward Mohammed Kudus from West Ham

LONDON: Tottenham completed the signing of Ghana forward Mohammed Kudus from West Ham on Thursday and was reportedly close to adding Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White as well.
Tottenham did not disclose details of the deal for Kudus but British media said it was worth 55 million pounds . The 24-year-old Kudus scored 19 goals in 80 appearances for West Ham during a two-year spell after joining from Ajax.
Tottenham is rebuilding under new coach Thomas Frank and Gibbs-White was reportedly set to have a medical at Tottenham ahead of a proposed 60-million  transfer.
Gibbs-White joined Forest in the summer of 2022 following their promotion to the Premier League and was instrumental in delivering European football to the club for the first time since 1996, with seven goals and eight assists in 34 Premier League games this past season.