Germany, France tackle in Rio, mingle in City

July 4, 2014

Franco-GermanyBangalore, Jul 4: The edgy Franco-German FIFA World Cup quarter-final may just be hours away from a gala kick-off. But the power-packed European football rivalry has taken a friendly twist in Namma Bengaluru: Revving up the football spirit manifold, the city’s German and French Consulates have teamed up to show the match in double big screen glory. Entry is restricted.

Bangalore’s German and French expats couldn’t have asked for more: An evening peppered with the best of football action, cheering fans glued to every move of the likes of Karim Benzema and Thomas Mueller, and an atmosphere electric enough to mimic Rio!

German passion

Spirited and passionate, a predominantly German crowd had egged on every pass, every goal, at the June 16 Germany-Portugal match screening at the same hotel. Germany had won handsomely, thumping their rivals 4-0 as fans in team jerseys waved their tricolour.

But the organisers, the German Consulate, couldn’t stop the occasional applause for the Portuguese. Amused, they looked around. And found scores of Indians, French, Spanish and East Asians clapping in unison.

Tackling an Indian invitee midfield, Jorn Rohde, the German Consul General had shot a query in lighter vein: “Who do you root for, Germany or Portugal? If Germany, stay. If Portugal, out you go!” Tongue-in-cheek, the poser floored the guest. Evading the red card, he shouted “Germany,” and stayed safe!

But that encounter might just have triggered this thought in Rohde’s mind:?Why not call the French, and ensure a fuller house, a louder cheer? The French Consul General in Bangalore, Eric Lavertu was game, and so were the French fans, hundreds of them.

Beckoning the fans, the Consul Generals shot off invitations galore: “Warm up from 8:30 pm. Kick-off at 9:30 pm. Casual or team jersey, be there to cheer!”

Over 400 turned up for the June 16 screening. Friday’s fanfare could beat that figure hands down. For, the French would not want a repeat of their 1986 heartbreak. In that Mexican city of Guadalajara, the Germans had beaten them 2-0. But the Germans could not carry that semi-final victory march beyond Maradona and his Argentine team in solid defence.

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April 21,2020

New Delhi, Apr 21: India skipper Virat Kohli on Tuesday said people seem to have become more compassionate while coping with the COVID-19 pandemic and hoped the sense of gratitude towards frontline workers like doctors and police personnel remains even after the crisis is over.

Speaking in an online class organised by "Unacademy", Kohli and his actor wife Anushka Sharma spoke at length about the challenges they faced before tasting success.

"The one positive out of this crisis that we as a society have become more compassionate. We are showing more gratitude to the frontline workers in this war, be it police personnel, doctors or nurses.

"I hope it stays this way even after we overcome this crisis," said Kohli with Sharma seated next to her.

Kohli said the pandemic has taught the world a very important lesson.

"Life is unpredictable. So, do what makes you happy and not get into comparisons all the time. People have a choice now how to come out of this phase. Life is going to be different after this," said the skipper.

For Sharma, the pandemic has forced people to care about the basics in life.

"There is a learning in all of this. Nothing happens without a reason. If the frontline workers were not there, we would not have access to basics," she said..

"This has taught us that no one is special than the other. Health is everything. We are more connected as a society now," she added.

During the session, Kohli was asked about the moment when he felt most helpless.

"I felt nothing was working for me when I was not picked for the state team initially. I cried the whole night and asked my coach 'why did I not get selected'?" he responded.

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March 28,2020

Milan, Mar 28: Juventus star Paulo Dybala revealed how he "struggled to breathe" after contracting coronavirus which has killed over 9,000 people in Italy.

The Argentine international announced last Saturday he was one of three Juventus players to catch the virus along with Daniele Rugani and Blaise Matuidi, who both had no symptoms.

"I feel better now after some strong symptoms," the 26-year-old Dybala told JTV channel.

"A couple of days ago I was not well, I felt heavy and after five minutes of movement I had to stop because I was struggling to breathe.

"Now I can move and walk to start trying to train, because when I tried in the past few days I started to shake too much.

"I gasped for air and as a result I couldn't do anything, after five minutes I was already very tired, I felt the body heavy and my muscles hurt.

"Now I'm fine. My fiancee Oriana (Sabatini) has also overcome the symptoms."

Dybala has scored 13 goals in all competitions this season, including in league leader's Juventus's last game against Inter Milan before Serie A and all sport in Italy was suspended.

"The goal against Inter was the greatest emotion, (Aaron) Ramsey provided the perfect assist - it's a pity that there was no public," added Dybala.

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March 5,2020

Mar 5: India reached a maiden women's Twenty20 World Cup final Thursday after their last four clash against England was washed out, sparking calls for the International Cricket Council to include reserve days in future events.

Harmanpreet Kaur's unbeaten side were due to face the 2009 champions at the Sydney Cricket Ground, but the rain began pouring early in the day with barely any let-up.

With a minimum 10 overs per side needed for a result and no break in the weather, the umpires called it off without a ball being bowled.

Normally, five overs per side are needed to constitute a Twenty20 match, but the rules are different for ICC tournaments.

Four-time champions Australia are scheduled to take on South Africa later in the second semi-final, with that match also under threat.

With no reserve day, the highest-ranked teams from the two groups move into the final if play is not possible

That would pit India against South Africa at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday, where organisers are hoping to attract 90,000 plus fans, denying Australia a chance to defend their crown.

A reserve day is allowed for the final and the lack of one for the semis has been criticised by some players, with England captain Heather Knight among those calling for change.

"If both semi-finals are lost it would be a sad time for the tournament," she told reporters ahead of the match. "It's obviously going to be a shame if it does happen and I'm sure there will be a lot of pressure on the ICC to change that."

Cricket Australia chief Kevin Roberts said he sought clarification from the ICC about adding a reserve day with the Sydney weather looking ominous, but the request was denied.

"We've asked the question and it's not part of the playing conditions and we respect that," he told Melbourne's SEN radio.

"It gives you cause to reflect and think about how you might improve things in the future, but going into a tournament with a given set of playing conditions and rules, I don't think it's time to tinker with the rules."

It is not the way India would have wanted to make the final, but they are deserving of being there having gone through the group phase as the only unbeaten team.

After opening their campaign by upsetting Australia, they beat Bangladesh, New Zealand and then Sri Lanka.

While the entire team played well, teenage batting prodigy Shafali Verma excelled, which saw her elevated to the top of the ICC T20 batting rankings this week aged just 16.

She is only the second Indian after Mithali Raj to reach number one, pushing New Zealand veteran Suzie Bates down to second.

Ranked four in the world, India had made three semi-finals before this year and lost every time, including against England at the last World Cup.

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