Latest news with #Gibraltar
Irish Times
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Times
Shamrock Rovers play out stalemate for easy progress in Conference League qualifiers
Uefa Conference League 2nd qualifying round, 2nd leg: Shamrock Rovers 0 St Joseph's (Gibraltar) 0 (Rovers win 4-0 on agg) With the hard yards emphatically done in last week's 4-0 win in Gibraltar, Shamrock Rovers never needed to come close to adding to that record away win in Europe here to rubber-stamp their passage through to the third round of the Conference League qualifiers. Stephen Bradley's side now meet Kosovans FC Ballkani, who beat Floriana of Malta 5-3 on aggregate, with the winners advancing to the play-offs for the League Phase. Irish League side Larne having stunned fellow Kosovans Prishtina in a dramatic penalty shoot-out, it means Rovers travel to Kosovo next Thursday for their first leg (instead of Tuesday) meaning Sunday's league game at home to Derry City goes ahead as rescheduled. With a European debut for 20-year-old defensive midfielder Cian Barrett one of six changes from Gibraltar, Rovers took seven minutes to settle into the game, creating a gilt-edged chance to have gone ahead on the night. READ MORE Skipper Roberto Lopes and Gary O'Neill worked the ball down the right for the run of Rory Gaffney. The veteran striker skilfully turned inside Geovanni Barba to force a parry save at his left-hand post from Bradley Banda. Danny Grant knows he should have done far better than blaze the rebound high over the crossbar. But that was as good as it got by way of further troubling the St Joseph's goal in the first half as the visitors, playing with no little confidence, spurned a big chance of their own to take the lead on 31 minutes. Barba was allowed to surge forward from the back to play a sublime through ball for the clever run of Javi Forjan. Ed McGinty's positioning was spot on as he saved well with his legs. There was another let off for a sluggish Rovers minutes before the break, Angel Martinez volleying wide after Jayce Olivero's deep cross dropped for him on the edge of the area. With more urgency to their game on the resumption, and Lee Grace and John McGovern into the fray at either end of the pitch replacing Lopes and Gaffney, Rovers moved the ball with more intent, a terrific save preventing a goal eight minutes in. Teenager Michael Noonan was the unintentional architect with his shot getting a flick off the head of McGovern to bring a superb reaction stop from Banda. While owning the ball for much of the remainder of the game, further clearcut chances were scarce. There was a late shout for a penalty not entertained by the Swedish referee when Noonan appeared to be tripped by substitute Javi Paul, but, try as they might, Rovers' winner on the night never materialised. Shamrock Rovers: McGinty; O'Neill, Lopes (Grace, h-t), C. O'Sullivan; Grant, Barrett, McEneff (Watts, 63), Honohan (Mandroiu, 63); Byrne (Kavanagh, 63); Noonan, Gaffney (McGovern, h-t). St Joseph's: Banda; Volz, Cardozo (Javi Paul, 79), Barba, Olivero; Pena (Rodriguez, 60), Sanchez, Juanma; Gibson (Armental, h-t), Forjan (Santos, 65), Martinez. Referee: Granit Maqedonci (Sweden). Attendance: 5,128.
The Sun
4 hours ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Jorrel Hato, 19, is Dutch wonderkid that Chelsea are backing to be next Van Dijk rather than new Matthijs de Ligt
CHELSEA believe Jorrel Hato will be more like the next Virgil van Dijk than the new Matthijs De Ligt. When young Ajax star Hato replaced Van Dijk at half time in a Euro 2024 qualifier against Gibraltar in November 2023, he became - at just 17 years, eight months and 14 days - the second youngest player to represent the Netherlands since 1931. 6 6 6 The youngest remains De Ligt, another Ajax wonderkid who had a month less on the clock when he made his Dutch debut in 2017. But De Ligt has had tough times since his big-money switch from Juventus to Manchester United in 2024. And it is not only Chelsea who think Hato, now 19, is better equipped to match Liverpool captain Van Dijk's levels of performance and impact in the Premier League. He has made no secret of modelling his game from a young age on Van Dijk's, although he spent most of last season playing as a left-back rather than a centre-back. Even in the tradition of Ajax producing fabulous young players that goes back more than 50 years, Hato looks like something special. Only Liverpool's Ryan Gravenberch and the legendary Clarence Seedorf made league debuts for the club at a younger age than Hato - all three were just 16. But while the other two were part of Ajax sides that ruled Europe or at least Holland, Hato has thrived in relative adversity. Seedorf was in the fabled team that won the Champions League in 1995 before going on to lift it again with Real Madrid and AC Milan. Gravenberch won three Dutch titles in four years under Erik ten Hag then moved to Bayern Munich. But Hato emerged at a time when Ajax were having their worst season for 35 years. Drake hints Cole Palmer is inspiration behind his new album name as he shares brilliant video of Chelsea star After being promoted to the first team and making his debut in 2022/23, he became a regular the following year when still only 17. In November of the campaign, he beat De Ligt's record to become Ajax's youngest ever captain and went on to play almost every minute of the season. The Amsterdam side's fifth-placed finish was their lowest since 1990, but Hato was a shining light. Last season Ajax suffered a different kind of heartbreak as they let slip a lead at the top of the table and ended a point behind PSV. But Hato was named the best young player in the Eredivisie. Liverpool's Dutch trio of Van Dijk, Cody Gakpo and Gravenberch all reacted to his post on social media celebrating the achievement. The Reds have been following Hato for some time, which makes it all the more surprising that they have allowed him to slip through their hands. Arsenal, too, were big fans. When Hato broke into the first team, Jurrien Timber was his mentor before leaving for the Gunners in the summer of 2023. Hato has Timber's versatility, as well as his calmness and ability on the ball. 6 6 But last summer Arsenal signed Riccardo Calafiori, another defender capable of playing at both left-back and left centre-back. With Liverpool and Arsenal prioritising attacking recruits this summer, Chelsea have swept in to sign one of the biggest young talents in European football. It will be a wrench for Hato to leave Ajax. His younger brother Elgyn is part of the academy and plays in the same under-14 team as Lennox Heitinga, son of Ajax boss Johnny. But he was adamant that he wanted to join Chelsea once the world champions made their move, asking to be left out of a friendly against Como as the saga unfolded. After his experience playing at left-back, Hato may find himself deputising for, or challenging Marc Cucurella in that role. But in the longer term, he is likely to be a more central figure, one that Chelsea hope will turn out to be their version of two-time Premier League winner Van Dijk. 6
Digital Trends
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Digital Trends
Battlefield 6's multiplayer looks like a true return to form for the franchise
Battlefield 6 just gave us our first look at its multiplayer, and all we can say is: buckle up, soldier. The game is set in the near future (a little too close for comfort, honestly) of 2027, where NATO has all but crumbled. All of the fan-favorite multiplayer modes like Conquest, Rush, and Breakthrough are back, but the end of the reveal strongly teased a battle royale mode — although it's worth noting it wasn't technically confirmed. The release date was also confirmed for October 10, and that says quite a lot about EA's faith in the latest entry in the Battlefield franchise. With Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 launching in November, Battlefield 6 is shaping up to be quite the title if the team is confident enough to go nearly head-to-head with CoD. Recommended Videos Here's what you need to know. The game will feature nine maps at launch, including a remake of Operation Firestorm from Battlefield 3. The nine maps are a mix of wide-open battlefields ideal for Conquest mode, as well as closer-range maps like Gibraltar. The trailer showed a map set in New York City, with the Brooklyn Bridge prominent in the background. The old class system is also making a welcome comeback. Once again, you'll take on the role of Recon, Assault, Engineer, and Support depending on your team's current need in the fight. Players will step into the shoes of specific characters in the single-player mode, but it doesn't seem (at least from what we've seen so far) that Specialists from Battlefield 2042 is coming back. The classes have also seen a few changes, such as the Support class gaining the ability to pull injured players behind cover and out of the line of fire. The graphics have obviously seen a solid upgrade, and though the trailer didn't show hit markers or score indicators, don't worry. They must have been removed for cinematic reasons, because the live gameplay after the initial presentation looked just like the battlefield you know and love. Finally, the game will be restricted to 64-player battles. The franchise tried out 128-player battles in Battlefield 2042, but it was largely unpopular, and it didn't take long before custom playlists tended to feature strictly 64-player lobbies. DICE seems to have learned from its mistakes, although the door for larger maps remains open through Battlefield Labs. Portal also makes an appearance, allowing players to create custom game modes and experiences with insane objectives that look like they're taken straight from the Halo custom game manual. If you're interested to play ahead of time — and you're already signed up for Battlefield Labs — you can take part in a public beta starting August 7 and 8. If you aren't already signed up, the beta will run between August 9 and 10 and then again from August 14-17. It's a great chance to test the waters before the game officially launches this October.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Rugby fan's huge airport surprise after landing in Sydney: 'Surreal'
When rugby superfan Lawrence Hanlin flew into Sydney from Gibraltar as the British & Irish Lions Tour of Australia got underway, he was in for the surprise of his life at the airport. There, waiting to take him to his hotel was his own private chauffeur, in the form of Wallabies legend and former captain Michael Hooper. 'Opening the door to such a legendary rugby player was surreal,' Lawrence, a former rugby player turned referee, tells Yahoo Lifestyle. 'He was incredibly friendly and genuine, which made the experience even better. We chatted about my lifelong passion for rugby - over 45 years now!' The pair exchanged banter about the classic rivalry between the Lions and Australia, and Lawrence was in for even more shocks once he arrived at the InterContinental Sydney, his chosen hotel for the stay. Not only were other top players there to greet him, namely British & Irish Lions players Andrew Porter, Tommy Freeman and Finn Russell, but he also got a signed Lions jersey, something he describes as 'the cherry on top'. RELATED: 🥬 Alternative to Coles, Woolworths saving shoppers up at $720 a year: 'Secret weapon' 🩲 'Favourite' Aussie brand slashes prices by 30 per cent: 'Available in XS to 2XL' 💄 Aussie brand's 'near perfect' dupe of $70 cult product wows for half the price Benefits and perks of IHG One Rewards So just why did Lawrence get such VIP treatment during his Sydney trip? He's a member of IHG One Rewards - the hotel chain's global loyalty program - and by just signing up for free, you're in with a chance of scoring some serious perks. 'The IHG One Rewards program is all about creating memorable, money-can't-buy experiences for our guests around the world,' Dean Jones, Vice President, Commercial, East Asia & Pacific (EAPAC), tells Yahoo Lifestyle. 'As the Official Hotel Partner of the Qatar Airways British & Irish Lions Tour, we wanted to recognise one of our members in a way that felt truly personal and once-in-a-lifetime. 'From the moment Lawrence stepped out of the airport to the final surprise in his room, you could see how much the entire experience meant to him, and we're so pleased to be able to create moments like this for our guests.' But while Lawrence's experience took a 'bit of coordination behind the scenes' to pull off, Dean explains that anyone who signs up to join the rewards program can reap a whole host of benefits - some of which can save you some serious cash. Upgrades and sports events for members 'Members earn points every time they stay across our portfolio of 20 brands, and those points can be redeemed for perks, including hotel nights, upgrades, and increasingly, unforgettable experiences, such as Lions Tour tickets, access to fan zones and activations we've popped up on property and at stadiums during the tour,' Dean says. 'There are five loyalty tiers in total, and the more nights you stay in a year, the further you move up the tiers. 'Even at our starting tier as a Club Member, there are some great perks, including free Wi-Fi, access to member-only rates every time you book and late check-out on availability. It's designed to be simple to understand, flexible, and about giving members choice in how they earn and spend their points, so it's rewarding in the way you want it to be.' Indeed, over the last few months, IHG has been offering numerous exclusive perks and benefits to IHG One Rewards members in Australia and around the world. These include Platinum rugby tickets with a Captain's Run experience, the ultimate Lions Tour prize with flights and accommodation, signed merch and more. View this post on Instagram A post shared by IHG Hotels & Resorts (@ihghotels) Members start saving immediately To date, IHG One Rewards members have redeemed over eight million points for experiences – including Platinum tickets to the Sydney Test match, which sold out in just two minutes. 'The best way to stay across what's on offer is to join IHG One Rewards and keep an eye out for key offers on our IHG One Rewards Access platform, an exclusive benefit for members, where they can redeem points for unique experiences,' Dean explains. 'We're always adding and communicating new offers and once-in-a-lifetime packages, not just for sport fans, but across music, culture and entertainment.' IHG hotels include the luxe InterContinental Sydney and Double Bay, the Kimpton Margot Sydney, the Crowne Plaza Sydney Darling Harbour and the Hotel Indigo Sydney Potts Point. In Melbourne, they're behind Voco Melbourne Central, the Hotel Indigos on Little Collins and Flinders Lane, as well as the InterContinental Melbourne and two Crowne Plaza hotels. 'When you join IHG One Rewards, you automatically unlock a members-only rate. It's a simple way to start saving straight away,' Dean says. 'Plus, as members accrue points over time, they can be used to cover part or all of a future stay, or to save money with one of our many partners, including airlines and retailers.' Rewards program a 'no brainer' For Lawrence, becoming an IHG One Rewards member was a 'no brainer' as he travels extensively for work. 'It gives me access to extra perks and offers that really enhance my travel experience,' he tells Yahoo Lifestyle. 'The program adds genuine value for frequent travellers like me.' He describes the InterContinental Sydney as 'exceptional' and in his 'top five hotels worldwide'. And there's a good reason why he wanted this trip to be extra special. 'Having stayed at various hotels in Sydney before, I knew I wanted something central, with amazing views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. This trip was extra special as I planned to propose to my partner on the bridge later in the week.' Indeed, Lawrence tells Yahoo Lifestyle that he did end up proposing and his partner said 'yes' - making this Australian getaway one to remember forever. To learn more about IHG One Rewards, click here.
The Guardian
4 days ago
- Science
- The Guardian
Thousands of tons of invasive seaweed ‘overwhelming' Spanish beaches
Thousands of tonnes of an aggressive invasive seaweed from south-east Asia are piling up on the beaches of the strait of Gibraltar and Spain's southern coast in what local environmentalists say is a major threat to the region's biodiversity. Since May, the local authority in Cádiz has removed 1,200 tonnes of the alga Rugulopteryx okamurae from La Caleta, the city's most popular beach, including 78 tonnes in a single day. 'We're completely overwhelmed. This is an environmental catastrophe,' said José Carlos Teruel, responsible for Cádiz city council's beaches. 'Whenever the wind is westerly, we know we're in for another wave of seaweed.' As with many other invasive marine species, the alga is thought to arrive in the ballast tanks of ships which pass through the Suez canal and then discharge their tanks in the Mediterranean. In little more than a decade the species has colonised the strait of Gibraltar, much of Spain's southern coast, the Canary Islands, the Azores, and, farther north, the Cantabrian sea and the Basque Country. 'It was first spotted 10 years ago in Ceuta, Spain's north African enclave, by a researcher from Málaga university, but the authorities are always too slow to react,' said Juan José Vergara, a professor of biology at the University of Cádiz. 'In the first phase of an invasion such as this it can be controlled. It's like catching cancer early on before it spreads,' Vergara said, adding that what washes ashore is a fraction of what is underwater. 'But now the scale of it makes it impossible to control. In other seaweed invasions we've seen things revert to normal after a period of 10-15 years but many scientists say they've never seen an invasion on this scale.' The seaweed is having a major impact on the local economy, firstly on tourism in Cádiz and nearby Tarifa, a town popular with windsurfers, and on fishing because it traps fishers' nets and lines and also sucks oxygen out of the water. Then there's the cost to the taxpayer of disposing of it. Perhaps most worrying is its impact on biodiversity. On the beach at La Caleta, the seaweed has driven out many indigenous plants. It is unclear whether the damage is temporary or irreversible. The alga attaches itself to rocks and other surfaces and is also free-floating, wiping out native species of seaweed. It has no predators in the region and its capacity to reproduce both sexually and asexually and to absorb toxins makes it virtually impossible to eradicate, experts say. At present the seaweed is dumped in landfill sites. Vergara said a local business that recycles seaweed into drinks containers or to use as fuel and fertiliser has sought permission to use Rulopteryx okamuraeas as a biomass to produce energy. However, Spain's law on invasive species prohibits their commercial exploitation unless they pose a threat to health and safety or to further their eradication, a caveat that would seem to apply to Rulopteryx okamuraeas. This week the government in Andalucía launched a four-part plan to confront the crisis based on research, monitoring and education, and which includes options for recycling the seaweed. To use it as biomass the regional government will have to negotiate with Spain's environment ministry but Vergara said that even if an agreement is reached, it can only be part of the solution. 'It's an interesting idea but I doubt it will be able to eradicate or even significantly diminish the intensity of the invasion when hundreds of thousands of tonnes can wash up on a single beach,' he said.
