CHELSEA'S MARESCA SAYS CONFERENCE LEAGUE 'BEST COMPETITION IN THE WORLD'

Wroclaw (Poland) (AFP) – Enzo Maresca said he had to convince his Chelsea players this season that the UEFA Conference League was the "best competition in the world" as he prepares for Wednesday's final against Real Betis.

Enzo Maresca faced the media ahead of the Conference League final in Wroclaw

The Premier League club are seeking to end their campaign with a flourish in Wroclaw after securing a Champions League spot for next season.

If they beat Betis in Poland, Chelsea would become the first club to win all four major UEFA competitions, having previously won the Champions League, the Europa League and the now-defunct Cup Winners' Cup.

Maresca, in his first season as manager at Stamford Bridge, said he had been forced to stress the importance of Europe's third-tier club competition to his players.

"Probably the most complicated thing this season about the Conference (League) has been to convince the players that for us it was the best competition in the world," he told reporters on Tuesday.

"And the reason why was because it was the competition that we were in."

Chelsea are two-time European champions but have not won silverware since lifting the Champions League in 2021 under former boss Thomas Tuchel, now in charge of England.

"We cannot play Champions League if we are in the Conference (League), or we cannot play Europa (League). We are in the Conference, so for us it was the most important competition, and we need to try to win that.

"If we are able to win, I think it's a good thing, especially because we continue to build a winning mentality."

Chelsea, favourites from the start, have reached the final in eye-catching style, scoring a competition-record 38 goals so far and winning 11 of their 12 matches.

Maresca, 45, will pit his wits against 71-year-old Manuel Pellegrini, a man he describes as a football "father figure" after playing under him at Malaga and serving as assistant coach at West Ham.

The Seville-based club, playing in their first European final, finished sixth in La Liga.

'Outburst'

Maresca rounded on his critics after his youthful side secured fourth spot in the Premier League on Sunday with a 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest, even using an expletive.

The average age of Chelsea's starting XI is the youngest ever in a single Premier League campaign.

Maresca's men were within touching distance of eventual champions Liverpool in mid-December before stumbling badly, but results picked up again towards the end of the campaign.

On Tuesday he described Sunday's eruption as an "outburst" in the heat of the moment.

"From our point of view, they (critics) were not talking in the right way," he said.

"And the reason why is because, yes, we are young, yes, we are the youngest squad in the history of the Premier League, but at the same time, they are men.

"So I also used what critics had said to say, 'Guys, today (Sunday) is a chance that we can say that we are not young, we are mature enough, we can compete and we can do the right things'."

The former Leicester boss said sealing a Champions League place for next season had been a huge relief.

"We feel much better," he said. "I said a few times during the season that for me it was already a good season for different reasons.

"It can become a very good season if we finish top four, top five and if we are able to win the final tomorrow.

"The first target is there. We achieved that last Sunday and hopefully we can achieve tomorrow the second one."

- © 2025 AFP

REAL MADRID ACTIVATE £50M RELEASE CLAUSE TO SIGN BOURNEMOUTH DEFENDER HUIJSEN

The 20-year-old defender is signing a five-year deal with the La Liga side after fending off other offers

(PA Wire)

Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen will move to Real Madrid in time to feature in the Club World Cup after the Spanish giants activated his £50m release clause.

Madrid have moved to sign the 20-year-old defender on a five-year deal after his impressive performances over the course of the season brought him to the attention of several clubs across Europe.

The deal was jointly announced by both clubs, with Madrid saying that Huijsen will join their ranks on June 1, two weeks before the Club World Cup kicks off in the United States. Madrid’s first match is against Al Hilal on June 18.

“Real Madrid CF and AFC Bournemouth have reached an agreement for the transfer of player Dean Huijsen, who remains tied to our club for the next five seasons, from June 1 2025 to June 30 2030,” the Madrid statement said.

The transfer represents a significant profit for the Cherries less than 12 months since they signed the Malaga academy product from Juventus for £12.6m on a six-year contract.

His former clubs Juventus and Malaga are also set to benefit, receiving 10% and 5% respectively, according to BBC Sport.

Since then Huijsen has made a huge impact, swiftly adapting to English football and excelling as Bournemouth have competed in the top half of the table, breaking the club’s highest points tally in the Premier League.

The Amsterdam-born player has made 34 appearances for the Cherries, scoring two goals, while this season also saw him make his international debut for Spain after switching his allegiance from the Netherlands, having played for the country of his birth at youth level.

Real had pursued Huijsen before but he turned them down to join Juventus aged 16.

- Ian Parker

RAFAEL NADAL LOSES TO BOTIC VSN DE ZANDSCHULP IN POTENTIAL CAREER-ENDING MATCH , AS 20-YEAR DAVIS CUP SINGLES STREAK ENDS

The world No. 80 put the Netherlands ahead 1-0 in their quarterfinal tie, with Spain now needing to win the final two rubbers to advance.

Coming into this week’s Davis Cup Finals, Rafael Nadal had played 1,307 tour-level matches in his career.

Might a 1,308th be his final act?

Botic van de Zandschulp played spoiler to Nadal’s tearjerking homecoming in Malaga, knocking off the 22-time major winner with a 6-4, 6-4 victory to put the Netherlands up 1-0 against host Spain in their quarterfinal tie. The effort snapped Nadal’s 29-match singles win streak in Davis Cup competition, a stretch spanning more than 20 years following a losing debut to Jiri Novak as a 17-year-old.

Tuesday will mark the end of Nadal’s career if his team doesn’t manage to win the next two rubbers. World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz is due to face Tallon Griekspoor, ahead of a potential deciding doubles showdown that would feature fellow retiring competitor Wesley Koolhof.

Given the stakes, there were understandable nerves from both competitors in the early goings—van de Zandschulp double faulting on three consecutive points from 40-0 up in his opening service game, and Nadal taking a more passive than usual approach when trading groundstrokes.

The tension mounted as both players settled in, with chances to strike first few and far between. At 3-3, Nadal reached back for two clutch first serves after the Dutchman pushed him to deuce. The following game, it was van de Zandschulp’s turn to hit his spots when he, too, was brought to 40-40 on the scoreboard.

AP

The tide then turned. Slow getting forward on a serve and volley in the deuce court, Nadal watched his opponent’s forehand sail by for 15-30. Setting up two break points with deep hitting, the world No. 80 put the set on his racquet—countering Nadal’s approach shot with a powerful crosscourt backhand winner into the open court. There would be no problem consolidating in securing the crucial lead.

With van de Zandschulp continuing to press, Nadal pulled out one of his signature shots—a skyhook—to avoid falling behind 15-40 at the start of set two. But once again staring down deuce, the Spaniard lost another point at the net before spraying a forehand wide to get broken.

Down 0-2, Nadal’s fighting spirit that has captivated audiences for two decades shone through when he scraped through a 12-point game. A window presented itself when van de Zandschulp hit successive double faults at 2-1, but an uncharacteristic unforced error on a rally ball from Nadal at 30-30 ultimately ended his hopes of getting back on serve.

 "Van de Zandschulp poured it on by coming through another gritty game against Nadal’s serve with another dazzling crosscourt passing shot winner, this time on the forehand side, to move ahead by a double break.

The 38-year-old didn’t let the deficit deter him from fighting, getting one break back to ignite cheers of “Ole! Ole! Ole! Ole!” inside Palacio de Deportes José María Martín Carpena. Donating a double fault and framed forehand to launch his next service game, van de Zandschulp yet again contained his nerves to stay in front. Asked the question one final time two games later, finished the job for his nation with two of his best second serves on the day.

 “In the beginning, I think we were both nervous,”  van de Zandschulp said afterwards. “The first service game didn’t go smoothly. The crowd was tough, of course. Understandable. That’s what it is to play here in Spain against Rafa.

“I think he’s the biggest sportsman here in Spain that ever lived. It was a really special event.”

- Matt Fitzgerald

ROGER FEDERER SENDS A CRYPTIC RESPONSE TO MILLION DOLLAR QUESTION ABOUT RAFAEL NADAL S FAREWELL TOURNAMENT AT DAVIS CUP FINALS

A cryptic response from Roger Federer recently surfaced regarding his potential attendance at Rafael Nadal's farewell tournament during the Davis Cup Finals. Team Spain, featuring Nadal, will begin its campaign against Team Netherlands in the quarterfinals on Tuesday, November 19.

Federer played the final match of his career at the 2022 Laver Cup, partnering with Nadal against Team World's Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock. Despite their loss, the moment was marked by an emotional farewell, with the legendary duo moved to tears.

Nearly two years later, Nadal is set to follow in Federer’s footsteps into retirement after this week’s Davis Cup. The Spaniard announced last month that he will hang up his racket following the tournament.

A few days ago, an Instagram fan page dedicated to the arch-rivals, named fedal_tennis, conducted a poll asking fans whether the Swiss would attend Nadal's final tournament. The poll was held in the comments of a post highlighting Federer’s heartfelt remarks about Nadal and his support during the Laver Cup in London.

"I just thought it ended up even better than I ever thought it would. So an incredible effort by Rafa, and I'll obviously never forget what he did for me in London," the post read.

The fan page later shared a screenshot of its poll on Instagram, revealing that Federer had participated. However, it remains unclear which option he selected. The choices were:

Yes, Yes, for sure 1000%, Roger, you vote here...!! and, Nope.

Rafael Nadal on Roger Federer’s attendance at his farewell tournament: "I think he has a busy schedule

Rafael Nadal is in Malaga, Spain for the Davis Cup Finals. Speaking at his pre-tournament press conference, the 22-time Major champion commented on whether Federer will attend his farewell at the Davis Cup this week.

The Spaniard cited the Swiss' busy schedule and noted that, while this is his final tournament, there will be other opportunities for a farewell.

"It's a different situation. I was there to play. There, we were team-mates. Here, we are a Spanish team. I didn't talk to Roger. I think Roger has a busy schedule. By the way, of course it's going to be my last week on the professional tour, but I don't think it's going to be my last goodbye. So there is going to be other chances to do something," Nadal said.

 The 38-year-old will be joined by Roberto Bautista Agut, Pedro Martinez, Marcel Granollers, and 4-time Major champion Carlos Alcaraz. If Spain secures a win against the Netherlands they would face either Germany or Canada in the semifinals.

Nadal will look to bid farewell after winning his sixth Davis Cup title.

- Akchhat Bachheti

VALENCIA-REAL MADRID AMONG GAMES POSTPONED AMID FATAL FLOODS

Real Madrid's LaLiga match at Valencia on Saturday has been postponed because of the deadly flash floods in Spain.

The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) announced on Thursday that all games this weekend in the Valencian region will be rescheduled as per LaLiga's request.

The Spanish government declared three days of mourning with at least 150 people dead and "many people" missing following the worst natural disaster to hit Spain this century.

Saturday's LaLiga game between Villarreal and Rayo Vallecano and Levante's second division home game against Malaga on Monday have also been postponed.

Valencia's city centre was affected by the flash floods. Alex Juarez/Anadolu via Getty Images

Two games in Liga F have also been cancelled, including Real Madrid's game against Levante.

LaLiga and its clubs pledged on Thursday to help raise funds for the Red Cross to support those affected by the flash floods, publicising a campaign during match broadcasts this weekend and through their social media accounts.

"Spain's professional football joins the condolences and expresses its solidarity with the families of the victims and the missing," LaLiga said in a statement on Thursday.

Real Madrid announced they would also collaborate with the Red Cross and donate €1 million ($1.09 million).

"The Real Madrid Foundation and the Red Cross have today launched a fundraising campaign to support those affected by the storm and the club have decide to support this campaign with a donation of one million euros to help the many families who are in a critical situation and need all our help and solidarity," the Spanish champions said in a statement.

Earlier this week, the RFEF rescheduled Valencia's Copa del Rey match at Parla that was due to be played on Wednesday.

Before Valencia's training session on Wednesday, the squad observed a moment of silence at its training center in honour of the victims. Some of the team's players were absent because of the transportation difficulties caused by the storms.

The club said they joined forces with the Valencia Food Bank, and their stadium became "a deposit for food and basic needs."

"Mestalla will be at the service of the city to cope with the emergency caused by the [floods]."

The death toll was expected to rise as an unknown number of people were still missing. Search efforts were ongoing and some vehicles with bodies were yet to be reached. The aftermath of the floods from late Tuesday to early Wednesday looked eerily similar to the damage left by a hurricane or tsunami, with cars piled up alongside uprooted trees and downed power lines.

LaLiga announced that a minute's silence will be observed ahead of all games to be played this weekend to show respect for the victims of the devastating flash floods.

Madrid are second in LaLiga, six points adrift of Barcelona, who host Espanyol in Sunday's city derby.

Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.

- Adriana Garcia

DJOKOVIC SAYS BRISH FANS DISRESPECTFUL DURING DAVIS CUP

Novak Djokovic accused British fans of disrespect during Serbia's Davis Cup quarter-final victory in Malaga on Thursday.

The 24-time Grand Slam winner said some fans had tried to annoy him during his straight sets win over Cameron Norrie and snapped at them when they drummed loudly during his post-match interview, telling them to shut up.

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