GREMAN CLUB SHARE STATEMENT AS FOOTBALLER KILLED IN SKI-SLOPE CHAIR-LIFT ACCIDENT

Reports have confirmed that the tourist killed in a ski-slope chair-lift accident in Montenegro has been identified as Sebastian Hertner. The German footballer tragically died at the Savin Kuk ski resort

As per the Daily Mail, the 34-year-old was on holiday in the Durmitor mountain range last Saturday with his wife when the double chairlift they were riding became detached from its cable and collided with the seat behind it. Hertner, who is said to have fallen from the list, died at the scene.

His 30-year-old wife, who was riding with him, suffered a broken leg and had to be rescued by emergency services and taken for medical treatment, having been left trapped in the chair. At least three other tourists were also left stranded in their chairs for several hours before rescue teams were able to safely bring them down.

Hertner was a former defender who played professionally in Germany for a number of year, playing for VfB Stuttgart as a youth player, before featuring second division teams such as 1860 Munich, Erzgebirge Aue and Darmstadt in the second division.

As a youngster, he earned caps for Germany at U18 (14 caps) and U19 (5 caps) level, playing alongside future senior internationals, including Felix Kroos (brother of Toni), and World Cup winner Christoph Kramer. In 2024, he joined ETSV Hamburg in the Oberliga, which is Germany's fifth tier, becoming club captain.

Montenegrin authorities ordered the immediate closure of the chairlift following the incident as prosecutors launched an investigation. A full technical inspection of the lift will be carried out, with an official cause yet to be confirmed.

ETSV Hamburg confirmed his death in a statement shared on Instagram, expressing just how saddened and shocked they were after losing their captain. In full, the post read:

"It is with great sadness that we have to announce today that our captain Sebastian Hertner had a fatal accident while on holiday. We are stunned and endlessly saddened.

"Our condolences go out to his family and loved ones. Rest in peace Sebastian."

Stuttgart also shared a statement, which read: "VfB is mourning the loss of its former youth player Sebastian Hertner, who has tragically lost his life at the age of 34 in an accident. For seven years, Sebastian Hertner wore the shirt with the red chest ring and played 65 matches for VfB II in the 3. Liga. Our sympathies go to his family and loved ones."

Reporting reveals that mayor of Zabljak, Rados Zugic, stated that the incident was being treated with the utmost seriousness, stressing that visitor safety was essential in a region that relies heavily on tourism. He said: "We insist on a comprehensive and transparent investigation to determine those responsible."

Even so, Serbian news outlet Blic, via Daily Mail, has reported that the ski lift had resumed operations just the following day.

- Hal Fish

TIRELESS MBAPPÉ LEADS FRANCE TO 3-0 WIN OVER LUXEMBOURG; SPAIN, BELGIUM, DENMARK ALSO WIN

France forward Kylian Mbappe scored in the 3-0 romp © Jean-Christophe VERHAEGEN / AFP

 METZ, France (AP) — Kylian Mbappé scored late in his first game since joining Real Madrid to help France build momentum for the European Championship with a dominant 3-0 win over Luxembourg on Wednesday.

Mbappé, whose Madrid move was finally confirmed Monday, was a constant threat for Luxembourg’s hard-working defenders, but the France captain had to wait until the 85th minute before he could crown his performance with a goal.

Bradley Barcola made his France debut as a substitute and promptly won the ball, ran to the penalty and drew in more defenders before laying the ball off for Mbappé to tuck inside the left post.

In Copenhagen, Christian Eriksen scored late to give Denmark a 2-1 win over Sweden.

Mikel Oyarzabal scored a hat trick after the break to help Spain rout Andorra 5-0.

Belgium earned a 2-0 win over Montenegro with Kevin De Bruyne scoring on his 100th appearance for the Red Devils. But a host of halftime changes almost cost the team. Leandro Trossard only sealed the win with a penalty in stoppage time.

Slovakia, Belgium’s Group E opponent at the Euros, enjoyed a 4-0 win over minnow San Marino.

FRANCE IMPRESSES

Though France’s star-studded team found it tough at times to break through Luxembourg's defense, coach Didier Deschamps will have been impressed with his team’s relentless pressure and off-the-ball play.

Only the final touch was missing at times, but Deschamps has a chance to fine-tune the side in its final tournament warmup against Canada in Bordeaux on Sunday.

Antoine Griezmann was back after missing the March internationals with an ankle injury. Randal Kolo Muani made a rare start with Ousmane Dembélé unavailable through illness.

France probed and harried but had to wait nearly the whole of the first half for the opener. Mbappé drew two defenders to the end line and crossed for Kolo Muani to head past Anthony Moris in the 43rd minute.

Marseille defender Jonathan Clauss finally made it 2-0 with a strike in off the underside of the crossbar.

Les Bleus are in Group D with the Netherlands, Poland and Austria.

ERIKSEN’S SMILE

Christian Eriksen sealed Denmark’s 2-1 win over neighbor Sweden with a long-range strike in the same stadium where he collapsed after a cardiac arrest at Euro 2020.

The 32-year-old Eriksen, who had been tormenting the Swedish defense throughout, took the ball past a defender and then unleashed a fierce shot inside the far post in the 86th. It was his 41st goal in his 129th appearance for Denmark.

Morten Hjulmand likely preserved the win by getting back with a timely challenge to deny Emil Holm when it seemed the Sweden substitute would score.

Pierre-Emile Höjbjerg scored in the second minute to get Denmark off to a great start, but Alexander Isak leveled seven minutes later.

Sweden missed out on Euro 2024 qualification, while Denmark is in Group C with England, Serbia and Slovenia.

The Danes’ final warm-up will be against Norway on Saturday.

Erling Haaland scored a hat trick to give Norway a 3-0 win over Kosovo. Neither country has qualified for Euro 2024.

SPAIN CRUISES

Once Real Betis forward Ayoze Pérez opened the scoring, it was only a matter of how many goals Spain would score against Andorra.

Ayoze broke the deadlock after a corner in the 24th when he set the ball up with his first touch and rifled it in from a difficult angle in the next.

Oyarzabal scored his hat trick in a 20-minute period after the break, and Barcelona’s Ferran Torres completed the rout in the 81st.

Spain was without Real Madrid’s Champions League winners Dani Carvajal, Nacho and Joselu.

Spain is in Group B with Croatia, Italy and Albania. The team plays Northern Ireland for its final warmup on Saturday.

TRANSFER TALK: ARSENAL TARGET BAYERN DEFENDER DE LIGT

TOP STORY: Arsenal target Bayern defender De Ligt

Arsenal are interested in signing Bayern Munich’s Matthijs de Ligt, says The Athletic.

De Ligt, 24, joined Bayern from Juventus in July 2022 for around €77 million but the Netherlands international has struggled for fitness and could depart in the summer.

The Gunners are looking to bolster their defence and also have Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck and 17-year-old Ajax defender Jorrel Hato on their shortlist.

Any signing is unlikely in January as Mikel Arteta's side have plenty of options, but a new arrival over the summer is very possible.

USMNT star Cardoso moves to Betis

ESPN

Real Betis have completed the signing of United States men's national team midfielder Johnny Cardoso from Brazilian club Internacional, the LaLiga club announced.

Cardoso, 22, has signed a contract until June 2029.

Neither club confirmed the fee for Cardoso's transfer but sources told ESPN Brasil, Betis paid an initial €6m ($6.3m) to sign the player and as part of the deal, Internacional have kept a 20% from any future transfer of the player.

Juventus to land Montenegro starlet Adzic

ESPN

Juventus have won the race to sign Montenegro starlet Vasilije Adzic from Podgorica, Sky Italia reports.

The Bianconeri have fought off strong competition from several Serie A clubs, including Bologna, and are set to land the teenage playmaker.

Adzic, 17, is expected to arrive to Turin next week to undergo a medical before putting pen to paper on a long-term contract with the Italian giants. However, he will only join Juve once he turns 18 in May.

Adzic has scored six goal and set up two more in 23 appearances for Montenegro's defending champions Podgorica this season.

Neves transfer to cost United even more?

ESPN

Manchester United want to bring in Benfica midfielder Joao Neves, says O Jogo.

Neves, 19, is tipped to become one of the best in Europe but is reported to be in talks over a new contract at Benfica. If he signs up then the Portugal international's release clause would increase from €120m to €150m and that could present an issue for United.

Milan line up Popovic deal

ESPN

AC Milan are set to complete the signing of Partizan Belgrade midfielder Matija Popovic once he turns 18 on Jan. 8, according to Calciomercato.

Popovic, 17, will join the Rossoneri as a free agent as his contract expires on Dec. 31

The Serbia U17 international will reportedly arrive in Milan next week to undergo a medical before putting pen to paper on a five-year contract.

A reported target of Manchester City, Popovic has scored 21 goals in 25 games for Partizan's U19 squad.

Craig Burley has seen this Manchester United move before

ESPN

Man City, Bayern and Barcelona watching Savinho

ESPN

Girona forward Savinho will remain at the club until the end of the season despite strong interest from Manchester City, according to local reports.

Savinho, 19, is on a season-long loan at Girona from Troyes, with both clubs owned by City Football Group, the umbrella company of Manchester City.

The Brazilian winger has scored four goals and set up five more in 18 league appearances to help surprise-package Girona remain at the top of LaLiga.

Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Barcelona are closely monitoring Savinho, whose contract with Troyes expires in June 2027. And City are reportedly ready to make an offer to sign him in June.