Connect with us

UEFA Champions League

Morgan Dreams UCL Title

blank

Published

on

Leicester City captain, Wes Morgan sees no reason not to dream of Champions League glory.
The reigning Premier League champions are the only English representatives in the quarter-finals of the competition after goals from Morgan and Marc Albrighton secured a 2-0 win over LaLiga high flyers Sevilla on Tuesday – overturning a 2-1 first-leg deficit at a raucous King Power Stadium.
Some of the shine has come off Leicester’s remarkable Premier League triumph this season, not least in the aftermath of their loss at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, when popular manager Claudio Ranieri was sacked.
But the Foxes have won back-to-back games over Liverpool and Hull City domestically to ease relegation fears under the Italian’s promoted number two Craig Shakespeare, while their stirring efforts against Sevilla evoked the unforgettable march to glory 12 months ago.
Morgan marshalled a defence that rediscovered its steel in the face of Sevilla’s efforts to force extra time and, as the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Juventus lie in wait in Friday’s draw, the 33-year-old feels ready to test football’s boundaries of probability once more.
Asked whether he dreamt of lifting the Champions League trophy, he said: “Yeah, you know, we achieved the impossible winning the Premier League and I’m sure no one would have thought we’d get this far in the Champions League, so why not dream?
“I just think you have to take it a game at a time. It’s a cliché saying but it’s true. We’ll see who we get next and then look forward to that game.”
Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel saved a penalty from Steven N’Zonzi that would have taken the tie to extra time – repeating his heroics from the first leg when he thwarted Joaquin Correa from 12 yards.
Morgan hailed Schmeichel as the finest goalkeeper he has shared a dressing room with but revealed his penalty saving practice on the training ground did not go entirely to plan.
“He’s a fantastic keeper – the best I’ve ever played with – and when it’s time for him to be counted he’s there,” the defender added.
“His two penalty saves were brilliant and he’s kept us in the games. When you’ve got someone like that behind you, you’ve always got a chance to win.
“Besides the penalty saves he came out with some important stops. He’s fantastic and I’m delighted for him.
“We’d been working on penalties this week and he didn’t save any actually in the first five but he was guessing right every time. When it came to game day he stepped up to the mark and made a decent save.”
Leicester suffered a 4-2 defeat when they faced Barcelona in a pre-season friendly in Stockholm last August but Morgan is keen to test himself against the some of the giants of the European game in a competitive setting.
He added: “Why not? You want to put yourself against the best players in the world and that’s where they are.
“We played Barca in pre-season and it would be nice to play at the Bernabeu.”

Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

UEFA Champions League

TikTokers spend 27 hours in stadium toilet to watch Champions League final for free

blank

Published

on

blank
 Paris St Germain Victory Parade - Parc des Princes, Paris, France - June 1, 2025 Paris St Germain players pose for a picture with the trophy and Paris St Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi during the victory celebration REUTERS/Abdul Saboor/File Photo 

A pair of Belgian TikTokers say they spent 27 hours in an Allianz Arena toilet last weekend before watching Paris St Germain beat Inter Milan in the Champions League final for free.

Neal Remmerie and Senne Haverbeke told VRT News they managed to get into the Munich stadium the day before the match and hid in a toilet cubicle.

After sticking a homemade “Out of Order” sign on the door, the pair waited in silence for more than a day as stadium staff used the facility.

“We had a backpack with snacks and we played around on our phones to kill time,” Remmerie told the Belgian public broadcaster.

“The lights were on all the time and the sitting position was uncomfortable, so sleeping was almost impossible. That made it physically and mentally difficult.”

Advertisement

Once they heard fans starting to use the toilets on matchday, the pair left their bolthole and made their way past ticket inspectors to join the 86,600 crowd in the stands.

“We looked carefully at which security guard was paying the least attention. While on the phone and with food in our hands, we just walked on, and suddenly we were inside,” Remmerie added.

“PSG won 5-0 and we were also in the supporters’ section of the winning team. It was the most beautiful football match we have ever seen.”

The Allianz Arena and UEFA did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.

Those fans who made their way into the match more conventionally had to pay anywhere from 90 to 950 euros ($100-$1,100) for their tickets.

Advertisement

-Reuters

   Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

Advertisement
Continue Reading

UEFA Champions League

How Heineken Scored a Five-Star UEFA Champions League Experience for Nigerian Fans

blank

Published

on

blank
Some hardcore fans displaying their loyalty to the winning team PSG at the final watch party by Heineken.

Indeed, it was an evening where football merged with lifestyle. Nigerian music stars Fido and Wande Coal brought their A-game, performing crowd favourites that had fans singing along and dancing well into the night. 

Their live performances added vibrant colour to an already electrifying evening, keeping the energy alive after the final whistle.

blank

Hard core fans cut across gender, as displayed by the ladies during the Heineken Watch Party in at the Lagos Continental Hotel last Saturday

Adding star power to the experience was ex-Super Eagles striker Julius Aghahowa, who mingled freely with guests, posed for pictures, and shared expert insight on the game, delighting fans with his presence and personal touch.

“This year’s UEFA Champions League final is not just a match—it’s a cultural moment,” said Maria Shadeko, Portfolio Manager for Premium Beer at Nigerian Breweries. “We’re blending world-class football with unforgettable lifestyle experiences. Through our activities, we’re celebrating the real hardcore fans—the ones who make the game magical from wherever they are.”

blank

Shadeko added that Heineken’s goal is to ensure Nigerian fans feel seen and celebrated. “They may not be in Munich, but they’re just as important to the spirit of the game. That’s why we go all out—every year—to make this night one to remember.”

Advertisement

   Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

Continue Reading

UEFA Champions League

PEPSI GOALFEST 2025: Record-Breaking UCL Final, Unforgettable Fan Experience!

blank

Published

on

blank

The roar of the crowd, the thrill of every shot, and the ultimate victory! Last Saturday night, Pepsi brought the UEFA Champions League 2025 final to life at the Pepsi GoalFest 2025, where PSG dominated Inter Milan in a stunning 5-0 victory, setting a new record for goals in a final.

The Balmoral Event Centre, Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos was completely transformed into an electrifying arena, with a dominant wave of the iconic Pepsi blue.


Football fanatics experienced passion like never before. Inside and around the venue, fans engaged in thrilling football-themed games, moved to the beats of electrifying music, and stayed refreshed with Pepsi.

The energy soared as Dj Yk Mule, Mayorkun, and Do2tun delivered show-stopping performances, all powered by Pepsi.


It wasn’t just a game; it was an immersive celebration of football, an unforgettable night where every cheer, every goal, and every moment was refreshed by Pepsi!

Advertisement

Continue Reading

Most Viewed