Spain's Pedri under pressure from Domenico Berardi in the Euro 2020 semi-final at Wembley Stadium in London. EPA
Spain's Pedri under pressure from Domenico Berardi in the Euro 2020 semi-final at Wembley Stadium in London. EPA
Spain's Pedri under pressure from Domenico Berardi in the Euro 2020 semi-final at Wembley Stadium in London. EPA
Spain's Pedri under pressure from Domenico Berardi in the Euro 2020 semi-final at Wembley Stadium in London. EPA

Sport

Olympics

Super-charged Pedri eyes Olympic glory with Spain after Euro 2020 heartbreak

Barcelona wonderboy heads into second major tournament of summer on back of a successful first season with Catalan giants

Ian Hawkey
Ian Hawkey

July 22, 2021

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A year ago today, a 17-year-old Pedro Gonzalez Lopez, ‘Pedri’ to his friends, was weighing up options. He had just scored what turned out to be his last goal in the Spanish second division, for Las Palmas. He was due to join Barcelona but there were no certainties where he would fit in.

At his age, he would logically go to Barca B, the feeder team playing in the third tier. There was a possibility he might carry on at Las Palmas, on loan. Pedri announced a higher ambition. “I want to fight for a place in the Barcelona first team,” he said. He was applauded for his drive, and identified as not only a prospect for the future, but a determined one. Yet the future, with his 18th birthday still months away, was being planned in the long term.

Fast forward 12 months and Pedri enters the men’s football at the Olympic Games — a competition that begins on Thursday with Spain against Egypt as a standout fixture — as the tournament’s star. He is the youngest member of a Spain squad rich in talent and know-how. Six of them, including Pedri, were involved in the semi-final of the European Championships only 16 days ago.

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By the end of that epic, lost on a penalty shoot-out against Italy, Pedri had covered more ground in the tournament — over 76km — than any other footballer at Euro 2020. It is perhaps as well for the long-distance athletes gathered in Tokyo he has not been selected for the Olympic marathon too.

It has been a marathon year for the midfielder, who played over 50 times for Barcelona’s first-team in his debut season, inspired a Copa del Rey triumph, and could claim to have played a role in persuading club legend Lionel Messi to remain at Barca. The on-the-pitch complicity between the 34-year-old Argentine and the boyish Canary Islander with the sharp eye for a pass has been an evident joy for Messi.

As for Pedri the international, he made his senior Spain debut only in March, already dubbed 'The New Andres Iniesta'. He was soon undroppable, as trusted as any Spain player to initiate attacks.

By the end of the Euros, he was not only the most voracious runner at the tournament, but also its most positive mover with the ball, if you gauge that by his unmatched number of runs, in possession, into the last third of the pitch. His nomination as Euro 2020s Best Young Player was a given.

Normally, a country’s Olympic team is regarded as a sort of stepping-stone level. The regulations limit squads to only three players over 24, but such has been Pedri’s precocious rise that he could still be in contention for the next Games.

Pedri, centre, and Lionel Messi, right, have linked up well on the pitch at Barcelona. EPA
Pedri, centre, and Lionel Messi, right, have linked up well on the pitch at Barcelona. EPA

His presence in Japan is a bonus for Spain’s Olympic coach, Luis de la Fuente, and viewed with mixed feelings from Camp Nou. An expedition to Japan that had been considered as useful experience for an 18-year-old now looks like a cause of possible fatigue for a player who has accumulated far more experience in the last year than almost anybody imagined possible.

But Pedri operates with supercharged batteries, and there is every hope he will return for the new club season with an Olympic medal that acts as compensation for the heartbreak at Wembley, when Spain went toe-to-toe with Italy over 120 minutes.

Likewise for Dani Olmo, whose superb semi-final at Euro 2020 ended with missing his spot-kick in the shoot-out. Goalkeeper Unai Simon, defenders Eric Garcia and Pau Torres and striker Mikel Oyarzabal are the other Spaniards who have shuttled quickly from the Euros to Japan for a second prestigious tournament of the summer.

“They have all come in and integrated perfectly,” said De la Fuente. “We have a great group of players who I believe will match expectations.”

The head coach acknowledges that Spain look the most competitive, worldly contenders in the 16-team tournament. The likes of Germany, France and Argentina have not leaned on stars from their recent European Championship or Copa America campaigns, while Brazil have concentrated their wealth of experience mainly in one man.

Dani Alves, ex of Barcelona, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain and a serial collector of trophies as a tireless attacking right-back, is one of Brazil’s three ‘over-age’ players. He’s 38. That’s two whole decades older than Pedri.

Italy beat Spain in Euro 2020 semi-finals: player ratings

ITALY RATINGS: Gianluigi Donnarumma 7 - A big save in the first half kept the game even. The young goalkeeper had to deal with much more than usual on the night and dealt with the majority of questions asked. Saved Morata's penalty to put his side in position to win the shootout.
ITALY RATINGS: Gianluigi Donnarumma 7 - A big save in the first half kept the game even. The young goalkeeper had to deal with much more than usual on the night and dealt with the majority of questions asked. Saved Morata's penalty to put his side in position to win the shootout.
Emerson 7 - The Chelsea man had the difficult task of replacing Leonardo Spinazzola on Tuesday night and looked comfortable on the left flank. Surging runs up the park opened up the attack for Italy in some of their most dangerous moments.
Emerson 7 - The Chelsea man had the difficult task of replacing Leonardo Spinazzola on Tuesday night and looked comfortable on the left flank. Surging runs up the park opened up the attack for Italy in some of their most dangerous moments.
Giorgio Chiellini 7 - No nonsense from Chiellini. The veteran defender may not have the passing range of some other players but his defensive work was as strong as ever at Wembley.
Giorgio Chiellini 7 - No nonsense from Chiellini. The veteran defender may not have the passing range of some other players but his defensive work was as strong as ever at Wembley.
Giovanni Di Lorenzo 6 - Alert to the danger from a cross that was destined for Ferran Torres. Sometimes over-exuberant with a number of fouls.
Giovanni Di Lorenzo 6 - Alert to the danger from a cross that was destined for Ferran Torres. Sometimes over-exuberant with a number of fouls.
Marco Verratti 6 - Had a difficult evening with Koke intent on reducing the playmaker’s time on the ball. Italy’s midfield couldn’t seem to control the game as well as usual at Wembley.
Marco Verratti 6 - Had a difficult evening with Koke intent on reducing the playmaker’s time on the ball. Italy’s midfield couldn’t seem to control the game as well as usual at Wembley.
Nicolo Barella 5 - Tasked with nullifying Sergio Busquets who was having success transitioning the ball forwards. The Internazionale midfielder has been impressive throughout the tournament but he wasn’t at his best on Tuesday.
Nicolo Barella 5 - Tasked with nullifying Sergio Busquets who was having success transitioning the ball forwards. The Internazionale midfielder has been impressive throughout the tournament but he wasn’t at his best on Tuesday.
Lorenzo Insigne 5 - Not as effective as usual in a fairly quiet display from one of Italy’s best players at the tournament. Replaced by Belotti in the 85th minute.
Lorenzo Insigne 5 - Not as effective as usual in a fairly quiet display from one of Italy’s best players at the tournament. Replaced by Belotti in the 85th minute.
Ciro Immobile 5 - Worked hard but not involved much overall. Replaced just after the hour.
Ciro Immobile 5 - Worked hard but not involved much overall. Replaced just after the hour.
SUB: Domenico Berardi (Immobile 62) 6 - An instant spark on the attack and forced Spain’s defence back. Should have done better with a couple of opportunities.
SUB: Domenico Berardi (Immobile 62) 6 - An instant spark on the attack and forced Spain’s defence back. Should have done better with a couple of opportunities.
SUB: Matteo Pessina (Verratti 74) N/A - The Atalanta star has scored twice so far at Euro 2020 but couldn’t add to his tally on Tuesday night.
SUB: Matteo Pessina (Verratti 74) N/A - The Atalanta star has scored twice so far at Euro 2020 but couldn’t add to his tally on Tuesday night.
SUB: Rafael Toloi (Emerson 74) N/A - On for Emerson who had worked hard throughout the night.
SUB: Rafael Toloi (Emerson 74) N/A - On for Emerson who had worked hard throughout the night.
SUB: Andrea Belotti (Insigne 85) N/A - Ran the channels well to provide an out-ball for teammates.
SUB: Andrea Belotti (Insigne 85) N/A - Ran the channels well to provide an out-ball for teammates.
Unai Simon 7 - Sloppy start to second half and seemed reluctant to use his hands at times, but then made key saves, including in the penalty shoot out.
Unai Simon 7 - Sloppy start to second half and seemed reluctant to use his hands at times, but then made key saves, including in the penalty shoot out.
Cesar Azpilicueta 6 - Difficult to deal with Insigne on the left but good interception led to an attack where Busquets shot just over. His epic year so far ended here, but Spain’s issues were more up front than in defence.
Cesar Azpilicueta 6 - Difficult to deal with Insigne on the left but good interception led to an attack where Busquets shot just over. His epic year so far ended here, but Spain’s issues were more up front than in defence.
Aymeric Laporte 8 - Spain’s best defender. He played a high line, a tactic vindicated as Spain had 70 per cent possession in the first half – an incredible stat. Made a key block just before Italy took the lead with a devastating counter. Touched the ball 160 times – more than any player in any game at the tournament.
Aymeric Laporte 8 - Spain’s best defender. He played a high line, a tactic vindicated as Spain had 70 per cent possession in the first half – an incredible stat. Made a key block just before Italy took the lead with a devastating counter. Touched the ball 160 times – more than any player in any game at the tournament.
Jordi Alba 7 - Set up Oyarzabal on 39 minutes in another rapid Spain move. Supported attacks, got wide and forward to give options. Carried the captain’s armband with pride at the end.
Jordi Alba 7 - Set up Oyarzabal on 39 minutes in another rapid Spain move. Supported attacks, got wide and forward to give options. Carried the captain’s armband with pride at the end.
Pedri 9 - Key player as Spain totally outplayed Italy in the first half. Lovely first time passes as Spain dominated in midfield. The only player with 100 per cent passing accuracy in the first half – and he completed more than Verratti and Jorginho combined.
Pedri 9 - Key player as Spain totally outplayed Italy in the first half. Lovely first time passes as Spain dominated in midfield. The only player with 100 per cent passing accuracy in the first half – and he completed more than Verratti and Jorginho combined.
Sergio Busquets 8 - A master of the dark arts, he was eyeball to eyeball with Chiellini as the first half came to an end. He and Barça teammate Pedri were the main men. Badly missed when he went off.
Sergio Busquets 8 - A master of the dark arts, he was eyeball to eyeball with Chiellini as the first half came to an end. He and Barça teammate Pedri were the main men. Badly missed when he went off.
Mikel Oyarzabal 6 - Started for first time in tournament. Played right and was one on one after 39 but ballooned the ball over the bar. Missed a header from six yards at the far most after 67 – another superb chance for Spain.
Mikel Oyarzabal 6 - Started for first time in tournament. Played right and was one on one after 39 but ballooned the ball over the bar. Missed a header from six yards at the far most after 67 – another superb chance for Spain.
Ferran Torres 7 - Played left of Olmo in a surprise Spain starting XI. Shot wide after 14 minutes as Spain got over a pressured start to attack. Spain pressed hard and high and got their tactics right.
Ferran Torres 7 - Played left of Olmo in a surprise Spain starting XI. Shot wide after 14 minutes as Spain got over a pressured start to attack. Spain pressed hard and high and got their tactics right.
Daniel Olmo 7 - Surprise start ahead of Morata. Dropped into midfield when needed as Spain played a false nine. It confused and drew the Italians out in the first half. Shot wide after 67 minutes but set up Morata for the equaliser. Terrible penalty in the shoot out.
Daniel Olmo 7 - Surprise start ahead of Morata. Dropped into midfield when needed as Spain played a false nine. It confused and drew the Italians out in the first half. Shot wide after 67 minutes but set up Morata for the equaliser. Terrible penalty in the shoot out.
SUB: Morata 7 (On for Torres after 61). Couple of half chances but didn’t look confident – like when he had to strike for goal on 77 but was too hesitant. And then he scored, a clever, calm finish after 79. Poor, slow, penalty though.
SUB: Morata 7 (On for Torres after 61). Couple of half chances but didn’t look confident – like when he had to strike for goal on 77 but was too hesitant. And then he scored, a clever, calm finish after 79. Poor, slow, penalty though.
SUB: Rodri 6 (On for Koke on 69). Played deep, too deep when Busquets went off.
SUB: Rodri 6 (On for Koke on 69). Played deep, too deep when Busquets went off.
SUB: Gerard Moreno 6 (On for Oyarzabal on 69). Couldn’t finish an epic season on a high. Scored his penalty, though.
SUB: Gerard Moreno 6 (On for Oyarzabal on 69). Couldn’t finish an epic season on a high. Scored his penalty, though.
SUB: Marcos Llorente 6 (On for Azpilicueta on 85). Made a difference on the right.
SUB: Marcos Llorente 6 (On for Azpilicueta on 85). Made a difference on the right.
SUB: Thiago 5 (On for Busquets after 106). He was poor and gave the ball away too many times. Incredible confidence for his penalty though.
SUB: Thiago 5 (On for Busquets after 106). He was poor and gave the ball away too many times. Incredible confidence for his penalty though.
SUB: Pau Torres (On for Garcia on 109).
SUB: Pau Torres (On for Garcia on 109).
While you're here
ESSENTIALS

The flights

Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.

The hotels

Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.

The tours

A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages. 

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

While you're here
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3.5-litre%2C%20twin-turbo%20V6%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E10-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E410hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E495Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Estarts%20from%20Dh495%2C000%20(Dh610%2C000%20for%20the%20F-Sport%20launch%20edition%20tested)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Conflict, drought, famine

Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.

Band Aid

Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.

F1 The Movie

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

Apple's%20Lockdown%20Mode%20at%20a%20glance
%3Cp%3EAt%20launch%2C%20Lockdown%20Mode%20will%20include%20the%20following%20protections%3A%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMessages%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Most%20attachment%20types%20other%20than%20images%20are%20blocked.%20Some%20features%2C%20like%20link%20previews%2C%20are%20disabled%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWeb%20browsing%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Certain%20complex%20web%20technologies%2C%20like%20just-in-time%20JavaScript%20compilation%2C%20are%20disabled%20unless%20the%20user%20excludes%20a%20trusted%20site%20from%20Lockdown%20Mode%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EApple%20services%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EIncoming%20invitations%20and%20service%20requests%2C%20including%20FaceTime%20calls%2C%20are%20blocked%20if%20the%20user%20has%20not%20previously%20sent%20the%20initiator%20a%20call%20or%20request%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EConnectivity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Wired%20connections%20with%20a%20computer%20or%20accessory%20are%20blocked%20when%20an%20iPhone%20is%20locked%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EConfigurations%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Configuration%20profiles%20cannot%20be%20installed%2C%20and%20the%20device%20cannot%20enroll%20into%20mobile%20device%20management%20while%20Lockdown%20Mode%20is%20on%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
'Worse than a prison sentence'

Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.

“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.

“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.

“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.

“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.

“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”

'Joker'

Directed by: Todd Phillips

Starring: Joaquin Phoenix

Rating: Five out of five stars

How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
  1. Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
  2. Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
  3. Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
  4. Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
  5. Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
  6. The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
  7. Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269

*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year

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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
 
Started: 2021
 
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
 
Based: Tunisia 
 
Sector: Water technology 
 
Number of staff: 22 
 
Investment raised: $4 million 
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Jigra
Director: Vasan Bala
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
Rated: 3.5/5
Specs

Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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

Updated: July 22, 2021, 3:11 AM`
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