Latest news with #Polvara
Press and Journal
3 days ago
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Dante Polvara takes Aberdeen teammates to Charleston Battery homecoming
Aberdeen midfielder Dante Polvara was the guest of honour at his former side Charleston Battery on Saturday. The 24-year-old was acknowledged for his part in helping the Dons win the Scottish Cup with a warm reception from the Charleston support before their USL Cup match against Greenville Triumph kicked off. Polvara also had some of his Dons teammates in South Carolina watching on as Jack Milne, Gavin Molloy and Hibernian-bound Jamie McGrath also attended the game. The American spent time on loan at Charleston Battery in 2023, making 21 appearances and scoring one goal. The Dons players will return for pre-season training towards the end of the month.
Press and Journal
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Sir Alex Ferguson's inspirational pre-Scottish Cup final message to Aberdeen revealed by Dante Polvara
Scottish Cup hero Dante Polvara has revealed the inspirational message delivered by Sir Alex Ferguson before the final at Hampden. Midfielder Polvara netted one of the spot-kicks as the Dons triumphed 4-3 on penalties against Celtic to lift the trophy for the first time since 1990. Legendary former Aberdeen and Manchester United boss Sir Alex sent a motivational video which was played to the squad before the Hampden clash. During his time at Pittodrie, Sir Alex led Aberdeen to Scottish Cup glory four times – in 1982, 83, 84 and 86. He also won two European trophies, three league titles and a league cup with the Reds. As Manchester United manager, Sir Alex led the English giants to 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups and four League Cups, also claiming two Champions Leagues, a European Cup Winners' Cup, Super Cup and the Club World Cup. Aberdeen were written off by many having failed to beat Celtic in the previous 30 clashes in all competitions. The Reds had also lost their previous four matches to Celtic during the season by a 17-2 aggregate, including a 5-1 loss at Pittodrie less than two weeks before the final. However, Sir Alex did not write off Aberdeen's chances of rocking Scottish football at Hampden. Polvara said: 'The message Sir Alex told us is there's always a chance and all that matters is getting the win. 'When we equalised everything was a bit still, and when it went to penalties, I felt we'd do it. 'The history of this cup is incredible. 'It was 35 years since Aberdeen last won it. 'And someone said it's 31 years since there was a proper upset in it. 'I wanted to do something like this when I came here, so we'll look forward to next season now.' Aberdeen's sensational first silverware triumph since the League Cup in 2014 went to the wire with a penalty shoot-out. The sides were tied 1-1 after extra-time following own goals from Aberdeen's Alfie Dorrington and Celtic keeper Kasper Schmeichel. Aberdeen suffered the heartache of losing a Scottish Cup semi-final on penalties to Celtic last season after a 3-3 draw. This year that penalty heartache turned to joy. Polvara said: 'Because of what happened in last season's semi-final, I thought we'd have a bit of fortune this year. 'It was crazy.' Polvara was introduced as a substitute in the final and took Aberdeen's second penalty in the shoot-out, following captain Graeme Shinnie. The 24-year-old confidently converted to maintain the Dons' advantage after Dimitar Mitov had saved Celtic's first spot-kick, from Callum McGregor. Polvara revealed he did research into penalties as he is 'a bit of a maths guy'. He said: 'I wanted to take a penalty, one hundred percent. 'As soon as I knew I wasn't starting, I wanted to come on and make a mark. 'I researched all the stats about penalties, where to hit them and where people miss them. 'I'm a bit of a maths guy because in college I missed a few, so I looked into it. 'So I started researching everything to find the best way. 'If we get to another one I'll maybe have to change it, but we'll see. 'Walking down to take it, I couldn't feel my body, but once I scored I came back and told the boys it's so much easier than you think! 'They said that made them way more nervous, because they were left thinking: 'I can't mess this up now'. 'Your body is just numb when you step up to it and I didn't really see the ball. 'I just saw the keeper dive the wrong way and then the ball was in the net. 'Your whole body just goes… you let out every piece of energy you have. 'When it hits the back of the net, it is just pure relief.' On-loan striker Oday Dabbagh and midfielder Ante Palaversa followed Polvara in taking penalties, and both scored. Such was the tension Polvara couldn't watch Alistair Johnston's penalty, Celtic's fifth. If Johnston failed to score, Aberdeen were Scottish Cup champions. Keeper Mitov saved. Polvara said: 'I couldn't watch so I turned around then noticed the big screen, so that kind of ruined the purpose of it. 'I glanced at it, thought: 'Oh no' and watched the crowd instead. 'So I then saw their reaction, 20,000 people going wild, and thought: 'No way, he's just saved it'. 'I was going to watch the next one because I knew Mats (Knoester) would score. 'I told him he'd do that, so I would have watched his.'
Daily Record
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Dante Polvara left Aberdeen pals thinking ‘I can't f*** this up now' as he reveals Celtic penalty advice during shootout
Polvara struggled to watch the penalties and used the reaction of the Red Army as his Hampden guide Dante Polvara revealed that Sir Alex Ferguson's Scottish Cup advice was simple - "All that matters is getting the win'. The Dons' greatest ever manager sent a good luck message and motivational video to Jimmy Thelin and his class of 2025, ahead of their historic Hampden win over Celtic. It certainly proved the case as an Aberdeen team lifted their first trophy in 11 years and its first Scottish Cup in 35 years. Polvara confirmed: 'The message Sir Alex told us there's always a chance and all that matters is getting the win.' Thelin has met Ferguson on several occasions and has built up a rapport with the Swedish boss. He has now followed in his footsteps by delivering a trophy to Aberdeen and by giving Brendan Rodgers' treble-chasing Celtic a bloody nose. This Scottish Cup final went the distance and to penalties but the American was always confident the footballing gods would shine on them. He also felt they were due one on Celtic after they beat them on spot kicks in last year's Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden. Polvara admitted: 'When we equalised everything was a bit still and when it went to penalties, I felt we'd do it. 'Because of what happened in last season's semi-final, I thought we'd have a bit of fortune this year. It was crazy. 'Barry Robson told us about the League Cup final and put a picture on the slide before that one. So it was nice to finally see it, it was amazing.' It has been three-and-a-half decades since Aberdeen got a Scottish Cup parade that they were able to celebrate at the weekend. The midfielder and his team lapped it up. He acknowledged: 'The history of this cup is incredible, it was 35 years since Aberdeen last won it and someone said it's 31 years since there was a proper upset in it. 'I wanted to do something like this when I came here so we'll look forward to next season now.' Polvara came off the bench and netted his penalty in the shootout. It helped that Dimitar Mitov had saved Callum McGregor's opener and Graeme Shinnie had put his away. Johnny Kenny levelled for Celtic but Polvara kept the Dons 2-1 ahead. He insisted he had done his homework in advance. He explained: 'I wanted to take a penalty, one hundred percent. As soon as I knew I wasn't starting, I wanted to come on and make a mark. 'I researched all the stats about penalties, where to hit them and where people miss them. 'I'm a bit of a maths guy because in college I missed a few so I looked into it. So I started researching everything to find the best way. 'If we get to another one I'll maybe have to change it, but we'll see.' He then came back and told those still to take that it was easier than it looked. Polvara added: 'Walking down to take it, I couldn't feel my body but once I scored I came back and told the boys it's so much easier than you think! 'They said that made them way more nervous because they were left thinking 'I can't f*** this up now'. 'When it hits the net it's just pure relief, your body is just numb when you step up to it and I didn't really see the ball. 'I just saw the keeper dive the wrong way and the ball was in the net. 'Your whole body just goes, you let out every piece of energy you have - just pure relief." Polvara was confident with his own penalties but struggled to watch the others. He turned away and didn't know that Dimitar Mitov had saved Alistair Johnston's penalty until he saw the Red Army celebrating. Polvara, talking to RedTV, confirmed: 'I couldn't watch so I turned around then noticed the big screen, so that kind of ruined the purpose of it. 'I glanced at it, thought 'oh sh**' and watched the crowd instead. 'So I then saw their reaction, 20,000 people going wild and thought 'no way, he's just saved it'. 'I was going to watch the next one because I knew Mats would score, I told him he'd do that so I would have watched his.'
Press and Journal
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin delivers plan for midfielder Dante Polvara
Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin insists midfielder Dante Polvara can play a key role in the bid to finish third and secure Scottish Cup glory. American Polvara has made an impact off the bench in recent back-to-back wins that kept alive the Dons hopes of securing success this season. The 24-year-old impressed as a substitute in the 2-1 Scottish Cup semi-final win against Hearts at Hampden. New York born Polvara also shone when coming off the bench in the 1-0 win against Hibs in the battle for third spot showdown. Polvara has started only one match under Thelin this season, a 3-0 Scottish Cup win at Elgin City on January 18. The midfielder was ruled out for the first five months of the campaign by a hamstring tear suffered in pre-season training that required surgery. The midfielder returned to action in December but has yet to start in the Premiership. After his long injury setback Thelin reckons Polvara is finally rediscovering his top form and affecting matches. Thelin said: 'Dante hasn't been involved so much. 'For us and him it was more about coming up to speed after the setbacks and injuries this season. 'If you look at his fitness level and intensity it is much better. 'Dante can also express himself better and contribute more to the team. 'He is going to be an asset for us in the last part of the season.' Polvara enjoyed a breakout campaign last season with 40 appearances in all competitions. He impressed in the Uefa Conference League group stage matches last season, netting in the 2-1 loss to Bundesliga outfit Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany. Polvara also scored in the 3-2 loss to Greek side PAOK at Pittodrie. The midfielder is contracted to Aberdeen until summer 2026. Thelin said: 'Dante came into the game and raised everything, including the emotions against Hibs. 'In the semi-final he carried the ball really well and broke the lines. 'Dante found good passes and also pressed inside the box.' Thelin's bid to deliver success in his debut season at Pittodrie has received a recent boost with players returning from injury. Midfielder Jamie McGrath returned to action as a substitute in the semi-final win after two months out with a shoulder injury. Centre-back Gavin Molloy has also returned to fitness from a long-term shoulder injury but has yet to be named in a match-day squad. Keeper Dimitar Mitov has returned from a shoulder injury. Centre-back Kristers Tobers is expected to ramp up his rehabilitation from a hamstring injury this week. Thelin insists the entire squad will be needed. Particularly during a spell where the final three Premiership games will be packed into a hectic week. Aberdeen face Rangers (a), Celtic (h) and Dundee United (a) across seven days. Thelin said: 'The good thing for the last part of the season is we have a lot of players coming back from long-term injuries. 'It will be important, especially in the last week where we will have three games. 'We are going to need everyone. 'The intensity in training is kept high because everyone is fresh. 'Everyone will have a role to play.' Thelin also provided an update on Dutch winger Vicente Besuijen who has been sidelined since undergoing surgery on a knee injury in December. The 24-year-old, contracted until summer 2026, spent last season on loan at Dutch club Emmen and rekindled his Pittodrie career under Thelin. Besuijen made 15 appearances and scored twice this season before his injury setback. Thelin said: 'Vinny is not with the team but at least he is on the pitch. 'He is not going to be back this season. 'It will be pre-season.'
