Data Talks’ Post

After 24 years, the Slovenian football team has qualified for EURO 2024, marking their first advancement to the next round. Meanwhile, Slovakia has qualified for the third consecutive time, having reached the Round of 16 in both 2016 and 2024. Slovenia has approximately 2.2 million citizens, while Slovakia has about 5.4 million. That concludes the participation of our Slavic countries in the tournament - the rest are already at home... That's the beauty of football... and its similarity to business — anything could happen. Držimo pesti za Slovenijo! Držím palce Slovensku! From a business point of view, how does this affect visitors and viewers of EURO 2024? Last point - Slovenia and Slovakia are not the same country :) A common mistake, especially with country code: Slovenia (SI), Slovakia (SK) The similarity of flags between these two countries is not helping.

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In Part-4 of Portugal Euro 2024 Analysis, I will focus on some of Portugal's off-the-ball movements, either to receive the ball, open up spaces or just destabilize the opponents defensive structures and organization. On the other hand, when they do well timed movements, often the ball carrier doesn't identify them.

My Personal Attitude on the Participation of Styopa Mkrtchyan in the Upcoming Match between FC Zire and NK Osijek As a dedicated fan and football professional, I wish to address the recent discussions surrounding the potential participation of Styopa Mkrtchyan, an Armenian-born player of NK Osijek, in the upcoming match against FC Zire in Baku. I firmly believe that there is no problem here, and we should avoid politicizing this sporting event. This can be exemplified by two significant events: We can see that Azerbaijan does not discriminate in relation to sports, unlike many others, with the following one exact example: 1. During the first European Games in 2015, President Ilham Aliyev personally presented the silver medal to Armenian boxer Gevorg Manukyan, showcasing a spirit of sportsmanship and respect.    In recent months, we have witnessed positive steps towards normalization between Azerbaijan and Armenia. This can be exemplified by two significant events:   1. Negotiations, delimitation, and demarcation for peace talks and treaty signing between the countries continue, albeit at a slow pace at times. 2. Azerbaijan extended an invitation to Armenia, including a personal invitation to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, to participate in COP29, demonstrating a willingness to engage in dialogue and cooperation on an international platform. Sports should remain a domain where talent, dedication, and the love of the game take precedence over political differences. Creating unnecessary intrigue only detracts from the spirit of competition and unity that football brings to fans and players alike. Let's focus on the exciting match ahead and wish both FC Zire and NK Osijek the best of luck. May it be a memorable game for all involved. Good luck to both teams! #UEFA #Azerbaijan #Armenia #Football #Soccer #UECL #FIFA

Today, 95 years ago, Greece played its very first international match against Italy B (1-4). The match was held in the Stadium of Panathinaikos (today known as Apostolos Nikolaidis Stadium) in front of 15.000 spectators. The sole goal for Greece, and also the very first goal scored for the national team, was the initial 1-1 and scored by Alvertos Namias. Read on Transfermarkt.gr [in Greek]:  https://lnkd.in/eugCQHF8 #transfermarkt #transfermarktgr

The Norwegian Eliteserien is on the way up! With teams being more competitive in European competitions, and more players being sold internationally. Here's a breakdown of all the transfers to international clubs from 2019 to 2024 (Transfer fee above €500k). Key takeaways: - An increase in players being sold per season, with higher average and max transfer fees. - Eredivisie and Belgian Pro League being the most popular destinations, and the two leagues show good potential for players to grow. Interestingly, 4 players who are now playing at top European clubs, all went this route. - The Czech and Hungarian league have become interesting options for players looking to gain playing time. Will be interesting to see how the league progresses, with more focus on growing and distributing talent internationally. #football #eliteserien #norwegianfootball

Congratulations to Ghana for winning the African Amputee football cup of nations.A back-to-back victory, following their 2021 win in Tanzania, is a testament to their dedication and passion for the sport. However, amidst the celebrations, I want us to turn our attention to the plight of the Cameroon amputee national team. Their absence from this tournament due to financial constraints is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by these athletes who strive to represent Cameroon on the international stage. I visited some of these players and I must say it hasn't been easy following the tournament. For these players, participating in such tournaments represents the pinnacle of their careers. The chance to compete against other nations, showcase their skills, and bring honor to their country is a dream they have worked tirelessly to achieve. Missing out on this opportunity not only dashes their hopes but also denies them the recognition they rightfully deserve. Tournaments like the African Cup of Nations provide a platform for talent development, exposure, and scouting. When our team is unable to participate, we lose a chance to nurture future stars and elevate the sport within our borders. It is time for football authorities to take decisive action. We implore them to: Provide adequate funds for such international competitions, that too on tjme. Financial constraints should never hinder our athletes' participation. Proper funding ensures that teams can prepare adequately, travel, and compete without unnecessary stress. Let us prioritize investment in our amputee football program. We must streamline Administrative Processes The bureaucratic hurdles faced by our players—such as visa delays—are unacceptable. Authorities must streamline administrative processes, ensuring that paperwork does not stand in the way of their dreams. It's important to champion Equality. Amputee footballers deserve the same respect, attention, and opportunities as their able-bodied counterparts. Let us break down barriers and create an inclusive environment where all athletes thrive. **#AmputeeFootball #SportsEquality #CameroonPride https://lnkd.in/enEPBVWk

AFRICAN AND IVORIAN LEGEND DIDIER DROGBA BLASTS SOUTH AFRICAN LEAGUE 🇿🇦 Didier Drogba: South African football League is the best in terms of Infrastructure and sponsors but there is no Talent in their league. Drogba had mentioned South African league is the best league in Africa because they have good infrastructure, like good stadiums and Financial muscles from their PSL. South Africa might be the best league in Africa than Ivory Coast ,Nigeria, Senegal, Zambia , Mali, Cameroon or Ghana but those leagues from those countries produce far more better players than South Africa. It is painful to see the country that have everything not being able to produce such great players that can play in la Liga, EPL, Serie A and French Ligue 1. If other countries had the same resources or infrastructure South Africa has, their league would have been so advanced to even attract more European Clubs to scout their talents. But that's life people who have resources don't know how to use them, and people who have talents dont have opportunities to have those resources to go far in life. Is Drogba right? Credit: worldscorenews

A simple game can open doors to a world of understanding. ⚽ Meet "New Neighbors – Integration through Football," a project from the Center for Cultural Dialogue (Centar za kulturu dijaloga - CKD) in Croatia, supported by KAICIID through the #NetworkForDialogue platform, developed together with the Croatian Football Association and UEFA. By offering language support, football training, and football club memberships, it helps integrate refugees and migrants into Croatian society with open arms and open hearts. 🙏 Read more about this inspiring project here: https://ow.ly/sE7H50RaiV5

🚨 Key Insights from the Malta FA Ordinary General Assembly 🚨 From financial updates to strategic decisions, the Malta Football Association's General Assembly laid the groundwork for an exciting future. Learn more about the discussions and outcomes that will shape Maltese football in the coming years! ⚽️ 📖 Read the full overview on the Malta FA website #MaltaFA #FootballForAll #GeneralAssembly #FootballCommunity