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An Aston Villa transfer target is keen on a move to Villa Park after speaking to Unai Emery and Monchi.

Aston Villa eyeing new attacker

The Villans have brought in eight new players ahead of the 2024/25 season, with Amadou Onana the latest and most expensive signing after he joined from Everton.

There have also been a number of exits to balance the books at Villa Park, with Douglas Luiz joining Juventus and Moussa Diaby signing for Al-Ittihad. As a result, a replacement for Diaby appears to be needed, and it has been claimed that an offer has been submitted to Hoffenheim attacker Maximilian Beier, although there is competition from Chelsea.

Contact made: Aston Villa chase £50k-p/w forward who Thierry Henry loves

He could be the perfect Ollie Watkins alternative for Unai Emery.

By
Ben Browning

Jul 31, 2024

Joao Felix of Atletico Madrid has also been heavily linked with a move to the Midlands, however, an alternative target appears to be former Villa star Jack Grealish, with a loan-to-buy deal with Manchester City mooted in the media. However, it appears as if Villa may have a real chance of signing Felix, going off a new claim.

Joao Felix to Aston Villa transfer update

The latest transfer update has come from The Boot Room, who state that Aston Villa are battling Benfica to sign Felix this summer. Villa have held talks over a permanent transfer, something which Atletico Madrid are willing to entertain. It is added that ‘Felix is keen to link up with Villa and he has held talks with Emery and Monchi’.

However, Villa may need to act fast, as the lure of returning to Benfica could also appeal to Felix, who is also being linked with a return to Barcelona on loan.

Previously named as Emery’s “dream” target, it looks as if Villa are in a good position to get a deal done for the £96,000-a-week forward, with the funds also there following Diaby’s move to Saudi Arabia.

Should a deal go through, Villa would be getting a forward who is still just 24 years of age and has plenty of experience in the Champions League. The Portugal international also has knowledge of the Premier League after a loan spell at Chelsea and has played as a centre-forward, second striker, left winger, right winger and attacking midfielder throughout his career.

During his time at Stamford Bridge, Felix was also hailed by Gary Neville after his goal against Manchester United. “He’s a proper player, him. Just the way he moves with the ball looks so different, so in control. Class – real class. He’s got options in front of him but he thinks 'no, I’m going to go on my own', and he just fires it past David de Gea. Really good finish."

Celtic are just a couple of weeks away from opening their Scottish Premiership campaign for the 2024/25 season with a clash against Kilmarnock at Parkhead.

The Hoops have made two additions to their first-team squad so far during the summer transfer window, ahead of the season-opener, and both are goalkeepers.

Kasper Schmeichel has come in on a free transfer from Anderlecht to replace fellow veteran Joe Hart, whilst Viljami Sinisalo has joined from Aston Villa on a permanent deal.

Hart retired at the end of the 2023/24 campaign, after three years with the club, and Celtic now have two shot-stoppers to compete for his place.

The Scottish giants are not done there, though, as they have reportedly held talks over a deal for Antwerp star Michel-Ange Balikwisha, whilst they have agreed a £3.5m deal to sign Paulo Bernardo from Benfica.

This shows that the club are currently working on transfers to come in and improve their options across the park after resolved their goalkeeper issues first and foremost.

Whilst Bernardo appears poised to come in to bolster Brendan Rodgers' midfield ranks, after spending last season on loan at Parkhead, Celtic are also interested in a deal to bring another midfielder to Glasgow before the end of the summer transfer window.

Celtic's interest in midfield dynamo

According to the Daily Record, the Premiership champions are in the hunt to sign American midfielder Tanner Tessmann from Venezia this summer.

The report claims that the Scottish giants have been 'alerted' to the potential of a deal being on the cards for the midfield maestro, as his proposed move to Inter fell through.

It also states that he is valued at £6m and it remains to be seen whether or not the Hoops have that in their budget, or if they are willing to spend that on him.

Tessmann, who was dubbed a "cerebral operator" by talent ID recruiter Jonathan Stoop, has emerged as a target amid interest in current Bhoys star Matt O'Riley.

The Daily Record adds that Liverpool are now interested in a swoop for the Denmark international, whilst Serie A side Atalanta are also keen on him.

However, Tessmann's form for Venezia and style of play actually suggests that he would be more suited as an alternative or future successor to Reo Hatate in the middle of the park, rather than O'Riley – if he were to depart this summer.

Reo Hatate's qualities in midfield

The Japan international is a dynamic midfielder who does not offer too much in terms of his defensive contributions due to his lack of physicality.

He makes up for that, though, with the quality that he can offer in possession of the ball, as the Hoops whiz can chip in with goals and assists at the top end of the pitch.

In the 2022/23 season, the 26-year-old star produced six goals, eight assists, and ten 'big chances' created in 32 league matches for the Scottish giants.

Hatate proved that he has the quality, movement, and vision, to be a reliable source of goals and creativity from a midfield position at Premiership level, with 14 direct goal contributions in those 32 games.

Unfortunately, injuries blighted his most recent campaign in a Celtic jersey as the Japanese ace only managed to make 16 appearances in the Premiership.

As you can see in the table above, Hatate still showcased his ability in the final third with seven direct goal contributions in just 12 starts, which works out as more than one every other start on average.

His lack of game time in the league, though, came down to three separate injury issues that he sustained throughout the campaign, including one to each calf and one to his hamstring. Those three blows kept the midfielder out of action for a staggering 40 games for club and country.

The midfield ace's injury problems are a cause for concern and that is why Rodgers should swoop to sign Tessmann from Venezia this summer, as the American star could come in as a dream alternative to Hatate, a 2.0 version of the Japan international.

Why Tanner Tessmann could be Reo Hatate 2.0

Firstly the Serie B maestro is four years younger than Hatate, at the age of 22, and could be a long-term successor to the current Celtic talent, as well as providing immediate competition for his place.

The 22-year-old gem is coming off the back of an impressive season in the Serie B for Venezia and his statistics suggest that the potential is there for him to provide an exciting attacking threat from a deep-lying midfield role.

Tessmann is a progressive passer and someone who can get forward to chip in with goals and assists of his own to be a difference-maker for his side.

In the Serie B last term, the young prospect ranked within the top 5% of his positional peers for progressive passes per 90 (6.93), which shows that he is constantly looking to play forward and on the front foot to get his teammates into advanced positions.

He also ranked within the top 25% for Expected Assisted Goals per 90 (0.12) and that speaks to his creative excellence in midfield, as he consistently creates high-quality chances for his fellow players.

As you can see in the table above, Tessmann got forward to great effect with 12 goals and 'big chances' created combined across 37 outings in the second tier in Italy.

He also created more than one chance per match on average, which aligns with his impressive xAG per 90, and these statistics show that the USA international has the quality to be like Hatate for Celtic.

Just like the Japanese whiz, Tessmann can burst forward from a number eight role to contribute with goals, assists, 'big chances' created, and key passes at an impressive rate, which is why Rodgers should sign him to be Hatate 2.0.

Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni admits he's not sure if a Finalissima against Spain will happen due to a congested fixture schedule.

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Argentina due to play Spain in FinalissimaDate for match yet to be fixedScaloni doesn't think it will happenFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Spain and Argentina have been slated to meet in the 2025 edition of the Finalissima which will see the Euro 2024 winners take on the Copa America champions. The game will also see Lionel Messi come up against Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal, who has regularly been compared to the Argentine star, and who is currently playing a starring role at his former club.

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No decision has yet been made on where or when the Finalissima will take place and there's no doubt it will be tricky to find suitable space on a congested fixture calendar to find room. Argentina boss Scaloni has admitted that he is sceptical whether the game will even take place due to the heavy workload players are facing currently.

WHAT SCALONI SAID

He told reporters: "The Finalissima next year is not easy, because Spain is playing in the World Cup qualifiers. Given the schedule, I don’t see it happening. We’ll see. We go into the match [against Peru] with the feeling that we have been together a lot, when before we saw them very little. If you add to that the matches with their clubs, where they have not had a break… It is a topic that is being talked about a lot. Since June we have played a lot."

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Fans will have to wait and see if a solution can be found for the game to be played. There has been speculation the Finalissima could even be pushed back until 2026, the same year as the next World Cup which will be held in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, and could then be played in New York.

Half-centuries by Alex Hales and Daniel Sams were not enough for the Thunder who suffered a middle-order slump

Andrew McGlashan13-Jan-2021Sydney Sixers stayed top of the table with a convincing victory in the first derby of the season against Sydney Thunder as Josh Philippe’s 24-ball half-century ensured they were always ahead in a rain-adjusted chase.Steve O’Keefe made huge inroads•Getty Images

Alex Hales provided the Thunder with a flying start as he made a 29-ball half-century, but they lost their way against Steve O’ Keefe, who claimed career-best figures for the second time this season, and it needed a measured half-century from Daniel Sams to ensure the innings did not completely fall away.After a heavy shower at the change of innings, the Sixers were left with a 14-over chase and Philippe put them on course by taking 23 off the second over from Jono Cook. During his innings, he became the leading scorer for the season, a tag that changed hands twice during the evening with Hales briefly in pole position.O’Keefe’s bestAlthough things had slowed after a Hales-inspired charge, the Thunder were well placed at 2 for 85 in the tenth over. That changed in the space of three balls as Sam Billings picked out long-on and Hales clubbed to deep midwicket against O’Keefe. It meant there were two new batsmen in at the midway point, forcing the Thunder into a period of consolidation and they would end up holding back the Power Surge for the final two overs. O’Keefe then added Alex Ross, lbw missing a sweep, and finished with 3 for 15 from a spell that conceded just one boundary and included 12 dot balls. Jackson Bird’s role was also noteworthy; he picked up 1 for 23 in his four overs which meant the eight between him and O’Keefe went for just 38.Philippe looks readyAfter a couple of single-figure scores, it was normal service resumed for Philippe as he launched the Sixers’ chase by tucking into Cook with four fours and six in five deliveries. By the end of the reduced three-over powerplay, he had 31 off 11 balls and the Sixers were 0 for 41. After the six-over mark, he started to lose some of the strike as the chase got a bit tighter but was able to bring up a 24-ball fifty – the fastest of his BBL career. There are a lot of people wanting to bat at the top of the order for Australia in T20Is but it’s becoming difficult to see how much Philippe can be denied his chance. Perhaps the series against New Zealand in late February?Last chance droppedThe wickets of James Vince and Daniel Hughes in the space of five balls gave the Thunder some hope and when Jordan Silk fell to the first delivery of the Power Surge – which was limited to one over – as he spliced Sams into the leg side the Sixers needed 32 off 23 balls. Two balls later, Dan Christian skied his first delivery into the off side but Ross could not hold over his shoulder as he ran back from inside the ring. In the next over from Nathan McAndrew, Christian launched two sixes and the game was done.Hales starts, Sams finishesIt had all looked so promising for the Thunder early on as Hales showed his destructive power by taking 21 off the third over against former England team-mate Jake Ball which included two leg-side sixes. After briefly consolidating following the loss of Usman Khawaja and Callum Ferguson, another six, a skimming sweep off Lloyd Pope, took him to a 29-ball fifty. After the stuffing had been knocked out of the middle order, Sams nursed the innings to a stage where they could push hard in the final few overs although 24 from the last two – which were the Power Surge – was manageable for the Sixers. Sams’ resurgent batting form continued with his second fifty of the season, brought up with a boundary off the final ball after Carlos Braithwaite had managed three consecutive dots in the last over.

Rahane says he had a conversation with Kohli after running him out in Adelaide

Sidharth Monga25-Dec-2020

One bad hour. Two good days. Back yourselves to keep doing the same things that brought you those two good days, and avoid that bad hour. That is the import from India’s stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane, who picked an XI with five bowlers for the second Test before attending the pre-match press conference.It is a rare opportunity to captain India – only 33 men have done so in Tests – but Rahane’s position is not exactly enviable with India coming off their 36 all out nightmare and missing three of their frontline players. On top of that, Rahane still holds responsible for not batting Australia out of the game when he ran Virat Kohli out in the first innings and followed it up with a disappointing lbw dismissal.”It was really tough,” Rahane said of the run-out, which became part of India’s fall of 17 wickets for 92 runs. They had been 188 for 3 before that. “Obviously we were going really well, the partnership was really good, and I could actually see that momentum go towards Australia after that run-out. After the end of the day, I went and said sorry to him [Kohli]. He was okay about it because we understood that the situation we were in, we were going really well at that point, but such things happen in cricket. You have got to respect that and move on from there.”Related

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Rahane said Kohli addressed the team before leaving for India for the birth of his first child. “Virat spoke to all of us. We had our team dinner in Adelaide so he spoke to all of us about being positive, playing to our strength and just play as a team and as a unit. That is what we have been doing all these years. It is all about that, all about staying in the moment, playing for each other and enjoy each other’s success and help each other out in the field.”Rahane said while Kohli’s presence was important he won’t be sliding into the captain’s messengers for tips while he is in India. “He spoke to all the boys. He said just be yourselves and back yourselves and play as a team. I don’t want to disturb him now because obviously this time is really special,” Rahane said.This is not the first time Rahane has filled in for Kohli at a crucial time. The last time he did so the opposition was the same, and India were playing the series decider in Dharamsala in 2016-17. Rahane earned plaudits for his captaincy in the match, which started with an aggressive selection of Kuldeep Yadav as the third spinner, continued with field sets and bowling changes, and culminated in an attacking innings to kill a potentially tricky chase.”I felt [I learnt] backing your instinct, remaining calm under pressure, backing your own strengths and methods, which I really focus on,” Rahane said. “I really learnt a lot during that Test.”Rahane reiterated that neither the openers nor he himself needed to take any pressure for the second Test even though their roles were crucial. “We have got to back our basics, back our plans,” Rahane said. “We just had one bad hour so it is all about staying positive, backing your own ability and batting in partnerships. As a batting unit, that matters a lot: communication and batting in partnerships. We are focussing on that.”It is a proud moment for me to lead India. It is a great opportunity and responsibility. I don’t want to take any pressure. What I want to do is back my team-mates, back my team. And as a team we want to do well. The focus is not on me but on the team.”The openers’ role is crucial anywhere. I don’t want to put any pressure on our openers. Just want to give them freedom to play their game. But having said that openers’ role is very crucial. When you have that foundation, it becomes easier for the coming batsman.”

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A um passo na final do Campeonato Brasileiro Feminino, a goleira do Corinthians, Kemelli, comemorou a vantagem criada no jogo de ida de semifinal da competição. No último domingo (29), as meninas do Timão bateram a Ferroviária, em Araraquara, por 3 a 1.

– Sair de um jogo que foi fora de casa com um resultado daquela importância, com certeza nos deixou com uma alegria imensa, mas sabemos que ainda não atingimos nosso maior objetivo – disse a atleta.

>> Baixe o novo app de resultados do L!
>> Confira a tabela do Brasileirão Feminino

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Ainda assim, a arqueira preza pés no chão para o confronto de volta que acontecerá neste fim de semana, com mando corintiano, na Arena Barueri.

– O jogo decisivo será na nossa casa e sabemos que não podemos relaxar por ter essa e mais a vantagem do placar a nosso favor. Vamos novamente dar o nosso máximo, sempre com o pensamento de que é o último jogo de nossas vidas. Estamos prontas para o que vem à nossa frente! – concluiu Kemelli.

O Corinthians já entrará em campo neste domingo (5), às 20h, contra a Locomotiva, sabendo quem será o seu adversário, caso avance a final. Isso porque no mesmo dia, mas às 11h, o Palmeiras recebe o Internacional, no Allianz Parque. Na ida, em Porto Alegre, a equipe alviverde saiu na frente, ganhando por 1 a 0.

There will be a WBBL village created at the Sydney Olympic Park that will house all eight teams

ESPNcricinfo staff25-Sep-2020

Sydney and Melbourne derbies will launch the new-look WBBL season with Cricket Australia confirming the fixture list for the 59-game competition that will be played entirely in a Sydney hub starting late next month.The opening weekend of matches on October 25 will see the Melbourne Renegades face the Melbourne Stars and the Sydney Sixers take on the Sydney Thunder at North Sydney Oval.All eight teams will be involved on the opening day with the Adelaide Strikers playing the Hobart Hurricanes and the Perth Scorchers up against the Adelaide Strikers at Hurstville Oval.The other grounds to be used for the tournament are the Sydney Showground Stadium, Blacktown International Sportspark and Drummoyne Oval.The fixtures and venues for the finals series, which will take place on November 28 and 29, will be confirmed in the coming weeks.A WBBL village will be created in the Sydney OIympic Park area – which houses the Showground Stadium – with the eight teams having exclusive use of hotels, training facilities and other areas during the month-long competition.”Today’s announcement of the changes to the rebel WBBL|06 fixture and the transformation of Sydney Olympic Park into the rebel WBBL Village sets the League up for another unforgettable season,” Alistair Dobson, Cricket Australia’s head of Big Bash Leagues, said.”Last season was the biggest in the history of the women’s game and now, following on from the Commonwealth Bank ODI and T20I series in Brisbane, we’ll get to see the stars of our world champion Australian team in action during rebel WBBL|06.”The logistics, including required quarantine periods, for the overseas players joining the tournament will be firmed up in the next few weeks

Middlesex six down and only 25 ahead in second innings as three-day finish beckons

ECB Reporters Network07-Sep-2020Aaron Beard toppled the Middlesex top order after Adam Wheater’s chanceless 83 not out put Essex on course for the Bob Willis Trophy final.Fast bowler Beard took three wickets in 21 balls after tea to leave Middlesex with their backs against the wall at the Cloudfm County Ground, Chelmsford. The visitors did tiptoe into a lead but having ended the day on 123 for 6, ahead by 25, they’ll need an extraordinary effort from the tail to set Essex a tricky fourth-innings chase.Earlier, Wheater posted a three-year high score to give Essex a commanding first-innings lead of 98, as they pocketed four bonus points.After 15 wickets had fallen on the opening day at the Cloudfm County Ground, Chelmsford, batting seemed much easier for the most part on the day two. Wheater used the friendlier conditions to his advantage with a mature innings, partnered well by Ryan ten Doeschate and Simon Harmer.The home side’s morning, in which they lost just three wickets, was spoiled slightly by a back spasm suffered by ten Doeschate. The former captain had seemingly run an innocuous single unharmed, but felt a problem while scratching out his guard.He needed five minutes of treatment on the pitch before retiring hurt on 31, having put on 35 with Wheater.Harmer continued with Wheater and took Essex to a potentially valuable batting point. It added to their three bowling points from the first day, and with Derbyshire’s batting woes, could be an important factor in the race to secure a place in the final at Lord’s later this month.Wheater, who hasn’t scored a County Championship century since returning from a stint at Hampshire in 2016, cruised to his fifty in 76 balls. He and allrounder Harmer put on 72 before Harmer was lbw – the first of three quick wickets for Martin Andersson.The fast bowler then had Beard and Sam Cook caught in the slips in the 62nd over to bring ten Doeschate back to the crease, albeit with Dan Lawrence as his runner. The 40-year-old, who didn’t field, added 12 more runs to his tally before he departed to hand Andersson a fourth – returning figures of 4 for 38.Adam Wheater pulls during his half-century•Getty ImagesJamie Porter was the final man to go, caught behind off Tim Murtagh, to leave Wheater stranded on his highest first-class county score since he reached 88 versus Somerset in August 2017.All eyes were now on the Bob Willis Trophy’s leading wicket-taker Harmer and whether he could spin his usual magic. Instead it was the seamers, in particular Beard, who took centre stage from the Hayes Close End by bowling incessant line and length.Sam Cook pocketed an early scalp as Sam Robson, on likely his final innings of the summer, pushed to Harmer at second slip. Offspinner Harmer, who was a threat throughout his 21 overs, then picked up Nick Gubbins leg before on the cusp of tea.When Beard entered the attack he found pace to accompany accuracy, demonstrated perfectly by sending Steve Eskinazi’s off stump catapulting with a beautiful delivery which straightened.Max Holden had provided a rear-guard with 37, which included a pulled six off Porter, but became Beard’s second victim when he also lost his off-peg. Middlesex, still in arrears, were then 84 for 5 when a driving Andersson edged Beard to second slip.John Simpson and former Essex loanee Robbie White took their side into the lead with a 38-run partnership. But Harmer returned for a second spell to pin White leg-before to set up a likely three-day finish.

ESPNcricinfo understands that he chose to leave his post following a heated board meeting

Firdose Moonda17-Aug-2020

Dr. Jacques Faul has resigned as acting CEO of Cricket South Africa, on the same day that the organisation revealed Chris Nenzani had stepped down as president over the weekend and COO Naasei Appiah had been fired. Faul, who was seconded from the Titans in December 2019, was due to return to his role with the franchise on September 15, but has opted to leave his post four weeks early.While Faul was not available for comment on Monday evening, ESPNcricinfo understands that he chose to leave his post following a heated board meeting in which his position became untenable. An acting CEO is expected to be named imminently, with Appiah, who is fighting his dismissal in court making himself “available” on a radio show minutes after news of Faul’s resignation was made public. Company secretary Welsh Gwaza, who was at the board meeting and was unable to divulge any information, is one of the names being mentioned for the acting role.The search for a permanent CEO can only get underway once the case of suspended CEO Thabang Moroe has been clarified. Moroe was suspended in December and has been on full pay since then while CSA waited for a forensic audit in order to charge Moroe for alleged wrongdoing. Last week, Moroe met with CSA but they were unable to reach a conclusion. He is expected to return to meet CSA this week with several sources anticipating he will be fired. Moroe’s lawyers have expressed an intention to take CSA to court if that is the case. Only then, and if Moroe does not return to his job, can CSA be able to begin the process of appointing someone for the job full-time.In the meantime, CSA will elect a new president on September 15 with the board under increasing pressure to step down. South Africa’s main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), issued a statement on Monday demanding that Nenzani appear before parliament to answer questions over his role in the administrative meltdown that led to Moroe’s suspension. The DA has also called vice-president Beresford Williams and “the rest of the CSA Board to follow suit and tender their resignations as well.”Similar calls have been made in the past by the South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA) and several sponsors who were concerned about corporate governance at CSA under Moroe. That led to Faul taking over as acting CEO as part of an overhaul at the top level of South African cricket, with influential former players Graeme Smith and Mark Boucher brought in as director of cricket and head coach respectively.Smith had previously declined the role under Moroe but has since confirmed he is willing to continue in his role even if the executive changed. “My commitment is still there to want to go good in South African cricket and to move forward with whoever the leadership is going to be,” Smith said on August 1. There are now worries that Smith may walk away as well, with infighting at board level increasing. Ultimately, it was the inability to see eye-to-eye with the board that ended Faul’s second stint as acting CEO. He had earlier taken over following the suspension of Gerald Majola in March 2012, and had remained in the role until his resignation in July 2012.

Blind football at the 2024 Paris Paralympics is compelling, competitive, and going viral and for all of the right reasons

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So here's a challenge: Try watching sports without saying a word.

That’s the assignment for all of the fans who pour into The Stade Tour Eiffel this week for the Paralympics’ Blind soccer slate. You may have taken of this most unique competition during these Games.

The sport, which has had its fair share of viral videos on social media for highlight plays and unique, charming, and compelling moments, has captured the imagination of soccer fans serious and casual alike – and showed, once again, that the beautiful game can operate in so many different ways.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  How blind football works?

  For the uninitiated, here's a quick primer on the sport. When it comes to rules, blind football is the classic five-a-side. Four outfield players and a goalie – basic stuff soccer fans learn from when they touch a ball for the first time.

  And that’s where the similarities end.

  All competitors must be visually impaired. They play wearing masks to make up for the various degrees of different eye sight among all the players. The ball is fitted with a bell to help players approximate its location. Only the goalkeeper and offensive guide – effectively an extra coach standing behind either goal – may talk at any given time.

  When the ball is in play, and in the middle third of the pitch, coaches can bark instructions. Otherwise, this is a game of yelps and jingles.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  A unique fan experience

  And then there are the fans. Before kickoff, supporters are encouraged to make as much noise as possible, to cultivate an ebullient atmosphere – and that's just until the dynamics of the game come into play.

  At that point, fans remain silent – often with gentle reminders from officials to control themselves – until the ball goes out, or a goal is scored. Of course, when the ball hits the net, the noise is intense.

• USA Today
  

  A stunning outcome

  As seems to be the case with football in all forms, it's no surprise that Brazil are the world’s power in Blind football (it wouldn’t be any form of the sport without the Selecao towards the top.) The first blind football tournament took place in Brazil in 1980, and entering this year's Paralympics tournament, they were the favorites.

  They battered France, 3-0, and played to a 0-0 draw with Paralympic giants China to advance through the groups. 

  Their secret to success? Keep the ball moving.

  “We are making it as dynamic as possible within football. We move around a lot, we pass, we change athletes with the aim of bringing more shine to the sport,” defender Cassio Lopes dos Reis said to the Olympics website.

  And if that fails, Brazil have had the edge in individual quality. They are led by Jefinho, the so-called ‘Paralympic Pele’, who has won four Gold Medals in the competition.

  His motivation for a fifth couldn’t be more pronounced, he told the International Blind Sports Federation in March:  “We are working every day for it," he said. "In the morning, in the afternoon, and sometimes on Saturdays too. We are delivering our full dedication to being in Paris in the best shape possible. As athletes, we always want more.

  "In Brazil, we don’t stand that much with what we achieved in the past. We look forward to future titles, and we want Brazil to remain the only Paralympic champion in the world.”

  For all that ambition, however, it wasn’t to be. The tournament delivered on jeopardy Thursday, when Argentina – reigning world champions – edged their old competitor on penalties. It wasn't a complete shock. Brazil needed a miraculous goal-line clearance to snatch a draw with China in the group stage. And with the sport growing, others were bound to catch up.

  Still, few anticipated a Brazil loss. And perhaps it’s what this game needed, another power coming into the fore. For the first time ever, Brazil won’t take home the gold medal in the sport that has historically been theirs. Saturday’s Gold Medal match will be all that much more compelling.

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• An accomplishment worth its weight in gold

  This may seem like an unfamiliar version of the sport to some, soccer slowed down and modified, adjusted for those who otherwise wouldn’t have the chance to compete. But with a gold medal on the line when France takes on Argentina Saturday, and the weight of a nation to hold up, it is just as important as any version of the sport.

  France manager Toussaint Akpweh perhaps explained it best.

  “For almost five years, we have been working with rigor and determination to regain our place in the world elite of football for the blind," he said. "The rest, we will write in Paris.”