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Dubai Basketball welcomes EuroLeague champion Dzanan Musa ahead of new season

Dubai Basketball welcomes EuroLeague champion Dzanan Musa ahead of new season
New Dubai Basketball forward Dzanan Musa. (Supplied)
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Updated 02 September 2025

Dubai Basketball welcomes EuroLeague champion Dzanan Musa ahead of new season

Dubai Basketball welcomes EuroLeague champion Dzanan Musa ahead of new season
  • Bosnian forward was the team’s first signing of a busy summer of transfers
  • Musa brings with him not only world-class talent but also a winning mentality shaped during his time at Real Madrid

DUBAI: Dubai Basketball have welcomed their first major signing of the summer, Dzanan Musa, one of Europe’s brightest basketball stars.

The Bosnian forward arrives in Dubai with a reputation for excellence, spanning two EuroLeague championships and multiple domestic titles in Spain and beyond.

Musa brings with him not only world-class talent but also a winning mentality shaped during his time at Real Madrid, one of Europe’s most decorated clubs.

Speaking on his move, Musa expressed his excitement at joining the Dubai side.

“A lot of motivation. The new team, the chance to make history with one team, it’s a big motivation for me,” he said.

“I feel like the people around the project are very good. I feel like we’re one big family, so it’s like we have a lot of things to be joyful for, and I feel like if we’re going to do the things right, we can make big things.”

Known for his leadership, Musa shared that being entrusted with the role is both an honor and a challenge he is ready to embrace.

“When they called me at the beginning and told me that they want me to be a leader on the court and off the court, that’s something that every player wants to hear,” he said. “Especially now that we’re going to play EuroLeague, to be the face of the team in the EuroLeague is something that every player wants. I feel like we will do great things.”

Musa also acknowledged the passionate support of Dubai’s fans, saying: “I was watching the last two months of the Dubai basketball, every game, especially against Partizan — the fans were unbelievable. The arena is brand new — it looks brand new, something that is very helpful for the players. But at the end of the day, we need them to support us, and we need to build something here. We need to build the culture of basketball here, and I feel like we have an opportunity to do that. We just need the people of Dubai to understand that the big things are coming.”

As he begins his journey in Dubai, Musa has his eyes set on inspiring the next generation and etching his name in the city’s sporting history.

“To win a lot of EuroLeague titles with Dubai, for sure, and to be somebody that the kids continue to look up to and to be the right example for everybody else on the court and off the court, to fight for this jersey like every day is the last day. So I’m very happy to start this journey,” he added.

Musa now joins a growing roster of elite international talent at Dubai Basketball, as the club prepares for its historic debut in the EuroLeague and an awaited return to the ABA League.


Sunderland stun Chelsea with 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge

Sunderland stun Chelsea with 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge
Updated 49 sec ago

Sunderland stun Chelsea with 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge

Sunderland stun Chelsea with 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge
The Londoners’ lead was canceled out by Wilson Isidor’s equalizer

LONDON: Sunderland dealt Chelsea a 2-1 home defeat in the Premier League when substitute Chemsdine Talbi curled in a low shot deep into stoppage time on Saturday.
The visitors, who have moved up to second place in the table, had gone behind in the fourth minute when Alejandro Garnacho claimed his first goal for Chelsea.
But the Londoners’ lead was canceled out by Wilson Isidor’s equalizer in the 22nd minute when the Frenchman stabbed in from close range after Chelsea failed to deal with a long throw.
The game appeared to be heading for a draw before Talbi ran onto a pass by fellow substitute Brian Bobbey in the third minute of added time and left Robert Sanchez with no chance.

Bayern Munich teenager Karl scores again as winning run continues in the Bundesliga

Bayern Munich teenager Karl scores again as winning run continues in the Bundesliga
Updated 30 min 44 sec ago

Bayern Munich teenager Karl scores again as winning run continues in the Bundesliga

Bayern Munich teenager Karl scores again as winning run continues in the Bundesliga
  • Karl hit a curling shot from outside the box for his first Bundesliga goal
  • Set up by substitute Serge Gnabry, who had just come on, Kimmich’s first shot was blocked but he scored off the rebound

MUNICH: Bayern Munich’s latest star, 17-year-old Lennart Karl, scored again as his team extended their perfect start to the Bundesliga season by racking up their 13th win in a row in all competitions.
Three days after becoming Bayern’s youngest-ever Champions League goalscorer, Karl hit a curling shot from outside the box for his first Bundesliga goal, Bayern’s third in a 3-0 win over Borussia Moenchengladbach.
Karl again made an impact almost immediately off the bench, after scoring in the fifth minute against Club Brugge on Wednesday.
Despite being last in the Bundesliga and reduced to 10 players after a 19th-minute red card, Gladbach stopped Bayern scoring for longer than any other team has this season.
Just as frustration seemed to be mounting after a Harry Kane goal was ruled offside, captain Joshua Kimmich got the breakthrough in the 64th minute.
Set up by substitute Serge Gnabry, who had just come on, Kimmich’s first shot was blocked but he scored off the rebound.
Bayern doubled their lead five minutes later when Michael Olize played a smart pass that gave Raphael Guerreiro plenty of space to score with a low shot.
Soon after, Kevin Stöger hit the post with a penalty which could have brought Gladbach back into the game, before Karl’s goal sealed the win for Bayern.
Leipzig rout Augsburg
Second-place Leipzig kept pace with Bayern, albeit five points adrift, by demolishing Augsburg 6-0. Six different players scored the goals as 19-year-old Assan Ouédraogo scored one goal and set up another.
It’s the fifth loss in eight games for ex-Bayern striker Sandro Wagner in his first job as a Bundesliga coach with Augsburg, and the first time his team have failed to score.
Eintracht Frankfurt bounced back from their 5-1 loss to Liverpool in the Champions League as Jonathan Burkardt scored both goals in a 2-0 win at home over St. Pauli.
That ended a four-game winless run for Frankfurt in all competitions.
Also Saturday, Adam Daghim scored the only goal as Wolfsburg beat Hamburger SV 1-0. Hoffenheim won 3-1 against Heidenheim.
Borussia Dortmund plays Cologne later Saturday.


Sinner sweeps into eighth final of season in Vienna

Sinner sweeps into eighth final of season in Vienna
Updated 25 October 2025

Sinner sweeps into eighth final of season in Vienna

Sinner sweeps into eighth final of season in Vienna
  • Sinner, 24, is chasing his fourth title of the campaign following wins at the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and in Beijing earlier this month
  • Sinner reeled off the first four games in the semifinal before De Minaur clawed a break back

VIENNA: Jannik Sinner beat Alex de Minaur in straight sets at the Vienna Open on Saturday to reach his eighth final of the year.
The Italian downed De Minaur 6-3, 6-4 to record his 12th win in as many meetings with the Australian and will play Alexander Zverev or Lorenzo Musetti for the title.
Sinner, 24, is chasing his fourth title of the campaign following wins at the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and in Beijing earlier this month.
He is trying to stay in the hunt with Carlos Alcaraz for the year-end number one ranking, with both players in the draw for the final Masters 1000 event of the season in Paris next week.
Sinner retired after suffering from cramps at the Shanghai Masters three weeks ago but has yet to drop a set during his run to the final in Vienna, where he triumphed in 2023.
He had not even faced a break point at the tournament until meeting De Minaur.
Sinner reeled off the first four games in the semifinal before De Minaur clawed a break back, but that didn’t prevent the top seed from taking the opening set.
He momentarily allowed De Minaur back into the match in the second set when dropping serve in the sixth game, before breaking again and wrapping up his 20th straight win on indoor hard courts.


Alonso sidesteps Yamal’s ‘cheating’ jibe as El Clasico tensions rise

Alonso sidesteps Yamal’s ‘cheating’ jibe as El Clasico tensions rise
Updated 25 October 2025

Alonso sidesteps Yamal’s ‘cheating’ jibe as El Clasico tensions rise

Alonso sidesteps Yamal’s ‘cheating’ jibe as El Clasico tensions rise
  • When asked about Yamal’s statements, Alonso dismissed the topic saying “it’s an important match ... important enough”
  • “It has many ingredients for us to play well, for us to enjoy it”

MADRID: Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso declined to comment on Saturday after Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal suggested the capital club “cheat” and “complain” in a televised interview on Friday.
Instead, Alonso directed his focus to Sunday’s El Clasico at the Bernabeu, emphasising the importance of the match for his LaLiga leaders who have 24 points, two ahead of Barca in second.
Alonso faced repeated questions from reporters regarding Yamal’s remarks, made during an appearance on a Kings League program alongside former Barcelona defender Gerard Pique.
The 18-year-old Barca forward compared Real to Porcinos, a Kings League team, stating: “Of course! Yes, they cheat, they complain ...” The comments, which Pique supported, stirred debate in the build-up to one of soccer’s most iconic fixtures.
When asked about Yamal’s statements, Alonso dismissed the topic. “It’s an important match ... important enough,” he said.
“It has many ingredients for us to play well, for us to enjoy it. And that’s what excites us the most, the biggest incentive for tomorrow.”
Pressed further, Alonso reiterated his stance.
“No, I’m not going to get into that. There have been a lot of statements from people in Barcelona and I can’t comment on them all. For us, the important thing is the pitch, what happens on the pitch. Where we’ve come from and what lies ahead. That’s what concerns me most and what we’ve been working on.”
Visibly irritated when the question came up a third time, Alonso, who took over from Carlo Ancelotti at Real in June, added: “Are we going back to that? What I have in my head is that it’s going to be an intense and competitive match.
“We have to be prepared because there will be moments for everything. The players have to have the necessary adrenaline. I’m not thinking about other consequences.”
Alonso is determined to use the first Clasico of the season as a chance for Real Madrid to reclaim their dominance in big matches, a quality that has been questioned following heavy defeats by Paris St. Germain in the Club World Cup semifinals and Atletico Madrid in LaLiga earlier in the campaign.
Last season, Barcelona inflicted further damage on their arch-rivals, beating Real four consecutive times across three competitions, including a 4-0 thrashing at the Bernabeu and a 5-2 victory in the Super Cup final.
“The match has a special flavour and is the most important one right now,” Alonso said when asked about the pressure to perform. “There will be similar situations, but it is completely different (from last season). We want to maximize our strengths.
“An El Clasico is special. The first one in this project. We need the stadium to have the energy of big matches, to push us forward. Looking ahead to tomorrow, we believe we are in good shape, both mentally and in terms of our football.”


Kings League MENA kicks off at Riyadh Season with top regional content creators and influencers

Kings League MENA kicks off at Riyadh Season with top regional content creators and influencers
Updated 25 October 2025

Kings League MENA kicks off at Riyadh Season with top regional content creators and influencers

Kings League MENA kicks off at Riyadh Season with top regional content creators and influencers
  • Opening night clashes feature eight teams offering blend of entertainment and competition 
  • Tournament will continue with weekly rounds until grand final on Nov. 15

RIYADH: The first round of the Kings League MENA tournament kicked off on Friday night as part of Riyadh Season 2025, drawing large crowds and delivering an atmosphere filled with excitement and enthusiasm.

The tournament’s opening night featured eight teams led by some of the most prominent content creators and influencers in the region, offering fans a unique experience that blended entertainment, competition, and real-time digital engagement.

The evening began with a clash between Team DR7, led by Saudi influencer Drb7h, and Team 3BS, led by Jordanian creator Hani Al-Qablan (Absi). The match showcased strong performances from both sides and ended with a decisive 7–2 victory for Team DR7.

In the second match, Team ULC (Ultra Chimicha), led by Moroccan creator Ilyas El-Maliki, faced Team TRB (Turbo FC), led by Egyptian influencer Tarboun. The high-energy encounter featured end-to-end action, with Turbo FC ultimately claiming a 5–2 win thanks to sharp attacking play and tactical discipline.

The third matchup saw an all-Kuwaiti showdown between Team FWZ, led by Fwaz, and Team ABO FC, led by AboFlah. The contest drew massive reactions from both stadium fans and online audiences, ending with a commanding 5–0 victory for FWZ.

The night concluded with a dramatic face-off between Team SXB, led by Saudi influencer SHoNgxBoNg, and Team RDZ (Red Zone), led by Jordanian Maherco. The intense match was packed with surprises and momentum shifts before SXB sealed a 6-2 victory.

The Kings League MENA matches will continue in Riyadh until mid-November, with weekly rounds leading up to the grand final on Nov. 15, where the winning team will be crowned champion.