Villarreal continues to struggle for their first victory of the year at La Cerámica, as they once again faced a similar scenario against Getafe as they did against Mallorca and Cádiz, resulting in yet another draw. This constant draw prevents Marcelino’s team from making the necessary leap to secure a comfortable spot in the standings. Despite playing well, Villarreal lacked the finishing touch, partly due to the outstanding performance of Getafe goalkeeper, David Soria. [Narrative and statistics (1-1)]

This is evident in Getafe’s advantage on the scoreboard at halftime, scoring with their only shot on target. Maksimovic capitalized on a series of errors made by Villarreal, starting with Coquelin’s unnecessary foul near the edge of the area. Greenwood’s cross was cleared by Mosquera but only ended up in the penalty spot, leaving the Serbian with little difficulty in beating Jörgensen.

Villarreal’s woes extended to both ends of the field, as they missed opportunities to score in a match that lacked the final touch. Marcelino’s team showed great intensity, which is necessary when facing a resilient team like Getafe. With Guedes in the starting eleven, Villarreal had an attacker who thrives in the fast-transition style of play favored by their coach.

Soria’s heroics

Villarreal managed to escape from Getafe’s high pressure and found success in generating danger through the partnership of Guedes and Baena. However, their efforts were thwarted by Soria, who made multiple key saves. The goalkeeper was instrumental in Getafe’s halftime lead, denying Comesaña and Guedes the chance to score.

Villarreal did everything right, except for the most crucial aspect of the game – scoring goals. Getafe struggled to make their way into the opposing area but managed to hold their ground defensively, thanks in part to Milla’s midfield work. Greenwood struggled to make an impact initially but began to assert himself as the second half progressed, creating opportunities for his team.

Greenwood takes charge

Just as it seemed like Getafe was ready to take control, Villarreal found the back of the net, finally rewarded for their persistence. In a play that encapsulated their struggle to score, Baena and Comesaña’s attempts were deflected, ultimately falling to Alberto Moreno, who placed the ball perfectly against the post.

Getafe, determined to avoid a draw, rallied behind Greenwood, who was involved in almost every play. The Englishman came close to scoring, but Albiol made a crucial save with Jörgensen already beaten. Now, it was the visitors who had the initiative, bolstered by Bordalás’ tactical changes. However, Villarreal continued to test Soria, with Morales taking a shot that was saved yet again.

Marcelino made substitutions in midfield, bringing on Parejo and Capoue, but they failed to turn the tide in a match that gradually slipped away, resulting in another frustrating draw.

Elena Ruiz’s incredible goal from thirteen meters secured victory for Spain and the bronze medal in a thrilling match against Greece at the women’s water polo World Cup tournament. This goal perfectly summarized the roller coaster of emotions and intense gameplay that unfolded throughout the tournament.

With the score tied at 9-9 and only eight seconds remaining, Judith Forca failed to secure the win for Spain. Greece called a time-out and decided to play without a goalkeeper, but made a crucial mistake by positioning themselves behind the two-meter line.

Spain seized the opportunity with five seconds left on the clock. With no goalkeeper to stop them, Paula Camus attempted a shot that was claimed as a penalty. However, it was Elena Ruiz who ultimately recovered the ball and launched it from twelve or thirteen meters, sending it flying into the goal and securing the final score of 10-9.

This hard-fought bronze medal is a historic achievement for Miki Oca’s team, marking their thirteenth overall medal across various competitions. It showcases the tremendous potential of Spanish women’s water polo.

The match had a thrilling start, with Spain appearing somewhat stunned after their defeat against the United States. However, they quickly found their momentum, with Judith Forca and Bea Ortiz scoring in the first quarter. Greece managed to score through Plevritou, but Spain maintained a slight lead.

In the second quarter, Spain continued to improve, with Forca and Maica García adding more goals to their tally. However, Greece fought back, equalizing the score at 4-4 with goals from Xenaki and Plevritou. Spain managed to maintain their lead, with a score of 6-5 at halftime.

The third quarter began with a goal from Paula Camus, expanding Spain’s lead to 7-5. Despite some impressive defensive saves from Martina Terré, Spain struggled to find their rhythm in attack and their efficiency in superiorities decreased. The stage was set for a close finish in the final quarter.

At the start of the fourth quarter, Maica García drew a penalty and Judith Forca converted, completing her hat trick and increasing Spain’s lead to 8-6. Paula Leitón then scored a brilliant backhand goal, bringing the score to 9-6 and providing some much-needed breathing room for Oca’s team.

However, Greece quickly staged a comeback, scoring three goals in just under two minutes to tie the game at 9-9 with 2:50 remaining. The final minutes were a roller coaster of emotions, with missed opportunities and timeouts that failed to yield results.

In a critical mistake, Greece played with a goalkeeper-player who positioned herself behind the two-meter line, resulting in an offside call. With no goalkeeper to defend, Spain seized the opportunity. Camus attempted a shot amidst the chaos, but it was Elena Ruiz who emerged as the hero, chasing the ball and scoring into an empty goal, securing the unforgettable victory for Spain.

Jabari Parker (Chicago, 1995) was not long ago the new unicorn of the NBA and today he is a guy who is looking for himself thousands of miles away, perhaps where he would never have imagined. He is looking for and finds himself in Europe, in the Barcelona that bet on him like a coin in the air, with his history of injuries behind him, like a broken toy, and that is now rubbing his hands with a differential player who wins games at the buzzer with the calm of the chosen ones, which is increasingly important in Roger Grimau's gear, for the happiness of those who were not long ago his companions. «I wanted to be like him. It was the reason I went to Duke. I have a lot of love for him and I'm glad he's playing well,” Jayson Tatum surrendered a few days ago.

Jabari could capture his own story in a film by Spike Lee, the director he studied at Duke while he was in the spotlight during his college days under Mike Krzyzewski.. He could talk about his family origins, his great-grandfather born in Tonga, evangelized by missionaries. From his father Sonny, six seasons with the NBA Warriors. From his mother Lola Finau and his deep religious education, an African-American Mormon who reads the Bible every day, who does not wear a single tattoo, who has not eaten meat for four years and has been vegan for two years.

Jabari could also write a script about his rise and fall, the ruin of injuries and rebirth. «When I had the first injury, I thought I had time on my side. That I could recover well. The second one I was not prepared to face. “It sank me because I was having the best season of my career,” he confessed in Sports Illustrated.. In the 2014 draft, in which Nikola Jokic only appeared in the second round, Parker was chosen at number two, ahead of Joel Embiid. He played four seasons with the Bucks, but in the first season he tore the cruciate ligament in his left knee.. Two years later, when he was at his best (20.1 points per game), the injury recurred and, then, the ordeal, a wandering of transfers (Chicago, Washington, Atlanta, Sacramento, Boston) and a last game in the NBA in January 2022.

«I'm here after tearing my knee ligaments twice. And people have a hard time believing it because they don't see any weakness in me.. They don't see the consequences. “I am proof that if you believe in it, it can come back better than ever,” said a few weeks ago who is now a reference in Grimau's Barça, who today at Carpena seeks the semifinals of the Cup against Baxi Manresa (6:00 p.m. ). Jabari, who never lost his elegance or versatility, is advancing from less to more (almost 11 points per game with more than 40% three-pointers in both the ACB and the Euroleague). And, above all, he feels part of something, integrated into his new city.. Parker lives in the center of Barcelona and it is not difficult to see him going to the Palau by metro, reading a book. «All the credit is yours. He is happy to be here, from the first day he has been with us happy and with impressive humility.. There have been times when I didn't quite understand some things, but we talk a lot and make a lot of videos. Has a lot of ability to adapt and desire to learn. He has a good time competing, which is what he was looking for coming here.. We knew that, if he was happy, Parker would help us a lot,” his coach praised him a few days ago.

Because, beyond basketball in which he now finds himself again, he always knew that his voice could be useful in many social causes.. This was stated in an interview at the ACB. «I was one of the first athletes to speak out against police violence against black people. I felt that responsibility as a public figure. Violence cannot be tolerated. “You should not harm someone just because you disagree with you,” he defended. Even if Ricky Rubio, who has not traveled to Malaga, with doubts about the beginning of the post-Jasikevicius era and looking to reconquer a Cup that he won in 2021 and 2022, Barça clings to Jabari's calm.

It was a Real Madrid without spark, a Madrid of sweat, of crooked gesture, of getting by. It was a brave, proud, aggressive UCAM Murcia, standing until the end, until Campazzo avoided greater evils for a team that confirms that it goes to the Cup in search of the brilliance and fireworks of not so long ago.. The whites will face off in the semi-finals on Saturday against Valencia Básket (who later eliminated Dreamland Gran Canaria after extra time), but the reconquest they aspire to will undoubtedly require a fuller version at the Martín Carpena. [84-79: Narration and statistics]

More warriors to join the cause, more consistency, more concentration. Because they shined in the first half, as if warning that they were ready for the first party of the year, and they diluted themselves when they shouldn't against a rival with self-respect, which took them to the agony of the end, although not for a second in the entire match, Sito Alonso's team were ahead on the scoreboard.

But with four minutes left, there they were, on the edge of a feat, a comeback to remember when Radovic and his hooks hurt the white zone (71-70). Not long before they had a slab on them (42-27), when they seemed overwhelmed by that herd that looks like Madrid with the open field. In that second quarter, Hezonja on fire, and the hunger to rebuild what was taken away in Badalona by Unicaja and before, twice, by Jasikevicius's Barça. With the Cup that they have not won since 2020 in sight, they seemed like the overwhelming Madrid at the beginning of the season, their wild mechanisms, that dizzying game that Sito Alonso was not able to contain with the hearts of his warriors.

But UCAM is a team with the ardor of its coach. A group that strives, with character, capable of rising despite losing its reference Birgander weeks ago, or not having its starting point guard, Ludde Hakanson, for the tournament. The greats have suffered against him that course and the identification, the project, the red tide arriving from Murcia that enveloped the arrival of his team with hope is increasing.

But the 6-0 start was already a sign. Madrid tried to run even if they couldn't. It is his deadly weapon and almost no one has the kryptonite to nullify it.. Dejan Todorovic, Birgander's replacement back to the ACB from China, tried to push his team, brave against a thick Tavares, blocked Campazzo and 11-11 to start again. But again the stampede, now with Hezonja from the bench, 12 almost consecutive points from the Croatian, as unstoppable as Llull and the triple with which he set the maximum (42-27) and became the all-time top triple scorer in the Cup, dethroning Juan Carlos Navarro. Only a burst of rage from Dylan Ennis, Murcia's offensive reference in the duel, left some uncertainty at half-time.

Murcia had arrests left to not throw in the towel. It is the third cup participation in its history, the second in the last three years. On his return he raised the bar of aggressiveness, he emptied himself in the Carpena, tightening the lines, causing losses, dominating with the offensive rebound (up to 14 stolen, well distributed) and finishing one-on-zero plays, in unusual counterattacks that unnerved Chus Matthew. In addition to two triples from Caupain, Musa's errors, Tavares' laziness, Ennis' momentum…. A 0-9 to get closer (56-53), although Poirier and Llull put some order before entering the final act.

That was going to be a heart attack, worthy of a Cup. The first Murcian approach was solved by a wonderful Llull. And the second, the most dangerous, Campazzo's talent, nine points and an assist in the last three minutes of nerves and mistakes.

Betis, the overwhelming favorite to advance to the round of 16 in the Conference League, suffered a surprising defeat at their home stadium against Dinamo Zagreb, forcing them to make a comeback next week in Croatia. The Sevillian team, eager to redeem themselves after their disappointment in the Europa League, had high hopes of making it to the final in Athens. However, their coach Manuel Pellegrini had to deal with several player injuries and unregistered players, which affected their performance. On the other hand, Dinamo Zagreb, also making their debut in the competition, aimed to keep the tie open for the second leg and boost their morale in their domestic tournament. The match started off slow, with both teams struggling to break through. Betis had a few attempts on goal, but couldn’t find the back of the net. In the second half, despite some substitutions made by Betis, they failed to mount a comeback. Dinamo Zagreb was awarded a penalty, which they converted, securing a 1-0 victory. Betis tried to equalize with a late surge but was unsuccessful. The focus now turns to the second leg, where Betis will have to step up their game without Germán Pezzella, who will be suspended due to accumulated yellow cards.

Griezmann’s journey at Atlético de Madrid began with a frustrated conversation with his wife after training, expressing his frustration with Diego Simeone. After eight seasons and 175 goals, the Little Prince has now solidified his status as a “Legend Scorer” for the club.

Thus, Atlético de Madrid organized a special tribute to honor their star and all-time top scorer. The event, hosted by Vicente Vallés, lasted over an hour and highlighted Griezmann’s remarkable career.

Enrique Cerezo, President of Atlético, commented, “Griezmann is undoubtedly among the top three, four, or five best players in Europe.” The tribute ceremony resembled a television program, featuring various segments showcasing Griezmann’s accomplishments.

The commemoration began by reliving the goal that defeated Luis. It was a stunning goal in the Super Cup, where Griezmann pulled off an improvised dribble, leaving Rüdiger in awe before hitting the base of the post with a shot that Kepa couldn’t save. “At halftime, Cholo [Simeone] spoke, and I just wanted to cry,” revealed Griezmann.

Simeone, the coach who played a crucial role in Griezmann’s football development, was the next to take the stage. A video by Miguel Ángel Gil Marín highlighted the ten hours of negotiation that led to Griezmann’s return to the club. Simeone’s call played a significant role in the decision. The coach acknowledged that Griezmann faced difficulties upon his arrival but credited him for having a clear vision.

During the tribute, Simeone selected the goal from the semi-final against Bayern Munich, while Griezmann chose the bicycle kick against Roma as his personal favorite. Griezmann’s 175 goals earned him the prestigious Gold and Diamonds badge, awarded by the club to its legends. Cerezo presented Griezmann with the badge.

Beyond leaders and coaches, Griezmann also received love and support from former teammates, youth players, and various personalities. His great friend and captain, Koke, played an essential role in helping him reintegrate into the team. “He made it easier for me to find my place again,” admitted Griezmann.

Returning to the Metropolitano Stadium was not without challenges for Griezmann. During the event, a fan who had previously whistled at Griezmann upon his return apologized and admitted his initial reaction. Griezmann acknowledged that he initially struggled with self-doubt but credited former club legend Fernando Torres for guiding him, saying, “You won’t be criticized here as long as you give your all on the field.” Griezmann embraced this advice and quickly turned things around.

Griezmann has undoubtedly become one of Atlético de Madrid’s greatest legends, and his active playing career allows him to continue building on his exceptional legacy.