Latest news with #UefaWomen'sChampionsLeague
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
As women's football grows in Europe, Japan aims to follow suit
Japan's Kiko Seike celebrates scoring their first goal against Brazil on June 2. PHOTO: REUTERS As women's football grows in Europe, Japan aims to follow suit TOKYO – In a sign of its growing global status, women's football at the next Summer Olympics will feature more participating teams than the men's competition. The number of teams will expand from 12 to 16 at Los Angeles 2028, marking the first time in Olympic history that women will have a bigger representation in the global sport. In Europe, some clubs draw more spectators to women's games than to men's, bringing in huge amounts of money, in contrast to Japan's still-struggling WE League that kicked off in 2021. Pronounced 'we', the first two letters are an acronym for 'women's empowerment'. The burgeoning popularity of the women's game in Europe was spectacularly illustrated during the Uefa Women's Champions League in March 2022. A total of 91,553 spectators watched a game when Barcelona hosted Real Madrid in an all-Spanish clash at Camp Nou, the home of their world-famous men's team. The world record for women's football was rewritten the following month, to 91,648 as Camp Nou saw Barcelona and Germany's Wolfsburg. The Barcelona women's team turned professional in 2015 and built their own natural turf training base. The team has attracted some 13 million followers across all platforms through their fan-oriented social networking strategy, which features female players in equal proportions in ads with male Barcelona players. The women's team is expected to earn about €23 million (S$33.8 million) this season, a level close to a first-division club in the men's J-League in Japan. Women's football was once regarded as a corporate social responsibility project for men's clubs, but Barcelona's bold investments in women's players, facilities and staff have led to brisk revenue from sponsorships, tickets and jersey sales. 'Women's football goes far beyond the framework of CSR and has great potential in business,' said Judit Farre, head of Barcelona women's business operations. 'There are still a lot of things we should be doing.' 'We are always open to finding new markets,' Farre added, while noting she was interested in doing business in Japan. Last September in Japan, J-League Chairman Yoshikazu Nonomura began double duties as head of the WE League. The WE League remained in the black in the fiscal year to March 2024, but the women's league is heavily dependent on a 425-million-yen subsidy from the Japan Football Association. Nonomura is trying to acquire sponsors in cooperation with the J-League, with the aim of stabilizing the financial base. In its third season of 2023-24, the WE League had an average attendance of 1,723 per game, far less than its founding goal of 5,000. But the WE League has begun collaborating with the J-League and the JFA in terms of attendance. Last December, the final of the WE League Cup drew a record crowd of 21,524 as a result of coordinated promotional efforts. KYODO NEWS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Indian Express
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
Season of comebacks: Why Arsenal's Uefa Women's Champions League win is a remarkable achievement
Arsenal forward Stina Blackstenius struck a late winner as the London team shocked holders Barcelona 1-0 on Saturday to claim their second Uefa Women's Champions League title and first in 18 years to the delight of their 5,000 travelling fans. Arsenal beat Real Madrid, Lyon, and finally, Barcelona on their way to a second UWCL title. Between them, Lyon and Barcelona had won the last nine editions of UWCL and Arsenal ended that streak. Already the only English side to become European champions back in 2007, Arsenal extended that tally in 2025. Remarkably, Arsenal recovered from a poor start to the season that led to the departure of former manager Jonas Eidevall and the appointment of Renee Slegers. The knockout stage wins were thrilling comebacks as Arsenal overturned a 2-0 first leg loss to then dismantle Real Madrid 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, it was an away comeback as they beat powerhouses Lyon 4-1 at their home to advance 5-3 on aggregate. We can't stop watching 🥹 — Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) May 24, 2025 Club legend Leah Williamson, who was outstanding in defence, was a mascot at Arsenal's 2007 victory over Sweden's Umea. 'A lot of this team have been together for a long time and to be able to do it on the biggest day, some people had the game of their lives,' she said. 'I'm so happy. I'm trying not to swear or cry.' The win comes against a mighty Barcelona team considered on paper to be the best in the world. Barca midfielder Aitana Bonmati called the loss 'absolutely devastating.' 'I don't believe it,' the 2023 and '24 women's Ballon d'Or winner told Catalan TV. 'I just want to start the game again and do it differently. Personally, this hurts me a lot.' Barcelona were playing in their sixth final in seven years and had hoisted the trophy in three of the past four campaigns. Saturday's reverse was just their fourth loss of the season across all competitions. In the title clash, Arsenal withstood a flurry of Barca chances before Blackstenius broke the deadlock in the 75th minute. The Sweden international latched onto fellow substitute Beth Mead's reverse pass in a crowded area and fired a low diagonal shot past goalkeeper Catalina Coll at the Estadio Jose Alvalade. They held on to win against a Barca side going for a third straight Champions League title. Blackstenius almost struck a couple of minutes before her goal but Coll stuck out a leg to stop her shot from 12 metres. 'Amazing,' Arsenal forward Alessia Russo told TNT Sports through tears. 'We had to suffer a lot. They're a top side. We knew coming into this game that we'd have to suffer and there would be moments when we wouldn't have the ball and we would have to be content and happy with not having the ball knowing our moment would come. Our squad just wanted it so badly.' The Arsenal players stood arm-in-arm in front of their red-clad fans after the final whistle singing along to Queen's 'We are the Champions'. 'We knew it was going to be a game of momentum shifts because we respect Barcelona, we know how good they are on the ball but we also know how good we are,' Slegers told TNT, through a voice hoarse from celebrating. 'So we knew that momentum was going to shift. Maybe other people were thinking something else, but that's what we believed. In all the phases that happened in the game, the mentality we showed, the resilience we showed, the effectiveness in all our actions, our belief, it was incredible.' (With Reuters inputs)
Straits Times
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Arsenal stun Barca to win Women's Champions League title, with late Stina Blackstenius goal
Arsenal`s players celebrating with the trophy after winning the Uefa Women's Champions League final against Barcelona on May 24. PHOTO: EPA-EFE LISBON - Arsenal forward Stina Blackstenius struck a late winner as the London team shocked holders Barcelona 1-0 on May 24 to claim their second Women's Champions League title and first in 18 years to the delight of their 5,000 travelling fans. Arsenal withstood a flurry of Barca chances before Blackstenius broke the deadlock in the 75th minute. The Sweden international latched onto fellow substitute Beth Mead's reverse pass in a crowded area and fired a low diagonal shot past goalkeeper Catalina Coll at the Estadio Jose Alvalade. Renee Slegers' Gunners, making their second appearance in the final having won Europe's top club competition in 2007, held on to win against a Barca side going for a third straight Champions League title. "Amazing," Arsenal forward Alessia Russo told TNT Sports through tears. "We had to suffer a lot. "They're a top side. We knew coming into this game that we'd have to suffer and there would be moments when we wouldn't have the ball and we would have to be content and happy with not having the ball knowing our moment would come. "Our squad just wanted it so badly." The Arsenal players stood arm-in-arm in front of their red-clad fans after the final whistle singing along to Queen's "We are the Champions". The win comes against a mighty Barcelona team considered on paper to be the best in the world. Barca midfielder Aitana Bonmati called the loss "absolutely devastating." "I don't believe it," the 2023 and '24 women's Ballon d'Or winner told Catalan TV. "I just want to start the game again and do it differently. Personally, this hurts me a lot." Barcelona were playing in their sixth final in seven years and had hoisted the trophy in three of the past four campaigns. The May 24 reversal was just their fourth loss of the season across all competitions. Arsenal's Swedish striker Stina Blackstenius kicks the ball to score the winning goal for her team in the 75th minute. PHOTO: AFP Huge underdogs Arsenal might have arrived as huge underdogs but had proved in their comeback win over Lyon in the semi-finals - they lost 2-1 at home before roaring back with a 4-1 away victory in the second leg - that they were not afraid of that tag. They almost went ahead in the first half when Frida Maanum sprang free on the right wing and Barca defender Irene Paredes slid to divert her low cross into the net for an apparent own goal. However, a VAR check showed Maanum was offside. Arsenal's defence stood strong as Barcelona had 20 attempts to the Gunners' eight, including two long-range Ona Batlle shots that sailed just over the bar, as well as 12 corners to two. "We knew it was going to be a game of momentum shifts because we respect Barcelona, we know how good they are on the ball but we also know how good we are," Slegers told TNT, through a voice hoarse from celebrating. "So we knew that momentum was going to shift. Maybe other people were thinking something else, but that's what we believed. In all the phases that happened in the game, the mentality we showed, the resilience we showed, the effectiveness in all our actions, our belief, it was incredible." Blackstenius almost struck a couple of minutes before her goal but Coll stuck out a leg to stop her shot from 12 metres. Leah Williamson, who was outstanding in defence, was a mascot at Arsenal's 2007 victory over Sweden's Umea. "A lot of this team have been together for a long time and to be able to do it on the biggest day, some people had the game of their lives," she said. "I'm so happy. I'm trying not to swear or cry." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The 42
28-04-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Inside Katie McCabe's Champions League semi-final performance as Arsenal stun Lyon
JUST BEFORE THE hour mark in Arsenal's sensational Uefa Women's Champions League win over Lyon, Katie McCabe made a crucial interception. The Irish captain accounted for many on the night, but none quite as important as this. Just off the line, she headed away a goal-bound effort. Not enough about this moment. McCabe put her body on the line throughout the game but this was top class. Stopped a certain goal — (Katie's Version) (@13cheeto) April 27, 2025 When Lyon's Haitian star Melchie Dumornay pulled the trigger, and her volley ricocheted off the turf at Groupama Stadium, it looked destined for the back of the net. Arsenal led 3-0 at the time, 4-2 on aggregate amid a stunning second-leg turnaround, but a goal at this crucial juncture would have sparked the record eight-time champions to life. However, Dumornay's rocket was met by the head — maybe even face — of McCabe, positioned in front of Daphne Van Domselaar. The Arsenal goalkeeper had all but committed, but there was no guarantee she would stop the shot herself given its trajectory. As McCabe's last-ditch clearance slowly rolled to safety up-field, she stood frozen in time. A pat on the back from Van Domselaar spoke volumes. Body, mind and all on the line. A sigh of relief breathed, and back to work. This was just one example of the leading role McCabe played as Arsenal reached their first European final in 18 years — and just second ever. It finished 4-1 on the night, 5-3 on aggregate, and back-to-back champions Barcelona await in Lisbon on 24 May. McCabe on the ball against Lyon. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo In her 10th season with Arsenal, McCabe will now hope to emulate Irish trio Emma Byrne, Ciara Grant and Yvonne Tracy, who won the Uefa Women's Cup with the North London outfit in 2007. Champions League final bound, after a whirlwind season hit new heights in Lyon. *** Trailing 2-1 after the first leg at the Emirates Stadium, 'belief' was the resounding word from the Arsenal camp last week. It has been four months since former assistant manager Renée Slegers was made permanent having taken interim charge in October. McCabe joined the Dutch boss in Friday's pre-match press conference, and shared full confidence that Arsenal could turn it around. 'But we have to be on it from the get go,' she stressed. Advertisement That, they were. And Lyon were not. Nervy and making uncharacteristic errors, the visitors capitalised. Within five minutes, they led 1-0, and the tie was level. Christiane Endler went from producing a big save to deny Arsenal's captain fantastic Kim Little, to scoring an own goal. The Lyon goalkeeper completely missed Chloe Kelly's corner, and an attempt to head clear bounced off Endler's back and into the net. The dream start; foundations laid for a huge Arsenal performance. McCabe, meanwhile, set her stall out early from left-back. 'Brilliant Katie, from minute one,' as Arsenal legend Ian Wright later wrote on Instagram. Eight days previous at the Emirates, Kadidiatou Diani broke the deadlock in the 17th minute from down McCabe's side. Lyon manager Joe Montemurro — formerly Arsenal's, and indeed, Slegers' mentor on the Uefa coach mentor programme — spoke afterwards about their plan to exploit the space behind McCabe as she looked to attack. The Dubliner was notably more defensive-minded on this occasion, which minimised Lyon's frightening counter-attacking threat. Katie McCabe vs Lyon@Katie_McCabe11 — Rosa Kafaji Comps Specialist 🇱🇧 (@KafajiComps) April 27, 2025 Her individual battle with Diani was fascinating; McCabe coming out on top for the most part. She stepped up with some huge blocks on the electric French winger, thwarting crosses on at least three occasions in the first half alone. She repeatedly dispossessed her — no mean feat — and won the aerial duel. Twice, she came from behind to rob the ball and set off on trademark marauding runs. The attacking outlet offer remained, but McCabe was more conservative to good effect. That was something former Arsenal star Jen Beattie noted on TNT commentary: her experience and composure showed as she played simple passes, not always forward. One cross-field ball to Kelly, however, sticks in the memory. For all of these eye-catching contributions, Mariona Caldentey's goal in first-half stoppage-time was jaw-dropping. The Spaniard typically showed her class with a superb curling finish to put Arsenal 2-0 up in the 46th minute. McCabe was in the background, arms outstretched, as the shot took flight. She knew exactly where it was going. Just before the break, the Kilnamanagh native misjudged a cross and lost track of Damaris Egurrola but Van Domselaar reacted to claim and salvage the two-goal lead. Some 27 seconds after the restart, it was 3-0. Bedlam. Alessia Russo fired home after a catalogue of defensive errors. Complete and utter shell-shock for Lyon, dreamland for Arsenal. They would have been mindful they didn't take their chances in the first leg, but few could have predicted what was unfolding here. Lyon tried to muster a response: Van Domselaar denied Ada Hegerberg, McCabe cleared off the line, Arsenal weathered the mini storm. And in the 63rd minute, Caitlin Foord made it four. Vanessa Gilles slipped on the ball in the box, Foord pounced, and smashed into the roof of the net. Only divine intervention could change the outcome now. McCabe kept going with her mundane ones, tussling with Diani, Dumornay and Ellie Carpenter; hassling, harrying, blocking and clearing. Her work-rate was off the charts. Lyon eventually found a way through in the 81st minute. The goal was created down McCabe's side; Danielle van de Donk's pass splitting the defence and Carpenter's cross only half cleared to Dumornay, who did the rest. But Arsenal reacted well, and held firm to the finish. McCabe is never happy to be substituted, but she bounced off in the 92nd minute here. Her last act was a push on Diani over the endline, which went unseen and resulted in a goal-kick. As a frustrated Diani complained, McCabe simply smiled. That said it all. Job done. Her stats are worth a look: most interceptions, most blocks, 75 touches, four clearances, five recoveries, 100% tackles won, 79% accurate passes and 12 passes into the final third. Kim Little and Mariona Caldentey have rightly gotten the plaudits for their midfield masterclasses, but McCabe also played a leading role in a huge team performance. She will hope for more of the same in Lisbon next month, as she becomes the first Irish player to play in a Champions League final since John O'Shea in 2009 (Caoimhín Kelleher was an unused substitute in 2019 and 2022). Others from these shores will also be involved: Paudie Roche (physical performance lead) and Len Pentony (camera operator) are on the Arsenal Women's staff, while Eoin Clarkin (S&C) works across the club. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo The men's team will be hoping to follow, having similarly pulled off a remontada against Real Madrid in the quarter-final as PSG await this week. For McCabe and co, it's back to WSL action. And then off she goes again, from Kilnamanagh to the biggest stage in the world. The Champions League dream burns bright.
The 42
25-04-2025
- Sport
- The 42
'We have the belief we can turn it around' - Katie McCabe targetting Champions League final
KATIE MCCABE INSISTS Arsenal can turn their Uefa Women's Champions League semi-final around in Sunday's second leg away to Lyon. Lyon won last Saturday's first leg 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium, but Ireland captain McCabe believes the Gunners can fight back to reach their first Champions League final since 2007. 'We have to hold onto that belief. We'll be very determined to turn it around over in Lyon,' McCabe said after Saturday's game, and she echoed those sentiments in a pre-match press conference in London this afternoon. Sitting beside manager Renée Slegers, the Dubliner insisted: 'We have the belief we can go and turn it around on Sunday. We have the quality, we have the class, but we have to be on it from the get go.' The question was whether McCabe believed that Arsenal can go on and win the competition outright, but she kept her answer solely to the task at hand. This is McCabe's second Champions League semi-final during her near-decade long spell at Arsenal. The left-back captained an injury-depleted side to a heartbreaking defeat to Wolfsburg in 2023, but is hopeful of a different outcome on this occasion, against the eight-time champions. Asked how this game compares to other big ones for Arsenal and Ireland, she said: 'This is right up there. It's been nearly two years since we were in this position with the club against Wolfsburg, the second leg was at home. It is going to be a different challenge for us. The depth and the strength we have in the squad has been fantastic. Two years ago, we were in a different place. We are feeling good, unified and really focused.' Advertisement McCabe — hoping to follow in the footsteps of former Ireland and Arsenal trio Emma Byrne, Ciara Grant and Yvonne Tracy, who won the Uefa Women's Cup in 2007 — continued: 'You have to have it all. You have to have grit, perseverance, courage to step up in these games. We were frustrated at times in the first leg by the fine margins and not getting over the line. But we have been hard at it, looking at how we can do better in those moments, keep improving, keep creating those opportunities. It's all on Sunday now to make sure we get over the line. 'I am very lucky to be surrounded by great teammates, high quality players and staff, and to be so long at a club like Arsenal, I don't take that for granted at all. 'The feeling the fans give us, at the Emirates last week and we have travelling fans coming over on Sunday, how important they are. I'm biased but I think they're the best in the league, the best in Europe. 'I never take for granted putting on this shirt, and to be playing in the semi-finals of the Champions League, I can't wait to embrace it.' Arsenal have been handed a significant boost with first-choice goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar set to return from injury, while similarly, defender Lotte Wubben Moy will also be available for selection if she comes through training tomorrow. Kick-off at Groupama Stadium on Sunday is 5pm, with the action live on TNT Sports 3 and DAZN. Defending champions Barcelona lead Chelsea 4-1 ahead of their return tie at Stamford Bridge, earlier on Sunday at 2pm. You can watch the full press conference here:
