Sports

UEFA Unveils Dates for Champions League, Europa League Resumption

Published

6 years ago

17/06/2020

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Union of European Football Association (UEFA) has announced that this season’s Champions League, suspended in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will resume on August 7 and be completed with an eight-team mini-tournament which will take place in Lisbon, Portugal.

This was made known by UEFA Deputy General Secretary, Mr Giorgio Marchetti, on Wednesday, adding that the decision was finalised after an executive committee meeting held by video conference.

The quarter-finals and semi-finals will be played over one leg, instead of the usual two, with the final to be held on August 23.

There are still four outstanding round-of-sixteen fixtures to be played. These ties are Real Madrid v Manchester City, Juventus v Lyon, Napoli v Barcelona and Chelsea v Bayern Munich. The fixtures will take place on Tuesday August 7 and Wednesday August 8, either at the originally scheduled venues or in Portugal.

Clubs, including Paris St Germain, Atletico Madrid, Atalanta, and RB Leipzig have already qualified for the quarter-finals before the pandemic forced the suspension.

The plan allows for quicker completion of the season than the traditional two-legged home and away format, but it means the competition will have six fewer games which will cost UEFA broadcast revenue.

The Europa League, which is halfway through its last 16 stage, will follow a similar pattern, with the final rounds to be played in western Germany, with Inter v Getafe and Sevilla v Roma, both of which had their first-leg postponed due to COVID-19, moving to neutral venues and becoming single-leg ties. Again, it is yet to be decided whether the remaining second legs will be played at home or neutral venues.

According to Giorgio Marchetti, “The quarters, the semi-final and the final will be played at four German venues in the same reason: Cologne, Duisburg, Dusseldorf, and Gelsenkirchen between 10th and 24th of August.”

“The round of 16 matches will be played on the 5th and 6th of August. Then we have the special cases of Inter vs Getafe and Sevilla vs Roma”, Mr Marchetti concluded.

Istanbul, Turkey which was due to host the 2020 final, will now instead be the venue for the 2021 edition, while the Super Cup which is match between winners of both competition will hold in Budapest, Hungary on September 24.

Sports

The Grueling 12 Hours of Sebring

Published

9 hours ago

08/04/2026

Dipo Olowookere

The 12 Hours of Sebring stands as one of endurance racing’s most punishing and prestigious events. Your favorite races are available if you try 1xBet website for betting today.

It is a relentless test of 3 aspects:

speed;
stamina;
and survival.

First held on March 15, 1952, at a former military airfield in Florida, the race quickly became a cornerstone of international motorsport. It attracts elite drivers and manufacturers from around the world. Motorsports fans are also invited to try the 1xBet website for betting on their favorite sports too.

A brutal race

What makes Sebring so grueling is not just its duration, but the unique brutality of the circuit itself. Built from a mix of old concrete runways and asphalt, the track is notoriously bumpy, shaking cars, and drivers, to their limits over 12 continuous hours. Combined with the intense Florida heat and humidity, these conditions push mechanical reliability and human endurance to the edge. Before the next edition of this race starts, you may also want to enjoy best slots casino from the 1xBet website.

The race begins in daylight and ends in darkness, creating constantly changing conditions. Drivers must adapt from glaring sun to the reduced visibility of night racing, all while navigating heavy traffic from multiple classes of cars. Fatigue becomes a critical factor, as teams rotate drivers in a delicate balance between rest and performance. The best casino slots from 1xBet are perfect to enjoy while waiting for other amazing motorsports drivers as well.

Every mistake is amplified over time, and even minor mechanical issues can spell disaster in such a long contest.

Becoing ready for other events

Historically, Sebring has also been a proving ground. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, it was a key round of the World Sportscar Championship and drew legendary figures such as Juan Manuel Fangio and Stirling Moss. Victories here often signaled readiness for the even longer 24 Hours of Le Mans, with teams using Sebring as a vital preparation event. All those big races are available for betting on the go through the 1xBet download application.

Yet the race’s history also reflects the dangers of endurance racing. A tragic 1966 edition, marked by multiple fatalities, forced significant safety improvements to the circuit. Since then, continuous upgrades have made the track safer while preserving its challenging character.

Today, the 12 Hours of Sebring remains a centerpiece of the IMSA SportsCar Championship and a highlight of the global endurance racing calendar. And if you follow this calendar, it is also a great idea to download the 1xBet app and bet on the tons of available motorsports events available.

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Sports

Harry Maguire to Remain at Manchester United Until June 2027

Published

1 day ago

07/04/2026

Dipo Olowookere

By Dipo Olowookere

Manchester United centre-back, Harry Maguire, has signed a new contract with the football club for an additional year.

He will remain at the Theatre of Dreams until June 2027, with the option for a further year, a statement from the Red Devil said.

“Representing Manchester United is the ultimate honour. It is a responsibility that makes me and my family proud every single day.

“I am delighted to extend my journey at this incredible club to at least eight seasons and continue to play in front of our special supporters to create more amazing moments together.

“You can feel the ambition and potential of this exciting squad. The determination throughout the whole club to fight for major trophies is clear for everyone to see, and I am confident that our best moments together remain ahead of us,” the club’s former captain stated.

“Harry represents the mentality and resilience required to perform for Manchester United. He is the ultimate professional who brings invaluable experience and leadership to our young, ambitious squad.

“Harry, like everyone at the club, is completely determined to help Manchester United to achieve regular and sustained success,” the Director of Football at Manchester United, Mr Jason Wilcox, was quoted as saying in the statement.

The Three Lions defender has made 266 appearances and won the Carabao Cup and Emirates FA Cup since joining the club in 2019.

Sports

UEFA Club Competitions Reach Quarter-Final Stage Live on SuperSport

Published

1 day ago

07/04/2026

Business Post Contributor

European club football enters its decisive quarter-final phase in the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League. With semi-final places on the line, the first-leg fixtures promise high-intensity clashes. All matches will be broadcast live on SuperSport, available on DStv and GOtv.

Champions League: Heavyweights Collide

At 8:00 PM, Real Madrid host Bayern Munich in the standout tie of the round. Both sides were emphatic in the previous stage, with Madrid dismantling Manchester City and Bayern delivering a dominant performance against Atalanta. The match airs live on SS Premier League (GOtv Ch. 65, DStv Ch. 203).

Madrid arrive off a disappointing domestic setback, while Bayern continue to show resilience and attacking firepower. The Bernabéu will be central to Madrid’s hopes against a side currently scoring with ease.

Also at 8:00 PM, Sporting Lisbon face Arsenal in Lisbon, live on SS Football Plus HD (DStv Ch. 202). Arsenal come into the tie under pressure following consecutive cup losses in the Carabao and FA Cups, while Sporting are full of confidence after an impressive run of form. With momentum firmly on the Portuguese side, this fixture presents a significant test of Arsenal’s mentality.

At 8:00 PM on Wednesday, Barcelona welcome Atletico Madrid in what promises to be a tightly contested tactical encounter. The game will be shown live on SS Premier League (GOtv Ch. 65, DStv Ch. 203). Barcelona claimed a recent league victory between the sides, but Atletico have already proven their ability to disrupt them this season. Expect a high-stakes contest between two teams who know each other well.

Also at 8:00 PM, Paris Saint-Germain take on Liverpool in Paris, live on SS Football Plus HD (DStv Ch. 202). PSG have emerged as one of the competition’s most dominant sides, carrying strong momentum into the tie. Liverpool, meanwhile, arrive under pressure following a heavy domestic defeat and will need a significant improvement to remain competitive heading into the second leg.

Europa & Conference League: Thursday Night Stakes

While the Champions League dominates midweek headlines, Thursday brings its own high-stakes quarter-final action across the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League.

In the Europa League, Bologna host Aston Villa in a compelling first-leg encounter, live on SS La Liga (GOtv Ch. 62, DStv Ch. 204) at 8:00 PM, . Aston Villa have impressed throughout the competition and arrive well-rested, while Bologna’s path to this stage has been defined by resilience and high-intensity performances. The contrast in preparation could shape the outcome.

Also at 8:00 PM, FC Porto face Nottingham Forest, with the match airing on SS Premier League (GOtv Ch. 65, DStv Ch. 203). Porto will look to assert themselves at home after previous meetings between the sides, while Forest have already demonstrated their ability to navigate difficult knockout ties.

For the Conference League, Crystal Palace take on Fiorentina at Selhurst Park, live on SS Football (GOtv Ch. 61, DStv Ch. 205) at 8:00 PM. Palace continue their pursuit of European silverware against a Fiorentina side balancing continental ambition with inconsistent domestic form. The hosts will aim to build a first-leg advantage before the return fixture in Italy.

Quarter-Final Fixtures – First Legs

UEFA Champions League

Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich – Tue, 8:00 PM (SS Premier League)
Sporting Lisbon vs Arsenal – Tue, 8:00 PM (SS Football Plus HD)
Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid – Wed, 8:00 PM (SS Premier League)
Paris Saint-Germain vs Liverpool – Wed, 8:00 PM (SS Football Plus HD)

UEFA Europa League

Bologna vs Aston Villa – Thu, 8:00 PM (SS La Liga)
FC Porto vs Nottingham Forest – Thu, 8:00 PM (SS Premier League)

UEFA Conference League

Crystal Palace vs Fiorentina – Thu, 8:00 PM (SS Football)

Follow the Action

Catch all the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League action live on SuperSport on DStv and GOtv. Matches are also available to stream via DStv Stream and GOtv Stream. Manage or upgrade your subscription via the MyDStv or MyGOtv apps, visit www.dstv.com or www.gotvafrica.com, or dial *288# to stay connected.