Sports
UEFA Champions League Play-Off Draw Announced
The anticipation builds for the final step before the group stages as the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League play-off round draw was conducted on Monday, August 5, at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland.
The draw, which took place at 12:00 CET, revealed the matchups scheduled for August 20/21 and 27/28, where teams will compete for a coveted spot in the main event of the prestigious tournament.
PUNCH Online obtained this information from an official release on the UCL website on Monday night, titled “UEFA Champions League play-off round draw.”
Here is the complete list of the draw:
– Young Boys Bern (SUI) vs. Galatasaray (TUR)
– Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) vs. Qarabag (AZE) or Ludogorets (BUL)
– Midtjylland (DEN) or Ferencvaros (HUN) vs. Slovan Bratislava (SVK) or APOEL Nicosia (CYP)
– Jagiellonia Bialystok (POL) or Bodo/Glimt (NOR) vs. Crvena Zvezda (SRB)
– Malmo (SWE) or PAOK (GRE) vs. Sparta Prague (CZE) or Steaua Bucharest (ROU)
– Lille (FRA) or Fenerbahce (TUR) vs Slavia Prague (CZE) or Union Saint-Gilloise (BEL)
– Dynamo Kyiv (UKR) or Rangers (SCO) vs. RB Salzburg (AUT) or Twente (NED)
According to our correspondent, the UEFA Champions League play-off round draw adheres to specific procedures to ensure fairness. Teams compete in home and away matches in a knockout format.
An equal number of seeded and unseeded clubs are paired based on club coefficient rankings, with restrictions preventing certain teams from facing each other.
In the Champions Path, 10 teams were divided into five seeded and five unseeded categories. In the League Path, four teams were split into two seeded and two unseeded groups.
The draw determines the matchups and home teams for the first legs, with UEFA managing the schedule and kick-off times.
Sports
CAF Confirms Morocco as Host for 2024 Women’s Champions League
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially designated Morocco as the host for the 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League finals. The tournament will take place from November 9 to November 23, as announced on CAF’s official website.
Morocco previously hosted the last edition of this prestigious competition. Among the eight teams competing this year is Nigeria’s champions, Edo Queens. The current title holders are Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa.
The tournament offers significant financial incentives, with winners receiving $400,000 and runners-up taking home $250,000.
Sports
Messi Matches Ronaldo’s Record with Hat-Trick Against Bolivia
Argentina captain Lionel Messi has equaled Cristiano Ronaldo’s record of 10 international hat-tricks after scoring three times in a dominant 6-0 victory against Bolivia in a 2026 World Cup qualifier.
In addition to his goals, the 37-year-old forward also provided two assists, showcasing his playmaking abilities. With this win, Argentina solidifies its position in the South American qualifiers, currently leading the table three points ahead of second-placed Colombia and six points clear of their arch-rivals Brazil.
On the same evening, Ronaldo’s Portugal faced Scotland in the UEFA Nations League but was held to a frustrating 0-0 draw, leaving the superstar visibly upset post-match.
Sports
Mourinho Targets Barcelona’s Ansu Fati for January Transfer to Fenerbahce
Fenerbahce manager, Jose Mourinho, is reportedly planning a January transfer move for Barcelona forward Ansu Fati. After spending last season on loan at Brighton in the Premier League, Fati, now 21, returned to Barcelona but has struggled for game time under new coach Hansi Flick.
Once considered a potential successor to Lionel Messi, Fati’s limited opportunities at Barça have fueled speculation about a possible departure. According to *AS*, Mourinho is keen to bring the Spain international to the Turkish league, offering him the chance for regular football at Fenerbahce.
Fenerbahce’s sporting director, Mario Branco, is expected to initiate discussions with Fati’s representatives soon, confident that the promise of consistent playing time will help secure the forward’s move.
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