Latest news with #Boll
Straits Times
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
"A Beautiful Gift": Swiss women pioneers celebrate the game's transformation
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox SION, Switzerland - On the terrace of a restaurant in the Swiss city of Sion sits a group of pioneers of women's football in Switzerland who have seen the beautiful game change beyond recognition. For 72-year-old Madeleine Boll, seeing the city in the French-speaking part of Switzerland hosting three games in the Women's European Championship, which is being staged across the country, is a proud moment. The mascot of the tournament, a Saint Bernard puppy, bears her name, Maddli, in recognition of her role in advancing women's football in Switzerland. At 12 years old in 1965, Boll became the first woman in Switzerland to obtain a licence to play football, with FC Sion's boys' youth team. But just months later it was taken away from her after the club said it had made an error. "I was the happiest little girl. But the day they took away my licence, I was the unhappiest because I didn't understand why I was forbidden to play," Boll told Reuters. However, it marked the first in a series of landmark moments that enabled women's inclusion in Swiss football. By 1970 the first Swiss Women's Football League was created, with Boll's father, Jean Boll, its president. Madeleine later played for FC Sion, one of the earliest women's football clubs in Switzerland. "It's a beautiful gift because it's here that the beginnings of Swiss women's football took root," she said. KEY MOMENT A lot has changed since Boll and her generation played. There are now 40,000 registered women players and 134 female referees in Switzerland, according to the Swiss FA. "It was different. We didn't have jerseys, we didn't have means to travel ... We had to make people understand that we are capable of playing," said 72-year-old Rosemarie Siggen, from Sion who started playing football towards the end of the 1960s. For Siggen and Boll, who were joined by four other footballing pioneers in the women's game in Sion, this year's tournament is a key moment to make strides in supporting women's football. "The Euros will be a catalyst," Boll told Reuters, pointing to it as an opportunity for greater investment in the women's game. The Swiss hosts are hoping the legacy of the tournament - being played across eight cities over the next month - will bolster female football in the country as Euro 2022 did for champions England. It is aiming to double the number of female players by 2027, according to the Swiss FA. "It's a bit difficult for these young girls. They need help. I think there should be stronger support, a real investment ... we want to see them progress because they can bring many beautiful things," said Siggen. Boll hopes that the Switzerland side, who lost their first match of the tournament 2-1 to Norway, can continue to make strides with more financial support. "If we want to have a good Swiss team ... it will be important that girls become professional because it is difficult ... to achieve results while having a job or being a student," Boll said. UEFA, the governing body for European soccer, announced a record 600,000 tickets have been sold for the tournament. Basel will host the final on July 27 at St. Jakob-Park, the largest football stadium in Switzerland. REUTERS
Straits Times
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Table tennis-Chinese fans bid emotional farewell to retiring 'Uncle Boll'
FILE PHOTO: Paris 2024 Olympics - Table Tennis - Men's Team Quarterfinals - South Paris Arena 4, Paris, France - August 06, 2024. Timo Boll of Germany reacts during his quarterfinal match against Anton Kallberg of Sweden. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji Chinese table tennis fans bid an emotional farewell to their 'Uncle Boll', German former world number one Timo Boll who challenged China's long-time dominance of the sport. The 44-year-old, who retired from international competition last year with four Olympic medals (two silver and two bronze), played his final professional match in Frankfurt on Sunday. "Thank you to the Chinese fans for your deep affection that crossed national borders," Boll posted on Weibo after his team lost the Bundesliga final. "From Ma Lin to Fan Zhendong, every clash with a great opponent has been one of my most cherished honours," Boll said, referring to two Chinese Olympic champions. The post received millions of views in China, where table tennis is widely regarded as the country's national sport. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
France 24
17-06-2025
- Sport
- France 24
'Farewell, Comrade Boll': China fans hail German table tennis ace
The 44-year-old played his last professional match on Sunday in Frankfurt as his domestic team lost the Bundesliga final in Frankfurt. It made headlines in China and on the X-like Weibo platform a related hash tag had more than four million views as of noon Tuesday. Writing in Chinese and German on Weibo, four-time Olympic medallist Boll thanked fans for their "thunderous support". "Thank you to the Chinese fans for your deep affection that crossed national borders," he wrote to his nearly 800,000 followers. "From Ma Lin to Fan Zhendong, every clash with a great opponent has been one of my most cherished honours," Boll added, referring to two Chinese table tennis giants and Olympic champions. Table tennis is widely considered China's national sport and is played recreationally across the country. China has dominated the sport at the Olympics since it was introduced as a medal event in 1988, winning 37 of the 42 gold medals. They won all five titles at the Paris Games last summer. Boll never quite reached those heights during a career spanning three decades, but retires with two Olympic silvers and two bronzes, all in team competition. He was widely admired by table tennis fans in China as one of the few non-Chinese players who challenged the country's dominance, especially in the 2000s and 2010s. Following his final event in the country a year ago, Boll called China his second home. "You can see I still have some tears in my eyes," Boll, who won 20 European titles in singles, doubles and team events, said at the time. Boll said in a 2019 interview that he had learnt "a little bit" of Chinese and had "many Chinese friends". Chinese fans expressed strong emotions this week as Boll bowed out. "Farewell, Comrade Boll. We wave goodbye with both smiles and tears," said one Weibo user. "Uncle Boll's table tennis career has been long and brilliant," said another, adding "he influenced an entire generation".
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Loretta Swit's Last Moments Emerge. Who Found Her?
To some fans, Loretta Swit will always be known as Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan, the character she played on the long-running sitcom M*A*S*H. Swit passed away on May 30, 2025, at the age of 87. Although the official cause of death was not released, some details about Swit's last moments are emerging. Her publicist, Harlan Boll, shared some of those details with TMZ. According to Boll, Swit spoke with him on the evening of Thursday, May 29, and she "seemed fine." She was at her apartment in New York City, TMZ reported. Around 10 a.m., her maid discovered her deceased, and she was pronounced dead two hours later at noon, Boll told the entertainment news site. Boll is the person who told TMZ she died of natural causes, although the formal cause of death is pending. Swit was an accomplished actress who received 10 Emmy nominations during her lifetime, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Swit was not married at the time of her death. According to THR, she was married once in her life, to the actor Dennis Holahan, "whom she met on the set of M*A*S*H, from 1983 until their divorce in 1995." Although best known for the Houlihan character, Swit had a lengthy number of television credits to her name, aording to IMDb. 'I always wanted to be an actress,' Swit told People in a 1979 over story that ran during the height of her career. 'Luckily, my mother loved movies and we would go to double features and sit through both films twice.'Loretta Swit's Last Moments Emerge. Who Found Her? first appeared on Men's Journal on May 31, 2025
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Romance is returning to Bollywood, and Here's how
Bollywood is gearing up for a romantic resurgence in 2025, with a lineup of films promising to revive classic love stories with modern twists. Several films like Param Sundari, Metro… In Dino, and Tu Meri Main Tera, Main Tera Tu Meri are set to explore diverse relationships and fresh pairings. For decades, Bollywood was synonymous with sweeping romances — couples dancing in mustard fields, monsoon-drenched confessions of love, and grand airport reunions. Love stories formed the emotional core of Indian cinema, shaping generations of audiences who believed in the magic of filmy pyaar. While recent years saw a shift towards action spectacles and thrillers. But 2025 seems poised to bring romance back to the forefront. A slew of upcoming films, star-studded casts, and heartwarming narratives are set to reintroduce classic Bollywood love stories — with a modern, sometimes quirky, twist. At the helm of this romantic resurgence is Param Sundari, an ambitious love story directed by Tushar Jalota, starring Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor . The film is a quintessential North meets South saga, echoing the rich tradition of regional cross-cultural romances in Hindi cinema, from Ek Duuje Ke Liye to 2 States. Malhotra, playing a charming Punjabi boy, finds himself entangled in a fiery, unconventional romance with Kapoor's spirited South Indian heroine. Set against the backdrop of lush backwaters, bustling metros, and small-town festivities, Param Sundari promises a heady mix of humor, family drama, and passionate romance — the kind that once defined Bollywood's golden era. Another major offering that celebrates the complexity and charm of modern relationships is Anurag Basu's much-awaited ensemble film, Metro… In Dino. Serving as a spiritual successor to his 2007 hit Life in a… Metro, the film weaves together multiple love stories set in contemporary urban India. Featuring a stellar cast including Aditya Roy Kapur, Sara Ali Khan , Ali Fazal, Konkona Sen Sharma, Anupam Kher, Neena Gupta, Fatima Sana Shaikh, and Pankaj Tripathi, the film explores the myriad ways people connect, fall in love, and confront heartbreak in a city that never sleeps. Known for his lyrical storytelling and soul-stirring music, Basu's take on modern-day relationships often balances bittersweet realities with moments of unexpected tenderness. Metro… In Dino is expected to be no different — a poignant, romantic mosaic capturing love in its many forms: unrequited, rekindled, accidental, and fateful. Interestingly, Basu isn't stopping there. He has another untitled romantic film in the pipeline, headlined by Kartik Aaryan and Sreeleela , slated for a Diwali 2025 release. Not much is known about the plot, but given Basu's flair for creating textured, emotionally rich characters, this pairing promises an engaging blend of humor, drama, and old-school romance. It's a fresh pairing to watch out for, with Sreeleela, fresh off her regional successes, making notable inroads into mainstream Bollywood. Kartik Aaryan, often dubbed the modern-day poster boy of romantic comedies, seems to be on a love story spree. Apart from Basu's project, he reunites with Ananya Panday in Tu Meri Main Tera, Main Tera Tu Meri, directed by Sameer Vidwans. The film is said to be a throwback to breezy, feel-good Bollywood romances of the early 2000s — think Mujhse Dosti Karoge! or Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya?. Aaryan and Panday, whose on-screen chemistry in Pati Patni Aur Woh received praise, are expected to deliver a charming, light-hearted romance laced with witty banter and vibrant music. Adding to the rom-com revival is Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hone Hai, a 2026 release marking the return of veteran director David Dhawan to the genre he once dominated. Starring Varun Dhawan , Pooja Hegde, and Mrunal Thakur , the film promises to be a riotous, colorful celebration of young love, mistaken identities, and over-the-top family drama — a signature David Dhawan concoction. With his track record of delivering blockbuster rom-coms like Coolie No.1, Judwaa, and Biwi No.1, expectations are high for this one to deliver a nostalgic yet contemporary love story. Meanwhile, Chand Mera Dil, directed by Vivek Soni, pairs Ananya Panday and Lakshya in a romantic drama said to explore love across different socioeconomic backgrounds. Soni, who made a sensitive debut with Meenakshi Sundareshwar, is expected to approach this urban romance with an eye for detail and emotional authenticity. For Lakshya, who made his debut with the actioner Kill this film could be a defining moment for his entry into romantic roles. Another interesting project adding depth to this romantic wave is Aap Jaisa Koi, starring R. Madhavan and Fatima Sana Shaikh. Positioned as a mature love story and rediscovering oneself through love. In a cinematic landscape often dominated by youthful pairings, Aap Jaisa Koi stands out for spotlighting different-aged protagonists navigating the messy, beautiful terrain of human connection, this film could prove to be a heartfelt ode to enduring love. Talking about the film at its announcement Madhavan said 'I have done two or three romantic films in Hindi and that's because I was looking for age appropriate romance. When I heard this story, I thought I won't get any better opportunity than this. " While Fatima stated , "I read the script and I was in awe of it. Every moment is special. It's something I completely relate to every moment." Why the Romantic Resurgence Now? The recent years of Bollywood have been dominated by action extravaganzas, thrillers, and issue-based cinema. While these films had their place and audience, somewhere along the way, simple, feel-good romances took a backseat. Yet, even amidst these trends, films like Satyaprem Ki Katha, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, and Zara Hatke Zara Bachke found surprising success, signaling that audiences still crave well-told love stories. The pandemic years perhaps also played a role in this shift. With people isolated and yearning for emotional connection, romantic narratives — with their promise of hope, passion, and belonging — started resonating again. The box-office success of romantic dramas in regional cinema further hinted at a demand Bollywood could no longer ignore. Producers and directors have now recognized that while audiences enjoy high-octane spectacles, nothing quite matches the universal appeal of a good love story. Be it a grand romance or an intimate character drama, love remains Bollywood's most beloved theme. The new crop of films indicates not just a quantity increase but also variety — from ensemble romances and nostalgic comedies to mature love stories and culturally rooted dramas. New Pairings, New Possibilities What's also refreshing about this romantic revival is the number of fresh on-screen pairings it offers. From Sidharth-Janhvi to Kartik-Sreeleela, Ananya-Lakshya to Varun-Pooja-Mrunal, these combinations infuse new energy into familiar templates. Casting directors and filmmakers seem willing to experiment with chemistry and dynamics rather than relying solely on tried-and-tested jodis. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
