The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Champions League.

  • Ikpeba hits Abuja for UEFA champions league

    Ikpeba hits Abuja for UEFA champions league

    The fun and excitement of UEFA Champions league awaits fans on Tuesday and Wednesday courtesy, International premium lager beer, Heineken, as former African Footballer of the Year and Super Eagles striker, Victor Ikpeba, is set to thrill football fans on digital platform during the match day three of the Champions League.
    On Tuesday, when the star match of the day between AC Milan against FC Barcelona gets underway at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Ikpeba with over 15, 000 followers on twitter will be engaged by football fans before, during and after the match on digital platforms. Other twitter users are encouraged to join the conversation by tweeting @IkpebaOfficial and @Heineken_NG with #MatchNightWith
    International premium lager beer, Heineken, since 2006, has been rewarding its consumers with exclusive premium viewing experiences of UEFA champions’ league football, in the Heineken Champions’ Planet in Victoria Island, Lagos. In the on- going season, the brand has been showcasing a unique experience at 100 premium bars with the sole aim of being closer to its consumers in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Enugu and Abuja.
    Expectedly, like it was on match day two, when Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha was on point, the traffic on @Heineken_NG twitter handle is expected to be huge because with more awareness on the digital engagement, hundreds of passionate followers of the club competition will be active all through the thrilling match conversation.
    While the matches are going on in real time, Ikpeba, fondly referred to as ‘Prince of Monaco’ in his playing days, will be live at the Dreams Active Recreation at 792A Aminu Kano Crescent, Opposite UBA, Wuse 2 in Abuja, where he will be part of the viewing crowd.
    Consumers will have the privilege to engage the former Super Eagles legend for in depth analysis of the matches.
    The following day, former Dutch international and Manchester United FC great, Ruud van Nistelroy, will take over the official Heineken handle @heineken and engage fans during the Real Madrid versus Juventus of Italy at the Santiago Bernabue stadium through the #ShareTheSofa.
    Nigerian tweeps can ask questions and could be lucky enough to win a signed merchandise from Ruud Van Nistelroy.
    Senior Brand Manager, Heineken, Jacqueline van Faassen, yesterday restated that on match days, passionate fans of UEFA Champions League will continue to have the opportunity to interact with prominent football legends before, during and after the match on digital platforms especially on twitter. “All they need to do is follow Heineken Nigeria @Heineken_NG and have the unique opportunity to interact with some of the legends of UEFA Champions League both Nigerian based and foreign footballers,” she explained.
    With more Nigerians having the opportunity to see some of the games live in the best stadiums in Europe, the long lasting memories of last season’s final match at the Wembley Stadium in London, still lingers in the memories of five inventive Nigerians; Boyo Gbire, Mayowa Opeyemi George, Isaac Nonchie Ijeh, Franklin Chukwu Ijeh, and Diana Nwajiaku-Smart, courtesy of Heineken.

    In line with the global campaign theme of Heineken in the ongoing season called ‘Road to the Final’. Heineken has gone the extra mile with the decision to reward passionate UEFA Champions League fans at selected bars and lounges with an all expense paid trip to watch matches live at the stadiums in Europe from knockout stage up till the semi final round of the competition next year.

  • Alaba confesses: Champions League is always something special

    Alaba confesses: Champions League is always something special

    Bayern Munich wing-back David Alaba has commented on the European champions opening Champions League clash in which they defeated Ahmed Musa’s CSKA Moscow 3 – 0 at Fußball Arena München.

    The Austria international , who has a Nigerian father, opened scoring for Bayern Munich with a stunning free-kick goal after four minutes.

    “It was hard work. CSKA are a quality team with some good individual players. We knew that ahead of the game, but we focused on our own game rather than looking at our opponents,” David Alaba told the official website of UEFA.

    Adding to his previous statement, the 21 – year – old said: “It’s a dream for any footballer to play at this level. The Champions League is always something special and we saw that on the pitch. We wanted to play attractive football and managed to do so.”

    “I didn’t have to convince [Toni Kroos or Franck Ribéry] to let me take the free-kick. It was a bit too far out for Toni and so I gave it a go. It always feels great to score a goal, everyone knows that.”

    David Alaba is credited with the seventh fastest goal in the UEFA Champions League which he netted against Juventus in April .

  • Bayern Munich bags fifth Champions League trophy

    Bayern Munich bags fifth Champions League trophy

    ...Beat Dortmund 2-1

    ARJEN Robben exorcised the ghosts of last season’s penalty miss against Chelsea to score the winner for Bayern Munich in the Champions League final.

    The Dutchman rolled in the decisive goal against Borussia Dortmund in the final few moments, having twice been denied in the first half. He also set up the opener for Mario Mandzukic.

    Dortmund pegged the favourites back from the penalty spot after Dante bought down Marco Reus. Ilkay Gundogan blasted the equaliser.

    But late, late on, Robben surged clear and trickled the ball into the bottom corner to secure a fifth European title for the Germans.

    The first half of the Champions League final had a little bit of everything for soccer fans to enjoy. Entertaining open play, great shots, even better saves, but the one thing it didn’t have was goals. Both sides had their chances but thanks to outstanding work from both goalkeepers, it’s scoreless at the break.

    After a nervy opening 10 minutes, things began to open up with Dortmund becoming the dominant side as the half moved along. The first real effort on goal came in the 10th minute when Dortmund finally were able to move into the attacking third and after Kevin Grosskreutz’s initial pass was blocked, he jumped back on the ball and unleashed a shot that curled well away from danger.

    Robert Lewandowski had the first official shot on goal in the 13th minute, blasting an effort from 25 yards out that was pushed over the crossbar by Manuel Neuer. A minute later Neuer denied Jakub Blaszczykowski, blocking away a redirected cross from short range.

    Marco Reus got free in the 19th minute, showing his speed and quickness on a counter attack out of nowhere, but his shot from just on the edge of the Bayern area was parried away by Neuer. Three minutes later Dortmund were back again as Grosskreutz chased down a deflected ball into the left corner and centered back to Sven Bender for a low shot toward the far post that Neuer was able to smother.

  • HEINEKEN sponsors five Nigerians to UEFA Champions final

    HEINEKEN sponsors five Nigerians to UEFA Champions final

    As the much anticipated UEFA Champions League Final holds on May 25, HEINEKEN, will sponsor five Nigerians to the UCL Final in Wembley, London

    Those to be sponsored are Diana Nwajiaku-Smart, Isaac Onochie Ijeh, Mayowa Opeyemi George, Franklin Chukwu Ijeh and Felix Amobichukwu Nwafor .

    Through their inventiveness, ingenuity and resourcefulness these five Nigerians were able to win the HEINEKEN RACE TO THE FINAL CHALLENGE and an all-expense paid trip to watch the Final live at the Wembley stadium in London. The lucky winners proved to be exceptionally intelligent using their intellectual as well as the physical ability to outsmart 300 other participants in the HEINEKEN RACE TO THE FINAL CHALLENGE.

    Saturday the 13th of April, began with 300+ HEINEKEN fans and UCL Final hopefuls gathering at the National Arts Theatre, Iganmu for the RACE TO THE FINAL CHALLENGE. Contestants were expected to cleverly solve 4 riddles to decode 4 ‘secret’ locations and race against the clock to visit all locations and complete the journey, with only the first five contestants to arrive at the Heineken Champions Planet winning the tickets to Wembley.

    Through the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, contestants received a new riddle every time they clocked-in at a location. With the RFID technology, contestants’ clues were posted on their Facebook walls for their friends to help them when they were stuck. What started out as a keen competition with every man for himself turned out be a team effort with strangers working together as friends to solve riddles in order to progress in the race. The riddles led contestants to strategic locations around Lagos: Golden Tulip Hotel, Festac, Rhapsody’s, Ikeja City Mall, Sailor’s Lounge, Lekki and finally the Heineken Champions Planet, Victoria Island where the winners were celebrated.

    The RACE TO THE FINAL CHALLENGE was tied to the recently unveiled HEINEKEN® UCL campaign called ‘Road to the Final’ with the launch of a television commercial titled “The Final”. In the commercial you get to see how, with imagination and resourcefulness, one man was able to race against the clock to witness club football’s most prestigious event – the Final itself live. He had to overcome many hurdles on his way from South America to London in just 24 hours. He proves to be a true Man of the World. And he got inspired by the inventiveness displayed by the great players in the UCL. The journey to the Final is filled with legendary adventures and stories. How he gets to the Final is as much fun as being at the Final.

    “Taking a cue from the TV commercial, we created obstacles for contestants in the form of riddles and asked them to be inventive in solving the riddles then hit the road to the next destination where only the first five that arrive at the Heineken Champions Planet automatically win the 5 tickets to Wembley. The race should be great fun and an adventure in itself” said Jacqueline Van Faassen, Senior brand Manager, HEINEKEN

    The mechanics of the challenge was designed not only to choose winners, but to bring out the real “Man of the World” in every participant in relation to the premium brand. It was also to demonstrate that Nigerians can display legendary acts through inventiveness and imagination by bringing out the can-do spirit in them and sportsmanship. Compared to a transparent draw in previous years, this year’s selection put every consumer’s destiny in their own hands.

    The “Road to the Final” brings together Nigeria’s best in sports reporting like Colin Udoh, Charles Anazodo, Timi Okomi and Biola Kazeem, and legendary ex-internationals like Jay Jay Okocha, Daniel Amokachi and Peter Rufai amongst others who have visited the Heineken Champions Planet at different stages of the competition.

    On the Road to the Final, HEINEKEN encourages fans to watch ‘The Final” TV advert on Heineken.com and to engage with the brand through a series of unique activities. Modern trade stores will sell special edition Heineken UEFA Champions League cans and special edition UEFA Champions League Magnum packs. In April and May, promotions will be running to offer a gift with purchase of the special UCL packs. In addition, HEINEKEN has adopted 75 UCL viewing bars around the country where promotions are being held and consumers can win spectacular UCL prizes including an invitation to the Heineken Champions Planet in Lagos.

    As the ‘Road to The Final’ reaches its climax, HEINEKEN will equally invite fans to the semi-final and the final VIP viewing events that will host over 250 fans from across Nigeria every match night to experience a premium football viewing experience at the Heineken Champions Planet, Victoria Island, Lagos. For a chance to see the final in a uniquely HEINEKEN way at the Heineken Champions Planet, consumers sign up on-line via a Heineken quiz on Facebook or log on to Heineken.com.

    One of the winners Diana Nwajiaku- Smart, commended HEINEKEN for the opportunity not just to participate in the RACE TO THE FINAL to win a ticket to the Wembley final, but also encouraging the true spirit of sportsmanship, respect and friendship. “The prize is beyond a ticket to the final, it also includes the opportunity to meet Heineken and UCL fans from around the world, take a tour of London and attend super premium parties organized by HEINEKEN, and of course the UEFA Champions League Final match being the highlight of the trip”.

  • Champions League: PSG draws Barcelona in last eight

    Champions League: PSG draws Barcelona in last eight

    ... Bayern plays Juventus

    Paris Saint-Germain will take on Barcelona in the standout tie of the Champions League quarter-finals, Goal.com reports.

    Barcelona, who won the competition in 2011 and overturned a 2-0 deficit to dump out AC Milan this season, will face the Ligue 1 leaders with the first leg taking place in the French capital.

    The draws at UEFA House in Nyon, Switzerland, on Friday also pitched last season’s finalists Bayern Munich against Serie A leaders Juventus in another huge fixture.

    Primera Division champions Real Madrid will meet Turkish giants Galatasaray, while Malaga, who knocked out Porto, takes on German champions Borussia Dortmund.

    The four first legs will take place on March, with the second legs scheduled for April 9 and 10.

    The draw for the semi-finals will be held on April 12, and the tournament concludes at Wembley Stadium on May 25.

    The pairings

    Malaga vs Borussia Dortmund

    Real Madrid vs Galatasaray

    PSG vs Barcelona

    Bayern Munich vs Juventus

     

  • Champions League: Man U draws Real Madrid

    Champions League: Man U draws Real Madrid

    Manchester United has been drawn against Spanish giants Real Madrid in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League.

    The match will see Cristiano Ronaldo return to Old Trafford for the first time since his £80m move from United to Real in June 2009, BBC reports.

    Celtic will play Italian side Juventus, while Arsenal take on last year’s beaten finalists Bayern Munich.

    Barcelona takes on AC Milan, while Borussia Dortmund faces Shakhtar Donetsk.

    Valencia will square up against Paris Saint-Germain and Porto take on Malaga, while Galatasaray will play Schalke.

    But the undoubted tie of the round sees Real take on United for the first time in nine years.

    The sides last met in the 2002-03 quarter final with the Spaniards triumphing 6-5 on aggregate.

     

    The pairings

    Galatasaray vs FC Schalke

    Celtic vs Juventus

    Arsenal vs Bayern Munich

    Shakhtar Donetsk vs Borussia Dortmund

    AC Milan vs Barcelona

    Real Madrid vs Manchester United

    Valencia vs Paris Saint-Germain

    Porto vs Malaga

     

  • Esperance qualify for Champions League final

    Esperance qualify for Champions League final

    Esperance beat TP Mazembe 1-0 in Tunis on Saturday evening to reach this year’s African Champions League final, MTNFootball.com reports.

    The four-time champions struggled in the first half away in Tunisia against Esperance, who had two great attempts before heading into the break scoreless.

    Eight minutes into the game, Esperance and Blacks Stars defender Harrison Afful tested Mazembe goalkeeper Muteba Kidiaba with a header that the latter parried.

    Afful put Kidiaba under pressure again in the 23rd minute with a long range effort that Mazembe’s inspirational goalkeeper deflected.

    Mazembe had one good chance in the 35 minutes through striker Given Singuluma but the Zambian skied his shot over the bar.

    The Tunisians made sure of their second successive Champions League final appearance through Mohamed Ben Masour who scored from a tight angle after turning in a Khalil Chemmam free kick.

    Mazambe had a great chance deep into the final minute to stretch the contest through Singuluma again but his attempt was saved by Moez Ben Chrifia.

    Esperance now await the winner of Sunday’s semifinal clash in Cairo between Al Ahly of Egypt and Sunshine Stars of Nigeria.

    The two teams played a 3-3 draw the first leg played in Nigeria on October 6.

     

  • Beckenbauer tips Bayern

    Beckenbauer tips Bayern

    Bayern Munich honorary president Franz Beckenbauer expressed his confidence on Tuesday that a German team can win this season’s Champions League title.

    Beckenbauer believes Bayern can erase the painful memories of May’s Champions League final defeat on penalties at their own Allianz Arena against Chelsea when they take on Spanish outfit Valencia in Munich today.

    But he also thinks that German champions Borussia Dortmund are in with a shot at the top European prize.

    “I consider them (Bayern) as strong enough to win the title,” Beckenbauer told the regional daily Stuttgarter Zeitung.

    “They (Dortmund) have learned from experience. Now they are different. Of course they lost Shinji Kagawa (to Manchester United) but acquired Marco Reus (from Moenchengladbach) and with it, they are even stronger,” said Beckenbauer.

    Bayern Munich were the last German team to win the European title in 2001. They finished runners-up in 2010 and 2012.

    Having won the German league and cup double last season, Dortmund are back in the Champions League for the second year running, but looking to improve on last season’s poor performance which saw them finish last in the group stages. Borussia Dortmund, the 1997 European champions, host Dutch club Ajax on Tuesday.

  • Terry cleared for Juve clash

    Terry cleared for Juve clash

    JOHN TERRY has been passed fit for the start of Chelsea’s defence of the Champions League.

    The Blues skipper jarred his knee in Saturday’s heated goalless draw at QPR days after recovering from an ankle injury.

    But tough-nut Terry has given boss Roberto di Matteo a boost by coming through a light training session Monday as preparations get underway for the visit of Italian champs Juventus today.

    And UEFA bigwigs admit they will be watching the visitors’ bench at Stamford Bridge like hawks to make sure banned Juve coach Antonio Conte does not try to beat his rap and phone his pals in the dugout.

    Conte is serving a 10-month ban for keeping quiet over match-fixing when boss of Siena and is banished to the stands.

    A UEFA spokesman said: “The ban does extend to UEFA competitions.

    “Conte isn’t allowed to have any contact with the players during the game or at half time.”