Tag Futebol

MatériaMais Notícias

Falta pouco para o Palmeiras poder contar com seu próprio avião. Isso porque a aeronave já está no Brasil desde a noite dessa quarta-feira (7). Agora restam detalhes burocráticos para que ela receba permissão para voar e servir ao elenco em viagens nacionais e internacionais. A expectativa é de que ainda neste mês de junho ela já possa estrear como transporte palmeirense.

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+ Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui

Por volta das 22h de quarta-feira (7), o avião pousou no Aeroporto de Foz de Iguaçu, no Paraná, onde aguarda a regularização da ANAC (Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil) e de processos relacionado à importação. A chegada ao Brasil acontece depois de um período de personalização em Portugal, onde ganhou as cores azul e branca. As cores do clube foram evitadas, uma vez que o avião poderá ser usado por outras agremiações.

Registrado sob a matrícula PS-LPM (LPM faz referência às iniciais do nome Leila Mejdalani Pereira), o avião de modelo E190 E-2 fabricado pela Embraer (antiga dona) pertence a uma das empresas de Leila, a Placar Linhas Aéreas S/A, na qual é sócia de seu marido José Roberto Lamacchia. O Verdão terá prioridade na utilização dos voos e bancará apenas os custos das viagens que fizer. No restante do tempo, outros clubes e empresas poderão pagar para usá-lo. O valor é estimado em 65 milhões de dólares (R$ 328 milhões).

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A expectativa é de que o Palmeiras já possa usar a aeronave neste mês de junho, caso todos os trâmites burocráticos sejam resolvidos dentro do prazo planejado pelo clube. Com a personalização realizada no avião, foram retirados alguns assentos para que os jogadores tenham maior conforto no trajeto. Originalmente, ele comportaria 114 passageiros, algo que diminuirá com as modificações internas.

+ Avião do Palmeiras quase foi chinês, virou norueguês e é conhecido por pintura de tubarão

Em contato com pessoas próximas à diretoria palmeirense, o LANCE! apurou que o clube prevê uma economia “drástica” nos custos das viagens fretadas que faz neste momento. Na visão dessas fontes ouvidas pela reportagem, a novidade terá um impacto imediato nas finanças alviverdes, especialmente nas viagens internacionais.

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Histórico da aeronave

Antes de ser o “avião do Palmeiras”, essa aeronave teve um histórico interessante desde a sua produção, há quatro anos. Como dito acima, ela foi produzida pela Embraer, em São José dos Campos-SP e tinha como destino uma empresa chinesa de aviação chamada Fuzhou Airlines, mas com a crise que passava na época, acabou desistindo de ficar com o modelo novo encomendado.

Na sequência, a Embraer arrendou a aeronave para a empresa norueguesa Widerøe entre junho e novembro de 2019. Na época, a linha aérea escandinava utilizava esse avião para ser um suporte aos que já tinha voando. Assim, logo acabou ficando sem uso por conta da demanda. Entre dezembro de 2019 e setembro de 2020, ela ficou armazenada em Alverca-POR, em uma subsidiária da Embraer. Depois, entre setembro de 2020 e dezembro de 2021, ficou estocada em Nashville-EUA.

O avião retornou para São José dos Campos, sede da Embraer, para ter uma nova função após essa sequência de arrendamentos e passou a ser uma aeronave de demonstração e testes. Por esse motivo, no início de 2022, ela recebeu uma nova pintura de Tubarão Tecnológico e passou a ter o seu número de registro 2-RLET. A Embraer levou o avião para um evento aeronáutico em Singapura para demonstrá-lo a possíveis clientes e chamar a atenção com sua peculiaridade. Foi essa a última caracterização da aeronave antes de receber uma nova roupagem em Portugal.

James Maddison has been an impressive option for Tottenham Hotspur over the last couple of years, after joining the side in a £40m deal from Leicester City in 2023.

However, injuries have massively halted his progress in North London, suffering four separate setbacks within his two-season stint at the Lilywhites to date.

His latest issue will undoubtedly be his biggest, suffering an ACL injury in the pre-season outing, with the Englishman expected to be out for the vast majority of the 2025/26 campaign.

Thomas Frank would’ve been excited to work with the 28-year-old during his first year at the helm, but any success the pair endure together will have to be put on hold for the foreseeable future.

As a result of the injury setback, the hierarchy have had to dip back into the transfer market to help bolster the first-team squad in an attempt to strengthen their chances of building on their Europa League success.

2 The latest on Spurs’ hunt for new signings this summer

Eberechi Eze has once again been linked with a summer move to Spurs this window, looking to pounce and take advantage of the £60m release clause in his contract.

The Lilywhites are facing a battle with North London rivals Arsenal to land the England international, who registered 16 goal contributions in the Premier League last season.

However, he’s not the only player in England’s top-flight currently on their radar, with Brighton star Facundo Buonanotte a player they’re tracking, according to the Daily Mail.

Their report claims that Frank’s side are following the Argentine’s progress ahead of a potential move between now and the end of the summer transfer window.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

It also states he’s just one of a number of players that the club are monitoring, but it’s unclear whether the Seagulls will be willing to part ways with the 20-year-old before the deadline.

sS from earlier this summer suggested that Brighton could be willing to sell for around £30m

1 Why Spurs’ latest target would be the perfect Maddison replacement

Whilst Eze remains a player firmly on their shortlist, other options are currently being explored, as the side look to have a contingency plan should they miss out on his signature.

His consistency in England’s top-flight would make him an excellent addition, offering the player the next step in his career, allowing him to become a leading talent under Frank’s guidance.

However, the interest from their bitter rivals could make for an interesting battle, with one of the two sides having to suffer a blow in missing out on his signature.

It wouldn’t be the end of the world for the Lilywhites, having options to fall back on, as seen by their recent hunt for a new attacking midfielder over the last few days.

Buonanotte is just one of many on such a list, potentially having the tools to be a huge hit with the supporters if he makes the move to join Frank’s men.

When comparing his stats to Maddison from last season, the youngster highlighted that he has all the tools to fill the void left after his long-term injury setback.

The Argentine, who’s been labelled “unbelievable” by Clinton Morrison, completed more progressive carries and more carries into the final third – having the ability to thrive with the ball at his feet.

Games played

31

31

Goals & assists

7

16

Progressive carries

2.4

2.2

Take-ons completed

1.7

1.6

Carries into final third

2.1

1.9

Shots taken

2.2

1.9

Through balls completed

0.8

0.6

Recoveries made

4.7

3.7

He also completed more take-ons per 90, along with a higher tally of through balls completed – able to add an end product to his mazy runs, handing those ahead of him with the tools for success.

Out of possession, Buonanotte has also impressed, making more recoveries and tackles per 90, fitting perfectly into Frank’s system, which requires a huge amount of running – especially without the ball.

No fee has yet been touted for the Brighton star, but it’s clear that he has the ability to be an excellent option for the Lilywhites in their hunt for future success.

Eze will still remain a key option, but if they miss out on the Englishman, a deal for Buonanotte could be an excellent alternative, having the ability to develop further under the Dane’s guidance.

Alongside Savinho: £60m Gibbs-White upgrade now keen to join Spurs

Tottenham Hotspur appear to be making huge moves in the transfer market ahead of the September 1st deadline.

2 ByEthan Lamb Aug 13, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

No próximo domingo (16), às 18h30 (de Brasília), o Grêmio enfrenta o Santos, pelo Campeonato Brasileiro, em partida que marca o retorno do clube à elite do futebol nacional. Em decorrência da punição recebida por conta da briga no confronto diante do Cruzeiro, durante a Série B do ano passado, o Estádio Alfredo Jaconi será o palco da estreia do Tricolor.

Recentemente, a casa do Juventude passou por melhorias com o objetivo de manter um dos gramados mais bem avaliados do país.Um dia antes, no sábado (15), o habitual usuário do estádio também fará sua estreia, porém na Série B, recebendo o Botafogo-SP.

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Nas últimas semanas, o Juventude realizou uma série de melhorias no Jaconi em busca de manter o alto padrão de qualidade no gramado do estádio. Para a atual temporada, o Departamento de Patrimônio do Clube efetuou manutenções de rotina no sistema de drenagem e preparou o solo para o plantio do azevém (grama de inverno), algo que ocorrerá a partir da próxima segunda-feira (17).

A qualidade do gramado do estádio, que figura entre os mais bem avaliados do país, já foi ressaltada em diversas oportunidades pelo técnico do Palmeiras, Abel Ferreira, e foi fator decisivo para a escolha do Grêmio. A proximidade do torcedor e a logística favorável também foram levadas em consideração pela diretoria do tricolor.

Nos últimos anos, além da manutenção do gramado, o Juventude adotou outras melhorias como a instalação de novas cadeiras nas arquibancadas, modernização do sistema de som, banheiras de hidromassagem, reformas no vestiário, dentre outras.

– É uma grande satisfação ter a qualidade do nosso gramado reconhecida e valorizada. Esse é um norte que tomamos, a valorização da nossa casa, do nosso patrimônio. Investir na infraestrutura do clube é um dos pontos principais de nossa atual gestão e, somente desta forma, podemos alcançar resultados cada vez melhores – destaca Rafael Bellei, Vice-presidente de Patrimônio do Juventude.

Chelsea have just landed a seismic financial windfall after reaching the Club World Cup final, but the expectation remains that they’ll still need to sell a host of players.

Enzo Maresca’s side knocked Thiago Silva’s Fluminense out in the semi-finals on Tuesday evening, courtesy of a stunning brace from new signing Joao Pedro, who put on a sublime display in their 2-0 victory against his former side.

"World-class" player reaches gentleman's agreement to leave Chelsea

He can depart for an obtainable fee.

2 ByEmilio Galantini Jul 9, 2025

The win means that Chelsea are guaranteed to bank around £80 million from participating in the tournament, regardless of their next result, having reached the final with five wins from their total of six games played so far.

If Chelsea go on to win the whole thing, BlueCo will get a further £7.5 million – taking their total potential earnings closer to the £90 million mark.

“I am happy for the club,” said Maresca on Chelsea’s CWC prize money.

“But I don’t care, because when I prepare a game, I don’t prepare the game thinking if we win, we have more money. Because it is something for the club, it is not for us, unfortunately. We already have a clear idea about what we need to improve for next season. And hopefully we can have it.”

While Maresca pays no attention to matters like this off the field, it could still prove crucial to Chelsea’s balance sheet.

Cole Palmer

7.33

Moises Caicedo

7.02

Enzo Fernández

6.95

Nicolas Jackson

6.88

Noni Madueke

6.82

via WhoScored

The club were recently slapped with a UEFA fine for breaking FFP rules, and their estimated £140 million expenditure over the summer transfer window so far means that player sales are an absolute necessity, even if their CWC earnings could provide more breathing room.

Lesley Ugochukwu, João Félix, Renato Veiga, Ben Chilwell, David Datro Fofana, Armando Broja, Axel Disasi, Carney Chukwuemeka, Raheem Sterling and Noni Madueke and Djordje Petrovic are all tipped to leave Stamford Bridge this summer, with uncertainty also surrounding Nicolas Jackson after Chelsea’s signings of Pedro and Liam Delap.

There is also the matter of £195,000-per-week forward Christopher Nkunku, who isn’t a key starter for Maresca, and he’s attracting notable interest from abroad.

Christopher Nkunku keen to make Germany return and leave Chelsea

According to talkSPORT, Nkunku is keen on a return to Germany with Bayern Munich, who were heavily linked in the January transfer window, and Chelsea are waiting for the Bundesliga champions to make a formal approach.

They won’t have to wait at all for an approach from Saudi Arabia, though, as it is believed that Al-Qadsiah have already made an enquiry to the Frenchman’s representatives.

Nkunku is understood to prefer remaining in Europe, so Bayern appear to be the lead contenders as things stand, but it is suggested that Chelsea could demand around £60 million as they actively seek to sell the 27-year-old.

The squad player is currently one of their highest-earners, so getting him off the books for a reasonable fee could be one of Chelsea’s most imperative exit deals of the summer.

رحب جيانلويجي دوناروما بمنافسة جيمس ترافورد على حراسة مرمى مانشستر سيتي بعد انضمامه من صفوف باريس سان جيرمان مقابل 30 مليون جنيه إسترليني.

وكان الحارس الإيطالي صاحب الـ26 عاماً قد وقع لصفوف مانشستر سيتي في اليوم الأخير من سوق الانتقالات، وقد كانت هذه الخطوة مفاجئة بعد انضمام ترافورد من بيرنلي في وقت سابق مقابل 27 مليون جنيه إسترليني.

وكان ترافورد قد انضم لمانشستر سيتي بدلاً من إيدرسون الذي انتقل إلى فنربخشة مقابل 14 مليون جنيه إسترليني الأسبوع الماضي ليكون حارساً أساسياً قبل أن يتذبذب مستواه في بداية الموسم حيث كان مسؤولاً عن هدف جواو بالينيا في فوز توتنهام بهدفين نظيفين على ملعب الاتحاد.

وقال دوناروما في تصريحات عن المنافسة على قميص حارس المرمى في تصريحات نشرتها “الجارديان” البريطانية: “أنا سعيد لأن المنافسة مفيدة للجميع”.

أقرأ أيضاً.. بينهم عمر مرموش.. فيروس الفيفا يضرب الأندية في مقتل خلال التوقف الدولي

وأضاف :”أتطلع بشوق للقاء زملائي الجدد وعلينا أن نكون مجموعة قوية ومتحدة تضم أشخاصا يهتمون ببعضهم البعض وهذا مفتاح النجاح ومعاً يمكننا تحقيق نجاح باهر”.

وواصل: “أريد الاستمتاع بكل شئ، أريد التعرف على المدينة وأشخاص وزملاء جدد، أتطلع بشوق لاكتشاف أجواء الملعب والنزول لأرض الملعب والاستمتاع بأجواء الملعب التشجيعية”.

وأكمل: “اللعب في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز مع مانشستر سيتي تجربة رائعة بالنسبة لي، وأنا مستعد لهذا التحدي، لطالما حلمت باللعب في البريميرليج لأنه أفضل دوري في العالم”.

وختم: “أعتقد أن تحقيق النجاح في الدوري الإنجليزي أقصى ما يمكن تحقيقه في مسيرتي، لذلك أنا سعيد جداً بوجودي هنا ومستعد للعب في النادي الذي بذل جهودا كبيرة لضمي وآمل أن أكون عند حسن ظنه”.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta faces a huge task ahead of him in the 2025/26 campaign, potentially coming under serious pressure should he fail to win a trophy.

The Spaniard has now been in the role at the Emirates for five and a half years, with his only trophy coming in the FA Cup back in his first season at the helm.

In the Premier League, the Gunners have finished as runners-up in each of the last three seasons, being unable to make that final step and end the two-decade wait for a league triumph.

Investment is needed from the hierarchy during the off-season if they are to finish at the top of the table next time around, handing the manager the tools he needs for success.

With the transfer window now in full swing, countless names have been mentioned as options for Arteta, leading to moves being made on various deals.

The latest on Arsenal’s hunt for new additions this summer

A striker has been firmly on their radar over recent weeks, leading to talks being held with the representatives of RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko, but no agreement has yet been reached.

Moves have also been made to sign PSG wonderkid Warren Zaire-Emery, looking to take advantage of his situation in France which has seen him losing his starting place in Luis Enrique’s side.

However, they may look past a deal for the teenager, given the progress that has been made to sign Sevilla star Lucien Agoume, according to one Spanish outlet.

They claim that the Gunners are leading the race for his signature, with fellow English sides Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur also firmly in the race for his signature.

It also states that the 23-year-old is available for a fee in the region of £20m this summer, potentially forming an excellent partnership with one other talent in North London.

Why Arsenal’s £20m target would be perfect alongside Zubimendi

Over recent months, Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi has been the name on all supporters’ lips after he’s been consistently linked with a move to Arsenal.

It was confirmed back in January that a deal had been agreed to land the 26-year-old this summer, but such a move has been quiet over the last couple of weeks.

That was until Fabrizio Romano confirmed that a deal is imminent with the midfielder still set to make the move to the Emirates despite interest from Real Madrid.

It’s been reported that the hierarchy are set to pay just over his €60m release clause in his contract, securing the deep-lying option Arteta has been crying out for.

However, he could thrive alongside Agoume in North London next season, with the Frenchman having all the tools to star in the middle of the park and giving the Gunners a new dimension.

Agoume, who’s been labelled “one of the most talented defensive midfielders” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has completed 83% of passes and achieved a dribble success rate of 76% – subsequently able to drive forward after Zubimendi regains possession for the side.

He’s also created 1.2 chances per 90, showcasing his ability his progress the play and aiding the attackers in front of him to thrive and bolster their title credentials.

Games played

35

Goals & assists

4

Passes completed

83%

Dribbles success

76%

Chances created

1.2

Tackles won

1.4

Interceptions made

1.7

The 23-year-old’s talents continue without the ball, winning 1.4 tackles per 90 and making 1.7 interceptions per 90, handing Arteta an added ball-winning option alongside Zubimendi and taking some of the pressure off his shoulders as a result.

£20m in today’s market would be a superb piece of business by the hierarchy, landing a young player who could improve massively in the years ahead given his tender age.

The prospect of a partnership between Agoume and the Spaniard at the heart of the side is certainly an exciting one, handing Arteta the strength and depth he needs to push for the title in 2025/26.

He's the next Timber: Arsenal submit offer to sign "insane" £43m star

After Jurriën Timber proved to be such a revelation this season, could Arsenal return to the Eredivisie to sign an “insane” defender worth £43m?

ByBen Gray Jun 21, 2025

Worryingly, every team that seals promotion up to the Premier League immediately knows they’ll be up against it trying to stay afloat in its choppy waters. That will be the main concern now for Burnley.

Ipswich Town, Leicester City and Southampton are going to fall back down to the Championship after one fleeting campaign in the tough division, with the Clarets hopeful, yet definitely apprehensive that they can buck this dismal trend when they reenter the top league shortly.

Scott Parker’s attempts to solidify the Clarets as a top-flight worthy side once more will be made a lot harder if Josh Brownhill were to depart Turf Moor, with the experienced midfielder’s future still up in the air heading into the hectic summer transfer window.

Brownhill's future at Burnley

Already, the Clarets are having to stomach the prospect of CJ Egan-Riley leaving the club for pastures new with RC Strasbourg.

Unfortunately, Brownhill could be next for the exit door if rumours are to be believed, with Turkish sides Trabzonspor and Besiktas now eyeing up the soon-to-be out-of-contract attacking gem, away from earlier interest from the likes of Everton and West Ham United.

Losing Egan-Riley is already a damaging body blow for Parker’s newly promoted outfit, but adding Brownhill into the mix would be nothing short of disastrous, considering the 29-year-old would hammer 18 goals in league action last season to help seal automatic promotion.

Moreover, the Manchester-born star – who is also reportedly on the radar of Wolverhampton Wanderers – possesses experience of the Premier League to further boost the Clarets, but there’s a worry he could now up and leave before top-flight football officially returns to Turf Moor.

Losing him for nothing would also be very painful for the Lancashire side, considering his estimated worth currently stands at around the £9.5m range according to Football Transfers.

But, there is a midfield teammate of Brownhill’s who actually now boasts a heftier worth than the stand-out 29-year-old after an impressive debut season under Parker’s wing.

The Burnley star who is now worth more than Brownhill

In their bid to immediately return to the promised land of the Premier League, Burnley surprisingly didn’t splash obscene masses of cash.

Indeed, £15.4m was the most spent on a single player in the form of Mike Tresor. Whilst Tresor would unfortunately fade into the background, another of their summer purchases would shine as ex-Manchester United youngster Hannibal Mejbri ended up relocating to the Clarets for a modest £5.4m fee.

He wouldn’t be an immediate success in his new location as he got up to speed, but Hannibal’s importance to the cause would be seen when crucial promotion games came thick and fast.

Indeed, his well-taken strike got the ball rolling for Parker’s nervy Clarets against Norwich City, while he also registered two assists when Burnley flawlessly won their last five league contests to finish inside the top two.

Lauded as an “absolute baller” during his time at Man United by scout Antonio Mango, he’s now finally living up to that immense potential.

Hannibal’s numbers for Burnley
Stat	Hannibal
Games played	39
Goals scored	1
Assists	5
Value when joining	£5.4m
Value now	£9.7m
Value increase	£4.3m
Sourced by Transfermarkt/Football Transfers

The Tunisian hasn’t blown anyone away with constant vibrant displays, but it’s clear the 22-year-old could only get better with time at Turf Moor, with this promise seen in his transfer value already increasing to a high £10m just a season into his Burnley move.

This is a small jump up from 18-goal hero Brownhill’s own valuation, with Parker praying that both Hannibal and the more seasoned head of the 29-year-old can link up with each other in the top-flight.

If that doesn’t happen, however, the ex-Fulham boss will know Hannibal will be raring to prove himself in the elite division, having already picked up the pieces with the Clarets after his Old Trafford departure.

Their best RB since Trippier: Burnley eyeing move for "immense" £10m star

Burnley could be about to land their best right-back since Kieran Trippier with this sensational swoop.

By
Kelan Sarson

May 22, 2025

Manchester United are now considering a shock move to sign an “exceptional” attacker from one of their bitter rivals this summer, according to a report.

Man Utd pursuing new attacking midfielder

In truth, very few Man United players can hold their heads up high this season, given that they are on course for their worst-ever Premier League finish, but Bruno Fernandes has once again proven himself to be a top player.

The 30-year-old has 17 goals and 18 assists to his name in all competitions, most recently scoring in the 5-4 victory against Lyon to help his side progress to the Europa League semi-final, which is the Red Devils’ last chance to make a success out of this season.

Fernandes has put in some top-drawer performances, but United’s league position underlines the fact they cannot rely solely on the Portugal international, and they have now set their sights on a new attacking midfielder.

Top target: Man Utd pushing to sign "incredible" £313k-p/w Barcelona star

The Red Devils are willing to make a huge bid for a Barcelona player this summer.

By
Dominic Lund

Apr 23, 2025

RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons appears to be one of the main targets for the summer, with INEOS reportedly sanctioning a £115m+ offer for the Dutchman, despite the financial difficulties at Old Trafford.

However, there have also been suggestions that Man United could look at bringing in a cheaper alternative, with a report from The Telegraph revealing they are now monitoring developments around Manchester City attacking midfielder James McAtee.

McAtee’s future at the Etihad Stadium is up in the air, as he is set to enter the final year of his contract this summer, and he wants to receive regular game time next season, having only played a sporadic role for City this term.

There is widespread interest in the 22-year-old, with the likes of Nottingham Forest, Newcastle United, AC Milan and Bayer Leverkusen also in the picture, so there could be stiff competition for his signature.

"Exceptional" McAtee needs regular game time

The 22-year-old is now at an age where he needs to receive regular game time, but Pep Guardiola has been unwilling to give the attacking midfielder a consistent run in the side, often limiting him to appearances from the substitutes’ bench.

However, the Englishman has impressed when given the opportunity, scoring seven goals in all competitions this season, while he also caught the eye of reporter Ryan Taylor during his time with Sheffield United.

Back in January, it was reported Man City would be willing to cash-in on the Salford-born midfielder for just £25m, which feels like a fair fee, given his talent.

However, it seems very unlikely that City would be willing to sell McAtee to their bitter rivals, especially considering there is widespread interest from other English and foreign clubs.

A far-from-perfect country has enjoyed remarkable sporting success over the last two years. The men’s cricket team have now given themselves the opportunity to do what so many before them yearned to

Firdose Moonda28-Jun-2024They don’t know what we know.This phrase was made famous by UFC champion Dricus du Plessis, turned into a song by Afrikaans pop sensation Kurt Darren, used as a mantra by the world champion Springboks, and is now a South African proverb.. Sounds arrogant, right?It’s not. It’s pain.South Africans don’t believe the world understands us and everything we go through as a nation that has chosen to continuously open and redress our wounds. Of course, South Africa was not the world’s only colony, or the only place to suffer from exploitation of its natural resources and the resulting poverty. It is not the only place where race-based segregation was legal; where crime is rampant and increasing and where there are shortages of electricity, water and understanding. But it is one of few places where none of that is hidden away.Related

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Shamsi: 'It's a huge achievement, but we didn't come here to get to the final'

Ice-cool South Africa finally put together the complete game

The problems South Africans endure are on display for all to see, to unpick, and to attempt to piece together. It is a nation that speaks out, not always kindly, about everything that is wrong (and there is a lot wrong, and sometimes there are different wrongs for different people) while also marvelling at how many things have gone right. South Africa, which could have fallen apart so many times, is still, somehow, in a sporting sense, stunning on the world stage. So no, they don’t know what we know, and that means, according to Dricus and the Boks, that they won’t know what this means to us.A men’s team in a cricket World Cup final – 18 months after the women got there, a year after the women’s football team reached the last 16 of the World Cup, six months after the men’s football team finished third at the African Cup of Nations, seven months after the Springboks won a record fourth Rugby World Cup – means we are rising, relevant and ready to show the world that sometimes, even in the briefest of moments, shared success is possible. But for once, we’re not screaming about it. We’re holding our breath, because cricket has not given cause for much else.The disappointments of seven World Cup semi-finals defeats is one reason that South Africans are cautious when it comes to cricket, but there are others. Cricket South Africa’s recent history of managerial turmoil, financial malaise and social justice introspection was received by fans as a betrayal. They like their sport to pretend it can stay about sport, and not get enmeshed with the mess that is everything else even if, deep inside, they know it is enmeshed with everything else. Still, escapism is important and most of our sporting codes provide it at some level.It’s why the SA20 is better supported than international cricket in South Africa. The SA20 is seen as untouched by administrators, it does not have a transformation target, it doesn’t carry CSA’s branding and it attracts international stars who praise it and the South African experience. The national team is not.It hasn’t been easy for the average South African to watch the T20 World Cup back home•Getty ImagesAs recently as six weeks ago, there was a transformation furore over the fact there is only one black African in the current T20 World Cup squad and the bulk of complainants were politicians. Ordinary South Africans see the ruling African National Congress (ANC) fingerprints all over things like the national team and don’t like it, so much so that for the first time since democracy the ANC has not secured 50% of the vote. The results of May’s election will bring a coalition government and news on the composition of the cabinet is what’s making headlines.Visit any South African news website and that will be the top story. Open any newspaper, and you’re living somewhere else because the media industry has shrunk to the point where the only dailies in circulation are largely being given away (not bought) and one media group is closing four papers next month. Like much of the world, South Africans get their news through social media so a scroll through X, Facebook or Instagram will show you what the algorithm has designed for you but in general, there is more interest on those streets than the actual ones.Around the country, it was a fairly normal Friday, perhaps slightly quieter than usual because of school holidays. It’s a South African thing to turn Fridays into national team days when there is a major tournament, and though rugby is more successful at getting people to buy in, cricket has tried. This Friday, CSA held an event at a popular shopping mall in Johannesburg and handed out flags. That was the extent of CSA’s awareness-creation and that’s not a slight on them. The short turnaround between the semi-final early on Thursday morning and the final on Saturday afternoon has made it tricky to do much but there have been some last-minute plans.In Johannesburg, the Wanderers is hosting a watch-party, for anyone who wants to enjoy the final with other fans. In Durban, the Kwa-Zulu Natal Cricket Union have teamed with South African Breweries to do something similar at Crusaders Sports Club, about eight kilometres north of Kingsmead. Both events have free entry, which should tell you about the number of people the organisers expect to attend. It’s not that people don’t care, it’s that the sports watching culture is different.In South Africa, people tend to watch sport in their homes, invite friends and family over, have some drinks and a braai. Doubtless, many people will be doing exactly that on Saturday, helped by the fact that the final is more than likely to be available on free-to-air television. The T20 World Cup until now was not.Only those with a Multichoice subscription (essentially cable television) could watch all the games and that is an ever-decreasing number. Multichoice has seen a 400,000 subscriber dip in the last year, which amounts to 5% of its audience, as disposable income decreases. That means fewer South Africans have regular access to cricket on television. Considering both domestic and international cricket is only shown on pay-television, that means people simply don’t watch enough to become properly invested. Instead, there seems to be more attention on the Euros (also only available on the paid service but more likely to be screened in bars or cafes with regularity) and on the Springboks, whose international season starts properly next week.And that’s what makes South Africa, as a sporting nation, different to their opposition in the final: India. Where cricket has often been described as religion in India, it isn’t in South Africa, and certainly not the main one. Where cricket, along with Bollywood, makes up both social fabric and celebrity culture in India, it is seen as a small part of myriad options for entertainment in South Africa. That’s why the hype has been hushed and there is no nation-wide rallying cry, and no big noise led by former and current players, who are one of the groups that will have more invested in this final than most.The South African women’s team are playing a Test in Chennai and might watch the final with the Indian players•PTI The classes of 1992, 1999, 2007, 2009, 2014 and 2015 (apart from Quinton de Kock and David Miller, who are at this tournament) had to accept they would not be the generation that would win a World Cup. Many of them described it as the biggest disappointment of their careers. They will be watching and living this final as though it was their own, albeit most from a distance and one not at all.Allan Donald, who was involved in that run-out in 1999, is back in the UK preparing for a coaching stint in the Legends League and will watch the final from there. He told ESPNcricinfo he regards it as the “biggest cricketing day of my professional career as an ex-player and now coach,” because reaching the final “puts to bed a lot of things.” What about his partner in that run-out, Lance Klusener? “Haven’t watched a ball,” he admitted from a hunting trip. “Will catch the result some time.”Graeme Smith, South Africa’s most successful Test captain who played in 2007 and 2009, is holidaying with his children on the Greek island of Skiathos. He tried to get flights for all of them to Barbados but could not find any availability and is now trying to gather a group of South Africans to watch the game with. Makhaya Ntini, South Africa’s first black African player, will be working on isiXhosa commentary in the television studios. Dale Steyn and Shaun Pollock, will be on commentary in Barbados but AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis, both former captains, are likely to be watching from afar.The South African women’s team, who were the first national cricket side to get to a World Cup final, are in the middle of a Test match against India in Chennai. They are aiming to get together with their opponents to watch the final but the inside track is that they will see how their own match is poised before deciding whether they want to spend more time together.When the current South African squad talk about what this means to them, they speak first about wanting to win the World Cup for these players, who laid the foundation but did not experience the building going up. Then they speak about wanting to win the World Cup for South Africans – for those who know what they know – because that is what matters.

This leg of the tournament features two rounds; the next three will be played in May

Matt Roller09-Feb-2022Nearly 700 days after the curtain of Covid-19 brought a premature end to the 2019-20 season, the West Indies four-day Championship returns on February 9, marking the resumption of regional first-class cricket in the Caribbean.Cricket West Indies (CWI) suspended the 2019-20 edition after the eighth of ten rounds of fixtures, crowning Barbados champions when it became clear that it would not be possible to complete the season. The 2020-21 edition was deemed logistically impossible, so its return on Wednesday after a hiatus of nearly two years is a significant moment.Johnny Grave, CWI’s chief executive, said that six months of “detailed planning” had made the competition possible. “We know the teams have been putting in hours of hard work in the nets, patiently waiting for the matches to be confirmed and are looking forward to being back on the field and entertaining their fans,” he said.The first two rounds of the tournament are set to be played exclusively in Barbados and Trinidad. The final three rounds will follow in May as the teams play each other once.First-round fixtures, February 9-12:

Barbados vs Leeward Islands (Kensington Oval)

Windward Islands vs Guyana (Queen’s Park Oval)

Trinidad and Tobago vs Jamaica (Brian Lara Cricket Academy)

Some young players in the Caribbean have been involved in ‘best vs best’ games before Test series or part of enlarged Test squads but have had limited opportunities to improve in a competitive environment. “This competition plays a critical role in our player-development pathway,” Jimmy Adams, CWI’s director of cricket, said. “After almost two years, we are delighted to have our regional players back playing competitively in this format.”Much of the intrigue around the first two rounds surrounds selection for March’s Test series against England. Desmond Haynes, the new lead selector, showed when recalling Kemar Roach for the ongoing ODI series in India that he is willing to make bold calls and impose his mark on the national team, and he will keep a close eye on early-season performances.Kraigg Brathwaite, the Test captain, will lead Barbados in their title defence, though they have several players missing due to the white-ball tour of India. Shane Dowrich, who has been succeeded by Joshua Da Silva as West Indies’ wicketkeeper, returns to professional cricket after a 14-month absence while Chemar Holder and Jomel Warrican will be in the conversation for selection ahead of the England series.Blackwood’s runs in the 2019-20 season won him a Test recall•Getty ImagesTheir first fixture is against the Leeward Islands at Kensington Oval, who are captained by Anguilla’s Jahmar Hamilton. Rahkeem Cornwall is their key bowler, looking to press his case for the England series, while Kieran Powell could be in the frame after winning a recall for the home Tests against South Africa and Pakistan last year.Guyana – rebranded as the Harpy Eagles after several years as the Jaguars – were champions for five seasons in a row between 2014-15 and 2018-19, and look like a strong side on paper. In Gudakesh Motie and Veerasammy Permaul, they have two reliable left-arm spinners, while seamers Nial Smith and Keemo Paul have shown promise.With the bat, there is always intrigue around the progress of Tagenarine Chanderpaul – Shivnarine’s son – but the involvement of Shimron Hetmyer is particularly notable. Hetmyer’s fitness has been a major talking point this year after he missed out on limited-overs selection, but Haynes clarified recently: “Hetmyer is in our plans – there is no question about it.”Related

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He has been named in the squad after recovering from illness, and opted to play for Guyana rather than joining Quetta Gladiators in the PSL; fitness-depending, he could come into contention for the England series.Guyana’s season starts at Queen’s Park Oval in Port-of-Spain, where they play a Windward Islands side like by Kavem Hodge and featuring West Indies Under-19 batters Ackeem Auguste and Teddy Bishop.Trinidad and Tobago will host Jamaica at the Brian Lara Academy ground in Tarouba, with Jayden Seales – the 20-year-old fast bowler who has already played four Tests – set to play his first red-ball game for them. Jeremy Solozano, who played against Sri Lanka in November, has recovered from the concussion he suffered on debut, while Da Silva and Shannon Gabriel are also involved.Jamaica will expect Jermaine Blackwood, who won his Test recall after finishing the 2019-20 season as the leading run-scorer in the competition, to score heavily, while their captain John Campbell may retain hopes of a call-up after a year out of the national team.