Sports

Euro 2024: Mert Gunok compared with Gordon Banks after ‘unbelievable’ save sends Turkey into quarter-finals

Published

5 days ago

July 2, 2024

Turkey defender Merih Demiral, who scored twice – including the quickest knockout-stage goal in European Championship history – was named man of the match but paid tribute to Gunok afterwards.

“Mert did a great job, we had a big discussion after the final whistle and I couldn’t believe my eyes – maybe one of the best saves I saw with my own eyes,” Demiral said.

“He deserves it, Mert is the oldest player on the team and has always guided us and shown us the path forward, so I am very happy he made that save.”

Turkey boss Vincenzo Montella was one of the few people not to use superlatives when talking about Gunok’s stop, but he did not downplay its importance for his country’s cause.

“I don’t know, because there have been so many spectacular saves,” Montella said when asked his thoughts on where Gunok’s save ranked in the all-time list.

“I am happy for him, happy for the team, happy for the country and happy for the group we have created here and what we produced out there today.

“Well done to Mert, that is his job, to make saves and we are very happy he made a match-winning save in the last minute.”

The reward for Turkey and their army of devoted fans is a quarter-final against the Netherlands in Berlin on Saturday, and Montella feels anything is possible with their support.

“We have a huge following, there is passion and love,” he explained.

“It is very visceral back home in Turkey so I am very happy to have handed our Turks here in Germany a bit of pride, and across the world.

“This responsibility, love and support we constantly feel it, but you can only embrace these dreams if you work hard from day one – we will celebrate tonight but then we get down to work.”

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Olympics 2024: Giannis Antetokounmpo leads Greece to spot in Paris

Published

4 hours ago

July 7, 2024

worlddailyinfo

Giannis Antetokounmpo will play in the Olympics for the first time after helping Greece beat Croatia to qualify for Paris 2024.

The Milwaukee Bucks superstar hit 23 points as Greece sealed a 80-69 win in front of their home crowd in Piraeus.

Greece have not qualified for the Olympics since the 2008 Games in Beijing.

“It’s an incredible feeling,” said two-time NBA MVP Antetokounmpo, who was in tears after Greece’s victory.

“Since I was a kid I always wanted to play in the Olympic Games.”

The 29-year-old, who led the Bucks to the 2021 NBA title, had not played since picking up a calf injury in April until Greece’s first match of the qualifying tournament on Wednesday.

The Athens-born power forward helped his country beat Dominican Republic before sitting out their second match as Greece defeated Egypt.

Antetokounmpo returned to help Greece beat a Slovenia side featuring Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic in the semi-final to set up the final against Croatia.

In the finals of the other men’s Olympic qualifying tournaments, Brazil beat Latvia 94-69 in Riga and Spain secured a 86-78 win over Bahamas in Valencia.

The last spot at Paris 2024 is between Lithuania and Puerto Rico, who play in San Juan later on Sunday.

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Michael Olise: Bayern Munich sign Crystal Palace winger

Published

8 hours ago

July 7, 2024

worlddailyinfo

Bayern Munich have signed winger Michael Olise from Crystal Palace on a five-year deal after paying a release clause of about £60m.

The 22-year-old English-born France Under-21 forward made 90 appearances in all competitions over three seasons with Palace.

He joined the Eagles from Reading for £8m in July 2021.

Chelsea and Newcastle United registered their interest in Olise earlier this summer but the winger has chosen to move to Germany, where he will work under Bayern’s new manager Vincent Kompany.

“I’m very happy to now be playing for such a big club – it’s a great challenge and that’s exactly what I was looking for,” said Olise.

“I want to prove myself at this level and play my part in ensuring we win as many titles as possible in the coming years.”

Olise scored 10 goals in 19 Premier League appearances as Palace finished 10th in the table last season.

He has been selected in the France squad for the Olympics that start in Paris later this month.

“We are hugely proud of what Michael has achieved at Crystal Palace, a club where he has developed greatly as a player,” said Eagles chairman Steve Parish.

“We respect his desire to further test himself at the highest level of world football.”

Bayern are also set to complete the signing of Fulham’s Joao Palhinha in a deal worth £42m plus £4m in add-ons.

The 28-year-old Portugal midfielder was close to joining Bayern last summer but a deal collapsed on deadline day.

England defender Eric Dier has also joined the Bundesliga club permanently after playing for them on loan from Tottenham Hotspur since January.

Bayern’s 11-year hold on the German title was ended by Bayer Leverkusen last season.

Check out our dedicated page for a full list of the summer’s transfers.

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