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Monday, June 9, 2025

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https://nordictimes.com/sport/portugal-win-nations-league-after-penalty-shootout-thriller-against-spain/

Sport

Portugal win Nations League after penalty shootout thriller against Spain

Published today 13:47
– By Editorial Staff
Portugal wins the Nations League for the second time with the victory over Spain.
2 minute read
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

It was a Nations League final that had everything – nerves, twists, penalties, and drama right up to the very end. When the dust settled, Portugal once again stood atop the Nations League podium after an unforgettable evening in Munich.

Portugal can once again call themselves Nations League champions after a thrilling final against Spain at the Allianz Arena in Munich.

After 120 minutes of drama and a 2–2 score on the board, the Portuguese came out on top in the penalty shootout, securing their second title in the history of the tournament.

Spain took the lead twice, first through Martin Zubimendi in the 21st minute and then through Mikel Oyarzabal just before halftime.

Portugal responded quickly through Nuno Mendes and equalized again in the second half when Cristiano Ronaldo, in his 209th international appearance, scored his 138th international goal in the 61st minute. The equalizer sent the match into extra time.

Despite chances at both ends in extra time, the score remained 2–2 when the referee blew for penalties. Portugal showed their composure, with all five Portuguese penalty takers scoring, while Spain’s Álvaro Morata missed the decisive attempt.

Ruben Neves became the hero when he scored the decisive penalty, securing the gold medal for Portugal with a 5–3 victory.

Ronaldo: “Winning for Portugal is very special”

Cristiano Ronaldo, who was forced to leave the field injured in the final minutes, was still able to lift the trophy alongside his teammates – his third international title with Portugal and another chapter in an already legendary career.

– Winning for Portugal is very special. I have many titles, but there is nothing better than winning with Portugal. The tears afterwards and the feeling of having done your duty, it’s beautiful, he commented, according to Record.

The victory means that Portugal has now won two of three possible Nations League titles and once again consolidates its place at the top of European football.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Winners Nations League

  • 2019: Portugal
  • 2021: France
  • 2023: Spain
  • 2025: Portugal

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https://nordictimes.com/sport/taliban-ban-chess-considered-a-means-of-gambling/

Sport

Taliban ban chess: “Considered a means of gambling”

Published 12 May 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Chess has long been a popular activity among young Afghans - but now it's over.
2 minute read
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

The Taliban government in Afghanistan has banned chess with immediate effect. According to the authorities, the game is considered a form of gambling and is therefore considered contrary to Islamic Sharia law.

Chess is the latest sport to be banned or severely restricted by the Taliban. Since taking power in August 2021, the Taliban regime has gradually introduced laws reflecting its strict interpretation of Sharia, which means, among other things, that women are now effectively banned from participating in all organized sports.

In a statement on Sunday, Atal Mashwani, spokesperson for the Taliban government’s sports directorate, said that under Islamic sharia, chess is “considered a means of gambling“.

– There are religious considerations regarding the sport of chess. Until these considerations are addressed, the sport of chess is suspended in Afghanistan, he told AFP news agency.

A Kabul cafe owner who has organized informal chess competitions in recent years said he respected the decision but said it would hurt his business.

– Young people don’t have a lot of activities these days, so many came here everyday. They would have a cup of tea and challenge their friends to a game of chess, said Azizullah Gulzada.

He also pointed out that chess is widely played in many other Muslim countries, without any ban having been discussed.

Previous bans on martial arts

Last year, the Taliban banned mixed martial arts (MMA) in professional settings, citing the sport as too “violent” and “problematic with respect to sharia“.

– It turned out that the sport is problematic under Sharia and contains many aspects that contradict the teachings of Islam, a Taliban spokesperson said last August.

MMA competitions were effectively banned as early as 2021, when the Taliban introduced legislation banning “face-punching“.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/sport/fifa-hopes-to-see-russia-back-on-the-pitch-soon/

Sport

FIFA hopes to see Russia back on the pitch soon

The war in Ukraine

Published 8 April 2025
– By Editorial Staff
2 minute read
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

FIFA President Gianni Infantino expresses hope that Russia will soon be able to return to international football.

Speaking at the Uefa Congress in Belgrade on 3 April, he stressed that such a step would signal the resolution of the conflict in Ukraine and highlighted that football is a path to unity.

Speaking at the congress, Infantino emphasized the role of football as a unifying force, saying the sport can help bring people and nations closer together.

– As talks are going on for peace in Ukraine, I hope we can soon move to the next stage and bring back Russia in the football landscape, because this would mean everything is solved, Infantino said during his speech.

– That is what we have to cheer for; that is what we have to pray for because that is what football is about – to unite, not divide, he continued.

Russia banned since 2022

Russia has been banned from all FIFA and UEFA competitions since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. This includes both club and national teams. The decision was taken after several nations, including Sweden, Poland and the Czech Republic, refused to play against Russia.

Infantino pointed out that Russia’s return is not only about sport but also about peace.

– If football can play a small role once peace is established, we will certainly contribute.

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin also expressed support for Infantino’s view. However, he made it clear that Russia’s re-entry will only happen once the war in Ukraine has ended.

– I have said it many times and I can repeat it: If the war stops, they will be allowed back, Ceferin told the congress.

Gianni Infantino referred to past examples where politics prevented teams from participating in tournaments, such as Serbia’s exclusion from the 1992 European Championship in the wake of the Yugoslav war.

– We must always strive to use football to bring people together, to unite countries, especially in our world that is so divided, said Infantino.

Meanwhile, other organizations, such as the International Olympic Committee (IOC), have also discussed the possibility of allowing Russian athletes to participate, but under a neutral flag.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/sport/alexander-ovechkin-becomes-nhls-all-time-goal-leader/

Sport

Alexander Ovechkin becomes NHL’s all-time goal leader

Published 7 April 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Alexander Ovechkin celebrated his goal record with the "seal" gesture in front of a packed home arena.
2 minute read
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Alexander Ovechkin has made history. With his 895th goal in the NHL, he now passes legendary Wayne Gretzky’s 26-year-old record and can now claim the title of the league’s all-time leading scorer.

The record, which many thought was impossible to break, fell during the Washington Capitals’ game against the New York Islanders on Sunday night.

Ovechkin’s record-breaking goal came 7:26 into the second period at UBS Arena. On a power play, he took a pass from Dylan Strome and sent a hard wrist shot from the left faceoff circle past goalie Ilya Sorokin. The goal marked a milestone that will live on in hockey history.

The game was then briefly stopped for a tribute ceremony, where Ovechkin was celebrated by his teammates, opponents and the crowd. Wayne Gretzky, who was on hand to witness the moment, personally congratulated Ovechkin on the ice.

– They say records are made to be broken. But I’m not sure who’s ever going to be able to break this one, Gretzky commented on the historic goal record.

The “unbeatable” record

Wayne Gretzky, who ended his career in 1999, set his previous record with 894 goals in his 20-year career. He passed Gordie Howe’s then record of 801 goals on March 23, 1994.

Gretzky still leads the league in scoring with 2,857 points and 1,963 assists compared to runner-up Ron Francis, who had 1,798 points and 1,249 assists during his career.

However, his scoring record has now fallen to Alexander Ovechkin, who has played his entire NHL career with the Washington Capitals since being drafted number one in 2004 from Dynamo Moscow.

With his powerful shot and physical style of play, the now 39-year-old Ovechkin has been a consistent scorer in his 20 seasons in the league. This past season, he missed several games due to a broken left fibula but still managed to reach 40 goals for the 14th time – also an NHL record. He also has the most power play goals (325) and game-winning goals (137) in league history.

With his latest goal, based on available data, Alexander Ovechkin has now scored against a total of 183 different goalies, including Sorokin.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/sport/youngest-vasaloppet-ski-race-winner-ever/

Sport

Youngest Vasaloppet ski race winner ever

Published 3 March 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Myhlback beats the record from 1922 when 22-year-old Ernst Alm won the first Vasaloppet.
1 minute read
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Alvar Myhlback, 18, won Vasaloppet 2025. He became the youngest winner in the history of the race.

Myhlback finished the race with an impressive sprint and passed his competitors on the run-up. This secured him the victory in the prestigious race.

– I‘ve never felt better in my entire life, it’s so damn crazy. I can die happy, says Myhlback to tax-funded SVT.

Myhlback participated in Vasaloppet 2023 and 2024, where he placed eighth and third respectively. Now he becomes the youngest winner in the history of the race, beating the record from 1922, when 22-year-old Ernst Alm won the first Vasaloppet.

Stina Nilsson, 31 years old, made her Vasaloppet debut and won the women’s category.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

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