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The German top-tier football league has been always dominated by the country’s most successful club Bayern Munich but this season unbeaten leaders Bayer Leverkusen can turn the tables. One third of the 2023-24 Bundesliga season will be completed soon as Bayer Leverkusen are leading the Bundesliga after winning 10 matches in 11 weeks. Xabi Alonso’s men have 31 points to be above favorites Bayern Munich, and scored 34 goals to have a 24-goal difference. Bayern Munich, who won their 11th straight Bundesliga title in May, are also unbeaten in the league this season and they have 29 points to be on Leverkusen’s tail. Like in the previous seasons, the Bavarians are still favorites for the 2024 German title. In matchday four, Bayern Munich were held to a 2-2 home draw with Leverkusen. The visitors came from behind twice. Exequiel Palacios scored the late equalizer at Munich’s Allianz Arena on Sept. 15 as the sides shared points. The teams’ next meeting in Bundesliga will be at Leverkusen’s BayArena on Feb. 10
. Still there is a long way in the 34-week Bundesliga campaign that will end in May but Leverkusen are now thrilling their fans and football circles in Europe. Leverkusen have never won the Bundesliga but the Werkself finished it second for many times, with the last in 2011 when Borussia Dortmund were the German champions. They reached final in the 2002 UEFA Champions League. Leverkusen won the 1988 UEFA Cup, the club’s sole international success. Introduced in 1971, Europe’s second-tier UEFA Cup was rebranded the UEFA Europa League in 2009. Leverkusen equal record for best start to Bundesliga season After a large win over Union Berlin by 4-0 at BayArena on Nov. 12, Leverkusen have leveled the record for the best season start in the Bundesliga, which was previously set by Pep Guardiola’s Bayern Munich in the 2015-16 campaign. Leverkusen won 10 matches and draw once in the first 11 weeks, taking 31 of most possible 33 points. Regarded one of the best head coaches in football, Guardiola has been a Manch
ester City manager since 2016 to win five English Premier League titles and the English club’s first UEFA Champions League title in June in Istanbul. Guardiola, who won the Spanish La Liga for multiple times as a Barcelona midfielder and head coach, has already bagged successive Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich in 2014-2016. In the 2015 fall, Guardiola’s Bayern Munich had 31 points in 11 matches, and scored 33 goals but conceded four. They never looked back. At the end of the 2015-16 season the Bavarians secured the German league title. Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal and Brazil winger Douglas Costa were the big names to arrive in Munich in the 2015 summer. They were joined by 19-year-old French winger Kingsley Coman, and 20-year-old defensive midfielder Joshua Kimmich, who are now Bayern Munich’s integral parts. Leverkusen’s boss Alonso was a Bayern Munich midfielder during that season. Leverkusen’s key players in offense: Boniface, Grimaldo, Hofmann and Wirtz Having scored 34 goals in 11 weeks,
Leverkusen is the most prolific team in goalscoring after second-place Bayern Munich, who have tallied 42 league goals so far. Spanish head coach Alonso, an ex-Real Madrid and Bayern Munich midfielder, has many key players, who shaped Leverkusen’s offense this season. Nigerian forward Victor Boniface, Spanish left-back Alejandro Grimaldo, German winger Jonas Hofmann, and the team’s German star Florian Wirtz are playing important roles in the team’s success. Boniface is leading Leverkusen with seven goals, and he has five assists. Having joined from Portugal’s Benfica on free transfer in July, Grimaldo, who plays on the left flank, scored six goals – including two from freekick – to contribute Leverkusen’s offensive play. Grimaldo also made four assists. Hofmann, who had played for Borussia Dortmund and Borussia Monchengladbach in Germany, had five goals and five assists for Leverkusen. Attacking midfielder Wirtz, another Leverkusen member to make impact, had three goals and produced five assists this s
eason. In addition, Jeremie Frimpong, a Leverkusen right-back, tallied three goals and five assists. Germany’s Jonathan Tah is playing as a central defender but is also on Leverkusen’s score sheet for several times. Tah scored three league goals.

Source: EN – Anadolu Agency

The Israeli military assault on civilians seeking refuge in hospitals and UN schools in the Gaza Strip entered its 40th day on Wednesday, but neither the European nor the world football’s governing bodies, UEFA and FIFA, issued a condemnation statement or sanctioned Tel Aviv, unlike in the case of Russia’s war on its western neighbor Ukraine in February last year. The double standards of UEFA and FIFA are quite evident in the case of Israel as when Russia launched a war against its western neighbor Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, the two main football bodies issued statements the same day, condemning the war and imposing sanctions on the fourth day against Moscow, suspending Russian clubs and their national teams from participating in all football competitions. The top regulatory authorities governing European and international football did not suspend Israeli clubs and national teams from their competitions despite their continuous onslaught on Gaza. At least 11,240 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli air
strikes and ground offensives since Oct. 7, according to the latest figures from Palestinian authorities. Thousands of buildings, including hospitals, mosques, and churches, have also been damaged or fully destroyed. The Israeli death toll, meanwhile, stands at 1,200, according to official figures. UEFA previously said in a statement that it “shares the international community’s significant concern for the security situation developing in Europe.” “As the governing body of European football, UEFA is working tirelessly to develop and promote football according to common European values such as peace and respect for human rights, in the spirit of the Olympic Charter,” read the statement. “We remain resolute in our solidarity with the football community in Ukraine and stand ready to extend our hand to the Ukrainian people.” UEFA said it is “dealing with this situation with the utmost seriousness and urgency.’ In addition, FIFA condemned Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine, calling for “all parties to
restore peace” via talks. “FIFA condemns the use of force by Russia in Ukraine and any type of violence to resolve conflicts. Violence is never a solution and FIFA calls on all parties to restore peace through constructive dialogue,” the world football’s governing body said in a statement. “FIFA also continues to express its solidarity to the people affected by this conflict,” it said. Russian clubs and national teams were barred from international competitions, and are still not allowed to participate in FIFA World Cup or UEFA EURO competitions. The Portuguese national team replaced Russia after they were banned from participating in the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022. Russia were also barred by FIFA from competing in the men’s 2022 World Cup held in November-December in Qatar. UEFA, FIFA condemn Brussels shooting but silent over Israeli assault The UEFA and FIFA condemned the Brussels shooting on Oct. 16. Two Swedish nationals were killed and another injured in a shooting near the King Baudouin Stadium. UEF
A abandoned the Belgium vs. Sweden (EURO 2024 qualifying match) for security reasons, and a minute’s silence was observed during the other qualifiers to pay tribute to the victims of the Brussels attack. However, they did not pay tribute to those killed in Gaza. On Oct. 17, more than 500 people were killed in an Israeli airstrike on Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital, a spokesman for the Health Ministry in Gaza Ashraf al-Qudra told Anadolu. Later, there was a large-scale protest in London against an Israeli airstrike on the Gaza hospital, but neither FIFA nor UEFA condemned the action. Separately in October, UEFA rescheduled Israeli national teams, including women’s teams, matches, and Israel had to play their home games outside the country for security reasons. On Sunday, Kosovo beat Israel 1-0 in a rearranged EURO 2024 Group I qualifying match. This was the first appearance of the Israeli national team abroad since the Tel Aviv war on the Gaza Strip. The match was supposed to be played on Oct. 15, but UEFA prev
iously postponed it because of the conflict. The rescheduled Israel vs. Switzerland (EURO 2024 qualifying) match will be held on Nov. 15 in Hungary. Israeli basketball powerhouse go on to play Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, one of the most prominent clubs in European basketball that won the top-tier Turkish Airlines EuroLeague in 2014, is still competing in the tournament. However, many Russian clubs, including former champions CSKA Moscow, were excluded by the EuroLeague organizers due to the war, and the ban on Russian clubs was extended for the ongoing 2023-24 season. In late October, EuroLeague announced that Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv would play all their next home games at Aleksandar Nikolic Hall in the Serbian capital Belgrade. The EuroLeague Basketball previously suspended Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv’s game at EA7 Emporio Armani Milan amid escalating tensions with Palestine for “the terror attacks and onset of armed conflict in Israel”. On Oct. 31, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv won the match 98-90 in Ital
y.

Source: EN – Anadolu Agency

Japan’s economy contracted at an annualized pace of 2.1% in the third quarter of this year, much worse than economists’ expectations, according to the provisional data on Wednesday. The figure, shifting from 4.8% year-on-year growth in the second quarter, was the largest contraction in two years, the Cabinet Office data showed. The market had expected the world’s third-largest economy would shrink 0.6% from a year ago in July-September. Japan’s gross domestic product (GDP) also fell 0.5% in the third quarter from the previous three-month period, deeper than economists’ estimate of a 0.1% contraction. In the second quarter, the Japanese economy had grown 1.2% from the first quarter.

Source: EN – Anadolu Agency

The Houston Rockets beat reigning NBA champions Denver Nuggets 107-104, and the latter’s Serbian superstar Nikola Jokic praised his Turkish opponent Alperen Sengun for his skills and contributions on Sunday night.

“I think it is a good thing that they are playing a little bit more through him,” Jokic, a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player and the 2023 NBA Finals MVP, said after the game at Houston’s Toyota Center.

The Rockets’ 21-year-old center Sengun racked up 23 points, took eight rebounds and made five assists. US guard Fred VanVleet led the Rockets, scoring 26 points.

“I think that is going to benefit the whole organization. He is a guy who is not selfish. He wants to play for the team and he wants to pass. The whole team is going to move when the ball is in his hands. He played really good today,” Jokic, the 28-year-old center, added.

A long-time NBA player, Jokic displayed a sensational performance at the Toyota Center as he amassed 36 points, 21 rebounds, and 11 assists. But the Nuggets were handed
a loss.

Sengun was drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2021, but then the Rockets acquired him in a trade with the Thunder.

He is one of the main pillars of both the Rockets and the Turkish national team.

This season he averaged 19.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 6.0 assists for the Rockets in nine NBA games.

Despite the defeat, the Nuggets are leading the Western Conference, having a 8-2 win/loss record. The Rockets are fourth, and it was their sixth consecutive win.

Source: EN – Anadolu Agency

Manchester City on Sunday drew 4-4 with Chelsea on matchday 12 of the English Premier League.

Erling Haaland scored twice in the 25th and 47th minutes, while Manuel Akanji and Rodri produced one goal each in the 45th and 86th minutes respectively for the Sky Blues at Stamford Bridge.

Thiago Silva, Raheem Sterling, and Nicolas Jackson netted in the 29th, 37th, and 67th minutes for Chelsea. Another goal came from Cole Palmer as he scored a stoppage-time penalty.

Collecting 28 points, Manchester City remained at the top of the standings, despite the draw to the London club.

Chelsea are in the 10th position with 16 points in 12 matches.

Source: EN – Anadolu Agency

Spanish La Liga powerhouse Real Madrid on Saturday denied rumors of a possible deal with French star Kylian Mbappe.

Addressing ‘speculation about alleged negotiations’ with Mbappe, Real Madrid said in a statement that ‘this information is completely false and that no such negotiations have taken place.’

The 24-year-old attacker has been rumored to join Real Madrid several times but to date both parties have shot down the rumors.

In 2022, Mbappe extended his contract with Paris Saint-Germain until 2025.

Source: Anadolu Agency

Trabzonspor beat Fenerbahce 3-2 in a Trendyol Super Lig week 11 game on Saturday.

Paul Onuachu drew first blood with an accurate low header to Edin Visca’s cross in the 10th minute, and the first half ended 1-0 at Istanbul’s Sukru Saracoglu Stadium.

The Trabzon club got the wind at their backs in the second half as well.

Berat Ozdemir’s screamer from long range made it 2-0 for Trabzonspor in the 46th minute, and just one minute later, Nicolas Pepe netted another one for the Black Sea Storms.

Dusan Tadic took one back with a goal from a penalty kick in the 61st minute and gave the hosts’ fans hope.

But Fenerbahce midfielder Ismail Yuksek’s sendoff with a second yellow card in the 78th minute didn’t help matters for the Yellow Canaries.

Serbian attacker Tadic netted another one in the 90th minute, then Trabzonspor forward Enis Destan scored but it was disallowed by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in the 95th minute.

Trabzonspor ended Fenerbahce’s 10-game winning streak and Galatasaray, with 31 points, took the top spot in the Super Lig standings from the Yellow Canaries, which stayed with 30 points.

Trabzonspor placed fourth with 19 points.

Source: Anadolu Agency

The two matches of Israel in the upcoming EURO 2024 qualifiers will be played in Hungary, the UEFA announced on Tuesday. “Following the decision of the UEFA Executive Committee that no UEFA competition matches shall be played in Israel until further notice due to the current security situation, UEFA has today confirmed the venues of the upcoming UEFA European Qualifiers matches involving Israel,” European football’s governing body said in a written statement. Both the Israel-Switzerland game on Nov. 15 and the Israel-Romania match on Nov. 18 will be played at Puskas Akademia Pancho Arena in Felcsut, Hungary, according to the statement. The spectators will be allowed in the games in question, it added. The Israeli army has expanded its air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip, which has been under relentless bombardment since the surprise offensive by the Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7. More than 10,000 people have been killed in the conflict since then, including 8,525 Palestinians and more than 1,538 Israelis, according to latest figures.

Source: EN – Anadolu Agency

The International Association Football Federation (FIFA) announced Tuesday declarations of interest to host World Cup tournaments in 2030 and 2034. Morocco, Portugal and Spain confirmed interest in hosting the in 2030, with Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay confirming interest in hosting celebratory games. The Saudi Arabian Football Federation was the only nation to bid on the FIFA World Cup 2034, it said. “The FIFA administration will conduct thorough bidding and evaluation processes for the 2030 and 2034 editions of the FIFA World Cup, with the hosts to be appointed by FIFA Congresses expected to take place by Q4 2024,” it said. “Today, we enter the next chapter of Saudi football: intending to bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup. Our bid is inspired by Saudi Arabia’s transformation journey, the passion of our fans, and a commitment to deliver an amazing tournament,” the Saudi Arabian Football Federation wrote Oct. 4 on X. The Australian Football Federation confirmed earlier Tuesday that they opted against bidding for the 2034 tournament.

Source: EN – Anadolu Agency

Trkiye beat Luxembourg 1-0 in at a UEFA Women’s Nations C League match on Tuesday. Birgul Sadikoglu’s goal in the 14th minute of the Group 2 game secured a place for the Crescents Stars in the Nations B League. Luxembourg goalkeeper Lucie Schlime blocked Arzu Karabulut’s hard shot for Trkiye from outside the penalty area in the 92nd minute at Corum City Stadium in central Trkiye. The Crescents Stars, which had previously beaten Georgia 3-0, Lithuania 2-0 and Luxembourg 4-0, guaranteed to advance to the Nations B League, although they had two more matches to be played in the group. The Women’s Nations League is a biennial international women’s football competition contested by UEFA.

Source: EN – Anadolu Agency