Latest news with #Seville
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Emotional Antony gives update on Man United future and explains why Real Betis fell apart in Conference League final against Chelsea
Man United loanee Antony was left in tears after he was powerless to prevent Chelsea coming from behind to beat his Real Betis side 4-1 and win the Conference League final in Wrocław. The Brazilian has been in dazzling form since moving to Spain on loan in January, scoring nine goals and adding five assists, offering a glimpse of the form that saw Man United splash £86million to sign him from Ajax. Despite all the pre-match hype, however, the Brazilian was unable to impact the final. Betis took a ninth-minute lead through Abde Ezzalzouli which they held until the 65th minute when they capitulated and conceded four goals in 25 minutes with Enzo Fernandez, Nicolas Jackson, Jadon Sancho and Moises Caicedo all scoring. At the final whistle, Antony broke down in tears and was consoled by his fellow Man United loanee Sancho who gave him a big hug. Antony has spoken of his love for Real Betis and the joy he has felt since moving to Seville after his dark days at Man United where he says he did not have 'the strength to even play with my son, going days without eating, staying locked in my room'. Manuel Pellegrini's side want to keep the 25-year-old but will need to shell out around £30-35m and fend off competition for his signature, leaving Antony in limbo. And when quizzed after the match, Antony admitted he is no wiser on his future. 'I don't what will happen in the future, only God knows,' he told CBS Sports. 'My work is playing and I'm doing that well. I have a lot of affection for Betis, for everyone but I have a contract with Man United and I don't know what's going to happen. 'Now I will go to the national team and then on holiday then we will see what happens in the future. 'I'm very happy here, everyone knows that but I have a contract.' Chesea's victory means they became the first club to win each of the five major European trophies but, for almost two thirds of the match, they were trailing to their La Liga opponents. The Blues looked out of sorts in a first half but Cole Palmer turned the game on its head by providing two crosses in the 65th and 70th minutes — one with his left foot, the other with his right, both equally exquisite — which spun this final on its head. Antony has scored nine goals and adding five assists for Betis during his loan at Real Betis But, while congratulating Chelsea on their triumph, Antony admitted that Betis only had themselves to blame. 'Right now it's difficult to say any words, we knew the importance of this final but we lost. Congratulations to Chelsea for the title,' he said. 'Concentration was our downfall. 'It was a good first half but in the second half, we didn't have the ball. We need to remember that it's a game of 90 minutes and we didn't concentrate for the entire game.'
Travel Daily News
21 hours ago
- Business
- Travel Daily News
TIS2025 defines the challenges of tourism
From October 22 to 24, more than 8,000 professionals will gather at TIS2025 to explore the future of the tourism industry, articulated around thrusts such as technology, AI and sustainability. MADRID – TIS – Tourism Innovation Summit 2025 (TIS2025), which will be held from October 22 to 24 at the FIBES exhibition center in Seville, continues to make progress in the preparations for its next edition. This has become evident with the holding of its first Advisory Board, which has included representatives from leading companies such as Vueling, Telefónica, Veolia and MasOrange, and from organizations and institutions such as the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), SEGITTUR, CEOE and Paradores. TIS2025 will bring together more than 8,000 professionals from the global tourism ecosystem in the Andalusian capital to showcase the technological solutions that are reimagining the way we travel. With the slogan 'Innovation in motion, tourism reimagined', TIS2025 will once again be the setting for the Tourism Innovation Global Summit, a benchmark forum that will bring together more than 400 experts from different areas of the tourism sector to chart the path towards the new traveler profile. The congress will have an agenda distributed in five auditoriums that will operate in parallel and will be structured around eight specialized forums: Destinations of the Future, Hospitality, Transportation and Tourist Travel, Distribution Channels and OTAs, Activities and Attractions, MICE, Business Travel, and Leisure and Culture. In addition, customized agendas will be designed for different professional profiles such as CEO, DMO, CIO, CTO, CMO, CSO and HR managers. South Korea, guest country at TIS2025 In this sixth edition of TIS, South Korea takes over from China as guest country with the aim of 'building bridges and understanding how technological innovations are being applied in this Asian country, something that will be key to inspire new business opportunities. Through case studies and examples of disruptive marketing and communication campaigns, our goal is to offer companies and professionals in the sector, tools and learning that allow them to access this market, expand their strategic vision and apply that knowledge in their own projects to continue to evolve', explained Silvia Avilés, Director of TIS. The integration of AI among tourists is highly integrated and this is shown by recent studies that point out that almost half of travelers trust the use of artificial intelligence when planning their trips. Therefore, among the main thematic thrusts of the Tourism Innovation Global Summit, the use of artificial intelligence to drive innovation through case studies, data-driven personalization strategies, the irruption of robotics, the impact of digital solutions on business profitability, and the adoption of technologies focused on sustainability stand out. New channels to attract travelers, collaborative platforms and technological tools to reduce operating costs will also be explored. Moreover, in a context marked by changing consumer habits, today's travelers increasingly prioritize authentic experiences, access to personalized proposals and sustainable options that minimize their impact on the territory. According to recent reports, 89% of tourists say they want to travel more consciously and responsibly, choosing destinations that respect local culture and the environment, 74% look for sustainable accommodations and more than 60% are inspired by digital channels (such as social networks, travel blogs or video platforms) to plan their getaways. This highlights the broad transformation in which the sector is immersed. Faced with this evolution of the traveler, TIS-Tourism Innovation Summit 2025 is positioned as a key meeting point for travel industry players who want to adapt and lead this change. With a focus on innovation, digitization and sustainability, the event seeks to offer destinations and tourism companies the necessary tools to reformulate their business models to integrate naturally into the traveltech industry. TIS2025 will undoubtedly contribute to anticipate the expectations of new travelers and build a more resilient, personalized and sustainable tourism, aligned with market demands and the Sustainable Development Goals=.
The Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Why Real Betis are the NEWCASTLE of Spanish football as they gear up for Chelsea clash in Conference League final
CHELSEA face Real Betis in the Conference League final. Spanish football expert Andy West gives the lowdown on the Seville-based club and reveals their similarities to a Premier League side. 5 5 Real Betis are seen as a regional powerhouse, attracting an average attendance of more than 50,000 loyal fans. They also have a passionate wider fanbase scattered across the country, who display their famous striped shirts as a proud symbol of identity. But their big-club status has rarely been matched by on-field success, with several stints in the second tier testing the patience of long-suffering supporters. Yes, there is a strong case for arguing that Betis are Spain's equivalent of Newcastle United. And after Toon's trophy drought ended with March's Carabao Cup glory, Betis fans are praying the comparison continues as they seek European silverware in the Conference League final against Enzo Maresca's Chelsea. The Spanish side are enjoying the most consistently successful spell in their history, qualifying for Europe every season since the 2020 arrival of coach Manuel Pellegrini. They have also claimed domestic silverware, winning the Copa del Rey in 2022. But the Blues clash is a first chance at continental glory for a club that had never progressed beyond European quarter-finals until this season. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 5 CHELSEA VS REAL BETIS - CONFERENCE LEAGUE FINAL STREAM AND TV INFO On the subject of success, one big difference between Betis and Newcastle is that the former have a major rival in their own city. And it is cross-town Sevilla who have hogged the headlines in recent years by winning the Europa League SEVEN times since 2006. However, Betis are the better supported of the two clubs, as Seville native Javier Gancedo explained: 'Within the city, there's an even split between Betis and Sevilla fans. 'But across the rest of Andalusia, nobody else supports Sevilla because they are the traditional team of the city's ruling class who controlled everything. 'On the other hand, Betis have always been for the working class. And their green and white colours are the same as the Andalusia flag, showing how they represent people from all over the region.' Andalusia saw around 1.5 million people emigrate there during the 1950s and 1960s to find work in cities like Madrid and Barcelona. They took their love for Betis with them. Andalusia is culturally unique — tapas and flamenco, hot sun and hotter emotions, fed by strong traces of Muslim and Gypsy cultures. That mix comes together — expressive and creative football is a given, best embodied in the club's greatest ever player, Joaquin. When he retired two years ago after making 528 appearances, the winger said: 'We Beticos are different. It's a way of life united by passion and love... a completely different way of seeing football.' Their fans have a heart-warming Christmas tradition of throwing soft toys on to the pitch at half-time, so they can be collected and donated to local underprivileged children. Swap the fog on the Tyne for scorching sunshine, and exchange Geordie grit for Spanish flair. But the intensity of support — and the long wait for silverware — is the same. And if the comparison between Newcastle and Betis continues with a trophy, the celebrations will be just as memorable. 5
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Ex-Man City boss Manuel Pellegrini leads SEVEN Premier League old boys for Real Betis against Chelsea in Europa Conference League final, including scorpion kick winger, Watford flop and Arsenal speedster
Real Betis' squad this season feels like a future quiz question destined to be asked. Their revival this season features so many familiar faces to the Premier League and English football and the Seville club even have silverware to play for. They take on Chelsea in the final of the Europa Conference League on Wednesday, May 28. The Blues will be well primed for their opposition, with many of them having faced a chunk of the Betis squad on these shores before. The journey for each of the players has been different but what most have in common is that they failed to make the cut consistently in the Premier League. Of course, they're being led by a Premier League stalwart in Manuel Pellegrini, too. Here's a look at the ex-Premier League players out to spoil Chelsea's party later this month. Hector Bellerin Arsenal 2013-22 Bellerin is one of the more recognisable names on the list having been on Arsenal's books for years. Known as much for his loud fashion choices as his speed down the right flank in north London, Bellerin's time with the Gunners started well. After finding his feet on loan at Watford, he returned to the club, that he'd joined from Barcelona as a teen, and played in the FA Cup final win over Aston Villa in 2014-15. Bellerin ended up making 183 appearances for Arsenal and scored eight goals - only 24 players have played more Premier League games for the club. His time at the Emirates somewhat fizzed out after an ACL injury then loan to Betis which they made permanent. Adrian West Ham - 2013-19 Liverpool - 2019-24 Adrian has enjoyed the kind of career most players would love to have, returning to his boyhood side at the end. The goalkeeper left Betis in 2013 before joining Sam Allardyce's West Ham. He went on to make 125 appearances for the club before Liverpool picked up on a free as a back-up to Alisson. Adrian improved his trophy haul with the Reds, winning the Premier League, EFL Cup, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup, albeit as a No 2. He joined Betis last summer on a two year deal and has played 16 times this term. Giovani Lo Celso Tottenham - 2019-24 Lo Celso is the man who makes Betis tick in midfield and is another who just couldn't stay away from the club. He represented them from 2018-20 before leaving for Spurs, initially on loan and then permanently. There weren't many consistent runs of form or games at the north London club, although he did manage to muster almost a half century of appearances before they decided to move him on. It has proved to be a much happier experience at Betis second time around after signing a four-year deal and is highly likely to start in a two at the base of midfield against Chelsea in the final. Antony Man United - 2022-present Has anyone mentioned that Antony is doing rather well at Betis? The Brazilian's form has been headline news both in Spain and over here - in part at least because it is mirrored by Man United's shocking season. It seemed increasingly ludicrous that United had spent £81million to take Antony from Ajax given his lack of, well, anything in a red shirt. He made a promising start but soon became a figure of ridicule. He's not only resurrected his career in Spain in a matter of months - he's been arguably LaLiga's best performer. Match-winning goals, outrageous pieces of skill and most recently a stunning free kick from range in the semi-final win over Fiorentina have turned him into an instant cult hero and Betis are desperate to keep him. It remains to be seen whether Ruben Amorim will give him another chance but Antony still has a few games left on loan at Betis and would love to sign off with a trophy to cap a brilliant, if unexpected revival. Pablo Fornals West Ham - 2019-24 Another member of West Ham's old guard thriving for Betis. Antony starts on the right and on the other flank, it is Fornals frequently given the nod. The technically gifted wide man became the Hammers' second most expensive signing ever when he joined for £24million in 2019. He was a streaky player, often scoring great goals but not in great numbers. One particularly memorable strike was a scorpion kick away at Bournemouth that was a goal of the season contender. And he'll hold a place in the hearts of West Ham fans for his contribution to their first trophy win in 43 years, the Conference League, in which he scored in the semi-final. Now he's looking to repeat the trick in the green and white of Betis. Romain Perraud Southampton 2021-24 The French full-back has been used regularly by Pellegrini on the left this season and some will remember him from his time at Saints. He signed a four-year deal with the south coast club in 2021 for £10million and in a strange quirk scored both of his goals for them against West Ham. A serious ankle injury in 2023 was the beginning of the end for Perraud, who was loaned out to Nice in Ligue 1 last year. Betis picked him up in the summer, bringing an end to his patchy time at Southampton. Cucho Hernandez Watford - 2017-22 More of a niche one, perhaps. Hernandez played for Watford, or was on the books at least, for four seasons. For three of those he was loaned out. Firstly he had a spell at Huesca, then Mallorca and finally Getafe. Hernandez thrived at Huesca, scoring 14 times but it was a more troublesome period at Getafe where he was banned for criticising a referee and suffered a broken foot. A hamstring injury ruined his final season with the Hornets in the Premier League, in which they were relegated and he ended up scoring five in 25 in total before leaving. Hernandez then had the best spell of his career in the MLS with Columbus Crew - establishing himself as one of the most prolific forwards in the league. He was voted into the MLS best XI two years running and scored 44 goals in 75 games for the club. Betis came calling and poached him for an undisclosed fee. He has four goals in 12 LaLiga appearances this season and those struggles at Watford feel a long time ago. Manuel Pellegrini Man City - 2013-16 West Ham - 2018-19 The gaffer. Who better to lead the team of Premier League old boys than the veteran boss who spent four seasons coaching over here. Pellegrini led Man City to the title in 2013-14 and two league cups before a rogue move to Hebei China Fortune in China having made way for Pep Guardiola. He lasted a couple of years in the far east before returning to the Premier League with West Ham but the man they call 'The Engineer' couldn't make it stick. Pellegrini was well backed in the market and backed by two record signings - Sebastian Haller (£45m) and Felipe Anderson (£36m). Pellegrini is fondly remembered at Manchester City having led them to the Premier League The club spent £155m in transfer fees during his short tenure but he was sacked in December 2019 after only winning five games all season. The club were 17th in the Premier League when he departed. But he's now enjoying a renaissance at the age of 71 with Betis - still without a hair on his coiffured head out of place. His blend of promising youngsters, experienced old heads and the magic of loanees such as Antony have helped deliver a superb campaign.
Bloomberg
2 days ago
- Climate
- Bloomberg
African Heat Blast to Push Up Temperatures in Portugal and Spain
Temperatures are expected to soar in Portugal and Spain this week, with one of the hottest air masses in more than three decades pushing in from Africa. Daytime highs on Thursday and Friday in southern and central Portugal could reach 40C (104F), according to government forecaster Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera. Similar peaks could be reached in the river valleys of southern Spain, according to forecaster Aemet.
