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The Sun
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Moose burgers, reindeer hot dogs and home of a Chelsea icon – is this the most underrated footie destination in Europe?
MARSEILLE, Dortmund and Barcelona perhaps come more readily to mind when thinking of a footballing city break. But after spending two days in the rainiest city in Europe, I'm convinced you should be heading to Scandinavia for your next European football fix. Welcome to Bergen in Norway - home of SK Brann. WHERE A CHELSEA ICON STARTED For football fans who can't get enough (and the Club World Cup doesn't quite do it for them) then Norway is perfect with the football season still in full flow over the summer due to the unplayable winter conditions. Set against a backdrop of jaw-dropping fjords and steep mountain ranges, Bergen is where SK Brann play – a club with one of the most scenic stadiums and passionate fan bases I've ever come across. I was invited out by the team at FotMob, a leading Bergen-based football app, for a behind-the-scenes look at the city's football scene. I didn't expect much more than a tidy stadium and a polite crowd. What I found was a football culture bursting with pride, passion and some interesting food choices… It was at passport control I first realised how much football meant to the people of Bergen. What is usually a fairly intimidating process in which you explain you're not going to outstay your welcome or harm anyone, I told the guard I was here to watch SK Brann and he burst into life telling me how much I was going to enjoy it and how he's a huge fan and more about the team and city. The football on the pitch is good too, the biggest name to come from SK Brann is likely Tore Andre Flo, who moved from there to Chelsea where he became a cult hero. But they have also just produced local lad Aune Heggebo - who has signed for West Brom in the last week, and I got a glimpse of him in action on my trip. The physicality that has seen some excited Baggies fans comparing the striker to Erling Haaland was clear to see. A SEA OF RED The stadiums in Norway are sublime, and really the crux of what makes it such a special country to watch football in. The Brann Stadion is tucked away just outside the city, surrounded by colourful, traditional houses, steep hills and pine trees. It's those hills that see it rain 202-239 days of the year. And fans of Man Utd and Man City thought they had it bad! The city is nothing but a damp squib on match-days with the area a sea of red scarfs, flags and knitted jumpers as the Bataljonen ultras sing non-stop throughout the game. It's the kind of raw, unfiltered, European football atmosphere you simply don't get at the Emirates or Craven Cottage. 5 5 It's not just SK Brann though, Norway is home to some of the most fascinating football stadiums in the world. While Bergen is in the south, you can travel north to get a glimpse of more grounds that look like something fitting for a footballing fairy tale. WHALE OF A TIME Away from the pitch, the place is sublime - colourful wooden houses, a nightclub that looks more like a ski-chalet than the crumbling boozers you get at home, and a funicular that will give you some of the best views you'll find in Europe, let alone Norway. You can indulge in some rather out-there cuisine, perhaps a whale burger, reindeer hot dog or moose burger tickles your fancy? I had the reindeer and was pleasantly surprised by how good it was when paired with some peppers and ketchup. Although I will say the aftertaste of guilt and shame was less welcomed - sorry Rudolph… Cheap flights, affordable tickets, talented players, stunning views, and a fan culture to rival anywhere in Europe - this place really has it all.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Mark Flekken set to join up with Erik Ten Hag at Bayer Leverkusen
The Brentford goalkeeper will sign for the German side for a reported fee of £8 million, as he completes his medical today, with Nieuwsblad reporting that the official announcement to come shortly after. Flekken has signed a three-year-deal with the club, which will keep him there until 2028. The 33-year-old Oranje keeper has been ever-present at Brentford over the last two seasons, having initially joined from SC Freiburg in 2023. Now, he returns to Germany to work under former Ajax and Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag. He will officially become the manager on 1st July, and has already identified his new number one. Advertisement Flekken, who has 8 caps for Oranje, has enjoyed an impressive season for The Bees, with seven clean sheets and a 7.05 rating on FotMob. He also has made 153 saves and has achieved a 73.6% save percentage. One of the reasons ten Hag is signing Flekken is due to his long style of passing. He completed 338 long balls this campaign and recorded two assists; a rare achievement for a goalkeeper. Brentford have already acquired their replacement; signing Caoimhin Kelleher from Liverpool for a fee of £18 million. GBENeFN | Samuel Fabre
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Nashville SC continues unbeaten streak, but can't break through in scoreless tie with D.C. United
On May 3, Nashville SC played Atlanta United to a 1-1 tie which felt more like a win. The Boys in Gold were the better team for the final 70 minutes, rallied from a first-half deficit on the road and left Mercedes-Benz Stadium feeling they'd delivered, in coach B.J. Callaghan's words, a "complete, professional performance." Advertisement An 0-0 draw with D.C. United at Geodis Park on May 17 had the same net result. But afterwards, Nashville (7-4-3, 24 points) seemed to rue the two points it didn't earn more than it savored the one point it did pick up in the MLS standings. "We're not happy at all with the result," Callaghan said. "There's no one in the locker room that's satisfied." Nashville, which did extend its unbeaten streak to six games, plays at Orlando City in the U.S. Open Cup round of 16 on May 21 (6:30 p.m., Paramount+). Revenge not on Nashville's mind Callaghan had previously said Nashville wouldn't be motivated by what happened the last time it faced D.C. (3-6-5, 14 points), when Gabriel Pirani scored twice in stoppage time to hand NSC a 4-3 loss and all but eliminate it from playoff contention last October. Advertisement While that game featured a combined 50 shots — 31 from United — this meeting had almost nothing in common with last season's hectic affair. Nashville took eight shots, five on goal, while D.C. took just three. NSC goalkeeper Joe Willis only needed one save, stopping a speculative try from former teammate Randall Leal, to record his fourth shutout of 2025. "(D.C.) made it difficult to play tonight, and they have a lot of numbers behind the ball," Callaghan said. "So you're in a pretty combative game that there wasn't a lot of space." Nashville lacks finishing touch Despite having the advantages in shots and possession (55%), Nashville only put the ball in the back of the net once — a goal which was called back due to Teal Bunbury being offside before he passed to Hany Mukhtar for a tap-in. Advertisement There were other missed moments: Nashville couldn't take advantage of a 3-on-1 break just after halftime, while Sam Surridge skied an open shot in the 87th minute. "We weren't clean with the ball," Callaghan said. "We missed a few passes, couple balls got blocked. I just think from the beginning to the end we could have probably executed a little better." In fact, D.C. nearly stole all three points in stoppage time: Andy Najar lost the ball deep in the defensive third, leaving Jacob Murrell with an open shot at goal from a tight angle, but the striker blasted his shot well over the net. With an expected goal figure of 0.26, per FotMob, it was the best chance of the night for either team. Heavily rotated lineup Nashville's game at Orlando will be its seventh game in 18 days. Callaghan's lineup decisions against United reflected that congested schedule as well as the priority NSC is placing on the Open Cup. Advertisement In were Bunbury, Chris Applewhite, Josh Bauer, Gaston Brugman and Ahmed Qasem. Out were Najar, Surridge, Alex Muyl, Jacob Shaffelburg and Jeisson Palacios, who had started Nashville's last four MLS games. MORE: Why Nashville SC Latino supporters group canceled game-day activities in wake of ICE sweeps Applewhite, 17, became the first homegrown player to start a league game for NSC. The center back won seven of nine aerial duels, a game high for both teams, and threaded a long ball to Bunbury in the first half to set up a free kick in prime scoring position. "You forget that he's only 17," Willis said. "He plays and acts so much more mature than that. ... They wanted to play a lot of long balls and hope to win knockdowns and second balls. For him to step in and dominate in the air the way he did was a huge boost." Jacob Shames can be reached by email at jshames@ and on Twitter @Jacob_Shames. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville SC ties D.C. United in scoreless game
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Eredivisie End of Season Review: Fortuna Sittard
Finish position: 11th Overview: It was an up and down season for Fortuna Sittard this season. After a decent start, 2025 brought a horrific run of form that ultimately cost them a place in the European play-offs. However, even if they had qualified, they would not have participated after failing to gain a UEFA License. It was another mid table finish for Fortuna Sittard, who finished 10th last year and 13th the season before. Fans will hope that any licensing problems will not be signs of wider issues and can be sorted out ahead of next season with a view to pushing for a play-off finish. However, it is another season in the Eredivisie and that remains the minimum expectation for the side. Advertisement Player of the season: Mattijs Branderhorst After limited appearances of FC Utrecht during the 2023/2024 campaign, Mattijs Branderhorst joined Fortuna Sittard on loan and has gone on to become a key player for the side. He made 93 saves this season with a save percentage of 70.5% according to FotMob, which contributed to 10 clean sheets. He was also statistically the best goalkeepers in the league at dealing with crosses, with 55 high claims, more than any other goalkeeper in the Eredivisie. With a contract up in 2026, Fortuna Sittard should explore the option of bringing him back next season. Young player of the season: Ryan Fosso Fosso joined Fortuna Sittard in the summer from Swiss side FC Vaduz. While not jumping off the page in terms of performances Fosso has had a solid first season in the Eredivisie. The 22-year-old central midfielder played 32 games in all competitions, grabbing one goal and an assist. For a side that has not used many U23 players this season, Fosso has been the one young player to play consistent minutes. Fosso has one year left on his contract at the club, so next season could be a big chance for him to earn a new deal or attract interest from elsewhere. Advertisement Summer needs: Fortuna Sittard only managed a measly 37 goals in 34 games. Their top scorer was Kristoffer Peterson with just seven goals. The side tried to address the issue in January with the signing of Bojan Radulovic on loan from Huddersfield Town, but he could only manage one goal in 11 games. With Kaj Sierhuis having missed most of the season, it was obvious that they had been too reliant on him after his 12 goals last season. Another striker and someone else who can create for the striker would be worthwhile, as the side only managed an xG of 41.9 this season, less than RKC Waalwijk who were relegated. Grade: B GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Efficiency key to AJ Auxerre's success this season
Thanks to its dynamic attack, AJ Auxerre will be playing top-flight football beyond this season. The 2023-24 Ligue 2 champions have officially survived relegation this time around and could earn as many as 50 points in the top flight for the first time since the 2009-10 campaign (71). Advertisement Despite being one of the newcomers to Ligue 1, the Burgundy club has not shown any signs of intimidation against the experienced sides at this level, as Christophe Pélissier's men have often attempted to play on the front foot. His attacking approach has been rewarded, with Auxerre netting 46 goals in Ligue 1 through 32 matchdays. That's their highest total to this stage of a top-flight season since 2003-04, when they scored 48 times after 31 league fixtures. That season, they were aided by the brilliance of Djibril Cissé, who finished the campaign with 26 league goals, as AJA finished fourth and claimed a place in the UEFA Cup, today known as the Europa League. Auxerre have had two stars step up in Bournemouth loanee Hamed Traoré (25) and Gaëtan Perrin (28), scoring 10 and nine goals, respectively, in 32 league fixtures. Advertisement While Perrin, Lassine Sinayoko (25), and Traoré have been among the top providers, this team have been middle of the pack regarding big chances created, according to FotMob, sitting 13th with 63. At the same time, AJA have been decisive when scoring opportunities have presented themselves, with the fewest big chances missed in Ligue 1 after 31 matchdays per FotMob. In 2024-25, Auxerre have scored in 25 encounters and have only been shut out on seven occasions. GFFN | Joel Lefevre
