Tag: ESP

Superb Girona stun champions Barca to lead La Liga

By Rik Sharma BARCELONA, Dec 10, 2023 (AFP) – Shock Spanish title contenders Girona earned a historic 4-2 win over rivals Barcelona on Sunday to move top of La Liga, with coach Michel saying he believes his team can beat any opponent. Girona defeated their Catalan rivals for the first time ever in the top flight in a pulsating battle to rise two points above Real Madrid, second, after their 1-1 draw at Real Betis […]

Bagnaia gains advantage over MotoGP title rival Martin

VALENCIA, Spain, Nov 25, 2023 (AFP) – Defending champion Francesco Bagnaia landed a significant blow on his title rival Jorge Martin in securing second spot on the grid for both the sprint race and Sunday’s Valencia MotoGP. Ducati rider Bagnaia will start on the front row alongside Spanish pole-sitter Maverick Vinales for the sprint later on Saturday, where depending on the result he could secure a second successive crown. The Italian leads Ducati-Primac’s Martin by […]

‘Angry’ Spain promise response to World Cup drubbing

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AFP) — Spain coach Jorge Vilda says his “angry” players can shake off the mental scars of a 4-0 mauling from Japan and be a force in the knockout stages of the Women’s World Cup. The sixth-ranked Spanish were left shellshocked by a Japan side who topped Group C with a brilliant counter-attacking display in Wellington on Monday, handing the Europeans their heaviest defeat in 11 years. Vilda is confident his squad […]

Spain morale is sky high after Italy win: coach

ENSCHEDE, Netherlands, June 15, 2023 (AFP) — Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said his team’s morale was “sky high” after they beat Italy on Thursday to reach the Nations League final against Croatia. La Roja snatched a late winner through Joselu after Italy’s Ciro Immobile cancelled out Yeremy Pino’s opening goal. The coach had been criticized heavily after his first two matches in March, the second of which was a defeat by Scotland. “(I […]

Samurai spirit: Japan explodes with World Cup joy

by Harumi OZAWA / Atish PATEL Agence France-Presse TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — As the final whistle blew on Japan’s shock victory over Spain, thrilled fans flooded onto Tokyo’s Shibuya Scramble crossing to celebrate a win few had dared to dream of. “Japan, bravo! Japan, bravo!”, they cheered after the 2-1 victory, singing the popular “Vamos Nippon” football chant and waving the country’s flag. Dressed in their team’s blue kit, some with hats against the morning […]

‘Total loss of control’ a warning for Spain: Luis Enrique

DOHA, Qatar (AFP) — Spain coach Luis Enrique blamed five minutes of “total loss of control” for his team’s shock 2-1 defeat by Japan on Thursday, which saw them qualify for the World Cup last 16 second from Group E. La Roja, among the favorites to win the tournament, would have been eliminated if Costa Rica had held on to beat Germany, although Los Ticos eventually fell to a 4-2 defeat. Alvaro Morata sent Spain […]

Wuhan football team land in Spain despite virus fears

  MADRID, Spain (AFP) — Chinese football team Wuhan Zall were allowed to enter Spain on Wednesday for a training camp near Malaga, despite fears of spreading the coronavirus. The virus broke out in December in Wuhan in central China and has already killed 132 people and infected 5,974 in the country’s mainland. Yet Wuhan Zall, who play in the Chinese Super League, have been given permission to land in southern Spain, where they have […]

Ronaldo sent off but 10-man Juventus ease past Valencia

  by Thomas Allnut Agence France Presse VALENCIA, Spain (AFP) — Juventus believe they can win the Champions League with Cristiano Ronaldo, but they had to start by beating Valencia without him after he was controversially sent off on his debut in the competition for the Italian champions on Wednesday. A tearful Ronaldo left the pitch in disbelief in the 29th minute, having aimed a petulant, but seemingly harmless, kick at Valencia defender Jeison Murillo. […]