Latest news with #JulianAlvarez
Arab Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Arab Times
Kuwait heads to Bahrain for inaugural West Asian Volleyball Championship
KUWAIT CITY, July 16: The Kuwaiti national volleyball team wrapped up its training camp in Tunisia and is scheduled to arrive in Bahrain today to take part in the inaugural West Asian Volleyball Championship, which begins tomorrow and runs through July 26. During the camp, Kuwait played three friendly matches — securing victories against Tunisia and Algeria, while losing their final match against Libya 3-1. The training camp successfully achieved its main objectives, particularly improving player readiness and fostering on-court cohesion. Under the guidance of Argentine head coach Julian Alvarez and assistant coach Zaid Al-Kazemi, the technical staff focused on boosting team chemistry, tactical understanding, and building the experience of the squad, which includes several promising young players. The squad features 14 players: Abdulaziz Najm, Yousef Mandil, Fahad Saad, Abdulnasser Al-Enezi, Abdullah Al-Enezi, Abdulrahman Al-Mutawa, Saud Al-Duwisan, Ahmed Al-Munayyes, Rashid Anbar, Athbi Malik, Fares Suleiman, Talal Abdulrazzaq, Ibrahim Mandil, and Abdulrahman Mohammed. Kuwait has been placed in Group A, alongside Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman, while Group B includes Bahrain (the host), Jordan, the UAE, and Lebanon. Kuwait's campaign begins tomorrow against Oman, followed by a matchup with Saudi Arabia the next day. The team will then conclude its group stage fixtures on Monday with a crucial match against Qatar. The championship was initially scheduled for last year but was postponed to this summer in coordination with the International Volleyball Federation to ensure its inclusion in the official world rankings. According to Mohammed Salem Al-Kuwari, Secretary-General of the West Asian Volleyball Federation, this move aims to elevate the status of the participating teams and provide them with valuable technical and motivational momentum.
Arab Times
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
Kuwait volleyball team to face Algeria in Tunisia camp
TUNIS, July 12: The Kuwaiti volleyball team comfortably defeated Libya 3-0 in its second friendly match during its training camp in Tunisia, preparing for the upcoming West Asian Championship, which Bahrain will host from July 17 to 27. The team is set to play its third friendly today against Algeria. Led by Argentine coach Julian Alvarez and his national assistant Zaid Al-Kazemi, Kuwait is currently holding a 10-day training camp in Tunisia before heading to Manama, Bahrain's capital, for the tournament. The national team maintained strong form in its latest friendly, winning in straight sets: 25-20, 25-22, and 25-21. The technical and administrative staff is considering gradually increasing the intensity of friendly matches to help the team reach peak performance ahead of the competition. In the tournament draw, Kuwait was placed in Group B alongside Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman, while Group A features hosts Bahrain, Jordan, the UAE, and Lebanon. Kuwait will open its campaign on July 17 against Oman, face Saudi Arabia on July 18, and conclude group play against Qatar on July 21.
Free Malaysia Today
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Free Malaysia Today
Atletico's Club World Cup exit is latest setback to Simeone's reign
Atletico's head coach Diego Simeone expressed pride in his players' efforts throughout their Club World Cup campaign. (EPA Images pic) PASADENA : Atletico Madrid will have to pick themselves up again as they pack their bags to travel back home earlier than most expected from the Club World Cup after being knocked out of the tournament in the group stage. Diego Simeone's side were eliminated despite a 1-0 victory over Brazil's Botafogo in their final Group B match on Monday, as they finished third in the so-called 'group of death', level on six points with Paris St-Germain and Botafogo but falling short on goal difference. The damage was largely inflicted in that opening 4-0 thrashing by PSG, a scoreline that would ultimately prove fatal to their ambitions in Fifa's revamped multi-million dollar showcase. Simeone's men arrived in the US with high hopes, boasting a squad that included Argentinian forward Julian Alvarez, former France captain Antoine Griezmann, and several other international names. However, their heavy loss to PSG and lacklustre performances overall raised further questions about the team's direction under their long-serving manager. Reflecting on the campaign, Simeone expressed pride in his players' efforts but lamented what he deemed poor officiating. 'Proud of the boys' work. We gave absolutely everything we had. We won two out of three matches, and even so, sadly, we're out,' he told DAZN after the Botafogo win. 'With six points, it wasn't bad, but the match against PSG condemned us, where every refereeing decision always went against us. Today's game also had a penalty decision overturned after a VAR review. It's more of the same. We know what we need to improve, and this will help us move forward.' Griezmann was the standout performer against Botafogo, scoring the decisive goal and providing a rare spark for a side that has struggled to replicate the defensive prowess seen in Simeone's best years, when they reached two Champions League finals. Despite dominating possession, Atletico rarely troubled Botafogo's organised defence and needed their goalkeeper Jan Oblak to work their magic against their Brazilian rivals to avoid a worse result. The previous defeat by PSG had already exposed familiar weaknesses, including frail defending against wide players and a lack of creativity in the final third – issues that have plagued them during their four consecutive trophy-less seasons. Blaming the refereeing rather than facing their own issues seems like a tough pill to swallow for Atletico fans, as this latest disappointment heaps further pressure on Simeone, Europe's highest-paid manager, as he prepares for his 14th season in charge of the Madrid side. Critics and fans alike are questioning whether the Argentine's leadership can still inspire a squad that has stagnated in both domestic and European competitions. Adding to Atletico's woes is the sight of bitter rivals Real Madrid are poised to advance in Fifa's revamped tournament. With an off-season of introspection ahead, Atletico face mounting challenges to rebuild and reclaim their status as contenders on all fronts.
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Atletico Madrid target ‘doubles in value' on Euro U21 duty
Atletico Madrid could be in the market for a new striker this summer as part of Diego Simeone's squad rebuild. Despite the frustration – and financial impact – of bowing out in the FIFA Club World Cup group stages, Simeone will still have a sizeable transfer budget to work with. Advertisement Defence is rumoured to be a key focus for Simeone, with Liverpool star Andy Robertson now off the table, amid interest in Atalanta star Matteo Ruggeri. However, there could also be changes at the other end of the pitch, to lighten the load on star man Julian Alvarez next season. Antoine Griezmann's contract extension, and flashes of promise from Alexander Sorloth underline Simeone's options, but there is room for one more. As per reports from Diario AS, one of the leading stars at this summer's UEFA U21 European Championship has caught Simone's eye with VfB Stuttgart striker Nick Woltemade added to his transfer shortlist. Nick Woltemade's Stuttgart contract, transfer value Woltemade has scored six goals on route to Germany reaching the final of the competition and his profile fits what Simeone wants as a rotation for Sorloth. Advertisement The report claims Atletico Madrid reached out to Stuttgart before the competition kick off with his value set at €17m. Image viaHowever, his performances in Slovakia have ramped that up and he could now be worth almost double that amount at around €30m. Nick Woltemade's Stuttgart stats Woltemade's superb first season in Stuttgart saw him called up for a senior Germany debut at the start of 2025. The 23-year-old joined from Werder Bremen last summer, with the towering striker going on to score 12 Bundesliga goals and 17 overall in 2024/25, as Stuttgart finished ninth in the final rankings. Simeone's squad are due back for preseason training in mid-July with a friendly confirmed against Newcastle United on August 9 following a domestic training camp.
CNA
24-06-2025
- Sport
- CNA
Atletico's Club World Cup exit is latest setback to Simeone's reign
Atletico Madrid will have to pick themselves up again as they pack their bags to travel back home earlier than most expected from the Club World Cup, after being knocked out of the tournament in the group stage. Diego Simeone's side were eliminated despite a 1-0 victory over Brazil's Botafogo in their final Group B match on Monday, as they finished third in the so-called "group of death", level on six points with Paris St Germain and Botafogo but falling short on goal difference. The damage was largely inflicted in that opening 4-0 thrashing by PSG, a scoreline that would ultimately prove fatal to their ambitions in FIFA's revamped multi-million dollar showcase. Simeone's men arrived in the United States with high hopes, boasting a squad that included Argentinian forward Julian Alvarez, former France captain Antoine Griezmann, and several other international names. However, their heavy loss to PSG and lacklustre performances overall raised further questions about the team's direction under their long-serving manager. Reflecting on the campaign, Simeone expressed pride in his players' efforts but lamented what he deemed poor officiating. "Proud of the boys' work. We gave absolutely everything we had. We won two out of three matches and even so, sadly we're out,' he told DAZN after the Botafogo win. "With six points, it wasn't bad, but the match against PSG condemned us, where every refereeing decision always went against us. Today's game also had a penalty decision overturned after a VAR review. It's more of the same. We know what we need to improve, and this will help us move forward." Griezmann was the standout performer against Botafogo, scoring the decisive goal and providing a rare spark for a side that has struggled to replicate the defensive prowess seen in Simeone's best years, when they reached two Champions League finals. Despite dominating possession, Atletico rarely troubled Botafogo's organised defence and needed their goalkeeper Jan Oblak to work their magic against their Brazilian rivals to avoid a worst result. The previous defeat by PSG had already exposed familiar weaknesses, including frail defending against wide players and a lack of creativity in the final third—issues that have plagued them during their four consecutive trophy-less seasons. Blaming the refereeing rather than facing their own issues seems like a tough pill to swallow to Atletico fans as this latest disappointment heaps further pressure on Simeone, Europe's highest-paid manager, as he prepares for his 14th season in charge of the Madrid side. Critics and fans alike are questioning whether the Argentine's leadership can still inspire a squad that has stagnated in both domestic and European competitions. Adding to Atletico's woes is the sight of bitter rivals Real Madrid poised to advance in FIFA's revamped tournament. With an off-season of introspection ahead, Atletico face mounting challenges to rebuild and reclaim their status as contenders on all fronts.
