Hosts Germany received a major boost with news that defender Antonio Rudiger will be fit for Saturday's Euro 2024 last-16 clash with Denmark, having missed training sessions this week with a hamstring strain.
Rudiger's potential absence was a concern for Germany, who are already without fellow centre-back Jonathan Tah, who misses the game through suspension.
Real Madrid defender Rudiger was in high spirits at Friday's training session, joking with Jamal Musiala while doing laps of the pitch at the German training base in Herzogenaurach.
Rudiger injured his hamstring towards the end of Germany's 1-1 draw with Switzerland in the final group game but played on and completed the match.
Nico Schlotterbeck, who faced off against Rudiger in the Champions League final with club side Borussia Dortmund, will take Tah's place in central defence.
Schlotterbeck will be playing on his home pitch at Signal Iduna Park on Saturday (11pm UAE), and he believes it is the perfect venue for the tournament hosts to ride a wave of partisan support against the Danes.
"I think the stadium is something very special because it’s simply the biggest in Germany, the most atmospheric in Germany," said Schlotterbeck. "We have triggered a little euphoria in Germany and are now trying to spread it. And I think if we play a good game, then all the fans will be happy and can cheer us on.”
Having eased to victory against Scotland and Hungary in their opening two group games, Germany had to scramble for a point against the Swiss, needing a late headed equaliser from substitute Niclas Fullkrug. Taking a positive view, manager Julian Nagelsmann believes that experience of mild jeopardy will help them prosper as they transition to knockout football.
He said: "We took a lot of risks [in the final stages against Switzerland]. It was a very good test for the knockout games and a good sign that we can come back. There is a special spirit in this squad. We need to maintain that, as it can have a big impact. The law of a tournament is that the opponents tend to get better the further you go."
The Danes, meanwhile, are sweating on the fitness of midfielder Christian Eriksen, who did not take to the pitch in their pre-match training session. A spokesperson from the Danish FA said Eriksen had taken part in a gym workout instead.
Kasper Hjulmand, the Denmark coach, accepts their status as outsiders, but says they have a game plan to upset the hosts.
"We have to trust our own tactics," he said. "We have to get the ball away from them and give them something to think about. We have to show who we are all the way through and play with courage. We are the underdogs, but are going to use this psychology to our advantage and apply pressure on Germany. As I have said from the start, we can go into this game feeling relaxed and just give it all we have got."
Switzerland coach Yakin backs side to eliminate holders Italy
In the earlier game on Saturday, Switzerland face Italy in Berlin (8pm UAE), with boss Murat Yakin confident his "in-form" side can dump out the holders.
"Italy have some great players, so it will be a big challenge," he said. "We're staying focused on ourselves, but also need to make sure we're prepared for the strengths and weaknesses that Italy have.
"What makes them dangerous is that they can play in a number of different ways. But, they will also be worried about us. We're in good form, are unpredictable and will try to come out on top of this game."
Italy set up the Round of 16 tie with a last-minute equaliser from Mattia Zaccagni in their final group game – a 1-1 draw which eliminated opponents Croatia.
Coach Luciano Spalletti said the result should inspire confidence, even it revealed they have much to improve on.
"We brought home a point from a very difficult game against Croatia; the lads did something extraordinary, particularly from the mental point of view.
"We have to congratulate them, but we also have things that we have to review and try to improve. Sometimes the mistakes they make are the result of too much commitment and desire. We don't have many players who are used to these competitions."
Euro 2024 Round of 16 in full
Saturday, June 29 Switzerland v Italy (Berlin, 8pm UAE) Germany v Denmark (Dortmund, 11pm)
Sunday, June 30 England v Slovakia (Gelsenkirchen, 8pm) Spain v Georgia (Cologne, 11pm)
Monday, July 1 France v Belgium (Dusseldorf, 8pm) Portugal v Slovenia (Frankfurt, 11pm)
Tuesday, July 2 Romania v Netherlands (Munich, 8pm) Austria v Turkey (Leipzig, 11pm)
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Director: Dean Fleischer Camp
Rating: 4.5/5
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Final scores
18 under: Tyrrell Hatton (ENG)
- 14: Jason Scrivener (AUS)
-13: Rory McIlroy (NIR)
-12: Rafa Cabrera Bello (ESP)
-11: David Lipsky (USA), Marc Warren (SCO)
-10: Tommy Fleetwood (ENG), Chris Paisley (ENG), Matt Wallace (ENG), Fabrizio Zanotti (PAR)
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Match info
Bournemouth 0
Liverpool 4 (Salah 25', 48', 76', Cook 68' OG)
Man of the match: Andrew Robertson (Liverpool)
BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES
SolarWinds supply chain attack: Came to light in December 2020 but had taken root for several months, compromising major tech companies, governments and its entities
Microsoft Exchange server exploitation: March 2021; attackers used a vulnerability to steal emails
Kaseya attack: July 2021; ransomware hit perpetrated REvil, resulting in severe downtime for more than 1,000 companies
Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Lamsa
Founder: Badr Ward
Launched: 2014
Employees: 60
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: EdTech
Funding to date: $15 million
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Scoreline:
Manchester City 1
Jesus 4'
Brighton 0
THE BIO
Family: I have three siblings, one older brother (age 25) and two younger sisters, 20 and 13
Favourite book: Asking for my favourite book has to be one of the hardest questions. However a current favourite would be Sidewalk by Mitchell Duneier
Favourite place to travel to: Any walkable city. I also love nature and wildlife
What do you love eating or cooking: I’m constantly in the kitchen. Ever since I changed the way I eat I enjoy choosing and creating what goes into my body. However, nothing can top home cooked food from my parents.
Favorite place to go in the UAE: A quiet beach.
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
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MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
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THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Mountain%20Boy
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%3Cp%3E%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thenationalnews.com%2Ftravel%2F2023%2F01%2F12%2Fwhat-does-it-take-to-be-cabin-crew-at-one-of-the-worlds-best-airlines-in-2023%2F%22%20target%3D%22_self%22%3EEtihad%20Airways%20%3C%2Fa%3Eflies%20daily%20to%20the%20Maldives%20from%20Abu%20Dhabi.%20The%20journey%20takes%20four%20hours%20and%20return%20fares%20start%20from%20Dh3%2C995.%20Opt%20for%20the%203am%20flight%20and%20you%E2%80%99ll%20land%20at%206am%2C%20giving%20you%20the%20entire%20day%20to%20adjust%20to%20island%20time.%20%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERound%20trip%20speedboat%20transfers%20to%20the%20resort%20are%20bookable%20via%20Anantara%20and%20cost%20%24265%20per%20person.%20%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg
Rating: 4/5
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Etihad (etihad.com) flies from Abu Dhabi to Mykonos, with a flight change to its partner airline Olympic Air in Athens. Return flights cost from Dh4,105 per person, including taxes.
Where to stay
The modern-art-filled Ambassador hotel (myconianambassador.gr) is 15 minutes outside Mykonos Town on a hillside 500 metres from the Platis Gialos Beach, with a bus into town every 30 minutes (a taxi costs €15 [Dh66]). The Nammos and Scorpios beach clubs are a 10- to 20-minute walk (or water-taxi ride) away. All 70 rooms have a large balcony, many with a Jacuzzi, and of the 15 suites, five have a plunge pool. There’s also a private eight-bedroom villa. Double rooms cost from €240 (Dh1,063) including breakfast, out of season, and from €595 (Dh2,636) in July/August.
Zayed Sustainability Prize
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Deccan Gladiators 87-8
Asif Khan 25, Dwayne Bravo 2-16
Maratha Arabians 89-2
Chadwick Walton 51 not out
Arabians won the final by eight wickets
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Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
FA Cup fifth round draw
Sheffield Wednesday v Manchester City
Reading/Cardiff City v Sheffield United
Chelsea v Shrewsbury Town/Liverpool
West Bromwich Albion v Newcastle United/Oxford United
Leicester City v Coventry City/Birmingham City
Northampton Town/Derby County v Manchester United
Southampton/Tottenham Hotspur v Norwich City
Portsmouth v Arsenal
The Ashes
Results
First Test, Brisbane: Australia won by 10 wickets
Second Test, Adelaide: Australia won by 120 runs
Third Test, Perth: Australia won by an innings and 41 runs
Fourth Test: Melbourne: Drawn
Fifth Test: Australia won by an innings and 123 runs
The five pillars of Islam
